There are many types of dart boards in the market nowadays, and the players need to depend on their needs, level, or preferences to figure out which type is the most suitable for them.
In this article, we will go into detail about some most prominent types of dart boards recently to help you differentiate and decide on which type you need.
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Some Different Types of Dart Boards That You Must Know
1. Bristle Dart Boards
The bristle dart boards are made of thousands of bristles crammed into a cylinder shape which was later snipped into boards. Most of the bristle dart boards are made from sisal in Africa then exported throughout the world.
What makes the bristle dart boards preferable by most players is their low-maintenance. Unlike other types of dart board that need to be cleaned up regularly, bristle boards don’t demand much cleaning from users.
Additionally, bristle dart boards are remarkably long-lasting compared to other types. To test its longevity, we can compare its reaction when a dart hits the board.
On other types of boards, there will be a tiny hole that remains on the surface. Meanwhile, on the bristle board, there is none.
2. Coiled Paper Dart Boards
Coiled paper dart boards are the cheapest types of dart boards that you could find. Made from wound paper, a steel and plastic frame, coiled paper dart boards are mostly used for kids with recreational aims.
These coiled paper boards are disposable and cheap so you can easily buy a dozen of this type for the price of a bristle board.
When you throw a dart at a coiled paper board, it’s likely to have a permanent hole. Thus, for a long time, the coiled paper board will be damaged quickly and cannot be used, for sure.
Additionally, the coiled paper dart boards don’t have an automatic score tracking device either, but that’s acceptable for a low-budget board. So, the coiled paper dart boards are suitable for new players who intend to use just for entertaining and don’t want to invest much money.
3. Electronic Dart Boards
Electronic dart boards are relatively new models, but it has quickly gained much favour from the dart players community because of its innovativeness. In clubs, bars, sports centers or parks, it’s easy to spot electronic dart boards instead of a traditional bristle one.
According to the manufacturers, the design and features can change a bit, but the operating principles have remained. The surface of a board will be filled with small holes which can be activated once a dart hits them to record a score.
The darts used for this kind of board are soft tip darts, that’s the reason why electronic boards are also called soft tip dart boards.
The reasons behind soft tip dart boards’ popularity are its automatic scoring system. Some models can also do permanent stat tracking and analyze the performance, which makes it so comfortable for users.
There is only one crucial disadvantage to consider is that it is expensive and cannot work with other types of darts except the soft tip darts, so the users always have to buy the soft tip darts along with the electronic dart boards.
4. Magnetic Dart Boards
Magnetic dart boards are often considered as a casual choice for non-professional players.
Unlike most types of boards, the magnetic dart boards are designed to be used with magnetic flat-tipped darts. When players throw a dart, it will be stuck to the board.
Thus, the magnetic dart boards are quite more durable and safer compared to other types. If you want to buy a dart board for kids but worrying about sharp darts, this type is an appropriate choice.
To add-in, magnetic dart boards are quite affordable – not much more expensive than bristle boards. There is only one point to remember is that: through the time, the magnetic charge will lose, and the magnetic dart boards are useless then.
5. Wooden Dart Boards
Before the bristle or the electronic dart boards were invented, the wooden dart boards had long been the golden standard of the dart players community. However, in recent days, they are used less than before.
Wooden dart boards were mostly made from elmwood, which makes it quite easy to be humidified. So, the wooden boards require regular moisturizing, otherwise, it will be dried out and start cracking.
Not only it’s easy to get moist, but the wood is also the main cause of the strong smell of this type of board. The manufacturers do as much as possible to reduce the odour, but it is impossible to eliminate completely.
Despite its inconvenience, playing with the wooden boards provoke a unique feeling that other types cannot create. The nostalgia, royal and ancient vibe from the wooden boards are the fantasy of some “gourmet” players.
In terms of durability, the wooden dart boards are quite long-lasting if users apply appropriate maintenance, but not much more than bristle boards. Comparing the price, wooden boards are a bit more expensive than the bristle, making them an option for traditionalists, not for casuals.
6. Cork Dart Boards
Cork dart boards are often mistaken as bristle boards, but they are not similar in general. Cork dart boards are made from cork and are more durable compared to paper boards. The cork dart board can work well with soft tip darts, and so, it is an ideal option for kids and beginners even more than the paper boards.
It can be concluded that the cork dart board is a “halfway point” between the bristle and paper boards. However, cork dart boards aren’t as popular as bristle and paper boards so it’s difficult to find and buy a cork dart board than other types.
Additionally, this type of dart board demands no maintenance which makes it a good choice for non-professional players. But, because of its so-so quality, we don’t recommend you to buy it if you tend to play darts professionally.
Conclusion
By this post, we have provided much background information about some popular types of dart boards. Each type has its pros and cons, so, it’s hard for us to choose “the best” type overall.
Wish this article gives you many useful insights about types of dart boards.
Thank you for reading!
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