Crossbows can be expensive depending on the model and the brand you choose. But if you are on a budget and want to learn how to use a crossbow, don’t be discouraged. You can get a cheap crossbow and start from there. Does $300 budget sounds fair to you? I think it’s more than enough to get you started on this amazing world.
What Is The Best Crossbow Under $300?
Killer Instinct Boss 405 Crossbow
Killer Instinct Boss is without a doubt the best crossbow under $300, period. You can’t beat that. If you click off the review and go buy a Killer Instinct Boss right now, I will be more than happy. You got a killer crossbow on your hand. Yes, pun intended.
Centerpoint Sniper 370 Crossbow
It’s not the fastest crossbow under $300, nor it’s super powerful. It’s a crossbow that knows what it’s doing and what it should do to make the owner happy. With the experience of Centerpoint behind it, the crossbow possess an insane price to value performance. It has my vote any day of the week.
Killer Instinct Lethal 405 Crossbow
Killer Instinct Lethal 405 is smaller brother of Boss. They share a ton of similarities besides physical appearances. Both of them are good options for a newbie crossbow. Super-fast and powerful. Perfect combination to create some chaos.
What To Look For On A Crossbow Under $300?
You can’t expect to have everything for $300. You can expect to have some good redeeming qualities on your crossbow. Here are some things that you might want to keep in your mind while looking for a crossbow on the budget.
Speed: You can’t expect to have the fastest crossbow in this budget range. But you can expect to have a crossbow that can fire at a moderate speed enough to hunt and learn more tricks with a crossbow.
Power: Again, you won’t have the most powerful crossbow in this budget. You will have a crossbow that can fire with moderate force enough to slay deer and such animals.
Build Quality: One thing even in this budget range you can’t forget is the build quality. If the crossbow isn’t built well, it won’t last you a long time. That’s why look for a crossbow that has a good build quality.
Draw weight is an important part of a crossbow. If you are a beginner and want to learn how to use a crossbow, then you need to purchase a crossbow with low draw weight. Or else you will have a hard time loading bolts on the crossbow.
1. Killer Instinct Boss 405 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 405 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 134 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 13.25 Inches; Draw Weight: 220 LBS; Axle To Axle: 14.75 / 18.75 Inches; Length: 33.5 – 36 Inches; Weight: 6.7 LBS.
Let me show you how the boss does it. Well, most of you probably aren’t were of where that dialogue is from. Anyway, Killer Instinct pulled off a big move by naming their crossbow the Boss.
405 FPS. That’s right. Boss started with a bang. The crossbow is capable of reaching 405 FPS. That’s a great thing to have in this price range. The budget range has become so good. I like it this way.
134 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. Usually, I would tell you to steer clear from the idea of powerful crossbow in this price range. Looks like I have to change my mind.
DSC crank compatible. DSC is Killer Instinct’s own cranking device. It’s a silent cranking device that will lower the draw weight of your crossbow by a lot. If you can spare the extra cash, I highly recommend taking this cranking device.
Excellent build quality. The build quality on this bow is marvelous. I wasn’t expecting it to have such a strong rail and arms. Although, the arms could have been a bit thicker. But they are quite good as they are already.
Quick Facts
If you were waiting for the fastest crossbow in this budget, you can get this and be done with it. It will support you for a good time for sure.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Good build quality.
- Fast and powerful.
- Lightweight.
- Cranking device compatible.
- Quite silent.
- Good scope included.
Cons
- The price will go over the budget with cranking device.
- Draw weight without any cranking aid will be high for newbies.
2. Centerpoint Sniper 370 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 370 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 130 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 13.5 Inches; Draw Weight: 185 LBS; Axle To Axle: 18 / 21 Inches; Length: 36 Inches; Weight: 7.9 LBS.
Centerpoint is really old brand. They are making crossbows for decades now. Their experience and their history will take them a long way. But we are not here to find out about their history. We are talking about a crossbow name Sniper 370 made by Centerpoint.
Crossbows aren’t known for their range. It doesn’t seem a genius idea to call their crossbow a sniper. But let’s give them a chance to show their potential.
370 FPS. As the name suggests, the Sniper is capable of reaching 370 FPS. For a crossbow that is so cheap, 370 FPS is quite remarkable. And you are getting that from a reputable brand. With brand warranty. You don’t need to worry about anything for a long time.
Great build quality. The rail of the crossbow is manufactured from CNC machined aluminum. One of the most used and loved materials for crossbow manufacturing.
110ft-lbs. I did say you shouldn’t expect crossbow to be super powerful. Guess what? This crossbow is quite powerful for what you are paying. IT can generate up to 110ft-lbs of kinetic energy. You can participate in any big-game hunting with this bow.
Quick Facts
We started with a bang. Centerpoint Sniper is definitely one of the best crossbows under $300. It will be hard to beat this. But let’s see what we have in the box.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Durable.
- Lightweight.
- 4×32 scope included.
- 370 FPS.
- 110ft-lbs of kinetic energy.
Cons
- The scope is not the best but you can easily upgrade that.
3. Killer Instinct Lethal 405 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 405 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 134 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 14.5 Inches; Draw Weight: 210 LBS; Axle To Axle: 14.75 / 18.75 Inches; Length: 34.5 Inches; Weight: 7.2 LBS.
Killer Instinct and budget crossbows, still a better love story than twilight. Lethal 405 is another great budget offering from Killer Instinct.
Super-fast. The weapon is named Lethal. If it wasn’t fast enough to deal a ton of damage, that name would be a waste on the bow. That’s why Killer Instinct forged this crossbow with 405 FPS. That’s super-fast. You can enjoy any sorts of hunting and related activities.
Tons of accessories for you. Inside the package you will find, the bow, stock, 4×32 scope, foot stirrup, rope cocker, or silent cranking device depending which one you order, 3-bolt quiver, 3x arrows, and a stick of lube. That’s a lot. Those accessories alone will cost you a pretty penny. But killer Instinct is including those for free.
Dead Silent Cranking device compatible. Like always, you will get the option to get the bow with the device or without it. Without the device, you can save a bit of money. By spending a bit over the budget, you will find a device that will change your hunting forever. In my opinion, it’s more than worth it.
Quick Facts
The crossbow has proven to be one of the best crossbows under $300. Heck it can go toe to toe with $500 or more expensive crossbows. Once again, Killer Instinct is providing killer value.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Good build quality.
- Tons of accessories included.
- DSC compatible.
- String and limb dampeners included.
- Fast and powerful.
Cons
- The scope isn’t illuminated.
4. PSE Archery Coalition Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 380 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 127 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 14.5 Inches; Draw Weight: 185 LBS; Axle To Axle: 14 / 24 Inches; Length: 35 Inches; Weight: 7.5 LBS.
PSE Archery is not that big of a brand. Their crossbows are quite niche and appreciated by the hunters. They make good budget crossbows like many other brands we are going to feature today. The crossbow here is Coalition. It’s a budget crossbow that is semi-powerful and will be a good choice for beginner hunters.
380 FPS. Coalition is capable of reaching 380 FPS. For a crossbow like this, it’s quite an achievement. It’s more than enough for regular hunting and competition hunting.
The build quality is strong with this one. Although, you can’t use the crossbow like a Jedi, you can still use the crossbow anyway you want. The build quality of this bow is quite strong and durable.
Auto Dry-fire prevention system. Safety feature is often overlooked on crossbows. Thankfully PSE Archery included one in their crossbows. I won’t think twice before suggesting this crossbow to my close people.
Quick Facts
There isn’t many things going on for this crossbow. But the things that are going for it makes it a solid buy.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Good build quality.
- 380FPS.
- Moderately powerful.
- Auto dry-fire safety.
Cons
- The draw weight is too high for newbie hunters.
5. Centerpoint Volt 300 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 300 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 84 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 10.5 Inches; Draw Weight: 130 LBS; Axle To Axle: 14 / 17 Inches; Length: 31.1 Inches; Weight: 7.9 LBS.
Centerpoint Volt 300 is a compound crossbow. It’s one of the cheapest crossbows on our list today. Don’t let the price tag fool you. It’s quite capable of a crossbow.
300FPS. As the name suggests, the crossbow is capable of reaching 300 FPS. That’s quite fast for a crossbow this cheap. Usually, we don’t expect the crossbow to be faster than 240 FPS in this budget range. But Centerpoint said, let’s go against the trend and make a new one. Very good move Centerpoint.
84ft-lbs of kinetic energy. A lot of you will say that’s pretty low. Yes, I know that’s quite low. But you will use this crossbow to learn hunting and hunt small animals or practice target shooting. With 84ft-lbs of energy and 300 FPS speed, you can hunt deer as well.
Easy to use. It’s something that you will learn to appreciate as you use more crossbows. Ease of access is always welcome.
Quick Facts
It’s not the endgame crossbow you are looking for, but it’s certainly one of the best within $300. It’s not a lot of money to work with. Yet, the crossbows in this range is showing ton of potential.
Pros
- Cheap.
- Decent build quality.
- 300FPS.
- Moderately powerful.
- Decent scope included.
Cons
- The building process is a bit hard and the guide included isn’t 100% clear.
6. Barnett Explorer XP370 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 370 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 115 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 13.75 Inches; Draw Weight: 165 LBS; Axle To Axle: 13.3 / 16.5 Inches; Length: 31.25 – 33.75 Inches; Weight: 6 LBS.
Barnett Explorer series consists of a ton of crossbows. You can get a 370FPS model or increase the budget to get a 400FPS model. Keep in mind, if you go for a higher model, the price will increase significantly.
370 FPS. As the name spoils, Explorer XP370 is capable of reaching 370 FPS. 370 FPS is quite fast for a modern crossbow. Almost 400 FPS. You can do big-game hunting and any competition.
165 lbs draw weight. The draw weight on this bow is significantly low compared to a lot of other crossbows in the $600 range.
115 ft-lbs. The kinetic energy on this crossbow is 115ft-lbs. That’s a lot of power considering the size and the budget of this crossbow. As I said earlier, it’s more than capable of any stress you are planning to put this crossbow through.
Quick Facts
The value of this crossbow is insane. You won’t find deals like this every day. It’s more than worth it.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Available with different speeds.
- Quite powerful.
- Highly accurate.
- Good service warranty.
Cons
- There is no string dampeners installed on the bow.
7. Barnett Gamecrusher 340 Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 340 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 90 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 11.38 Inches; Draw Weight: 165 LBS; Axle To Axle: 21 Inches; Length: 36 Inches; Weight: 7.5 LBS.
Barnett Gamecrusher is quite old compound crossbow. It was marketed as entry level crossbow. But when it first came out, the price tag and some factory QC issue stopped people from purchasing it. As time went by, Barnett washed those issues away and now the crossbow is quite viable option even in 2021.
340 FPS. You have to keep in mind the bow came out back in 2014-15. For a crossbow this old, it’s quite fast still. Barnett was really thinking ahead of its time.
90ft-lbs of kinetic energy. I have to admit, I am thoroughly impressed. You know, when you take a look at the release date and how cartoonish this crossbow looks, you would think it’s a potato crossbow that can barely shoot past 30 yards. But this is Barnett we are talking about. They don’t give up that easily. The Gamecrusher is ready to crush its enemy with 90ft-lbs of kinetic energy.
Quick Facts
It’s a solid crossbow. But it’s an old crossbow. Sometimes, old is gold.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Good build quality.
- Lightweight.
- Quite powerful.
- 340 FPS.
Cons
- QC issues.
- Quite loud.
8. Barnett Wildcat Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 260 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 57 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 12 Inches; Draw Weight: 195 LBS; Axle To Axle: 28 Inches; Length: 32 Inches; Weight: 4.8 LBS.
Barnett Wildcat is the last and the only recurve crossbow in our this $300 MEGA list. Recurve crossbows are the easiest to use and repair. For that reason, countless hunters still choose recurve crossbows over compound bows. Even though recurve crossbows are quite underpowered compared to compound crossbows.
260 FPS. Recurve crossbows aren’t known for their speed or power. They are known for their reliability and how easy it is to fix them if something is broken. 260 FPS isn’t enough to get you entry on the big-league. But it’s enough to give you an experience of what hunting is and how fun it can be. It’s definitely enough for a small animal hunting party.
Subpar power. The total power of this crossbow is only 57ft-lbs. That’s quite low. But you can’t forget, this is a recurve crossbow.
Lightweight. The weight of this crossbow is only 4.8lbs. Making this the lightest crossbow on the list so far. XtremepowerUS doesn’t count as that’s hybrid not a crossbow.
Quick Facts
If you want a recurve bow, here you go. If you don’t want a recurve bow, you don’t want a recurve bow.
Pros
- Affordable.
- 260 FPS.
- Recurve bow.
- Quite silent.
Cons
- No cases included.
- No slings included.
9. SA Sports Empire Fever Pro Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 240 FPS; Kinetic Energy: 51 ft.lbs; Power Stroke: 10.25 Inches; Draw Weight: 175 LBS; Color: Kryptek camouflage; Scope: 4x32mm; Weight: 5.1 LBS.
SA Sports Empire Fever Pro is available in two colors. Kryptek Camo and Muddy Girl. Both of the colors looks excellent on pictures and in real life. But colors won’t be able to carry a crossbow to the victory road. Then, why should you by the Empire Fever Pro?
Beginner friendly. This crossbow has a non-existent learning curve. You don’t need to do any special course to operate this crossbow. You still need to use quite a bit of force to load the crossbow. But it’s not that high compared to other we have seen so far.
240 FPS. While 240 FPS doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s still a lot for a teenager or a newbie that never fired a crossbow before. It’s enough to hunt deer as well. You really don’t need 400FPS to get you started on hunting.
Crank cocking device compatible. That was surprising to me as well. You don’t often find crossbows this cheap that actually support a cranking device. Good job SA Sports. That was a nice touch from you.
Quick Facts
It’s a great crossbow for younglings and female hunters. The Muddy Girl skin will be a great gift for a female hunter as well.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Moderately powerful.
- Great for beginners.
- The color options are great.
- Quite durable.
Cons
- Although you will get a scope, it’s not the best.
10. Xtremepowerus Hybrid Crossbow Package
Specifications | Speed: 160 FPS; Color: Black; Power Stroke: 10 Inches; Draw Weight: 80 LBS; Effective Range: 75 M; Scope: 4x32mm; Magazine Capacity: 200 Pcs Steel Balls.
XtremepowerUS hybrid crossbow is a crossbow between a crossbow and a pistol crossbow. The barrel of this crossbow looks like a gun. While the rest of the body of the crossbow is constructed like a crossbow. I don’t know the reasoning for this but it looks cool.
160 FPS. It’s not the fastest crossbow by any means. For a hybrid crossbow 260 FPS seems fair speed. While it’s not enough to grant you entry in most competition, it’s enough to hunt some small animals. Don’t expect to take down a big bad bear with this.
80lbs draw weight. The draw weight of this crossbow is quite low. That’s understandable, it’s a small crossbow with not much going on. You don’t need to spend a ton of energy while cocking it. With a rope cocking device, you can cut down the draw weight even further.
Quick Facts
Honestly, I can’t convince you to buy this crossbow unless you love cute little things. While I understand it’s a good crossbow for small scale hunting, it won’t give you the full experience of a big crossbow.
Pros
- Cute.
- Affordable.
- Good build quality.
- Moderately fast for a pistol hybrid crossbow.
- Low draw weight.
- Scope included.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Not suitable for big-game hunting or big animal hunting.
Frequently ASK Questions
Are Crossbows Under $300 Worth It?
That’s a situational question, isn’t it? You can ask this question for anything. Literally anything, Still, let me answer this for you. Yes, they are definitely worth it. Are you a beginner? Want to experience hunting? Or don’t want to go broke at Christmas? This budget is suitable for all of you. Granted, veterans and professionals won’t enjoy any bows from this budget, but we are not looking for a 500FPS crossbow under $300.
How Can I Make My $300 Crossbow More Damaging?
You can try purchasing arrows that are made for you bow. Then you can try out different tips and compare which one does more damage to the target. You might want to try out broadheads as well. They are known for their piercing ability and reliability. You can also try to upgrade the string to a better and one increasing the tension of the string. Don’t increase it too much or you will end up breaking it.
Are $300 Crossbows Good Or Home Defense?
Not all of them. Some of them comes with cranking devices, those certainly can give a good scare to home intruders. You can reload quickly and fire more rounds at unwanted guests. So, technically yes, then can certainly be good for home defense.
Conclusion: Best Crossbow Under 300 Dollars
If you know me for a while, you know I am a connoisseur of budget products. I find it quite satisfying to find out best value for the money. After all, you are investing this money to get a good return. I would be a terrible salesman if I didn’t offer you a good value in return.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the review. I was planning to add some more crossbows but the review became as big as it is already. Hope you found the best crossbow suitable for you from the list. Finding the best crossbow for under $300 isn’t easy. But hey, easy tasks aren’t fun. We do it the hard way. Hope you are doing great and I wish you will return soon.