Buying guides
Our full Best Crossbows for Beginners ranking tests every bow the same way, on the same five criteria. The guides below take that same data and answer narrower questions: which ranked bow fits a budget or a specific use, and which bolts, broadheads, scopes and targets actually work with the bows we test. Pick a situation, an accessory, or a bolt brand below - or read the full reviews and head-to-head comparisons first.
Buying your first bow and not sure where to start? The Crossbow Academy strings the guides below into one ordered path, from picking a bow to a safe first shot.
Picks from our ranking
The same crossbows from our ranking, re-filtered for a specific budget or use case - not new, unscored gear.
- Best crossbow for deer hunting
Which bows in our ranking clear the kinetic-energy threshold for an ethical deer shot, and why speed alone does not decide it.
- Best crossbows under $500
Three ranked bows that fit a sub-$500 budget, compared on what is actually in the box.
Accessory guides
Bolts, broadheads, scopes and targets are not part of our crossbow scoring, so these guides compare real market options by spec rather than by our own score. Start with the buying-order hub if you're outfitting a bow from scratch.
- Crossbow accessories
The buying order for bolts, a broadhead, a target and a scope on a beginner's first accessory budget.
- Best crossbow bolts
How bolt length, material and total weight decide fit, plus which 20-inch carbon arrows work with the bows we test.
- Best crossbow broadheads
Fixed vs mechanical broadheads compared by tip weight and blade diameter, matched to your bow's speed.
- Best crossbow scopes
The bundled 4x32 scope vs standalone upgrades, grouped by magnification, reticle and whether "rangefinding" is a real laser.
- Best crossbow targets
Foam block vs bag targets rated to your bow's fps, and how often beginners should actually expect to replace one.
Bolt guides by brand
Excalibur, Ravin and TenPoint each build around their own bolt length, weight or nock system, so a generic bolt does not always fit. These guides cover the options compatible with each brand.
- Excalibur crossbow bolts
Why Excalibur's recurve bolts run shorter and lighter than the 20-inch, 400-grain compound standard.
- Ravin crossbow bolts
Ravin's .003 vs .001 straightness grades and its own nock system, explained for reorders.
- TenPoint crossbow bolts
TenPoint's Pro Elite, CenterPunch and Wicked Ridge lines - and why they are not automatically interchangeable.
By manufacturer
The same ten crossbows and three bolt-only brands, grouped by maker instead of by score.
- Crossbows by brand
Every crossbow and bolt brand we cover, grouped by manufacturer instead of by score.
- Best Killer Instinct crossbows
The three Killer Instinct crossbows in our beginner ranking, scored and compared - which one to buy, plus how the brand stacks up.
More guides
- Best mini crossbows
Pistol-style mini crossbows compared by draw weight, FPS and real use case - plus why none of them meet most states' big-game minimums.
- Fastest crossbows
All ten crossbows in our comparison, sorted purely by advertised speed - and what the fps number actually changes about your shot.
FAQ
What's the difference between the main ranking and these guides?
The main ranking scores every crossbow we test on the same five criteria. These guides take that same scored lineup and cut it a different way - by budget, by hunting use, or by a specific accessory (bolts, broadheads, scopes, targets) that isn't part of our bow scoring at all.
Are the accessory guides scored the same way as the crossbows?
No. Bolts, broadheads, scopes and targets are not part of our crossbow scoring, so none of those guides carry our own score - they compare real market options by the specs that actually matter (length, weight, fps rating, magnification) and say so up front.
Which guide should I start with?
If you already own a bow from our ranking, start with the crossbow accessories guide for the buying order - bolts first, then a broadhead, a target and a scope. If you're still choosing a bow, the deer-hunting and under-$500 guides filter the same scored lineup to a specific situation.
Do the brand-specific bolt guides apply to any crossbow?
No. Excalibur, Ravin and TenPoint each build around their own bolt length, weight or nock system, so a generic third-party arrow doesn't always fit. Those three guides cover only the bolts compatible with that brand's bows.
How often are these guides updated?
Same policy as the main ranking: a guide's date moves only when we actually re-check prices, specs or availability, not on a fixed schedule.