The 5 Best Dartboards 2023 Review

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 ✘ 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

Pros and Cons

✔ Can adjust the number ring✔ Has thin wiring to reduce bounce outs✔ Comes with mounting hardware ✘ Has fairly small numbers✘ Doesn’t always heal after a dart hole

What Customers Are Saying

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

Pros and Cons

✔ 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 ✘ Has a bulky build✘ Could damage the cabinet with the darts if you have poor aim

What Customers Are Saying

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

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes six red and six green darts✔ Has the scoring on each segment✔ Makes for a good beginner board to teach your children ✘ Has plastic darts that can break✘ May be difficult to hit the board because it’s small

What Customers Are Saying

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

Pros and Cons

✔ Can display scores for up to four players✔ Has a regulation 15.5-inch target area✔ Includes thin segment dividers to reduce bounce outs ✘ Costs more than non-electronic dartboards✘ Must be used near a wall outlet

What Customers Are Saying

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.

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.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.