Compound Bow Comparator

The Bear Shootout is a budget crossover bow that does one job very well: it carries a young or new archer through the transition years on a single, affordable chassis. At a $279.99 launch MSRP it adjusts from a 14-inch draw and 20 pounds up to 28 inches and 50 pounds, rides a maneuverable 28-inch axle-to-axle frame, runs a dual-cam system rated at 290 fps IBO, and - unlike most ready-to-hunt packages - ships with three carbon arrows already cut and tipped alongside the sight, Whisker Biscuit rest, stabilizer, and quiver. It is honest about what it is: a learn-and-grow platform with a 70% let-off and a 50-pound ceiling, offered in right-hand and Black only, with the long-term value coming from the fact that nothing else needs buying as the shooter grows. It is an excellent bow for a parent outfitting a kid who has outgrown a beginner bow and for any new adult archer who wants a complete, low-cost setup, and it is particularly strong as the one bow that follows a shooter from their first backyard sessions to their first deer season. Buyers who want room to grow all the way to full 60-70 pound adult hunting weight should also look at the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro; those wanting an even simpler true-beginner bow should look at the Bear Frontier. Read full review...

The Bear Frontier RTS arrives at $219.99 launch MSRP as the entry tier of Bear's 2026 youth lineup - a 26-inch axle-to-axle dual-cam bow with a 14-to-25-inch draw length range, 15-to-29-pound draw weight, 65 percent let-off, and a complete Ready-to-Shoot accessory bundle. The headline performance number is the 11 inches of draw-length adjustability, which is what makes this a bow a family buys once and uses for 4 to 6 years rather than a starter that gets outgrown in a season. The 2.9-pound mass weight keeps practice sessions from ending in arm fatigue; the offset string suppressor takes the edge off the post-shot ring at this price tier where the simpler bows ship bare. In my experience the dual-cam draw is genuinely smoother than what Bear's lower-tier Brave and Pathfinder deliver, and the back wall is firm enough for a young archer to learn to anchor against. An excellent first compound for the 8-to-14 age window, particularly strong for households where a kid will grow through the draw range over multiple seasons. Buyers prioritizing the wider draw-weight ceiling that supports hunting should also look at the Bear Limitless RTH or step up directly to the Bear Shootout RTH; buyers prioritizing the lowest entry price within Bear's youth lineup should also look at the Bear Pathfinder; cross-brand shoppers in the same tier should consider the PSE Mini-Burner. 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...

• Ships genuinely ready to shoot - includes 3 carbon arrows with field points on top of the 3-pin sight, Whisker Biscuit rest, stabilizer, and 5-arrow quiver
• One chassis spans youth to adult-entry - 14-28 inch draw and 20-50 lb adjust on the same bow with no modules to buy
• Among the most affordable adjustable compounds in Bear's 2026 lineup, and the kit is complete enough to leave the shop and shoot the same day

• Draw length adjusts across an 11-inch range from 14 to 25 inches - the same bow fits an 8-year-old at 14 inches and a 13-year-old at 25 inches, covering 4-6 years of growth without buying a second bow
• Ready-to-Shoot package ships with a Trophy Ridge 3-pin sight, Whisker Biscuit rest, 2-arrow quiver, and 2 carbon arrows pre-matched to the draw range - a first-time buyer opens the box and shoots that afternoon
• Dual-cam system is uncommon at the sub-$250 youth tier - Bear's lower-tier Brave and Pathfinder run simpler single-cam-and-idler layouts, while the Frontier inherits a synchronized dual-cam configuration normally reserved for higher tiers
• Bow mass of 2.9 pounds keeps the bow easy to hold up for a young shooter learning consistent form - fatigue ends a practice session faster than missing a target does, and a lighter bow lengthens the session
• Offset string suppressor reduces post-shot vibration and noise - a quieter, less buzzy shot is easier on a new shooter's hands and less startling, which matters more for first-bow learning than headline IBO numbers

• 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

• Tops out at 50 lb - a stronger or taller adult who wants full 60-70 lb hunting weight will outgrow it, and buyers who know they want max weight from the start can step up to a 65-70 lb adjustable
• Offered right-hand and in Black only - left-handed shooters and anyone wanting a camo finish will need a different model in the lineup

• Peak draw weight tops out at 29 pounds - below the 35-40 pound minimum most states require for big-game hunting, making this a target and recreation bow rather than a hunting tool; hunters can step up to Bear's Shootout RTH

• Average IBO of 310fps
• Plastic grip