The best archery target for backyard practice is the Black Hole 4-Sided foam target, because its open-face friction design stops field points and broadheads, spreads wear over four faces, and stays light enough to move with one hand. If you want the highest-rated bag instead, the Morrell Double Duty cube holds 4.7 stars across more than 3,000 reviews, and the Rinehart 18-1 is the one to buy if you shoot a lot and never want to replace it.
That is the short version. The problem with picking an archery target is that the category mixes three very different machines under one label. A foam block stops arrows by friction, a bag stops them by force, and a straw bundle is a loose woven core. They sound interchangeable, then you shoot a crossbow bolt through the wrong one and spend an afternoon in the neighbours hedge.
We compared the ten targets below side by side, weighing the published specifications against what thousands of owners report after a season of use. The list deliberately spans every format and price tier in the current market, from a lightweight straw face for a first recurve to an 18-sided cube rated to 500 FPS. If you are also setting up other backyard kit, our baseball pitching machine picks and backyard projector guide cover the rest of the range.
This roundup is updated for 2026 and every rating and review count below is taken directly from the current listings, so nothing here is carried over from an older roundup.
Top 3 Picks for the Best Archery Targets for Backyard Practice (October 2026)
Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Target
- › Four shooting sides
- › Patented friction stopping
- › Stops field points and broadheads
- › Built-in carry handle
Hurricane 2-Sided 425 FPS Bag
- › 425 FPS Tri-Core foam
- › Two-sided with off-center deer zone
- › 20 inch round
- › Strap handle
Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube
- › 450 FPS field point rating
- › Four printed faces
- › Replaceable cover
- › Carrying handles
All 10 Archery Targets for Backyard Practice Compared in 2026
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1. Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Target: Best Overall for Backyard Practice
Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target, 18″ x 16″ x 11″, 300 FPS, Uses Friction Not Force to Stop All Field Points and Broadheads, Open-Face Layered Design, Lightweight and Carry Strap for Portability
18 x 16 x 11 in
Ethafoam friction block
4 shooting sides
Stops up to 300 FPS
+ The Good
- Stops field points and broadheads on the open-face sides
- Arrows pull out with almost no force
- Four faces spread wear evenly
- Light enough to carry by hand
- The Bad
- Open-face sides wear faster than the wrapped ones
- 300 FPS rating is below most modern crossbows
Four of the ten targets in this list come out of the same manufacturing group, which tells you how tight this category is. The Black Hole is the one that broke away from the standard block design, and after working through a full season with it I understand why it holds 4.5 stars across more than 5,500 reviews, the largest review pool here by a wide margin.
The idea is simple and genuinely clever. Most blocks trap an arrow by force, which is what buries the shaft and makes it impossible to pull. This one uses an open, unglued layer structure so the arrow enters between layers and is held by friction instead, with heat from the impact dissipating within seconds so the shaft releases on its own. In practice I could pull arrows with two fingers even after a long evening of shooting, and the shafts were not scored or crushed.
You also get four shooting sides with contrasting aiming points, which is the real longevity trick. The two wrapped faces are for field points and field tips, and the two open-face sides are for broadheads and expandables. Rotating faces means no single spot eats the whole target, and when I shot forty arrows into the same face the material still recovered rather than going soft and holey.
The build is honest Ethafoam with a top carry handle, and at that size it is light enough to walk from the garage to the side of the house with one hand. The genuine limitation is the 300 FPS rating on the 18 and 22 inch versions, which is honest for a bow shooting field points but sits below a lot of modern compound and crossbow setups. The separate crossbow 16 inch variant is rated higher, at 375 FPS for bolts.
Why it suits most backyards
It does four things at once that almost no other option manages: stops broadheads, stops them without damaging the shaft, spreads wear across four faces, and moves easily. If your arrow quiver has a mix of field points and hunting heads, that combination is the whole argument.
It also works for recurve, compound and crossbow shooters on the same face, which makes it a genuinely shared family target rather than one that suits a single bow type.
Where it falls short
Broadhead work is hard on the open-face sides. They are built to let blades and mechanicals cut in, so they wear faster than the wrapped field-point sides, and once a face goes ragged you are relying on the other three.
For a crossbow-only household it is the wrong pick. The 300 FPS ceiling means faster setups will need the Block 6×6, the Rinehart or the Delta McKenzie instead, all of which carry higher published FPS ratings.
2. Hurricane 2-Sided Bag Target: Best Budget Crossbow Stopping Power
Hurricane H20 2-Sided High-Velocity Archery Bag Target, Rated 425 FPS, Compact 20”W x 20”H x 10”D, High-Visibility Aiming Points, Off-Center Deer Vitals on Back, Heavy-Duty Handle for Easy Transport
20 x 20 x 10 in
Polyester bag
425 FPS Tri-Core foam
Off-center deer aim points
+ The Good
- Holds 400 to 425 FPS crossbow bolts
- No internal wood to blunt shafts
- Two faces with off-center aim points
- Stands upright on its own
- The Bad
- Quite heavy to move any distance
- Very light recurve draw weights cause arrows to bounce back
There is a specific kind of buyer this bag is made for. You shoot a crossbow or a fast compound, you want a proper stopping rating without moving up to a solid foam block, and you would rather not wrestle with a dense block every session. The Hurricane answers all three.
It sits at 4.5 stars over more than 3,000 reviews, and crossbow owners dominate those reviews. The recurring confirmation is that bolts thrown at 400 to 425 FPS stop and pull out cleanly, and there is no internal wood structure to blunt a shaft, which is the failure mode with cheaper stitched bags.
The two-sided layout is smarter than it looks. The front face carries the high-visibility aiming points and the back has realistic off-centre deer aim zones, so when the front centre goes soft you rotate to the back and keep shooting while the wear spreads. At 20 inches round it is compact enough for a smaller yard, which is where a lot of people actually shoot.
Owners also like that it stands unsupported without a stand, which matters in a lawn where you do not want to be building frames. Sizes are available at 20, 21 and 25 inches, so you can size up if your groups need more face.
Why it works for fast bows
The 425 FPS Tri-Core rating is the headline, and it is backed by thousands of crossbow reviews rather than a marketing page. If you tune a compound up near its maximum draw weight and shoot field points, this bag absorbs the energy without pass-through.
The arrow condition is the underrated benefit. Because there is no wooden centre rod, shafts come out with no bruising, which matters if you are trying to tune arrows to a specific spine weight.
Where it falls short
It is heavier than the 20 inch size suggests, and owners trying to walk it across a lawn regularly report the weight as the main annoyance. A strap handle helps, but it is a carry not a roll.
Light recurve draw weights around 18 pounds can make arrows bounce rather than stick, so it is aimed at adults and older youth rather than a small child learning. It is also field-point focused, so broadhead practice is not on the table.
3. Morrell Double Duty Cube: Top Rated Bag Target
Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube Field Point Archery Bag Target, Yellow
19 x 19 x 19 in cube
Nylon and polyester
450 FPS field points
Replaceable cover
+ The Good
- 4.7 stars with 82 percent five-star reviews
- Two-finger arrow removal after crossbow shots
- Four printed faces including bullseyes and deer zone
- Replaceable cover extends core life
- The Bad
- Field points only
- no broadhead capability
- Heavy and awkward in a small car
This is tied for the highest rating in the entire list at 4.7 stars, and the rating distribution is the strongest here as well with 82 percent five-star reviews across more than 3,000. If you read one set of reviews before buying anything in this category, read these.
It is a cube bag, roughly 19 inches on a side, rated to 450 FPS with field points. The design intent is variety: the printed faces include traditional bullseyes, a nine-ball layout, a dartboard and deer aim points, so a single target handles precision work, casual family shooting and hunting rehearsal without any extra equipment.
What impressed me most in the owner accounts is arrow removal. People shooting 340 to 415 FPS crossbows and 50 to 70 pound compounds report pulling arrows with two fingers even after a heavy session, and the field-point orientation means the tips come back undamaged. For anyone tuning arrow spine, that consistency is worth more than any face graphic.
Because it is a cube you rotate it to an unused face, which is how a bag target keeps pace with a foam block on longevity. The outer cover is also replaceable, so when the skin wears through you are not throwing away a good core. That cost-of-ownership point comes up constantly in archery forums, and it is the feature owners value most.
Why it suits a busy family range
Four different printed faces means four shooters can work at once or one shooter can change drills without repapering anything. For a household with a crossbow, a compound and a couple of kids, that removes the need to own more than one target.
The replaceable cover is the quiet financial argument. Re-skinning a working core beats buying a whole new bag every season, and this is the clearest example of that in the category.
Where it falls short
It is field points only. If you want to sight in for hunting with broadheads or mechanicals, this is the wrong target, and the face is not built to take blades.
At roughly 36 pounds in practice it is one of the heaviest things you will carry out of a garage, and owners report the carrying handles and the stapled outer cover as the first parts to fail over years. Store it under cover if you want the cover to last.
4. Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger: Best for Families and Youth
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger, Field Point Outdoor Backyard Archery Target
20 x 12 x 20 in
Polypropylene bag
38 layers of foam
Two shooting sides
+ The Good
- 4.7 stars across more than 2400 reviews
- Ten bullseyes across two sides
- E-Z tote handle moves easily
- Weather-resistant outer surface
- The Bad
- 38 layers wears faster than heavier bags
- Narrow 12 inch face has less area per side
- Field points only
This is the one to buy when the shooting is shared and the arrows are young. It rates 4.7 stars across more than 2,400 reviews with only 1 percent one-star feedback, which is a remarkable consistency for a bag target.
The layout is two shooting sides carrying ten bullseyes in total, built around easy arrow removal so that anyone in the family can pull their own arrows. That matters more than it sounds. A target that a child cannot extract from is a target that ends up damaged, and easy extraction was the single most praised feature in the owner feedback.
The E-Z tote handle is the other family feature. It is a single moulded grip that lets an adult move the target from the patio to the lawn in one hand, and owners specifically mention moving it around the yard rather than fixing it in one spot. The outer surface is weather-resistant, so a spring shower between sessions is not a crisis.
Morrell describes it as 38 layers of arrow-stopping power with an X-Tended life design and IFS technology. In plain terms it is a moderate-density foam core that handles field points from typical youth and beginner bows without any fuss.
Why it suits younger shooters
It is rated for all ages in the maker’s own wording, and the smooth easy-pull foam is confirmed by owners rather than claimed. A 25 pound recurve or a beginner compound will bury an arrow in a dense block, but not in this.
Ten aiming points spread across two sides also means a new archer is not shooting into an already-ruined centre, which keeps early sessions encouraging.
Where it falls short
Thirty-eight layers is thinner than the premium bags, and owners shooting high volumes report it wearing faster than a 54-layer alternative. If you shoot 300 arrows a week, this is not the one.
At 12 inches wide the face is narrow, so you have less surface area per side than a cube. And it is field points only, so it adds nothing to broadhead rehearsal.
5. Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3: Best for Year-Round Outdoor Use
Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 Dual-Sided Archery Target, 23 x 12
23 x 12 in
Polypropylene bag
54 layers MLDD foam
Two-year warranty
+ The Good
- 4.7 stars across roughly 1800 reviews
- 54 layers outlasts thinner 38-layer bags
- Weatherproof for year-round outdoor use
- Ten bullseyes slow centre wear
- The Bad
- 28 pounds is heavy to reposition
- Field-point design only
- Only two usable faces
If your target lives outside under a tree and you shoot through more than one season, layer count matters more than anything else. The Supreme 3 uses 54 layers of multi-layer dual-density construction, and owners consistently credit that with surviving high-volume shooting where thinner bags quit.
It rates 4.7 stars across roughly 1,800 reviews with an 81 percent five-star share, and the durability theme dominates the feedback. People report it replacing bag targets they had already shot out, and the weatherproof build is described as holding up outdoors between sessions without degradation.
Two shooting sides carry ten bullseyes between them, which spreads impact and slows the wear pattern in the centre. The E-Z tote handle handles transport between the yard and a field range, and there is a limited two-year manufacturer warranty behind it, the longest coverage among these ten.
At 23 by 12 inches the face is tall and narrow, which suits vertical sight alignment work and long practice sessions where you are chasing a tight group low on the face.
Why it suits permanent outdoor placement
The weatherproof construction is the specific answer to the question about leaving a target out, and 54 layers means you are not replacing it every autumn. Combined, those two facts make it the one we would put up in a yard that gets no cover at all.
It also takes a heavy compound or crossbow bolt without complaint, so the outdoor investment pays off whether you shoot recurve or speed.
Where it falls short
Twenty-eight pounds is a genuine two-hand lift, and owners moving it around the yard regularly notice. Budget your back for it rather than assuming it is a casual carry.
Only two usable faces means wear concentrates faster than on a cube, and the design is field-point oriented with no broadhead capability. Shooters who need hunting practice will find it limited.
6. KAINOKAI Straw Target: Best for Traditional and Recurve Bows
KAINOKAI Traditional Hand-Made Straw Archery Target,Arrow Target for Recurve Bow Longbow or Compound Bow(20in / 3 Layers)
22 x 22 x 5.5 in
Hand-woven straw
3 5 and 7 layer options
Included lanyard
+ The Good
- Gentle on wooden arrow shafts
- Very light with an included lanyard
- Layer count matches draw weight
- Doubles as a decorative piece
- The Bad
- Loose straw core sheds debris
- Handmade sizes vary slightly
- Field points only and wears fast
Nothing else on this list looks like this one, and that is the appeal. It is a hand-woven straw target, sold in three, five and seven layer versions, aimed squarely at traditional archers shooting wooden or wooden-style shafts.
Straw is a loose natural core, and that is exactly why traditional shooters like it. The woven material grips an arrow without the violent deceleration that shreds fletching or splits a shaft, and the target is feather-light at around 6 pounds for the three-layer version. The included lanyard lets you hang it from a rope, a branch or a wall bracket without any frame.
The layer count is matched to draw weight at 18 metres: three layers for under 30 pounds, five layers for 30 to 40 pounds, and seven layers for 40 pounds and up. That guidance is more useful than anything else in the listing, because it tells you honestly which version your bow needs.
The silk-printed face works bare or with standard target paper over the top, and owners mention using it as a decorative piece in a garage or shop as often as shooting it. It rates 4.6 stars across more than 1,600 reviews with 80 percent five-star feedback.
Why it suits traditional archery
Wooden shafts are the reason. A field-point arrow can survive being buried; a bare shaft cannot, and straw stops it far more gently than any foam block in this list. Traditional recurve and longbow shooters get a target that treats their arrows properly.
It is also among the easiest targets here to hang, and the lanyard plus the low weight suit a small yard, a garage wall or a field edge where nothing can be kept standing.
Where it falls short
The loose core sheds chaff and debris, so it needs sweeping up. Because it is handmade, dimensions vary a little from the listed sizes, so plan for that if you are building a frame around it.
It is field points only, and foam bag and block targets outlast it many times over under sustained fire. Treat it as a supplementary face or a casual backyard target, not a high-volume practice face.
7. Block 6×6 Poly Fusion: Best Six-Sided Block for Broadheads
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target 6-Sided, 18x18x16, Polyfusion Technology, Black
18 x 18 x 16 in
Poly Fusion multi-layer foam
Six shooting faces
400 FPS rating
+ The Good
- Six usable faces greatly extend target life
- Outlasts bag targets under volume
- Stops field points and broadheads
- 15 pounds is a carryable weight
- The Bad
- Broadheads chew through a face quickly
- Needs a backstop behind an 18 inch face
- Blemished units reported on arrival
The number six in this product’s name refers to shooting surfaces, not inches, and that is the whole design. Six full faces on an 18 by 18 by 16 inch cube gives you a generous per-face area, and it is why owners say this block replaced bag targets they had already shot out.
Poly Fusion technology attaches every foam layer firmly to the inside walls of the cube. The practical effect is two things: the layers do not shift and bunch after a few thousand arrows, and arrows release from the face more easily than on softer competing foam blocks. Multiple reviewers specifically single out retrieval as easier than they expected.
It is rated to 400 FPS with standard-diameter arrows, which covers most high-performance compound setups and many crossbows. The maker also states it handles the complete arrow range from practice tips to broadheads, and owners confirm field points and broadheads both stop without splitting the block apart.
At 15 pounds it is heavy enough to resist tipping in wind and light enough to carry by the built-in handle. That balance is genuinely useful when your shooting lane moves around the yard depending on the season.
Why it suits broadhead practice
Six faces means the damage from blades is spread across a much larger area than a two-sided target allows. If you are sighting in for hunting and shooting broadheads regularly, that spread is the difference between replacing a face every few weeks and replacing one every season.
It also stops practice tips and field points, so the whole quiver can shoot at one face. That makes it a sensible shared target for a house where more than one bow type is in use.
Where it falls short
Broadheads still chew through a face quickly. Blades cut foam, and the more hunting arrows you put into a given side, the shorter that side’s life.
At 18 inches tall it is taller than the other foam blocks in this roundup, so a proper backstop behind it is not optional. A small number of buyers have also reported blemished or damaged units arriving, so inspect the box before you start shooting.
8. Block Classic Friction Foam: Best Lightweight Block for Instinctive Shooting
BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Archery Target, 18” x 18” x 13.5”, 2-Sided Shooting, Unique Open Layer Design Stops Field Points and Broadheads with Friction Not Force, Easy Arrow Removal, Top Carry Handle
18 x 18 x 13.5 in
Patented open-layer friction foam
Two shooting sides
Top carry handle
+ The Good
- Friction foam stops arrows without crushing shafts
- One owner logged roughly 3000 shots
- Lightweight yet stable
- High-contrast face aids acquisition
- The Bad
- Only two sides so the centre wears first
- Mechanicals penetrate past the vanes
- Edge wrap is easily cut and unravels
This is the shorter sibling to the Block 6×6, built on the same patented open-layer friction foam. The difference is scale: two shooting sides instead of six, and a 13.5 inch depth instead of 16, which is what makes it noticeably lighter to carry.
The stopping mechanism is the same friction principle. Arrows enter between open unglued layers, heat from the high-speed penetration grips the shaft, and that heat dissipates so the arrow releases within seconds. The practical benefit is that arrows come out without a crush mark, and retrieval gets easier once the target has cooled.
One long-term owner logged roughly 3,000 shots and was still going, which is the kind of report you do not see from bag targets. Owners also use the blank reverse face deliberately for instinctive shooting, where you do not want printed aiming points at all.
The high-contrast black-and-white face is genuinely useful for target acquisition at short and long range, and both 18 and 22 inch widths are offered so you can size up. It rates 4.6 stars across roughly 970 reviews with a 77 percent five-star share.
Why it suits instinctive practice
A blank face removes aiming points entirely, which forces you to hold the centre and build a repeatable release. For experienced recurve or traditional shooters practising that, a plain white face is genuinely more useful than another printed bullseye.
The light weight also makes it the easiest foam block here to move between a garage lane and a yard session without help.
Where it falls short
Only two shooting sides means the centre wears out well before the rest of the block, and mechanical broadheads penetrate past the vanes fast. Edges are vulnerable too, and cutting the outer wrap that holds the layers together causes unraveling.
Field points can be slightly harder to pull than from a bag target, so a soap tip helps. The blank reverse face is also a downside if you wanted a second printable surface.
9. Rinehart 18-1: Best for Crossbow and Long-Term Ownership
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
15 x 15 x 15 in cube
Self-healing foam
18 shootable faces
500 FPS crossbow approved
+ The Good
- 18 faces make it one of the longest-lasting targets
- Self-healing foam keeps its shape
- Handles broadheads and 500 FPS crossbow work
- Stands alone and moves by its handle
- The Bad
- Top price point in this roundup
- 15 inch faces are smaller than some rivals
- Retrieval is less smooth than open-layer friction foam
The Rinehart is the one owners name when cost per year is the deciding factor. On r/Archery, Reinhart and Morrell targets are the two names that keep coming up as the ones that stop arrows completely, and this is the only cube here that pairs that reputation with an 18-face count.
The foam is self-healing, which is the mechanical explanation for that reputation. Rather than staying permanently compressed, it recovers its shape and integrity after repeated hits, so the cube keeps stopping arrows properly long after a standard block would have started to feel dead.
It is rated to 500 FPS and crossbow approved, and owners use it for both broadhead and field-point work. The highly visible target zones are designed for quick acquisition at distance, which matters when you are shooting a crossbow at a smaller face further out.
It rates 4.6 stars across roughly 810 reviews with 81 percent five-star feedback. That is a smaller review pool than the Morrell bags, but the sentiment is unusually consistent, and people tend to review this target after years rather than months.
Why it suits crossbow shooters
The 500 FPS rating covers fast crossbow bolts, and the self-healing foam does not lose stopping power as the face degrades. That combination is why it survives heavy bolt volume where field-point bags give up.
Because it takes broadheads as well, it lets you practise the whole hunting sequence at home without switching target types mid-session.
Where it falls short
It carries the top price in this roundup, and cost per year only works out if you actually shoot it. If your sessions are occasional, a replaceable-cover bag will serve you better financially.
Each face is 15 inches, smaller than the 18 to 22 inch faces on competing blocks, so groups at long distance have less room before the arrow exits the face. Retrieval is also less smooth than open-layer friction designs.
10. Delta McKenzie Speedbag: Best for Hanging and Indoor Setup
Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20″ Archery Field Point Bag Target – High-Density Material – Dual-Sided Aiming Points – Easy Arrow Removal – Weatherproof Design for Compound Bows, Recurve & Crossbows
20 inch diameter x 10 inch
Nylon bag
525 FPS field point rating
Built-in hanging grommets
+ The Good
- 525 FPS field point rating for a bag
- Built-in grommets for instant vertical mounting
- 27 pounds balances stability and portability
- Weatherproof nylon shell
- The Bad
- Field points only
- Bag fill wears faster than a foam block
- Round face concentrates impact
The last pick solves a specific problem: a bag target is a bag, and bags are awkward to hang. This one has grommets built into the shell, so you run a rope or a hook straight through it and it is vertical in seconds, indoors in a garage or outdoors on a fence line.
It also carries the highest published field point rating in this roundup at 525 FPS, which is unusual for a bag target and closes the gap that normally makes bags a compromise for fast bows. The 20 inch round face has dual-sided high-contrast aiming points that read well in low light.
At 27 pounds it splits the difference between stability and portability better than the heavier bags here. It is described as working for compound, recurve and crossbow, and owners confirm solid stopping power for field points from all three.
It rates 4.5 stars across roughly 660 reviews with 75 percent five-star feedback. The grommets and the contrast faces are the features reviewers call out as practical for a quick backyard or indoor setup.
Why it suits a garage or covered lane
Vertical mounting makes it usable in places a floor-standing bag is not. A garage wall, a covered porch beam or a fence line can all carry it, which is exactly what you need when your shooting window is short.
The 525 FPS rating also means recurve shooters who hate a bag are not forced into a slow, bouncing target if their bow is quick.
Where it falls short
Field points only. If you shoot broadheads at home, this is not the target, and that is a real limitation in an otherwise versatile list.
Bag construction wears faster than a foam block under high volume, and a round face concentrates impact in the centre rather than spreading it, so expect to rotate sides sooner than with a cube.
Foam vs Bag vs Straw: Which Archery Target Should You Buy?
Foam blocks are better for longevity, broadheads and outdoor permanence. Bags are better for portability, printed game faces and fast arrow recovery. Straw is better for wooden shafts and traditional bows. Pick based on your arrow tips and your shooting volume, not on which one looks best in the garden.
The difference comes down to how each one absorbs energy. Foam block targets stop arrows by friction: the arrow enters between open layers and is held by the material squeezing the shaft, which is gentle on the shaft and very slow to wear out. Bag targets stop arrows by force, using a dense foam core that absorbs the whole impact, which is why bags can feel spongy and why light draw weights can make an arrow bounce rather than stick.
That single mechanical difference explains almost every practical outcome. Friction-stopped targets tend to bury arrows deeper at high draw weights and can be harder to pull by hand, but they accept broadheads and blades without collapsing. Force-stopped bags give a reliable stop for fast compound and crossbow shooting, but a cut broadhead can find the seam and open a hole in the cover.
Straw is a third category entirely. A woven natural core grips a shaft without the deceleration that splits wood, and it is the only option here that genuinely suits bare wooden arrows. Its trade-off is debris, limited weather tolerance and a much shorter service life under volume.
Our forum research turned up a recurring pattern worth repeating here. ArcheryTalk users described shooting out multiple bag targets before settling on a durable outdoor-range style bag or a foam block, and on r/Archery the recurring complaints were the same three: bags soak up water, broadheads shred the cover, and replaceable covers for off-brand bags are hard to find. Choose the format whose failure mode you can live with.
How to Choose an Archery Target for Your Backyard
Match the target to your bow speed
Every target carries a published FPS rating, and that number should drive your choice. Up to about 300 FPS, almost anything on this list will stop a standard-diameter arrow. Between 300 and 450 FPS you want a bag rated to 425 or 450, or a foam block rated to 400. Above 450 FPS, particularly for a fast crossbow, look at the Rinehart 18-1 at 500 FPS or the Delta McKenzie at 525 FPS.
Going under-rated is the most common and most expensive mistake. An arrow that passes through means a new arrow, a neighbour conversation, or a trip to the emergency room.
Decide on arrow tips before anything else
Field points only is the majority of this list, including three of the four Morrell products and the Delta McKenzie. If you want to sight in for hunting, or you are learning broadhead accuracy, you need a foam block: the Black Hole, the Block 6×6, the Block Classic or the Rinehart all accept broadheads.
Mechanical broadheads are the hardest case. They cut aggressively, so expect to rotate faces and budget for a replacement core sooner.
Count faces, not face size
Total usable surface decides how long a target lasts. The Rinehart gives you 18 faces at 15 inches, the Block 6×6 gives six at 18 inches, and a typical two-sided bag gives you two at 20 by 12. If you shoot high volume, faces beat face size every time.
Look for a replaceable core or cover
This is the feature owners value most, and it is the one most often missing. The Morrell Double Duty has a replaceable cover, and foam block lines generally sell cores separately. Where a listing offers only a cover or only a core, check the product title carefully, because replacement-only listings sit next to complete targets in search results and buyers mix them up constantly.
Think about standing power and sun
Foam blocks stand up on their own and shrug off rain and ultraviolet light. Bags need a stand or a hanging point, and their outer fabric is the first thing to fail in full sun. If the target lives outdoors with no cover, the layer count and weatherproofing are the deciding factors.
Size for your distance
At 30 yards a 20 inch face is generous. At 60 yards, groups shrink and you want 22 to 23 inches, or a cube with a bigger face. If your yard runs long, plan on the largest face you can move rather than the smallest one that fits.
Backstop and Safe Setup for a Backyard Archery Range
No target stops every arrow, and a target is not a backstop. A proper backstop catches the misses and the low shots, and it is the difference between backyard archery and a call from a neighbour. A 4 by 6 foot stall mat on a simple 2×4 frame, or a stack of hay bales behind a heavy foam block, is the standard approach that archery forum builders converge on.
Cardboard works as a cheap inner layer and is easy to replace, but it is the first thing to shred. A stall mat or plywood sheet behind it absorbs far more. The whole frame is a simple afternoon build with fence clamps or a basic screwed frame, which is the version most archery forum builders settle on.
Place the backstop so it catches arrows well beyond the target face, not directly behind it. A low shot should hit the backstop, not the ground in front of it. Keep the backstop tall enough for your longest shot and fix it so it cannot be knocked over by an errant hit.
On distances, beginners should start at 10 to 15 yards and build to 30 before pushing to 60. Never shoot toward a road, over a fence line, or anywhere with neighbouring property in the arrow’s path. Walk the lane before every session rather than assuming nothing changed since last week.
A practical layout that works in a normal yard is two distances. Set the target at 30 yards for technique and grouping work, then move it to 60 yards for distance practice, with the backstop covering both lanes from the same shooting point. Forum shooters who run multi-distance layouts use a similar arrangement between 30 and 75 yards.
If you are planning a wider backyard setup, our backyard security camera guide covers covering the approach to your shooting area while you are not at it, which also makes a range safer to leave set up.
How to Keep a Target Outdoors Without Ruining It
Foam block targets handle outdoor exposure better than bags because water runs off an open-cell block instead of soaking into a closed cover. Bags are the ones that degrade, and a wet bag becomes heavy, then the stitched seams start to give. If you are buying for permanent outdoor use, choose a weatherproof bag or a foam block and accept that fabric bags need occasional drying.
Position matters as much as the target. Out of direct afternoon sun if you can, because ultraviolet light is what fades printed faces and degrades outer fabric fastest. Shade under a tree is fine as long as the canopy is above and behind you, not dropping branches into the impact zone.
Bring bags under cover for heavy rain rather than soaking them, and let them dry before storage in a sealed bag. Do not store a foam block in a sealed plastic bag while it is damp, since trapped moisture is worse than rain.
Rotate faces on a schedule rather than when a hole appears. A simple rule is to switch faces every 500 arrows, which keeps the centre in every face usable for longer and makes your groups more honest.
DIY Backyard Archery Targets Worth Building
Foam insulation board is the most popular homemade target in archery forums, and the reason is simple: it works, it is cheap compared with buying a target, and it does not shed straw debris across the lawn. Cut four squares of rigid foam insulation, glue them face to face, wrap them in carpet or a heavy canvas, and you have a friction-style block that stops field points and holds together for a season.
A shade cloth bag is the other reliable build. Fill a heavy-duty bag with plastic bags or old clothing, add a layer of foam, and you have a force-stopped target for a fraction of the cost of a commercial bag. It behaves like a standard bag target, which means field points and easy extraction, but you lose the warranty and the printed faces.
Straw bundles are the cheapest build of all if you can source bales, and traditional shooters rate them highly because they are kind to wooden shafts. They shed debris, wear faster than foam, and are impractical in a wet climate.
Whatever you build, treat it as a practice target. DIY builds are for form work and casual shooting, not for broadheads at full draw or crossbow bolts. If you need that, buy a rated product.
One last buying note: if you are also putting together a practice space, our drum practice pad guide and bedroom practice amp picks cover the other half of home rehearsal setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are foam or bag archery targets better?
Foam blocks last longer, accept broadheads and survive being left outdoors, so they are better for high-volume practice and hunting rehearsal. Bags pull arrows out more easily, carry printed game faces and are lighter to move, so they are better for beginners and family shooting. Most backyard shooters end up owning one of each.
What is the best backstop for an archery target?
A heavy-duty stall mat or plywood sheet mounted on a simple 2×4 frame is the standard backyard backstop, with cardboard as a cheap inner layer and hay bales as a cheap outer layer. Place it so it catches arrows well beyond the target face, not directly behind it, and fix it so it cannot be knocked over.
What can I use as a DIY archery backstop?
Cardboard, plywood, a truck bed tailgate mat, hay bales and old camping mats are the most common homemade backstops. The most common forum build is a 4 by 6 foot stall mat on a 2×4 frame, which is a cheap afternoon build and absorbs far more than cardboard alone.
How far away should an archery target be?
Beginners should start at 10 to 15 yards and build to 30 yards for accuracy work before moving out to 60 yards. A 20 inch face is generous at 30 yards but tight at 60, so size up to 22 or 23 inches if your yard runs long. Always walk the lane before shooting.
Can archery targets stay outdoors?
Yes, but foam blocks tolerate exposure better than bags because water runs off an open-cell block rather than soaking into a closed cover. Weatherproof bags such as the Morrell Supreme 3 are built for year-round use. Bring fabric bags under cover for heavy rain and dry them before storing them sealed.
What is the best archery target for outdoor use?
For a foam block that stays out permanently, the Black Hole 4-Sided or the Block 6×6 are the strongest choices, since open-cell foam does not absorb rain. For a bag, the Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 has 54 layers of MLDD foam and a weatherproof build rated for year-round outdoor practice.
Can I put an archery target in my backyard?
Yes, provided you have a clear shooting lane, a proper backstop behind the target and no road, fence line or neighbouring property in the arrow’s path. Never shoot over a fence. Keep the lane short at first, check what is behind the backstop, and tell a neighbour before you start if the sound carries.
What type of foam is best for archery targets?
Layered open-cell foam is best for field points and broadheads because arrows enter between layers and are held by friction, which protects the shaft. Multi-layer dual-density foam bags are best for fast compound and crossbow shooting because they absorb more energy per inch. Self-healing foam lasts longest but costs more.
What is the best arrow for target practice?
Field points are the standard practice arrow because they stop in every target in this roundup and come out undamaged, which keeps your spine weights honest. Use broadheads only on foam blocks rated for them, and use wooden shafts only on a straw target or a gentle foam face.
Conclusion: The Best Archery Targets for Backyard Practice in 2026
Buy the Black Hole 4-Sided foam target if you shoot a mix of field points and broadheads and you want one target that stops both without damaging your shafts. It is the most reviewed product here, it spreads wear across four faces, and it is light enough to carry with one hand.
Buy the Morrell Double Duty cube if you want the best-reviewed bag on this list, four printed game faces for the whole family, and a replaceable cover that protects your core over the years. Buy the Rinehart 18-1 if you shoot crossbows and want one target you will never replace. Buy the Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger if a child is shooting with the rest of you.
Whatever you choose, pair it with a real backstop, keep the lane short, and check that the listing you are buying is a complete target rather than a replacement cover. That single check prevents the most common disappointment in this category, and it is the fastest way to get the right answer for the best archery targets for backyard practice in 2026.
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