Archery is an expensive sport. Practicing bow hunting is even more costly. But the best recurve bow under 200 can be your reliable companion at a price point that won’t break the bank.

If you’re worried about quality, I’m completely with you. I’ve bought cheap bows before just to toss them right in the bin after the first use. But if you’re a rookie or looking for the first bow for your kid, I can also tell you investing in the most expensive is a poor idea.

And then, there are many valid models on the market that come at pocket-friendly prices. Some of them are even ideal to use for hunting or bow fishing. But there are a few features to consider before buying if you want to make sure you’ll get your hands on the best deal.

The first and foremost important thing to check when shopping for a cheap bow is the material/s. Some manufacturers cut off costs by employing poor quality materials, which could mean your bow will wear out faster or, in the worst case scenario, it will be completely unusable.

My advice, don’t compromise on this. The best recurve bow under 200 must still be made of top-notch materials. Maple wood and fiberglass reinforcement is the minimum you want for the limbs. A solid wood or metal riser can also guarantee years of service.

Other materials employed in the decorations, such as leather, must also be of high quality to withstand use in harsh weather conditions.

Another thing where you don’t want to compromise. Bows come in two styles, takedown and one piece. Regardless of your choice, make sure the construction is robust and sturdy. It should withstand years of use and be lightweight enough to prevent muscular fatigue.

Choose a bow that is ergonomic and easy to hold.

If you like the takedown style, make sure it is easy to assemble and dismantle. This model should also be compact enough to fit into a backpack when not in use.

The size of the bow is expressed in its draw weight. Most cheap bows come in small sizes and are only suitable for beginners or target practice. If you want to use the bow for hunting, you’ll need one with at least 40lbs draw weight.

Even then, such a small weight only guarantees suitability for hunting small game. If you aim for full versatility, a bow with a superior draw weight is desired.

In my quest to finding the best recurve bow under 200, I have identified a few promising bows for hunting and bow fishing with draw weights up to 60lbs.

When searching for a cheap recurve bow, attachments are not part of the picture. In the end, manufacturers have to reduce their costs somehow. However, there is one accessory you should look for when buying a recurve bow, and that is the string.

Ideally, choose a product that comes with one. This usually guarantees the string will have the right length for the bow.

If you’re looking for an entry model, know there are great cheap recurve bows that come equipped with all needed to shoot right out from the box. These bows typically include arrows, armguards, finger guards, and other useful accessories, and are ideal for the rookies.

An important thing to check when buying any recurve bow is the eye dominance. This is easy to determine, and it will ultimately tell you whether you need a right- or left-hand bow.

However, knowing the eye dominance before buying is significant when it comes to cheap recurve bows. Why? Because most high-end models can be reversed, which means you can shoot with either hand.

Yet, many cheap models come as right-hand bows only. This is explainable by the fact that most archers use the right hand for shooting. But in the event your dominant eye is the left one, getting the wrong bow means you’ll never be able to build up shooting accuracy, nor improve your skills.

Finding the right recurve bow that won’t break the bank is far from easy. Cheap models often employ poor quality materials, are poorly balanced, and a pain to use. Yet, you are now aware of a few promising models to consider for your next shooting or hunting adventure.