Just a few years ago, you could count the number of crossbow manufacturers on two hands. As more and more states have legalized the use of crossbows for hunting, the crossbow market has continued to grow at a staggering pace, with new players entering almost every year. Fast forward to today, and there are over 30 companies now manufacturing hunting crossbows. With so many different models available, how are you supposed to choose which one is the best hunting crossbow for you? Here are four tips to help you find the best crossbow for your budget and for your hunting needs.

Figure out how much you can realistically spend.

Because there are so many crossbow models on the market, figuring out how much you can spend should be the first step in narrowing down your options. Hunting crossbow package prices start at around $399.99, and, if you aren’t limited in your budget, can exceed $3,999.99 these days! Ironically, the less you can spend, the more hunting crossbow choices you have in the marketplace. The more you can spend, the fewer choices you have, but the technological advancement and performance of these crossbows will truly be “top-of-the-line.” 

Do some research to find out where different crossbow brands are made.

Chances are good, if you fall on the side of not having much to spend on a new hunting crossbow, most of your options will not be made in the United States or Canada, but not all. Some people find it important to determine whether the crossbow they will buy is made by a company that is based in North America or overseas. If you prefer to buy crossbows that are only built in America, some quick internet research will help you to answer this question. The answer will also help you to narrow down the list of possible crossbows you will consider purchasing at the price point your budget allows.

Figure out what crossbow features are most important to you. 

When buying a crossbow for hunting, what’s most important to you? Speed? Accuracy? Reliability? Perhaps a combination of all three? Once you have narrowed your choices down by considering cost and location of manufacture, you can begin to look at specific models and perform a side-by-side comparison to find the best one. 

Speed is an important factor to consider because arrow speed and kinetic energy are directly related, however, making your decision based solely on speed may not help you choose the most accurate or the most reliable one. There are plenty of crossbows available today that are modestly priced and shoot at or above 400 feet-per-second, but are they built from parts that are strong enough to withstand countless shots and multiple years of shooting at such high speed?

Two other factors to consider are ease of use and safety, especially when you are looking at crossbows with different cocking options. The draw weights of modern hunting crossbows have increased greatly in recent years, with some draw-weights now exceeding 250 pounds. Gone are the days of cocking a crossbow by hand. This means that you will likely need a cocking device that gives you a mechanical advantage to make the crossbow easier and safer to cock. Also, pay close attention to the additional safety features offered on the crossbow, like whether it has an auto-engaging trigger safety mechanism, dry-fire prevention, effective arrow retention, and protection for your hands and fingers while shooting. 

Don’t forget to research customer service and warranty.

Whether you decide to invest $399.99 or $3,999.99 in a crossbow package, you may have questions on how to set up or operate your crossbow. It’s best to purchase a hunting crossbow from a company that has a proven track record of providing great customer service to all customers at all levels. After all, your investment is not only in the crossbow itself, but also in the level of customer service you may receive. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting home with your new crossbow and encountering a question to which you cannot easily and conveniently find the answer. 

“No questions asked” warranties do not exist in the crossbow market today, and every crossbow warranty has some limitations against user error, lack of proper maintenance, and misuse. When comparing warranty offerings on different crossbow models, pay close attention to what specific parts are covered by the warranty and for what timeframes, as this will help you choose the crossbow with the best warranty coverage saving you lots of time and money in the long run.