Compound Bow Comparator

The Diamond Edge XT is the compact, easy-drawing entry point to Diamond's caged-riser Edge family, and it solves one problem better than anything near its $449 launch price: getting a smaller-framed or beginning shooter comfortable and grouping. Its 19-to-31-inch draw and 20-to-70-pound range adjust at home without a press, so one light 3.7-pound bow follows a shooter from a first backyard session into a full 70-pound hunting weight. The unaggressive dual cam gives it the smoothest draw and let-down in the class, and the caged aluminum riser, aluminum limb pockets and dampened quad limbs build it out of metal where budget bows use plastic. The 300 fps IBO - around 231 fps with a mid-weight arrow at practical settings - marks it as a comfort-first bow rather than a speed machine, which is exactly the point. What I keep coming back to is how deliberately small and smooth it is: the short riser and gentle cam make it the Edge that fits and forgives a new or smaller shooter best, at the lowest price in the line. It is an excellent bow for the beginner, the growing teen, and the value hunter who wants a light, compact, easy-drawing rig that still reaches a real hunting weight. Buyers who want the faster binary-cam draw and a taller brace should look at the step-up Diamond Edge Max, those who need to reach a smaller, lighter beginner should also look at the Bear Legit Maxx, and shooters wanting a taller, more forgiving brace at the same price 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...

• Compact and light - a short 22-inch riser and a 3.7-pound bare weight make it genuinely easy to hold and maneuver, especially for smaller-framed and younger shooters
• Smooth, unaggressive draw that pulls easily and lets down without a fight - one of the easiest cycles in the value class and forgiving for a new archer
• One bow grows with the shooter - 19 to 31 inches of draw and 20 to 70 pounds, all set on the module and limb bolts with an Allen wrench and no press
• Caged aluminum riser and aluminum limb pockets - metal where budget bows cut cost with plastic, so it tunes and holds together like a more expensive bow
• Ultra-wide quad limbs with top-and-bottom dampeners give a stable platform and a shot that settles quickly for the price

• 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

• At 300 fps IBO it is the slowest-rated bow in the value-adjustable class - plenty for whitetail at sensible ranges, but shooters who want flatter arrow flight for longer shots may want a faster rig
• The short riser and small, slim grip suit smaller and younger hands - a large-handed adult may find the hold a touch cramped, so it is worth drawing one first if you have big hands

• 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