Darts are a simple but challenging game that almost anyone can just pick up and play. Not only is it fun for solo play, but having your own dart board can help to engage your guests in some fun activities, too.
Young or old, new or experienced, finding the best dartboard for your game cave is important. The search for the best dartboard is sometimes a hassle, though. There are simply so many options on the market it can be eternally confusing to find the right fit. Which is why I’ve compiled this handy list of the best dartboards so you can spend less time searching and more time playing!
Table of Contents
Best Overall Dartboard
Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Dartboard
It is made of high-quality sisal for durability and longevity, thinner wires than its predecessors for fewer “bounce outs”, and an easily removable number ring for ease of rotating. Yup, this board is by far the best board that money can buy.
However, speaking of money… This beauty has a price, and a pretty hefty one at that. If you’re on a budget then this board might just end up being a big old “no thank you”, but just keep in mind that this board is made of high-quality materials and will most likely last you years.
Some people even claim that if it’s used for a home environment and the proper care is taken, it could potentially last a lifetime.
Pros:
- High quality super dense sisal board with self-healing.
- Superior durability.
- Thinner wires than some other boards of the same kind, increasing scoring area.
- Board is regulation sized at 18 inches in diameter.
- The dual core increases the life of the board.
Cons:
- Steep price.
Read Reviews from Real Owners for “Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Dartboard” on Amazon.
Best Cabinet Dartboard
American Heritage Billiards Cavalier Dart Board Cabinet
If you want your dartboard to not only work wonders but also stand alone as a beautiful piece of art, then the American Heritage Billiards Cavalier Dart Board Cabinet excels at both.
The name may be a mouthful, but the set up won’t be a handful. This dartboard comes with all the necessary items for hanging up, and comes already assembled so you don’t have to waste any time fussing over how to build it.
While for the most part it excels at being both functional and visually appealing, there are a few less than ideal parts of it that should be brought up. Both the users of this product and the manufacturers themselves have stated that this set exudes an earthy smell when new. This is because of the fresh Eco-friendly and bio-degradable materials that are used to make it. Luckily, its rural scent dissipates after about 5-10 days, possibly sooner, when left open to air out.
Second downside? While the darts that come with it aren’t absolute garbage, they’re also not really the best either. They’re of decent quality, and if you’re not an expert at darts then you may not even notice. However, if you’re really a stickler for good darts, then you can always use a different kind. It’s not as if the board is going ignite if different darts touch it. Right?
Pros:
- Beautifully rich mocha colored cabinet with swirling engravings etched at the top, sure to catch anyone’s eye.
- The cabinet features two chalk scoreboards with an eraser as well as dart holders that can hold up to six darts.
- Tournament-quality size.
- Self-healing dense sisal materials.
Cons:
- The high-quality craftsmanship makes this dartboard very expensive.
- Included darts are okay, but can be replaced if you’re picky.
Best Electric Dartboard
WIN.MAX Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard Set with Cabinet
Picking out a good electric dartboard is really risky and tends to be much more of a hassle than any other type of board. Why? The annoyance is on behalf of all the delicate technology that’s inside, of course.
Finding the perfect balance of capable electronics, a user-friendly interface, and an actual good dartboard to play on is a lot to have to go through and can sometimes make you wonder if a good electric dartboard even exists.
Good news, tired gamers: that board is real! The WIN.MAX Electronic Soft Tip Dartboard Set with Cabinet is just the electric dartboard you’ve been searching for. While it doesn’t have as many game options loaded into as some other electric boards might, it outperforms most others in terms of playability. And isn’t playability the main reason we play games in the first place?
Pros:
- Pleasing to look at.
- Boasts 27 games with 195 scoring options that can accommodate up to 8 players.
- 6 dart holders on each door, for a total of 12 dart holders.
- The sound is adjustable from 0-7.
Cons:
- A little pricey compared to other electric dartboards.
- Darts might be a tad bit iffy if you’re picky, but replacements are easy to find.
Best Magnetic Dartboard
Street Walk Magnetic Dart Board
If you’ve ever felt like the search for the right dartboard was too much work, and you just want to throw some darts at something without getting arrested, then perhaps a magnetic dartboard might be the simple answer you’ve been looking for.
Not only are magnetic boards great for a fun and cheap alternative to other types of dartboards, but they can also be great for parties, and even children. Magnetic dartboards are a great entry-level option, too.
Most magnetic boards are actually targeted toward children, but that doesn’t mean that adults can’t enjoy the simplified but fun games you can play with these. After all, if you happen to be the party-type adult and may have some inebriated friends over to your game cave, maybe magnets are better than throwing sharp objects anyway.
This particular dartboard is simple to hang up, is advertised for use outside, and it’s even reversable.
Pros:
- Strong magnets.
- 12 darts in red, yellow, blue, and green.
- Easily reversible.
- Great option for kids. Or drunk and rowdy friends.
Cons:
- Possibly a bad fit for a professional dart player.
Read Reviews from Real Owners for “Street Walk Magnetic Dart Board” on Amazon.
Best Budget Dartboard
Viper Shot King
Budget dartboards aren’t always going to be of the best quality, but they are going to be fine for the budget-conscious darts lover who longs for the thrill of a game.
While the Viper Shot King isn’t going to win the award for overall best dartboard in this particular article, it does win for being a decent quality board for a price that shouldn’t make you upset while looking at it.
Pros:
- Rotating numbers wheel to prolong the life of the board.
- Includes two sets of darts.
- A nice, reasonable price.
- Quality is good enough for casual play, and is of regulation size which can help for practice.
Cons:
- The wiring has staples, which may increase the possibility of bounce outs.
- Some users report that their board seemed old and didn’t self-heal.
Read Reviews from Real Owners for “Viper Shot King” on Amazon.
Conclusion
Perhaps you’re in the market for a high-tech electronic dartboard, or a fancy quality dartboard with a beautifully carved cabinet, or maybe just a simple board to toss some darts at with your friends. No matter what you crave, these are the best dartboards in their categories for a reason.
