Compound Bow Comparator

The Hoyt Torrex XT is the fast, refined half of Hoyt's value lineup - a $749 bow-only hunter that takes the bargain-flagship Torrex formula, drops the brace height an inch for 9 fps more on its 336 IBO rating, and adds the roller cable guard and Limb Shox dampers the base bow does without. It keeps the parts that matter most: the RX-1 X-Act grip, the Cam & 1/2 system, the easy 80-percent hold, and the proven Torrex real-world output in the high 260s to low 290s fps with hunting arrows. What stood out to me shooting it is how smooth and quiet the XT runs for the money - the roller guard and tip dampers earn their keep, and the shot comes back to hand with almost no torque. It is an excellent bow for the performance-minded hunter who wants speed and a polished shot without flagship pricing, particularly strong as a treestand and western hunting rig for a shooter with settled form. Buyers who would rather have maximum forgiveness and the lowest price should look at the standard Torrex in the same family; buyers who want the widest one-bow adjustment range should also consider the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro. 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...

While the Infinite Edge revolutionized the bow market last year, Diamond Archery has answered the call once again, providing a similar bow with many important upgrades. For half the price of a typical flagship hunting or target bow, archers can now purchase a bow that can technically last them their whole life. 65lbs of draw weight and 18" of draw length adjustment with a simple allen wrench is an impressive feat, especially with the retention of a high quality draw cycle at all settings. With a decent factory suppression system, well-engineered cams, a few solid finish options, and the option for long draw shooters to shoot the above average 31" draw, this bow should be seriously considered as both a first bow and as an upgrade from an archer's first. Read full review...

• Roller cable guard and Limb Shox dampers give a smoother, quieter shot than the standard Torrex
• About 9 fps faster than the base Torrex (336 IBO) from the tighter 6-inch brace, with the same flagship X-Act grip and Cam & 1/2
• Clean, easy draw into a firm cable-stop back wall - flagship feel at a value price
• Light 4.0-pound bare weight with tool-only draw-length changes that need no bow press
• Sold in Hoyt's full standard hunting color book, where the base Torrex is limited to two finishes

• 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

• Extremely large draw weight range from 5-70lbs
• Improved draw length adjustability from 13-31"
• Improved dual cam system with a solid back wall in the draw cycle
• Extreme versatility for archers of all ages

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

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

• Average IBO of 310fps
• Plastic grip