Shooting a crossbow can be tons of fun. It’ll keep you entertained for the long run. Just remember that finding a good crossbow is going to be much more difficult than you could ever imagine. If you do not buy a decent one, there is a good chance that you’re not going to have any fun whatsoever.
To ensure that your money is well spent, you’ll need to do a little bit of research. You should never rush the decision or you’ll end up hating the end experience. So, what is the best crossbow under $500? Within this guide, you’re going to be provided with tips for making that decision on your own.
Top Crossbow Under $500: A Quick Comparison
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 17:18 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Choosing The Best Crossbow Under $500: Quick Buying Guide
First and foremost, you should find out what is going to make a good crossbow. You’ll also need to figure out how you’re going to be using the crossbow. You will not be able to find a good product for yourself until you find these answers in advance. This is why you should refer to the buying guide below when attempting to make your decision.
FPS
First and foremost, you should take the time to consider the crossbow’s feet per second or FPS rating. This is definitely more important than you could ever imagine. The FPS rating is going to tell you how fast the arrow or bolt is going to travel. A lower rating will make the crossbow slower and weaker. If you want the fastest crossbow, you’ll probably need to spend a little bit more. Nevertheless, you can still get a pretty fast crossbow for under 500.
Purpose
While you’re at it, you should try to figure out what you’re going to be doing with the crossbow. Some people want to kill prey and eat meat. Others are just going to be satisfied shooting at targets. You need to find out what you are after before you can get the best crossbow for your money. If you’re going to be hunting, you’ll probably want to buy the best tactical crossbow. This will give you a little more stealth and help you bring down your targets with ease. Either way, it is pertinent to find out what you’re going to be shooting ahead of time.
Recurve?
If you’re going to be hunting, you’ll need to make sure that your crossbow is going to provide you with a sufficient amount of power. This is why you’ll want to consider buying the best recurve crossbow. This type of crossbow is going to store more energy and it will actually deliver the energy in a more efficient manner. That will make it deadlier in the right hands.
Warranty
Finally, you should think about the warranty. After all, you’re going to be buying a crossbow under 500. There is a real strong possibility that things are going to go wrong with it in the future. You need to make sure that your investment is protected. A long warranty can help put your mind at least. Anything better than 1 year is worth a second look.
1. CenterPoint Sniper Crossbow
There are plenty of good crossbows out there. Nevertheless, you’re looking for the best crossbow under 500 so you want a good bargain. Look no further than the CenterPoint Sniper 370. This one might be inexpensive, but it is going to knock it out of the park in many areas. Despite the affordability, this crossbow offers plenty of reliability and it is very accurate. Additional details about the CenterPoint can be found below.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE 370 FPS - 18-inch axle-to-axle at full draw and 185-pound draw weight
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE STOCK AND FOREGRIP - For a customized fit to shoulder with confidence
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Noise Suppression
A loud noise could easily scare away your prey. This is something that you have to be cautious about. Buying the CenterPoint Sniper 370 can help you avoid this problem. This one is equipped with noise suppression strings. This means that it is going to fire so much quieter.
Colors
Another cool thing about this crossbow is the color selection. With many crossbows, you have one color and that is it. With the CenterPoint Sniper 370, you’ll be able to choose between three different color schemes. You can go with black or two unique camo styles. This might not enhance the crossbow’s performance, but it is still cool to have choices here.
FPS
Finally, you should know that this crossbow is capable of firing at 370 FPS. When taking the price into consideration, you will find that this is very good. It isn’t as fast as some of the more expensive models, but it is amazing for the price that you’re paying.
Overall Assessment
The CenterPoint Sniper 370 Crossbow is definitely a good buy for the price. It is hard to lose with it. Just remember that it does have some minor cons. The longevity might not be great and the power isn’t the best. Nevertheless, this is still one heck of a crossbow for marksmen and hunters.
Pros
- Good draw weight of 185 pounds
- Capable of delivering 370 FPS of speeds
- Three color styles to choose from
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- Limbs may split with repeated use
2. Barnett 78127 Crossbow
Barnett just happens to be one of the leading manufacturers of crossbows. You can pretty much count on the company to deliver great products time and again. Nevertheless, some of their crossbows tend to be far better than others. Where does the Barnett 78128 Crossbow fit into the picture? Well, this is a moderately priced crossbow that is going to satisfy in a few key areas. You’ll learn more about that below.
- BARNETT WHITETAIL HUNTER II CROSSBOW: High-performance compound crossbow in RealTree Extra with complete hunting accessory package. The lightweight crossbow is ultra-compact, shooting 350 feet per second
- EFFICIENT: Crossbow is equipped with an axle-to-axle length of 16.125" overall weight of just 6.4 lbs., creating an easily controllable profile that hunters of all skills and sizes can manage
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Speed
First and foremost, you should know that this crossbow is capable of sending the bolt flying at 350 feet per second. It has a draw weight of 150 pounds and it offers 103 feet pounds of kinetic energy. When you take all of this into consideration, you will find that this crossbow is pretty powerful. It will most likely be able to bring down small to medium prey. Just don’t expect it to outperform the much more expensive alternatives. Still, it is impressive for the price.
Accessories
It is also great that this crossbow comes with many good accessories. For instance, you’re going to receive a 4×32 scope. This will give you the ability to zone in on your target and bring them down from a distance. You’ll also get two arrows, lube wax, a cocking device, and a lightweight quiver. All in all, you’re going to be getting a lot for your money. You really can’t complain about that in the least.
Lightweight
Finally, you should know that this crossbow is very lightweight. In total, it weighs just 6.4 pounds. That is great. It is not going to be cumbersome in the least.
Overall Assessment
Really, the Barnett Whitetail Hunter II 350 FPS Crossbow is a pretty good investment. The FPS could be higher, but that is a minor con when considering the price. It is reliable, easy to use, and fun to shoot. What more could you ask for in a good crossbow?
Pros
- Pretty lightweight
- Comes with a decent scope
- Can deliver a speed of 350 FPS
- Arrives mostly assembled
- Features several safety mechanisms
Cons
- FPS could be higher
3. Barnett 78134 Tactical Crossbow
A lot of people just want an affordable crossbow that will be suitable for target practice. If you fit into this category, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the Barnett Recruit Crossbow. After all, it is very cheap and it will work exceptionally well for target shooting. Just remember that the FPS rating is pretty low. Therefore, this crossbow might not be suitable for hunting unless you’re going to be shooting at smaller animals.
- Triggertech trigger
- Comes mostly assembled
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Safety System
Crossbows can be a little dangerous. Therefore, you need to take steps to protect yourself. The Barnett 78134 is a good option here. This is the case because it features an ADF Trigger System. The Anti-Dry Fire trigger system will reduce the likelihood that the crossbow is going to fire accidentally. In return, you’ll maintain greater peace of mind knowing that everyone around you will be safe.
Little Assembly
Attempting to assemble something you’ve bought can be a real hassle. This is definitely the case with complex products like crossbows. This is yet another perk associated with the Barnett 78134 Crossbow. When you buy this one, it is going to arrive mostly assembled. This will remove the guesswork from the equation and allow you to begin enjoying the crossbow so much sooner.
Lightweight
It is true that the Barnett Recruit Tactical Crossbow is very lightweight. It features a lightweight composite stock. It weighs roughly 6.5 pounds. You’re not going to have any trouble whatsoever moving this crossbow from location to location. It will be easier than you could ever imagine.
Overall Assessment
The Barnett Recruit Tactical Crossbow is pretty amazing really. It is affordable, reliable and pretty accurate. Again, it might not be suitable for big prey hunting. Otherwise, you’re going to have a whole lot of fun with this product.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Fires at 330 FPS
- Draw weight of 130 pounds
- Comes with a scope and cocking device
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- May not be suitable for big prey
4. Carbon Express Xbow Crossbow
How would you like to buy an affordable crossbow that won’t leave you disappointed? If the answer is yes, you’re going to want to check out the Carbon Express X-Force Piledriver. It is definitely one of the most affordable crossbows out there. Nevertheless, it is going to satisfy in almost all categories. It is lightweight, easy to use, and surprisingly powerful. More details about its specifications can be found below.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE, POWER AND ACCURACY
- LIGHTWEIGHT - The X-Force Piledriver 390 is 5% lighter than competitive bows with similar price points
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Lightweight
First and foremost, you should know that the X-Force Crossbow is roughly 5% lighter than many competitive bows. This will make a big difference when you’re out in the field. You’ll be able to rush from one location to the next without getting bogged down. That will make you a far more efficient hunter or marksman.
What Is Included?
Another great thing about the X-Force Crossbow is that you’re going to receive a lot of accessories. For instance, you’ll get a 3 arrow quiver, adjustable foregrip, and a quiet crank cocking wrench. You’ll also get 3 cross bolts, a scope and rail lubricant. This really enhances the overall value of the package since you won’t have to worry about buying anything else in the near future.
FPS
For the price, you would expect this crossbow to be slow and weak. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, it is capable of sending the bolt flying at 390 FPS. That is far better than what you’ll get with some alternatives at similar prices. This makes the X-Force Crossbow slightly more powerful despite the low price.
Overall Assessment
The Carbon Express X-Force Piledriver is an amazing bargain. It works great and it won’t empty your wallet. Just remember that you’re probably going to struggle with the assembly. Nevertheless, this crossbow is worth your time and energy.
Pros
- Protected by a good warranty
- Delivers 390 FPS
- Won’t break the bank
- Comes with plenty of accessories
Cons
- Assembly can be a little difficult
5. Barnett Outdoors BCR Recurve Crossbow
Finding the best crossbow under 500 can be tough. Finding the most affordable crossbow is not. This is where the Barnett BCR Recurve Crossbow enters the picture. This is one of the most affordable crossbows on the market and it is still going to deliver a good performance. It has a draw weight of 150 pounds and it comes with a premium red dot scope. This means that you’re really going to be getting a whole lot for your money. Additional details about this crossbow will be provided below.
- Draw weight: 150 lbs
- Premium Red dot scope
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Noise And Vibration
Some crossbows are too loud. This can be problematic when you intend to hunt. Thankfully, the Barnett BCR Recurve Crossbow is not. This one features a unique Anti Vibration Isolation System. This is going to reduce the noise and vibration by as much as 30%. This will ensure that you’re able to fire off your shot without being heard.
Anti Dry Fire Trigger
Another great thing about this crossbow is the anti-dry fire trigger. You just never know when you’re going to pull the trigger. You might do it when attempting to insert the bolt. That could be very dangerous. This is why you’ll want to buy this crossbow. The Anti-Dry Fire Trigger ensures that the trigger will not be fired until the bolt is firmly in place.
Very Lightweight
Finally, you’ll be happy to find out that this crossbow is very lightweight. It weighs 4.5 pounds in total. Even if you’re small and older, you’re not going to have too much difficulty carrying this one around.
Overall Assessment
This crossbow is going to fire at roughly 240 FPS. Therefore, it might not be good for hunting. Still, it is fun to use and fairly powerful. It is a good choice for target shooters.
Pros
- Less noise and vibration
- Safety mechanisms keep everyone safe
- Very lightweight for easier use
- Fairly powerful for the price
Cons
- Not great for all purposes