Independent · sourced · Updated July 2026

Best Compound Bows (2026)

The best overall compound bow is PSE Sicario ($1999). The best value compound bow is Bear Redeem ($1299.99). The cheapest is Bear Redeem at $1299.99. 8 compound bows compared from $1299.99 to $1999 across 8 brands — every figure sourced, updated July 2026.

8 compound bows compared on the specs that matter and US price — ranked cheapest-first. Every spec and price links to its source and the date we captured it.

Our data Our pay-blind pick across the 8 compound bows we ranked is PSE Sicario — the Platinum-tier leader on specs-per-dollar, never price or placement. Category Champions, as of July 2026.

Which compound bow should you buy?

Three buyer-intent picks from the algorithmic ranking below — no paid placement.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified 2026-07-11; live price may differ.

Key takeaways

  • Lowest price: Bear Redeem at $1299.99 (US MSRP $1,299.99 stated verbatim on the official Bear Archery product page (bare bow, premium Legend Series, SKU AV6KA80026R; all color/hand/draw-weight variants listed at $1,299.99). Corroborated at "$1,299.99 USD" on the Arrows Unlimited retailer page for the same 2026 Bear Redeem.).
  • Typical price: from $1299.99, median $1569, up to $1999 — across 7 priced.
  • Tracked: 8 products across 8 brands, current through 2026-07-11.
  • Compared on: Ibo speed (fps), Axle to axle length (in), Brace height (in), Draw weight range (lb), Draw length range (in), Let off percent.

Best by the numbers

Objective winners — each is the leader on one measured spec, with the figure. No subjective ranking.

Top 3 by quality

An algorithmic overall ranking from the data on this page — value for money, spec strength, and recency. 100% data-driven, no paid placement.

  1. PSE Sicario PSE Sicario Quality score 95/100 Best value
  2. Bear Redeem Bear Redeem Quality score 83/100 Newest
  3. Bowtech Alliance Bowtech Alliance Quality score 71/100 Newest

How we rank: Value 45% · Spec strength 35% · Recency 20%. Scores are computed only within this category from published specs and prices — never influenced by commissions or placement. Method & open data →

What to look for

How to read the comparison — what each key spec means and the range across these compound bows.

  • Ibo speed (fps) — higher is better (this group: 320 to 357).
  • Draw weight range (lb) — higher is better.
  • Draw length range (in) — higher is better.

Comparison

US price = launch MSRP for the base configuration. Sourced per row.
#Compound BowPriceIbo speed (fps)Axle to axle length (in)Brace height (in)Draw weight range (lb)Draw length range (in)Let off percentSource
1 Bear Redeem Bear Redeem $1299.99 340306.2555-7025-3085 beararchery.com
2 Elite Varos Elite Varos $1299.99 338326.62540-7525.5-3190 elitearchery.com
3 Bowtech Alliance Bowtech Alliance $1499 33830.56.4360-7526-3185 bowtecharchery.com
4 Mathews ARC 34 Mathews ARC 34 1 review $1569 343346.555-8026.5-3285 mathewsinc.com
5 Prime Divide 33 Prime Divide 33 $1595 3393340-8083 g5prime.com
6 Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 $1599 34040-8026-31 hoyt.com
7 PSE Sicario PSE Sicario $1999 357335.2550-8024.5-3085 psearchery.com
8 Diamond Edge 320 Diamond Edge 320 320327.257-7015-3185 bowaddicted.com

Specs are as published by the manufacturer (or a reputable spec source where the official page was unavailable); prices are US launch MSRP. Full per-product records and all spec columns are in our open dataset.

Popular comparisons

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest compound bow?

Bear Redeem is the cheapest at $1299.99 (US MSRP $1,299.99 stated verbatim on the official Bear Archery product page (bare bow, premium Legend Series, SKU AV6KA80026R; all color/hand/draw-weight variants listed at $1,299.99). Corroborated at "$1,299.99 USD" on the Arrows Unlimited retailer page for the same 2026 Bear Redeem.), as of 2026-07-11.

How much does compound bows cost?

Across the 7 compound bows with a published price, the median is $1569, ranging from $1299.99 to $1999, as of 2026-07-11.

Which compound bow is best by the numbers?

Lowest price: Elite Varos ($1299.99). Newest: Mathews ARC 34 (2026). Highest iboSpeedFps: PSE Sicario (357 iboSpeedFps).

How many compound bows are compared here?

8 compound bows across 8 brands, with US price and key specs, current through 2026-07-11.

What is the best overall compound bow?

PSE Sicario ($1999) — Highest overall score (95/100) — the strongest balance of specs, value and recency in this group.

What is the best value compound bow?

Bear Redeem ($1299.99) — Most specification per dollar of any compound bows here at $1299.99.

What is the most capable compound bow?

Prime Divide 33 ($1595) — Leads this group on the measured specs — a premium pick at $1595.

All hardware categories →

How we compiled this

Covers modern cam-and-pulley compound hunting and target bows (bare bow, riser + limbs + cams + strings) sold at a published US MSRP. Excludes recurves, longbows, crossbows, and ready-to-hunt accessory packages priced with sights/rests/quivers bundled (price reflects the bare-bow MSRP, USD). iboSpeedFps is the manufacturer-published IBO/ATA arrow speed rating in feet per second (measured at 70 lb peak, 30 in draw, 350 gr arrow per the standard). axleToAxleLengthIn is axle-to-axle length in inches. braceHeightIn is brace height (string-to-grip throat) in inches. drawWeightRangeLbs is the peak draw-weight adjustment range in pounds, written as a low-high string (e.g. "55-70"). drawLengthRangeIn is the draw-length adjustment range in inches, written as a low-high string (e.g. "25-31.5"). letOffPercent is the manufacturer-stated let-off percentage; where multiple let-off settings are offered, the maximum is used. massWeightLbs is the bare-bow physical mass weight in pounds. camSystem is an enum of the cam configuration: single-cam, hybrid-cam, binary-cam, or dual-cam. riserMaterial is an enum: aluminum or carbon. handOrientation is an enum of available hand orientations: right, left, or both.

Last verified 2026-07-11. We re-check published specs and prices on a recurring cadence and update this page when they change.

Open data & methodology → · Queryable via MCP

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