Choosing a dartboard comes down to three things: sisal quality, wiring construction, and whether the board matches the level you play at. This guide covers six boards we have researched and reviewed in full on this site, from the current PDC tournament board through to a genuine budget pick, so every recommendation here links through to a page with the complete specifications and how owners have actually rated it.
The PDC board changed hands in January 2026: the Winmau Blade X took over from the Blade 6 Triple Core, which had held the role since 2022. Both are covered below, because the outgoing board is still an excellent buy at a lower price than its replacement.
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What to Look for in a Dartboard
All bristle dartboards use sisal, a natural plant fibre that closes back up after a dart is pulled out. Density and grade vary: East African (Kenyan) sisal is generally rated the densest and most durable, Madagascan sisal is a common alternative on newer boards, and “African sisal” is a broader label where quality depends more on the individual manufacturer.
Wire construction matters just as much. Thinner wiring means less metal for a dart to deflect off, which is why every board in this guide has moved away from thick round wire in favour of slimmer profiles, some cut by more than half compared to older designs. A rotatable number ring is the other feature worth checking: it lets you move the whole ring periodically so the treble 20 does not wear out years before the rest of the board.
Quick Comparison
| Dartboard | Sisal | Wiring | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winmau Blade X | Premium African, 13% deeper bed | Ultra-slim, 60% thinner | The current PDC tournament board |
| Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core | Dense East African | Ultra-thin, 60° deflection | Proven PDC pedigree at a lower price |
| Target TOR | 215-MDG Madagascan | Ultra-thin stainless steel | A number ring that rotates 10 times |
| Unicorn Eclipse Ultra 2.0 | Grade A, medium-density | Black Venom radial spider | Anti-glare wiring, Unicorn’s flagship |
| Mission Samurai 4 | Premium Madagascan | Knife Wire, colour options | A modern finish in White, Graphite or Black |
| Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 | Grade A African | Spider2 radial, 30% thinner | The lowest price without cutting corners |
Winmau Blade X
The Blade X became the official PDC dartboard in January 2026 as part of a record 10-year partnership between Winmau and the PDC, replacing the Blade 6 Triple Core after four years on the professional stage. Winmau’s headline claims are a sisal bed 13% deeper than any previous Winmau board and a wiring profile 60% thinner, built into a hardwood-and-carbon-fibre backboard the brand calls Pro Core.
Owner feedback on the playing feel has been positive, with a firmer dart hold and fewer bounce-outs reported at home. The board has also generated a genuine controversy: several PDC professionals, including Gabriel Clemens and Gary Anderson, have publicly blamed it for bounce-outs on the televised stage, a claim Winmau disputes. It is the newest and most expensive board here, and best suited to committed players rather than a first purchase.
Key Features:
- Sisal bed 13% deeper than any previous Winmau board
- Wiring profile 60% thinner, 60-degree deflection angle
- Laser-cut steel number ring, rotates 360° without removal
- Pro Core layered hardwood backboard bonded with carbon fibre
- Five-year warranty (home use only)
- Official PDC tournament board since January 2026
Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core
The Blade 6 Triple Core was the official PDC board at every televised event from 2022 until the Blade X took over in January 2026. It remains in production and now sits at a noticeably lower price than its successor. The Triple Core name refers to a three-layer sisal construction with a carbon-fibre reinforced base, paired with sixth-generation Blade wiring set at a 60-degree deflection angle.
Owner and reviewer feedback is strongly positive and consistent: fewer bounce-outs than older or budget boards, and a playing surface that holds up well to years of regular practice. For most buyers who want a proven, tournament-grade board without paying for the newest engineering, this is the stronger pick over the Blade X. See our full Blade X vs Blade 6 Triple Core comparison for a detailed breakdown of what changed between the two.
Key Features:
- Three-layer Triple Core sisal with carbon-fibre reinforced base
- Sixth-generation Blade wiring, ultra-thin, 60° deflection angle
- Fully hardened bull and outer bull wiring, 25% thinner than earlier generations
- Removable laser-cut anti-glare number ring
- Rota-Lock mounting with Spirit Master levelling tool included
- Built to World Darts Federation specifications
Target TOR
The TOR is Target’s flagship board, built around the 36XTEN number ring, which rotates ten times at 36 degrees per turn to spread wear evenly rather than letting the 20 and treble 20 wear out first. The playing surface is 215-MDG grade Madagascan sisal, and the wiring is ultra-thin stainless steel that Target describes as 60% thinner than a traditional wire system.
Independent reviewers and owners have responded well, particularly to the rotating ring and the Peak-Fix adjustable feet, which make it easier to mount level on an uneven wall. It is a recent release, so long-term durability feedback is still building, but early impressions point to a board that plays well above its price.
Key Features:
- 215-MDG grade, 100% Madagascan sisal, sanded finish
- Ultra-thin stainless steel wiring, 60% thinner than a traditional wire system
- 36XTEN rotational number ring, 10 positions at 36° per turn
- Peak-Fix lock-and-level mounting with adjustable feet
- WDF approved, built to regulation dimensions
Unicorn Eclipse Ultra 2.0
The Eclipse Ultra 2.0 is the flagship of Unicorn’s Eclipse range, built around a black-coated Venom radial spider that Unicorn quotes as 33% shallower than a round-wire board. The black anti-glare coating is the standout idea: instead of a bright metal web catching the light, the wiring recedes and the segment colours stay sharply defined under a bright lamp.
Owners rate the board highly for how it plays, with the Grade A sisal and thin wiring both drawing consistent praise. The one recurring complaint is cosmetic rather than functional: the black coating can flake off the wires with heavy use over time, though nobody reports it affecting how the board plays.
Key Features:
- Grade A sisal, medium-density compression
- Black Venom radial spider, 33% shallower than round-wire boards
- Reinforced Ultra Bullseye with refined positioning
- Ultra-Vis Horizontal number ring with upright white side numbers
- Three UniLock mounting devices included
- Regulation 18in diameter, DRA-compliant
Mission Samurai 4
Mission only launched in 2019, but it has grown quickly into one of the biggest names in professional darts, and the Samurai 4 is the current generation of its own bristle board. It is built around Mission’s Knife Wire system, an ultra-thin wire available in White, Graphite or Black finishes, paired with a staple-free bull and dense Madagascan sisal.
Owners repeatedly mention fewer bounce-outs after switching from an older or cheaper board, and the sisal is praised for holding up well even against aggressive, grippy dart points. It is a newer name in dartboards than Winmau or Unicorn, so there is less multi-year durability data around, but early and mid-term feedback is strong.
Key Features:
- Premium Madagascan sisal, vein-free, densely compacted
- Knife Wire, ultra-thin, available in White, Graphite or Black
- Staple-free bull to maximise playable scoring area
- Removable number ring, colour-matched to the wire
- Built-in adjustable Mission Stabiliser Kit
- 450mm playing face, built to official competition specification
Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2
The Eclipse Pro 2 is the mid-range entry in Unicorn’s Eclipse line, and the lowest-priced board in this guide. It uses Spider2 radial wiring, 30% thinner than a conventional round-wire board, and pairs it with a staple-free bull that Unicorn says is 14% larger than a standard scoring area, a direct result of the slimmer wiring rather than a separate design change.
Reviewers rate it as a genuine step up from entry-level boards rather than a compromise pick, with the staple-free bull the improvement most commonly praised. The one recurring gripe is a flat number ring font that some owners find fiddly to read at a glance. For anyone who wants a serious, competition-capable board without spending premium money, this is the board to start with.
Key Features:
- Grade A African sisal, ultra-dense fibre construction
- Spider2 radial wiring, 30% thinner than standard
- Staple-free bull, 14% larger scoring area
- Built to World Darts Federation specifications
- Compatible with Unicorn’s stands, cabinets, surrounds and lighting
How to Choose
PDC Standard vs Home Use
If you want the exact board used on the professional stage today, that is the Blade X. If you want the same televised pedigree without paying the current premium, the Blade 6 Triple Core held that role for four years and costs noticeably less. For home and club play, none of the six boards here will hold you back; the difference is how much you want to pay for the newest engineering rather than proven performance.
Wire Profile and Bounce-Outs
Every board in this guide has moved to a thin wire system, but the numbers differ: the Blade X and Target TOR both claim a 60% reduction against older round-wire designs, the Eclipse Ultra 2.0 claims 33%, and the Eclipse Pro 2 claims 30%. All of them cut bounce-outs meaningfully compared with a basic pub board. The gap between them matters more to players chasing marginal gains than to someone upgrading from their first board.
Rotation and Long-Term Wear
The Target TOR’s 36XTEN ring stands out here, rotating ten times rather than the more usual five positions most boards offer. If you practise daily and expect to wear through the 20 and treble 20 faster than the rest of the face, a board built around frequent rotation, like the TOR, or one with an easy-to-remove ring, like the Blade 6 Triple Core or Mission Samurai 4, will last longer with less effort.
Our Pick
For most players, the Winmau Blade 6 Triple Core is the strongest all-round choice. It carried the PDC tournament role for four years, plays at a genuinely professional standard, and now costs less than the board that replaced it. If you want the exact board on stage right now and are happy to pay for it, the Winmau Blade X is the obvious upgrade. On a tighter budget, the Unicorn Eclipse Pro 2 delivers a staple-free bull and thin radial wiring at the lowest price here.
Worth a look at a similar price is the KOTO King Pro 360, which shares the same staple-free bull and thin wiring approach from a brand sold mainly through Amazon rather than the specialist retailers that stock the boards above.
Related Guides
- How to Set Up a Dartboard — Correct height, distance, and mounting
- Darts Rules: Everything You Need to Know — Official measurements, scoring, and match formats
- Dart Barrel Shapes Explained — Finding the right profile for your grip
- Dart Stems Explained — How stem length affects your throw
Ready to practise? Try our Play Darts game or work on your finishes with the Checkout Practice drill.