Best Darts in 2024 - Beginner to Pro - Buyer's Guide
Darts have become a very popular sport in recent years. In fact, playing darts has become much more than just a pastime at your local pub, throwing a few darts with friends over a few pints. The World Championships – held at Alexandra Palace in London – ensure high rating year after year and delight fans around the world in front of the television.
So it’s no wonder that more and more darts fans are playing darts in their own homes. The interest in and demand for the right darts accessories are correspondingly high – from the dartboards to the right darts. That’s why we present the best darts in our guide. You can find out which darts are the best in the following darts test and comparison in 2024.
OUR TOP CHOICES
TOP CHOICE
SECOND BEST
TOP OF THE LINE
Darts - Pub Sport Or Serious Competitive Sport?
Those of you who have watched TV a lot in the last few weeks and are also sporty will have stumbled across this: The Dart World Cup, which is now held once a year in London. What was ridiculed by most as a pub sport at the beginning has actually blossomed into a popular sport and sporting event that is compatible with the masses? Darts on TV are enjoying increasing ratings. And that’s no longer just the case for men, but also for women who are taking part in the World Cup for the first time.
But where does this sport come from? What can that mean? Is it really exhausting? Can I also play this when I’m not having a beer in a bar and/or pub with my friends in the evening? Questions upon questions that many of you may be asking.
The History of Darts
As with many very popular sports, we owe darts to the mother country of almost every popular sport – England or Great Britain. Although this cannot be clearly proven, records from the 19th-century support this assumption. Darts is actually older than a few decades and has been played for much longer than one or the other might have thought. However, the name is not English, but – particularly spicy for the English – of French origin.
More precisely, the small but fine arrows can be located in military history. The French preferred small spear-like darts in battles. This weapon was also known to the English. Those of you who have an affinity for history and know, for example, Henry VIII: He too had a set of darts back in the 16th century, a present from his second, soon-to-be headless wife Anne Boleyn. According to other researchers, the small projectiles are even older at 2,400 years. But enough of the history lesson.
After all, you would like to find out which darts you can use not only to impress friends over a beer but perhaps also alone at home. Playing darts has a meditative effect, so throwing a few darts is a good way to switch off, relax and focus after a hard day. Doing this sport only works with the right dartboard.
1- Red Dragon Amberjack Darts ( OUR TOP CHOICE )
RED DRAGON Amberjack 23g, 25g or 27g Tungsten Darts Set with Flights and Stems (24.00)
User reviews
Great darts. Well balanced and easy to hold 👌
Lightweight and Easy to Throw. These darts are good quality and solidly made.They are relatively lightweight and that should be taken into account when considering them.If this is what you are looking for then these are a good choice. They fly well and a nice feel in the hand.They are also narrow bodied enough that they don't block much when in the board which another advantage though should note the light weight does mean they are relatively easily deflected.
Great investment. Good darts that are well worth the price. Nice and weighty which makes them easier to feel in your hand and gauge the amount of power you need to put into each throw. Easy to grip and look fantastic. Improved my accuracy drastically. I can now hit trebles more often. Even if you arent that good a player these will at least make it easier to get the dart closer to where you are aiming. The flights that come with the darts are of dissapointing quality as they started to split within my first 2-3 throws. Also the darts really stick deep into the board though that just may be my style of throwing. Nevertheless dont be throwing these in too hard as they are hard to take out. (I bought the 24g ones)
Lovely darts. They feel so nice on your hands and dont hurt your fingers , also the flights are hard to get in but that just makes it hard to cone out which is perfect , that 5 / 10 more seconds it takes to put in saves you time with then not coming out ever other throw
Brilliant for me grip. I'm a rear gripper and like a smooth barrel so I grip between the barrel and the shaft. There's a flight indent at that point that makes consistency easy. They fly beautifully straight.
No words, exceptional darts. Literally the dart I have been waiting for.When i first started darts 6years ago, I played with my dad's darts unknowing the weight. I replaced them with a dart which were too light and everything my dad's darts wasn't.I came across these not so long back and thought sod it. Amazing grip, perfect length and width for my hand. The best setup for these are short shafts and pear flights and they are so easy to throw.
Disappointed. Advertised with pouch and checkout card but they were missing. Will now have to carry darts loose in pocket. Darts look ok still to try them on dart board they feel good . Pity about the pouch.
Perfect. Excellent quality and weight although I would recommend a sharpener as the tips were coated still very usable and sharp but it took about 100 throws to wear the coating off
Empaque dañado
Sehen sehr gut aus und liegen gut in der Hand. Die 180 können kommen.😂👍
Excellent balance and feel.
Bon tenu de l'empennage dans le temps. un régalTrés très bon produitLivraison AMAZON au top comme toujours
Premesso che sono un principiante in questo sport, però posso dire che come inizio non c'è male, ottimo prodotto e con un costo abbastanza accessibile, si vede la qualità. A mia opinione vale assolutamente la spesa che ho fatto
Our recommendation in the dart comparison comes again from the Red Dragon brand. The Amberjack darts even have a tungsten content of 90%. Many professionals offer their darts with the same tungsten content for double the price.
Therefore, with the Red Dragon Amberjack, you get darts again at a very fair price. The Amberjack is my top choice and I use them every day.
The stable trajectory and the general design of the steel darts are convincing. As with each of the darts presented here, you have a large selection of weights. You can choose from 21 g, 22 g, … up to 30 g. They are also available as soft darts for the electronic dartboard.
Pros
- Top price-performance ratio of the darts
- 90% tungsten
- Great flight characteristics
Cons
- Shafts sometimes have to be tightened briefly after several rounds
2 - RED DRAGON Javelin Tungsten Steel Tip Darts Set
RED DRAGON Javelin Spectron 24 Gram Premium Tungsten Darts Set with Flights and Stems
User reviews
Darts. Perfect setup for a beginner or practice darts. The stems I got with it one was a little brittle but it should get the job done like I say for a beginner or for a couple practice throws in the house or down at the pub. But I personally would upgrade to a heavier and more sturdy dart for game play
Darts. Good quality nice balance
Long barrel. Very long barrel...54.5mm x 6.35mmRed dragon should put more info about this...I always have to search on google...
Great darts and cheap. Great set of darts. i like a lot of grip and these sure have that, and they look amazing with the colours.
Perfect weight. Awesome, exactly as the weight said and how the grip looks on pictures
Used darts. Box was opened and darts look used…
Nice darts. Long barrels but good darts
darts looked opened. Just had them delivered the box looked like it was opened. The darts weren’t even in the case properly, and also there is a ring missing off one of the stems so now I’ve gotta go and buy some more not what you want really when you pay that amount of money for a set of darts
Product received in open box again. Seals broken on box, one of the shaft flight locking rings is missing. I wonder if the seller can mail me several replacements? Darts perform very well as advertised. Polycarbonate shafts are prone to some damage when struck by a following dart. I very much like these darts.
Haben ein super GRIP und top Preis Leistungs Verhältnis
Freccette rotte dopo 3 giorni di utilizzo. Una si è spezzata in due cadendo dal tabellone. altre due hanno perso le alette nella parte finale, perché di una plastica molto delicata e sottile
Très satisfait. Tel que décrit par l’annonceur.
Finde die Griffigkeit bei den Pfeilen echt super, sind meine lieblings Pfeile geworden.
The Red Dragon Javelin offers unbeatable value for money. They consist of 85% tungsten. This is unique in this price range. Accordingly, I also got them. The darts have a continuous grip, which is perfect for beginners to literally feel their way to their personally preferred grip position. The slim design allows the darts to be thrown close together, thus increasing the probability of hitting three triple fields.
Only the quality of the dart shafts and sometimes also the dart flights is perceived as negative by the customers. In my opinion, Red Dragon has created a perfect compromise here. They deliver an excellent barrel in professional quality at an unbeatable price and make small compromises in the quality of the flights and shafts, which each player adapts individually anyway.
In summary, if you are a beginner you have to get an extra set of flights and barrels anyway to test the perfect dart for you. If, on the other hand, you are already advanced and know your preferred setup, you already have the flights and shafts at home. But no matter what level you are at, the darts comparison shows you get an excellently processed dart with 85% tungsten, which is unique for this price.
Pros
- Very fair price
- 85% tungsten
- Slim design
- Continuous grip
Cons
- Flights & shafts are not perfect
3- RED DRAGON Pegasus Tungsten Steel Tip Darts Set
RED DRAGON Pegasus Tungsten Steeltip Darts Set - 28g with Flights, Stems and Wallet
User reviews
Red Dragon Pegasus. Infinitely better in quality and construction than the budget darts that came bundled with a dartboard and surround set. Nicely weighted, comfortable in the hand and not out of the way price wise. I'll happily continue to try and improve my game using these.
Great darts. Ignore the bad reviews saying they break easily. That's darts, shafts and flights break, that's why the pros throw them to the crowd at the end of a match! If you get more flights and shafts, they'll break too. The barrels are nicely weighted and if you like a thin dart, great. Got these for my 10 year old boy and he felt the difference from the cheap pub darts he'd been using. Maybe luck but nailed 3x20 on first throw.
Amazing product but dart ends break so quick. These are by far the best darts I’ve used however, the dart flights constantly fall out. I would recommend that you buy these with k flex attachments or something similar. As you can see in my attached photo they are easily damaged, this is a result of only 2 days playing with them unfortunately.
2nd pair of same darts. I have ordered a second pair of these darts after accidentally loosing my set before.The darts themselves are superb. They're of excellent quality and very robust (following a few bounce outs off a wire hit or 2).In terms of dexterity they are great, the grip and weight distribution are perfectly aligned contributing to consistent throws.Similarly the shaft and flights are good too, also of a good quality and appear to have good longevity.They come with a little plastic/faux leather pouch for carrying around. The pouch isn't overly large but certainly big enough to carry the darts and some spare flights. That said its a very pocket friendly carry for competitions or playing away from home.I am very pleased with the 26g version and would not hesitate to recommend
Great darts. Far superior to budget darts, good weight, feel sturdy and better quality
New player. Like many people i have joing the great game of darts having got a board for Christmas and looking round for some darts. They look great, feel great, and so far no issues (apart from my aiming).
Good barrel, weak stem. Barrel is good and good grip, great throw, however after one day 2 stems have broke, flights fall out a lot and get a lot of bounce outs. Overall they feel great but won’t last long.
Nice darts. Good value for money, everything looks exactly as advertised. Had some trouble with the flights when I put them on the stems; managed to ruin a flight of each colour - good thing it comes with two sets! Also, the thread on one of my barrels feels a little loose. The shaft comes loose and needs to be tightened almost every throw which is a little bit annoying but doesn't ruin the dart for me overall.No one hundred and Ay-TEEEE scored yet, but I’m sure it won’t be too long (in my dreams)!
These are a good cheaper option for tungsten darts, not the proper weight for me, the small barrels allows for tighter grouping, points are a little shorter than other darts I have used. Red Dragon has a lot of decent products out there.
Love the grip. Good darts for the price
Like all red dragon darts I have purchased these are just as good probably my favorite set I own rightnow throw good & glad they came with a travel pouch & extra shafts good bang for your buck darts!
These are the best darts I've ever had and fit the price, they beat out most of the composition. I can't imagine how much better Red Dragon's more expensive professional dart sets could be than these. Well worth the price!
I recently got back into throwing darts after my niece and nephew were visiting over the holidays and brought their darts with them. I have always loved throwing but, I never really liked the looks of either of my two sets of tungsten darts that I bought from others when I was in a league (one set shown above). So, in an effort to find darts I really liked the looks and feel of, I went around to the only three places in town where I could try out some darts but was not successful in finding anything that was satisfactory. So, I went on line to find some new darts that have a similar grip texture to what I throw now and that is how I settled on the Red Dragon Pegasus 22g. At first, I thought they felt too "grippy" when I held them. After two days, I became accustomed to them. Still, to be sure, I also purchase another more expensive different brand and grip. After throwing those for a few days I have decided. I am returning the more expensive brand and I am buying a back up set of the Pegasus. I have heard a few players express how disappointed they were after one of their darts was damaged or lost - how they now had to abandon the whole set. So, I am feeling that for the really great price point of these, I can avoid that. Also, it's like insurance in case these ever go out of production. So, I now have a set of darts that I'm throwing better than ever and I love how they look. I am completely satisfied.
According to the manufacturer, Red Dragon darts are specially tailored to the needs of top players. Here you should be calm and happy to be a professional because the British manufacturer claims to have made a good choice with these darts. The darts not only have a very modern grip style – which means that they should lie very well in the hand – but also with the classic, parallel shape typical of Red Dragon.
Like other darts, these darts are knurled and grooved to give you, the player, a complete dart experience. Very well balanced, Red Dragon wants to ensure the following things:
- A high level of accuracy
- Arrows that feel good in your hand
- Flights that ensure a stable flight
Pros
- 80% tungsten
- Very fair price
- Continuous grip
- Slim design
Cons
- Some users have said that flights keep falling out
4- Phil Taylor Power 9-Five 7
Target Darts Phil Taylor Power 9-Five Gen 7 18G 95% Tungsten Soft Tip Darts Set
User reviews
Very good darts. The Taylor darts are in a league of their own. Either you will love them or hate them. The stock flights do not suit everybody. The barrels are very short and a little on the chunky side. If you are looking to buy a set of Phil Taylor darts then you already know what you are in for. Great grip.
Top QualitätHabe es mir nicht anders vorgestelltSuper
Of course, the darts of the 16-time world champion Phil Taylor should not be missing from the best darts. He is considered the most successful darts player of all time.
In particular, with his partner Target, Phil Taylor brought some models onto the market. The darts comparison presented here is the Power 9-Five 7 Gen. These darts are made of 95% tungsten.
He himself uses the darts and recommends them. The sandblasted back of the barrel ensures a good grip and impeccable workmanship. With the proven Swiss Point technology, the flights and tips can be adjusted in a flash.
Of course, the relatively thick barrel of darts that is typical for him and his preferred weight of 26 grams is immediately noticeable. But don’t worry, these darts are also available in 22 g or 24 g.
What better proof darts work than 16-time world champion Phil Taylor playing and recommending them?
Pros
- Used & recommended by Taylor himself
- 95% tungsten
- Excellent grip
- Swiss Point technology enables quick exchange of flights and tips
Cons
- Relatively higher price
5- Professional Soft Tip Darts - Phil Taylor Power 8-Zero
User reviews
Just as expected. These were just what my partner expected
Love these darts!
Le frecce sono ottime ma la loro vernice salta via subito, dopo qualche giorno sembrano già vecchie
Sehr Stabil topp Qualität. Schnelle Lieferung, jederzeit gerne wieder.
Good
20g買おうと思って買ったけどあまり変わりない感じ
Also for electronic dartboards, these are the darts of the professionals to buy, who normally play with steel darts. The darts of the 16x world champion Phil Taylor should be emphasized here. More precisely the Power 8-Zero version.
This variant of his soft darts is comparatively cheap. Nevertheless, the customer opinions are almost all positive. The soft darts are made of 80% tungsten and weigh 18g. The manufacture of the barrel is remarkable. It is handcrafted on a Japanese CNC lathe.
The elaborate processing is reflected in the balanced balance and a great grip. In-flight, the darts are stable in the air. If you are looking for darts for electronic dartboards from professionals, you will make an excellent choice with these darts from the best player of all time.
Pros
- Model by Phil Taylor
- Very durable
- 80% tungsten
- Handcrafted Manufacturing
- Super grip & flight characteristics
Cons
- Higher price compared to the other darts presented
6- Target Darts 975 - The Best Of The Best!
Target Darts 975 01 24G 97.5% Tungsten Swiss Point Steel Tip Darts Set, Black and Green
User reviews
Expensive but worth it. After well over 12 months of heavy use these darts just don’t show signs of wear. They look incredible and the machining really shows. The included case, Swiss point key and spare points give you everything you need to play. They feel natural and comfortable in the hand and fly through the air lovely. Whether they’re for show or to play with, they won’t disappoint.Pros:•great grip•unmatched looks•perfectly weighted•well balanced•look good with any stem/flight setup•presentation box•case included•plenty of sparesCons•expensive for most
Amazing. Just got them and had a practice and I love them! Not only are they stunning-looking darts but the balance is perfect for me, and the grip - wow, no need for wax with these gems they're incredible! Packaging is top class and the exclusive wallet is a real bonus. To top it off you get Swiss points too. Worth every penny.
I can't find anything wrong with this item. love it
Grippy and look amazing. Darts won't really make you play much better, you can either throw a dart or you can't. These are nice darts though, nice feel and look good.
Engineering marvel. Have been playing darts for 55 years & have never seen or played with anything as beautiful as this set . I have the 21gram weight and I feel like a winner immediately when I have them in my sweaty paws 😜 very very pleased with the darts ( a bit pricey) but considering what you get in the box . Just to add that I have now had them for 2 months or more & I had to really persevere with them . Eventually it started to come together. Love them more than ever 😍just remember to keep at it with these beauties it can take a lot of time at the board. Good luck ,James Pedder.
Darts. Great
Best darts for grip I have ever had. These are the best iv bought so far the balance is spot on
Easy on the eye and feel great. The texture on the barrel makes it so much easier to hold each dart exactly the same way on each throw. Beautifully presented and such a overall good feel to them. Previously used the Vapor8 by target and as much as I loved them the barrel was too smooth.
Received order today, very disappointed, darts inside was steel barrel, aluminum shafts and no Swiss points, flight protectors missing and so was the unique case. No where on the darts supplied indicated the brand of 975 as it states in product description, immediately started a return,
Definitely worth the money, beautiful, and great throwing darts! The only suggestion for improvement would be, that I wish it would have included an extra set of shafts, because due to a bounce out, one of mine broke off at the end of the metal. I still give these darts 5 stars, because they have definitely exceeded my expectations.
Wundervolles Design und Top Target Qualität.
Told the darts I ordered were undeliverable! To my surprise were delivered to my home. The darts are premium darts from Target, however were packaged as economy darts for shipping !I did find a flight missing from the set, the price was good compared to other vendors. I recommend the Swiss storm points either 26 or 30mm to reduce flight damage!
Die besten Pfeile die ich habe! Natürlich muss man was können, aber das Flugverhalten hat mich einfach überzeugt und die varriablen Spitzen die man verbauen kann, lässt einen Spieler auf jedem Bord eine gute Gripleistung erbringen.
You might think that the most successful player of all time also has the best steel darts, but that’s not the case. Although they also come from Phil Taylor’s partner Target, they have an incredible 97.5% tungsten content. We’re talking about the Target Darts 975.
In addition to the unique tungsten content, the darts convince in dart tests with a great grip and outstanding flight characteristics. The Swiss Point technology is also used again, which enables parts to be exchanged in just a few seconds.
The overall package is rounded off with a noble box in which the darts, spare parts, tools, and a bag for storing the arrows are located.
So if you are looking for the best of the best, the Target Darts 975 is a perfect choice.
Pros
- Strong flight characteristics & grip
- Spare parts included
- 97.5% tungsten
- Includes storage bag
- Use of the proven Swiss Point technology
Cons
- Higher price
7- Cyeelife 15 Packs Soft Tip Darts Set
CyeeLife 12 Packs-Soft tip Darts 18g Black&Sliver Barrels,100 Plastic Points+Tool+12 Aluminium shafts+16 Flights,Home Dart set
User reviews
Darts. Great
Fantastic. Using with a Unicorn Smartboard.These dart are awesome. Well made, and quality.Better then the ones that came with the board.Good value and every dart sticks (unless my aiming skills aren't working) serious, you won't be disappointed.
Lasted. They lasted a game and were all ruined
Great quality darts. The darts are a great quality, and the delivery was very quick and efficient. Would 100% recommend these darts and this service.
They look nice but they are useless for me. They look nice but they are useless for me because they don't stick to the darts board, not even one, they are too heavy and fall down once they hit the board. Tried also with other tips...same issue. Sent them back.
Absolutely terrible. This product was a huge waste of money. You get about 50 replacement soft tips for the darts and you need them. They bend everytime they hit the board.AVOID AVOID AVOID
Great product. Kids loved them
I recommend very well made, good price
Good value. Bought these for the family, we all really liked them!
We have a dartboard at home so we like to play often. These are very nice darts. A touch light is all.
The dart set is quality and has a great assortment of darts that are quality and don't just break. I recommend these to add to your collection.
Who do I contact about getting the right size tips?
It’s always annoying when the darts break for seemingly incomprehensible reasons. The CyeeLife brand counteracts this with an innovative concept.
The shafts and flights are one piece and pliable to prevent breakage. To prevent the tips from wearing out, 100 replacement tips are included in the scope of delivery.
In darts for electronic dartboard tests, the CyeeLife set is ideal for children thanks to its high stability. Even beginners will have fun with it.
Pros
- Flights & shafts flexible
- Very durable
- Good grip
- Great colorful design
Cons
- Flight characteristics not optimal
8- SHOT TAKER Professional Steel Tip Darts 12 PC Set
Professional Steel Tip Darts 12 PC Set | 12 PC Brass Barrels | 12 PC Aluminum Shafts 48mm | 16 PC Flights Standard Shape | 1 Multi-Purpose Dart Tool | 1 Carry Bottle (18g Silver Barrel)
User reviews
I was pleasantly surprised when I examined the darts. Container was sealed - never opened. The machining is excellent with no rough edges. Flights fit perfectly on shafts. Tips are straight. Used all 12 darts in multiple games with no issues, even with multiple bounce outs from the wires on the board / hitting the ground, etc.. The only thing I noticed is the black paint wearing off.
Impressed so far! Have played a few games now and weight seems consistent... very nice shipping container and quality
Love the colors of the flights and the shafts. Pretty sturdy dart
Really good bang for your buck, enough for the whole family. And leagues
given as gift but he loves it
Are you looking for a good quality set of steel tip darts for your game nights? Look no further than the SHOT TAKER Professional Steel Tip Darts. This set of three nicely weighted and balanced darts is perfect for players of all levels, from beginners to experts. The SHOT TAKER darts are made from high-quality materials and are built to last. The sturdy steel tips are sharp and precise, ensuring a clean and accurate throw every time. The shafts are made from tough aluminum, while the flights are made from tough and durable polymers. The darts have a slim design with consistent weight distribution, ensuring an optimal balance while in flight.
The SHOT TAKER darts are designed to deliver a high level of accuracy and consistency in your game. The sharp steel tips stick securely in the board, allowing easy removal. The slim design of the darts also ensures a smooth and accurate flight, making them ideal for players of all skill levels. The darts are well-balanced and give you a good feel for your throw, helping to improve your accuracy and consistency over time.
The SHOT TAKER darts are an excellent value for their price. They are competitively priced and offer reliable quality and performance. The set includes 3 darts, allowing you to practice alone or play with friends. The darts come in a convenient and attractive carrying case to keep them organized and protected when not in use. They are a great investment for anyone looking to up their dart game.
The SHOT TAKER Professional Steel Tip Darts are an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality and reliable darts at a competitive price. The set is well-designed and balanced, making it a good choice for players of all levels. Whether you’re practicing alone or playing with friends, these darts will not disappoint. So, grab a set today, and get ready to improve your game!
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Well-balanced and designed for accuracy
- Good grip
- Great colorful design
- Suitable for players of all levels
Cons
- May not be suitable for players who prefer heavier darts
- May take some time to get used to the slim design
Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Darts
Clearly – a game of darts will only work if you have the right darts. But what exactly is the right dart for you? What types of darts are there and how are they constructed? These are just a few questions that beginners in particular ask themselves when it comes to starting to play darts. In this guide, we explain what types of darts there are and what you should look out for when buying one!
The Dart Weight
The maximum weight for steel darts is 50 grams. The darts can only be a maximum of 30.5 cm long. However, only a few darts of this weight and length are offered because they are hardly bought.
Professional players usually play with a dart weight of 20 to 24 g. Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson rely on darts weighing 23 g. Although exceptions are possible, Phil Taylor, the most successful player of all time, swore by heavier darts of 26 grams.
Soft darts have a much lower weight, as the electronics of the electronic dartboards would otherwise be damaged. Around 18 grams are common for soft darts.
The Grip Of The Darts
Especially as a beginner, it is best to rely on a continuous grip and then look for a place where you can grab the dart again and again. This will give you consistency in your throw. This applies to both steel and soft darts.
The grip is of course also enormously dependent on the barrel shape. Torpedo-shaped barrels, for example, usually have a better grip, but are also thicker, which of course also reduces the hitting area.
The Material
When talking about the material of a dart, most people are talking about the barrel. Barrels made of tungsten or better known as tungsten are of particularly high quality.
Tungsten is a very heavy metal that allows the steel darts to have a slim design. A slim design is important so that arrows can be placed close together on the board.
Brass is also commonly used to make dart barrels. However, brass is significantly lighter than tungsten, so brass barrels are generally larger. Very cheap darts are made of nickel and other metals
However, these materials are not very durable. In particular, the threads for screwing in the tip or shaft don’t last very long. We, therefore, recommend darts with barrels made of tungsten or at least brass.
The Tip Of The Dart - Steel Darts vs Soft Darts
There are two different types of darts: the steel dart, i.e. an arrow with a metal or steel tip, and the soft dart, which is required for electronic dartboards or a dart machine. This means that you must first decide which dartboard you prefer – electronic or a steel dartboard.
The Soft Tip Darts
We will first introduce you to the soft dart or the dart arrow with a soft tip. As mentioned at the beginning, this is used for e-dartboards, as they have a more sensitive surface than a classic dartboard and can be damaged with a steel tip. With soft darts, the tips, also called points, are made of plastic and/or PVC.
Plastic points are available in different lengths. Here you should be guided by factors that are important to you when playing darts. In general, a distinction is made between short and long tips. And the diameter also plays a crucial role in darting:
- The longer the tip, the more stable the arrow’s trajectory
- Soft darts may be a maximum of 16.8 centimeters long and weigh 18 grams
- A distinction is made between the 2BA thread/6 millimeter and the 8-millimeter thread
- The thicker the barrel and tip, the fewer arrows can get stuck next to each other
Plastic arrows have another key difference from their steel “relatives”: they tend to break off more quickly. The reason: The impact on the dartboard exerts pressure that bends the tips after frequent use. So if you decide to get an electric dartboard, you need to consider replacing the dart tips regularly.
The Steel Tip Darts
The name already gives it away: The steel dart is a dart with a steel or metal tip. In some cases this is made of brass, in other cases, it is made of tungsten. This is tungsten, which most of you still know from conventional light bulbs. More specifically, tungsten is an alloy made up of tungsten and nickel. This material is preferred by many manufacturers for the production of high-quality barrels and thus darts.
Like the plastic version, the steel tips for your new darts are available in different lengths and weights. With most steel darts, this point is built into the barrel, the actual body of the dart. But there are also steel tips with a rotary thread, the so-called conversion point. This has the advantage for you that you can change the tip quickly and easily.
All properties and advantages of a steel dart summarized for you:
- The tungsten/nickel-wolfram alloy enables optimal balancing of the arrow.
- This tungsten-nickel alloy means that narrower barrels are also possible.
- Heavier darts are also suitable for beginners because they are more stable in your hand.
- Due to the material composition, the tips of steel darts do not break off as quickly.
- Heavier darts also mean that flight speed and accuracy are optimized.
Pros & Cons Of Metal Tip Darts
Pros
- They have good balance and good trajectory
- They are suitable for all levels of play from beginners to professionals
- Depending on their weight, they feel good to very good in the hand
- You have a good hit rate
- They are well balanced
Cons
- They are potentially dangerous sports equipment
- They need regular "maintenance" and sharpening
- The tips flatten out when they hit a hard surface
- The wide range on the market makes a purchase decision difficult
The Barrel Of The Darts
The so-called barrel is the second part of a dart. The arrow is held by the thrower at the barrel. In addition, the barrel largely determines the weight of the dart.
Dart barrels come in a wide variety of lengths and shapes. The three most popular are the cylinder, teardrop, and torpedo shapes.
The cylindrical shape is considered the narrowest variant and enables a narrow hit pattern. On the other hand, there is the teardrop shape, which provides better grip and higher weight, but increases the hit pattern.
The golden mean offers the torpedo shape.
The Shaft Of The Darts
The shaft or dart shaft connects to the rear end of the barrel. The shaft is screwed into the barrel and connects the barrel to the last part of the dart, the so-called flight.
Depending on the price range, darts are made of nylon, aluminum, carbon, or simply cheap plastic.
The longer the shaft, the more the dart’s center of gravity is shifted backward. This ensures a stable trajectory of the darts.
A long shaft also has the advantage that the dart hangs down slightly if it gets stuck in the board. This allows subsequent arrows to be placed closer together.
A long shaft is recommended because of the more stable trajectory of the dart, especially for beginner darts.
The Flight Of The Darts
The end of a dart backward is the so-called flight. A dart flight corresponds to the tail of an airplane.
The flight serves to stabilize the trajectory. They are made from thin PET, polyester, or nylon foils.
In general, dart flights are very sensitive and wear out quickly. They, therefore, have to be replaced regularly. A broken flight does not mean it is a bad dart.
When buying steel darts, make sure that the flight is made of nylon, the most stable material for this component.
The Dartboard
Playing darts does not work without the right dartboard. You can decide whether you want to use a sisal dartboard like the pros or an electronic dartboard. Both variants have their advantages and certain properties. And which one you ultimately choose depends on which dartboard you feel most comfortable with. In the following, we will introduce you to the classic and the electronic dartboard in more detail.
The "Classic" Dartboard - How Is It Structured And What Are Its Advantages?
As with any purchase in the field of darts, quality pays off. Therefore, when buying your dartboard, be sure to pay attention to high-quality manufacturers and brands and the material they use.
A cheap dartboard consists only of paper and cork and does not lend itself to a professional darts approach.
Professional dartboards used in major tournaments are made from sisal agave fibers, i.e. they are made from plant fibers.
These fibers can absorb the impacts of the arrows, which can sometimes be very violent, better than paper and cork. Some very high-quality dartboards are partly made of wood as a base.
How Big Is A Dartboard And Are There Any Rules?
What defines a professional dartboard is not entirely clear. The fact is – and this is undisputed – that certain measurements and dimensions must be observed in any case. The proportions are fixed down to the last millimeter.
The exception is the diameter, which should be around 45 centimeters. The size of the black border at the top of the dartboard can be freely selected. The height of the pane – excluding this black area – must be precisely 34 centimeters.
The Electric Dartboard Or The E-Dartboard
Dartboards are no longer only available in the “analog” version, which can be operated and played on purely manually. The electric variant, also known as an e-dartboard, does not differ in appearance and size from the classic dartboard. However, as the name suggests, it is electrically powered. An electric dartboard indicates the following, among other things:
- Scores appear on backlit LCD or LED displays.
- There are different types of darts that are stored in the dartboard’s memory.
- There are different melodies and sounds as well as commentators like in a tournament.
If you decide to buy an electronic dartboard, you must also ensure that you hang the board near a socket when installing it on the wall, in addition to the height and distance from the throwing line. After all, this disc needs enough power for every game.
Tips For Playing Darts At Home
Darts is a sport that is growing in popularity and gaining recognition as a serious sport. What once started as a leisure activity – mainly in bars and pubs – has advanced to become a true media event. So it’s no wonder that it’s becoming more and more interesting to play darts within your own home and to arm yourself with the right equipment.
This usually starts with the right dartboard and here you as a player are already spoiled for choice. Classic or electric? Unicorn or Carromco? These questions then go on with the right darts. If you have decided on an e-board, you need arrows with a plastic tip. If the choice fell on the sisal variant, it can dart with a steel tip.
The selection is huge and our guide has only scratched the steel or soft tip of the darts iceberg. It is up to you which equipment is ultimately the right one for you, with which you feel comfortable, and can book the most hits for yourself. Our tip: You are welcome to go to a professional darts dealer. There you have the opportunity to test arrows and boards.
This is how you can quickly and playfully find out where your darts journey should go. Our conclusion: darts are far from just pub sport. On the contrary – it is one of many sporting opportunities to focus, concentrate, switch off and challenge yourself. Not to mention the socializing aspect – darts are a great way to get back together with good friends!
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