Perhaps you’ve just transformed your garage into a game room, turned your basement into a man cave, or maybe you even opened up a bar… Whatever your particular situation may be, if you’re looking for a fun, interactive game that can be played with pals or solo to add to your space, a dart board is a perfect choice.
The game of darts is an age-old tradition that has been played by everyone from nobility to the common man. It’s played casually among buddies, and competitively among pros. It’s a game that has withstood the test of time, and there’s no doubt that people will continue playing it long into the future. There’s a reason why darts is such a popular game, and that reason is simple: it’s a whole lot of fun! There’s nothing quite like taking aim, tossing a dart, and landing it square on the bullseye. It really is an exhilarating experience. But even if you don’t hit the center point – heck, even if you hit the wall – playing a game of darts is a whole lot of fun.
Of course, like any other game, in order to play darts, you need to have the necessary supplies. Fortunately, for this game, unlike so many others, the supplies are few. All you need are some darts and of course, a board to aim at and hit. If you’re planning on setting up space to play darts, finding a dart board won’t be a problem; just head to a game supply store, a department store, an online retailer, or even a big box store and chances are you’ll find a few different options to choose from.
Dart Board Kits: Yay or Nay?
Dartboard kits may be among the myriad of options. Typically, these kits come complete with the two basic supplies that you need to play the game: the darts and the board. While purchasing one of these kits may be tempting, as getting everything you need in one package and for one price is certainly an easy solution; however, before you decide to toss one of those kits into your shopping cart and head to the checkout stand, you should really think twice about proceeding.
Ask any experienced dart player and they’ll tell you to steer clear of dart board kits. Why? Because while they may be convenient, typically, the boards are extremely poor quality; as are the darts. In fact, it’s because the quality of the boards and darts are so poor that these kits are so economically priced. Even if you only intend on playing casually for fun, the quality of the equipment will have a huge impact on the experience. If the darts and the board are poor, it’s pretty likely that you and anyone else who plays will end up getting frustrated. Plus, chances are that you’ll have to replace the equipment before too long.
So, should you purchase a dart board kit? That’s a big fat “NAY!”
Instead, buying both the board and the darts separately is a much better way to go. But how much will you be looking at spending on a dart board? Keep on reading for some information that will help to answer this question and point you in the right direction for your budget.
Dart Board Pricing
So, how much does a dart board cost? The truth is, there isn’t a definitive answer to that question. There are several factors that will impact the price of a dart board, such as:
With that said, the price of a dart board can range from under $50 to north of $100; there are even some that cost upwards of hundreds of dollars or more. The better the quality, the more features the dart board is equipped with, the larger the size, and the more famous the manufacturer, typically, the higher the price tag will be.
If your budget isn’t a concern, you may want to invest in a pricier dart board; however, don’t feel like you have to. The truth is, you can find some excellent dart boards for less than $100, and honestly, because this is the first dart board you’re purchasing, you really don’t need to spend a fortune. In fact, as a beginner, not emptying out your wallet is actually your best bet.
Dart Board Prices: An Overview
Before you start shopping, here’s a general rundown of the average going rate of different types of dart boards so that you can get a basic idea about how much you want to spend.
Steel Tip Dart Boards: $25 to $100
Steel tip or “bristle” dart boards cost, on average, between $25 and $100. The price tag depends on the quality of and how tightly packed the bristle fibers are, as well as the overall construction of the dart board.
Soft Tip Dart Boards: $20 to $40
Generally speaking, soft tip dart boards are usually the least expensive, running between $20 and $40 on average. Because they’re very basic and don’t have any bells and whistles, they tend to be very affordably priced. The quality of the construction and the manufacturer are the factors that will impact the price.
Dart Boards with Cabinets: $50 to $250
If you’re looking for something that’s more high-end and you don’t mind spending a bit of coin, then a dart board with a cabinet is a great choice. As the name suggests, this style of dart board features a cabinet that holds the board.
The primary benefit of the cabinet is that it not only protects the dart board when it isn’t being used, but it also protects the surrounding walls, because when the cabinets doors are opened, they sit over the nearby walls.
If you miss the board, instead of landing the dart directly into the walls, the tip will land in the cabinet doors. This style of dart board also usually offers a few other additional features, such as a place where you can store your darts and accessories, as well as a scoreboard.
The type of material the cabinet and the board are made of, the quality of the construction, and the additional features are the factors that will impact the price.