DashJ

6 / 7

Pros:

• Built-in cabinet doors
• Interior of cabinet doors hold darts and scoreboard for cricket
• Darts included
• Electronic features such as voice and sound effects
• Great value

Cons:

• Takes two people to mount

Suppose you’re looking for a dart board with electronic features, cabinets, and cricket-playing capabilities. In that case, the Fat Cat Mercury Electronic Dartboard will fulfill all your dart-playing needs. The cabinet doors have a faux wooden finish; like other electronic boards, the Fat Cat board also features a solo play option. There are a whopping seven volume levels and the option to mute (which our testers appreciated).

Our testers initially found the number of buttons intimidating, but they ultimately liked the electronic scoring, which takes the math out of playing (phew!). The included darts are also hefty and of good quality, but the flights started coming off after repeatedly bouncing out of the board. That said, this was an issue our players noted across the board with the soft-tip darts. The players also appreciated the aesthetics of the cabinet.

7 / 7

Pros:

• Magnetic darts are great for kids
• Easy to hang
• Darts included
• Affordable
• Archery-style game on back
• Works indoors and outdoors

Cons:

• Some of the darts bounced off board during testing
• Mounting equipment not included

Are you looking for a new addition to your kids’ playroom to keep them entertained? A magnetic dart board is a safe way to engage kids in a game of darts. The CUKU Magnetic Dartboard is easy to hang and smaller than the regulation size, so it will only take up a little space in a playroom or bedroom.

Our dart board testers noticed that some magnetic darts bounced off while playing. However, the darts that did stick to the board did so securely. The magnets seem as strong as those on the other brand’s darts. Plus, the darts come in four colors—making it perfect for the whole family to play. Despite not being secured at the bottom, this dartboard stayed in place throughout the game.

Other Dart Boards We Tested (But Didn’t Make the Cut)

Viper Shot King Dart Board Set

This is the cheapest of the sisal dart boards by a fair amount—probably in part due to the thicker wiring. It’s a little grimy looking (on purpose), which might not be everyone’s style, but overall, this is a decent value compared to similar dart boards. However, the wires are too thick for our testers’ liking, and the board’s self-healing capabilities were only partially successful.

TG Dart Board Cabinet Set

While this board was easy to hang and had surprisingly thin wiring—almost on par with the Winmau and Unicorn wiring—our product testers didn’t love the overall appearance of the board. They felt the wood finish looked fake. The board is also a little cheap looking with how everything is printed on it. Plus, it’s made of engineered wood, so there are virtually zero self-healing capabilities.

Arachnid Cricket Maxx

This board is almost identical to the Fat Cat Mercury Dart board but listed at a higher price. Our players also preferred the Fat Cat Mercury board to the Arachnid Cricket Maxx.

Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Electronic Dart Board

At nearly $300, this board is very expensive, almost unjustifiably so. As more of our testers used this board, things started falling apart. The tips of the darts bent quite easily (and though the board came with a ton of replacement tips, they were hard to unscrew and replace), and a few of the darts’ flights got ruined and wouldn’t fit onto the back of the dart. There were also mixed reviews regarding the scoreboard—some people found it confusing.

Street Walls Kids Magnetic Dart Game

Overall, this board is comparable to the CUKU Magnetic Dart board above. However, we found the CUKU board to be a better value and of better quality.

What to Consider When Buying the Best Dart Boards

There are four main things to consider when looking for the best dart board: type of board, size, wiring and material.

Type of Board: Are you looking for a regulation dart board that’s good for brass or steel tips, or do you just want to practice your hand-eye coordination on a magnetic board?

Size: If you’re looking to compete, look for a dart board that’s 18 inches in diameter with 20 numbered, pie-shaped segments.

Wiring: Look for thinner wiring to reduce bounce back. Premium dart boards will have angled wiring that can direct your dart into the score zone.

Material: If you’re a dart enthusiast, you’ll want a bristle or sisal board that can repair holes made by darts. These boards are more durable than plastic boards.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our product testing team at Family Handyman spent 40 hours testing dart boards. They researched, sourced, assembled, hung and played with each dart board on this list. Furthermore, they performed eight tests on each board, collecting nearly 375 data points.

Our product testers played a regulation game of darts on each board, tracking closely how each board performed. They inspected the quality of the darts, accuracy of the electronics, efficacy of the magnets, self-healing capabilities of the board and more. We also held an office party during which about 12-15 employees came for a game or two of darts and then provided feedback after the fact. That way, we gathered data from ordinary people who played on the dart boards. 

We Spent Hours Mounting and Testing the Best Dart Boards

Our team of expert product testers trialed and inspected every dart board on this list. Our office employees also helped us gather average user data on each board to provide practical data for your shopping needs.

We also consulted Anthony O’Reilly, a lifelong dart fan who’s seen his fair share of amateur competitions across the Irish pubs of New York City. He also regularly watches the Professional Darts Corporation, the United Kingdom’s premier competition.

After that, Shopping Editor Mary Henn performed additional research as she compiled our final list of the best dart boards. After preforming her research, she reviewed detailed notes from our product testing team and office employees on how the boards performed in real life. 

FAQ

What is considered the best dart board?

The best dart board for most professional darters would be the Winmau Dart board. This high-quality board is used in most respectable pubs and has been the board of choice for countless amateur dart matches (it’s also regulation-sized). It’s made of a high-quality bristle, and its ultra-thin 60-degree angled wire ensures darts bounce into the scoring area, while the thin wiring prevents bounce back.

What dart board is used in professional tournaments?

The Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dart Board is the dart board used in the United Kingdom-based Professional Darts Corporation.

How do I choose a dart board?

First, are you a serious darter or someone who just likes to practice their aim? If you answered the former, look for a high-quality bristle or sisal board that can repair holes, thin wiring and an 18-inch diameter. Less serious darters can settle for plastic boards or even magnetic ones.

What is the best dart board for kids?

We’d recommend the CUKU Magnetic Dart Board for kids, as it’s affordable, lightweight, easy to hang and has no sharp tips.

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