Top Compound Bow Brands: Elite Choices for Archery Enthusiasts

Archery enthusiasts know that selecting the right compound bow is crucial for both novice and experienced archers. With a myriad of brands to choose from, finding one that offers precision, durability, and innovative technology is key. Whether you're considering traditional names or contemplating newer brands, each offers unique features catering to specific needs. Below, we explore some of the top brands renowned for their exceptional compound bows, to aid you in making an informed decision.

Illustration of compound bow

Best brands of compound bow in 2025

Hoyt Archery

Hoyt Archery is one of the leading producers of compound bows, with their products stocked by 65% of the 150 surveyed archery pro shops, indicating a strong market presence. Known for their innovative designs, such as the Carbon Matrix, which took around 10 to 12 years to develop, Hoyt bows are renowned for their durability and performance, with bow limbs capable of withstanding 1000 dry fires and risers enduring 1500 dry fires. The Hoyt Charger is highlighted as a top value bow, offering similar features to higher-end models at a more affordable price point. Hoyt's commitment to quality and innovation has made their bows a favorite among archers, contributing to their significant market share. Their products are widely recognized for their accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness.

Mathews Archery

Mathews Archery is a leading producer of compound bows, renowned for their accuracy, quiet operation, and innovative designs. In a survey of 150 archery pro shops, Mathews bows were stocked by 74% of the participants, highlighting their dominant market presence. The company is committed to in-house production, with all parts and assembly of their bows handled within their facilities, ensuring tight tolerances and consistency. Mathews has maintained its market share over the years, with their bows being popular for both target archery and hunting due to their power and accuracy. Their commitment to quality and passion for archery is reflected in their products and company culture.

PSE Archery

PSE Archery, founded in 1970 by Pete Shepley, is a leading manufacturer of compound bows, known for its innovative engineering and advanced manufacturing techniques. The company was one of the first to produce bow risers and accessories from solid aluminum and holds over 20 industry patents. PSE is stocked by 51% of archery pro shops, making it one of the top five most-stocked bow brands in the industry. With a commitment to research and development, PSE continues to set new standards in bow technology, offering models for every archer at various price points. The company's products, such as the Carbon Air Stealth EC and the Evolve DS 33, are highly regarded for their speed, smooth draw, and accuracy. For more information, visit PSE Archery's models and innovations.

Bowtech Archery

BowTech Archery is a leading manufacturer of innovative compound bows, known for its technical and engineering excellence. Founded in 2000, the company quickly gained prominence with its Black Knight bow, which was touted as the "fastest bow in the world" and led to sales 10 times higher than expected in its first year. BowTech's products, such as the Invasion bow with four patent-pending features, have redefined accuracy and durability in archery. The company prioritizes safety, quality, customer service, and cost efficiency, reflecting its commitment to producing high-efficacy products at various price points. With a strong presence in the market, BowTech is stocked by 63% of surveyed archery pro shops, indicating its significant market share. For more information on their cutting-edge compound bows, visit BowTech Archery's official website.

Elite Archery

Elite Archery is renowned for producing high-quality compound bows, with the brand being stocked by 52% of pro shops across the United States, highlighting its strong market presence. The Elite Era, their first carbon compound bow, boasts impressive specs such as a 31.25-inch axle-to-axle length, 7.25-inch brace height, and an IBO rating of 336 fps, making it a top contender in the market. Elite's commitment to innovation is evident in their S.E.T. technology, which enhances arrow flight accuracy by allowing micro-adjustments to the limb pivot angle and cam lean. The brand's focus on shootability and accuracy has earned it a loyal customer base among archers. With a history of delivering reliable and performance-driven bows, Elite Archery continues to be a leader in the archery industry. Explore the Exalt 35 to see their dedication to excellence first-hand.

Bear Archery

Bear Archery is a highly regarded brand in the archery industry, known for producing high-quality and durable compound bows. According to a survey of 150 archery pro shops, Bear Archery was stocked by 42% of the shops, indicating its significant market presence. The brand, founded by Fred Bear, is trusted by archery enthusiasts of all abilities and is particularly noted for its budget-friendly and flagship models, such as the Persist and Adapt RTH, which offer features like up to 90% let-off and adjustable draw lengths. Bear Archery's commitment to innovation and customer needs has helped it regain its standing after a few challenging years. The brand's products are marked by careful craftsmanship and meet the highest standards. For more information on their products, including Bear Bow Strings, visit their website.

Mission Archery

Mission Archery, a brand under the Mathews umbrella, is renowned for producing high-performance compound bows that offer exceptional accuracy and speed, often comparable to higher-priced models. The Mission Craze, for example, boasts an impressive 306 fps IBO speed, 80% let-off, and a draw weight range of 15-70 lbs, making it highly adjustable and versatile. Mission bows are known for their smooth draw cycles and forgiving designs, such as the Mission Ballistic, which features a 30.5" ATA length and a 7" brace height. These bows are popular among both beginners and experienced archers, contributing to their presence in a significant number of archery pro shops, although they are not as widely stocked as brands like Mathews or Hoyt. Mission Archery's commitment to performance and value has made their bows a favorite among archers. You can find more information on their range of products by visiting their official website.

Prime Archery

Prime Archery is renowned as one of the top producers of compound bows, known for their innovative designs and high-performance features. For instance, their bows often include advanced technologies like the Center Grip riser, which reduces pin float by up to 49 percent, as seen in models like the 2017 Centergy bow. Prime bows are highly stable and consistent, with features such as the Swerve in the riser that enhances lateral weight distribution and reduces riser flex. They are carried by a significant number of pro shops, with brands like Prime being stocked by at least 51% of surveyed archery dealers. The Prime REVEX 2, for example, boasts an axle-to-axle length of 32 inches, a brace height of 6.25 inches, and an IBO speed of 277 fps.

Obsession Bows

Obsession Bows is renowned for producing high-quality compound bows, exemplified by the 2023 Obsession HB33, which boasts a remarkable 348 FPS IBO speed, a 6.5" brace height, and an 80% let-off, all at an affordable price of $599. This brand has managed to maintain the performance of flagship bows while catering to a wider market, including the "working man" price point. The HB33 features a sleek design with the True Timber Kinati finish and is praised for its balanced draw cycle and reliability. Obsession Bows has successfully integrated key features from previous models, like the cam system, into new designs, ensuring top-notch performance. With such innovations, Obsession Bows continues to be a significant player in the compound bow market.

Darton Archery

Darton Archery, with over 70 years of experience in the archery industry, stands as a leader in compound bow technology and innovation. Founded in 1950, the company has evolved from making leather archery accessories to producing cutting-edge compound bows, including the Consequence 2, which boasts speeds of up to 331 FPS and features advanced BBS Dual Sync Cams and a robust forged Aluminum riser. Known for their precision and accuracy, Darton bows are designed for various archery disciplines, including target, 3D competition, and hunting. The company's commitment to quality and performance is evident in their 85% let-off and deep valley designs, as seen in models like the Spectra E. Darton's continuous innovation has made them a trusted choice among archers worldwide.