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It can take a lot of time and practice before you become truly proficient at using a bow and even then perfect shots are not guaranteed, which is why many archers and hunters try to find the best bow stabilizer.
The name already hints at what this item does. When attached to your bow, it balances out the weapon. The improved balance makes it easier for you to remain accurate as you’re lining up your shot, and it also prevents the bow from slipping from your hands after you’ve fired the arrow.
A good bow stabilizer will also minimize the amount of sound you make. When you’re out hunting, you need to be quiet in order to prevent startling any potential targets. A bow stabilizer will help you accomplish that.
Despite seeming like a needless accessory, bow stabilizers can actually be extremely helpful. To find out how you can get the best one, check out the reviews and pointers below.
Our Picks: 5 Best Bow Stabilizer for Hunting
| # | Image | Bow Stabilizer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme Stabilizer | $$ |
| #2 |  | NAP Camo Apache Stabilizer | $$$ |
| #3 |  | Trophy Ridge Static Stabilizer | $$ |
| #4 |  | SAS Archery Static Stabilizer | $$ |
| #5 |  | LimbSaver S-Coil Bow Stabilizer | $ |
Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme Stabilizer
There is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to bow stabilizers. You need to take into account the exact size of the weapon you’re using to figure out which stabilizer is going to work best with it.
Since some bowhunters are more comfortable using the larger weapons, they will also require the services of a bigger stabilizer. This stabilizer from Bee Stinger certainly qualifies as one of the bigger options currently available.
Weighing in at around 12 ounces, this is the kind of substantial stabilizer that can provide effective counterbalancing. It should help bring the bow down closer to eye level. That, in turn, will make it easier for you to fire off more accurate shots. If you need something even heavier for your big bow, attach the included weights for counterbalancing purposes. You can add as much as three ounces of weight to your stabilizer if need be.
The coils at the end of the stabilizer also serve an important purpose. They will absorb the vibrations emanating from the bow after you fired the arrow, thus minimizing the impact your actions will have on your immediate surroundings. Due to its size, this stabilizer is not going to work with the widest range of bows. Other items can offer you greater versatility.
The logo plastered over the body of this stabilizer is also quite eye-catching. It doesn’t exactly blend in with natural surroundings and you may be better off removing it after purchase.
- Ideal for larger bows
- Three 1-ounce weights included
- Coiled design works great for vibration absorption
- Does not pair well with smaller bows
- Bright logo is tough to disguise
NAP Camo Apache Stabilizer
Versatility is the number one reason why you should be interested in this bow stabilizer offered by the folks at New Archery Products (NAP). When you first take this bow stabilizer out of the packaging, you will probably notice that it has a decent amount of heft to it, but nothing too heavy.
If you have a medium-sized bow, this should be a good accompaniment for it. Now, here’s the fun part: If you happen to have a smaller bow and feel more comfortable using that, this stabilizer can still be helpful to you.
It’s unique in the sense that it can be disassembled into two parts if need be. The 3-inch carbon fiber bar present on this stabilizer can be removed in order to make it lighter and more compact.
In its compact form, this stabilizer will be a good partner for the similarly smaller bows. Being able to adjust this stabilizer to better suit your exact needs is a huge plus.
Those materials that wrap around the body of this bow stabilizer are quite helpful as well. Though they may vaguely resemble the throwing stars that ninjas use in action movies, they actually serve a less lethal but still important purpose.
The manufacturers added those materials to absorb the vibrations caused by your shots. You’re going to need that shock absorption too. If you lose your grip on this stabilizer and it falls on the ground, you may notice its outer covering chip away. It still performs well with a chipped coating, but the incomplete covering is not as pleasant to look at.
- Can weigh more or less depending on what you need
- Works for both mid-sized and smaller bows
- Provides good vibration absorption
- Outer layer can chip away easily
Trophy Ridge Static Stabilizer
With regular practice and improved concentration, you should be able to gradually improve your shot as a bowhunter. Training will also improve your form and allow you to shoot with greater consistency. Practicing can turn you into a better hunter.
The one thing that practicing won’t do though is provide you with control over your environment. No matter how skilled you have become with using the bow, it will prove incredibly difficult for you to shoot accurately when the wind is howling. You will need a stabilizer that can combat strong winds, such as the one from Trophy Ridge.
Strategically located openings in the stabilizer provide the strong winds with channels to pass through. Even if a gust of wind comes your way as you’re lining up your shot, this stabilizer will allow that to pass through and keep you on target.
As a lighter weight bow stabilizer, this item is a good fit on the smaller bows. To give it some more heft, you can attach one or both of the 1-ounce weights.
The main issue with this bow stabilizer is that it doesn’t fare very well in terms of absorbing vibrations. The manufacturers opted to rely on the special Ballistix coating for the purposes of vibration absorption. You can see that the coating does its job fairly well, but it’s not enough.
Count on the bow moving around at least a bit even if this stabilizer is attached.
- Holes in the stabilizer allow winds to pass through
- Comes with two 1-ounce weights
- Good for the smaller bows
- Does not absorb vibrations very well
SAS Archery Static Stabilizer
In regions where howling winds serve as the background noise, using a bow for hunting may seem like an unreasonable ask. You can still pull that off though. You just need to find the right type of bow stabilizer.
This stabilizer from Southland Archery Supply is a good option to use if you do indeed have to deal with plenty of wind during your hunts. The holes present throughout the body of this stabilizer enable it to guide the wind through without disrupting your shot.
You may think that the abundance of holes present on this stabilizer would prevent it from serving as a useful counterbalance, but that is not the case at all. Thanks to the manufacturers using high quality aluminum in the creation of this bow stabilizer, it can stand up well to the strong winds and to the force of your shot.
The vibrations emanating from your bow will be minimized if this stabilizer is connected to it.
Carefully choose from one of three size options available to get something that will work perfectly with the kind of bow you prefer to use during hunts.
It is crucial that you pick the right size option. Unlike some of the other stabilizers that are currently available, there are no weights included with this item. If you end up needing something heavier, you will probably have to purchase something else.
- Has no trouble dealing with strong winds
- Aluminum frame allows for better vibration reduction
- Three size options available
- No additional weights included
LimbSaver S-Coil Bow Stabilizer
Trying to maintain complete control over your bow can be tough especially in colder weather. With your fingers feeling a bit numb, getting a good grip on the bow becomes a challenge in it of itself.
Combine your freezing digits with the force of the bow and you have a recipe for inaccurate shots and some very surprised animals. You need to find a way to rein in the vibration of the bow in order to take better control of it.
This stabilizer from LimbSaver handles that job very well.
The reason why this stabilizer excels at reducing vibrations is due to the way it’s designed. LimbSaver’s NAVCOM material is coiled around the stabilizer. The vibrations become weaker quicker because they have to travel through the layers of the material.
You can even use this stabilizer to cut down on the noise you make when you’re hunting.
Another reason to like this bow stabilizer is that it’s very easy to attach. As soon as you feel that you need more weight added to your bow, you can pull this out of your bag and resolve that issue right away.
Having numerous color options to choose from is good, but if you’re using this for hunting, you should probably stick to the basic black design. The other ones are a bit too flashy.
This is also not the best bow stabilizer to use if you need added weight. Something bigger would be more helpful in that regard.
You’re also not getting additional weights together with this stabilizer.
- Will effectively minimize vibrations
- Also works to prevent excessive noise
- Can be easily connected
- Not a good choice for counterbalancing
- Manufacturers did not include additional weights
Buying Guide of Bow Stabilizer
Picking out a good bow stabilizer can be difficult, but the pointers included below should make the search significantly easier.
Length
Bow stabilizers come in a variety of sizes, but which one will work best for you? To find out the answer to that, you will have to take into consideration your environment as well as the reason why you’re using the bow in the first place.
For hunting, you probably won’t want a long stabilizer sticking out of your bow because it can draw attention to you. The stabilizer will make it harder for you to find prey. Plus, lugging around a big bow with a big stabilizer is not exactly easy to do out in the wild.
For competitions or if you’re just taking up archery as a hobby, go ahead and try out both the long and shorter stabilizers to see which one you’re more comfortable with.
Weight
Length is just one part of the equation. To identify which bow stabilizer you need, you should also take note of the weight. You have to execute a kind of balancing act when it comes to the ideal weight of your bow stabilizer.
Get something too light and the stabilizer may not affect your bow at all. You’ve essentially just purchased a costly decorative piece for your hunting bow.
On the other hand, using a stabilizer that’s way too heavy is going to cause the bow to tilt down. You’ll have to struggle against the misaligned bow and the elements in order to get a good shot off.
There’s some trial and error involved in the stabilizer selection process and that is due in large part to the role weight plays.
Material Composition
Durability is always an important consideration when it comes to any piece of hunting equipment, which is part of the reason why materials matter so much. You should obviously try to find the stabilizers that are crafted from the strongest materials.
That’s not the only reason why material composition is a crucial factor when it comes to stabilizers though.
Since these items are also used to soak up the vibrations produced by the motion of the bow, you need a kind of material that can handle all that force. Some manufacturers go to great lengths to feature a material that is durable, capable of handling vibrations, and still relatively lightweight. They may even utilize unique materials for the job.
Don’t shy away from using bow stabilizers that make use of unique materials if you can find them. In case you are unable to find those specially designed bow stabilizers, remember that high quality aluminum is also a good choice.
For reducing vibration, rubber will work splendidly as well.
Holes or No Holes?
While shopping for bow stabilizers, you may notice that some products are riddled with holes. Those aren’t examples of factory damage. They are features.
Specifically, they are features added for the purposes of improving wind resistance. Those additional holes will make it possible for wind to flow freely through the stabilizer and that, in turn, will prevent you from getting distracted.
Bow Stabilizer’s FAQs
How do bow stabilizers work?
Since most bow stabilizers look like metal rods with chunks of foam skewered on them, you’d be forgiven for wondering how they can have any discernible impact on your performance.
The answer to that basically boils down to the reduction of vibration.
As pointed out by BowhuntingMag.com, a lot of energy is released the moment that you release a previously drawn-back arrow on your bow. A significant amount of the energy released goes into the arrow itself, thus propelling it forward.
Notably, the larger arrows can absorb more of the energy released.
The arrow is not the only place where the energy goes however. The energy also scatters across the bow, causing it to move around.
If the energy going through the bow is strong enough, it can cause vibrations that affect your hands and even the arrow. Even if you were locked on to your target prior to releasing the arrow, the vibrations can cause it to go off-course.
You may still be able to hit your target, but you probably won’t land a killshot. If the target is far enough and the resulting vibrations were strong enough to produce a loud noise, your prey may be able to react to your shot and avoid it completely.
The bow stabilizer prevents the vibrations and noise from getting out on hand if it is connected to your weapon. The softer materials that are usually present in the stabilizers absorb the vibrations. In some stabilizers, the vibrations are allowed to run through a longer surface so that they can dissipate eventually.
The stabilizers that feature a good amount of length along with shock-absorbing materials will soak up the most vibrations, but you can’t just go buying the biggest products because other factors matter too.
What is the ideal size for a bow stabilizer?
Remember that stabilizers that are both too long and too heavy can drag down your bow. Simply going with the biggest stabilizer you can find is not going to work because of that.
So, what is the ideal size for a bow stabilizer? Once again, your specific needs must factor into the equation.
Is it okay for you to use a longer bow or do you need to stay as compact as possible? Check the bow you’re using as well and see if it can support the weight of the stabilizer you’re looking to use.
Unfortunately, providing specific measurements for the ideal bow stabilizer is impossible without seeing the bow first.
The best that can be done is to provide an ideal range. The ideal range for the stabilizer is somewhere between 4 to 12 inches. Anything shorter and it will be ineffective while something that’s longer than a foot is too unwieldy.
As for the weight, you don’t want anything heavier than 16 ounces. That will weigh down your bow too much.
Those are just some general guidelines, but they should help you close in and eventually find the bow stabilizer that will help you the most.
Do you need additional weights to be included with your bow stabilizer?
More than a few manufacturers of bow stabilizers will bundle their products together with additional weights. Usually, these extra weights are no heavier than 1 ounce each.
The makers of bow stabilizers like to include these additional weights because they make it possible for users to customize their creations based on what they need in a specific situation.
If you need some extra weight to line your bow up better with your target, you have items that are conveniently available for that exact purpose. These additional weights are also often included with the bow stabilizers that are already lighter to begin with.
