Best Crossbows Under 500 – Updated Nov 2024
If you’re passionate about hunting, you want to find the right crossbows for accuracy. That means you will have a crossbow which is a pleasure to use, very accurate and adaptable to your own requirements. If you’re not sure about crossbow yet you can also look into the Best long bows like the Wicked Ridge Invader HP. The idea is to know what you are getting into and what you can expect from this kind of stuff. It will surely eat up a bit of time to find the right models, just because there are so many out there. But the results can do wonders if you know how to tackle everything correctly. Sometimes it’s not all about having the Strongest crossbow but also having one that has the features you need. And here’s a list with some of the crossbows that you should buy today. If you’re looking for the best crossbow for women, you’re definitely in the right place. You can also check out the best crossbow for deer.
Excalibur Crossbow Matrix Bulldog 400 4400 Crossbow with Tact-Zone, Medium, Camouflage
Pros
- Very adaptable and easy to use
- Great scope
- Storage space
Cons
- It can be easy to spot if you’re in green spaces
This is a great crossbow for people that are very passionate about hunting. It’s designed to offer a complete kit, it even has a small storage space for your projectiles. And the best thing here is that you have a tactical camouflage that really makes it blend in. This kind of stuff can totally do wonders and with the right approach it will work better than ever before. It’s definitely a good idea to check it out especially if you want to hunt at a distance. The unit on its own has a dedicated scope which is very accurate and you can pinpoint the target location early on. You can also figure out if wind and other issues might affect the targeting process. But all in all, this is a robust and reliable crossbow with plenty of features. It’s a clear pleasure to use and the fact that it can be adapted and adjusted to your own needs really makes it amazing and one of the best out there. It does take a bit to get adjusted to however, so keep that in mind. You can also check this out if you’re looking for the Best Duck Waders.
Bruin Ambush 370 Crossbow Package w/Scope, Bolts, Quiver and Cocking Rope
Pros
- 370 FPS unit
- Integrated anti dry fire trigger pack
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not a very sturdy design when compared to others
Bruin is known for creating some great crossbows and the best part is that this one is really easy to load and use. It will offer you lifetime warranty, so if you have any issues with it the results can be very good. The experience you get from this one is amazing, and the fact that you have an AR tactical butt stock really maters quite a bit here. Included in the package you will have an anti-dry fire trigger pack which is actually a pleasure to use and you will be quite happy with the way this works. The draw weight for this is 175 lb.
KingsArchery Crossbow Self-Cocking 80 LBS with Adjustable Sights, Spare Crossbow String and Caps, and a Total of 15 Aluminim Arrow Bolt Set
Pros
- Small and durable
- Very portable
- Spare strings and caps
Cons
- Not the best accuracy
This product is created with a focus on quality and value. It’s not extremely heavy, however it includes all the features you want for good accuracy. It might not have a scope when compared to the other products out there, however it’s created from fiberglass and it’s really light. That makes it easy for you to move around and in the end it will just make things a whole lot better and easier than you might imagine. The idea of adding spare crossbow caps and strings is a really good one, and they deliver quite a lot of value and quality for the money, which is exactly what you need in the end. Check out the Best Spotting Scope For Hunting.
Barnett Raptor Pro str Crossbow Realtree Camo BAR78005, One Size
Pros
- Great design, easy to use
- Small quiver added here
Cons
- It takes a while to load.
You rarely see a product as durable and as sturdy as this one. They created it from top of the line materials and the camo approach really fakes the appearance of a tree. In addition, you do have a small integrated quiver for great results and proper accuracy. The product does a stellar job when it comes to offering the value and support you really need. The attention to detail is great and that’s what you will like here. Their scope is good and if you keep the unit sturdy you will find the overall experience to be very good. It does take a b it to get used to, but the product is user-friendly and a pleasure to use more often than not.
Excalibur Matrix Bulldog 400 Crossbow Package with upgraded TWILIGHT DLX Scope - Case & Bolt Cutter Broadheads
Pros
- Illuminated scope
- Up to 400 FPS
- String suppressor
Cons
- Very expensive
If you are very serious about hunting you always want to have the best possible stuff. And this package really delivers the best stuff out there. You have added case and bolt cutter broadheads which are very good. The scope is illuminated, so you can see well even if it’s a bit dark outside. This can make the difference during hunting trips, so keep that in mind. The unit will go up to 400 FPS too, which is nice. The 4 arrows will be great and you can always get more to use if you want.
XGear Crossbow 160lbs 210fps Archery Equipment Hunting Bow with Quiver and 4pcs of Aluminum Arrow
Pros
- Complete package
- Very affordable
- Anti dry fire mechanismr
Cons
- Not as durable as other models.
This XGear model will give you all you want. The max speed is 210 FPS. The power stroke is 10.5”, trigger pull 6 LBS. You will notice that the arrows have their own storage space. For some people the quiver they added might be very well, so try to consider that as much as possible. You will have an anti dry fire mechanism here. In the package you will find a 3 red dot sight scope and 4 pieces of 16” aluminum arrow, quiver, cocking rope, wax and stringer. Everything you need to have is here and the price is quite low. Sure, the durability is not amazing, but for a beginner it’s more than ok.
Southern Crossbow Revolt 370 – Camo
Pros
- Great accuracy and optics
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Quiver location is not the best
When you want a proper crossbow with great camo, this model comes to mind. They do have some nifty features and ideas, such as a reinforced composite stock, aluminum riser and fiberglass split limbs. Even if the bow storage is not ideal, it does offer you a good way to access your bows when you need them the most. The optics are great and for the money you can’t go wrong. It’s also a rather sturdy product.
Ravin R20 Crossbow Package, Ravin Crossbow Case, & 6 Ravin Arrows
Pros
- Complete package
- Very high FPS
- Lightweight
Cons
- Very expensive
People serious about archery will find the Ravin R20 to be a delight to use. It’s quite long and at around 7.1 lbs it’s quite light, so you can carry it around without a problem. We measured 430 FPS with it, so it’s super fast and accurate, which is what you need. In addition, the draw force of 12 lbs and the kinetic energy 164 add up to show the great value that you can get from it. This is an immersive, easy to use product that a lot of people will want to try out and use at their own pace. The value and quality are nothing short of amazing, and for the money you can’t really ask for more. But they do give you 6 arrows and a case.
Barnett 78131 Wildcat C7 Crossbow Package with 2 Bolts, Adult
Pros
- Triggertech trigger
- Comes mostly assembled
- Good camo
Cons
- Not as accurate as the other models
This model is a good one because they added a very good trigger system which is really to use. The optics are pretty impressive for such a model, but not as detailed as the others. The torsion is impressive and it also comes mostly assembled, which is always a good thing to have. The high definition camo is suitable for dense forests, however it will stand out in fully green environments. Like many other models, it has an anti dry fire system which ends up working a lot better than you would ever imagine, so you definitely need to test that out on your own.
PSE Vector 310 Crossbow, Break-Up Infinity, Large
Pros
- Compact, easy to use
- Two turn weight adjustment
Cons
- A bit too bulky for some users.
PSE does a very good job with this unit. It’s very compact, and the best thing about it is that you do get to have the bows ready to go. This large model has a two turn weight adjustment and a 11 ¼” power stroke. The compact approach makes it really easy to manage and the optics really shine in this regard. You will be quite happy with the way it works and the experience on its own can be a great one in that situation. The quality that comes from this is impressive, and that’s exactly what you need to check out.
Scorpyd Deathstalker 380FPS Crossbow - Black Soft Touch
Pros
- A complete hunting package
- Scope rail system and Kempf tech integrated trigger housing
- Very fast and accurate
Cons
- Extremely expensive
This model enters in the professional realm and it does a very good job. The draw weight is 130 lbs and you cover 380 feet per second. It’s created using the one-piece carbon technology. They also added a new kempf integrated trigger housing, complete with a new scope rail system. This helps increase your accuracy quite a bit, something that most shooters end up having trouble with. The package is complete, it has sling studs, scope rail, string stops, 6 arrows, a great scope that’s not illuminated and a fuse quiver, among others.
Barnett Quad Edge 350 FPS Crossbow Package, Camo
Pros
- Lightweight composite stock
- Great camo finish
- Compact
Cons
- A bit too heavy on the front
Barnett Quad Edge does a really good job at coming with a composite stock, crosswire string and a powerful cable system. They also added a HD camo finish that’s pretty impressive. It’s 21” axle to axle. It allows you to add an integrated crank cocking device if you want. The optics are among some of the best, you will have quite the accuracy and the speed is really nice too. If you want a good package which brings value for money, you can’t go better than this one for the most part.
Tenpoint Titan M1 Crossbow, ProView 3 Scope and ACUdraw Cocking Device
Pros
- Improved version of the previous model You can get it with the ACUdraw cocking device
Cons
- Very expensive
Tenpoint Titan M1 is a revamp of their older model. And it comes with some great improvements too. It’s 30 feet per second faster than their previous one, and 9.5” narrower too. Their VX5 inverted cams will help deliver a very accurate and lethal shot if you use the unit right. You can get it with or without the ACUdraw cocking device if you want, just try to consider that to get the best results.
Wicked Ridge Invader G3 Crossbow Package with ACUDraw
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to shoot
- You get a complete package
Cons
- Takes a bit of getting used to
Wicked Ridge Invader G3 comes as a complete package and that makes it very good for enthusiasts and people very focused on value and quality. While this is a light unit, it does deliver some very tough shots. The 330 FPS is a great example of how accurate these units really are. At 6.6 lbs without accessories, it’s not that heavy, which makes it a pleasure to use more often than not. Inspect your bow, and check this Dry Firing Bow for shooting tips.
While finding the right crossbows for accuracy takes a lot of time, the results that you can get will be really good. It all comes down to studying the market and figuring out what you expect from such a unit. More often than not these products will give you an amazing experience. That’s why you need to give them a shot, because you will be pretty happy with the way everything works! Make sure to checkout more of our articles, we have one about the best excalibur crossbows. You should definitely check it out.
Did you know?
We buy all the products we review at Hunting Bow Lab ourselves, at retail just like you, to help ensure complete objectivity and independence in our ratings. We won't accept any free evaluation units from manufacturers. Read more about our process to create the world's most carefully tested and objective outdoor gear reviews on our About page.
Leave a Reply