06 Best Crossbow For Deer Hunting 2025 (In-Depth Reviews)

 

In 2025, leading crossbow manufacturers have collectively shifted their focus from sheer speed to enhanced usability and field practicality. Just a few years ago, top brands like Ravin and TenPoint were fiercely competing to surpass the 500 feet-per-second speed barrier—and both succeeded with models like the Ravin R500 and TenPoint Nitro 505. I personally tested these high-velocity crossbows extensively, using the Nitro 505 to harvest one of my largest whitetail deer to date.

While ultra-fast crossbows offer notable flat-shooting advantages and undeniable cool factor, they come with trade-offs—most notably, the challenge of consistent broadhead flight. Recognizing this, manufacturers in 2025 have dialed down speeds slightly, prioritizing design improvements that enhance ease of use, comfort, and reliability in real hunting scenarios.

Procrossbow Top Picks

This year’s newest crossbows demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship and thoughtful ergonomics, proving that innovation extends beyond chasing raw velocity. The models I tested deliver exceptional accuracy without requiring a premium price tag, making them accessible to hunters seeking precision and practicality.

Below, I share my top picks for the best crossbows in 2025, highlighting how they balance performance, accuracy, and real world usability for professional hunters and enthusiasts alike.

• Best Overall: Excalibur Hybrid-X
• Fastest Crossbow: Ravin R470
• Best Handling: TenPoint TX-28
• Best Value: Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX BukOps
• Wicked Ridge Invader M1 Decock
• Killer Instinct Diesel X Elite

Best Crossbow For Deer Hunting

 

Why?

Picking the perfect and best crossbow for deer hunting for hunting deer isn’t as simple as it appears as there are numerous traps that a great many people fall into.

On the off chance that you are considering purchasing another hunting crossbow, odds are you set aside some effort to set aside your well-deserved money. The exact opposite thing you need to do is buy an overrated model that doesn’t have the features you need.

In this list of best crossbow for deer hunting audits direct, we’ll take a top to bottom gander at the top of the line crossbows that offer an excellent incentive for the cash. Far and away superior, we’ll talk about exactly what makes one the best in any case, and ideally, keep you from squandering your money on an inappropriate variation.

Here is the premium quality available of Crossbows for deer hunting, all together:

 

 Things To Consider Before You Buy 

We’re mindful that picking the best crossbow for deer hunting is precise when there is a crossbow survey to hand. In any case, shouldn’t something be said about when you’re out of your profundity and don’t perceive the makes and models?

Picking is troublesome, which is the reason you ought to think about the accompanying things:

 Brand 

in spite of the fact that it sounds messy, you can make a buy dependent on the manufacturer. At any rate, you won’t end up with an unremarkable crossbow that won’t carry out the responsibility.

With any semblance of TenPoint, Barnett, and Wicked Range, you can be sheltered in the information the item is genuine. Others best reverse crossbow to pay unique mind to are Excalibur, Parker, Horton, and Pse.

 Components 

Your crossbow’s parts ought to be healthy and produced using excellent materials. On the off chance that you have a wooden recurve crossbow or compound crossbow with steel links.

 Weight 

Thus, you need something light and not weight. Be that as it may, there is additionally the dauntlessness component to factor in as sun retires from to keep consistent. When in doubt, anything somewhere in the range of six and seven pounds is the ideal blend.

 Solidness 

Best reverse draw crossbow nobody needs to burn through many dollars on something that will break. Because of this, watch out for tempered steel and aluminum covered in nitrogen.

Top Rated Crossbow For Deer Hunting Reviews

Below, we offer our top nine list for the best crossbow for deer hunting. These are chosen by our editors and field staff dependent on the great judgment and generally speaking estimation of each.

Regardless of whether you are hoping to spend through hundreds of dollars here best list can enable you to recognize which one has the best qualities are.

1. Excalibur Crossbow Hybrid X – Best For Deer Hunting

 Features 

• Speed: 435 fps
• KE: 165 foot-pounds
• Arrow Weight: 400 grains
• Draw Effort: 14 lbs
• Trigger: 1 lb, 10 oz
• Overall Weight: 9 lbs
• Price: $2,200

The Excalibur Hybrid-X represents a breakthrough in crossbow design by seamlessly combining the simplicity of a recurve with the power and efficiency of a compound bow. This innovative Hybrid-X features a unique construction where the cams are housed in a robust aluminum bracket next to the riser and connected to reverse-facing recurve limbs via cables. This setup protects the cams from brush and obstacles while maintaining the rugged durability of Excalibur’s signature compression-molded recurve limbs. Plus, with a specialized stringing tool (sold separately), you can restring the bow easily without needing a bow press.

Cocking the Hybrid-X is effortless thanks to the ChargerX Integrated Crank system. If you are familiar with cocking mechanisms from Ravin or TenPoint, this system will feel intuitive. You start by releasing tension on the trigger box using the crank’s backwind action, slide the trigger system to engage the string, set the safety, then crank the handle until it locks in place. The final backwinds ease tension, allowing you to stow the handle in the stock, load an arrow, and take your shot. This reliable system requires just 14 pounds of cocking effort, making the Hybrid-X one of the easiest crossbows to cock in its class.

Safety is a top priority with the built-in CeaseFire anti dry-fire feature. The bow will only fire when an arrow equipped with Excalibur’s Rhino Nock is perfectly seated. During testing, I encountered a minor issue where some arrows didn’t align properly, causing the bow not to fire. After troubleshooting with Excalibur and testing different arrows, it became clear that proper nock alignment and ensuring a firm, audible click upon loading are essential pre-hunt steps.

Accuracy is where the Hybrid-X truly shines. It consistently produced sub-2-inch groups at 50 yards and handled broadheads with precision, both fixed and mechanical hitting within an inch of the field points. The bow’s craftsmanship, from fit and finish to the premium Overwatch scope, impressed me. The crisp, light trigger completes a package that delivers outstanding performance and reliability. Without question, the Hybrid-X was my top pick for 2025, earning the Best Overall award for its combination of innovation, accuracy, and ease of use.

 

2. Ravin R470 Crossbow – Fastest Crossbow

 Features 

• Speed: 470 FPS
• KE: 198 foot-pounds
• Arrow Weight: 400 grains
• Overall Weight: 8.4 lbs
• Price: $2,500

 

The Ravin R470 stands out in 2025 as a top-tier crossbow, delivering an impressive combination of blazing speed and precision. Among all the crossbows I tested this year, the R470 proved to be the fastest, yet it didn’t sacrifice accuracy—especially with field points. Its compact, portable design strikes a perfect balance, being handy without the overly small frame found in models like the Ravin R18.

While speed remains a major selling point, fixed-blade broadhead flight can become inconsistent at velocities exceeding 450 feet per second, a pattern that held true with the R470. Mechanical broadheads consistently grouped tightly with field points, but fixed three-blade broadheads often landed about three inches off target, and with some variation in grouping.

Quality-wise, the R470 impresses with its all-aluminum construction, smooth trigger, and a clear, dependable scope. However, the VersaDrive cocking system—which employs paired threaded spinning bars to engage the trigger and cock the bow—raises some concerns. Though innovative, I’ve witnessed this system fail catastrophically on the earlier Ravin R500 model, including a similar incident with a hunting companion. That said, my test experience with the R470 was flawless, and the cocking mechanism now ends with a reassuring hard stop, improving confidence when shooting.

One minor trade-off to note is the rear safety placement on the bullpup stock, which may feel awkward to some. Yet, this is part of the design compromise to achieve the R470’s compact, user-friendly form factor. Overall, the Ravin R470 remains a high-performance, fast, and accurate crossbow that fits both serious hunters and tactical shooters looking for speed without sacrificing precision.

 

 

3. TenPoint TX-28 – Best Handling

 Features 

• Speed: 410 FPS
• KE: 145 foot-pounds
• Arrow Weight: 445 grains
• Trigger: 3 lb
• Overall Weight: 7.2 lbs
• Price: $2,100

The new TX-28 shines as a compact, quick-handling crossbow designed for serious hunters who value ease of use in the field. Its narrow fore-end fits perfectly into a DeathGrip tripod, a setup favored by many hunters for stability and comfort. The TX-28 also features the best safety mechanism I’ve experienced on any crossbow—a simple, ambidextrous thumb selector positioned right above the trigger guard that clicks satisfyingly on and off.

Equipped with a premium TriggerTech trigger and a ZERO-Trac barrel, this crossbow virtually eliminates contact between the arrow shaft and the rail, enhancing shot consistency. The scope mounts on a sturdy aluminum platform with a dual-supported Picatinny rail, promising long-term durability. Cocking and de-cocking are effortless thanks to the ACUSlide system, which I’ve tested on other models and found user-friendly even for beginners.

Despite its quality construction and smooth handling, the TX-28 falls short in terms of speed and price competitiveness. Using 445-grain CenterPunch premium carbon arrows, the bow clocks in below 400 feet per second, which is slow by 2025 standards, although the heavier arrows provide solid momentum for hunting. Switching to lighter 400-grain arrows, similar to those for the Wicked Ridge Invader M1, pushed speeds just over 400 fps but still didn’t fully meet expectations.

Accuracy with field points is solid out to 30 yards, consistently delivering tight, one-hole groups. However, grouping expands beyond 2 inches at 50 yards, making it the widest among this year’s tested crossbows. Fixed-blade broadheads showed even more variance, often landing over 3 inches off target at 30 yards. Some faster crossbows in the field offer noticeably better broadhead and field point precision, and that advantage matters in hunting scenarios.

Ultimately, the TX-28 offers excellent handling, safety, and build quality, but its value proposition is hindered by a subpar speed-to-price ratio. Priced over $2,000, hunters expect stronger performance. At around $1,200, this crossbow would be much easier to recommend.

 

 

4. Barnett Raptor BCX Crossbow

 Features 

• Speed: 425 FPS
• KE: 146 foot-pounds
• Arrow Weight: 400 grains
• Trigger: 2 lbs
• Overall Weight: 8 lbs
• Price: $1,199

 

The Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX BUK OPS stands out in 2025 as a feature-rich crossbow delivering exceptional performance at a highly competitive price point. Part of Barnett’s well-regarded mid-tier Raptor series, this model continues the tradition of winning Best Value awards thanks to its balanced combination of accuracy, power, and innovative technology.

Shooting Barnett’s 20-inch HyperFlite micro-diameter arrows, the Hyper Raptor BCX provides excellent arrow flight, deep penetration, and reliable impact, much like those favored by vertical bow hunters. While some crossbows in this year’s lineup outperformed it in 50-yard grouping size, the Hyper Raptor excelled in broadhead accuracy—both fixed and mechanical broadheads consistently landed right alongside field points.

The crossbow features a crisp, light trigger and an adjustable stock that allows customization of length of pull, enhancing shooter comfort. The fore-end includes a swing-out pistol grip, adding versatility for different hunting situations. Cocking is accomplished with a traditional rope-and-sled system, providing simplicity and reliability in the field.A highlight of the BUK OPS package is the X-Factor rangefinding scope. This optics system combines an illuminated reticle with graduated yardage marks and a magnification dial designed to match the bow’s speed for precise holdover adjustments. The built-in battery-powered rangefinder accurately measures distance with the simple press of a button, syncing perfectly with personal rangefinders for seamless target engagement.

One drawback is that the windage and elevation adjustments are built into the scope mount rather than the scope itself. Although functional on the range, this setup increases the risk of accidental dial changes or debris interference in rugged hunting conditions. For hunters less interested in high-tech optics, Barnett offers standard crossbow scopes in other packages at an even lower price point.Overall, the Barnett Hyper Raptor BCX BUK OPS delivers an impressive suite of features, solid performance, and excellent value, making it a top choice for hunters seeking versatile capability without breaking the bank.

 

 

 

5. Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock Crossbow

 Features 

• Speed: 374 fps
• KE: 124 foot-pounds
• Arrow Weight: 400 grains
• Average Group: 1.75 inches
• Trigger: 4 lb, 14 oz
• Overall Weight: 8 lb, 8 oz
• Price: $899

The Wicked Ridge Invader M-1 De-Cock offers exceptional value, delivering solid performance and features for well under $1,000. As a longtime fan and tester of the Wicked Ridge Invader series, I’ve found these crossbows consistently reliable, user-friendly, and built with quality—all proudly made in the USA. The latest M-1 model incorporates the ACU-Draw De-Cock system, simplifying both cocking and de-cocking. While slower than premium systems like TenPoint’s ACU-Slide, it works effectively in the field. Additionally, the Invader M-1 supports traditional rope-and-hook or rope-and-sled cocking methods, adding flexibility for hunters.

Though not blazing fast—understandable at this price point—the Invader M-1 impresses with accuracy, delivering sub-2-inch groups at 50 yards. It even outperformed the higher-priced TenPoint TX-28, its sister brand’s model, in precision tests. Mechanical broadheads grouped well, but fixed-blade broadheads were several inches off target, surprising for a crossbow with moderate velocity.

My main criticisms focus on the heavy trigger pull, which measured nearly 5 pounds, and the included Pro-View 400 scope. During testing, shots landed about 10 inches low at 50 yards when using the 50-yard reticle, suggesting the scope is calibrated for 400 fps—higher than this bow’s actual speed. The lack of a magnification or speed dial means making accurate long-range adjustments is challenging.

Despite these drawbacks, the Invader M-1 remains a dependable, budget-friendly choice for hunters seeking dependable performance without breaking the bank. Buyers can save money for upgrading optics and stocking up on arrows and broadheads, making this crossbow a smart investment for entry-level enthusiasts.

 

6. Killer Instinct Diesel X Crossbow – Best Budget Crossbow For Deer Hunting

 Features 

• Speed: 401 fps with 390-grain finished arrow
• Size: 34.4 inches overall length; 6.25 inches wide (cocked)
• Physical Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Trigger Weight: 3.2 lb.
• Accuracy: 2.125-inch average 40-yard group
• Price: $499.99

Killer Instinct consistently delivers exceptional crossbows that offer great value for the price. Although they did not release a new model for 2025, the Diesel-X Elite remains a top contender thanks to its solid performance and now even more affordable price. Featuring Killer Instinct’s innovative X-Cam system, this crossbow offers 50% let-off for easier cocking and is engineered to minimize noise and vibration, enhancing stealth in the field.

The Diesel-X Elite is compact at just 6.25 inches wide when cocked, with an adjustable stock for personalized length of pull. Its accessory package is well-rounded and includes a Lumix Speed Ring scope, rope sled cocking device, quiver, three arrows, and rail lube—everything a hunter needs to get started out of the box.

Measuring nearly 35 inches long and weighing 7.4 pounds as a bare bow, the Diesel-X is noticeably larger and heavier compared to some newer models, but it remains highly effective. In testing, it consistently achieved just over 2-inch groups at 40 yards, proving more than accurate enough for hunting. Fixed-blade broadheads grouped closely with field points, further demonstrating its reliability at a budget-friendly price.

As the most affordable option in this lineup, the Killer Instinct Diesel-X Elite offers remarkable bang for your buck. Built with quality craftsmanship and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, it’s an outstanding choice for hunters seeking durable, accurate performance without breaking the bank.

 

Best Deer Hunting Crossbows

FAQs

• Does draw weight truly matter when hunting deer?

Basically, my answer will be both yes and no, so let us start with what I concur with. A Deer is a simple animal to shoot as they don’t have that much muscle to conceal their organs.

• What would you be able to anticipate from the estimating of these crossbows?

Evaluating is significant on the grounds that the reasonable value scope of these crossbows is somewhere close to $200 per crossbow. This is significant in light of the fact that crossbows, as a rule, are over the top expensive.

• What sorts of bolts do these crossbows use?

We as a whole realize that the best handheld crossbow will be quite futile in the event that you have the best crossbow for deer hunting that the world can offer; however, you don’t have the correct bolts. A large portion of the crossbows will accompany 3-4 rushes alongside the quiver.

Conclusion

In short, to pick a suitable best mini crossbow, you have to know the fundamentals of what to search for. That is, Ideally, you have enough information to settle on a determined purchasing choice at this point.

We experienced the nine the best crossbow for deer hunting that you will ever discover on the web. I have secured the drawing weight and shot speed of everyone. These crossbows are moderate, yet their specifications are comparable to those at the high end of the value go.

The vast majority of them are adjusted for the client experience and to give you the most obvious opportunity with regard to making a hit. An undeniable conclusion is yours and yours alone for the best crossbow for survival.