Have you ever wanted to learn archery, or have you just started taking a few lessons? Then, it is time for you to purchase the best compound bow for beginners.
As a beginner, finding the right compound bow can be a lot complicated. It is only right that you get yourself a quality product as it can improve your affair with the sport and make each outing fun.
Thus, we will review five compound bows, which we think should be on your shopping list. Also, we will help you learn a few things about compound bows.
Best Compound Bow for Beginners: Brief Reviews
Comparison Chart
1. Crosman EIkhorn Jr. Compound Bow
The Crosman EIkhorn Jr. Compound Bow is one of the compound bows you can purchase for a newcomer to archery. It is lightweight, as well as easy to draw and use. It has features expected from a full-sized adult bow for a superior shooting performance. It is ideal for beginners in level eight and above who are searching for the right compound bow to improve their precision and skills.
Product Highlights
The Elkhorn Jr. has the following to offer:
- Durability: Generally, Crosman bows are designed to be durable. The Elkhorn has integrated composite center shot riser with large windows. The thick composite limb offers all the support you need to make the right shot.
- Ease of use: The bow is easy to use for beginners over the age of nine, but an eight-year-old can use it as long as supervised by an adult. It has a draw weight ranging from 17 to 21 pounds, which makes it easy to draw the bow without much effort. The lightweight design also makes it easy for you to have the correct hand placement for a perfect shot.
- Shooting performance: With the Crosman EIkhorn Jr. Compound Bow, you get a shooting performance similar to adult bows. A composite cam system supported by high tensile cables and strings with a cable guard is also present.
- Inclusions: This compound bow comes equipped with accessories you need to make your adventure a memorable one. In the package set, you get two composite arrows, an arm guard, a finger tab, a rest sight, and two pieces quiver. You also get a 90-day limited warranty when you buy directly from the manufacturer.
What’s to like about the Crosman EIkhorn Jr. Compound Bow
For a beginner compound bow, the Crosman EIkhorn is designed to be lightweight and durable, just like the big sized bows used by professional archers. The bow is easy to use and doesn’t require much effort to pull on it, making it suitable for users as young as eight years old.
We also love that the compound bow has a well-supported composite cam system to ensure superior shooting performance. Additionally, you also don’t have to worry about purchasing additional accessories as the bow comes with essential items you need to have a wonderful time outdoors!
What’s not to like about the Crosman EIkhorn Jr. Compound Bow
Sadly, the composite arrows attached to the product were made from low-quality materials. They have been known to break after just a few outing. You either have to be careful handling the arrows or purchase a more durable one to use with it.
PROS
- Superior shooting performance
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Equipped with accessories
- Risk-free purchase
CONS
- Poorly made arrows
2. Southland Archery Supply Scorpi Compound Bow
The SAS Scorpi Compound Bow was designed to give shooters the highest quality gear they need to excel in the field. It can be used as an archery or hunting bow. It is also easily adjustable even for beginners and gives you all the freedom you need to make the perfect shot.
Product Highlights
The SAS Scorpi Compound Bow has the following features:
- Specs: The compound bow has an axle to axle dimension of 28”, which offers maximum flexibility for the best shot. Although it weighs only around 3.3 pounds, the compound bow limbs have been crafted with compressed ABS material, so they don’t snap easily.
- Adjustability: As a beginner, you want to have an easily adjustable compound bow to give you the freedom to make the right shot. The Scorpi Compound Bow has a draw length ranging from 19” to 29,” which means you can adjust according to your comfort level.
- Shooting performance: The bow is designed to provide shooters with a high-quality shooting performance because of its adjustable draw length. You can also shoot through a distance of 260 feet quickly and safely.
- Inclusions: The bow comes with all the accessories you need for a fun-filled outing. When you purchase the SAS compound bow, you get a bow sling, a four-inch stabilizer, a fiber optic adjustable sight, a peep sight scope, a brush arrow rest, a roll of D-loop string, a wrist strap, and a wrist strap. Additionally, the product comes with a seven-year SAS warranty.
What’s to like about the Southland Archery Supply Scorpi Compound Bow
One thing we love about the SAS compound bow is the quality material used, which is similar to the one found in professional bows. It also comes equipped with accessories you need to make the right shot, saving you the extra cost of purchasing the items separately. Additionally, as a good learning compound bow, it’s a high-performance gear for hunting, target practice, and more.
What’s not to like about the Southland Archery Supply Scorpi Compound Bow
One problem with the product is that the bowstring slips off easily, and once this occurs, you have to have it fixed for you to use it. Another issue we noticed is that the SAS Scorpi Compound Bow has a right-hand orientation, so you want to take note of this if you are a left-handed shooter.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Fully equipped
- Quality performance
- Easily adjustable
- Risk-free purchase
CONS
- String snaps easily
- Right-handed bow
3. Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow
The Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow is perfect for beginners since it is fully designed to remove the let-off and draw length restrictions common in most beginner bows. It is also the official bow of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).
Product Highlights
The things you’d expect from the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow include:
- Design: Designed with features similar to a professional bow, the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow has been built with a single-cam technology. This eliminates turning issues, recoil, and noise, providing you with more shooting accuracy.
- Made for Beginners: The bow has safety features which made it the official bow for teaching archery in schools. It includes an aluminum riser, high-strength bowstring, strong composite limbs, aluminum cam, and idler wheel. All of which are made in the USA.
- Ease of Use: The Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow can be handled easily and used by a first timer with no shooting experience. It has a draw weight of 20 pounds, which and can be reduced to 10 pounds with the help of a hex wrench, for it to suit the user. Additionally, the bow has a draw length which can stretch between a distance of 15” and 30”.
- Durability: The bow is made with a combination of aluminum and lightweight plastic material, which do not break easily. This makes it a bow you can have around for a long time.
What’s to like about the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow
Being that it is the official bow for teaching archery in USA schools, there is nothing much to worry about the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow’s quality. This is further backed up with the high-quality materials used in its construction.
Another thing we love is that even beginners or those with little shooting experience have nothing to worry about with the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow. It has a lot of safety features, as well as technology, which helps to improve your shooting accuracy.
What’s not to like about the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow
Unfortunately, the Genesis Bows Original Compound Bow doesn’t come with the required accessories such as arrows and a quiver. This means you have to spend extra to purchase the items you need to use the bow. Another thing you need to be aware of is that the bow isn’t suitable for hunting, but you can use it for bow fishing and target shooting.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Super design
- Beginner-friendly
CONS
- Not fully equipped
- Not for hunting
4. Southland Archery Supply Feud Compound Bow
Southland Archery Supply is a manufacturer notable for designing quality hunting equipment and accessories. This particular compound bow they made has features required to make archery a lot easier.
Product Highlights
The Southland Archery Supply Feud Compound Bow has a lot to offer, including:
- Construction: Made with high-quality aluminum material, the riser will not snap easily. The bow also has safety vest harness, a heavy-duty game cart, a shooting stick, and a hoist-and-gambrel system.
- Adjustability: The draw length of the Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow can be adjusted between 19 to 31 inches with the aid of an Allen key. Likewise, the draw weight can be set from 25 to 70 pounds. To adjust the draw weight, simply turn the limb bolt in a clockwise direction to increase and counter-clockwise to reduce. You can also loosen the screw in the cam to adjust the draw length without the aid of a bow press.
- Ease of use: The Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow has been designed as a beginner bow. This makes it easy to use even if you don’t have much shooting experience. With an adjustable draw length and weight, it is easy for you to get the bow to fit your shooting style. You also don’t need to apply much energy in holding it since it weighs only around 4.1 pounds; thus, it can also be handled easily by a 10-year-old kid.
What’s to like about the Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow
We love that the Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow is made from high-quality material, making it a good bow you can have around for a long time. Another thing we love about this compound bow is that there is a wide selection of single and combination colors.
Additionally, whatever your shooting style is and whether you have minimal or no shooting experience, you can use the bow easily. Not only because it is lightweight, but also because the draw weight and length are adjustable.
What’s not to like about the Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow
Unfortunately, the Southland Archery Supply Compound Bow is designed for right-handed shooters only. Also, although it is a youth-sized bow with a good draw length and strength, it may not be useful for hunting activities.
PROS
- Fully equipped
- Lightweight, durable
- Easy to use and adjust
- Risk-free purchase
CONS
- Not for left-handed archers
- Not for hunting
5. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow
The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow is another beginner-friendly product designed to be high quality, and versatile. Similar to the rest of the compound bows we reviewed, this also comes with accessories you need to begin your archery lessons.
Product Highlights
Upon unboxing, here are the things you would expect from Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow:
- Inclusions: The package includes an infinite edge pro bow, a tube-type peep sight, a BCY string loop, a wrist sling,
- a hostage XL arrow rest, a five inches ultra-lite octane stabilizer, a three-pin tundra sight, and a deadlock lite octane quiver.
- Construction: Weighing around 3.1 pounds and crafted with durable materials, the bow is long-lasting and easy to carry around. The bow has a stabilizer which provides proper balance to help improve your shooting accuracy. Additionally, all accessories are also designed to be long-lasting like the arrows which can kill a deer if the bow is adjusted correctly.
- Ease of use: As a beginner, you want to purchase a bow that you can assemble and use easily. For the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow, the only assembly required is accessory installation. Adjusting the bow to the appropriate draw weight and draw length you are comfortable with is also effortless. The draw length ranges from 13 to 31 inches while the draw weight can be set between five to 70 pounds.
What’s to like about the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow
What we love the most about this package is that both the bow and accessories are durable. Another thing we like is that the bow you can adjust the draw settings without hassles and according to your preferences and needs.
The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow is also equipped with a cam system which makes drawing and shooting easy. The extended draw range of up to 31 inches and the maximum speed arrow speed of 310 ft/sec it provides are also a plus. Additionally, the bow is effortless to set up to a point you can do it without the help of a professional.
What’s not to like about the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow
Sadly, the bottom cam can break easily, which is after a few outings. As such, you must handle the product with care. The bow also needs to be reset after unpacking it from the box to avoid injuries when you use it.
PROS
- Lightweight, durable
- Easy to assemble and use
- Fully equipped
- Balances perfectly
CONS
- Requires readjustments
- Bottom cam is not that durable
Buyer’s Guide
When you are in the market to buy a beginner compound bow, you must take note of some particular features which will help improve your user experience. You should also find a product which will save you a great deal of money on getting aftermarket parts or repairs due to damages. With that being said, here are some of the things you need to check out before buying a compound bow:
1. Brace Height
The brace height of your compound bow is the measured distance between your bowstring and the bow grip. This has been set by the manufacturers already, so you don’t need to make readjustments.
The brace height determines the speed and accuracy of your shot, so you want to confirm that the brace height can be adjusted quickly.
A shorter brace height means the arrow will travel faster while a higher brace height reduces the travel distance. You have to note, though, that a shorter brace height will make the compound bow hard to shoot. With that in mind, the brace height for beginners should be kept at 6” or 7” for the best shots.
2. Axle to Axle Dimension
The axle-to-axle dimension is another thing you want to look out for in your compound bow. It is the distance between the bow cams, which contributes to the bow power. The axle-to-axle length of your bow can also go a long way in determining the accuracy of your bow.
When shopping for a compound bow, you need to select one with the right axle-to-axle dimension to match your activity. Bows with a bigger dimension are a lot more forgiving compared to a smaller one. A bow with a higher axle dimension will be a lot easier to shoot compared to a shorter one.
3. Draw Weight
Another feature you should look out for in a bow is the draw weight, which is the amount of force you need to apply on the bow to pull back the string. There are a lot of things that affect the draw weight of a bow, such as the cam design, limb thickness, limb shape, and limb length. Most bow manufacturers produce compound bows with a draw weight that can be increased and decreased to match the user’s skill level.
When shopping for a compound bow, you need to select a draw weight range falling between any of 40- and 50, 50 and 60, or 60 and 70. This range can then be increased or reduced anywhere between the 10-inch increments.
4. Price
As a beginner, you might not be looking to spend much on a bow, but it is important to know that some of the best compound bows are a little expensive. That is because they are made from quality materials which are not affordable, so you need to have a budget when you are looking to buy a compound bow. A set budget will also make it easier for you to find one that doesn’t put too much dent in your finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the Draw Length on a Bow Be Adjusted?
For you to be able to adjust the draw length of your bow, you need to check if the cam is easily adjustable. The range of adjustment differs from bow to bow. Some bows can only be adjusted to a few inches while others have a draw length ranging from 15 to 20 inches.
2. How Do You Tighten a Compound Bow?
You can tighten your compound bow by locating the limb lock at the center of the bow. Once you found it, you can now loosen it with the aid of an Allen key or screwdriver.
Turn the screwdriver or wrench in a clockwise direction to tighten the bow. As you tighten the bow, adjust the arm tension until you get the right draw weight.
3. What Is the Best Draw Weight for Deer Hunting?
If you intend to use your compound bow for hunting animals, you need to buy one with a draw weight of 40 pounds or more; 40-pound draw weight can usually take down a deer.
4. What Makes a Bow Forgiving?
You’ve probably heard of the term bow forgiveness and wondered what it was all about. It refers to the ability of the bow to shoot an arrow with minimal interference and effort from the archer.
To make a bow more forgiving, you have to ensure that it is tuned and set up properly. Even as a beginner, a forgiving bow allows you to get away with a good shot, even though the archer did not perfectly craft the tuning and execution.
Final Verdict
From the five compound bows reviewed above, the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Compound Bow is our top pick for the best compound bow for beginners because lightweight and durable materials were used to craft it. Although it may require some readjustments after purchase, this is the case for most products. Likewise, the package arrives with accessories you need to begin your archery journey, offering great value for money.