Best Broadheads (2026): 8 Fixed, Mechanical and Crossbow Picks

A broadhead is the one piece of your setup that actually touches the animal. Your bow, sight and arrows are all there to put it in the right spot. So it's worth a few minutes to pick a head that flies well from your bow, is sharp, holds together on bone, and is legal where you hunt.

"Crossbow broadheads" is the top broadhead search this month, followed by "best broadheads," Rage, fixed and mechanical. We compared the heads hunters are searching for and ranked eight you can order today: two fixed blades, a hybrid and five mechanicals, with picks for both compound bows and crossbows. Every price was checked on Sportsman's Warehouse or Ravin on October 9, 2026, and every spec comes from the maker. This is a research guide, not a hands-on test.

How we chose

Nobody at OSS America shot these broadheads for this guide. We started from what bowhunters are searching for right now: Google's related searches for "broadheads" over the last 30 days are led by crossbow broadheads, best broadheads, Rage, fixed, mechanical and G5, with Swhacker and Zwickey among the breakout searches. Then we checked which of those heads Sportsman's Warehouse and Ravin had in stock and able to ship on October 9, 2026. Some trending brands (Beast, SEVR, Toulou, Ashby) didn't turn up at those stores, so they're not ranked.

For each head we pulled the maker's specs (Rage and Muzzy from Feradyne, G5, Ravin, and the listing for Swhacker) and compared fixed vs. mechanical design, cutting diameter, blade thickness, ferrule material, crossbow suitability and price per head. Where owner ratings are meaningful, we tell you what they are and where.

All eight at a glance

Prices from Sportsman's Warehouse and Ravin on October 9, 2026 (sale prices where shown), before tax and shipping; every item showed in stock and able to ship to a home address that day. Cutting diameters and specs from Rage and Muzzy (feradyne.com), G5, Ravin and the Swhacker listing.

How to read the chart: the blue bar is what one broadhead costs you (pack price divided by the heads in it), and the orange bar is the maker's cutting diameter. The two Muzzy heads, both Rage Trypans and the Swhacker all land between $12 and $15 a head. The fixed blades (Muzzy Trocar, G5 Montec CS) have the smallest cuts, which is the trade-off for having no moving parts. Above $15 a head, you're paying for materials and build (G5's all-steel T2, Ravin's Grade 5 titanium), not a bigger cut.

The 8 best broadheads, ranked

#1

Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC

Best mechanical broadhead overall

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $45 for 3 (on sale from $49.99) · Per head: $15.00 · Cut: 2 in

Rage is the most-searched broadhead brand in this month's data, and "Rage broadheads 100 grain" is up 130%. The Hypodermic Trypan NC is the model to look at: a 100-grain, two-blade expandable on a one-piece titanium ferrule with Rage's needle-like Hypodermic tip.

The "NC" means no collar. Older Rage heads used a Shock Collar or O-ring to hold the blades closed in flight; on the NC, small finger-like tabs at the blades' pivot anchor them instead, so there's nothing to install or lose. On impact the .039-inch stainless blades slide back on Rage's Slip Cam into a 2-inch cut, according to Rage. Rage also says its narrow profile and Ferrule Alignment Technology give field-point-like flight.

Rage's parent company, Feradyne, lists the three-pack at $59.99 on its own site; on October 9, 2026, Sportsman's Warehouse had it for $44.99. If you'd rather have the classic Shock Collar design, the new Rage Hypo 2 four-pack was $53.99.

Type	2-blade expandable, Slip Cam, rear-deploying
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	2 in (Rage)
Blades	.039 in stainless
Ferrule	One-piece titanium
Blade retention	NC (no collar, no O-ring)
Pack	3

Pros

• + 2-inch cut on a titanium ferrule
• + No collar or O-ring to fuss with
• + Thick .039-inch blades for an expandable
• + Big discount vs Rage's own price

Cons

• − Mechanical heads aren't legal for big game in every state
• − Moving parts, unlike a one-piece fixed blade
• − Titanium costs more than steel heads

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#2

G5 Montec CS

Best fixed-blade broadhead

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $50 for 3 · Per head: $16.66 · Cut: 1-1/16 in

If you want a broadhead with nothing to open, nothing to break off and nothing to assemble, the G5 Montec is the classic answer, and G5 is one of the brands hunters search most. The Montec CS is the carbon-steel version: a one-piece head made by metal injection molding (MIM), with the blades and ferrule as a single part.

G5 lists a 1-1/16-inch cutting diameter, 100 grains, three per pack and "100% spin tested," and says the carbon steel takes a sharper edge and is easy to re-sharpen after use. You screw it on and shoot. Because there are no replaceable blades, you sharpen the head itself rather than swapping blades.

Sportsman's had the three-pack at $49.99 on October 9, with a "Save $10 w/ Rebate" offer shown on the listing (check the offer terms). For a crossbow, G5 also sells the stainless Montec in 100- and 125-grain crossbow models.

Type	Fixed, 3-blade, one-piece
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	1-1/16 in (G5)
Construction	Carbon steel, MIM, 100% spin tested
Sharpening	Re-sharpenable (no replaceable blades)
Pack	3

Pros

• + One piece: nothing to come loose
• + Re-sharpenable carbon steel
• + Spin tested by G5
• + Rebate offer shown on the listing

Cons

• − Smallest cut in this guide
• − Sharpening takes a little skill
• − No replaceable blades

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#3

Muzzy Trocar 3-Blade

Best value fixed blade

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $36 for 3 (on sale from $39.99) · Per head: $12.00 · Cut: 1-3/16 in

The Muzzy Trocar is the lowest price per head in this guide, and it's a serious fixed-blade broadhead. Muzzy pairs its Trocar tip with a one-piece solid steel ferrule and three .035-inch stainless blades set in a right helix, and says it delivers field-point flight from a fixed blade.

Muzzy lists a 1-3/16-inch cutting diameter, 100 grains and three heads per pack, and replacement blades are sold separately, so you can swap dull blades instead of sharpening. On Sportsman's, owners rate the three-pack 4.9 out of 5 from 15 reviews.

It was $35.99 on October 9 (Muzzy's own list price is $44.99). Shooting a crossbow? The Muzzy Trocar XB uses the same blades on a larger crossbow ferrule and was also $35.99.

Type	Fixed, 3-blade, right helix
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	1-3/16 in (Muzzy)
Blades	.035 in stainless, replaceable
Ferrule	One-piece solid steel, trocar tip
Pack	3

Pros

• + Lowest price per head here
• + Replaceable blades
• + Strong owner ratings on Sportsman's
• + Crossbow (XB) version at the same price

Cons

• − Thinner .035-inch blades than the Rage
• − Smaller cut than any expandable here
• − Three blades to keep sharp

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#4

Ravin Titanium Broadheads

Best broadhead for Ravin crossbows

Ravin: about $100 for 3 · Per head: $33.33 · Cut: 2 in

"Crossbow broadheads" is the single biggest search in this category, and if you shoot a Ravin, the simplest choice is a head Ravin itself has tested. Ravin says its Titanium Broadheads are tested and approved at 500 fps.

Ravin lists a Ti6Al4V Grade 5 titanium one-piece ferrule, rear-deploying blades that open on impact to a 2-inch cut, 100 grains and an internal spring clip that holds the blades closed with no lock ring or O-ring. They come three to a pack.

At $99.99 on Ravin's site on October 9, they're the most expensive heads here per head. Ravin also sells Steel ($74.99) and Aluminum ($64.99) versions with the same 2-inch cut, but notes the Steel broadheads are not compatible with the Ravin LR or R29X, so check Ravin's fit notes for your model. New to crossbows? See our best crossbows guide.

Type	Mechanical, rear-deploying
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	2 in (Ravin)
Ferrule	One-piece Ti6Al4V Grade 5 titanium
Blade retention	Internal spring clip (no lock ring or O-ring)
Rated speed	500 fps tested and approved (Ravin)
Pack	3

Pros

• + Made and tested by Ravin for its own crossbows
• + Grade 5 titanium ferrule
• + No O-rings or bands
• + 2-inch cut

Cons

• − Most expensive per head here
• − Only sold three to a pack
• − Ravin's Steel version doesn't fit the LR or R29X

See it at Ravin →

#5

Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC Crossbow

Best mechanical for any crossbow

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $45 for 3 (on sale from $49.99) · Per head: $15.00 · Cut: 2 in

This is the crossbow version of our top pick, and it's the easiest recommendation for crossbow hunters who don't shoot a Ravin. Rage lists the same 2-inch cut, .039-inch blades, titanium ferrule and no-collar blade lock, in a crossbow-specific build.

Rage describes super swept-back blades and a Slip Cam design that lets the blades slide into position on impact. Owners on Sportsman's rate it 5 out of 5 (3 reviews so far). Feradyne lists it at $59.99; Sportsman's had it at $44.99 on October 9.

Before you buy any crossbow broadhead, check your crossbow maker's broadhead guidance and your state's rules. For aiming at longer crossbow distances, see our best crossbow scopes guide.

Type	2-blade expandable, crossbow
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	2 in (Rage)
Blades	.039 in stainless
Ferrule	Titanium, streamlined
Blade retention	NC (no collar)
Pack	3

Pros

• + Same design as our #1 pick, built for crossbows
• + 2-inch cut
• + No collar or O-ring
• + About $15 per head on sale

Cons

• − Mechanical rules vary by state
• − Check your crossbow maker's broadhead guidance
• − Only 3 owner reviews on Sportsman's so far

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#6

Muzzy Trocar HBX Hybrid Crossbow

Best hybrid crossbow broadhead

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $45 for 3 (on sale from $49.99) · Per head: $15.00 · Cut: 1 in fixed + 1-5/8 in expanding

Can't decide between fixed and mechanical? A hybrid gives you both. The Muzzy Trocar HBX has two fixed blades that cut from the moment of contact and two expanding blades that open on impact. Muzzy lists a 1-inch fixed cut, a 1-5/8-inch expanding cut and "2-5/8 inches of total cutting surface."

It's built for crossbows, with a larger-diameter solid steel ferrule to match crossbow bolts, a Trocar tip and .035-inch offset fixed blades that Muzzy says help the head spin. It weighs 100 grains and comes three to a pack.

Owners on Sportsman's rate it 4.9 out of 5 from 16 reviews, the most reviews of any crossbow head here. It was $44.99 on October 9 (Muzzy lists $49.99).

Type	Hybrid: 2 fixed + 2 expanding blades
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	1 in fixed, 1-5/8 in expanding (Muzzy)
Blades	.035 in, offset fixed blades
Ferrule	Solid steel, crossbow diameter, Trocar tip
Pack	3

Pros

• + Fixed blades cut on contact, before the expanding blades open
• + Most-reviewed crossbow head here
• + About $15 per head on sale
• + Built for crossbow bolts

Cons

• − Expanding blades fall under mechanical rules in some states
• − Four blades to keep sharp
• − Thinner .035-inch blades

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#7

G5 T2

Toughest mechanical

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $70 for 3 · Per head: $23.33 · Cut: 2 in

The T2 is a two-blade G5 expandable designed with John Dudley of Nock On Archery and built around one idea: durability. G5 describes it as barbless, all steel (ferrule and blades) and built to take bone-crushing impacts and still be reusable.

G5 lists a 2-inch cutting diameter, rearward-sliding blades with full deployment, a Socket-Lock retention system, a Zip-Tip and a flared ferrule with less overhang. It's rated for crossbows at 500+ fps, and G5's own store offers it in 100- and 125-grain compound and crossbow versions.

All that steel costs more: $69.99 for three at Sportsman's on October 9, with a "Save $10 w/ Rebate" offer shown on the listing. That's about $23 a head. It's new enough that Sportsman's had no owner reviews yet.

Type	2-blade expandable, rear-sliding
Weight	100 grain (125 available from G5)
Cutting diameter	2 in (G5)
Construction	100% steel ferrule and blades
Retention	Socket-Lock
Crossbow rating	500+ fps (G5)
Pack	3

Pros

• + All-steel build aimed at durability
• + Works for compound bows and fast crossbows
• + 2-inch cut
• + Rebate offer shown on the listing

Cons

• − Second-most expensive per head
• − No owner reviews on Sportsman's yet
• − Mechanical rules vary by state

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

#8

Swhacker 2-Blade 100gr

Best budget mechanical

Sportsman's Warehouse: about $39 for 3 (on sale from $42.99) · Per head: $12.90 · Cut: 2 in

Swhacker (searched this month as "schwacker," a breakout search) uses a different idea from other expandables. Small "wing" blades cut through the hide first, and as they're pushed back they open the main blades, so the main blades meet the animal with a fresh edge, according to the listing.

The listing gives a 2-inch total cutting diameter, .032-inch stainless blades, a hardened high-carbon steel point and 100 grains, three per pack. Owners on Sportsman's rate it 4.5 out of 5 from 8 reviews.

At $38.69 on October 9 (from $42.99), it's the cheapest 2-inch head in this guide per head. The thinner .032-inch blades are the trade-off.

Type	2-blade expandable with wing blades
Weight	100 grain
Cutting diameter	2 in (listing)
Blades	.032 in stainless
Tip	Hardened high-carbon steel
Pack	3

Pros

• + Cheapest 2-inch cut here per head
• + Wing blades open the head on contact
• + Good owner ratings on Sportsman's
• + Sportsman's also lists a 125-grain version

Cons

• − Thinnest blades in this guide (.032 in)
• − Mechanical rules vary by state
• − The listing doesn't say it's rated for crossbows

See it at Sportsman's Warehouse →

Which should you buy?

• You shoot a compound and want a big cut: Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC.
• You want nothing that can fail to open: G5 Montec CS or Muzzy Trocar.
• You want the lowest price per head: Muzzy Trocar (fixed) or Swhacker (mechanical).
• You shoot a Ravin crossbow: Ravin Titanium.
• You shoot another crossbow: Rage Trypan NC Crossbow or the hybrid Muzzy Trocar HBX.
• You want one head that can take a beating: G5 T2.
• You shoot traditional gear: Zwickey is a breakout search this month; Sportsman's had the Zwickey Cliff Zwickey 175-grain three-pack for $48.99 on October 9.

What to look for in a broadhead

• Fixed or mechanical. Fixed blades (G5 Montec, Muzzy Trocar) have no moving parts and cut from first contact. Mechanicals (Rage, G5 T2, Swhacker, Ravin) fly with blades folded and open on impact for a wider cut. Hybrids like the Muzzy HBX do both.
• Legal in your state. Rules on mechanical (expandable) broadheads vary by state and by species. Check the current regulations before you buy.
• Built for your bow. Crossbows are fast and use bolts with a different diameter; crossbow-specific heads (Rage Trypan NC Crossbow, Muzzy HBX and XB, Ravin) are built for that. Follow your crossbow maker's broadhead guidance. Our best crossbows and best compound bows guides cover the bows themselves.
• Grain weight. 100 grains is the most common weight and every head ranked here is offered in 100. Match your broadhead weight to the field points you practice with.
• Practice with what you hunt. Shoot your broadheads before the season to confirm they hit with your field points. G5 sells ballistic-match practice points (BMPs) for the Montec and T2, and a sight set for your arrows makes the difference: see our best bow sights.
• Price per head, not per pack. Packs come in 3s and 4s, so divide before you compare. That's what our chart does.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best broadhead for deer?

For most compound shooters, the Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC (about $45 for 3 at Sportsman's Warehouse on October 9, 2026): a 2-inch cut on a one-piece titanium ferrule with no collar to install. If you want a fixed blade, the G5 Montec CS (about $50 for 3) is one piece with nothing to open.

Fixed or mechanical broadheads: which is better?

Neither is better for every hunter. Fixed heads have no moving parts and cut from first contact, but have smaller cuts (1-1/16 to 1-3/16 inches in this guide). Mechanicals fly with blades folded and open to 2 inches here, but have moving parts and aren't allowed for every hunt in every state. A hybrid like the Muzzy Trocar HBX splits the difference.

What are the best crossbow broadheads?

For a Ravin, Ravin's own Titanium Broadheads, which Ravin says are tested and approved at 500 fps (about $100 for 3). For other crossbows, the Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC Crossbow (about $45 for 3) or the Muzzy Trocar HBX hybrid (about $45 for 3). Always follow your crossbow maker's broadhead guidance.

Are mechanical broadheads legal?

It depends on where you hunt and what you're hunting: the rules are set by each state and vary. Check your state wildlife agency's current hunting regulations before you hunt.

What grain broadhead should I use?

100 grains is the most common, and every head in this guide is sold in 100 grains. Use the same weight as the field points you practice with. Some makers (Muzzy, G5, Swhacker, Rage) also offer 125-grain versions.

Can I reuse broadheads?

Often, if the head survives the shot. One-piece fixed heads like the G5 Montec CS can be re-sharpened, the Muzzy Trocar takes replacement blades, and G5 describes the T2 as built for multiple uses. Inspect any used head carefully and replace bent or dull blades.

How much do good broadheads cost?

On October 9, 2026, the heads in this guide ran from about $12 per head (Muzzy Trocar) to about $33 per head (Ravin Titanium). Most good options were $12 to $17 a head.

Do I need to tune my bow for broadheads?

Shoot your broadheads before the season to see whether they hit with your field points. If they don't, your bow or crossbow may need tuning or a sight adjustment. G5 sells practice points matched to its Montec and T2 heads.

The bottom line

Buy the Rage Hypodermic Trypan NC if you shoot a compound and want a big, reliable cut. Buy the G5 Montec CS or Muzzy Trocar if you want a fixed blade with nothing to open. Crossbow hunters: the Ravin Titanium for a Ravin, or the Rage Trypan NC Crossbow for most others. Whatever you choose, practice with it before opening day and check your state's broadhead rules.

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