- Ravin and TenPoint lead on technology: Ravin with its HeliCoil cams, TenPoint with its built-in ACUdraw crank.
- Barnett and Wicked Ridge are the value names, and Wicked Ridge is TenPoint’s own lower-cost line.
- Excalibur is the recurve crossbow specialist: fewer parts and a string you can change without a bow press.
- The brand matters less than fit, cocking effort and the bolts your crossbow is rated for.
Here’s the verdict up front: buy the model, not the logo. 🎯
Ravin and TenPoint lead on top-end tech, Barnett and Wicked Ridge on value, and Excalibur if you want a simple recurve. Below is what each brand is known for, so you walk into the shop knowing what to ask, or skip to my best crossbows for beginners.
Best crossbow brands at a glance: who makes what
These five are among the biggest names you’ll see at a big-box store or an archery shop, alongside others such as CenterPoint, Killer Instinct and Bear X. Several of them share a parent company, which explains why some features show up across brands.
| Brand | Known for | Signature tech | Company facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravin | Compact, very fast compound crossbows | HeliCoil cams, Trac-Trigger, Versa-Draw cocking | Superior, Wisconsin; owned by Velocity Outdoor since 2018 |
| TenPoint | Premium compound crossbows | ACUdraw built-in cocking crank | Founded 1994 as Hunter’s Manufacturing (TenPoint name since 2000); Mogadore, Ohio; also sells Wicked Ridge and Horton |
| Barnett | Budget-friendly starter crossbows | TriggerTech zero-creep trigger | Owned by Surge Outdoors since 2021 |
| Wicked Ridge | TenPoint design at a lower cost | ACUdraw on many models; RDX reverse-draw line | TenPoint’s value brand |
| Excalibur | Recurve crossbows | Recurve limbs; strings changed with a stringing aid, no press | Founded 1983 in Kitchener, Ontario; part of BowTech since late 2013 |
Want to compare actual models after you’ve picked a brand? My roundup of the best crossbows goes model by model.
How to choose a crossbow brand: what matters more than the logo
A big brand name is a promise of parts, service and resale value, not of a perfect fit for you. Check these five things on any model before the logo even comes into it:
- Cocking effort: can you cock it with the included rope cocker or crank, every time, in the cold?
- Weight and length: you’ll carry it to the stand and hold it on target, so lift it in the shop.
- Width when cocked: narrow crossbows are easier to swing in a ground blind or tree stand.
- Minimum bolt weight: the manual lists it, and shooting lighter bolts can damage the bow and void the warranty.
- Warranty and service: ask the shop which brands it can actually repair.
I haven’t shot these brands’ crossbows myself.
So this guide is research, not range time: manufacturer specs, company history and what shops tell new buyers, laid out so you can make the call yourself.
The 5 best crossbow brands, ranked for new hunters
The order below runs from the most advanced tech to the simplest design. There’s no wrong brand on this list; there’s only the wrong model for your hands, your budget and your hunt.
A hunter with 13 crossbow seasons behind him, who reviews new bows on his Death by Bunjie channel, says the same thing in the video near the end of this post:
This crossbow, like pretty much any crossbow, if you use it right, you learn how to use it, it is going to do the job… In my 13 years of hunting with a crossbow now, 13 seasons with the OB, even an older, slower crossbow like that, killed a bunch of deer with it.
That’s the stance of this guide. Your practice decides your season, not the logo. Spend your time on the model that fits you, then spend your evenings shooting it.
1. Ravin: best for cutting-edge compact crossbows
Ravin’s HeliCoil cam system coils the cables into helical grooves so both cams stay level as they turn, which lets the string and bolt float above the rail instead of dragging on it. And that’s a big reason Ravin crossbows are so narrow and so fast.
Its Trac-Trigger sled rides the rail and grabs the center of the string, and the Versa-Draw crank built into the stock lets you cock and de-cock the bow without firing a bolt. Pair a fast Ravin with a well-chosen broadhead from my best broadheads list.
2. TenPoint: best premium all-rounder
TenPoint’s company started in Ohio in 1994 (it took the TenPoint name in 2000), and its ACUdraw crank is built into the stock so you can cock the bow with far less strength. A real help if you have a shoulder or back issue.
TenPoint also sells Wicked Ridge, and it bought the Horton name in 2013, so alot of its engineering trickles down to cheaper bows. Protect a premium bow on the drive with one of the best crossbow cases.
3. Barnett: best value for a first crossbow
Barnett’s TriggerTech trigger uses a free-floating roller between the sear and trigger for a crisp, zero-creep break. Barnett rates its rope cocking device at up to 50% less cocking effort, though it doesn’t fit the reverse-draw models. Barnett has been owned by Surge Outdoors since 2021.
Barnett is the name to look at when budget comes first. Spend some of what you save on optics; see the best crossbow scopes.
4. Wicked Ridge: best TenPoint design for less
Wicked Ridge is TenPoint’s value line, so you get the same company’s engineering at a lower cost. The RDX 400, for example, is a reverse-draw crossbow about 32″ long that TenPoint rates at up to 400 fps; its successor, the RDX 410, is 29″ and rated at 410 fps.
Reverse-draw puts the riser near the middle of the bow, which shifts the balance back toward you. Feed it the bolt weight in its manual; my best crossbow bolts guide explains how.
5. Excalibur: best recurve crossbow specialist
Excalibur has made recurve crossbows in Kitchener, Ontario, since 1983. A recurve has no cams or cables, so there’s less to break, and Excalibur sells a stringing aid for changing the string without a bow press. BowTech has owned the brand since the deal closed at the end of 2013.
The trade-off is a wider bow when cocked and, usually, more noise than a cam-driven crossbow. Keep your bolts quiet and handy with one of the best crossbow quivers.
// Free printable
Get the range log I actually use.
Seventeen printable pages: session log, score tracker, a 30-day drill challenge, a bow maintenance card, a first-season checklist and more. Join the monthly email and it lands right away.
Crossbow hunting do’s and don’ts for any brand
Whatever brand you buy, the same habits keep you safe and keep the bow shooting straight. Practice, know your bow’s parts and match your bolts to the manual.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Check your state’s hunting regulations every season | Shoot in public spaces that aren’t approved for it |
| Use a rest or shooting stick for longer shots | Leave the crossbow cocked at the end of the day |
| Inspect and replace strings and cables when they fray | Dry fire it, ever |
| Use bolts at or above the manual’s minimum weight | Load or carry it carelessly |
Crossbow hunting pros and cons: is a crossbow right for you?
A crossbow is a bow held like a rifle, and that brings real strengths and real costs. Weigh both before you pick a brand.
Pros
- Easier to aim accurately, with a stock and usually a scope
- Stays drawn without effort, so you aren’t holding the string
- Works for hunters who can’t draw a vertical bow
- Effective on deer-sized game within ethical range
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than most compound or recurve bows
- Slow to reload, so a follow-up shot is rare
- Cocking takes noise and movement close to game
- Rules on when and where you can use one vary by state
If you learn best by watching, this video walks through the crossbow brands and models side by side.
Take this one-page summary to the shop: it pairs each brand with what it’s known for and lists what to check first.
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most.
Who owns Wicked Ridge crossbows?
TenPoint does. Wicked Ridge is TenPoint’s lower-cost line, and TenPoint also bought the Horton name in 2013.
Which crossbow brand is best for a beginner?
Start with Barnett or Wicked Ridge: they cost less and come ready to hunt. Then buy the model you can cock, carry and shoot comfortably, so try a few in a shop.
Is Excalibur only a recurve crossbow brand?
Excalibur is known for recurve crossbows; that design is the core of its lineup, including the twin-string TwinStrike. Recurves have no cams, so they’re simpler to maintain and restring with the right stringing aid.
Can crossbows be used for competitive archery?
Yes. The World Crossbow Shooting Association runs target, field and 3D crossbow events, and the IAU (International Crossbow Shooting Union) runs match and field crossbow. USA Archery also publishes crossbow rules for its events.
Do you need a scope on a crossbow?
No, but most hunting crossbows come with one because it makes holding at different distances much easier. Zero it with the bolts and broadheads you’ll actually hunt with.
What maintenance does a crossbow need?
Wax the string and cables, lubricate the rail if the manual says to, and check every screw before the season. Store it de-cocked, dry and in a case.
Final thoughts
Ravin and TenPoint are the tech leaders, Barnett and Wicked Ridge give you the most bow for your money, and Excalibur keeps things simple with recurve limbs. Any of the five can take a deer; the right one is the model that fits you.
Shortlist two brands, hold their bows in a shop, and cock each one before you buy. Then keep track of your first sessions in the free range log, so you can see your groups shrink.
