Best Electronic Dart Board: Which One Do You Choose?

We tested over 20 electronic dart boards to come up with a list of the five best. The criteria for testing included number of games, number of players, target area, display and extra features. The best overall electronic dart board is the Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Electronic Dartboard. It is a tournament-grade dartboard and satisfied the most number of checklist items.

Electronic Dart Board Review

Electronic dart boards are taking over from traditional versions even in pubs were you mostly find serious players. The two greatest advantages that come with electronic boards is you don’t have to record scores manually and accounts for players’ handicaps.

We tested a good number of electronic dart boards and scoring each brand based on number of games, target area, number of players, display and extra features. We divided our review into two; the best overall electronic dartboards where we ranked 3 options and the best budget dart boards where we ranked the best two.

Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Electronic Dartboard

The Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 is the top pick for the best overall electronic dart board for a number of reasons. First, the aesthetics feature the classic black and red colors reminiscent of traditional dart boards. Looks aside, the in-built computer keeps track of the scores so you don’t have to do it manually. You can also set player handicaps so you can include beginner and advanced players in the same game.

The target area measures 15.5″ so you get decent gameplay and a good chance of scoring high. The micro-thin segment dividers make sure that the darts don’t bounce off the board too often as can be the case with a lot of electronic boards.

This dartboard features a patented Nylon Tough construction so you can expect the board to last for many years even with heavy use. The board is also a lot quieter than the traditional boards so it’s great for an indoor rec room or game room.

You get to choose from 39 games with 179 level variations. Up to 8 players can use the board at a time and the LED display tracks score which you can see clearly from throwing distance. You can also adjust the volume.

The packaging comes with everything you need to get started including 6 soft tip darts, mounting hardware, gaming instructions, AC adapter and operating manual.

This is a good electronic dartboard for an intermediate or advanced player looking for a good dart board for home use. It’s also a great choice for anyone looking for a tournament-grade dartboard that will be used frequently.

Arachnid Cricket Pro 650

The Arachnid brand dominates the electronic dart board market so it’s no surprise that this Cricket Pro 650 comes a close second. This version is a little cheaper than the 800 model but just as good. It features a regulation target face of 15.5″ in red and black color.

The board allows for up to 8 players at a time and keeps score automatically including ranking on its LED display. You can see everything the display clearly from the throwline. The board comes with the ultra-thin segment dividers to reduce bounce out and a tough and sturdy nylon tough construction.

You get to choose from 24 games including cricket and 132 variations. The voice prompt is a nice touch to motivate players or simply let your group know who’s next. You can play a solo game on this board or instantly start a game of cricket with its quick play button.

The darts come off easily so you don’t hold up the game and the sensors are very responsive so no one feels cheated. You can also control the volume on this one or set it on sleep mode so that it automatically switches off at a certain time. This option only ranked lower than the 800 model because it has fewer games and variations.

Otherwise we recommend this model for anyone looking for a tournament-grade board or is an intermediate player looking to brush up on his dart skills. This is also a good choice for an advanced player.

Viper Solar Blast

A few dollars more off the price tag and we arrive at the Viper Solar Blast an electronic dart board well worth third place on the best overall electronic dart boards list. Viper actually makes very good dart boards and this Solar Blast was the best we tested.

The target area features the regulation 15.5″ and comes with a selection of 42 games and 307 level variations. The package comes with extra tips and two dart sets so you have all the darts you need for group play. The board allows for up to 16 players and a solo option for when you want to practice on your own time.

The board has an attractive finish and a sturdy and durable commercial-grade nylon construction making it well worth its price. It is also very easy to figure out and operate and accommodates everyone from beginner to advanced players.

We recommend this option for an intermediate player wishing to improve on his game or invite friends and family over for a night of fun.

Viper 777 Electronic Soft Tip Dart

Viper makes another appearance on this review so you know this 777 model is also a great choice. It’s dartboard for the budget-conscious player sporting the regulation 15.5″ target. The board comes with 43 games, allows for 8 players at a time and has 320 options enough to keep you and your company entertained.

The board features a thin spider to reduce the number of bounce-off throws. The voice option is bilingual featuring both English and Spanish so it’s a good choice if you have a diverse group of friends.

We liked that this model comes with 6 soft tip darts which many boards at this price range don’t include in the board price. It works on an external power supply or 3 AA batteries making it portable to take with you for outdoor events. The display is sufficiently clear from the throw line and is overall a great choice for its price range.

We recommend this for a beginner or intermediate player looking for an affordable electronic dart board without all the bells and whistles.

Fat Cat Rigel 13″ Electronic Soft Tip Dart Board

Not everyone has upwards of $100 to spend on a dart board and just like the Viper 777, the Fat Cat Rigel 13″ Electronic Dart Board is a nice compromise. You won’t get the regulation 15.5″ but this is still a great dart board for a game room.

You can enjoy from a total of 32 games with 305 scoring options. We like the clear LED display which you can clearly read from the throw line. The packaging comes with 30 spare tips so you are set for the long-haul. The plastic flight darts include the union jack and glory flights if you really want to inspire rivalry and comradery at the same time.

The board and instructions are easy to work out. The board also weights less than 6 pounds so you can carry it with you anywhere. It accommodates 8 players at a time and is compact enough to install where it will be most convenient in your home.

We recommend this Fat Cat electronic dart board for a beginner looking for a fairly priced dart board to play on once in a while with family and friends. We also recommend it for advanced players looking for creative ways to sharpen their game. The smaller target can help to improve play when you revert to the standard or large board.

Best Electronic Dart Board Buying Guide

Size

Size is a two way consideration that should include both the board’s outer surface and target surface. Note that that the 15.5″ is the standard tournament-style board although you can get smaller such as the Fat Cat Rigel 13″. The size you choose largely depends on the size of your game room or where you intend to install the dart board.

Professional dart players also sometimes use smaller boards to sharpen their game because the target is smaller.

Display

One of the major advantages of an electronic dart board over the traditional counterparts is you don’t have to keep score manually. The display should of course keep score automatically and rank the players accordingly. It also helps if the display is clearly visible from the throw line. It’s not so much a matter of the display size but the clarity of the pixels. A small display is perfectly fine as long as the numbers and lettering are clearly pixilated or visible.

Number of Players

The number of players you want to see on your board is entirely up to you. Anything from 8 players at a time and above is a good number. Some boards accommodate up to 16 players but you might have to think about how practical the game might be. Again, it’s entirely up to you. You may want to choose a board with solo game play so you can practice and sharpen your skills or simply play a game when you are alone and bored.

Extras

Think about what comes with the dart board before making a final decision. Some boards come with power chords and batteries included while some are sold separately. You may also prefer steel tips over the soft tip darts so that’s something else to look into. You definitely want an electronic board that comes with instructions and paying tips and directions.

Versatility

Electronic dart boards differ from their traditional counterparts in that most come with a variety of game options. What you want is all up to you. Check the number of games. More games mean more variety and lesser chance that you’ll get bored with your board any time soon.

Other Types of Dart Boards

Electronic dart boards aren’t your only option. You may want to consider others including;

Bristle Dartboard: this is the traditional dartboard that you see in pubs and competitions. These are made from sisal fibers which cover up defects and puncture holes as you play. They use thin wire to keep the darts from bouncing off the board. You have to keep score manually on this board.

Children’s Dartboard: these come in an array of sizes and colors and are specifically intended for children. They are good for improving your child’s hand-eye coordination or to introduce him to the game from the early years. These boards are typically soft and flexible and the dart tips safe for the child to use and handle.

Magnetic Dartboard: as the name suggests, a magnetic dartboard relies on magnets to stick the dart on the board. The flat-tipped darts means that there is a less chance of serious injury during gameplay. This is also a good choice for a beginner looking for something simple to practice on and develop an interest in darts. It may also be appropriate for younger players. The boards tend to be very flexible and portable and store or carry easily.

Conclusion

An electronic dart board is a great choice for your game room that doesn’t take up any floor space. As long as you have a decent size wall and throwing distance, you can install the dart board right out of the box. Electronic dart boards mean that you don’t need to keep score manually; you can play by yourself to improve your game and is quieter in an indoor environment than traditional boards. The darts also bounce off less so you don’t have to spend time picking up darts which can be frustrating when playing with an amateur.

There are also a few different price points and budget boards going for under $50.  In case you want to look at other options besides what’s been mentioned in this review, use our handy Electric Dart Board Buying Guide to help you narrow down the options and find a board that you will be happy with for a long time to come.