10 Most Powerful Crossbows of 2021
If you have been thinking of getting into archery for a while and are still not sure where to start, getting the most powerful crossbow is an excellent starting point.
Crossbows are one of the most popular types of archery bows, and they are a great choice for both hunting and fun target practice.
But as more and more people get caught up in the crossbow wave, more companies are jumping into the business of making them. What this means is that crossbows a now available in tons of options.
In this guide, we help you understand what to look for when shopping for the most powerful crossbows and also review 10 top rated options.
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10 Most Powerful Crossbows – Review
- 1. Barnett BAR78004 – Best Overall
- 2. Excalibur Crossbow Matrix Bulldog – Powerful and Well-Balanced
- 3. Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint IWR15005-7536 – Safe, Lightweight and Fast
- 4. Barnett 78404 – Powerful Bow with Uniquely Designed Stock
- 5. Leader Accessories Crossbow Package – Best Budget Crossbow
- 6. XGear Crossbow Archery Bow Hunting Equipment – Best Crossbow for Beginner Hunters
- 7. Barnett 78220 – High Speed and Reliable Bow
- 8. CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow – Efficient Top-of-The-Line Crossbow
- 9. SA Sports Compound Crossbow With 4x32 Scope And Bolts – Easy to Cock Bow with a Nice Scope
- 10. Carbon Express 20283 – Lightweight Bow with High-Performing Limp Design
- How to Buy the Most Powerful Crossbows
- Conclusion
10 Most Powerful Crossbows – Review
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PRODUCT |
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1. Barnett BAR78004 (Best Overall) |
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2. Excalibur Crossbow Matrix Bulldog (Powerful and Well-Balanced) |
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3. Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint IWR15005-7536 (Safe, Lightweight and Fast) |
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4. Barnett 78404 (Powerful Bow with Uniquely Designed Stock) |
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5. Leader Accessories Crossbow Package (Best Budget Crossbow) |
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6. XGear Crossbow Archery Bow Hunting Equipment (Best Crossbow for Beginner Hunters) |
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7. Barnett 78220 (High Speed and Reliable Bow) |
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8. CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow (Efficient Top-of-The-Line Crossbow) |
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9. SA Sports Compound Crossbow With 4x32 Scope And Bolts (Easy to Cock Bow with a Nice Scope) |
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10. Carbon Express 20283 (Lightweight Bow with High-Performing Limp Design) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Barnett BAR78004 (Best Overall) |
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2. Excalibur Crossbow Matrix Bulldog (Powerful and Well-Balanced) |
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3. Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint IWR15005-7536 (Safe, Lightweight and Fast) |
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4. Barnett 78404 (Powerful Bow with Uniquely Designed Stock) |
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5. Leader Accessories Crossbow Package (Best Budget Crossbow) |
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6. XGear Crossbow Archery Bow Hunting Equipment (Best Crossbow for Beginner Hunters) |
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7. Barnett 78220 (High Speed and Reliable Bow) |
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8. CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow (Efficient Top-of-The-Line Crossbow) |
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9. SA Sports Compound Crossbow With 4x32 Scope And Bolts (Easy to Cock Bow with a Nice Scope) |
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10. Carbon Express 20283 (Lightweight Bow with High-Performing Limp Design) |
1. Barnett BAR78004 – Best Overall
Photo: Barnett
- Speed: 400 FPS
- Draw Weight: 165 lbs
- Power Stroke: 16.38 inches
For archers on the market for a smooth and quiet crossbow shooting experience, this an excellent pick as it provides this and much more.
With this bow, you get an arrow speed of up to 400 FPS which is relatively higher when you compare to other bows on or list.
This 165-pound draw weight bow uses a patented step-through riser and string dampeners that help to provide stealth shooting. And the machined CNC aluminum flight track ensures that you get smooth and quiet shots which will also be highly accurate.
Safety should also not be a major concern when using this crossbow as it comes equipped with anti-dry fire system, finger guards, and finger safety reminders.
In the package, there will also be a 4x32 illuminated scope, a side mount quiver, a couple of arrows, rope cocking device and even some lube wax.
There are few plastic parts on the package that seem quite flimsy but most of them are not essential and should still last long enough.
More Detailed: Barnett BAR78004 Whitetail Pro STR Review
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2. Excalibur Crossbow Matrix Bulldog – Powerful and Well-Balanced
Photo: Excalibur Crossbow
- Speed: 400 FPS
- Draw Weight: 280 lbs
- Power Stroke: 14 inches
The Matrix Bulldog by Excalibur will produce kinetic energy of up to 124 feet/pound which makes it one of the most powerful crossbows.
But, besides from the massive power, there are many other good elements about this 400 FPS as it also feels more balanced and at just 6.2 pounds also quite lightweight.
The Tact-Zone illuminated scope is also easy to sight and this will be very helpful in aiming and hence ensure that you make more accurate shots.
It is also quite a safe crossbow with anti-dry fire protection and relatively easier to use as it also comes with a rope cocking aid. And this bow is made from highly durable state of the art materials for long service life.
There are no noise dampeners which means that this crossbow can be noisy when firing but it is still not too loud to affect your hunt.
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3. Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint IWR15005-7536 – Safe, Lightweight and Fast
Photo: Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint
- Speed: 330 FPS
- Draw Weight: 165 lbs
- Power Stroke: 13.5 inches
Invader G3 is a mid-price range crossbow that comes as a complete package with everything that you need to use it straight from the box. And so you can grab it and start hunting immediately you get it from the box.
This crossbow prides on being one of the lightest, safest and fastest on the market. And some of its most outstanding features include the 3x multi-line scope that provides a wider field of view and is also waterproof and fully-coated.
The stock design is up to 60% stronger than what you get from regular crossbows and the premium string will also last for a long time.
For safety, it comes with the standard dry-fire inhibitor and safety-engineered fore-grip and wings. And when it comes to the actual performance, it will deliver arrow speeds of up to 330 FPS.
Noise also seems to be the most significant shortcoming with this crossbow but for sports shooting and regular hunting it will hardly be a concern.
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4. Barnett 78404 – Powerful Bow with Uniquely Designed Stock
Photo: Barnett
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Draw Weight: 150 lbs
- Power Stroke: 12 inches
With its unique stock design and excellent weight and power, this crossbow makes an excellent weapon for any hunter.
And like most other items on our list, this tactical crossbow comes as a complete package to make it ready for immediate use.
Besides from the crossbow, the other elements in the package are three 20-inch arrows and a single red dot scope.
Also, the sleek, military stock is a great addition to the design of this crossbow as it also includes a divided foregrip that provides comfortable hand placement
It delivers an arrow speed of up to 315 FPS which is still relatively low when compared to others on our list but it is still more than enough for target practice and hunting. There is also no rope cocking device but they are cheap and widely available.
More Detailed: Barnet 78404 Crossbow Review
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5. Leader Accessories Crossbow Package – Best Budget Crossbow
Photo: Leader Accessories
- Speed: 285 FPS
- Draw Weight:175 lbs
- Power Stroke: 11.5 inches
Cost is always an essential factor to consider when shopping for a powerful and accurate crossbow and so the relatively affordable price tag of this one will make it a great choice.
The crossbow has a speed of 285 FPS, draw weight of 175 lbs and 11.5-inch power stroke. And it has all the components that you need to use it including a 3 red dot sight scope, padded sling, quiver and 4 high-quality 20-inch aluminum arrows.
There is also a rail lube wax to help you with the maintenance and a cocking rope that will make drawing a lot easy.
Assembly seems quite challenging but if you follow the instructions provided you should be okay. Also, the plastic pin sight housing is still good enough for this budget crossbow
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6. XGear Crossbow Archery Bow Hunting Equipment – Best Crossbow for Beginner Hunters
Photo: Generic
- Speed: 285 FPS
- Draw Weight: 175 lbs
- Power Stroke: 11.5 inches
Being one of the most affordable archery crossbow on our list, this will be a great choice for beginner hunters that are looking for something powerful but affordable.
The bow delivers a speed of up to 285 FPS and with a draw weight of 175 lbs. And it comes as a complete crossbow package with all the essential accessories.
When you buy this 11.5-inch power stroke crossbow you will get a padded sling, cocking rope, 3 red sight cope for easy targeting and 4 highly durable 20-inch aluminum arrows.
This is still a safe crossbow despite the affordable price tag as it also uses the anti-dry fire safety mechanism.
Trigger pull feels a little heavy but this is only so before you get used to it as it will become smoother as you use the crossbow more and more.
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7. Barnett 78220 – High Speed and Reliable Bow
Photo: Barnett
- Speed: 410 FPS
- Draw Weight: 185 lbs
- Power Stroke: 15.375 inches
The Ghost 410 builds on the successes of the 400 and also rectifies most of the shortcomings of the latter. And although is one of the priciest item on our crossbows review, you can be sure that it is worth every coin you spend on it.
This crossbow will provide an arrow speed of 410 FPS which is the highest on our list and so you can always be confident of hitting your targets harder.
The 185 lbs draw weight also makes it ideal for hunting various animals and it also uses the carbon riser technology to make the riser up to 43% lighter than regular ones.
And it will also come with everything you need to use a crossbow conveniently including the cocking device, sling, quiver and also three arrows.
this is a relatively expensive bow when compared to others on our list but quality does not come cheap.
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8. CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow – Efficient Top-of-The-Line Crossbow
Photo: CenterPoint
- Speed: 370 FPS
- Draw Weight: 185 lbs
- Power Stroke: 13.5 inches
Like most other top-of-the-line crossbows, the CenterPoint Sniper 370 comes with a fully adjustable design and with a relatively affordable price tag.
It is capable of achieving arrow speed of up to 370 FPS which should be more than enough for target practice and for hunting. And with a draw weight of 185 pounds, it should be relatively an easy-to-draw bow.
The CNC machined aluminum rail is lightweight and highly durable and if you combine this with the shoot through riser you will have the perfect crossbow for your hunting expeditions.
This bow also comes with quad limbs and it has a precision CNC machined CAM system and it is fairly easy to set up and use.
Noise seems to be the only issue with this crossbow buy you can easily fix this with some aftermarket dampeners.
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9. SA Sports Compound Crossbow With 4x32 Scope And Bolts – Easy to Cock Bow with a Nice Scope
Photo: SA Sports
- Speed: 360 FPS
- Draw Weight: 175 lbs
- Power Stroke: 14 inches
The 4x43 multi-reticle scope is one of the elements that many bowhunters will love about this SA Sports crossbows as it makes aiming almost effortless.
This fantastic crossbow also comes with a rope cocking device that makes cooking quick and easy, a padded sling and a quick detach quiver that uses 4 20-inch carbon bolts.
Other things like the precision trigger assembly, precision machined aluminum rise and lightweight composite rear stock help to increase the efficiency and ease of use of this 360 FPS crossbow.
For newbies, the included instructions can be a little hard to read by there is more than enough easy to understand and helpful material online.
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10. Carbon Express 20283 – Lightweight Bow with High-Performing Limp Design
Photo: Carbon Express
- Speed: 315 FPS
- Draw Weight: 165 lbs
- Power Stroke: 12.5 inches
The lightweight and one-piece skeletal design of this crossbow makes it well-balanced and hence easy to wield and handle for all types of archers.
The crossbow comes with a high performing compression molded split design and it will generate speeds of up to 315 FPS and with a draw weight of just 165 lbs.
Maneuvering the crossbow once you cock it should also be quite easy thanks to the compact profile of the front end. And the adjustable forearm design will ensure that it can adjust to suit almost any shooting style.
Also, this crossbow will come with a rifle-like stock and with silencer coating to provide more comfort when aiming and relatively quieter shots.
Putting this crossbow together is quite tedious as there seems to be many components but the process is fairly simple and easy to figure out.
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How to Buy the Most Powerful Crossbows
Photo: Wicked Ridge
Consider the following factors when shopping for the most powerful crossbows.
1. Purpose
When shopping for any archery bow the first thing should always be to determine how you intend to use it and the crossbow is not an exception.
Do you plan to use the bow for hunting deer, target practice or just to have fun with friends? It is vital to have the answer to this question in mind when shopping for a crossbow as it will affect everything from the type that you choose to the appropriate weight.
For example, if you want a crossbow for target practice or just for having fun on the weekends, there are some things that might not be important such as the size or weight. And this is because most of the time you will be using the bow from a stationary point.
2. Speed
It is hard not think about the arrow speed when shopping for a crossbow as it makes things much more interesting. The fastest crossbows are also the best when you want to shoot flatter and hit targets hard.
Most crossbow manufacturers will always indicate the arrow speed on their bows in FPS (feet per second). And something with at least 330 FPS like Wicked Ridge By Tenpoint IWR15005-7536 should be good enough.
But note that this is in most cases accurate for the specific arrows that they used when testing and so you should always use the manufacturer recommended arrows to get the maximum arrow speed.
3. Draw Weight
Draw weight is the amount of weight (in pounds) that you have to pull back to draw the string back to the cocked position.
For crossbows, the draw weight will range anywhere between 90 and 260 lbs but the average crossbows will have a draw weight of around 175 lbs.
The right draw weight for you will depend on how you intend to use the crossbow and also what you are able to draw back comfortably.
For example, if you want a crossbow for hunting deer, anything in the range if 150 to 190 lbs like Barnett BAR78004 should be good enough.
4. Safety
Safety should be a major concern when dealing with crossbows as they can be quite dangerous and this is more so for beginner archers.
Different types of crossbows will come with various integrated safety features.
However, the most common and probably also the most important to look for are dry fire inhibitor that prevents the bow from firing when there is no arrow in place and anti-engaging safety to prevent the trigger from releasing the string when it is set.
5. Other Features
Although most crossbows will have the same basic design, many modern ones will have some additional features to improve the accuracy and make them safer and more reliable.
Some of these additional features include scopes, cocking aids and noise dampening accessories
- Scopes: They are highly advantageous for hunters and they are very useful for making accurate shots.
- Cocking aids: These are handy for setting the cocking the crossbow correctly which is also vital for accuracy. And they come as either cranks or elastic straps.
- Noise-dampening accessories: They are any accessories that are used for reducing the noise and vibrations that follow a shot and they will be attached to the bow's limbs.
Conclusion
There is at least one powerful crossbow from our review above that will work well for you regardless of you need and you only need to choose what suits your specific needs.
However, the smooth and quiet shooting and high speed Barnett BAR78004 with its durable aluminum flight track is our top overall model.
The Leader Accessories Crossbow Package , on the other hand, is for you whether you are a pro or beginner shopping for something inexpensive.
