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10 Best Youth Compound Bows 2026 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Bear Archery Royale Ready to Hunt Compound Bow Archery Set with Archery Accessories for Adults and Youths, 12”- 27” Draw Length, 5-50 Lbs Draw Weight, Up to 290 FPS

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,362
Draw Weight
Draw Length
Bow Weight

Most important from
495 reviews

Draw Weight
Adjusting the draw weight and length is incredibly easy, requiring no special tools, which is ideal for growing teens and beginners.
Draw Length
Adjusting the draw weight and length is incredibly easy, requiring no special tools, which is ideal for growing teens and beginners.
Bow Weight
The bow offers an excellent balance of sturdiness, durability, and lightweight design, making it perfect for young archers.

The Bear Archery Royale Ready to Hunt Compound Bow is a great choice for young archers and beginners looking to grow their skills. Weighing just 2.7 pounds, it's light enough for youths to handle comfortably without feeling tired. One standout feature is the wide draw weight adjustment range from 5 to 50 pounds, allowing the bow to keep up with an archer's strength as they improve. The draw length also adjusts from 12 to 27 inches, giving a good fit for different arm lengths. This adjustability is user-friendly, requiring only a simple Allen wrench, so no special tools like a bow press are needed. The bow is built with durable aluminum and EnduraFiber limbs, which provide solid power and longevity. It also includes noise-dampening features like the RockStops string suppressor to keep shots quiet and reduce vibration, important for both practice and hunting. With an axle-to-axle length of 30 inches and a high arrow speed of up to 290 feet per second, it balances maneuverability and performance effectively.

The set comes fully equipped with quality accessories like a sight, quiver, and peep sight, making it ready to use right away. On the downside, the bow is designed for left-handed users only, which limits options for right-handed archers. Additionally, while the wide draw weight range is impressive, beginners might find the upper limits too heavy until they've gained experience. This bow is well suited for young archers who want a reliable, adjustable, and complete setup that will grow with them through various skill levels.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,362
Draw Weight
Draw Length
Bow Weight

Most important from
495 reviews

Draw Weight
Adjusting the draw weight and length is incredibly easy, requiring no special tools, which is ideal for growing teens and beginners.
Draw Length
Adjusting the draw weight and length is incredibly easy, requiring no special tools, which is ideal for growing teens and beginners.
Bow Weight
The bow offers an excellent balance of sturdiness, durability, and lightweight design, making it perfect for young archers.
#2

DIAMOND ARCHERY Edge XT Adjustable Accurate Stable Fully Accessorized Versatile Compound Hunting Bow, Teal Country Roots, Right Hand

Rating
9.4
Draw Weight
Draw Length

Most important from
22 reviews

Draw Weight
It delivers smooth draw performance that feels comfortable and manageable for beginners.
Draw Length
The adjustable infinity draw length system allows customization to fit various users, though the dial symbol can be a bit confusing at first.

The Diamond Archery Edge XT is a versatile and fully accessorized compound bow designed to grow with a young or beginner archer. Its adjustable draw weight ranges from 19 to 31 pounds, which is ideal for youth users who need to start with a lighter pull and gradually increase strength as they improve. The 23-inch draw length is typical for many young archers, and the bow weighs just 3.7 pounds, making it light enough to handle comfortably without causing quick fatigue.

Its axle-to-axle length and brace height offer good stability, enhanced by the caged riser and quad limb design that keep the bow steady and improve accuracy—a big plus for those still developing their shooting skills. One standout feature is the carbon string stop, which reduces noise and vibration, making it quieter and more enjoyable for hunting or target practice.

The package comes with useful accessories like a 4-arrow quiver, sight, stabilizer, and wrist strap, so beginners get everything they need to start shooting right away. This bow offers a strong balance of ease of use, customization, and quality features that make it a solid choice for young archers looking to improve their skills or get into hunting.

Rating
9.4
Draw Weight
Draw Length

Most important from
22 reviews

Draw Weight
It delivers smooth draw performance that feels comfortable and manageable for beginners.
Draw Length
The adjustable infinity draw length system allows customization to fit various users, though the dial symbol can be a bit confusing at first.
#3

Bear THP Adapt 2 RTH

Rating
9.4
Draw Length
Bow Weight

Most important from
16 reviews

Draw Length
Adjustable draw length is a standout feature, making the bow versatile as the archer grows or gains strength.
Bow Weight
The bow’s build and technology integration contribute to a lightweight feel and smooth shooting experience despite its moderate weight.

The Bear Archery Adapt 2 is a solid choice for youth and beginner archers stepping into compound bow hunting. It offers a broad draw length range from 24" to 31", which makes it adaptable as the archer grows or gains strength. The draw weight options between 45 to 70 pounds cover a good spectrum for both youth and adults, allowing for comfortable yet powerful shots. Weighing 5.8 pounds, this bow is moderately heavy for younger users, so it might be better suited to teenagers or those with some prior experience rather than very young beginners. The aluminum build ensures durability without excessive bulk.

One of the bow’s key benefits is its single cam system that can shoot arrows at speeds up to 320 feet per second, which is impressive for an entry-level hunting bow and helps with clean, accurate shots. The included accessories such as a 4-pin sight, stabilizer, wrist sling, quiver, and IMS V-Biscuit rest mean you get most of what’s needed to hunt right out of the box, providing great convenience.

The Bear Paw Grip is designed for comfort and repeatability, which helps new shooters get consistent performance. Additionally, the KillerWave limb dampeners keep the bow quiet during use—an important feature for hunting where stealth matters. While the nearly 6-pound weight might feel a bit heavy for smaller or less experienced youths, and the right-hand orientation limits use for left-handed archers, the matte, camo Mossy Oak finish is well suited for hunting. Its adjustability and quiet operation offer an advantage, but the weight and handedness should be considered based on the user’s size and preference.

Rating
9.4
Draw Length
Bow Weight

Most important from
16 reviews

Draw Length
Adjustable draw length is a standout feature, making the bow versatile as the archer grows or gains strength.
Bow Weight
The bow’s build and technology integration contribute to a lightweight feel and smooth shooting experience despite its moderate weight.

Buying Guide for the Best Youth Compound Bows

Choosing the right youth compound bow is crucial for ensuring a positive and safe archery experience for young archers. The right bow will be comfortable, easy to handle, and suitable for the archer's size and strength. When selecting a youth compound bow, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure the bow fits the young archer's needs and abilities. Here are the key specs to consider and how to navigate them.
Draw WeightDraw weight refers to the amount of force required to pull the bowstring back. This is important because it affects how easy or difficult it is for the young archer to draw the bow. Draw weights for youth compound bows typically range from 10 to 40 pounds. For beginners or younger children, a lower draw weight (10-20 pounds) is recommended to ensure they can handle the bow comfortably. As the archer gains strength and experience, they can move to a higher draw weight (20-40 pounds). It's essential to choose a draw weight that the archer can manage without straining, as this will help them develop proper form and technique.
Draw LengthDraw length is the distance from the bowstring at full draw to the front of the bow grip. This measurement is crucial because it needs to match the archer's arm length to ensure proper shooting form and accuracy. Youth compound bows often have adjustable draw lengths, typically ranging from 15 to 30 inches. To find the right draw length, measure the archer's wingspan (the distance from fingertip to fingertip with arms extended) and divide by 2.5. Choose a bow with an adjustable draw length that includes this measurement to accommodate growth and ensure a comfortable fit.
Axle-to-Axle LengthAxle-to-axle length is the distance between the axles of the bow's cams. This spec affects the bow's stability and maneuverability. Youth compound bows usually have shorter axle-to-axle lengths, ranging from 28 to 34 inches, making them easier for young archers to handle. Shorter bows are more maneuverable and easier to carry, which is ideal for younger or smaller archers. However, longer bows can offer more stability and accuracy. Choose a length that balances ease of handling with the archer's ability to shoot accurately.
Brace HeightBrace height is the distance between the bowstring and the deepest part of the bow grip. This spec influences the bow's forgiveness and speed. Youth compound bows typically have brace heights between 6 and 8 inches. A higher brace height (7-8 inches) is more forgiving, meaning it is easier to shoot accurately, which is beneficial for beginners. A lower brace height (6-7 inches) can increase arrow speed but requires more precise shooting form. For young archers, a higher brace height is generally recommended to help them develop their skills.
Bow WeightBow weight refers to the physical weight of the bow itself. This is important because a bow that is too heavy can be difficult for a young archer to hold steady, affecting their accuracy and enjoyment. Youth compound bows are designed to be lightweight, typically ranging from 2.5 to 4 pounds. When choosing a bow, consider the archer's strength and ability to hold the bow comfortably for extended periods. A lighter bow is generally better for younger or smaller archers, while older or stronger youths may be able to handle a slightly heavier bow.

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