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Trying to find the best string silencer can be tricky, especially with the vast amount of different types and designs you’ll find online.
Looking into a string silencer for your compound bow could be an ideal purchase if you’re looking to up your hunting game.
Although it may be a simple accessory, not all silencers are of the same quality.
This guide will provide detailed information on the best string silencers for compound bows.
If you are short on time, here are the top three picks:
Table could not be displayed.Let us now take a closer look at the pros and cons of each option, before answering some common questions on buying/using bow silencers on a compound bow!
Bowjax 1036 Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener
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Pros
This string silencer from Bowjax is a fan favorite for several reasons.
Not only is the silencer an affordable option, but it offers excellent ergonomics, and of course, the utmost silence for your bowstring.
Using a string silencer or “dampener” helps to reduce the oscillation that naturally occurs after you release your arrow.
Surprisingly, this oscillation can make or break a hunt with some bows. This slight sound may not seem like much to a novice archer, but animals can pick up on the slightest sound.
This article offers pros and cons from some of the best string silencers, but the Bowjax 1036 is loved due to its affordability.
Some other options may be more expensive, but you can grab the Bowjax silencer for under $10.
Based on the many positive reviews, this string silencer is easy to install and performs better than expected.
Cons
Aside from the product’s cost-efficiency and easy installation, more experienced archer’s have had a few complaints over the years.
Those with an above-average interest in archery tend to spend a lot more time with their bows, which means more arrows are getting sent downrange.
A contrast between a novice and expert archer is the amount of wear and tear on their bow.
A repeated complaint from a long list of reviews is that the Bowjax 1036 isn’t as durable as many had hoped.
It may be a great starting choice, but once you’ve put a few hundred arrows downrange, it seems the product starts to fall apart or lack efficiency.
Moreover, some people notice a drastic difference, but the Bowjax doesn’t offer the most optimal sound insulation.
If you’re looking for a quick buy, the Bowjax is an excellent choice, but if you’re looking for long-term quality and better oscillation control, you may want to look at a higher quality string silencer.
Pine Ridge Archery Wishbone String and Cable Dampener
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Pros
Chosen by many archer’s as their go-to choice, this string silencer offers a minimalist and practical approach.
Notably, it comes in 14 grain, which means it’s lightweight, and many users say they can’t even feel that it’s on the drawstring.
The product offers a standard black color, but they also have many other colors to choose from for your styling choices.
String silencers all serve the same purpose, but each design doesn’t have the same exact quality.
Many archers are a fan of Pine Ridge and its quality products. One of the most prominent qualities buyers appreciate is their durability.
From minimal use up to extensive hunting and archery sessions, the string silencer doesn’t seem to break or fall apart after a little bit of wear.
Compared to the Bowjax 1036, this string silencer offers much more sound isolation and seems to handle string oscillation better.
Even with the increase in quality, they’re still very affordable as you can grab a four-pack for again, under $10.
Cons
The list of cons for this silencer is pretty slim.
Most archers only care about durability and how well they manage oscillation. Aside from that, characteristics such as shape, material, and weight are other factors that can affect your experience.
Interestingly, although this silencer comes with many good reviews, the installation seems to be a challenge for some archers.
There are have been a handful of reports that claim installation can be somewhat tricky, and if done with too much force, you may end up ripping the silencers before you even get to use them.
Mountain Man Beaver Balls String Silencer
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Pros
Its purpose may be the same as any other string silencer out there, but its performance and characteristics stand out from the crowd.
This Mountain Main string silencer uses fur to dampen the sound of your bow. It’s light as a feather and is a great aesthetic choice for hunters as well.
If you’re looking for a more nonchalant string silencer, this one should be your top choice.
Many buyers were surprised at how well it controls oscillation and tends to outperform many other materials used for string silencers.
It’s a tad more expensive than the others on this list, but you won’t break the bank.
Due to its construction, it also offers some of the best durability and can last you for many years.
Cons
Unlike the string silencers listed above, this one only comes as a two-pack instead of three or four. That does make them a bit on the pricier side since they’re about $10 each.
Moreover, some buyers have run into issues when the silencer gets wet, affecting the fur, which seems to affect its ability to dampen oscillation.
Aside from that, you’ll find some complaints about the size of the silencer, as it doesn’t seem to be as big as it looks in photos.
This may not be a massive concern for some, but it could be disheartening for those with a larger bow as it may not provide the insulation they’re looking for.
String Silencer Buyers Guide
Let us now explore some common questions that you will naturally have around this particular piece of archery equipment!
Why You Need A String Silencer For Your Compound Bow
Bowstring silencers tend to be used for hunting in most cases, and this requires a different approach compared to the archery sport.
Hunting requires patience, silence, precision, and many other skills.
For a successful hunting trip, you want to ensure you have all the equipment you might need.
Attaching a string silencer to your compound bow can make a world of difference to the bow’s performance and the overall success of your hunting trip.
How Do String Silencers Work?
String silencers work by absorbing any excess energy/friction from the string.
Without one, your string may make a lot of unnecessary and undesirable noise, through sound waves generated through vibration.
It is particularly noticeable when light arrows are used in respect to the draw of the bow; this will result in a string that moves around a lot and therefore, you can expect a lot more vibration.
Secondly, strings can vibrate in response to bow inefficiency – generally due to the design of the bow. This causes increased tension in the string, and you guessed it – more vibration and noise.
String silencers can help overcome both of these issues.
Where To Put A String Silencer On A Compound Bow?
For optimal performance, they tend to do best about 1” from the cam.
You might think you can just pop a silencer on your strings, and you’re good to go, but this isn’t the case.
It’s important to note that the silencer will take on a lot more wear and tear at that spot, but you can be a little flexible to help avoid this.
You can also test a placement about 30-40% away from the cam.
If you’re considering the halfway point, that’s about as far as you should go with your string silencers.
Any further past that, and the string silencer won’t provide 100% of its potential.
How To Install A String Silencer On A Compound Bow?
All you need to do is unstring your bow, take one end of your silencer, and place it between the string strands.
This process can be more complicated for some bows than others, but it’s overall fairly simple.
Some bows may require a bow press to dismantle or reassemble them, so make sure you have the proper tools for your specific bow.
From here, you want to wrap any excessive string or material around the string, so it doesn’t hang freely and obstruct your motions when aiming.
Moreover, some string silencers come with specific instructions for installation, so make sure you don’t make any assumptions before you get started.
In addition, not all string silencers can be paired with every type of bow.
Although they’re pretty universal, it’s vital you purchase a suitable string silencer to install on your compound bow.
What To Look For When Purchasing A Bow Silencer For Your Compound Bow?
For the most optimal performance, a bow silencer should be lightweight, unobtrusive, and should dampen oscillation well.
At the same time, do consider the price, color, and other factors like usability too.
As you’ve probably learned in this guide, bow silencers come in all shapes and sizes, and although they all serve the same cause, some are clearly a better choice than others.
Aside from aesthetics and personal preferences, always do your research on the silencer to ensure it will be the best option for your particular compound bow.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a string silencer that’s effective and cost-friendly, then you won’t go wrong with any of the three referenced here today.
But If I were you, I wouldn’t look any further than the Bowjax 1036 Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener. And I’d get it from Amazon too! ⬇️
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Looking for other equipment for your compound bow?
Check out my other guides here:
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.