The Best Arrow Rests for Bowhunting: Compound Bow

Updated March 2023

A properly functioning arrow rest can greatly improve the performance and accuracy of your bow. Arrow rests are designed to securely hold an arrow shaft in the correct position and guide it straight as it is released from the bow. Different arrow rests are better for different situations and intended usage. The information below covers the different types of arrow rests, how to choose an arrow rest, recommended arrow rests and some of the best arrow rest brands.

Summary List

Types of Arrow Rests

Whisker Biscuit – A whisker biscuit, or a shoot-through rest, is an enclosed rest that has bristles with a small hole in the middle that keeps the arrow centered. When an arrow is released, it travels through the bristles before leaving the bow. Whisker biscuits are very dependable and have a simple design, making them a great option for bowhunting in all conditions and terrain as the arrow cannot fall off the rest. One of the downfalls of this rest is the friction created by the arrow’s fletchings as they travel through the bristles. This slight friction often results in about a 2 feet-per-second speed loss, which is minimal. Also, for those shooting arrows with helical fletchings, the bristles on a whisker biscuit interfere with the arrow’s intended flight pattern.

Drop Away – A drop away rest does exactly what it sounds like. When an arrow is drawn back, a cord triggers the rest to flip up into place. When the string is released and the arrow begins to move forward, the rest drops down out of the way of the arrow shaft and fletchings. This allows for a complete unobstructed release of the arrow. Because of this, drop away rests allow for maximum efficiency in arrow flight and speed. Unlike other types of rests where there is some form of friction against the arrow, a drop away rest allows for maximum speed from your bow. Drop away rests tend to be slightly more complicated to set up and use which is why they are recommended for intermediate and advanced archers.

Standard – A standard, or prong rest, typically consists of two metal prongs covered with plastic on a spring-loaded arm. On these rests, the arrow shaft simply rests on top of the two prongs and allows for the fletchings to pass through unobstructed. These are typically the least-expensive type of rests and are very simple to use making them great for beginners. For newer, faster shooting bows, you will be better off with a whisker biscuit or drop away rest.

How to Choose the Right Arrow Rest

Ease of Setup – Different rests involve various degrees of setup and knowledge of use. Whisker biscuits are the easiest to set up as you just need to make sure it is properly aligned. Drop away rests tend to be slightly more complicated to set up because you need to make sure the cord is placed properly so the rest flips up correctly when the bow is drawn back. The most important aspect when installing a rest is to make sure it is aligned in the center. Specifically, you want the arrow rest and nock point to line up perfectly straight. In most cases, it is recommended to have your local bow shop help you with this as they can professionally tune your rest.

Fit – When installing a rest, you want to make sure it fits your bow properly. Most of your newer rests are designed to fit most bows. One thing to look for is proper clearance of the arrow leaving the bow. Specifically, since the fletchings are the widest point on the arrow, they could contact the shelf of the bow when shot if your rest is not properly aligned or fitted.

Durability – Rests can be constructed of different materials such as plastic, stainless steel or aluminum. In general, rests made of aluminum or stainless steel will be better quality, stronger and last longer.

Right or Left Hand – Some rests are ambidextrous and can be adjusted for right or left handed shooters. Other rests are sold in right or left hand models. Whichever is the case, you need to make sure that a rest will fit your bow properly.

11 Best Arrow Rests for Bowhunting

QAD HDX Drop Away – The HDX drop away rest by Quality Archery Designs is their top of the line rest that is built for diehard bowhunters. This rest has a modern and sleek design and offers complete compatibility and versatility. To start, the HDX is constructed with precision CNC aluminum, stainless steel and Delrin components. When an arrow is nocked, you cock the rest into the capture position with the thumbwheel to secure the arrow for full and silent containment. Upon firing, the drop away component falls and locks down in the drop away position to guarantee no bounce back and total fletching clearance, making this rest optimal for fast shooting bows over 400 fps. QAD makes this rest easy to install with their EZ-clamp technology so you can attach the ripcord quickly and conveniently to your bow string. Equipped with anti-vibration technology makes the HDX one of the quietest drop away rests on the market.

Features:

Complete arrow containment.
Convenient thumbwheel that cocks launcher into position.
Designed for noise reduction with laser-cut felt and dampeners.
Vertical, horizontal and overdraw adjustments.

Trophy Ridge HX Drop Away – The HX rest by Trophy Ridge is a high-performance cable-driven drop away rest that features Trophy Ridge’s Vertical Drop Technology that delivers quiet, accurate and repeatable shots. This rest supports your arrow for the maximum amount of time before it drops away and clears completely just before the arrow vanes pass. The HX is a full containment rest that has a quick-cocking button for easy loading. This sight is constructed of rugged machined aluminum with rubber inserts to eliminate all possibilities of noise.

Features:

Built for accuracy and quietness.
Vertical Drop Technology.
Complete arrow containment.
Total clearance for a smooth release.

Trophy Ridge Kill Shot Whisker Biscuit – A great whisker biscuit is the Kill Shot by Trophy Ridge. The Kill Shot is their most-popular rest they sell and is their original whisker biscuit. The reason many hunters continue to rely on this rest for over 20 years is because of the dependability and precision quality that is made to last. This trouble-free rest brings a piece of mind when hunting as it is basically fail-proof. Trophy Ridge’s Sure Shot whisker biscuit is another great rest option.

Features:

Ambidextrous design for right or left hand bows.
Perfect for both beginners and advanced bowhunters.
Easily adjustable and low maintenance.
Rubber boots that eliminate metal-on-metal contact for silent arrow loading.

Vapor Trail Archery Limb Driver Pro V Drop Away – The Limb Driver Pro V drop away rest from Vapor Trail Archery is an excellent rest that is designed to deliver superior accuracy. This sturdy aluminum construction features a free floating rest arm that gives unparalleled accuracy through zero fletching contact. As your bow is drawn back the rest arm rises to bring the arrow to the shooting position. The Limb Driver Pro V has a contoured bumper for increased noise reduction and longevity. What makes this rest unique that the launch arm supports the arrow for 70% of the shot cycle providing the arrow full support for increased accuracy and performance. The launch arm is supported by a spring tension system that allows the user to fine-tune for further adjustability.

Features:

Total arrow stabilization.
Free-floating launch arm.
Completely quiet.
Adjustable spring tension system for fine tuning.

Trophy Taker SmackDown Pro Drop Away – The SmackDown Pro is a popular limb-driven drop away rest that delivers quick arrow clearance and easy tuning without the need for a bow press. The stainless-steel construction of this sight is combined with smooth bearings for superior performance. During the draw cycle, the launch arm rises into position by the time the bow is at full draw. The containment ring on this rest is covered with molded rubber for complete quietness when moving around. Overall, the SmackDown Pro is a solid all around drop away rest that delivers in both quality and performance.

Features:

Micro-adjustable windage and elevation markings.
Durable and lightweight construction.
Built-in noise dampening system for a quiet draw and release.

Octane Hostage Max – The Octane Hostage Max is a whisker biscuit-like rest that is constructed with durable magnesium for unmatched quality. This full capture rest is fully tunable and adjustable for complete customization for your bow. What makes this rest unique and different from a whisker biscuit is its zero-fletching contact. A common complaint with whisker biscuits is the friction of the bristles affecting arrow flight. This is eliminated with the precisely placed bristles that allow room for the fletchings to pass through unobstructed. This rock-solid rest is a perfect choice for any bowhunter looking for a simple and reliable rest for all situations.

Features:

Full capture containment.
Lightweight and simple design.
Ultra-quiet arrow loading.

G5 C-MAX Drop Away – The C-MAX rest by G5 is a lightweight and minimalist-designed drop away rest that features a full 360 degrees of containment. The launch arm of this rest can be activated by either a push button or drawing of the bow string. The full metal constructed design of this rest is built for serious bowhunters and meant to withstand the toughest conditions. The no bounce back drop away launch arm ensures there is no interference with fletching as they travel thought the rest. The rest is also designed to work with all types of arrow fletchings.

Features:

Rubber covers for a totally quiet design.
Easy to install and set up.
Adjustments for height and windage.
All metal frame for increased durability.

NAP Apache Drop Away – The Apache by New Archery Products is a full containment drop away rest that features a 360-degree foam lined sound dampener for whisper quiet operation. The super quick drop away launch arm falls out the way for completely unobstructed arrow flight. The all metal construction of this rest makes it rugged and durable for any terrain or weather conditions. This well-built rest is not prone to failures and won’t break the bank. The only downfall is that when installed on your bow, it can look slightly bulky due its design.

Features:

Reliable performance.
Whisper quiet operation.
Tool-less adjustment knobs with engraved markings.

Trophy Ridge Power Shot Whisker Biscuit – The Trophy Ridge Power Shot is another popular whisker biscuit trusted by hunters all over. This rest is engineered with supreme quality and is designed for a lifetime of use. The Power Shot is fully adjustable with windage and elevation markings. This rest is built for anything that is thrown at it with its rugged and strong design. The rubber coatings make nocking an arrow a quick and quiet task. This dependable and fool-proof whisker biscuit has a simplistic design for ease of mind.

Features:

Ambidextrous design for right or left-handed users.
Great for all skill-levels.
Ballistix CoPolymer System for reduced vibration.

Ripcord Code Red Drop Away – The Code Red rest by Ripcord is a proven and dependable rest trusted by bowhunters all over. The full containment system on this rest prevents your arrow from falling off of the rest when nocked. The launch arm locks into position to hold your arrow on three sides for complete stability. One of the main features of this rest is its Drop Dead Brake System that features an internal brake system that eliminates any contact caused by launch arm bounce allowing for perfect arrow flight. The ultra-fast drop away arm on this rest ensures maximum forgiveness.

Features:

Strong and lightweight aluminum construction.
Internal dampening system to minimize noise.
Rubber over-molding eliminates need for extra moleskin.
Windage and elevation adjustments.

QAD UltraRest Hunter Drop Away – The UltraRest Hunter by QAD is another reliable drop away rest at an affordable price. This rest is totally contained and features a convenient thumbwheel for propping up the launch arm. Similar to the HDX rest, the UltraRest Hunter features EZ-Clamp Technology for attaching and configuring the ripcord without the need for a bow press. This is a great rest for those new to drop away rests due to its simple operations and easy installation.

Features:

Noise-reducing laser-cut felt for total quietness.
Constructed with CNC aluminum, stainless steel and Delrin components.
Total fletching clearance for the most accurate shot possible.

Best Arrow Rest Brands

QAD – Quality Archery Designs is a leader in revolutionary bow rests. QAD rests are trusted by many professional hunters due to their reliability and performance. If you want to ensure you are purchasing a quality rest, QAD is the way to go. QAD also makes broadheads, nocks and other accessories.

Trophy Ridge – Trophy Ridge is known for their superior whisker biscuits. If you are looking for a whisker biscuit rest, you should definitely go with one from Trophy Ridge. Trophy Ridge also makes quality sights, stabilizers, quivers and other products.

NAP – New Archery Products makes a variety of outstanding products and their rests are no different. Their popular Apache rest features a unique and bulletproof design. NAP also make broadheads, fletchings and ground blinds that are all great quality.

Ripcord – Ripcord makes high-quality drop away rests for all different occasions. You cannot go wrong with any of Ripcord’s quality-designed products as they consistently deliver promising results. Their new Lok drop away rest is another great product from Ripcord.

Trophy Taker – Trophy Taker is owned by the parent company, Arcus Hunting, which owns a handful of other companies such as Obsession Bows, Tinks and Dead Down Wind. You can expect quality products from Trophy Taker that are used by both beginners and professionals alike.

Summary

As you have read, choosing a rest really comes down to personal preference and functionality. You want to choose a rest for your bow that you are comfortable with and performs the way you want. In order for a rest to work properly, you want to make sure your rest is properly installed and aligned. It is also important that you are getting a clean release of your string with each shot. Be sure to check out this article on the best releases for bowhunting. For more articles and buyer’s guides, please check out other articles on Bowhunting Depot!