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...

The Limitless may be the perfect bow for transitioning shooters through the phases of becoming an archer. The Limitless allows shooters to begin in the world of archery, and the bow can grow with them a long while before they are interested in a higher end model with a bit more speed. The MSRP of $199 for a fully set up bow may be one of the best deals in all of archery. It would be really nice for this bow to be offered in left handed models as well, but for now, the Limitless is a right hand only production. Getting youngsters involved in the sport is a crucial step in growing archery, and this bow is a great one for getting shooters involved without breaking the bank. It would be nice to have some added color options, and the accessories are not the best money can buy, but ultimately getting shooters into archery at an early age and an affordable price is the goal of the Limitless bow for 2019, and Bear knocked it out of the park. 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

• A youth bow able to grow with younger shooters
• Highly adjustable draw weight 25-50-pounds
• Highly adjustable draw length 19-29-inches
• Sold in a Ready to Hunt Package
• MSRP of only $199.99

• 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

• The accessories are not top of the line
• Only available in one finish pattern
• The bow is only right handed