If you are looking for a stealthy kill with just your bow and arrow, having some of the best bow string silencers around can be the difference between a successful and failed hunt. Bow string suppressors are great for helping you stay hidden amongst the undergrowth. Whether it is for your recurve or compound bow, bow dampeners and silencers are a useful part of any hunter’s arsenal. But what are the best string silencers to use today? Never fear as we have hunted down our favorites to display the best bow string silencers in the market today.
What makes the best bow string silencers successful?
There are several reasons why people decide to use bow silencers when they are out hunting. Knowing how bow string silencers work gives the hunter an added advantage in the open and suitably prepare for particular prey. It works wonders on skittish targets such as deer or preemptively strike on larger and powerful animals. Some of the benefits of string suppressors are:
Reduces string vibration
It may seem like an innocuous sound to us but the vibration of a bow can be enough to scare some animals. Having a string silencer stops the bow from vibrating as the arrow is released silencing it immediately. The lack of sound vibrations immediately increases your chances of hitting a target undetected and fire off several more shots if it is really necessary.
The other benefit of reduced string vibration is that it alters how a bow feels once an arrow has been fired. A vibrating string can take seconds to stop moving losing critical time to fire another shot to make the kill if necessary. Having a string suppressor stops the vibrations and allows you to follow up with a second shot without compromising your accuracy. It’s a great double-edged sword to wield when hunting stealthily.
Added lifespan to the bow
Believe it or not but using a bow dampener can also increase the longevity of the entire bow itself. If the bow is left to its natural state, the constant vibrations will weaken it over time. If left unnoticed, it can cause the bow string to snap or the frame to crack from frequent vibrations. However, with a bow silencer attached, it significantly stops the number of the vibrations. Therefore, your bow will be able to last longer over multiple hunting seasons without any risk of nicks and tears altering your desired outcome. The string silencers themselves won’t be as durable though so it is always a worthwhile effort to keep reinvesting in them as long as you are hunting.
Reviews: The Best Bow String Silencers
1. Editor’s Pick: Bowjax Ultra Jax String Silencer
It’s bright green appearance may fool you but the Bowjax Ultra Jax String Silencer lets you hunt in pure silencer. Made from solid rubber, the Ultra Jax works like a treat in cutting out vibrations without any difficult installation methods. With a small slit included at the bottom of the silencer, it slips perfectly onto the bow string and only takes a fraction of a second. It can be attached firmly via a cable tie making everything easy to put together in one seamless motion,
As it doesn’t require a bow press to be added to your bow, you can take a packet of four into the field and attach one as you hunt – giving you options to continue should it break mid-hunt. It’s also extremely lightweight only weighing 21g meaning that it won’t affect the feel or performance of the bow itself. Being just small, lightweight, and easy to install, this is the perfect bow string suppressor for all stealthy bow enthusiasts.
PROS
- Easy installation
- Lightweight
- Can be assembled in the field
- No bow press required
CONS
- Needs heavy duty ties
- Green color may increase visibility
Best Seller: VAKA Otter Dampener Bow String Silencer
It may look like a feather duster but the VAKA Otter Bow String Silencer has all the tools necessary to help you hunt stealthily. It is an extremely durable piece thanks to the 3-part copper buckle that fastens it to the bow. Able to absorb plenty of high forces, the VAKA is one of the strongest string suppressors around today. On top of that, the copper buckle can work effectively in all weathers making it great for use in dry summers and cold winters.
In a contrasting design though, the suppressor itself is soft and light made from hair strands to muffle any sounds of the string itself. It also only weighs 3g meaning that you won’t feel a thing even with the entire ensemble attached to the bow itself. As it comes in a natural blend of black and white too, it can help you blend into surrounding environments such as rock faces, dirt, or even snow in the winter! A great bow silencer that meets all your needs all year round.
PROS
- Durable in all weathers
- Lightweight
- Blends in with natural backgrounds
- Soft to hold
CONS
- Clip can be tricky to assemble
- Fur hairs shed over time
Great Value: Zebra String Silencers
A versatile and colorful string suppressor, the Zebra String Silencers are a great option that is tailored to your exact style. This series of suppressors are extremely easy to install as they clip together to form a ring on the string to stop vibrations. As no other pieces are necessary to attach it to the bow, they can be taken into action with you allowing for quick alterations if or when needed. Designed to work as an independent device, it means a bow press isn’t needed to fix them to your bow saving precious time when getting yourself ready.
As the body of the silencer is made out of rubber, it is perfect to use in all conditions without it affecting their performance. This allows you to hunt in all weathers throughout the year and maintain a stealthy approach. You can also customize them to suit your taste as the Zebra range comes in no less than 10 different colors allowing you to pick a style that suits your taste and environment. A great bow silencer that has a personal look to it.
PROS
- Plenty of variation
- Durable
- One-step installation
- No bow press needed
CONS
- Some tricky installation
- Vulnerable to excessive forces
4. Hungtingdoor Archery Bow Silencer
If you are looking for the perfect recurve bow string suppressor, the Huntingdoor Archery Silencer will have you covered. Made from a synthetic skin material, these highly durable silencers stick the string to the frame itself helping absorb the vibrations and forces reducing the noise. The extremely sticky adhesive on the back of the silencer is available once the cover is peeled off taking mere seconds to set up.
With each silencer being 9cm long and weighing just 2g, they are extremely lightweight and provide excellent coverage along the bow string itself giving even performance after every shot. With a simple matte black finish too, they will hardly be noticeable when attached to the string and handle helping you stay hidden at all times. A great silent string option for recurve bow users.
PROS
- Quick to install
- Length provides even coverage
- Lightweight
- Body color is well-hidden
CONS
- Adhesive vulnerable to heat
- Only two per packet
5. I-Sport Archer Bow Dampener
Designed for use predominantly on compound bows, the I-Sport Archer Bow Dampener gives big results for big bows. The rubber dampeners are built with several grooves inside the holder allowing them to clamp onto the string and reduce overall vibrations. By self-gripping the string to the body of the bow itself, the silencer gives a solid grip and absorbs the force without any questions asked. With the rubber body also being flexible and high-quality, it can be used for many shots and in any outdoor conditions.
By clipping onto the body of the bow itself, it gives you added control to boost over the bow and greater accuracy when you are firing. Weighing in at just 4g too, they are extremely lightweight and they won’t affect the balance of the bow when firing. A great bow dampener that can be used in all conditions to help keep your compound bow quiet.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Self-fixed to bow
- Durable
- Boosts accuracy
CONS
- Fits specific measurements
- Sometimes awkward to install
6. 6: TOPARCHERY Bow String Whiskers
A small and lightweight recurve bow suppressor, the TOPARCHERY Bow String Whiskers gives you a great solution for quiet hunting. It’s small, ball shape sits directly on the middle of the bow string and the extending spike arms help reduce vibrations as you fire. Made from very lightweight rubber, you will barely notice these sitting on your string as you fire with greater accuracy and reduced noise.
It is also extremely easy to attach to your bow as they just need to be tied to the string. It means you don’t need any additional tools to attach them and you can do it whilst hunting if you desperately need to replace one. As they are black, they fit in nicely when hunting in low lighting conditions helping you maintain a discreet presence at all times.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Blends in well
- Quick to install
CONS
- Arms prone to separation
- No instructions for installation
7. Apex Doubledown String Silencers
A self-attaching bow silencer, the Apex Doubledown String Silencers let their name do the talking. Made from strong synthetic rubber, these string silencers attach by wrapping around the bow string and pulling one arm through the O-ring in the middle of the body. Once attached, the rubber body will immediately halt all vibrations and render your bow silent no matter what type you are using.
As the entire silencer can be attached without any pieces, it is quick to install and can be done before or during your hunt. It means you don’t need to use any additional tools or a bow press to get the job done. Available in both red or pink, you can customize the look of the bow to suit your tastes or vary it for whoever is using it. A handy, all-around silencer to own.
PROS
- Self-attaching
- Durable
- Lightweight
- No extra tools needed
CONS
- Prone to tearing
- Color fades over time
8. TRUGLO String Silencers
A trusted name in the archery industry, TRUGLO’s String Silencers are a great universal string silencer. Made from a synthetic material, the star-shaped suppressor slips on the bow through a groove in the middle of the body. The body itself is extremely durable and has been made to be weather-resistant. It means it can be used in wet or dry conditions all year round without being affected by the elements.
Available in both red and black, you can customize your silencers to fit the conditions you are hunting in depending on what prey you are targeting. These can also be available to purchase in a bulk pack of 100 meaning that you can always have a silencer ready for use whenever you need to install it to your bow. A great attachment for all styles.
PROS
- Universal fitting
- Suitable for all conditions
- Bulk options available
- Easy to install
CONS
- Needs bow press for installation
- Expensive to buy
FAQ
Do all bow string suppressors work on all bow types?
No, there are a variety of string suppressors available on the market today. Many will be a universal fitting that can work on all types of bows. However, some products will be designed for specific bow types (i.e. recurve or compound) therefore consider carefully the type of bow you are using before purchasing your string suppressor.
Is it essential to use a bow press to install a string silencer?
No – many bow string silencers do not need a bow press and can be attached using much simpler methods. Some designs will be self-attaching whilst others will need to be tied on using string or cable ties to ensure they stay put. If the methods don’t seem to work, you can always use a bow press to install the silencer onto the string.
Do bow string silencers improve your accuracy?
Yes – many of the best bow string silencers are considered to help improve your overall accuracy when they are attached. As they reduce the number of vibrations running through the entire bow, it gives you greater control of your aim and allows for better precision.
References:w
https://www.reddit.com/r/Archery/comments/1hbgc6/are_bow_silencers_worthwhile/
https://www.archerytalk.com/threads/best-string-silencer.1053212/
https://tradbow.com/forums/topic/string-silencers/