Recently, some friends showed up at our house with soft tip darts and played an awesome game. Watching them play convinced me to order myself some too so we discussed the pros and cons of each type before I did some research on my own to find the best soft tip darts.
The best soft tip darts are the Viper Astro 80% tungsten. The lightweight, slim-profile barrels provide an excellent gripping surface for throwing and shooting with precision plus their tips are comparable to professional steel darts. Don’t waste your money on cheap soft tip darts.
It’s no longer news that soft tip darts have sent their steel counterpart to their early grave. In all fairness, soft tip darts offer a lot more. Their weight makes it easier to aim a shot and comes with a plastic tip, making it easier for the dart to stick to the board.
There are many different kinds of darts available for purchase depending on what type of playing surface you have, but one of the most popular types is soft tip darts because they won’t damage any surfaces. Soft tip darts can be thrown anywhere around your house without damaging anything.
While their numbers seem to be on the rise in the market, it’s difficult to figure out the best soft tip darts by just considering their appearance. It goes down to a lot of factors. Nevertheless, in this guide, we will highlight the best selection of soft tip darts in the market to help you make a perfect choice.
Contents
Best Soft Tip Darts
1. Viper Astro 80% Tungsten Barrel Soft Tip Darts – Best Dart for Casual and Intermediate Players
The Viper Astro 80% Tungsten Soft Tip Darts is a pencil-shaped dart made out of a combination of nickel barrel and Tungsten. Just as the name suggests, it’s made of 80% tungsten and 20% nickel barrels.
The presence of Tungsten gives it balance and a slim profile that makes storage very easy and at the same time increases your chances of hitting the target.
When it comes to choosing darts for beginners and intermediate players, control is crucial, and it can only be achieved with a good grip. The Viper Astro 80% tungsten is specifically designed to suit that purpose.
The dart is designed to fit comfortably into your grip, thanks to the presence of rings around its barrels.
The details so far suggest that this dart has an impressive design that is guaranteed to grab attention. However, that’s just one part of the story. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the Astro Viper 80% soft tip dart is made to stand the test of time. This means the risk of rust, chips, or body damage is minimized.
This is possible thanks to its aluminum casing which happens to be lightweight. This means you can easily move it around. Aside from that, the dart also features locking holes which offers it more stability when thrown. The locking holes ensure the player doesn’t need to re-tighten the barrel after every throw. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- Tough outer shell TacTech traveling case
- Locking holes
- 80% tungsten barrel with a slim profile
- Repair tools and accessory bag
- Impressive design
- Very lightweight
- The aluminum casing prevents it from damages
- Comfortable grip for more accuracy
- Designed for electronic boards only
- Flight is not consistent
2. Viper 90% Tungsten Soft Tip Dart – Best for Electronic Boards
The Viper 90% Tungsten Soft tip dart is a beautiful piece made for pro players. Like the previous model, it’s designed to play on an electric board and feel comfortable on the hand.
95% is the number to beat in the market, but with 90% tungsten, you aren’t far behind either. What this high tungsten content gets you is exceptional balance and a slim profile that improves its appearance.
After all, when it comes to Tungsten, the higher its content, the slimmer the product. Coming down to the nickel barrels, you should know that they possess knurled bands, in addition to rings and deep grooves.
All three combine to give an excellent grip which improves the accuracy of shots taken. However, the grip of the Astro 90% doesn’t give you total control.
The reason it’s made for intermediate to pro-level players who knows how to play the game. The locking hole found on the body of the dart prevents re-tightening every time the darts are thrown.
The 90% Tungsten Viper comes with a lightweight aluminum casing stuffed with cloth-lined slots to keep the darts securely in place. The weight of the case allows you to move over long distances without feeling overwhelmed.
Lastly, the Viper 90% Tungsten comes with some accessories to help you store safely and at the same time extend its usability period. You will find 3 extra flights, a dart wrench, and 6 2BA tips in the casing. Click here to see the best price.
- Awesome design
- Slim profile for balance and accuracy
- Locking holes prevent re-tightening
- Pocket-friendly price
- Flights might be missing out of the pack
- Difficult to keep a consistent grip
3. Viper 80% Tungsten Desperado Soft Tip Dart – Best Option For a Bold Look
The 80% Tungsten Viper Desperado Soft tip dart allows you to shoot for the stars while unleashing your inner Phil Taylor.
These darts are designed for use on both sisal and electronic board. As we all know, Tungsten is a pretty hard material; being able to create something with a slim profile out of it outlines the quality and creativity of the brand.
Unlike the original metal, which is dense, when combined with a nickel barrel, the result is a dart that’s lightweight, and easy to throw without applying much control.
That’s exactly what the Viper Desperado is all about.
The barrels come with deep grooves and knurled bands. These extra features help you maintain a consistent throw, while the inclusion of aluminum shafts helps lock the barrels in position. Hence, you won’t have to re-tighten every single time.
The issue with most soft tip darts is their grip. Every player wants a comfortable grip. You can easily release the dart with a 3-finger grip without running into trouble. Its weight, which stands at 20g, is good for beginners who haven’t learned the act of control yet but might exert excess impact on an electronic board.
Lastly, the casing of this dart is unique and sets it apart from others. You can easily identify which dart is yours when mixed with others. On the downside, the flight is one issue that hunts Viper darts, and the desperado is no exception. The flights get damaged easily, and the extras are not trustworthy either. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- Repair tool and TacTech case
- 6 extra flights out of the pack
- 80% Tungsten and 20% nickel barrel
- Great feel and balance on the hand
- Unique storage space
- Nickel barrel maintain consistency of throw
- Inconsitency with flights
- Darts don’t stick to the board tightly
4. Harrows Walform 97% Infinity Soft tip Darts – Best Pick for Consistent Release
It’s often inferred that it’s difficult to go beyond 95% tungsten, but Harrows Walform exceeded everyone’s expectation with the 97% infinity.
This dart maintains the iconic look of Harrow Walform darts – sleek, lightweight, slim, and molded for precision.
The 97% infinity is another great-looking piece from the brand. It’s slim and long but gets thicker as you approach the soft tip.
The dart is a blend of black titanium nitride and red metallic coating around the barrels. However, you will be disappointed if you pick a dart for its look alone.
This dart is quite aggressive in terms of grip, thanks to its curved edge and wide rings. However, it still manages to feel nice around the hand without leaving signs of biting edges.
Moving away from the body to the tip, you will find them a bit flat and square-shaped. However, this won’t be a problem since a small taper allows it to stick to the board tightly without coming off after making contact.
When throwing the darts, you will feel this balance and control. Its flight is quite decent as well. However, it’s more suitable for front grippers than those with a flattish throw if you want to maintain a consistent score. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- Black and red metallic coating
- Contains 97% Tungsten
- Black titanium and Red metallic coating
- Red super grip shafts
- Streamlined design for consistent throw
- Shaft and flight are replaceable
- Impressive design
- No storage unit
- Shafts get easily damaged
5. WIN.MAX 18g Plastic Soft Tip Darts – Affordable Beginners Set
WIN.MAX is known for offering affordable choices to the market. The 18g plastic soft tip represents a cost-effective option for beginners.
The darts are made from Nickel silver which happens to be a cost-effective alternative to Tungsten. In terms of length, the brand maintains the acceptable limit of 6.18 inches.
At this range, the darts won’t wobble, and they relinquish control to the player. Of course, accurate projection is important during the throw.
This is why the barrels combine a Knurled band at the front and deep cuts at the rear. All two are responsible for a precise throw and comfortable grip, eliminating friction with the fingers before the darts are released.
Slim profile design doesn’t raise eyebrows in the market anymore, but aluminum shafts do. This is because they give drafts more stability but WIN.MAX went the extra mile with the design of the shafts. Every shaft attached to this dart comes with an anti-loosening O-ring. This holds the barrels in place during and after a throw.
Lastly, the flight problem won’t be a headache here. The flight on this dart comes with a protector at the end. This prevents the flights from getting damaged easily after a throw. The protector also keeps the flight on track whenever they’re flying in the air.
To ensure the darts last for a very long time, there’s a tool kit attached to every purchase. The tools you will find in there can be used to sort out minor issues with the shafts and the tip. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features
- Nickel Silver material
- Lightweight
- 6.18 inches in length
- Stylishly molded flights
- 12 darts in addition to 12 flights out of the pack
- Flight protector prevents flight damages
- Precise length
- The shaft comes with an anti-loosening feature
- Excellent grip
- Plastic tip bends and breaks
- Flight protector falls off easily
Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to darts, the first thing to decide is which option will suit your board. Most soft tip darts aren’t suitable for bristle boards so check with the manufacturer of your darts if you have a bristle board to ensure they are compatible.
In contrast, soft tip darts work on most plastic or electronic boards. This is because many soft tip darts have tips made of flexible materials such as plastic that aren’t strong enough to stick in a bristle board but can pop a balloon.
It is important to know how to make the right selection for a soft tip dart. Aside from their impressive designs, certain criteria will determine if they are a good fit for you. We will highlight these factors, which will guide you in making a fine selection.
Advantages of Soft tip darts over Steel types
Despite having flexible tips, soft tip darts hold some advantages over steel options. The biggest one is the low risk of injury when used for recreational purposes.
Many players have sustained unpleasant injuries using steel darts. Hence, if you’re planning to play dart indoor with family and friends, the soft tip option is better. Pro players still favor steel darts, but soft tip darts seem to be the trend and the design of modern digital boards.
Dart Material
Soft tip darts are made from a variety of materials. The most common materials used include Tungsten, Nickel Silver, and Brass.
- Tungsten– Tungsten is the most popular choice for soft tip darts, and the quantity used is represented in percentage. The amount of tungsten present in every dart varies. However, the higher the percentage, the more quality it possesses.
Generally, Tungsten is a highly dense material. This means it has more density as well as weight but can be used to produce slimmer objects. However, when Tungsten is used to prepare darts, they do not mirror the weight of the original material. Tungsten darts are lightweight but durable.
They hardly suffer from rust or tear, but they’re much more expensive than their brass or nickel counterpart. Players of all skill levels can use tungsten darts, but they’re more suitable for professionals due to their full weight at a specific point. This means to hit a good score; you have to master how to control the mass in that small area.
- Nickel– Nickel is another popular dart material and is usually combined with Silver. Nickel is an inexpensive alternative to Tungsten even though they do not have the same density. Nickel darts are the best option for beginners who practice frequently. The biggest advantage they have over others is their anti-tarnish properties. They don’t get damaged easily when dropped often.
- Brass– Brass darts are the cheapest in the market. They’re best for beginners who prefer to play at home and taverns. Also perfect for players who do not train frequently and see the game as a source of recreation. Brass is less dense than nickel and Tungsten. Hence, the inclusion of a Knurling groove on a brass dart will cause it to break off easily. Because of this, brass darts are not stable and tend to wobble from boards easily.
Dart Barrel
Aside from the dart material, the barrel material is another essential factor to consider when picking your dart. The barrel tells you a lot about the performance of the dart. The design of the barrel will determine the stability, durability, and price of the dart. Generally, the higher the constituent of Tungsten in a dart, the better the quality of its barrel.
Also, the design of the barrel is an essential feature to consider. The way the barrels are molded will determine how the dart will be held before they’re thrown. Good darts have barrels with Knurled grooves, while average options come with smooth grooves.
The difference between both is that barrels with Knurled grooves have a better grip which improves accuracy. On the other hand, it’s essential to strike a balance with the Knurling. Those that are heavily grooved are bound to feel uncomfortable on the hand.
The general rule of thumb is to choose a dart that aligns with your grip. If you have rough hands, barrels with either shark fin, sandpaper, or Knurled drives are perfect for you, while those with sleek and smooth grooves are best for individuals with smooth hands.
Weight
To know the most comfortable weight for your dart, you have to try out more options. Darts come in different weights, with most ranging from 12 to 50 grams. However, it is rare to see professionals going beyond 30g.
Usually, the weight of a dart is distributed across three parts – the front, middle, and back. The weight distribution is important since they will be held at the center of gravity. Darts whose weight is concentrated in front are held at the front, while those that are back-weighted are gripped at the back. The lighter the dart, the easier it’s to throw.
Also, the center of gravity of the dart is determined by the shaft. Front and back-weighted darts come with short shafts, while center-weighted darts feature long shafts. The most common materials used for barrels include aluminum, nylon, and plastic.
Point
The point of a dart determines if it will stick to the board tightly or bounce off after a while. Unfortunately, the point of most soft tip darts is made from plastic. This means they’re likely to get bent from frequent contact with the board.
How do you throw a soft tip dart?
The first step to learning how to throw a soft tip dart is mastering your positioning. The best place to stand is directly in front of the dartboard, not right or left. You should always be in a straight line with the dartboard to stand a chance of hitting a good score. Here are a few more steps to consider:
The stance
Next, you need to choose a stance. Do you want to stick to a forward, side, or slanted stance? With the forward stance, you have your legs wide apart while facing the dartboard. The side stance allows you to stand with your side body facing the board, while the slanted stance combines the previous two.
Weight distribution
The next step after the stance is body division. The general rule is to have 60% of your total body weight resting on your forward leg and the rest on your back leg. You can always adjust when you want to throw.
Grip
Next, proceed to grab the dart. There are different ways of gripping a dart, and it’s the same for both soft and steel tip darts. You can use either the 3-finger, 4-finger, or pencil grip.
The more fingers you have around the dart, the more control you have over your throw. On the flip side, the more finger you use, the slower it becomes to release the dart no matter the design of the barrel. This is where control comes to play.
Once you have a solid grip on the dart, aim for the point you want and release the dart from your fingers.
FAQs
Can you use soft tip darts on a regular dartboard?
You can use soft tip darts on sisal fiber dartboards which is the most common type. However, they don’t work with cork, paper, or wood dartboards.
What soft tip darts do professionals use?
Tungsten darts are the most widely used darts by professional dart players because it’s dense material and has a streamlined shape. The tungsten percentage of professional soft tip darts ranges from 80 – 97%.
Every professional soft tip dart must fall within the range of 6 – 12 inches in addition to weighing within 12 – 30 grams. The shaft will also come with locking holes to reduce the trouble of tightening after every single throw.
What is a good weight for soft tip darts?
Darts are available in different weights, but the best weight for soft tip darts is 18g. For the weight, you should consider two factors – the ease of throw and its impact on the board. Most electronic boards are designed to accommodate darts of 19g maximum. If it’s heavier, the risk of tearing is higher. 18g is ideal for players of all skill levels.
Are soft tip darts any good?
Soft tip darts are a very good option, they’re easier to maintain consistent throws and hit a higher score. The risk of injury is minimized when using soft tip darts. Also, they are ideal for beginners and kids just learning the game since some are lightweight.
Are soft tip darts easier to throw than standard darts?
Soft tip darts are easier to play with than standard darts because they weigh less, making it easier to throw and hit the target.
Conclusion
Soft tip darts, as we’ve seen, aren’t a bad idea. The risk of injury is lower when playing with them, and hitting a good score is higher. There are different offerings from different brands in the market.
However, it’s best to narrow your option down to those made with Tungsten if you stand for quality. They’re much more durable and usually feature rings around their barrel.
However, something everyone will cherish is a dart that’s easy to throw. If that’s your goal, pay attention to barrel design, as well as weight. These two factors determine the grip of the dart.