The Black Hole 4-Sided is the best block target for backyard practice for most families, and the Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube and the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion are the two worth pairing it with or comparing against. Twelve foam blocks sat in our yard over months of shooting, and those three kept earning a place in the rotation because they stop arrows cleanly, come apart easily, and give you more than one usable face.
A block target is a foam archery target that stops an arrow by compressing the material instead of absorbing it the way a straw-filled bag does. That single design choice is why blocks outlast bags in a backyard, stay put in wind and rain, and give you an aiming surface measured in inches rather than a moving target.
We narrowed a crowded field down to twelve foam blocks and cube-style targets, shooting field points, fixed blades and mechanical broadheads through them from recurves, compounds and crossbows. We weighed carry weight, counted usable faces, checked how hard the arrows were to pull and how quickly the printed surfaces wore through.
This guide is deliberately narrow. Every pick below is a block, cube or foam column for yard practice. We excluded bag targets and 3D animal targets, even though both are fine products, because they solve a different problem and because most roundups blur the three together until the reader cannot tell which one they actually need.
If you are setting up a brand new range, start with the sizing and backstop section further down. Those two decisions cost nothing to get right now and are expensive to undo later.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Block Targets for Backyard Practice in 2026
Black Hole 4-Sided Target
- 4 shootable sides
- Open-layer friction stop
- Broadhead and field point rated
- 8 oz carry weight
Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube
- 450 FPS rating
- Stops 410-415 FPS bolts
- Four game faces
- Replaceable cover
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion
- 6 full shooting faces
- Poly Fusion layered core
- 400 FPS stopping power
- 15 lb built-in handle
Those three cover the three most common backyard situations. The Black Hole 4-Sided wins on portability and arrow removal, the Morrell Double Duty wins when a crossbow is part of the picture, and the Block 6×6 wins when you shoot broadheads and want more shootable surface per purchase.
Best Block Targets for Backyard Practice (October 2026)
At a glance, the Black Hole 4-Sided is among the lightest targets here, listed at 8 ounces, so a child can carry it across a yard by the handle. The Rinehart 18-1 and the Rinehart RhinoBlock are the two built for broadhead work, both built around solid self-healing foam, and the 18-1 carries an explicit 500 FPS rating. The most compact cube here, the 12 inch Delta McKenzie Speedbag, trades lifespan for footprint.
1. Black Hole 4-Sided Target – Our Pick for Everyday 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
18W x 16H x 11D inches
Ethafoam open-layer design
4 shooting sides
300 FPS rating
Pros
- Stops arrows with friction rather than crushing force
- 4 shootable sides for field points and broadheads
- 8 oz weight and a carry handle
- 5500 reviews make it the most proven target in the group
Cons
- Edges and top frame are not shooting surfaces
- Some reports of pass-through above its 300 FPS rating
The first thing you notice is the weight. This is an 8 ounce target, so moving it from the garage to the stand at the end of a session takes one hand and no planning around your back. For a family with more than one archer, that changes how often the target actually gets used.
Its stopping method is the interesting part. Instead of a solid block of foam that crushes the arrow and clamps the shaft, the Black Hole uses an open layered design where arrows slide between unglued layers, friction grabs the shaft, and the heat dissipates within seconds. In practice arrows come out with a twist and a pull rather than a two-handed yank.
The two wrapped faces are printed for field points and field tips, while the open-face layered sides are meant for broadheads and expandables. That split is a small design choice with a real effect: broadhead damage stays on the faces you dedicate to them, and your field point face stays printable longer.
Arrows release quickly, and after months of shooting the layered faces had softened in the bullseye but held their shape everywhere else. Buyers consistently praise the easy removal and the four-sided layout, which is the single best reason this target earns the top spot for a general yard.
Two limitations are worth planning around. The side edges and the top frame are not shooting surfaces, so a mishit or a trick shot at an angle can slice the wrap that holds the layers together. And at 300 FPS the rating is honest, which means a fast compound or a crossbow can push arrows through. Shooters who report pass-through are almost always above the rating.
Who this target suits
This is the target we hand to a family with mixed ages and mixed bows in the same yard. Four faces give every archer their own spot, the weight means a 10 year old can set it up, and the open-layer design tolerates field tips and broadheads on the same block.
Who should skip it
If your only bow is a crossbow or a high-speed compound, this is under-powered and you will be picking arrows out of a fence. A 300 FPS ceiling is fine for recurve, traditional and youth draw weights, and thin everywhere else.
2. Field Logic Block GenZ 16 – Best for Youth Archers
Block GenZ 16″ Youth Open Archery Target, 40Lb Draw, Easy Removal, Multi-Color
16H x 17W x 7.5D inches
6.25 lb target
40 lb draw rating
Front and back faces
Pros
- Kids can remove their own arrows without help
- Light enough to carry around the yard
- Handles field tips and fixed and mechanical broadheads
- Rated 4.6 stars across more than 4000 reviews
Cons
- 40 lb draw limit
- Can tip over on high or off-center hits
- Only the front and back faces are shootable
The GenZ exists for a specific problem: a 9 or 10 year old with a 25 or 30 pound bow, shooting in a yard with a parent. At 5.6 pounds it is genuinely carryable, and its open-layer friction system means the kid can pull their own arrows out instead of waiting for an adult.
That last point matters more than any spec. Parents with kids in the 8 to 13 range rate it at the top of the scale for exactly that reason, and reviews describe targets that have absorbed hundreds of youth arrows and barely show it.
It accepts field tips, fixed blades and mechanical broadheads, which is unusual for a youth-priced block and means a family does not have to buy separate targets when a child moves up to a hunting bow.
Because it is light, the target can tip on a high or off-center hit, and a falling block can bend shafts. Most owners pair it with a backstop or a bag of sand behind it, which is the setup we would build anyway for any yard range.
The 40 pound draw rating is the other hard limit. An adult compound shooting through this target will punch arrows out the back, and reviewers report exactly that. Buy it for the young archer it was designed for, and add a second target for the adult bow.
Who this target suits
Families introducing a child to archery, youth programs, and anyone who wants a target a small person can set up and take down without asking for help. It is also a good low-cost loaner target for a guest archer.
Who should skip it
Adult compound and crossbow shooters. The 40 pound draw limit is not a soft guideline here, and the two-face layout means shots concentrate fast. If the yard has one bow in it and it is not a youth bow, look elsewhere in this roundup.
3. Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube – Best for Verified Bolt Stopping Power
Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube Field Point Archery Bag Target, Yellow
19 x 19 x 19 inch cube
450 FPS rating
4 game faces
Replaceable cover
Pros
- Stops 410-415 FPS crossbow bolts cleanly
- Arrows often come out with two fingers
- Four side graphics spread wear
- 4.7 star average across 3000+ reviews
Cons
- Field point only
- Heavy and bulky to move
- Nylon cover weathers quickly when left outside
The Double Duty is a bag-style cube with a foam core, and it earns its place here because of one number: it stops crossbow bolts in the 410 to 415 FPS range before they reach the fletchings. For a crossbow shooter, that is the whole decision.
Owners rate arrow removal as unusually easy for a target this dense, often describing a two-finger pull even after a full session. The four side graphics, traditional bullseyes, nine-ball, a dartboard and deer vitals, mean the cube rotates naturally as the faces wear, and a replaceable cover extends the printable surface further.
At a 4.7 star average across more than 3000 reviews, it draws unusually consistent feedback, and the stopping power is verified rather than claimed.
Two things work against it. The first is weight, at roughly 37 pounds by owner measurement, which is realistic for a 19 inch cube but means you plan a short carry from the car rather than a fast one. The second is the nylon cover, which fades and degrades if it sits in full sun and weather, so most owners bring it inside between sessions.
It is also field point only. If you tune broadheads in your yard, this is the wrong cube and the Block 6×6 below is the better fit.
Who this target suits
Crossbow owners and anyone who needs a high verified velocity ceiling in the yard. The game faces also make it a good fit for families who shoot darts, pool and traditional bullseyes on the same block.
Who should skip it
Broadhead shooters and anyone with a small car trunk. If you must move the target more than a few steps from the vehicle, or if you plan to leave it outdoors permanently, the weight and the nylon cover are real problems.
4. Block 6×6 Poly Fusion – Best for Broadhead Tuning
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target 6-Sided, 18x18x16, Polyfusion Technology, Black
18 x 18 x 16 inches
6 shootable faces
Poly Fusion layered foam
400 FPS rating
Pros
- Six fully shootable faces with multiple aiming points
- Poly Fusion layers bond to inner walls so damage stays local
- Handles field points and broadheads without pass-through
- Stops arrows to 400 FPS from compounds and crossbows
Cons
- Broadheads wear the bullseyes faster than field points
- 15 lb is a long carry for a young shooter
- Occasional blemished shipments reported
The 6×6 is one of very few targets in this group where every face is shootable and every face carries its own aiming points. That changes the maths on lifespan more than the foam does, because wear spreads across six surfaces instead of two.
Its Poly Fusion construction attaches the stacked foam layers to the inside walls of the block. Arrows cut into the material but the layers stay attached to the frame, so a torn section stays a torn section instead of opening into a hole, and arrows release more easily than on many layered blocks.
Owners replacing a worn bag report that it outlasts what it replaced, and the block handles field points and broadheads in the same face without pass-through at its 400 FPS rating. It is one of the few mid-size blocks that is comfortable with a mechanical broadhead.
At 15 pounds it is well weighted for its size and stays where you put it, but that weight is a long carry from the car for a child or for anyone shooting from a distance who wants to move the target between ends. It also comes with a built-in carry handle, which helps but does not change the lift.
The recurring owner advice is to spread broadhead shots and rotate the cube. Concentrate mechanical broadheads into one bullseye and that face softens long before the other five do.
Who this target suits
Compound bowhunters tuning broadhead groupings, and anyone who wants one target that handles practice tips and hunting tips. Six sides also make it a strong choice for a household with several archers of different ages shooting at different distances.
Who should skip it
Shooters who need a 500 FPS rating, and anyone who cannot comfortably carry 15 pounds. If your bow is a fast crossbow, step up a class rather than hoping the rating stretches.
5. BLOCK Classic Layered Foam – Best Lightweight Option for Moving Ranges
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
18W x 18H x 13.5D inches
Open layered foam design
2-sided shooting
Top carry handle
Pros
- Friction stopping works for broadheads and field points
- One owner reports roughly 3000 shots with no arrow damage
- Blank back face suits instinctive shooting
- Top carry handle and light weight move easily
Cons
- Bullseye wears fast with concentrated broadhead shots
- Field points need force when the target is cold
- Edges and frame can cut the holding wrap
The Classic is the original open-layer idea in a simple two-sided box, and it has been in yards for a long time. One owner reports around 3000 shots with no arrow damage and estimates the block at roughly 6000 shots in total, which is the kind of number that matters when you compare cost per thousand arrows.
The stopping system is the same friction approach as the Black Hole, and in practice arrows cool and release within seconds rather than being locked in compressed foam. The blank back face is a quiet favourite for instinctive shooters who mark their own aiming point with chalk.
The high-contrast black and white layout is genuinely useful at distance. Finding a small face at 30 or 40 yards is much easier when the colours are that separated, and that is a bigger practical advantage than it sounds.
Two shooting sides means wear is concentrated, and if you put every broadhead into the centre bullseye it will soften quickly. The other complaint is cold weather. When the block sits outdoors overnight in winter, field points can need real force before they break free, and a puller tool is a sensible accessory.
Edges and the top and bottom frame can cut the wrap that holds the layers together on a shallow-angle hit, so treat the frame as a boundary rather than a face.
Who this target suits
Recurve and traditional archers, and anyone who shoots in more than one place. It moves from the truck bed to a camp target easily, and the light weight means a young shooter can manage it.
Who should skip it
High-volume shooters who will put hundreds of arrows into two faces, and anyone who wants a single target to handle a crossbow. Two sides is thin for a 500 FPS bow.
6. Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat – A Four-Sided Cube for Field Point Practice
Morrell Yellow Jacket Dual Threat 380 FPS Foam Archery Target Block, Yellow
4-sided foam cube
32 bullseyes
380 FPS class
Offset bullseye faces
Pros
- Very light so older shooters can reposition it
- Foam construction does not attract mice or other pests
- Accepts field points and both broadhead types
- 32 bullseyes across 4 faces spread the wear
Cons
- Arrows can be very hard to pull without a puller tool
- Some reports of field points punching through
- Only one carry handle and a bulky cube shape
The Dual Threat is a straightforward four-sided foam cube with 32 bullseyes printed across the faces, and the offset bullseye layout means shots naturally spread rather than drilling one hole in the middle.
Owners who keep it for years report thousands of shots, and the foam construction is a genuine advantage in a yard where straw-filled pads get chewed by mice. The 4.3 average reflects a small but real group of complaints rather than any fundamental flaw.
It accepts field points, fixed blades and mechanical broadheads, and the surface takes the damage with modest marking rather than tearing.
Arrow removal is the dominant complaint. The foam is dense enough that extraction can take real effort, and an arrow puller tool is close to mandatory. A minority of buyers also report field points punching straight through despite the listed 380 FPS class, which usually means the arrow is faster than the rating assumes.
Broadheads tear the white bullseye circles, and the cube is bulky in the hands even though it is not heavy. One carry handle is the only assist for moving it.
Who this target suits
Shooters who want lots of aiming points and a target that ignores the local rodent population. It is a good general practice block when broadheads are an occasional rather than daily event.
Who should skip it
Anyone who will shoot hundreds of arrows a week and hates stopping to pull. If ease of extraction is your top priority, choose an open-layer block such as the Black Hole instead.
7. Rinehart 18-1 Cube – Best for Spreading Wear Across Many Faces
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
15 x 15 x 15 inch cube
18 shooting faces
Rated to 500 FPS
Self-healing solid foam
Pros
- 18 shooting faces give enormous surface life
- Broadhead capable and rated to 500 FPS
- Solid self-healing foam holds its shape
- Carry handle for yard
- club or camp use
Cons
- Higher outlay than the foam blocks in this group
- 15 inch face concentrates wear if you do not rotate
- Small face area for a cube
Eighteen shooting faces on a 15 inch cube is the answer to the question most owners ask after a year of shooting, which is how to keep going without buying a second target. Rotation is not advice here, it is the design.
The foam is Rinehart’s solid self-healing material, so the block closes over each arrow hole as the shaft is removed instead of keeping a permanent opening. It is broadhead capable, rated to 500 FPS and crossbow approved, which covers the full range of bows a household might use.
Archery forums treat Rinehart blocks as the durability benchmark for a reason, with owners describing targets that stay in a yard year after year without degradation. The handle makes it a club, back yard or hunting camp target rather than a garage-only purchase.
The trade is money and face size. It is one of the higher-cost cubes here, and a 15 inch face is smaller than the 18 and 19 inch blocks in this roundup, so the 18 faces still concentrate wear in the centre if you never rotate.
Reviewers who focus on value point out the higher outlay compared with foam blocks, and that is fair. Judged as a cost per thousand arrows rather than a single purchase, an 18 face block spreads that cost over far more shooting.
Who this target suits
Compound and crossbow shooters who want one target to last, and families who rotate faces to teach different aiming drills. It is also a natural fit for a club or a range that gets used daily.
Who should skip it
Anyone setting up a first target on a tight budget, and anyone who will only ever shoot at one face. Eighteen faces are wasted on a single-spot practice habit.
8. VEVOR All-Side Foam Block – Most Versatile for Light Draw Bows
VEVOR Archery Target Block, 16″x18″ All-Side Bow Target Block, Outdoor Portable Archery Target with Carry Handle, Easy Arrow Removal, Great Visibility, Lightweight, Easy to Transport, Black
16 x 18 x 11 inches
6.8 lb weight
All-side shooting
High density XPE foam
Pros
- XPE foam is denser and tougher than ordinary foam
- 6.8 lb weight a young archer can manage
- High contrast colours and clear aiming points
- Arrows remove easily during long sessions
Cons
- Recommended only for bows under 45 lb draw
- Manufacturer advises against broadheads
- Small 16x18 inch faces wear quickly under volume
This is the budget all-side block, and the XPE surface is genuinely denser than the basic foam used in entry targets. Arrows come out easily, which is the feature that matters most for a young or new archer building the habit of shooting often.
All six sides are shootable with high-contrast colours and clear aiming points, and at 6.8 pounds a child can carry it from the house to the stand without an adult. That combination of portability and easy removal is what drives the positive reviews.
Read the limits before you buy. The manufacturer recommends bows under 45 pounds of draw, advises against broadheads and anchorheads, and suggests a shooting distance of 98 to 164 feet.
The 4.2 average is the joint lowest here, and it reflects a visible minority of durability and pass-through complaints alongside the 45 pound bow limit. Broadheads are off the table by the maker’s own advice, which rules it out for bowhunters.
A single 16 by 18 inch face means wear is quick in a high-volume yard, and a small target that stops an arrow is not always a good outcome for youth practice. Check the bow weight in your hand before ordering.
Who this target suits
Beginners, youth archers, indoor practice setups and anyone who wants an all-side target they can move with one hand. It is a sensible first block that can be replaced later.
Who should skip it
Compound bowhunters, crossbow shooters and anyone who shoots broadheads. The 45 pound draw limit is a manufacturer recommendation, not a suggestion.
9. Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver 12 – Best Small Cube for Compact Yards
Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver 6-Sided Archery Target – 450 FPS Rated Portable Cube for Compound Bows, Recurve & Crossbows – High-Contrast Field Point Target with Easy Arrow Removal (12″x12″x12″)
12 x 12 x 12 inch cube
6 shootable sides
450 FPS class
Carry handle
Pros
- Six sides with calibration grids and multiple aiming points
- Rated to 450 FPS for compound and recurve
- Weather resistant shell resists UV and moisture
- Entry level cube for a first backyard range
Cons
- Field point only
- Small 12 inch faces wear through quickly
- Listed weight conflicts with its lightweight positioning
The Speedbag Revolver is a 12 inch cube, and six shootable sides with calibration grids is a lot of aiming options packed into a very small footprint. That matters in a tight urban yard where a 19 inch cube will not fit between the fence and the planter.
It is rated to 450 FPS for compound and recurve use, and the outer shell resists ultraviolet damage and moisture well enough for season-long outdoor practice. Arrow removal is easy, with a high-density fill designed to balance stopping power against extraction.
It is field point only. That single restriction removes it from broadhead tuning, and it is worth being clear about that before you order it for a hunting bow.
The 12 inch face is the fundamental limit. Compared with an 18 or 19 inch block, it holds far fewer arrows before the centre goes soft, and in a household shooting hundreds of arrows a week you will replace it sooner than the build quality suggests.
There is also an inconsistency in the listing itself, which shows 15 pounds for a 12 inch cube while the product is positioned as portable. Check the delivered weight in your own vehicle before committing to it as a walk-up target.
Who this target suits
Small yards, indoor practice rooms and beginners who want a six-sided cube without a large footprint. It also works well as a travelling target for a club or a field session.
Who should skip it
Broadhead shooters and high-volume practice. Field point only, and the smallest face area in this roundup means the shortest life between replacements.
10. Rinehart RhinoBlock – Best for Deer Vital Practice
Rinehart RhinoBlock Target, 6-Sided, Broadhead Compatible
16 x 16 x 13 inches
6 unique faces
Solid self-healing foam
2 deer vital sides
Pros
- Two lifelike deer vital sides plus four high visibility dot faces
- Solid self-healing foam seals arrow holes instantly
- Accepts field points and fixed blades and expandables
- Compact block that moves between practice spots
Cons
- One of the higher outlays among the blocks we tested
- 4.2 average with a double digit one-star share
- 16 inch faces wear faster on the deer sides
The RhinoBlock is built around sculpted deer vital faces, and the six sides are genuinely different rather than six copies of the same print. One vital side shows outlined deer vitals for placement practice, the other shows anatomically correct organs for a more honest picture of a hit.
The solid self-healing foam seals arrow holes immediately and accepts field points, fixed-blade broadheads and expandables without visible wear. For a bowhunter training on shot placement, that combination is the reason to buy it.
It is also crossbow and compound compatible, so the same block covers sight-in work and vital practice. The compact 16 by 16 by 13 inch shape moves between practice spots without drama.
It is one of the two higher-cost blocks in the group, and at 4.2 stars with a double digit share of one-star reviews, the value case is harder to argue than for the cheaper blocks. Buyers drawn to the deer faces often conclude that the money is better spent on two practice blocks.
Concentrate your shots on the two deer sides and the 16 inch faces wear faster than the four dot sides. Rotate regularly, and the block stays useful for a long time.
Who this target suits
Bowhunters who want realistic vital placement practice at home without a full size 3D animal, and anyone who values solid self-healing foam over layered construction for broadhead work.
Who should skip it
Pure accuracy shooters. If you want dots, squares and grouping work rather than anatomy, four of the six faces are not where your practice is, and there are cheaper six-sided cubes with the same job.
11. Morrell High Roller – Best All-Weather Six-Sided Cube
Morrell High Roller Foam Archery Target, 6 Sided Cube with 21 Bullseye, Red
13 x 13 inch cube
6 sides with 21 bullseyes
450 FPS rating
Waterproof foam
Pros
- 4.8 star average
- the best rated in our group
- 21 bullseyes across six faces spread wear and add drill options
- Waterproof foam resists wear and fading
- EZ-Tote handle moves it from yard to range
Cons
- 12 lb cube is a longer carry
- 13 inch faces wear faster under heavy volume
- Broadheads mark printed faces more than field points
The High Roller posts the best rating in this roundup at 4.8 stars, and the pattern behind that number is consistent: verified 450 FPS stopping power, 21 bullseyes spread across six faces, and foam that has not faded after sitting in the weather.
Waterproof foam is the practical headline for a backyard target, because most people leave the target where they shoot it. Repeated rain and sun exposure is what breaks printed faces on cheaper blocks, and this one resists it.
The integrated EZ-Tote handle is the detail that moves it up the list. It is genuinely easy to pick up and walk to a field position, which makes it more than a static backyard block.
At 12 pounds it is heavier than the small budget blocks, so plan for a short carry rather than a casual one, and the 13 inch faces are small compared with 18 and 19 inch cubes. Under heavy weekly volume the six sides will wear, just later than a two-sided block would.
Broadheads do more visible damage to the printed faces than field points, so keep them off the bullseye. The common owner guidance is to rotate faces and avoid over-concentrating, which applies to every cube here.
Who this target suits
Anyone whose target stays outdoors, and compound or crossbow shooters who want a 450 FPS cube with enough faces to keep practice interesting. It also works well for grouping and aim point drills because 21 bullseyes give real variety.
Who should skip it
Shooters who want maximum face area per face, and anyone who needs 500 FPS broadhead capability. At 13 inches it is a compact cube, not a wall.
12. Power-Stop 350 FPS Foam Block – Tough Layered Foam for Heavy Session Days
Power-Stop Archery Targets – 19″ High-Density Block Target – 350fps Foam Target Block for Broadheads and Field Tips…
19 inch listed size
Layered polyethylene foam
6-sided shooting
350 FPS rating
Pros
- High density layered foam owners describe as the toughest in its class
- Layered core localises damage so arrows release easily
- Rated to 350 FPS including broadheads
- Battleship game face adds variety
- Weather resistant for outdoor practice
Cons
- Field points can be extremely hard to extract
- Broadheads chunk out foam after roughly 50 arrows per side
- 350 FPS rating is below the 400 and 500 FPS blocks
- Owners suggest stepping up a size for volume
The Power-Stop is a layered polyethylene block with a 19 inch listed size, and owners who shoot in volume describe it as highly durable. Six-sided shooting and a battleship game face make it more interesting than a plain two-face block.
The layered core is designed to localise damage, so a torn area stays local and arrows release more easily than on many competitors. Once it is broken in, broadheads come out cleanly.
It is made by a company whose core business is foam fabrication, and it is described as lightweight, reusable and weather resistant, which suits a target that lives outside.
Field point extraction is the dominant complaint, and it is a serious one. Some owners report standing on the target to get arrows out, and silicone spray plus a puller tool are the commonly recommended fixes. If you hate stopping to pull, choose an open-layer design instead.
Broadheads pull well but chunk out foam after roughly 50 arrows on a side, and the 350 FPS rating sits below what the 400 and 500 FPS blocks in this group offer. Owners shooting high volume recommend stepping up a size.
Who this target suits
Shooters who put a lot of arrows through one target in a single session and value toughness over easy extraction. It works well as a permanently installed yard target that does not need frequent moving.
Who should skip it
Anyone who shoots slowly with a recurve and wants a gentle pull, and crossbow shooters who need a higher velocity rating than 350 FPS.
How Big Should a Backyard Archery Target Be?
Match the face to the distance you actually shoot. A 12 or 13 inch cube is fine at 20 yards with a youth bow and frustrating at 40 yards with a compound, because the whole group moves off the face as distance grows. An 18 or 19 inch face holds a sight-in group from 30 yards and gives you room to spread arrows when you are practising form.
Then count the shootable faces. Two faces means fast wear, four is workable, and six or more means you can rotate and practise different aiming drills on the same target. The Rinehart 18-1 takes that idea to 18 faces, which is why it spreads wear furthest.
Finally, check that the block fits the stand and the gap between your fence and any structure. A target you cannot move to the right spot stops being used within a month.
Can I Put an Archery Target in My Backyard?
Yes, in most places, and the legal question is usually about the backstop rather than the target. Check your local rules, since distances, fencing requirements and property line setbacks vary by city and state, and confirm the position with a neighbour before you start drilling holes in your fence.
Our setup runs in this order, and it takes an afternoon:
Choose a direction with the largest clear run and no roads, pools, gardens or play equipment behind the target.
Stand 10 to 20 feet behind the target face and build a backstop wall across the full width of your shooting area.
Use straw bales, stacked foam mats or purpose-built arrow netting so nothing reaches the fence or the neighbours.
Put the target on a stand that places the face between 5 and 6 feet off the ground, centred in the backstop.
Mark your maximum distance with a post or a ground marker, and set a limit that keeps every possible miss inside the backstop.
Check the whole lane from behind the target, not just from the shooting line, before the first arrow.
Re-check the backstop every few weeks in season, because compressed straw settles and foam mats shift.
People who build multi-use family yards, the same folks who put up backyard soccer goals, usually find it easiest to dedicate one corner to archery and keep everything else clear.
What Is the Best Backstop for an Archery Target?
Straw bales are the simplest effective backstop and are easy to build up, but they settle, dry out and get rained on, so they need rebuilding each season. Purpose-built arrow netting is the tidiest option and takes up the least depth behind the target, but it is the biggest outlay of the three.
Stacked foam or EVA mats are the DIY choice, and archery forums describe building them from interlocking mat sections. They stop arrows well and they cost little, but they take real space and the foam degrades where arrows land repeatedly. A solid fence or a vehicle-rated wall works only if it is well behind the target and you accept the noise and the patching.
Whatever you choose, the test is simple. Stand behind the target and fire the fastest arrow you own at the edges of the face at a shallow angle. If anything leaves the backstop, the backstop is too narrow.
Solid Self-Healing Foam vs Layered Foam
These two constructions behave very differently with broadheads, and it explains most of the price spread in this roundup.
Solid self-healing foam is a single dense block that closes over each arrow hole as the shaft is removed. It does not delaminate, because there are no layers to separate, so a mechanical broadhead opens a small slit that closes behind it. It is heavier, arrows can be harder to pull, and cold weather makes that worse. The Rinehart 18-1 and the RhinoBlock are the clearest examples here, and the 18-1 carries a published 500 FPS rating with crossbow approval.
Layered foam, sold under names like Poly Fusion, stacks thin polyethylene sheets that are pressed and bonded. It is lighter, usually cheaper, and arrows often release more easily. The weakness is that a broadhead slices the layers, and once sliced the sheet separates and the hole stops closing, creating a soft spot and eventually a pass-through. Attaching the layers to the inner walls, as the Block 6×6 does, limits the damage but does not remove it.
Open-layer designs, seen in the Black Hole and the BLOCK Classic, split the difference. Layers are left unglued so the arrow slides between them, friction grabs the shaft, and heat loss releases it in seconds. Broadheads are more forgiving on this construction, and retrieval stays easy, but the layers can shift with a shallow-angle hit on the frame.
Matching Your Target to Your Bow Speed
Stopping power is a rating, not a suggestion. A recurve commonly sits around 335 FPS, a typical compound around 450 FPS, and a crossbow runs from 500 to 650 FPS. Buy the target whose rating sits at or above your fastest bow, not the one that matches your average arrow weight.
Match the head to the rating. If your fastest shot is a 450 FPS compound, anything rated at 400 FPS or better is safe. If a crossbow is in the mix, look for 500 FPS ratings and crossbow approval, which the Rinehart 18-1 in this group carries. If you only shoot a recurve or a youth bow, 300 to 350 FPS targets are genuinely sufficient.
Match the head to the target. If you shoot broadheads, the target must be broadhead rated, and several products here are field point only. If you only shoot practice tips, you have far more choice and can pick on size and price instead.
Match the target to the volume. Under a hundred arrows a month, a 12 or 13 inch cube is fine. Above five hundred, you want six faces, a replaceable core or insert where offered, and a plan for rotation.
Extending the Life of a Foam Block Target
Rotation is the technique most backyard shooters skip. A 12 inch cube with six faces outlasts a 12 inch block with two faces, not because the foam is better but because you are using all of it.
Spread your group. Concentrating a hundred arrows into one bullseye softens that spot long before the rest of the face is touched, so move your aim point around the face over a session.
Separate your heads. Shoot broadheads and expandables on the faces you have dedicated to them, and keep field points on the others. This is exactly the split the Black Hole 4-Sided makes with its wrapped and open faces.
Mind the weather. Solid foam blocks tolerate sun and rain well, but printed faces on less expensive blocks fade and the wrap that holds layers together degrades with ultraviolet exposure. If your target is not built for full-time exposure, move it under cover between sessions.
Budget for cold mornings. Solid foam pulls hardest when it is cold, and field points in a solid block can need real force in winter. Keep a puller tool in the truck rather than finding out at the shooting line.
DIY and Budget Alternatives to a Foam Block
If the outlay is the problem, a straw bale wall costs far less and works well, though mice find straw appealing and it needs annual attention. Stacked EVA or foam mats are the other common DIY option and can be built in a weekend, but they do not self-heal and the landing zone wears down quickly.
An old mattress with foam fitted to a plywood backing is a traditional first target. It works, it will not last, and it is a good way to decide whether your family will actually shoot before buying a block.
Club and tournament surplus is the overlooked option. Tournament organizers and clubs often clear out used blocks and cubes at a fraction of retail, and the heavy solid foam blocks in particular survive a decade of use, so a blemished one is a genuine bargain. Check for torn wraps, crushed corners and any face that has gone soft, and confirm whether a core or insert is replaceable before you buy.
Whichever route you take, keep the same habit we use: a small group of practice reps at a similar cadence to consistent practice sessions keeps a target in regular use, and a used target in regular use beats a new one in a garage.
One naming note before you shop, because search results mix them up badly: a foam archery block has nothing to do with block printing kits, and a knife block set is a storage rack rather than something you shoot at. The same word, three completely different products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best archery target for playing in the backyard?
For most yards, the Black Hole 4-Sided is the strongest all-round choice: four shootable sides, an open-layer friction design that stops arrows and releases them easily, and a weight that lets a child carry it. If a crossbow is in the mix, the Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube stops higher velocity bolts. If you shoot broadheads, choose a block rated for broadheads such as the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion or a Rinehart.
Can I put an archery target in my backyard?
Usually yes, but check local rules first, since distances, fencing and property line setbacks differ by area. Pick a lane with the largest clear run, build a backstop 10 to 20 feet behind the target face, and confirm the whole area with a neighbour. Keep every possible miss inside the backstop and re-check it through the season, because straw settles and foam mats shift.
What is the best backstop for an archery target?
Straw bales are the simplest and easiest to build up but settle and weather out each season. Purpose-built arrow netting is the tidiest option and takes up the least depth. Stacked foam or EVA mats are the DIY choice and stop arrows well, but they need space and wear where arrows land repeatedly. Test by firing your fastest arrow at the edges of the face from a shallow angle.
How long does an archery block target last?
It depends far more on how you shoot than on the label. A two-sided layered block concentrates wear, while a six or eighteen face cube spreads it across many aiming points. Rotating faces, spreading your group and keeping broadheads on separate faces can multiply the life of a block. Owners of layered blocks report figures in the thousands of shots, and heavily used solid foam blocks can stay in service for years.
Can I shoot broadheads into a block target?
Only into a target that is broadhead rated. Several budget blocks in this roundup are field point only, and the VEVOR model is specifically advised against broadheads and anchorheads. Fixed blades and expandables are fine in any broadhead rated block, and mechanical broadheads are the hardest on layered foam because the blades slice the layers. Solid self-healing foam such as the Rinehart blocks tolerates them best.
Final Verdict on the Best Block Targets for Backyard Practice
The Black Hole 4-Sided wins this roundup because backyard practice is a volume activity, not a single trophy shot. It is light, it rotates across four faces, it handles both field points and broadheads, and arrows come out of it without a fight. If your yard has a crossbow in it, pair it with the Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube, and if broadhead tuning is the goal, the Block 6×6 Poly Fusion handles 400 FPS across six full faces.
Set the backstop before you spend anything on the target itself, match the velocity rating to your fastest bow, and confirm the target is broadhead rated if you shoot hunting tips. Then rotate the faces and spread your group, because that habit does more for target life than any brand name.
We test, update and re-check these picks through 2026, so the table above reflects what we would put in our own yard right now.