Mathews
Mathews ARC 34
$1569Cheaper
Released 2026
Best Compound Bows · head-to-head
Mathews ARC 34 vs Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Mathews ARC 34 is cheaper at $1569. Every spec and price links to its source.
Hoyt
Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33
$1599
Released 2026
Which is better: the Mathews ARC 34 or Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33?
The Mathews ARC 34 wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Mathews ARC 34 is the cheaper at $1569. The Mathews ARC 34 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
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 | Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1569 | $1599 |
| Brand | Mathews | Hoyt |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Ibo speed (fps) | 343 | 340 |
| Axle to axle length (in) | 34 | — |
| Brace height (in) | 6.5 | — |
| Draw weight range (lb) | 55-80 | 40-80 |
| Draw length range (in) | 26.5-32 | 26-31 |
| Let off percent | 85 | — |
| Mass weight (lb) | 4.3 | 4.75 |
| Cam system | — | — |
| Riser material | — | aluminum |
| Hand orientation | — | — |
Sources — Mathews ARC 34: mathewsinc.com (verified 2026-07-11). Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33: hoyt.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Mathews ARC 34 and Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Ibo speed (fps): Mathews ARC 34 343 vs Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 340
- Draw weight range (lb): Mathews ARC 34 55-80 vs Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 40-80
- Draw length range (in): Mathews ARC 34 26.5-32 vs Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 26-31
- Mass weight (lb): Mathews ARC 34 4.3 vs Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33 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.
Hoyt Alpha AX-3 33
No sourced tester review yet.