Best Archery Bow Stabilizers
Archery stabilizers are some of the most helpful accessories an archer can have for their bow, especially when using a compound or recurve. Their added weight gives balance to steady the archer’s aim, and they absorb excessive bow vibrations to ensure a smooth, streamlined shot.
What are Bow Stabilizers?
A bow stabilizer is an accessory that can be added to a bow to absorb bow vibrations, as well as provide a balancing weight to the bow. They aren’t necessary, but stabilizers are very helpful for comfort, accuracy, noise silencing, and prolonging the bow’s use. They’re used most commonly with compound or recurve bows, which shoot with more power and therefore benefit from the added mass of the stabilizer to absorb blowback.
Benefits of Stabilizers
A bow stabilizer’s main functions are to absorb vibrations and give the bow balance. Reducing the vibrations of the bow allows a quieter, streamlined shot, allowing the archer to load another arrow quickly. Over time it’s preventative against damage to the bow and injury to the archer, as unchecked vibrations can stress the joints and bow limbs. The weight of the stabilizer also helps give balance, anchoring the bow during a shot.
Sizes And Dimensions
Bow stabilizer sizes vary depending on the range of the shot. For closer targets that are around 40 feet away, a 6-inch stabilizer might be used. For targets around 100 feet or further, a 14-inch stabilizer is used. Shorter, lighter stabilizers are generally better at absorbing noise and vibrations, while the heavier, longer ones have the added benefit of providing more balance. Some of them come with 1-oz weights, which can be added to the stabilizer as desired for personal preference.
What are the best bow stabilizers?
- SAS Archery Aluminum Bow Stabilizer
- Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme Stabilizer
- Trophy Ridge Hitman Stabilizer
- NAP Apache Predator LED Stabilizer
- SUNYA Carbon Fiber Bow Stabilizer
- Bomber Archery Bow Stabilizer Quick Disconnect
- NAP Black Apache Stabilizer
- Kingwolfox Bow Stabilizer Adjustable V-Bar Mount
- MATHEWS Flatline Stabilizer
- Zerone Archery Alloy Bow Stabilizer
1. SAS Archery All-CNC Aluminum Bow Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $21.99-$49.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: Southland Archery Supply
The SAS aluminum bow stabilizer punches far above its weight in both size and price. The webbed aluminum structure is designed to stifle even the roughest noise and bow vibrations, and the weight adds a good balance to the bow for accuracy and comfortable aim. It comes in lengths of 5, 8, or 11 inches to suit a variety of target ranges. Professionals and beginners alike are sure to appreciate the difference in shooting immediately after it’s installed.
2. Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $54.99-$288.73
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Brand: Bee Stinger
The Bee Stinger Hunter Xtreme stabilizer is made for advanced archers who are highly perceptive and picky about a bow’s weight and balance. It comes in sizes 6 to 10 inches long which can be tailored by the half-inch, providing streamlined balance for better accuracy. The dampener system reduces noise and vibrations to next to nothing, making it a great option for stealth. Many professionals rank the Bee Stinger model as one of the best they’ve used.
3. Trophy Ridge Hitman Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $50.66-69.99
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: Trophy Ridge
The Trophy Ridge Hitman bow stabilizer is sleek, stylish, and highly effective. It smoothes out even the roughest bow vibrations and provides a comfortable, anchored balance to the bow feel. It comes with colorful rubber rings, which can be added for personalization. Both recurve and compound bows are compatible, and the installation is quick and easy. It’s an excellent choice for those searching for a luxury bow stabilizer.
4. NAP Apache Predator LED Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $61.89
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Brand: New Archery Product
The APACHE model of bow stabilizer is unique for the 3-watt green LED light attached to the front end. It’s relatively small at just 6 inches in length and a weight of 6 ounces, but it still cancels noise and vibrations effectively. The battery-operated green light makes it especially equipped for nighttime hunting or shooting. Since the model is out of date, however, some archers have difficulty finding a replacement battery once the light burns out.
5. SUNYA Carbon Fiber Bow Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $38.95-$49.98
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: SUNYA
The Sunya carbon fiber bow stabilizer provides high quality at a moderate price. It offers both balance and a dampener system to absorb vibrations. It comes in lengths of 8, 10, 12, or 15 inches and weighs 9 to 10 ounces, with stackable weights which can be added to suit the archer’s preference. The variety makes it versatile for those who want close-range shooting as well as distance shooting.
6. Bomber Archery Bow Stabilizer Quick Disconnect
Specifications:
- Price: $22.95
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Brand: Bomber Archery
The Bomber bow stabilizer disconnect is a useful tool for any archer looking for an easily attachable bow stabilizer with minimal fuss. The simple, convenient screw-in joint grips the stabilizer well and sets it at a 90-degree angle with the bow for good balance. It’s especially ideal for archers who use multiple sizes of stabilizers to adapt their bow to different environments and shooting ranges.
7. NAP Black Apache Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $25.47-$39.75
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Brand: New Archery Products
The NAP Apache stabilizer is a great, affordable option for anyone looking to reduce bow vibrations. While it only reduces noise by a marginal amount, it does wonders for stabilizing the bow, balancing the archer’s aim, and reducing blowback vibrations. It comes in black or camouflage options, at 5 or 8 inches long, with a weight of 7 or 8 ounces, depending on the length.
8. Kingwolfox Bow Stabilizer Adjustable V-Bar Mount
Specifications:
- Price: $32.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: Kingwolfox
The Kingwolfox bow stabilizer with an adjustable V-bar mount is a lightweight but durable option at about 5 ounces. It’s made of magnalium alloy, with a sleek black design. The screw-in mount makes it adjustable to many different sizes of bows, fitting both recurve and compound bows. It’s very effective at absorbing vibrations and reducing noise, with an affordable price to boot. It does, however, have a tendency to slip unless not clamped tightly on the bow, which may damage the polish of certain bow surfaces.
9. MATHEWS Flatline Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $149.99-$179.99
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: MATHEWS
The MATHEWS Flatline stabilizer is both high-performing and very customizable. The traditional pole shape comes in options of 6, 8, 10, or 12 inches, with the longer ones giving good balance on top of vibration control and noise cancellation. It comes with a good range of designs to match personal preference or the aesthetic of the bow, including a number of camouflage options for hunters looking to blend in.
10. Zerone Archery Alloy Bow Stabilizer
Specifications:
- Price: $26.59
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Brand: Zerone
The Zerone alloy bow stabilizer is a reliable, relatively lightweight option for any archer looking to try out their first stabilizer. It may look small at just 4 inches long, but the alloy material handles noise and vibrations like a much larger stabilizer. The simple design is made to match the mechanical aesthetic of a compound bow, but it can be applied to recurve bows all the same. It’s a great option for any archer looking for functionality at an affordable cost.
FAQ
Can I still shoot a bow and arrow without a stabilizer?
While a stabilizer is extremely helpful, especially for long-range shooting, they are not necessary to use. They are recommended for increased accuracy on shots over 30 yards. All professional archers use stabilizers, sometimes multiple when allowed, as they are essential to accurate shooting.
Is a longer bow stabilizer better?
Generally speaking, the longer and heavier the bow stabilizer, the better. Since you are holding the bow out in front of your body and below the arrow when shooting, the weight will help keep the pin steady, increasing the accuracy of your shots. However, as you increase the weight of your bow, the less torque you will be able to apply with your hand. Thus, it is important to find the right stabilizer weight and length that best suits your individual preference, which can be measured by testing your accuracy on shots with both short and long stabilizers.
Why do archers use stabilizers?
Archers use stabilizers to improve precision and reduce vibrations. Although many forms of stabilizers are available, they all serve the purpose of reducing the vibration created by releasing an arrow. A stabilizer effectively increases the bow’s inertia, which improves aiming as well. By increasing the stability and reducing the vibrations, an archer’s accuracy can significantly benefit from the use of a bow stabilizer. Long-term use of a bow can also lead to potential injury in the wrists or elbows of archers from repeated vibrations, so adding a stabilizer can help reduce this risk.