Choosing your first proper set of darts is simpler than most darts shops make it look. The important decisions are tungsten versus brass, weight, and grip style. Everything else is refinement. This guide covers the best entry-level sets available in 2026 from the brands that supply professional players, with enough range to suit different throwing styles and grip preferences.
If you are upgrading from pub brass darts, the single most important thing to understand is that tungsten allows much slimmer barrels at the same weight. Slimmer barrels mean more room in the treble 20 for your next dart. For more on why that matters, see our brass vs tungsten guide. For weight guidance, the what weight darts should I use article covers the full detail.
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Quick Comparison
| Darts | Tungsten | Barrel Shape | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dragon Javelin | 85% | Straight, long | Neutral starting point |
| Target EXO Range | 90% | 3 shape options | Matching barrel to grip position |
| Target Bolide Range | 90% | 5 shape options | More grip texture, wider choice |
| Harrows NX90 | 90% | Front-loaded taper | Three-zone grip variety |
| Winmau Sub-Zero | 80% | Straight | Aggressive grip, dry hands |
Red Dragon Javelin
The Javelin is Red Dragon’s most consistent entry-level recommendation and one of the most reviewed budget tungsten sets available in the UK. Red Dragon built it as the longest barrel in their range at 54.6mm, which gives you more room to find a natural grip position rather than being forced close to one end.
The grip uses full-length square grooves rated at four out of five on Red Dragon’s own intensity scale, placing it in moderately aggressive territory. It holds securely without being so tacky that a clean release becomes difficult. Players who are still finding their grip and want positive feedback from the barrel will find the texture helpful rather than intrusive.
The 85% tungsten barrel is a straight parallel profile with consistent diameter throughout. There is no taper or front-weighting to steer your grip, which makes the Javelin a genuinely neutral starting point. At 24g, the barrel is 6.5mm wide; at 22g, it narrows to 6.35mm.
Key Features:
- 85% tungsten barrel
- Square-groove grip, full length
- Straight parallel profile, 54.6mm barrel length
- Available in 20g, 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, and 26g
- Includes TRX Nylon medium shafts and standard flights
Target EXO Range
Target’s EXO range offers three distinct barrel shapes with 90% tungsten barrels, making them well-suited to players who want to match the barrel profile to where they naturally hold a dart.
All three EXO models use the same radial-grooved grip machined into the barrel. The grooves provide consistent purchase without being aggressive; most players describe the feel as secure but not sticky. Each set includes Target’s Swiss Point system with interchangeable points, Pro Grip shafts, and EXO Edition Pro Ultra No. 6 flights, plus a Swiss Point tool.
Target EXO 01
The EXO 01 has a front-weighted barrel with a more pronounced taper toward the point. This suits players who grip near the front and want the weight to sit at the same position as their fingers. Available in 22g and 23g.
View on AmazonTarget EXO 02
The EXO 02 is centre-balanced with a consistent width throughout. This is the most versatile shape and suits players who grip in the middle of the barrel. If you are unsure of your natural grip position, the EXO 02 is the sensible starting point. Available in 22g and 24g.
View on AmazonTarget EXO 03
The EXO 03 is rear-weighted with a torpedo-style profile. This suits players who hold toward the back of the barrel and want the weight distribution to match their grip position. Available in 21g and 23g.
View on AmazonKey Features (all EXO models):
- 90% tungsten barrels
- Radial-grooved grip
- Swiss Point interchangeable point system
- Target Pro Grip shafts and Pro Ultra No. 6 flights included
Target Bolide Range
The Bolide range expands on the EXO concept with five barrel variations and a hand-sandblasted finish added on top of the radial groove machining. The dual texture gives the barrel a noticeably tackier feel than the EXO, which suits players who want positive grip feedback and secure finger placement.
Like the EXO range, each Bolide set includes the Swiss Point system, Pro Grip shafts, and exclusive Bolide flights.
Target Bolide 01
The Bolide 01 is a straight barrel with a subtle ringed grip pattern. The most neutral shape in the range and a good default if you want the sandblasted finish without a strong directional profile. Available in 21g, 23g, and 25g.
View on AmazonTarget Bolide 02
The Bolide 02 has a slight front taper with more pronounced grip bands toward the point. Suits players who like a positive contact point at the front of the barrel. Available in 21g, 23g, and 25g.
View on AmazonTarget Bolide 03
The Bolide 03 has a torpedo shape with pronounced rear weight. Suits players who hold further back on the barrel. Available in 22g, 24g, and 26g.
View on AmazonTarget Bolide 04
The Bolide 04 has a scalloped grip section with indentations that help maintain a consistent finger position throw after throw. Suits players who want to lock in a specific grip contact point. Available in 21g, 23g, and 25g.
View on AmazonTarget Bolide 05
The Bolide 05 has a bomb-shaped barrel with front-heavy weight distribution. Suits players who grip near the point and prefer a heavier feel at the front. Available in 22g and 24g.
View on AmazonKey Features (all Bolide models):
- 90% tungsten barrels
- Hand-sandblasted finish with radial grooved cuts
- Swiss Point interchangeable point system
- Target Pro Grip shafts and exclusive Bolide flights included
Harrows NX90
The NX90 is one of Harrows’ most successful recent launches and earns consistent praise from players across all levels. What distinguishes it is the combination of three different grip textures on a single barrel: ringed cuts in one zone, micro cuts in another, and a scalloped section in the third. Most darts commit to one grip style; the NX90 lets you find the zone that suits your fingers and stay there.
The barrel is front-loaded with a tapered rear, which shifts the balance point toward the point end. Players who grip near the front will find the weight distribution natural; those who grip in the middle will feel the taper pulling the dart into an arc-friendly trajectory. Harrows match-weigh the barrels to within 0.05g, which is precise for any price point.
The included Black Supergrip midi shafts and 100-micron NX90 flights are a notch above the basic accessories found in cheaper sets.
Key Features:
- 90% tungsten barrels
- Three-zone grip: ringed, micro, and scalloped cuts
- Front-loaded with tapered rear design
- Match-weighed to +/- 0.05g
- Available in 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, and 26g
- Includes Black Supergrip midi shafts and 100-micron NX90 flights
Winmau Sub-Zero
The Sub-Zero sits at the aggressive end of the grip spectrum for a beginner set. The deep-cut grooves combined with a titanium nitride coating create a very secure hold, which suits players with dry hands or those who prefer to really feel the dart between their fingers.
Winmau manufacture the official PDC dartboards, and their budget darts benefit from the same production standards applied to their professional equipment. The 80% tungsten barrel uses a straight profile, and the titanium nitride coating in blue and silver gives it a visually striking appearance compared to the silver barrels common at this price.
Players with naturally moist hands should approach with caution: the aggressive grip that works well for dry hands can make a clean release difficult if your fingers are naturally tacky. The smoother textures of the EXO or Javelin will suit those players better.
Key Features:
- 80% tungsten barrels
- Deep-grooved grip with titanium nitride coating
- Straight barrel design
- Available in 22g, 23g, 24g, and 26g
- Includes Winmau Prism Alpha flights and Pro Force shafts
How to Choose
Weight
Most beginners land in the 22g to 24g range. This provides enough mass for a stable, repeatable flight without being tiring to throw across a longer session. If you are coming from pub house darts, they are often heavier than they look, so starting around 23g is a reasonable bet. You can always adjust once you have thrown a few sessions and know which direction to go.
Grip Style
Think about where your fingers naturally sit when you hold a dart. Front-grip players suit front-weighted barrels like the EXO 01 or Bolide 05. Middle-grip players do well with the EXO 02, Bolide 01, or the Javelin’s neutral straight profile. Rear-grip players should look at the EXO 03 or Bolide 03.
If you are genuinely unsure, start with a straight barrel and moderate grip texture. The EXO 02 or the Javelin both fit this description and give you a reliable neutral point from which to understand your preferences.
Skin Type
Players with dry hands often benefit from more aggressive grips like the Sub-Zero or the Javelin’s square grooves. Those with naturally moist hands tend to do better with radial grooves or lighter textures that release cleanly, such as the EXO range.
Our Pick
The Harrows NX90 is the strongest single pick in this guide. The three-zone grip lets you find the texture that suits your hold without switching darts, the match-weighed precision is unusual for this price, and the front-loaded taper suits a wide range of throwing styles. Players who are completely new and uncertain about grip preference should consider the Target EXO 02 instead: the centre-balanced straight barrel with a moderate radial groove is the most neutral possible starting point.
Related Guides
- Brass vs Tungsten Darts — Understanding dart materials and why the upgrade matters
- What Weight Darts Should I Use? — Full guidance on finding your weight
- Dart Barrel Shapes Explained — Straight, torpedo, and bomb profiles explained
- Dart Stems Explained — How stem length affects your throw
- Dart Flight Types Explained — Shapes, sizes and their effects on accuracy
Ready to practise? Try our Around the Clock drill to work on accuracy, or sharpen your finishes with Checkout Practice.