7 Best ARROW REST for Target Shooting + Buying Guide

An arrow rest is used to keep your arrow in position until you shoot the arrow. In the past 10 years, Arrow rests like other hunting equipment has come a long way. If you’re looking to improve your accuracy in shooting an arrow rest can help you succeeded. 

Well, I had a tough time choosing the best arrow rest for my compound. After testing 13 arrow rests both for hunting and target shooting, I had been able to shortlist these 7 best arrow rests for my recurve.

There is no need to buy the most expensive model, a high-quality rest with a high-quality sight will undoubtedly improve your accuracy and success in the field. I recommend you to consider this choice carefully.

The Best Arrow Rests: My TOP Pick for YOU

1. Trophy Ridge Kill Shot – Value for Money
2. Ripcord Code Red – Hunter’s Choice
3. NAP Apache Drop Away Rest
4. Vapor Trail LimbDriver Pro
5. Trophy Ridge Sure Shot Pro

Here I reviewed these arrow rests after testing and checking all features claimed by manufacturer. 

Trophy Ridge Kill Shot

After a lot of research and taking feedback from many archers in my community, I decided to try this whisker biscuit because most of the archers claimed to have stabilized shots with it. I found this whisker biscuit rest the best among the 13 arrow rests I tried.

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After a lot of research and taking feedback from my archers in my community, I decided to try this whisker biscuit because most of the archers claimed to have stabilized shots with it. I found this whisker biscuit rest the best among the 13 arrow rests I tried.

It offered a plethora of benefits as I felt it to be the most convenient, reliable, and easy to use. I am a right-handed archer and used this whisker biscuit to attain the best results. My fellow archer was left-handed and achieved the same results due to the versatility of this biscuit.

I adjusted it for the windage and found that even its elevation is possible so it was quite customizable to fit my preference and style.

From beginners to experienced, it assures to increase your performance in the field. This rest was entirely silent while I loaded my arrows. With superior quality, this arrow rest is made of aluminum.

It gives you a lot of size and color options to choose from along with an affordable price. With the reversible mount design, this arrow rest can be used by hunters of all skill levels as this composite-encased biscuit is much increased in strength and load the bow silently with its custom rubber boots which prevent the contact of metal on metal.

I loved this biscuit because it doesn’t compromise at all on its accuracy and doesn’t even slow your arrow speed by any significant margin. With 100% containment it’s easy to setup and fully adjusts for perfectly tuned shots.

Pros

Cons

RipCord Code Red

With a truly deep V design, I found it to stabilize arrows further adding stability insurance with its containment bar. The best thing I found about this rest was the offset cord doesn’t affect the movement of the arrow at any point after release.

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I heard this leading brand produces highly durable drop away arrow rests so I tried its code red and found it to be one of the best arrows rests in the market.

Being fully coated with an aluminum body, it yields superior performance with exquisite shooting accuracy. It offered much comfort while using due to its 100% full arrow containment.

I also found it quite versatile as it was easy to mount it on the riser with its mounting arm. It features the internal brake system which prevents the launcher arm to jerk back, providing an incredible fletching clearance.

With the drop-dead break feature, I found it to eliminate the bounce back on the rest. Its internal dampening system is designed for cutting down the noise.

This highly durable launcher also offered an unceasing stretch of durability. With its durable rubber, I could easily mold and launch the arrow rest even while nocking.

It’s one of the finest rest in the market today as its advanced technology features superior fletching clearance with 100% arrow containment, internal brake system, adjustable mounting arm and wind age adjustments.

Pros

Cons

NAP Apache Drop Away Rest

I found this arrow rest best for the archers seeking a quality rest without breaking the bank. It’s almost half the price of the other high-end bows on the market.

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With a simple design, it doesn’t have internal cocking mechanisms or any complicated parts so it isn’t prone to failures. I dint need to carry an Allen wrench around while using this rest because it features tool-less adjustments.

This cable-driven rest is designed to raise while you draw your bow so it isn’t cocked in the up position. I made fine tunings with its laser graduations in the field. This rest is can withstand all types of weather conditions easily.

The NAP Apache features a solid aluminum containment cage that has thick packing inside keeping your arrow quite and secure. I found its containment cage is designed to load arrows on its top opening which was quite different for me as other rests usually load from the side.

I felt it quite easy to replace the activation cord on my arrow NAP apache rest.

To be honest, I didn’t find it sophisticated as the high-end arrow rests but it features a simple and sturdy design that is reliable and does its tasks very well.

If you are on the search for a solid drop away arrow rest offering a good price, NAP apache drop away arrow rest is worth considering. This well builds arrow rest is able to do all its made for. Featuring tool-less adjustments along with padded containment cage make it more special though.

Pros

Cons

Vapor Trail LimbDriver Pro

This rest really surprised me as my first shot was on target. I used it both hunting and shooting at a 3D course and it did well with both.

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This rest is a really user-friendly rest is relatively easy to set up. It is built with a combination of metal and rubber. This rest doesn’t require a bow press for activating the cord functioning as the activation cord isn’t attached to the limb.

I found this rest really easy to set up and it works great. At pre-draw the arrow is loose but as soon as you draw it, the v portion of the rest will position it correctly. Due to fewer moving parts, its launcher doesn’t slap the shelf.

As the support arm is adjustable so it offered much support for the arrow. I liked it because I could select the stiffness of my arrow. An exquisite feature of this rest is it provides support to the arrow and balances it even before the supporting arm is dropped.

Another great benefit this rest offers is the containment crate as its big enough and is able to accommodate many arrows at a time while avoiding their vanes to hinder one another.

Being user friendly and easy to set up arrow rest, It offers many features to reckon with. This rest is user friendly with an adjustable support arm and it also provides support to the arrow.

Pros

Cons

Trophy Ridge Sure Shot Pro

I found the features of this whisker biscuit quite different than the others on the list. Though the others are both RH and LH while this one only offers RH but still I found it to be the best whisker biscuit among all I used. So its exquisite features compensate for its little downside.

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It arrives in 2 colors, black and camouflage, I chose the camouflage one and it worked incredibly great for me in the wild. I found it highly accurate and consistent as it features tool-less micro windage and elevation adjustments for assuring sure-shot accuracy. With the dual bolt mount, it keeps your arrows secure.

Made out of aluminum only, it’s 150 % more strong and durable compared to the previous models. Its hot selling point is the laser-engraved reference points on its slider.

For high precision tuning, this feature is very important as it helps to achieve high accuracy much easily while shooting. It even offers more! The nylon brushings kept the arrow rest from dirt and dust, while its brushings prevent binding over time.

This rest was quite while loading as it features customer rubber boots.

Being the best whisker biscuit on the market, it makes sure to fully capture your arrows. With quick and silent arrow loading, your arrows maintain consistent velocity and trajectory during release.

This supreme quality arrow rest is made for lifetime use and is best for bowhunters of all skill levels.

Pros

Cons

QAD Ultra Rest HDX

It’s a simple cable-driven drop away arrow rest but its design is proven with every bow, arrow, and vane available. Offering total arrow containment, it gets impossible for the arrow to fall out.

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I heard of QAD ultra rest HDX a well-known drop away arrow rest in the market so thought to give it a try as well. I ordered it from Amazon and as soon as the product arrived, I was amazed to see its solid design and quality.

Once I read the made in U.S.A label and felt its quality, I could imagine why the armies of QUAD super fans say that nothing else can even come close to it.

It keeps your arrows secure as well as silent. The key here is to set it properly. With additional horizontal overdraw adjustments, its specs are hard to beat.

I also found full draw indicator marks on it which is a great help while drawing. You can cock the launcher in its capture position with the convenient thumbwheel cocks.

The QAD ultra rest HDX offers you tons of color options and camo patterns with bow specific models. It even has a custom version for most major bow manufacturers so it can fit the bow correctly.

With the launcher bounce back, it has an internal locking mechanism that kept the launcher blade down when I released my arrow. You must cock the rest first and then shoot the arrow as it’s not designed to shoot from launcher down position.

I believe QAD ultra rest HDX to be a solid choice for someone searching for a drop away arrow rest. I found it great for hunting because of its tight arrow containment and as I installed and tuned it properly, I found it to be an awesome rest.

Pros

Cons

TRUGLO Down Draft

Being reputable for their simple design and easy setup, TRUGLO doesn’t need a bow press for installation. Though it was well packed it took me time to mount it as it came with minimal instructions but it was easy to adjust the timing for me.

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TRUGLO is no doubt a leading pick which moderately quiet with the rubber dampeners. So you would rarely experience any noise while loading or shooting your arrows.

Its incredible camouflage color helped me in the woods as it blends very keenly. The sealed brushings helped my arrows to move with greater speed when I shot. I found this arrow rest to be perfect for both beginners and experienced archers.

After using it I came to know that with solid metallic construction and high durability, this arrow rest gives high performance. This arrow rest covers both RH and LH users which is no doubt a great spec it offers.

With a high FPS ratio, the arrow rest drops excessively fast, you must be very careful.

This is a great quality arrow rest I really enjoyed shooting with it. As its quiet and helps you to concentrate on your prey while keep you away from their eyes..

Its quick and easy installation has made it a favorite of many archers around. It offers blazing speed which is not only a great plus for archers but also for hunters.

Pros

Cons

FAQs

• What is an Arrow Rest?

An arrow rest holds the arrow securely and keeps it in the same position at each shot. It also stabilizes your arrow and remains quiet while drawing and launching arrows continuously.

It assures a smooth and accurate shot having minimal contact with the vanes, shaft, or feather. Though it’s a small piece of equipment it can dramatically affect the flight of your arrows.

It is attached to your bows arrow shelf and provides your arrow a soft and smooth surface to launch from.

• Do you need Arrow Rest for Recurve bow?

While customizing your crossbow you want every accessory that will improve an aspect of your bow. While considering accuracy, you may think of scope to be the best tool for the job, perhaps that isn’t true. An arrow rest stabilizes an arrow until you release it from the string, making your shots more accurate. 

Arrow rest is an accessory which may be a nightmare for some archers while others go out and enjoy shooting off the shelf. Some recurve bows arrive with an inbuilt arrow rest while others need to install one.

Recurve bows feature both power and affordability combined so arrow rests are the launching platform for your arrow. Many recurve bows today come with an arrow rest which helps the archer to enjoy without being worried for accuracy and consistency.

So I would recommend a beginner a basic arrow rest at least as it saves you and your bow from potential physical danger. An arrow rest helped me to start understanding the flight of the arrows better. So yes I would recommend an arrow rest for a recurve bow. Most recurve bows in the market today need the arrow rest installed before using them.

Now if your recurve bow requires installing an arrow rest, you here first need to decide you want to go hunting with your recurve or want to use it for target archery. I used it for target archery, so I opted for a prong styled arrow rest which provides excellent consistency with easy fine-tuning for achieving center shot accuracy.

For hunting with bows and arrow, you need to choose an arrow rest that is more durable and can undergo rough conditions allowing more accuracy at different angles of rougher terrain.

The main thing here is that your rest should work with your style of shooting and get away, while it should get out of your shots way when you need it to.

There is also some other arrow rests that suit finger releases while some of them fall away after the shot. Some promote more consistency and are easy to tune while others are more durable. So it’s just a matter of your preference and choice.

You can either choose the one which is quieter for hunting or you are looking for an affordable or soft rest that allows the arrow to glide after release.

NOTE: You must choose an arrow rest according to your handedness.

• What is Drop Away Arrow Rest?

As an arrow rest is meant to stabilize the arrow till its release from the string, so in drop away arrow rests as the name suggests, they have the least interference with the arrow.

It is attached to a cord so when you draw your bow, it pulls the rest into position. They make no contact with the fletching as they drop before your arrow’s fletching passes through the rest.

The benefit of this arrow rest is that it has no contact at all with the fletching of your arrow but your arrow rest must be tuned precisely so it should drop at exactly the right moment.

For a beginner it may be tough as they mostly have trouble keeping the arrow on its rest while drawing but don’t worry, it takes some practice!
With a steep learning curve, these rests are very popular.

They have many designs and are great for target shooting as they make a lot of noise if used for hunting, though certain models are recently designed to make less noise.

Another benefit of this arrow rests is that they allow you the maximum FPS in arrow speed as they have very little contact with the arrow.

• How does it work?

With a more forgiving design, these rests provide a more aggressive fletching attitude. With this arrow rests, you are not forced to fletch arrows straight fletched.

You even have the option of using bigger fletching or adjust the jigs of fletching for maximum helical. So you can have maximum control of your broadhead through faster and stable arrow spin rates.

Here are some of the basics about drop away arrow rests:

1. This drop action results in a fletching clearance of 100 % so the arrows contact the bow less and affect the arrow’s flight and impact less.
2. Being more bobble proof than the traditional ones, the latest drop away designs offer a combination of both, complete fletching clearance and total containment assurance.
3. To get the maximum accuracy, you must adjust your drop away in a way so it should support your arrow to the maximum possible before it drops beneath the shaft.

Pros

Cons

• What is a Whisker Biscuit?

The whisker biscuit style rest is also known as a shoot-through rest. They use a disk of stiff bristles having a center hole where your arrow shaft fits.

Earlier these biscuit-style arrow rests had problems ripping the fletching from the arrow but since the bristles are introduced, it has started to suit the archers need.

These rests provide maximum stability as they stay in contact with your arrow till your flight ends from the bowstring. As the whisker biscuit style rest touches the arrow till the last second, so you must have a good shooting form to use it and not drop your arm after the shot as it will create a problem on the target.

With this arrow rest, you may lose FPS of almost 2 feet per second. However, its easily adjustable and much quiet along with holding your arrow securely.

Even in low light conditions, the whisker biscuit ensures the arrow is in position.

• How does it work?

Giving super-accurate shots, its chance of mechanical failure out in the field is less as it has no moving parts.

With a simple and quiet function, these whisker biscuits are best to use for hunting as they eliminate the chance for an arrow falling off its rest while drawing.

Pros

Cons

• Drop Away Vs. Whisker Biscuit: Which is better and why?

Well, the drop away arrow rests are considered better and more accurate as compared to whisker biscuits as they allow a better grouping and overall accuracy.

I also agree with this review of worldwide hunters because I found it equates to higher arrow velocity which causes minimum friction but drops away arrow rests are a bit prone to arrow friction. After all, they contain moving parts.

They clear the way out midway through the shot cycle so your form has less time to influence the arrow flight so there is less chance for a bad form from the archer.

So for hunting from a tree stand I prefer to drop away arrow rest as maintaining good form is more difficult from a tree stand
Whisker biscuits are also much simple to use and eliminate the chance of arrow flight off the rest while drawing but it reduces the speed and even accuracy of your bow slightly, which is barely noticeable.

You can even move your bow without worrying about your arrow falling off the rest. With whisker biscuits, you might also need to re-fletch your arrows after few shots as they put stress on the arrow vanes. But in the end, it’s again your preference and choice.

All I can say here is drop away arrow rests are more forgiving while the whisker biscuits are more reliable. I believe in more forgiving rest while hunting because a nice amount of time forgiveness is important especially while hunting out of tree stands but the key is to install it correctly.

I am the type of person who wants to squeak accuracy and speed out of my bow. If you are the type of person who wants peace of mind by knowing your rest won’t fail, opt for a whisker biscuit. Are you thinking giving up some accuracy is worth gaining some reliability? Then you can consider a whisker biscuit too.