Looking for a crossbow to buy can be hard. It can often feel like the ones you like are way over your budget and the ones in your budget are too low quality. Fear not as I am here to help you with exactly that. In this article, I will be listing 5 of the best crossbows under $500 so you do not have to worry about overextending your budget.
If you do not have time to go through the complete list, then you can go with the CenterPoint Sniper 370 crossbow. This is my best overall pick with its 18-inch draw length and 185-pound draw weight. It can also shoot at 370 fps, combining these specs with the overall amazing build this can be a great option for most users out there.
While my best pick will suit most people, it will not be the best for absolutely everyone. All of the cross bows I will be reviewing here have their strengths and weaknesses. I will be explaining the features, pros and cons of all of these so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
So, before we get into the details let’s take a look at the main specs of every one of these crossbows in the table below.
| Model Name | Draw Length | Draw Weight | Speed | Where To Buy |
| Barnett Whitetail Hunter II | 16.125 Inches | 150 Pounds | 350 Feet Per Second | Check Price |
| CenterPoint Sniper 370 | 18 Inches | 185 Pounds | 370 Feet Per Second | Check Price |
| CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper | 18 Inches | 185 Pounds | 370 Feet Per Second | Check Price |
| Wicked Ridge Invader G3 | 13.5 Inches | 165 Pounds | 330 Feet Per Second | Check Price |
| Wicked Ridge Blackhawk 360 | 15 Inches | 175 Pounds | 360 Feet Per Second | Check Price |
5 Best Crossbows Under $500
Based on my years of experience in crossbow hunting and some research online on the latest releases, I’ve come up with this list of 5 best crossbows under $500. If your budget is around this price then any one of these can be a good choice.
Barnett Whitetail Hunter II
This is a very easy-to-use crossbow, from the cocking assist to the dry fire protection system, the Barnett Whitetail Hunter II is built with convenience features all over. With 150 pounds draw weight and 350 ft/second shooting speed this is a relatively strong bow while not being too hard to use.
It also has a built-in scope to help with aiming and an easy-to-carry handle and trigger design. With 6.4 pounds it is relatively on the lighter side and might be a good contender if you want something light with specs like these.
Specifications:
- Unit Weight: 6.4 Pounds
- Dimensions: 34.25″L x 18.25″W
- Draw Length: 18 Inches
- Draw Weight: 150 Pounds
- Shooting Speed: 350 FPS
Features:
Anti-Dry Fire: This bow has a dryfire protection system that will help with preventing dryer fires and prevent accidents. This can be of great help while hunting and make your hunting trips hassle-free and safer.
Advanced Camouflage: This crossbow has the Realtree Xtra camouflage which helps blend into the wilderness in every season. This weapon will blend into any kind of wild terrain.
Pros:
- Advanced Camouflage Technology
- Cocking Assist
- Easy to Carry and Lightweight
Cons:
- Anti-Dryfire Can Be Finicky
- Scope Adjustment Doesn’t Work Well
CenterPoint Sniper 370 (Best Pick)
This one is my best overall pick in terms of power, size, and build quality. Every part of this crossbow has satisfactory build quality. The stock is adjustable so you can make it conform to your size accurately.
With 18 inches of draw length and 185 pounds of draw weight, it is one of the larger bows, but it is very powerful. The CenterPoint Sniper 370 is not hard to handle and even if it’s your beginner bow you will be comfortable with it very soon.
Specifications:
- Unit Weight: 11.87 Pounds
- Dimensions: 33.6” L x 11.3” W
- Draw Length: 18 Inches
- Draw Weight: 185 Pounds
- Shooting Speed: 370 FPS
Features:
Adjustable Stock and Foregrip: This crossbow has adjustable stock and foregrip so you do not have any kind of issues using and carrying it. You can easily adjust it to make it more comfortable.
Integrated String Suppressors: The CenterPoint Sniper 370 has string suppressors so you can shoot without noise and vibrations. Your shots will have very little sound and no vibrations so you can aim more accurately.
Pros:
- Adjustable Stock and Foregrip
- Quad Limbs with Precision-Machined Cam System
- Safety Lock System
Cons:
- A Bit Heavier
- String Is A Bit Fragile
CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper
This is another one from CenterPoint, this is quite a powerful crossbow with the same 360 feet per second speed and 185 pounds of draw weight. But, this bow weighs 7.9 pounds which makes it a lighter option for those who are looking for it.
With a narrower rail and slim handles, this crossbow is fairly compact but that makes this one a bit hard to control. This might be a tough pick for beginners, this can serve intermediate users who are looking for a lighter bow with good power very well.
Specifications:
- Unit Weight: 7.9 Pounds
- Dimensions: 35.5” W x 18” L
- Draw Length: 18 Inches
- Draw Weight: 185 Pounds
- Shooting Speed: 370 FPS
Features:
Oversized Finger Guards: The oversized finger guards on this crossbow ensures better control and safety. You can adjust the grip to your liking for maximum comfort and usability.
Auto Safety Trigger: The auto-safety trigger along with the dryfire protection helps further with the safety of this bow.
Pros:
- Compact Build
- Safety System
- Oversized Finger Guards
- Integrated Spring Suppression
Cons:
- Angular Design Can Be A Bit Hard to Control For some
- Crossarm Can Be A Bit Fragile
Wicked Ridge Invader G3
If the lower draw weight and shooting speed make you think that this bow might be subpar, then you need to take a look at its size and weight.
This is an amazing compact bow that still has a significant amount of power then this is the perfect bow for you.
Specifications:
- Unit Weight: 6.6 Pounds
- Dimensions: 37.75″W x 22.6” L
- Draw Length: 13.5 Inches
- Draw Weight: 165 Pounds
- Shooting Speed: 330 FPS
Features:
Super Compact Build: From the super narrow rails to the small dimensions, this bow has a super compact footprint. This bow is very easy to carry and can fit in easily in tight spaces.
Assisting Cocking Mechanism: The integrated self-retracting cocking system this bow comes with will decrease the draw weight. Wicked Ridge claims that it decreases the draw weight up to about 50%.
Pros:
- Small Footprint
- Super Lightweight
- Self-Retracting Cocking System to Decrease Draw Weight
Cons:
- The Narrow Rail Is Not Suitable for Everyone
- Can Lack in Power in Some Scenarios
Wicked Ridge Blackhawk 360
If you are looking for a crossbow with a small footprint but the previous option on this list was too compact then this is a solid middle-ground for you.
While this bow is on the lighter side it is also one of the firmest and sturdiest. The whole body is very well built and will last you a very long time.
Specifications:
- Unit Weight: 11.2 Pounds
- Dimensions: 35.5” W x 15” L
- Draw Length: 15 Inches
- Draw Weight: 175 Pounds
- Shooting Speed: 360 FPS
Features:
Narrow Profile: The Blackhawk 360 has an ultra-narrow build that makes it easy to carry around and a great option for hunters looking for a portable bow.
Fast and Simple Assembly: The Blackhawk 360 with its single bolt assembly system can be assembled super-fast. Just by screwing in a single bolt your crossbow will be ready to shoot in no time.
Pros:
- Great Budget Option
- Great Build
- Easy to Handle
Cons:
- Can Lack in Power
- Small Feature Set
Conclusion
These are the best crossbows under $500. I hope you now have an idea about which crossbow might be good for you. But if you are still confused, I recommend that you go with the top pick CenterPoint Sniper 370. You will not be disappointed.
Thanks for reading till the end. I hope this article has helped you in choosing your next crossbow. Until next time, farewell. And happy hunting.
