What Are The Best Compound bows 

Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow

Out of all of the different compound bow packages on our list, the Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow might be the best all-around value. Keep in mind, this is not to suggest that the Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow is an inexpensive model, but for what you pay, you get a lot more out of it than you do for many other entries on our list.
Not even considering the quality of the bow itself, this compound bow package comes with more features and extras than most of its competition. For instance, the Whisker Biscuit arrow rest is one of the more common but also one of the more effective features included with bow packages.

Trophy Ridge tops the list of different extra features by providing a 5-arrow quiver as well as a stabilizer and sling, but there are many more extras that come with this model. The Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow also comes with a peep sight as well as a Trophy Ridge 5-point sight-- not to mention the nock loop.

Outside of the extra features, this compound bow comes with plenty of built-in features on its own that makes it a solid option. For example, the hybrid cam system of the Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow uses the DrawDial system which allows you to adjust the cams to best suit your shooting needs.

In terms of raw specs, the Bear Archery Threat RTH Shadow is no slouch in this department either as it boasts a fast 330 fps arrow speed. Even better, the 6 ¼” brace height combined with the hybrid dual cam system increases the speed of this compound bow’s yield to be one of the fastest on our list.            

Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH

The Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH is the next model from this brand that appears many times on our list, but this entry takes a different approach from some of the others. Instead of filling the bow package with a litany of different extra features, the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH picks the best ones to offer a great value.

To that end, this compound bow package may not come with quite as many extra features as some of the others, but it is an inexpensive option. That said, like many other models from this brand, the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH still makes it a point to provide plenty of high-end Trophy Ridge add-ons.

As is fairly common for many bow packages, this compound bow comes with the Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit as well as the 5-arrow quiver. However, the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH is not done with Trophy Ridge yet as it also comes with the brand’s stabilizer and spring as well as a 4-pin sight.

Still, the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH prides itself far more on customization and the ability to grow with the bow as the shooter develops their skill more than anything else. To that end, this compound bow sports the widest draw weight range out of any product we reviewed, able to provide anywhere from 5 to 75 pounds.

To complement that range of draw weights, the Bear Archery Cruzer G2 RTH also comes with the widest range of draw lengths from 12” to 30”, making this a great option for kids learning to shoot. To further increase the ease of learning how to shoot, this compound bow only has a 70% let off     

Diamond Carbon Knockout RAK Compound Bow Package

The Diamond Carbon Knockout RAK is the first entry on our review from the excellent bow manufacturers at Bowtech, but it is far from the last. However, this bow package distinguishes itself from the rest not by providing oodles of extra goodies or dropping the price but by targeting a particular demographic.

Specifically, the Diamond Carbon Knockout RAK is one of the few compound bows on our list designed almost explicitly to be used by female archers. Granted, just because the bow was designed for this type of archer does not limit it just to women, but it is an expensive model made for that type of archer.

One of the biggest tells that the Diamond Carbon Knockout RAK is made for women comes from the draw lengths which range from 22 ½” to 27”, well-below the average draw lengths for adult male archers. Even better, this compound bow can keep up with the big boys as it boasts a 320 fps arrow speed.

Another sign that this compound bow is made for women comes down to its draw weights which can range anywhere from 30 to 40 pounds or 40 to 50 pounds, depending on which model you get. That said, just because this compound bow is made for women does not mean it is substandard as the synchronized binary cam system is one of the most well-timed on our list.

Regardless, even the dimensions of the Diamond Carbon Knockout RAK highlight that it works especially well for women with its 30” axle-to-axle length. On top of that, this compound bow is also one of the lightest on our list, tipping the scales at just 3 ⅕ pounds-- though these dimensions make it a great blind bow for pretty much anyone.          

Infinite Edge Pro Compound bow Package  

The Diamond Infinite Edge Pro is fairly similar in philosophy to the first Bowtech model on our list in that it is made for a particular type of archer. However, instead of focusing on making a high-end model for women, this compound bow aims to provide a solid option for younger archers or those just learning how to shoot.

Arguably one of the best qualities of the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro to this end is its inexpensive price, whether compared to a compound bow or a full bow package. That said, this bow package still comes with plenty of goodies, even if some of them are OEM as opposed to recognizable brands.

Regardless, the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro still offers known commodities with the included 3-pin Apex sight and Octane Isolate 6 stabilizer. This bow package plucks a bit more from Octane by also including the brand’s Bantam 5-arrow quiver while also tacking on its Octagon Brush arrow rest.

To make sure that the learning archer does not have to struggle too much, the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro ties our list with the widest range of draw weights we reviewed from 5 to 70 pounds. On top of that, this compound bow also boasts the widest range of draw lengths on our list at 13” to 31”.

Whether the learning archer is a youngster or someone late to the game, the fact that the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro only weighs 3 ⅕ pounds will make learning how to shoot that much easier. It is worth noting, though, that this compound bow has one of the slower arrow speeds and yields we reviewed.

PSE Archery is likely one of the more established and respected companies on our list thanks in no small part because of its pedigree as one of the original compound bow manufacturers. That said, the PSE Brute NXT is arguably one of the more generalist bow packages on our list, a sharp departure from a brand that boasts one of the fastest arrow speeds on the market.

Even more unexpected is the fact that this bow package provides its extra features from a wide range of different companies, rather than grouping them together from one manufacturer. For instance, the Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit rest is likely the only add-on from a company that you have heard of.

Though, this compound bow package comes with plenty of other goodies like a 5-arrow quiver, 5-pin sight, stabilizer, D-loop, and peep sight. That said, much of what likely draws you to this entry comes from the compound bow itself rather than the extra features included in the package.

A great example of this comes from the PSE Brute NXT’s arrow speeds of 320 to 328 fps, depending on the draw weight. Likewise, this is a great “community” bow for a large group of people with different shooting needs as it boasts a solid draw length range of 22 ½” to 30”.

Even better, this might be one of the better blind compound bows on our list for most people as it only weighs 3 ½ pounds. To complement that lightweight design, the PSE Brute NXT also has a relatively short axle-to-axle length of 30 ¾”.      

Bear Archery finally makes its return to our list with the Bear Archery Paradox RTH compound bow package that tests the first entry for the best all-around value. That said, instead of providing a high-end hybrid cam system, this compound bow opts for a single cam system.

Of course, one of the main reasons that the Bear Archery Paradox challenges for the best all-around value is due to its inexpensive price. On top of that, this compound bow package comes with plenty of extra features, most of which follow Bear Archery’s approach to bundle with a single manufacturer.

In this instance, Trophy Ridge wins out again as the overwhelming majority of included add-ons come from them, including the Whisker Biscuit rest. However, Trophy Ridge also supplies the Bear Archery Paradox bow package’s 4-pin sight, 5-arrow quiver, stabilizer, and sling.

In terms of the compound bow’s specs, the Bear Archery Paradox comes in as one of the fastest shooting in a couple of different ways with a quick yield thanks to a 6 ¼” brace height. Of course, this compound bow can sling arrows at the fast speed of 330 fps, making it one of the fastest all-around bows on our list.

The Lock Down Pocket System also provides one of the truest alignments between the riser, the pocket, and limb that we encountered. It also does not hurt that the single cam system makes the Bear Archery Paradox easier to maintain than many of its competitors, though the back wall is a bit softer too.       

Cabela’s might be far more well-known as a retail store for all of your outdoor sporting needs, but that role positions it to understand what archers require. That said, this compound bow package aims to target a demographic looking for a budget-friendly option and is an inexpensive entry.

On top of that, the Cabela’s Dash RTH is another generalist compound bow package which complements the inexpensive price point. However, instead of getting this compound bow package to be used for a large group of people, it might better serve as a secondary option.

In terms of the extra features, the Cabela’s Dash RTH hews closely with some of the other options on our list, favoring Trophy Ridge over most others. The 3-pin sight, 5-arrow quiver, and Dart stabilizer all come from Trophy Ridge as does the Kill ShotWhisker Biscuit, D-loop, and peep sight.

The compound bow itself does not do too many things exceptionally well, but neither does it fail spectacularly in any aspect either. Keeping with the generalist principle, the Cabela’s Dash RTH has a slightly expanded draw weight range of 40 to 70 pounds, though its arrow speed of 310 fps is a bit low.

The attempt to appeal to a broader demographic shows itself in the variable draw length as well which ranges from 20” to 30”-- nearly the widest range that we reviewed. The modest 75% let off makes it easier for those still learning to aim, though even for a dual cam compound bow, the Cabela’s Dash RTH is a bit noisy.

The Diamond Blackout is the last model on our list made by Bowtech and it is easily one of the most impressive options that we came across. Beyond the bundle of goodies that comes in this compound bow package, this bow is one of the more capable and variable that we encountered.

In terms of the extra features, the Diamond Blackout pulls from several different brands including Trophy Ridge’s great Whisker Biscuit rest and Volt 5-pin sight. Other than Trophy Ridge, this compound bow package also includes Jim Fletcher’s TruPeep peep sight as well as a 6” stabilizer and sling.

This selection begins with the ability to choose your draw weight at either 45 to 60 pounds or 55 to 70 pounds. Thankfully, the choice between the different draw weights does not necessarily impact the performance of the Diamond Blackout in other respects as it boasts the fastest arrow speed on our list at 340 fps.

On top of that, this compound bow also has a dual cam system to increase its yield speed and provide a more solid back wall. Even better, the Diamond Blackout also ties our list for the widest range of let off with 4 different settings of 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90%, making it great for newbies and pros alike.

The 6” brace height allows the Diamond Blackout to offer a faster yield than some of its competitors, but it is also noisier than some of the other options we reviewed. It also does not help that this compound bow is expensive, surprising given it is a Bass Pro Shop exclusive.

Bear Archery Divergent EKO RTH Compound Bow Package   

Our final entry is also a Bear Archery option, but much like the final Bowtech model, the Bear Archery Divergent EKO RTH shoots for the stars as a high-end model. That said, we think this compound bow is likely the most capable and highest performing model we encountered.

Of course, you get what you pay for, and with the Bear Archery Divergent EKO RTH being so effective, it only makes sense that it is also expensive. Still, this compound bow is not only capable but comes with a great range of extra features that sit at the top of their markets as well.

Trophy Ridge and Bear Archery’s partnership continues as the brand provides its React 4-pin sight and Kill Shot Whisker Biscuit rest. Trophy Ridge also supplies the Blitz side bar stabilizer and sling, but the peep sight comes from Jim Fletcher with the TruPeep system.

The Bear Archery Divergent EKO RTH comes with a standard variable 55 to 70-pound draw weight range but fires arrows at the second-fastest speed on our list at 338 fps. This is also only the second compound bow on our list to include a variable let off system with settings of 75%, 80%, 85%, and 90%.

One area that can be a bit hit or miss is the fact that the Bear Archery Divergent EKO RTH is surprisingly compact with an axle-to-axle length of only 30”. On the other hand, this compound bow is also on the heavier side, tipping the scales at 4 ⅔ pounds-- though this might be due to the wealth of add-ons.       

Genesis Mini Compound Bow Package for Youth RTH  Bow Package   

While some of the entries on our list are made for particular archers, the overwhelming majority still provide plenty of wiggle room to offer something for a wide range of people. The Genesis Mini Bow is one of the few models on our list that provides for a narrow-ish demographic but does so exceptionally well.

Specifically, the Genesis Mini Bow works best when in the hands of a child, generally younger than a teenager, and helps them learn how to use a bow without risk or worry. Because the Genesis Mini Bow is a bit more limited than most of the other options we reviewed, it is an inexpensive model.

While a low price is great, it does mean that this compound bow does not come with nearly as many bells and whistles as most of the competition. Aside from the fact that all of the included add-ons are OEM, the only thing that this bow package comes with is a belt tube quiver, an adjustable arm guard, and 5 aluminum arrows.

That said, this should be all your young child needs to learn as they develop their skill set with the Genesis Mini Bow which has been tuned for their development.

For instance, this is the lightest and most compact bow that we reviewed, weighing in at only 2 pounds with a 29 ½” axle-to-axle length.
On top of that, the Genesis Mini Bow also has the lowest draw weight range, both in terms of variation and weight, at 6 to 12 pounds.

The 0% let off provides ample opportunity for your young archer to learn how to shoot, while the 14” to 25” draw length range will grow with them until they graduate to an adult bow.      

Concluding Remarks