Hunting is a recreational sport. Many states might not allow hunting. But there are enough places where hunting is legal and done at a good rate.
You can either use firearms or bows for hunting. Both have a different zest to it. Hunting bows are the prime tool for archery as well. Among different bows available, it is the crossbow, which is the fastest of them all.
It is easy and fast. You need to hold it just like a rifle, and it has light triggers on it. You have to trigger the bolt just like you do in case of a firearm.
Enough of explaining what a crossbow is. Let us jump straight on reviewing the top 10.
Top 10 Best Fastest Crossbows reviews
1. TenPoint Nitro X
TenPoint Nitro X is fast, balanced, and comfortable. It feels very lightweight, and you can feel it the moment you shoulder it. The 20-inch aluminum barrel is sturdy and manages the speed and energy produced by the bolt release pretty well. Overall, the crossbow measures 30.7 inches.
For providing the much-needed stability and managing energy, tension, and torsion, its Vector Quad cable technology plays its part. The four cables, two on each side, transfer the energy well, holds the balance, and results in optimum accuracy. Add to that the Sling-Shot technology, and you are going to get the fastest crossbow ever.
If you are using the Pro-Lite Arrows of TenPoint with Nitro X, your bolt is going to hit the target at a massive speed of 440 feet-per-second.
Nitro X manages the vibration and noise well too. Noise dampening is crucial for hunting. And when it is about vibration, that is better nulled for stability.
Pros
- Accurate, stable and comfy
- Sturdy aluminum body
- Arrow speeds up to 440 feet-per-second
- Comes with six carbon arrows
- Dampens noise and vibration
Cons
- Cranks more than it needs to
2. Scorpyd Aculeus 460FPS
Scorpyd Aculeus is the fastest crossbow of them all. The bolts hit the bullseye at a great speed of 460 FPS.
For easy cocking of the crossbow, it has the ACUdraw crank cocking mechanism. The device comes with this crossbow. Crank cocking is easier and quicker than if done manually.
It features the new Kempf trigger. This new trigger housing with the help of its smooth scope rail gives you accuracy and energy. Pulling the trigger is effortless. The draw weight of 180 lbs is not very easy to handle. But this sturdy crossbow has the proper length for applying its trademark reverse draw system. All that results in a power-packed, precise hit on the target.
In this package, you also get 12 Scorpyd bolts and a multi-coated 1.5×5 Hawke XB1 SR Scope.
Pros
- Light but sturdy
- The fastest- speeds up to 460 FPS
- Uses ACUdraw crank cocking mechanism
- Comes with 12 Scorpyd bolts
- Kempf Tech Integrated Trigger Housing
Cons
- Makes noise.
3. Barnett Ghost 420
Next is Ghost 420 by Barnett. It has a Mossy Oak Treestand Monochrome pattern. The crossbow is not just beautiful; it is as lethal as a crossbow can get.
The bolt shoots from the flight track at a speed of 420 speed per second. That high speed comes due to the massive 186 pounds draw weight. Ghost 420 is accurate, quick, and easy to trigger.
Easy triggering brings us to its TriggerTech trigger control system. The trigger is light but fatal. The bolt release is so smooth that it gives you a feeling as if you have just touched the trigger, never pulled it. In the trigger, it uses Frictionless Release Technology. There is a roller between the trigger and the sear. So, you have the smoothest of operation while triggering the crossbow.
All the power is in the sturdy aluminum track and robust-built of each component of this crossbow. The crossbow has a CarbonLite Riser and a Polarized illuminated scope mounted on it
Pros
- CNC machined aluminum flight rail
- Bolt leaves the flight track at 420 FPS
- TriggerTech trigger control system
- Crank cocking device, easy-to-install
- Safe, Anti-Dry fire
Cons
- A bit heavy
4. EXCALIBUR CROSSBOW Matrix
This Camouflage crossbow is something that no hunter can miss. It is great for the most skilled crossbow users. The crossbow releases the bolt at a speed of 400 FPS. Just target, and trigger and the next moment you have hit the bullseye.
The crossbow has an illuminated scope mounted on it. This one is easy to sight in and great for hunting in the dark. You have a clear vision due to the optimum clarity you get from the scope it has.
It has a sturdy built and will last you for a long time, even after vigorous use. With the crossbow, you get a quiver and four Diablo bolts.
For easy cocking, you have a rope cocker, and the noise dampeners almost turn it to a silent bow.
Pros
- Robust but comfy
- Bolt releases at a speed of 400 FPS
- Comes with a high-quality illuminated scope
- Four Diablo bolts
- Noise dampener string for a quiet operation
Cons
- Tough for beginners
5. TenPoint Turbo GT
Turbo GT is our second crossbow from the brand TenPoint. It is convenient, safe, and assures the optimum safety of the hunters. Packed with incredible features, this one releases the bolt at a speed of 360 FPS. Not too high, not too low, great for beginners to handle.
The draw weight of 175 lbs and a whopping 107 ft-lbs kinetic energy is all that decides the accuracy and the power that the bolt gets while hitting the target. It is the proud winner of the 2016 Game & Fish Reader’s Choice Award. Indeed, it is the archers’ favorite.
Why not, as the crossbow is built with sturdy material. It has the ACUdraw self-retracting rope cocking device, which helps in decreasing the draw weight to half. The Fusion S stock makes it light, easy to handle and keeps the balance intact.
The Dry-Fire-Inhibitor is there for giving you and your bow the safety from sudden firing. It keeps the crossbow cocked when it is not loaded with bolts.
Pros
- 360 FPS speed, 175 lbs draw weight and 107 ft-lbs kinetic energy
- Adjustable Fusion-S stock makes it safe, stable
- Built-in self-retracting rope cocking device
- Comes with a 3X Pro-View 2 Scope and three Carbon Arrows
- Uses Dry-Fire-Inhibitor
Cons
- Finish wears off
Buying Tips
Not just the Dry Fire Inhibitor, it comes with Glass-reinforced nylon safety wings as well. Add the 3.5-pound auto-engaging safety trigger to that, and it becomes the safest of them all.
6. BARNETT Whitetail Pro
When it comes to Whitetail Pro, slinging the bolts is easy and quick. At least, one of the fastest, will not be wrong. It already comes with two already set bolts. So, you can take two shots within no time. Then, reloading the sling with bolts shot after shot becomes convenient.
The bolts release at a speed of 400 FPS. You are getting a high draw weight of 187 lbs and kinetic energy of 140 ft-lbs. So, you are gaining speed, power, and optimum accuracy.
Its step-through riser integrates well with the foot stirrup making it light and usable for people of all sizes.
The crossbow has a CNC machined aluminum flight track for a smooth release of the bolts. It is essential to take precise shots. Moreover, it is a silent crossbow as it has noise dampeners. Dampeners also cut vibration. So, you can have a stable hunting experience.
Pros
- 400 feet-per-second speed
- Comes ready with two 22-inch Headhunter bolts
- String dampeners for cutting noise and vibration
- Free-floating roller ensures smooth trigger pull
- Nock sensors and ADF system for safe use
Cons
- Small side quiver attachment
7. Ravin Crossbow R15
The next two crossbows we are going to review are Ravin Crossbows. The first one is the R15 Predator. It works at 425 FPS and has a kinetic energy of 160 ft-lbs. With the Helicoid technology, this crossbow offers tremendous downrange accuracy.
It uses the frictionless flight system. There is that much-needed gap between the rail and the bolt. The front of the bolt touches the riser and the back, the latch. Even if the bolt releases at high speed, there is no contact between the two. So, the bolts have a smooth release in every shot.
Even the trigger needs a light pull for releasing the bolt. It cuts the trigger creep as well.
Coming to the extra components it comes with, and it comes with a lot. First comes the high-quality Ravin scope, then the six Ravin bolts with nocks, Ravin quiver, and Versa-draw cocking system.
Pros
- Small and narrow, great for people with small built
- Great downrange accuracy
- 425 FPS speed with 160 ft-lbs kinetic energy
- Six Ravin bolts and nocks
- Smooth bolt release due to the frictionless flight system
Cons
- Need to use only Ravin bolts
8. Ravin Crossbows R9
As we have mentioned earlier, here is another crossbow from Ravin. It is their R9 crossbow, pretty similar to the R15. The main difference lies in the speed of the bolt release. In R9, the bolt hits the target at a speed of 390 FPS with 135 ft-lbs kinetic energy.
R9, like R15, comes fully assembled and tuned. It uses Helicoid technology as well, which provides the best downrange accuracy. You are spending on a crossbow that has tremendous power and speed. With the frictionless flight track, the bolt has zero contact with the track, thus has a smooth release.
It is a compact crossbow, very light but fast. Just like R15, even this one comes with Versa-draw cocking system, six bolts and nocks, illuminated scope, and much more.
R15 is a lot more expensive than R9. So those of you who are not sure of spending much on a crossbow but want all the features of R15 can try R9. Even 390 FPS is enough for hunting big prey.
Pros
- 390 FPS with 135 ft-lbs kinetic energy
- Superior downrange accuracy with power and speed
- Frictionless flight system
- Six bolts and nocks
- Comes assembled and pre-tuned
Cons
- Cocking system is tough to handle
9. BARNETT Predator Crossbow
BARNETT Predator Crossbow has a speed of 430 FPS. It’s among the crossbows that have high speed. The kinetic energy and draw weight is also pretty high in this one. The former is 156 ft-lbs and the latter 187 lbs.
It has Barnett’s patented step-through riser. So, it is light, fast, and great for people of all sizes. Ensure optimum accuracy with its 1.5-5×32 scope. It is illuminated.
The CNC Machined Aluminum Flight Track is smooth and sturdy enough to handle the powerful trigger pull and releasing of the bolts at high speed, absolutely quiet.
It comes with nock sensors, string dampeners, and Anti-Dry fire trigger system. So, one can imagine the level of safety precautions the crossbow has taken. The nock sensors and the anti-dry trigger system cut down any chances of dry fire. And the string dampeners reduce the annoying noise as well as the vibration.
Pros
- 430 FPS speed
- CNC aluminum flight track
- Anti-dry fire
- 5-5×32 illuminated scope
- Carbonlite Step-Through Riser
Cons
- Rope cocking, not easy
10. Center Point AXCH200GCK
Center Point AXCH200GCK is a sturdy crossbow. It has an aluminum body with a 4x32mm scope mounted on it. In the kit, you also get a parallel quiver and three carbon bolts.
A crossbow is all about power, speed, and accuracy. The 200 lbs draw weight it has is the highest among all the ten crossbows we reviewed. Then comes the kinetic energy, and in this crossbow, its 153 ft-lbs.
Last but not least is the speed of the bolts triggered by the flight rail, and that is 415 FPS. So, overall, you get massive speed, maximum power, and optimum accuracy.
It has great control over the noise and vibration. It almost zeroes them down. And that is possible due to its Whisper Silencing System. In this system, you have string stops, limb dampeners, and string silencers. All these, together, work in delivering a quiet hunting performance.
Pros
- Sturdy aluminum frame
- Spits bolt at 415 feet per second speed
- Comes with three 20 inches carbon bolts
- Uses Whisper Silencing System
- 4x32mm Scope
Cons
- Scope not illuminated
Buyer Guide For Fastest Crossbows
Buy a crossbow keeping some features in mind. What they are, check below.
Speed
If you have read our crossbow review above, you have seen how we kept mentioning about the speed of the bolt. In our analysis, the maximum was 460 FPS. We had one with 360 FPS as well. The rest were all in between. The fastest crossbows will have to release the bolts at speed in between 360-460. The faster, the better.
Draw Weight
Those of you who have a slight idea on crossbows very well know how the draw weight works. It is simple. For a great speed, you will need a higher draw weight. So, go for the crossbows that are high in draw weight. But make sure your state allows that draw weight. Because in some states, crossbows with high draw weight are not allowed.
Weight Of The Crossbow
Both light and heavy crossbows have different advantages. Light ones are easy to target, and control and heavy ones are stable. So, if you can handle it, go for the heavy ones. Otherwise, lightweight crossbows are equally efficient.
Noise-free
Go for the crossbows that have at least noise dampeners. They are great at reducing noise and vibration. The ones that use other systems are even better.
Safe
For safe use of a bow, you need to have some sort of safety system on your crossbow. It can be an Anti-dry fire trigger system or a safety lock. Anything in a crossbow that keeps you safe is a boon for you.
Crossbows can be a bit pricey. Hunters tend to avoid it. Not just because it costs a lot but also in many places, using it is not allowed. But the places where it can be used, there it is used and at a high number.
Our review was to make your buying experience for such an expensive item easy. When you are spending on such a complicated tool, you need to have proper knowledge about it. Then try to analyze the crossbows you like, be it due to the look or features.
We have ten great crossbows for you to choose from. So, have a read, do your research and buy the best one.
