Have you ever wondered which bow manufacturer makes the strongest bows? FMJJ, the Podium Archer, has conducted an intense dry fire bow test to determine which of the 2026 bows can withstand the most abuse before they can no longer shoot an arrow. Is your bow on this list? Which bow do you think endures the most abuse while still performing well? You might be surprised after watching each dry fire test.
Bowtech Alliance 33
The Bowtech Alliance 33 has a retail price of $1,499.00 and features a brace height of 6.062 inches and a shooting speed of 334 feet per second (fps). This new Bowtech bow is popular among hunters and for 3D archery, appreciated for its lightweight design, weighing only 4.25 pounds. However, during a dry fire test, the bow fired only two shots before it was deemed unable to shoot another arrow due to a bent cam, ultimately leading to its failure.
Mathews ARC 34
Mathews has a strong reputation for incorporating new technologies and state-of-the-art upgrades into their compound bows. The latest model, the ARC 34, is priced at $1,569.00 and features the innovative SWX cam, a reinforced riser design, and a redesigned limb assembly. However, after just four shots, the bottom cam failed, rendering the bow unable to shoot. You’ll want to see what the bottom cam looks like after the fourth dry fire.
Hoyt Alpha AX-3
The Hoyt Alpha AX-3 bow is priced at $1,599.00, which covers the cost of the bow itself. It has a brace height of 6 3/8 inches and weighs just 4.75 pounds. During the dry fire test, the AX-3 performed impressively, withstanding 10 shots before requiring reassembly. I was impressed by the durability and strength of the Hoyt Alpha AX-3.
PSE Sicario
The PSE is the only carbon bow tested in the dry-fire challenge. Priced at $1,999.00, this carbon bow features a 5 1/4 inch brace height and is capable of shooting up to 357 feet per second. The Sicario boasts a new cam system that is both smooth and solid. Unfortunately, the Sicario could shoot only one arrow before it was deemed unusable. I was quite surprised by this, especially since the bow is one of the highest-rated models for 2026.
Darton TriTech 33
Darton introduced the TriTech 33 this year, making it the most affordable bow on the market at $1,349.99. The TriTech 33 features a brace height of 6 3/8 inches and weighs 4.6 pounds. Its new Sequel Cam design provides a smooth draw cycle and a solid back wall. FMJJ was amazed by TriTech’s durability, as it withstood 10 shots without issue. Only after the 10th shot did the string break, yet the bow remained completely intact and usable.
