How Much is Too Much, When it Comes to the Cost of Archery Equipment?

Whether it’s because of inflation, more expensive materials, or advancements in technology, archery equipment costs more than ever in 2025. In fact, there is a huge difference in the cost of archery equipment today compared to just 20-30 years ago.

Yet, even with the higher cost, bowhunters can still find great options to fit their needs and budgets. But knowing where to spend your money and where to save is important.

Archery equipment is no different than any other products out there when it comes to the law of diminishing returns.

There comes a point when the increased cost simply doesn’t justify the small gain in performance or features those products have over less expensive options.

In this article, I will discuss the different price ranges of today’s bows, what each one of those ranges offers, as well as what they may lack.

We’ll also look at where you may want to consider saving your money, as well as the idea that the cost of bowhunting is preventing some people from getting into the game.

Price Groups

Let’s begin by going over some of the price groups that archery equipment falls into. I have assigned 3 separate groups, Entry Level, Mid-Range, and High-End.

I will discuss what you can expect to get in each group as well as what they might not offer.

Entry-Level ($300-$600)

As the name implies, entry-level tends to be for those just getting into bowhunting or for those who are on a strict budget. Contrary to what many may believe, there are some great options for bowhunters in this category, many of which come in RTH or Ready to Hunt packages.

These packages will oftentimes include a complete bow setup, minus arrows, broadheads and release aids, making it a convenient and budget friendly option.

This price group offers bowhunters just about everything they need to hit the woods, but nothing they don’t. The equipment offered in this range is often a no-frills option and can lack some of the higher technology that more expensive price groups offer.

Bows in this price range are likely lower in performance and features compared to that of higher end bows, and you can usually expect to see lower quality components such as materials and strings.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing equipment in this price range, regardless of your experience level. Just understand that you are likely going to miss out on some of the features, performance and quality that higher priced options typically provide.

Mid-Range ($700-$1500)

This price range tends to be a very popular one for bow hunters of all ages and experience levels, and can oftentimes give you the most bang for your buck.

This range includes many of today’s flagship bows, giving hunters more performance and higher quality options than that of the Entry-Level.

When purchasing archery equipment from this price group, one can expect to see more feature packed options, often including better quality strings, vibration/noise reducing features as well as higher quality accessories.

Although the lower end of this range still offers some of the RTH packages, the upper end tends to be bare bow pricing, leaving the choice of accessories such as sights, rests and quivers up to the individual.

Even though this price range offers more feature rich options than that of the entry-level, it will not likely include niche bow materials like carbon, magnite, or other modern riser materials being introduced these days.

High-End ($1500-$3000+)

At the top end of the pricing groups, this group can offer bowhunters all the latest and greatest materials and technology that is available.

Features such as top end performance, easy DIY tuning, the highest quality strings and carbon risers can be found on bows in this price group.

Bowhunters won’t likely find a RTH packages in this group, because many accessories in this price group are built and designed to fit specific bow manufacturers.

It is not uncommon to find flagship bows costing north of $1500 dollars just for the bow, and once outfitted with higher end accessories, archers can easily wrap up over $3k in their setups.

This price range isn’t for everyone, and unfortunately, through marketing and pear pressure, some bowhunters feel as though they are handicapped if they don’t purchase from this price group.

The truth of the matter is that most less experienced bowhunters won’t take advantage of many of the features that these higher end bows and accessories offer, making the added cost unnecessary.

So What Are You Paying For?

Without a doubt, there are differences between these price groups. So, what exactly are you as a bowhunter paying for with the more expensive options?

Technology and Materials

This can be seen or felt in higher performing cams, riser material and designs as well as the strings and cables. Risers will flex less and recover faster causing less noise and vibration.

Cams will produce more energy/speed while still providing a smooth draw with plenty of adjustability, and the strings and cables will allow minimal stretch and peep rotation.

Carbon risers have become popular on the most expensive bows, offering stiffer and lighter risers than many aluminum riser bows.

Marketing and Reputation

Some manufacturers spend a lot of money through marketing and celebrity endorsements, and that expense has to be offset through product prices and sales.

It’s pretty easy to see which manufacturers spend the most on marketing when watching hunting shows or reading hunting magazines. Unfortunately, the consumer helps pay for those expenses.

Customization and Accessories

Some manufactures offer custom options such as finish colors or camouflage patterns. Others offer proprietary options that may force the customer to purchase their accessories if they want to use a specific mount or have an item that matches their bow’s camo pattern.

These proprietary accessories are usually of good quality but unfortunately can limit customer options.

Is There a Sweet Spot?

In my personal opinion, the mid-range offers the sweet spot for most bowhunters to get the best quality and performance for their money, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone.

I am a firm believer in buying the best equipment you can afford; regardless if that is from the entry-level price group or the high-end price group. Each bowhunter is different. They have different budgets and situations.

As I mentioned earlier, many of the features and technologies that are offered by the equipment in the high-end price range, won’t be taken advantage of or likely even noticed by less experienced bowhunters.

This doesn’t mean that those features and technology aren’t worth the money, but it might not be worth the cost to the less experienced bowhunters.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article about the law of diminishing returns, can you justify the additional cost if you can’t even take advantage of what it offers?

A good rule of thumb is, just because it costs more doesn’t mean it makes you a better hunter.

Where to Invest Your Money and Where to Save

Yes, I know, I just suggested that you purchase the best equipment that you can afford, but sometimes we need to prioritize where we spend our money.

For me, as an experienced bowhunter going into my 38th deer season, I have come to appreciate and can take advantage of the technology and features of a high-end bow.

With that being said, I tend to concentrate on mid-range accessories such as sights, arrow rests and stabilizers. As a matter of fact, the accessories on the bow I bought last year are several years old, and were transferred from my old bow.

The money I saved on accessories can be used to purchase higher-end arrows and broadheads. When you stop and think about it, the arrow and broadhead are two areas that many bowhunters skimp on, but they are actually what do the killing of the animals we harvest.

Cut your cost on the bow, sight, and rest. You’ll likely never notice a difference. Don’t skimp on the cost of arrows and broadheads. Buy the best you can, and don’t settle for the cheap imitations.

When deciding where to spend your money, think about what you actually need and not what you see a celebrity using or promoting on T.V. or social media.

As a bowhunter in the Midwest who primarily hunts from semi-permanent treestands or ground blinds on private property, I don’t need to spend the extra $600+ on a carbon riser bow that might offer a .25 – .5 pound in weight reduction over an aluminum riser bow.

My walks to the treestand aren’t that far, and I don’t need to carry that much gear. Now, if I was out west hiking up and down mountains or hunting public land where I had long walks carrying a treestand and climbing sticks, I might think about spending the extra money to save a little weight.

Is the Cost of Equipment Deterring Hunters?

I hear lots of people complain about the cost of getting into bowhunting and how it has supposedly become a rich man’s sport. In my opinion, that is simply not true.

Bowhunting allows you to spend as little or as much as you want, and there is equipment that can fit just about anyone’s budget. Not everyone needs to go buy the most expensive gear in order to bowhunt, and it’s unfortunate if anyone thinks that way.

New gear can be acquired at reasonable prices, (if you are willing to forego the latest and greatest), and many pro-shops offer used bows that give bowhunters an opportunity to purchase a higher end used bow much cheaper than what a new one costs.

For the most part, once you buy your equipment, there is no additional costs – unless you tend to lose a lot of arrows.

Compare that to buying more bullets, shotguns shells, or golf balls and greens fees. By comparison, archery and bowhunting can be surprisingly affordable.

Conclusion

Archery and bowhunting are as unique as its participants. There is no one–size-fits-all when it comes to gear, budget or style.

When you are in the market to purchase archery gear, take the time to assess what it is you really need, what your must-haves are, and prioritize your spending.

Spend and save where it makes the most sense. A brand new flagship bow may be very tempting, but if you still need to buy other gear like treestands, saddles or blinds, going with a mid-range bow and accessories will certainly help your money go farther.

How much is too much to spend on archery equipment? Well, that’s like asking how much is too much to spend on a car or house.

As long as there are ample options available at every level, there should be no problem with newcomers, or anyone else, getting into and staying in the game.

David Butler

David Butler is a Marine Corps veteran and a lifelong hunter. He lives in Normal, Illinois with his wife and son. David enjoys all things outdoors, with an emphasis on land management, deer hunting, and time spent afield with his family.