How To Choose A Dartboard (Without Wasting Money)

Walk into any dart shop or browse Amazon and you'll see dozens of dartboards ranging from $30 to $300. Most are garbage. A few are excellent. Here's how to tell the difference.

The bottom line up front: Buy a Winmau Blade 6. If you can't afford that, buy a Winmau Blade 5. Everything else is a compromise.

But let me explain why.

What Makes A Good Dartboard

A quality bristle dartboard has these characteristics:

1. Self-Healing Sisal Fibers

The board is made of compressed sisal fibers (not paper, not cork, not "electronic"). When a dart hits, the fibers separate and then close back up.

Good sisal: Holes close almost completely after dart is removed. Board lasts 1-2 years of heavy use.

Bad sisal: Holes stay visible. Board looks destroyed after 6 months.

How to test: Throw 20 darts at treble 20, remove them, look at the board. If you see 20 distinct holes, it's bad sisal. If you see minimal marking, it's good sisal.

2. Thin Wire Dividers (Spider)

The metal wires that divide the scoring segments should be:

Thin - Less surface area = fewer bounce-outs
Angled/Rounded - Darts deflect into scoring area instead of bouncing out
Staple-free - Modern boards embed the wire, old boards used staples (bounce-out city)

Winmau Blade 6: Uses triangular wire that's 15% thinner than previous generation. Fewest bounce-outs of any board.

Cheap boards: Thick round wire held in with staples. Expect 2-3 bounce-outs per 20 throws.

3. Movable Number Ring

The number ring around the board should rotate independently from the board itself.

Why this matters: You rotate the board every few weeks to even out wear. If treble 20 gets destroyed, rotate the board so a fresh section is at treble 20.

Boards without rotation: Treble 20 gets destroyed in 3-6 months, rest of board is fine. You throw away a board that's 90% good.

Boards with rotation: Even wear across entire board. Lasts 2-3x longer.

4. Regulation Size and Spacing

Regulation dartboard:

13.2 inches (335mm) scoring area diameter
1.375 inches (35mm) bullseye diameter
0.314 inches (8mm) double/treble ring width

Why this matters: If you practice on an undersized or oversized board, your muscle memory is wrong when you play on regulation boards.

All quality boards are regulation size. Only cheap boards cheat dimensions.

The Three Tiers of Dartboards

Budget Tier ($30-60)

These boards work but won't last as long or play as well.

Winmau Blade 5

$50-70 depending on sales
Previous generation of the Blade 6
Staple-free spider, rotating number ring
Good sisal, self-healing
Will last 12-18 months of regular use
My take: If you're on a tight budget, this is the one to get

Unicorn Eclipse Pro

$50-70
Staple-free spider, rotating number ring
Decent sisal
Good alternative to Blade 5
My take: Fine, but I'd still pick Blade 5

What to avoid:

Anything under $40
Boards that say "tournament quality" but aren't from a known brand
Boards without rotating number rings
Paper dartboards (yes, these exist - avoid)

Mid-Tier ($70-100)

This is where you should buy.

Winmau Blade 6

$80-95
Current generation, thinnest wire available
Carbon fiber construction for durability
Rotating number ring, staple-free
Best sisal in the industry
Lasts 2+ years of heavy use
My take: This is what I throw on. This is what most serious players use. This is what you should buy.

Winmau Blade 6 Dual Core

$90-110
Same as Blade 6 but with two-color sisal (looks cool)
Functionally identical to regular Blade 6
My take: If you like the look, go for it. Otherwise regular Blade 6 is fine.

Target Aspar

$70-90
Staple-free spider, rotating number ring
Good alternative to Winmau
My take: Fine board, but Blade 6 is better

Premium Tier ($100-200)

These boards offer minimal improvement over Blade 6 for significantly more money.

Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core

$130-160
Three-layer sisal construction
Marketed as even more durable
My take: Marginal improvement. Not worth the extra $50 unless you throw 6+ hours per day.

Shot Bandit Plus

$120-150
Premium sisal, thin wire
My take: Good board, but not $40 better than Blade 6

One80 Gladiator 3+

$100-130
Australian brand, high quality
My take: If you can find it, it's good. Still not better than Blade 6.

Electronic Dartboards

Different game entirely. Soft tip darts, plastic tips, different scoring zones.

If you want to play steel tip darts (the real game): Don't buy an electronic board.

If you want electronic for casual games or bar-style play: That's a different article. They're fun, but not what serious players use.

The Real Cost: Board + Mounting + Extras

Don't just budget for the board. You also need:

Mounting Hardware

Option 1: Direct Wall Mount

Mount board directly to wall
Requires finding studs or using heavy-duty anchors
Cost: $10-20 for proper mounting kit
Pros: Cheapest, secure
Cons: Makes holes in wall, limited to where studs are

Option 2: Dartboard Stand

Freestanding frame that holds board
No wall damage
Cost: $80-150
Pros: Portable, no wall damage
Cons: Expensive, takes up floor space, can be less stable

Option 3: Dartboard Cabinet

Board mounts inside a cabinet with doors that close
Protects wall, looks nice
Cost: $100-200
Pros: Protects wall, stores darts, looks professional
Cons: Expensive, permanent installation

My recommendation: Direct wall mount if you own your place. Dartboard stand if you rent or move frequently.

Wall Protection

Dartboard Surround

Foam or cork ring that mounts around board
Catches stray darts that miss the board
Cost: $30-50
Worth it? Yes. You will miss the board. Walls get destroyed fast.

Backboard

Large sheet of plywood or cork behind the board
Protects wall from missed darts
Cost: $20-40 for materials
Worth it? Yes if you're mounting to drywall. Essential if you're a beginner.

Lighting

Why it matters: Shadows and uneven lighting cause you to aim wrong.

Basic setup:

LED strip light around board surround
Cost: $20-40
Effect: Eliminates shadows, clear view of segments

Better setup:

Dartboard lighting system (Target Corona Vision, Winmau Plasma Light)
Cost: $80-150
Effect: Even illumination, no shadows, looks professional

My take: Basic LED strip is fine for home use. Dedicated lighting system is nice but not necessary.

Total Realistic Budget

Minimum (good quality):

Winmau Blade 5: $60
Wall mount kit: $15
Dartboard surround: $35
LED strip light: $25
Total: $135

Recommended (best value):

Winmau Blade 6: $85
Wall mount kit or backboard: $30
Dartboard surround: $40
LED strip light: $25
Total: $180

Premium (best setup):

Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core: $150
Cabinet mount: $150
Professional lighting: $120
Total: $420

When To Rotate Your Board

Every 2-4 weeks, rotate the number ring so a fresh section is at treble 20.

Why: Treble 20 takes the most abuse (it's where you aim most). Rotating spreads the wear.

How: Remove the number ring, rotate it 3-4 segments, replace. Takes 30 seconds.

Effect: Board lasts 2-3x longer.

If you don't rotate: Treble 20 will be destroyed in 6 months and you'll replace a board that's otherwise fine.

When To Replace Your Board

Signs your board is done:

Darts don't stick consistently (sisal is compressed and won't hold)
Holes don't close after removing darts
Wire is bent or damaged
Darts bounce out constantly
Spider is coming loose

Average lifespan:

Casual use (5-10 hours/week): 2-3 years for Blade 6
Regular use (10-20 hours/week): 1.5-2 years
Heavy use (20+ hours/week): 1-1.5 years

Cheap boards ($30-40): 6-12 months regardless of use

Can you repair a dartboard? No. Once the sisal is compressed, it's done. Buy a new one.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Buying Based On Price Alone

The trap: "This board is $35 and looks the same as the $80 board"

Reality: It will last 6 months and play terribly. The $80 board lasts 2+ years and plays great.

Math: $35 board replaced 4 times over 2 years = $140. Blade 6 for $85 = $85. You save money buying quality.

Mistake 2: Ignoring The Number Ring

The trap: "The number ring doesn't affect gameplay"

Reality: Non-rotating number rings mean uneven wear. You replace the board when only treble 20 is destroyed.

Always buy a board with a rotating number ring.

Mistake 3: Mounting Too Low/High

Regulation height: 5 feet 8 inches from floor to bullseye center (1.73m)

Common error: Mounting at eye level (too high) or random height

Why it matters: Muscle memory. If you practice at wrong height, you can't play on regulation boards.

Mistake 4: Skipping Wall Protection

The trap: "I won't miss the board that often"

Reality: Even good players miss. Beginners miss a lot. Walls get destroyed fast.

Buy a surround or backboard. Your wall (and security deposit) will thank you.

Mistake 5: Buying Electronic For Steel Tip Practice

The trap: "Electronic boards are easier to score"

Reality: Electronic boards use soft tip darts (plastic tips, lighter weight). Completely different game.

If you want to play steel tip: Buy a bristle board. Period.

Where To Buy

Online (Best Prices)

Amazon

Wide selection
Often has sales on Winmau Blade 6
Fast shipping
Easy returns
Watch for: Fake "Winmau-style" boards from no-name brands

Darts Corner (UK-based)

Excellent selection
Great prices
Ships worldwide
Shipping to US: Can take 2-3 weeks

A-Z Darts (US-based)

Good selection
Reasonable prices
Fast US shipping

Local (Touch Before Buying)

Sporting goods stores

Can see board in person
Usually only carry 1-2 models
Prices are higher than online

Dedicated dart shops

Best selection
Knowledgeable staff
Highest prices
Good for finding rare/specialty boards

My recommendation: Buy online unless you want to see it in person first. Amazon has Blade 6 on sale frequently.

Special Considerations

For Kids/Beginners

Same recommendation: Winmau Blade 6

Why not a cheaper board? Because they'll play poorly, bounce out constantly, and make learning frustrating.

"But they might quit": If they quit because of a bad board, that's a waste. If they quit despite a good board, you can resell it or use it yourself.

For Bars/Commercial Use

Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core or replace Blade 6 every 12-18 months.

Why: Heavy use destroys boards fast. Either buy the most durable or budget for frequent replacement.

For Outdoor Use

Don't.

Bristle boards are for indoor use only. Moisture destroys sisal. UV light fades the board.

If you must: Buy the cheapest board you can find and expect to replace it every 6 months.

The Bottom Line

Buy a Winmau Blade 6.

It's the best board on the market. It will last 2+ years. It plays better than anything else in the price range.

If budget is tight: Winmau Blade 5 is fine.

If money is no object: Blade 6 Triple Core is marginally better but not necessary.

Everything else is a compromise.

Don't buy cheap boards. Don't buy electronic if you want steel tip. Don't skip the rotating number ring. Don't forget wall protection and mounting hardware.

Total investment for a proper setup: $180-200.

This will last you 2+ years and provide a regulation-quality playing experience from day one.

Looking for what darts to throw at your new board? Check out our guide on choosing darts that actually fit you.