Fellow lefties, we don’t have it easy, do we? They make a lot of products out there with left-handed versions as an afterthought, and we just have to suck it up and deal with it. I’ve been there; I’ve had to search endlessly for left-handed products. When it comes to archery, it’s a make-or-break kind of scenario.
So what is the best left-handed compound bow? From my personal experience, the best left-handed compound bow is the Raptor. Not only does it feature some of the best augmentations available, but it has a great balance of weight distribution while still being fairly lightweight. It’s a good mix of features.
But you didn’t come here only to hear me talk about the best. In fact, I’ve tried and tested dozens of left-handed compound bows, but most of them didn’t make the mark. Instead, let’s take a look at the five best left-handed compound bows on the market, each with their own benefits to offer you. At the end, we’ll go over the perfect way to break down what you need in a compound bow.
Last update on 2023-05-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Reviews of the Best Left Handed Compound Bows
1. Raptor Left-Handed Compound Bow Kit
As my personal favorite, the Raptor compound bow kit comes with a little bit of everything. You get a five-pin sight, as well as a permanently attached on-bow quiver for stashing arrows and shooting them in quick succession.
Some consider it a beginner’s compound bow, but I would say it’s an intermediate (perfect middle-of-the-road decision) in terms of cost, power, and FPS.
Speaking of FPS, this maxes out at 315 feet per second. It’s not the worst (average range is 300-340), but I’m more than capable of handling a 350-400 FPS compound without issue, so this does feel a little underwhelming for experienced archers.
I love that they don’t use any plastics in their cams, though. It’s been shown time and time again that plastic cams warp rather quickly, which is why Raptor made theirs out of aircraft-grade aluminum.
With a total of 70 lb of draw weight, you get a good balance of usability from the 75% let-off. There are no arrows included with the purchase, so if you’re going to grab some new ones as well, be sure to have low grain weight arrows to make the most out of this bow.
Pros:
- Excellent 75% draw weight let-off rating
- Ultra-light design at just 3.6 lb
- 100% aircraft-grade aluminum cams (zero plastic usage)
- Draw length is adjustable from 24.5” up to 31”
- Includes a five-pin sight
Cons:
- Max of 315 FPS
- Tuning is required more often than your average compound bow
- Frequently adjusting draw length takes this bow out of tune
2. Genesis Original Left-Handed Compound Bow
Next, we have the Genesis Original Bow, and though it’s often marketed as an adolescent bow, it has plenty of utility for adults as well. I would rank this as a beginner’s left-handed bow, but it’s as durable as can be.
Built with machined aluminum risers and a single cam system, these are easy to maintain and difficult to damage. It’s no wonder why it’s the NASP’s official bow.
If you’re looking for your first compound bow as a left-handed person, and you’re just trying to mess about without getting in too deep with your investment, this is a great option.
But it’s limited to beginners for a reason. The maximum draw weight on this is about 20 FPS. It has zero let-off, but with that draw weight, you should be good to go no matter what.
Firing at targets in your backyard? Not a problem. You won’t be hunting with this, though. It’s best used for target practice and getting acquainted with compound bows.
I would swap out the bow strings. They’re not bad, but they’re not going to get you through excessive use.
While you can’t really add anything to this because it’s a standard design, it does what it’s supposed to do. To clarify that, there are drilled holes for accessories, but most have to be specific to the Genesis bow. Your options are limited to small accessories/attachments that most adult users wouldn’t find viable.
From the composite limbs to the machine grade aluminum, it’s durable, and it’s going to get you through thousands of shots.
Pros:
- Wildly low starting price
- Available in dozen designs and colors
- Single cam construction (less moving parts to worry about during maintenance)
- Durable enough that it’s backed by the NASP
- Machined aluminum riser
Cons:
- Limited construction leaves no room for augmentation
- Low draw weight at 20 lb
- Included bow strings are low quality
3. Diamond Archery Edge SB-1Left-Handed Compound Bow Package
Now it’s time to take a look at something a little more premium. Diamond Archery is a top-tier brand, and I’ve had the pleasure of using four different bows that they make (so far).
The thing is, they know they’re the best, and it shows on their sales page. They claim that this Edge SB-1 compound bow has “the most accurate and sought after cam system on the market today”.
Aside from the bravado, the bow actually delivers when it comes to quality. The features are a bit out there because I haven’t seen many bow manufacturers even come close to some of these ranges.
For instance, you can set the draw length from 15” up to 30”—the most I’ve seen beforehand was 11”, and I thought that was already excessive. It’s impressive, but a feature you’re not likely to use to its full extent.
The bow is powerful, with a max of 70 lb of draw weight (and a minimum of 7 lb, just to show that crazy range again), and up to an 80% weight let-off. It’s practically showboating the very best features that you can expect out of compound bows.
But then you get to the FPS. For Diamond Archery, I expected more than 318 FPS. It’s such a specific number that I think they were testing it out, and tried to push the envelope on the facts as much as possible. Most manufacturers just list 5 FPS differences.
So is it strong? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. You get what you pay for, and in this case, it’s one of the most versatile compound bows on the market today.
Pros:
- High draw weight and range (7 to 70 lb)
- Insanely good let-off at 80%
- Oversized stabilizer keeps your shots nice and straight
- Multifaceted limb bolt system offers better gliding
Cons:
- Caps out at 318 FPS
- Uneven weight distribution
4. Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Left-Handed Compound Bow
Bear is another big brand that I’m a fan of. I’ll say right out of the gate that this Cruzer G2 Bow is one of the smoothest shots I’ve ever had. The arrow glides like nothing else, and that’s something to be happy about.
But Bear is pricey, just like Diamond Archery. It’s expensive and still only offers 315 FPS. I’m a bit of a hard-hitter when it comes to FPS, because even though the average range is 300-340, when your bow has a maximum draw weight of 70 lb, it could be built differently to accommodate for more.
For hunting, it’s plenty of power. I just like to time my shots and see how far away I can hit targets. The draw weight on this is 70 lb, but the draw length can be extended even more than the Diamond Archery bow above; 12” up to 30” is a vast range, and, yet again, while you might not use it to its full extent, the option is there.
Bear is premium, but as a result, their bows are finicky. You’re going to need to tune this before you fire it.
They kept the weight distribution even, and the overall weight of the entire bow is just three pounds. The stabilizer is especially great for hitting those straight shots with as little wind sway as possible.
Pros:
- Widely adjustable from 12” up to 30” of draw length
- 5 lb up to 70 lb of draw weight
- Ultra-light design makes this bow only weigh 3 lb
- Stable handle design allows for steadier shots
- Smooth glide on every single shot
Cons:
- 315 FPS even though this bow is capable of so much more
- Attached quiver slots don’t hold onto all arrows
- Requires frequent tuning
5. Southland Archery Supply Scorpii Left-Handed Compound Bow
Last but not least, you can’t have an archery list without including Southland Archery Supply. These guys make some truly fantastic bows, and for a beginner, their Scorpii Compound Bow is spot-on.
To kick things off, you get a five-pin sight that’s actually really good for being an inclusive item. Half of the time, you have to replace your pin sights that come with new bow purchases right away.
The grip might make you fall in love. It’s one of the most comfortable bows to hold, allowing every single arrow to just glide out and strike forward without feeling much kickback from the string.
The FPS doesn’t go above 260, and while that means you will cap out at an intermediate archery level with this, it has a perfect ratio for the maximum 55 lb draw weight.
For what it is, the SAS Scorpii does its job. It’s inexpensive, it’s easy to maintain, and it doesn’t require any complicated working knowledge to adjust.
Pros:
- Adjustable weight range lets you excel from beginner to intermediate archer
- Very low maintenance/easy to care for
- Includes a five-pin sight with the purchase
- Mid-grade stabilizer is easy to switch out
Cons:
- Max draw weight of 55 lb
- Speed caps out at 260 FPS
- Composite cams
What to Look for in the Best Left-Handed Compound Bow – Buyer’s Guide
Cam Material
Cams are the discs that the string balances on, and the material is very important. When you pull back, you’re going to enact those cams to manipulate the position of the strings.
You want aluminum or stainless steel cams when available. Cam and cam systems are two different things; a cam system will not work without cams, and vice versa.
FPS
Feet per second—this one is critical, but also based on the available science, it is subject to error. You want a 350+ FPS on your compound bow, since it can bolster so much more pressure than a recurve bow.
FPS is affected by wind speed, positioning, your trajectory/angle, as well as the grain weight in your arrows. There are a lot of variable factors to consider, but based on what you can control (the bow you decide to purchase), you should go for the highest FPS available.
Kit Pieces
Some of these come as full kits. This includes a pin sight, stabilizer, attachable arrow quivers (usually with a maximum of seven slots for larger bows), wrist guards, and even a bow release.
Not all are going to include this, but if you go for a kit, you should pay attention to the quality of these individual items. In most instances, it’s best to buy an individual bow and piece together the aforementioned items on your own.
Max Draw Weight
This one is important. Most compound bows go up to 70 lb, which is a perfect number. The higher your draw weight, the more power you’re going to have upon release.
Forty pounds of pressure is generally the minimum threshold for hunting, as mandated by local and federal United States hunting regulations. Compound bows are capable of withholding far more pressure due to something called weight let-off.
What is a Good Draw Weight Let-Off
Weight let-off means that you only have to put in so much of your own strength to successfully pull back the string to the maximum draw weight. You have to make up the missing percentage of whatever the draw weight let-off number is.
For example, if your bow has a 70% let-off, you have to apply the remaining 30% of pressure in order to achieve a sure shot.
That would mean that on a 55 lb draw weight bow with a 70% let-off, you would have to apply 16.5 lb of pressure, and the bow’s construction (riser, cam system and cams) will cover the remaining 38.5 lb of weight.
So what is a good let-off percentage? You want no less than 70%, but 75% and 80% are considered the best. An 80% let-off means that on a 70 lb compound bow, which is among the most powerful draw weights, you only need to apply 14 lb of pressure, which most youngsters can do on their beginner bows.
The higher your total draw weight, the more let-off you want.
Can a Compound Bow Be Used for Competitive Archery
Currently, there is only one way you can use compound bows for competitive archery, and that is in the competitive archery division.
It’s a small division, but it’s there. Compound bows are coming into the spotlight, but currently, the only competitive archery bows allowed at the Olympics are recurve bows.
Compound bows can be used at the World Games, as well as the Paralympic Games, but it is not expected to be initiated into the Olympics at any point.
Recurve bows technically require more skill to use because they don’t have a let-off feature like compound bows, but it also means that recurves aren’t as effective as compounds when it comes to hunting.
My Choice for the Best Left-Handed Compound Bow
Now that you’ve seen the best left-handed compound bow and its close competitors, it’s time to make your selection.
I chose the Raptor compound bow for the top spot on this list because it clearly packs far more benefits into one compact bow than any other model on this list (and this is the cream of the crop, mind you).
It feels excellent to shoot, and after plenty of testing (which was a ton of fun), I feel confident in advising you to opt for the Raptor if you have the budget for it.
Genesis provides a good mix of some of the features that Raptor brings to the table, but at a budget price. You’d still do well with that bow.
The best left-handed compound bow for me might not be the same for you, but I will state this: the right bow for you is most likely on this list somewhere, so scroll back up and confidently choose the one that stuck out to you, and struck a chord with everything you want in a left-handed compound bow.
Top Rated Left-Handed Compound Bows
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
