Easiest To Score: Winmau Blade 5 Bristle Dartboard
Pros and Cons
✔ Endorsed by the British Darts Organization✔ Has a triple-wheel lock-and-level system to secure to nearly any surface✔ Has a large 17.75-inch scoring surface
Compare Top Dartboards
Winmau Dartboard
- $88
- $105
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
If you struggle with scoring, this is the board for you. It measures 17.75 inches across to give you a large area to aim for. It also has a thin wiring system, so it’s less likely that your dart will hit one of the wires and bounce off. This board also has a triple wheel lock-and-level system that secures it to any surface.
✘ Doesn’t come with darts✘ Has a short 30-day warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the build of this dartboard, saying that it was sturdy and long-lasting. Some also said that its design limited bounce outs. However, unhappy users said that the manufacturer didn’t ship the board in protective packaging.
Best Large Dartboard: Viper by GLD Products Dartboard
✔ Can adjust the number ring✔ Has thin wiring to reduce bounce outs✔ Comes with mounting hardware
Viper by GLD Products Dartboard
- $52
This versatile dartboard is useful for any experience level. It accommodates both steel- and soft-tipped darts and comes with an adjustable number ring. Because of its 18-inch diameter, you’re also more likely to hit a segment of the board.
✘ Has fairly small numbers✘ Doesn’t always heal after a dart hole
Customers were impressed by this dartboard’s thin dividers that limited bounce outs. Some customers did struggle with getting it to heal from dart holes even though it claimed to be self-healing. Others also said that the dividers weren’t properly aligned.
Best Cabinet Dartboard: Barrington Billiards Dartboard Cabinet Set
✔ Includes six steel-tipped darts with storage slots for them✔ Has built-in scoreboards on the inside of the doors✔ Comes in several wood finishes
Barrington Billiards Dartboard Cabinet Set
- $175
- $250
- 31% off
For those who are looking for a more stylish dartboard, this cabinet opens to reveal a 17.75-inch board with a self-healing, staple-free design. It comes with six darts that fit into the built-in storage slots as well as two scoreboards and the dry-erase marker to use them.
✘ Has a bulky build✘ Could damage the cabinet with the darts if you have poor aim
Customers who gave this product positive reviews liked that it was made from high-quality materials, easy to install, and stylish. On the other hand, dissatisfied customers said that the cabinet had an unpleasant smell and was missing parts upon unboxing.
Best Magnetic Dartboard: Funsparks Magnetic Dartboard
✔ Includes six red and six green darts✔ Has the scoring on each segment✔ Makes for a good beginner board to teach your children
Funsparks Magnetic Dartboard
- $25
- $30
- 17% off
Magnetic dartboards are perfect for kids, as they don’t use sharp-tipped darts. This magnetic board comes with 12 darts that stick to the scoring area every time. The 14.5-inch board also fits on small walls in a game room, bedroom, garage, or basement.
✘ Has plastic darts that can break✘ May be difficult to hit the board because it’s small
Customers who were happy with this magnetic dartboard said that it was well-made and ideal for kids. They were also pleased with how well the darts stuck to the board. Alternatively, negative reviews mentioned that the dart and board magnets weren’t as strong as expected.
Best Electronic Dartboard: Arachnid Electronic Dartboard
✔ Can display scores for up to four players✔ Has a regulation 15.5-inch target area✔ Includes thin segment dividers to reduce bounce outs
Arachnid Electronic Dartboard
- $207
- $290
- 29% off
For variety, this board offers scoring for 39 dart games with 179 variations. It comes with six darts and extra tips that you can store on the built-in rack. It also has a unique heckler feature that makes it sound like you’re playing in a bar and eliminates the need to manually keep your score.
✘ Costs more than non-electronic dartboards✘ Must be used near a wall outlet
Customers liked the number of dart games that they could play with this board. Many users also said that it had good hit recognition. However, some users struggled to get the darts to stay in the nylon holes.
Buyer’s Guide
To ensure that you’re finding the best board for you for your next game of darts, consider factors such as the type, material, size, wire thickness, design, darts, price, and brand. We explain each of these factors in detail in our guide below.
Type
There are several types of dartboards, including:
Cork
Cork dartboards hold steel darts well. However, because they don’t self-heal, they wear out over time.
Bristle
Bristle boards are made from tightly wound fibers. They’re the type of board you often find at competitions and in bars. One downside to these boards is that they’re pricey.
Coiled Paper
These boards are made from tightly wound paper instead of fibers. Though affordable, they don’t hold up well.
Cabinet
This board is behind cabinet doors. It serves as a decoration in addition to an activity. It typically has built-in dart storage and game scoring.
Magnetic
These boards use darts with flat, magnetic steel tips. They’re a good dartboard option for kids or beginners who don’t have good aim and don’t want to injure anyone or damage anything with pointed darts.
Electronic
Electronic boards use soft-tipped darts that stick into the built-in holes. These boards automatically keep score for you with their sensors that can tell where your darts land.
Material
Material is often tied to the type and price of a board. Professional boards are usually made from sisal bristle, while affordable boards are made from cork, paper, and plastic.
Size
Professional or regulation-sized dartboards measure 18 inches in diameter with 20 equal-sized pie slices. However, casual boards may vary in size, though they usually stay between 15 and 25 inches.
Wire Thickness
Wiring separates the pie slices on a dartboard. You’re more likely to hit thick or stapled wiring. When this happens, your dart bounces off and lands on the floor. Generally speaking, the thinner the wire, the less frequent the bounce outs.
Design and Colors
Most traditional dartboards have a black backdrop with alternating white and black pie slices. The slices are broken up with smaller segments of green and red that match the bullseye. However, some recreational boards feature different color schemes.
Darts
Many dartboards are sold in sets with the types of darts that work best with them. If yours doesn’t come with darts, read up on what to buy for your type of board.
Price
Dartboards can range dramatically in price depending on the size, material, type, and other factors. Dartboards for kids or casual dart players can sometimes cost as low as $20, while professional-grade dartboards may exceed $500 or more.
Popular Brands
There are hundreds of brands that make dartboards, but some of the most well-trusted include:
- Arachnid
- Barrington Billiards
- DMI Sports
- Escalade Sports
- Franklin Sports
- Funsparks
- GLD
- IgNatGames
- Unicorn
- Winmau
Games To Play With a Dartboard
Once you have a dartboard for your game room or man den, the next step is to figure out what games you want to play with it. There are dozens of dart games you can play. Here are some of the most popular variations.
501
In 501, each player starts with a score of 501 and takes turns throwing three darts at the board. Each hit deducts from the total, with the goal being to reach zero. The inner bullseye is worth 50 points, and the outer bullseye is worth 25 points. This is the most common game in professional tournaments.
Around The Clock
In Around The Clock, the idea is to hit every pie slice from one to 20 and to finish with the outer and inner bullseyes. Players must start at one and go in sequential order. Just like in 501, each player takes three shots before the next person is up.
Baseball
This is a casual dart game that simulates the rhythm of a baseball game. In dart baseball, you play nine “innings” with the goal to amass as many points as possible. You can score a single, double, or triple just like in real baseball. Another key to dart baseball is that each player must throw at the number that corresponds to the inning. For instance, if it’s the first inning, you aim for the pie slice that’s labeled one, with a hit in the single section being worth one run, a double section being worth two runs, and a triple section being worth three runs.
Killer
Killer is the perfect game to play with a large group. To start the game, each player must throw with their non-dominant hand. Wherever it hits is the number that’s assigned to that player. From there, the idea is to hit only a double of that number, which then makes you a “killer.” Once you become a killer, you can try to eliminate your opponents by hitting doubles of their numbers, with each hit being worth one life. Typically, each player is given either three or five lives before they’re out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dartboards last?
How long a dartboard lasts depends largely on what it’s made from and how often it’s used. A well-made dartboard with high durability should last at least four or five years.
How far away should I stand from my dartboard?
The regulation distance to stand from your dartboard is 7 feet and 9.25 inches. However, unless you’re playing in a professional tournament, feel free to stand wherever is most comfortable to you. You can always start closer until you get the hang of it.
How do I maintain a dartboard?
For bristle dartboards, removing and rotating the ring regularly can lead to a longer life. Furthermore, make sure to twist instead of pull the darts out because that helps the board heal.
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