We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more

Bullseye: The Best Darts

  1. Winmau Stratos Dual Core 24g Steel Tip Darts
  2. Harrows Voodoo Brass Steel Tip Darts
  3. Dart World Ninja Steel Tip Darts
  4. Powercore Competizione Mugello Steel Tip Dart
  5. Cuesoul Archer 20 Grams Steel Tip Brass Barrels Grid Nickle Planting Darts
  6. Target Darts - Phil Taylor Power Soft Tip Darts
  7. Harrows Wolfram Infinity 97% Soft Tip Darts
  8. Viper Black Magic 6-Ringed Soft Tip Darts
  9. Cuesoul 18 Grams Tungsten Soft Tip Darts Set 85% Tungsten
  10. Elkadart Turbo Soft Tip Darts
  11. Buyer's Guide

You have quite a few decisions to make when you're ready to buy a set of darts but there are two types out there, steel-tip and soft. The difference between the two is obvious in the points. Steel-tips are sharp and intended for use on sisal fiber or hard surface boards. Soft-tips on the other hand are made of nylon or plastic, and used primarily on electronic/bristle dartboards. You can't use one for the other; steel-tips will damage a board intended for soft-tips, and soft-tips will likely bounce out easily on a densely-woven fiber board. Add in factors like barrels, grips, weights, and flights, well you have a lot to think about when looking for the ideal dart set. For more information on what to look at in selecting the best darts in 2022, We’ve provided a buyer’s guide below which will help you in your search. 

Comparing the Best Darts for 2022

Winmau Stratos Dual Core 24g Steel Tip Darts - Top Pick

The Dual Core name refers to the billet that goes into every Stratos barrel. The billet is the skeletal rod around which the barrel is built and each one is made of tungstem heavy alloy, a dense material often used to replace brass. In the case of the Stratos, Winmau employs a combination billet that uses a combination of 95 percent alloy at the front half of the barrel and 85 percent at the back. That mix of the two densities creates a dart with more weight at the front which improves the center of gravity of the dart and allows it to fly with better trajectory. The Stratos is available in 21, 22, 23, and 24 grams and every one of them features tough onyx coating, nylon shafts, and Rhino flights for one of the best steel tips you can buy at the moment.

Harrows Voodoo Brass Steel Tip Darts - Runner Up

Accuracy is the key objective with the Voodoo, a steel tip dart Harrows has built from the ground up using a collection of materials to make it evenly weighted and aerodynamic. They've given it an ebonite brass barrel for a lighter dart, one that might be well suited more for beginners. Combining that with their slim plastic speedline shaft and Marathon Gold flight, the Voodoo finds that happy medium for heaviness so every player can get the best possible scores in their game. But not every player may want the knurled grip Harrows has added to the Voodoo, as some might find it offers an excessive grip on the barrel. Even though it's been added for precision, there may just be too much texture for some fingers to negotiate with any real success.

Dart World Ninja Steel Tip Darts - Honorable Mention

These darts are 90 percent tungsten, and come in 24 or 26 gram weights. The shaft is aluminum, and comes with spinners to keep the flights from wearing down too quickly, making these some seriously durable darts. They're also equipped with a non-slip "razor grip" which uses a cross-cut texture pattern to keep your fingertips from slipping as you throw. The Piranhas are incredibly accurate and well-balanced to help improve almost anyone's game, as the shaft thickness and the weight combine to give excellent control. Best of all, the price won't set you back too much, coming in at around $60. These darts get high marks in almost every possible category, landing them comfortably on this list.

best mugello steel tip dart

Powercore Competizione Mugello Steel Tip Dart - Consider

Powercore's Competizione line uses 90 percent tungsten alloy barrels and in the case of this, the Mugello dart, utilize a dual grip so it can accommodate many types of shooters. The front of the barrel tapers just slightly which affords a good finger point along a wide grooved grip that sort of resembles the sharkfin grip on the Lumina, but without the severe edges of the angles. Here you get thick rings that are smooth and not as rigid.

The back half of the barrel uses triple ridge grooves that provide more edge to hook your finger on as you shoot. Obviously, every player throws differently and some people will prefer one grip style over the other to match their style of play. Beyond the barrel are Laro shafts, among the lightest and most resilient you can buy today and designed to hold the flight firmly in place while protecting it from contact with other darts on the board. The Mugello may look intimidating but it's a dart that throws very smoothly and evenly each time you play. Once you discover which of the two grips you like the best, this will be a valuable tool in your arsenal.

Cuesoul Archer 20 Grams Steel Tip Brass Barrels Grid Nickle Planting Darts - Best Steel Tip Darts

Cuesoul has built a consumer-friendly dart that emphasizes resilience and balance for a product suitable for all players. These are 20 gram brass barrels that have nickel plate for extra durability yet lightweight enough to keep some modicum of control while maintaining enough velocity to hit the mark. They come with aluminum shafts and flights that won't get knocked loose if and when they hit the wall or the floor. The points are sharp enough and stay that way through consistent and heavy use. Best of all, the price can't be beat, making them perfect for the consumer market at just $15 through most major online retailers. For that price you get a good dart with enough accuracy and even weight distribution. There isn't much in the way of grip and the little amount that has been provided may not be in the most ideal place for some players to get the most use out of it.

Target Darts - Phil Taylor Power Soft Tip Darts - Best Soft Tip Darts

Done up in jet black and silver, the Target Carrera C11looks good and flies even better. Although only available in an 18g weight, target has taken a 90 percent tungsten barrel and given it a unique bi-directional grip with rings of axial and radial precision-milled pixels, resulting in an aggressive feel that some players might find just a bit sticky at first. The front-loaded barrel is bullet-shaped with a center of gravity towards the back, near where the barrel and shaft meet. Target has added Laro shafts to the C11 which is one of the best shaft brands in the business. They're made of resin instead of plastic or nylon which keeps them lightweight and avoids some of the curvature issues that aluminum shafts can pose. The Laro is unbreakable and will always remain straight so your throw is unaffected by the performance of your equipment. L-Style's Lippoint tip is at the front of the dart, designed to penetrate the board completely without hanging down and jeopardizing your next throw; while the finished tip helps lessen the amount of bounce backs and still remains easy to yank from the board.

Harrows Wolfram Infinity 97% Soft Tip Darts - Best Soft Tip Darts

The thinking behind these darts appears to have been all about function and control. Each one has been machined to create a barrel with reverse edging that results in excellent grip at your fingertips. Adding to that is Harrows' Vapor Deposition Process which layers a non-slip coating to the surface. The darts are 90 percent tungsten and have been infused with a mix of iron, nickel, and zinc, making them sturdy and resilient without the bulkiness. It's a simple-looking dart with simple black and white flights, making it look like a Stealth bomber and delivering with similar precision. Available in 18 gram weight, give these a try and you may find yourself with a new favorite dart.

Viper Black Magic 6-Ringed Soft Tip Darts - Best Soft Tip Darts

The Black Magic set is distinctive because of its sleek black coated, lightweight brass barrel and the six rings of knurled texture placed strategically for an abundance of grip options to afford total control. Those rings come in the form of two thick loops at the forefront and end of the barrel with four thinner rings bunched together directly in the middle. So no matter how you like to hold the dart, there is a lot of grip for you to use. Despite the low price (around $12 with most online retailers), these still feel like high quality darts that should cost three times as much. They're resilient enough to withstand the indelicate treatment that might come from players of all ages and the standard 2BA tips will ensure every throw hits the board with confidence and without those bounce-outs we all hate so much.

Cuesoul 18 Grams Tungsten Soft Tip Darts Set 85% Tungsten - Best Soft Tip Darts

The Cuesoul set of 18 gram weight darts are comprised of 85-percent tungsten barrels; the higher the tungsten amount, the higher the dart quality, and Cuesoul has certainly crafted each of their darts to meet your exacting standards. They're equipped with 2BA soft tip points but come with an optional set of steel tip conversions, allowing you to swap the tips out at any time. This set also comes with an extra set of aluminum shafts for additional customization while there are even an extra set of flights in the event the ones you have on the darts get bent or damaged for whatever reason. There is just a minimum amount of grip, sort of a cross between wave and shark fin but not very aggressive, so these are well suited for just about anyone in that department.

Elkadart Turbo Soft Tip Darts - Best Soft Tip Darts

The Turbo is a soft point that you can find in 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 gram weights making it a great choice across the board. Whether you like a lightweight dart or something with a little extra heft to it, Elkadart has got you covered. They've been built with electro-plated brass barrels for a little extra resilience and a dull finish that emulates the look of an old-school dart you'd find in some smoky, dark pub. The texturized knurled grip along the length of the barrel comes in different shapes and forms depending upon which weight you choose. Some have rings of grip, others are fully textured with just some smooth areas in between, you'll have to find the right mixture of weight and grip that is right for your style of play. Aluminum shafts are pretty standard on darts at this price point and Elkadart's custom 100 micron flights will keep the dart flying straight and true every time you throw.

Buyer's Guide

Score a Bullseye with Our Guide to the Best Darts

Darts is a sport that is popular with a particular crowd. When you think of professional darts players, you don’t think of sculpted athletes in the best shape of their life. However, you do think of over-the-top characters, raucous atmospheres, and laser accuracy and precision.

To the uninitiated, scoring a bullseye on a dartboard may seem like an impossible task. However, with the right set of darts, you give yourself the best possible chance to improve your form and get better at this unique and enjoyable game.

But how do you pick the right darts? We are here to help! There are so many things to consider; it is easy to get confused. However, our comprehensive buying guide will sort you out with all the knowledge you need to find the perfect set of darts.

Want to know more? Check out the rest of the article below.

What are darts?

Darts are small, handheld projectiles made up of several parts, including a barrel, flight, and shaft. They are commonly used in the sport of darts, sometimes referred to as dart-throwing.

Things to consider when buying darts

There are many things to keep in mind when purchasing a set of darts, chiefly the many features that come together to make up a dart. These include:

Barrel grips

In our opinion, the barrel grip is the most important feature of the dart. You want the barrel to feel comfortable in your hand and compliment your throwing style. Some dart barrels feature distinct knurling for added grip, while others are totally smooth. While many darts players prefer heavy knurling, it can cause the barrel to stick to your hand and throw off accuracy.

Flights

The flight is the part of the dart where you have the most choice over style and design. You can buy custom-made flights which completely represent your personality. There are smooth and dimpled surfaces, which both impact your form. For example, dimpled flights help stabilize your darts mid-flight.

Shafts

Just like barrels and flights, dart shafts come in many different varieties. These include:

Nylon or plastic:

These dart shafts are usually very cheap and available in various colors. However, they tend to break a lot more than other shafts. Therefore, they are perfect for beginner players. However, when you start getting your darts tight together on the board (180!), you’ll probably find you need something a bit sturdier.

Carbon-Fiber:

Carob fiber shafts are durable and lightweight, though they are more expensive than the cheapest plastic nylon shafts. A good set of carbon-fiber darts will prove extremely durable and won’t loosen or bend in the barrel, allowing for a higher degree of accuracy over time.

Aluminum:

Aluminium shafts are very durable and rigid, particular when compared to carbon and plastic shafts. They are available in all sorts of designs and styles. However, they can often come loose, particularly if you prefer to use heavier darts. You may also have to pry them open if you favor thick flights.

Spinning:

If you are looking for something slightly different, you may want to invest in spinning shafts. These types of shafts actually maneuver out of the way if they are struck by an incoming dart. While this does not improve their flight, it helps regularly group your darts close together on the board.

Composite:

If you are looking for a good allrounder, you may choose a composite shaft. These shafts feature a plastic basis and an aluminum top that keeps the flight in place. Most experts would tell you these are some of the best dart shafts around. They are both durable and will not loosen like aluminum shafts. You can also replace the metal tops whenever necessary.

Weight

The weight of your dart is significant. In fact, once you get to grips with one particular darts weight, it is likely anything else will feel completely alien to you. You can find darts that weigh anywhere from 12 to 50 grams. However, you will not find many serious darts players using anything over 30 grams.

We recommend taking a trip to your local dart or sports store and getting a feel for each weight. Your general throwing speed usually dictates which weight you should choose. On the other hand, if you throw hard and fast, a lighter weight will prove beneficial.

You also need to consider where the weight is located in the dart barrel. Some darts are front-loaded, while others are back-weighted. The only way to tell which weight feels right for you is to practice with them yourself.

Customer reviews

If you are purchasing your darts supplies online, it is always a good idea to consult customer reviews before making your purchase. This is the best way to figure out whether a dart will be right for you without actually handling it yourself. Additionally, you should leave your own feedback and help other buyers decide the future.

Darts price range

The price of a set of darts depends on the material used, type of shaft, barrel, etc. If you are a beginner, you can find a decent set of darts for under $20. However, these won’t last you forever. If you are looking for an awe-inspiring dart set, you can easily spend over $200 on a single dart.

However, bear in mind that the most expensive darts will not improve your accuracy overnight. While they will offer some stability during the flight, you should focus on practicing with durable darts first and foremost before spending a lot of money.

FAQs

Who is the most successful darts player of all time?

Without a doubt, Phil “the Power” Taylor is the most successful darts player of all time. Taylor has 16 World Championships to his name and 16 World Matchplay titles, and 11 World Grand Prix times.

What is the highest score you can finish on in darts?

The highest score you can check out in darts is 170. This requires two treble 20s followed by the bullseye.

What is a nine-dart finish?

A nine-dart finish is when you check out from 501 in only nine throws. There are a couple of ways to do this, but you cannot finish with fewer darts than that.

bestcovery team.jpg
Our research team searches out the best of everything so that you can confidently pick the perfect products and services for your needs.
Related Content
Go to top