Best Arrow Rest 2022 Reviews (Top 6 Picks)

If you’ve never used an arrow rest before, prepare to see your hunting game improve considerably! They remove the need to balance the arrow on the shelf of the bow, holding it in place for you from the moment you begin to draw the bow all the way through to release. They are regularly quoted as a source of significantly increased accuracy and precision. For your reading pleasure and shopping convenience we’ve reviewed a bunch of arrow rests from multiple companies, having road tested many with our hunting buddies. Here are the 6 best arrow rest reviews.

With time, we continue to see many advancements to help improve our performance in the field. Although traditional bowhunting typically drops most if not all of the “tech”, most of today’s hunters enjoy the fantastic tools and technologies which are available to heighten our game and give the results we all want. 

Release aids, strings, rangefinders, compound bows, and stabilizers are all ‘tools’ to help shoot down big game even when you are a beginner at hunting. Arrow rests fit in the same category and are a small yet useful component of the bow. 

This article will discuss some of the best options we have and what we liked most about them. As a quick note, these reviews focus on containment arrow rests and drop-away arrow rests, which are both fantastic for hunting due to the versatility and support they offer. Containment arrow rests, commonly seen in the whisker biscuit style, are typically cheaper than drop-away models due to their simpler parts and design.

Best Arrow Rest Reviews:

See our detailed reviews below.

1: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Sure Shot Pro

Starting from the most popular, Sure Shot Pro is an ideal choice for archers who use release on the compound bow.

Here are the Pros and Cons for our speedy readers:

Pros

• Aluminium construction.

• Adjustable windage and elevation.

• Easy to understand for beginners.

• Precision and accuracy.

• Silent.

Cons

• Whisker biscuit arrow rests do see fletching contact which can reduce precision

The aluminum construction of this arrow rest is light, yet provides the ruggedness that is part of the outdoor game. Windage and elevation are easy to adjust with the laser-engraved reference marks. 

A newbie can even figure this part out! When it is time to shoot, your arrow will be in the right spot, and your effort will be reduced. Fletching contact with the rest can impact your shot adversely, but with the Trophy Ridge Sure Shot, you can rest assured that the engineering has minimized this impact.

The Sure Shot Pro will improve your chance of successful shots as arrow rest contact with the arrow shaft improves accuracy and precision. The rubber boots protect the loading area and reduce arrow-loading noise so that every time, you can shoot away stealthily and bring down prey without multiple attempts.

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2: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Quick Shot

Let’s just say, the Quick Shot provides all you need, and it won’t shoot an arrow through your pocket either! Here are the Pros and Cons at a glance:

Pros

• Composite construction.

• Shoots precisely.

• Quick and quiet.

• Basic tool for beginners and regular archers.

Cons

• Trophy ridge arrow rest does not provide elevation tuning.

• Beginners might find it challenging to adjust D-loop accordingly.

• Lack of skill may impact usage.

The composite construction of Quick Shot arrow rest allows windage, but there is no elevation adjustment. 

Beginners might require some time to understand how to adjust the D-loop for tuning of the bow as the Quick Shot does not provide this adjustment. Besides the tuning issue, you will like this economical version of the best arrow rests in town!

The Quick Shot provides all the features that you will need for a good shooting experience. However, the tuning of elevation and some other ‘luxuries’ that are part of the expensive arrow rests might be missing. 

Many beginners and new archers will feel a little vulnerable at first, but once you get used to it, you will call this arrow rest the best purchase ever!

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3: Vapor Trail Limbdriver Pro-V rest

Drop-Away rests are a different species than the Whisker Biscuit. While there are fewer options for the latter, Drop Away arrow rests are abundant and widespread too! Check out the Pros and Cons before you read ahead:

Pros

• Simple timing.

• Contact with the shaft for 70% of the shot cycle.

• Easy to understand and use.

• Drop away rest provides speed and only releases the arrow when it has reached an absolute velocity.

• Low-maintenance and tuning required.

• Adjustable string tension.

• Left and right-hand orientation considered.

Cons

• Might not accurate if tuning is not done correctly.

• Relies on the limbs and cords, which may cause inaccuracy.

Ease of use may be a noticeable difference between Whisker Biscuit and Drop-Away arrow rests. However, there are so many options in the market for drop-aways that archers might purchase one just to enjoy the experience. 

The timing cord is a significant factor in the performance of any drop-away arrow rest, but your success rate may drop away due to any problem with the cords or tuning. The Limb Driver Pro V remains in contact with the shaft for 70% of the shot cycle, ensuring good speed and accuracy.

Beginners and seasoned archers will like the Pro V arrow rest as it is swift, sleek, and beneficial in always hitting the Bull’s Eye! Your effort will reduce as you shoot with precision and without much work on customizing your compound bow. 

The full-capture system of this arrow rest makes it an excellent choice over any other drop away arrow rest. Why? Because the simple adjustments and setting up of this rest ensures good results every time.

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4: Ripcord Technologies Code Red

From your first glance at this arrow rest you can tell its different than the others. How? Let’s see the Pros and Cons here:

Pros

• Design ensures the arrow is always held in the rest.

• Makes it more comfortable to draw the shaft.

• Patented rapid fall-away system never touches the fletching

• Internal brake system minimizes vibration on fall-away.

• Lightweight and minimum tuning.

Cons

• Amazing, but can be considered a bit costly.

The Ripcord Code Red is a simple drop-away arrow rest that holds the arrow completely during the draw. As you release the shaft, the rest drops quickly to give a complete touch-free release every time, delivering maximum accuracy.

The internal brake is the best feature of this arrow rest, as it eats any inertia from the rapid fall-away and allows a well-focused and direct shot without moving the arrow from its course.

Aluminum is lightweight and helps keep your shots balanced without any extra effort. To top this all, the aluminum parts are all over-molded to provide a quiet and smooth shot, eliminating the need for moleskin and bringing down the big prey without any alerts or warnings. 

The best part about this arrow rest is that you will be able to shoot successfully without noise or bounce-back delivering the precision that we all seek.

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5: Trophy Ridge Whisker Biscuit Power Shot

One of the best options for hunting, the Power Shot, holds up the legacy of Trophy Ridge and remains the first choice for hunters everywhere. 

While we have discussed the other trophy Ridge arrow rests, the Power Shot still maintains its place among the best. Check out the Pros and Cons to understand this:

Pros

• Ballistix Copolymer System.

• Composite construction.

• Windage and elevation adjustments.

• Silent shot every time.

• Considers right and left-hand orientation.

• Adjustable for high and low anchor points.

Cons

• Might not let hunters work on their skill due to the ease of use and facility provided.

The Power Shot is an excellent pick for all hunters. However, if you choose this arrow rest, you might always remain dependent on it as the precision and accuracy it provides, very few alternatives can! 

The most effortless tuning for windage and elevation makes beginners also use this arrow rest. You can use this rest with all kinds of compound bows. The riser may be thin or wide, but the Power Shot will attach well!

One of the high-end arrows rests from Trophy Ridge, the Power Shot has a great look and is available in various colors.

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6: Quality Archery Design UltraRest HDX

Last but not least, UltraRest HDX arrow rest is an excellent choice for hunters who prefer speed and accuracy. You can skim through the Pros and Cons here:

Pros

• Durable and sturdy.

• Full-containment system.

• Customizable and adjustable.

• Lifetime warranty.

Cons

• The quality comes with a price tag to match.

UltraRest HDX is lightweight, sturdy, and precise. The Aluminum and steel construction makes it sturdy and long-lasting for years. 

The Full-containment system keeps arrows in place, and the target is never missed. All hunters can adjust the shaft rest according to their orientation. Right-handed hunters will find this as easy to use as left-handed hunters. 

The UltraLite is compatible with all kinds of bow frames, so even when you change your weapon, the arrow rest stays by your side! The lifetime warranty makes it easier to decide that this arrow rest will be your hunting partner for a long time.

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Factors to consider before buying an arrow rest

Now that you’ve seen some of the best models on the market, let’s have a look at what you need to consider before buying.

Why is an arrow rest important?

You don’t always need to take the full turn. There can be ways of improving skills, harnessing them with the use of technology. Arrow rests allow hunters and archers to maintain control over the arrow as they draw and release.

If you want full control of your prey, whether near or far, you need to ensure that the arrow hits the target without multiple attempts. The arrow rest helps keep your arrow in the right direction and position so you can focus on other factors instead of worrying if the arrow will slip off the bow shelf.

Although traditional bow hunters take pride in removing all the modern technology from their bows, inexperienced hunters on the prowl without an arrow rest will be adding an avoidable source of inaccuracy and imprecision that could be the difference between missing the target and and landing that trophy kill!

Modern designs and technology continue to improve the usability and benefits of arrow rests with most models currently available having very little if any impact of arrow flight direction, speed or noise upon release. 

A small yet effective piece, the arrow rest is useful for both compound bows and recurve bows and helps beginners reach their goal of better shots and better hunts sooner than they anticipate!

Which kind of arrow rest is best for me?

Arrow rests are an aid for ensuring better shots. If you are a beginner, we suggest that you work with a containment arrow rests as it will help give you control over the bow and the arrow without losing focus on the prey. Whisker biscuit arrow rests are the most common type of containment arrow rest and are very affordable.

Seasoned archers and hunters will also like containment arrow rests but the drop-away arrow rests are becoming very popular, particular as noise and vibration reduction in the design is improving with each new model released.

To help you better understand these recommendations, let’s take a look at the different types of arrow rests.

Shoot through arrow rests

Shoot-through arrow rests are typified by a prong or fork shape where the arrow rests, providing stability and guidance for the arrow’s direction. They comprise of two typically movable prongs that cover roughly two-thirds of the arrow’s circumference. The straightforward design has zero complications and beginners can get used to it quickly.  

The shoot-through rests were once the most common type, often used by target archers on their compound bows. In the last few decades advances in design and technology have seen this style drop away in popularity (bit of a pun there if you caught it!) in favor of other styles. Nevertheless, this old and simple design still offers a practical and affordable solution.

The most significant advantage of using a shoot-through arrow rest is that they are affordable, and prongs are customizable for a wide range of arrow widths. They work well with compound or traditional recurve bows and are applicable in archery range and hunting scenarios. 

However, the main disadvantage of this arrow rest is that the arrows have a tendency to fall out of the prongs if you’re not super careful or aren’t shooting with a level bow. During a hunt, you often find yourself in treacherous situations or shooting from awkward angles which may result in losing your arrow and more than likely losing your target too. 

Although they are helpful in a shooting range or during target practice, their are better options for hunting that are still very affordable and simple to use.

Containment arrow rests 

Ever had a slip-off while aiming? Not with a containment arrow rest! This style of arrow rest fully surrounds the arrow shaft, keeping your arrow in place until you are ready to shoot. Whisker biscuit arrow rests are the most common form of this arrow rests but there are other designs that follow the same principle.

Their simplicity makes them fantastic for both beginners and pro hunters. The design typically has an obvious opening where the arrow slots in or through and is the held in place while you focus on the shot.

Installation and adjustment are also usually quite simple. Firing a few test shots at the archery range, at block targets or 3D targets will help you to identify the tweaks required to calibrate the arrow rest.

The confidence and reliance that you can place on your containment arrow rest’s ability to keep your arrow in place make them perfect for hunting trips and they will continue to perform in the variety of circumstances and shot conditions hunters find themselves in, such as when shooting up high from a hang on tree stand, down low through hunting blinds or at awkward angles to get a stealthy shot off from behind a tree or bush.

The main disadvantage of containment arrow rests is that there is contact between the arrow and arrow rest from the moment of release to the point the arrows fletching and the back of the shaft pass by the arrow rest. This contact can have an impact on shot accuracy, speed and over time can damage the fletching, impacting the arrow’s flight path. The whisker biscuit design is very forgiving in this area, having limited impact on the arrow even after repeated use, and is why it is so heavily favored by hunters.

These arrow rests well and truly improve accuracy and consistency versus a bare-bow setup, but still has some downsides to consider.

Drop-away arrow rests

The drop away arrow rest addresses the main flaw of containment arrow rests, arrow contact through the shot. Upon release, the arrow rest itself will rapid “drop away” ensuring almost zero contact between the arrow rest and the arrow from the point of release. Speed and precision are perfectly maintained and the arrow’s fletching remains untouched.

This style has become the go-to for competition shooters on the range, but in the hunting community there are mixed opinions.

The key disadvantages are related to their complexity to install and tune, and their propensity for noise and vibration. The drop away mechanism can make an audible sound as it triggers which might be enough for your prey to bolt and evade your shot. The rapid release can also send impact and vibration back through the bow and cause some affect your shot.

Modern engineering continues to deliver innovative solutions to drop away arrow rest technology and the more recent models have very little to complain about in this space, often have braking systems to reduce vibration and dampening systems to make them deadly silent. The price tag is probably the only remaining challenge!

The sophistication and complexity of the drop-away arrow rest may be a struggle for beginners to understand. Setup, tuning, and even the timing of the rest drop are important factors, and it will take a good amount of practice to adjust your arrow rest to your preferences. The automation of the mechanism may also fail from time-to-time, but there are very few reports of this in most modern models.

Drop-away rests with noise and vibration reduction are fantastic for hunting. Without these features, they are better kept at the archery range.

Plunger/pressure arrow rests

The increasing prevalence of mechanical release mechanisms in archery and bowhunting has led to this style of arrow rest being less commonplace, as these arrow rests are specifically designed for finger shooters.

That being said, the increasing popularity barebow, recurve bow and traditional bow hunting has seen a revival in demand. Often very simple, even as simple as a stick on piece of adhesive plastic, this style of arrow rest typically includes a piece of protruding wire or plastic upon which the arrow rests.

Although not required, competition archers typically combine then with a plunger, a small cylindrical device which bolts through the bow’s riser and centers the arrow in the arrow rest. 

Their simplicity keeps the price very low, but their simplicity is also their downfall and they often result in the arrow slipping from the rest, particularly when not shooting from a flat and level position. They also typically interrupt arrow flight upon release and can lead to inconsistency, imprecision and fletching damage.

If you are seeking a traditional and low / no tech approach to your hunting, then these arrow rests are perfect to give you the unique feel of trad bow hunting. If you are open to using modern aids, then their are far better alternatives.

Specialty arrow rests

Other arrow rests can also be found, but these focus on special applications. They include:

• Bowfishing arrow rests – For bowfishing, obviously

• Flipper rests – Used for finger shooting from non-centershot cutaway bows to align the arrow shaft

• Springy rests – Again, used for finger shooting from non-centershot cutaway bows to align the arrow shaft

• Specialty competition rests – Designed for professional and Olympic applications

FAQ:

 Do I need to clean my arrow rest?

Arrow rests are a small disc-like device to support your arrow as you aim. This small tool does not require any cleaning or maintenance routine as it is just a short piece attached to your weapon. If you want, you can clean the rest, but it does not require any polishing or dusting.

However, you must keep the tiny hairs or bristles dust-free if you don’t want the arrows to lose speed. This cleaning is easy, and all you need to do is blow on the arrow rest to remove any dust particles, fur, or fibrous strands from the arrow rest. 

How far should the arrow be from the rest?

Past the rest, the arrow should be only an inch ahead as you would need the rest to graze the shaft as it shoots out of the arrow. This ‘grazing’ gives the arrow its direction, and speed will not alter due to the force you apply. At full draw, the arrow must be only an inch past the rest. 

Are left, and right-handed arrow rests available?

You can find an arrow rest that matches the hand orientation of your compound or crossbow. If you are left-handed, you can find an arrow rest that is for left-handed bows.

The same is for right-handed hunters; you can find arrow rests for both left and right-handed compounds and crossbows. 

Does Arrow rest need to be changed after a few hunting trips?

Arrow rests, compound bows, and other accessories for hunting are long-lasting and do not need replacements after short periods. Your arrow rest will last for years if you keep it clean and ensure that it does not become rusty.

Hunting equipment and accessories may cost you more than other sports, but these purchases last year!

Last thoughts on the best arrow rest

You can choose the arrow rest that suits your style most and meets your hunting goals and compound bow requirements.

Are you going to hunt a big animal or is it just a small game that you wish to hunt? Are you a seasoned hunter or just starting out? Are you confident installing and tuning more complex designs? Are you OK with replacing your arrows or arrows rest after repeated use? Every little factor will help you determine the best arrow rest for your hunting adventure.

If you can try various arrow rests it will help you narrow down your favorites, and we think that your final choice will be from our list of whisker biscuit or drop-away arrow rests! Let us know what you decide on and happy to hear your feedback – happy shopping!