As the prices of crossbows touch new heights every single day, we are here to rescue you with the best crossbows under $500.

Since hunting is getting so popular, crossbow prices are skyrocketing and we decided to do something about it.
You can enjoy your favorite pastime without having to empty your wallet and we are going to tell you how.

Best Crossbow Under $500 Reviews & Ratings

Following are the top 8 best crossbows under 500 dollars. Let’s go!

1. Killer Instinct Crossbows Ripper 415 Crossbow Kit
2. Wicked Ridge Ranger X2 Crossbow
3. BARNETT Whitetail Pro STR Crossbow
4. PSE ARCHERY Fang HD Crossbow​
5. CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper Crossbow
6. Barnett Explorer XP Crossbow
7. CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper
8. Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow

1. Killer Instinct Ripper 415 – Best Crossbows Under $500

Killer Instinct Ripper 415 Crossbow Review

The first of the best crossbows under $500 that we would like to present to you is the Killer Instinct Crossbows Ripper 415 Crossbow Kit. This is a slim and light profile crossbow that does not compromise on performance or speed.

Despite the small price tag, it has one of the highest speeds at about 415 fps (feet per second) which put it among the fastest crossbows available at this price.

The long-range sharpness and crisp trigger allows this crossbow to deliver accurate shots even from distances as long as 80 yards. This gives you a long effective range which means that you can easily aim at your prey without startling it by being too close.

The crossbow is manufactured using CNC-enhanced aluminum which gives it the maximum strength while ensuring a lightweight structure. The rugged construction enables the crossbow to endure all kinds of wear and tear and still remain intact.

The lightweight structure makes it much more portable so that you easily can carry it around during long trips. The camo-covered pattern gives the crossbow a classy look while also ensuring your safety in the wild. The 149 foot-pounds of kinetic energy allow you to take down even the biggest of animals.

Pros

• Lightweight yet strong structure
• Fast shots
• Huge amount of kinetic energy
• Long range accuracy

Cons

• low-quality scope

2. Wicked Ridge Ranger X2 Crossbow

Presenting the best crossbow package under 500, the Wicked Ridge Ranger X2 Crossbow package. This crossbow comes with some high-end features despite its low price.

The crossbow’s power plant consists of heavy-duty 4s cams, DynaFlight 97 cables as well as strings and a state-of-the-art riser design along with 11-inch WRX laminated limbs perfectly fitted inside aluminum pockets.

The 15-inch cam to cam design makes it easier to maneuver the crossbow in tight spaces. This crossbow provides you with a compact yet incredibly powerful setup with the 13.5-inch power stroke, 150 pounds draw weight and the ability to reach speeds of up to 350-fps with about 101 ft. pounds of kinetic energy.

It is manufactured using a single unit glass-filled polypropylene with vibration dampening qualities. You also get an open-space stock which not only helps in reducing weight but also enables the installation of the ACUdraw cocking device.

It also features a TenPoint DFI or dry fire inhibitor. In addition, you also get an enclosed trigger guard and a pistol grip around a trigger assembly which allows for a 3.5 ln pull, a Picatinny rail under the barrel’s front side which also you to easily add accessories and an integrated fore-grip along with extended safety wings in order to keep your fingers away from the string.

The weight of the whole package is only 6 lbs. and the length is 36.5 inches and it is available in the mossy-oak country camo print. In the package you get a wicked ridge 3-arrow detachable quiver, 3 aluminum arrows along with practice points and a TenPoint multi-line scope.

Pros

• Easy to sight in
• High-quality material
• Compact design
• Balanced structure

Cons

• Noisy shots

3. BARNETT Whitetail Pro STR Crossbow

With a draw weight of up to 165 pounds, the BARNETT Whitetail Pro STR Crossbow is another serious competitor for the title of best crossbow for under $500. It delivers speeds of up to 400 fps along with kinetic energy of almost 135 ft. pounds. This is great for bringing down the big game.

This crossbow has a very professional appearance with an unobtrusive and comfortable grip. It has a lightweight design with the fiberglass composite step-through riser. It is designed keeping in mind full-framed shooters and so it offers a great shoulder rest for comfort. Its lengthened step-through and stock combine to create speed and power without adding any extra weight.

In order to maintain your stealth, it comes with a camo riser along with string dampeners as well as a recoil which help ensure minimum noise during loading and shooting in order to prevent your prey from being alarmed.

The frictionless release technology also ensures a muffled shot which provides a free-floating roller between the trigger and sear for a light-release et highly-sensitive trigger.

In addition, anti-dry fire and nock sensors have been added to provide safety when the crossbow is not in use. Other features include a side mounted quiver, an illuminated scope and a 3-pound pressure release. The package also includes lube wax and 2 head hunter arrows.

Pros

• More power with lightweight design
• Increased stealth
• Side mounted quiver for a quick draw
• Compatible with crank cocking device

Cons

• Limited warranty

Find out the best crossbows offered by Barnett – Review by Bows Hunting

4. PSE ARCHERY Fang HD Crossbow​

Another contender for the best hunting crossbow under 500 is the PSE ARCHERY Fang HD Crossbow. It is powered by the popular Reverse Cam System which helps create a long power stroke and also boosts energy of each shot.

The TrueTimber Viper Camo finish helps keep you hidden in the wild so that you do not get spotted by your prey before you are able to fire an arrow.

This crossbow can fire arrows at speeds up to 400 fps which helps ensure accuracy and efficiency. The effective range can go up to 60 yards which means that you will be able to fire accurate shots while staying in this range. This, combined with a force of 135 ft. pounds allows for easy hunting of big games such as elk and whitetail.

The Fag HD crossbow allows for shooting in a comfortable and stable posture which prevents fatigue and improves your aim.

In addition, you also get the safety of the anti-dry firing system which not helps in preventing dry firing but also ensures easy decocking. It also features a smooth trigger with a bullpup configuration.

This crossbow comes unassembled so you need to assemble it using the user manual. The package includes 5 bolt quivers, 3 22-inch thunderbolt crossbow bolts, 3 100-gram bullet points and illuminated speed 100 yard illuminated mounting rings and optics.

Pros

• Ergonomic design for comfort and accuracy
• Good quality scope
• Quiet shots
• Easy to maneuver

Cons

• Needs to be assembled

5. CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper

The CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper is another product from the top 8 best crossbows under 500. It comes with high-quality components and with 370 fps speed, it fires super-fast arrows for accurate shots.

CenterPoint Sniper Elite Whisper

It also comes with a quad limb design which uses CNC cams in addition to a composite open-frame stock along with padded rubber grips as well as a padded raised cheekpiece which helps ensure a secure grip as well as better control in all kinds of weathers.

For resistance to the elements and weight reduction, this crossbow uses a machined aluminum-rail and also a riser. For mounting a scope, you can use the integrated picatinny rail. The anti-dry-fire system and the auto-safety feature allow for increased security and safety for the user.

The whisper silencing system in the crossbow uses dual limb dampeners, 2 spider silencers and dual string stoppers along with silencers to help reduce noise and vibration during the shot so that you do not end up startling your prey.

Pros

• Super-fast shots
• Reduced noise and vibration
• Solid frame and stock
• Secure grip

Cons

• Heavier than other crossbows with accessories

6. Barnett Explorer XP Crossbow

If you’re looking for an affordable crossbow that ticks all the boxes to be among the best crossbows under 500, then the Barnett Explorer XP Crossbow is another great choice for you.

Despite having a small price tag, this crossbow does not compromise on construction or features. You can use it for hunting or just for shooting a target and it will perform well in both cases.

Barnett Explorer XP Crossbow

This crossbow is usually shipped assembled which means that it will be ready to use right out of the box making it extremely convenient for you. It has a draw weight of about 165 pounds making the shots strong and accurate.

It produces 115 ft. pounds of kinetic energy which is more than enough to bring down big games. The 370-fps speed allows for fast and accurate shooting.

The package comes with 2 arrows along with lube wax which you can apply on the rail and string in order to ensure optimal performance.

The Barnett Explorer XP Crossbow also offers an anti-dry fire trigger system which helps ensure safety of the user and everyone around.

It also helps keep the crossbow safe. You cannot shoot while this is engaged, making the crossbow extremely safe to use. The adjustable buttstock makes the whole experience so much more comfortable.

Pros

• Prevents dry fires
• Affordable
• Lightweight design
• Comfortable to use

Cons

• low quality scope

7. CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper

The CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper is the perfect affordable crossbow for beginners and amateurs. This high-quality silent crossbow comes with various different features which help make shooting so much more convenient. It offers a speed of 380-fps which allows you to hunt in the maximum area.

CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper

The kinetic energy produced by the crossbow can go as high as 120 ft. pounds which allows you to hunt big games such as elks and bears with absolute ease.

It comes with a 4×32 mm scope which allows for precise range of the lighted reticles along with a flip-open lens cap which keeps the lens safe when it is not in use.

The trigger, string ends, and foregrip are manufactured using high-quality materials and their ergonomic design makes it easier for you to handle the crossbow.

The crossbow has a 14-inch axle to axle width in addition to a 35-inch length from the stirrup to butt pad which makes it easier to use the crossbow in tree stands and blinds.

Pros

• Great range
• Noise reduction system
• Compact design
• Safety features

Cons

• Gets heavier with accessories

8. Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow

The Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow has made it into the list if best crossbows under 500 due to the fact that it comes with many features which are similar to its more expansive counterparts. Therefore, it makes for a great beginner level crossbow.

Let’s begin with the TriggerTech frictionless release technology which is also featured in the Barnett Whitetail Hunter II.

The free-floating roller positioned between the trigger and the sear allows for a light, smooth and repeatable 3-pound and 0 creep pull of the trigger which has been appreciated by many users.

Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow

Other features of the Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow include an open design which is compatible with any crank cocking tool, lightweight composite stock along with custom composite limbs, pass-through foregrip along with finger safety reminders, full-camo magnesium riser, soft-lok floating bristle bolt retainer, Picatinny rail, nock sensor for safety, anti-dry fire trigger system, single-bolt assembly and an anti-vibration foot stirrup.

This crossbow weighs 6.4 pounds without accessories and 7 pounds with them.

It has a length of 34.25 inches along with an uncocked width of 16.12 inches and cocked width of 13.25 inches. It has a draw weight of about 140 pounds and offers speeds of up to 330 fps along with kinetic energy levels of 91.9 ft. pounds. The power stroke is only 12.5 inches.

The package comes with 2 20-inch headhunter bolts, a 4×32 mm scope (multi-reticle), rope cocking device, lightweight quiver and lubrication wax for maintenance.

The compact and lightweight design of this crossbow makes it perfect for hunters with small frames especially young hunters. This crossbow is also very easy to maneuver, accurate and quiet on the field.

Pros

• Perfect for beginners
• Compact design
• Low draw weight but good speed
• Silent shots

Cons

• Strings are susceptible to wear and tear

Conclusion

We have provided you with 8 different options for the best crossbows under 500 which provide great operation despite their low price. However, we cannot choose the right crossbow for you and you will have to do it yourself keeping in mind your budget, requirements and level of expertise.

If you ask us, we would recommend the Killer Instinct Crossbows Ripper 415 Crossbow due to its incredible accuracy ad stealth. However, if you are a beginner, you should go for the CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper of the Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow.

We are always available for answering any queries that you might have and we will be back soon with new articles on crossbows. Until then, good luck!

FAQ

1. What is the best crossbow for $500?

The Wicked Ridge Ranger X2 Crossbow is among the best crossbows for $500.

2. What is the best cheapest crossbow?

The best cheapest crossbow is the Killer Instinct Crossbows Ripper 415 Crossbow.

3. Are cheap crossbows any good?

Many cheap crossbows like the ones that we have mentioned in this article, offer features which are similar to those of more expensive crossbows. Therefore, yes, cheap crossbows can be good if you pick the right one.

4. Are Barnett crossbows any good?

Barnett crossbows are both affordable and incredibly efficient.

5. What is the best crossbow for under $400?

PSE ARCHERY Fang HD Crossbow is among the best crossbows for under $400.

6. Are Barnett crossbows made in the USA?

Yes, Barnett crossbows are manufactured in Florida, USA.

7. How often should you replace crossbow string?

You should replace the crossbow at least every two years. During this time, you need to rub it with lube wax every once in a while, to prevent wear and tear.

8. Is the PSE Fang a good crossbow?

The PSE fang is not only accurate and powerful but it is also quite affordable.