Buying guide
Dartboards and surrounds for home
For most homes, look for a staple-free bristle board with a clear number ring and replaceable parts. Then add enough wall protection for the people who will be throwing.
Bristle or soft-tip?
| Bristle (steel-tip) | Soft-tip (electronic) | |
|---|---|---|
| Darts | Metal points | Plastic points |
| Scoring | Manual: chalkboard or app | Automatic, with built-in games |
| Power | None | Mains adaptor or batteries |
| Noise | Quiet thud | Louder, with electronic sounds |
| Suits | Traditional practice and pub-style play | Families, casual play and children |
Do not use steel-tip darts on a soft-tip board.
What to look for in a bristle board
- Construction: compressed sisal bristle, which closes up after you pull the darts out.
- Wiring: thin, staple-free wiring means fewer bounce-outs. Blade-style wires are thinner than round wire.
- Number ring: a removable ring lets you rotate the board and keep the 20 at the top.
- Mounting: a central bracket that is easy to fit and lets you rotate the board.
What to look for in a soft-tip board
- Segment holes: finer holes hold darts more reliably.
- Games and players: how many games and players it supports. Check the display is readable from the oche.
- Power: mains adaptor, batteries or both.
- Spares: replacement tips and segments, which wear over time.
Surround, cabinet or backboard?
A surround is a foam or rubber ring fitted around the board. It gives the most effective protection against near misses.
A cabinet has doors that close over the board. It adds storage and looks tidy, but usually protects less wall.
A backboard covers a larger area of wall. You can combine it with either.
A complete home setup checklist
- Board, surround and a suitable fixing for your wall
- Darts: see our darts buying guide
- An oche mat or throw line
- A light that removes shadows from the board
- A scoreboard or scoring app
- Spare flights, shafts and points
- Floor protection and a clear, safe throwing lane
Looking after a bristle board
Rotate the board regularly to spread wear across the segments. Twist darts out rather than pulling them.
Never soak the board in water, and keep it away from direct heat and damp.
Common mistakes
- Hanging the board by its top edge instead of setting the bullseye at 1.73 m.
- Measuring the throw distance from the wall instead of the board face.
- Using steel-tip darts on an electronic board.
- Wetting a bristle board to “close the holes”.
Questions
Which dartboard is best for beginners?
A sisal bristle board with staple-free wiring suits most beginners who want to play traditional darts. For mixed-age family play, a soft-tip board with automatic scoring is easier and safer.
Do I need a surround?
Yes, if anyone in the house is new to darts. A surround catches most near misses and protects the wall. Add a backboard on plaster or painted walls.
How this guide is written: from published specifications and standards. We do not claim hands-on testing or give product scores. Editorial standards · Affiliate disclosure.