Top 6 Best Bow Stabilizers For Accuracy (Buyers Guide)

The best bow stabilizer for accuracy was the New Archery Products Apache. It has a simple design, and the length can be adjusted. This stabilizer will also help to absorb some of the vibrations and noise.

Today, I am going to give you 6 of the best bow stabilizers for accuracy. Most of them will also be suitable for hunting. It is easy to get lost searching for the best stabilizer, but I will make it as easy as possible for you to choose the right one for yourself.

Bowhunting is nothing new to me, and I have been doing it for years. It can be a steep learning curve to learn everything about compound bows and all of the accessories that go with them. Bow stabilizers are one of those accessories which you can almost not go without.

They make everything easier, from improving your aim to increasing your accuracy. Allow me to guide you in the right direction to not make the same mistakes I made in the past.

Are you ready?

Let’s go

How Does a Bow Stabilizer Work?

Have you ever tried walking on a balance beam with only one arm stretched to the side while the other one is hanging next to you? How long did it take for you to fall down? I guess it did not take that long. Imagine bringing both your arms up to each side. 

Were you able to stay on the balance beam for longer? I guess you will last a bit longer if you bring some physics into the equation. You can also ask any gymnast, and they will agree with me. 

I might have taken it to the extreme with this explanation but remember that a small imbalance will have a significant impact on your shooting accuracy. This is where a bow stabilizer will come into play. Putting it at the front of your bow will help to balance out some of the force and pull that comes from drawing and releasing the string.

Why You Need A Bow Stabilizer

There are many reasons why you might need a bow stabilizer for your shooting. They are useful for steadying your aim, reducing vibration and the noise that comes with it, and improving your balance.

Steady shooting

Have you ever noticed how easy it is for the bow to sway back and forth when you are trying to aim at the target? A bow stabilizer will add some forward weight to the bow and thus reduce some of that swaying. The weight of the stabilizer will resist most of the small movement.

You will also notice that some professional archers will use very long stabilizers to offset the balance and make their shot more accurate.

Vibration dampening

A lot of energy will be stored in the limbs and cables (if it is a compound bow) of the bow when the string is pulled back. Once you release that string, the energy will be released. Not all of the energy will be released on the arrow, and some energy will be released in the form of vibration.

Your bow will become less accurate when it vibrates. Hence, it is essential to find a bow stabilizer that can reduce some of that vibration. Some stabilizers will be made from a material that can absorb some of the vibrations.

Noise reduction

Vibration causes noise, so if a stabilizer can reduce some of the vibrations, it will reduce the noise. This feature is handy for bow hunting. You do not want the animals to hear the shot fired before the arrow has hit the target. 

Improving balance

Most modern bows will have accessories such as a bow sight, a quiver, and an arrow rest. All of these accessories will add weight to the bow that will reduce its balance. This is especially true if the weight is added to a particular side.

So if you often find that you shoot over your target, then that means the bow is shifting up, and you need a bow stabilizer at the front. In some cases, the bow will roll forward, meaning your arrow will land lower than intended. A bow stabilizer attached to the back of the riser will counter this effect.

How Long Should a Bow Stabilizer Be?

The length of the stabilizer will depend on what you plan to do. Suppose you are a bowhunter where you need to maneuver around trees, blinds, and a treestand. In that case, I recommend the short to medium-sized bow stabilizer. If you are competing indoors, then I would recommend the longer one that is more than 16”.

Under 10 inches

The stabilizers that are less than 10” will be the best for hunting. These short stabilizers make it easier for the bowhunter to maneuver around tight corners and inside a treestand. Windage also has a more significant impact on larger bow stabilizers.

Between 10” – 15”

Longer bow stabilizers will give you an overall better balance. They are medium in size and can be used by bowhunters but not as much as their shorter counterparts.

Between 16” – 30”

These stabilizers are very long and are not suitable for hunting. They are most commonly used in professional target shooting or competitions. Most of the competitions will be in areas where the environment will not play a role, mostly indoors. They give the best balance to bows in competitions.

Best Bow Stabilizers For Accuracy (Top 7 Recommended)

In this section, I will give you 7 of the best bow stabilizers for accuracy and hunting.

#1 New Archery Products Apache (Best Overall)

• Length: 5” and 8”
• Weight: 0.8 oz

The New Archery Products NAP Apache is best for hunters who want a compact bow stabilizer that effectively reduces vibrations and noise. It has a simple design that also allows for some of the wind to pass through.

This stabilizer also comes in 2 sizes which include the 5” and the 8”. The 5” is the base stabilizer, while the 8” is the 5” stabilizer with a 3” carbon fiber bar that weighs 2 oz. You also have the option to remove the bar if you want a shorter stabilizer. 

This adjustability makes this stabilizer sought after by many hunters alike. You can also choose between the colors black and camo to match the color scheme of your bow. Personally, I would recommend the 8” because you can remove the bar to make it a 5” again.

The verdict

This is a good stabilizer that can be adjusted. It is excellent at reducing vibrations and has a very simple design. It is ideal for any bowhunter that wants to shoot more accurately.

Cons: Not much to say here.

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#2 Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme (Runner-Up)

• Length: 5”, 8” and 10”
• Weight: 2.67 oz

This stabilizer gives you the ability to add or remove any weights to adjust the balance of your bow. This product has an internal harmonic dampener inside the shaft that reduces the noise that comes from the vibrations.

You can also choose between 3 sizes, including the 5”, 8” and the 10”. The length of the stabilizer cannot be adjusted, but you can change its weight. You will also get 3 individual 1 oz weights to add to the end of this device. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the stabilizer, the less weight you need at the end. 

For the 5”, you can start by adding all of the weights. With the 10”, you can start by only adding one piece. You need to test and see how much weight you should add to counter the bow’s balance. You can also choose between different color options such as black and Mossy Oak Break-up Country.

The verdict

This is the second best option in this review. The Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme makes it easy to add or remove any of the weights to make the bow more stable. It has internal dampeners inside of the shaft that helps to reduce some of the noise.

Cons: You cannot adjust the length.

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#3 LimbSaver S-Coil (Budget-Friendly)

• Length: 4.5”
• Weight: 4.5 oz

The LimbSaver S-Coil is ideal for hunters that do not want to spend a lot of money on bow stabilizers. This stabilizer is very compact with a length of 4.5”. This product also weighs 4.5 oz to compensate for its short length.

The LimbSaver S-Coil is made entirely out of navcom rubber that is excellent at reducing any vibrations that might come from your bow. It has a coil design that reduces its surface area so that the wind will not significantly affect it. This product also comes in several colors that range from black, camo to 7 other colors.

The verdict

This product is not expensive and best suited for hunters that want a short but heavy bow stabilizer. It is compact enough to maneuver around tight corners. It has a straightforward design, but sometimes it is all that you need.

Cons: The weight or length cannot be adjusted.

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#4 Dead Ringer Vector Bow Stabilizer (Minimizes Wind Resistance)

• Length: 6”, 8” and 10”

The Dead Ringer Vector Bow Stabilizer is ideal for hunters that need to continually face windy conditions from time-to-time. If you have a large stabilizer pointing out of your bow, then windage can become a real issue. Some stabilizers are shaped differently or come with an open design that will allow some of the wind to blow through, minimizing its effect on your aim. 

This stabilizer also comes in three sizes which include 6”, 8”, and 10”. This stabilizer also helps to decrease noise and vibrations. You also get a quick disconnect attachment that makes it easier to disconnect it from your bow.

The verdict

This stabilizer has small grooves on the outside that makes it more resistant to windage. It is a good option if the wind is a problem in your area.

Cons: It cannot be adjusted in any way.

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How To Choose The Best Bow Stabilizer?

This section will show you the ropes on all the features that you need to look out for.

Weight

You need to find a balance between a stabilizer that is too heavy or too light. If it is too light, then it will not have the desired effect that you want. If it is too heavy, it can put your bow off balance, and it will be a nuisance to carry along. Find a stabilizer that is heavy enough so that it can help to balance your bow and to absorb some of the vibrations.

Length

The length of the stabilizer is crucial. The longer the stabilizer, the more stable it will make your bow. The problem with more extended stabilizers is that they are challenging to maneuver. A very long stabilizer is suitable for competitive shooting.

Shorter stabilizers are better for bowhunting because they allow you to move around corners without holding you back. Some shorter stabilizers will also be heavier to compensate for their smaller size.

Reducing vibrations

Most stabilizers will be made out of material, which will help absorb some of the bow’s vibrations. Navcom rubber is an example of such material. The sheer weight of the stabilizer can also help to reduce the vibrations.

Noise reduction

You want to be silent when bowhunting and stabilizers can help with that. Noise needs vibration to exist, so if your stabilizer can reduce the vibrations coming from your bow, it will help with the noise.

Purpose

The purpose of which you want to use the bow will also determine the type of stabilizer that you will use. For competitive shooting, you might want to use a longer stabilizer. Longer stabilizers tend to be very sensitive to the wind but will be eliminated if the competition is indoors.

For bowhunting, you want a short stabilizer. There is nothing worse than a long stabilizer sticking out everywhere and catching onto branches and material.

Customization

Some of the stabilizers can be customized. You might have the ability to remove the shaft to shorten the stabilizer. Some stabilizers also come with small 1 oz weights that can be added to make them heavier.

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FAQ

Q: Will a stabilizer improve my accuracy?

Yes, it will. It also depends on how heavy your bow is and if you really need a stabilizer. A stabilizer will help to steady your aim. It will reduce some of the vibrations that might negatively influence your accuracy. A balanced bow is also more accurate.

Q: Hunting vs. target shooting stabilizers?

Hunting stabilizers are shorter and can range from 4” up to 15”. Target shooting stabilizers are longer and can reach a length of up to 30”.

Q: Do you need side rods on your bow?

You only need side rods if your bow has heavy accessories attached to one side. You can add a side rod pointing to the left if your right side is equipped with a sight and quiver that is heavy.

Q: How to mount a stabilizer correctly?

Most stabilizers will come with a screw attachment where it will need to be screwed into the bow’s riser. The video below will give you some advice on stabilizers.

Final Word

There are many mistakes that you can make when purchasing a stabilizer for your bow. Some stabilizers are too heavy, while others are too light. Beginners also make the mistake of buying a stabilizer that is too long for their bow.

The New Archery Products Apache is an excellent option. This stabilizer is not too long, and the weight is just perfect. This product will also help to negate some of the vibrations that are caused by releasing the arrow.

What do you want to use the stabilizer for? Do you want to use it for hunting or target shooting? Leave a comment below, and I will guide you in the right direction.

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