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Darts Product Reviews & Comparisons

Head-to-head comparisons of the best darts, dartboards, and accessories — tested and reviewed for home players, pub setups, and serious enthusiasts.

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.

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