Best Beginner Recurve Bow In 2023

A recurve bow is an excellent starting point for those new to archery due to its simplicity and effectiveness. In 2023, selecting the best beginner recurve bow still revolves around several key factors, including build quality, user-friendliness, affordability, and versatility.

If you’re new to archery, choosing the right recurve bow can be a pivotal first step in your journey. Therefore, some products available on the market are attractive and inexpensive. But every day after the shooting, you’ll discover that the quality is poor and often needs to be replaced by another higher quality model in the months to come, or when you become an expert.

Don’t worry!

We are here to help you for choosing the best beginner recurve bow. In this article, we offer you the top 7 Best beginner recurve bows with a complete buying guide. We have put together detailed information on each product so that you can pick the right model without breaking the bank.

Best Beginner Recurve Bows Reviews 2023

Make sure to check out our comparison list of the top 7 best beginner recurve bows in 2023.

1. TOP ARCHERY Recurve Bow for Adults – Best Overall
2. D&Q Bow Takedown – Best Recurve Bow for Hunting
3. TIDEWE Recurve Bow and Arrow Set – Editor’s Choice
4. HYFSPORTS Archery – Best Recurve Bow for Adult Youth
5. Bkisy Recurve Bow for Adult – Best Value for the Money
6. PSE Archery Pro Max Traditional – Complete Recurve Bow Package
7. Obert Archery Takedown Recurve Bow – Very Practical to Use

1. TOPARCHERY Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow

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If you’re looking for an entry-level recurve bow that’s got users raving, delivers impressive specs, and makes it all easy on the wallet, then the TOPARCHERY would be the best option for you. TOPARCHERY is not a huge name in hunting bows, but they have cut themselves a place in the market for producing high quality recurve bows.

This hunting recurve bow is a little more expensive than the cheap models, but the price gets higher because of the overall quality and materials. The riser is innovative and combines multiple natural woods with lamination technology. And the string is made of high quality natural tire line, which is more durable. The rounded edges and finely finished wooden handles are very comfortable for target shooting.

The model is ideal for beginners because it contains everything a novice archer needs; 6 pcs Fiberglass Arrows, string silencer, Arm Guard, Hand Guard, Bowstringer Tool, and Arrow Case. You don’t need to spend some extras right out of the box. However, if the riser, limbs, and string come apart, you need to assemble them.

The speed is pretty fast, so you can shoot extremely accurately with an easy draw. The arrow flies off very smoothly, making it suitable for almost all hunters to practice marksmanship. Also, this adult’s recurve bow brings so much fun. It is lightweight, so you can carry it for a long period of time.

However, TOPARCHERY upgraded traditional recurve bow was specially designed for adults who take themselves as professional shooters. It is a very relaxing beginner recurve bow, you can shoot longer without as much fatigue.

Specs:

• Total length: 60″
• String length: 57″
• Brace height: 7-8″
• Draw weight: 30-50lbs

2. D&Q Takedown Recurve Hunting Bows for Adults

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Actually, we always care about money without compromising quality, and that’s why we put this model from D&Q in the second position of our ranking of best beginner recurve bows in 2023. D&G has managed to create a fantastic-looking upside-designed recurve bow that’s reliable for consistent shooting. It could be a great choice for both beginner hunters and those who are already familiar with recurve bow.

It is made from durable aluminum alloy riser and hard maple Limbs, and each joint between them is fixed with sturdy screws that can be easily changed. While the reversed limb design is a common concept (it’s been around for hundreds of years), the D&Q is just as effective and often more compact than traditional designs.

The draw weight options range from 30 lbs to 50 lbs (30 lbs, 35 lbs, 40 lbs, 45 lbs, 50 lbs). The weight of this bow won’t feel heavy, and the curvature of the handle is more conducive to controlling the bow easily.

We also like that the bow is just 56” in total length but they could have shrunk that down a bit. It’s capable of shots at high speed which isn’t pushing the bleeding edge of technology. But they’re not bad either for reasonable 50-pound draw weight. The smooth edge designed in a beginner’s mind will protect you from getting hurt.

All the essential accessories are included in the package. It comes with a light as well that just screws into the side of the sight. It’s very accurate once the above hiccup is sorted.

However, one thing we would have liked to see improved is the quiver. Cheap but works!

Specs:

• Total length: 56″
• Brace height: N/A
• Draw length: 30 inches
• Draw weight: 30-50lbs

3. TIDEWE Recurve Bow Set for Adult & Youth Beginner

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With a body mass of 6.4 pounds, the TIDEWE is one of the best lightweight recurve bows for beginners, especially when compared to other wooden models on the market. This bow measures a little over 60 inches. However, it is not too large or cumbersome to prevent you from using it along with a tree stand or hunting blind.

TIDEWE recurve bow features a reliable wooden core and strong fiberglass, high-performance wooden limbs, and a powerful 16-strand dacron fabric bowstring. In this way, hunters can focus more on successfully hitting their targets.

The rounded edges riser and a finely finished handle also make it very comfortable to hold. This allows the user to have the best experience shooting multiple arrows or for extended amounts of time.

The ergonomic design of this bow is also appealing to the eye, making it unique in its own way. However, the main benefit of this type of configuration is the superior accuracy you get, even if you are just a novice archer.

Another good thing is, it comes with high quality arrows and some other useful accessories that you won’t have to pay extra for. In the package, you will get an arrow rest, finger guard, target, bow stringer, 6 pcs carbon arrows with removable field tips, and more.

This unit is very user-friendly and simple to put together. The included instruction manual is also helpful for beginners. While following the easy read, setup can take less than 5 minutes. And with standard safety features in place, it is an excellent option for most beginners.

Specs:

• AMO length: 62”
• Draw length: 29″
• Brace height: N/A
• Bow riser length: 19.5″
• Draw weight: 20-50LBs

4. HYFSPORTS Archery Takedown Recurve Bow

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HYFSPORTS is not widely known for building high-quality hunting gear. But in recent years, they are now famous in the market of archery equipment. They fully focused on ultra-narrow design, making their bow ultralight. This is a takedown recurve bow for beginners with a featherlight of 2.35 pounds of mass carry weight. It puts out an insane 44-pound draw weight.

The weight of the limbs is light, and measures 28”. If you’re not aware, all these specs are perfectly acceptable for knocking down even big games without too much hassle at mid to long distances. It could be an ideal choice for beginners considering the reliable features and wide range of adjustability.

HYFSPORTS recurve bow features international fitting, with Comfortable Plastic with wooden camo grip. Magnesium alloy painted riser and strong fiberglass also ensure long service life.

You can easily put together or take down the riser and limbs and able to change the limbs to increase or decrease the weight. You can shoot bare bow or add the extras like sights and stabilizers. Also, you can upgrade your limbs when you will become a better shooter.

HYFSPORTS is a nicely made and affordable recurve bow. In the package, you will get 1 piece bow riser with a cover, pair bow limbs with covers, bow string, bow stringer tool, and 4pcs brass nocks.

This model is designed only for right-hand archer shooters, which means you need to hold the bow handle with your left hand and pull the bow string with your right hand. Fortunately, the left-hand version is now available. However, this bow is loud.

Specs:

• Riser length: 25″
• Total length: 66″
• Draw weight: 16-44lbs
• Brace height: 8-9″
• Bow weight: 2.35lbs

5. Bkisy Detachable Recurve Package Bow for Adult

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We wouldn’t call the Bkisy a premium recurve bow package, but a great bow under $100. They’ll get the job done for beginners and should get you out hunting for a few seasons before you might want to upgrade.

That said, the Bkisy recurve bow is respectable for hunting with a huge combination of accessories. And with 12 x Fiberglass Arrows included right out of the package in a nice detachable quiver, this model is ready to deal with you to injure your games. Bkisy also includes in the package a premium grade Bow Sight, which will be great at the medium range that this recurve bow takes advantage of with a high firing speed.

This bow and arrow set is built with aluminum alloy riser, wood fiberglass limbs, and fiberglass arrows with stainless steel heads, which are adequate for beginner archers at this price range. They are also durable and sturdy, which means you can hold enough resistance and stretch for a long time.

You can easily put it together and comes with all the tools for assembly. However, it takes little room to store because the limbs are a bit long. It can be easily transported in a bow hunting backpack or a general hiking pack.

The rounded edges and well-finished handle ensure a comfortable grip and allow you to have the best experience. It is also suitable for various uses, for both youths and adults. Perfect for starters for adults to practice skills of archery, shooting, and hunting and for youth to practice archery to become advanced archers.

Specs:

• Total length: 68″
• Riser length: 25″
• Brace Height: 7.5-8.8″
• Draw Weight: 18-38lbs
• Net weight: 3.0lbs

6. PSE Archery Pro Max Traditional Recurve Bow Set

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With packing a 35-pound draw weight and launching bolts down range at a lightning-fast speed, the PSE Archery Pro Max recurve bow can serve just about any beginner archer’s needs.

It is made of Dymond wood, which makes it eye-catching. The limbs measure a reasonable 25″. However, this model is available in different sizes between 25-32 inches. At a weight of 2.5 pounds, it’s light enough to carry for a long hike into the blind without being overbearing.

The three 28-inch carbon arrows fletched with 3-inch turkey feathers work best with this bow between 15 and 35 lbs of draw weight. The reduced draw weight also helps archers aim and shoot accurately as they sharpen their skills. We highly recommend this bow if you are just starting out and want to work on aiming and simply hitting the target.

Users rave about the accuracy and consistency of this bow and many consider it among the quietest recurve bows on the shelf today. You can also use this bow for fishing.

Besides the bow, the package contains an armed guard, plastic stick-on rest, adjustable sight, arrows, recurve stringer, hip quiver, finger savers, and more. The strap to help you string this bow is the best!

PSE Archery Pro recurve bow design is highly efficient, and at the same time, safe. The mar-resistant grippers provide a secure hold and help prevent limb twists. This model would also be great for children to learn as long as they are tall enough to hold it and have it off the floor.

Specs:

• Total length: 54″
• Riser length: 22″
• Draw weight: 15-35lbs
• Brace height: N/A

7. Obert Archery Takedown Traditional Recurve Bow

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The Obert is an affordable beginner’s recurve bow, designed for a long time use. It’s very strong and durable, making it a great choice for hunting and target shooting practice. Obert’s traditional recurve bow design has adjustable draw weight from 30 to 55 pounds, which is perfect for new archers and new hunters.

The bow limbs are made Laminated with bamboo core, Introduction of German laminate Technology, which guarantees a long service life. You may know that laminate is great for compromising on strength, durability, and weight.

You can select draw weight according to your own choice and need (30lbs, 35lbs, 40lbs, 45lbs, 50lbs, 55lbs, and 60bs). You can also easily change the draw weight, which is a major boost for newcomers. The Obert sends arrows downrange pretty fast to hit the target. You can confidently handle and shoot without any obstacles.

The total length of the bow is 60 inches, which offers the best toughness and power for the bow. The build quality is also exceptional, at this price range, which costs around $100. The ergonomic design with impressive rounded edges and wooden handle provides extremely comfortable grips.

Obert recurve bow also looks really nice. The string quality is good; you can easily draw without stacking and be able to the arrows where you want. After a few shots, you can learn the fundamentals. And when you are an expert, you feel incredibly smooth without losing speed.

Specs:

• Total length: 60″
• Brace Height: 7.5-8″
• Draw Weight: 30-55lbs
• Net weight: N/A

Best Beginner Recurve Bow Buyer’s Guide

In this buyer’s guide section, we will try to enlighten you to purchase your first recurve bow through 2 main categories:

1. The physical data
2. The purchasing strategy

Physical data

As we quickly touched on above, you should consider the size, power, arc, etc.

Laterality or the guiding eye

You’ve been shooting for some time in your club or hunting spot and you already know if you are right-handed or left-handed. A little reminder, the so-called right-handed archer holds his bow in his left hand and his string in his right hand.

Unfortunately, it happens quite often on our shooting range during in-store bow testing to detect people with the wrong laterality.

Which bow size to choose

Two things determine the size of your first recurve bow; the size of the handle and the size of the limbs. Generally, there are 4 sizes of handles available on the market, expressed in inches (2.54 cm). manufacturers offer 21 “- 23” – 25 “and 27” sizes. However, the 27-inch bow is expensive.

Where it gets complex is that this limb size, actually corresponds to the total bow size, but assuming that you have a 25 “handle. So a pair of S or 66 “prongs added to a 25” handle effectively gives a 66 “. If you choose a 23 “handle, then the same branches will give a total size of 64”.

To choose the size of your bow, you must then determine the size of your drawbar. For this reason, there are theoretical data based on your physical size. All you have to do is choose the size of your bow from the following table.

Please note that these data remain theoretical and do not replace the advice of a professional manufacturing instructor.

Here is the list of correspondences between extensions and bow sizes that we recommend:

• – 23-inch length: 62-inch
• From 23 to 25-inch: 64-inch 
• From 25 to 27-inch: 66-inch
• From 27 to 29-inch: 68-inch
• From 29 to 31.5-inch: 70-inch
• Over 31.5-inch: 72-inch

Be careful with children and adolescents, and try to anticipate growth. For example, a 14-year-old teenager promised strong growth having already an extension of 28 “can very often anticipate a size and directly choose a 70”

The power of the bow

There is not really a theoretical correspondence of recurve bow power. The elements that compose it are too subjective and the risk of error is high.

As a beginner, you should choose fairly reasonable power. Therefore, archery requires specific musculature that only practice can acquire. Besides this, good technical placement allows you to use the right muscles.

The handles are all equipped with an adjustable power range of 10%. The bows are sold with the power set to the minimum. It will therefore be possible for you to increase the power of your bow by 10% as soon as it is necessary and without changing your branches. In this case, you should be very careful and not choose limbs that are too strong.

The power of the initiation bow you used in your shooting school also gives you an indication of which power to choose.

Here is a range of powers (real) according to the age of the shooters:

• From 8 to 12 years old: between 10 and 16 #
• From 12 to 14 years old: between 18 and 24 #
• From 14 to 16 years old: between 20 and 26 #
• Over 16 years old and adults: from 22 to 30 #

You now have the different physical parameters allowing you to choose the right size, laterality, and power of your first recurve bow.

Now let’s see the purchase criteria…

Purchasing strategy

All limbs on the market are compatible with all grips (except the Hoyt Formula system). The sights, stabilizations, shepherd’s buttons, and all the other accessories are also compatible with the rest.

It is important to arbitrate which material should be preferred for you and which one is less important. Some recurve bow frames are purely mechanical and require minimum qualifications.

We are of course thinking of the bow sight, but also the shepherd button.

Other elements such as the handle can keep for a long time to provide a good starting quality.

Finally, the limbs are less important at first because they have a clearly temporary character and generally change after one or two years of club practice.

The handle (high priority)

Handle is the centerpiece of your recurve bow and it is the most visible part of the bow. It is often compared to the body of the car. It must be adapted to the strength of the limps that you are going to use now or later.

However, the difference between the handles is often related to the manufacturing method. Economical handles are generally softer because they are often directly machined from a block of aluminum.

If this method of manufacture allows getting an aesthetic product, it often shows its limits when you change your limbs by increasing the power. At the moment, you will end up with a real nest of vibrations that are caused by a deformation of the handle.

We therefore advise you to choose a more rigid handle such as a forged handle. These will be much more comfortable when you increase the power. It will then be possible to keep this piece when you go to step 2 of your archer’s life.

There are also carbon handles (more rigid), but they are accessible on much higher budgets.

Other less important differences such as the grip or the finish (painting or anodization), we will not expand on the subject because this has no real impact on the quality of the shot.

Finally, if the weight is easy to compare, it does not represent such an important argument.

We advise you to place a purchase of a forged handle from a recognized brand. It will be able to accompany you for a good part of your life as an archer.

The pair of limbs

The pair of limbs in your first recurve bow or progression bow may not last very long. In any case, the ideal is to choose limbs with a power that is easy to control. In this way, you will be able to learn the right thing much more easily with the right muscles, especially the back muscles. Once this learning period has passed, it will then be time to buy better quality limbs such as a forged handle.

We therefore advise you to choose fairly economical limbs and reserve your budget on high-priority posts and stay on a pair of economical limbs.

The string

There are no big price differences between the different strings. Count between 10 and 20 dollars for a rope in a modern material. If you are an archery professional with a refined taste, you can make a custom string for yourself in the color of your choice.

However, be careful all the same to make sure you have the right band.

The bow sight (high priority)

This is one of the centerpieces of your recurve bow. A high-quality sight is complex to choose and requires quality mechanics. You should prefer a viewfinder that does not have tightening screws which are often tedious to handle. Also, remember that you will need to adjust your sight within a limited time.

The raw material used for its manufacture is also important. Indeed, the economical sights made in Asia are often made of very soft aluminum threads that will deteriorate very quickly. The rest is the loss of screws … no spare parts … and the purchase of a new sight.

Our advice is therefore to favor a quality sight (American or European manufacture) that will ensure precision, ease of adjustment, and robustness over time without clamping screw.

• You can also take a look at our cheap bow sight buyer’s guide and best single pin bow sights reviews.

The arrow rest

There is an extremely precise arrow rest which is the most economical. This is the plastic Hoyt Super rest. It is used by world-class archers. Some find him fragile, but it is not his fault, but rather that of a badly adapted arrow that comes to rub against him and ends up breaking him.

This type of arrow rest has the additional advantage of having a hook shape that holds the arrow. This is more obvious, especially for archers who shoot without a clicker. This is generally the case for archers in the progression phase.

The stabilization

Stabilization should be chosen according to the size bow and its power. This frame will be very important for an archer in the final configuration, a little less in our progression equipment framework. Cheap stabilizations cannot be used for a power that exceeds 30 # not without a maximum of vibrations.

The alternative is to sacrifice this post by choosing a simple central stabilizer which costs around 20 dollars; a complete stabilization of good quality.

• Our advice: You can either a simple central stabilization or a complete stabilization but make sure they are good quality.

The clicker

For growing archers, the ideal would be a magnetic clicker. It helps you to manage the evolution of the draw with more flexibility. This makes it possible not to change the arrows too often.

The bow rest

Bow rest is not of great importance. You can be satisfied with a simple product. It plays no role in the final result. However, make sure to choose a solid, easy-to-assemble bow rest.

Backpack or suitcase

Same as for the bow rest. The bag is essential for storing your bow comfortably and transporting other accessories much more easily. Note all the same that a recurve bow has a lot of parts and that you should prefer a bag or a suitcase with good ergonomics to store your bow correctly.

For a recurve bow for hunting, you need to choose the right bow-compatible hunting backpack so that you stay comfortable in the wild.

The arrows

Arrows like limbs and stabilization bows are directly related to the size and power you choose. We recommend choosing carbon arrows that can be used both indoors and outdoors with a size slightly longer than necessary. Because it is common for the archer to gain extension after a few sessions with his new bow.

So it is not necessary to go on too high-range arrows because you will not reap the benefits right away.

• Our advice: carbon boom that can be cut at the desired length of intermediate price. Cut them longer than your extension by at least 1 inch and glue them with a hot resin to be able to take off the point and cut them if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an entry-level and a mid-range recurve bow?

Besides the price, the mid-range recurve bow offers a better optimization of the performance. The grip is much more rigid, and the accessories sold allow less restrictive adjustment.

The entry-level recurve bow kit is therefore recommended for archers who did not previously have all the equipment mentioned just before. It is an ideal entry point in the world of competitive archery.

How to choose a pair of limbs wisely?

The height and power of the limbs are the two essential parameters when choosing a new pair of limbs. This point is also essential for young archers in a period of growth.

There are three types of pairs of limbs: wood, carbon/wood, and carbon. Before considering the choice of a material, it is necessary to determine the power that you are going to draw as well as the height of the branches. Often, the purchase of a new pair of limbs involves taking a slightly higher power than those pulled before.

However, let’s measure our point, it is not a question either of choosing an excessively higher power, otherwise, you will derive more pain than pleasure with your new bow!

What draw weight should I choose?

For beginners, we recommend that you start with a lower draw weight (around 20-30 pounds) to build strength and learn proper form. As you progress, you can gradually increase the draw weight.

What bow length should I choose?

For most beginners, a recurve bow with a length around 60 inches is suitable. This length offers a good balance between stability and maneuverability.

Conclusion

Today, a wide range of recurve bows are available on the market from a large number of manufacturers. Therefore, it is not always easy to find the best product, especially for beginners. Whatever your budget, the purchase of your first bow requires a trade-off between the different structures. A larger budget will allow you to keep it longer and to go through the different stages of your progress.

The choice of a first recurve bow involves your shooting level and your ambitions in the future as an archer. In case of doubt or hesitation, you can contact us. We are also advisors: do not hesitate to ask us as many questions as possible.

Here’re the related articles that might interest you such as Best Compound Bow for beginners, Best Women’s Compound Bow, and Best Compound Bow under 500.