Darts is one of the most affordable pastimes in the world.
For next to nothing, you can get started with some cheap darts and a paper dartboard. Nevertheless, if you would like to spend more, there is certainly the opportunity to do so.
The highest quality gear available is significantly more expensive than the entry-level stuff.
Since a nice dart board can be the most expensive purchase for a new player, if you’re looking to get into the hobby, you might want to start there. So
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How Much Does a Dartboard Cost?
A dartboard can cost anywhere from $10 to over one hundred dollars. The actual price of a dartboard will depend on the brand, quality of the material, and the number of extra features it offers.
However, after being asked repeatedly for several years now, I have given it much thought and will say that the sweet spot for most players lies between $60 and $90 for a dartboard.
If you are the type of person who wants the best, you can just skip everything here and hop on over to Amazon to pick up the Winnmau Blade 6. It is currently the best brisle dartboard on the market, and well worth the price.
If you would like to know more about the typical costs associated with purchasing a new dartboard, let’s take a look.
Dartboard Cost Breakdown
Compared to other hobbies, the game of darts is relatively inexpensive. All you need to get started is a set of 3 darts and a dart board.
Even at the upper echelons of tournament play, you won’t need too much money to be on a level playing field with other players.
Of the two things you need, the dartboard will almost always represent the bigger investment. But how much exactly you will need to spend will depend entirely on your particular set of needs, your monetary budget, and the level of commitment you are already to give the game.
- The Blade 6 offers the world's most Technically Advanced Dartboard
- Sixth Generation Blade Technology
- Density Control and Triple Core Carbon
For example, somebody who is only interested in having a relaxing activity with which to pass the time on a Friday night will have a completely different set of expectations than someone who is looking to compete at a semi-professional level.
As such, these two people will most likely require different things out of their dartboards and will want to spend different amounts on their purchases.
To make things easier for you, I will break down the expected cost of your dartboard based on the type of board, from the lowest quality available to the most premium experience you can buy.
Let’s start with the cheapest, and work our way up.
Paper Dartboards
Dartboards constructed with coiled paper or thin cardboard are, without doubt, the most inexpensive option. However, if you purchase one of these, you will have to significantly temper your expectations. Because of just how cheap they are, paper dartboards are, generally speaking, terrible quality.
Paper dartboards start at around the $10.00 mark but can go for as high as $20.00 to $30.00.
Paper dartboards are not apt for anyone who even halfway considers darts a serious hobby, and even the best paper dartboards will pale in comparison to cheap bristle boards.
If for some reason you absolutely must have a paper dartboard, I recommend grabbing this this Viper 2-in-1.
- High density coiled paper fibers construction and bright colors that will stand out
- Rounded wire spider allows darts to glide into the board, reducing bounce outs
Velcro or Magnetic Dart Boards
Dartboards that rely on velcro or magnets are another very cheap option but, just like with paper dartboards, I cannot recommend them to people who are looking to have a quality dart experience.
Magnetic dartboards will generally cost between $15.00 and $35.00; however, I’ve seen some go for as low as $7.00.
The majority of them are very colorful, and some don’t even use “darts”. This is because velcro and magnetic dartboards are typically aimed at younger players. If you have young children, these might be a good option for a silly fun time.
However, if you want to share your passion for darts with your kids and you’re concerned about safety, I suggest you look into electric soft-tipped darts instead as they will provide a more traditional experience.
We have reviewed magnetic dartboard in the past, and our favorite was the Doinkit by far.
- BULLSEYE: All the fun of classic darts without harm to pets, or people! Light, durable flights keep arrows flying straight & powerful magnets ensure that they stick to the board, every time!
Soft Tipped Dartboards
Soft-tipped dartboards are also very cheap, generally speaking. They are made from plastic and usually cost between $20 and $30.00, unless you are talking about electronic models which are decidedly more expensive (more on those below).
The biggest advantage to using soft-tipped darts is that you significantly reduce the risk of damage to your walls and floors.
If you are going the soft tip route and are on a budget you can get a standard board but I strongly recommend looking for a cheap electronic option instead.
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Sisal Bristle Dartboards
Sisal Bristle dartboards, made with compressed bristles or fibers, offer the most legitimate dart experience. These are, by far, the most common type of dartboard to be found; which means that they also offer the biggest variability in price and quality.
The lower end of the bristle dart board category has offerings at around $30.00, but the upper end can go as high as $120.00. This broad range in price is due to the high variability in quality, with more expensive boards using higher quality fibers, a tighter fiber core compression, etc.
As with most things in life, the more you spend the better quality you can expect to receive, but the sweet spot for most users will be at around $60.00 to $90.00. Dartboards in this price range are all solid offerings that will elevate your darts experience.
These boards will generally have a better construction with a thinner staple-free steel wire spider to reduce bounce-outs. They are a good investment because they will last longer, even if you play regularly.
Cheaper options in this category are also good, but you should expect to have to replace them sooner than higher-priced options.
As mentioned at the top of this article, the Winnmau Blade 6 is the king of this category. If you want a little cheaper you could try the Blade 5 which is a tremendous value.
- The Blade 6 offers the world's most Technically Advanced Dartboard
- Sixth Generation Blade Technology
- Density Control and Triple Core Carbon
Electronic Boards
In the electronic dartboard category (these are all soft-tip boards) you will find flashy products that offer pre-programmed games and plenty of bells and whistles. The price on these tends to be a bit higher, with most models ranging from $100 to $300 or more.
If you are going with a plastic soft tip board, you should go electronic. Arachnid makes a ton of great boards. The Cricket Pro 800 is a good place to start.
- Tournament quality electronic dartboard regulation 15.5" target area
- 39 games with 179 variations (seven cricket games)
The Extras
Some boards come with wooden cabinets or stands that will also add a bit to the cost. These products are aimed at people who want a fancier, more luxurious experience. Some dartboard cabinets are beautifully decorated and provide extra perks, such as storage space, electronic dart scoreboards, and even lighting.
There is high variability in price when it comes to dartboards with cabinets, with the lower-end models selling for less than $100, and higher-end models costing a few hundred bucks.
How and where you are going to keep score should be a consideration as a cabinet with a scoreboard takes some of the guesswork out of your planning. If a cabinet is not on your shopping list, you should at least invest in a good dartboard surround to protect your wall.
