Crossbow guides · 30 Guides publishedUpdated
Crossbow Guides, Tips & How-Tos 2026
Guides for choosing, setting up, shooting and looking after a crossbow, written by Marisol Vega. Each one answers a single question first, then explains why.
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By Marisol Vega
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Best Crossbows (6)
Our top crossbow picks for 2026 — by hunter type and by budget, from under $500 to flagship.
Best-ofTop picks · 12 min readBest Compact Crossbows 2026, TestedThe narrowest crossbows we have tested, ranked by cocked width, weight and speed, from the Ravin R26X to budget reverse-draw options for blinds and treestands.Read the guide 
Best-ofTop picks · 16 min readBest Crossbows for Deer Hunting 2026Deer hunting crossbows ranked on accuracy at real hunting ranges, kinetic energy, noise and de-cocking, with a budget pick and a compact ground-blind pick.Read the guide 
Best-ofTop picks · 16 min readBest Crossbows for Beginners 2026Beginner crossbows chosen for easy cocking, safety features and complete kits, from a $219 recurve to an integrated-crank compound.Read the guide 
Best-ofTop picks · 16 min readBest Crossbows Under $1,000 (2026)Budget crossbows under $500 and under $1,000 compared on measured speed, included gear and trigger quality, with what extra money actually buys.Read the guide 
ExplainedTop picks · 14 min readHow Much Does a Crossbow Cost?Crossbow prices by tier, from entry kits under about $415 to flagships, plus the full cost of bolts, broadheads, targets and maintenance.Read the guide 
Best-ofTop picks · 20 min readBest Crossbows of 2026: Tested PicksOur highest-rated crossbows across every price tier, from the TenPoint TRX Ultra flagship to the Barnett Hyper Whitetail 410, each chosen for a specific buyer.Read the guide
Buying & Comparison Guides (9)
Compound vs. recurve, draw weight, and choosing the right crossbow for you.
CompareBuying · 12 min readRavin R29X vs R26XR26X for stands, blinds and shots inside 40 yards at $500 less; R29X for larger game and longer range, with 50 FPS and 38 ft-lbs more. Measured verdict for each hunter.Read the guide 
GuideBuying · 12 min readRecurve Crossbow Buying GuideHow to choose a recurve crossbow for hunting: who it suits, which specs to compare, maintenance, common mistakes and a decision checklist.Read the guide 
CompareBuying · 12 min readTenPoint TX Ultra 26.5 vs 29.5TX Ultra 26.5 for saddles, blinds and short shots: shorter, lighter, quieter and $400–500 cheaper. TX Ultra 29.5 for 50 FPS more, 193 ft-lbs and reach past 60 yards.Read the guide 
CompareBuying · 13 min readWicked Ridge vs TenPointWicked Ridge is TenPoint's value brand: buy the Invader M1 to spend least, the Titan X for a little more speed at $30–100 more, the Venom X or Phantom for a lighter or shorter frame at about $200 more.Read the guide 
CompareBuying · 14 min readRavin vs TenPoint Crossbows ComparedTenPoint or Wicked Ridge under $1,000; Ravin R26X for the narrowest frame near $2,000; Ravin R470 for speed per dollar near $2,500; TenPoint TRX Ultra for the fastest at any price.Read the guide 
GuideBuying · 13 min readCrossbow Draw Weight by Body SizeHow much draw weight you can cock comfortably, true versus felt draw weight, a ten-cycle self-test, and how rope and crank aids change the numbers.Read the guide 
CompareBuying · 13 min readCrossbow vs Compound Bow ComparedCrossbow if you want consistent shots soon with less strength required; compound bow if you want fast follow-ups and a skill to refine. Check your local season rules before either.Read the guide 
ExplainedBuying · 12 min readCrossbow vs Bow Hunting: What Is EasierWhere a crossbow makes hunting easier than a vertical bow, where it does not, and the equipment, practice and regulation differences to weigh.Read the guide 
CompareBuying · 15 min readCompound vs Recurve Crossbow ComparedCompound if you shoot past 40 yards, want easy cocking or hunt from tight spots; recurve if price, light weight and simple upkeep matter more. Measured speeds: 232–308 FPS recurve vs 410–515 FPS compound.Read the guide
Scopes, Bolts & Broadheads (6)
Best crossbow scopes, bolts, and broadheads for your setup.
How toGear · 12 min readHow to Choose a Crossbow ScopeSeven steps to choosing a crossbow scope: intended use, reticle type, magnification, eye relief, focal plane, parallax, and matching your bolt speed.Read the guide 
Best-ofGear · 15 min readBest Crossbow Bolts of 2026Crossbow bolts compared by grain weight, length, nock type and straightness, from 12-pack practice bolts to weight-matched carbon and lighted hunting bolts.Read the guide 
Best-ofGear · 15 min readBest Crossbow Scopes of 2026Crossbow scopes compared from $45 fixed optics to laser rangefinding and digital models, with reticle, magnification and speed range for each.Read the guide 
GuideGear · 16 min readFixed-Blade Broadheads for CrossbowsFixed-blade crossbow broadheads explained: single versus multi-blade designs, cutting diameter, sharpening, practice, and when to choose fixed over mechanical.Read the guide 
Best-ofGear · 16 min readBest Crossbow Broadheads for Deer 2026Deer broadheads compared on cutting diameter, blade design and speed rating, with notes on matching each head to your bolts and field points.Read the guide 
How toGear · 15 min readChoose Crossbow Bolts: Length & WeightA six-step method for choosing crossbow bolts by length, grain weight, nock and spine, with a size chart and a worked example.Read the guide
Speed, Power & Accuracy (2)
How fast crossbows shoot and what drives accuracy downrange.
ExplainedPerformance · 16 min readHow Fast Does a Crossbow Bolt Travel?Measured crossbow bolt speeds from my chronograph tests, by type and price tier, with why advertised FPS differs and how speed relates to kinetic energy.Read the guide 
ExplainedPerformance · 14 min readWhat Is FOC in Crossbow Bolts?Front of center (FOC) explained for crossbow bolts: how to calculate it, what changes it, how it affects flight, and FOC figures from our bolt tests.Read the guide
Maintenance & Troubleshooting, Hunting Laws & Safety (7)
Keeping your crossbow running well, sighting it in, plus state hunting laws and safety rules every owner should know.
How toCare & safety · 13 min readCrossbow Won't Fire: Causes & FixesA diagnosis table for a crossbow that won't fire: safety on, unseated bolt, wrong nock, bolt specs, retention spring and trigger problems, and when to stop.Read the guide 
How toCare & safety · 16 min readHow to Decock a Crossbow SafelyHow to de-cock a crossbow safely using integrated systems or a discharge bolt into a rated target, plus what never to do and how to fix common mistakes.Read the guide 
How toCare & safety · 17 min readHow to Cock a Crossbow: Rope vs CrankHand cocking, rope cocking, crank devices and integrated systems compared, with the steps that keep the string centered and your fingers clear.Read the guide 
LegalCare & safety · 26 min readCrossbow Hunting Laws by StateCrossbow hunting rules by state for the current season: who may use a crossbow and when, licensing, equipment limits, and the official sources to verify.Read the guide 
SafetyCare & safety · 14 min readCrossbow Safety Rules for BeginnersCore crossbow safety rules: finger placement below the rail, avoiding dry fire, treating a cocked crossbow as loaded, safe cocking and safe de-cocking.Read the guide 
How toCare & safety · 23 min readHow to Maintain a CrossbowA crossbow maintenance schedule covering the five-minute pre-shoot check, string waxing, rail lubrication, limb and cam inspection, and storage.Read the guide 
How toCare & safety · 18 min readHow to Sight In a Crossbow ScopeSighting in a crossbow scope step by step: safe lane setup, first zero, confirming each aiming point, and re-checking with your hunting tip.Read the guide
Tested models
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