This year’s crossbow test has a winner, but there certainly are no losers. Every crossbow I tested shot a sub-3-inch group average at 50 yards. They were all easy to cock, can be de-cocked, and have plenty of speed. The key to choosing a crossbow among this stellar group is your budget and your must-have features.
If you have unlimited budget and want a fast and compact crossbow, the TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5 is the way to go. If you prioritize accuracy, the Ravin R10X Pro is a hammer. If you want a bombproof crossbow that you can maintain yourself and even take apart for storage, the Excalibur Rev X TD is your bow. If you want an all-around great bow for about $1,200, add the Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex to your cart. If you’re on a budget, the TenPoint Titan X is shockingly accurate and costs less than $1,000.
That’s about all you need to know to narrow down this year’s new crossbows to the one that’s right for you. If you want to nerd out, here are the test results and details you won’t find elsewhere.
The Best Crossbows of 2026
More Crossbow Reviews
Test Protocol
Crossbow Test
Best Crossbows Compared
More Specs
| Crossbow | Trigger Reach | Length of Pull | Width | Overall Length |
| Tenpoint TX Ultra 29.5 | 2.7″ | 13.25″ | 14.5″ | 31.25″ |
| Excalibur Rev X TD | 2.7″ | 16.25″ | 25.62″ | 34″ |
| Ravin R10X Pro | 2″ | 12.62″ | 13.62″ | 32.62″ |
| Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex | 3.5″ | 14″ | 16.25″ | 32.75″ |
| Tenpoint Titan X | 3.2″ | 14″ | 16″ | 34.75″ |
The Best Crossbows of 2026
Ravin R10X Pro
Get It From Bass Pro Shops
Get It From Lancaster Archery Supply
The R10 was released in 2021 and remains a staple in Ravin’s lineup. We tested it in 2024, and it shot a 1.9-inch group average at 50 yards. The new R10X Pro adds a full-length scope rail for increased rigidity and has an adjustable length of pull and comb. It’s hard to imagine improving on a 1.9-inch group, but the new bow shot even tighter with a 1.6-inch average.
Ravin offers a R10 Pro and R10X Pro. Both have the new top rail, and the R10 Pro shot a 1.3-inch group average with a Robinhood in one of the groups. So both are exceptionally accurate. The biggest difference between the two is the cocking mechanism. The R10X Pro has a silent crank, and the R10 Pro clicks as you crank the string. The R10 Pro also doesn’t have the adjustable length of pull and comb.
There’s a $400 price jump between the R10 Pro and R10X Pro. If you really need to have the silent cranking, go with the R10X Pro, otherwise the R10 Pro is the better buy. I’d like to see Ravin do away with the two variations and give us the R10X features at the R10 price. Especially considering there are less expensive crossbows out there with silent cocking.
The R10X Pro is easy to cock, load, and decock. It requires very little effort overall, and the whole operation would be easy to do in a treestand. When you combine that with good ergonomics, incredible accuracy, and a more approachable price than the ultra-premium options, you have the makings of an editor’s choice winner.
TenPoint Titan X Decock
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Get It From Bass Pro Shops
The Tenpoint Viper X does everything you’d want a hunting crossbow to do at a fraction of the price of its competition. It’s the least expensive crossbow I tested this year, and it also shot the smallest group average (1.43 inches), despite it having a very heavy trigger at 4.4 pounds.
The Viper X is easy to cock and load, but the process is slower because it uses a retractable sled. The cocking effort is minimal and smooth. Decocking is also a simple operation, and you’ll never have to carry a bag target in your truck bed again.
The trigger reach is pretty long, it measures 3.2 inches compared to the Ravin R10 Pro at 2 inches. I wear an XL glove, and the trigger reach just fits me, so this wouldn’t be the best option for a youth hunter with a small hand. One workaround is to float your thumb instead of wrapping it around the pistol grip.
Overall, this is an affordable crossbow that’s accurate and is easy to load and unload. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex
Get It From Midway USA
Get It From Lancaster Archery Supply
The Barnett Raptor Trex is an impressive crossbow, and it’s worth serious consideration if you want premium features at an affordable price.
It shot a 2.75-inch group average, which is respectable and plenty accurate. It uses microdiameter arrows that lightly click onto the string. It’s a railless design and, like all the crossbows I tested, was easy to cock and decock. Its cocking mechanism is like what you’d find on more expensive options, with a couple cool features. If you’re holding the crossbow level on a tripod or shooting rail, most crossbows require you to manually guide the firing mechanism until it clicks onto the string, but the Raptor T-Rex extends out on its own. Its crank handle clicks onto the stock with a magnet, making it easy to connect in the dark or with cold hands. Another unique feature is the fore-end of this crossbow has a fold-out vertical grip. The Barnett has a great trigger, but it has a long trigger reach at 3.5 inches. Most people will want to shoo this crossbow with a floating thumb technique.
Overall, it’s a great option in this price range, especially if you like the idea of shooting micro-diameter arrows.
TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5
Get It From Bass Pro Shops
Get It From Midway USA
This is a compact crossbow that’s very fast for its size. It shoots a 440-grain arrow at 440 fps. It’s easy to cock, and it shoots really well off-hand or supported. In my accuracy testing, it shot a 2.5-inch group average at 50 yards. This is the crossbow for someone who prioritizes a compact crossbow with good performance. Its closest competition is the Ravin R470, which is also a good option, but I’d go with TX Ultra 29.5. One thing I really like about the Ultra 29.5 is the recoil is minimal. When I shoot it the reticle returns right to the spot I was shooting at, which helps you spot your hits.
You can read my full review of this crossbow here.
Excalibur Rev X TD
Get It From Lancaster Archery Supply
Crossbows take up a lot of space because they aren’t flat objects like a compound bow or a rifle. The Rev X TD solves that issue. The bow pops off the stock in seconds and without any tools and it goes back together just as quickly. So your crossbow will take up less space in storage, and it’s much easier to travel with it. I tested to see if taking the bow down affected zero and it shot the same spot before and after the take-down.
Aside from the take-down feature, the Rev X TD has all the things you like about a recurve. It’s easy to service yourself, is rugged, and it’s accurate. The cocking mechanism works great, and makes the Rev X TD a joy to shoot before the season rolls around. While accuracy testing I had issues getting the string to click onto the firing mechanism. I called Excalibur’s customer service and quickly got a real human on the phone. They were very helpful in assisting me with what turned out to be user error, but it’s great to know Excalibur has good customer service.
Compound crossbows are going to be faster and more compact, but this recurve crossbow has a lot going for it, and it’s worth consideration if you’re serious about crossbow hunting.
More Crossbows from Previous Years
TenPoint Turbo X
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Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Pros
- Well balanced
- Easy to cock and de-cock
- Good ergonomics
Cons
- Not compact
- Not very fast
Key Features
-
Length:
33.25 inches -
Width Uncocked:
13 inches -
Weight:
6.8 pounds -
Price:
$1,350
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
1.23 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
2 pounds -
Speed:
415 fps (410-grain arrow)
The TenPoint Turbo X was the most accurate crossbow we tested this last year. It was also $870 cheaper than the second most accurate crossbow in 2025 and $1,200 less than the fastest crossbow. It was one of the easiest to cock and decock and it shot very well in all field positions. When you add up those factors and our score sheets, we couldn’t deny the Turbo X as the 2025 editor’s choice winner. In 2026, this is still a great crossbow and worth considering alongside the Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex.
Turbo X shot a 1.23-inch group average out of four, three-shot groups at 50 yards. While the bench shooting was impressive, the crossbow was far from done showing off. Derek Horner, OL’s engagement editor, shot the crossbow off-hand extensively and printed several 3-inch groups at 50. He also stretched it out to 85 yards off-hand, and his group was under 8 inches.
Over the years of testing crossbows, I’ve learned that some are sensitive to shooter input. For example, if you pull the stock tightly into your shoulder on one shot and use a relaxed grip on the next, the arrows hit in different places. The Turbo X maintained the same point of impact for two shooters on the bench, offhand, and off a tripod.
What about broadheads? We tested that too. At 40 yards, a G5 DeadMeat hit perfectly with the field point. A Muzzy Trocar Crossbow Broadhead, hit about 3-inches low. We also shot a TenPoint Evo-X as well, and it landed more than 8 inches from the field point’s impact point. We were hoping the Turbo X would shoot any fixed blade given its relatively low speed and high-accuracy potential. But if you’re planning on shooting fixed heads, we recommend trying a few different designs to see what flies best.
The Turbo X uses TenPoint’s ACUslide cocking mechanism, it’s also used on the $2,650 Flatline 460. It’s a very easy system to use. You can go from unloaded to ready to fire in under 30 seconds. We think the cocking effort is low enough that a young hunter can crank it back on their own.
The Turbo X isn’t the fastest crossbow by any means. We chronographed it at 415 fps with a 400-grain arrow and measured its drop from 20 to 40 yards at 6.5 inches. So while it’s about 100 fps slower than the TenPoint TRX 515, it will still give you plenty of forgiveness in range estimation. One benefit of a slower crossbow is that the strings don’t wear out as quickly as their higher fps counterparts.
The main disadvantage of the Turbo X is that it’s a long crossbow. It won’t be easy to maneuver in a ground blind or through thick brush. Another con is the scope rail isn’t made of metal like we see on more expensive crossbows.
Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock
Buy From Lancaster Archery Supply
Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Pros
- Easy cocking
- Light
- Comfortable ergonomics
Key Features
-
Length:
32 inches -
Width Uncocked:
14 inches -
Weight:
5.8 pounds -
Price:
$900
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
2.22 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
4.18 lbs -
Speed:
375 fps (410-grain arrow)
Throughout our many crossbow tests, we’ve reviewed a bunch of crossbows under $1,000 and usually the main differentiator is their ease of loading and build quality. This year was no different. The top two budget crossbows, the Barnett XP405 and the Wicked Ridge Invader M1, were equally accurate but the Invader M1 was far easier to cock due to its integrated cocking mechanism. The version of the Invader M1 we tested also has the new de-cock feature.
Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock Crossbow: De-Cock the Acu-Draw!
The Invader M1 De-Cock has TenPoint’s ACUdraw De-Cock built into it. It uses a sled, which is stored neatly on the butt stock, to hook onto the string. The cocking handle, stored alongside the forend, inserts into the stock and winds the string back. The bow’s draw weight is 190 pounds, but the force required to turn the handle is only 5 pounds. It was one of the easiest crossbows we tested in terms of cocking effort. Other than the safety clicking on, the whole operation is silent and can be done in a treestand with little movement. De-cocking the crossbow is just as easy and silent.
The Invader M1 De-Cock is an all-around great bow for the money. If you’re interested in picking one up though, you’ll have to navigate three variations of the Invader M1. The Invader M1 De-Cock with the ACUdraw 50 Sled De-Cock costs $700, but it’s a manual cocking crossbow. The mechanism is still integrated into the crossbow, but rather than cranking the string back you’ll pull it back with the two attached handles. You’ll also manually let the string down. The ACUdraw Crank De-Cock is the version we tested, which costs $900 and has the crank to pull the string back or forward. The standard Invader M1 costs $750 and is the same crossbow we tested minus the de-cocking feature.
Excalibur Hybrid X
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Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Pros
- Excellent trigger
- Easy to maintain without special equipment
- Good build quality
Key Features
-
Length:
29.6 inches -
Width Uncocked:
18.75 inches -
Weight:
8.3 pounds -
Price:
$2,200
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
1.89 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
1.65 pounds -
Speed:
427 fps
The Excalibur Hybrid X finished second in our accuracy testing with a 1.89-inch average. It also had the lightest trigger we tested by almost a half pound. But, what makes this crossbow unique is its innovative design — it’s a hybrid compound and recurve crossbow. That gives the Hybrid X the speed of a compound crossbow and the easy maintenance of a recurve.
How to change the string & cables on the Hybrid X crossbow
Whether your crossbow string wears out or it somehow gets damaged, you can change the string on the Hybrid X without a bow press. All you need is the Hybrid X Stringing Aid, which costs $40. Crossbow hunters who have had their bow go down in the field know how useful this feature really is.
The Hybrid X requires 12 pounds of cocking effort, but it feels less than that because the cocking mechanism is so smooth. Everything about getting the Hybrid X loaded is easy: from the smart cocking handle storage to the speed to the low effort cranking. The one quirk is that when the mechanism locks onto the string you have to manually put the safety on.
The Hybrid X’s balance point is farther back, which can make it a little tricky to get seated in a tripod saddle. However, it shot well off hand and kneeling and it can make precision shots in any field position.
Ravin 470
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Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Pros
- Compact
- Great trigger
- Well built
Cons
- Uncomfortable cocking handle
- Awkward safety position
Key Features
-
Length:
26.75 inches -
Width Uncocked:
12.5 inches (cam to cam), 8-inches axle to axle -
Weight:
8.4 lbs -
Price:
$2,550
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
2.37 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
1.78 lbs -
Speed:
475 fps (400-grain arrow)
The Ravin R470 is an exceptionally compact bow at 26.75-inches long and 12.5-inches wide. Those dimensions will make it easy to carry through the woods and use in tight spaces like a blind. Usually crossbows that are compact aren’t very fast due to their short power stroke, but this one is cooks at 475 fps. That’s due to Ravin’s HexCoil cams which rotate 300 degrees and can generate a lot more speed per inch of draw length and pound of draw weight.
Its accuracy was good at a 2.375-inch group average at 50 yards. But not as good as some of the slower bows, which is not unusual based on our testing. It’s still going to be plenty accurate for normal archery hunting distances.
The R470 uses a screw drive cocking mechanism (VersaDrive), which uses threaded rods to move the cocking mechanism forward and back. It’s a very simple operation, but it does require 17 pounds of cocking effort. That’s more than 3x the Turbo X’s cocking effort. The R470 is at the top-tier of crossbows in terms of price and it has the build quality to match. You’ll find a lot of aluminum instead of plastic in the construction. But it does have some ergonomic cons. The cocking handle is uncomfortable to use and feels cheaply made. The kicker on the cocking handle is that replacements cost $85. The safety location is next to your ear and difficult to find while the crossbow is shouldered.
Despite those cons, the R470 is an engineering marvel. Its compact build, fast speeds, good accuracy, and light trigger make it a deadly option for the serious crossbow hunter.
Barnett XP405
See It
Pros
- Great value
- Fits a wide range of people
Cons
- Manual cocking is never easy compared to a crank cocking device
Key Features
-
Length:
35.5 to 38 inches -
Width Uncocked:
13.6 inches -
Weight:
6.3 lbs -
Price:
$600
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
2.18 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
3.33 pounds -
Speed:
395.5 fps (400-grain arrow)
The Barnett XP405 only costs $600, but it has some excellent features and impressive accuracy. It has 4.5 inches of length of pull adjustment to fit a wide range of users. We found it to be well balanced for positional shooting, and it’s stable while shooting off a knee, tripod, or unsupported. It has a great trigger for a budget crossbow, which helped it shoot a 2.18-inch group average. That group average was the fourth best in the test and better than crossbows that cost four times as much as the XP405. It comes as a manual cocking crossbow, but a crank can be purchased separately ($150).
We used the included rope cocker and found it easy to cock for a non-crank. It features a simple yet ingenious design for using the rope cocker: a rope keeper. There’s a ball just behind the rope cocker groove that keeps the rope in place while you’re getting the sled in place. It has dry fire safeties for extra peace of mind while getting an arrow loaded.
Ravin LR
Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Buy From Lancaster Archery Supply
Pros
- Excellent for bipod and tripod shooting
- Easy to cock
- Pleasant shooting
Key Features
-
Width:
10.5 inches uncocked -
Length:
34 inches -
Includes cocking mechanism -
Forend has 4.5 inches of Picatinny rail -
Adjustable length of pull and comb -
Length of Pull:
12.6 to 13.5 inches (measured) -
Weight:
10.21 pounds(weighed with scope and full quiver attached) -
Includes a 1-8×24 scope with adjustable elevation turret, a quiver, scope level, and three .001 straightness bolts -
MSRP:
$2,550
Test Results
-
Speed:
451.5 fps (405 grain arrow) -
Accuracy:
1.91-inches -
Trigger Pull:
1.83 pounds
Ravin LR Crossbow Review
If you spend your time in a treestand or box blind looking out over a beanfield or open oak flat, this is the ultimate crossbow for you. It’s designed to be a rock-solid shooting platform for making long-range shots. I shot this crossbow from 50 to 100 yards and it shot excellent groups at all distances. But what was most impressive was the point of impact consistency. On some crossbows, a slight change in how hard you press your cheek into the stock or shoulder into the buttpad can cause your point of impact to shift. Even switching from a shooting bag to a tripod to offhand can cause point of impact changes, but not so with the LR.
The LR has a nice flat forend, which is perfect for shooting off a tripod, laying on a bag, or resting on your knee. It has an extended Picatinny section on the forend for mounting a bipod or other accessories. It also has an extended scope rail which allows you to mount larger scopes and thermal clip-on devices. The extended rail also adds rigidity to the crossbow, which helps with accuracy.
The LR also has an adjustable length of pull and comb to help the crossbow fit a wide range of archers. Features like that go a long way in helping you feel comfortable when you’re taking a shot on a deer.
Read my full Ravin LR review for more information including how it shot at 100 yards and how much arrow drop you can expect from 0 to 50 yards.
Tenpoint TX 28
Buy From Lancaster Archery Supply
Buy From Bass Pro Shops
Pros
- Compact
- Ergonomic
- Easy to cock and de-cock
Key Features
-
Length:
28 inches -
Width Uncocked:
11 inches -
Weight:
7.2 pounds -
Price:
$2,050
Test Results
-
Accuracy:
2.41 inches -
Trigger Pull Weight:
2.1 pounds -
Speed:
393 fps (445-grain arrow)
My favorite feature on the TX 28 is the safety location. Yes, this crossbow is packed with great engineering, but finally there’s a crossbow with an ergonomic safety. Most crossbow safeties are located far from the trigger, which means you have to hunt for the safety. The TX 28’s safety can be actuated with your thumb while your finger rests just outside the trigger guard.
The TX 28 is very compact at only 28-inches long and 11-inches wide uncocked. But it has good ergonomics for a tiny crossbow. It balances well for positional shooting and it has a good forend for clamping into a tripod. I would like to see the forend be flat rather than ramped for tripod shooting though.
The TX 28 uses TenPoints ACUslide, which is among the easiest cocking mechanisms to use. We tested it with the 445-grain CenterPunch HPX arrows that keep the speed under 400 fps. If you want the most speed from the TX28, you can use the Pro Elite 400 arrows. The TX 28’s accuracy wasn’t spectacular, but it was far from poor. A 2.41-inch group average at 50 yards is beyond good enough for deer hunting.
Test Protocol
Speed
We measured crossbow speed using a Garmin Xero C1 chronograph. Each crossbow was shot three times, and we averaged the speeds to give you the specs listed. For context, the bolt weight is also listed for each bow.
Accuracy
Two testers shot two, three-shot groups at 50 yards from each crossbow. That gave us a total of four groups per crossbow. We averaged those four groups to give you the accuracy specs listed.
Trigger Pull
We averaged three trigger pulls for using a Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Pull Gauge.
Trigger Reach
Trigger reach is measured from the back of the pistol grip to the trigger.
Length of Pull
Length of pull is measured from the butt of the stock to the center of the trigger.
Overall Length and Width
Overall length is measured from the stirrup to the recoil pad. Overall width is measured from the outside of each cam.
Weight
Crossbows were weighed with scopes mounted.
Cocking and Loading
We evaluated each crossbow for how easy and intuitive it was to cock and load. We also took note of safety features, the noisiness of cocking mechanisms, and each crossbow’s manual of arms.
What I Don’t Test
I don’t test a crossbow’s longevity or the company’s quality control. I’m shooting a sample of size of one crossbow and to do legitimate testing of either of those categories, I’d need hundreds of products. A good resource for crossbow’s track record is your local bow shop because they’ll get feedback, returns, and handle warranty claims for their customers. If you’re spending a lot of money on a crossbow, researching warranties is a good idea because Murphy’s Law seems to affect crossbows at a disproportionate amount.
Final Thoughts
Crossbows have come a long way in their ease of use and accuracy. It’s never been easier to practice and actually enjoy shooting your crossbow ahead of the season. That’s a great benefit to crossbow hunters. But, there is still plenty room for innovation in crossbow ergonomics and features. I’d love to see options with toolless length of pull and comb adjustments as well as built in ARCA rails for attaching to tripods.
Read the full article here
