Our grandchildren love playing games, and when we play darts, they want to join too. So instead of giving them sharp steel tips, I decided to find a dart game they could play without getting hurt. It turns out that the best option was magnetic dartboards.
The best magnetic boards are strong enough to hold darts in place, are easy to set up, and are durable. My favorite is the Yuham Indoor and Outdoor Magnetic dartboard. It rolls up for easy storage and is double-sided, so you have two targets, plus it comes with twelve darts.
Magnetic dartboards are the perfect options for kids and adults who want to enjoy the dart game casually. Their design makes them safe and unlikely to inflict injury when they go off-target. Also, you can set up this type of dartboard in no time.
Contents
Why you need to buy a magnetic dart board.
Darts is a fun game for adults and children. Magnetic dartboards are perfect for kids because they’re safer than traditional darts boards. These boards use magnets to hold the darts in place, which means no sharp points poking your kid.
This post will cover our favorite magnetic dartboard choices with reviews from users like you. If you want to learn more about these great products, keep reading.
Note: if you’re practicing to compete in regulation darts, magnetic dartboards won’t help your game. Magnetic darts fly differently and don’t require the same throwing techniques as traditional darts. So, just because you get good at playing on a magnetic board, it likely won’t translate to a regulation dart game.
Our Esjay dartboard came recommends marking the throwing line five feet from the board, regulation is over seven feet. The darts worked well at this distance, however, when I back up to the regulation distance and they didn’t consistently stick.
With that being said, this article will consider the best magnetic boards in the market and essential factors to consider when making your purchase.
Best Magnetic Dart boards
1. Funspark 14.5-inch Magnetic Dart Board – Best Gift Option for Kids
The Funspark 14.5-inch magnetic dartboard is designed for kids. It contains a high amount of magnets, so you can expect darts to stick to its surface when thrown.
A close look at its appearance shows that it’s populated by a green and red stripe; this is no vintage look. Those two have become the undisputed choice of dartboards these days.
Away from physical appearance, let’s take a look at what you get from the dartboard. First, you should know that this board is designed for kids.
It’s a perfect gift option and is delivered in a cardboard box for easy wrapping. Also, this dartboard comes with holes that make it easy to hang on a wall.
For avid players, it’s common to find darts penetrating furniture when thrown off target. In this case, it’s different. It comes out of the box with its own set of darts that no damages to your furniture, walls, or other players.
Talking about the darts, a few customers complained that they aren’t durable and quickly get damaged. For this reason, it might be a good idea to have some extra darts on hand. If your kids are like my grandchildren, you’ll need extras because they are rough on all their toys.
You will know it’s time to get extra darts if the ones that come with the dartboard won’t stick to its magnetic surface anymore. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- 14.5 inch long
- Keyhole slot for easy installation
- Green and red stripe
- A perfect gift choice.
- Darts don’t penetrate through walls
- Replacement warranty offered
- Dartboard surface damages easily
- Dart sets are unreliable
2. Magnetic Dart Board 12 Pcs board – Best Double-Sided Target Dart
This Magnetic Dartboard is designed for players of all ages – both kids and adults. The product comes with a set of 12 darts plus an instructional manual that doesn’t just tell you how to install but how far it should be placed on the wall.
It’s the perfect size for casual players who aren’t interested in the game’s competitive side. The dartboard possesses a double-sided target.
What this means is that it features two game varieties and rules of play. You have the standard dartboard on one side, and on the other end, you have the archery board.
The darts found here are magnetic. The tip of the darts isn’t sharp but rather flat and less likely to injure passersby when they go off target. Their design also ensures you can play it indoors.
This means you can have them installed in an office, bedroom, or even bar without fear of damaging home fixtures or furniture. Every kid will love to have one of these as a gift on their birthdays, and it’s pretty easy to install.
So, most kids can set up the game themselves and play anywhere they want; they can even hang it on a tree and play outdoors. The two holes at the top of the target make it easy to hang. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- 13-inch dart
- 12 safe dart sets out of the box
- Double-sided target
- Instruction manual
- Perfect for age 9 and above
- Double-sided for regular and archery board
- Good for outdoorsy
- 12 magnetic dart set
- Need to apply force to get darts to stick
- Paints wash off easily
3. DoinKit Safe Kid Indoor Dart Board – Best Pick for Indoor
The DoinKit Safe Kid Indoor Dartboard has a charming appearance. It has a green and yellow blend that resembles that of a bristle board.
Unlike bristle boards that use steel tip darts, this board uses magnetic darts that are non-pointy at the tip.
Installation is a breeze on this one. You will find hooks that help you hang the dartboard like a frame on the bracketing system.
This means you don’t need to make holes on your walls to hang them. The hooks make it possible to transport it from one location to another.
While this board has an impressive design, its biggest selling point is the design of the darts. The six darts are made of neodymium, a costly material integrated with a magnet that prevents the dart from wobbling off its surface.
The presence of this material propels the dart to land on the targeted surface and stick to the board without coming off. The dartboard isn’t heavy, so it won’t be difficult to move around. You don’t have to worry about the darts harming someone or damaging furniture when you miss your shot, the dart tip isn’t pointy, and neither do you need to apply a lot of force to make them stick to the board. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- 16-inch dartboard
- 6 Bendy darts
- 2 Slots at the back for hanging
- Hooks help you hang like a picture
- Neodymium ensure darts don’t pop out of the board
- Portable and easy to move around
- Fantastic color combination for perfect appearance
- Absence of automated score system
- Dart magnet weakens from frequent usage
4. Yuham Indoor and Outdoor Magnetic Dart Board – Best For Outdoor and Indoor Play
The Yuham Indoor and Outdoor Magnetic dartboard is a kid-oriented board with a durable design billed to last for a long time.
Out of the pack, you will find 12 magnetic tipped darts made to stick to the dartboard when thrown. The darts don’t tend to damage objects when they go off-target.
This means your furniture and other valuables are free from damages when you play indoor. The dartboard is made from velvet and rubber steel and can be rolled up.
The rollup design makes it easy to store and move around. This board is also double-sided. You have a traditional dart game on one side, and on the other, you have a bullseye target game.
The board is a combination of fantastic colors such as red, green, and black. The colors are carefully selected to create eye relief for adults, especially those who stare at a computer for long hours. The board is great for kids aged 5 – 17 who want to enjoy the game casually.
You can install this board in offices, recreational centers, man caves, bars, taverns, and carnivals. What you won’t like about this product is the design of the darts which might likely bend from frequent use; over time, you will have to buy replacement darts. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- 12 magnetic tipped darts
- Made of top-end rubber steel and velvet
- Rolled-up design
- Board can be rolled up and stored in its canister
- 12 magnet tipped darts
- Can be hung without boring holes in walls
- No risk of injury when darts go off-target
- Darts bends and loses accuracy over time
5. Ejsay 18 inch Magnetic Board – Best Pick for Stability
The Ejsay Beginner 18 inch magnetic board is a perfect way to get kids away from their smartphones. Its dart design conveys the feel of a real dart.
When I play with the kids we use the backside of the board. It’s easier for them to understand and add up their scores.
They have fun, the darts easily stick to the board and you don’t need to throw the darts with, and neither do you need to use a unique technique to make them stick.
This dartboard comes with 12 darts infused with neodymium magnets. The magnetic tip glues them to the wall of the board after contact is made.
The darts aren’t pointy, so they have little or no tendency to harm anyone when they fly off.
You will also like its double-sided design, which means you’re getting two -games on one board. The size of this board is the same as a regulation board which makes it heavier than traditional magnetic boards.
The weight of the Ejsay Beginner 18 inch magnetic board is almost double that of regular magnetic boards. However, the dartboard is easy to set up by one person. It has two pins behind that allow you to hang on a nail.
While the board is designed for indoor and outdoor, you need to store it inside to extend its life. Rain and extreme humidity will damage it. The dartboard is covered with paper that will ruin it if it gets wet. Click here to see the best price.
We bought this board so we could play safely with the kids and still feel like we’re playing a competitive game with pointed darts.
I’ve been very pleased with this board and don’t hesitate to recommend it to you. I’ll update this review after playing with it for a while to let you know how durable it is.
Key Features
- Double-sided target design
- 12 darts infused with neodymium magnets
- 4.1 pounds
- 2 games in 1 board
- Same size as professional boards
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor
- Bulky
- Paper dartboard deteriorate under certain environmental conditions
Buying Guide
When choosing a magnetic dartboard or any type of dartboard, you have to do a little research to make the right choice. This makes it easier for you to know what you’re looking for and how to make the proper selection for a better playing experience.
If you’re anything like us you love competition and a good dartboard like a good ping pong table provides a great source of competitive fun entertainment everyone can enjoy. This section outlines key features that will guide you in making an excellent buying decision.
Features to consider before you buy a magnetic dartboard
While some factors can be overlooked when shopping for a dartboard, one essential thing to note is the intending user of the dartboard. You have to consider their age and skill level.
If you’re going for a magnetic dartboard, your user should be kids or adults who play the game for fun, not necessarily for competitive purposes. This is because magnetic dartboards don’t provide a real game experience. The darts travel differently, and the force required to stick it to the board is different.
However, the points raised above are secondary; we’ve listed the primary criteria determining a suitable dartboard for you below.
Dartboard Size
The standard size is 16 inches, but some manufacturers tweak this number to meet a given purpose. For dartboards used for recreational activities, a lot of them fall below the 16-inch benchmark. This is because those who play on this board do so casually; hence, they shouldn’t exact a lot of force to hit the target. Some magnetic dartboards found in most offices, bars, and kid’s rooms are within the range of 10 – 12 inches. At this size, it’s easier to hit the bullseye with beginner-level skill.
Aside from the size of the dartboard, it’s difficult for most people to figure out where to install their dartboard. The best distance is 7ft away from your throwline and not behind your wall. The throwline can be in front of your office desk, reading table, or wardrobe. In simple terms, it’s just your standing point.
In terms of height, the proposed measurements are 8 inches from the floor. However, this height can be adjusted, especially if it is for your little one. It’s recommended to bring the board to a point your kid doesn’t strain to hit.
Dartboard Material
Dartboards can be made from a wide range of materials. This includes wood, plastic, sisal fiber, and paper. You might have heard the term bristle and spiral dartboards at some point in this article; those are some of the categories of pro dartboards on the market.
In the case of magnetic dartboards, the materials they’re made from are pretty different. Most magnetic dartboards are made from materials with few magnetic abilities. We highlighted below some common materials used in the production of dartboards.
Metal Plating
Some magnetic dartboards are made from materials with the tendency to attract. This way, anytime a dart lands on the board the boa, it stays glued to it. This is why lightweight metals are used.
Most magnetic boards made from metal plating produce a loud clattering noise anytime a dart hits the board. Due to frequent usage, you might also begin to notice small bumps on the boards from the continuous impact of the darts. The downside is that as the dent becomes more visible, hitting the target becomes slightly more difficult.
- Rubber coated metal
Rubber-coated metal is another material used for creating magnetic dartboards. What this technique does is minimize the clattering noise produced anytime a dart hits the board. This is done by surrounding the metal sheet with thin layers of rubber. This type of dart is lightweight but tends to crack when they land on a solid surface.
- Fabric Dartboard
Dartboard made from fabric comes with better storage options. They make it possible for the dartboard to be rolled up and stored in a tube when not in use. The fabric will be coated with magnets so the darts stick anytime they come in contact. The downside to using this material is that the darts wobble off the fabric surface since they’re heavier than the fabric.
Mounting and Installation
Magnetic boards are the easiest to install. Even without an instructional manual, it’s possible to do it on your own without the help of a professional. However, the style of installation differs from one dartboard to another.
For instance, dartboards with hooks will need a bracketing system before they can be installed. On the other hand, rollup boards are the most flexible since they can be hung up anywhere, even on a tree branch; however, their stability is questionable in this position. When it comes to stability, the most stable options often limit movement.
Dart Quality
It’s possible to have a good dartboard, but the dart that comes with it might not be of the highest quality. If that happens to be the case, you might not enjoy playing on the board for long and might lose interest in the game.
To prevent this, you’ve to ensure that the quality of the dart and dartboard are balanced. If not, the dart will always slip off the board surface. This is common with darts made from fabrics. The weight of the darts is often heavier than the fabric; hence they don’t stick for long.
The number of darts that come with the dartboard is also essential. It would be best if you as had as many as possible. This is important if you play with other people. Also, magnetic darts tend to lose their magnetism often; hence, the need for extras.
How do you make a magnetic dartboard?
It’s possible to make your magnetic dartboard at home. To do this, you will need some tools, including galvanized steel sheet, paint pens, measuring tape, a compass that can measure up to 16-inches, and a pencil.
Once you have your supplies, follow these steps to make your dartboard
Step 1: Trace a perfect circle of 16-inches on the galvanized metal sheet. Measure a smaller circle at the center of the bigger one; this will be your inner bullseye. Draw another circle over the smaller bullseye. The small circle will be colored black, while the outer one should be colored red.
Step 2: Aside from these small circles, which will be in the middle, draw out larger ones. The first will be 7 7/8 inches in diameter, while the second will be 8/5 inches. You will also draw a circle 5/16 inches in diameter; this will be the triple score ring.
Step 3: Once you’ve drawn all the circles, divide the board into 20 equal sessions omitting only the bullseye. Assign a value to each session; this will be the scoreboard.
Step 4: Color the circles with the color you want. Red, black and yellow is the most popular color for magnetic boards for eye relief.
Step 5: Once you’re done with the coloring, choose a throwline and hang your dartboard 8 inches away from your throwline and 5 feet from the ground.
How do you play magnetic darts?
It’s possible to play magnetic darts alone, but the fun comes from playing with friends and family. If you are the host, I recommend establishing the throwing distance before other players arrive.
To play a dart game correctly, each player should have three darts assigned to them. To determine which player will open play, each participant throws a dart, and the one whose dart is closest to the bullseye gets to go first.
During the game, each player will take turns throwing their darts. The score of each player is recorded for all rounds of play. The player with the highest score after all rounds of play wins. The number of players allowed to participate depends on the number of darts available.
These are the basic rules of playing darts; however, there are many variations to the game, and most magnetic dart boards come with instructions for other games you can play on their boards. For more information about the traditional rules of darts, I wrote an extensive article I recommend your read.
FAQs
Are magnetic darts good?
Magnetic darts are good for magnetic boards. Since they’re made for metallic surfaces, they can only be used on surfaces with metallic properties. They never do well on a bristle or sisal board. And neither can they be used on dartboards made from wood or plastic.
Do magnetic dartboards work?
Magnetic dartboards work well and are a fun, safe game for kids, but magnetic boards are not recommended if you’re practicing for a competition.
What are magnetic dartboards made of?
Magnetic dartboards are made from various materials. The most popular options are lightweight metal plating, rubber-coated with metals, and fabric with metal coatings.
Conclusion
Magnetic dartboards are perfect for recreational activities, but you have to pick the right one to meet your expectations. If you invite your friend over, it’s essential to have a lot of darts; 10 – 12 should be okay. The more darts you have, the more people you can invite.
Lastly, while fabric darts are classic, many aren’t durable and are unstable at their best. They aren’t the best for outdoor use either, especially in inclement weather. Unfortunately, in the game of darts, stability is needed to hit the bullseye.