Best Crossbows Under $500 Dollars

In today’s crowded crossbow market it’s easy to spend $500 and end up with a sub-par model that does not shoot accurately, lacks reliability, and can even be without the necessary safety options. Our list of best crossbows under $500 will help steer you clear of the duds!

If you are in the market for one of the best crossbows under $500 the first thing you have to do is face reality:

• You’re not going to end up with the latest and greatest crossbow;
• You’re not going to set arrow speed records;
• You’re not going to split arrows at 80 plus yards;
• You’re not going to be amazed at the optics;

That’s the bad news. But the good news?

There is a good selection of best crossbows under $500 and under if you know where to look and what too look for!

And the place to look is here!

The best crossbows under $500 will have compound or recurve limbs, an easy to operate rope cocking device, a proven anti-dry-fire system, thumb and finger protection and an integrated rail and frame designed to absorb vibration and relieve stress from the limbs.

A halfway decent arrow quick release arrow quiver should also be considered a `standard issue on top rated hunting crossbow in the $500 range.

Some crossbows in this range have a crank to draw option as an add-on. This can be a huge bonus for smaller folks or hunters who don’t want to mess around with a rope cocking device while hanging precariously from a tree-stand or in a tight ground blind.

What Are The Best Crossbows Under $500?

Here’s our hit-list of the top-rated crossbows that can be bought for around the $500 and under mark:

Bear X Constrictor CDX

The Bear X Constrictor CDX Ready to Shoot Crossbow Package is tough to beat for around $500 dollars. It’s able to create an arrow speed of 410 FPS with a draw weight of 190 LBS.

We really like the dual string suppressors that muffle shot noise, and at only 10″ wide uncocked it’s a great compact option for hunting in tight places like small ground blinds, box blinds and tree stands.

Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow – Realtree Xtra

Looking for an amazing crossbow for target practice or hunting small game? The Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow is the answer.

This lightweight and compact crossbow delivers average bolt speeds of 305 fps with a power stroke of 11.2″.

Important Features:

• Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow, a lightweight and compact hunting crossbow
• It is amazingly quiet, smooth to shoot, and deadly accurate with Excalibur durability
• 33. 25 ” long and 26. 5″ (Cocked), 30. 5″ (Uncocked) wide
• A 5.5 lbs. crossbow with 200 lbs draw weight
• Shoots arrows at the velocity of 305 FPS (feet per second) and 72.3 fpe kinetic energy for powerful knockdown
• The package includes a fixed power scope with a 1-inch ring
• The package comes with a 4-Arrow Quiver with bracket and (3) Diablo Arrows w/ 150 Grain Field Points, and Rope Cocking Aid

Features include Matrix Power-Load limbs, an oversized trigger guard, and a unique rubber grip inserted in the forearm, giving you enhanced control and feel.

Constructed of durable molded synthetic material, this crossbow features weatherproof hardware to keep it in shooting condition in all types of weather conditions, including rain and snow.

Wicked Ridge Rampage 360 Crossbow

Meet the Wicked Ridge™ Rampage 360 crossbow, delivering unmatched out-of-the-box accuracy and unparalleled American-built quality.

Featuring a lightweight aluminum riser and stock, this crossbow is comfortable to carry all day long.

Other features include the Multi-Line Scope with fully coated 3x optics that help you quickly sight in your crossbow and an ACUdraw 50 cocking device that enables you to draw your crossbow faster and with less effort.

Plus, the Rampage 360 shoots up to 360 fps, making it one of the fastest shooting crossbows on the market.

Important Features: 

• A powerful and fastest shooting crossbow.
• It has a total length of 35.5″ and a Width (axle-to-axle) of 15″
• A 6 lbs. crossbow having 175 lbs. draw weight
• Built-in ACUDRAW or ACUdraw 50 Cocking Device reduces draw-weight by 50%
• Shoots arrows at the velocity of 360FPS
• It features a multi-line scope (8 in, fully coated 3x optics) with three duplex crosshairs—calibrated for 20-30-, 40-yards, and a fourth partial line for 50-yard shots.
• The Package includes Wicked Ridge 3x Multi-Line Scope, ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 cocking device, and 3-Arrow Instant Detach Quiver.

The Wicked Ridge Rampage 360 Crossbow Package includes Wicked Ridge 3x Multi-Line Scope, ACUdraw or ACUdraw 50 cocking device, and 3-Arrow Instant Detach Quiver.

BARNETT Droptine STR Crossbow

Reliable Barnett Droptine STR Crossbow is lightweight and flexible, making it the perfect hunting companion for any top-of-the-line hunting trip.

Barnett has focused its expertise on developing technologically advanced crossbows and accessories that offer the highest quality and performance level.

Important Features: 

• A lightweight and flexible crossbow.
• It has an overall length of 36″ and a Width (axle-to-axle) of 18.125 ″
• A 6.9 lbs. crossbow having 185 lbs. draw weight
• Shoots arrows at the velocity of 380 FPS and 125 fpe kinetic energy for powerful knockdown
• Crank Cocking Device Compatible, Single Bolt Assembly, and a Picatinny Rail
• The crossbow comes with the soft-lok floating bristle arrow retainer along with a Metal
• Injection Molded (MIM) Trigger, Fiberglass Composite Step-Through Riser, and an anti-dry fire (ADF) trigger system.
• The Package includes a 4x32mm scope, rope cocking device, side-mount quiver, and two 22-inch Headhunter arrows.

The Droptine Str is packed with advanced features for top-level performance, including a lighted scope with four brightness settings that can be adjusted to match ambient lighting conditions, an intelligent TriggerTech trigger assembly that offers a frictionless, smooth, light trigger pull for greater accuracy and safety, and Barnett’s Carbonlite riser that shifts weight toward the center and improves downrange accuracy. This is one of the best-balanced options in our best crossbows under $500 list.

The entire package includes a 4x32mm scope, rope cocking device, side-mount quiver, and two 22-inch Headhunter arrows.

Barnett Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow

The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow Package provides an impressive set of features at an outstanding price.

This crossbow comes fully rigged with all the essentials so you can be up and hunting in no time – including Barnett’s legendary accuracy, relentless energy, and a Realtree Xtra® camo pattern that blends into your outdoor surroundings.

The Whitetail Hunter II is also lightweight enough to shoulder for hours. With the whole package weighing just 6.4 lbs., this crossbow is easy to handle in tight hunting situations.

Its light composite stock offers a pass-through foregrip with finger reminders for an extra-secure grip and features an adjustable butt pad for added comfort.

Important Features: 

• A lightweight and accurate crossbow.
• It has a total length of 34.25″ and a Width (axle-to-axle) of 18.125 ″
• A 6.4 lbs. crossbow having 160 lbs. draw weight
• Shoots arrows at the velocity of 350 FPS and 103 fpe kinetic energy for powerful knockdown
• Magnesium riser, Crank Cocking Device Compatible, Single Bolt Assembly, 7/8″ Picatinny Rail, and TriggerTech frictionless release technology.
• The crossbow comes with the soft-lok floating bristle arrow retainer along with a Metal
• Injection Molded (MIM) Trigger, Custom Composite Laminated Limbs, Anti-Vibration Foot Stirrup and an anti-dry fire (ADF) trigger system.
• The Package includes a 4×32 multi-reticle scope, quiver, two arrows, and a rope cocking device.

The bow’s 12.5″ power fires arrow up to 350 fps with 103 ft.-lbs. of energy—making it an excellent choice for hunters of all skill levels or sizes. It comes fitted with a 4×32 multi-reticle scope, quiver, two arrows, rope cocking device.

Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow – Realtree Xtra

Looking for an amazing crossbow for target practice or hunting small game? The Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow is the answer. And is one of the few recurve models on our best crossbows under $500 list!

This lightweight and compact crossbow delivers average bolt speeds of 305 fps with a power stroke of 11.2″.

Features include Matrix Power-Load limbs, an oversized trigger guard, and a unique rubber grip inserted in the forearm, giving you enhanced control and feel.

Important Features: 

• Excalibur GRZ 2 Crossbow, a lightweight and compact hunting crossbow
• It is amazingly quiet, smooth to shoot, and deadly accurate with Excalibur durability
• 33. 25 ” long and 26. 5″ (Cocked), 30. 5″ (Uncocked) wide
• A 5.5 lbs. crossbow with 200 lbs draw weight
• Shoots arrows at the velocity of 305 FPS (feet per second) and 72.3 fpe kinetic energy for powerful knockdown
• The package includes a fixed power scope with a 1-inch ring
• The package comes with a 4-Arrow Quiver with bracket and (3) Diablo Arrows w/ 150 Grain Field Points, and Rope Cocking Aid

Constructed of durable molded synthetic material, this crossbow features weatherproof hardware to keep it in shooting condition in all types of weather conditions, including rain and snow.

With all the engineering and design and machining that goes into manufacturing a crossbow the cost of production can really add up quickly for manufacturers.

Best Crossbows Under $500: What To Expect?

When designing crossbows for the “entry-level” sub $500 market manufacturers do have to cut some corners to make the product line economically viable.

If your goal is to show up your friends with blazing fast Chrono speeds and fist-sized groups at 100 yards you’re going to be disappointed with a crossbow in the $500 dollar range.

But who cares about all that nonsense! The good news is some of the best crossbows under $500 have enough power and accuracy to easily harvest big game animals out to 40 yards and beyond with ease.

And even more importantly, these models do it safely and with proven reliability.

The cutting edge isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes your money is better spent on proven designs and time-tested reliability. This is what you’re getting when you buy one of these best crossbows under $500.

Maintain them well and they will continue to do what they do best: fire arrows downrange quickly and accurately time and time again!