Mathews ARC 30 Compound Bow

The Mathews ARC 30 is the 2026 refinement of a hunting platform Mathews has tuned for three model years - the same 30 inches axle-to-axle, 6-inch brace, 3.99-pound mass, and up-to-348 fps IBO that the Lift and Lift X carried before it. What is new is the SWX-2 cam with perimeter weight technology, the riser-integrated Silent Connect System, integrated rear stabilizer mounts, a lighter redesigned limb cup, and the optional SWX-Z Comfort mod for shooters who want a smoother draw. Chronograph testing confirms 328 fps with a 350-grain arrow at 30 inches and 70 pounds, 298 to 300 fps with a 440-grain hunting arrow, and a consistent loss of seven and a half fps per inch of draw as it drops to 28 inches. Independent decibel readings of 94.7 dB with the standard mod and 92.7 dB with the Comfort mod confirm the quiet shot, and what I keep coming back to is how dead the bow sits in the hand for an aluminum hunter under four pounds. The launch MSRP of $1,459 places it firmly in the flagship tier, and the one trade worth weighing is the shallow valley - this bow wants to be shot aggressively, and a shooter who likes to relax into a deep valley should plan on the Comfort mod. An excellent bow for the dedicated whitetail and elk hunter, particularly strong in treestand and ground-blind setups where a silent shot and a compact axle-to-axle both matter. Buyers prioritizing a forgiving brace and a lower price should also look at the Bowtech Solution LS; buyers set on a carbon riser and the widest let-off range should also look at the PSE Mach 30 DS... read full review