New players are always concerned with protecting their walls when setting up a new dartboard, and with good reason. What is often overlooked is the floor. A good dart mat protects not only the floor but also your darts.
But there are other benefits as well. A good dart mat should have a pre-measured oche for both soft tip darts and steel tip darts. It will be small and portable, and can even provide comfort to your sore legs.
If you don’t feel like reading and are just looking for the best dart mat, The Viper Padded Dart Mat is the best all-round rubber mat, and the Target World Champion Darts Mat is my choice for the best mat with a carpet top (and it is beautiful). You can hop on over to Amazon and pick up one of these bad boys now.
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Top Choices
If neither of these dart mats are right for you, then we have a few other options that offer similar protection and feel, but we believe the 2 above are slightly better than the rest.
How We Chose The Best Dart Mats
For the most part, we are looking at materials used, level of protection, and appearance. Almost all of the top contenders for the best dart mat have many similarities. They roll up small, have clear oche lines to ensure the right distance to the board and they are all in a similar price range. Meaning you really can’t go wrong with any of the floor mats on this list.
The Contenders For Best Dart Mat
We broke down a list of about a dozen rubber floor mats to bring you reviews of the 5 best dart mats. Here are the mats we are going to be looking at today
Let’s take a closer look at each of these great mats
The Best Dart Mats You Can Buy
Viper Padded Throw/Toe Line Dart Mat
Viper is known for their quality dartboards and accessories, so it is no surprise that this Viper mat is the most popular darts mat out there. Not only does the soft, cushioned vinyl give this mat superior protection but also provides comfort during long (or even short) play sessions It’s an ideal choice for those looking for a soft and padded mat.
Its “Roll Flex” material allows it to roll up easily. The mat is also very compact, making it easy to store anywhere. It has dual oches, for both soft tip and steel tip darts. It is slightly more expensive in comparison to some others on this list, but it’s a heavy-duty mat that is and built to last.
Its design and quality guarantee a fun and comfortable experience for years.
Pros
- Made with soft vinyl padding
- It has the heavy-duty feel
- Material is very comfortable to stand on
Cons
- It is a bit more expensive
Target Darts World Champion Darts Mat
Want a mat with a professional feel at a good price? This target mat is the way to go. It’s a lightweight option with a clean carpet front and a non-slip rubber backing.
It covers sufficient floor space to catch any bounce-outs and its dual layers are enough to protect your floor and darts.
The mat’s anti-slip design makes sure it stays put. The mat also features 3 vibrant oche lines to ensure proper distance from the dartboard. It is easy to roll it up after a game. and its compact style makes it convenient to store.
Pros
- It is the best looking dart mat out there
- Carpet top, rubber bottom
- It does not slip or move
- Rolls small
- No smell
Cons
- A little less protection than a full rubber mat
Shot! Darts Professional Dart Mat
Industrial grade rubber dart mats are the best options when it comes to floor protection. With its 50 plus years of experience, Shot!'s mat is just doing that. US National Champ, Chris White, even endorses it.
It’s a heavy-duty mat that helps maintain a stable footing during play. Its thick padding lets your floor dodge any damage. At the same time, it keeps the dart safe from the hard floor.
It’s a professional-looking mat with a high-quality design. It also is a little towards the heavier side. But that’s a good thing. The weight keeps it from moving during play and the mat stays where it is supposed to. It also doesn’t take up much storage space.
Pros
- Professional-looking design
- Sturdy and doesn’t slip
- Heavy-duty and durable
Cons
- It gives out a strong rubber smell when new
Harrows Professional Dart Mat
Harrows are known for their sturdy build and quality products in the market. It is no less for their professional dart mat. It is a thin but durable option that is compatible anywhere from home, club, or competition use.
Like most dart mats, it protects the floor from darts that bounce out of the dart board. It has two throw lines for both steel tip and soft tip dart players.
This is an all-around standard mat with standard features. There is nothing wrong with it per se, but unless you are a huge Harrows fan, or can get one at a really good price, there are better looking floor mats.
Pros
- Great non-slip material
- Premium quality
- Highly visible throw lines
Cons
- Smells like rubber for a bit
- Not the prettiest mat on the list
Dart World Let’s Play Darts Dart Mat
This rubber mat made by Dart world is similar in design and quality to the Harrows mat. In fact, there is a good chance they are the same mat with a different brand name slapped onto it.
It’s made of thin rubber that is durable enough to protect the floor and darts. Thin does not mean cheap. It is still a high-quality mat.
Like most mats, it is designed to be non-slip and it stays in place. It can be easily rolled and stored anywhere.
The throw lines are very thick with white on black, and ensure proper distance to the dart board. If your decision is between this and the Harrows, just get whichever is the cheapest.
Pros
- The mat does not slip
- It is thin but durable
- Easy to see throw lines
Cons
- Strong rubber smell
- Not the best looking
Final Thoughts
I hope this overview of the top dart mats on the market was helpful and helps you dodge any potential damage. It really is one of the most important accessories in your darts corner.
If you are still uncertain about any of the mats listed here or have your own suggestion, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me directly.
Thank you for the great write up!! Just got a Spider 360 for our basement bar and am looking for a personalized dart mat, do you know any company that makes them?
The only companies I know of that will make customized dart mats only do so with bulk orders. Sorry.