The price of starting darts as a hobby ranges from super affordable beginner sets to higher quality pricier sets. If you’re wondering if darts is expensive, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re looking to start darts as a fun hobby or invest in luxury steel tip darts to show off to your friends, there’s something for every budget.
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How to Get Started
The straightforward game of darts requires two main components:
- A set of darts
- A dartboard
Let’s check out the price differences between the beginner, intermediate and professional set options. There are also several dart accessories you can add to your collection, we’ll touch upon those at the end of the article.
Beginner Sets
If you’re a beginner, then we suggest starting with an affordable set of darts and a standard dart board. Once you’ve gained some experience, you can invest in some other pieces.
We love this all-inclusive dart board set by Linkvision; it’s affordable and has a tournament-sized board and a foam protector to keep your walls safe from strays. It includes four sets of steel darts, all color coded with shafts and flights.
This set is easy to assemble, arriving to you in four puzzle-like pieces that snap together in seconds. There aren’t any staples that attach to your walls so it’s completely risk-free.
Intermediate Sets
Once you start feeling a little more confident in your darts skills, you can start to explore the intermediate sets.
This dartboard by Thousand Oak Barrel Co. comes in its own customized cabinet that you can customize your name on upon ordering. For those of you who don’t want a dartboard for decor when you’re not playing, this is an excellent alternative.
The cabinet hangs on the wall and opens easily when you’re ready to start playing. The cabinet is a baby blue color and includes a vintage wall art design on the front.
The inside of the doors also has a chalkboard interior so you can easily keep score of the winners and losers. For just $130, this dart set makes an amazing gift for father’s day, Christmas, birthdays etc.
This set includes:
- Cabinet
- Dart Board
- Six Darts
- Chalk
- Eraser
- Mounting Hardware
Professional Sets
If you’re looking to go luxe, then this Gran Board 3S is the perfect option.
The Gran Board 3s White Edition LED Bluetooth Dartboard – is the newest model from the makers of the original top-selling Gran Board Dartboard, which has sold over 1 million units.
This is a must-have electronic dart board for people who want to play in their own home or take it with them when they travel.
The LED lighting and USB port allow users to plug in an iPod, iPhone, or Smart TV so they can see enhanced graphics and scorekeeping.
You can play online with anyone who has a Gran Board, regardless of the model.
Now, this darts game comes with 9 different games as well as a cricket feature that allows you to set up your own format. With this electronic dartboard, you get 2 sets of darts and Hanging Instructions so that you can start playing immediately!
Even the die-hard bristle board steel tip fans will be clamoring to have a go on this one. Currently just $25 shy of $400, it’s not a cheap investment, but so worth it!
Dart Accessories
Looking for tons of colorful, artistic dart options? Did you ever envision having a dart board with a neon light around it? If that sounds like you, then you’ll love scrolling for hours through Darts.com endless options.
Darts.com has dart experts ready to answer any of your questions; it’s also been rated number one by dart players for high-quality tools and has a low-price match guarantee.
Soft Tip Darts
As the name suggests, soft tip darts have a flexible, plastic cover on the tip that makes them a safer option. These are generally slightly cheaper than their steel alternative, but not by much.
Soft tip darts are a great option if you’re worried about stabbing holes in your walls, as these generally do much less damage. Additionally, they’re a nice way to include children in the game without being worried about someone getting hurt.
These CyleeLife soft tip darts have hundreds of 5-star reviews, come in four different shades, and usually cost less than $20.
Steel Tip Darts
While soft tip darts are light with plastic tips for electronic dartboards, the steel tip alternative is heavier so they can stick in bristle boards.
If you want to play on traditional bristle dartboards, these Winmau Michael Van Gerwen darts are a popular choice. An affordable, high-quality tungsten darts set with striking colors, nylon shafts and at 21g a nice balanced weight.
Dartboard Cabinets
Although darts is always a fun way to spend time with friends, it doesn’t exactly match the decor of most homes.
Buying a cabinet for your dartboard will cost about $100 on dart.com and will preserve the aesthetic atmosphere of your living space.
They also have space to store all your darts, scoreboard, and chalk so everything will lock up nicely.
Dartboard Lights
Decorating your dartboard with lights is a great way to liven up the game. It adds character and is an excellent addition if you’re hosting a party.
This ring light by Target Darts will run you at $120 and add so much life to your next game.
If you don’t want a permanent throw line on your lovely floor, try this Laser Toe Line Marker by IgnatGames. Simply align the laser with your standing point and the bullseye and watch as it lights up your new oche. For $30 it’s a nice way to impress all your darts friends.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, darts is not an expensive hobby at all and has a range of price options to suit any budget.
Remember, it’s not necessary to start off with all the lights, and fancy equipment; a simple beginner’s board and set will bring just as much fun as the pricier alternatives.
Check out our article on dartboard costs next.
Sue has been playing darts since her 20’s when she played in weekly tournaments and she enjoys writing about darts. She’s also a great teacher, and she enjoys helping others learn how to play the game well. When Sue isn’t throwing darts, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
The easy way to keep track of your score is with our printable darts scoresheets. Easy to download and keep on your phone or computer or print straight off from our website. Pop your email address into the box and we'll send them straight to you.
