best commercial dart boards

Best Commercial Dart Boards To Buy In 2021

At the most basic, a dartboard comprises the inner bullseye, the outer bullseye, the triple ring, and the double ring.

Pretty usual stuff, right?

So, what are commercial dart boards all about?

These are boards designed for use in tournament and league play, and so they are made to the highest standards of quality and durability.

Best Commercial Dart boards In 2021

1. Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 Standing Electronic Dart board

If you’ve been looking for the perfect dartboard that will complete your rec room, then the Arachnid Cricket Pro 650 is just what you need.

This electronic dartboard cabinet comes in a beautiful black finish.

It stands magnificently measuring 26.5 x 5.5 x 82 inches (L x W x H) and weighing 75 pounds.

The durable cabinet houses a dartboard with a regulation 15.5” target area.

But darts isn’t the only thing you’ll be enjoying here.

Featuring 24 games and 132 variations, this arcade-style cabinet additionally has 5 cricket games!

With the ability to accommodate 8 players at any one time, the electric LED can also record scores for all 8 people at a go.

The tournament spider is made from micro-thin wire. This reduces bounce-outs, thereby improving the playability and durability of the board.

While playing 8 people at a time, it is expected that the turns might get mixed up, right?

To help avoid such a scenario, the cabinet features a voice prompt on the dashboard which instructs players to throw.

Just as well, you have a solo play option, a player handicap feature, and sleep mode for when a game is on pause.

Other features include single in/out and double in/out, play on, and ranking.

In case you are wondering if getting this cabinet will kill much-needed space in your home, rest assured that it won’t.

Besides its compact design, this retro-style dartboard cabinet can easily double as furniture décor when not in use.

Conveniently, the cabinet also has storage space underneath where you can keep all your darting accessories.

You will have to assemble the cabinet once you take it out of the box, but this is a reasonably straightforward process.

As far as using the dartboard cabinet goes, you may use it as a free-standing unit, but this way, you may find the unit to be a bit flimsy.

To guarantee you enjoy your gaming experience, fasten the unit to a wall once you’ve assembled it. After doing so, you will find that the cabinet is far steadier and more robust.

The dartboard comes with 6 soft tip darts, along with extra tips. Of course, you also have the AC adapter, game manual, operating instructions, and mounting hardware for assembling the cabinet.

Pros
  • Durable and robust.
  • Features micro-thin segment dividers.
  • Has ample storage space.
  • Has plenty of pre-built game variations.
  • Comes with an 8-player scoreboard.
Cons
  • Feels flimsy if not anchored to the wall.

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2. Centerpoint Solid Wood Dartboard Cabinet

Yet another free-standing dartboard cabinet, this Centerpoint unit would be a great addition to your game room.

This solid wood cabinet looks and feels like a premium high-end unit.

It is made using North American yellow poplar hardwood, stained with a beautiful dark cherry finish.

The furniture-grade finishes add a touch of elegance to any room, which is just what you’d expect after investing in such a high-quality dartboard cabinet set.

This unit measures 24” x 9.25” x 81” (W x D x H).

It features two pub-style dry eraser scoreboards and a 15.5” regulation target area.

With the option of playing 29 games with 90 variations, this dartboard cabinet can also be used to play cricket, so there is no way you are getting tired of this unit any time soon.

Playability is further enhanced by the fact that the unit features thrilling voice and sound effects.

These are meant to immerse you into the game, setting the perfect mood during high-stakes competition.

Better yet, the dartboard features a removable number ring, thereby allowing you to rotate the board for even wear on the surface.

There’s integrated storage at the bottom section of the cabinet.

Just as well, you also have integrated dart holders that allow you to keep your accessories neatly stored when not in use.

Offering versatility, you have the option of using this cabinet as a free-standing unit or fastening it to a wall.

The free-standing model is impressively steady and robust, thanks to the sturdy base stabilizers that keep the unit upright.

However, should you choose to mount it, mounting hardware has been included to allow you to do so with relative ease.

You might not entirely love that the color indicated on the product is not the cabinet’s color.

This variation arises from the fact that this cabinet’s hardwood is hand stained and doesn’t match machine-produced stains.

Seeing as it’s a complete set, the dartboard cabinet comes with 6 darts along with 6 spare tips.

Pros
  • Inexpensive.
  • Solid, well-made cabinet.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Has an 8-player scoreboard.
  • 180-day manufacturer warranty
Cons
  • Variations in stain color laminations.

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3. Shelti Eye II Electronic Dart Board

Now, if you are looking for an arcade-style dartboard that’s truly retro, then look no further than the Shelti Eye II.

The unit base measures 24” x 24.25”. The full height of this cabinet is 86”, whereas the folded height is 45”. The cabinet weighs about 200 pounds.

Once you’ve seen what this dartboard cabinet has to offer, it will not come as a surprise that this unit is a very popular choice in the market.

First off, the hinged ¾” plywood cabinet can fold in half, and this design allows for easy transportability and installation of the unit.

The game is easy to set up, break down and transport all in a matter of minutes!

The premium dartboard employs the tavern-tested T60/30 target that’s designed to provide more target and less spider.

You can easily access the matrix and segments right from the front of the unit, and this is thanks to the hinged target design used.

Attractive, highly-visible overhead scoring is another top-notch feature that has been optimized for viewing comfort by both players and spectators.

Just as well, the dot-matrix LCD area provides player instructions, before and during gameplay for improved communication.

At the same time, there are both auto and manual player change options. The programmable settings conveniently allow you to set delay timers for automatic player change.

Settings and statistics reporting are done using the phone-style keypad that comes with an LCD menu display.

Other cabinets might require you to install additional lights for better visibility, but that’s not the case with this Shelti unit.

The universal 110V light fixture provided offers optimal light distribution on the target area of the dartboard.

For absolute scoring accuracy, this dartboard uses “TRU-SCORE.” Similarly, you have throw line notches on both sides of the cabinet and a diamond plate.

Leg levelers have been provided, and these ensure a great gaming experience no matter where you might choose to place the dartboard unit.

Eye II is a trendy choice amongst customers who wish to provide a league play experience right from their homes.

And with such a host of premium features, why wouldn’t it be?

There are a ton of pre-programmed dart games you can enjoy on this unit, including cricket.

Included with the unit, you have 6 darts, 250 spare tips, a stability kit, a throw line, and a set of instructions.

Pros
  • Appealing retro design.
  • Premium build and construction.
  • Fold-in-half transportability.
  • Programmable player change.
  • 1-year comprehensive warranty.
Cons
  • Quite costly.

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4. Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Standing Electronic Dartboard

The Arachnid Pro 800 is a considerable step up from the Arachnid Pro 650 mentioned earlier.

Right from the looks of it, you can tell that the Pro 800 features a much nicer design, complete with a beautiful cherry finish and significantly better craftsmanship.

It measures 26.5” x 5.5” x 51.75” (W x D x H) and weighs 73.55 pounds.

Being a competition dartboard, of course, it comes with the regulation 15.5” target area that is big enough to accommodate many players simultaneously.

The 8-player score display means that you can have 8 people playing darts at a go. However, it is worth noting that the score display can only show 4 player scores simultaneously.

There are 39 pre-programmed dart games on the unit, and these can be played in 179 variations.

Besides just 01 games, though, the dartboard cabinet also allows you to choose from 7 cricket games.

The three levels heckler truly brings a game alive, with a ton of voice and sound effects that up the ante during a competitive match.

With the option of 3 levels, you can go mild or choose louder sound effects. Of course, you can choose to turn this feature off altogether if you don’t want the distractions.

Micro-thin segment dividers have been used to ensure good, unobtrusive access to the target area.

At the same time, the tough nylon segment helps reduce the chances of bounce-outs.

There are many playing variations meaning you don’t have to wait until you have guests for you to enjoy using your beautiful dartboard.

You may use the solo play option, player handicap option, or play against the computer.

The tournament-style free-standing cabinet has routed doors, and underneath you’ll find three large storage shelves for all your dart accessories.

Yes, the Pro 800 is slightly more expensive than the Pro 650.

However, it is a small price to pay for a stylish cabinet packed with a host of features that will guarantee you and your friends countless hours of fun entertainment.

Pros
  • Beautifully aesthetic.
  • Comes with an optional 3-level heckler feature.
  • 8-player score display.
  • Has plenty of gaming options.
  • Has sleep mode and reset options.
Cons
  • Requires assembling.

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5. Spider 360 2000 Series Electronic Dartboard

The Spider 360 look stylishly cool.

This is the kind of dartboard you’ll want in your man cave the minute you set your eyes on it.

This commercial dartboard has been designed specifically for home use.

For the homeowners who wish to give their friends a league tournament experience right from the comfort of their home.

There are over 40 pre-programmed games to choose from, including 6 different variations of cricket.

Featuring the regulation 15” target area, this standing dartboard measures 18.5” x 27” x 83.5” (W x D x H) and weighs a hefty 130 pounds.

The weight of this cabinet means that it will require more work to get it into your home.

However, the heft is also why this cabinet can stand freely, robust, and steady without feeling flimsy like it’s about to topple over.

Constructed using Roto-molded Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), rest assured that this cabinet is exceptionally durable.

Being a 2000 series, this dartboard unit comes with a built-in computer player known as Mark Dart™.

Playing against Mark will be an excellent way for you to test your skills. The computer can help adjust your style of play or teach you to be better at darts.

When playing against Mark, you can play up to 3 players then have Mark be the fourth.

Mark’s skills levels vary from Amateur, Intermediate, Skilled, and Master, so you can choose the level that best suits you.

The large 19-inch LCD flat-screen monitor allows for good interaction with the computer as you view your score and statistics.

Tri-color LED illumination is effective in eliminating all shadows and provides eye-catching visual effects.

To further help you improve your dart playing skills, this cabinet comes with a built-in camera that points directly at the throw line. This comes in handy for use with the Leaderboard™.

This dartboard comes with 6 soft tip darts, a throw line, and 500 pieces of ¼” soft plastic spare tips.

Pros
  • Eye-catching design.
  • Target Illuminated Tri-color LED.
  • Easy-to-use LCD monitor interface.
  • Auto or Manual player change options.
  • Single or double bull option.
Cons
  • Quite costly.

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Buying Guide for Commercial Dart Boards

Size

Non-professional dartboards come in smaller sizes compared to commercial-grade boards, which are noticeably bigger.

According to specifications outlined by the World Dart Federation, a full-size professional-grade dartboard should measure 18 inches in diameter and have a thickness of 1.5 inches.

However, keep in mind that different tournament competitions will specify different dartboard sizes, so make sure the board you are getting suits its intended use.

The big commercial dart boards can accommodate as many as 15 players at a time.

Surface Materials

Dartboards can be made from sisal, wood, paper, straw, cork, or Bristle. There are also magnetic and electronic dartboards.

Commercial dartboards are always made using Bristle, which is the fiber that’s cultivated from the sisal plant. The numerous tiny fibers are bound together tightly, then glued to the back of the board.

Bristle boards are preferred for their minimal maintenance and the fact that the surface heals quickly, therefore guaranteeing the dartboard’s longevity.

At the same time, Bristle allows the food-grade inks used on the board to penetrate deeply.

Ink

Dartboards feature three colors: red, black, and green.

Commercial-grade dart boards require ink that has high visibility and low glare. Additionally, the ink should be environmentally friendly (preferably food grade) and have ample color strength.

Color strength means that the ink used should be non-fade, but at the same time, the bright colors shouldn’t be tonally distracting either.

Depth

If a board isn’t deep enough, it won’t hold the darts for a long time. As a result, the darts bounce back and fall on the floor, instead of piercing the board and staying put.

Look for boards that are no less than 1.5 inches deep.

Density

Bristle dartboards comprise thousands of tightly-packed Bristles stuffed into the board. This provides a dense surface that decreases bounce-outs of the darts.

At the same time, the density of Bristle dartboards is what gives it such impressive self-healing capabilities.

See, these tightly-packed Bristles essentially ‘move out of the way’ when a dart comes at them, then they close up again once the dart is removed.

Unlike other materials, no hole is left in a Bristle board, so this type of board will take the longest before it eventually gets damaged.

A medium-packed board would be perfect for players with a lighter throw, and the board would be best suited for humid climates.

On the other hand, a hard-packed board would be ideal for players who have a heavier throw. This board is best suited for dry climatic conditions.

Bladed Bulls

Having the inner and outer bullseye razor-bladed would further eliminate the bouncing rate of darts thrown, thereby giving players a higher scoring rate.

The Spider

On a dartboard, the spider refers to the wire scoring ring that separates scoring sections.

Firstly, a thin wire would be less obtrusive, hence allowing for higher visibility and lower glare on the board.

At the same time, this micro-thin divider segment would dramatically reduce the rate of bounce-outs.

Secondly, super-thin wires shaped like triangles are preferred to cylindrical wires.

This is because triangular wires will guide the dart into the board instead of enhancing bounce-outs, as is the case with thick cylindrical wires.

Thirdly, how is the wire attached to the board? While less expensive boards employ stapling, top-end commercial-grade dartboards have staple-free spiders.

A staple-free design is preferred because it reduces the amount of metal on the board (that can take up much-needed precious scoring spaces).

Also, staples make it harder to adjust the spider, which means that damage on the board cannot be evenly distributed for uniform wear.

Movable Number Ring

Owing to the nature of the game, it only makes sense that some sections of the board will be hit more often than others. And this is why you need to get an adjustable spider.

Removing the spider easily means that you will be able to rotate the board, thereby putting less damaged sections in the spots where darts are more likely to hit the board.

This design allows you to distribute damage on the board more evenly.

Composite Board Edging

Composite edging will allow the number ring to rotate well, thereby contributing to the dartboard’s longer lifespan.

At the same time, it provides a clean and finished, which is just what you want when buying a commercial dartboard.

Hanging Option

For safety reasons, it is never advisable to hang a dartboard directly on the wall. Instead, buy a dartboard that comes with a wall bracket.

A wall bracket offers a more straightforward, stress-free way to hang the board. Also, this way, you can conveniently rotate the number ring without needing to remove the dartboard.

Price

Commercial dartboards are relatively expensive, and you could end up splurging quite a good amount of money on a board.

Pricing of these boards will vary widely depending on the dartboard brand, the type of dartboard you want to buy, and the intended purpose of purchasing the dartboard.

Provided you know which features to look out for, you can make a wise decision that will put your money to good use, rather than splurging without really knowing precisely what you are paying for.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what you need and what you are willing to pay for.

How to Maintain A Commercial Dartboard

To ensure the durability of your dartboard, the main factor to consider would be the lighting of the room in which you intend to play.

Bright lights could fade the ink on the board.

Moreover, the heat generated from these lights could cause the board to dry out over time. When this happens, the Bristles become brittle and less effective at closing up upon removing a dart.

To curb against such damage, pay attention not to mount the board in direct sunlight. Also, don’t put spotlights on the board even though this might seem like the logical thing to do to enhance visibility.

FAQs About the Best Commercial Dartboards

Why Do My Darts Keep Falling Off the Board?

If you are experiencing frequent bounce-outs while throwing your darts, the problem may be your dartboard, your darts, or you – the player.

Your Bristle dartboard may be too old or, the high target spot areas could be chipping off fast.

To solve this, start first by rotating the board. If that doesn’t fix the issue, your board will need to be replaced with a new one.

If your darts are the issue, they might require sharpening, or it could be that they aren’t heavy enough for a solid throw. Heavier darts penetrate the board more deeply compared to lighter darts.

Suppose you are the problem, then it could be that you are a light thrower or tend to throw the darts at an angle that can cause bounce-outs.

How Long Do Dart Boards Last?

Commercial dartboards are designed to be very durable, standing up well to maltreatment.

Nevertheless, how long your dartboard lasts will depend on its quality, how frequently you play, and your style of play.

With heavy use, Bristle boards have a life expectancy of about 3-4 years. This can be increased significantly if you play using sharp darts and pay attention to rotate the board regularly.

Conclusion

Commercial dartboards don’t always have to be used in leagues or tournaments. You may only be getting one for home use.

Whatever the intended use, just keep in mind that commercial-grade boards are naturally more expensive than regular home-use boards.

They are built to last, using superior quality materials and intricate procedures that guarantee nothing but the very best dartboard for your money’s worth.