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 Shock Pods 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...

The Infinite Edge Pro came back for a reason: it does one thing better than almost anything at its price, and that is stretch to fit whoever picks it up. The 2026 Legacy edition keeps the formula - 13 to 31 inches of draw, 5 to 65 pounds, an 80-percent let-off and a smooth, quiet shot - and wraps it in a complete ready-to-hunt package at around $330, less than the model cost at its 2015 launch. It gives up five pounds of peak weight and ten fps against the original, trades that are invisible to the beginner, youth archer, and shared-family buyer this bow is built for. In my time around bows like this, the ones that get a household actually shooting are rarely the fastest or the quietest - they are the ones that fit everyone and are cheap enough to shoot without worry, and the Infinite Edge Pro is squarely that bow. It is an excellent choice for youth archery, new adult hunters, and any family that wants a single adjustable rig, particularly strong as a first bow that will still fit years later. Buyers who want more top-end poundage or speed for big game should also look at the Bear Cruzer G3. Read full review...

• Roller cable guard and Shock Pods 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

• One set of limbs covers 13-31 inches of draw and 5-65 pounds of weight - genuinely one bow for a young beginner and the adult hunter that beginner becomes
• Smooth draw cycle that rolls over the peak with no lope and settles into an easy valley against a solid back wall
• Quiet, low-shock shot for the price tier - the arrow is in the target before the riser finishes settling
• Forgiving to tune thanks to a double-yoke setup - cam lean comes into line quickly and a bullet-hole tune is easy to reach
• Complete ready-to-hunt package - sight, rest, quiver, stabilizer, peep and sling - at a price below both its main rivals and below its own 2015 launch

• 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

• Changing draw length means pressing the bow to reach the module screw and re-timing the cam afterward - set it to your draw once at a shop and it is a non-issue day to day
• Some owners find the grip a touch bulky in the hand though the shape stays comfortable - an aftermarket grip is an inexpensive swap for anyone who wants a slimmer throat