8 Best Compound Bows For Beginner (From Entry Level)

If you are curious about which is the best compound bow for beginners, now is the time to find out

The market is flooded with great compound bows and accessories. But, with so much to choose from, making the best selection can be a challenge.

In this article, we discuss everything from how compound bows work, what to think about before buying one, frequently asked questions about compound bows, as well as our picks for some of the best compound bows currently available online.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive straight into it below!

Reviews for the Best Compound Bow for Beginners

1. Bear Archery Cruzer Lite

Best Overall

Score: (4.5/5)

Bear Archery Cruzer Lite

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Powerful and versatile enough for hunting, archery, and building skills.

This legendary bow-maker has really done it with the Bear Archery Cruzer Lite. For beginners, there are very few options as ideal as this entry-level compound bow.

The bow is fully adjustable, with a draw length ranging from 12 inches to a maximum of 27 inches. The bow’s draw weight has a range of 5 pounds to as much as 45 pounds, which is great for children, young adults, and many full-grown adults (pretty much great for beginners under 160 pounds or so).

The bow comes with top-notch Trophy Ridge accessories. That makes it an even better choice for beginners that want as much edge as possible with their first compound bow.

This way, not only do you get to practice firing and maintaining a compound bow, but you also get precious experience tweaking it with accessories and honing your overall bow skills and knowledge.

The downside to this bow is that the speed of the arrows is a bit slower than other beginner compound bows. Even more, the maximum draw weight is under 50 pounds. That means it may not be the best compound bow for beginners interested in hunting large game.

2. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow

Runner Up

Score: (4.5/5)

Diamond Archery Infinite

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Well-made, with high-end materials and components, suited for both archery and hunting.

A close second to our number one pick for the best overall compound bow for beginners is the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow.

This bow was a close second to our first pick. And, if not for the accessories that come with our top pick, it may have well ended up as second, with the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow sitting at the top of the list as the best compound bow for beginners.

This awesome starter bow has a big draw length, as small as 12 inches and as wide as 31 inches. It also has an impressive 5 to 70 pound draw weight as well, so it is perfect for taller and larger shooters.

Even more, the bow has a smooth-working redesigned cam system that promotes flawless accuracy. With this bow, arrows are hurtled at speeds of up to 310 feet per second. It is a real killer bow for beginners, no doubt about it.

A major drawback to this particular compound bow is that, for beginners, it may actually be a bit too powerful. On the other hand, it may be just what you are looking for if you’re interested in hunting or long-distance archery.

3. Leader Accessories Compound Bow

Best Hunting Bow

Score: (4.5/5)

Leader Accessories Compound Bow

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Great specs for hunting and target practice in the back yard or archery range.

A good beginner bow with a great reputation among hunters is the Leader Accessories Compound Bow. Our choice for the best beginner hunting bow, is somewhat basic, but far from lacking in comparison to other compound bows on our list.

For many adults(those ranging from 100 to 160 pounds or so) the Leader Accessories Compound Bow is the perfect beginner bow. It has a powerful 35 to 55 pound draw weight and an equally impressive draw length of between 19 and 29 inches.

One of the best parts about this bow is that it includes some really premium and useful accessories like a quick release trigger and fiber optic sites. For a beginner, it is far more than enough to test the waters of archery.

The biggest fault with this bow is that it’s only good for a certain size group. Children, and adults that weigh more than the average person, are not suited for this compound bow, despite its high-quality. The draw weight is too high for kids, and too low for large adults.

4. Genesis Original Bow

Best for Entry Level Archery

Score: (4/5)

Genesis Original Bow

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Innovative design well-suited for people of many sizes made of high-end materials.

This compound bow is without question one of the best basic entry level compound bows on the market. That’s why it is the official bow of the National Archery in Schools Programs (NASP).

Thanks to the innovative design of the Genesis Original Bow, there is no set draw length standard. That means that the bow works just as great for kids as it does full-grown adults.

That said, the bow itself is made of all high-end components including an aluminum cam and idler wheel. The rest of the bow is also tough composite material as well, including the high-strength bow string.

Furthermore, as a single-cam action bow, there is little recoil or noise while shooting. This feature makes the bow an even better choice for beginners.

But, as great a choice as the bow may seem, it is not the best choice for everyone. If you are looking for a bow that can send arrows way down range, with enough power to pack a punch, this is not the compound bow for you. 

This bow is truly for those who wish to learn the art of archery, and to get used to compound bows.

5. Bear Archery Cruzer G2

Best for Adults

Score: (4/5)

Bear Archery Cruzer G2

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Fits most full-grown adults and comes with high-end accessories.

Bear Archery Cruzer G2 is our top choice for best beginner bow for adults. This decision boils down to multiple impressive factors.

The versatile draw length of 12 to 30 inches of the Cruzer G2 is as perfect as possible for the vast majority of full-grown adults. Even more, the bow has a really wide 5 to 70 pound draw weight that is excellent for nearly anyone interested in taking up a compound bow.

In addition, the accessories are all high-end and geared towards use by adults rather than children as well. However, the accessories are great for kids and teens to learn and practice with.

The downside is obvious; the bow is not the best beginner bow for everyone, it is designed and works beautifully for adults almost exclusively.

6. iGlow Compound Carbon Hunting Bow

Best Budget

Score: (4/5)

iGlow Compound Carbon Hunting Bow

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Versatile design, high-end accessories, and flexible draw length and draw weight.

This bow is an excellent selection for best budget bow for beginners due to its minimalist and innovative design. The downside is that it is geared towards full adults, and isn’t the best choice for young archers under 150 pounds.

The vintage-like bow features a draw weight range of 40 to 55 pounds and fires arrows at speeds of up to 220 feet per second. The draw length range is a tight 27 to 29 inches.

Fiberglass and high-quality aluminum make up the bow frame and components. It is available in black or silver color schemes.

The most significant feature of this bow that you may not find as attractive as other choices on our list is that it weighs more and has less power. It looks great, and works well for medium sized adults, but is definitely not for just anyone.

7. SAS Scorpii 55

Best for Teenagers

Score: (3.5/5)

SAS Scorpii 55

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Well-suited for teenagers and capable of entry-level to intermediate-level hunting and archery.

As far as teenagers are concerned, one of the very best compound bows out there for beginners is the SAS Scorpii 55. This bow is gorgeous as well, which is definitely a plus especially with the younger crowd.

Accessories for beginners also come with the bow, making it an even better choice for young archers. Even arrows are included in the purchase.

The draw weight has a range of 30 to 55-pounds. Likewise, the draw length range is from 10 to 29-inches. The bow launches projectiles at speeds of 260 feet per second.

The bow is excellent in terms of accessories, and power for archery, but lacks a bit on the power to take down large game. Also, for teenagers that don’t weigh very much, the draw weight is a bit too high for comfortable use.

8. Bear Archery Brave Bow Youth Set

Best for Families with Kids

Score: (3.5/5)

Bear Archery Brave Bow Youth Set

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The draw weight and length are very child-friendly, but also works for big kids and teens

When it comes to simple bows that offer excellent quality and versatile action for children and young adults alike is the Bear Archery Brave Bow Youth Set. This beginner package is high-end to the core and designed for children of as young as eight years old.

The Bear Archery Brave Bow Youth Set is our pick for best first bow for small kids, with no competition.

Few bow-makers have such a well-respected name as Bear Archery, and the Brave Bow Youth Set is an excellent example of the quality that has earned them such a loyal following in the industry.

This extremely child-friendly bow has a 15 to 25-pound draw weight and a draw length of up to 13.5-inches. It also comes with a handful of great compound bow accessories.

Even though it is marketed as a kid-friendly compound bow for beginners, which it is for the most part, it is not suitable for most children under the age of 8 years old. That is because of the draw length and draw weight more than anything.

If you have children as young as five years old, another great kid-friendly bow from Bear Archery is the Spark Youth Bow. It is one of the safest and most accurate kid-friendly compound bows on the market.

How Exactly Does a Compound Bow Work?

Compound bows are a complex and modern type of bow that are also relatively easy to use. Bows like the Bear Archery Cruzer Lite and Diamond Archery Infinite are prime examples of this.

The compound bow uses a system that consists of cables, pulleys(cams), and high-strength string to bend the limbs. Not only do the cams help take the strain off of your arms and wrists, they also allow for easier aiming and much more powerful thrust for flinging arrows downrange.

This is what makes the Leader Accessories Compound Bow such a great compound bow for those interested in taking up the sport of hunting.

Compound bow-strings mainly consist of high-modulus polyethylene fiber, which is basically super-strong. This tough material allows for the maximum power to be transferred from the bow string and limbs to the arrow. That said, arrows shot by compound bows can reach impressive speeds of up to approximately 250 to 370-plus feet per second. Bows like the 

All things considered, the very best compound bows are complex but simple to operate. In reality, they may be even easier to use and master than recurve bows(but that is an article for another day).

For training purposes only, the Genesis Original Bow is perhaps the most useful on the market.

What to Consider Before Buying a New Bow?

There are many things to consider before buying the best compound bow for you. That said, It is easy to get lost reading about wheels, cams, stabilizers and limbs, all of which you have never heard of before.

So, how does one choose or even begin to understand what makes the best compound bow for them or their beginner-level archer? By researching a few major factors.

The following are some of the most critical considerations to make before purchasing a compound bow:

Ease of Use

The overall ease of use that any particular compound bow has to offer is one of the most important considerations to think about before making a buy. This can be a hard aspect to gauge while shopping online, but it is possible.

Optics, cams, cables, guards, and other parts of the bow are major indicators as to the ease of use. In addition, which eye you shoot with also affects the ease of use.

Ease of use also includes how hard, or easy, the bow is to tune/adjust, clean, store, and otherwise maintain. The weight is another factor to consider into the ease of use.

Draw Length

The possible draw length of a compound bow, which is dictated by the bow design, is crucial to consider before making a purchase. You do not want to buy a bow with a draw length that is too long or too short for you.

Proper draw length affects your accuracy as well as how much enjoyment you will get out of your bow.

Before buying a compound bow, make sure that you have a good idea how much draw length you will need, and how much play in draw that the bow you are interested in offers.

A general rule of thumb for finding your personal draw length sweet spot is your arm span divided by 2.5.

Axle-To-Axle Length

It is important to know what type of shooting you will be doing before you pick your axle-to-axle length. If you plan on staking out in a small blind? Then you may want a smaller, more compact bow.

If you are going to be ground hunting or hunting deer in a tree stand then you may want to consider a longer bow as they are more forgiving when taking longer shots.

Any quality bow retailer can help you with this measurement or grab a friend and measure yourself at home by doing a quick Google search and finding the right online calculator.

Draw Weight

There is no 100-percent correct formula to determine the perfect draw weight for yourself. For the best number, you will need to get your hands on some bows and see how much weight you can draw back while still being able to aim comfortably.

That said, recommended draw weights provide a guideline for you before you can actually get your hands on a bow (especially if you are buying online). Make sure to do your research and purchase a bow in the right draw weight range for yourself.

Compound Bow Safety

Before taking up your new compound bow and heading out back, or to the range, for a bit of practice, first familiarize yourself with the basic safety rules associated with handling and shooting a compound bow.

We’ve broken the most significant safety rules for compound bows below into two distinct sections; shooting safety and archery range safety.

Basic Compound Bow Shooting Safety

• Allows avoiding aiming your bow in the direction of other people (even if there is no arrow ready).
• Keep your bow pointed at the ground, slightly in front of your feet, while nocking an arrow.
• Aside from flight archery training and competitions, never shoot arrows high into the air (no shooting for the moon) because it is impossible to control where it will land.
• Wait until there is nothing in-between you and your target before even nocking an arrow let alone taking a shot.
• Wear an arm guard to protect yourself from self-inflicted harm from poorly released arrows and other possible accidents.
• Do not attempt to draw your bow further than the length of your arrow, this is a great way to hurt yourself or cause damage to your bow.
• Double check your bow and all of its components before beginning, including the string.
• Avoid dry-firing your bow (pulling the string back and “shooting” without arrows) as it may result in serious damage to yourself or your bow.
• Go over each of your arrows before using them for shooting (check them for signs of overuse or damage).
• Remove watches, necklaces, and other jewelry or accessories that may cause accidents before shooting.
• Wax/maintain your string after every 100 or so arrows that you fire.
• Keep a cellphone with a charged battery and signal with you at all times in case an accident occurs. If you are hunting, or shooting at a range, in the middle of nowhere, with no cell-service, make sure someone knows where you are and when you plan to return.

Archery Range Compound Bow Safety Tips

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially of other archers and their targets.
• Pay close attention to your group of shooters and/or instructor.
• Practice shooting safety rules at all times.
• Go over all over your equipment, including bows, arrows, guards, and triggers before you begin shooting.
• Do not approach the shooting zone/line until it is your turn (no standing beside your shooting buddies as they aim and fire).
• Carry a first-aid kit with you, or make sure the archery range you are at has one readily available (inquire about this before you head out).
• Never nock your arrow (even while standing on the shooting line) until the group leader/instructor has given the OK.
• Do not move forward over the shooting line until the command has been given and everyone ceases firing.
• Always walk and never run while retrieving arrows fired by you or your group (this can lead to extremely serious injuries) – likewise, take your time pulling arrows out of targets to avoid cutting yourself.
• Use field point tips at archery ranges, not your hunting tips (broad-head hunting arrows may lead to unnecessary accidents while shooting or retrieving arrows.
• Avoid bending over to pick up equipment, or something that you have dropped, while standing at the shooting line.
• When someone gives the “hold” command, hold your fire even if you are already drawing back your arrow and taking aim.
• Wait until you’re completely clear of obstructions, including people standing near and behind you, before shooting arrows down range at targets.

Pro Tips for Shooting with a Compound Bow (for Beginners)

Once you’ve found the best compound bows for beginners, you’ll be doing quite a bit of shooting. That’s why we’ve put together a shortlist of pro shooting tips for beginners.

Shoot with a friend or group as often as possible. 

This can help you pick up tips and tricks along the way. Watching others, make mistakes, as well as display masterful shooting technique, is one of the best ways to learn outside of your own shooting.

Take long shots. 

Taking long shots is great practice and helps make you into a better shooter. Move beyond basic 20 and 30 yard targets to firing at 50 and 100 yard shots as well. This will help you nail those bucks even after missing at 40 yards.

Practice shooting from your knees. 

Hunkering down and shooting from your knees allows your superior balance for a steadier aim. It also helps you prepare for stealthy shooting (which comes in mighty handy during deer season).

Practice masting the wind. 

This means that you need to be aware of how to make the best shot during windy conditions, as well as calculating which direction your scent is being carried on the wind. Simply keeping this in mind, even while shooting at the range, helps prepare you for the real deal hunting season.

Take shots uphill and downhill. 

If you plan to hunt from a blind, stand, or climber, it pays off to practice shooting from them. As with practicing shooting from your knees, practicing shots from high points and low points goes a real long way in developing superior archery skills.

Use arrows with the correct spines. 

Draw weight and draw length do not define the type of spine that your compound bow requires. The design of the bow itself more than likely dictates which spine types work best. Make sure to always shoot with the proper sort of arrows for your bow.

FAQ

In case we didn’t already cover the information you’re looking for, we’ve added a few of the most frequently asked questions that beginners have about compound bows below.

Choosing the Best Compound Bow For Beginners

For those interested in investing in the best compound bow for bow hunting, few bows are better suited for the beginner than the Bear Archery Cruzer Lite. The Diamond Archery Infinite is a close runner up.

Both of these excellent bows have diverse draw length and draw weight, high-end materials, intuitive designs, extra accessories, and come from respected brand names, Bear Archery and Diamond Archery.

While, for teenagers and young adults taking archery lessons, the Genesis Original Bow is by far one of the best compound bows for beginners.