In this article, we talk about five compound bows that are fast and affordable. So…If you want a fast bow that doesn’t break the bank, read on!
Some people say that a fast bow has its advantages and disadvantages in certain situations. We weighed the pros and cons of each model based on our experience to help you make an informed decision about which one is best for your needs!
Our direct comparison shows. that the fastest compound bow with the best bang for your buck is the PSE Archery Bow Madness with up to 340 FPS. Our Runner-Up is the moderately priced Blackout Epic.
At a Glance: Our Top 6 Picks
| BRAND | FPS | Price |
| Winner: PSE Archery Bow Madness | up to 340 fps | $$$ |
| Runner Up: BlackOut Epic | up to 340 fps | $$ |
| Budget: Raptor | up to 315 fps | $ |
| SAS Feud | up to 300 fps | $$$ |
| Diamond Deploy | up to 330 fps | $$ |
| Diamond Edge SB-1 | up to 318 fps | $$ |
A fast bow is good for hunting, but it isn’t necessarily the best for target shooting. The slower bows are better suited to that use because they offer more precision and control when aiming at a stationary object.
For the bowhunter or archer looking for a compound bow that doesn’t cost too much, but does the job well enough to keep up with more expensive models, these are your best options.
PSE Archery BOW Madness up to 340FPS
The PSE Archery Bow Madness is a beast! Up to 340 feet per second (FPS) and a variable draw weight from 60 up to 70 lbs. make this bow rocket fast.
Great comfort and control without sacrificing speed. 85% let-off and virtually no peep rotation, a stiff and strong angled riser. Awesome binary cam system.
PSE Archery BOW Madness Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: 85 percent |
| Weight: 3.9 pounds |
| Brace Height: 7 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 32-3/8 inches |
| Speed: 340 fps |
| Draw Weights: 60 to 70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 25 to 30.5 inches |
| Finishes: Camo |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
PROS:
- Easy-shooting, high-performance PSE bow for bowhunters
- Easy-to-control
- 3-track binary system
- Ultra-smooth draw cycle
- Brace Height 7″
- 85% let-off
- Stiff and strong angeled riser
CONS:
- Not as advanced as other PSE models in the pro series
Powerful & Smooth! This Bow comes as a package
- AMP Micro Sight
- Phantom Drop-Away Arrow Rest
- 8″ Spire Stabilizer
- Raven Quiver
- Red Aluminum Peep Sight
- Nock Loop
- Neopren Sling
Ready to Shoot Package from PSE Archery
What we like:
A pure whitetail bow. The weight of 3.9 lbs. is manageable and surprisingly low for a bow with those top speeds. Draw length and draw weight are flexible. Healthy draw cycle. The axle-to-axle length is 32-3/8″. This is an RH bow!
Blackout Epic Compound Bow
Highly adaptable compound bow with a stellar speed of up to 340 FPS IBO. Blackout produces several fast and reliable bows.
We had the chance to test their newest creation. The Blackout Epic. This bow comes with four different let-off settings.
Starting from 75% all the way up to 90%
BlackOut Epic Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: up to 90 percent |
| Weight: 4.1 pounds |
| Brace Height: 6 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 32 inches |
| Speed: 340 fps |
| Draw Weights: 45-60 or 55-70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 26 to 30 inches |
| Finishes: TrueTimber Strata, Black |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
PROS:
- Max Speed: 340 FPS
- Comes with quality accessories
- Easy to configure
- Crisp release
- Smooth draw cycle
CONS:
- Not for taller people (30″ is the maximum draw length)
- Not for kids (Minimum Draw Weight 45 LBS)
- 4.1 LBS
Make sure to read our hands-on review of this high-speed beauty! (read. Blackout Epic Compound Bow Review.
What we like:
No periods of hesitation when pulling to full draw. At 90% let-off, holding the Epic was easy! Probably the easiest bow to hold at full draw, that we got to shoot.
SAS Feud 25-70 lbs. 19-31″ Compound Bow
Southland Archery Supply is a well known name in the industry. The SAS Feud has a weight of 4.1 lbs and a maximum speed of more than 300 FPS.
The bow can be adjusted from 25 lbs up to 70 lbs.
The package includes everything you need:
A 5-pin tool-less bow sight, Trophy Ridge Arrow Rest, quick detach quiver, tube peep sight, D-loop, premium neoprene sling, 8″ aluminum stabilizer, lube wax, release aid, and a set of limb dampeners.
SAS Feud Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: 80 percent |
| Weight: 4.1 pounds |
| Brace Height: 7 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 inches |
| Speed: 300 fps |
| Draw Weights: 25 – 70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 19 to 31 inches |
| Finishes: Black |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
PROS:
- Flexible draw weight
- moderately priced
- Awesome Package option available
- Good for beginners
CONS:
- Right Hand only
- A little heavy
What we liked:
Very adjustable, and the available accessories package is good! This is a good bow if you are starting and are on a budget.
Don´t need all of the above? No problem. The bow is also available without any extras. Bow only!
Diamond Archery Deploy SB RAK Right Hand Compound Bow
Diamond Archery designed this bow as a right-hand-only compound bow. It features a two-piece carbon grip – ideal for hunters who hunt in winter weather conditions.
Make sure to read our hands-on review of the Deploy…
The weight of the bow is 3.2 lbs, and the maximum speed is 330 FPS. R.A.K stands for Ready Aim Kill – And yes, this package includes already everything you need.
The bow has a draw length of 26 to 30.5 inches – easy to change in 1/2 inch increments.
Diamond Archery Deploy SB RAK Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: 80 percent |
| Weight: 3.2 pounds |
| Brace Height: 6.75 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 31.5 inches |
| Speed: 330 fps |
| Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 26 to 30.5 inches |
| Finishes: Breakup Country, Mossy Oak Breakup Country |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
PROS:
- 330 FPS
- Draw length 26 to 30.5 inches
- Draw weight options (different models) available between 50 lbs and 70 lbs
- Two-color options available
- String Stop included
- Limb Dampeners included
- Includes an Octane 5-inch stabilizer
CONS:
- Right-hand only
- Limited weight range for each model
What we liked:
The bow is really quiet! One of the standout features is how quiet this bow is to operate. When going for deer or elk, the whisper quietness when shooting an arrow is a real benefit to avoid spooking your prey.
Diamond Archery 2016 Edge SB-1 Compound Bow Package
The Diamond Archery 2016 Edge Bow is available in 5 color variations and comes across as a bit foreboding. It is rated at a blazing 318 FPS, so it’s no slouch when it comes to shooting arrows off at great speed.
The 3-pin Tru Glo Apex sight also helps to ensure pinpoint accuracy too. The cam system is one of the most accurate and sought after.
The Deadlock Lite Quiver carries the spare arrows ready for use. The arrow rest (Hostage XL) is a generous size.
The draw is left-handed. The minimum draw length of 15-inches is also easier for children with shorter arm lengths. The SB-1 is a good compound bow for smaller framed archers, which also extends to a maximum of 30-inches (read.. top-notch compound bows for women).
Diamond Archery SB-1 Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: 80 percent |
| Weight: 3.6 pounds |
| Brace Height: 7 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 31 inches |
| Speed: 318 fps |
| Draw Weights: 7 – 70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 15 to 30 inches |
| Finishes: Breakup Country, Mossy Oak Breakup Country |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
PROS:
- Fire arrows up to 318 FPS
- Available in Right & Left Hand
- Draw length from 15-inches to 30-inches
- Draw weight from 7 lbs to 70 lbs
- Three-pin Tru Glo Apex sight for improved accuracy
- Octane Quiver
- Effective let-off: 80%
- Brace Height 7″
CONS:
- Possibly too heavy for some hunters to use
What we liked:
The draw length is variable from 15-inches to 30-inches, and the draw weight ranges from 7 lbs to 70 lbs to enable this compound bow to deliver maximum speed.
You might want to check out our Hands-On Review of the Edge Pro here
RAPTOR Compound Bow Kit
The Raptor Compound Bow kit is a product made from aluminum that’s been CNC milled for precision and extra strength. Available in Black or Camo, other than the knobs, the body is sleek and unnoticeable.
The 315 IBO FPS is also difficult to fault. The Tactical Compound Bow Package includes the bow, 5-Pin Fiber Sight, LED Sight Light, Biscuit Arrow Rest, Limb Silencers, String Silencers, 4 Arrow Quiver, Stabilizer, String Stop, Allen Tool Set, and a Paper Target.
The Peep Sight is Pre-Installed, so is the D-Loop!
Predator Archery Raptor Specifications
Published Specs
| Let-Off: 75 percent |
| Weight: 3.8 pounds |
| Brace Height: 7.5 inches |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 inches |
| Speed: 315 fps |
| Draw Weights: 30 to 70 pounds |
| Draw Lengths: 24.5 to 31 inches |
| Finishes: Camo, Black |
| Suggested Retail: check price |
The Raptor also features a split yoke tuning system, allowing for accurate adjustments and proper arrow flight.
PROS:
- Aluminum that’s CNC milled for precision and strength
- Fast 315 IBO FPS compound bow
- 5-pin fiber optic site
- Draw length 24.5 – 31″
- Draw weight 30-70lbs
- 3.6lbs Mass
- Easily adjust on your own
- US Based Customer Service!
CONS:
- Let-Off only 75%
The bow offers a draw length range between 24.5-inches and 31-inches. The draw weight is a flexible 30 lbs on the lower end and 70 lbs at the top end which allows people less interested in firing at fast speeds to still enjoy using this product. Brace Height: 7.5″.
What we liked:
The brace height with 7.5″ is very forgiving and makes it easier for beginners to shoot more accurately.
One of the significant differences between the systems is that an AMO bow may be rated with a lower FPS but be a faster bow, which confused the market.
Conversely, as the newer IBO FPS was higher (due to the way it is calculated) consumers naturally believe wrongly that the bow was faster.
To avoid such confusion, AMO FPS ratings have fallen away, and only IBO FPS ratings now exist.
Comparison Table
| Specs | PSE Bow Madness | Raptor | Blackout Epic | SAS Feud | Diamond Deploy | Diamond Edge SB-1 |
| Let-Off: % | 85% | 75% | 90% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Weight: pounds | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 3.6 |
| Brace Height: inches | 7 | 7.5 | 6 | 7 | 6.75 | 7 |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: inches | 32-3/8 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 31.5 | 31 |
| Speed: fps (IBO) | 340 | 315 | 340 | 300 | 330 | 318 |
| Draw Weights: pounds | 60-70 | 30-70 | 45-60 55-70 | 25-70 | 50, 60, 70 | 7-70 |
| Draw Lengths: inches | 25-30.5 | 24.5-31 | 26-30 | 19-31 | 26-30.5 | 15-30 |
More About Compound Bows
We did put together an extensive post about the “best compounds” in 2024. Might want to check it out! Click: “Best Compound Bows”. If you rather read more about the best bows for new hunters, we got you covered too.
Summary
Combined with other bow specifications like size, draw weight and draw length, a compound bow can produce a certain maximum speed. Most archers are interested in shooting their arrows faster.
Therefore, fast compound bows rated on the higher end of the 0-400 IBO FPS spectrum are popular choices. The fastest compound bow but price-wise still moderate is, in our opinion, the PSE Archery Bow Madness
FAQ
What is a fast compound bow, and why do I need one?
You may need a fast compound bow if you are hunting large or dangerous game, shooting at long distances, or looking for more kinetic energy and penetration
How do I measure the speed of a compound bow?
However, this standard may not reflect your actual shooting conditions, as your draw weight, draw length, arrow weight, and other factors may vary.
To measure your actual speed, you can use a chronograph device that records the velocity of your arrow as it passes through two sensors.
What are the factors that affect the speed of a compound bow?
The cam system is the mechanism that controls the draw cycle and the let-off of the bow. There are different types of cam systems, such as single cam, dual cam, hybrid cam, and binary cam. Generally, more aggressive cam systems produce faster speeds but may also be harder to draw and less forgiving.
The brace height:
The brace height is the distance between the string and the grip when the bow rests. Generally, shorter brace heights produce faster speeds but may also be less stable and accurate.
The draw weight:
The force required to pull the string back to full draw is the draw weight. Generally, higher draw weights produce faster speeds, but they may also be more strenuous and difficult to hold
The draw length:
The draw length is the distance between the string and the grip when the bow is at full draw. Generally, longer draw lengths produce faster speeds but may also be less comfortable and suitable for your body size and strength.
The arrow weight:
The arrow weight is the mass of the arrow you are shooting. Generally, lighter arrows produce faster speeds but may also be less stable and penetrating.
What’s the fastest compound bows on the market in 2023?
– The Smoke from Xpedition Archery has a reported IBO rating of 370 fps.
– The Bear Archery Escape has an advertised speed of 350 fps.
– The Diamond Archery Deploy SB RAK, which has a claimed speed of 330 fps
