best electric dart board

Darts might be a game of numbers only choosing the best dartboard isn't a case of unproblematic addition. Paying more doesn't always hateful better quality – or make information technology whatsoever more likely y'all'll score 180 – especially since in that location are numerous brands to cull from across different categories of board.

Whether yous want a bristle dartboard as used by professional person players, an electronic dartboard to play a range of preprogrammed games, or but a cheap, soft tip dartboard to get your eye in with as little expense as possible, at that place are a startling number of options available to yous. And that's forgetting any useful add together-ons like a stand or a cabinet to frame your purchase.

To go your head around which lath will meet your needs – also every bit the features and extras yous might want to consider when purchasing – read on for our deep dive into the earth of dartboards and our suggestions for the best in every category and across a range of toll points.

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Best dartboards: At a glance

All-time overall dartboard: Winmau Blade 6 | £fifty
Best sprint cabinet with dartboard: Jack Daniel'due south Dwelling house Darts Centre | £74
All-time budget bristle dartboard: Unicorn Striker | £30
Best budget electronic dartboard: Canaveral ED110 | £25

How to choose the best dartboard for y'all

Types of dartboard

Bristle dartboards are considered the traditional pick. They are made with tiny fibres of a sisal establish that are bound together to course the lath surface. These boards are said to exist 'self-healing' as the fibres tin can close upwardly the holes left past your darts somewhat and, for this reason, brand an first-class selection in terms of longevity. In fact, the more than you play, the faster the healing process of a bristle board becomes, as information technology encourages the fibres to adjust and reposition. And so, information technology's a solid choice for those that can't get enough of the sport equally yous'll get greater bang for your buck over its lifespan than with other board materials.

All the same, not all bristle boards are created equal. Different products will have different densities and depths to their sisal fibres, where the density tends to be associated with the hardness of the board and the depth will affect how far and frequently your darts bounciness dorsum from the board. Generally, the greater the density and depth of a board, the higher the price will be.

Soft tip or electronic dartboards keep costs low as they are made from plastic. Equally the name suggests, these boards apply darts that accept a soft, plastic tip – as opposed to the hard metal of darts made for bristle boards – which make them a much safer selection for children. Instead of beingness made up of sisal fibres, the boards feature hundreds of holes in each segment that let the soft tip darts to stay in place. Handily, electronic boards should also continue score for you, and usually have many unlike games to play equally part of their system.

What features should I expect out for?

Base of operations: As detailed above, traditional dartboards have a sisal fibre base of operations where greater density and depth of those fibres means less take a chance of darts billowy out and greater longevity of your board. Some dartboards will have multiple layers of sisal fibres, or another material below the fibres – such every bit carbon fibre – with all this layering providing added reinforcement. Plastic base or electronic boards are fairly uniform in build, however, some of these dartboards take a greater number of holes in them, with less chance for bounce outs.
Size: The regulation size of a dartboard is just over 45cm in diameter (or 17.75in to be precise). Larger or smaller boards work just also, simply it's ameliorate to practise on a regulation board if you lot ever want to compete against others – be it in a pub setting or a professional tournament – so this is an important number to picket out for.
Wiring: This is what separates the different scoring areas of the board. Ideally, yous'll want the thinnest wiring you tin find as that means less chance of your darts billowy out and a greater chance of hit your target.
Number ring: Every dartboard has a number ring – otherwise you wouldn't exist able to play – withal some let yous to remove or rotate information technology. This feature is normally reserved for bristle boards, as removing the number band allows you to rotate the lath, spreading the wear and tear of the sisal fibres on oft targeted zones, like treble xx.

What darts go with my board?

Bristle boards use metallic tip darts, while electronic or soft tip boards use plastic tip darts. There is much more than to go stuck into than that, with darts coming in various shapes and weights as well as different grips, and you can read all nearly both types in greater detail in our all-time darts roundup.

What else might I need?

If yous're mounting your dartboard directly onto a wall, y'all'll desire to protect your interiors with a bankroll board or environs that sits behind your board. This fashion, whatsoever devious darts will hit the backboard protection rather than dig chunks out of your walls. Alternatively, you lot can get yourself a darts chiffonier, which will offer backing protection besides as storage space and will look aesthetically pleasing to boot.

If yous want to avert any DIY and keep things simple, a dartboard stand is a handy purchase. This will hold upward your board in a sturdy position while in use and can be packed away when yous're finished. Ideal for smaller homes or those who don't want a permanent darts-themed feature wall.

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How much should I pay?

Y'all won't find a bristle dartboard for less than £25, and even that's pushing it, with most hovering closer to £xxx outside of sales periods. The longer-lasting boards made from higher quality and high density fibres begin at around the £50 marking, with multi-cadre options pushing the price upwardly to £60 and across.

Soft tip dartboards tend to exist much cheaper, given their plastic material is simpler to manufacture, and they can start from as little equally £15. Conversely, electronic versions of these boards tin can often price more than than elite bristle boards, running into the hundreds of pounds as the quality and the number of game modes increment. These college-end buys tend to exist more than reliable as well, every bit the automatic electronic scoring isn't ever recorded as well on the cheaper buys. However, you lot tin still get a decent electronic lath with multiple game modes for around £25.

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The best dartboards to buy in 2023

1. Winmau Blade 6: Best overall dartboard

Price: £fifty | Purchase now from Argos

Darts players desire a board that won't bounce back their throws and has decent durability and aesthetic, at a reasonable price. The Winmau Blade vi is a dartboard that ticks all those considerations and more.

It's made from the tightly packed, high-quality sisal fibres that Winmau take become known for, and we found the vast majority of our throws yet stayed in the board, no affair how poor our shots were. Those fibres should mean it remains in usable condition for longer than other cheaper buys, offering solid value for money. Plus, it's professional tournament-canonical since information technology'southward fabricated to Earth Darts Federation specifications – including ultra-sparse wiring to maximise your chance of a loftier score – so you lot'll be playing under similar conditions to stars like Michael van Gerwin or Fallon Sherrock.

Considering the calibre of its build, the Blade vi offers some of the best value at a price all the same affordable to almost people.

Key details – Type: Bristle; Diameter: 45.4cm; Core: Single; Game modes: N/A; Darts included? None

Buy at present from Argos

ii. Canaveral Plastip dartboard: Best budget plastic dartboard

Price: £15 | Buy now from Decathlon

Buying cheap is oftentimes the best way to test the waters on a new hobby and that's where dartboards like the Canaveral Plastip make a lot of sense.

At simply £15, newbies tin can go their set up for very niggling fiscal investment and without dissentious their walls (or themselves) given this is a plastic dartboard that uses soft tip darts. This is especially of import for kids, with this gear up being safe for ages six and up.

Compared to other sets, peculiarly Bristle boards, you may take to throw a piddling harder to get the darts to stick, but the Canaveral Plastip lath can provide hours of fun, for adults and children alike, at a lesser dollar toll.

Fundamental details – Type: Plastic (soft tip); Bore: 40cm; Core: N/A; Game modes: N/A; Darts included? Six

Buy now from Decathlon

3. Jack Daniel's Domicile Darts Middle: All-time dart cabinet with dartboard

Price: £74 | Buy now from Home Leisure Direct

An aesthetically pleasing cabinet like this sleek Jack Daniel'south Darts Eye can bring a niggling pizzazz to your habitation darts arena. Coming pre-assembled, its wooden build feels sturdy and only requires mounting to your wall. Likewise, the included Axis dartboard is loftier quality, using tightly compacted sisal fibres made to match the Jack Daniels color scheme.

The prepare offers greater functionality and convenience to your playing also, since there are whiteboards on the inside of the cabinet doors to record your scores (whiteboard pens included). It also comes with ii sets of Jack Daniels-branded darts so you tin can beginning playing right abroad (although do peruse our all-time darts recommendations for even higher-grade equipment).

All-in-all, information technology's an aesthetically minded purchase and a particularly useful buy should you, or whatsoever cohabitants, non want a dartboard as a permanent piece of decor – your hobby tin hibernate abroad disguised as a swell and tidy cupboard. For a non-brand alternative, have a look at the Mission Darts Centre.

Key details – Type: Bristle with chiffonier; Dimensions (HWD): 61 x 53 10 9cm (cabinet); Diameter: 45cm (dartboard); Core: Unmarried; Game modes: Northward/A; Darts included? Half dozen

Buy now from Home Leisure Direct

4. Unicorn Striker: Best budget bristle dartboard

Price: £30 | Buy now from Amazon

The Unicorn Striker is one of the cheapest bristle dartboards on the market that still offers solid quality. You go all the design features plant on more expensive bristle boards – like a metallic number ring and a spider made from traditional, thin wiring – the only divergence is you may find information technology wears away a little faster due to weaker and less crowded sisal fibres.

Still, you wouldn't know that on start look and, given the price, you tin can always upgrade to a more durable buy once you know this is the sport for you, or you have the coin to do so. For those afterward an authentic dartboard on a budget, there is zip better.

Fundamental details – Blazon: Bristle; Diameter: 46cm; Core: Single; Game modes: N/A; Darts included? None

five. Winmau Blade 6 Triple Cadre: All-time high-terminate dartboard

Toll: £79 | Buy now from Argos

Winmau presents its premier offering, the Blade six Triple Core, as being the "nearly technically avant-garde lath" around and nosotros certainly can't fault it.

What does a triple-cadre blueprint add to your experience? Well, greater layers of sisal fibres have been proven to reduce bounce-outs of your darts, increase overall durability, and make your throws quieter to boot. This Winmau Blade 6'southward 3 layers of tightly wound sisal fibres are farther reinforced with a carbon fibre base of operations too, meaning those fibres are fifty-fifty less likely to be ripped out. Add in ultra-sparse wiring and an anti-glare number band, and there are no excuses for not getting some double and triple scores.

As a PDC (Professional person Darts Corporation)-endorsed product used by pros across the globe, it'south a tiptop purchase for those who are already fairly competent darts players in their ain right. For about £15 less, you can get Winmau's nevertheless excellent dual-core lath, but we reckon this one is worth the actress cash.

Key details – Type: Bristle; Diameter: 45cm; Core: Triple; Game modes: North/A; Darts included? None

Purchase now from Argos

6. Unicorn Striker dartboard with Gorilla Arrow Pro Stand: All-time dartboard with stand

Price: £70 | Buy now from Amazon

The problem with dartboards is they demand to be mounted somewhere to exist used. So, if you're renting a property and don't want to damage the walls, or if you just don't have the tools, a uncomplicated solution is to get a dartboard with a stand included.

This dartboard stand from Unicorn is an excellent option in this regard and one of the only options on the market to include a dartboard with your buy. We found information technology to be sturdy upon the bear upon of thrown darts and hold its position well – just be conscientious when taking your darts out to not motility it too much. It's also easy to get together and take down equally you delight, and so yous tin can enjoy a game of darts without it taking upwardly permanent space in your home.

Should you want an additional surroundings to protect your walls, you lot can pay an extra £xl to have that included with your buy.

Central details – Type: Bristle with stand; Bore: 46cm; Cadre: Single; Game modes: N/A; Darts included? None

7. Canaveral ED110: Best budget electronic dartboard

Cost: £25 | Buy now from Decathlon

With many electronic dartboards running into the hundreds of pounds, breaking into the globe of gamified darts can be an expensive buy – the Canaveral ED110 is a board that bucks that tendency.

Despite the low cost, it's still a relatively like offering to more than expensive electronic boards. The fundamental differences are that you have fewer games on offer and fewer players can take part. But you still have xx games to pick from and up to 8 people playing at once, which is more than enough for well-nigh people. The darts might stay in the lath a footling less than with the more expensive sets, equally there are fewer holes for their plastic tips, but bounciness out is still fairly rare if you give your throws plenty oomph.

Primal details – Blazon: Electronic (soft tip); Diameter: 40cm; Core: N/A; Game modes: 20; Darts included? Six

Buy now from Decathlon

eight. Viper 800 Electronic dartboard: Best electronic dartboard

Price: £150 | Buy now from Amazon

Bristle dartboards might offering the purest experience just, for added spice in your darts sessions, electronic boards like the Viper 800 make a lot of sense. Up to 16 players can play across 57 games, similar Cricket or Minnesota, with six soft tip darts to share between the players. At that place'south also a throw line and throw measuring tape to add some order to the darts carnage – these games can become competitive after all – and the board volition automatically keep score, so no demand to become your computer out.

The lath itself is a regulation size of 15.5in and is filled with more holes than many cheaper plastic dartboards, so you should get more of your darts to stick their landing. There are more than expensive electronic options out there, but nosotros think the Viper 800 is the best balance of features and reliability.

Key details – Type: Electronic (soft tip); Diameter: 39.5cm; Cadre: N/A; Game modes: 57; Darts included? Six

Source: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/sports-leisure/1417872/best-dartboard