It is not lost on crossbow manufacturer’s that more and more women are taking up target shooting and hunting so it begs the question, is there a marketplace just for them or do females have to rely on using crossbow products which are essentially designed by men, built by men and shot by men? In this article we’re going to roundup the best women’s crossbows on the market today.
It is probably fair to say that depending on height and stature, female shooters may want a smaller bow and one that is lighter. Rather than palm them off with a bottom of the range model or something designed for a teenager, smart bow manufacturers are now starting to cater for the specific needs of the female shooter. So what are the key features that you should be looking for in a crossbow as a female archer?
Best Crossbow for Women – Our Picks
- Barnett XP 380 with Crank – Best Performance Women’s Crossbow – Our top pick
- Wicked Ridge Invader 400 – Safest Women’s Crossbow – Light and small
- Barnett Whitetail Hunter II – Best Crossbow for Women Overall
- TenPoint Titan M1 – Best Redesign of a Previous Crossbow Model – narrower and faster
- Barnett Avenger Recruit – Stylish and compact
- Wicked Ridge by TenPoint – Lady Ranger – Great combo of weight and size
- Barnett Lady Whitetail Hunter – A serious piece of kit
Note: Our individual reviews are below, but you can also click any of the links above to check current prices on Amazon and other retailers
Table of Contents
Draw Weights / Speed
The draw weight of a crossbow affects the speed and release of the bolt, this is effectively the level of resistance the bow exerts on the bolt. Draw weight will determine how difficult a bow is to load (or cock), how fast the bolt will fly and how much power it will strike with.
If you’re a hunter, there are legal requirements for minimum draw weights when crossbow hunting and these requirements vary by state, so make sure you know your minimum before you make a choice. What you’re effective to hunt with a crossbow comes down to the power of the bolt. That power is determined by the speed rating of the bow AND the weight/mass of the bolt.
We go into greater depth on this here, but the state minimums are a great place to start as that’s what they were designed for…. ensuring your weapon is effective when hunting.
Recurve vs Compound Crossbows
Recurve crossbows are quiet and generally lighter than compounds. Less moving parts makes for less noise and less weight.
Compound crossbows are more powerful than recurves. For any given draw weight, a compound will shoot a higher arrow speed than a recurve. If you need a recurve that shoots at an arrow speed comparable to a high end compound, you’ll need to make sure you have the strength to cock it because the draw weight will be higher.
A compound will be narrower than a recurve crossbow, so getting through thigh bush or aiming around a tree for example will be easier.
Most of the crossbow models we’ve recommended for women are the compound variety. The main reason for this being the better draw weight to power ratio of a compound.
Cocking Devices
A cocking device can reduce the draw weight (the weight you’re going to have to pull back to load it) of a particular bow by up to fifty percent.
A simple rope cocker is made of rope with two pulleys; it literally makes the crossbow easier to draw. You hold the bow down with your foot and pull on the rope handles instead of the string itself. This gives you a mechanical advantage over the bow that can make the difference between being able to load the bow or not. For a 130lbs draw crossbow the weight you’d need to pull would be reduced to just 65lbs. MUCH more bearable. Rope cockers are small, cheap and easily pocketable. Unless you’re going to purchase a very low weight bow, they’re an essential.
Cocking devices don’t have to be rope, there is also the option of a crank cocking device which is mechanical and permanently fitted to the bow, making the draw even easier. These are crank handles that allow you to wind back the string and give an even greater advantage over the rope cocker. Crank cockers will add weight to your bow, but they’re ideal if you need a high power bow and don’t have a high power body or are recovering from injury.
Styling
As I’ve already stated, more and more women shoot. Both hunting and recreational target shooting. There’s more and more gear becoming available by the year that’s ‘geared’ (no pun intended) towards the female market. Playing to that market, some manufacturers are now opting for the pink look among their camouflage colours.
The non-issue with pink…
To some people the first thing you’d think there is that pink camo is surely going to be more visible than regular camo when you’re out in the field deer hunting? Won’t pink make you MORE visible to your targets? The upshot is that deer and many other animals on only see largely in grey so your little bit of pink indulgence will not be visible to them anyway. It’s the patterning that matters more than the coloration.
Our Top Picks In Detail
Barnett XP 380 with Crank
If you are a woman hunter and you are looking for the perfect crossbow, then look at no other crossbows except for the Barnett XP 380.
This crossbow is the highest performing and one of the most powerful crossbows that will last years. It is extremely easy to use and ultra-light weighing a mere 6-pounds.
The Barnet XP 380 shoots at an incredible speed of 380 FPS with 122-feet-pounds of Kinetic Energy. Perfect for large game animals. The butt stock and cheek rest are adjustable to provide a comfortable and custom fit. This crossbow is super easy to assemble with its single-bolt assembly.
Included with this crossbow package is a 4 x 32 mm MR scope, a side mount quiver, two 20” carbon arrows, a tension-reducing crank cocker device for the 185-pounds of draw weight, and some lubrication wax.
What we liked:
- Incredible power with an FPS of 380.
- Butt stock and cheek rest are adjustable for a custom fit.
- Contains Anti-Dry Fire Trigger System Technology.
- Single-bolt assembly for quick set up.
- Also comes with a 4 x 32 mm MY scope, a side mounted quiver, two 20” carbon arrows, a cocking device, and lubrication wax.
- Makes an excellent youth or beginner crossbow at an affordable price.
What we didn’t:
- May be too powerful for certain types of game.
Wicked Ridge Invader 400
Women hunters in search of a safe crossbow with built-in safety wings will be delighted with the Wicked Ridge Invader crossbow and all its included features. This crossbow is ultra-light weighing only 6 pounds, and it is easy to cock with the ACUDraw cocking device.
This crossbow is lightweight; however, it is extremely powerful with a rated FPS of 400. The frictionless release technology allows for a powerful shot that is incredibly quiet. The lightweight semi-skeletal stock provides picatinny rail for easy accessory mounting.
Also included is a pro-view lighted scope, 3 arrow quiver and 3 aluminium practice points.
This thing is only 15″ ATA when cocked and has a very easy single bolt assembly.
What we liked:
- Extremely lightweight and easy to cock and operate.
- Elongated safety wings
- Powerful with a rated FPS of 400, 140 FPKE.
- Easy assembly
- Package includes an integrated crank cocking device, a pro-view lighted scope, a quiver, and 3 bolts arrows.
What we didn’t:
- Proprietary Alpha Nock
TenPoint Titan M1
TenPoint is extremely popular and famous in the bowhunting world. They always seem to deliver on all of their products. So, when they announced that they would be releasing a redesign of their best-selling model of all time, the world paid attention.
If you are looking for a crossbow that is deadly accurate and consistent, then the TenPoint Titan M1 is your best option. Powered by the VX-5 inverted cams, the Titan M1 has an elongated power stroke and increased rotation on every shot.
Also, the Titan M1 is 9.5 inches narrower than the previous Titan model and it has increased its rated FPS by 30. This model is much more maneuverable in the field and easier to carry.
With the addition of the optional ACUdraw cocking device, you can reduce the draw weight to a mere 5-pounds to make loading and cocking your crossbow incredibly easy.
Also included with this purchase is the 3X Pro-View 3 Scope, a 3-pack of Pro Elite Carbon crossbow bolts, and the TenPoint 3-Bolt Instant Detach Quiver.
The TenPoint Titan M1 is an incredible redesign that will last you season upon season of crossbow hunting if properly cared for.
What we liked:
- Ultra-maneuverable in the field, lightweight, and easy to carry.
- The VX-5 inverted cams creates an elongated power stroke and more rotation on each shot.
- Compatible with the option ACUdraw to reduce the draw weight to 5-pounds of force.
- Also includes the 3X Pro-View 3 Scope, 3 Pro Elite Carbon Bolts, and the TenPoint Instant Detach Quiver.
What we didn’t:
- On the higher end of the price spectrum.
Barnett Whitetail Hunter II
Wow! If you are a women hunter looking for a crossbow that has all the special features you could ever want, then the Whitetail Hunter II will blow you away. Whilst it isn’t pink, branded or specifically designed as a crossbow for women, it’s just a top notch crossbow that is well received and highly rated among all hunters including women and beginners.
This crossbow is extremely durable and lightweight. It is easy to carry and easy to maneuver in the field weighing in at only 6.4 lbs. This is a high-performance crossbow with rated shooting speed of 350 FPS.
Not only is this a high-performance crossbow, but it is also an elegant and well-designed crossbow. The quad limbs and machined cam system deliver power and accuracy on every shot, but it also just simply looks good.
Safety when hunting is paramount, so having a bristle arrow retainer and Barnetts anti-dry fire trigger system help to put your mind at rest. Whilst also helping to avoid dry fire the frictionless release on this trigger ensures zero creep for a surely triggered shot.
This crossbow ships in a package that includes two headhunter arrows, a 4x32mm scope, rope cocking device and a side mount quiver, they even throw in some lubracation, as keeping your string lubricatd will increase it’s lifespan. Overall, this is the one of the top choices as best crossbow for a woman on the market in this price range.
What we liked:
- Elegant and sleek design.
- High performance with a 350 rated FPS
- Quad limbs and machined cams system deliver power and accuracy on each shot.
- ADF Anti-dry fire trigger system
- TriggerTech frictionless release technology
- Ambidextrous design for both right and left-handed shooters.
- Includes 2 head hunter bolts, a quiver, a 4 x 32 mm scope, and a rope cocker.
What we didn’t:
- Not much to dislike!
Barnett Avenger Recruit
The Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow is a stylish piece of kit with a very decent 130lbs of draw weight, set within a frame that makes it ideal for the lady shooter. Compact, easy to handle and lightweight, this bow still offers enough speed and packs a large enough punch for big game targets. The Recruit is adjustable and has been produced as a fusion of other bows from Barnett so it is suitable for a variety of users, not just those who might want a smaller, lighter bow.
It comes as a complete crossbow package in the box with some valuable bits of kit included such as the 4×32 sight and its performance is just as respectable as many other more expensive and sophisticated bows. Experienced male shooters are often quite envious when their lady companion starts shooting with a Barnett Recruit, it is far from the poor relation in the field. Checkout our full review of the original recruit.
What we liked:
- Easy and quick to assemble
- Lightweight
- A narrower design than other bows which makes it handy in woods or tight spaces
- Quiet with smooth trigger action due to Trigger Tech technology
- Anti dry fire mechanism ensuring the shooter does not make a costly mistake which can shorten the life of the bow
- Pass-thru fore grip for enhanced safety and solid control
- Red dot sight which allows the user to keep both eyes open when aiming thereby increasing accuracy, allowing better judgement of distance and target speed
- A complete kit, bow, cocking device, arrows, bolts and sight for less than you would pay for just a simple beginner compound bow
What we didn’t:
- The strings can need re-waxing quite frequently to protect them from snapping and to maintain firing efficiency and range but Barnett do supply a tube of wax
- Some users report the sight as inadequate and change it for a different model
- The Barnett Recruit is a compact bow so beware if you are large of stature, you may need a custom stock extension
Lady Ranger – Wicked Ridge by TenPoint
This is the perfectly proportioned crossbow designed for the lady shooter and made by TenPoint.
The Lady Ranger is the perfect fusion of weight, length of pull and size for a female shooter and it comes in Muddy Girl Camo with the added feature of hot pink strings to appeal to the color conscious lady in the field.
The Wicked Ridge has its own unique patented AC 52 self retracting rope cocking system which reduces the 150lb draw weight by fifty percent.
What we liked:
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Comfortable to handle and lightweight, it is slightly shorter than other bows
- Easy pull back due to the self retracting cocking system so you can take advantage of the really powerful draw weight without taking the strain
- The rope cocking system is already integrated so you don’t have to worry about remembering it or losing it
- Plenty of power without being unmanageable or unbalancing either the bow or the shooter
- The Lady Ranger is designed in a Muddy Girl pink Camo pattern
What we didn’t:
- The scope is not illuminated
- There are a lot of features on the bow which are designed for the young or novice shooter such as the over-sized reinforced nylon safety wings and this may not appeal to a more experienced lady shooter
Barnett Lady Whitetail Hunter
With no concession to the female shooter other than perhaps the colors and certainly no stinting on performance, the Barnett Lady Whitetail Hunter is a serious piece of deer hunting kit. From the trusted name of Barnett, this bow incorporates all of Barnett’s tried and tested design and know-how, into a bow that is lighter and more suited to a female frame.
Easy to shoulder and to fire, the bow comes with a rope cocking device to ease the 150lb draw weight and thought has clearly been given to the balance of the bow in terms of the weight distribution for the length of frame.
What we liked:
- The bow comes almost entirely ready assembled
- The design of the frame supports the weight and power of the bow and the feel and action is very balanced
- It comes with a rope cocking device
- The added feature of an ADF Trigger system which prevents the shooter firing the bow without an arrow in place
What we didn’t:
- The color finish might be disliked by some as essentially this is one of Barnett’s best selling bows with a splash of paint on it
Crossbow Comparison Tables
All the bows we review (and some we haven’t yet) get added to our comparison tables alongside a guide that helps you understand what features and specifications actually mean. They’re a great place to get a quick overview of what’s on the market, and find something that fits with your requirements.
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