Product Reviews & Comparisons
We compare darts equipment to help you make informed buying decisions. Our focus is on what matters for the everyday player — value, durability, and how the equipment actually feels in use.
Best Dartboards 2026
Premium Bristle: Winmau Blade 6 vs Unicorn Eclipse HD2
Winmau Blade 6
The industry standard. Sixth generation of the Blade series with a redesigned wire system that sits 14% lower in the sisal than the Blade 5, reducing bounce-outs further. The sisal is dense, consistent, and self-heals well.
- Wire: Blade 6 wire (ultra-thin, angled to deflect darts into segments)
- Sisal: Multi-density, high-grade
- Bullseye: Staple-free blade system
- Number ring: Removable, rotatable
- Typical price: 45-55
Unicorn Eclipse HD2
The main competitor. Uses Unicorn's "Unilock" system for precision segment alignment and a UV-finished surface that resists fading.
- Wire: Ultra-thin round wire, very close to Winmau's blade performance
- Sisal: High-density with UV protection
- Bullseye: Staple-free
- Number ring: Removable, rotatable
- Typical price: 45-55
Verdict: Both are excellent. The Blade 6 has a slight edge on wire bounce-out reduction; the Eclipse HD2 has a slight edge on surface longevity. You can't go wrong with either. Buy whichever is available at a better price.
Mid-Range: Target Aspar vs One80 Gladiator 3+
Target Aspar
A strong mid-range board from Target (who also produce Phil Taylor's range). Good quality sisal with micro-band wiring.
- Typical price: 30-40
- Best for: Regular home players wanting better than budget without premium cost
One80 Gladiator 3+
An increasingly popular choice with excellent wire thinness at a competitive price.
- Typical price: 25-35
- Best for: Value-conscious players who want near-premium wire performance
Verdict: The Gladiator 3+ offers exceptional value. The Aspar has slightly better overall build quality. For the price difference, the Gladiator 3+ is hard to beat.
Best Dart Sets 2026
Tungsten Starter Sets (Under 30)
For new players wanting proper tungsten darts without a big investment:
- Winmau Navigators — 90% tungsten, clean barrel design, excellent grip knurling. Remarkable value at the price point
- Red Dragon Evos — 80% tungsten, various grip patterns. Widely available, well-balanced
- Harrows Wolfram Infinity — 97% tungsten at a mid-range price. Extremely slim barrels for tight grouping
Premium Sets (30-60)
For committed players ready to invest:
- Winmau Sniper — 90% tungsten, precision ring grip, consistent manufacturing
- Target Phil Taylor Power 9Five Gen 7 — A range of weights with sophisticated micro-grip patterns
- Unicorn Gary Anderson — Rear-weighted design popular with players who prefer an arc throw
The Weight Question
Most beginner sets come in 22g or 24g. Our recommendation: start with 22g if you have a quick, direct throwing style, or 24g if you prefer a smoother, longer arc. Many retailers offer multi-weight trial packs.
Best Darts Accessories
Surrounds
- Winmau Blade 6 Surround — Matches the Blade 6 board. Dense foam, excellent dart absorption. 15-20
- Red Dragon Dartboard Surround — Generic fit, good quality, available in multiple colours. 10-15
- Budget option: Any dense EVA foam surround will do the job. Avoid thin, flimsy ones
Lighting
- Target Corona Vision — The premium option. A ring light that sits around the board, eliminating all shadows. Incredible illumination but pricey (60-80)
- Winmau Plasma Light — Mounts above the board, angled down. Good even illumination. 35-50
- Budget option: An LED desk lamp positioned above and behind the oche. 15-25
Mats
- Winmau Heavy Duty Mat — Full-length rubber mat with printed oche and distances. Protects the floor, provides a consistent standing surface. 30-40
- Red Dragon Checkout Mat — Shorter but with a useful checkout chart printed on the surface. 20-30
Sharpeners
- Red Dragon Trident Point — Grinding stone in a convenient holder. Quick and effective. 5-8
- Any fine-grit cylindrical stone works. Don't over-sharpen — a slightly rounded point sticks better than a needle
Cases
If you carry your darts to a pub or league:
- Hard shell cases — Best protection, hold 1-2 sets with flights attached. 10-25
- Wallet-style cases — Compact, fit in a pocket, require removing flights. 5-15
- Tube cases — Protect flights from crushing. Cheap and effective for transport
Value Picks: Best at Every Budget
Budget Setup (Under 50)
- Mid-range bristle board (Target Aspar or similar): 30
- Budget surround: 10
- Brass dart set: 8
- Tape oche: free
- Total: ~48
Solid Home Setup (Under 100)
- Premium bristle board (Winmau Blade 6): 50
- Standard surround: 15
- 80% tungsten dart set: 20
- Rubber mat with oche: 10
- Total: ~95
Premium Setup (Under 200)
- Premium bristle board (Unicorn Eclipse HD2): 50
- Quality surround: 15
- 90% tungsten dart set: 40
- Dedicated lighting (ring light): 50
- Heavy-duty rubber mat: 35
- Total: ~190
How We Review
Our reviews consider:
- Performance — How the product performs during actual play
- Durability — How it holds up over weeks and months of regular use
- Value — Performance relative to price
- Availability — Can UK consumers actually buy it?
- Real-world use — We focus on home and pub environments, not professional tournament conditions
Product mentions and prices are based on typical UK retail pricing. Specific product links may include affiliate partnerships — see our affiliate disclosure for details.