How to Choose a Crossbow (Beginner's Guide)

A crossbow makes a memorable, big-swing gift for a hunter — but the spec sheets are full of numbers and terms that mean nothing until someone explains them. What's a good FPS? Does draw weight matter? What's a package, and what should a beginner actually look for? This guide answers all of that in plain English, so you can choose with confidence even if you've never held a crossbow.

We'll explain what a "complete package" includes, translate speed and draw weight into what they mean for a hunter, cover cocking aids (a bigger deal than they sound), touch on safety and the fact that laws vary by state, and finish with a clear recommendation. No experience required.

The single most useful thing to know as a gift-buyer: buy a "package," not a bare crossbow. A crossbow on its own is just the shooting part — you'd still need a scope, arrows (called bolts), a quiver to hold them, and usually a cocking aid before it could be used. A complete or "ready-to-hunt" packagebundles all of that together in one box: crossbow, mounted scope, bolts, quiver, and typically a cocking rope or crank. For a gift, that's exactly what you want — they open it and they're essentially ready to head to the range.

Nearly every crossbow aimed at hunters is sold this way, and the word to look for is "package."It saves the recipient from a frustrating scavenger hunt for parts and hidden extra costs, and it means the scope is already matched to the bow. If you're buying for a beginner, a package isn't just convenient — it's the right call.

You'll see crossbows rated in FPS — feet per second, the speed the bolt leaves the bow. Higher numbers get marketed hard, but here's the honest truth for a beginner: modern crossbows are plenty fast, and more speed isn't the thing to chase. A faster bolt shoots a bit flatter and hits harder, which sounds great, but past a certain point the gains are small and the fastest bows tend to be pricier and louder. For typical deer-hunting ranges, a mid-level speed rating is more than enough to hunt effectively and ethically.

So don't let a slightly lower FPS scare you off a well-made, well-reviewed package. A crossbow that's accurate, comfortable to shoot, and dependable will do far more for a hunter than chasing the biggest speed number on the shelf. Speed is one ingredient, not the whole recipe.

Draw weightis how much force it takes to cock the crossbow — to pull the string back into the ready position. It's a bigger number than people expect, often in the range where cocking by bare hands is a real effort. This is where cocking aids come in, and they matter more than almost any spec on the sheet. A rope cocker roughly halves the effort using a simple pulley, and a crank (a cocking device) makes it almost effortless with a small handle you turn.

Why does this matter for choosing a gift? Because cocking is the hardest physical part of using a crossbow, and a good aid makes the bow usable for almost anyone — a smaller-framed adult, a younger hunter, or an older one. If you're buying for someone who isn't especially strong, look for a package that includes a crank or is crank-compatible. It can be the difference between a crossbow they love and one that sits in the closet. A rope cocker is the everyday minimum; a crank is a lovely upgrade.

For most gift-givers, a solid budget or mid-range packagehits the sweet spot: everything needed to start, from a brand hunters trust, without overspending on features a newcomer won't use yet.

Strip away the marketing and a beginner needs surprisingly little: a complete package from a reputable brand, an easy cocking aid, and a bow that's comfortable and accurate— not a record-setting speed number. Reliability and a good warranty matter far more than shaving off a few feet per second. A friendly, everything-included package lets them learn the basics and enjoy the sport without a steep upfront learning curve.

A crossbow is a serious tool, and a couple of things are non-negotiable. On safety: fingers stay clear of the string's path, you never dry-fire it (fire it without a bolt loaded), and it's treated as loaded whenever it's cocked. Most packages include a basic safety and clear instructions, and a beginner should read them and practice on a range before ever hunting.

Just as important: crossbow hunting laws vary by state and season. Some states allow crossbows throughout archery season, others restrict them to certain seasons or hunters, and the rules change. Before buying, it's worth a quick check of the recipient's state wildlife agency — a resource like Bowhunter-Ed is a good starting point for regulations and safety — so the gift fits how and when they actually hunt. You can also see how we weigh gear on how we choose.

Putting it together: for a gift, choose a complete, ready-to-hunt package from a trusted brand, prioritize an easy cocking aidover a headline speed number, and match the tier to how serious the person is. A budget or mid-range package is the confident, can't-miss choice for a beginner — enough bow to learn on and love, without paying for features they won't use yet. Save the premium bows for experienced hunters or a true splurge. Not sure a crossbow is the right call at all? Compare it with a vertical bow in our related guide, or browse all our gear guides.