The highest item level bows a level 21–30 character can wear start with Dense Shortbow (item level 35, uncommon). 18 items fit the slot and band; the top 18 are ranked here by item level, then quality, not by simulation.
| # | Name | ILvl | Req. | DPS | Speed | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Dense ShortbowCHANGED | 35 | 30 | 14.2 | 1.90 | Bow | Sold by Bhaldaran Ravenshade (+7 more) (vanilla) |
| 2 |  Long Redwood BowCHANGED | 35 | 30 | 14.3 | 2.80 | Bow | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+418 more) (vanilla) |
| 3 | Ravenwood BowCHANGED | 34 | 29 | 13.9 | 2.20 | Bow | Drops from Fenros (Duskwood) at 65.0% (vanilla) |
| 4 |  Whipwood Recurve BowCHANGED | 34 | 29 | 13.6 | 1.80 | Bow | Drops from Vile Sting (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+418 more) (vanilla) |
| 5 |  Outrider's BowCHANGED | 33 | 28 | 16.7 | 2.40 | Bow | Sold by Kelm Hargunth (Horde) (vanilla) |
| 6 |  Outrunner's BowCHANGED | 33 | 28 | 16.7 | 2.40 | Bow | Sold by Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) (vanilla) |
| 7 |  Harpyclaw Short BowCHANGED | 32 | 27 | 16.1 | 1.80 | Bow | Found in Solid Chest (Duskwood) at 0.0% (+273 more) (vanilla) |
| 8 |  Archer's LongbowCHANGED | 32 | 27 | 12.9 | 2.60 | Bow | Drops from Heartrazor (Thousand Needles) at 1.1% (+385 more) (vanilla) |
| 9 | Sturdy RecurveCHANGED | 32 | 27 | 13.0 | 2.20 | Bow | Sold by Abigail Sawyer (+6 more) (vanilla) |
| 10 | Taut Compound Bow | 31 | 26 | 7.6 | 2.50 | Bow | Found in Weapon Crate (Scarlet Monastery) at 6.7% (+674 more) (vanilla) |
| 11 |  Lunaris BowCHANGED | 30 | 12.2 | 2.70 | Bow | Quest: Answered Questions (vanilla) | |
| 12 | Raptor's EndCHANGED | 30 | 12.1 | 2.90 | Bow | Quest: Ormer's Revenge (vanilla) | |
| 13 |  Cliffrunner's AimCHANGED | 29 | 12.0 | 2.30 | Bow | Quest: The Sacred Flame (vanilla) | |
| 14 | Long Battle BowCHANGED | 29 | 24 | 11.8 | 2.20 | Bow | Drops from Brontus (The Barrens) at 1.3% (+449 more) (vanilla) |
| 15 | Bow of PlunderCHANGED | 28 | 11.3 | 2.60 | Bow | Quest: Dangerous! (vanilla) | |
| 16 |  Stiff Recurve Bow | 28 | 23 | 6.8 | 2.80 | Bow | Found in Weapon Crate (Scarlet Monastery) at 6.7% (+680 more) (vanilla) |
| 17 |  Naga HeartpiercerCHANGED | 27 | 22 | 13.3 | 2.40 | Bow | Drops from Lady Sarevess (Blackfathom Deeps) at 33.3% (vanilla) |
| 18 | Precision BowCHANGED | 27 | 22 | 11.0 | 2.60 | Bow | Drops from Akkrilus (Ashenvale) at 1.3% (+488 more) (vanilla) |
Ranked by item level, then quality, among items with a known source: gear nothing drops, sells, rewards or makes yet (raids not yet open, the client's test items) is left out. The class filter keeps what the class can equip at level 30 (armor type, weapon skill, Dual Wield, the item's own class limit); the side filter drops items that only the other side's vendors and quests offer. Source: the best known drop first (a Forever rate at 10+ loots, else the vanilla 1.12 chance), then vendors, quest rewards and the profession that makes it.
Other slots: Dagger, One-Handed Sword, One-Handed Axe, One-Handed Mace, Fist Weapon, Two-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Axe, Two-Handed Mace, Staff, Gun. Every slot and level.