For interested parties, there are a few things to examine in a bow before buying it. Speed, draw cycle, handling, vibration, noise, accuracy, and forgiveness are some of many things that define a bow.
A compound bow must score impressively in these features to be called excellent. To be declared best though, it must also be worth its price in gold.
The ATA show was a veritable fest of various bows, of which we will show you the best. It is impossible to learn how good a bow is with a few shots, but a few days of shooting will get you this list.
Best Compound Bows 2023
1. PSE ARCHERY Brute NXT
Expensive, power, accurate, and well-built are the four words that describe PSE Brute NXT compound bow best. It’s also a 2023 model and boasts ATA/IBO speeds of 329 fps and many more features besides.
Features
- 6.5” brace
- 55-70 draw weight
- 22.5-30” draw length
- BT cam and eight limb bolt turns
Pros
- Lightweight with incredible power
- Popular manufacturer
- Well-built and ideal for adult use
- Includes extras
- Can handle heavy draws
Cons
- Expensive piece
Price: View on Amazon
2. Southland Archery Supply SAS Outrage
Compared to PSE’s brute, this compound bow is even more of a beast with its 25 to 31” draw length. SAS Outrage comes in black color, a max speed of 270fps, which is relatively low, and a 4.4lbs net weight. To add to its many attractive features, its 55 to 70lbs draw weight is one of the highest on the market.
Features
- 25 to 31” draw length
- 55 to 70” draw weight
- 35” axle-to-axle
- 70% let-off
- 4.4lbs
- 270fps IBO
Pros
- Cheap bow
- Long and powerful
- Can handle enormous force
- Easy to operate
- Professional piece
Cons
- No arrows or additional features
- Lower than average max speeds
Price: View on Amazon
3. PSE Bow Madness Unleashed Rts Pkg
As one of PSE’s model, Madness Unleashed is crazy expensive, but as a 2023 piece, it’s even more so than usual. This absolute beast has a max draw weight of 70lbs but measures slightly over 32” axle-to-axle. It weighs just 3.9lbs despite its incredible performance and offers a let-off of more than 85%.
Features
- 55 to 70” draw weight
- 85% let-off
- 340fps ABA
- 32.9” axle-to-axle
Pros
- Incredible package with outstanding specs
- Fast shots with unerring accuracy
- Ideal for professional use
- Offers both hand orientations
Cons
- Expensive
- Only one finish available currently
- No extras in the package
Price: View on Amazon
4. Predator Archery Raptor
The raptor is one of the most powerful bows available as of 2023 despite being remarkably cheap. It features a remarkable range, high speeds, low weight, and up to 75% let-off. Best of all, Predator Raptor has a split tuning system that ensures your arrows fly exactly where you want.
Features
- Alumina cams
- 30” axle-to-axle
- 24.5 to 31” draw length
- 30 to 70lbs draw weight
- 315fps ABA
- Five pins lighted sights.
- 3.6lbs
Pros
- Powerful bow
- Complete package with arrows, stabilizer, string stop, and more
- Reasonable price
- Trustworthy and popular brand
Cons
- Ideal for amateurs but not the best for professionals
Price: View on Amazon
5. Bear Archery Cruzer Lite
The righthand oriented compound bow offers incredible versatility to both amateurs and professionals. Its adjustable performance and power draw make it uniquely suited for regular archery use. While not the fastest piece on the market, it still offers a good enough IBO for most use.
Features
- 12 to 27” draw length
- Five to 45” draw weight
- 290fps max speed
- 3.2lbs
- Trophy Ridge accessories
Pros
- Comes with extra packages
- Lightweight and durable
- Provides powerful and accurate shots
- Ideal for all experience levels
- Low price
Cons
- Best for amateurs
- Small draw length and weight
Price: View on Amazon
6. Hoyt REDWRX Carbon RX-3
Hoyt is a unique model for Bow weight, being light. It is very reliable and is the only model that rivals the Matthews/Bowtech.
This model is a Carbon-fiber made piece of excellence. It is small and easy to carry and yet is still a solid, quiet bow.
Specs
- 342 fps
- 9 pounds of weight
- Draw length is 25–28 inches
- Brace Height is 6 inches
Pros
- Light and compact
- Very Accurate and fast
- Versatile and Forgiving
- Lots of customization options
Cons
- Expensive
- Too short
Price: View on Amazon
7. Bear Divergent
Cheap, accurate, beautiful, and high-performance, what is there not to like. For as little as $700, Bear Divergent makes this list based on beautiful design.
It is a lightweight, smooth and highly maneuverable.
Specs
- Brace Height is 6.5 inches
- Weight is 3.9 pounds
- It is 28 inches from Axle to Axle
- Draw length is 25.5–30 inches
Pros
- Smooth and light
- Impressive Draw cycle
- Extremely quiet and versatile
- Cheap
Cons
- Short span
- A little average in variability
Price: View on Amazon
8. Bear Perception
Perception is very innovative and carrie the new shoot-through riser design.
Even with the wide cage riser, this bow weighs just 4.4 lbs.
Specs
- 350 fps
- 6 inches brace height and 45–60 lbs. draw weight
- 5–30 inches axle to axle
Pros
- Reasonable size
- Adjustable size for larger archers
- Shoot-through riser design
- Innovative
Cons
- Difficult to use
- Can be too small for some
Price: View on Amazon
9. Bowtech Realm SS (or SR6)
Smooth and Fast is a popular second name for Bowtech SS. It is exceptionally fast, being capable of reaching speeds of 336 fps. The SS is the ultimate hunting bow.
SS’s draw-cycle is fantastic, and the draw curve jaw-dropping with absolutely no hump while firing.
It comes with a lot of features attached; tunings and Cam Synchronization Axles. The model is the best compound bow available so cheaply
Specs
- 336 fps
- Mass Weight is 4.3 pounds
- Draw Length is 25″ to 31″
- Brace Height is 7 1/8″
Pros
- Fast and smooth
- Excellent draw cycle
- Good handling of vibrations
- Affordable
- Brilliantly accurate and impressive forgiveness
Cons
- Not the most comfortable
- Not versatile enough
- Some complaints of technical difficulty
Price: View on Amazon
10. Mathews Vertix
Matthews and Bowtech have been at loggerheads for the prize of the best bow for years now. They have been highly innovative and specialize in single cam bows.
It is tranquil and vibration-free, and it has an updated Switchweight system that lets you change draw length among others by changing modules.
It is a fantastic model with speeds over 300 fps.
Specs
- 335 fps
- Brace Height is 6 inches
- Draw length is 26–30.5 inches
- Weight is 4.67 pounds
Pros
- Cheap
- Comfortable handling
- Excellent fixing ability
- Versatile
Cons
- Heavy
- Not the most accurate
- Not very forgiving