Tested: The 5 Best Slingshots for the Money

When most people think of slingshots, their heads are probably filled with images of cartoon trouble-makers ala Bart Simpson and Dennis the Menace. And while slingshots can certainly be used for the purposes of making mischief, they were not originally intended for that purpose. Rather, they’re a relatively modern reinterpretation of a much older tool: the sling (like the one used by David against Goliath in the biblical story). And that device, like its modern counterpart, was actually widely utilized for the purposes of hunting and survival.

You might think that, in this day and age, slingshots are all but obsolete — what with guns, bows and arrows, crossbows, etc. But we’d suggest looking at it a different way: using a slingshot is a way of developing better hand-eye coordination, they’re less intrusive and dangerous than firearms, they’re a good deal more approachable from a budgetary standpoint than any of the aforementioned alternatives, and more. If that sounds like something you might be interested in, you’ll definitely want to check out the following guide covering the best slingshots for survival.

How We Tested

While the market isn’t necessarily flooded with slingshots, there is some noise to eliminate at the get-go. For starters, there are a lot of, what we call, “Amazon brands” which exist to be mostly-affordable options for beginners. While this isn’t a bad thing, it’s important to note that there are several affordable options for beginners by brands that just understand the space so much more. After looking at the usual suspects, we compiled a short list of those brands’ best models. Many of them have been mainstays in the industry for some time, so certain picks were no-brainers. We also looked at handle material, grip, overall function, and price when filling out the rest of our list. From there, testing commenced.

The only way to thoroughly test a slingshot is by firing them yourself. This may be tricky if you don’t have a facility at your disposal. For our endeavor, I (Ethan, the tester) went out to an open field that was free of people and set up a target there, made from cardboard with a bullseye drawn on the front. While shooting with wooden marbles, I focused on accuracy, in-hand feel, resistance, and how easy it was to use all-around. The entire process took a couple of weeks, but we were finally able to settle on our favorites and our reasons why.

Buyer Beware: Slingshot laws may vary from state to state or city to city, so check with your local ordinances to make sure you know if and how you’re allowed to use your slingshot.

What to Look for

Size & Weight: Size and weight are of importance when you’re taking your slingshot out in the field when hunting. You’ll want something that can be deployed, aimed, and moved with speed. However, larger, bulkier models may be preferred for at-home target practice.

Handle: Wood, metal, and composite will be your best bet in terms of handle material, with each one owing to personal preference. Wood is more traditional and feels good naturally in your hand, while steel and composites are typically more durable and may have an additional grip for ergonomics. Avoid rubber since the give in the grip may affect your aim.

Sights: While many slingshots come with built-in sights on the forks, these aren’t essential when choosing your model, unless that’s your personal preference. Most experts see these built-in sights as superfluous and prefer to aim manually by aligning the pulled band with the top fork.

Band Type: When choosing your slingshot, you’ll notice the two main types of bands are flat and tubular. While you’ll get more longevity with tubular bands, flat bands boast a smoother draw and are often more powerful of the two.

Ammo: While steel is the standard, metal ammo may be outlawed in your area. Fortunately, ammo comes in all materials and sizes, from wood to ABS plastic to glass. While plastic is better for indoor target practice, glass marbles are better for outdoors since they are not as harmful to the environment. Copper is preferred for hunting game, while lead ammo should be completely avoided for its toxic properties.

User-Friendliness: We’re all familiar with the Bart Simpson-style slingshot, which sports an iconic silhouette consisting of a wishbone frame and a band between the legs. As simple as this may appear, it’s actually not great for beginners, requiring precision in terms of loading and keeping your ammo on board. The more user-friendly models may cup the ammo or will fire without as much effort.

Beeman Marksman Laserhawk III Slingshot

Best Overall: For just a few dollars more than the cheapest options available, Beeman’s Marksman Laserhawk III has some significant upgrades (and one downgrade). These include (but are not limited to) a fully adjustable yoke, a band that’s good for shooting distances of up to 250 yards, and an extremely low weight. As mentioned, there is one downside: this one does not collapse for easier pocketing. Still, if you’re serious about taking your slingshot skills to the next level, this is a superb place to start.

For purists, you may not want something as crossbow-y as the Marksman, but there’s no denying how easy it is to use. The forearm stabilizer not only improved my steadiness but also helped prevent the handle from digging into my thumb when pulling back. If the stabilizer isn’t your thing, you can theoretically detach it, but a word of caution with that: The screw-in contraption is designed to lock in with the stabilizer bar attached, so you may experience some swiveling without it. Although the difference in experience is negligible, the leather pouch felt the best in my fingers than any of the ones I tried out.

Since we only tested these slingshots for a limited amount of time, we can’t confirm or deny what other users have said about the Marksman band’s longevity. We did notice that the tubular band wasn’t as firm or tight as some of its more expensive brethren, but I still got some distance on my shot nonetheless. Likewise, at $20, it’s a pretty low-risk proposition. We’d be remiss not to mention that you do need to make sure the top screw is in there tightly before firing to reduce the risk of it swiveling around unintentionally. Perhaps the biggest complaint we had was its inability to collapse, even without the stabilizer. If you’re a fan of this style but want something more compact, check out the Hella Flip Folding Slingshot below.

Verdict: While a bit heavier due to the added hardware, the Marksman from Beeman is nonetheless the best tubular slingshot for beginners because of how much leverage you can get from the forearm stabilizer and the lack of resistance from the band, which felt more similar to a flat band. However, even if you’re an experienced user, you’re sure to find great value with this model.

Hella Flip Folding Slingshot

Best for Travel: The San Francisco-based crew at Hella Slingshots only knows one thing – and that’s how to build a solid slingshot. And, they do so at an affordable price point. Built from a combination of steel and plastic, this slingshot includes a stabilization arm that can fold down for easier transport and comes with a powerful, stretchy band and a faux leather pouch. As a starter “wrist rocket” style slingshot, this one is an extremely solid buy.

Aside from the Beeman, the Hella Flip has the least amount of tension out of the tubular band units. This creates a nice balance between ease of use and distance. Compared to the tighter models below, the ammo launched much farther since I could pull the pouch farther back. And compared to the looser band of the Beeman, the tightness of the Hella Flip was favorable in that regard as well. We should also note that this unit is great for stowing in your bag since the stabilizer folds down and stays secure without needing to be latched.

In terms of the forearm stabilizer, the fabric-style material doesn’t feel quite as comfortable as the silicone one on the Beeman above, but the comfort level and leverage can increase and decrease. By adjusting the Velcro, you can put the stabilizer prongs lower on your forearm. However, the range is not terribly wide, perhaps out of necessity.

Verdict: Although it may not be as comfortable on the forearm as the Beeman, the Hella Flip is a fantastic slingshot for beginner users trying to strengthen the ancillary muscles required to shoot, as well as intermediate users who may or may not need the stabilizer and want something a bit tighter. Throw in the travel-friendly component and you have yourself one of the best options available.

SimpleShot Scout X Slingshot

Best Flat Band: SimpleShot’s Scout XT was one of the brand’s most popular and successful models. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t room for improvement. Enter the SimpleShot Scout X you see here, the result of years of work and listening to customer input. This sling is just as capable as its larger counterpart, but measures up at just 6″ in height — making it one of the smallest, best slingshot options available. With the Scout LT rearing for an update, the Scout X is currently Simpleshot’s finest option.

As the only flat band option in this guide, the Scout X was also the easiest to pull back, although I didn’t feel like I lost much distance in the process. The unusual handle construction felt great in my hand, placing it firmly within my palm without digging in when I pulled back. I also loved how you can use it from either side, eliminating an extra step if you need time on your side. There’s also the customization capability of the Scout X, which allows you to swap the grip and clips with ease thanks to the included hex key.

Something I never realized, since I have little experience with flat band slingshots, is how easily it is for the band to twist (even if this style does make it easier to wrap when packing). Although I didn’t notice much difference when shooting a twisted band versus a non-twisted band, there may be experts out there who find it messes with their shot. As for the built-in sights, it’s convenient that they’re placed on both sides of the fork, but they may become a distraction for anyone who prefers to aim themselves.

Verdict: The Scout X is a solid pick for newcomers with its built-in sight option, 4.6-ounce weight, and flat bands, which are significantly easier to pull. The 6-inch height eliminates much leaning when you shoot. This model seems to be the better, more well-rounded option than the brand’s Axiom, which is the same size but slightly lighter in weight, making it trickier for beginners. We didn’t get a chance to try that one out, but we’re perfectly happy with the one we have here.

Pocket Shot Survival Kit

Best All-in-One Kit: By a wide margin, the Pocket Shot is the most unique and compact slingshot on our list — utilizing a circular frame with a pocket-style pouch that, together, can offer better consistency regarding speed, accuracy, and a shorter learning curve than any other slingshot on our list. But this particular kit is even better, as it actually includes a number of other survival tools, including a fishing line, a saw, a compass, and even a storage tin in which you can store it all. Of course, if you want your pocket shot with a more traditional-style handle, the brand actually offers those, too.

While the entire kit serves as an all-in-one survival canister that fits in your pocket. It comes with ammo, a flint with a striker, safety pins, a fishing line with hooks, a wire saw, a compass, a whistle, and more. In terms of the PocketShot itself, not only is it a ton of fun to shoot with but it seems to be more powerful than other comparable slingshots, as well as more accurate since there are fewer variables between your hand and the front of the unit. You don’t have to pull your hand as far back to get a similar result that you would with a regular slingshot, allowing for a quicker shot too.

The glaring downside of the PocketShot is the fact that it’s not a traditional slingshot. Even if that’s not a problem for you, there’s also the matter of its learning curve. While easy to use, it’s difficult to establish consistency when firing, due to the required placement of fingers. But if you commit to this model, I can see muscle memory kicking in eventually. Another thing that’s important to note is that it’s not terribly easy to swap out the standard pouch with the Pro pouch. The lid is supposed to act as a “key” for unscrewing the ring from the pouch, but that was easier said than done.

Verdict: If you want a traditional slingshot, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere than the PocketShot. However, if you just want something that’s portable, powerful, and accurate, this is your best option. Not to mention, the novelty won’t soon wear off.

TOPS Knives Sling

Best Upgrade: Though the investment comes with a significant jump in price, the overall quality and craftsmanship of the TOPS Sling are more than worth the extra scratch for those serious about their slingshots. After all, it was crafted here in the USA using rugged 1095 carbon steel, which is paired with black canvas Micarta for the handle scales, a top-grain leather pouch, and a powerful band. TOPS is a premier knife brand and this model, designed by brand president Leo Espinoza, transposes that expertise and tactility to slingshot form. If you’re the type that had wooden slingshots as a child and you’re looking to recapture those glory days with something a bit more rugged and refined, you definitely can’t go wrong here.

The first thing you’ll notice when holding the TOPS Sling is the short, compact size. This will help you when traveling and hiking, as it fits in your pocket and also has a sheath option (sold separately), but is also beneficial when aiming since the tubular band can be tougher to pull back. In terms of fire power, I got the best results here, but only when I really focused on steadying my shot, which took a few extra seconds –– something you won’t be able to afford when trying to pull this out quickly. I also liked how the leather pouch felt in my hand. It was the most similar to the Beeman above, which was my favorite in terms of its feel between my fingers. However, this makes only a small difference in the overall user experience.

Let’s be absolutely clear here: The TOPS Sling is almost exclusively for expert slingshot users or those who need something solid for hunting. The tubular band is very tight and the most difficult to pull back out of the bunch. If you’re not strong enough at first, you won’t get maximum firing power with this one. Certainly affecting my accuracy, the slingshot was actually easier to use when holding in my dominant hand since the extra strength was needed for stability rather than pulling back. Even still, the ridges on the side of the handle, while helping with gripping the sling, dug into my palm when pulling back all the way. You may want to consider gloves with this one. And then there’s the price. $150+ is a lot to spend on a slingshot, but you’re getting quality, USA-made craftsmanship from one of the best knife designers out there.

Verdict: Intended for expert users and hunters, the TOPS Sling will be difficult to use, and use well, if you’re just starting out, and might even be uncomfortable to hold when pulled back –– as we said, it’s a knife in slingshot form. Requiring a lot of practice, even for many intermediate users, this super compact slingshot will still be a solid choice in terms of firepower, even though it may take extra time to aim it well. However, if you’re looking for the best top-tier option, this is it.

Slingshots Comparison Chart

Why Carry A Slingshot?

Slingshots as we know them are a relatively modern invention, dating back to just the mid-1800s — a result of the fact that Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber in 1839 and patented the technology in 1844, which slingshots depend upon for their elastic, springy bands. And while they’re typically portrayed in media as the tools of troublemakers, they actually offer quite a lot of genuine value in the hands of a skilled user. We’ve mentioned a few benefits already, but we’d like to take a moment to outline them more in-depth and touch on a few others to better help you understand why you might want a slingshot for survival usage. The following are just some of the reasons you should pick up a slingshot:

Budget-Friendliness: Especially when compared to lethal firearms, slingshots are extremely budget-friendly — both in regards to the initial investment but also in regards to replenishing ammunition (rounds are much more pricey than BBs). In earnest, even the most high-end slingshots can be purchased for a relatively reasonable price, especially when compared to the alternatives.

Hand-Eye Coordination Development: Target shooting of any kind requires a measure of hand-eye coordination to be done right, but utilizing a slingshot can take even more skill and can help you better develop said skill. Not only does a user need to be able to properly aim to send their ammunition in the right direction, but they’ll also need to properly judge distance, wind resistance, and numerous other factors — much like firing a bow and arrow, but with far less of a monetary investment.

Packability & Portability: The only other projectile weapon that even comes close to the packability and portability of a slingshot is probably a handgun. And, even then, handguns tend to be far heavier, as is their accompanying ammunition. By contrast, there are slingshots (worthy ones) that are small and slender enough to stash in the pocket of your jeans. When it comes to packability and portability, slingshots are tough to beat.

Unobtrusiveness: This ties in closely to the above metric, but we’re including it because it isn’t exactly the same thing. You see, thanks to the fact that slingshots are so compact, they’re also relatively lightweight and easy to use for people of all ages and skill levels. Yes, a professional with years of experience is going to be able to do things a beginner couldn’t fathom, but the learning curve for proficiency is shortened thanks to the manageability of the hardware. Put simply: firing a slingshot is easy to learn but difficult to master.

How to Shoot a Slingshot

If you’re just starting out, stand about 12 to 15 feet from a paper target. With the slingshot in your off-hand, aim at the ground and pull back with your dominant hand, holding the ammo in the pouch, pinched between your thumb and index finger.

Lift the slingshot so that it makes a sideways Y and stretch the pouch back past your cheekbone. To aim, sight the target by aligning the top fork prong with the middle of your pulled band.

Once you get the hang of it, you can step farther back from your target –– 10m (~33ft) is the tournament standard –– and you can also switch up your target from paper bullseyes to something like soda cans to make it more fun.

Honorable Mentions

If you have a few extra bills in your pocket and want to try out the most traditional of slingshots, check out this wooden option from Basune. We left this option off the list because it felt more like a generic Amazon product than a slingshot from a brand long dedicated to the craft. However, if you’re going for the best cheap option, this would be it.

Availability issues online forced us to leave off the Ka-Bar Sweet Move Slingshot, which taps the style of the brand’s iconic knife handles for the frame, which was made in the USA. This is a lightweight, compact tubular unit that favors durability.

The Barnett 16043 Cobra may look super tactical but this unit is a great model for beginners who are simply trying to better their aim. While it’s not as traditional as the ones on this list, there is a useful front-end sight you can employ to line up your target.

Beeman makes several good Marksman models, with the LaserHawk above being their flagship. However, we thought it would be worth mentioning the Pocket Hunter, an arrow-propelling slingshot that’s great for practicing your aim if you’re an aspiring marksman.

We wavered between including SimpleShot’s Axiom Ocularis or the Scout X, but went with the latter since it was the more well-rounded option, plus it’s more lightweight and has some features that are better for beginners. Recreating the brand founder’s personal model, this slingshot is built from an injection-molded proprietary thermoplastic material offering “unmatched strength and reliability.” If you want a more intermediate model, you might check out the Axiom.

The Basic Survival Skills Every Man Should Know

For those who are, in fact, interested in slingshots for actual fieldcraft usage, there are a few other things you’ll probably also want to take into consideration regarding outdoor preparedness. For instance, we’ve put together this guide outlining the basic survival skills everyone should know, which could potentially save your life in a pinch.