A hunting crossbow should arrive ready to sight in: a scope, bolts, a quiver, and a rope or crank. It should be light enough to carry to a stand, narrow enough to swing in a blind, and fast enough to keep a 40-yard deer shot flat. These five are the best crossbows for hunting that were in stock and ready to ship when this page was written.
Quick picks
Compare the five
| Crossbow | Speed | Weight | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnett XP370 | 370 fps | 6 lb | Under $400 | First deer bow |
| Boss 405 | 405 fps | 6.7 lb | Under $300 | Speed on a budget |
| Whitetail Hunter STR | 375 fps | 6.6 lb | Under $500 | Most hunters |
| Barnett XP385 | 385 fps | 6 lb | Under $500 | Speed plus a scope |
| Wrath 430 | 430 fps | bullpup | Under $750 | Narrow blind bow |
The picks
1. Barnett XP370 — best first deer bow
The XP370 is Barnett’s entry compound and the easiest way into a new deer bow right now. Barnett lists 370 fps and 115 ft-lb from a 165 lb draw, about 6 lb, and 13 inches axle to axle when cocked. It was sold by a third-party seller and shipped by Amazon. There is not much owner feedback yet.
It ships ready to hunt: a red dot sight, two 20-inch carbon arrows, a quiver, and a rope cocker. The stock adjusts from 35.5 to 38 inches, and the trigger is a TriggerTech. A red dot is quick inside 30 yards but has no magnification, so add a scope if you plan longer shots. This spot used to go to the Whitetail Hunter II, but that listing was unavailable when we checked. For a first deer bow that is in stock now, start here.
2. Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR — best all-around
The STR is the same idea with a step-through riser, which shortens the bow and puts the stirrup in the riser. Barnett rates it at 375 fps and 6.6 lb, in Mossy Oak Bottomland.
The box includes a 4×32 multi-reticle scope, two 22-inch Headhunter arrows, a side quiver, a rope cocker, and wax. A TriggerTech release, an anti-dry-fire trigger, and a soft-lok arrow retainer are the details that matter in the field. Buy this over the XP370 if you want a scope and a long owner track record in a complete package under $500.
3. Killer Instinct Boss 405 — best bargain
The Boss 405 is the speed buy. Killer Instinct rates it at 405 fps, about 6.7 lb, with an adjustable stock.
You get a 4×32 illuminated scope, rope cocker, string suppressors, a 3-bolt quiver, three Hypr Lite bolts, field tips, and rail lube. Buyers praise the groups and the easy assembly. The weak spot in reviews is durability — some limbs failed early — so keep bolts at the maker’s minimum grain weight and retire a frayed string. It is the right pick if $300 is the ceiling and you want more than 350 fps.
4. Barnett XP385 — more speed, scope included
The XP385 is the XP370 with more power and a real scope. Barnett rates it at 385 fps and 122 ft-lb from a 185 lb draw and a 13.8-inch power stroke, at about 6 lb, with the same 13-inch cocked axle-to-axle and adjustable stock. It was sold by a third-party seller and shipped by Amazon.
The box has a 4×32 multi-reticle scope, two 20-inch carbon arrows, a side-mount quiver, a rope cocker, and wax. Buy it over the Hunter STR only if you want the extra 10 fps and the adjustable stock, and watch for a sale. The Whitetail Pro STR that used to sit here was unavailable when we checked.
5. CenterPoint Wrath 430 — narrowest hunting bow
The Wrath 430 is the bow that fits a ground blind. It is a bullpup, about 9 inches wide when cocked, rated 430 fps from a 200 lb draw, with a silent crank.
You pay for the width and the crank, not for a huge review count. A few buyers reported string trouble early, so confirm bolt weight and follow the crank sequence in the manual. If the stand is tight and the budget reaches $750, this is the listing that solves that problem.
How to choose a hunting crossbow
- Speed. 350 fps kills deer inside 40 yards. 400-plus flattens the bolt. It does not add 20 yards of ethical range.
- Width. The Barnett STR and XP bows are short axle-to-axle. The Wrath 430 is the narrow one, at about 9 inches cocked.
- Cocking. Every bow here includes a rope, except the Wrath, which uses a crank. Use it. A 165 to 200 lb draw is not a hand pull.
- Package. Scope, bolts, and quiver should be in the box. Do not hunt with a bolt under the listed minimum grain weight.
- Price. Under $350, the XP370 or the Boss 405. Under $500, the STR or XP385. Under $750, the Wrath 430.
Which one to buy
Buy the Barnett XP370 if you want a simple first deer bow under $400. Buy the Whitetail Hunter STR if you want the best balance of speed, width, and reviews. Buy the Boss 405 if price is the limit. Buy the Wrath 430 if the blind is the problem.
Specs are manufacturer figures. Stock was checked on Amazon on October 4, 2026 and will move. Confirm stock, included accessories, and your state crossbow rules before you hunt.