Finding the best crossbow for the money is a difficult task because of the numerous options in the market, and it could be more daunting for amateur hunters with a little outdoor experience.
For those who don’t know, Crossbow is a popular tool used in shooting sports, most especially deer hunting.
In historic times, crossbow played a major role in the warfare of East Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. It consists of a bow mounted on a stick and a trigger that allows you to shoot an arrow while aiming at your target.
We understand there is already a ton of articles on this topic. However, we are confident in our research and we hope our article helps you in deciding the best crossbow for the money. These are the main factors that influenced our decision to rank a crossbow above the other : ▪Archers reviews Crossbows with the highest positive reviews from archers (People who actually bought & used them at some point) is a huge signal and a deciding factor. ▪Crossbow specifications & features ▪Brand reputation We considered the best products from brands that have been in the game for years & won the heart of many archers. This is an indication that they understand the market and know what archers really need in a crossbow. If you want to learn more about other accessories like bow sights, Outeroptics is a great place to learn more. For crossbow lovers, the Matrix line from Excalibur is quite prominent. Being a re-curve crossbow, Excalibur Matrix 380 is very simple and easy to maintain (just loosen the lugs to change the string). As for the performance, the Matrix 380 happens to be a quiet and fast one. The sound of the Matrix 380 is minimal for how much energy is stored in the limbs. And we also like its compact size, blazing fast speed (deadly performance at 50-60yards) and the Anti-Dry fire feature. Though the crossbow has a draw weight of 260 pounds this is reduced by 50% because of the rope cocker that comes with the Matrix package. Most individuals will be able to draw this bow unless you are shorter (5’6″ or less) or if you have a physical ailment (i.e. terrible back, bad elbow, etc.). Besides its price tag, you get what you pay for and with the Matrix. The Barnett Ghost 410 is no doubt a game changer in velocity and accuracy. It is lighter and faster than its predecessor, the Ghost 400. It features Barnett’s proprietary Carbonlite Riser Technology (CRT), which shifts the balance point away from the riser and back to the shoulder of the shooter, and Barnett’s ultra-light, super-strong Carbonlite riser, which provides the perfect balance of weight and speed. Another great feature we love about Barnett Ghost 410 is its lightweight single-handed design. Weighing in at just 7.3 pounds and only 20″ axle to axle, it is very easy to hold with a single hand and still feels quiet and safe to release. At its top velocity 410fps, you can get an accurate shot out to 100 yards. For anyone who would like to start hunting with an advanced crossbow, the Wicked Ridge by TenPoint Invader G3 is an ideal choice. Being a Winner of Outdoor Life Great Buy Award, this wicked ridge satisfies both your budget and shooting performance. The self-retracting rope-cocking system reduces the draw weight by 50%, making it super convenient to cock. Also, the trigger is nice and crisp and seems like just the right amount of pull. The crossbow works really good at its designed velocity 330FPS, which can get you safe and accurate shot at 20yards+. It is light, compact, and very easy in a tree stand. The Invader G3 Crossbow is also pretty handy to assemble and sight. Awesome crossbow we would recommend for the money. The Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow has a quad limb powerhouse, which is designed to deliver the bolt to the target with devastating accuracy and speed. It also features like the high-density gas assist composite stock (a first in the industry). Our experience with it? Plenty of power, nice balance, comfortable to shoot, tack driving accuracy. There’s a special trick to get an accurate shot with it: use a ruler to find the center of the bowstring, then mark it with permanent marker, This way you can make sure string is centered for every shot. Once sighted-in, it shoots very accurately at 30 yards. A high-performance choice with a tight budget! The Empire Beowulf crossbow features a lightweight synthetic stock and barrel, combined with an ultra-compact riser assembly. This crossbow shoots at speeds up to a blazing 360 FPS, powerful and fast enough to pierce the target at 50yards. For less than $400, the crossbow arrives with impressive quality, material, and workmanship. At less than $300, the CenterPoint Sniper 370 is a winner in performance. It comes with a precision CNC-machined cam system which delivers mind-blowing speeds up to 370 FPS. The Sniper is easily maneuverable thanks to the lightweight and durable CNC material. We also recommend the quiet anti-dry fire and auto-safety trigger, which prevents ill-intentioned shots. Besides the CenterPoint Sniper 370 features a great illuminated scope, with blistering speed and dead on reproducible accuracy. This can be used as a youth bow and transitioned to adult in one quick release motion. We made several comfortable shots at 50-60 yards, this choice worth every penny. If you are looking for a professional crossbow for women and small-framed hunters, the Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow won’t be a disappointment. It is lightweight with an adjustable buttstock, pretty easy to handle and gives the shooter the option to keep the bow as they grow and easily make any adjustments needed. Complete with Quiver, the Recruit Compound Crossbow shoots at 300FPS steadily to take down your target at 30-50yards. It is also super easy to assemble, you can hunt with it out of the box as long as you got broadheads. As a first or entry-level crossbow, The Barnett Jackal Crossbow is great. It is easy to use, safe and reliable. And the weight and power of this bow still make a devastating weapon for any hunter, all you need to have a good target and backstop. The crossbow is also easy to sight in and assemble (easier than many compound bows). Topping the list of entry-level, the Barnett Jackal Crossbow is a good purchase although some would criticize its red dot scope. Well, the red dot scope is fine for backyard target practice, but yes not effective for hunting. We would recommend you to replace it as the first upgrade to pro-level. The Fever Crossbow Package 543 by SA Sports is a simple good choice for a starter. It is well balanced, with an attached quiver you feel no vibration at firing. The bow draws smoothly, and locks into the trigger assembly with a nice strong “click”, engaging the safety immediately, a feature that we really like. Some may question the 240FPS crossbow about the effective distance. We can tell you that it is not a toy. When assembled properly, it does exactly what it’s designed to do: it would take down a deer, with the right heads, with no effort at 20-30 yards. For 50-60 yards, a $500 crossbow would be a better choice. The Fever Crossbow Package 543 is a good starter crossbow for the money. The Inferno Fury Crossbow is designed for crossbow veterans seeking a lightweight alternative to larger outfits, and also for first-time crossbow hunters seeking an affordable fully equipped package. The ultra-light recurve crossbow is built of sturdy material that you can expect to last for years. It provides 175 pounds of draw weight for 235FTP velocity, yet easier to cock than more expensive and powerful recurve bows. You can carry it around, hold in an aim, and repeatedly shoot without tiring out very fast. I’m sure you noticed that good crossbows don’t come cheap and so, it is very important to get it right when splashing the cash. Money is hard to earn and it is important to spend it wisely and judiciously. Here some tips that will guide you when buying a crossbow. I hope you find them useful A lot of newbies and experts have continuously asked questions like : “What is the best crossbow 2020 for deer hunting” OR “Where can I get the fastest crossbow on the market?” And the truth is, the answer is relative. Why? Because what works from Mr. A may not work for Mr. B. Mr. B may not have the same technical discipline as Mr. A and so their experience with particular equipment may be different. It all boils down to technical discipline.
How We Ranked Each Crossbow
Best Crossbow Review 2020
Crossbow Velocity Draw Weight Bow Weight Budget Excalibur Matrix 380
(Professionals Choice)
380FPS 260lbs 12lbs Check Price Barnett Ghost 410 CRT 
410FPS 185lbs 7.3lbs Check Price Wicked Ridge by TenPoint
(Editor's Choice)
330FPS 165lbs 6.6lbs Check Price Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow 
345FPS 150lbs 9lbs Check Price Empire Beowulf Crossbow 
360FPS 175lbs 6.5lbs Check Price CenterPoint Sniper 370 
370FPS 185lbs 6.7lbs Check Price Barnett Recruit
(Beginners Friendly)
300FPS 130lbs 6lbs Check Price Barnett Jackal Crossbow 
315FPS 150lbs 7.7lbs Check Price Fever Crossbow Package 543 
240FPS 175lbs 4.85lbs Check Price Inferno Fury Crossbow
(Under $200)
235FPS 175lbs 4,84lbs Check Price Editor’s Quick Guide
1. Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Package – Best Pro-Level
2. Barnett Ghost 410 CRT – Best Crossbow For The Money
3. Wicked Ridge by TenPoint Invader G3 Crossbow – Compact and Lightweight
4. Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow – Fastest and Affordable
5. 306119 SA Sports Empire Beowulf Crossbow – Best Price-Performance
6. CenterPoint Sniper 370 – Best Under $300
7. Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow Package – Best Crossbow for Women and Youth
8. Barnett Jackal Crossbow – Best Entry-Level
9. Fever Crossbow Package 543 – Crazy Price
10. Arrow Precision Inferno Fury Crossbow Kit – Best Under $200
How To Pick The Best Crossbow
Why Some Crossbows May Not Be The Best For You