Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Torrex is one of the most capable bows you can buy for under $600 - a $599 bow-only ($699 ready-to-hunt) value hunter that borrows the X-Act grip and Cam & 1/2 system from Hoyt's carbon flagships and only gives up the things a hunter rarely misses: a machined riser and aluminum limb pockets. The numbers back the feel, with hunting-weight arrows chronographing in the high-260s to low-290s fps at 70 pounds and 74-plus foot-pounds of energy behind them, all in a light 3.8-pound package that draws clean and holds easy at 80-percent let-off. What I keep coming back to is how little the Torrex actually concedes - the grip is a flagship grip, the cam is a flagship cam, and the shot is quiet and low in vibration in a way that embarrasses its price. It is an excellent bow for the first-time serious buyer and the family looking to share one dependable hunting rig across draw lengths and seasons, particularly strong as a treestand and ground-blind whitetail setup. Buyers chasing more speed and refinement should look at the Torrex XT in the same family; buyers who want the widest adjustment range for the least money should also look at the PSE Stinger Max. Read full review...

The Powermax is a budget friendly bow in the medium range of new 2016 models, which should appeal to a large number of shooters and archery styles. The Powermax may make a great 3D bow for a female shooter, a higher end hunting bow for a youth shooter wanting to get a little more serious, or a nice back up bow for someone that likes to be prepared for a variety of circumstances. The Powermax is replacing the Charger, which several shooters felt was a solid combination of high-end technology and price. The MSRP of the Powermax set at $499 is pretty tough to beat, and although the price is relatively low, the bow is a flat out shooter no matter what the price is. To have a compact bow shooting 328 feet per second with the customization the Powermax offers, this model should be a really great seller in the mid-range for Hoyt in 2016. Read full review...

For a fully set up bow, with a package price of $449, it is really hard to beat a rig like the Stinger Max. Although entry level models are often geared toward a younger shooter, PSE was conscious in making the Stinger Max available to all ages and shooter sizes. Almost anyone in the bow market can be set up to fit in the 30-inch axle-to-axle rig, and the single cam draw force curve is amazing for those just getting started in the world of archery. The Stinger Max shoots well, but when considering the value, the Stinger Max really shines. PSE also did a great job giving the bow enough finish options to meet the entire range of potential buyers offering patterns for anyone and any purpose. Anyone interested in getting started in archery with a frill less bow, at a great price, needs to seriously consider the PSE Stinger Max. It may be one of the best values in the compound bow market for 2020. Read full review...

• Carries Hoyt's Cam & 1/2 and the RX-1-derived X-Act grip on a sub-$600 chassis, giving repeatable hand placement and a clean, easy-drawing platform
• Smooth draw that rolls into a firm cable-stop back wall and settles solid once the cams come over the top
• Strong real-world speed for the tier - high-260s to low-290s fps with hunting-weight arrows at 70 pounds
• Light 3.8-pound bare weight, with tool-only draw-length changes that need no bow press
• Quiet, low-vibration shot for a budget bow, with hand shock many owners rate below far pricier Hoyts

• Mid-range price point with high-end technology
• Colors to blend in or stand out anywhere
• 6-inches of draw length adjustability without a bow press
• 40-pound range of draw weight
• $499 price tag; also offered in a Hoyt package deal for $649

• A redesign of a popular model from previous years
• 2 limb options cover a draw weight range of 22-70-pounds
• Has an accessory package
• Decent starter bow for any shooter

• The X-Act grip's slick plastic surface divides owners - a few dollars of grip tape gives a more secure hold for cold or wet hands
• Short valley means the bow wants you to stay on the back wall, so shooters prone to creeping should settle in deliberately

• Mid range price point bow does not have all the latest advertised technology
• Limbs are only available in 10-pound increments

• Does not have any flagship model technology
• Not the best accessories in the package