2026 BEST VALUE CROSSBOW BY FIELD & STREAM After testing the Commander 400 head-to-head against this year’s competition—Field & Stream found the Commander 400 to be the Best Value Crossbow you can buy in 2026. The Best Value in Affordable Crossbows…Now Even Better! We just upped the ante when it comes to crossbow affordability! With a speed boost to 400 FPS, a built-in ACUdraw Cocking Device and a new lighted scope, the Commander 400 delivers American-Built performance, reliability, and accuracy at just $599, making it the ultimate Value Crossbow. At the heart of the Commander’s speed upgrade is an increased power stroke and an 11-inch narrow bow assembly featuring the MDX™ Cam system, which elongates the power stroke and increases rotation to produce speeds up to 400 feet-per-second with same-hole accuracy. Crossbow limbs make or break the crossbow. You can either choose an inexpensive crossbow under $500 with a high limb failure rate, or you can invest in a reliable Wicked Ridge crossbow that costs $500+ and comes with Gordon Glass limbs. You can’t have both, because no one can afford to put Gordon Glass limbs on a sub-$500 crossbow. Unlike competitors cocking devices, both the ACUdraw Cocking Device and Crank Handle are built right into this crank cocking crossbow, eliminating the need for a bulky clamp-on unit to cock the crossbow that must be installed and then removed each time you cock the crossbow. Additionally, you never have to worry about forgetting your cocking aid at home. The ACUdraw is user-friendly and allows hunters of all ages and abilities to effortlessly cock the crossbow. Features & Benefits Built-In ACUdraw Crank Cocking: Reduces draw weight to just 5 lbs. for easy & effortless cocking. Unlike competitors cocking devices, both the device and crank handle are built right into the crossbow, eliminating the need for a bulky clamp-on unit to cock the crossbow that must be installed and then removed each time you cock the crossbow. Gordon Glass Double Laminated Limbs: crossbows can literally leave you “out on a limb” due to limb failure caused by low quality glass from overseas. Wicked Ridge only uses the highest quality limbs in the industry, Gordon Glass, to keep you up in your tree when it matters most. 70-Yard Pro-View 400 Lighted Scope: Offers aimpoints out to 70-yards & features a lighted reticle for a cleaner view & greater down-range accuracy. (illuminated red or green) Superior Shooting Comfort: We’ve optimized every ergonomic element—comb height, length-of-pull, grips—so our crossbows feel like natural body extensions for maximum accuracy. Pre-Sighted at 20-yards: Pre-sighted by American workers before leaving the factory to ensure your first shots are on target. Built in America: Built, tested, and inspected by American workers – ensuring superior accuracy and reliability compared to mass-produced imported crossbows.
