Best Bow Enchantments in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Use Power V, Unbreaking III, Flame and Punch II, then choose Infinity or Mending: those two conflict. Infinity saves normal arrows; Mending repairs with collected XP. Neither choice removes the need to watch bow durability.

What you need

An enchanting table with 15 bookshelves, or an anvil plus enchanted books
Lapis and XP levels
A bow (and arrows)

Step by step

Power V adds 150% to arrow damage before the shot result. Charge, distance, armor and the target affect actual damage, so do not expect every mob to die in one hit.
Infinity lets you fire normal arrows without consuming them while carrying at least one. Tipped arrows and Java-only spectral arrows are still consumed; it conflicts with Mending.
Mending repairs the damaged bow when you hold it and collect XP. Other damaged Mending equipment can receive an orb. Choose it if you can supply arrows and repair XP.
Unbreaking III: quadruples average durability - essential whichever way you go on Infinity vs Mending.
Flame: sets targets on fire - extra damage over time and it lights TNT and campfires at range.
Punch II: massive knockback - knocks mobs off cliffs and keeps creepers at distance.
Getting them: Power, Punch, Flame and Infinity all come from the table; finish with anvil combinations or librarian books.
Anvil order matters: combine books with each other first (two I make II, two II make III), then apply the cheapest books to the item first. Every anvil job on an item raises its prior-work penalty, and once a single job would cost more than 39 levels the anvil refuses with 'Too Expensive!' - so build books before touching the item.

Bow enchantments at a glance

Enchantment	Max	Why it makes the list	Best source
Power	V	+150% arrow damage at V (25% x level+1)	Table or books
Unbreaking	III	About 4x effective durability	Table
Infinity	I	Unlimited normal arrows while you carry one	Table (conflicts with Mending)
Mending	I	XP repairs the bow - the forever-bow choice	Treasure only (conflicts with Infinity)
Punch	II	Knocks targets back, buys distance	Table
Flame	I	Sets targets on fire	Table

Java vs Bedrock

The normal enchantment choices work in both editions. Spectral arrows exist only in Java. Infinity does not save tipped arrows or spectral arrows. Mending and Infinity cannot coexist through normal Survival enchanting.

Versions: Describes the current Java and Bedrock releases. See the edition note for differences.

Frequently asked questions

Infinity or Mending?

Infinity saves normal arrows but leaves repair to other methods. Mending repairs with collected XP, while ammunition is consumed. Your arrow supply, arrow type and repair plans decide which fits.

Why can't my bow have both?

The game makes Infinity and Mending incompatible through normal enchanting and anvil combinations. Commands can force them together, but that is outside a normal Survival build.