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CrossbowAuthority
Hunter with a compound crossbow at golden hour
Updated for 2026 Hunting Season

Find Your Perfect

Crossbow.

Expert reviews and hunting guides backed by real field testing. We shoot every bow so you make a confident buying decision.

50+
Crossbows Tested
12 yrs
Hunting Experience
100%
Independent Reviews
2026
Updated Annually

14 Certified Testers

NASP, NRA, and USA Archery certified instructors and mechanical engineers โ€” every review carries a named, credentialed byline.

Hands-On Testing, Not Spec Sheets

Every crossbow is bought at retail and run through our chronograph and accuracy testing protocol before we write a word.

Fact-Checked & Updated

Every review lists a "last updated" date and a named fact-checker โ€” see our full testing methodology.

Meet the team behind every review on our our testers page, or read our full testing methodology.

Field-Tested Picks

Latest Crossbow Reviews

#1
EK Archery Adder Crossbow Review
EK Archery$389โ€“$415

EK Archery Adder Crossbow

4.2(968 reviews)
FPS
270 FPS
Weight
7.9 lbs
Draw
130 lbs

EK Archery Adder review: 130 lb repeating crossbow with 5-shot auto-loading magazine, 270 FPS, priced $389โ€“$415. Verdict inside.

#2
SAS Prophecy 80 Pistol Crossbow Review
Southland Archery Supply$95โ€“$115

SAS Prophecy 80 Pistol Crossbow

3.8(1342 reviews)
FPS
165 FPS
Weight
2.8 lbs
Draw
80 lbs

SAS Prophecy 80lb self-cocking pistol crossbow review: magazine-fed repeating design, 165 FPS, priced $95โ€“$115. Verdict inside.

#3
BALLISTA BAT Review: 300 FPS
BALLISTA$299โ€“$399

BALLISTA BAT

4.2(187 reviews)
FPS
300 FPS
Weight
2.46 lbs
Length
5" wide (cocked)
Draw
130 lbs (~40 lbs felt via cord tensioner)

BALLISTA BAT review: this compact 300 FPS compound pistol crossbow for hunting and bowfishing runs $299โ€“$399. Chronograph tested โ€” verdict inside.

Our Promise

Why Trust CrossbowAuthority?

We are hunters, not marketers. Every recommendation comes from genuine field experience.

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We Actually Shoot Each Bow

Every crossbow we review has been chronographed, zeroed, and shot at paper and targets at realistic hunting ranges. We don't write reviews from spec sheets.

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Objective Testing Process

We measure FPS with a chronograph, test accuracy at 20/40/60 yards, and measure noise with a calibrated meter. Numbers, not opinions.

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No Pay-to-Win Reviews

We've turned down advertising dollars from crossbow manufacturers. Our ratings reflect real performance โ€” including the flaws brands don't want you to know about.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Crossbow?

Browse all of our in-depth reviews or start with our beginner's guide if you are new to crossbow hunting.