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To determine the best archery targets, we focused on the following features: target type, durability, ease of use, thickness, arrow compatibility, and size. We know that serious hunters or archery enthusiasts want a sturdy target that will last over a longer period, but is also easy to use, and won’t cause a struggle to retrieve arrows.
After performing our research, we nominated the Morrell Double Duty 450FPS Field Point Bag Archery Target as the best archery target you can buy today. This four-sided bag target had the widest arrow compatibility in our research, and featured designs on each of the four sides — including a replica of deer vital organs — and was designed for easy transport. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks. You may also check the best hunting and shooting gear on the market.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Morrell targets are known for quality and this four-sided option is brightly colored with contrasting designs for easy targeting and is designed to work with a wider range of arrows.
Read Full Review: Morrell Double 450FPS Archery Target
If you’re just starting on your archery targets search, you’ll soon find that Morrell targets are some of the most popular options on the market. We picked their Double Duty 450 FPS Field Point Bag Archery Target as our Top Pick because of all the targets we reviewed, this model offered the most compatibility options. Specifically, you can use this target with traditional bows, high-speed crossbows, compound bows, airbows, and field point arrows.
Related: In case you want to try shooting sports, you may need to get the best shooting ear protection.
This is also the only four-sided cube target in our guide that includes five traditional bullseyes, nin ball bullseyes, a dartboard, and a side with life-like deer vitals to help avid hunters improve their sighting. Plus this target offers a premium core that promises to stop thousands of arrows throughout its lifespan — although you’ll want to replace the cover over time. Also, Morrell’s targets are known for having the easiest removal, with archers using just two fingers to retrieve their arrows. This would be a great target for practice with your best crossbow.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple two-sided bag target with a hydro press internal composition for improved durability and stopping power, with a sewn-on handle for easy transport.
Read Full Review: Delta McKenzie Speedbag Archery Target
If you’re looking for a slim yet powerful archery target, we recommend this Delta McKenzie Speedbag. This is a thinner dual-sided design target with multiple targets on both sides. As is common, the targets are offset to improve the product’s longevity. The sewn-on handle and overall 25-pound weight also make this easy to transport without putting a strain on your back.
We noted that the interior features a hydro-press clean standardized fill that offers strong arrow stopping power and more durability. However, as is standard, if you’re an avid user, you’ll want to replace the exterior bag overtime to extend the target’s lifespan. And while this target is ideal for use with high-speed compound bows and crossbows, keep in mind that this target is only rated for use with field point arrows. If you’re preparing for your next hunt, grab the best compact binoculars too.
Award: BEST LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: A cube target with a two-sided design that relies on friction instead of force to stop arrows — adding to its overall durability, featuring compatibility with field tips, broadheads and expandable arrows.
Read Full Review: Block Classic 22 Archery Target Review
Retrieving arrows from an archery target is a common pain point for many archers. But this lightweight block target is a great alternative since it’s designed to rely on friction to stop arrows as opposed to force. This is due to the layers of unglued friction foam. Because of this, you can spend more time practicing and less time fighting with your target to get your arrows back. Field Logic’s target is compatible with field tips, broadhead, and expandable arrows.
Another great feature with this target is that it’s the lightest option in our roundup. At just 16 pounds, you can easily carry this two-sided target anywhere thanks to the sturdy built-in handle. In the field, you’ll appreciate the high contrast black and white coloring that makes finding your target a breeze — even at great distances. Choose from three sizes ranging from 18, 20, and 22 inches. For the most accurate shot, check out the best crossbow scope.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A set of cheap archery targets featuring the classic bullseye design in economic packs that are perfect for beginners or occasional backyard use.
Read Full Review: Archery 40cm Targets Longbow Approx
Not everyone is a serious archer. While all of the other archery targets in our guide are designed for more serious sports enthusiasts, if you’re not a hunter or competitive archer, you might not need the more expensive targets. In that case, these cheap archery targets from Longbow Targets are a great alternative.
Longbow’s solution is the only paper target option in our guide and comes in economical packs ranging from eight to 200 target sheets in a set. And while they are made from paper, we did like that the paper was a heavy-duty weight to minimize the actual size of the holes created. For a touch of nostalgia, these feature the classic multi-color bullseye design with each color ring measuring exactly four centimeters in width from ring edge to ring edge. These targets are also ideal for rifles, handgun, and airgun use. If you like hunting tools, you’ll also want one of the best survival knives.
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy 3D archery target that’s best for serious hunters with a labeled insert to help improve aim and target precision, offering compatibility with broadhead and field tip arrows.
Read Full Review: Field Logic GlenDel Archery Replaceable Review
Big game hunters know that practice makes perfect and that you only have so much time to take a shot when you’re out in the wild. So, it’s important to make sure that you know where you’re aiming so that every shot counts. We included this pick from GlenDel because it’s the only 3D archery target in our guide. This 3D target is designed to mimic the look and size of a 200-pound buck. The total height is 56 inches, but this is still a lightweight option coming in at just over 17 pounds.
But most importantly, it comes with a replaceable four-sided core that’s labeled with the buck’s vital organs to help improve your aim and accuracy. However, we did note that there’s nothing in the design to securely hold the insert in place. So, don’t be surprised if you experience some movement from the force of your arrows. While this is a larger target, it’s still travel-friendly since you can remove the head for easier transport. If you like archery, you may want to also check out the best hatchet.
Award: BEST TWO-SIDED DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: A two-sided target with an offset design to improve its longevity, all in a travel-friendly size with a built-in handle.
Read Full Review: Field Logic Hurricane Archery Target Review
Two-sided bag targets are a great option for a wide range of people whether you’re a hunter or a professional archer who wants to practice on their own time. One of the things we like about this product is that it features an offset design with miniature bullseyes on one side and a deer’s profile on the other side with the vital organs labeled. But specifically, the two designs are offset so that you won’t risk shooting through the same area on both sides of the target.
You’ll also note that this is another relatively portable option for target practice. While it does weigh 44 pounds, it comes with a durable top handle that makes transporting and positioning it easier. Another great feature is the high contrast colorful design on both sides. So, even at farther distances, you can easily aim and find your target.
A wide array of people use archery targets from outdoor enthusiasts to avid hunters and competitive archers. To create our guide, we focused on the following features — target type, durability, ease of use, thickness, arrow compatibility, and size.
You’ll note in our guide that we featured a wide array of target styles. While only our Best Quality was a 3D target, there were plenty of options in the target bag and target block categories. And for budget-focused people, our Best on a Budget was the only paper bullseye option.
Except for our Best on a Budget pick, all of our other recommendations were designed with durability in mind. Although the internal core might feature differing materials, the remaining selections were designed to last. At most, they recommended that you replaced the exterior bag to help maintain the lifespan of the target over time.
Ease of use is important since no one wants to experience the frustration of fighting to release an arrow from their target. All of our picks promoted that it was easy to remove an arrow, with our Top Pick promising that you can easily remove an arrow with just two fingers. But portability also falls under the “ease of use” category. In our opinion, only the Best Quality might be the most difficult to transport simply because it’s the largest and is meant to mimic the size of a 200-pound buck.
And finally, arrow compatibility is an extremely important feature. Using the wrong arrows with a target can greatly impact its lifespan. In our guide, our Top Pick offered the best arrow compatibility. But again, it’s always important to check which arrows are compatible with your preferred target.
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