6 Best Compound Bows for Beginners for the Money with Buyer’s Guide

Archery has been around for thousands of years and has been used for hunting and combat since the prehistoric times. It is a primary weapon of hunting and even war. Today, it is mainly used in competitive or recreational archery—a popular sport in the Olympics or game hunting. It has a very promising future, and its popularity is increasing over the years with many people wanting to engage in it.

Since the development of the compound bow in the early 1970’s, it has become the most popular type of bow and the most widely used in North America. If you are planning on getting started in archery or hunting, getting the right equipment can mean success and a very satisfying shooting adventure. Looking for the perfect bow can be a daunting experience, so we listed the best compound bows for beginners to get you shooting right away.

 

Genesis Original Compound Bow

The Genesis Original Compound Bow is the official bow of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®). This is why the Genesis is one of the best compound bows for beginners as this is the bow that teachers use. Those who want to get started in archery will appreciate this compound bow because of its great adjustability and performance.

This compound bow comes to you in a ready to shoot mode, fully assembled, and strung. It is available in right or left-handed versions and is easily adjustable regarding draw length. You can share this bow with everyone in your family. The draw length can be adjusted up to 30 inches and would easily fit anyone who wants to learn to shoot.

This compound bow is specifically designed for beginners that the experienced archers would find this lacking. This is not suitable for hunting, but would definitely be a great learning tool for those who want to take up archery.

Pros:

• Highly adjustable
• Very affordable
• A good entry level archery bow
• Uses a single cam system
• Has a draw length of 15 to 30 inches
• Has a draw weight of 10 to 20 pounds
• Ultra lightweight design

Cons:

• Not built for hunting
• Not suitable for the more experienced archers

Diamond Atomic (Youth) Compound Bow

Designed with the youth in mind, the Diamond Atomic (Youth) compound bow is scaled and balanced to fit young archers perfectly. It comes fully assembled and includes accessories that would help the newbies gain ability in archery. It is ideal for target shooting due to its fast IBO speed of 191 fps.

Kids aged 4 to 11 years old can build the necessary skills in archery with this compound bow to eventually progress to a more powerful bow as they grow older. Its aluminum riser has solid limbs and a bare riser grip that is created to teach proper shooting form by getting rid of torque. Its dual cam system gives smooth and simple draw that is very suited for kids.

Some parents complain of a relatively high price for something that their kids will outgrow soon. However, this is a compound bow that matches its price with very high-quality performance. You can have peace of mind that your kids will learn the craft using the best learning tool around.

Pros:

• Wide adjustability
• Has a dual, machined aluminum, eccentric cams
• Has an axle to axle length (ATA) of 24 inches
• Adjustable draw weight of 6 to 29 pounds
• Has a draw length of 12 to 24 inches
• Comes with a black riser and blue limbs

Cons:

• High priced

SAS Siege Compound Bow

The SAS Siege compound bow is a combination of high-quality functionality and stylish good looks. It is one of the best selling compound bows on the market and rightly so. This model can shoot as accurate as those in its class that cost three to four times as much. It is well made, well constructed and is sure to serve you for years to come as it is made with great quality that is comparable to actual models of the higher end brands.

With its light weight of just four pounds, this compound bow is suitable for the amateurs, kids, and teens. It is user-friendly and highly adjustable that professionals can use it for hunting and practice. It is equipped with ABS limb technology for durability and stability.

This is an excellent compound bow and is a favorite of a lot of archers, except for the left-handed. This bow does not have a version for the lefties.

Pros:

• Has a draw length of 29 inches
• Has a draw weight that ranges between 40 to 55 pounds
• Delivers fast speeds of up to 206 fps
• Very lightweight
• Uses a twin cam system
• Has durable solid limbs that are ABS compressed

Cons:

• No available versions for lefties

Bear Authority Compound Bow

The Bear Authority compound bow is a great entry level bow that you can use even if you graduate to professional levels. It uses the EZ3 cam system that provides an excellent, smooth draw cycle that feels great from the start of the draw up to the release. It is budget-friendly and comes with Zero Tolerance limb pockets that eliminate vibrations, allowing you to learn archery without spending a lot of money.

One drawback to this compound bow is the higher minimum weight that makes it unsuitable for smaller people. In addition, it has a short bow length of 31 inches making it unfit for hunters.

Pros:

• Has an IBO speed of 315 fps
• Uses an EZ3 cam system
• With an axle to axle measurement of 31 inches
• High-quality aluminum riser
• Suitable for right and left-handed users

Cons:

• Has a high minimum weight
• Not recommended for hunting

Crosman Elkhorn Jr. Compound Bow

Designed to act and feel like a compound bow for adults, the Crosman Elkhorn Jr. bow uses a composite cam system that is supported by heavy-duty, all-weather strings, cables, and cable guard to provide an excellent shooting experience. Kids ages 9 and 13 years will greatly improve their archery skills with this entry level compound bow.

The materials used in this compound bow are high quality that can take the brunt of the sport and some harsh weather conditions. It delivers a very smooth draw cycle and does not have many vibrations. At just around $50, this is a very good option for parents who are on a tight budget but still want to give their kids the best compound bow to practice on.

This is designed for beginners so game hunters and bow fishers may find this inadequate. Also, this is meant for use by kids and not teens so you may have to buy a new bow when your kid outgrows this.

Pros:

• Comes in a ready to shoot kit
• Very user-friendly
• Has a draw weight of 17 to 21 pounds
• Has a maximum draw length of 26 inches
• Has an axle to axle length of 33 inches

Cons:

• Not recommended for hunting and bow fishing
• Not suitable for teens and adults

Barnett Vortex 45-Pounds Youth Archery Bow

If you are serious about bow hunting and eagerly want to join the fray come open season, the Barnett Vortex 45-Pounds Youth archery bow is your best bet. It has everything you need to start shooting right away. This is an ideal compound bow for target practice and powerful enough to hunt game.

It has an adjustable draw length of 21 to 27 inches, wide enough to suit most kids and young adults. It is designed to give the functionality of larger compound bows but made with a smaller built specifically for younger archers. It has pre-drilled holes that allow you to attach a bow fishing reel for bow fishing.

This is not a recommended bow for large game hunting due to its weak speed; this may well be the reason that the manufacturer did not include its IBO speed on its list of specifications. Another flaw we found with this bow is that this is only made for shooters that are right-handed. They do not have versions for use by left-handed people.

Pros:

• Has a draw weight of 19 to 45 pounds
• Has a draw length of 21 to 27 inches
• Highly adjustable
• Excellent for bow fishing
• Comes with three arrows and a bow arrow holder

Cons:

• Makes a slight noise
• For right-hand shooters only

 

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Compound Bow for Beginners

 

Know Your Draw Length

Most of the compound bows on this list feature adjustable draw length so you can easily adjust it depending on who is using the bow. You can drop by the nearest archery equipment store to have your draw length measured but to give you an idea if you want to buy from an online store, do this:

• Stand up straight extending both your arms and hands to your sides to form a “T”
• Have someone measure the tip of the middle finger of your right hand to the tip of the other middle finger on your left
• Divide that number by 2.5 to have your guesstimate draw length

 

Eye Dominance

Your brain prefers the input of one eye over the other so it is important to know which one is your dominant eye so you can get the one compound bow that suits you the best. It usually is the eye on the same side of the hand that you write with. Here is a quick test to know your dominant eye:

• Extend your arms in front of your body and form a triangle with your hands
• Look through the triangle and center an object in the triangle
• Close your left eye. If the object remains in view, you are right eye dominant. If you close your right eye and the object is still in view, you are left eye dominant

 

Measure Your Axle-to-Axle Length

Axle to axle length is the measurement between the bow cams— these are the devices that power the bow itself. To get a correctly fitting bow, the axle-to-axle measurement will give you the correct measurement specs. It can increase your chances of finding the perfect compound bow for you or your kid.

 

Draw Weight

Although there is no magic formula for knowing your draw weight, this is a major consideration as this will determine the accuracy of your shots. The best you can do is try out several compound bows to get a feel of it and get to choose the most comfortable one for you. Again, a visit to your local archery shop is a must.

 

Talk to Professionals

Whether it is a professional archer or a seasoned seller, getting information from those in the business can truly help you get the assistance that you need. They can give you an overview so you can make informed decisions and learn something that you would not normally find in online tutorials or books.

 

Other Factors to Consider

You may want to check out the materials used in making a compound bow so you can get one that has little upkeep or if you want to practice even in bad weather. This is important if hunting game is what you want to do. Also, you should look into the amount you are willing to spend on a beginner bow. You do not want to buy that expensive bow only to find out that your kid lost all interest in archery.

We also highly recommend shopping at your local store, however, buying online can provide you with choices that an archery shop may not have. Buy only from trusted sellers and look for return policies or even warranties. Also, you should read the reviews so you can get an idea which one would work suitably for you.

 

Conclusion

There is an overwhelming number of choices for compound bows on the market and choosing one can be a daunting task even for the seasoned archers. You should always think quality when buying compound bows because a good-looking one can only take you so far. This list of the best compound bows for beginners can guide you so you can choose the most suitable bow for you or your kid.