Excalibur Crossbow Reviews 2026: Every Model Tested and Rated
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Excalibur is the odd one out in the crossbow world, and that is exactly why I like them. While every other big brand builds compound crossbows with cams and cables and a mandatory trip to a bow press for the simplest service, Excalibur still builds recurves. Simple limbs, a string you can change in the field with no press, and a Canadian company that has stood behind that philosophy for decades. I have hunted with Excalibur recurves for years and tested the new hybrid flagship and the takedown model on the range. This is my honest, model-by-model review of the full 2026 Excalibur lineup.
The Short Answer
If you want one sentence: buy an Excalibur for reliability and field-serviceability, not for the quietest shot or the narrowest frame. The recurve design means fewer moving parts, no cams to derail, no cables to stretch and tune, and a string you can swap yourself in minutes. The trade is noise and width: a recurve limb is louder than a compound at the same speed, and the tested 111.3 dB on the flagship proves it. Here is how the 2026 lineup shakes out.
- Best overall: Hybrid X ($2,199.99). 435 fps advertised, 434 fps tested with a 400-grain bolt, and Excalibur advertises honestly. The flagship for serious hunters.
- Best for travel: RevX TD ($1,900). 400 fps in a takedown package that reassembles without losing zero. Perfect for fly-in hunts and small vehicles.
- Best value in the premium line: RevX ($1,550). 400 fps without the takedown premium.
- Best quiet recurve: Micro Suppressor Extreme (~$1,900). 400 fps with Excalibur’s heaviest sound-dampening package.
- Best budget entry: Micro MAG 340. 340 fps at just 5.5 lbs, the cheapest way into an Excalibur.
For the broader picture before you commit, start with our best crossbows guide and the best hunting crossbow guide to see where these fit against the compound competition.
2026 Excalibur Lineup: Quick Comparison
| Model | Speed | Weight | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid X | 435 fps advertised / 434 tested | 8.3 lbs bare / 10.3 lbs w/ accessories | $2,199.99 | Flagship speed, honest specs |
| RevX TD | 400 fps advertised / 386-390 tested | 9 lb 1 oz ready-to-hunt (tested) | ~$1,900 | Takedown travel bow |
| RevX | 400 fps | 9 lbs | ~$1,550 | Premium value pick |
| Micro Suppressor Extreme | 400 fps | 7.7 lbs | ~$1,900 | Quietest Excalibur |
| Micro MAG 340 | 340 fps | 5.5 lbs | Budget pick | Light, affordable entry |
Speeds are manufacturer advertised with a 400-grain bolt unless noted as tested; tested figures come from independent chronograph reviews. Street prices move with sales, so check the current price before you decide.
Best Flagship: Excalibur Hybrid X
Speed: 435 fps advertised | Price: ~$2,200 | Weight: 8.3 lbs bare
The Hybrid X is the most important crossbow Excalibur has released in years, and the headline is honesty. Excalibur advertises 435 fps with a 400-grain bolt, and independent chronograph testing put it at 434 fps. That is within rounding error. In an industry where inflated speed claims are practically a tradition, that matters, and it tells you something about how this company thinks. The two-stage trigger breaks at about 3 lbs, clean and predictable, and the bow shot a 3/8-inch group at 50 yards in testing. That is genuinely premium accuracy.
The package is complete and well thought out: the ChargerX integrated crank cuts 350 lbs of draw weight down to a 14-lb effort, the OverWatch scope is Excalibur’s best factory optic, and it ships with 18-inch V-Flight Pro bolts. At $2,199.99 it competes directly with premium compound flagships, and I would put it in that conversation. It also belongs in the best hunting crossbow discussion and deserves a hard look from anyone eyeing elk-sized game: 165 ft-lbs of kinetic energy is serious business. Pair it with the right broadheads and a target rated for 400+ fps, because this bow will destroy a cheap bag target.
Now the honest trade, and I will not soften it: this is the loudest high-end crossbow I have tested. 111.3 dB at the shot is thunder. Recurve limbs at 435 fps are simply violent, and no dampening kit fully tames that. At 20 to 30 yards on a whitetail it rarely matters. Past 40 yards on a jumpy animal, it does. That is the tax on the recurve design at flagship speed.
Pros
- Honestly advertised speed (434 tested vs 435 claimed)
- Premium 3-lb two-stage trigger
- 165 ft-lbs of energy, elk-capable
- Integrated ChargerX crank, OverWatch scope, Pro bolts included
- Recurve reliability: field-serviceable string, no cams
Cons
- Loud: 111.3 dB tested, the loudest in its class
- $2,199.99 is flagship money
- 10.3 lbs fully rigged is heavy for long stalks
Who it is for: the experienced hunter who wants flagship speed with recurve reliability and plans to hunt from a stand or blind where the noise matters least.
Best Takedown: Excalibur RevX TD
Speed: 400 fps advertised | Price: ~$1,900 | Weight: 9 lbs 1 oz ready-to-hunt
The RevX TD exists for one reason: hunters who fly to hunt, drive small trucks, or hike into camp and need a serious bow that packs small, the same job the earlier Assassin 400 TD was built for. The takedown system is the real deal. Independent testing confirmed the headline claim: it reassembles without losing zero. Take it apart for the flight, put it back together at camp, and your scope settings hold. If you have ever paid airline oversize fees for a full-size bow case, you understand exactly why this is worth ~$1,900.
Two honest numbers, because this is where the marketing and the scale disagree. Excalibur advertises 400 fps, and independent tests landed at 386 to 390 fps with the standard bolt. That is a small miss, not a scandal, and 390 fps still kills anything in North America inside reasonable ranges. The bigger gap is weight: 7.0 lbs advertised versus 9 lb 1 oz ready-to-hunt in testing. A 2-lb gap is a lot, and you should know it before you buy. That said, a takedown bow at 9 lbs still packs better than a one-piece bow at 8. The ChargerX crank is integrated, the Ceasefire anti-dry-fire system is standard, and the trigger tested at 1 lb 1 oz, which is about as light as factory triggers get.
Before a fly-in hunt, read our safety guide and pack your bolts right: see our bolt guide for travel-tough options.
Pros
- Takedown reassembles without losing zero, tested and confirmed
- Integrated ChargerX crank and Ceasefire anti-dry-fire
- Extremely light 1 lb 1 oz trigger
- Full-size 400 fps performance that packs for travel
Cons
- Tested speed 386-390 fps vs 400 advertised
- Ready-to-hunt weight 9 lb 1 oz vs 7.0 advertised, be honest about the gap
- ~$1,900 is a real premium over the standard RevX
Who it is for: the traveling hunter: fly-in trips, backcountry camps, or anyone short on vehicle space who refuses to give up full-size performance.
Best Value: Excalibur RevX
Speed: 400 fps | Price: ~$1,550 | Weight: 9 lbs
The standard RevX is the smart-money play in the premium Excalibur line. You get the same 400 fps recurve performance as the takedown model, the same integrated ChargerX crank at a 16-lb draw effort, and the same recurve reliability story, for roughly $350 less than the RevX TD. The only thing you give up is the takedown feature. If you do not fly to your hunts, that is money you keep.
At 9 lbs it is not light, and like every Excalibur it will be louder than a comparable compound. But the value equation is strong: 400 fps, a real crank included in the box, and a bow you can restring yourself in the field. Compare it against the competition in our best for the money guide and our best crossbows roundup to see where $1,550 sits in the 2026 market. If cocking ease is your priority, our cocking device guide explains crank versus rope systems in detail.
Pros
- 400 fps without the takedown price premium
- ChargerX crank included, easy cocking at 16-lb effort
- Same recurve reliability as the pricier models
- Strong value against premium compounds
Cons
- 9 lbs is heavy for the price
- Louder than comparable compound bows
- No takedown, full-length case required
Who it is for: the hunter who wants premium Excalibur performance at the lowest entry point and does not need the travel feature.
Best Quiet: Excalibur Micro Suppressor Extreme
Speed: 400 fps | Price: ~$1,900 | Weight: 7.7 lbs
If the Hybrid X’s noise level scares you but you still want an Excalibur, this is your answer. The Micro Suppressor Extreme carries 400 fps in the compact Micro platform with Excalibur’s most aggressive sound-dampening package: string silencers, limb dampeners and a heavier, shorter limb design that bleeds off vibration. It will not match a premium compound for quiet, but it is the least loud way to shoot an Excalibur recurve, and at 7.7 lbs it carries noticeably lighter than the bigger models.
The Micro platform is also Excalibur’s most maneuverable: shorter, narrower and easier to swing inside a ground blind or a tight treestand. The trade is raw energy versus the Hybrid X; 400 fps is plenty for whitetail and black bear at bow range, and this bow pairs well with the scope and sighting work in our sighting guide. For treestand hunters especially, the compact size is a genuine advantage: read our hunting crossbow guide for how size affects stand shooting.
Pros
- Quietest recurve Excalibur makes
- 400 fps in a compact, maneuverable 7.7-lb package
- Ideal for ground blinds and tight treestands
- Full recurve serviceability story
Cons
- ~$1,900 is close to RevX money for less speed ceiling
- Still louder than a premium compound at 400 fps
- Compact limbs mean shorter strings, watch serving wear
Who it is for: the stand or blind hunter who wants Excalibur reliability with the least possible noise and the most maneuverable frame.
Best Budget: Excalibur Micro MAG 340
Speed: 340 fps | Price: ~$800 | Weight: 5.5 lbs | Draw Weight: 270 lbs
The Micro MAG 340 is how you get into the Excalibur family without spending four figures. 340 fps at 5.5 lbs: that is a full-size hunting-capable recurve that weighs less than most compound bows’ bare frames. It is the lightest bow in this entire roundup by a wide margin, and on a long still-hunt that matters more than 60 extra fps. It is also a strong pick for smaller-framed hunters; see our beginner’s guide for why light and simple beats fast and complicated on a first bow.
Be honest about what 340 fps means: it is plenty for whitetail inside 40 yards with a good broadhead, which is where almost all deer are shot anyway. It is not the bow for long-range target work or elk. The package is simpler than the premium models, the scope is basic, and you will want to upgrade bolts from our bolt guide sooner than later. But the core Excalibur promise is all here: recurve simplicity, a string you can change yourself, and a company that answers the phone. For a budget-first buyer, cross-shop our under $500 guide to calibrate expectations.
Pros
- Lightest bow here at 5.5 lbs, by far
- Most affordable Excalibur in the lineup
- Simple, reliable, field-serviceable recurve
- Plenty of speed for whitetail inside 40 yards
Cons
- 340 fps is the slowest in the lineup
- Basic package scope and accessories
- Not the choice for long-range or elk-sized game
Who it is for: the budget-conscious or smaller-framed hunter who wants a light, simple, reliable recurve and hunts whitetail at normal ranges.
What Makes an Excalibur Different? The Recurve Advantage
Every other major brand builds compound crossbows: cams, cables, timing, a bow press for almost any service. Excalibur builds recurves. That one decision shapes everything about owning one, and you should understand it before you buy. A recurve has two limbs and a string. There is nothing to go out of time, no cable to stretch unevenly, no cam to derail if a branch clips the string. And the big one: you can change the string yourself, in the field, with no bow press. A spare string in your pack weighs ounces and takes minutes to install. On a compound, a blown serving or a frayed cable ends your hunt unless a pro shop is nearby.
The price of that simplicity is noise and width. Recurve limbs move more mass faster than a compound’s cams, so they are louder and kick harder at the same speed. The Hybrid X at 111.3 dB is the honest extreme of that trade. And a recurve cannot fold its limbs as narrow as a compound, so expect wider frames. If you value mechanical simplicity and the ability to fix your own bow above all else, no brand beats Excalibur. If quiet and compact matter more, look at the compound options in our crossbow vs compound bow comparison and our TenPoint and Ravin reviews. Maintenance, by the way, is simpler on a recurve: our maintenance guide covers the recurve-specific differences.
Which Excalibur Crossbows Should You Skip?
Aging Matrix models at near-new prices. Excalibur’s older Matrix line (the 355, 380, 405 and their variants) were fine bows in their day, but the current lineup has passed them: better triggers, integrated cranks, better anti-dry-fire, and better dampening. Retailers still list old Matrix stock, sometimes at prices within a couple hundred dollars of a new Micro or RevX. Do not pay near-new money for a discontinued platform with aging accessories and no current warranty registration path. If you find a Matrix at a genuine clearance price, it is still a reliable recurve, but that is the only scenario.
Confusing model-name traps. Excalibur’s naming overlaps: RevX vs RevX TD, Micro MAG 340 vs Micro Suppressor Extreme, and older Micro 335/355 models floating in used listings. The TD suffix means takedown and costs about $350 more, and our look at the earlier Assassin 400 TD shows what the earlier takedown Assassin offered, so make sure that is what you want before you pay for it. Our choosing guide walks through comparing specs line by line so you buy the exact model you researched.
Buying used without checking the limbs. Recurve limbs are tough, but a dry-fired recurve can hide limb damage that shows up later. If you buy used, inspect the limbs for cracks and splinters in good light, check the string and serving, and factor in a new string. When in doubt, buy new: the warranty is worth it on a bow you plan to keep for a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Excalibur crossbows good?
Yes. Excalibur’s whole identity is recurve reliability: simple limbs, no cams, no cables to tune, and a string you can change in the field with no bow press. Independent testing has confirmed their speed claims are honest (434 fps tested vs 435 advertised on the Hybrid X), which is rare in this industry. The trade is noise: recurves are louder than compounds at the same speed. Buy one for simplicity and serviceability, not for quiet.
What is the best Excalibur crossbow?
For most hunters, the Hybrid X ($2,199.99): 435 fps honestly advertised, a 3-lb two-stage trigger, 165 ft-lbs of energy, and the ChargerX crank included. If you travel to hunt, the RevX TD ($1,900) packs down and reassembles without losing zero. On a tighter budget, the standard RevX gives you 400 fps for $1,550, and the Micro MAG 340 is the light, affordable entry point. See our best crossbows guide for how these rank against the compound competition.
Are Excalibur crossbows loud?
Yes, relative to compounds. The Hybrid X tested at 111.3 dB, which is genuinely loud. Recurve limbs at high speed are violent by nature, and while Excalibur’s dampening kits help, no recurve matches a premium compound for quiet. Inside 30 yards on a whitetail it rarely matters. If quiet is your top priority, look at the Micro Suppressor Extreme, Excalibur’s quietest model, or compare compounds in our crossbow vs compound bow guide.
Can you change an Excalibur string yourself?
Yes, and that is the brand’s signature advantage. Excalibur recurves need no bow press: you can replace the string in the field in minutes with a spare and the basic technique in the manual. Keep a spare string in your pack and read our maintenance guide for the full recurve care routine, including waxing cadence and serving inspection.
What is the difference between the RevX and the RevX TD?
The TD is the takedown version: it breaks down for travel and reassembles without losing zero, verified in testing. It costs ~$1,900 versus ~$1,550 for the standard RevX. Both shoot 400 fps and both include the ChargerX crank and Ceasefire anti-dry-fire. Buy the TD only if you actually travel with your bow; otherwise the standard RevX is the better value.
Do Excalibur crossbows need a crank to cock?
The premium models (Hybrid X, RevX, RevX TD) include the ChargerX integrated crank, which drops draw effort to 14-16 lbs. The Micro models can be cocked with a rope cocker. Our cocking device guide covers technique and options; learn the exact steps for your model in our safety guide before your first session.
Are Excalibur crossbows good for beginners?
They can be, especially the Micro MAG 340: light at 5.5 lbs, simple to operate, and easy to maintain. The recurve design means less to learn about tuning and timing. But beginners should be honest about cocking effort on the 400 fps models, which is why the integrated crank matters. Our beginner’s guide walks through what a first bow should have, and our sighting guide will get any model dialed in.
Should I buy an older Excalibur Matrix model?
Only at a genuine clearance price. The Matrix line (355, 380, 405) was solid in its day, but the current lineup beats it on triggers, cranks, anti-dry-fire and dampening. Do not pay near-new prices for discontinued stock. Also check limbs carefully on any used recurve: dry-fire damage can be invisible at first and fail later. Learn what a safe shot cycle looks like in our uncocking guide.
The Bottom Line
Excalibur makes the most honest, most serviceable crossbows in the business. The 2026 lineup gives you a real choice for every serious hunter: the Hybrid X for flagship speed with verified specs, the RevX TD for the traveling hunter, the standard RevX for premium performance without the travel premium, the Micro Suppressor Extreme for the quietest recurve shot, and the Micro MAG 340 as the light, affordable way in. The noise trade is real, and I have not hidden it, but neither is the recurve advantage: a string you can change in the field, no cams to derail, no cables to tune, and a bow that can run for decades with basic care.
My recommendation: if you are choosing between an Excalibur and a compound flagship, decide on one question. Do you want the simplest, most field-serviceable bow you can buy, or the quietest, narrowest one? Answer that honestly and the right model picks itself. Start your comparison with our best crossbows guide, and if the recurve philosophy wins, the full lineup above is worth every dollar. For context on the closest price rivals, see our Killer Instinct reviews for the closest budget rival. Full affiliate details are on our affiliate disclosure page.
Affiliate Disclosure: Prices and availability change. The prices above were verified in November 2026; check the current price on Amazon before you buy. ProCrossbow.com may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
