12 Best Compound Bow Stabilizers to Boost Accuracy in 2023

Last Updated on March 25, 2023

 

Look at you, smart feller, searching for the next piece of the archery puzzle. Savvy hunters like you need the skinny on 2023’s best compound bow stabilizers for your hunting rig, and, by George, you’ve come to the right place. With hunting season fast approaching, get your bow dialed in now and not the week before the season starts.

Some sports, like football and golf, are a game of inches. The sport of hunting can be a game of millimeters. One smidge to the left, you hit the shoulder, wound your game, and it’s never to be seen again. Or, if shooter panic sets in and you float your pin too high, you may miss the vitals completely.

Situations like this are heartbreaking, which is why you need a good stabilizer to help steady your shot, increase accuracy, and extend your range. To help you find the best solution, I created this guide with 2023’s top options, from the best vibration dampening front stabs to the world’s elite front, back, and sidebars for increased balance.

The products on this list encompass a wide range from the who’s who of stabilizer brands like BeeStinger, Limbsaver, Mathews, CBE, Dead Center, and more. I’ve also included some friendly, affordable options for those hunting on a budget.

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find something tailor-made for you on this list of 2023’s best compound bow stabilizers. Buckle up, and let’s get this show on the road.

Table of Contents: Best Bow Stabilizers of 2023 [Show/Hide]

• Why Do You Need a Bow Stabilizer?
• Standard Front Stabilizers for Hunting
  • Best Overall: Bee Stinger MicroHex
  • Best High-End: Mathews Flatline
  • Top-Notch New for 2023: Axion Archery Antler Ridge
  • Best for the Money: Limbsaver LS Hunter Lite
  • Affordable but High-Tech Option: TRUGLO Cadence
  • Best Budget Stabilizer: SAS All CNC Aluminum
  • Made in the USA: Viper SX Aluminum
• Front and Rear Side Stabilizer Kits
  • Best Overall: Dead Center
  • Best High-End: Bee Stinger Sport Hunter
  • Best Mid-Range Option: CBE Torx
  • Editors Choice: Trophy Ridge Hitman
  • Best Counter Slide All-in-One Stabilizer Bar: Bee Stinger Counterslide Micro Hex
• Stabilizer Accessories
• Factors To Consider When Picking a Bow Stabilizer
• Final Thoughts: Best Bow Stabilizers for Hunting 2023
• More Hunting Gear & Resources

Why Do You Need a Bow Stabilizer for Hunting?

Target archers have been using stabilizer bars to fine-tune their shots for a long time; I’m talking about the long and fancy contraptions you see extending as much as 30 inches from their bows. On the other hand, you’ve likely also seen shorter stabilizers on the front of hunting bows.

So, what’s the difference? In short, longer stabilizers are more focused on balancing your compound bow, which creates less pin float, and short stabilizers that come standard on hunting bows are more for vibration reduction than for balance.

You may wonder, why do I need a stabilizer when hunting? Why are some people using longer stabilizers and more complex front, back, and sidebars when hunting? Which type of stabilizer is going to work best for me?

If you’re asking these questions and are a bit newer to the sport, here are some important concepts you need to understand before purchasing a stabilizer:

Standard Front Stabilizers for Compound Bows

Best Overall
Bee Stinger MicroHex

Lengths: 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″
Materials: Lightweight counterveil carbon
Weights: Three 1 oz weights included

“No games, no gimmicks.” That’s how Bee Stinger promotes their stabs. They’ve tapped into the minds of their customers and learned one valuable lesson that second-rate pretenders never seem to understand: hunters want their archery gear to function as advertised.

The MicroHex line is their most popular stabilizer to date because it has everything a hunter needs to customize their setup to their specific needs and style. The weights stay snug where you want them to and can be adjusted easily to balance your shot.

I like BeeStinger’s MicroHex for two main reasons. First, they make their rods with cutting-edge materials with counter-veil anti-vibration carbon used in fighter jets. Second, their mounting studs have teeth that forcefully clamp down when screwed to your compound bow. A solid fit prevents slop and creates a rigid and seamless energy distribution throughout your shot.

Best High-End
Mathews Flatline

Lengths: 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″
Materials: High modulus carbon fiber, stainless steel machined weights
Weights: Comes with one 1-oz weight, but you can purchase more here

If you’re shooting a flagship bow, and want maximum performance during the process, grab this top-notch stabilizer from Mathews. Many users claim there’s no better tech on the market.

The Flatline is made from ultralightweight carbon fiber that utilizes the industry’s top anti-vibration and noise-dampening technology. When you combine this feature with Mathews’ patented harmonic dampener — which spools extra energy during your shot and then releases it at the perfect moment of inertia — you’ve got one Steady Eddie on your hands.

Mathews markets this professional tool for any type of shooter, whether experienced, novice, or somewhere in between. It’s compatible with a v-bar bracket and can customize weights for your exact needs. The different ways you can mod this stabilizer to your setup are endless, and if it’s in your budget, you should consider it seriously.

Top-Notch New Product for 2023
Axcel Archery Antler Ridge

Lengths: 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″
Materials: Ultra-high carbon, cutting-edge flax material
Weights: Four 1 oz weights included + 1 oz dampener on the end

Stabilizers are only as good as the materials they’re made from. Axcel Archery’s newest line is made from the latest and greatest technology and is designed meticulously to set itself apart in an otherwise flooded marketplace.

The Antler Ridge is the only stab on the market to feature Axcel Archery’s all-new Flax material, which has never been seen in the world of stabilizers. Flax is one of the most anti-vibration-friendly materials in the world and plays perfectly with its rigid and lightweight design.

The cool graphics and personalized color options have nothing to do with performance, but they do let you know one thing: Axcel Archery created a product that stands out in every possible way, from its technology to its aesthetic.

Best for the Money
Limbsaver LS Hunter Micro Lite

Lengths: 8″
Materials: Small diameter carbon
Weights: 5.6 oz + ability to add more weight as needed

At around 90 bucks, the Limbsaver LS Hunter Micro Lite isn’t the cheapest stab on this list. I do believe it offers the best value you’ll find, however, in that it lands at an approachable price point without sacrificing high-end features.

This streamlined, wind-resistant, small-diameter eight-inch carbon bar is designed specifically for hunters and will handle all the rugged demands of the backcountry while helping you maneuver through the tightest situations. Whether in a treestand, blind, or even a mountain hunter traversing over craggy rocks, you’ll find its compact, forward-thinking design very useful.

Its superb balancing comes from heavier-than-usual front weights that tip the scales at around 5.6 ounces. You can add or subtract weights as needed to create a more dialed-in feel. The Limbsaver LS Hunter Micro Lite will work for anyone who wants a no-fuss solution for their next hunt.

Affordable but High-Tech Option
TRUGLO Cadence

Lengths: 8″
Materials: CNC Aluminum
Weights: 8.5 oz

From bow releases to bow stabilizers, TRUGLO is an industry leader in high-quality archery equipment. When it comes to stabilizers, they’ve truly outdone themselves by engineering the Cadence stabilizing bar with the average bowhunter in mind. TRUGLO talks the talk and walks the walk.

Since I’m on a budget this year, I will pull the trigger and grab myself one of these bad boys for the upcoming archery season. It has a rigid bar made from CNC aluminum that doesn’t have any give during your shot and is treated with a quiet, soft-touch coating, making it perfect for spot-and-stalk hunters that want to eliminate noise.

Much like the Mathews Flatline, the TRUGLO Cadence has a vibration dampener that reduces noise and play in your shot. As a matter of fact, it has two dampeners, and what’s even more incredible is that it costs one-third of the price of the Flatline.

Best Budget Stabilizer
SAS CNC All Aluminum

Lengths: 5″, 8″, 11″
Materials: Aluminum
Weights: 5.3 oz, 6.5 oz, 10 oz

Too many hunters and “ethical” outdoorsmen clown on people for asking about budget hunting gear. I can’t count the times I’ve heard in forums and Facebook groups, “Why would you buy X when Y is so much better?” I’ll tell you why: not everyone has a Mathews budget.

Regular folks have lives, kids, jobs, and priorities that take precedence over high-priced and top-end gadgets. However, just because they’re trying to save money doesn’t mean they lack the desire to be prepared and have a stable shot.

Luckily, if you’re on a budget, you can still have your cake and eat it too. SAS’s CNC stab is one of the highest-rated and most affordable stabilizers on the market and comes in various sizes and colors. Most importantly, it does precisely what you’ll need it to: stabilize your shot by reducing vibration and balancing the weight of your compound bow.

Made in the USA
Viper SX Aluminum

Lengths: 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″
Materials: Aircraft grade aluminum
Weights: 4 oz + ability to customize in 1/2 oz increments

Made right here in the good ol’ US of A, the Viper SX sits up near the top in terms of performance and lands at a very attractive price point. It boasts rigid strength thanks to its aluminum end caps and wind-resistant, lightweight rod that keeps the overall weight at a minimum.

Viper SX does utilize some serious balancing weights, however, as it’s equipped with one four-ounce weight at the end of the shaft. The combination of its lightweight bar and well-placed steel weights gives it superior balance by placing the weight where you need it most.

Furthermore, you can remove the end weight and add a variety of configurations that Viper offers. It comes in four lengths and is easy to make into a front and back bar kit using a v-bar bracket. Considering all its versatility comes at a lower cost than its higher-priced counterparts, what’s not to love?

Bow Stabilizer Kits (Front and Back Bars)

Best Overall Kit
Dead Center Dead Level Verge V2

Lengths: 6-8″, 8-10″
Materials: Vibration dampening carbon
Weights: Some with six 1 oz weights; you can purchase more here

Gone are the days of your stabilizer bars vibrating loose. With this v-bar setup from Dead Center, you can rest assured that your stabilizers will be rock solid when that shot of a lifetime presents itself.

If you want the most steady shot possible, join the ranks of archers who shoot with an added back bar. They’re increasing in popularity, and what was usually more mainstream among target shooters is becoming commonplace in the field. (For what it’s worth, I only rock a front stabilizer, but I don’t shoot with a quiver attached or have issues with pin float.)

If you want to join the bandwagon and aren’t out here taking any chances, look no further than the Dead Center Dead Level Verge 2. It’ll come perfectly tuned with the right amount of weight straight out of the box, and its light bars will hold steady against your bow. With a kit like this, you’ll be able to take long-range shots with a high degree of confidence.

distribution

Best High-End Kit
Bee Stinger Sport Hunter

Lengths: 6-8″, 8-10″
Materials: SRX Carbon Rods
Weights: Two 2oz weights on each side

Here we go again with Bee Stinger. Some hunters may say I’m a bit of a fanboy, but I have zero shame plugging their stellar products. My job is to pair my readers with products that won’t let them down on their 2022 hunt, after all.

The Bee Stinger Sport Hunter is tailor-made for the craft of chasing game, as its features are cleverly designed to accommodate hunters. It has a low profile to help you get through sticky situations and can be easily adjusted in a variety of scenarios.

The Sport Hunter has everything you could ask for from a stabilizer kit: maneuverability, ease of use, quick disconnect brackets, and an adjustable weight system. Now all you need is for some critters to show up so you can show them how steady your shot is.

Best Mid-Range Kit
CBE Torx

Lengths: 7.5 – 11″
Materials: High mod lightweight carbon
Weights: Two 2 oz weights on each bar; if you want more customization, grab a few more here

Next time you’re at the range, check out what types of stabs other archers are rocking. I kept a close eye on other shooters my last time out and saw loads of them using the CBE Torx. When I asked one guy why he was using this kit, they responded that it’s simple to use and easily adjustable to his bow.

The rods on CBE Torx are made from lightweight carbon, and their interchangeable weights are placed towards the end of the bar with precision. This customization makes for a great balancing act when shooting from any position.

If you want a set-it-and-forget-it stab that doesn’t rattle loose when climbing in your tree stand or crawling through some thick oak scrub, look closely at the CBE Torx. It has many of the same features and weight distribution as others on this list but will cost you a little bit less dinero for the entire kit.

Editors Choice Stabilizer Kit
Trophy Ridge Hitman

Lengths: 6-8″, 8-10″, 10-12″
Materials: Durable target carbon
Weights: Two 2 oz weights per bar; you can find more here

Would you get a load of the Hitman stabilizer kit? It’s right up there with the best in terms of research and development but with a much more approachable price tag. Trophy-Ridge really stands out in this class of stabilizers in form, function, and cost. They’re out here playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

The Hitman’s standout features include a unique design that allows for effortless energy transfer through its carbon rod and two cleverly placed dampener rings. It’s lightweight, compact, won’t be affected much by the wind, and comes standard with a top-notch v-bar bracket that the user can easily adjust for a custom feel.

Why is this the editor’s choice stabilizing kit, you ask? Well, in my opinion, it leads the pack in quality, performance, and consistency. In a sport where every millimeter matters, the Hitman series of stabilizers won’t let you down. If, at this point, you’re still confused about which stabilizer kit to go with, snatch this one up. You can thank me later.

Best All-in-One Stabilizer Bar
Bee Stinger Counterslide MicroHex

Lengths: 10″, 12″, 15″
Materials: Five 1 oz weights; need more? Grab them here
Weights:

If you want both a front and back bar stabilizer, go with a v-bar setup like the Bee Stinger Counterslide MicroHex. It’s more of a sidebar than a stabilizer kit, but many hunters prefer it since it keeps their weight down while still allowing them to have reliable balance in their shot.

Here’s my issue with this setup: unlike a v-bar setup in which you can move in centimeter increments at an angle, the Counterslide can’t be adjusted away from your bow. It stays in a straight line. That said, some hunters swear by this style, and if you’re one of them, the Bee Stinger Counterslide is as good as it gets.

This system is useful since it allows you to move your bar forward or back with a dovetail mount, meaning you can make adjustments in the field without adding or subtracting weight. Bee Stinger Counterslide’s single bar is also effective for those that shoot with their quiver attached, as it’s pretty remarkable at counterbalancing the side torque caused by an arrow holder.

Add-Ons & Accessories

Factors We Analyzed When Rating Compound Bow Stabilizers

 

Bow stabilizers may seem simple, but there are a lot of factors in play that you should consider when making your purchase. Here are the six most critical categories we analyzed when reviewing and recommending products for archers.

Weight

Every stabilizer will come with a standard set of weights, but you’re not hamstrung to this amount. Almost every product on this list will allow you to customize this to your archery setup. The more weight you put out in front of your bow, the easier it will be to hold your pin on target. Shoot with the preset weights and adjust as necessary.

Length

The ideal length of a compound bow stabilizer will be different for everyone. If your pin is steady when you shoot, then you’ll only need a short bar that focuses on vibration reduction rather than balance. If you have problems with pin float, grab an 8″ to 12″ bar, as it’ll be more capable of balancing your bow at full draw.

One important note: the longer you expect to extend your shot, the harder it’ll be to keep your pin steady. If you anticipate taking a shot at an animal over 60 yards (not recommended to the average hunter), then a longer stabilizer is a must. The longer the bar, the steadier your shot will be.

Maneuverability

When choosing the length of your stabilizer, consider what that means in terms of maneuverability. Let’s say you’re a hunter that hunts from a saddle, tree stand, or the tight confines of a ground blind. In these cases, longer stabilizers may do more harm than good. The more cumbersome a stabilizer is, the harder it can be to get into a shot position.

Conversely, let’s say you’re chasing antelope on the Eastern Plains and need a longer bar to extend the range of your shot. In this scenario, you won’t need to worry about having a longer stabilizer as you won’t be confined to tight spaces. There are limitations, however, as the longer the stabilizer, the more noise you will create, which may alert game to your position.

Dampening/Noise Reduction

Having too much vibration in your hand can affect your follow-through and overall accuracy. A rigid stabilizer bar will help transfer the energy that causes this vibration, and when that energy reaches the end of your stabilizer, a well-placed dampener mechanism will help disperse it.

Most dampeners are made from rubber which can absorb a lot of this vibration naturally. Some of the more high-tech options like the Mathews Flatline, however, utilize a harmonic dampener that spools the energy up and releases it during your follow-through.

Price

There’s no need to break the bank on this purchase!

Zero in a stabilizer according to your budget, consider all the factors listed above, and you’ll be just fine. Yes, some stabilizers on this list are going to outperform others, but for the majority of hunters, differences are going to be negligible. Stabilizers will not correct poor form, and proper shooting technique far outweighs the quality of your stabilizer.

Design/Colors

Picking the right camo pattern or color is more for aesthetics than performance. If you’re close enough to shoot a deer or an elk, they won’t be able to tell if your stabilizer has a camo print or is solid green. But, if you’re a total fashionista and want all your gear to color coordinate, several options on this list come in various designs that blind in with your rig’s look.

Which Bow Stabilizer Will Help You on Your 2023 Hunt?

 

I hope you’re getting excited as I am for the 2023-24 hunting season. I’m currently getting geared up for the fall and have started making some necessary (and not-so-necessary) purchases to dial in my setup. I’m sure you’re doing the same, which is why you arrived at this list of 2023’s best bow stabilizers in the first place.

Your compound bow is your best friend in the field, so pamper it by adding one of the stabilizers on this list. Hopefully, you find an option that fits the bill and will significantly upgrade your hunting rig. And if you find yourself torn between two different stabilizers or styles, grab both of them, test them out, and choose the one that shoots best with your setup.

The time to fuss over your gear is now and not in the middle of hunting season. So, whether you’re searching for a single front bar or a complex v-bar setup, grab what you need now and don’t delay. With trusted names like Mathews, CBE, TRUGLO, Trophy Ridge, and others, there’s no shortage of capable solutions on this list.

If you enjoyed our list of 2023’s best bow stabilizers and want the skinning on more hunting gear, sign up for our email list down below. We send monthly updates, gear recommendations, and hunting tips to our subscribers and even give away a slick piece of gear every couple of months. Thanks for stopping by, and we hope to see you in the field!

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