The 10 Best Compound Bow Manufacturers

Key Takeaways

• The top 10 archery manufacturersare Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, PSE, Bear, Elite, Diamond, Mission, Prime, and Quest.
• Every archer has their own personal preferences, so it’s important to find the make and model that works for you.
• Upgrading your bow string and cables is a simple way to improve your bow’s performance.

Here at 60X, we’re always asked about the best bow brands and models. While everyone has an opinion, it normally turns into the old Chevy versus Ford versus Dodge type of debate. What works great for one may not be the best option for another. 

Personally, I’ve shot very poorly with very expensive, top-of-the-line models from world-renowned bow manufacturers, but also won national championships with mid-grade models. 

Even though I’ve had very strong brand loyalty to what I felt was the best bow brand over the years, I can admit that there isn’t one “best compound bow brand” out there. Simply put, the best bow is the one you feel comfortable and confident shooting.

Each brand makes top-quality products. You just have to find what works for you. With that said, I compiled a list of what I feel are the top 10 best archery manufacturers that make bows.

1. Mathews Archery Bow Manufacturer

Mathews was established in the early 1990s by Matt McPherson. They’re currently located in Sparta, Wisconsin. Their claim to fame was their solo cam technology and slogan, “Catch us if you can.” 

Their pro shooters are staples at national events and oftentimes frequent the podiums with their victories. Many of today’s top hunting television stars are sponsored by Mathews, as well. 

Each year, Mathews continues to bring out innovative designs to improve their products. Year in and year out, Mathews bow strings are among our top sellers.

2. Hoyt Archery Bow Manufacturer

Hoyt was founded by Early Hoyt Sr. in 1931. Now, almost a century later, they continue to be one of the best bow brands in the sport. 

No matter where the tournament is, you will see a flood of Hoyt jerseys both on the line and on the podium. They especially seem to excel in the international target archery scene. Many record book animals are harvested each year using Hoyt equipment. 

Our selection of Hoyt bow strings covers just about every bow from the last 40+ years. We can also build custom bow strings to your Hoyt bow’s specifications and your personal preferences.

3. Bowtech Archery Bow Manufacturer

Bowtech didn’t come around until the year 2000, but quickly became one of the major archery manufacturers in the industry. Each year, they release a number of new models, each targeted at a specific customer need. 

In recent years, Bowtech has made a huge push into target archery with the addition of pro shooters, like Paige Pearce and Tim Gillingham. Both have been very successful and can be seen almost every weekend holding a big contingency check on the podium. 

Our Bowtech bow string recipe has proven to increase reliability in the hard bend areas their cams are known for. 

4. PSE Archery Bow Manufacturer

When Pete Shepley started PSE in 1970, I’m sure he didn’t know the journey that was in front of him. Over 50 years later, they’re still going strong. 

PSE offers bows for everyone, from the beginner up to the professional archer who travels the world competing. At this point, there isn’t much they haven’t accomplished in the archery world. PSE bow strings are our largest brand offering, with hundreds of listings on our site. 

5. Bear Archery Bow Manufacturer

Bear is what I would call an “iconic brand.” Since being founded by Fred Bear in 1933, they’ve remained one of the most instantly recognizable archery manufacturers. 

In today’s market, I would consider Bear’s bow lineup to be mid-grade or upper mid-grade. They produce quality products while trying to keep prices low. Much of this could be due to not having a huge paid pro staff promoting them like other brands. By cutting marketing costs, they can offer products at a lower price. 

Whether you need a teardrop bow string for an older bow or a top-quality 452Xtra bow string set for your 2023 model, our Bear bow strings will upgrade your bow’s performance.

6. Elite Archery Bow Manufacturer

Elite came into the archery game in 2005. After being acquired by The Outdoor Group, it has been game on for them. With most of Elite’s lineup being composed of binary cam-style bows, their shooters continue to be successful in 3D target archery and in the field while bowhunting. 

We offer options for Elite bow strings for every model in both standard and custom bow string colors. Whether you want to retain the bow’s original look or personalize it to match your style, we can accommodate your vision. Boost your bow’s performance and look.

7. Diamond Archery Bow Manufacturer

Diamond is a bow brand that is now owned by Bowtech. It’s a brand that is geared more toward a lower price point. Many of their models have MSRPs below $500 and give customers great value while still getting a solid product. 

Their “Edge” line of bows has changed the game by giving archers an ultra-economical bow to shoot. The recent Infinite Edge bow has so much adjustment that archers of just about any size can shoot it. 

Our selection of Diamond bow strings continues to be very popular with our customer base. We can build strings with custom fits, further enhancing the brand’s customization potential.

8. Mission Archery Bow Manufacturer

Mission is an archery manufacturer owned by Mathews. Their gear is made in the Mathews factory and often shares features and technology.

Much like Diamond, Mission’s goal is to offer a value-packed product. It has also been published that the profits from this company go to help various mission projects across the globe. 

Whether you’re a bowhunting expert or youth shooter, we have a Mission bow string set to keep you on target. Upgrading your Mission bow’s bow string and cables is a cost-effective way to make your budget bow shoot like a flagship bow.

9. Prime Archery Bow Manufacturer

Prime is a division of G5 Outdoors, which is one of the industry’s larger manufacturers of accessories. Each year, they release innovative designs that really set them apart in that aspect from other companies.

Prime bow string sets can be out of the norm with things like 7-piece string sets, but we have it covered. If you don’t see your model listed, reach out to discuss a custom build. 

10. Quest Archery Bow Manufacturer

Quest is a sister company of Prime. Their bow line is geared toward the average bowhunter. Their bow lineup is limited but provides the bowhunter with what they need to be successful. I would consider their equipment mid-grade and the price reflects this as well. 

Each year, we notice a spike in our sales of Quest bow strings during hunting season. Upgrading your bow string is a great way to improve your chances of landing big game.

60X Custom Strings Archery Manufacturer

Whatever bow you choose, 60X is where you want to look when it comes time to replace your strings and cables. From Mathews to Quest, we have you covered with individually made, pre-stretched bow strings for all bow manufacturers. Shop now.