Best broadheads for bowhunting
Fixed blade or mechanical is the oldest argument in the broadhead aisle, and the honest answer depends on your bow speed, your tuning tolerance, and the species on the wall. Fixed heads penetrate deeper, forgive nothing on flight, and stay legal in every state including Idaho and Oregon. Mechanicals cut wider, fly like field points, and fail more often when a hard-quartering shot meets scapula. The ten broadheads below are ranked by real consumer sentiment across Archery Talk, Rokslide, Bowsite, and Petersen’s Bowhunting, not marketing budgets. No affiliate links, no buy buttons, and no shill for the brands with the biggest ad spend.
The 10 best broadheads compared
| Broadhead | Style | Cut diameter | Blade count | Grain weights | MSRP band (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slick Trick Magnum 100 | Fixed 4-blade | 1-1/8 in | 4 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $40-50 / 3-pk |
| Iron Will S100 | Fixed 4-blade solid | 1-1/16 in | 4 | 100-250 gr | $100 / 3-pk |
| G5 Montec 100 | Fixed 3-blade one-piece | 1-1/8 in | 3 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $30-40 / 3-pk |
| Muzzy Trocar HB | Hybrid 2 fixed + 2 mech | 1-3/4 in expanded | 4 | 100 / 125 gr | $40-50 / 3-pk |
| Cutthroat 200 | Fixed single-bevel COC | 1-1/4 in | 3 | 175-350 gr | $70-90 / 3-pk |
| Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC | Mechanical rear-deploy | 2 in | 2 | 100 / 125 gr | $45-55 / 3-pk |
| SEVR Titanium 2.0 | Mechanical rear-deploy | 2 in | 2 | 100 / 125 / 150 gr | $40-45 / 3-pk |
| Wasp Boss 3-blade | Fixed 3-blade replaceable | 1-1/8 in | 3 | 75 / 100 / 125 gr | $35-40 / 3-pk |
| QAD Exodus | Fixed 3-blade compact | 1-1/4 in | 3 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $35-45 / 3-pk |
| Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro | Fixed 4-blade replaceable | 1 in | 4 | 100 / 125 gr | $35-45 / 3-pk |
1. Slick Trick Magnum 100
Four-blade fixed, 1-1/8 in cut, short ferrule that spin-tests true out of the packet. Archery Talk regulars call it a whitetail workhorse; blood trails run basketball-sized on double-lung shots. Blade retention on hard-hit scapula has been questioned by longer-term users since the brand changed hands, but for shots inside 40 yd on deer it remains one of the most-recommended fixed heads on the forums. Full profile: Slick Trick Magnum.
2. Iron Will S100
Four-blade solid A2 tool steel, .062 in blade thickness, quiet in flight and best-in-class on Rokslide’s push-force penetration test (48.3 lb cumulative, one third of the worst fixed head tested). Edge retention through the animal is a standout: many users hone with a strop and re-hunt. Price is the gate: $100 for a 3-pack keeps it off entry-level rigs. Full profile: Iron Will S100.
3. G5 Montec 100
One-piece MIM stainless, 3-blade, 1-1/8 in cut. No replaceable blades means no blade spin-out and no rattle, but also means field-resharpening if the edge dulls. Archery Talk consensus: bulletproof durable, flies with field points once tuned, blood trails can run short if the edge is not honed sharp out of the box. Full profile: G5 Montec 100.
4. Muzzy Trocar HB
Hybrid two fixed + two deploying blades, 1-3/4 in expanded cut. Consumer reports flag it as one of the most durable heads across 4-5 season use, but Petersen’s ballistic-gel tests show the mechanical blades opening on impact and closing again inside the tissue, cutting less than the numbers suggest. Fixed blades ship dull and need honing. Full profile: Muzzy Trocar HB.
5. Cutthroat 200 single-bevel
Made by Tommy Clum at Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear, S7 tool-steel one-piece with a 25-degree edge and a wide chisel tip that will not curl. Ashby-school users report full pass-throughs on bear and elk shoulder. Ships rough and needs honing on a KME sharpener before the first hunt. Carbon-steel version rusts if not oiled. Full profile: Cutthroat single-bevel.
6. Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC
The two-blade rear-deploy mechanical that redefined mechanical wound channels. NC (No Collar) design removed the O-ring failure mode that plagued the earlier Trypan. Users still report locking-tab shear on hard practice hits and blades deploying inside the quiver on the pre-NC version. Devastating on broadside double lung. Full profile: Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC.
7. SEVR Titanium 2.0
Two-blade rear-deploy mechanical with a titanium ferrule and a factory practice-lock screw so hunters shoot the actual hunting head into a foam block without dulling the edge. The practice-lock feature is the single most-cited reason SEVR converts users off Rage on Archery Talk. Blades stay hidden in flight, no O-ring, no collar. Full profile: SEVR Titanium 2.0.
8. Wasp Boss 3-blade
Short-ferrule 3-blade fixed with SST tip and stainless blades. HuntingNet.com and Archery Talk long-thread users report the head surviving cinder-block practice with the same head. Occasional reports of the threaded shaft snapping at the ferrule under extreme impact. Best value in the fixed 3-blade category. Full profile: Wasp Boss 3-blade.
9. QAD Exodus
1 in compact 3-blade fixed with recessed blades so total arrow length matches a field point. Bone-crushing reputation on the forums (28 shots into hard media before edge damage). Flight can get finicky above 290 fps launch speed. Small cut diameter means shorter blood trails on marginal hits. Full profile: QAD Exodus.
10. Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro
Four-blade fixed replaceable, 1 in cut, one of the more forgiving fixed heads to tune. Real-world user reports flag occasional tip bend on whitetail shoulder and a 33% spin-true rate on one Archery Talk user’s six-pack. Micro cut is the compromise for accuracy on faster bows. Full profile: Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro.
Buying guide: how to pick
Kinetic energy at impact matters more than any spec on the packet. Under 40 ft-lb of KE, stay with a 1 in cut fixed head (Grim Reaper Micro Hades, QAD Exodus, Slick Trick Magnum). Between 40 and 65 ft-lb, mechanicals open up: Rage Hypodermic and SEVR 2.0 give the widest wound channel that KE can carry through. Above 65 ft-lb, single-bevel like the Cutthroat or Iron Will’s solid series drives through scapula on quartering shots. Cut-on-contact tips start cutting the instant they touch hide; chisel tips punch bone but crush the first inch of tissue instead of slicing it. Weather matters: mechanicals with O-rings can freeze open or ice shut in single-digit weather; fixed heads do not care.
Mechanical failure modes
Common mechanical failure modes reported on Archery Talk and Rokslide: O-ring failure on Rage collar heads (early deployment in flight, blades deploy inside the quiver, blades fail to deploy on impact), locking-tab shear on Rage NC after cinder-block practice, blade retention loss on Slick Trick Magnum after repeated hard-bone hits, tip curl on Grim Reaper Micro Hades on rock strikes. Fixed heads fail less often but are far less forgiving of a bow that is not perfectly tuned. If your paper tear is wider than a nickel, fixed heads will planeoff line.
State legality
Idaho bans mechanical broadheads outright during archery-only seasons (Fish and Game rule 100.02.01). Oregon bars barbed heads and any head that cannot be sharpened, effectively excluding cheap disposable mechanicals (OAR 635-065). Georgia and Mississippi require a minimum cut diameter of 7/8 in; several states require at least two cutting edges. Check your current state regulations booklet before hunting: rules change season to season. Fixed-blade heads are legal in every US state and Canadian province.
The ten broadheads in detail
Slick Trick Magnum 100
Four-blade fixed-blade broadhead. 1-1/8 in cut, .035 in stainless replaceable blades in an Alcatraz blade-lock aluminium ferrule, tanto tip, 100 gr. Spin-tests true out of the pack. Tunes on a bare-shaft-corrected setup without a separate broadhead-tune session. In continuous production since 2006. USD 40 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: whitetail bowhunters wanting a set-and-forget fixed-blade at a fair price.
Iron Will S100
Two-blade fixed cut-on-contact broadhead. A-2 tool steel one-piece ferrule at Rockwell 60, .062 in laminated stainless blades, 1.0 in cut (1.25 in with bleeders), 100 gr. Straightness spec is .002 in TIR concentric to the alignment collar. Made in Colorado. Direct-sale from Iron Will, USD 100 for three heads.
Best for: elk and big-game bowhunters wanting no-compromise penetration on a heavy-shaft build.
G5 Montec 100
One-piece three-blade fixed broadhead. MIM-forged 420 stainless, 1 in cut, 1.5 in overall, 100 gr. No replaceable blades: field-sharpen with a diamond file. In continuous production since 2004 in the same design. The most-shot fixed head in North America because the flight-tune margin is the widest of any fixed-blade. USD 40 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: beginning bowhunters wanting a proven, cheap, indestructible three-blade fixed.
Muzzy Trocar HB
Fixed three-blade with steel Trocar (three-edge cut-on-contact) tip, machined aluminium ferrule, three .035 in stainless replaceable blades, plus internal HB (Hybrid Bleeder) blades that open on shaft strike. 1-3/16 in cut, 100 gr. Value benchmark for a fixed head that spin-tests true out of the box. USD 40 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: whitetail and mule deer bowhunters on any 55+ lb compound wanting easy tune.
Cutthroat Single-Bevel
Single-bevel two-blade cut-on-contact broadhead. Solid A2 tool-steel one-piece build, .080 in blade thickness (thickest in the category), 1-3/16 in cut, 200 and 300 gr weights. Single-bevel design causes rotational torque on impact for splitting bone. Direct sale only from Cutthroat Broadheads, no Amazon listing. USD 100 for three heads.
Best for: heavy-shaft elk and bear hunters wanting the strongest single-bevel cut-on-contact on the market.
Rage Hypodermic Trypan
Two-blade mechanical with fixed cut-on-contact Trypan tip. FCE (Full-Containment Expansion) ferrule, .035 in stainless main blades, 2 in cut on impact, 100 and 125 gr. Cut-on-contact tip cuts before mechanical blades deploy for shoulder-shot insurance. USD 45 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: whitetail bowhunters wanting mechanical blood-trail with cut-on-contact penetration insurance.
SEVR Titanium 2.0
Two-blade over-the-top mechanical. Titanium ferrule (lighter and stronger than aluminium), .039 in main blades, 2.0 in cut. Practice-lock feature lets you shoot the same broadheads at a target without deploying blades. Direct sale only from SEVR. USD 45 for three heads.
Best for: whitetail bowhunters who want to practice with actual broadheads without wasting deployment tolerance.
Wasp Boss
Three-blade fixed broadhead with hardened steel Trocar tip and .036 in stainless blades. 1-1/4 in cut, machined aluminium ferrule, 100 gr. Wasp’s mid-line fixed head. Spin-tests true, flies well on any 55+ lb compound. USD 30 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: whitetail bowhunters wanting a wider cut than a Slick Trick at similar price.
QAD Exodus
Short-profile fixed-blade with steel Trocar tip. Machined aluminium ferrule, three .040 in replaceable stainless blades, 1 in cut, 1-1/16 in overall length (about two-thirds the length of a Slick Trick Magnum). Short profile forgives more marginal tune than a longer head. 100 and 125 gr. USD 40 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: high-speed compound bowhunters wanting a fixed-blade that flies like a field point without a tune session.
Grim Reaper Micro Hades
Three-blade fixed cut-on-contact broadhead. Machined 7075 aluminium ferrule, three .040 in stainless blades, 1 in cut, 100 gr. Micro-profile design shortens the ferrule for tighter groups on high-speed bows. Cut-on-contact tip forgives shoulder-bone hits. USD 35 for three heads on Amazon.
Best for: whitetail bowhunters wanting a compact fixed cut-on-contact head at a low price.
Best broadheads for bowhunting
Fixed blade or mechanical is the oldest argument in the broadhead aisle, and the honest answer depends on your bow speed, your tuning tolerance, and the species on the wall. Fixed heads penetrate deeper, forgive nothing on flight, and stay legal in every state including Idaho and Oregon. Mechanicals cut wider, fly like field points, and fail more often when a hard-quartering shot meets scapula. The ten broadheads below are ranked by real consumer sentiment across Archery Talk, Rokslide, Bowsite, and Petersen’s Bowhunting, not marketing budgets. No affiliate links, no buy buttons, and no shill for the brands with the biggest ad spend.
The 10 best broadheads compared
| Broadhead | Style | Cut diameter | Blade count | Grain weights | MSRP band (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slick Trick Magnum 100 | Fixed 4-blade | 1-1/8 in | 4 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $40-50 / 3-pk |
| Iron Will S100 | Fixed 4-blade solid | 1-1/16 in | 4 | 100-250 gr | $100 / 3-pk |
| G5 Montec 100 | Fixed 3-blade one-piece | 1-1/8 in | 3 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $30-40 / 3-pk |
| Muzzy Trocar HB | Hybrid 2 fixed + 2 mech | 1-3/4 in expanded | 4 | 100 / 125 gr | $40-50 / 3-pk |
| Cutthroat 200 | Fixed single-bevel COC | 1-1/4 in | 3 | 175-350 gr | $70-90 / 3-pk |
| Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC | Mechanical rear-deploy | 2 in | 2 | 100 / 125 gr | $45-55 / 3-pk |
| SEVR Titanium 2.0 | Mechanical rear-deploy | 2 in | 2 | 100 / 125 / 150 gr | $40-45 / 3-pk |
| Wasp Boss 3-blade | Fixed 3-blade replaceable | 1-1/8 in | 3 | 75 / 100 / 125 gr | $35-40 / 3-pk |
| QAD Exodus | Fixed 3-blade compact | 1-1/4 in | 3 | 85 / 100 / 125 gr | $35-45 / 3-pk |
| Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro | Fixed 4-blade replaceable | 1 in | 4 | 100 / 125 gr | $35-45 / 3-pk |
1. Slick Trick Magnum 100
Four-blade fixed, 1-1/8 in cut, short ferrule that spin-tests true out of the packet. Archery Talk regulars call it a whitetail workhorse; blood trails run basketball-sized on double-lung shots. Blade retention on hard-hit scapula has been questioned by longer-term users since the brand changed hands, but for shots inside 40 yd on deer it remains one of the most-recommended fixed heads on the forums. Full profile: Slick Trick Magnum.
2. Iron Will S100
Four-blade solid A2 tool steel, .062 in blade thickness, quiet in flight and best-in-class on Rokslide’s push-force penetration test (48.3 lb cumulative, one third of the worst fixed head tested). Edge retention through the animal is a standout: many users hone with a strop and re-hunt. Price is the gate: $100 for a 3-pack keeps it off entry-level rigs. Full profile: Iron Will S100.
3. G5 Montec 100
One-piece MIM stainless, 3-blade, 1-1/8 in cut. No replaceable blades means no blade spin-out and no rattle, but also means field-resharpening if the edge dulls. Archery Talk consensus: bulletproof durable, flies with field points once tuned, blood trails can run short if the edge is not honed sharp out of the box. Full profile: G5 Montec 100.
4. Muzzy Trocar HB
Hybrid two fixed + two deploying blades, 1-3/4 in expanded cut. Consumer reports flag it as one of the most durable heads across 4-5 season use, but Petersen’s ballistic-gel tests show the mechanical blades opening on impact and closing again inside the tissue, cutting less than the numbers suggest. Fixed blades ship dull and need honing. Full profile: Muzzy Trocar HB.
5. Cutthroat 200 single-bevel
Made by Tommy Clum at Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear, S7 tool-steel one-piece with a 25-degree edge and a wide chisel tip that will not curl. Ashby-school users report full pass-throughs on bear and elk shoulder. Ships rough and needs honing on a KME sharpener before the first hunt. Carbon-steel version rusts if not oiled. Full profile: Cutthroat single-bevel.
6. Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC
The two-blade rear-deploy mechanical that redefined mechanical wound channels. NC (No Collar) design removed the O-ring failure mode that plagued the earlier Trypan. Users still report locking-tab shear on hard practice hits and blades deploying inside the quiver on the pre-NC version. Devastating on broadside double lung. Full profile: Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC.
7. SEVR Titanium 2.0
Two-blade rear-deploy mechanical with a titanium ferrule and a factory practice-lock screw so hunters shoot the actual hunting head into a foam block without dulling the edge. The practice-lock feature is the single most-cited reason SEVR converts users off Rage on Archery Talk. Blades stay hidden in flight, no O-ring, no collar. Full profile: SEVR Titanium 2.0.
8. Wasp Boss 3-blade
Short-ferrule 3-blade fixed with SST tip and stainless blades. HuntingNet.com and Archery Talk long-thread users report the head surviving cinder-block practice with the same head. Occasional reports of the threaded shaft snapping at the ferrule under extreme impact. Best value in the fixed 3-blade category. Full profile: Wasp Boss 3-blade.
9. QAD Exodus
1 in compact 3-blade fixed with recessed blades so total arrow length matches a field point. Bone-crushing reputation on the forums (28 shots into hard media before edge damage). Flight can get finicky above 290 fps launch speed. Small cut diameter means shorter blood trails on marginal hits. Full profile: QAD Exodus.
10. Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro
Four-blade fixed replaceable, 1 in cut, one of the more forgiving fixed heads to tune. Real-world user reports flag occasional tip bend on whitetail shoulder and a 33% spin-true rate on one Archery Talk user’s six-pack. Micro cut is the compromise for accuracy on faster bows. Full profile: Grim Reaper Micro Hades Pro.
Buying guide: how to pick
Kinetic energy at impact matters more than any spec on the packet. Under 40 ft-lb of KE, stay with a 1 in cut fixed head (Grim Reaper Micro Hades, QAD Exodus, Slick Trick Magnum). Between 40 and 65 ft-lb, mechanicals open up: Rage Hypodermic and SEVR 2.0 give the widest wound channel that KE can carry through. Above 65 ft-lb, single-bevel like the Cutthroat or Iron Will’s solid series drives through scapula on quartering shots. Cut-on-contact tips start cutting the instant they touch hide; chisel tips punch bone but crush the first inch of tissue instead of slicing it. Weather matters: mechanicals with O-rings can freeze open or ice shut in single-digit weather; fixed heads do not care.
Mechanical failure modes
Common mechanical failure modes reported on Archery Talk and Rokslide: O-ring failure on Rage collar heads (early deployment in flight, blades deploy inside the quiver, blades fail to deploy on impact), locking-tab shear on Rage NC after cinder-block practice, blade retention loss on Slick Trick Magnum after repeated hard-bone hits, tip curl on Grim Reaper Micro Hades on rock strikes. Fixed heads fail less often but are far less forgiving of a bow that is not perfectly tuned. If your paper tear is wider than a nickel, fixed heads will planeoff line.
State legality
Idaho bans mechanical broadheads outright during archery-only seasons (Fish and Game rule 100.02.01). Oregon bars barbed heads and any head that cannot be sharpened, effectively excluding cheap disposable mechanicals (OAR 635-065). Georgia and Mississippi require a minimum cut diameter of 7/8 in; several states require at least two cutting edges. Check your current state regulations booklet before hunting: rules change season to season. Fixed-blade heads are legal in every US state and Canadian province.