Best Arrow Rests In 2024 Tested And Reviewed By The Experts

Our team of expert hunters and archery instructors have spent countless hours installing, adjusting and shooting arrows through more than 20 different arrow rests.

Below they share their top picks for best arrow rest complete with in depth reviews so that you can decide which rest is right for you.

These are our favorites.

Best Arrow Rests At A Glance

Best Arrow Rests: Reviews And Recommendations

Best Overall: Quality Archery Designs HDX

I love this rest because it combines the pinpoint accuracy of a drop-away rest with an easy installation and setup that most other similar models lack.

The HDX Arrow Rest is QAD’s flagship model, and it comes with all the quality features that make a rest stand out—and reach the top of our list of favorites. As a drop-away rest, it allows for fine-tuned accuracy with hardly any interference in the arrow’s trajectory, but it also eliminates the main problem of drop-away rests: difficult installation and adjustment.

Installation takes just a few steps. After attaching it to the riser, just clamp the timing cord on your bow buss cable. You can then adjust the timing with the simple timing cord that can be moved while staying attached to the buss cable. 

Plus, you can center it in with the graduated vertical and horizontal adjusters that have easy-to-see measurement markers. There’s even a full-draw indicator so there’s no guesswork when installing it.

The HDX has a top-shelf construction as well. Made of stainless steel and painted with a black finish that helps prevent corrosion, it can stand up to seasons of use, making it a better value than it already is. Additionally, the HDX is constructed in such a way that it can be secured against the front of your riser, which makes it easier to align vertically.

Finally, as a top-shelf model, the HDX has some extra features you’re unlikely to find in lower-end models. The coolest is arguably the included DVD which shows you how to install the rest and then use the various indicators and markers to zero it in. 

Other extra features that give the HDX an edge are the advanced vibration system, which uses molded rubber to absorb vibration from the arrow and bow to increase accuracy and stealth, and the included felt covers.

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Timing cord adjustable on buss cable
• Graduated adjusters
• Cable driven design
• Durable stainless steel construction
• DVD instructions
  
• Advanced vibration system
  
• Felt covers

Cons:

• A little Expensive

As our overall favorite cable driven rest, the HDX is a rest that will benefit any compound bow user, hunter or hobbyist. It may be a particularly good choice for you if you hunt a lot and know you’re going to need a rest for seasons to come. Plus, with the numerous features that improve accuracy, you can take advantage of your powerful bow to take down trophy bucks from longer distances.  

Here's a great video showing how QAD arrow rests are made right here in the USA.

Best For Hunting: Hamskea Trinity Hunter RH Micro Tune Black  

This is our top hunting choice because of its consistent accuracy and how quiet the rest is.. It has both graduated horizontal adjustments and vertical micro adjustments along with a spring knob for internal torsion positions. The result is that you micro tune the rest.

I also love the Zero Stop technology. Basically, the rest's cable driven design causes it to reset the same after each use so that it always shoots the same way every time. In other words, after you've sighted in your bow in on the range, you can shoot hunting arrows confidently in the tree stand.

I also want to mention the Trinity Hunter's rubber design. Although wI usually prefer felt, I actually like how the drop-away rubber V and the rubber containment make the arrow load consistently every time. You don't have to worry about the containment interfering with quick loading on a hunt either because there's an intuitive break in the containment ring.

Finally, the dampening coil minimized the main downside of the rubber design: higher friction. This lets the V drop away consistently without robbing too much speed from the arrow.

Pros:

• We love the micro-tuning ability
• Graduated horizontal adjustment
• Spring knob
• Zero Stop technology
• Rubber V and containment ring
• Dampening coil

Cons:

• Top-shelf price
• Rubber instead of felt

Being able to micro tune the Trinity Hunter RH makes it a no-brainer for serious hunters who want the accuracy of a drop-away rest. Its consistency means you can rely on it in any situation to take down big game so you don't have to walk back from the tree stand empty-handed.

Staff Favorite For Hunting: Hamskea Archery Solutions Hybrid Hunter Pro

The Hybrid Hunter Pro, just like its cousin the Trinity Hunter, is a great drop-away rest for hunting, and a slightly less expensive one too. One thing in particular that makes it great for taking down trophy bucks even at close range is that it’s quiet. This is thanks to a Hamskea proprietary coating that cuts down on vibration and therefore noise. 

Even with a powerful bow, the noise of a shot can cause your quarry to startle and jump, and your arrow could miss the killzone. Most drop-away rests either use rubber to create consistency and stability or felt to minimize friction and vibration. This rest makes the most of both. In fact, loading the arrow is even quiet because of the insertion break in the containment ring, not to mention easy.

The main selling point of this rest model is the hybrid design. While it’s not as easy to install or adjust as Trinity Hunter, the multiple configurations do provide a lot of versatility. Specifically, you can attach the timing cable to the top or bottom limb or the compound bow’s buss cable, as with most cable driven rests. 

Also important for hunting, the Hybrid Hunter Pro has reliable consistency with stainless steel ball bearings and a spring knob that maintains your adjustments. You can tune it in at the range and count on it to shoot accurately in the tree stand as well.

Pros:

• We love how quiet this rest is thanks to the rubber coating
• We love how easy it is to load an arrow
• Limb and cable configurations
• Graduated horizontal adjustments
• Durable construction that Hamskea is known for
• Non-slip rubber V design

Cons:

• Can be difficult to set up for the first time

Of course, the Hybrid Hunter Pro is one of our favorite hunting rests, but it’s especially ideal for trophy hunting. Mature bucks are smart and they know what sounds to listen for, sounds as seemingly trivial as loading an arrow onto your rest. With the maximum silence of this model, that’s not a problem.

Best Limb Driven: Vapor Trail Archery Pro V 

The Pro V from Vapor Trail Archery might just be the rest for you because of its limb driven design. While this makes it a bit harder to install and adjust, once you get it into place, it's much more secure and capable of handling the large amounts of energy produced by compound bows. It also makes for better timing on the shot cycle.

It has one of the best spring retention systems of any drop-away rest we've found, allowing you to adjust it to the length of your arrow so that it guides its trajectory but drops away at just the right time.

You don't have to worry about the rest robbing too much speed from the arrow either because it's covered with moleskin. This way you can take full advantage of the spring retention system. As an added bonus, the moleskin makes drawing an arrow virtually silent and reduces vibration for a quieter shot.

A unique aspect of the Pro V is the finish: red and black. While this may seem a bit unorthodox, especially to hunters used to camo designs, it's actually not a problem at all if you're deer hunting. Deer are red-green color blind, so they won't notice the rest any more than your blaze orange vest. You, on the other hand, can see the red, so it draws your eye to the rest, giving you a quicker shot.

Pros:

• Adjustable spring retention
• Secure and consistent installation
• Limb driven timing
• Moleskin covering

Cons:

• Hard to install and adjust

You should look at the Pro V especially if you use advanced compound bows with a lot of power. It's great for target shooting but will increase your chances of a successful hunt as well. Its limb driven design and secure installation mean it can provide accuracy even when it has to absorb the high power of modern compound bows. 

Best For The Money: Quality Archery Designs QAD UltraRest LD

The UltraRest LD is one of the best values when it comes to drop-away arrow rests. In many ways, it’s even better than top-shelf models that cost twice as much.

What we really like is the easy adjustability of every aspect of the rest. It has graduated adjustment on both the vertical and horizontal axes, including clear, easy-to-see measurement markings so you can see and remember exactly which position works best.

On top of that, the timing cord comes with a clamp. This way you can put it in a precise position on your compound bow buss cable and adjust it easily to get the perfect shot.

The primary downside of this rest is the minimal arrow containment, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem if you have some shooting experience and install it correctly. Plus, with less material in addition to a partly aluminum construction, this means it’s lightweight. That’s great for hunting since you can hold the bow steady for longer.

Finally, we want to mention the camo felt. While this might not be as stable as rubber containment, it’s definitely quiet and absorbs excess vibration. There are rubber dampeners as well. And the camo is always a big plus.

Pros:

• Graduated adjustments on both axis
• Timing cord clamp
• Lightweight
  
• Camo felt
  
• Rubber dampeners
  
• Handles powerful bows with minimal bounceback

Cons:

• Minimal containment

With Lock-Down technology that lets it function with powerful bows shooting over 400 FPS, the UltraRest LD is your choice for serious archery without draining your wallet. It’s lightweight, quiet and easy to tune for precise accuracy, both at the range and in the tree stand. 

Since it has minimal containment and is designed for faster bows, we recommend it for archers with at least some experience. It makes a great upgrade if you have a season or two of experience under your belt and want to take it to the next level.

Best Under $100: New Archery Products Apache Drop Away Arrow Rest

Looking for value? We highly recommend the NAP Apache. It has all the features you’d find on a top-shelf rest at half the price.

For instance, it’s extra quiet thanks to the padding on the drop-away shelf and entire arrow containment ring. This not only allows for a release and minimal interference with the arrow’s trajectory, but it also absorbs extra vibration from the shot to cut down on excess noise.

Where the lower price comes in is adjustability. The Apache can be tuned, of course, but not quite as easily as more expensive models. For example, there are no graduated adjustments, rather you have to orient the rest vertically with a knob that’s not quite as precise. 

Additionally, there’s no clamp for easily changing the placement on your bowstring or buss cable. Instead, you just have to tie it. This can be a problem if you need to retune it for weather, new arrows, or whatever else. 

Still, the Apache is a great choice for hunting specifically, in part because you can get it in a camo finish. Plus, despite the difficulties with tuning, once you do get it zeroed in, it’s consistent and accurate so you don’t have to worry about missing the trophy buck you’ve been tracking all year.

Pros:

• Extensive padding for silence
• Camo finish
• Consistent and precise

Cons:

• Hard to tune
  
• No string clamp

We recommend the Apache primarily for beginner bow hunters or hobbyists who only hunt a few times a season. That’s because it’s accurate once it’s set but harder to adjust on the fly. In other words, you can rely on it while you’re learning or trying to take down a doe or two for venison hamburgers. Once you learn the ropes—or move up to mature bucks—you can spring for a more expensive model.    

Best Biscuit Rest: Trophy Ridge Kill Shot 

Biscuit style arrow rests have quickly become one of the most popular types of rests, thanks to its great value and pinpoint accuracy that's accessible even for new archers. Full containment rests tend to be better options for beginners, and the Trophy Ridge Kill Shot is arguably the best one, working just as well for experienced archers too.

The key to the brush style rests is its full containment. Tiny bristles contain your arrow in 360 degrees so that the rest guides the arrow out of the bow along its entire length, creating as straight a shot as possible. At the same time, the bristles allow the fletching of the arrow to pass through seamlessly. This isn't a perfect system, and it does decrease arrow speed compared to drop-away rests, but it's definitely the best design you'll find for a containment rest.

Another thing that makes the Kill Shot stand out is easy installation and adjustment. You can correct it for wind or other environmental factors while you're hunting, and it can be changed from right-handed to left-handed, again making this rest a good all around choice for any archer of any skill level.

As an added bonus, the Kill Shot has rubber boots on the break in the containment ring. These help you guide the arrow into place without any extra noise, so you won't scare off your quarry.

Pros:

• Great value
• 360-degree containment
• Easy installation and adjustment
• Right- and left-handed
• Rubber boots for silence

Cons:

• Bristles slow arrow
• Hex keys required

The Trophy Ridge Kill Shot is one of the most popular arrow rests for a reason. If you're a beginner, it provides unbeatable accuracy with minimal tuning and practice. If you're an expert, it's a straightforward rest that gets the job done and provides consistent shots regardless of loading. 

Best for Recurve Bows: Bear Archery Weather Rest

This is a basic, quality recurve rest that gives you stability and accuracy without compromising the spirit of recurve shooting. With a vertical guide and flexible finger, it straightens out the arrow without inferring excessively with the fletching. This is primarily due to the quality, nerf-like material.

On top of that, the Bear Archery Weather stick on rest is one of the most convenient rests you'll find out there. Installing it on your bow is easy because it has a self-adhesive back that fits just about any recurve bow model, right- or left-handed.

RELATED: Best Recurve Bow For Beginners

Pros:

• Flexible finger rest
• Soft, nerf-like material
• Self-adhesive installation
• Fits most recurve bows
• Budget price

Cons:

• Basic design
• No instructions

RELATED: Southwest Archery Tigershark Takedown Recurve Bow Review

You probably decided to shoot a recurve bow because you enjoy the minimalism and style. You can still get great accuracy without ruining that. A rest like this model from Bear Archery is made of the right material to guide an arrow with minimal interference to shoot straight without too many extra bells and whistles. While we recommend it as best for recurves, it will work on all types of bows.

RELATED: Best Youth Recurve Bow

Best Screw On: BICASTER Archery Cushion Plunger + Arrow Rest

Magnetic rests have developed a kind of magical reputation in the archery community, and while they've never become as popular as other kinds of rests, they've always had their enthusiasts. This magnetic rest from Bicaster is a great option for recurve bow shooters primarily due to the included plunger. It will give you increased recurve accuracy by eliminating much of the archer's paradox if you're willing to regularly adjust it.

RELATED: Keshes Takedown Recurve Bow Review

Basically, the rest uses magnets to guide the arrow. This works really well as long as you can get it precisely adjusted, which is made easier on this model thanks to the micro adjustable needle.

The plunger allows you to tune your bow so that you get the correct arrow flight  and avoid fishtailing. This can be fixed easily but securely to the riser of most recurve bows for stable, consistent shooting.

Finally, we love this rest's construction, which makes it stand out compared to other plungers and magnetic rests. Specifically, it's made of an aluminum alloy that decreases weight, helping hold the bow steadier, another thing important for recurves.

RELATED: Bear Grizzly Recurve Review

Pros:

• Magnetic rebound
• Micro adjustable needle
• Secure plunger
• Lightweight aluminum alloy

Cons:

• Requires precise adjustment
• It is loud

If you're a recurve bow user, especially if it's primarily for target shooting, this Bicaster rest lets you fine tune your accuracy with advanced technology and a stable plunger. We were truly impressed with the quality and versatility of this rest for the price and recommend it for anyone looking for a quality arrow rest for their recurve bow. 

RELATED: Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow Review

Types Of Arrow Rests

There are two types of arrow rests, the drop away rest and the full capture rest or containment rest.

Let's take a look at both of them.

Drop Away Arrow Rests

Drop-away arrow rests improve accuracy because they do exactly what their name implies: drop away. Rest designs vary but often include some kind of V or fork that supports the arrow as it leaves the bow, directing its trajectory in a straight line. Then, the instant the arrow is released, it drops out of the way and the arrow continues on its path unhindered.

There are two types of drop aways, cable driven rests and limb driven rests. As their name implies, one is activated by the movement of the cable and one by the movement of the limb.

Both cable driven rests and limb driven rests provide the best accuracy and are relatively trouble free.

Containment Arrow Rests

Containment arrow rests fully trap an arrow on all sides. This ensures as straight a trajectory as possible because the arrow can't jump in any direction, presuming that the archer is able to maintain perfect form. If the archer moves the bow at all between the time that the arrow is released and leaves the rest, the arrow will be off target.

There are even more variations of full containment arrow rests than drop aways. Most use bristles or brushes of some kind to contain the arrow because these bristles can then move out of the way of the fletching without reducing its velocity by too much.

Drop Away Or Fixed Position: Which Is Right For Me?

The drop-away design minimizes interference but also involves a lot of moving parts and requires a lot of micro adjustment. Because drop-away rests maximize arrow speed compared to other types of rests, they're ideal for serious hunters who want to shoot big game over longer ranges. However, they can be intimidating for beginners who don't know how to make all the appropriate adjustments.

Biscuit style rests, on the other hand, provide good accuracy without much input on your part. This makes them great for beginners who don't have a lot of practice as well as more experienced archers who want something simpler. The only problem is they decrease arrow speed more than drop aways, so if you're main concern is arrow speed, whisker biscuits may not be for you.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. I have personally used both without issue.

FAQs

What is the best kind of arrow rest?

The best kind of arrow rest depends on your goals and skill level. You want to maximize three  things: accuracy, arrow speed and ease of use. Drop away rests maximize accuracy and arrow speed while full containment rests are much easier to use with less moving parts.. Experienced hunters should look at drop aways while beginner bow hunters should consider containment rests.

RELATED: SAS Spirit Bow Review

Does a whisker biscuit affect accuracy?

Yes whisker biscuits affect accuracy because the arrow shaft is in contact with the rest for a longer amount of time, which will expose any flaw in your shooting form, such as torquing or twisting the bow after you have triggered your bow release.

How much speed do you lose with a whisker biscuit?

Whisker Biscuits usually slow down an arrow somewhere between 3 and 6 FPS. That's slightly more of a loss than with a drop away rest but still a marginal amount.

Final Thoughts

We have provided you with in-depth arrow rest reviews so that can be armed with the knowledge you need to buy the best arrow rests for your compound bow or recurve.

Here at DeerHuntingGuide.net, we are a team of real hunters and archery instructors and we only recommend hunting and archery gear that we use and that we would recommend to family and friends.

At the end of the day, it's less which type of rest you get and more the quality of the rest. That's why you can't go wrong by choosing from tried and trusted models like those on our list. They are accurate while still preserving arrow speed for success on the archery target range or in the tree stand.

SEE ALSO: Walk Back Tuning A Bow And Arrow Rest