Best Beginner Compound Bows of 2023

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

For beginner archers, a compound bow offers ease of shooting with more accuracy. They are advanced forms of bows that require less energy and shoot with more speed. Thus they are preferable for archers than any other bow. But the real question is how you can find the best beginner compound bow.

Quick Comparison: Compound Bow vs Cross Bow

With thorough research and proper knowledge, you can easily find a beginner level compound bow for yourself at an affordable price. For that, you will need to understand all the features of most compound bow brands, their benefits, and the specifications that will be suitable for you.

In this article, we will help you through that. We have written a buying guide so that you can understand what to look for in a compound bow and reviewed some of the best compound bows for beginner adults and children. You can easily choose the one most suitable for you after going through their reviews and pros and cons.

• Best Overall:Genesis Original Kit
• Best for Beginners: Sanlida Archery Dragon
• Most Stable: Raptor Compound Hunting Bow Kit
• Most Affordable: Diamond Archery Edge
• Best Lightweight: Bear Archery Royale Youth
• Best for Adult Beginners: Bear Archery Cruzer G2 A

Top Compound Bows for Beginners

1- Best Overall: Genesis Original Kit

For a beginner who wants to start learning archery with a reliable compound bow, Genesis Original kit bow is the best. It has a draw length range from which you can choose the most suitable for yourself.

On top of that, the draw weight of this bow can be adjusted between 10 to 20 pounds. This is a great feature for beginners and professionals of all ages, but in my opinion, this bow is not so reliable for professional archers, especially for hunting purposes.

I am a bowhunter and got this kit for my kid as a starter bow, so I can tell which bow is great for beginners and which one is for professionals.

It is reliable for target archery and can shoot arrows at a distance of almost 15 yards at a good speed.

I liked the arrows very much. They are strong, and the limbs are also pretty sturdy. Also, the bowstring is the right size for a bow and hits the arrows with a really fast speed.

Now the components that are not so good include the armrest that is not fixed properly, but you can work on it and fix it using glue.

Also, the arm guard is low in quality, so you should buy one separately.

Even for a beginner, these bows are quite easy to use as they have a single cam, so this means no turning hectic as well as less pulling back.

Also, you can get a more accurate shot with less noise.

Besides, as the bow comes pre-assembled, you can start the training as soon as you receive the package, but the instructions should have been a little simpler for beginners who don’t have anyone around to guide them.

Don’t forget to get yourself all the necessary accessories, including a sight, release aid, an arrow rest, a reliable arm guard, and if you want a better quiver.

If you don’t know how to attach everything, take someone’s help. Also, learn from him how to adjust everything so that you can do it by yourself.

I bet you will be able to learn target archery with this beginner compound bow, and it will last for a long time.

2- Best for Beginners: Sanlida Archery Dragon

As a beginner, I totally loved the Sanlida Dragon X8 compound bow. This is the first bow that I bought on the recommendation of an archer.

The only thing he told me while recommending it was that it is not just a beginner compound bow and is also reliable for professionals.

And I realized that it was true as soon as I received this amazing sturdy bow.

It has a range of draw lengths that you can adjust as per your need. Moreover, you can customize this bow with time and practice.

It includes all the accessories, including the stabilizer, arrow rest, wrist sling, pin sight, peep sight, quiver, arrow puller, bow stand, and bow case. So a complete package for beginners as well as professionals.

Every component of the bow does its task perfectly and lets you shoot accurately.

Arrows are well-built for target archery and learning, but you can find better arrows for hunting if needed.

However, the bowstring and limbs are average in quality but not so bad to be hated.

What makes this bow even better than many others is that it has a dual cam system that is beneficial for avoiding cam lean.

Another thing is its easily adjustable draw weight and draws length.

I started practicing with this bow, and after months of practice, I am able to shoot at 40 yards with great speed.

Now what you will need to work on is the sound issue of this bow. Add some good-quality dampeners to make it quieter if you are going to use it for hunting. So it is not a con as it can be fixed easily.

Other than that, the grip of this bow is kind of uncomfortable. For that, you can wrap some good athletic tape on it, and it will surely give you a better grip.

It doesn’t come assembled but assembling it is not so difficult. You can watch a tutorial as a beginner or ask someone for guidance.

Talking about the other accessories included in the package, the sight and arms release work perfectly.

However, the peep sight is a little loose and moves from its place again and again.

You will need to fix it again and again or either change the bowstring for a permanent solution.

Also, I did buy an arrow rest and replaced the one that came with it because it is very cheap in quality.

It does have some downsides, but for the price that you pay, it is worth it.

3- Most Stable: Raptor Compound Hunting Bow Kit

Raptor Compound Hunting Bow Kit is a complete set for those who are about to start learning archery. You can adjust the draw length as well as the draw weight easily, even without using a bow press. I am new to bow hunting, and after a lot of research, I chose this bow.

Amazingly, this bow has a weight of 3.6 lbs with a length of 30 inches and is very comfortable with the grip.

Before starting, I would recommend you get someone professional’s help to get it assembled.

Although I had been practicing with another bow before this one, I was still confused about setting up this bow.

I faced a few problems, like with the peep sight, it kept moving and showed my bow to a friend of mine who knows a lot about bows.

And that’s when I found out that those issues were due to incorrect setup and the bow was working fine after reassembling it.

It is the best compound bow for beginners, target archers as well as hunters.

When testing, I was able to shoot the arrows accurately at a distance of 40 yards with great speed.

Considering the quality of components, yes, the limbs and riser don’t feel that great, but they are quite durable.

What I didn’t like about this bow was the bowstring. It is awful and can get damaged easily.

Besides that, all other parts, as well as the accessories, are good in quality.

As it is a complete kit, it includes 5 pin sight, arrow rest, quivers, stabilizer, string stop, 2 paper targets and an Allen wrench set.

Besides, you won’t need help with the d loop and peep sight as they come already attached to the bow.

But you will need to get arrows and aid release on your own as they are not included in the package.

I can guarantee you the durability of this bow as I have been using it now for over 4 months on almost every hunting session of mine and might have shot over 100 arrows with it.

I haven’t noticed any difference in the performance until now.

What I noticed the most about this bow during hunts was how efficiently and smoothly I was able to shoot at my targets with this quiet bow.

It didn’t scare away any of my prey, and I didn’t miss any of them due to the bow’s sound.

That was a problem with my previous bow. This compound bow with every needed accessory is priced reasonably.

4- Most Affordable: Diamond Archery Edge

Diamond Archery Edge 320 compound bow has a range of draw weights and draws lengths for you to choose from.

This bow is best for professionals as well as beginners as the adjustments are very easy, and the performance is the best. Moreover, it is lightweight to carry around comfortably.

You can practice target archery and also hunt using this bow. I have been using this for target archery, and it is quite smooth in working.

I would give the credit for the smoothness of the bow to its amazing design. It lets you shoot at a speed of about 320 fps.

You can definitely shoot your prey before it runs away with this speed.

I don’t fear breaking this bow any sooner as the limbs feel durable, and the bowstring is also reliable for shooting with power and accuracy.

Also, all the accessories that came in the package are the best in quality. Only that, the sight could have been a little better.

Other than those, the package includes the arrows, release aid and peep sight. So a complete package for all.

After getting the package, I only had to adjust the draw length only one time, and it was quite easy to use it.

Also, the maintenance was simple due to the draw setting of the bow that allowed the loosening of strings and cable without any difficulty.

I didn’t have to do anything to the cams; they were already well-adjusted out of the box. Just tighten them after a few shots to keep them working correctly.

If you need to loosen or tighten the limb bolts, you will need to loosen the tek screw before that.

Don’t take it off completely; only loosen it a bit. Even after maxing out the limbs, the total weight is 65 lbs, which is fine for me and very light compared to my previous bow.

Not only does the bow offer great speed but it also performs quietly. Hits the target with the best speed for up to 80 yards of distance.

I was able to aim at a distance of 40 yards with one sight pin only. This bow has the hand orientation for both right-handers and left-handers.

It is light in weight and thus easy to carry around and also has a comfortable grip to hold even for a long period of time.

For this price, a great bow for adult beginners and professionals. You should definitely give it a try.

5- Best Lightweight: Bear Archery Royale Youth

If your kid is new to archery, get him a Bear Archery Royale Youth Compound Bow, as it is one of the best youth compound bows out there. It is not only light in weight to carry with a weight of 2.7 lbs but also very easy to use.

Moreover, it comes ready to use out of the package. You don’t have to do any setting up, and even if needed, it can be done in a matter of a few minutes.

Also, the bow has an adjustable draw length ranging from 12 to 27 inches and a draw weight range from 5 to 50 lbs for beginners.

Therefore suitable for beginner kids who need to get better at archery with a range of draw weights.

Overall, the size is reliable for kids from ages 8 to 15 years old. The older can also use this bow, but I won’t recommend it to professionals.

Your child won’t feel tired of carrying it for long. Your kid can easily learn to adjust the bow by himself gradually, and it won’t take him long to adjust it during practice.

It also comes with all the accessories including the sight, whisker biscuit, quiver, 3 wrenches, and nock loop.

But I would recommend getting a wrench for adjusting the sight. Besides that, you won’t need a bow press for this bow, and all the adjustments can be done with the Allen wrench.

My only issue is with the whisker biscuit mount. It is more crooked towards the bow, which causes problems while shooting and affects the accuracy of the shot.

However, you can change the mount with a better one. But finding an alternative for this size of bow can be a bit challenging.

With this bow, you can easily shoot at a distance of 30 yards. Also, the speed is great for beginners, which is 290 feet per second.

So it is reliable for both target archery and hunting. It performs smoothly and doesn’t make a lot of noise.

All the parts of the bow are well-built and durable.

They won’t break till the end. Its grip at the riser is very comfortable, and the limbs are quite sturdy.

For kids, the bow has a nice design and looks, and the green color makes it look attractive.

With all the best quality accessories and an amazing quality youth compound bow, the price of the package is quite reasonable.

6- Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Adult Compound Bow

Bear Archery Cruzer G2 is a great bow for beginners. It is a bow for teens and adults with a length of 30 inches in total.

For the ease of beginners, this bow is very easy to adjust and has a range of draw lengths from 12 to 30 inches. While the draw weight ranges from 5 to 70 lbs.

All the adjustments can be made using the Allen wrench without needing a bow press.

Besides, this bow only weighs 3 lbs, which is quite lightweight and manageable for anyone.

The bow shoots at a speed of 315 feet per second and can easily shoot up to a distance of 50 yards.

Therefore, a reliable bow for both beginners and professional archers. With a brace height of 6 and a half inches, the bow can be handled comfortably.

Also, the total 30″ length of the bow is suitable for both teens and adults. All the parts of the bow are well-built and sturdy.

Such as, the limbs are quite strong and flexible, allowing accurate shooting with speed.

Also, the bowstring looks great. I didn’t notice any fraying of the string. Other than the parts, all the included accessories are also great.

They are average in quality, and I haven’t faced any issues with any of them.

They include the sight, knock loop, arrow rest, stabilizer, wrist sling, quiver, and peep sight.

However, the aid release and arm guards are not included. And as a beginner or a professional, you will need better arrow rest as the one in the package is not so great.

But if you feel that the stock one is fine for you, you can use it as well.

I would totally recommend this bow to anyone for both bowhunting as well as target archery.

It offers great speed shooting and is easy to carry around while hunting. It won’t cause pain in your shoulders.

Also, the grip is the most comfortable, letting you practice archery without any discomfort.

For hunting, this is a very quiet bow. Although it does not have dampeners between the limbs, it shoots without making any noise.

I bet this bow won’t break till the very end. We have been using this best beginner compound bow for more than six months now and getting better at archery with it.

I have also hunted down a few small-sized animals with it. A great bow of reasonable price for anyone, teens, and adults, who are interested in archery.

How to Choose a Beginner Compound Bow in 2023

Every archer should consider the following aspects before choosing a compound cow for himself. These aspects will affect his performance, and the wrong choices might be a hurdle in the way of learning archery.

Quality of parts

First of all, check the quality of each and every component of the bow. The main parts of a compound bow are the riser, limbs, bowstring, wrist sling, cams, D loop, sight, cables, arrow rest, bow stabilizer, and release aid. Let’s discuss each component one by one for your clarity.

Raiser

The riser is the most important component of a compound bow, as almost all other parts of the bow are attached to it. Also, you carry and hold the bow by the riser and grip section.

Therefore, the riser of kids compound bow or beginner should be the best in quality. Risers are usually made of carbon fiber and aluminum for a compound bow. You should find out about the quality and functioning of the riser before buying a bow.

Limbs

Besides the riser, limbs also play an important role in the performance of a bow. Limbs are attached to the riser on both sides. They have a bowstring attached to both ends. A compound bow should have high quality sturdy limbs that will last long.

Bowstring

The quality of the bowstring of a bow decides how better you can shoot an arrow with it. Bowstrings are made of synthetic material, and basically, you nock the arrow on the string and then shoot it. Best bowstrings are those that do not get out of shape and are durable.

Wrist sling

A wrist sling is necessary for a compound bow as it helps you maintain control of the bow. It is worn on the wrist by an archer and thus lets him hold the bow with more support while shooting.

Cams of the bow

Cams of a compound bow reduces the work of an archer. These are located on both ends of the bow attached to the limbs. They work like a pulley system and pull back the bowstring easily.

A youth compound bow is incomplete without cams, but there are a variety of styles of cams. You can choose one that is suitable for you depending on the purpose of your use.

Single Cam vs Dual Cam – Comparison

D loop

A D loop is a tiny piece of string that is attached to the bowstring. The archer attaches his release aid to the loop, which helps to pull back the bowstring. In fact, the D loop and release aid work together to bring back the string.

Release Aid

Instead of pulling back the string with fingers, many archers prefer to use a release aid for this purpose. This release aid is worn on your wrist, and on the front, it has jaws with a trigger to hold and release the string.

Cables

Every compound bow has cables that go around the cams and play an important role in shooting the arrow by decreasing the draw weight and increasing the speed.

They are also a very important part of a compound bow. Also, a compound bow has a cable slide and cable guard to hold the cables to their place and keep them protected.

Arrow rest

Arrow rest can be used with any type of bow, including compound bows. They help to keep the arrow in place while shooting so that it hits the target accurately.

Bow stabilizer

A bow stabilizer is attached to the riser. This part of the bow performs the task of balancing a bow during a shoot, thus reducing vibration. Also, it makes the bow shoot without any noise. Therefore, this is an essential part of the bow for bow hunters.

Draw weight

You have to get a bow with a suitable draw weight so that you can easily draw a bow. Usually, lighter bows have less draw weight, and heavy bows have more as they require more force to pull back the string. You can find the draw weight suitable for you with the help of the chart below for your age and gender.

• Age: 18 to 21 – Men and Women – draw weight: 15 to 30 pounds
• Age: 22 and above that – Men – draw weight: 25 to 40 pounds
• Age 22 and above that – Women- draw weight: 20 to 30 pounds

Most archers start with a bow with a draw weight of 20 pounds. For beginners and youngsters, a lighter bow is preferred, and gradually you can opt for a heavier one if you need a bow that can shoot with more power.

Suitable draw length

The length of an arrow tells how much you can draw. It’s the distance between the riser and the bowstring at the midpoint where the arrow is nocked on the string when it is drawn.

Draw length is different for every archer depending on age, gender, and personal strength. You can easily find out your draw length with the following process.

Stretch your arms and measure your arm span from the middle fingertip of one arm to other

Now divide the measured distance by 2.5. The answer will be the draw length suitable for you.

Bow weight

Bow weight matters for both a beginner as well as a professional archer. You have to carry around the bow and shoot again and again by exerting some force.

Also, a heavier compound bow will require more power; therefore, choosing a bow with a weight that you can handle is necessary otherwise, your shoulders will get tired, and it will be difficult for you to shoot.

Dominant Eye

Science fact, one eye of ours is more dominant than the other and focuses better. Therefore, while choosing a bow, either go for a bow that has both hand orientations or, if your left eye is dominant, choose a bow designed for left-handed and if your right eye is dominant, choose a bow designed for that.

We have discussed all the aspects that you should consider before buying a compound bow. Now you can select anyone from the following list that will be for sure under your budget.

FAQs

Q: Is a compound bow good for beginners?

Compound bows require less power and shoot with more speed. They are beginner friendly, therefore, best for beginners. These bows will help you improve your skills.

Q: How do I choose an archery bow for a beginner?

Beginners need a comfortable bow and if you are choosing a compound bow, then get the one that has a wide weight range so that you can start with a low draw weight to learn archery and get better gradually.

Q: How much does a compound bow cost?

Good compound bows can range from 300 dollars for beginners to over 1000 dollars for professionals.

Q: What length compound bow do I need?

To find out the right length of compound bow for yourself. Stretch your arms outwards and measure the length from the tip of one hand’s middle finger to the tip of the other hand’s middle finger. Divide the length by 2.5. In this way, you will find out your suitable draw length.

Final Thoughts

Sanlida Archery Dragon X8 RTH Compound Bow and Genesis Original Kit are the best compound bow for beginners as well as professionals at a great price. They won’t break as they have sturdy limbs and shoot smoothly.

While Bear Archery Royale Youth Compound Bow is also great for kids who have just started to learn archery and are looking for an easy-to-handle compound bow.

Additional Common Questions

What is the quietest bow for 2023?

If you’re seeking a bow that merges stealth with performance, look no further than the **Mathews Phase 4** for the year 2023. The creators of this masterpiece of archery are pushing the boundaries of bow design, and many enthusiasts in the field reckon it might just be the most efficient hunting bow created to this day. The Phase 4 features the innovative Resistance Phase Damping (RPD) design. The result? Mathews’ quietest and most harmonious bow ever, eliminating unnecessary noise and undesired vibration on release. Drawing from personal experience, there’s nothing more gratifying than the silent draw and release of an arrow, and Mathews seems to have gone to great lengths to ensure that thrill is preserved.

What is the fastest compound bow for 2023?

We are awaiting updated information on this topic. Please stay tuned for future updates.

Is Hoyt coming out with a new bow for 2023?

After a successful run with the renowned Ventum series, Hoyt is swooping into the new season with fresh products on offer. In 2023, Hoyt is introducing their **new VTM 31 and VTM 34** bows. Hoyt is passionate about delivering high performance in their bows while ensuring the elements of integration, flow, system, alignment, and synergy all play pivotal roles in the overall design. When holding, examining or shooting the VTM 31 or 34, Hoyt’s design philosophy becomes abundantly clear. Having shot various Hoyt bows myself, I can affirm their commitment to quality and performance. These new bows are expected to only further this commitment.

Which archery bow is best for a beginner?

When you’re just starting out with archery, simplicity often takes precedence over advanced features, and **recurve bows** have acquired a reputation as some of the most accessible, user-friendly bows out there. These bows are readily available on the market, and their best feature is their forgiving nature when it comes to shooting. The learning curve isn’t as steep as it is with some other bows, making it perfect for beginners of all ages. The recurve arrows shoot from a shelf, which is easier compared to shooting from your hand. To top it all off, the handles on these bows provide a comfortable, familiar grip akin to that of a pistol. This enhances control and reduces the likelihood of mishaps. Granted, I too started my archery journey with a simple recurve bow, and it made the initial plunge into the sport both manageable and thoroughly enjoyable.