How we review products
What our reviews are based on, how we judge equipment, and the rules we follow so you can trust what you read.
Last updated October 5, 2026
Archery equipment is technical, and small differences in draw length range, draw weight, arrow spine or rest design decide whether a product suits you. Our reviews exist to explain those differences clearly, so you can choose with confidence. This page explains exactly how we put a review together, what kind of review you are reading, and the lines we never cross.
Two kinds of review, always labelled
Every review tells you, near the top, which kind it is.
- Research-based reviews. We have not shot or handled the product. The review is built from the manufacturer's published specifications and documentation, information from authorised retailers, the rules of governing bodies where relevant, and established technical guidance. Most reviews on the site today are research-based, and they say so, for example: “This is a research-based review... We have not shot this bow.”
- Hands-on reviews. When one of our contributors has used a product, the review will say who used it, for how long, in what conditions, and what was measured, such as arrow speed through a chronograph. We will never present a research-based review as hands-on.
Comparisons (“X vs Y”) and buying guides follow the same rules: facts come from cited sources, and our judgement is clearly marked as opinion.
How we choose what to review
- Reader demand. We look at what archers search for and ask about: popular beginner bows, common accessories, and questions that come up again and again.
- Usefulness. We prioritise products that are widely available, suit a clear type of archer, and help explain a wider choice, such as a typical beginner recurve or a common rest design.
- Not commission. Products are never chosen for the commission they might earn. Many of our recommendations point to cheaper or simpler options.
Our research process
- Collect the specifications from the manufacturer and, where needed, authorised retailers. Where sources disagree, we say so or use the manufacturer's figure.
- Check the context: governing-body rules (for example World Archery equipment rules), state hunting regulations where they matter, and established technical guidance on topics such as arrow spine, kinetic energy and tuning.
- Assess fit and suitability against the criteria below, for the archers the product is designed for.
- Compare with similar products and with simpler or cheaper alternatives.
- Write the review, separating verifiable facts from our opinion, listing pros and cons, and stating who the product is and is not for.
- Edit and fact-check: every specification and claim is checked against its source before publication.
- Update the review when a manufacturer changes a product or we find an error, and show the update date.
What we look at, by product type
| Product | Key criteria |
|---|---|
| Compound bows | Draw length and draw weight range, adjustability, axle-to-axle length, brace height, let-off, mass, IBO speed context, who the bow fits |
| Recurve and traditional bows | Length, draw weight options, limb fitting (ILF or proprietary), upgrade path, intended use |
| Crossbows | Draw weight, cocking method, bolt and point requirements, scope, weight and length, safety features |
| Arrows and bolts | Spine options, straightness and weight tolerances, sizes, components, intended use |
| Sights, rests and releases | Adjustability, compatibility, design type, hunting versus target suitability |
| Targets | Construction, whether rated for broadheads or crossbows, arrow removal, durability |
| Cases, quivers and accessories | Protection, capacity, compatibility, practicality in use |
Fact versus opinion
Text in the body of a review is intended to be factual and verifiable. Our own judgement, such as whether we would recommend a product for a particular archer, appears in a clearly labelled editorial opinion box. Pros and cons summarise the trade-offs, based on the specifications and on how the product's design is generally understood to work.
What we never do
- We never describe hands-on testing we have not carried out.
- We never invent user experiences, quotes, testimonials or star ratings.
- We never publish prices, because they change frequently and a stale price misleads readers.
- We never accept payment for reviews or let brands approve or edit our copy.
- We never choose or rank products because of the commission they pay.
- We never use a manufacturer's marketing claims as fact without attributing them.
Images
Product boxes may show official product images supplied through the retailer's product data service. Other photographs are openly licensed images credited to their authors, or original diagrams we make ourselves. We do not present a stock photograph as our own testing.
How we earn money
Archery Insider is supported by affiliate commissions: if you buy through some links, the retailer pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide what we review or recommend. Every page carries a disclosure in the footer, affiliate links are marked for search engines, and our affiliate disclosure explains the details.
Corrections and updates
If a specification changes or we get something wrong, we correct the review and update its date. If you spot an error, please contact us. Our wider standards are set out in our editorial policy.