FOG HORN

Bang for the Buck: Barnett’s Best Budget Crossbows for Deer Season

Tarpon Springs, FL (October 1, 2026) – You don’t need to spend a grand to put a dependable crossbow in the woods this fall. Barnett builds some of the most trusted value-priced crossbows on the market, and five models stand out as the smartest buys for hunters working with a $350–$500 budget: the XP370, Wildcat Ultralite, Whitetail Hunter STR, XP385, and XP390.

Each of these crossbows delivers real hunting speed, a clean TriggerTech-based trigger, and a full anti-dry-fire safety system – features that used to be reserved for premium price tags.Whether outfitting a first-time hunter, adding a backup bow to the truck, or simply not wanting to overspend on gear that only sees a few weekends in the tree stand each year, these five models prove that budget-friendly doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice performance.

Barnett XP370 – The All-Around Value Pick

The XP370 is the crossbow that made Barnett’s Explorer series famous: a compact, affordable package that still hits hard. Compression-molded split limbs and high-performance cams push arrows to 370 fps, backed by a TriggerTech Frictionless Release Technology trigger and full Anti-Dry Fire protection. An adjustable buttstock and lightweight frame make it easy to size to almost any hunter, and it’s ready to hunt right out of the box with a red dot sight, quiver, and arrows included.

• Speed: 370 fps
• Kinetic Energy: 115 ft-lbs
• Draw Weight: 165 lbs
• Weight: 6.0 lbs

Includes: Illuminated red/green dot sight, side-mount quiver, two 20″ carbon arrows, rope cocking device, lubrication wax

Barnett Wildcat Ultralite – Most Compact, Highest Speed

The Wildcat name has anchored Barnett’s lineup for decades, and the new Wildcat Ultralite DC pushes that legacy forward. It’s the fastest and most compact crossbow of the four here, launching bolts at 410 fps with a hard-hitting 142 ft-lbs of kinetic energy – while measuring just 6.75″ axle-to-axle when cocked. Pre-installed limb and string dampeners keep shots quiet, and a de-cock function lets hunters safely power down at the end of a sit without firing a shot. A fold-away foot stirrup and Soft-Lok floating bristle arrow retainer round out a genuinely feature-rich package for the price.

• Speed: 410 fps
• Kinetic Energy: 142 ft-lbs
• Draw Weight: 215 lbs
• Weight: 6.2 lbs

Includes: 4x32mm multi-reticle scope, two 20″ Headhunter arrows, side-mounted quiver, rope/crank cocking compatibility, lubrication wax

Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR – Built for the Stand

True to its name, the Whitetail Hunter STR is built with one job in mind: putting deer on the ground. Step-Through Riser (STR) technology folds the foot stirrup into the riser itself, shortening the crossbow’s overall length for tighter blinds and stands. At just 6.6 lbs and 375 fps, it’s an easy carry that still hits with authority, and it ships with a TriggerTech trigger, anti-dry fire technology, and Barnett’s patented arrow retainer for safe, repeatable shots.

• Speed: 375 fps
• Kinetic Energy: ≈118.6 ft-lbs
• Draw Weight: 165 lbs
• Weight: 6.6 lbs

Includes: 4x32mm illuminated scope, two 22″ Headhunter arrows, lightweight quiver, rope cocking device, lubrication wax

Barnett XP385 – Most Power Per Dollar

The XP385 takes the Explorer platform up a notch, anchoring high-performance cams in a split-limb design to reach 385 fps and up to 125 ft-lbs of kinetic energy – serious knockdown power for a crossbow in this price class. A 5-position adjustable butt stock lets hunters of nearly any size dial in a comfortable length of pull, while an ambidextrous safety and pass-through palm rest with finger reminders keep things safe in the field. Several XP385 packages are also available with a pre-installed crank cocking device for hunters who want an easier draw.

• Speed: 385 fps
• Kinetic Energy: up to 125 ft-lbs
• Draw Weight: 165 lbs
• Weight: 6.1 lbs

Includes: 4x32mm multi-reticle scope, side-mount quiver, two 20″ Headhunter carbon arrows, lubrication wax (crank cocking device on select packages)

Barnett XP390 – Crank-Cocking Convenience

Rounding out the Explorer lineup, the XP390 pairs strong performance with an easier draw. High-performance cams and a split-limb platform push arrows to 390 fps with up to 128 ft-lbs of kinetic energy, while a pre-installed crank cocking device takes the strain out of cocking a heavier draw weight – a welcome feature for smaller-framed or recoil-averse hunters. A 5-position adjustable buttstock, ambidextrous safety, and the same anti-dry-fire TriggerTech trigger found across the Explorer series round out the package.

• Speed: 390 fps
• Kinetic Energy: up to 128 ft-lbs
• Draw Weight: 170–180 lbs
• Weight: 6.1–7.1 lbs

Includes: 4x32mm multi-reticle scope, side-mount quiver, carbon bolts, pre-installed crank cocking device, lubrication wax

The Bottom Line

For hunters chasing whitetails this fall without chasing a big price tag, the XP370, Wildcat Ultralite, Whitetail Hunter STR, XP385, and XP390 each earn their spot as some of the best bang-for-your-buck crossbows Barnett makes. All five share the same DNA – a smooth TriggerTech-based trigger, anti-dry fire protection, and a ready-to-hunt accessory package – so the right choice comes down to priorities: raw speed and compactness (Wildcat Ultralite), an easy-carrying stand gun (Whitetail Hunter STR), an effortless draw (XP390), or a proven all-around value (XP370, XP385).

About Barnett Crossbows

Barnett is the first and longest-standing crossbow company with a storied heritage. Founded in 1962, we are the pioneer of the modern-day crossbow. Barnett’s tradition of innovation has brought about numerous “firsts” in the crossbow & archery industry for the past 60-plus years. Barnett innovates and supplies a broad spectrum of high-performance and value-driven crossbows, vertical and youth bows, and archery accessories popular with both hunting and recreational shooters. Barnett is also the leading provider of slingshots and accessories.

For more information, please visit WWW.BARNETTCROSSBOWS.COM