Blaze & Budget

Best Cheap Hunting Crossbows

Deer-ready crossbow packages under the price of a mid-range compound, ranked by speed and what comes in the box.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we rank

A cheap crossbow is one of the best values in hunting. For less than a mid-range compound bow and its accessories, you get a complete package — crossbow, scope, quiver, arrows, and a cocking aid — that shoots fast enough and flat enough to take a deer inside 40 yards with far less practice than a vertical bow demands. That combination of low cost and short learning curve is why crossbows have brought so many new hunters into the woods.

This is a compiled roundup, not a hands-on test. We don’t own these crossbows or run a range — we read the published speeds, draw weights, and package contents, then rank each by speed and value for the money. Every pick here ships as a hunt-ready package, so the differences come down to how fast they shoot, how complete the kit is, and whether the name behind it has a track record. We note where the stock scope or strings are the first things you will want to upgrade.

How this is funded:we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on price-per-performance — the specs that matter divided by what it costs. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not field-tested these — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductSpeedScorePrice
1
Killer Instinct Lethal 405

Killer Instinct Lethal 405

Best value overall

405 feet per second, a scope, quiver and arrows, and a rope cocker — a complete deer-ready crossbow for the price of a decent scope alone. The best all-in value on the board.

405 fps
9.0/ 10
$258.00View on Amazon

Price as of July 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Killer Instinct Burner 415

Killer Instinct Burner 415

Best budget speed

A hair faster than the Lethal at 415 fps, and often a hair cheaper. A compact, adjustable-stock package that shoots above its price — our pick if you want the most speed per dollar.

415 fps
8.9/ 10
$299.99View on Amazon

Price as of July 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
CenterPoint Hellion 400

CenterPoint Hellion 400

Best 400 fps kit

A 400 fps hunt-ready kit that includes broadheads — a rare touch at this price. CenterPoint's budget line is a lot of crossbow for the money, and the kit gets you truly hunt-ready out of the box.

400 fps
8.6/ 10
$429.00View on Amazon

Price as of July 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR

Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR

Best complete package

The step-up Barnett: Step-Through Riser for a lighter, more balanced bow, around 375 fps, and a fuller accessory package. Worth the extra over the Hunter II if the budget stretches.

375 fps
8.7/ 10
$429.99View on Amazon

Price as of July 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Barnett Whitetail Hunter II

Barnett Whitetail Hunter II

Best from a legacy brand

The cheapest way into a legacy crossbow name. Around 350 fps with a lightweight frame and a 4x32 scope — plenty of crossbow for treestand whitetail, from a brand with a long track record.

350 fps
8.5/ 10
$339.00View on Amazon

Price as of July 22, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best value overall9.0/ 10 value

Killer Instinct Lethal 405

405 feet per second, a scope, quiver and arrows, and a rope cocker — a complete deer-ready crossbow for the price of a decent scope alone. The best all-in value on the board.

Strengths

  • 405 fps is more than enough for any whitetail range
  • Complete package: scope, quiver, arrows, rope cocker
  • Compact and light for a budget crossbow

Trade-offs

  • Included scope is basic — a future upgrade if you shoot far
  • Loud without aftermarket string dampeners
Speed405 fps
PackageScope, quiver, arrows, rope cocker
Cocking aidRope cocker included

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state that figure. The score is our value rating, not a lab test — how we rank.

#2Best budget speed8.9/ 10 value

Killer Instinct Burner 415

A hair faster than the Lethal at 415 fps, and often a hair cheaper. A compact, adjustable-stock package that shoots above its price — our pick if you want the most speed per dollar.

Strengths

  • 415 fps — the fastest here for the money
  • Adjustable stock and compact 6.5" axle-to-axle profile
  • Complete ready-to-hunt package

Trade-offs

  • Stock scope reticle is fine for close range, not precise far out
  • Needs dampeners to quiet the shot
Speed415 fps
PackageScope, quiver, arrows, rope cocker
StockAdjustable

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state that figure. The score is our value rating, not a lab test — how we rank.

#3Best 400 fps kit8.6/ 10 value

CenterPoint Hellion 400

A 400 fps hunt-ready kit that includes broadheads — a rare touch at this price. CenterPoint's budget line is a lot of crossbow for the money, and the kit gets you truly hunt-ready out of the box.

Strengths

  • 400 fps with a complete Hunt Ready Kit — even broadheads included
  • Narrow cocked width for tight treestand shooting
  • Case and sling in the box on many listings

Trade-offs

  • Heavier than the Killer Instinct pair
  • Factory strings benefit from a wax-and-tune before season
Speed400 fps
PackageHunt Ready Kit (scope, quiver, broadheads)
Draw weight185 lb

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state that figure. The score is our value rating, not a lab test — how we rank.

#4Best complete package8.7/ 10 value

Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR

The step-up Barnett: Step-Through Riser for a lighter, more balanced bow, around 375 fps, and a fuller accessory package. Worth the extra over the Hunter II if the budget stretches.

Strengths

  • Step-Through Riser drops weight and improves balance
  • ~375 fps with a finished, complete kit
  • TriggerTech trigger is crisp for a budget crossbow

Trade-offs

  • Costs more than the other budget picks here
  • Crank cocking device is sold separately
Speed~375 fps
Package4x32 scope, quiver, 2 arrows
RiserStep-Through (STR)

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state that figure. The score is our value rating, not a lab test — how we rank.

#5Best from a legacy brand8.5/ 10 value

Barnett Whitetail Hunter II

The cheapest way into a legacy crossbow name. Around 350 fps with a lightweight frame and a 4x32 scope — plenty of crossbow for treestand whitetail, from a brand with a long track record.

Strengths

  • Barnett name and support behind a true-budget price
  • Light and compact — easy to maneuver in a stand or blind
  • Includes a 4x32 multi-reticle scope and quiver

Trade-offs

  • ~350 fps is the slowest here (still fine inside 40 yd)
  • Anti-dry-fire trigger has a heavier pull than premium bows
Speed~350 fps
Package4x32 scope, quiver, 2 arrows
WeightLightweight frame

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker doesn’t state that figure. The score is our value rating, not a lab test — how we rank.

How to choose a cheap hunting crossbow

Crossbow marketing is a speed race, but for hunting deer the fastest bow is rarely the one you should buy. Here is what actually matters when you are spending as little as possible.

Speed: how much is enough

Every crossbow here shoots between roughly 350 and 415 feet per second, and any of them is plenty for whitetail inside normal bow range. Extra speed flattens trajectory a little and adds noise and wear; it does not make up for a bad shot. Once a crossbow clears about 350 fps, put your attention on accuracy and the package, not on chasing the top number.

What comes in the package

The value of a budget crossbow is in the box. A complete kit includes a scope, quiver, arrows, and a cocking aid; the best-value kits add broadheads or a case. Read the listing carefully, because two crossbows at the same price can differ by a whole accessory set. The stock scope is usually adequate for close-range hunting and the first thing you might upgrade if you shoot farther.

Cocking aids and cocking effort

A crossbow’s draw weight is far higher than a compound’s, so a cocking aid matters. A rope cocker roughly halves the effort and comes with most of these packages; a crank cocking device makes it nearly effortless but is often sold separately. If strength or a shoulder issue is a concern, factor in a crank before you buy.

Noise, tuning, and legality

Budget crossbows are loud, and string dampeners are a cheap, worthwhile first add-on. Wax the string, tighten every bolt, and check zero before the season. Most important: crossbow legality varies widely — some states allow crossbows in general archery season, others restrict them to firearm season or to hunters with a permit — so confirm the rules with your state wildlife agency first. If you are still weighing a crossbow against a vertical bow, read our compound bow vs crossbow comparison, and consider an angle-compensating rangefinder for treestand shots.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does a hunting crossbow need to be?

For deer inside normal bow range, about 350 feet per second is plenty, and every crossbow in this roundup meets or beats that. More speed flattens trajectory slightly and adds noise and wear, but it does not fix a bad shot. Prioritize accuracy and a complete package over the top speed number.

Is a crossbow legal for me to hunt with?

It depends entirely on your state and season. Some states allow crossbows throughout archery season, others limit them to firearm or muzzleloader seasons or require a permit or disability exemption. Rules change year to year, so confirm crossbow legality with your state wildlife agency before you buy or hunt.

Do I need a crank cocking device?

Not necessarily. A rope cocker, included with most of these packages, cuts the cocking effort roughly in half and is enough for most hunters. A crank makes cocking nearly effortless and is worth adding if you have limited upper-body strength or a shoulder issue, but it is usually an extra purchase.

What comes in a cheap crossbow package?

Most budget crossbows ship as a kit with a scope, quiver, a few arrows, and a rope cocker. The better-value kits add broadheads or a case. Because contents vary at the same price, compare what each package includes; a slightly pricier bow that includes everything can be the cheaper choice overall.

Should I buy a crossbow or a compound bow?

A crossbow is faster to learn, easier to hold on target, and takes less practice to stay accurate, which suits hunters short on range time. A compound rewards regular practice and often earns earlier or longer archery seasons. Our compound-bow-vs-crossbow comparison breaks the decision down point by point.

Sources

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