Compound Bow Comparator

The Diamond Radian is the most youth-focused bow in the grow-with-me category and the one that best solves the problem of a very young beginner. At a $399.99 launch MSRP it undercuts the obvious alternatives while delivering the thing that actually matters at this tier: adult-grade aluminum hardware, a machined caged riser, aluminum cams and aluminum limb pockets, where competitors save money with plastic. Its 16.5 to 29.5 inch draw and 10 to 55 lb range, all adjustable at home without a press, let one 2.9 lb bow follow a shooter from a nine-year-old's first backyard arrows through a scholastic program and into an entry-level hunting weight past the 40 lb most states require. The 305 fps IBO figure and the 6 inch brace mark it as a light, short, forgiving learner's bow rather than a speed machine, and the 70 to 75 percent let-off keeps a child comfortable at full draw. What I keep coming back to is the hardware decision: on a bow that is going to be dropped, shared and left out in the yard, building it out of aluminum instead of plastic is the choice that keeps it shooting for years. It is an excellent bow for the parent putting a real, durable first bow in a small child's hands with room to grow, particularly strong for households sharing one bow between siblings. Buyers who need the range to reach a full 70 lb adult hunting weight should also look at the Bear Legit Maxx, and older beginners already past a 21.5 inch draw who want the most forgiving brace height might prefer the PSE Stinger MAX. Read full review...

The Bear Legit Maxx delivers practical upgrades over its predecessor at a $499 launch MSRP and serves as the budget RTH option in Bear's adjustable lineup, carried over from 2025 into 2026 without spec changes. The addition of Integrate Mounting System rest mounting and a Picatinny sight rail brings setup convenience from higher-priced bows into the budget category. The 14 to 30 inch draw length and 10 to 70 lb draw weight ranges make this one of the most versatile bows in the lineup for families or growing archers, a single bow that genuinely works from teenager through adult. Performance specifications, 315 fps IBO, 6.25 inch brace height and 75 percent let-off, are competitive within this market segment, and chronograph testing across multiple measurement sessions confirms speeds from around 242 fps with heavy 500 grain arrows up to 278 fps with 350 grain shafts at the full 70 lb draw, sufficient kinetic energy for ethical whitetail shots at typical bowhunting distances. Shot noise lands at roughly 96.8 dB, quiet for the price tier. The 75 percent let-off is honest about its trade-off: a shorter valley and more holding weight at full draw, which is the central characteristic to weigh against the lower price. The Legit Maxx is the budget option in Bear's adjustable lineup and the shooting experience reflects that; it is not the smoothest or the quietest bow in the category, but it is well-rounded with modern features that make ownership easier. For families buying a single compound bow that needs to serve multiple purposes or multiple archers over many years at a $499 entry price, the Legit Maxx deserves serious consideration; buyers seeking the widest single-archer growth path should also weigh the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro, hunters past the 21.5 inch draw threshold who prioritize a more forgiving brace height and the lowest cross-brand entry might prefer the PSE Stinger Max, and Bear-ecosystem buyers seeking the lowest entry point should look at the Bear Limitless. 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...

• Grows with the shooter across a 16.5 to 29.5 inch draw length and 10 to 55 lb draw weight, all set on the module with a couple of Allen screws and no bow press
• All-aluminum riser, cams and limb pockets bring adult-bow hardware to a price point where many youth bows still use plastic cams and pockets
• Light 2.9 lb mass makes it genuinely handleable for the youngest and smallest-framed archers
• Complete ready-to-hunt kit with a purpose-built toolless three-pin sight, full-capture rest and quiver, set up and shooting out of the box
• Sits in the under-$400 tier while still reaching the 40 lb that clears most states' hunting minimum, so one bow carries a kid from the backyard to a first season

• Wide adjustability range covers 10-70 lb draw weight and 14-30 inch draw length in a single bow, suitable for one-bow households and growing archers
• Integrate Mounting System dovetail accepts compatible arrow rests with tool-free, self-leveling installation
• $499 launch MSRP places the bow at the lower end of the adjustable-platform market

• 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

• Draw weight tops out at 55 lb, enough for youth targets and entry hunting but short of a heavy 60 to 70 lb adult big-game rig, which a committed hunter will eventually step up to on a full-size bow
• The 6 inch brace height is shorter and less forgiving of form errors than the 7 inch braces on some rival grow-bows; it is part of what keeps the Radian light and quick, but a brand-new archer may want to shoot one in person first

• 75 percent let-off creates a shorter valley and a higher holding weight at full draw; the bow asks the shooter to stay engaged on the back wall
• Some hand shock and post-shot vibration are present at the budget tier and are noticeable to anyone stepping down from a flagship build
• Cable slide rather than a cable roller is used on the cable arm, a cost-saving choice that affects perceived draw smoothness
• Bear no longer publishes an official mass weight; hands-on measurements settle around 4.2 lb bare bow
• Real-world draw weight ceiling drops with shorter draw lengths, so a 20 inch youth setup will not reach the published 70 lb peak

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