Whether you are just starting or you are a pro, let's get honest – some of your darts will hit the wall, so you better get yourself good protection.
But why settle for good? Why wouldn’t you get the best dartboard cabinet currently on the market?
Believe me, this neat jack of all trades goes way and beyond to make darting as streamlined and enjoyable as possible.
How you might ask, and which one to buy? We’ll get to that in a second.
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If you are impatient to see the winner of this short roundup, here are the top 3 models you should take into account.
But, this is only a tease. The main dish is yet to come.
Let’s see how I cherry-picked these three models in the detailed dartboard cabinet review you can find just a bit below.
Best Dart Board Cabinets Money Can Buy: My Top 9 Favorites
You can never beat a good-old traditional cabinet and a trustworthy bristle board.
The Viper Stadium cabinet comes in a dark walnut finish with wood construction. An authentic vintage feel is brought to you by the brass -finish hinges.
Every single component of the cabinet is constructed to endure the most challenging impacts and protect your walls along the way.
When you take a look at the setting, you know it won't clash with the interior in your room or bar. It only blends in.
Inside the cabinet, you will find a dry-erase scoreboard where you can keep track of your scores and improvement.
It has a nifty storage area where you can display your darts proudly and store other accessories.
A big selling point of the Viper Stadium cabinet is the Shadow Buster light! You can install it above the cabinet and visually enjoy every single game of darts.
You also get a Viper Edge line marker to make measurements without taping the floors or using chalk easily.
- High-quality cabinet and dartboard
- Shadow Buster light kit
- Dry-erase scoreboard
- Vintage design
- Laser toe line marker
- The cabinet is quite heavy
Viper Hideaway sure has some of the impressive qualities of pricer models with an affordable price point.
Now, I do have to start with a bit of warning.
The dartboard you see in the picture is paper, and the cabinet's profile is quite slim. Most of the sisal dartboards do not fit because of the 1.5" in-depth, so make sure you measure out before buying.
Getting on to the good stuff, the Viper cabinet has an astonishing interior.
It features a magnetic lock that allows the cabinet to be securely locked and gives you a sound mind.
Even though this is a budget-option, you still don't want anything to happen to it, and keeping it safe is a priority!
Are you ready to hear about the best feature of this cabinet?
It works as a scoreboard! The inside of the cabinet is painted to work as a chalkboard, offering you limitless score marks.
You know the paper dartboard I mentioned?
When you flip it around, it's a dartball! Now you have a cabinet suited for both dartboard and dartball games!
- Affordable
- Suitable for dartball
- Walls work as the scoreboard
- Slim cabinet
The Bullshooter dartboard cabinet set is packed with features and highly popular among advanced players. Wonder why?
Here is a few features worth consideration when it comes to this cabinet set:
First of all, the Bullshooter may look like a beginning set, but it's highly advanced. It contains everything you would need to perfect your skills and more!
The dartboard is built into a dark wood cabinet that hides it when it's not in use. Not only that, but it will also shield your walls in the long run.
On the inside of each door, you will find brackets on which you can hang your darts. Here is the opportunity to proudly show your newly-purchased set.
Trust me when I tell you, you won't get bored of this one soon. It contains 34 games and 183 variations. Just think how much use you can get out of it.
Now here is a feature you don't see every day. The Bullshooter comes with an optical Heckler feature. What does that mean?
The voice commands will mock the lousy throws and praise good ones. It's a great way to introduce a bit of laughter when serious players take their turn.
- Mounted dartboard
- Optional Heckler Feature
- AC-plug power
- No online play options
Would you take a look at this gem? The American Legend Charleston dartboard cabinet is not like your typical set.
The truly impeccable design of the cabinet and the dartboard has us impressed. As you can notice, it features a premium wood ash with a veneer with decorative trim details.
If you want a dartboard that makes every guest go, "wow," then this is the one for you! Not only does it look stylish in gaming rooms, but it can easily blend in with the rest of the decor in any of your rooms.
Now, let's talk about what else comes with this set.
The dartboard cabinet includes an 18" x 1.5 bristle sisal board with self-healing features. If you need a durable board-the bristle, one is always a smart choice.
Along with the dartboard, the cabinet set also features two chalk scoreboards so you can keep track of your opponents' moves.
Moreover, you will be getting six high-quality steel darts, so you can immediately play as soon as you install the dartboard cabinet.
Plus, it has a rotatable number ring if you want to prolong the life of the board.
- High-quality design
- Includes steel darts, bristle dartboard, and rotatable numbering
- Two scoreboards
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The DMI Sports set is everything you need as a beginner dart player! If you're stuck on a gift idea, I bet every dart enthusiast will adore the new DMI set.
What wowed me the most is the very design of the cabinet.
It's made out of pure oak wood, making it high-quality and durable. The light cherry finish will feel luxurious in any room, no matter which color pallet you're going for.
Next is the impressive three-use part of the dartboard cabinet.
To be exact, the cabinet works as a storage unit, dartboard holder, and score counter. I told you it had everything, didn't I?
This wouldn't be a complete set without a set of darts, right? The DMI Sports offers two sets of darts, which you can neatly display in the cabinet.
Moreover, the set comes with a score marker and a sisal dartboard. What's even more remarkable about it is that official tournament measurements make it.
If you wish to handle darts professionally, you won't have to buy a separate board. You have one right here, and it's ready to prepare you for your first match.
- Sturdy and long-lasting design
- Functions as a wall protector
- The darts are low-quality
GSE Games & Sports Expert’s dartboard doesn’t truly excel in any particular field. But, when you take a closer look at it, it doesn’t have any major downsides.
Pack this with an affordable price tag and you’ll get the package that’s very hard to resist.
So, the body is made from New Zealand pine, and once again we get very durable bronze hinges and a padded back. This time, though, they don’t look that classy. But, that’s OK.
Darting newcomers will probably appreciate more the fact that the cabinet comes equipped with six steel-tip darts (colored in British and USA flags to settle the old rivalries) and a handy marker to keep the scores.
So, for the money you are asked to pay, there’s nothing much to complain about.
However, it’s beyond me why the package doesn’t include mounting or gaming instructions. The cabinet could also be just a bit more durable.
In spite of these minor flaws, this dartboard will certainly attract a lot of first-time customers.
- The cabinet is very affordable.
- Nice, customized steel-tip darts.
- Solid design.
- The pine body is always something to look for.
- A padded back.
- The package could really benefit from clear mounting instructions.
The product that dares to call itself "premium" puts in front of itself a pair of pretty big shoes to fill in. Fortunately, Barrington's dartboard cabinet mostly lives up to the hype.
In terms of design, the unit looks awfully like the first entry we've seen on this list, which is, by all means, a good thing.
This time though, the craftsmanship is slightly worse, and if you have sharp eyes, you will be able to spot some flaws.
It is also good to know, that, once again you get a very rich and well-made package that includes everything a first-time buyer could wish for.
And yes, that covers six top quality darts with steel tips.
Unfortunately, the product is not without its flaws, the biggest one being a very potent chemical odor that lingers on the cabinet far longer than you’d wish for.
Seriously, if you want to use this unit in a living room, get used to regular venting.
- The board features a timeless and classy design.
- The package covers all the basics.
- Closing mechanism works like a charm.
- Steel-tip darts included in the bundle are surprisingly good.
- A nice padded back.
- The strong chemical odor is very hard to ignore.
Is the economic dartboard on your mind right now? If so, take a look at the Bullshooter Reactor electronic dartboard and cabinet.
Even though this is an electronic dartboard and you will be using soft tip darts, you still need to protect your walls—what better way to do so than purchase an entire set at a fantastic price.
As a beginner, I'm guessing the choice of the perfect backboard and darts can be quite confusing. Well, with this one, you have everything you could need.
The Bullshooter Reactor dartboard cabinet features an E-bristle target for a realistic look and feel.
The board itself has 13.5" in the target area and has 34 games with 183 game variations.
You will also be getting the chance to play both steel and soft tip darts. However, we recommend you stick to the soft ones if you want to prolong your electronic board's life.
Plus, you get some of the cool features you long for, such as a solo play option and heckler feature!
- Affordable
- Full set
- Electronic dartboard
- Solo play function
- Includes soft-tip darts
- Reduces the chance of bounce-outs
- No pro-level games
It doesn’t take more than a passing look at this cabinet to see that Viper did its best to appeal to the widest possible audience it can get with it.
You've got virtually everything covered.
Rather beautiful scoreboards? Checked. Two sets of solid darts? Checked. Pretty useful, if somewhat gimmicky laser toe-line marker? Checked, I guess.
So, you get the idea. We are talking about a well-made cabinet, designed to be a best-seller.
Why then, I haven’t put it in my top three?
Well, for a start, the laser pointer is not working all that well. The package totally stands on its own even without it, but it's still worth mentioning.
The thing that compromises this product far more is the quality of the dart board which is honestly subpar.
Sure, the board can be easily replaced, but for the money you are asked to pay, you can find a better-rounded product.
- Some of the inclusions in the package are gimmicky but hard to resist.
- The very cabinet is truly well-crafted.
- The scoreboards are pretty to look at.
- And, the design is streamlined and elegant.
- The cabinet feels rather durable.
- The dartboard should be far, far better.
A Detailed Guide for Picking the Best Dart Board Cabinets
Of course, the rules I applied to choose the models above were not, by any means, arbitrary.
Choosing a dartboard cabinet is a kind of science. Here's the crash course.
1. Dart Board Cabinets for Newbies
But, before we delve into details, I first have to take some time to preach just how neat these things are.
Essentially, dart board cabinets tackle four important benefits that place them pretty high into darting equipment hierarchy:
In short, once you get used to them, you can never go back.
Ok, let’s see now, how to find models that excel in these duties.
2. Material
The dartboard cabinets' main purpose is to protect your wall from a barrage of misfire shots. Therefore, the material the cabinet is made from should be able to withstand a lot of abuse.
Especially if you are using the steel tips.
Otherwise, the board will quickly crack and you will pretty much waste your money.
Some of the most popular materials (sorted according to their price and durability) on the marker are:
You can even find some steel cabinets on the market, but boy, are they hard to look at.
3. Longevity
Since they are usually made out of wood, dart board cabinets are very prone to moisture and elements. This can cut pretty deeply into their look and durability.
Now, some wooden cabinets are coated with a polymer that protects them from these nasties, so if you can get this option, get this option.
4. Size
Usually, the cabinets are built to accommodate a regular board without offering too much excessive space, which is fine.
But, if you have enough room on the wall, you can’t go wrong by looking for a bigger model.
And if you have a custom board, always double-check the cabinet’s dimensions.
5. Installation Setup
Essentially, all dart board cabinets can be roughly divided into two major groups: hanging cabinets and fixed installations.
Out of the two, I would definitely recommend fixed installations because they are much safer.
But, on the other hand, maybe I’ve just seen too many hanging units falling on unsuspecting players. Who knows?
6. Design
Dartboard cabinets come in all sorts of shapes and designs. Surprisingly many, considering we are talking about a glorified shelving unit.
But all this variety means more opportunity to show off, and darting was never stranger to flamboyance.
So, you have really nothing to lose if you order a unit that features some cool print, or even a neat piece of customized branding (if you are buying a cabinet for a pub, bar or any other enterprise).
7. Scoreboard
Ah, one of the many blessings of dart board cabinets. Buying a unit that doesn’t have one (or two) of them doesn’t make any sense.
But, I know what you might be thinking now – there are scoreboards, and then there are scoreboards.
And you know what – you are right. An ideal board should feature a four-player setup, quality material able to resist scratching and direct hits, and pre-drawn score tables.
Blank boards offer more customizability but they tend to smudge very quickly.
Also, a number cabinets feature some pretty useful electronic scoreboards.
However, these additions can really inflate the price and should be avoided if you are not that sure in your shooting skills.
8. Additional Features
And by additional features, I mean all those little things a regular dart board cabinet can as well function without, but make a player’s life so much easier.
What are these treats, you might ask?
Well, here are some of the most common accessories:
FAQs
What size is a dartboard cabinet?
The size of the dartboard cabinet depends on the size of the dartboard itself. Usually, cabinets leave a bit of room on the side for a scoreboard and dart bracket holders.
For this reason, we cannot specify the exact measurements of a dartboard cabinet; they all wary in height, size, and weight.
What is the best dartboard cabinet set?
The best dartboard cabinet set is Viper Stadium Cabinet. The pack contains everything a dart enthusiast needs!
From bristle board to steel tip darts, this one is fully equipped to deliver its best performance.
Plus, the deluxe version is only a few bucks over $100, which is a great deal considering the upgraded features.
What is the best electronic dartboard cabinet?
The best electronic dartboard cabinet is the Bullshooter Cricket Maxx 1.0 Electronic Dartboard Cabinet Set.
The electronic dartboard comes in a luxurious wooden cabinet that shines magnificence!
Along with 34 games and 183 variations, this will become your favorite leisure game in no time.
How to hang a dartboard cabinet?
The very first step is to measure out the open cabinet. Sure, it fits with closed sides, but what about when it's in use?
Next, you need to measure out 5 ft 8 inches from the ground to fit the board's regulations. Centering the cabinet so that the bullseye is at eye level is your best option.
For mounting, you can either use screws or anchors and secure the cabinet to the wall.
How to attach a dartboard to a cabinet?
A standard dartboard should be mounted via screws or anchors on the cabinet. However, make sure the bullseye is 68 inches above the ground.
In this way, you play by the official rules and perfect your throws each time.
Final Words
Time sure does fly when you get carried away with dartboard cabinets.
Finding one is not an easy task. You want something with outstanding performance, but also something that will blend in with your room decor.
As our best pick, we selected the Viper Stadium Cabinet. This one will certainly be a statement piece and bring you pride each time you open it up.
Do you agree with my choices? Have recommendations of your own? Hit the comment section and let me know!
- Comprehensive bundle features a dartboard cabinet, dartboard, steel tip darts, dry erase scoreboard, dry erase marker and mounting hardware
- Open dimensions: 42" L x 21.5" W x 3" D; closed dimensions: 21" L x 21.5" W x 3" D. Measuring 18" in diameter and 1.5" D
- Viper Shot King staple-free bullseye dartboard is constructed from sisal/bristle fibers compressed together, providing unsurpassed durability
- Measuring 18" in diameter, the Viper Shot King is official tournament size; A movable number ring further extends the dartboard's life
- Focused light of the Viper laser throw/toe line marker allows for use even in daylight and provides a clutter-free room by eliminating adhesive floor markers