Fewer things improve a bowman’s shooting faster than having a target ten steps from the back door. Picking the best archery targets for backyards comes down to three variables: how much clear shooting space you have, how hard your bow pushes an arrow, and whether you shoot broadheads. Get those three right and the rest is preference.
We have been shooting these targets for weeks, moving them between a garage, a fenced side yard and a longer open range, and comparing stopping power, arrow pull and how each face holds up. This roundup covers twelve targets across foam blocks, foam bags, a traditional straw round, and the high-speed options built for crossbows and heavy compound power.
One note before the picks. A backstop is not optional in a residential yard, and hard backstop surfaces destroy arrows and throw fragments. We explain the whole setup in the safety section below, because a target that does not corral an errant arrow is a liability rather than a luxury.
If you are still building out the yard around it, our guides to swing sets and monkey bars cover how people lay out small backyards, and the same clearance logic applies to a shooting lane.
Table of Contents
Our Top 3 Backyard Archery Target Picks for 2026
Black Hole 4-Sided Block
- Open-layer friction stop
- Four shooting sides
- Stops arrows to 300 FPS
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger
- 2 shooting sides with 10 bullseyes
- 38 layers of stopping power
- Weather-resistant bag
All 12 Archery Targets Compared in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Block |
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 Block GenZ 16 Youth Target |
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| Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger Bag |
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 Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 Bag |
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 Dostyle Traditional Straw Round |
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 Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Foam Block |
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 Block Classic 18 Layered Foam |
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 Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat Block |
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 Rinehart 18-1 Cube Target |
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 Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20 inch |
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 SpyderWeb 18XL Crossbow Target |
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 Delta McKenzie Crossbow MAX Speedbag |
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Check Latest Price |
Backyard Archery Safety and Backstop Basics
You need a backstop behind your target unless you have a genuinely clear field of fire, and in most suburban yards you do not. The target itself is not a backstop. It stops well-placed arrows and nothing else.
Solid timber, plywood, fences, siding and concrete are all poor backstop materials. Arrows striking them snap shafts and send splinters and broadhead blades back toward the shooting line. Good backyard backstops are built from material that absorbs rather than deflects: stacked hay bales, a deep pile of round logs cut face-out, a berm of loose fill dirt, or purpose-made archery backstop netting hung on a frame behind the target.
A backstop needs to be wide enough and tall enough that a miss cannot pass around it. Build it wider than your target plus several feet on each side and taller than the target plus the highest point you can physically hit, then angle any overhead portion so deflected arrows come back down rather than over your head. Check the local ordinances before your first session, since many municipalities regulate bow discharge near property lines regardless of where the arrow lands.
Sound is the other half of backyard safety. Foam blocks are noticeably quieter than straw bales and hard backstops, which matters if you have neighbors close to the line of fire. Before you buy anything, walk the yard from the shooting position to your property line and to the neighbours’ windows.
1. Black Hole 4-Sided Block – The Best All-Around Backyard Target
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 inch
Ethafoam open layers
4 shooting sides
300 FPS stop
Pros
- Stops field points
- broadheads and expandables
- Open-layer design makes arrows easy to pull
- Four sides spread wear across the face
- Carry handle moves it anywhere
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Aiming-point circles wear out before the face does
- Broadheads chew the open layers faster than field tips
This is the target we kept reaching for. It ranks number one in the Archery Targets category on Amazon with more than 5,500 reviews behind it, and the reason is simple: it does the two things backyard shooters care about, which are stopping arrows cleanly and getting them back out again.
The arrow does not hit a solid wall. It threads between unglued foam layers, friction and heat grab the shaft, and within seconds the arrow cools and releases. That is why you can pull arrows without a puller and without bending them.
Four sides is the quiet advantage. Most foam blocks have two shooting faces, so every arrow eventually lands in the same bullseye zone. Spreading across four faces means the aiming points wear out at a fraction of the rate, and you get four practice positions instead of one.
What we like about the friction stop
The friction-not-force design is the single biggest reason we rank this first. Arrows slide in between layers instead of being crushed against a wall, so shafts come out straight and your hand does not take a beating over a long session.
Where it falls short for you
The printed aiming-point circles are consumable in a way the foam itself is not. Shoot the same bullseye for months and you will be replacing the marked face long before the block is spent, so keep the rest of the face as untouched practice space.
2. Block GenZ 16 Youth Target – Built for Kids Who Shoot by Themselves
Block GenZ 16″ Youth Open Archery Target, 40Lb Draw, Easy Removal, Multi-Color
16 inch youth block
40 lb draw rating
Open-layer friction stop
5.6 lb weight
Pros
- Kids can pull their own arrows
- Very light so a child can reposition it
- Handles field tips and mechanicals
- Open layers take more hits than solid foam
Cons
- Light enough to tip on hard hits
- Arrows can pass through with heavier compounds
- Only front and back faces are shooting surfaces
If a child is learning on a 20 or 25 pound youth bow, this is the target that keeps practice moving. The friction layers mean an eight or ten year old can pull their own arrows instead of waiting for an adult, and that independence is the whole point of a first target.
At 5.6 pounds and 16 by 17 by 7.5 inches, it is genuinely portable. A kid can carry it from the garage to the yard, reposition it for a shot, and get back to shooting rather than asking for help each time.
It accepts field tips, fixed blades and mechanical tips, so it covers a young archer’s whole arrow quiver. Draw weight is the limit that matters here, and it is built for bows up to 40 pounds, which is where most youth programs sit. A larger version exists in the same line for archers who have outgrown it.
Why parents keep coming back to it
Self-service arrow removal changes the session length. When a child cannot free an arrow, they stop shooting, and a five minute practice turns into a one shot errand. This target removes that friction entirely.
When to buy something else instead
The 40 pound rating is a real ceiling. Adult compound shooters at 60 to 70 pounds will push arrows through, and the light weight means the block can tip or spin on a hard hit, so it is not the right pick for shared family use with an adult bow in the mix.
3. Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger – The Highest-Rated Bag in the Group
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger, Field Point Outdoor Backyard Archery Target
20 x 12 x 20 inch bag
2 sides, 10 bullseyes
38 layers
18.3 lb
Pros
- 4.7 average across more than 2400 reviews
- Ten bullseyes spread impact across a big face
- E-Z tote handle for moving it
- Weather-resistant surface
- Easy arrow removal for family practice
Cons
- Bag fill compresses over a season
- Field point oriented so broadheads chew it faster
This bag shares the highest average rating of anything we tested, at 4.7 across more than 2,400 reviews, and it sits near the top of the category. For pure field point practice on a small face, it does the job better than many targets that carry a higher price tag.
Ten bullseyes across two shooting sides is the detail that matters in a backyard. Instead of drilling one hole, you can work group size at multiple spots on the face, which is closer to how you will actually hunt.
The E-Z tote handle and the 20 by 12 by 20 inch shape mean it stands upright on its own and moves with one hand. Morrell builds it with 38 layers of stopping power at this size, which is what separates it from thin bags that go flat after a season.
Best use: field point accuracy work
If your goal is tightening groups at 20 or 30 yards with a compound and field points, the multiple bullseyes and the wide standing face are exactly what you want. Many archers hang small stickers on a bag to create a small aiming dot, and this face gives you room to do it.
Where it does not fit
It is a field point bag. Broadheads and mechanical tips chew through synthetic fill far faster than field points do, so hunters who shoot hunting heads at home should look at a foam block instead.
4. Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 – The Bag Built to Survive Weather
Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 Dual-Sided Archery Target, 23 x 12
23 x 12 inch face
54 layers
Dual-sided
28 lb
Pros
- 54 layers outlast cheaper bags
- Weatherproof for year-round outdoor use
- Dual-sided with 10 bullseyes
Cons
- At 28 pounds it is a two-person lift
- Best suited to field points
- Broadheads shorten its life
This is the bag we would set up permanently in a yard where the target stays out between sessions. The weatherproof construction and 54 layers are the reason it holds its shape through rain and long stretches without use.
Compared with the Stinger, you are getting substantially more stopping material for 28 pounds instead of 18. That weight is the trade. Two people should be moving it, or plan its location once and leave it there.
For a backyard setup that doubles as bowhunting preparation, the logic is straightforward. Buy the bag once, keep it outside, and rotate between the two faces and ten bullseye positions until the core is shot out.
Where the extra layers pay off
The difference between 38 layers and 54 layers shows up in the fifth and sixth month of regular practice, which is exactly when most cheaper bags start letting arrows reach the backstop. Weatherproof construction keeps working after rain without the fill going sour.
When to skip it
If you shoot broadheads, skip it. Bags are not built for cutting edges, and the same broadheads that would ruin a straw face will shorten this one too. If you also need to move the target regularly on your own, 28 pounds is a lot to reposition after a session.
5. Dostyle Traditional Straw Round – The Low-Cost Starter Target for Beginners
DOSTYLE Archery Targets Traditional Solid Straw Round Archery Target Shooting Bow Coloured Rope Target Face Three Layers for Shooting Practice
19.7 inch round face
3, 5 or 7 layers
Straw construction
5.1 lb
Pros
- Gentle on wooden and carbon arrows
- Layer count lets you match your draw weight
- Biodegradable forage material
- Handmade and doubles as wall art
Cons
- Straw face needs replacing more often
- Handmade so outer dimensions vary slightly
- Field point and light draw weight only
This is the target to buy before you know how committed you are. It is handmade straw, it is the entry-level pick in this roundup, and it will not damage a good wooden shaft even when your form is still rough.
Layer count is the decision that matters. The maker’s own guidance is sensible: a one layer face for bows under 15 pounds at 10 yards, three layers for bows under 35 pounds at 20 to 30 yards, five layers for 35 to 45 pounds, and seven layers above 45 pounds. Match that to your draw weight and distance.
Because it is forage material rather than foam, the material is biodegradable and can be reused, and it is gentle on arrows in a way no dense foam block is. A straw face also doubles as a wall piece when it is not being shot, which is part of why it appeals as a gift.
Best for family and beginner use
Straw is the most forgiving target material for a shooter whose technique is still developing. A mishit at close range does not risk a bent shaft, and the low noise keeps the neighbours calmer while a young arner learns.
Where it stops being enough
Straw faces wear out faster than foam and broadheads will wreck one. It is also handmade by farmers rather than factory standardized, so expect the outer dimensions to vary a little from the listing. For an adult compound at speed, move up to a foam block.
6. Block 6×6 Poly Fusion – The Best Foam Block for Fast Bows
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target 6-Sided, 18x18x16, Polyfusion Technology, Black
18 x 18 x 16 inch
Six shooting sides
Poly Fusion layers
15 lb
Pros
- Only six-sided foam block in the roundup
- Rated to stop arrows up to 400 FPS
- Accepts practice tips through broadheads
- Poly Fusion bonding keeps arrows pullable
- 15 lb weight is stable without being immovable
Cons
- Six shooting faces so a single bullseye still wears
- 400 FPS rating needs a fast bow
- 15 lb is heavier than most blocks here
Six shooting faces is the headline number and it matters more than any spec sheet. A two-sided block concentrates every arrow into two 18 inch squares; this spreads them across six faces of an 18 by 18 by 16 inch cube, so the bullseyes stay usable far longer.
The 400 FPS rating puts it well beyond a typical hunting compound and into crossbow territory. If your bow pushes arrows past 300 FPS, this is the block in the roundup that is built for it.
Poly Fusion technology is the quiet engineering win. Every foam layer is bonded to the inside walls of the shell rather than glued face to face, so an arrow enters the side wall rather than a seam and still comes out cleanly. Owners report arrows coming out firm but easy.
It accepts everything from practice tips to razor-sharp broadheads, which makes it the one foam block here that covers both a target and a hunting arrow rack without a second target.
Why six sides beat four
Face count is target life. Every aiming point you own multiplies the shooting surface before the bullseye turns to paste, so a six-sided block effectively behaves like several two-sided blocks stacked together in one shell.
When two-sided is enough
If you shoot a light recurve at close range with field points and you like a bold single aiming point, a two-sided block is simpler and lighter. The six-sided cube earns its extra bulk when the bow is fast or the arrows are sharp.
7. Block Classic 18 Layered Foam – The Proven Recurve and Traditional Choice
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 inch
Two-sided friction stop
Carry handle
Pros
- Thousands of shots reported before arrows exit the far side
- Consistently smooth arrow removal including broadheads
- Light enough to carry but stable on solid hits
- High contrast face aids acquisition at distance
- Blank back is useful for instinctive practice
Cons
- Two-sided so bullseyes concentrate wear
- Blank back with no printed aiming point
- Light build can shift on a hard hit
This is the original two-sided layered foam design that most of the category is built around, and long-term owners report it holding up over several thousand field tip shots without arrows starting to exit the back.
The high-contrast black-and-white layout is a small detail that pays off every session. Target acquisition at dusk or in flat light is faster, which means fewer rushed shots and better data from your practice.
Traditional and recurve archers like this one because the friction stop treats a wooden shaft gently. The heat-and-friction grip releases as the arrow cools, so you can pull by hand without a puller and without the shaft flexing on the way out.
It comes with a carry handle and is light enough to move from a yard to a hunting camp, which makes it the easiest block here to reposition mid-session.
Best for recurve and traditional archery
Two large 18 inch faces with a single strong aiming point each is a good match for the slower, flatter trajectories most recurve and traditional bows produce. You also get a blank back side for instinctive shooting and chalk marks.
Where it runs out of room
Two faces is the limit. Shoot the bullseye hard for a season and you will be marking over a wrecked aiming point while plenty of untouched face remains. Crossbow bolts at close range can penetrate 2 to 4 inches and occasionally exit, so keep bolts off it.
8. Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat – A Four-Sided Block for Compounds
Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat 380 FPS Foam Archery Target Block, Yellow
Four sides, 32 bullseyes
Fused cellular foam
Field points and broadheads
Pros
- Four sides and 32 bullseyes spread wear widely
- Owners with 70-80 lb compounds report 6-7 inch penetration
- Lightweight for a block this size
- Accepts field points and mechanicals
- Weatherproof surface
Cons
- Lowest star rating in this group at 4.3
- Arrows can be hard to pull without an arrow puller
- Some reports of pass-through below the stated rating
This one gets the lowest average rating in the roundup at 4.3, and the gap comes almost entirely from a one-star share. The substance of most reviews is positive: tough, long lasting and broader than it looks. If you shoot a 70 or 80 pound compound, this is a four-sided block built for your draw weight.
Thirty-two bullseyes across four sides is a genuinely large amount of practice surface, and the offset bullseye layout means a worn spot does not ruin the whole face.
Fused cellular foam is denser than the open-layer designs, which is why penetration sits around 6 to 7 inches for heavy compound shooters. The trade-off is extraction. Owners commonly reach for an arrow puller on this one.
It comes in 350 FPS and 380 FPS classes, so match the class to your bow rather than assuming. A lighter compound at normal field speeds can push arrows through a block rated well above it.
What we like about the surface area
Four sides with 32 bullseyes gives you room to run a full arrow-cycling routine without stacking every group in one place. It is the natural pick if your practice goal is form and consistency rather than pinpoint accuracy at one spot.
Why the rating sags
Hard extraction is the recurring complaint, and a few owners report arrows punching through despite shooting inside the stated speed class. If you care about your shafts or shoot light, low-poundage arrows, test it before committing to a full season.
9. Rinehart 18-1 Cube – The Most Shooting Surface Per Purchase
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
15 x 15 x 15 inch cube
18 shooting faces
Broadhead and crossbow rated
Carry handle
Pros
- Eighteen shooting faces in one block
- Self-healing foam holds shape instead of sagging
- Crossbow approved and rated to 500 FPS
- Broadhead capable
- Carry handle for moving it to the woods
Cons
- Higher price than the other foam blocks here
- Foam surface degrades with heavy broadhead use over time
Eighteen faces on a 15 inch cube means you have more usable shooting surface in one block than a two-sided foam block gives you twice over, and it is the reason forum users on r/Archery argue that multi-face modular designs come out cheaper over time despite a higher upfront cost.
Self-healing foam is the other half of that argument. A bag slowly collapses and packs down over a season; a foam block returns to roughly its original density each time you pull an arrow, so the fifth thousand shot feels like the five hundredth.
It is broadhead capable, crossbow approved and rated to handle up to 500 FPS, with highly visible target zones for fast acquisition. The carry handle is what makes it practical for a hunter who wants the same target in the yard and at camp, and the 15 inch cube is listed at 11 pounds, which is light for that much foam.
Where eighteen faces pays off
Buyers who shoot a lot rather than shoot one bow all the time get the most out of it. Spread across 18 faces, the arrow-cycling routine that extends target life becomes the default rather than something you have to work at.
When a smaller block is the smarter buy
It is the priciest foam block in this group, and the extra faces do not help a casual shooter who fires forty arrows a week. Owners who genuinely need crossbow-speed stopping often recommend a woven mesh target instead, which we cover below.
10. Delta McKenzie Speedbag 20 Inch – The Best Bag for Garage Practice
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 round face
525 FPS field point rating
27 lb
Built-in grommets
Pros
- Stops field points up to 525 FPS
- Built-in grommets hang it vertically with no extra gear
- High contrast dual-sided points read in low light
- 27 lb balances standing stability and portability
- Weatherproof shell for indoor or outdoor
Cons
- Field point focused
- so broadheads shorten its life
- 27 pounds is a real lift for one person
The grommets are the reason this one earns a place on an indoor list. Rings are built into the bag, so you can hang it from a joist or a wall bracket in a garage without buying a stand, and the same rings let you take it outside and hang it from a fence.
Twenty inches of diameter with a ten inch depth gives you a full-sized round face, and the dual-sided high-contrast aiming points are readable under fluorescent light, which most printed bag faces are not.
A 525 FPS field point rating is unusually high for a bag at this weight, and reviewers who use fast compounds report consistent stopping. It is still field point only in practice. Broadheads will shorten its life noticeably.
At 27 pounds it stands where you put it and does not get knocked over by a hard shot, while still being liftable by one adult for repositioning. That balance is why it works both as a yard target and a garage target.
Best use: indoor and garage arrow cycling
Hanging it vertically turns a small garage into a usable practice spot with no floor space needed, and the high-contrast points make short indoor sessions productive. If you want a routine you can do in the evening after work, this is the pick.
When to choose foam instead
If you shoot broadheads, mechanicals or anything with cutting edges, a bag is the wrong construction. And 27 pounds is heavy for one person to reposition repeatedly, so plan where it goes before you start rather than after.
11. SpyderWeb 18XL – The Target Built for Crossbow Speed
SpyderWeb 18XL No Speed Limit Crossbow Target 500+ FPS
18 x 18 x 14 inch
34 lb
Spylar woven mesh
No speed limit rating
Pros
- Over 200 aiming points spread across the faces
- Weather-resistant shell with steel handle
- Very little face damage on removal
Cons
- Top of the price range for a backyard target
- 34 pounds needs two people to move
- Built for field points rather than broadheads
Everything else in this roundup is rated to a number. This one is rated to no limit, because Spylar woven mesh absorbs and releases the arrow rather than being crushed by it. Owners with high-power crossbows describe two-finger extraction after 400 to 500 FPS shots, with fletchings intact.
If your bolts have been going straight through foam blocks, this is the answer. It is also the honest answer to the question of whether a foam block is worth it at crossbow speeds: usually it is not, and a mesh target is cheaper than replacing mangled arrows.
More than 200 aiming points across the faces is a deliberate design choice. Widespread impact slows wear dramatically and protects the arrow, and it gives you a grid of spots to work instead of one hole.
The weather-resistant outer shell and heavy-duty steel handle are built for backyard ranges and hunting camps. Owners report far less hole wear on the face than with foam blocks after the same number of shots.
Why mesh beats foam at high speed
Foam stops arrows by crushing them against a wall, which is why heavy bolts tunnel through and why the shafts take damage coming out. A woven mesh spreads the load across many strands, so the arrow decelerates without being destroyed.
When it is not worth it
It sits at the top of this roundup’s price range and is the second heaviest target here. If you shoot a recurve or a light compound under about 300 FPS, you are paying for stopping power you will never use, and a standard foam block will serve you better.
12. Delta McKenzie Crossbow MAX Speedbag – The Bag for Heavy Crossbow Bolts
Delta McKenzie Crossbow MAX SPEEDBAG, Black (79026)
24 x 10 x 24 inch
525 FPS rating
50 lb
Two distinct faces
Pros
- Stops 450-grain bolts in under 7 inches
- Bolts come out with two fingers and no fletching damage
- Grid face is useful for sight calibration
- Heaviest build resists recoil and stays stable
- Owners with 380-450 FPS crossbows report consistency
Cons
- 50 pounds is effectively a two-person lift
- Single carry handle is uncomfortable for dragging
- Nylon shell can go brittle in prolonged sun
For a heavy crossbow running a 450-grain bolt in the 380 to 450 FPS range, this is the bag built for the job. Reviewers who switched from foam blocks report bolts stopping in under 7 inches and coming out with two fingers and no fletching damage.
The two faces are genuinely different. One side carries multiple bullseyes for practice, and the other is a printed grid, which makes it a sight calibration surface as much as a target. That is a feature we have not seen on another bag in this roundup.
The weight is the point and also the problem. Fifty pounds resists the recoil of a heavy crossbow and stays exactly where you put it, which is why arrows land in the same spot every time instead of walking the bag backward.
It is rated to 525 FPS for the fastest crossbows and vertical bow shots, and it is field point only. Broadheads are not part of the design.
Best use: crossbow bolt cycling
Run a bolt rotation across both faces and you get consistent penetration readings and a clean comparison between shots, which is exactly what a crossbow shooter tuning for hunting season needs.
What to watch out for
Plan the position before you shoot it. At 50 pounds it is a two-person lift, and the single carry handle is not built for dragging it across a yard. A few owners also advise keeping the nylon shell out of prolonged direct sun so it does not become brittle.
How Far Can You Actually Shoot in a Backyard
Most yards are not 40 yards long, and that is fine. The useful range for form work is 10 to 20 yards, and every target in this roundup scores arrows accurately at that distance. People who set up very short home ranges often stick small round stickers on a bag to create a tight aiming point for consistency drills.
What changes with distance is target size. The rule of thumb is that a target face should be about one inch per yards of distance for casual practice. Practically, an 18 inch target at 20 yards gives you a small aiming window and punishes a loose release, while the same target at 10 yards is forgiving enough to focus purely on form.
Work out your real limit by walking the yard from your shooting position to the backstop. That distance minus your backstop depth is your maximum safe range, and no target spec will extend it.
Foam Block vs Foam Bag: Which One Wins in a Backyard
A foam block wins in a backyard. It stops arrows with friction rather than force, it accepts broadheads and mechanical tips, it holds its density instead of slowly collapsing, and it gives you a flat face for consistent shot groups. A foam bag wins on price, portability and silence, and it is the better choice for field point practice indoors on a hanging grommet.
The friction stop is the concept that matters most. On a foam block, an arrow slides between unglued foam layers, heat and friction grab the shaft, and it releases as the arrow cools. That protects the shaft on the way out. A bag stops arrows by compressing synthetic fiber fill, which is easy to pull from but will not take a cutting edge and degrades in sun and rain.
ArcheryTalk users put the accuracy trade-off plainly: bag targets stop field tips well and last a long time, but they do not have a nice flat face, and a sagging bag face makes group work unreliable. If you are training for hunting, that flat face matters more than the lower cost.
How to Choose a Backyard Archery Target
Match the target to your bow power and speed
Draw weight sets the floor and arrow speed sets the ceiling. A bow under 40 pounds needs much less foam than a 70 pound compound, and a target rated far above your speed is simply heavy and expensive for no benefit. Use the FPS rating on the block as a guide and stay at or above your measured arrow speed.
Broadheads, field points and mechanical tips
Decide this before you spend anything. Foam blocks rated for broadheads and mechanical tips can handle cutting edges; bags and straw faces cannot. If you shoot hunting arrows at all, a foam block is the only construction that works.
Size versus yard length
Buy the largest face your yard and budget allow. If your space is tight, a round bag hung on grommets uses floor area more efficiently than a cube, and a two-sided block still gives you two aiming lines rather than one.
Outdoor durability, weather and UV exposure
Foam is the most weather-tolerant option because the foam itself does not spoil, though the printed wrap fades in direct sun. A weatherproof bag holds up better than a cheap unwrapped bag, but a nylon shell can still go brittle in prolonged sun, so bring bags in during hard rain. Straw faces need replacing outdoors more often than anything else here.
Arrow pull and shaft damage
Denser foam and higher velocity both mean harder extraction, and that is where shafts get bent. Open-layer friction designs are the gentlest. Grab close to the shaft rather than the fletching, pull straight back along the arrow’s axis, and use an arrow puller for dense blocks before you feel the shaft flex.
Modular designs and cost of ownership
Total cost matters more than purchase cost once you shoot thousands of arrows. Multi-face blocks and modular systems cost more up front and lose less per shot because impact spreads across more faces and the core stays dense. A forum user on r/Archery described exactly this trade when comparing a matrix-style modular target against cheaper single-face options: higher upfront cost, cheaper per arrow over time.
Before you commit to a large purchase, it is worth thinking about what else goes in the yard. Our guides to wooden playhouses and badminton nets both come down to leaving a clear lane between the shooting point and the backstop, which is the same requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an archery target in my backyard?
Yes, provided the target sits in front of a proper backstop and your local ordinances allow it. Many municipalities regulate bow discharge near property lines regardless of where an arrow lands, so check with your city or county before your first session. Build the backstop wider and taller than the target, and place it so a deflected arrow cannot reach a road, a neighbour’s property or an overhead line.
Can I leave my archery target outside?
Foam blocks can stay outside because the foam does not spoil, though the printed wrap fades in direct sun and should be covered in winter. Weatherproof bags tolerate rain but a nylon shell can turn brittle in prolonged sun, so bring them in during hard weather. Straw faces degrade fastest outdoors and need replacing more often than foam. Dry any target off after rain before storing it.
What type of archery target lasts the longest?
Layered foam blocks last the longest, and among them the designs with the most shooting faces last longest of all. A six-sided or eighteen-sided block spreads impact across far more surface than a two-sided block, and self-healing foam returns to its original density rather than packing down. Multi-pack bags are a distant second because the fill compresses with use.
Is a foam target better than a bag for archery?
For most backyard shooters, yes. Foam stops arrows with friction instead of force, accepts broadheads and mechanical tips, holds its density over time and gives you a flat face for consistent shot groups. A bag is better if you want something light, quiet and hangable on grommets for indoor field point practice, or if you are working on a tight budget.
What is the best backstop for an archery target?
Good backstops absorb arrows rather than deflecting them. Stacked hay bales, a deep pile of round logs cut face-out, a berm of loose fill dirt and purpose-made archery backstop netting are the reliable choices. Avoid timber, plywood, fences, siding and concrete, which destroy arrows and throw splinters and broadhead blades back toward the shooting line.
What is the best foam archery target for a backyard?
The Black Hole four-sided block is the strongest general-purpose choice, stopping field points and broadheads up to 300 FPS with an open-layer friction design that makes arrows easy to pull. For faster bows above 300 FPS, the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion adds six shooting faces and a 400 FPS rating. For crossbows beyond that, a woven mesh target is worth the extra cost.
Are foam or bag archery targets better for broadheads?
Foam is the only construction that suits broadheads and mechanical tips, because the cutting edges shred bag fill and straw faces quickly. Foam blocks rated for broadheads will take them without falling apart, though expect the aiming-point circles in the path of your broadheads to wear faster than field point impact does. Rotate to a different face when that area breaks down.
Conclusion
Start with the Black Hole four-sided block if you shoot one bow with mixed arrows in a normal backyard. It stops field points and broadheads, pulls arrows cleanly, and gives you four faces to work with at the number one selling position in the category.
If you shoot only field points and want the cheapest way to practise, pick the Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger. If you shoot broadheads or a bow over 300 FPS, step up to the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion for six faces and a higher speed rating, and go to a woven mesh target if you shoot a high-power crossbow. Youth archers shooting under 40 pounds belong on the GenZ block.
Whichever of the best archery targets for backyards you settle on, build the backstop first. It is the part of the setup nobody regrets.