Best Bristle Dartboards in 2023 (Researched and Reviewed)

Having a quality bristle dartboard is an excellent investment, whether you’re finding a new board to start your darts journey or replace the old one. But there are so many types, products, and versions of dartboards on the market. What should you pick?

No worries! We’ve put together a list for you – the list of the best bristle dartboards that we’ve experienced and others have reviewed, and offered a thumb up. Keep on reading to find out which one will be the right one for you!

Our Top 10 Best Bristle DartBoards (With Pros and Cons)

1. Winmau Blade 5 Bristle Dartboard

When you’re talking about the standard for dartboards, Winmau Blade 5 is usually in the conversation. It’s endorsed by the British Darts Organization (BDO) and the World Darts Federation (WDF). So, it makes sense when the product is commonly used in many tournaments around the globe.

Winmau Blade 5 has thin wires, reducing 14% of the wiring area and increasing the scoring surface. The razor wires are made sharper with an angle reduction of 30% and the steel is enhanced by 20% stronger, which helps deflect more darts into the scoring areas and reduce bounce-outs.

The dense sisal fiber makes the dartboard more durable and heal well after darts are pulled out of it. Also, Winmau Blade 5 has a triple-wheel lock and level system, allowing you to easily rotate, level, and get a tight fit of the board on even an uneven surface.

The downsides? Not really any, but the mounting part can take a little bit more time for the first-timers. Moreover, the dartboard purchase normally doesn’t include darts. You’ll need to buy them separately.

2. Winmau Blade 5 Dual Core Bristle Dartboard

This “Dual Core” model has all the strengths of the Winmau Blade 5 standard listed above. So, what’s better in this model?

The Blade 5 Dual Core has 2 core layers of sisal fiber. The outer layer with lower compression allows many darts to penetrate more easily, hence, increasing playability. The inner layer with higher compression increases the resistance, enhancing durability. As a result, the board brings a better playing experience while lasting longer.

The surface also looks smoother and cleaner. The sound when darts hit the board is also quieter.

The very minor downside is the Dual Core model is slightly more expensive than the Blade 5. But the price gap is only a few bucks (as the last time we checked on Amazon).

3. Unicorn Eclipse Pro Bristle Dartboard

Unicorn Eclipse Pro is another professional-standard dartboard. If the Winmau Blade 5 is endorsed by the BDO, then this Unicorn board is approved by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and used in the PDC world championship.

It has ultra-slim segmentation (30% thinner than conventional boards) and a completely staple-free bullseye and construction. These help increase the scoring potential and decrease bounce-outs since darts are less likely to hit the thinner wires.

The visibility of the number ring and spider are clear and well designed, so you can see clearly where to aim and where your darts hit at a fair distance. The price is also not too high.

Same as the Winmau above, it doesn’t come with darts. You need to purchase them separately. Mounting the board is not as easy as other options as well.

4. IgnatGames Professional Dartboard Set

This dart board is another great option for serious or advanced darts players. With wiring made 65% thinner than the conventional round wireframe and a completely staple-free construction, the dartboard reduces bounce-outs and increases scoring areas (by up to 15%).

Made of high-quality Kenyan sisal fiber, it has an excellent self-healing ability. Due to a good sisal density, darts can easily penetrate the surface and the fiber quickly heals. Plus, the number ring is removable to make sure all the scoring areas get even hits. These allow the board to last for a long time.

Another good thing about this dartboard is the purchase includes a number of accessories, including 6 brass steel-tip Darts (20 grams for the weight), 6 flights in 2 colors, 2 vegan leather wallets to store darts, and a measuring tape. With these in place, you can get to play the game right after the delivery.

We haven’t experienced anything bad when using this product. But some other buyers claim that the included darts are missing as well as that they can be broken after several plays.

5. Viper by GLD Products Shot King Regulation Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard

Viper Shot King is a great option for mid-range dartboard with good quality.

Despite not being the best compared to other high-end products, the self-healing of this dartboard is acceptable. It has the tournament size, staple-free bullseye, and rotating number ring. You can rotate the ring to adjust different scoring areas, and let the damaged fiber heal, hence, maintaining the board in good shape for a longer time. Also, the purchase includes a set of darts.

That said, the quality of the darts is not that good. They can be easily broken. The numbers are quite small. The wires are quite thick compared to other more-expensive boards, increasing a bit more chances of bounce-outs.

6. Viper League Pro Regulation Bristle Steel Tip Dartboard

Next on the list is Viper League Pro, which can be considered one of the best options for mid-range products.

It has staple-free bullseye and radial wires, reducing bounce-outs in the center and increasing scoring potential. Both steel-tip and soft-tip darts can be used for play. The self-healing works well. The board also has a removable ring that helps extend its lifespan.

Another good news for darts beginners is the purchase includes a number of accessories. You will get a cricket scoreboard, chalk, eraser, and a set of 3 steel-tip darts. These will help the newcomers get familiar with the game of darts more quickly.

Unfortunately, the quality of these accessories is not good. Darts are easily broken after several games.

7. TG Champion Tournament Bristle Dartboard by Hey! Play!

This is another mid-range option that offers good value for money. It’s suitable for casual play and practice.

With a tournament size, the board is designed to fit most dart cabinets and has a staple-free bullseye. It works fine with both steel-tip and soft-tip darts.

The fiber is packed not so tightly, so it leaves holes after darts are pulled out and the self-healing takes a longer time, which is not so great if compared to more expensive boards.

8. Nodor SupaMatch 3 Bristle Dartboard

Nodor SupaMatch 3 Bristle Dartboard receives many compliments from the darts community. It’s considered an excellent alternative option to the very popular Winmau Blade 5.

The wiring is made staple-free and 20% thinner than the previous SupaMatch 2. So, more scoring areas and reduced bounce-outs. The self-healing works well even with regular plays. Also, the model is equipped with a “supalock” and level system, providing a secured fit of the board on the wall surface.

9. ONE80 Gladiator II Dartboard

Last but not least, we got ONE80 Gladiator II Dartboard on the list. At an affordable price, it brings a good bang for your buck.

The board is made of Kenyan sisal so it heals well after darts are pulled out. The construction is staple-free, the wires are thin, and the colors are easy to see, allowing fewer bounce-outs and increasing scoring potential. The number ring is also removable. You can often change the position of the numbers to extend the life of the board.

One downside to this is no darts are included in the purchase.

10. Barrington Collection Bristle Dartboard Cabinet Set

If you’re looking for a comprehensive setup, consider Barrington. The cabinet is well designed and comes in different styles and a built-in scoreboard. It’s easy to set up and offers a classic look which adds even more value to your game. Also, the purchase includes a set of 6 steel-tip darts and 6 flights.

In contrast to the high-quality and stylish cabinet, the bristle dartboard is just at the acceptable level. The good points are the staple-free bullseye and the removable ring. The self-healing ability, on the other hand, does not work very well. Also, the board is made with round wires, which increases the chances of bounce-outs.

The LED lights in the cabinet, above the dartboard, don’t really light up the board. The included dry erase marker is hard to erase on the scoreboard (using chalk is recommended).

How to Choose a Dartboard (Buyer’s Guide)

Consider these aspects to choose the best bristle dartboard for yourself.

Decide Your Purpose

What do you use the dartboard for? Do you need it for casual and fun games with friends or coworkers? Or do you need to practice seriously and compete? The more serious and professional you want to become, the more quality (and expensive) dartboard options are recommended.

Choose the Quality Bristle

How often do you play? If you play very regularly, then the board needs good self-healing. That means the bristle need to be of good quality. Two factors for quality bristle are decent density and the tightness of the fiber (which usually is sisal).

Consider the Wiring

Staple-free wiring system or not? Are the wires thin enough? Thick wires can be easily hit by throwing darts, which increases the chances of bounce-outs. Meanwhile, well-designed wires can guide darts into scoring areas more.

Look into Your Budget

From good to high-quality dartboards range from $30 – $100. It’s quite obvious that budget is one of the crucial aspects to consider. But remember, quality usually comes at a high price. Think of this as a long-term investment and consider this with your buying purpose. Let’s say, if you want to practice seriously for the next 6 months, it’s worth your $99 to buy a high-quality dartboard.

Go for the Brand with a Good Reputation

Reputable brands normally made good products (that’s why they have a reputation). They also have good support and policies (refund or replacement).

Read the Ratings and Reviews

Choose a dartboard that has many ratings and reviews. This will make it more creditable. Read both positive and negative feedback. And remember don’t jump to the conclusion that the product is bad just from 3-4 negative comments.

Conclusion

We believe it’s always a good investment to buy a high-quality and best bristle dartboard on the market, whether it’s for just casual games or serious practice. Winmau Blade 5 or Unicorn Eclipse Pro can be a safe option at a slightly-upper price since they’re very popular and used by many players. If you’re looking for a cheaper one, consider a Viper board.

Other options in the list are also great, therefore, we recommend them. Once you have your option, consider the ratings and reviews from other players as well to finalize whether to buy the product. Hope you will find the best bristle dartboard for yourself!