Choosing the right type of dart board can be challenging since you can end up with a product that may not satisfy your needs.
There are different types of dart boards so you should consider a number of things when you want to buy a dart board.
You need to know the right size of the dart board that you want. Many standard bristle dart boards have a diameter of between 17.5 and 18 inches.
Electronic dart boards have a diameter of 15.5 inches. You also need a larger board if there are more than eight players that will use it.
On top of that, you should also consider the space where you want to mount the dart board if it is large enough.
Different Types of Dart Boards
There are different types of dart boards on the market and it is your duty to choose a board that has the right features that satisfy your needs.
If you want to buy a dart board, then you can consider any from the following list since they are among the best types available on the market.
Bristle Dart Boards
Bristle dart boards are considered to be the standard for various types of tournaments and they are the most common type of dart board available.
Bristle boards are made of sisal, a rare type of natural fiber obtained from Africa.
These boards are advantageous in that they are easy to maintain since they do not require any cleaning and are odorless unlike other types.
Bristle boards are of good quality and can last longer periods since they can automatically fill the hole left by the dart unlike the wooden board.
However, the major downside of the boards is that their quality varies and you may not always get the best.
Coiled Paper Dart Boards
Coiled paper board is the basic type of board that is made using would paper in either plastic or steel frame.
The main advantages of coiled paper dart boards are that they have low price and are disposable.
You can buy many paper boards from the price of just one bristle board and they are hardly used for professional purposes.
The boards made from paper are ideal for kids and other learners alike.
The main downside of the boards is that they are not durable and wear out quickly. The darts leave permanent holes on the boards.
Electronic Dart boards
Electronic dart boards are relatively new but they are significantly gaining prominence in different places and popular among different players. The boards work on the same rules and principles of the game.
The boards of this nature are sensitive and soft tip darts are used on them.
The major benefit of the electronic dart board is that it offers automatic scoring.
Some boards can be used for analytical purposes since they offer permanent tracking of statistics like top scores.
However, these boards are quite expensive and they also require a source of power so you cannot use them everywhere. The boards also require expensive repairs.
Magnetic Dart Boards
Magnetic dart boards are unique and differ from the rest in many ways.
The darts are magnetic charged and they have flat tips unlike other boards. They do not pierce the board and they are also durable.
These boards are affordable and they are good in that they prevent unintended mishaps since the magnetic force attracts the darts.
Maintenance is not an issue but the only problem is that the darts and the board can lose their magnetic charge over time. However, this type of dart board is not appropriate for anyone who wants to play competitively.
Wooden Dart Boards
The wooden boards are made of elm wood and they used to be the best before the advent of bristle and electronic boards.
The challenge with wooden boards is that they require constant moisturizing otherwise they dry and start cracking. If the boards are properly maintained, they are durable than the bristle boards.
Due to heavy maintenance required, the boards also produce some odor.
The wooden boards are a bit expensive compared to bristle boards which make them a choice for enthusiasts. Casual players may not find these boards appealing.
Cork Dart Boards
Cork boards look like bristle boards but they are different hence you should not confuse them.
Cork boards resemble paper boards in terms of their quality, durability as well as price.
However, they are a bit more durable and they are suitable for soft tips.
The cork dart boards are also ideal for learners as well as kids. These boards are not very common which makes them a bit difficult to get.
If you are lucky to get one, a cork dart board requires no maintenance. However, if you want to play darts seriously, this type of board is not the best choice for you.