A bow quiver is the smallest piece of gear on your compound bow setup and the one that causes the most arguments. The best quivers for compound bows do three jobs at once: they carry broadhead-tipped arrows to the tree, they keep those arrows quiet, and they hang close enough to the riser (the bow’s vertical frame) that your bow still feels like your bow. Get one of those three wrong and you will hear it, feel it, or both.
We spent the last few months sorting through the current generation of bow-mounted quivers, reading owner reviews, comparing weights, mount styles and arrow capacities, and watching which models keep showing up as the go-to recommendation on bowhunting forums. What follows covers ten detachable bow quivers built for hunting and for shooting with arrows on the bow, not the back quivers that clutter most “hunting quiver” lists. Every pick here is a quiver that mounts to a bow.
Last updated: October 2026. We test by reading the long-form owner feedback, weighing the spec sheets against each other, and ranking each quiver on the four things buyers actually argue about: silence, arrow retention, mount adjustability, and how the weight sits on the riser. A note on honesty: some specifications below are manufacturer-published, and the fit impressions come from owner reports rather than our own range time.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Compound Bow Quivers in 2026
Three quivers carry the most weight in this roundup. The Trophy Ridge 5-Spot is the one we would put on a bow first, the Trophy Ridge Hex Light earns its place for dawn and dusk setups, and the CBE Tactic 5 is the strongest build per dollar in the group.
Best Quivers for Compound Bows (October 2026)
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Trophy Ridge 5-Spot Quiver |
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 Mathews Arrow Web HD |
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| Trophy Ridge Hex Light |
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 G5 Head-Loc Air |
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 Apex Gear Reactor LTE |
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 Tightspot Quiver |
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 LimbSaver Silent Quiver |
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 CBE Tactic 5 |
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 TRUGLO Loc-Down |
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Check Latest Price |
 Octane Bantam 5 |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Trophy Ridge 5-Spot Quiver – The Best All-Round Bow Quiver
Trophy Ridge 5-Spot Archery Arrow Quiver, Black
Weight: 9.1 oz
5-arrow capacity
Picatinny quick-detach
Soft-touch hood
Pros
- Lightest-feeling quiver in the group at 9.1 ounces
- Secure dual adjustable grippers
- Quiet soft-touch hood that does not rattle
- Hanging loop sized for a tree stand branch
- Quick-detach bracket removes with one hand
Cons
- Rubber grippers feel loose until they break in
- Poor retention of micro-diameter shafts
- Quick-release takes practice on the first few uses
The Trophy Ridge 5-Spot is the quiver we would hand to someone buying their first bow-mounted quiver, and the reason is simple: nothing else in this roundup has as much owner history behind it. It sits at the top of the Archery Quivers category with more than fifteen hundred reviews, and the complaints repeat consistently enough that you can plan around them. That is a good sign in a gear category, because it means the design is not changing under you.
The build is a molded ballistic copolymer shell with a soft-touch hood, which is where most of the quiet comes from. Foam-lined hoods absorb the broadhead tips rather than letting them tap against hard plastic, and the wide arrow spacing means two mechanical heads sitting next to each other do not interfere. Reviewers single out the hanging loop too. It is sized for a tree stand limb, so you can clip the quiver to a branch while you set up instead of balancing the bow on your knee.
Fit is handled by a Picatinny-style quick-detach bracket, and the arrows are held by two adjustable grippers with a rubber feel. Those grippers are the one part of the design that needs time. Owners report they feel loose straight out of the packaging and firm up after roughly a week of regular use, which is normal for rubber but worth knowing if you test a quiver in a shop and write it off immediately.
At 9.1 ounces this is one of the lighter hunting quivers here, and that weight matters more than most spec sheets suggest. Modern compound bows are balanced around a very light center, so every ounce below the grip is felt. A quiver that sits tight to the riser rather than hanging out on a long arm keeps that mass where the bow already balances, and the 5-Spot’s short profile does that well.
Will it hold the arrows you actually shoot
Standard hunting shafts sit well in these grippers. Micro-diameter arrows, the very thin shafts used for small game and some indoor and 3D shooting, are the weak spot. Reviewers report that light micro shafts can creep down out of the gripper during movement, so if your quiver has to hold thin arrows without babysitting, look at the Reactor LTE or the G5 Head-Loc Air instead.
The open hood is worth calling out for anyone shooting mechanical broadheads. Because the hood does not close over the blades, the blades stay seated and closed, which is exactly what you want when a mech gets bumped on the walk to the stand.
Where it falls short
The quick-release is not as intuitive as it looks in photos, and several owners mention needing a few attempts before they could pop the quiver off one-handed in the dark, which is the situation the design exists for. It is a learning curve, not a defect, but if you plan on shooting with the quiver mounted most of the time you may never need it.
There is also the micro-diameter retention issue noted above, and the gripper break-in period. Neither is a dealbreaker for a deer or turkey hunter running standard arrows. Both are reasons to check your shaft diameter before you order.
2. Mathews Arrow Web HD Series Quiver – The Best Fit for Mathews Bows
MATHEWS 6 Arrow Web Hd Series Ambush Green Quiver
Weight: 13.76 oz
4 or 6 arrow
1 year warranty
Tool-free quick detach
Pros
- Highest average rating in the group at 4.8 with 85 percent five-star reviews
- Six-arrow capacity at only 13.76 ounces
- Tool-free detach that works without a wrench
- Adjustable bracket for fine balance and sight clearance
- Low-profile hood keeps broadheads covered and the bow unobtrusive
Cons
- Fit and balance are tuned around Mathews riser geometry
- Higher price tier than the rest of the roundup
- One-year warranty is shorter than the limited lifetime coverage some rivals offer
The Mathews Arrow Web HD is the highest rated quiver in this roundup at 4.8 stars, and it earns that rating with the highest concentration of five-star reviews. If you shoot a Mathews bow, this is the one designed around your riser’s geometry, cable routing and sight window, and that integration is the whole pitch.
What stands out is the capacity-to-weight ratio. Six arrows at 13.76 ounces is unusual; most five-arrow quivers in this group land in the same weight range. The hood is low profile, so broadheads stay covered without the quiver growing a tall block that catches branches, and the adjustable mounting bracket lets you shift the position for clearance and balance. Tool-free detachment is standard on this generation of Mathews accessories, and owners consistently rate the mechanism as solid.
It is also the quietest-finished product here by surface treatment. The soft-touch finish across the shell is there to kill noise, and reviewers describe the quiver as adding nothing audible at the shot. The soft-touch grip surface also means it does not mark your bow’s finish the way bare molded plastic can over a season of climbing.
Available in four-arrow and six-arrow configurations across several color and camo finishes, which is unusual flexibility for a brand-specific mount. Most proprietary quivers lock you into a single capacity and a single colorway. If you want a six-arrow green Ambush version you can have one without hunting through limited runs.
Should a non-Mathews archer buy it anyway
Only if your riser gives it room. The mounting bracket is designed around Mathews geometry, and owners running other bow brands are more cautious about the fit and the resulting balance. There is no adapter path here, so this is not a quiver to buy hoping it works out.
If you do not shoot a Mathews, the CBE Tactic 5 or the 5-Spot will fit a wider range of bows and cost considerably less. Check your riser before committing, and measure your arrow length against the bottom cam while you are at it.
Where it falls short
The one-year manufacturer warranty is short compared with the limited lifetime warranty on the Trophy Ridge Hex Light, and this is the most expensive quiver in the set. Buyers paying a premium for a brand-specific mount want a long service life, and one year does not match that expectation.
Review volume is also the second lowest here, at 122 ratings. A high average on a smaller base is worth less than the same average across thousands of owners, so treat the 4.8 as encouraging rather than conclusive.
3. Trophy Ridge Hex Light Quiver – The Best Quiver for Dawn and Dusk Setups
Trophy Ridge Hex Light Archery Arrow Quiver, Black
Weight: 16 oz
5 arrows
LED arrow lights
Model AQ110
Pros
- Built-in LED lights illuminate arrows and the immediate area
- Highest rated product here at 4.7 across 879 reviews
- Soft-touch hood reduces vibration and noise
- Adjustable mounting keeps the profile low against the riser
- Limited lifetime manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Heaviest of the hunting quivers here at 16 ounces
- LED module adds bulk and needs occasional batteries
The Trophy Ridge Hex Light is differentiated by something no other quiver in this roundup has: built-in LED lights mounted in the quiver body that illuminate your arrows and the ground immediately around your feet. If you shoot at dawn or dusk, or walk into an aluminum ladder blind before the light comes up, that is a genuinely useful feature rather than a gimmick.
Everything else about the Hex Light is conventional and well executed. It is a five-arrow load with a push-lock closure, swivel handle, adjustable strap and a soft shell, built on Trophy Ridge’s ballistic copolymer system. The soft-touch hood is the quiet component, and owners describe it as reducing vibration rather than merely muffling it, which matters when a quiver is rattling against the riser with every step.
Mounting is quick and the position is adjustable, which lets you set the profile low against the bow for balance. Customizable single or dual arrow grippers let you set up for one arrow or two, and the precision hood geometry keeps mechanical heads from clattering together. The limited lifetime warranty is the strongest coverage in this roundup, and for a quiver that gets leaned against trees and dropped out of tree stands, that matters over a long ownership.
Across 879 reviews the rating sits at 4.7 with 82 percent five-star responses, one of the strongest consistency profiles in the category. The weight is the honest trade-off, and 16 ounces on a bow that weighs under four pounds is a real addition.
Is the lighting worth the extra ounces
For anyone hunting in low light, yes, and the light module is the reason to buy this over a lighter standard quiver. Set-up in a pre-dawn tree stand becomes far less awkward when you can see your arrow heads and your footing without a headlamp competing with your bow hand. For daylight hunting and for anyone already carrying a light, the same 16 ounces buys you a lighter alternative elsewhere in this list.
Consider how the bow is carried between sites, too. Six ounces over a lighter quiver is easy to ignore on a stand hunt and noticeable on a long walk with the bow in hand.
Where it falls short
It is the heaviest bow-mounted quiver in this group, and weight is the metric forum users care about most. On a light high-speed bow, that extra mass is felt at full draw and during a long walk.
The LED module also adds bulk to an otherwise slim profile and needs batteries replaced occasionally. If the batteries die in the field, the lights stop working, so treat the lighting as a convenience rather than something to depend on for safety.
4. G5 Head-Loc Air – The Best Quiver for Tree Stand Hunting
Head-LOC Quiver 4 Arrow – Black
4-arrow capacity
Part number 982
Detachable tree mount
Rubber compression dampening
Pros
- Exceptionally light construction adds very little to the bow
- Rubber compression technology buffers vibration between quiver and bow
- Detachable tree mount lets the quiver swing away for the shot
- Low-profile shape reduces branch snags
- Accepts shaft diameters from about 4mm to 6mm
Cons
- Two-point arrow lock needs concentration for a fast release
- No factory hanging loop so most users improvise one
- Stands slightly off the riser compared with tighter-hugging rivals
The G5 Head-Loc Air is built around a specific scenario: you get into a tree stand, you clip the bow to the stand, and you want the arrows out of the way until the shot. Its detachable tree mount is the feature that no other product in this roundup offers. The quiver secures to the stand itself, then swings or lifts away when an animal steps into the opening below.
Quietness is the headline. The rubber compression system creates a buffer between quiver and bow that absorbs and dissipates vibration rather than passing it up the riser, and the advanced mounting system adds stability on top of that. Reviewers give it the highest quiet-operation praise in the group, which is the category’s most important quality bar.
It is also genuinely light. G5 engineered the shell for minimal added mass, and the low profile means fewer branches catch the arrow heads on the climb. Angle adjustment on the mount lets you tune the quiver’s position rather than accepting whatever the default is.
Which arrows it will hold
The G5 accepts shaft diameters from roughly 4mm to 6mm, which covers standard hunting arrows and micro-diameter shafts alike. That range is one of the widest here and makes it a safe choice if you change arrow brands between seasons.
Capacity is four arrows, which is deliberate for stand hunting. Most experienced hunters shoot one arrow and carry a few more in case of a poor hit, so four is enough without adding weight for capacity you will not draw on.
Where it falls short
The two-point arrow lock takes a moment to work. Reviewers describe needing a beat of concentration to release an arrow quickly, and that is a poor trait in a quiver that must be fast when a buck steps out at 18 yards. Practice the release sequence before the season starts.
There is also no factory hanging loop, which is odd for a quiver designed around tree stands. Most owners improvise one with paracord, and there is no factory loop on a product sold for stand hunting is a real gap. It also sits a little further off the riser than the tightest-fitting competitors, which is the trade for the damping.
5. Apex Gear Reactor LTE 5-Arrow Quiver – The Best Quiver for Micro-Diameter Arrows
TRUGLO AG235BK Reactor Lite 5 Arrow Quiver, Black
5-arrow capacity
Standoff spacers
Model AG235BK
Locking lever
Pros
- Snug gripper holds micro-diameter shafts such as Axis and VAP arrows
- Standoff spacers clear tall sights like the HHA
- Multiple mounting holes allow fine adjustment of position and angle
- Locking lever stays solid over repeated use
- Adds negligible weight and arrows come out quietly
Cons
- Current version is seen as cost-cut against earlier Reactor models
- Limited published weight and dimension detail for the item itself
The Apex Gear Reactor LTE is the pick if you shoot thin arrows. Its gripper holds micro-diameter shafts securely, which is the single most common failure in budget quivers, and owners shooting arrows like the Easton Axis and Victory VAP lines report that they stay put where cheaper grippers let them creep.
The standoff spacers are the second reason to like it. They hold the quiver body far enough out from the riser that tall sight bars and extended sight blades clear without contact, which solves a mounting conflict that forces some hunters to abandon a quiver entirely. Multiple mounting holes let you dial in position and angle rather than living with one fixed setting.
The locking lever is the part that decides whether you can detach with one hand in the dark, and reviewers report it stays firm over repeated attach and detach cycles instead of working loose. The gripper uses a thumb tab, so a loaded arrow is released by pressing the tab rather than pulling on the shaft.
Will it fit your sight and broadheads
The standoff spacers handle the sight, and fixed broadheads with blades such as Ramcat-style heads sit without interference. There is a thumb tab gripper as standard, which suits one-handed drawing in a stand or blind.
Because of the spacer design, check that your riser has the extra width for a quiver that stands off the bow. On a narrow riser the spacers can push the quiver out far enough to feel loose rather than planted, and that is a bow-by-bow question.
Where it falls short
The recurring complaint is about the redesign. Owners who used earlier Reactor versions say the current model feels cost-cut, with features that earlier versions included now missing. If you are replacing a Reactor you already own, the newer version is not a like-for-like upgrade.
Published specification detail is thin on this listing. The item dimensions listed are not meaningful and the weight field returns a package weight rather than the quiver itself, so this is a product where you should check the current spec sheet with the seller before ordering.
6. Tightspot Quiver – The Best Bow Quiver for High Arrow Capacity
Tightspot Hunting Shooting Archery Lightweight 7-Arrow Quiver with Quick Draw System, Black, Right Hand
Holds up to 7 arrows
23.5 inch body
QuickLock cam
Model TS7BLKRH
Pros
- Seven-arrow capacity is far beyond any other hunting quiver here
- QuickLock cam removes and repositions the quiver with one hand
- Quick Draw angles the nearest gripper toward the archer for a fast second shot
- Space-age polymer hood will not dull expandable broadheads
- Adjustable grippers accept a range of shaft diameters including 4mm
Cons
- At full capacity fletching from adjacent arrows can contact
- Some sights need an adapter to clear the quiver body
- This configuration is offered in a right-hand version with a separate opposite-handed variant
The Tightspot is built for archers who carry more arrows than they will shoot, and the seven-arrow hood is the reason. No other quiver in this roundup comes close on capacity, and for a hunter moving on foot with a bow in one hand, having every arrow already on the bow is a genuine convenience.
The QuickLock cam is the mechanism that makes the capacity workable. One lift disengages the dovetail base, so the quiver comes off the riser without grabbing the hood or the arrows, and it can also be repositioned without a full removal. The Quick Draw system angles the nearest gripper back toward the archer, which reduces how far your bow hand has to move laterally on a second shot.
The hood is a polymer the manufacturer markets as effectively indestructible, and the reason expandables stay closed is mechanical: only the tip of the broadhead touches the insert, so the blades never contact a surface that could dull or open them. Adjustable grippers accept a range of shaft diameters down to 4mm. Owners also report that the bow feels steadier with the quiver mounted than without it, which happens when the quiver sits close and low on the riser rather than cantilevered out.
Be aware of the body length. At 23.5 inches this is a long quiver, and long bodies grip the lower shaft rather than the upper section, which holds arrows more securely but reaches further down the bow. That reach is the same thing that can push long arrows past the bottom cam.
Whether you actually need seven arrows
Most experienced hunters draw one arrow and carry several more in case the first hit does not finish the job. Seven is insurance capacity, not utility capacity, and it comes with a length and weight penalty that a four- or five-arrow quiver does not.
Choose it if you walk a long way, shoot multiple animals, or simply refuse to carry a hip or back quiver. If you sit in a blind within reach of your pack, a five-arrow quiver gives you the same practical freedom in a smaller package.
Where it falls short
At seven arrows the fletching on adjacent shafts starts to touch, and vane contact is what makes a quiver audible. Run four or five in a high-pressure situation and you lose the quiet advantage the design otherwise delivers.
It also interacts with sights. Some sight setups need an adapter to keep the quiver body from fouling the sight, which is one more part to order. Check the sight clearance against your own setup rather than assuming a fit, and confirm the handedness of the variant you are buying, since the model is listed in more than one hand configuration.
7. LimbSaver Silent Quiver – The Best Bow Quiver for Quiet Operation
LimbSaver Silent Quiver for Bow Hunting, One Piece, Black
Weight: 8 oz
5 arrows
Part 3731
17.5 inch body
Pros
- Grippers use LimbSaver NOVCOM dampening material to absorb vibration and noise
- 8 ounces keeps the quiver among the lightest here
- Universal fit handles fixed and expandable broadheads across a wide shaft range
- Thumb-release quick disconnect is simple to operate in the field
- Works on right-handed and left-handed bows
Cons
- Fewer adjustment positions than hinged or rail-mounted quivers
- Shaft gripper position takes some trial and error to set
The LimbSaver Silent Quiver is named for the feature that matters most to bowhunters. Its grippers are molded from LimbSaver’s NOVCOM material, a vibration- and noise-dampening compound that absorbs the energy of an arrow sliding against the gripper instead of letting it ring. In a category where audible rattle disqualifies a quiver outright, that is the spec to read first.
At 8 ounces it is the second-lightest quiver here, which means it adds very little to a fast modern bow’s feel. The one-piece low-profile body is 17.5 inches long, long enough to grip the shaft below the arrow’s midpoint where it is stiffest, and short enough to stay clear of the bottom cam on most arrow lengths.
Fit is broad. The universal design accepts both fixed and expandable broadheads and a wide spectrum of shaft sizes, which makes it a safe first quiver if you are not sure what your arrows will be for the next few seasons. The thumb-release quick disconnect gives you one-handed removal, and the shaft gripper is positionable along the body.
It is also the quiver in this roundup that explicitly fits both handednesses from the same unit, which matters if your shooting setup is not fixed or if you share a bow between right-handed and left-handed shooters.
What you give up for silence
Adjustability. This is not a rail or hinged mount with a range of positions; the mount is essentially fixed once set, and owners note fewer adjustment positions than competitors with more elaborate brackets. Get the height right on the first attempt rather than expecting to dial it in over several sittings.
The shaft gripper position also takes some trial and error to set for a particular arrow setup, since it has to be positioned for your shaft diameter and your gripper length together.
Where it falls short
The 4.3 rating is the second lowest here, and the review spread shows it. Around 62 percent of ratings are five stars but roughly 11 percent are three stars, which usually points to a design that performs well when set up correctly and disappoints when the initial fit is wrong.
That pattern makes the limited adjustability the deciding weakness for this product. On a bow where the mount height is easy to dial in, the silence is worth it. On a bow with unusual riser geometry, expect to spend time on setup.
8. CBE Tactic 5 Quiver – The Best Value Bow-Mounted Quiver
Tactic 5 Quiver
Weight: 13.8 oz
5 arrows
Sight-rail mount
Model CBE-AC-T5
Pros
- Cam locking lever gives a secure hold with one-hand removal
- Vertically adjustable mount for riser and sight clearance
- Clamps directly to the sight rail for a close
- tidy profile
- Holds fixed and mechanical broadheads without rattle
- Ambidextrous with two lateral mounting options
Cons
- Offset bracket can let the quiver shake on some bow geometries
- Top and bottom grippers sit slightly out of alignment
- Older risers may need the bracket trimmed to fit
The CBE Tactic 5 is the build quality pick. It is a compact molded-plastic quiver at 13.8 ounces that holds five arrows, and for the money it does more right than most of the field: secure attachment, one-hand removal, a real adjustment axis, and a mounting approach that keeps everything tucked close to the bow.
The cam locking lever is the mechanism to understand. It clamps the quiver body to the bracket and locks with a cam, so the hold is positive rather than friction-based. That means the quiver does not slowly walk down the riser over a long day in a stand, and it comes off with one hand when you need it to.
What makes it interesting is where it mounts. Instead of bolting to the riser or hanging from a side bracket, the Tactic 5 clamps directly to the sight, which is why the vertical adjustment axis exists. Mounting on the sight puts the quiver under the sight bar where it is already out of the way, and it gives you a range of positions to solve clearance problems on sight-heavy bow setups.
It handles both fixed and mechanical broadheads, and owners report quiet arrow release with no vibration. The ambidextrous design with two lateral mounting options means you can flip which side of the sight the quiver sits on without ordering a different unit.
Check your sight before ordering
Because the mount is sight-rail based, your sight has to have a rail it can clamp to and enough clearance for a five-arrow body. Most modern compound sights do. Some older risers and low-profile sight mounts do not, and the bracket may need trimming to fit, which is the one step here that requires tools.
The vertical adjustment is worth using rather than ignoring. Nudging the quiver up or down solves bottom-cam clearance problems and sight bar conflicts in a way that no amount of bracket swapping will.
Where it falls short
The offset bracket is the recurring weakness. Because the quiver is held out from the sight rather than against the riser, some bow geometries let it shake, and shake becomes noise. This is bow-dependent, so it is worth reading reviews from owners with a similar setup.
There is also a small alignment issue between the upper hood and the lower gripper that leaves arrows sitting at a slight angle. It does not affect function, but it is the kind of detail that separates a mid-priced part from a machined one.
9. TRUGLO Loc-Down 4-Arrow Quiver – The Best Quiver for Ambidextrous Setups
TRUGLO Loc-Dwn 4-Arrow Quiver Realtree XTRA
Under 8 oz
4 arrows
TWIST-LOCK mount
Model TG324J
Pros
- Under 8 ounces while still bracing arrows firmly
- TWIST-LOCK mount gives one-hand removal and pulls tight to the riser
- Bracket adjusts up and down with spacers to clear accessories
- Converts for either handedness from the same unit
- Accepts carbon and aluminum arrows 0.229 inch and larger with mechanical or fixed blades
Cons
- Twist-lock bracket develops wobble after repeated removals
- Some units rattle audibly even with all screws checked
- Gripper rubber can tear from repeated broadhead insertion
The TRUGLO Loc-Down is the lightest hunting quiver in this roundup, coming in under 8 ounces while still holding four arrows firmly. On a high-speed bow that weighs under four pounds, the difference between an eight-ounce quiver and a sixteen-ounce one is the difference between a bow that feels the same with and without it and one that does not.
The TWIST-LOCK mount is the standout feature. A twist of the locking collar frees the quiver for one-hand removal, and in the locked position it pulls the quiver body tight against the riser rather than leaving it floating on the bracket. That tight contact is the main reason a composite plastic quiver can be as quiet as this one, because there is no gap for the body to knock against.
The bracket adjusts up and down to fit a range of bows, and spacers are included so you can clear a bow stabilizer, arrow rest or sight bracket. The body absorbs vibration and noise, with a rubber hood insert and a soft-touch outer coating, and the rubber insert is designed not to dull broadhead blades. The unit converts for either handedness, and it accepts both mechanical and fixed-blade broadheads on carbon and aluminum shafts of 0.229 inch diameter and larger.
At four arrows with a low weight, it is also a good stalking quiver. When you are moving through timber on foot, the combination of low mass and a tight riser contact is what keeps the bow quiet.
What the 0.229 inch rating means for you
That figure is the minimum shaft diameter the gripper will hold securely. If your arrows are micro-diameter, they are thinner than 0.229 inch and this quiver is not the right choice. Check your shaft diameter before ordering, and if you are not sure, the Reactor LTE and the G5 Head-Loc Air both accept thinner shafts.
The ambidextrous conversion is the other practical strength. Shooters who switch hands, or households sharing a bow, can convert the same quiver instead of buying two.
Where it falls short
The bracket is the weak point over time. Owners report that after repeated removal cycles the twist-lock develops play and the quiver sits with a noticeable wobble, which is the first thing to reintroduce rattle. Some units also become audibly noisy when the string is plucked even with every screw checked and tightened.
The gripper rubber can also tear over a season of repeated broadhead insertion, and the branding decal detaches with regular range use, which is cosmetic but annoying. Check the lock tension every few sits rather than assuming it is still tight.
10. Octane Bantam 5 Quiver – The Best Budget Bow Quiver
Octane Bantam 5 Quiver | Durable Silent Lightweight Hunting Shooting Archery 5-Arrow Bow Quiver with Multiple Adjustments, Breakup Country
5-arrow capacity
Carbon rod construction
Silent tree hanging hook
Model 73458RX21
Pros
- Silent tree hanging hook allows noise-free removal and hanging
- Oversized lever gives quick one-hand detach
- Carbon rods deliver rigidity at very low weight
- Multiple adjustments for placement angle and balance
- Pre-cut foam suits fixed broadheads and removes for mechanical heads
Cons
- Lowest average rating here with the smallest review base
- Foam insert must be removed for mechanical broadheads
- Offered in a single camo colorway
The Octane Bantam 5 is the entry point here, and its standout feature is a hanging hook built into the body. It lets you lift the quiver off the bow and hang it on a branch without the metallic clank of a bare hook, and the oversized lever gives quick one-hand detach for the same reason. Both features are aimed squarely at the noise problem that most budget quivers ignore.
The structure is a carbon rod design. Carbon rods give high strength and rigidity at a very low weight, so the arrows are held at a consistent position without the quiver becoming a mass hanging off the riser. The multiple adjustments let you move the quiver in three dimensions, which is more adjustment range than several pricier models offer, and you can tune placement, angle and the overall balance of the bow.
The hood uses pre-cut foam shaped for fixed broadheads. For mechanical broadheads you pull the foam insert out, which adds a step at set-up but leaves the body lighter and the blades free.
What works about the foam insert
Pre-cut foam is a real advantage for fixed-blade heads, because each blade lands in a shaped pocket rather than resting against a flat surface, and there is no clatter between adjacent heads. It is also the part that wears first. Foam cut by broadhead blades will slowly shred over a season or two of climbing through branches, and that is the durability concern every bowhunter has with foam-lined hoods.
Running mechanical broadheads means removing the insert, and forgetting that on a morning hunt is a frustrating way to lose a shot.
Where it falls short
The 4.2 rating across 31 reviews is the thinnest evidence base in this roundup. That does not make it a bad quiver, but it means there is very little long-term durability feedback to go on, and you are buying on design rather than on a decade of owner reports.
It is also offered in a single Mossy Oak BreakUp Country camo colorway, so if you shoot a different camo, the quiver will not match. Check that the listed dimensions and weight on the listing are current, because the published item dimensions on this product are not usable for planning your mount.
How to Choose a Compound Bow Quiver
Most buyers spend their research time on the wrong question. The right one is not which quiver is quietest in a product photo, it is which quiver fits your bow, your arrows and the way you actually hunt. Work through these six points in order and the choice makes itself.
One-piece detachable or two-piece fixed
A one-piece detachable quiver uses a quick-detach mechanism, usually a cam or a twist-lock collar, so you can pull it off with one hand. A two-piece fixed quiver bolts to a riser bracket in two halves and stays there. For tree stand and ground blind hunting, where you arrive once and shoot from a fixed position, detachable wins because you can move the arrows off the bow and onto the branch rail. For archers who prefer to shoot with the quiver still mounted, fixed is quieter because there is no interface to knock. Most modern detachables are quiet enough that the gap has narrowed a great deal, which is why every quiver in this roundup is detachable.
How many arrows should a bow quiver hold
Three, four or five arrows is the realistic range. Experienced hunters routinely shoot one arrow and carry extras for a follow-up, so capacity is insurance rather than utility, and every extra arrow is weight on a bow that already balances very lightly. Four arrows covers nearly all stand and blind scenarios. Five covers a walk-in hunt where a second animal might appear. Seven is for shooters who refuse to carry a pack quiver at all. Choose based on how far you walk, not on how many you might conceivably need.
Can you put any quiver on any bow
No. Most quivers in this roundup use a universal riser bracket that works across brands, but brand-specific mounts such as the Mathews Arrow Web HD are engineered for that manufacturer’s riser geometry and cable layout. Universal is the default, not a guarantee. Check the mount type, confirm the bracket clears your sight and stabilizer, and if your bow is a brand with a proprietary mount, expect to buy within that brand or use a universal bracket instead.
Check your arrow shaft diameter before you buy
This is the purchasing mistake that costs the most, and it is easy to avoid. Standard hunting arrows measure about 0.229 inch and thicker. Micro-diameter arrows, the thin shafts used for small game, indoor and some 3D shooting, measure less than that, and a gripper sized for standard shafts will let them slide down and out. The TRUGLO Loc-Down is published for 0.229 inch and larger, the G5 Head-Loc Air accepts roughly 4mm to 6mm, and the Tightspot grippers adjust down to 4mm. To check your own arrows, measure the shaft with calipers away from the fletching and the nock, or check the shaft diameter spec on the arrow manufacturer’s page.
Hood foam or rubber seats
Foam-lined hoods absorb broadhead tips and quiet the sharpest contact point, and they are gentler on mechanical blades than hard plastic. Foam is also the part that degrades. Broadhead blades cut into foam, and a quiver used hard over several seasons will show shredded insert material. Rubber grippers and seats last far longer but grip shafts rather than tips, so they tell you less about broadhead protection. The best combination on a quiver is a polymer or foam hood at the top with rubber grippers below, which is what most of these products do.
Weight, balance and bottom-cam clearance
Every quiver adds mass below and beside the grip point, and the effect depends on where that mass sits rather than the total. A quiver mounted tight and low on the riser adds less rotational pull than one cantilevered out on a long bracket, and some archers report their bow feels steadier with a tight quiver mounted than without it at all. Two numbers to check: the published weight, and the quiver body length. A long body grips the shaft lower where it is stiffer, which holds arrows better, but it also reaches further down, and on long arrows the nocks can drop below the bottom cam and catch the ground when the bow is stood upright.
Bow-Mounted vs Hip vs Back Quiver – Which Do You Actually Need?
Hip and back quivers still get recommended to bowhunters, and for most of them the recommendation is wrong. A bow-mounted quiver is the right default for a compound bowhunter for one reason: it keeps the arrows on the bow, so both hands stay free for the bow and the climb. Here is how the three formats compare across the factors that matter.
Bow-mounted quivers
Broadhead rated: yes, the hood grips and covers the blades. Hands free: yes, once the arrows are seated. Noise control: good, provided the quiver has tight riser contact. Best for tree stands, ground blinds, and stalking with a bow in hand. Weakest for long walks when the weight is high or the capacity is excessive.
Hip quivers
Broadhead rated: only if the specific model is rated for broadheads. Hands free: no, you draw each arrow from the quiver. Noise control: varies widely, and many are noisy. Best for target and 3D shooting, or archers who prefer a bare bow. Weakest for bowhunting, where you want the arrows on the bow for the climb.
Back quivers
Broadhead rated: rarely. Hands free: no. Noise control: poor, because plastic tubes carry sound. Best for target archery and walking with arrows off the bow. Weakest for anything involving broadheads or a fast shot from a stand.
The practical test is your last twenty yards of approach. If you are climbing into a stand or walking a game trail with the bow in one hand, a bow-mounted quiver is the only one of the three that works. If you are walking to a target lane with a hip or back quiver, the opposite is true, and a bow-mounted quiver is dead weight you never use. The common mistake is buying a general “hunting quiver” that turns out to be a back quiver with no broadhead protection, and finding that out in a tree stand.
Why Bow Quivers Rattle and How to Fix It
Rattle is the most repeated complaint about detachable quivers across bowhunting forums, and it is worth treating as a solvable problem rather than a character flaw. Almost all of it comes from one place: metal or hard plastic contact at the quick-detach interface every time the quiver is removed or replaced. Users describe the exact moment clearly, and they describe it as the sound that gives the game away before the shot.
Four fixes cover most cases. First, check the mount hardware every few sits. Twist-lock and cam mechanisms develop play after repeated detach cycles, and a bracket with a millimeter of play becomes a rattle every time the string moves. Tightening the lock collar or the cam tension restores the tight riser contact that quiets the whole quiver. Second, look at the gripper rubber. Rubber that has hardened or torn no longer dampens anything, and replacement inserts are cheap compared with a new quiver. Third, confirm the hood insert is seated. Foam that has shifted inside the shell lets the broadhead tips tap the shell wall with every step.
Fourth, check the arrow grip itself. If arrows are loose in the gripper, they rattle against each other and against the hood, and the fix is the positionable gripper that most of these models include. Moving the gripper down onto the stiffer part of the shaft, rather than up near the fletching, is the single most effective change a user can make. On the fixed-blade versus mechanical question, mechanical broadheads are the quiet ones because the folded blades do not strike the hood, which is the reverse of what most first-time buyers expect.
More Bow Guides
Quivers are only one part of archery equipment, and the same weight-and-balance thinking applies to the bows themselves. If you are putting together a full setup, our guides to the best cello bows for beginners and the best carbon fiber cello bows for the money break down the same trade-offs between weight, balance and material in a different category. For violinists starting out, our guide to the best violin bows for beginners covers the same entry-level decisions, and the best carbon fiber violin bows for the money covers the upgrade path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best compound bow quiver for hunting?
The Trophy Ridge 5-Spot is the best compound bow quiver for most hunters, weighing 9.1 ounces with a five-arrow capacity, dual adjustable rubber grippers and a soft-touch hood that stays quiet in the field. It also has the largest owner review base of any quiver here, so its strengths and weaknesses are well documented. The Mathews Arrow Web HD is the better choice if you shoot a Mathews bow and want the most refined fit.
Are hip quivers or back quivers better?
For a bowhunter, a bow-mounted quiver is better than either, because it keeps arrows on the bow so both hands stay free for the climb and the shot. Hip and back quivers suit target and 3D archers who walk with a bare bow, and most back quivers are not built to protect broadheads at all. Choose a bow quiver if you shoot broadheads from a stand or blind, and a hip quiver only if you shoot field points.
Can you put any quiver on any bow?
Most quivers use a universal riser bracket that works across bow brands, but brand-specific mounts are engineered for one manufacturer’s riser geometry and cable layout. The Mathews Arrow Web HD in this roundup is a brand-specific design and will not be the right choice on a non-Mathews bow. Always confirm the mount type, check clearance with your sight and stabilizer, and confirm your arrow length does not drop below the bottom cam.
How many arrows should a bow quiver hold?
Four arrows covers nearly all tree stand and ground blind scenarios, because most hunters draw one arrow and carry a few extras for a follow-up. Five arrows adds useful insurance for walk-in hunts. Capacity beyond that is weight on a bow that already balances very lightly, so a four or five arrow quiver is the practical range for almost everyone.
What is the difference between a one-piece and two-piece quiver?
A one-piece detachable quiver uses a cam or twist-lock mechanism so you can remove it with one hand, which suits tree stand and blind hunting where you arrive once and can unload the arrows. A two-piece fixed quiver bolts to a riser bracket in two halves and stays mounted, which suits archers who prefer to shoot with the quiver attached because there is no interface that can rattle.
Why does my bow quiver rattle?
Rattle almost always comes from the quick-detach interface, where the quiver body contacts the bracket every time it is removed or replaced. Check that the bracket hardware is still tight, since twist-lock and cam mounts develop play after repeated detach cycles. Also inspect the gripper rubber for hardening or tears, confirm the hood insert is seated, and move the gripper down onto the stiffer part of the shaft where it dampens rather than rattles.
Final Verdict
Start with the Trophy Ridge 5-Spot. At 9.1 ounces with adjustable dual grippers, a quiet soft-touch hood and a hanging loop for tree stand limbs, it is the most complete general-purpose bow quiver here, and its owner history is deep enough that you know exactly what you are getting. If you shoot a Mathews and want the tightest integration available, the Arrow Web HD is worth the premium and the brand restriction. If you hunt in the dark, the Hex Light solves a problem nothing else does.
Pick the G5 Head-Loc Air for stand hunting with its detachable tree mount, the Apex Gear Reactor LTE if your arrows are micro-diameter, and the Tightspot if you want every arrow on the bow and nothing in your hands. Whatever you choose, check your shaft diameter, confirm your riser clearance, and tighten the mount hardware before season. That is where most of the best quivers for compound bows earn their reputation, and it takes an afternoon.