In Germany, so-called e-darts are still significantly more popular than the steel-tip darts variant , although the latter is gaining ground. Many pubs and bars host e-dart teams that play on a so-called dart machine or electronic dartboard. If you prefer the electronic version to steel-tip darts, you may not have the space for an entire e-dart machine in your living room. However, you can hang up a simple electronic dartboard. But what do you need to pay attention to? We'll provide you with information and an overview.
Enjoy the reputation of the hobby player
While steel darts now offer considerable prize money , electronic darts, which involve throwing darts at an electronic dartboard, still enjoys the reputation of being more of a pub sport. Nevertheless, it should be noted that some of today's top players come from the electronic darts world. For example, the Austrian Mensur Suljovic. However, electronic darts are often deliberately promoted with the reputation of being a hobby or pub player. Ultimately, they are two equal games. Especially since the throwing distance of the electronic dart was adjusted to that of the steel dart variant in 2016 – to 2.37.
Electronic dartboard – differences and variants
As with steel dartboards , electronic dartboards also have certain quality parameters that indicate how good or bad an electronic dartboard is. The biggest advantage of the electronic dartboard is the automatic calculation of scores. This also includes the points scored when a dart falls out of the board.
The size of the fields – 2-hole or 3-hole disc
Anyone who thinks that every electronic dartboard is standardized is mistaken. As a hobby player, you may not have even noticed, but there are two "different" boards in electronic darts. The beginner version is the 3-hole board. On this model, the triple fields have three rows of holes for hitting the field. This is different with an official tournament board in electronic darts. Here, the triple fields only have two rows of holes for hitting the triple field. In the end, this means that the tournament board has the correct dimensions with two rows. The beginner version with three rows is therefore more suitable for training beginners. However, it is important that you are aware of this difference and can base your decision for purchasing an electronic dartboard on this.
Electronic dartboard – The structure and the material
Depending on how much space you have at home, it's also possible to mount larger dartboards for electronic darts on the wall. Smaller models usually have a counter display and a few buttons underneath for adjusting certain settings. Larger boards often include an entire dartboard cabinet for folding up the electronic dartboard. The counters are also often mounted above or on the side. This looks a bit better than the cheaper version.
Manufacturers use traditional plastic for the material. This is then linked to the electronics to count the points upon impact. You should ensure that the holes are as finely machined as possible. With larger holes, the problem is that the board doesn't always detect the darts when they hit the board, and the darts often fall out. This can lead to damage to your darts. The finer the workmanship, the better the linked electronics work in the background.
The heart of the e-dartboard – the software
The features of an electronic dartboard are certainly one of the most important purchasing factors for an electronic dart player. You should therefore do a little research beforehand to find out what the respective electronic dartboard can actually do. The number of players is the first factor here. Many boards have two or four counters for the number of players. Ultimately, it also depends on what you want to use the electronic dartboard for. If you want to liven up your next party a bit, then it's worth purchasing a board with multiple counters for multiple players. However, if you just want to practice or play one-on-one against each other, then a product with just two counters will suffice. In general, however, it is probably never wrong to choose an electronic dartboard that offers the option of playing with as many players as possible, given the same performance criteria.
The game modes are also crucial, of course. There are now numerous games you can play with electronic darts on a machine in a pub. These options probably won't be available with a regular electronic dartboard for home use. Therefore, you should focus on the game modes you actually need. These are particularly popular:
- 701, 501, 301
- Cricket
- Shanghai
- Master Out or Double Out
- Around the Clock
However, it's quite possible that your electronic dartboard offers many more variations. These are just a rough selection of the game modes that should definitely not be missing.
The price – from dirt cheap to overpriced
Electronic dartboards are available in a wide price range. Cheaper versions can be purchased for as little as €40. However, it should be noted that these are often not tournament-ready versions and are not of particularly high quality. These are usually electronic dartboards that are more suitable for party use – the so-called 3-hole boards. If you're looking for something a little more upscale, you can find good models in the €120-180 range. Here you can get good models for your money that have a lot to offer. We recommend the CB90 dart machine . If that's not enough for you, you can also go for the higher price range. There are also several dartboards to choose from for over €200. However, you should consider whether you really need one. We'll leave the automatic dartboards out of the equation here – very few people have the money and space to set up such a complete machine at home.
It’s the sound that makes the music – pay attention to the volume!
Unlike steel darts, playing on an electronic dartboard creates a certain amount of background noise. Every throw into a high triple segment is accompanied by a sound. The checkout is also unmistakable. However, it's not just the sound itself that's important; the volume of the darts' impact is especially important. If you throw at an electronic dartboard, you'll quickly notice that it gets quite loud over time. Therefore, you should make sure to choose a board with a somewhat reduced volume. The quieter the better, and your neighbors will thank you for it.
Electronic dartboard and the power supply: batteries or power cable?
The power supply also plays a role, of course. Almost all electronic dartboards come with a power cable included. From an environmental perspective, this is probably the best way to operate your dartboard. However, if you prefer not to use a cable for aesthetic or other reasons, many products on the market also offer the option of running the board on batteries. However, this is usually significantly more expensive in the long run. You also have to keep a close eye on the power consumption. Running the board with batteries is particularly worthwhile if it's not possible to install it near a power outlet.
Ready to upgrade your darts game? Discover everything you need to know about the best dart equipment and how it can boost your accuracy:
- Here you can learn more about Soft dart tips , their uses, and differences. Click here for an overview!
- Learn more about dart stands and their pros and cons here. Click here to find out if a dart stand is worth it for you!
