The Best co*pound Bows for the Money of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

March 15, 2023, 12:20:37 AM

The Best co*pound Bows for the Money of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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Scott Einsmann

These affordable co*pounds prove that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a great bow

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Scott Einsmann

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Best Value	alt="One of the best co*pound bows for the money, the elite terrain" width="250" />	Elite Terrain	SEE IT
Best Under $500	alt="The Best co*pound Bows for the Money of 2023, Tested and Reviewed" width="250" />	Bear Legend XR	SEE IT
BlackOut Intrigue XST	alt="The Best co*pound Bows for the Money of 2023, Tested and Reviewed" width="250" />		SEE IT

co*pound bows have never been better, or more expensive. But there’s also never been more performance per dollar for bows under $800. The leaps in bow design over the last few years mean that for half the price of the best bows, you’re getting much more than half the performance.

At the 2023 Outdoor Life Bow Test, we put 13 bows (9 flagship and 4 budget) through a head-to-head test that graded them on accuracy, build quality, features, and shooting experience. What we found out was that more expensive bows are easier to shoot accurately but that all the bows produced sub-8-inch groups at 50 yards. We also found out that some budget bows are very close to premium bows in speed.

So if you’re looking to get the best co*pound bow for the money, here are some great options.

Best Value: Elite Terrain

Best Under $500: Bear Legend XR

PSE Drive NXT

BlackOut Intrigue XST

How We Tested the Bows

The Best co*pound Bows for the Money of 2023, Tested and Reviewed — We shot the bows at 50 yards and measured group sizes. *Derek Horner*

Our parameters for a “budget bow” was a bow with a list price under $800, which puts our top-end price at less than half the cost of the most expensive hunting bows.

Three testers spent two days testing bows at the country’s premier archery shop, Lancaster Archery Supply. We tested bows for speed, accuracy, and overall shooting experience. Then we went to Stress Engineering to measure each bow’s sound and vibration. It’s extensive testing that will hopefully help you make a smart decision on your next bow.

You’ll find the speed results, 50-yard group average, and scores in the test results section for each bow.

Speed

We shot each bow three times and used a Labradar Chronograph to measure arrow speed in feet per second (fps). The three speeds were then averaged. The same 420-grain arrow, 60-pound draw weight, and 29-inch draw length was used for each bow.

Accuracy

Each tester shot several, five-shot groups at 50 yards. That’s a poke for a budget bow, but the accuracy test is telling because easy-to-shoot bows consistently print smaller groups for a wide range of archers.

Build Quality

We looked over each bow and graded how well it was made co*pared to the other budget bows. We judged the machining, strings, stabilizer mounts, finish, and overall quality of the bow, then gave a score from one to five, with five being the best score.

Back Wall

Once you draw a bow all the way back you’ll reach a point it stops, which is called the wall. Most archers like a wall that doesn’t have much movement because it feels solid. We graded this aspect from one to five, with five being the best.

Draw Cycle

You can have two bows with the same draw weight, but one can feel easy to pull back and the other more difficult. That’s because bow draw cycles vary by design. Ideally, a bow will be smooth and easy to draw. We scored each bow’s draw on a one to five scale, with five being the best.

Grip

A bow’s grip is important for accurate shooting because if the grip’s design causes the bow to turn in your hand, called torque, or produces inconsistent grip pressure, it will be difficult to shoot small groups.

Stress Engineering

We partnered with Stress Engineering Services’ Outdoor Division to test the bows. Stress Engineering uses specialized equipment to measure vibration and sound data.

Scoring

It’s important to note that we scored each bow against its own category. In other words, we scored budget bows against budget bows and flagships against flagships. We had an overall lower expectation for the subjective scoring categories with budget bows because, well, they are so much cheaper.

Best Value: Elite Terrain

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One of the best co*pound bows for the money, the elite terrain

Scott Einsmann

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Specs

Axle-to-axle: 32.5 inches

Weight: 3.9 pounds

Draw Length: 25.5 to 31.5 inches

Draw Weight: 45 to 60 or 55 to 70 pounds

Let Off: 85 percent

Price: $700

Test Results

Speed: 270 fps

50-yard Group Average: 5.9 inches

Build Quality: 5

Features: 4

Back Wall: 4

Draw Cycle: 4

Grip: 4.5

If I didn’t know the Terrain’s price, I would have guessed it was around $1,000. That’s because the fit and finish is on par with the best flagships we tested this year. It also doesn’t feel like a budget bow as you draw it and shoot it, which is just as impressive.

We put the budget bows through the same accuracy test as the flagship bows, and the Terrain printed a respectable 5.9-inch group average at 50 yards. Our biggest group average among the $800 and up category was the Bear Execute ($1,200), which had a 5.43-inch group average. So this $700 bow is hanging in there with a bow costing $500 more.

A major contributor to the accuracy was the fantastic grip. It’s a similar grip that’s on Elite’s more expensive bows, and it promotes proper technique with very little torque. An overlooked factor in buying a bow is how fun it is to shoot. A bow that’s fun to shoot will be fun to practice with, which means you’ll be more prepared for bow season. The Terrain’s draw cycle is easy, the back wall is solid, and it doesn’t rattle when you shoot—all the makings of a fun bow. In the Stress Engineering tests, the Terrain was the quietest and had the least vibration of all the bows under $800.

A lot of budget-orientated bows have a wide adjustment range, but that usually co*es at the expense of performance and a smooth draw. Elite’s engineers have managed to hit the sweet spot between a bow that’s adjustable from 25.5 to 31.5 inches and has 15 pounds of adjustment. Yet we measured the bow’s speed at 270 fps. Like the accuracy test, we tested the budget bows with the same draw weight, draw length, and arrow as the flagships. Our editor’s choice winner, the Elite Era, shot 271.5 fps and is more than twice the Terrain’s price.

It’s exciting to see a bow provide so much value, and if you’re looking to spend less than $1,000, you must try this bow at an archery shop. I’d suggest shooting it along with a PSE Drive NXT since they’re both in the same price range.