What Darts Should I Buy?
If you're standing in front of a wall of darts — or scrolling through hundreds of options online — this guide cuts through the noise. You don't need to become an expert. You just need to know four things about yourself and your throw.
The short answer
For most beginners: a 22–24g tungsten dart with a straight barrel and medium grip texture is the safest starting point. It covers the widest range of throw styles, corrects easily, and won't limit your development.
But "most beginners" isn't you specifically. The four factors below will narrow it down.
Factor 1: Weight
Dart weight is the single most important decision. It affects trajectory, effort, and feel.
- Light (18–21g): suits fast, snappy throws. The dart gets out of your hand quickly and flies flat.
- Medium (22–24g): the all-round sweet spot. Works for most people who haven't yet found their natural throw speed.
- Heavy (25–28g+): suits slow, deliberate throws. The extra mass carries the dart to the board without extra effort.
Quick test: throw a dart at a relaxed, natural pace. If it arcs sharply upward, you may need heavier. If it drops before the board, you may need lighter.
Factor 2: Material
Darts come in two main materials:
- Tungsten: dense metal, so a heavier dart stays narrow. Slim barrels = less chance of bounce-outs and deflections. Recommended for most players.
- Brass: lighter and cheaper, but bulkier barrels at the same weight. Fine for casual play, but you'll likely outgrow them quickly.
A 90% tungsten dart gives you professional-grade density at an accessible price point. Most mid-range darts from brands like Target sit in this range.
Factor 3: Barrel shape
Barrel shape determines where you naturally grip the dart.
- Straight barrel: even thickness throughout. The most forgiving shape — works for front, middle, and rear grippers.
- Torpedo / bomb: widest at the front, tapering to the back. Helps front-grip players (index finger near the point) keep control.
- Pear / scallop: widest in the middle or rear. Suits rear-grip players who hold closer to the flight.
If you don't know your grip position yet, start with a straight barrel. It doesn't punish any style.
Factor 4: Grip texture
Grip texture affects whether the dart stays in your fingers or slips on release.
- Smooth / micro-grip: good for players who hold lightly or tend to grip too tight under pressure.
- Ringed / knurled: a safe middle ground — enough traction without being aggressive.
- Razor-cut / shark fin: aggressive grip for players who need security or have a naturally loose hold.
Beginners with no preference should start with ringed or light knurling. You can always go more aggressive once you understand your grip tendency.
Steel tip vs soft tip — which should I buy?
This depends on where you're playing:
- Steel tip: used on traditional bristle boards. The standard for pub play, leagues, and serious practice.
- Soft tip: used on electronic boards. Common in bars and arcades. The dart has a plastic tip that breaks and is replaceable.
If you're buying a board for home and want to develop properly, get a bristle board and steel tip darts. If you're playing on an electronic bar board, you'll need soft tip.
How much should I spend?
You don't need to spend a lot to get a genuinely good set of darts:
- Under £20 / $25: brass darts. Functional but bulky. OK for occasional play.
- £20–£40 / $25–$50: entry-level tungsten. A proper step up. Good for beginners who want to take the game seriously.
- £40–£80 / $50–$100: mid-range tungsten. Better finish, more precise barrels, wider choice of profiles. The sweet spot for committed beginners and intermediates.
- £80+ / $100+: professional-grade. Worth it once you know your exact preferred profile — not before.
What should a complete beginner actually buy?
If you want a direct answer: start with a 22g or 24g, 90% tungsten straight barrel with ringed or knurled grip in the £25–£50 range. This setup is used by most new players who go on to develop a consistent throw.
That said — the best way to get a specific recommendation matched to your throw style, grip, and budget is to take our free quiz. It asks the key questions and returns the closest matches from the full dart range.