Finest Compound Bows of 2023, Skilled Examined

From first place to lifeless final, the newest crop of flagship bows is the perfect I’ve seen in a decade of testing bows for Discipline & Stream. It was pretty simple to separate the highest few bows from the remaining, merely through goal measurements like pace, accuracy, and noise. However right this moment’s huge gamers within the compound bow world have hit a efficiency plateau with their flagships. The highest-of-the-line bows for 2023 are all so quick, environment friendly, quiet, and straightforward to shoot that on paper, the variations between them are negligible. You’ll see that mirrored on this 12 months’s scores and outcomes.

For that very motive, many manufacturers at the moment are working to separate themselves by pouring focus into excellent accent techniques that complement confirmed designs or tuning techniques that make DIY bow work from home simpler. Nonetheless, whenever you get the possibility to shoot all of 2023’s new bows side-by-side, as we do—1000’s of arrows over the course of a number of days—you discover subtleties in efficiency that make a few of them stand out.

Previously, our check panel has mentioned these issues within the open because the check went on. This 12 months, we up to date our process with a gag order. Little of something was stated (other than the same old smack-talking) about any of the bows till everybody had accomplished their particular person evaluations. Solely then did we focus on. That we had a hell of a crop of bows this 12 months was unanimous—and that one mannequin, particularly, was the general greatest new compound bow for 2023 was, too.

How We Take a look at Compound Bows

Our bow check is an invitational. For those who don’t see your favourite model represented, likelihood is they declined our invitation to take part. Although a few of our scoring procedures and check strategies have modified a bit prior to now decade, our dedication to a good and sincere assessment hasn’t. For those who’re about to fork over $1,500 or extra for a brand new bow and equipment, we see it as our job to convey you a critique that’s unbiased and laser-focused on one easy query: What are the perfect compound bows for 2023?

The F&S Bow Take a look at Panel

To get that reply, we enlist professional assist. Collectively, this 12 months’s three-man check panel has greater than a century of bowhunting expertise and has taken an estimated 400 big-game animals with archery gear. We’ve all shot some competitors, too, and one among our panel members ran a professional store for years. Listed below are our testers. 

Will Brantley: I’m Discipline & Stream’s searching editor and captain of the check. I’ve been bowhunting whitetails for 26 seasons, and have additionally chased mule deer, elk, antelope, alligators, and hogs with archery deal with. I’ve additionally taken a wild turkey Grand Slam with a bow. I’m a licensed Kentucky clothing store and spend 50-plus days in a tree stand myself each fall. I like bowfishing within the low season, and have shot some 3D competitors too.

Danny Hinton: Hinton has been on the check panel for a decade and is the right mix of former pro-shop proprietor, engineer, and outspoken hunter who arrows a pile of deer each fall (together with a near-Booner final season). Hinton has been bowhunting for 34 years, and has shot his share of indoor 5-spot and out of doors 3D competitors, too. He can arrange and tune a brand new bow out of the field quicker than anybody I’ve ever met. 

Keith Meador: Meador was this 12 months’s test-panel rookie, however he has probably the most archery expertise of any of us. He’s been a bowhunter and competitors shooter for 49 years and was previously ranked among the many high 5 3D archers on this planet. Meador retired from competitors archery in 2007, and now hunts most days of the Kentucky archery season.

Stress Engineering: The employees at Stress Engineering in Mason, Ohio, has been aiding us for years with objectively testing compound bows for noise and vibration, which requires specialised gear {and professional} engineers who can analyze the info. Their gear, evaluation, and experience solidify our goal information.

Take a look at-Bow Parameters and Set-Up

After we acquired the check bows, the very first thing we did was set all of them up with the gear and to the specs listed under to verify the enjoying subject is as degree as attainable. Right here’s a rundown:

• Proper-handed
• 28-inch draw size
• 60-pound draw weight
• HHA Tetra RYZ sights
• 1/16-aperture peep sights
• D-loop
• Drop-away rests (for accuracy testing)
• Whisker Biscuit rests (for sound and vibration testing)
• 28-inch Carbon Categorical 350-spine D-Stroyer SD arrows / 100-grain subject factors / 437-grain completed weight
• IBO-spec, 300-grain naked shaft arrows (for pace testing)
• Take a look at panel members shot scored teams with their private launch aids, however a wide range of back-tension releases have been additionally used for added subjective evaluations of draw cycle and dealing with

Compound Bow Take a look at Process and Scoring

After establishing the bows, verifying specs, and paper tuning, we weighed every bow with a digital set off scale to simulate the load of an precise searching setup (versus bare-bow weight). Subsequent, every test-panel member hit the 25-yard indoor vary, sighted in every bow individually, after which shot 5 measured, five-arrow teams per bow. Panel members rotated bows between teams to reduce the results of fatigue. Group sizes for every bow have been averaged for every tester, after which collectively averaged on the finish of the check. Alongside the way in which, testers evaluated each bow for draw cycle, dealing with, grip, stability, and match and end, then made notes on which bows appeared loudest or quietest, or appeared to vibrate probably the most or least. These notes have been later in comparison with the measured outcomes we obtained from Stress Engineering.

With that portion of the check full, we took the bows to my farm for a sequence of real-world searching assessments that included broadhead grouping with fixed-blade Muzzy One broadheads; 30- and 40-yard vary evaluations; and tree stand taking pictures from each standing and taking pictures positions. These assessments weren’t scored classes, however they additional influenced our subjective scores, like dealing with and draw cycle. We additionally evaluated options distinctive to every bow, together with accent packages and tuning techniques.

On the finish of the field-testing evaluations, we stripped the peeps, sights, and drop-away rests from every bow, fitted them with Whisker Biscuits, and retuned them. Then I trucked all of the bows seven hours north to Mason, Ohio, the place I met with Stress Engineering’s Mike Landgraf, who arrange a quiet-on-set workstation inside a store constructing. Bows have been positioned right into a Hooter Shooter with an accelerometer threaded into the stabilizer port to measure vibration, and a microphone positioned on a stand 36 inches from the bow to measure noise. The ground beneath and across the setup was lined with acoustic foam to reduce sound deflection. Every bow was then fired thrice to acquire a dependable information pattern.

Vibration was measured through acceleration instantly under the grip and weighted to the human hand/arm sensitivity vary. Noise was measured in decibels by the sound strain impulse and the sound peak impulse, and people two numbers have been then averaged to find out a sound rating (this 12 months, all of the bows have been virtually equally quiet). We used the identical Carbon Categorical arrows for sound and vibration testing that we used for accuracy testing as a result of they’re consultant of a real-world searching arrow and of what a dwell critter is prone to hear.

As soon as we had these outcomes, we scored every bow on a 100-point scale within the following classes:

• Accuracy and forgiveness (20 factors)
• Pace (20 factors)
• Draw cycle (20 factors)
• Stability, dealing with, and grip (10 factors)
• Lack of Noise (10 factors)
• Lack of Vibration (10 factors)
• Match and end (10 factors)

Right here is how every bow fared.

The Finest Compound Bows: Evaluations & Suggestions

Editors’ Decide: Xpedition XLite 33

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 33″
• Brace Peak: 6.5″
• Weight: 5 lb., 4 oz.
• Value: $1,999

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 292 fps
• Closing Rating: 96

When our testing was lastly over, and we have been free to debate the bows, somebody stated “Okay, which one is your favourite?” And all three of us picked the XLite 33. The bow’s riser is created from a proprietary alloy referred to as Magnite, which Xpedition says is 33 p.c stronger than aluminum and even stronger than commercial-grade carbon. The fabric is comfy within the hand, and the bow is directly extraordinarily light-weight with out seeming wispy. As well as, the cams and a few {hardware} (just like the cable guard and limb pockets) are Cerakoted. All of us thought it seemed sharp, and the end ought to make the bow just about impervious to the climate.

The XLite was a high shooter for everybody on the check panel, and it was the one bow in all the subject to provide sub-1-inch common teams. It shot broadheads proper alongside subject factors with none extra tuning or sight adjustment required, and it was a pleasure to deal with and wield from a tree stand, in addition to to shoot from longer distances. (I Robin-Hooded a pair of arrows at 40 yards with it.) In a decade of testing flagship bows, I’ve by no means seen one which stood out extra within the class of accuracy and forgiveness for everybody on the check panel.

However that’s not all of the XLite had going for it. As famous, the draw cycles on this 12 months’s bows have been {smooth} virtually throughout the board. However a pair—this one and the Bowtech SS34—have been standouts that acquired excellent, 20-point scores. The XLite makes use of Xpedition’s new XB1 dual-cam system, which is draw-length adjustable by means of modules.

As for noise, the bow was as quiet as every thing else (aside from the Hoyt), and it completed center of the pack for vibration. We deducted some factors there. It’s price noting that the Xpedition was the slowest bow on this 12 months’s lineup—and this is among the only a few instances within the historical past of our check that the slowest bow has gained the Editor’s Decide Award. That occurred partly as a result of there wasn’t a giant distinction in speeds among the many bows this 12 months, exterior of the 2 quickest; so regardless that it’s the slowest, this bow isn’t terribly gradual at 292. Nevertheless it occurred largely as a result of the XLite 33 obtained excellent scores in each different class besides noise and vibration (the place it misplaced only one level every). Backside line: After we added up the scores, the XLite 33 got here out on high. The truth that it was our unanimous favourite earlier than any numbers have been crunched says quite a bit, too. Put all of it collectively, and you’re looking on the F&S Editors’ Decide flagship compound bow for 2023.

Quietest Bow: Hoyt VTM 34

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 33-3/4″
• Brace Peak: 6.25″
• Weight: 6 lb., 2 oz.
• Value: $1,499

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 305.3 fps
• Closing Rating: 95

Hoyt’s Carbon RX-7 gained our check final 12 months, and this 12 months’s aluminum VTM 34 practically pulled off a repeat end. Like its predecessor, the VTM options Hoyt’s binary HBX Professional cam system, which is the perfect binary system going proper now, so far as I’m involved. The bow was tied with the Prime Revex because the third-fastest of the check, however the VTM scored higher for draw cycle—in truth, solely the winner and the Bowtech SS34 have been smoother. Although noise variations have been just about a wash on this 12 months’s check (all of the bows have been very quiet), the VTM 34 was nonetheless a full decibel quieter than the rest we examined, in line with Stress Engineering measurements, and it had the second-least quantity of vibration.

It shot extraordinarily properly, and was tied with the Mathews Section 4 because the second-most correct bow of the check. And, just like the Section 4, the Hoyt VTM sequence is complemented by an excellent In-Line accent system that features dovetail mounts on the riser for each sights and rests, low-profile quivers, bow stands, and sidebar mounts. 

Actually, our solely grievance concerning the VTM 34 was its bodily measurement. Just like the Bowtech SS34, the VTM 34 is nearly 34 inches axle to axle—and people huge cams make it longer but from one finish to the opposite. Add to {that a} inflexible, heavy riser, and bow-arm fatigue units in quick with the VTM 34 at full draw (noticeably extra so than with even the Bowtech, regardless that the Hoyt was only one ounce heavier). We deducted dealing with factors for that (however remember the fact that a 31-inch model of the VTM, with a barely shorter brace top, can also be out there). It’s price noting the VTM 34, though not low-cost by any means, remains to be $500 lower than the one bow that beat it, and it comes with higher accent choices as well.

Finest Draw Cycle: Bowtech SS34

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 34″
• Brace Peak: 6.75″
• Weight: 6 lb., 1 oz.
• Value: $1,299

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 297 fps (examined in Consolation mode)
• Closing Rating: 94

The Bowtech SS34 was one among simply two bows on this 12 months’s check to get an ideal 20-point draw-cycle rating—and this was in a 12 months once we had a bunch of {smooth} bows. The SS34’s cycle was {smooth} all through with a stable again wall, but additionally with out the “slop” generally felt with ultra-smooth, high-let-off bows. It was quiet, and vibration was just about non-existent; solely the Hoyt VTM had much less.

Like Bowtechs of the previous a number of years, the SS34 options the FlipDisc system that enables shooters to set the bow right into a “Consolation” or “Efficiency” mode, the latter of which produces extra pace, however with a extra demanding draw cycle and barely much less let-off. Because the SS34 is designed and marketed for a smooth-shooting expertise, we examined the bow within the Consolation setting. The SS34 additionally options the DeadLock Cam system, which permits customers to tweak cam lean and string alignment by simply adjusting the cam’s system alongside the axle with the flip of a screw. Honestly the system hasn’t been my favourite prior to now, however I made a degree of messing with it extra on the SS34, significantly as soon as we began taking pictures it at longer distances and with broadheads, and I warmed as much as it. Like most of this 12 months’s high flagships, the SS34 has a dovetailed riser for accepting rests just like the QAD Combine.

The SS34 missed the highest spot by just a few factors due to small deductions for pace (it was the second-slowest bow of the check) and in accuracy/forgiveness. Everybody shot this bow fairly properly, however not exceptionally so, and in consequence, it completed center of the pack in that class. We deducted solely a single a degree for dealing with as a result of though the SS34 was a bit heavier and bulkier than any of us would really like for a tree stand, it balanced properly and encompasses a grip positioning that Meador referred to as “excellent.” General, the SS34 is a superb bow, and it was onerous to fault it for a lot of something. If a {smooth} draw cycle is your first precedence, then this can be your new bow.  

Finest Pace Bow: Mathews Section 4

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 29″
• Brace Peak: 6″
• Weight: 5 lb., 11 oz.
• Value: $1,299

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 318 fps
• Closing Rating: 94

Mathews’ CrossCentric Cam sequence of bows have been the winningest flagships in the marketplace for the reason that first Halon 5 gained our check in 2016. The newest fashions, together with final 12 months’s V3X, have been famous for across-the-board excellence, and significantly revered for being quiet and dead-in-the-hand on the shot. The Section 4 options the identical cam system and close to equivalent efficiency, however an progressive improve to the limbs. Look rigorously and also you’ll discover that there are literally eight of them—4 on high and 4 on backside, every sandwiching vibration-dampening materials in between. Mathews calls it the Resistance Section Damping system, and it’s designed to settle extra vitality straight within the limbs.  

The Section 4 was very quiet and {smooth} taking pictures—nevertheless it wasn’t the winner in both of these classes this 12 months. The Hoyt is a bit quieter, and it, the Elite, and the Bowtech all had much less vibration, in line with Stress Engineering information. The Section 4 is quick; it tied with the Elite Omnia as this 12 months’s pace champion, and it did that with a extra manageable draw cycle. Our common group measurement with the Section 4 was 1.05 inches, tied with the Hoyt for second-most correct.  

For those who ask me, the accent packages and hunt-friendly options such because the Keep Afield System (S.A.S.) are what actually units the brand new Mathews flagships aside. The S.A.S. is basically a half-ounce bow press that may be carried into the sector for fixing a peep sight or servicing the string and cables. New for 2023 is the Bridge-Lock Stabilizer that ports straight into the riser. Carryover equipment from final 12 months embrace LoPro quivers and the Bridge-Lock sight, and the riser is dovetailed for a QAD Combine relaxation, all of which make for an exceptionally low-profile searching package deal.  

Finest Worth Flagship Bow: Elite Omnia

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 32″
• Brace Peak: 6″
• Weight: 5 lb., 11 oz.
• Value: $1,199

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 318 fps
• Closing Rating: 92

Elite has submitted most of the smoothest bows we’ve examined over the previous decade. “Shootability” is, in truth, the model’s tagline. However they’re able to constructing a high-performance pace bow, too,and this 12 months’s Omnia proves it, tying with the Mathews Section 4 because the quickest bow of the check. Like all current Elite flagships, the Omnia options the model’s Simplified Actual Tuning (S.E.T.) system, which we consider is the user-friendliest DIY tuning system in the marketplace. With it, customers alter cam lean with a couple of turns of a bolt that flexes both facet of the bow’s cut up limbs.

The Omnia has a beefy, caged riser just like final 12 months’s EnVision, nevertheless it’s barely longer and extra reflexed. It additionally has a shorter brace top and the brand new SP Cam for higher efficiency. The cams function the V2 Micro Mod system that enables customers to fine-tune draw size in ¼-inch increments, in addition to alter the texture of the again wall and valley. The Omnia additionally has the VersaMod system for adjusting the let-off in single percentiles from 70 to 90 p.c. Although some assume that quick bows vibrate probably the most and are the loudest as a rule, the Omnia proved (as many earlier fashions have ) that this “rule” is a load of promoting b.s. It was one among simply three bows examined (the Hoyt and Bowtech being the opposite two) to attain excellent, 10-point scores in each the shortage of noise and lack of vibration classes.

Our vary testing with the Omnia was a blended bag. I shot it extraordinarily properly, however Hinton struggled with it, and Meador’s teams with it have been center of the pack. That put the bow’s general accuracy common squarely within the center. It had probably the most demanding draw cycle of something examined this 12 months, with an abrupt drop into the valley. You may tweak a few of that to your liking, although, given the adjustably of the SP Cam system.   

The Omnia’s grip put the bow hand somewhat too near the cables, inflicting interference at instances, relying in your grip model. These flaws, although minor, value it a couple of treasured factors. The Omnia is a quick, quiet shooter with a variety of adjustability. None of right this moment’s high bows are cheap, however the Omnia is probably the most reasonably priced amongst our high 5 finishers, which earns it our Finest Worth Award for 2023’s crop of flagship bows.

Prime Revex 2

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 32”
• Brace Peak: 6.25″
• Weight: 5 lb., 9 oz.
• Value: $1,199

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 305 fps
• Closing Rating: 92

Prime’s Inline cam system caught our consideration throughout final 12 months’s bow check as one of many extra progressive designs we’ve seen shortly, and probably the most radical change to Prime’s signature parallel cams to occur in years. The cam module of the Inline system shifted the cables to beneath the cam at full draw to stability it. The brand new Core Cam on this 12 months’s Revex line has the identical expertise, nevertheless it’s an improved system but over the Inline. The Core Cam is a set draw-length system, so shooters might want to order the size that matches them correctly.

We examined the 32-inch Revex 2 (34- and 36-inch fashions are additionally out there), and it was one of many handier bows of the sector this 12 months. That measurement, mixed with the Nanogrip that all of us liked, made it one of many best-handling bows of the check. It had an excellent draw cycle, too, that was a contact extra demanding than the competitors, however that additionally settled into a pleasant valley with a stable again wall. That additional effort want to attract the bow gave some additional oomph, although, because the Revex was among the many quickest bows on this 12 months’s subject. Testing at Stress proved that the Revex 2 was quiet with little vibration, although not on the very high of these classes.

All of us shot this bow properly sufficient, although, once more, it wasn’t high of the pack for accuracy—and in a lineup this tight, these small level losses induced it to slide simply out of the highest rating. Like a number of different fashions examined this 12 months, the Revex is specifically designed to simply accept streamlined equipment similar to a riser-mounted Tightspot quiver and a Hamskea limb-driven arrow relaxation, which ought to solely complement what’s already a trim, helpful searching package deal. Just like the Elite, the Revex 2 is among the most reasonably priced flashships of 2023.

PSE Mach 34

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 34″
• Brace Peak: 6.75″
• Weight: 4 lb., 11 oz.
• Value: $1,799

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 301.6 fps
• Closing Rating: 89

Preliminary impressions of PSE’s carbon bow have been superb. That it’s greater than a 1/2-pound lighter than the next-lightest bow within the subject (and virtually a 1-1/2 kilos lighter than the heaviest) made it enjoyable to deal with. It additionally had an awesome draw cycle; {smooth} all through, with a stable again wall and cozy valley. The typical pace for all bows on this check was 304.5 fps, and so this bow was quick sufficient, if not blistering.

The Mach 34 is two-cam design that includes PSE’s Full Draw Stability system, which is designed to offset induced torque at full draw. Its draw-length adjustable by means of a mod, and numerous cam setups can be found to accommodate a variety of draw lengths. The Mach 34 additionally options the brand new EZ.220 spacer system for simply making cam-lean changes in a press. The riser has ports for a machined dovetail plate that can be utilized for mounting rests just like the QAD Combine.

On the vary, the Mach 34 did certainly appear to carry properly on the goal; Hinton and Meador each left remarks to that impact of their notes. However the bow misplaced floor in different classes. The grip dug painfully into my hand after a couple of teams, and there wasn’t a great way for me to regulate round that. Regardless of being simple to carry on course, none of us shot the Mach 34 very properly; it was, in truth, the least correct bow, on common, of the check.

The Mach 34 was quiet, however all of us did discover a bounce upon launch, because the bow had extra noticeable post-shot vibration than the rest we examined. It’s price noting that we don’t weight that class closely. Being “dead-in-the-hand” is a promoting level for some bow corporations, however as Meador put it, “I don’t care how a lot hand shock a bow has as a result of the arrow is already on its means.” Nonetheless, it was extra noticeable within the Mach 34 than the rest we examined, and Stress Engineering measurements verified this evaluation.  

Gearhead Pivot 30

Specs

• Axle-to-Axle Size: 30″
• Brace Peak: 6″ (adjustable)
• Weight: 5 lb., 7 oz.
• Value: $1,049

Testing Outcomes

• Pace: 299 fps
• Closing Rating: 81

The Gearhead’s radically distinctive design makes it troublesome to check, in some methods, to the remainder of the bows on this lineup. That we weren’t in a position to thread the accelerometer into the same old stabilizer port place is only one instance. However that’s by design, because the Pivot (P) 30 has versatile options that different bows don’t have, together with an non-obligatory Slider grip that enables shooters to regulate the brace top, shoot left- or right-handed, or alter left to proper to offset torque. The let-off is adjustable, too, as much as 90 p.c, as is the draw size. The bow is appropriate with various Gearhead equipment, together with a bracket that enables customers to mount stabilizers or an motion digital camera between the bow’s risers.   

Hinton and I’ve beforehand shot Gearhead bows and knew what to anticipate—completely different, however well-built and correct. Meador, who’d by no means seen one, picked up the P30 and stated, “I don’t assume I’m gonna like this factor.” However he proceeded to shoot .67-inch average-sized teams with it, making it his second-best taking pictures bow of the check. Stress Engineering information proved that the P30 was quiet and comparatively freed from vibration, too.

Nonetheless, the bow had a tough draw cycle in comparison with the competitors, and regardless of being compact, we discovered dealing with it to be a trouble, particularly the feed-through riser design. The string cease can intrude with the grip positioning of your bow hand, and Hinton and I discovered that the grip design itself made the bow troublesome to carry on course. All of that, mixed with sluggish pace, induced the P30 to fall to the underside in comparison with the competitors. However all of us agreed, it’s a cool bow that enjoyable to shoot and has benefits others don’t.

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For greater than 125 years, Discipline & Stream has been offering readers with sincere and genuine protection of out of doors gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that zeal comes by way of in our product evaluations. You may rely on F&S to maintain you updated on the perfect new gear. And once we write a few product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the great and the dangerous, so precisely what to anticipate earlier than you determine to make a purchase order.