A first dart board has one big decision attached: steel-tip or soft-tip. Steel-tip boards use sisal fibre that closes over dart holes, while soft-tip electronic boards use plastic segments and score for you. Size and what is in the box matter as much as the board itself.
The six boards below cover bristle sisal, a cabinet set and two electronic models. Sizes, darts and mounting kits come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these boards ourselves. Follow the maker’s setup and throwing-area guidance.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Board type | Sisal takes steel-tip darts; electronic boards take soft tips |
| Size | Regulation steel-tip faces are about 18 inches across |
| In the box | Darts, mounting hardware and a throw line save extra buying |
| Scoring | Electronic boards keep score; sisal boards need a scoreboard or app |
Specs at a Glance
| Board | Type and size | Darts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viper Shot King | Sisal; 17.75 in, 1.6 in deep | 6 steel-tip | Rotating number ring; throw line and tape included |
| Franklin FS1500 | Electronic; 15.2 x 16.6 in | 6 soft-tip plus 6 spare tips | 65 game variations; 3 AAA batteries not included |
| Accudart Classic | Sisal; 18 x 1.5 in | None listed | Staple-free bullseye; board only |
| Amazon Basics cabinet | Sisal; 18 in in 21.75 x 19.75 in cabinet | 6 steel-tip | Chalk scoreboard; 2 chalk and 1 eraser |
| WIN.MAX electronic | Electronic; 19 x 21.65 in | Soft-tip set | 34 games, 355 variations; up to 8 players |
| Target Rift | Sisal; steel-tip | 2 sets of 17 g brass (6 total) | Rotational score ring; 1 month of the DartCounter app |
The 6 Best Dart Boards for Beginners
1. Viper Shot King Sisal Dart Board Set
A complete set with a 17.75 inch compressed sisal face that is 1.6 inches deep, a galvanized steel spider with a staple-free bullseye, a rotating number ring, six steel-tip darts in two sets, mounting hardware, a throw line and a measuring tape.
Suits: a one-box starter. Strengths: darts and throw line included. Weaknesses: the listing gives a 30-day defect warranty. Skip it if you want a cabinet.
View Viper Shot King Sisal Dart Board Set on Amazon
2. Franklin Sports Electronic Dart Board FS1500
A soft-tip electronic board with a built-in digital scoreboard, voice and sound effects, 65 game variations, six soft-tip darts and six spare tips. The listing gives size as 15 inches and dimensions of 15.2 by 16.6 inches. Three AAA batteries are not included.
Suits: automatic scoring. Strengths: 65 games and spare tips. Weaknesses: batteries are not included; smaller face. Skip it if you want a regulation-size sisal board.
View Franklin Sports FS1500 Electronic Dart Board on Amazon
3. Accudart Classic Bristle Dartboard
An 18 by 1.5 inch bristle board of self-healing sisal with a staple-free bullseye, described as regulation size and made for steel-tip darts. The listing shows the board alone, with no darts or hardware named.
Suits: a spare or replacement board. Strengths: regulation size and a staple-free bullseye. Weaknesses: no darts listed. Skip it if you need a full kit.
View Accudart Classic Bristle Dartboard 18 in on Amazon
4. Amazon Basics Dartboard Cabinet Set
An 18 inch regulation sisal board in a black cabinet measuring 21.75 by 19.75 inches, with six steel-tip darts, two pieces of chalk, an eraser, built-in dart holders, a chalk scoreboard and wall-mounting hardware.
Suits: a game room that wants closed storage. Strengths: a chalkboard and holders in one. Weaknesses: needs more wall space. Skip it if you want a bare board.
View Amazon Basics Dartboard Cabinet Set 18 in on Amazon
5. WIN.MAX Electronic Dart Board
A 19 by 21.65 inch electronic board with a 13.5 inch target face, an LCD, dual speakers, 34 games with 355 variations, up to eight players and computer opponents at five levels. It runs on three AA batteries or the included adapter.
Suits: group game nights. Strengths: many games and a power adapter. Weaknesses: a 6-month warranty on the listing. Skip it if you want sisal.
View WIN.MAX Electronic Dart Board on Amazon
6. Target Darts Rift Dartboard Set
A steel-tip sisal board with a rotational score ring, a thin wire system and a staple-free bullseye, supplied with two sets of 17 gram brass darts (six in total), a wall fixing kit and one month of the DartCounter scoring app.
Suits: a starter set with an app link. Strengths: thin wire and a rotating ring. Weaknesses: the app is a one-month offer. Skip it if you want a cabinet.
View Target Darts Rift Dartboard Set on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Follow the maker’s mounting height and throw distance.
- Turn the number ring now and then so wear spreads out.
- Check the maker’s guidance for the space around the board.
- A wall guard or cabinet keeps dart holes off the wall.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting steel-tip darts into an electronic board.
- Forgetting batteries or a power adapter.
- Mounting by guesswork instead of the instructions.
- Assuming a board includes darts.
Dart Board FAQ
Steel-tip or soft-tip?
Sisal boards use steel tips. Electronic boards use soft tips. They are not interchangeable.
Do these include darts?
Most do. The Accudart listing shows the board only.
The Short Version
For a full starter box, the Viper Shot King. For automatic scoring, the Franklin. For a spare board, the Accudart. For storage, the Amazon Basics cabinet. For group play, the WIN.MAX. For a starter set with an app, the Target Rift.
