Mathews
Mathews ARC 34
$1569
Released 2026
Best Compound Bows · head-to-head
Mathews ARC 34 vs Elite Varos
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Elite Varos is cheaper at $1299.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Elite Archery
Elite Varos
$1299.99Cheaper
Released 2026
Which is better: the Mathews ARC 34 or Elite Varos?
The Mathews ARC 34 wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Elite Varos is the cheaper at $1299.99. Get the Mathews ARC 34 for the stronger spec sheet, the Elite Varos to spend less.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Mathews ARC 34 | Elite Varos |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1569 | $1299.99 |
| Brand | Mathews | Elite Archery |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Ibo speed (fps) | 343 | 338 |
| Axle to axle length (in) | 34 | 32 |
| Brace height (in) | 6.5 | 6.625 |
| Draw weight range (lb) | 55-80 | 40-75 |
| Draw length range (in) | 26.5-32 | 25.5-31 |
| Let off percent | 85 | 90 |
| Mass weight (lb) | 4.3 | 4.75 |
| Cam system | — | — |
| Riser material | — | — |
| Hand orientation | — | both |
Sources — Mathews ARC 34: mathewsinc.com (verified 2026-07-11). Elite Varos: elitearchery.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Mathews ARC 34 and Elite Varos?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Ibo speed (fps): Mathews ARC 34 343 vs Elite Varos 338
- Axle to axle length (in): Mathews ARC 34 34 vs Elite Varos 32
- Brace height (in): Mathews ARC 34 6.5 vs Elite Varos 6.625
- Draw weight range (lb): Mathews ARC 34 55-80 vs Elite Varos 40-75
- Draw length range (in): Mathews ARC 34 26.5-32 vs Elite Varos 25.5-31
- Let off percent: Mathews ARC 34 85 vs Elite Varos 90
- Mass weight (lb): Mathews ARC 34 4.3 vs Elite Varos 4.75
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Mathews ARC 34
Only one whitelisted tester, Outdoor Life, ran a hands-on test of the exact Mathews ARC 34 — a three-shooter, three-day shoot-off of seven flagship bows (405 accuracy arrows). It praised the ARC 34's unanimously-best draw cycle and rock-steady aiming (a top-three finisher on accuracy at 3.56 in), but flagged a short valley that demands constant pressure on the stops and the stock Engage grip's lack of repeatability. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Unanimous best draw cycle: even, effortless pull, especially with Z-Mods; Rock-steady aiming and excellent accuracy (top-three in test); Very light for its 34-inch length at 4.3 lb.
Flagged: Short valley/back wall demands constant pressure on the stops to avoid collapse; Stock Engage grip is comfortable but doesn't aid repeatability.
Elite Varos
No sourced tester review yet.