This article will help you decide which unicorn dartboard deserves your cash. I’m going to give you a brief insight into the history of Unicorn dartboards and explain how they’ve become the board of the BDO. Finally, I’ll explain how to choose a good Unicorn dartboard for your game – along with some top recommendations.
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At a Glance – Best Unicorn Dartboards
Table could not be displayed.History of Unicorn
Team Unicorn, which was founded in 1937, is the choice of darts champions and the choice of millions of darts players around the world. Unicorn is at the forefront of darts innovation, development and sponsorship for over 70 years and is the official dartboard supplier to the professional darts corporation and every major tournament is played on a Team Unicorn dartboard.
Unicorn now celebrates 5 World Champion players who collectively have 28 World Championship titles between them.
Is Unicorn a Good Dartboard?
Yes, Unicorn is a good dartboard that players of any level will love. Unicorn is a well-known brand and has been in the business of making dartboards for more than 80 years.
When you buy a Unicorn dartboard, you can be sure you’re getting:
- A high-quality board
- A reliable and durable board
- A reputable product from a brand with a good reputation
- A board fit for professionals
Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 vs Winmau Blade 5
As two of the biggest dartboard brands, Unicorn and Winmau are often paired against each other. Both the Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 and the Winmau Blade 5 are professional-grade dartboards. But which one comes out on top?
Let’s start by looking into the Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 in more detail. Key features of this board include:
- Grade ‘A’ sisal fiber
- Thinner bullseye which increases the playing area by 14%
- Rotatable number ring
- Spider2 radial wiring system reduces bounce outs
- Easy-to-use mounting system
- Regulation size board
- Invisible number ring
- Replaceable numbers
Now, let’s see how the Winmau Blade 5 Dartboard compares:
- Increased scoring area as the wiring area is reduced by 14%
- 30% reduction in the Blade angle
- Sisal fiber
- Carbon diffusion technology increases durability
- Rota-Lock triple-wheel lock and level system
- Easy to hang & rotate
- 20% stronger steel
- Regulation size board
Read our full article on comparing the best of Unicorn Vs Winmau here.
How Do You Hang a Unicorn Dartboard
One of the best things about buying a Unicorn dartboard is that they’re sold with a fuss-free mounting system.
The Unicorn UniLock Dartboard Locking System is an innovative system that lets you hang your Unicorn dartboard easily to the wall. The system prevents the board from wobbling or rotating, so you haven’t got to worry about your board falling on the floor.
If you ever decide to switch to a different brand of dartboard, you can use the Unicorn UniLock Dartboard Locking System to hang it up, as it’s universal. Furthermore, if it ever breaks, they are really cheap and easy to purchase separately.
Is Unicorn Striker Good?
The Unicorn Striker Dartboard is an entry-level board. It’s ideal if you’re a beginner and want a good dartboard to play on at home.
Some impressive features of the Unicorn Striker that we haven’t yet mentioned include:
- Staple-free bullseye
- Regulation size board
- Adjustable number ring
- High-quality bristles
Players that are used to playing on high-end dartboards or want to get into playing competitively may feel a little let down by the Unicorn Striker.
For example, a staple-free board is better than just having a staple-free bullseye as it reduces bounce-outs. If this is what you’re after, you may be better off considering the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra.
High-quality sisal fiber is also a must, especially if you’re going to practice over and over again. Sisal fiber is responsible for healing holes in the board made by darts. The sisal fiber on the Striker is good, but you can find better on the Unicorn Eclipse HD2.
Unicorn Dartboard Prices
You’ll be pleased to read that Unicorn dartboards are very affordable. They start at a little over $50.00 and go up to $300.00.
One of the cheapest Unicorn dartboards is the Unicorn Striker. For around $100.00, you can pick up the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra. The most expensive Unicorn dartboard at the moment is the Unicorn Smartboard which works alongside the Scorebuddy app.
Best Unicorn Dartboard – A Quick Overview
With so many Unicorn dartboards on offer, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed and undecided on which one to choose.
We’ve sorted Unicorn dartboards into different categories. We hope this makes it easier for you to choose the best board for your needs.
Best Unicorn Dartboard for a Beginner – Unicorn Striker
This is a no-frills board that’s good quality. This board will give you the chance to get in plenty of practice.
Best Unicorn Dartboard for Techies – Unicorn Smartboard
Do you want to play against a computer? Or would you like a dartboard that does all the counting for you? If you’re nodding your head right now, then the Unicorn Smartboard could be perfect for you.
Best Unicorn Dartboard for Competitions – Unicorn Eclipse Ultra
You don’t have to worry about bounce-outs with the Unicorn Eclipse Ultra Professional Bristle dartboard. It’s also durable and is made with very high-quality sisal fiber.
Best Professional-Grade Unicorn Dartboard – Unicorn Eclipse Pro
Do you want to play like a pro? Then, you need this professional-grade dartboard in your life.
Best HD Unicorn Dartboard – Unicorn Eclipse HD2
If you like the idea of the numbers on your dartboard being bright, bold, and replaceable, the Unicorn Eclipse HD2 is a good choice.
Unicorn Electronic Dartboards
Electronic dartboards won’t ever replace traditional dartboards. But they are growing in popularity which is more than likely why Unicorn have branched out into electronic dartboards.
However, we weren’t impressed by the Unicorn electronic dartboard we tested. We experienced a lot of bounce-outs, found the LED display too small, and didn’t like the voice commands.
You can read our full review of the Unicorn electronic dartboard here.
It’s safe to say that Unicorn is an expert in designing and producing bristle dartboards. But we don’t think they’ve got it right with their electronic dartboards yet.
Which Unicorn Dartboards Are Good?
There are a few things to look out for when choosing a quality Unicorn dartboard. Check out some attributes that you can look out for when making a buying decision:
- Price
- Staples – they cause more bounce-outs
- Durability
- Thin spider wire
- Go with our recommendation!
Unicorn dartboards offer a range of boards at various price points so from beginners to aspiring darts champions; there’s something for everyone.
Best Unicorn Dartboards – Our Full Reviews
1. Unicorn Eclipse Ultra Professional Bristle Dartboard – *Best Unicorn Dartboard for Competitions*
Eclipse Ultra Bristle Dartboard is perfect for those who want a professional-grade board.
It has a superior sisal surface that results in improved recovery and durability, as well as less embedded wire spider for higher scoring and fewer dart rejections.
The 100% “staple-free” knife-edge spider construction also ensures greater clarity, while the 33% less embedded bullseye increases your chances of hitting the 50/25 hit ratio.
Pros:
- We think this is the best board on offer currently from Unicorn
- Staple-free
- HD numbers
- Super-thin spider
Cons:
- Expensive
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2. Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dart Board – *Best Professional-Grade Unicorn Dartboard*
Step up your game with the Unicorn Eclipse Pro Dart Board. This top-quality board is made with championship-grade bristle and features Unicorn’s high-tech wiring design for unbeatable accuracy.
The board is also completely staple-free, making it easier to hit those bullseyes. And if you’re looking for an edge in competition, the checkout chart on the back is a great help. With its ultra-slim segmentation, this dartboard is 30% thinner than traditional models – meaning you’ll have more room to play. Get ready to take your darts skills to the next level with the Eclipse Pro Dart Board from Unicorn.
Pros:
- Staple-free
- Affordable
- Free checkout chart included
Cons:
- Old style numbers (for some this may be an advantage)
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3. Unicorn Eclipse HD2 – *Best HD Unicorn Dartboard*
The Unicorn Eclipse HD2 High Definition Professional Bristle Dartboard is the next generation of the popular Eclipse HD dartboard. It has been designed with the proven qualities of the Eclipse HD and Eclipse HDTV, and offers a number of new features that will improve your gameplay.
The all-new Spider2 radial wiring system creates a total clean playing area, while the super-thin bullseye increases the playing area by 14%. The finest grade “A” sisal is seamless, providing a smooth surface for higher scores. Injection-molded high-definition numbers ensure accurate scoring, even from a distance.
Pros:
- HD numbers
- Quiet board
- Nice color saturation
Cons:
- Lacks durability
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4. Unicorn Smartboard *Best for Keeping Score and Competing Online*
Introducing the Unicorn Smartboard – the ultimate in dartboard technology.
This app-enabled board automatically scores your games, making it a breeze for multiple players to compete. Plus, it comes with a regulation-size bristle dartboard, ensuring top-notch gameplay every time. And for added convenience, two sets of steel-tip darts are included. Get ready to experience darts like never before with the Unicorn Smartboard!
Pros:
- Keeps score
- Compete virtually with friends
- Keeps track of your performance stats
Cons:
- Pricey
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5. Unicorn Striker – *Best Unicorn Dartboard for a Beginner*
Bring the excitement of a dartboard tournament into your own home with the Unicorn Striker Tournament Size, Competition-Quality Bristle Dartboard.
This high-quality dartboard is made with round wiring and SuperSlim wire fasteners to dramatically reduce bounce-outs. The Striker is the official dartboard of the Professional Darts Association, so you know it’s good quality.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Good for a board to use outside
Cons:
- Staples
- Not as durable as others
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Quality Unicorn Dartboards
Unicorn dartboards are one of the better options out there right now. They are official PDC-sponsored boards and are used in tournaments. Remember that tournament boards are replaced constantly during championship play so their overall durability will be less impressive than what is on display on TV. However, they are generally good boards if you look after them.
If you’re looking for a new dartboard to add to your game room or want to give one as a gift, we hope this buyer’s guide has helped you make an informed decision. Unicorn boards are a great option because they offer quality construction and performance at an affordable price. We think you’ll be happy with your purchase.
Has anyone tried the Smartboard yet?
You might also like How to 9 Dart Finish in 501.
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.
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