The game of darts as we know it today originated in the late-1800’s in England. It was a pub sport that was simple and easy, yet required enough skill to make it a fun, enjoyable, and profitable bar game.
It was like a spear-throwing competition that didn’t come with the risk of accidentally killing somebody. The worst that could happen in a game of darts is that somebody might get a sharp poke if they weren’t paying attention.
Once the English immigrants brought the game to the United States in the early-1900’s, it was an immediate success.
Before long, every British pub in New York City sported a couple of dart boards hanging in the back of the room.
Today, you can find dart boards almost anywhere from low-key biker bars to high-end casinos.
Top 5 Magnetic Dart Boards
Now that you know a little bit more about magnetic dart boards, it’s time to take a look at your options. We looked through and tested some of the top-reviewed dart boards that we could find on Amazon and came up with a list of the five best options that you can order today.
1. RaboSky Magnetic Dart Board Set
If you’re looking for an easy to set up and transport magnetic dart board set, then the RaboSky roll-up board is the perfect choice. This rubber-coated fabric dart board is lined with a magnetic material that allows your darts to stick to make solid contact without sliding down and losing their position.
It’s also double-sided. On one side, you have your traditional black, red, and green dart board. On the other you have an archery-style target that consists of expanding black and yellow circles. This allows you to change up your gameplay and is guaranteed to keep everybody entertained for hours.
2. Fun Adams Magnetic Dart Board
If you’re looking for a full-sized 16-inch magnetic dart board that’s made out of high-quality materials, then the Fun Adams board is a great choice. The score numbers are incredibly easy to read, and it comes with 12 darts, so you never have to worry about running out. The darts are incredibly well-balanced, and fly through the air as good as normal sharp-pointed darts which creates a realistic playing experience.
3. Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board
If you’re looking for a fun and colorful magnetic dart board that’s fun for the whole family, then the 16-inch Doinkit Darts kit is a solid choice. The best thing about this set is the darts. They’re tipped with high-quality neodymium magnets which are crack-resistant. The shaft is made a heavy nylon mesh that flies through the air with perfect accuracy as well. The colorful board makes it easy to see exactly where your darts hit, which makes keeping score easier than ever.
4. Toysmith Magnetic Dart Board
If you’re just looking for a budget option to keep the kids entertained, then the Toysmith magnetic dart board is a nice option. It’s just over $12 and comes with an 11.5-inch board and 6 darts. It can be easily hung on any surface with the keyhole slot directly in the back of the board.
5. LoveisCool Magnetic Dart Board
If neon colors and extra-large darts are your style, then the LoveisCool magnetic dart board is built for you. The bright neon colors, 17-inch board, and oversized darts make playing a game of darts with your family easier than ever. This is a fantastic gift set for the family and makes for a great party game as well.
What Are The Advantages of a Magnetic Dart Board?
Eventually, some serious players decided that they wanted to practice more often and decided to start making them for their homes. Groups of people would gather in their garages or on their front porch, drink a few beers, and shoot the darts. Unfortunately, when you’re drinking and throwing sharp darts around, you tend to miss a couple of the shots.
After one too many times of nailing a dart right into his wall, some dart player came up with the brilliant idea of using magnetic darts along with a magnetic dart board to eliminate the risk of sharp objects flying around the house and ending up where they shouldn’t.
In addition to this, magnetic darts are also a lot safer when kids are involved. The worst case scenario is that somebody gets hit in the head with one of the blunt heads and gets a small bruise. You don’t have to worry about nasty puncture wounds or somebody losing an eye with these darts.
Features to Look For in a Magnetic Dart Board
Before you go looking for your next magnetic dart board, let’s take a look at some of the features that you’ll want to keep an eye out for. Thankfully, these boards are relatively straightforward, but depending on your specific desires, these features can make a big difference.
Dartboard Size
The standard regulation size for a dart board is 16-inches. While most magnetic dart boards adhere to this standard size, there are a few out there that are sized differently for recreational purposes.
It’s not uncommon to find small portable 10 to 12-inch boards that are designed to be hung in your office or inside your kids’ playroom.
Obviously, smaller targets are a lot easier to move around and transport, but they also offer an additional challenge since you’ll be aiming at a far smaller target.
If you’re really trying to increase your accuracy and up your game, you should consider buying a small target.
When it comes time to start shooting at the larger standard-sized boards, you’ll be well-equipped to hit the bullseye each and every time.
Dartboard Material
The traditional dart boards of old were made with either a soft wood or cork material. Modern day dart boards are often made with a soft plastic-based polymer that retains its original shape and form better than cork.
Magnetic dart boards are made of an entirely different material, though. Cork, wood, and plastic do little good to help a magnet-tipped dark to stick to the board.
Thanks to modern technology, however, almost any material can be engineered to have magnetic attraction if the right materials and coatings are used.
Some magnetic dart boards utilize a lightweight metal plating. This is usually the most reliable when it comes to accuracy, but it can often be loud and annoying.
Every time that a dart hits the board, your ears will be greeted with a harsh clattering noise. Over time, these boards may also develop small dents that will affect your ability to hit your target.
One of the more common target materials that you’ll see is a rubber-coated metal.
Surrounding the sheet of metal will be a thin layer of rubber that not only dampens impact and decreases noise, but also helps to prevent the darts from chipping and breaking over time.
Finally, one of the most common materials you’ll see is a fabric dart board. These are great because they can be rolled-up and stuffed into a tube when you’re not using them.
The fabric is coated with a magnetic coating which the darts can stick to. The only problem that you’ll run into with this material is that sometimes the darts will stick and then slide down an inch or so since they’re heavier than the fabric.
Mounting And Installation
Most magnetic dart boards are relatively easy to install, but some are quicker than others.
For example, your standard roll-up fabric board can be hung by a string almost anywhere. All you have to do is put a nail in the wall, find a hook, or even a tree branch.
Other magnetic dart boards may require you to set up a special hook or bracketing system to hold it up from the back. While these are more stable methods of hanging your dart board, they also limit your options as to where you can hang it.
Quality And Amount Of Darts
You could have the best magnetic dart board in the world, but if the darts that come along with it aren’t designed to a high standard of quality, then you’re not going to have much fun.
One of the most important things about a dart is to make sure that they’re balanced. An unbalanced dart will flip around in the air and you’ll never be able to land an accurate shot.
The amount of darts is also important. If you plan on playing a lot, or playing with a bunch of people you should opt for a magnetic dart board set that includes at least 8 to 10 darts if not more.
Keep in mind that you can always buy extra darts or replacements, but the less money that you have to spend upfront, the better.
Conclusion
Magnetic dart boards are great if you’re looking for simple and easy family fun. They take less than a minute to set up, and there is little to no cleanup involved. You’ll also never have to worry about kids getting hurt with the safe, blunt-tipped magnetic darts.
It’s a win-win situation! All of these boards can be purchased for $30 or less from Amazon and will provide years of family fun.
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