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Archery comes with a lot more equipment than you might expect, and each individual part and accessory play a vital role in how your compound bow performs.
One of the most critical parts of your bow is the arrow rest.
If you’re looking for an arrow rest that’ll provide the best stability and accuracy, there are hundreds of options you’ll come across online. But what one should you get?
In this guide, I’m going to dive into the top three arrow rests that you can buy right now.
But if you are short of time or just want to see the top picks, here they are:
Table could not be displayed.Let us now delve deeper into these options and their respective pros and cons.
Quality Archery Products HDX Arrow Rest
No products found.
Features & Specifications:
- Color: Black
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 2.5” x 5.3” x 7.3”
- Weight: 0.5lbs
Pros
Considered a top-of-the-line choice for archery enthusiasts, this arrow rest would be an excellent choice for any compound bow.
It may seem like a simple feature on your bow, but an arrow rest plays a large part in your accuracy and overall archery performance.
This one, in particular, provides an advanced vibration technology that helps to keep your arrow straight from the moment it’s released.
You’ll appreciate the arrow rest’s design as it allows compatibility with a wide variety of bows.
The molded durable rubber makes for a quiet exit for the arrow, and you can easily adjust the timing cord so you can set it at the length that works for you and your bow.
Additionally, you can change this even after the arrow rest is clamped to the buss cable.
You’ll find the full draw indicator marks to be highly accurate and always ensure the most secure launch position for every bow.
Along with the arrow rest, the product comes with everything you’ll need, including: felt covers, installation tools, cable clamp, mounting hardware, and more.
This arrow rest is truly a quality choice and can outlast any stock arrow rest by far.
Sure, other suitable options also provide quality features, but the HDX is hailed as a number one choice for many novices and expert archers alike.
Cons
Although installation isn’t complicated, many customers suggest using two people to get the job done for optimal results.
There are also some issues with the arrow rest’s lifespan, and some people feel the rest can’t take on as much wear and tear as they thought.
Of course, this isn’t the case for everyone, but it’s something to consider.
It’s also important to mention that there have been reports of minor inconsistencies with the arrow rest pertaining to the accuracy it provides.
The HDX arrow rest has overwhelmingly positive reviews for the most part, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of its own flaws.
Compound bows are fairly adaptable; however, you should still go through all of the specs on this arrow rest to make sure it’s going to be a right fit for your equipment.
Many customers have left five-star reviews about the durability of the arrow rest, yet other customers have opposing views.
Specifically, the product’s plastic components have caused functional issues for some.
You’ll also find multiple reports of shots becoming erratic after repeated use.
Some people have experienced similar problems even after getting the arrow rest professionally installed.
Regardless of the pros and cons, take each note with a grain of salt, as some come from isolated events.
Trophy Ridge Quick Shot Whisker Biscuit Arrow Rest
No products found.
Features & Specifications:
- Color: Black
- Material: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 8.5” x 7” x 1.75”
- Weight: 0.27 lbs
Pros
You might find a high-rated arrow rest and think you’re good to go.
This may be true for some, but if you want to ensure the best fit for your bow and shooting preferences, it’s advised that you review a few different options.
This arrow rest from Trophy Ridge is an excellent option to consider, as it comes with a fail-safe design and a reversible mount for right and left-handed users.
Making adjustments to the arrow rest is a breeze, and you can dial in the right positioning with the help of the reference marks on the arrow rest.
With a composite-encased biscuit, your arrows will pass through the arrow rest with zero interference, and the feather vanes won’t get caught up either.
Compared to previous models of this arrow rest, Trophy Ridge claims the Quick Shot is 150% more durable and will last much longer.
It also comes with custom rubber boots that allow for smooth and seamless arrow loading.
Thanks to the durability and unique design of the whisker biscuit, your arrows won’t ever fall out of place regardless of how much tension you have on the drawstring.
Moreover, archers will appreciate this arrow rest’s consistent trajectory and velocity.
The design of this arrow rest ensures that your arrows never make contact with any metal or plastic on your bow and plays a huge part in improving your accuracy.
Regarding its price, the Quick Shot is considered one of the more affordable options and the market while still providing quality performance and construction.
Cons
There don’t seem to be many cons with this arrow rest, but it’s still far from a perfect fit for every person.
Although you’ll find hundreds of glowing reviews about the product, some individuals have had a different experience.
It’s understood that the Quick Shot is relatively universal with most bows, but there have been reports of the arrow rest not being very compatible with certain bow types.
Before you decide to place your order, make sure you take a close look at all of the dimensions and make sure it’ll be suitable for your bow.
You’ll also want to consider the type of arrows that you use.
Apparently, heavier arrows such as those made from fiberglass can run into some issues with trajectory.
Some buyers believe this arrow rest isn’t the best option for heavier arrows as it doesn’t seem to be able to handle the weight and is better suited for standard wood arrows.
Overall, the affordable price and surprising quality of the Quick Shot make it an appetizing choice, but you shouldn’t ignore its minor cons either.
Vapor Trail Archery Arrow Rest Pro V Arrow Rest
No products found.
Features & Specifications:
- Color: Black
- Material: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 8” x 5” x 3”
- Weight: 0.31 lbs
Pros
Offering an adjustable spring tension, a complete containment design, and is very easy to set up.
Created by Vapor Trail Archery, this arrow rest has garnered plenty of high ratings from beginner and expert archers alike.
The brand also claims that this arrow rest is the first limb-driven design on the market that provides a full-capture option.
It also supports the arrow for 70% of your release cycle, and it helps to keep the arrow guided and unobstructed.
This particular feature makes it great for mid to long-range archery as well.
The launcher arm is free-floating, and it pairs up with the adjustable spring tension to give you a fine-tuned performance for your bow.
This arrow rest is much quieter than previous models as Vapor Trail Archery comes with a larger rubber dampener.
Many users say it’s easy to install and takes a minimal amount of effort to adjust it to your preferred settings.
You’ll enjoy the lightweight aluminum material, and the design of the arrow rest won’t obstruct your view from any angle.
Although some arrow rests come with a whisker biscuit for better trajectory and performance, they can sometimes be intrusive to your line of sight.
The Pro V arrow rest offers a simple design that looks and works great with many different types of bows.
Like the HDX arrow rest, this is one of the more expensive arrow rests on the market, but customers seem to think it’s worth every dollar.
Many archers have issues with accessories and attachments made of poor quality, and the Pro V arrow rest can give you years of consistent performance while saving you money in the long run.
Cons
Although many customers feel that the price of the Pro V is worth it, others think it could be more budget-friendly so that it’s more accessible to a broader market.
Furthermore, some buyers have mentioned that the adjustments on the Pro V don’t hold up indefinitely after they’re set.
To clarify, after the adjustments are set, there have been a few reports of the adjustments loosening after a few weeks of repeated use.
For most, this isn’t really a deal-breaker, but it can be annoying if you hit the range on a consistent schedule.
As mentioned earlier, this arrow rest works with many different kinds of bows, but that doesn’t mean it’s 100% universal.
It’s known that a few buyers haven’t had any success with this arrow rest as it wasn’t a proper fit for this bow.
This is another reason to double-check every feature and dimension on the arrow rest instead of relying on positive reviews.
Nevertheless, it’s a solid arrow rest for most people, and the price isn’t too bad considering the quality it provides.
Arrow Rest For Compound Bow
Do You Need an Arrow Rest On A Compound Bow?
Sure, you could try to work without one, but you’ll want an arrow rest to keep your arrows aligned and straight while being drawn and after its release.
You may come across a handful of archery that works without one, and although that may be possible, it’s highly advised to use an arrow rest for better accuracy, trajectory, speed, and control.
Not only does it help with shooting performance, but it’s also an added safety measure, as bows can draw a lot of tension on the arrow.
Without proper security, it could lead to unexpected injuries for you or potentially others around you.
Where Does The Arrow Rest Go On A Compound Bow?
Some of this comes down to the type of bow you have a personal preference for, but an arrow rest will generally reside between you and the riser.
The kind of bow you have is essential as some are only built for left or right-handed people, and you want to make sure your arrow rest is compatible with this fitting.
Each one will come with its own adjustment features, but its physical placement on your bow is also paramount for the trajectory of your arrow.
To clarify further, if you’re working with a thumb dry, the arrow rest will want to sit on the same side as your draw hand.
If you happen to set the arrow rest in the wrong direction, you’ll quickly find that your arrows will easily exit the arrow rest every time you try to aim and drawback.
How Do I Install The Arrow Rest On A Compound Bow?
Before you do anything, you’ll want to follow the particular installation instructions that your arrow rest comes with.
Outside of that, there are minor details you’ll want to know before you dive in.
Regardless of the instructions, you can expect to attach your arrow rest to the riser on your bow and make sure it’s on the same side as your dominant arm.
Once you have the arrow rest attached, you’ll want to set its “up” position to be properly aligned with the horizontal center of the arrow and the berger hole.
As you go through this step, make sure the rest’s own position isn’t allowing the arrow to make contact with any other part of the bow.
Next, you’ll adjust your arrow rest’s center shot which pertains to its left and the right location, tie in the drop away cord, and lastly, cut away any excess of the cord right below the tied knots.
What To Look For When Purchasing An Arrow Rest For Your Compound Bow?
Regarding which arrow rest is best for your compound bow, you’ll want to take a look at arrow retention, interference with the release, complexity of design and maintenance, as well as its adjustable features.
As I mentioned previously in this article, verifying these qualities of an arrow rest will lead you to your most optimal choice for your compound bow.
If you decide to skip over these minor details, you could end up wasting your time and money.
Many arrow rests are pretty universal, but you don’t want to make this assumption when it comes to compound bows as they come with many different features and designs.
Final Verdict
An arrow rest can guarantee improved performance for your compound bow and will reduce any frustrations you’re having with trajectory and accuracy.
It also makes it easier on your draw arm as you don’t have to worry about keeping the arrow aligned.
This much-needed accessory comes with various designs, materials, features and is highly suggested for any archery enthusiast.
And if you are looking for my main suggestion, I wouldn’t look any further than the Quality Archery Products HDX Arrow Rest. And I’d get it right off Amazon ⬇️
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I live in Alberta, Canada where I enjoy indoor and 3D archery with traditional bows and compound bows. On this site, I share everything I’ve learned about archery along the way.