Crossbow Targets: What to Consider Before You Buy
/ June 30th, 2025So, you are thinking about buying a crossbow?
Well, you came to the right place! We know there are a lot of crossbows on the market and there are many important considerations, features, and factors involved in picking out the best crossbow FOR YOU!
In this article, we take a closer look at crossbow broadheads – but don’t miss these other articles that detail other important factors to consider before buying:
Crossbow Speed: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Size: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Weight: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Style: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Cocking (Pulling it Back)…and De-Cocking: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Optics: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Arrows: Unlighted vs. Lighted – What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Broadheads: What to Consider Before You Buy
Crossbow Targets
Crossbows have an abundance of power, and when you combine all that power with a shorter length arrow, such as 20” (and in some cases shorter), you need the right target to ensure it not only stops your arrows but also allows for easy removal of the arrow from the target!
Not all archery targets are equal, and a target that stops arrows from a vertical bow may not be sufficient to stop your high-speed crossbow arrow. Make sure whatever target you buy has a speed rating that matches your crossbow’s speed.
There are three types of crossbow targets on the market:
- Bag
- Foam
- Box/Filled Targets.
Bag Targets
Bag targets are the most popular due to their lower cost. They are stuffed full of arrow-stopping material and can be hung by the grommets in the corner of the target.
It is important to hang a bag target so that it can “swing/move” when the arrow hits it. This allows the target to absorb more of the arrow’s energy, stopping the arrow faster and making the target last longer.
Bag targets offer many advantages, such as affordability, easy arrow removal, and lighter weight. However, it is important to note that they are ONLY for use with field points. You CANNOT shoot broadheads into a bag target, as you will have to cut a hole in your target to get your arrow out.
Foam Targets
Foam targets come in several shapes and sizes, some of them being cubes and some of them in the form of a 3-dimensional animal. Foam targets are great for vertical bows and crossbows with moderate speeds, as foam targets allow practice with both broadheads and field tips. Foam targets are also typically the lightest of all target options. Arrow removal from the target is a potential challenge associated with foam targets. With the high speeds of today’s fastest crossbows (420+ FPS), the friction created by the foam stopping the arrow generates high heat and can “weld” the arrow into the target, making removal difficult and sometimes impossible.
Box/Filled Targets
This type of target is similar to a bag target but features a fixed square frame and is filled with a very high-density white polymer/synthetic material. These targets are designed exclusively for field points and offer the highest stopping power and easiest arrow removal of all target styles. While this design offers the greatest longevity, stopping power, and arrow removal, it is also the heaviest.
