Best Compound Bows Under $800 (Black Friday 2026): 5 Ready-to-Hunt Packages
Affiliate disclosure: ArcheryWinner may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page.
Finding the best compound bow under $800 during Black Friday week usually comes down to one question: do you need a bow that fits a growing kid or a new shooter, or a dedicated adult hunting rig at full draw weight? Black Friday lands on November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday follows on November 30, so this is prime time for ready-to-hunt (RTH) package deals. We checked prices on all five bows below on November 8, 2026 — prices on bows move fast during the holiday stretch, so treat every number here as a snapshot, not a guarantee, and click through to confirm before you buy.
This guide covers five RTH packages, all realistically available under $800, built for different hunters: two fully adjustable bows that work for youth and new archers, and two adult-sized hunting bows at full hunting weight, plus a mid-range all-around option.
Quick picks
- Best for new archers and growing teens: Bear Cruzer G4 RTH — draws from 14 to 30 inches and 10 to 70 lb.
- Best alternative youth/adjustable pick: Bear Legit Maxx RTH — similar adjustability, slightly different accessory kit.
- Best mid-range all-rounder: Diamond Edge Max — wide adjustability and a published 314 fps IBO rating.
- Best for adult hunters wanting speed: Bear Alaskan XT RTH — up to 335 fps, narrower weight ranges.
- Best for serious hunters at full draw: PSE Brute ATK RTS Hunter Package — 60 or 70 lb, no arrows included.
Comparison table
| Model | Key specs | Price checked Nov 8, 2026 | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Cruzer G4 RTH | 14–30 in draw; 10–70 lb; 29 in axle-to-axle; 3.2 lb; 75% let-off; up to 315 fps (SCHEELS); 6.5 in brace (Bear) / 6.25 in (SCHEELS) | $479.99 at SCHEELS (Bear's own site lists it from $299.99 — worth comparing) | Check price at SCHEELS |
| Bear Legit Maxx RTH | 14–30 in draw; 10–70 lb; 30 in axle-to-axle; 6.25 in brace; 75% let-off; up to 315 fps | $479.99 at SCHEELS (marked down from $499.99) | Check price at SCHEELS |
| Diamond Edge Max | IBO 314 fps; 31 in axle-to-axle; 7-1/8 in brace; 16–31 in draw; 20–70 lb; 3.7 lb; Binary Cam | $489.00 at Lancaster Archery (backordered 2-3 weeks); Diamond lists "starting at $519" | Check price at Sportsman's Warehouse |
| Bear Alaskan XT RTH | Up to 335 fps; 33 in axle-to-axle; 6.25 in brace; 25–30 in draw; 45–60 or 55–70 lb; 3.5 lb; 80% let-off | $629.99 at SCHEELS (only a few left); Bear lists $679.99 | Check price at SCHEELS |
| PSE Brute ATK RTS Hunter Package | Up to 329 fps; 32 in axle-to-axle; 6-3/4 in brace; 23–30.5 in draw; 60 or 70 lb; 4.1 lb; 80% let-off | $749.00 at Lancaster Archery (backordered 2-3 weeks) | Check price at Sportsman's Warehouse |
The picks
Bear Cruzer G4 RTH — best for new archers and growing teens
Best for: a first bow that can be re-set as a young or new shooter gets stronger, without buying a new bow every year.
Key specs: 14–30 in draw length, 10–70 lb draw weight, 29 in axle-to-axle, 3.2 lb mass weight, 75% let-off, up to 315 fps per SCHEELS. Brace height is listed as 6.5 in by Bear and 6.25 in by SCHEELS, so the two retailers don't quite agree — worth a quick check at your pro shop.
What's in the package: a Trophy Ridge kit with a V-Biscuit rest, 4-pin sight, 5-arrow quiver, stabilizer, peep sight, and wrist sling.
Trade-offs: SCHEELS has it at $479.99, but Bear's own site lists the Cruzer G4 from $299.99. That's a big enough gap that it pays to compare both before you check out.
Bear Legit Maxx RTH — best alternative adjustable pick
Best for: shoppers who want the same grow-with-you adjustability as the Cruzer G4 but like a different accessory lineup.
Key specs: 14–30 in draw length, 10–70 lb draw weight, 30 in axle-to-axle, 6.25 in brace height, 75% let-off, up to 315 fps.
What's in the package: IMS V-Biscuit rest, Fatal 4-pin sight, 5 Spot quiver, Snubnose stabilizer, peep, and sling.
Trade-offs: SCHEELS has this marked down from $499.99 to $479.99, matching the Cruzer G4's price almost exactly — the decision between the two really comes down to which accessory kit and axle-to-axle length you prefer.
Diamond Edge Max — best mid-range all-rounder
Best for: hunters who want one of the widest adjustment ranges on this list along with a published IBO speed rating.
Key specs: IBO 314 fps, 31 in axle-to-axle, 7-1/8 in brace height, 16–31 in draw length, 20–70 lb draw weight, 3.7 lb mass weight, Binary Cam system.
What's in the package: Octane quiver, Stryker 3-pin sight, 5 in stabilizer, brush arrow rest, peep, and sling.
Trade-offs: Lancaster Archery has it at $489.00, which is well under Diamond's own "starting at $519" listing — but Lancaster shows a 2-3 week backorder, so it may not arrive quickly if you order late in the season.
Check price at Sportsman's Warehouse ›
Bear Alaskan XT RTH — best for adult hunters wanting speed
Best for: adult hunters who have already settled on a hunting draw weight and want a faster, more aggressive bow.
Key specs: up to 335 fps, 33 in axle-to-axle, 6.25 in brace height, 25–30 in draw length, 45–60 lb or 55–70 lb draw weight options, 3.5 lb mass weight, 80% let-off.
What's in the package: Trophy Ridge 4-pin sight, Whisker Biscuit V rest, quiver, stabilizer, peep, and D-loop.
Trade-offs: the draw length and weight ranges are much narrower than the Cruzer G4 or Legit Maxx, so this is an adult-sized bow, not a grow-with-you option. SCHEELS lists it at $629.99 with only a few left in stock, below Bear's own $679.99 listing.
PSE Brute ATK RTS Hunter Package — best for serious hunters at full draw
Best for: hunters who want a full-power adult hunting setup and are comfortable sourcing their own arrows.
Key specs: up to 329 fps, 32 in axle-to-axle, 6-3/4 in brace height, 23–30.5 in draw length, 60 lb or 70 lb draw weight, 4.1 lb mass weight, 80% let-off.
What's in the package: Hunter Lite quiver, Tru-Glo EZ Rest, FX4 stabilizer, Sierra Lite sight, peep, and nocking loop. Arrows are not included.
Trade-offs: at $749.00 from Lancaster Archery, this is the priciest bow on the list and the closest to our $800 ceiling. It's also backordered 2-3 weeks, and you'll need to budget separately for arrows.
Check price at Sportsman's Warehouse ›
One note on a bow that didn't make the list as a package: the Bowtech Amplify is $599 at SCHEELS, but it's a bare bow sold in-store only, with no sight, rest, or quiver included. If you already own accessories from a previous bow, it's worth a look — but it's not a true RTH package like the five above.
What "RTH" really includes
"Ready to hunt" generally means the bow ships with a sight, arrow rest, quiver, peep sight, stabilizer, and sling already mounted or included in the box. What it usually does not include is arrows or a release aid — you'll need to add those separately, matched to your draw length and draw weight. The PSE Brute ATK package above specifically calls this out: arrows are not included.
Speed ratings explained
Most "up to X fps" numbers in bow marketing are IBO (or similar ATA) speed ratings, measured under a specific setup: 70 lb draw weight, 30 in draw length, and a 350-grain arrow. If you shoot a shorter draw length, a lighter draw weight, a heavier hunting arrow, or add string accessories like a peep and D-loop, your actual arrow speed will be lower than the box number. A youth-sized shooter pulling a Cruzer G4 at 40 lb and a 26-inch draw will see noticeably less than 315 fps. Treat IBO numbers as a ceiling for comparison between bows, not a promise of what you'll get at the range.
Get it fitted
Buying online is convenient, but a compound bow still needs to be set up for your body before you shoot it for real. Have a pro shop set your draw length, confirm draw weight, and tune the bow — SCHEELS specifically recommends having new bows fit and tuned by a professional before you start shooting them. This matters even more with adjustable bows like the Cruzer G4 and Legit Maxx, since the factory setting may not match your draw length out of the box.
Where to find the current deal
Prices on these bows will keep moving between now and Cyber Monday on November 30, and retailers often run different promotions on different days of Black Friday week. Before you buy, compare the final price, shipping cost, return policy, and whether the shop includes any setup or tuning service — a slightly higher sticker price that includes professional fitting can be a better deal than the cheapest listing. Check today's best archery deals for the latest prices we've found across these retailers.
FAQ
When do bow prices drop the most?
Bow packages are often discounted around Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30), though individual retailers can run sales earlier or later in the season. Stock also tends to run thin on popular models, as we saw with the Alaskan XT's "only a few left" status at SCHEELS.
Bear Cruzer G4 vs. Legit Maxx: which should I pick?
Both bows share nearly identical adjustability — 14 to 30 inches of draw and 10 to 70 lb of weight — and both were $479.99 at SCHEELS when we checked. The real differences are the accessory brands bundled in each kit and a 1-inch difference in axle-to-axle length (29 in vs. 30 in). Either is a reasonable choice for a new or growing archer; pick based on which accessory kit you prefer.
What else do I need to buy besides the bow?
Plan to budget for arrows matched to your draw weight and draw length, a release aid if you don't already shoot fingers, field points or broadheads, and a target to practice on. Our Arrow Spine, Weight and FOC Explained guide walks through how to match arrows to your setup correctly.
What draw weight do I need to hunt deer?
This depends entirely on where you hunt. Many states set a legal minimum draw weight for big game, and many hunters choose 50 lb or more for deer-sized game, but minimums vary by state and sometimes by species. Check your state wildlife agency's hunting regulations before you set your draw weight or buy a license.
Before you head out, also read our Compound Bow or Crossbow: Which Is Right for Your First Season? guide if you're still deciding on a weapon type, run through our Pre-Season Compound Bow Checklist before opening day, and if a crossbow is still in the running, see Best Crossbows Under $600 (Black Friday 2026).
A few safety basics apply no matter which bow you choose: never dry-fire a compound bow — it can damage the limbs and cams and injure the shooter — always shoot arrows of the correct spine and weight for your draw, confirm your state's hunting regulations and license requirements before the season opens, and wear a safety harness any time you're hunting from a treestand.