The Best Beginners Recurve Bow | Reviews & Buying Guide

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Are you a beginner archer who needs to know about the best recurve bows available? We are here to help you out.

Buying a first recurve bow may be difficult for you if you don’t have much information about recurve bows and have no idea which will be the most suitable for your style of archery. 

The answer to what kind of recurve bow you need is similar to why you decided to get a recurve bow for yourself in the first place.

Latest Review: Best Beginner Compound Bow

A recurve bow lets you shoot with smoothness and without making much noise. They are great for hunting as well as target archery. 

Therefore, while looking for the best recurve bow for yourself, keep in mind the special features of a recurve bow. To save you time, we have written a buying guide and enlisted the best recurve bows for beginner archers in this article. Give it a read to make the right choice. 

List of Best Recurve Bows for Beginner Archers

1- Southwest Archery Spyder XL Recurve Bow 

Southwest Archery Spyder XL Recurve Bow has a variety of draw weights available for both right-handed and left-handed. If you are a beginner, ask the seller or do some research to find the right size for yourself. 

I chose to buy the one with 35lb limbs as a beginner, and as I have a 28″ draw length, I selected the original size. Drawing the arrow and shooting was all smooth from start to end.

I didn’t feel any shaking in my hands and shot my targets with accuracy. I was able to complete my half of an hour shooting session without feeling pain in my arms.

No one can say negative about the design of this beginner recurve bow. It looks unique in design with greenish-brown color, and besides the appearance, the design is best for best performance. It has a smooth wooden round-shaped riser that is comfortable to grip. 

Also, the black-colored limbs are very flexible and work well, but they are not so properly protected from getting ruined in moisture and water. So take good care of them if you want them to last long.

It comes with a standard bow string and a plastic arrow rest of adhesive style. For me, strings were better without arrow rest.

However, the standard string works perfectly but for a few months and then gets stretched, affecting the brace height. You can try twisting it in to make it work or replace the string with a new and better one.

Also, you can hear quite a loud sound from the original string. Overall, a great bow for beginners as well as pros if maintained properly.

Unstrung it after use if you don’t shoot every other day. Best quality for the price you pay.

2- Bear Archery Titan – Best beginner recurve bow

Bear Archery Titan Bow is indeed one of the best bows for beginners. It’s a simple right and left-handed bow. You can either get the bow alone or with accessories, including the finger tab, arm guard, and quiver. 

For the bow alone, it comes with a sight pin and finger rollers. It has a range of draw lengths and draws weighs so you can choose the one suitable for you.

The overall length of the bow is 60 inches, which is quite suitable for average and tall people. 

As a beginner, I needed a lightweight but reliable long-distance shooting recurve bow, and this bow has the qualities for both.

I tested this right away after receiving the package and was able to shoot up to 45 to 50 feet of distance easily.

It delivered such a powerful and smooth shoot for my target practice. It was up to my mark for that long distance. 

All the main parts of the bow are the best in quality. The riser is well built, and all other parts are attached to it perfectly. Its limbs are sturdy as well and perform well. 

So the only thing that is not so good about the bow is its bowstring. I felt a bit of vibration, but it wasn’t that much to affect the smoothness and accuracy of the shoot.

However, it’s not loud while shooting. Besides, the bow offers a comfortable grip and a quite good quality arrow rest. All the other accessories are also great. 

It has a simple design, so not much of a “show off” bow, but the design hasn’t compromised on the quality of the product.

So if you need a bow for recreational activities or to learn archery, this is the best option at a quite reasonable price.

3- Mxessua 45 Bow and Arrows Set

Mxessua Bow and Arrows set has a bow of perfect design. It is durable with strong and sturdy building material and easy to use for beginners. It is available for both right and left-handed people. 

With a draw length of 22 to 24 inches, it has an overall 44.3 inches bow length, which is suitable for teens and adults who need a small-sized bow. Even those above 10 years old can use this.

There is no need to worry about safety as the package includes everything needed for that, such as the finger saver and arm guard, and the tips of the arrows are not sharp. So it will definitely keep your kid safe and comfortable for learning.

For a beginner child, the quality of each and every component is reliable for smooth shooting. It doesn’t vibrate a lot and hits the target with accuracy.

The design of the riser is perfect for easy grip. Limbs are sturdy as well, and the bowstring is reliable for shooting at quite a far distance but not so far for professionals. 

All parts are great, but the arrows could have been much better.

They are durable and have nice decent quality tips, and a kid can learn and gain expertise during target practice with these. 

However, with better quality, they could have hit the targets with more power and covered more distance. You can make them last longer only by using the targets that came in the set and not something hard. 

For the price, this archery set includes all the necessary accessories for a beginner, such as a target faces paper, arm guard, quiver for arrows, sight, and instructions; this is a great deal.

Some of my friends reviewed that it is a little overpriced, but compared to other sets in this range, it is quite reasonable. 

4. Samick Sage Archery Takedown Recurve Bow 

This 62-inch-long Samick Sage Archery takedown Bow is sturdy with limbs that do not get warped in heat or moisture, solving the issue for me with my previous Spyder XL bow. The package of Samick sage bow includes two limbs, and both are great in quality. 

As a hunter, I preferred this take-down bow for easily traveling over long distances. I have been using this bow for over 6 months now, and it has performed well. 

For those who can handle 28 draw lengths, if you are a beginner or young, choose the best takedown to recurve bow between 25 to 35 lb so that you don’t feel pain in your shoulders with the weight of the bow. 

It is a well-built bow with an attractive design and a lightweight maple wood riser. Easy to install and take down the limbs from the riser.

As recommended, I prefer to keep the brace height at 8.25 inches.

For that, you will need to twist the strings a bit as it is too long. Once attached properly, they shoot the arrows silently, beneficial for hunters. 

Overall, the performance is great. It’s flexible and doesn’t vibrate, letting you shoot at the target accurately. The riser is comfortable for the hands to grip. Also, this takedown recurve bow is available for both right-handers and left-handers.

No nock point for the arrow, which was disappointing; you will have to make one by yourself. Also, I didn’t like the quality of the arrow rest, it feels to be made of low-quality material, so I didn’t use it.

You even won’t feel the need to as the arrows can be shot very smoothly even without it.

Also, it has bushing attached for various attachments, but they are not fixed properly, and one of them came loose after 4 months. Nothing else to criticize about. This takedown bow is worth the price. 

5. Southland Archery Supply Spirit 62″ – Best beginner recurve bow

If you are a beginner, I would definitely recommend this SAS Spirit Recurve Bow. Not only because it is a take-down bow but also one of the traditional recurve bows with options of different sizes available for both right-handed and left-handed people.

To ensure durability, all the main components of the bow are made of the best quality material. Such as, the riser is made of lamination wood and is thus very sturdy. They offer an easy grip with a suitable design for holding it. 

Other than that, the limbs are also made of maple lamination wood and fiberglass, which makes them usable in any kind of weather.

Its bowstring also matches the quality of the bow and includes an arrow rest that fits perfectly and is reliable for shooting accurately during target practice.

I totally recommend using the rest that came with it as a beginner. And you will need to get screws for attaching the rest separately as they are not included in the package.

As it is a 62-inch long takedown recurve bow, which is suitable for adults and people with a height over 5’10. With the suitable draw weight and draw length, you will be able to handle this bow easily.

It has a nice design and comes at a fair price. Also, it has bushing already installed for different accessories.

They are well fixed and don’t come off. The package doesn’t include nocking points and bow stringer, so do consider that. Otherwise, a great takedown bow at that is fairly priced.

6. Utecia 30 Pcs Complete Archery Set for Kids & Beginners

Utecia Archery set is one of the nicest beginner recurve bows. The construction of the bow and arrows is amazing and seems quite durable. If your kid is an archery enthusiast, this should be the first set that he gets. 

Made out of durable wood, this 34-inch bow can last forever. Not only the riser but every other component and accessory is designed in a way to be suitable for kids and beginners.

Such as, the arrows are made sturdy and have rubber tips to keep your child protected.

Limbs are strong and flexible, and the bowstring can be drawn with ease. It includes all the other required accessories for a beginner kid, such as gloves, arm guard, quiver, and target sheets. In Fact, a complete set is a gift for a child. 

The 20 arrows that are also made of wood are very flexible, and there is a hole for the arrows, which lets you easily teach traditional archery to beginners. It also has 2 wrist guards included for more protection.

Everything is made small in size, but the quality of the product hasn’t been compromised. It lets you easily shoot at a distance of 40 to 50 feet with smoothness. Not even a bit of vibration can be felt, and you can grip the riser with comfort.

Moreover, it looks cool and has a nice bamboo design look. For this price, this bow is amazing that you can give to a beginner.

The only thing that is missing in the set is an arrow rest for letting beginners learn to shoot with smoothness. You can either get one separately or use the bow without it.

7. CenterPoint Archery ABY215 Sentinel

If you are looking for a quite lightweight starter recurve bow and are right-handed, CenterPoint Sentinel Youth Recurve Bow is for you. A really short bow of 45 inches in height and a maximum draw length of 25 inches make it truly a bow for youngsters. 

It does come with all the required accessories for beginners and pros; however, it is a good but not so-great bow for professionals and adults.

It is not very smooth when shooting arrows for long distances. Also, the arrows in the quiver aren’t very reliable. So definitely not a bow for professionals. But a decent bow for people with small heights and beginners. 

The vanes start to come off after a few days of use. Also, the nock of the arrows doesn’t fit well in the bowstring, so they are totally useless.

But you can buy some better arrows for long-term use. With better arrows, you can shoot smoothly with this bow. Limbs are really sturdy and flexible and do not warp in any weather. 

Other than limbs, the main component, which is the riser, is a solid build and has a nice design. Also, it is comfortable to grip and carry around for hunters as it has a reliable design for proper grip. 

Not only the arrows but the arrow rest is also the worst. You cannot rely on it for smooth shoots and long-term use. However, the armguard that came with this bow is quite nice and does its job well. 

You will definitely need to twist the bowstring to get a suitable brace height; it is quite long. Once they are attached correctly, it doesn’t get loose again and again. And also doesn’t make a lot of noise. 

So overall, it’s kids and beginner bows for a low price.

8. Bear Archery Wizard Youth – Best beginner recurve bow kit

Bear Archery Wizard Youth Bow is the best bow for children between the ages of 5 to 10. They will be able to learn archery from scratch easily with this 44-inch longbow. It is one of those ambidextrous bows for both left and right-hand use.

The quality of the bow for beginners is very durable, and all the components are great. It has draw weights of 10- 18 lb and draws lengths ranging from 17 to 24 inches so that you can find the right specifications for your kid easily. 

Limbs are solid and don’t get warped with moisture or heat. They are sturdy but do not weigh a lot. Therefore, the bow is not heavy at all.

Also, The small riser with a simply designed bow is not so great in looks but offers a perfect grip. 

It has high quality arrows that can be shot at any kind of cardboard, soft and hard. You can easily shoot at a distance of 30 feet with this bow.

On holding them in my hands, they felt very sturdy, so I am sure they would last for a long. Moreover, the bow strings have enough tension in them to shoot with power.

It comes with finger rollers and sight pins that are really helpful for kids. I bought this for my 10 years daughter to learn archery.

It is her first bow, and the size is suitable for her to shoot with full potential. She has been practicing with this for over 4 months now and loves it.

It’s a starter bow, and do not expect to hunt with it. Only reliable for target archery and practice for kids. In this price range, this is the right bow for kids if they are not so into the looks of the bow. 

How to Buy Your First Recurve Bow in 2023

Following are the points to keep in mind while buying the best starter recurve bow set depending on the type of archery you are opting for.  

Parts of the recurve bow

There are three major parts of a beginner recurve bow. Out of which “The riser” is the most important part. When you draw a bow, you hold it at the riser and shoot. These are mostly manufactured of wood, aluminum alloy, and carbon. 

All the other parts of the recurve bows are attached to the riser. These include bow string, limbs, bow sight, and the stabilizer.

To last for a long and shoot the arrow with maximum force, check the quality of the riser before selecting a bow. 

A recurve bow has limbs that curve back to the front at both ends of the bow. This curve makes it a recurve bow, and the main purpose of it is to add strength to the bow.

These limbs divide recurve bows into two types. “One piece” and “take down.” For beginners, the take-down recurve bow is more suitable from which limbs can be removed for comfort. 

Design of Bow

As a beginner, remember that the design of a bow is going to affect the performance of the bow a lot. Therefore, it is very important to have a bow made of strong material that has a compact design.

Check different designs and get yourself a recurve bow that is vibration free. So that your hands don’t shake due to it because then you won’t be able to shoot accurately.

Also, a bow that doesn’t make a lot of sounds is preferred for hunting. 

If you are going for a take-down bow, make sure it is easy to install and take off the limbs. Many bows have a stringer that helps to adjust the bowstring, which is advantageous for beginners. 

Size of Bow

You should be able to handle the bow easily for a proper grip and shooting with power. For this, a mid-sized recurve bow that is light in weight is suitable for a beginner. A recurve bow of two to three pounds weight is just the right size for anyone new. 

Draw weight 

Draw weight is the strength needed to draw a bow. For a teenager or adult beginner using a recurve bow for bow hunting, 38 to 45 pounds draw weight is the average suitable draw weight.

In contrast, those who need fantastic recurve bows for target archery can go for less than that as a beginner.

Draw length 

Draw length means how far a bow string can be drawn away from the back of the riser of the bow to the anchor point for a shot. With the following technique, you can decide what draw length will be right for you.

Measure your height in inches, and to find the suitable draw length bow, divide your height by 2.5. Or simply, when you are at the shop to buy a bow, ask the seller to suggest you the right draw length for your height. 

People Also Ask

Conclusion – Best Beginner Recurve Bow

From the above list, you can easily find the best recurve bow for beginners or your kids. All of these fall in the categories of bows for beginners, with differences in lengths and quality for adults or kids. The Bear Archery Titan Bow and Southwest Archery Spyder XL Recurve Bow are reliable for adults, while the Bear Archery Wizard Youth Bow is one of the best options for kids between 5 to 10 years of age.

Additional Common Questions

What is the advisable price range for my initial purchase of a recurve bow?

Recurve bows come with a wide price range – you could bag a beginner level one for as low as $50 or splurge on a professional Olympic standard bow that can go up to $1,200 or even higher. However, for someone just starting, you can expect to pay around $350 on average. Remember, you will also need to account for accessories which can add another $100-$250 to your budget. So, are you just starting or are you looking to go pro? Your goal should inform your budget. There’s no need to break the bank on your first bow if you’re just dipping your toes in the water, but if you’re serious about archery and plan to compete, it might be worth to invest in high-end bow now and save on future upgrades.

Which is the most recommended recurve bow for beginners in 2023?

When it comes to a beginner-friendly recurve bow, the Samick Sage consistently rises to the top of recommendation lists and for good reason. This recurve bow is appreciated not just by novices but also by experienced archers for its affordability combined with high quality construction. The Samick Sage is particularly great for those starting out in archery as it provides excellent performance without being too heavy on the pocket. This has made it a popular choice among both new and experienced archers, making it a versatile tool for your archery arsenal whether you’re still learning or already comfortable with the bow.

Are recurve bows an ideal starting point for novice archers?

The short answer: Yes! One can find that a recurve bow appears simpler in design and, by extension, it’s considered more intuitive to use than a compound bow, especially for beginners. Although compound bows offer a lot of customizations and have more power, those new to the sport often find recurve bows easier to handle as they learn the ropes. So, as a beginner, starting with a recurve bow can pave the way for mastering complex setups, like the compound bow, once you’re comfortable with the fundamentals of archery.

What’s the suitable draw weight for a recurve bow for a beginner?

As a newcomer, finding the right draw weight can be a bit daunting. But there’s a general reference to help you begin. If you’re a child whose weight is less than 100 pounds, you should look at bows with a draw weight of between 10 to 15 pounds. Women who are small- to medium-sized adults are better suited to bows with 25 to 35 pounds draw weight. For average weighted men, a recurve bow with a draw weight between 40 to 55 pounds works best. Remember, because recurve bows lack the mechanical advantage of a compound bow, the right draw weight for you should be lower and manageable to allow for correct shooting form. As you gain more strength and experience, you can gradually work your way up to higher draw weights. Don’t push yourself too hard initially, build your way up as your skills and strength improve.