Who this page is for: shoppers who want a compound bow whose current price is still under $500. It is a short list of packages this site already reviewed, plus a price check you should do before you buy.
What changed: an older version of this guide named the Bear Legit, Sanlida Dragon X8, Hoyt Torrex, and Diamond Edge 320, and it talked as if we had hunted with them. Those four are no longer the short list. We do not add range stories or specs that are not already on the linked review.
Check the price before you treat a bow as “under $500”
Street prices move. A package that was under $500 when a review went up can sit over that line later, or drop back under it on sale. Open the retailer listing and read today’s price, draw weight, draw length, and hand. If the live price is over $500, use compound bows under $1000 or the best compound bows hub instead of forcing it onto this list.
The bow price is not the full setup. Plan on arrows and a release aid even when the box includes a sight, rest, and quiver. Package parts on budget kits are usually starter-grade.
How to choose
- Draw weight — you should hold at full draw without shaking. A package stamped 70 lb is a ceiling, not a requirement to start there. See draw weight.
- Draw length and hand — confirm both on the listing. Several budget packages are right-hand only.
- Package vs bare bow — a ready-to-hunt box is the simpler first purchase. Buy a bare bow only if you already own a sight and rest you trust.
- Shared or growing shooter — prefer a wide adjustment range over a single fixed spec.
Quick recommendations
| Model | Best for | Why it is on this list |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Edge XT | First hunting package | Beginner hunting-bow review already on this site. Confirm today’s price is still under $500. |
| Bear Cruzer G4 RTH | Shared or growing shooter | Ready-to-hunt package. The review title is the 70 lb version — confirm that ceiling fits you. |
| Sanlida Dragon X9 RTH | Low-price full package | Right-hand ready-to-hunt package. The listing name on that review includes a 0–70 lb range and a no-bow-press note. Re-check both on the live page. |
| Bear Legit MAXX RTH | Current Bear ready-to-hunt package | This is the Legit MAXX write-up, not the older “Bear Legit” name from the previous version of this guide. |
Diamond Edge XT
Best for: a first hunting compound if the live price is still under $500.
What we will say: this site already has a beginner hunting-bow review. Use that page for buy and skip notes. Do not assume the included sight, rest, and quiver are the last parts you will want.
Bear Cruzer G4 ready-to-hunt
Best for: one package a household might share, or a shooter who is still changing draw length.
What we will say: the review we link is the 70 lb ready-to-hunt package. Match hand and draw length on the retailer page before you treat 70 lb as your setting.
Sanlida Dragon X9 ready-to-hunt
Best for: comparing a lower-priced complete package.
What we will say: the review is right-hand only. The product name on that review lists a 0–70 lb draw-weight range and says no bow press is needed. Those are listing claims — confirm them, and confirm the price is still under $500.
Bear Legit MAXX ready-to-hunt
Best for: shoppers who still see “Bear Legit” in older articles and need the current package name.
What we will say: start with the Legit MAXX review, then confirm draw weight, draw length, hand, and price on the listing. We are not carrying the older Legit, the Dragon X8, the Hoyt Torrex, or the Diamond Edge 320 as the default four.
What to do next
- Pick the row that matches you: first hunting package, shared bow, lowest package price, or the current Bear Legit MAXX name.
- Read that review’s buy and skip notes.
- On the retailer listing, confirm price, draw weight, draw length, hand, and what is in the box today.
- If you are still choosing compound vs recurve, read compound vs recurve. For deer-season short lists, see compound bows for deer hunting.
