11 Best dart board 2020 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide [updated]

Dart is a well-known indoor game that has been around from the time of the ancients. It is fun, competitive, and engaging for everyone from children to old folks.

If you’ve never thrown a dart at a board before, then there’s no better time to join the game league than now. And whether you decide to do it for fun or you are hoping to become a pro someday, there’s a lot you could benefit from the sport, especially when using the best dart board.

However, it’s not always easy to find the best quality boards given the huge number of brands and models in the market.

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive review of the top casual and professional dart boards in the market right now so you can get a board that will help you enjoy and experience the good sides of the game.

That said, let’s not waste any more time.

Top 11 Picks For the Dart Board Reviews

Much of your success in the game will largely depend on the type and quality of the dart board you’re using. Herein, the wrong board could make you damage your wall, or at worse, jab someone with a dart.

This is why it’s extremely important to settle for nothing less than the best regardless of your skill level.

With this in mind, below is a list of our dart board reviews.

1. Winmau Blade 5 Bristle Dartboard

If you’re looking for the “perfect” dart board to impress players in your games room or man cave, then you cannot go wrong with the Blade 5 Bristle Dartboard by Winmau.

The mere fact this product is coming from Winmau is an indicator that it possess high quality. If you’re conversant with the dart board market, then you would have probably come across Winmau, as they are well known for producing some of the top dart boards out there.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Blade 5 is a top contender for the best bristle dart board in the world. Interestingly, the board happens to be the latest in the Winmau blade collection. This makes it even more attractive for players who are looking for a dashboard with the most recent features.

The board consists of two inner layers of sisal fiber which makes it highly durable. Also, with two layers, the dart also has a more penetrating area, which prevents from falling out. So you can expect to have a worry-free experience when using the board.

Further, its addition of high compression fiber to the inner layers also help to extend the lifespan of the board. The blade wiring technology used on the board helps to reduce bounce counts and also increase the scoring zone.

The wiring is thinner when compared to many other models and thus there’s a significant reduction in wire surface which consequently makes more space available on the board. This is important because, with more play area, it is a whole lot easier to improve your game because you have more scoring space to aim at.

In addition, you will have fewer bounce counts. To crown it all, the feature makes the game more enjoyable.

It should be noted that even though the blade wiring of the board is thinner, the wire strength is stronger. In fact, according to Winmau, the reduction of the blade wiring from 90⁰ angles on the predecessor (Blade 4) to 60⁰ angles made the wiring on the Blade 5 to be 20 percent thinner yet 20 percent stronger.

Isn’t that an incredible upgrade?

In addition, Blade 5 is quite easy to set up on your wall. A center hanging screw is provided with the board, as well as three wall levelers and a wall bracket. To prevent the board from wobbling and keep it fixed and flat to the wall, a rock-lock system is also provided with the package.

Finally, the Blade 5 can be used by players of all levers, so regardless of where you’re at in the game, you will find the dartboard a good match for you.

Pros

• Thinner but stronger wiring
• Minimal bounce outs
• Durable
• Design is staple-free
• Great for both beginners and professionals
• Highly visible score area

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Not recommended for kids under the age of six

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2. Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Bristle Dartboard

Another incredible dartboard in the Winmau blade collection is the Bristle 5 Dual Core. Like the previous model we reviewed, this board comes with sisal fiber and adopts the same blade technology.

However, as the name suggests, it is made of the dual core instead of a single one. The core has an inner layer with a higher compression while the outer core has lower compression. As such, the board has a greater capacity to absorb more kinetic energy. This helps to reduce bounce outs to a minimum.

That said, the Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core will cost you some extra bucks than many dartboards in the same category or even the standard blade 5. But if you do decide to go for it, you will definitely get great value for your money.

It has an incredible quality that is unparalleled to many dartboards out there and offers some amazing features you won’t easily find in most conventional models.

Firstly, the board has a high density which can be attributed to the quality of the sisal material used for its production. Like we said earlier, the high-density material ensures low bounce outs and also makes the board highly durable.

The inclusion of triangular wiring further increases the capacity of the board to absorb kinetic energy. Consequently, there is very little “room” on the board for bounce outs to occur. In other words, every time you throw a dart, it is most likely to stick.

However, this really depends on the type of dart you’re using. With a short tip dart or one that has a plastic tip, you are more likely to have frequent bounce outs as a result of the highly dense nature of the board.

That said, this is not a dart board for weak darts so you should use the right type of darts if you want to enjoy the game. More so, with two layers, the board is a whole lot more durable.

As earlier indicated, the only thing you may not find interesting about this board is the price. It costs quite more than a standard dart board. But if you’re willing to look beyond the high pricing, you will find the board to be really worth the investment.

Pros

• Long lasting
• Reliable quality
• Wide scoring area
• Great for both beginners and pros
• Reduced bounce outs
• Nice design

Cons

• Expensive
• Not suitable for weak darts

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3. Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board

If you’re operating on a tight budget but still want a dartboard you can buy in the top category, then you might want to check out the Magnetic Dart Board from Doinkit Darts.

The Doinkit Magnetic Dartboard is not only one of the best low priced models, but also a top contender of the best magnetic dart boards out there. It has one of the most sophisticated looks for a dart board. So if you want something that is both fun to play with and also attractive, then this board will make a good match.

The board is equipped with a lot of interesting features that makes is one of the best dart boards available for the money. It is designed for all skill levels and ages, so regardless of whether you are in the game or if you’re thinking of getting one for your kid, you will find this magnetic board really worth the time and money.

The board provides everything you can expect from a model for casual players but not with the risks often associated with using such boards. This makes it safe for kids as well as adults gathering together to have fun. You won’t have to worry about damaging your walls.

The board size is similar to what you see in many standard dart boards – close to 16 inches diameter. As you can see, this is not far from the regulation size. 

That said, the board is mainly recommended for recreational use and the best dart board for kids. If you need a dartboard that is designed for the pros, you should check out the other options on the list.

Included with the board are 6 magnetic darts which are just as durable as the dart board. They do not break easily so you can expect to use them for a long time.

However, the darts are somewhat heavy which may still be a source of concern for many people. Also, they consist of many small parts which can be swallowed by kids. So you need to keep a watchful eye whenever your kids are using them.

Notwithstanding, this is without a doubt a top contender for the best magnetic boards for casual players. You will definitely get good value for your money.

Pros

• Great for casual players
• Highly durable
• Comes with 6 darts included
• Very affordable
• Easy to use

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Has many small parts

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4. Accudart 2-in-1 Starlite Paper Dartboard

If you’re operating on a tight budget but still desire to get a decent dartboard, then the Starlite Paper Board by Accudart will make a great choice. Although this might not be the most sophisticated dart board out there, it is still better than many paper boards out there, especially those that are priced alike.

As such, we can confidently say it’s one of the best budget dart boards available at the board, especially in the paper board category. There are so many reasons why this product is a good deal even though it’s a wound paper board. Let’s quickly look at some of them.

Firstly, as the name suggests, this is a 2-in-1 dart board, which means users get to enjoy two games in one. Isn’t that amazing? On the front, you have the regular dart board, while on the back you can play a baseball game.

Without doubt, this is one of the major highlights of the board and definitely a distinguishing feature that makes it ahead of many similar game sets.

You will also be impressed with the size of the board which provides a lot of scoring space to players. To be more exact, it has a diameter of 19-inches which you will agree is quite large.

Surprisingly, the Accudart Starlite tends to last much longer than most paper dartboards out there – another reason why it’s arguably the best paper dart board you can get for its price.

It’s important to note that the board doesn’t come with a cabinet, which is not surprising given its low price. Like the Doinkits dart-magnetic board, it is close regulation size but is a bit larger with a diameter around 19-inches.

It is made from wound paper and comes included with six brass darts which are quite OK and safe to use.

Although we talked about the Starlite being more durable than many paper boards, it still wears out quickly when used regularly. In addition, the wiring doesn’t seem properly done, so players are likely to experience bounce outs every now and then.

Notwithstanding, this is still a good dartboard given how much it costs.

Pros

• Comes with six playing darts
• Two games in one
• Durable
• Low price

Cons

• No cabinet
• Frequent bounce outs

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5. Viper Hudson Bristle Dart Board

If you’re looking to upgrade from your existing dart board to a more sophisticated model, then the Viper Hudson Bristle Dart Board will make a great choice. It offers everything you can expect from a high-end board and comes at a pricing that is worth the bill (even though it’s on the pricey side).

In terms of quality, you will not be disappointed with this board as it’s constructed with high-quality materials. The board itself is made of dense sisal material while the cabinet is a product of mahogany stained pine. This combination makes the board both durable and attractive.

The aesthetics are further improved by the addition of brushed nickel hinges on the cabinet doors. Interestingly, the board can be freely rotated, as well as the scoring ring. This allows for every part of the board surface to be used. It also comes with mounting hardware which allows you to mount on a table or wall.

Like any other bristle board, this model is self-healing in nature. This makes the board highly durable; so you can use it regularly for a long time without causing any serious damage to it. The self-healing property can be attributed to the bristle fibers and sisal material used in constructing the board.

Apart from being highly durable, the board is also well balanced. The steep tip darts that are provided with it are just as durable.

You will also be impressed with the inclusion of a laser throw line marker which gives away the position of the throwing line every time. However, some users have complained that the cabinet quality is less than expected and the price is a little too high. Overall, this is an excellent electronic dart board that is fun to use.

Pros

• Highly durable
• Nice looking cabinet
• Staple-free design
• Easy to store
• Comes with removable ring

Cons

• A bit pricey

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6. Arachnid Cricket Pro Electronic Dart Board

Arachnid is a well-known brand in the market for dart sport, more especially when it comes to the best soft tip dart board. They were responsible for the first soft tip darts and have remained a dominating force in the growing competitive market of electronic dart boards.

Till date, they have some of the best quality dart boards available, amongst which you will find the Cricket Pro 800.

The Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 is without doubts one of the best electronic dart boards available in the market at the moment. Not only is it a great choice for professional players, but it also comes with many interesting features that make it also suitable for beginners and amateurs.

So regardless of your skill level, you can expect to get a good bang for your money. The board has a regulation target diameter of 15.5-inches which offers 24 games with as much as 132 variations. It is designed to support up to 8 players, which is really cool.

At the end of a player round, the board does an auto calculation to find the average points gathered by the player. With this feature, you can monitor your progress and work towards improving your game.

The board also has a handicap mode which you can use to your advantage depending on your skill level. When used, this can help you to score more points. You can also use the 3-lever heckler but this may be a bit loud. Anyways, you can always turn it off if you don’t find it useful.

Furthermore, the board is quite durable and will maintain its shape for a long time even when you use it regularly. It also features some segment dividers to reduce bounce outs to the barest minimum.

In addition, the board can accommodate up to eight players. It comes with 39 built-in games which can be varied in 179 ways. Overall, this is a moderately priced dart board that will provide great value for your money. It is a good match for both serious and casual players.

Pros

• Highly durable
• Reasonable price
• Can be easily transported (portable)
• Great quality
• Fewer bounce outs
• Has LED display

Cons

• Dart quality could be better
• Doesn’t come with cabinet

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7. Centerpoint Solid Wood Dartboard

When it comes to the dartboard market, Hathaway seems to be one company that has won a special place in the heart of many people, especially in the US. So it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to see that one of their offerings made it to the top rated dart boards in the market at the moment.

Most people will agree that the Centerpoint Solid Wood Dartboard is good in every way except for the price. But then on a closer look, it is actually a great deal even at the current price tag.

In fact, considering what the board offers, we would say it’s actually one of the best affordable models out there. But you shouldn’t just take our word for it. It’s always a good idea to do some investigations yourself; after all, you are the one with the dollars.

The board is not only built with performance in mind, but also quality and reliability. It is one of those boards you won’t have to replace sooner after purchasing it.

One of the first things you will notice about the board is that it has an elegant design which includes a nice-looking cabinet set. However, it doesn’t only look great but also feels great.

Interestingly, there are two sets of darts in the package; each one actually consists of three darts, which is really cool considering what you get with other standard boards out there.

The body construction is made of American yellow poplar wood and dark cherry finish, which makes it elegant and attractive. It will easily blend into any room adding to its overall appearance.

The use of poplar wood also makes the board highly durable. So you can expect to get a lot of use from it.

It will also interest you to know that the board diameter is 18-inches which makes it suitable for both casual and professional players. So regardless of your skill level, you will find it to be a good match if you’re looking for the best wood dartboard out there.

In addition, the board comes included with six playing darts which are all made of steel. It also comes with a cabinet that has a built-in holder for the darts. This is complemented by strong steel hinges as well as removable outer rings for the dart board.

You will hardly get all these features with many boards in the same category. So believe it when we tell you that this Centerpoint board is one of the best dart board sets out there.

Pros

• Great price
• Durable
• Elegant design
• Great quality
• Large board

Cons

• Manual scoring
• Hinge quality could be better

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8. DMI Sports Deluxe Dartboard

If you need a dartboard that is more suited for professional use, then the DMI Sports Deluxe Cabinet Set will make a great choice. This is, without doubt, the perfect practice arsenal for avid dart players who have a serious game to prepare for.

It comes with an elegant design and a price tag that makes it incredibly affordable for a product of its quality. Of course, the board is not perfect (“no board is”), but it’s definitely one to consider if you want to get the best deal.

The DMI Sports Deluxe doesn’t only look and feel great but also boasts high quality. It is made of high-quality sisal material which makes it really dense. It is further equipped with two scoreboards, each one having its own dart holder. A chalk and eraser are provided for cleaning the traditional scoreboard.

Like most high-end models, the bull’s eye of this dartboard is staple-free which means you can expect fewer bounce counts. Its diameter is 18 inches which offers a decent amount of space for scoring.

Like most of the models we’ve reviewed above, this model comes included with six darts and a cabinet. The darts are just as durable as the bristle board, while the cabinet helps to protect your walls from being jabbed by the flying darts.

Apart from the traditional scoring on one side of the board, there’s electronic scoring on the other side which is the touchpad.

Since this is a bristle board, it is self-healing, so the holes that are made on it tends to close back up quickly. Apart from the dart board and cabinet, a sharpener is also included with the set, as well as a dart bible which contains a lot of information on how you can play the game and improve your skills.

Luckily, everything in the set is the standard size so the dartboard can be used by both casual and professional players. It won’t be out of place to use it to practice for tournaments if you’re a top player.

Overall, this is a good bristle dartboard that has a perfect price. It comes with almost everything you need to start enjoying the game.

Pros

• Elegant design
• Easy to set-up
• Huge scoring board
• Durable
• Very affordable

Cons

• Shoddy cabinet construction

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9. Trademark Gameroom Darts and Dartboard Sets

Another affordable model in the league of the best dart boards for beginners is the Trademark Gameroun.

No doubt, price is the major highlight of this board. Given everything it brings to the table, it will be very difficult to look away from such a deal. This is why the dart set is a common choice for entry-level players.

Apart from the dartboard, you also get a cabinet that is equipped with dart sticks. In other words, you don’t need to buy extra darts when purchasing the board. The set comes with everything you need to get started.

The dart cabinet is not only attractive but also quite durable, which is a good take considering the cost of the board. The doors don’t fall off after a few games as common with many models in the same price range.

Apart from the use of strong hinges, some magnets are also included on the doors to further secure them in place and keep the dust out.

You will find a small score chalkboard on the cabinet for recording the scores of your games. This is provided with chalk and eraser, as well as some darts (as mentioned earlier).

Sadly, we cannot say much about the quality of the darts as most users reported that they broke within a few weeks of use.

In addition, even though the board quality is OK, it is still likely to wear out sooner. This is understandable given the fact that it’s a cork board (even though some claim it’s bristle). So you shouldn’t expect too much.

That said, this is still a great dart board given its price and features. While it may not be the best choice for the pros, it is definitely a good deal for casual players. After all, you can always switch to a higher model when you need to improve your game.

Even though the board offers six free steel tip dart, you can still play with soft tip dart if you desire. The latter will likely last longer for you.

By the way, we forgot to mention that the numbers on the board surface are fixed and painted. This doesn’t indicate that the Trademark Gameroun is a dart board for beginners.

Pros

• Nice looking cabinet that is durable
• Great for casual players or beginners
• Comes with free darts
• Comes with chalk and eraser
• Great price
• Features magnetic lock

Cons

• Board and dart quality could be better
• Not the best for serious players

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10. Unicorn Eclipse Pro Bristle Dartboard

The Eclipse Pro Bristle Dart Board is another wonderful dart solution available for casual players. So if you’re looking for the perfect board to have fun and pass time with buddies, this wonderful bristle board by Unicorn could be what you’re looking for.

Even some people might consider the price a bit steep, it has a quality that is unparalleled to many bristle dart boards in its category. So it’s definitely worth the bill (as you will soon discover).

The Unicorn D1179403 comes with everything to make sure you enjoy the game. It is designed to ensure you hit the target almost everything you make a throw. This can be largely attributed to the absence of staples on the spider of the board.

Without staples to take up more free space on the board, bounce out is greatly reduced and players have a better chance to hit the mark. Of course, this is an incredible feature for beginners as it makes the game a whole lot easier and enjoyable.

One of the major highlights of the Unicorn D1179403 is its high-quality bristle board. If you’re very familiar with dartboard materials, then you probably know what a low-quality bristle board can translate too – more bounce outs and of course less durability.

Such a dartboard is only as good as the paper counterpart because you will likely need to replace it sooner. So it’s definitely a thumbs up for the Eclipse Pro with its nice looking championship bristle board.

But it’s not only the aesthetics and quality that count, the staple-free Bullseye design is what will impress you more. This feature will help you hit the mark more frequently, and thus improve your game.

The thinner wiring also provides you with more scoring area. As expected, the dartboard is dense which increases the potential of your darts to stick when they are thrown. This ensures you have lesser bounce outs and also enables the board to last longer. You should get many years of use from the board if properly maintained.

The only major challenge you may likely have with this unit is in the set-up. Using the bumpers that are ordinarily supplied with the tool makes it unstable after set-up, so you have to look for a better way of mounting it.

The price may also be a deterrent to some people, but we think it’s still a good fit given the high quality of the board which grants you many years of use.

Pros

• Nice looking
• Good for both casual and professional use
• Easy to store
• Minimal bounce outs

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Poor mounting

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11. Better Line Magnetic Dart Board

When looking for the perfect dart board for kids, magnetic and paper boards are usually the top options. However, there are still some magnetic models that also work well for adults – the Better Line Magnetic Dart Board is one of them.

The board is played with strong magnetic darts that are made of neodymium. It is great for both adults and kids that are above six years of age.

Playing with a magnetic dart board means there won’t be bounce outs or loss of darts. This is exactly what you get with this board. It is fully magnetic and thus firmly holds the darts you throw at it. Don’t forget that the board also uses magnetic darts.

With 16-inch playing area, you have a lot of space to target, thus you can build your skills with this board as you get better in the game. The large size of the board also allows for more multi-player games, which could be fun for kids.

Like many other dart boards, this model also comes included with six darts which are colored differently. Altogether, they are three green darts and three red darts.

Interestingly, the board is marked in a traditional way, which is quite surprising for a modern dart board. But this makes the game even more enjoyable as it allows players to have a taste of both sides.

You will find a key slot at the back of the dart board which is used to mount the board on any available space on your wall. An instruction manual is provided to guide you through the process of set-up.

Like many other magnetic boards, the Better Line board is very safe for kids. So no need to worry about someone getting jabbed from a throw. The board itself is brightly colored which makes it more visible and thus easier for players to target. It doesn’t produce much noise when struck by a dart.

Pros

• Very powerful magnets
• Easy to set up
• Safe to play
• Great for both kids and adults

Cons

• Board could be made to be stronger

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Types of Dart Board

It’s not enough to just purchase a high-quality dartboard. In order to have the best experience, you need to go for a board that actually fits your need and situation. And for you to do this, you need to understand the various types of dart board available out there.

Luckily for you, we’ve reviewed the best type of dart boards out there. But notwithstanding, we still need to look at each category.

Bristle Dart Boards

The bristle boards are probably the most popular type of dartboard out there. And chances are that you’ve used one before if you’ve been playing dart before now.

These boards are common among casual players and beginners, but they can also be used for standard dart tournaments.

If you walk into a bar anywhere, you are most likely to see a bristle dartboard!

As their name suggests, the boards are usually made out of sisal fibers or bristles which are compressed to backing board. Most of the time, sanders are used to smoothen them out further in order to obtain a finer finish.

The edges of most bristle boards are bound by a strong ring which makes them stronger, especially when compared to wooden dartboards. This is complemented by the fact that holes created by your darts on the boards are automatically filled. As a result, they are able to last much longer.

Another good thing about bristle boards is that they do not need a lot of maintenance like their wooden counterparts. They do not smell and require little cleaning.

The major setback with using these type of boards is that they don’t have automatic score tracking like the electronic boards. As a result, players have to take the score count manually.

Another concern buyers may have when shopping for bristle boards is finding the right quality product. There are so many brands and models in the market, and as such quality varies greatly.

Hopefully, if you decide to purchase a bristle board, you can save yourself the stress by picking one of the products reviewed above.

Coiled Paper Dart Boards

Another type of dartboard you may also commonly hear about is the coiled paper dart board. They are generally considered to be the most basic dartboards available.

As their name suggests, these boards are constructed with wound paper which usually comes in a plastic or steel frame. As a result, they are cheap and thus easily disposable. This makes them unsuitable for professional use in many cases.

Most of the time, they are the preferred choice for kids, and this is understandable given their incredibly low price compared to other types of dart board. In fact, the total cost of a dozen coiled paper board may just equal to the price of a good quality bristle board.

So if you need a dart board for recreation or fun, and you don’t mind replacing it anytime sooner, then a coiled paper board might just be the right deal. Unlike a bristle board, the holes made on a coiled paper board are permanent. This is why they wear out too soon.

As such, the major setback with using this type of dart board is that they do not last. You will need to buy many of them if you plan to use them. However, considering their low price, this shouldn’t be so much of a big deal, especially if you’re getting it for your kids.

Apart from their low price, coiled paper boards also require very low maintenance.

It is also important to note that just like a bristle board, a paper board doesn’t have automatic score tracking. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since it’s basically a piece of paper.

We advise purchasing a paper board only if you don’t plan to play dart seriously or you just want to get it for the kids. Beyond that, you are better off with other types of dart board.

Electronic Dart Board

The electronic dartboard is the more recent version of the dart board. Although they are still relatively new, they’ve already been embraced by players from various level. And much of this can be tied to their ease of use and advanced features.

They are often compared with bristle boards with the major difference being that the latter uses automatic scoring. There are also many high-end electric models that offer multiple games.

Thus when using an electronic dart board, you don’t have to worry about taking scores manually as this is automatically taken care of by the board. This allows you to focus more on the game.

The surface of the boards is made up of many holes which gets activated anytime a dart enters into them. When this happens, a certain amount of points is awarded and so on.

Electronic dart boards use soft tip darts, which is why they are often referred to as soft tip dart boards.

While they are easy to use and make the game more enjoyable, these boards tend to be quite expensive and may need a considerable amount of space to set up. Since they rely on power, you need to plug them to an electric outlet or fill them with batteries as the case may be.

Magnetic Dart Boards

Another type of dartboard you will commonly hear about is the magnetic dart boards.

These boards are basically designed for people who just want to have fun with the game with nothing serious in mind. As such they are commonly used by casual players.

If you need to purchase a dart board for professional use, then you should consider going for other types of dart boards.

That said, magnetic dart boards are played with flat-tip darts which stick to the board when thrown. They do not pierce the board; this is understandable since it’s a magnetic dart board.

As a result, these boards tend to be the safest and thus perfect for kids. They are also very durable and don’t cost very much.

However, as we said earlier, they are not meant for serious players. They are basically made to offer a safer and more enjoyable way of playing dart.

Wooden Dart Boards

There was a time when the wooden dart boards were the standard board for the game. This shows they’ve been in use even before other boards like the bristle and electronic boards were introduced.

However, right now, with so many technological revolutions being made in the game, there’s a decline in the use of wooden dart boards.

These boards are commonly constructed with elm wood, but other wooden materials can be used.

The major reason for the decline in the use of wooden dartboards is that they usually require a lot of maintenance and tend to be less convenient for many people. They need to be moisturized often unless they could dry out and begin to crack.

These boards are closely compared to the bristle boards with the latter being more convenient and maintainable. You may also notice a lot of odor with wooden boards.

Wooden darts are commonly used for these boards.

Wooden boards tend to be more expensive than their bristle counterpart and may last longer when properly taken care off.

Cork Dart Boards

A less popular type of dart board is the cork dart board. These boards are not as common as the other type of boards we’ve talked about so far, and thus may be difficult to find in the market.

Many people regard them as the same with bristle boards, but this is not true. Cork boards are a unique type of dartboard which is made from a different material.

As their name suggests, they are made with cork so often compared with the paper dart boards, especially in terms of price and quality. However, they don’t have exactly the same value.

Apart from their being made from a different material, cork boards tend to last longer than paper boards.

Like electronic dart boards, you need soft tip darts for a cork dart board. As a result, they are great for kids and beginners.

The two biggest advantages of these boards are that they are cheap and require little-to-no maintenance.

Features To Look For Before You Buy

A dartboard around does not only provide a means of recreation and fun with friends and family but also gives you an opportunity to get better at the game. And if you’re a professional already, then you will agree you need consistent practice away to groom on skills and remain on top.

Unfortunately, this may not happen if you are using the wrong dart board. In order to really derive the benefits that come with having your own dartboard, you need to go for the best products depending on your particular needs.

Below are the major features to look out for when looking for the best buy dart board for the money.

Frame Wiring

Frame wiring is very important when purchasing a dart board, especially if you decide to go for a bristle or electronic board. You may also hear frame wiring being regarded as the spider of the dart board. They basically refer to the metal that separates the board into different segments.

The wiring on an electronic dart board is usually hidden and tends to be done differently from the one on a bristle board. Most of the time you would be able to see the spider on a bristle board, which may not be to your advantage.

If you decide to purchase a bristle board, you may want to consider the thickness of the wiring. With a thinner metal, there’s less chance of hitting the spider with your dart.

In addition to the thickness of the spider, you also need to look at how the metal is attached to the board. Riveted systems reduce the amount of free space on the board, and as such, increase the likelihood of dart bounce backs. Most of the time, a rivetless spider would be in your best interest.

Material

Another important consideration you need to make when shopping for the best dart board cabinet or board is the type of material used. It is important you choose the right material even if you are not buying the board for professional use.

The material type is largely responsible for the quality of your dart board as well as the type of maintenance they would require.

Some boards last longer than others due to the type of material they are made from. Paper boards happened to be least durable among all board types. Contrarily, wooden dartboards can last for a long time if properly maintained.

Bristle boards may last longer without much maintenance. These are commonly made out of sisal (which we highly recommend) while wooden boards may be made from elm or oak woods.

Oak boards are the newer versions of wooden boards and tend to be much easier to maintain compared to those made with elm wood.

Electronic dart boards may be constructed with metal, plastic or rubber, or a combination of these. Some might even feature wooden materials.

Whichever material you decide to choose will likely depend on your preference. But at the end of the day, you want to go for something that will last.

Age of Player

Before purchasing any dartboard, you have to take the age of the player into consideration. It is most likely that the age of the player would correlate with the skill level. But this may not always be so. In any case, you should exercise caution.

If you’re buying the board for younger kids, then your best option would be a magnetic board. And this is simply because they are the safest you can find. As earlier indicated, these boards use darts that have no sharp tip. Thus the likelihood of your kid getting hurt is very slim.

Although electronic dart boards are great for school-age kids, their non-electronic counterparts tend to provide more mental benefits. When using the latter, kids are expected to add their scores by themselves, which is great for memory work.

Adults and older children fare better with bristle boards as they provide the perfect blast and tend to be more durable.

Price or Budget

Pricing is always an important consideration when purchasing any product, especially when it’s a sports item.

Most times, the higher the price of the board, the higher its quality. But this might not always be the case. There are a handful of high-priced models out there that do not live up to expectation.

So it’s more important to be concerned about value. Whatever board you’re going for, you want to make sure it’s something that will provide the best value for your money. And it should be within your budget.

Ideally, you want to go for a dart board that will not only provide the performance you need but also last for a long time. Sometimes, this might require you to stretch your budget a bit. But this shouldn’t be so much of a problem given what you stand to gain in the end.

Size of Board

The next important consideration you need to make when shopping for the top rated dart boards is size.

In fact, this should be the first thing on your mind, or you could end up with a board that doesn’t measure up to your expectation.

The size of the board will also enable you to determine if you have enough space on your wall to accommodate it or if it is large enough to take the number of players you have.

If you are a professional player, then you will likely want a board that has a regulation size. So you might want to look out for this when making any purchase.

Casual players do not really need to mind if a dartboard is regulation size or not. Rather, they should be more concerned about whether the board is large enough to accommodate the number of players they have in mind. 

How To Setup Properly

It is not unusual for accidents to occur when using dart boards. Someone could get jabbed when you miss your target, or it could be you on the receiving end. Let’s not also forget the common cases of damaged walls, which amongst other things can be caused by a stray dart.

Sometimes, the problem may not be with the board itself, but rather how you set it up. Even the best quality dart board can cause a lot of damage when not properly set up. So you need to be careful to get it right.

For many people, especially newbies, setting up a dart board should be nothing more than hanging the stuff on a wall, provided there’s enough space for it. Well, that assumption and practice is WRONG.

There’s a lot more that goes into setting up a dart board than merely hanging it somewhere on an empty wall. You should focus on doing things properly if you want to really enjoy the game and make it safe for everyone.

With this in mind, below are the steps you should take to properly set up a dartboard.

• Get the dimension of the board you want to purchase.
• Next, see how much free space you can get on the wall. The space should be at least 5 ft. wide. Make sure you pick somewhere that is really free. There shouldn’t be any objects.
• Next, make sure the place you discovered doesn’t have any obstruction. Nothing should stand in the way of the floor space that goes between the throwing line and the board. Ideally, the line should be something around 93.25 inches. Even if you don’t get the exact value, try to make it close.
• Now, it’s time to mount your dart board. The longest distance your board should go from the ground should be 5ft.8”. This measurement should be done from the center of the board to the floor.
• Consider placing a wall protector before you finally mount the dartboard to the wall. A wooden board is commonly used by most people. Whatever you use, make sure it’s up to 4×4 ft. or more. Mount your dartboard from its upper center.
• The protective board should be stable enough before you place your dartboard on it.
• Next, install the wall brackets that are provided with the board. When done, you can safely mount your dart board.

Top Rated Brands in the Market

The dartboard market is filled with a host of brands, but there are a few that have managed to stand out from the pack. These brands are well-known for delivering high-quality boards, so it’s only natural to expect the best products from them.

Nodor

Nodor is another company that has not failed to impress in the world of darts ever since they came on the scene in 1932. They have a wide product line that consists of some of the best premium grade dart boards in the market.

They are well-known for having what you could call the best bristle dart boards made in the UK. Interestingly, their boards are still being improved upon to provide more scoring potential to players, which is a really great thing to know.

It shouldn’t come much as a surprise that Nodor is one of those brands heavily promoted by the famous American Dart Organization.

Winmau

Winmau is a very popular dart brand that was established in 1945 and has been a major rival to Nodor. The company became famous through its major dart championship – Wimmau World Masters.

They use the finest sisal material in the world – Kenyan Sisal – to produce their boards, which is responsible for their high premium quality. As a result, they are well-known globally with stocks that are demanded by some of the biggest companies, such as ESPN and BBC.

It will interest you to know that the brand is used every year at the London Annual Championships. They are also recognized by the British Dart Organization.

Viper

Viper is another leading brand you will commonly hear about in the world of dart boards. Their products are largely made of sisal fibre and are usually staple free.

The boards are often tournament sized and may come with some really cool features you will hardly find in many similar models. The company also has its own tournament known as the Viper Open Dart Tournament.

Arachnid

Another famous company you will find in the league of the best dart board brands is Arachnid. You can’t talk about modern electrical dart board without mentioning this brand. They are the brain behind the best quality dart boards and darts in the market.

The company was first established in 1975 but waited till 1986 before they held their first tournament after they became a brand. This tournament was known as the BullShooter and was first held in Chicago.

DMI

DMI is another company you are most likely to hear about if you stay in the market for long. They produce some of the best quality boards and are a major competitor with top brands like Nodor and Winmau.

Their boards are designed to reduce bounce outs to the barest minimum. They are often made from sisal fibres with very thin frame wiring. Like Nodor and Winmau, DMI has international recognition from the World Darts Federation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protect my wall when using a dartboard?

You can use a wall protector to protect your wall when using a dartboard. This protector should be placed behind the board. You can either make your own wall protector or you can buy one.

Which of these is the best dart board?

This is a tricky one! Personally, we don’t think there’s any “perfect” dartboard given the huge number of models and types out there. So apart from the products here, there are definitely many other good boards we were not able to review. But we advise you to start your search here in order to be on the safer side.

We’ve been very careful to review the finest dart boards available in each category.

What is the meaning of a retractable tip?

A retractable point is common among steel tip darts and as the name suggests, it simply implies that when a dart is thrown, the tip will retract into its body causing the dart to head straight into the target. Such darts usually have lesser bounce outs.

How can I improve my game?

Dart is just like any other sports. To improve, you need to practice consistently.

Your aim should be to get as close as you can to the bull’s eye until you eventually hit the mark. Don’t be in a hurry to perfect your throws (you will only get frustrated). Instead, try to have fun and don’t focus too much on the scores.

Start throwing from a short distance, then move further away as you get better. With consistent practice, you will eventually become a good dart player.

Is it OK to use a steel tip dart on an electronic dart board?

We don’t advise this! Steel tip darts are designed for bristle dart boards in the same way soft tip darts are designed for electronic dart boards.

The reason why electronic dart boards use soft tip darts is because they are light. Thus throwing a steel tip dart will likely damage them.

So to be on the safer side, only use a soft tip dart for your electronic board.

What about using a soft tip dart on a bristle board?

Although this is possible, it is not as effective as using the recommended steel tip darts. The thing is that bristle boards tend to demand more than electronic board, and so a soft tip that will not be able to stick in deep as it should. This is why steel tip darts are the best options for bristle dart boards.

What material is used for making a dartboard?

A dartboard can be made from different materials depending on the type and the kind of dart it uses.

Boards for soft tip dart are often made from rubber or plastic; while for steel tip dart, the most common materials are sisal fiber and bristle.

Where can I get these items?

To get any one of the dart boards above, all you need to do is to follow the corresponding product link and you will be taken to the sales page. There you can make your purchase.

Final Words

There you have it – the best dart board reviews in 2020. We hope you found the article interesting and really engaging.

Picking out a good board in the midst of so many brands can be really difficult, but we are confident that you will find things a whole lot easier after now.

We have put in a lot of work to pick and review the best products out there. So if there’s anywhere you should start your search from, it’s should be from the list above. We have no doubt you will find a good fit for your games.

Again, let us know if there’s any other way we could help.