Mathews Lift X 29.5 vs Mathews ARC 34
Quick take: The Mathews Lift X 29.5 costs $370 less; the Mathews Lift X 29.5 is rated 5 fps faster (348 fps ATA); the Mathews Lift X 29.5 is the lighter carry (3.99 lb bare).
| Spec | Mathews Lift X 29.5 | Mathews ARC 34 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $1,469 |
| Rating | 5★ (2) | 5★ (9) |
| Type | Flagship Compound | Flagship Compound |
| ATA/IBO Speed | 348 fps | 343 fps |
| Length | 29.5" | 34" |
| Brace Height | 6" | 6.5" |
| Draw Weights | 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 lb | 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 lb |
| Draw Length | 24.5–30" | 26.5–32" |
| Let-Off | 85% | 85% |
| Mass Weight | 3.99 lb | 4.3 lb |
| Construction | Compound | Compound |
| Setup | Dealer-only like all Mathews; buy in-store and have the shop set draw length via SwitchWeight X mods (24.5–30", 80 or 85% letoff — each combo is a separate mod purchase). Limb Shift tuning needs only a hex wrench, no press. It takes Mathews' Bridge-Lock sights, LowPro quivers, and Silent Connect sling system; stock of some finishes and left-hand models is thinning as it sells through. | Mathews is dealer-only — no online sales, so plan an in-store fitting. Draw length changes are mod-based (26.5–32" via SWX-2 mods, sold per length/letoff), and Limb Shift lets your shop micro-tune cam lean with a wrench instead of a press. The integrated Silent Connect anchor and Mathews' Bridge-Lock/LowPro accessory ecosystem keep the finished bow slim, but you're largely buying into Mathews-branded accessories. |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (original owner, via authorized dealer) | Limited lifetime (original owner, via authorized dealer) |
Pros & cons
Mathews Lift X 29.5
- ✓Lightest bow in this group at 3.99 lb bare
- ✓Field & Stream's most accurate bow from 20–40 yards in its test year
- ✓Measured 67.5 dB — among the quietest flagships ever tested
- ✓Dead in the hand with essentially no post-shot vibration
- ✓Closeout pricing: ~$200+ under original street, far under 2026 flagships
- ✓Press-free Limb Shift micro-tuning
- ✓Compact 29.5" ATA excels in blinds and treestands
- ✗Aggressive cycle — holds near peak weight late, then a short valley
- ✗6" brace height is less forgiving than the ARC 34's 6.5"
- ✗SwitchWeight X mods cost extra any time your draw weight or letoff changes
- ✗Discontinued for 2026 — colors, dexterity, and mod availability will shrink
- ✗Only 2 customer reviews at the rating source — thin sample
Mathews ARC 34
- ✓Unanimous best draw cycle in Outdoor Life's 2026 seven-bow test (5/5)
- ✓Rock-steady on target — testers and owners report it aims like a longer target bow
- ✓Press-free Limb Shift tuning; owners call it 'a snap to tune'
- ✓Quiet and dead in the hand, consistent with recent Mathews flagships
- ✓Wide 26.5–32" draw range covers long-draw shooters most flagships ignore
- ✓Choice of standard SWX (faster) or SWX-Z (smoother) mods
- ✓$1,469 undercuts carbon-riser rivals by $500+
- ✓Perfect 5.0 across 9 Scheels customer reviews so far
- ✗Short valley — it wants constant pressure into the stops or it jumps off the wall
- ✗Some owners find the first third of the draw stiff despite the hype
- ✗Engage/Bond grip is polarizing; a common ArcheryTalk complaint
- ✗Accuracy trailed the Elite Varos in Outdoor Life's testing (3.56" vs 2.79" at 50 yd)
- ✗Dealer-only purchase; mods cost extra if your draw specs change
- ✗4.3 lb bare is mid-pack — noticeably heavier than the Lift X it replaced