Best Compound Bow for Beginners 2024 – Starter (Entry level) Bow

Do you ever get inspired by bowman’s flinging arrow shots that hit right in the bullseye? Does the idea of taking these shots yourself excite you but you lack experience? If so, all you need is the best compound bow for beginners, and start practicing. Compound bows are for all regardless of age and experience. 

A compound bow has greater learning curves as compared to a traditional recurve bow but is a lot more accurate because of advanced features. That said, it comes with more safety concerns so, must practice extensively before venturing on serious missions. 

According to Brady Ellison, an American Olympic archer who bagged three medals in archery, 

Choosing a good beginner bow may seem tricky to the newbies. The massive range of these bows in the market will surely give you a sticker shock since the majority of high-end hunting or archery arsenals start at $1000. That too, for a single bow with no accessories that adds to the hidden cost.

“I like shooting a compound more. I think it’s a little bit more easier, it’s quicker, the whole entire bow is just – it’s more mechanical and more of a like – instantaneous.”

Don’t stress out, the same brands have launched entry level hunting bow and kits with great capabilities. According to my experience, the ideal kit is the Creative XP Archery Package. Its adjustable from 30 lbs. to 70 lbs. makes it a good choice for youth and women. It comes with essential accessories, works well, is available in ambidextrous hand orientation, and is priced just right for novices. 

Entry Level Hunting Arsenal – Best Compound Bow For Beginners

1. Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Compound Bow – Best Beginner Compound Bow For Adults
2. CenterPoint Archery ABY1721 Elkhorn Youth Compound Bow – Best Beginner Bow Set Under A Budget
3. PANDARUS Compound Bow Archery – Best Beginner Bow For Hunting
4. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow – Best Stable Compound Bow For Beginners
5. Sanlida Archery Dragon X8 RTH – Best Camo Compound Bow For Beginners
6. Creative XP Archery Package – Best Compound Bow For Beginners With Fastest FPS
7. BARNETT Vortex Lite Compound Bow – Best Starter Compound Bows For Teens
8. TOPOINT ARCHERY M2 – Best Beginner Bow And Arrow Set For Hunting
9. XGeek Archery Compound Bow – Best Beginner Bow For Deer Hunting
10. Southland Archery Supply Bow Package – Best Archery Bow For Beginners
11. PSE ARCHERY Uprising Compound Bow Package – Best Entry Level Bow Set

Things look quite intricate as you enter the world of archery or hunting for the first time. But, with the appropriate knowledge of key features, you can burst the bubbles of confusion and get the best compound bow for beginners.

1. Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Compound Bow – Best Beginner Compound Bow For Adults

Being the best bow for beginner archery, this product truly amazed me with its performance. As an inexperienced adult, it took me a while to carefully examine and understand everything about this bow. It weighed heavier than the CenterPoint Archery Bow that my brother used since that is designed for kids. However, it was still easy to carry for prolonged sessions too. 

The product offers adjustability for the draw weight from 5 lbs. to 70 lbs. and 12 in. to 30 in. for draw length. My bow came pre-calibrated at 26 in. and 55 lbs. There was no way a beginner like me could draw that much weight so, I adjusted it. To do so, I simply loosened the bolt and set it to 30 lbs. To increase the draw weight, the bolt needs to be tightened. 

For the target, I set up a few soft drink cans in my backyard at a distance of 15 to 20 yds. Needless to say, this bow enabled me to take some clean and powerful shots. The arrow speed of this compound bow left me stunned i.e., 315 fps. This is probably one of the top reasons why this product is priced higher than any other best starter bow and arrow. 

Considering the fps rate, I plan to level up my skills and make this my best companion for bow hunting. It can be a great hunting bow as it comes in numerous skins. I opted for the Realtree Edge and right-hand model for a better grip. As the company claims, it is a “hunt ready” model and comes equipped with six useful accessories. 

These include a stabilizer, quiver, whisker biscuit, peep sight, 4-pin sight, and a nock loop but lack the most important components i.e., arrows. I got the Musen 28 in. Carbon Archery Arrows that came to me as an unpleasant hidden surprise cost. We loved everything about this bow except for the absence of arrows. 

2. CenterPoint Archery ABY1721 Elkhorn Youth Compound Bow – Best Beginner Bow Set Under A Budget

My 12 years old brother had garnered immense interest in archery lately so, had to purchase a good starter bow for him. The first impression of this product was decent as it looked and felt durable. With a 3.3 lbs. weight, he could easily manage the bow all by himself. We got 19 lbs. of draw weight which isn’t adjustable. The product has a range between 17 to 21 lbs. draw weight which is probably the limit within which you will get your value. 

The 26 in. draw length was comfortable for him to deal with. We set up a small target archery setup to exercise this bow in our backyard before actual use. Using the right amount of force, we were able to shoot at the target from 10 to 15 yds. away. Speaking of the speed, it shoots arrows at an approximate speed of 60 to 70 fps. 

Even though the arrows are not sharp, these were powerful enough to move the large outdoor Rubbermaid trash can. The best thing about this product is that it comes with important accessories. These include two 26 in. arrows, arm guard, quiver, arrow rest, adjustable pin sight, and finger tab. However, it only comes for right-handed users. 

It wouldn’t be unfair to mention the low quality of arrows which you can expect from a less-pricey product like this. If you are using it infrequently, the arrows might last a couple of months. However, for persistent practice sessions, it’s better to get new ones. Because of the less pointiness of arrows, my brother encountered a few bounce-offs beyond 10 yds. To resolve the issue, I replaced these with sturdier Elong Fiberglass Arrows. 

All in all, this is indeed the best compound bow for beginners even with its limitations under a reasonable price point. You can always invest in a higher-end model once you refine your skills on a pocket-friend yet great-performing compound bow. 

3. PANDARUS Compound Bow Archery – Best Beginner Bow For Hunting

What could be better than investing in an incredible compound bow setup under a reasonable price point? It is almost twice the price of the CenterPoint Archery Bow set for all the right reasons. At first glance, the bow looked strong for my little cousin and it didn’t disappoint after frequent uses. 

It comes with a 19 in. to 28 in. draw length and 15 lbs. to 29 lbs. draw weight. The most amazing thing is that both the values are adjustable. Moreover, you can also choose left and right-hand options accordingly. Our bow came set at 21 in. length and 20 lbs. weight which looked pretty decent for my 16-year-old cousin. During initial tries, he faced issues with the weight so we dropped to 15 lbs. 

There was no problem in making the adjustments. Draw length was easily set by cams which we didn’t change whereas, the draw weight was decreased with the screws on limb holders. After the calibrations, the little archer could shoot safely at the paper target that comes in the package from about 10 to 12 yds. 

As compared to the Centerpoint Archery bow we tested, this one is incredibly speedy with a 260 fps rating. We loved how this bow came together effortlessly in under 10 minutes with no complications. To save you from upgrading the equipment with pricey beefy accessories, it includes all the important ones in the package. 

You will get 12 arrows, quality is not premium but does the job fine for practice sessions. I’d consider it as a tradeoff for the amazing overall performance and great value for money. One of my expert archer friends tried this bow with the same calibrations and was able to hit the bullseye from 70 to 75 yds. He used much stronger Carbon Express Maxima RED Carbon Arrows.

4. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow – Best Stable Compound Bow For Beginners

Out of the box, the bow looks sturdy but was surely not ready to use since you have to attach the accessories yourself. I found the bow weighs pretty decent for myself i.e., only 3.1 lbs. Speaking of the adjustable draw length, the product says it is between 13 in. to 31 in. Whereas, the draw weight can be adjusted from 5 lbs. To 70 lbs. 

As the company claims, the bow is very fast i.e., 310 fps. However, the similar Bear Archery Cruzer G2 model is rated at 315 fps at a little lesser price. The two models have the same range for draw weight and length with convenient adjustability. I tested out the arrow velocity at different settings. 

For instance, at 30 in. length, I could draw 71 lbs. and 300 fps. The fastest speed I got was 308 fps at a max draw length of 31 in. and 71.5 lbs. I observed a gradual decrease in the speed every time I lowered the draw length and weight.  With different draw lengths and weights, the most efficient distance for me was 20 yds. I could group numerous arrows on the target with an inch gap between each. The sight helped me a lot to get tighter groups of arrows. 

This was by far the most stable bow that I have ever used, thanks to its efficient ultra-lite octane stabilizer. Just like the Cruzer G2 model that we tested earlier, this one also doesn’t come with arrows.

The only issue I faced with this bow was the tightening of limb bolts. These tightened as far as they can possibly go and there was still a gap between bolt and riser. This fails to tell if both limb bolts are set equal on both ends. There was no such issue with the Cruzer G2 bow. I really liked the overall performance in the given price value of this bow.

5. Sanlida Archery Dragon X8 RTH – Best Compound Bow For Beginner Women

If you are willing to pay a couple of hundred dollars, the Sanlida Archery Dragon offers some next level performance. Because of its lightweight and easy manageability, my female friend could use it without any inconvenience. Tailored to fit people of numerous stature and strength, this bow is highly adjustable but only comes in right-hand orientation. 

Do check our list of best compound bows for women as per draw weight, ease of use, stature, draw length and design.

The length can be changed between 18 in. to 31 in. Whereas, you can adjust the poundage for draw weight from 0 lbs. to 70 lbs. My friend adjusted the length to 27.5 in. and she could draw a maximum of 38 lbs. Since the arrows included are not too good, I bought them separately. 

My other friend, who is a big man, tried the bow. He increased the length to 30 in. and could draw at 68 lbs. He used much premium arrows and easily got a couple of hits in the bullseye from 40+ yds. Thanks to the blazing fast velocity of 310 fps, the accuracy was superb. 

This bow offers the right fire rate which makes it a superb choice for hunting down game animals. For the price, I expected this bow to be silent which it, unfortunately, isn’t. The noise while shooting the arrow topped out at 115 dB. To diminish it, I purchased the TwistLox split limb dampeners. It was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made because it took the noise to 110 dB.

All in all, the Sanlida Archery Dragon X8 is the best compound bow for beginners, especially women. From lightweight to easy manageability and a vast range of adjustment options, it can be used for archery as well as bow hunting. The only thing that failed to impress me was the average-quality arrows and a few other accessories. Purchasing different ones cost us a couple more dollars. 

6. Creative XP Archery Package – Best Compound Bow For Beginners With Fastest FPS

Unlike the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow, I appreciate the preinstalled 5-lin line sight in this bow. It indeed was a turning point in performance by offering better aiming. As newbies, attaching technical accessories is not a piece of cake for us and we seek professional help. During all sessions, I was at optimum comfort because of the rubber panel grip and overall lightweight of the bow.

The highlight feature of this bow is its lightning fast arrow velocity i.e., 320 fps. It is the highest among all the products that we tested and hence is probably why the most expensive bow set. The draw length ranges between 23.5 in. and 30.5 in. The adjustable limit for draw weight is 30 lbs. to 70 lbs. which makes it an unsuitable choice for children.

I was susceptible to the draw weights but I could pull about 36 lbs. on my first try. Shot my first arrow at 20 yds. distance and after some adjustments, I was able to get 3 in. groupings. For better testing, I kept increasing the yardage by 10 yds. and got the best results at 30 yds. with 2 in. groupings. My expert friend suggested practicing at 25 yds. for desired hits from a treestand. 

The IBO rated 320 fps arrow speed makes it the best hunting bow for beginners who wish to shoot game animals. My plans are to develop skills and take down a couple of deer and elk every hunting season. With such a spectacular arrow speed, doing so will surely be possible. 

Some women tend to like traditional archery more. You can also check best recurve bow for women to practice in backyard and know your interest.

All in all, it is safe to say that this is the best bow for beginner hunters considering the fps, lightweight, and manageability. However, I found it a bit troublesome shooting higher points which could be due to average quality arrows. Considering the entire package and performance, I surely think this bow set is a deal to steal. 

7. BARNETT Vortex Lite Bow – Best Starter Compound Bows For Teens

This right-handed bow is among the finest archery bows for beginners that I have tested. Because of its easy manageability and super lightweight, my pre-teen and teen siblings used it conveniently. It is very easy to adjust as per the archer’s strength and stature. The 22 to 25 in. draw length is quite decent for teens. Whereas the range of draw weight i.e., 18 to 29 lbs. is fair as well. 

We chose the lowest draw length and my sister could draw it between 20 to 22 lbs. We started from a distance of 5 yds. and the target was a sack of sand placed on the ground. She found the three-pin sight useful in hitting the target from this yardage. As we increased the distance, the peep sight became less accurate. 

At 20 yds. I readjusted the sight pins a little lower for her since she was almost shooting the ground with the arrows. The results were better but not great so, I maxed out the elevation of pins. As a result, she shot around the dead center. 

It comes with an attached quiver and three fiberglass arrows which are not the fanciest but work for newbies. You can’t expect a budget bow to offer you premium features. Arrows that come along with a bow are rarely high-quality. Even the arrows that came with the Creative XP Archery Package weren’t too impressive despite a significant price difference. 

Our field testing lasted half a year with practice sessions every weekend. The overall bow’s performance was impressive for such an affordable price point. From a lesser distance, the fiberglass arrows that came with the package worked fine. However, at distances over 5 yds., they were quite flimsy and inaccurate. We used arrows with 340 spine and they were amazing.

8. Topoint Archery M2 – Best Beginner Bow And Arrow Set For Hunting

I am no bow expert but this product looked premium right out of the box. Priced a lot higher than the PANDARUS Compound Bow Archery, but the features are quite similar. For example, that model offered 260 fps whereas, the TOPOINT bow set is just 30 fps greater i.e., 290 fps. To check the performance, I chose the forest camo model and enjoyed a good time. 

Surprisingly, both the competitors weigh exactly the same. The draw length for this bow can be adjusted from 17 in. to 27 in. Whereas, the range for draw weight is much greater than the PANDARUS bow set i.e., 10 lbs. to 40 lbs. That said, whether it perfectly suited me and my younger cousin without any complications. 

Similarly, when compared with the Bear Archery Cruzer G2, it offers similar premium features with superb performance for over $100 less and more accessories. My cousin drew the bow at 18 lbs. and had 22 in. lengths, he could hit the soft drink cans placed as far as 20 yds. The arrow speed is indeed extremely fast and helps achieve accuracy.

I set up a styrofoam target on a tree trunk in my backyard and hit it from 25 yds., I couldn’t believe that my shot was extremely close to the bullseye. Even after increasing the distance to 35 to 40 yds., I was able to group 3 to 4 in. groupings with one or two arrows hitting the dead center. Designed for right hand orientation, it would not be a good choice for left handed archers. 

Unfortunately, no bow set could offer high end arrows despite their hefty price tags. The case is no different with the TOPOINT bow set. However, considering the performance and fast arrow velocity, this is surely one of the best beginner hunting bows for amateurs. Though the bow set comes with a few crappy accessories, its flawless performance got forgiveness for it. 

9. X Geek Archery Compound Bow – Best Beginner Bow For Deer Hunting

What sets the XGeek bow different from others is its low price for a complete compound bow package. It is the best bow for starters under a fair price for the features and performance. In comparison to the budget Pandarus Compound Bow Archery set and relatively expensive Topoint Archery M2 set, this package is a lot better in terms of the construction of the bow as well as its accessories. 

It offers an adjustable 17 to 27 in. draw length and 10 to 30 lbs. draw weight. Whereas, the fire rate is similar to its pricey TOPOINT competitor i.e., 290 fps. I could adjust the weight and length easily in no time without any tools. At the max values, I got some surprisingly great results with this bow considering it was my first try.

I started at 10 yds. and was easily shot at the bullseye of my target. The three pin bow sight worked well at this distance. As I increased the distance to 20 yds., hitting the dead center became a bit challenging. The 70% let off made it extremely comfortable and easy to hold more poundage with less effort. 

After multiple practice sessions, I was able to hit the bullseye of the target paper that comes with the package. To test out my skills, I increased the distance to 30 yds. and the arrows were traveling at an incredibly fast speed with good accuracy. I got 4 to 5 in. grouping from 30 yds. away. The 12 carbon arrows included worked well for paper and styrofoam targets, not sure how these will work for hunting bodies.

I am fully impressed with the performance of this bow except for the fact that it is only for right handed people. One of my left handed friends absolutely loved its feel and performance but couldn’t purchase it. Because of the ultra fast fps, it can also be called the best compound bow for beginner hunters.

10. Southland Archery Supply Bow Package – Best Archery Bow For Beginners

Archery is all fun and games until you have the right bow. Since it is designed for younger people, my brother decided to give it a try. It has numerous similarities with the TOPOINT ARCHERY M2 set at a significantly low price. Both offer 17 in. to 27 in. draw length and 10 lbs. to 40 lbs. draw weight with extremely easy adjustability. Even the 190 fps IBO rating is the same too.

The X Geek Archery Compound Bow set also includes quite similar features and is priced low. Both come with a decent 28 in. carbon arrows and a variety of useful accessories. For my brother, I turned down the draw length to 20 in. and he started shooting from 5 yds. distance. He started pretty well and he shot one arrow straight into the dead center.

When shooting from 10 yds. he couldn’t hit as accurately as before. So, I made some adjustments to the sight and things were better. One of the most amazing things about this bow is the 75% let off which ensures higher power with minimum effort. 

The bow propels an arrow at an incredible speed of 290 fps. Deer hunting with a bow is legal in my area when it shoots the shot at a minimum speed of 125 yds. With this velocity, I can easily use this bow to take down game animals like deer. I would have to work on the adjustments for sight and need a couple of accessories for activities like deer hunting with this bow.

The carbon arrows that the package includes worked well to hit different objects such as paper or styrofoam targets, and sacks of sand. However, these might not be highly efficient for taking a kill shot for game animals. This setup is only available for right-handed users. Since this bow’s performance is similar to that of the XGeek bow set, you can choose one that fits your budget better. 

11. PSE ARCHERY Uprising Compound Bow Package – Best Entry Level Bow Set

With top end specifications of 14 in. to 30 in. draw length, and 15 lbs. to 70 lbs. draw weight, this bow is highly adjustable. Priced higher than the Creative XP Archery Package, it offers an arrow velocity of 5 fps lesser than its cheaper alternative i.e., 315 fps. With such a versatile length and bow, this can be a great beginner archery bow for kids as well as adults. 

My 10 years old cousin loved using this bow. I set the draw length to 21 in. as per his comfort and turned the poundage down to the least value i.e., 15 lbs. With that power, he propelled the arrows with great accuracy and only 1 in. grouping. Note that the distance was 5 yds. 

We attached the arrow rest to the bow and he used the sight as well. Though the quality was not up to the mark but does the job fine for beginners. However, when I tried the bow for myself, I replaced the peep sight. As a better alternative, I opted for the Truglo Range Rover Pro LED Bow Sight which was better in every possible way. It truly helped me with the aiming. 

From a distance of 25 yds. I could shoot right in the dead center. Additionally, with the increased yardage up to 35 yds., the bow sight allowed me amazing accuracy for the bullseye shots. At longer distances, I changed the sight to 2 strand and the results were superb. One top thing to cherish about this bow is that it is available for both left and right hand operation.

I am pretty much impressed with how this bow performed for my 10 years old cousin. Considering the price point and features, it is surely the best bow and arrow for beginners. However, for adult archers who prefer better power and accuracy, the bow is great but its additional accessories might not be well suited.

Buying Guide 

When it comes to buying the best compound bow for beginners that satisfies your requirements, the choice becomes difficult. As you go through the following key considerations, it will lead you to the right product. 

Draw Length

Opting for the correct draw length is imperative from the start. It is the distance between the nock of your arrow to its tip. It simply determines the maximum length an archer can pull before shooting the arrow. 

Draw lengths vary from person to person and here is an easy way to find it out.

The ideal draw length for beginners using compound bows is generally under 26 in. 

Draw Weight

It refers to the poundage of force that a person needs to apply to get the shot right. Compound bows come in a vast range of draw weights so, make sure to choose carefully. It can start from 10 lbs. for kids and go up as much as 70 lbs. for a healthy and powerful man. Greater draw weights are responsible for throwing arrows with more power and farther distances as compared to the lighter ones. 

Attachments 

Compound bow risers feature numerous holes for a variety of attachments that improve the overall performance. These include bow sight, arrow rest, stabilizer, or more. All of these attachments are designed to serve different purposes. 

For example, the bow sight helps with better aiming, the stabilizer keeps the bow balanced and the arrow rest ensures improved stability of your arrow. While purchasing the beginner bows for archery, make sure to check whether it comes with any of the trophy attachments or not. 

Adjustability

This is probably beyond the factor of price when we talk about the best beginner archery bow. Every high end model comes with easy adjustments for the bow’s draw length and draw weight. This helps the user to tune the equipment accordingly for comfortable practice and better results. A bow with no adjustments could be a red flag unless its fixed values are actually what you need. 

Eye And Hand Dominance

Eye and hand dominance work together when it comes to buying the best compound bow for beginners. Most modern compound bows are not ambidextrous so you must choose either the left or right hand model. But, before that, you should figure out your dominant eye. 

You can simply do this by making a triangle using four fingers of your hands (two fingers from each hand). Now aim at any object nearby such as a frame on the wall. Close one eye and see if the object remains in the middle of the triangle or not. Now open that eye and close the other. If the object is in the center of the triangle with your left eye closed, your right eye is dominant and vice versa.

It is preferred to choose the same hand dominance as your eye. For example, if your left eye is dominant, go for a left handed bow. Hand dominance works differently in compound bows. When using a right hand bow, you will hold it in your left hand and draw the arrow with your right hand. The case will be opposite with a left hand bow. 

If you are left eye dominant but do all your work with your right hand or vice versa, it is suggested to choose the bow hand orientation the same as your eye dominance. Drawing weight is not as important as clarity of target and accuracy is. 

Practice Ground

The majority of newbies don’t consider their practice grounds. Since exercising archery or bow hunting can only be done in an open space, you must have a proper ground for it. Moreover, depending on the yardage of your practice area, you can choose the fps of a bow. If you plan on shooting at larger areas but the compound bow has a slow fire rate, the entire setup would fail to provide desired results. 

Conclusion

The instant itch in me to try the compound bows provoked me to find out the best compound bow for beginners. After rigorous research and testing, I finally came up with the top choices. My top priority was to invest in a product that comes with all the right features and fits my criteria. 

Archery or bow hunting is not restricted to any age and can be done by all. Therefore, you must be very careful with your personal preferences while choosing the right one. For example, the comfortable draw weight and length, fire rate, bow weight, ease of use, and of course, price point. 

Acknowledging all these factors, the best compound bow for beginners is the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Compound Bow. It is designed to be used by people with both, left and right hand dominance. Whereas, its draw length can be adjusted from 12 in. to 30 in. and draw weight between 5 lbs. to 70 lbs. Additionally, you can shoot the arrows at a max speed of 315 fps with this bow.

If you are interested in more traditional style bows and want to get started practicing in your backyard, do check best recurve bow for beginners.

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