Darts is a super enjoyable game for parties and the family. However, hanging a dartboard on your wall can make it prone to damage through those odd stray darts. Also, a lot of players enjoy playing darts outside. For this reason, you may want to get a dartboard stand. If you’re looking for the best dartboards, click here.
Getting a dartboard stand can save you the hassle of permanently fixing the board on the wall, allowing you to take your dartboard anywhere you want. The stand, like a usual camera tripod, is portable, lightweight and allows you to play with tournament regulations.
If you’re a first-time buyer of dartboard stands, you have come to the right place. This article will guide you on how to make the process of deciding easier.
Factors to Consider in Buying Dartboard Stands
Of course, you want your dartboard to stand not to wobble, no matter how heavy the dart is, or no matter what speed you throw the darts at. It must be steady enough to hold the dartboard, and it also must be compatible. With these considerations in mind, here are some factors to keep in mind:
Type
There are two types of stands: the free-standing and self-standing stands.
Free-standing dartboard stands come with an adjustable height tripod with a mounting bracket for installing the dartboard. It’s easy to set-up, very portable, and lightweight. However, it isn’t entirely stable. The stand may wobble whenever the darts hit the board, but it doesn’t impact the game. With this being said, quad pods are more stable than tripods. If you would like to add further stability, you may put some weights to keep it steady at all times.
The self-standing boards are heavier and sturdier, making them less portable. These stands are mainly used in larger tournament halls for outdoor use.
Mounting
The next thing to check is if the mounting bracket is compatible with your existing dartboard or not. If your board is from brands like Winmau, Viper, or Gladiator, they will most likely fit the stand right out of the box. Usual stands come with a U-shaped slotted metal bracket for sliding the dartboard in. Higher quality stands come with spring to dampen the effect when the dart hits the board and reduces the noise.
Price
You can buy a dartboard stand for as low as $50 and as high as $200. The more expensive stands are more durable, better built, and better playing experience. However, the stands around $90 to $120 offers the best value for a healthy compromise between quality and pricing.
Different Types of Dartboard Stands
The variety of stands consists of the difference in the materials used. Here are the main types of stands for darts:
Wooden stands
Wood is a common, cheap, and natural material to build stands from. Since dartboards are made of sisal and foam, it blends in well with wooden stands. It also adds a luxurious look and feels to your game.
Wooden stands are usually found in the form of cabinets. Because of this, they can be heavy and harder to move around, so most likely you’ll be playing in one place. Going for a wooden dartboard cabinet adds a new look to your dartboard set-up.
Steel stands
Steel dartboard stands are heavier than aluminum, giving it an edge for use outdoors. Steel stands can withstand unfavorable weather conditions. So, when it comes to portable stands, steel is a sturdy and durable choice.
However, it may be a bit heavy to carry around because of its weight. Also, they are usually harder to assemble due to their bulkiness.
Aluminum stands
Some people would say that aluminum is the best material for a dartboard stand. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and easy to store away when not in use. Aluminum is remarkably lighter than other materials such as wood or steel, making it the easiest to carry around. However, its lightweight nature makes it prone to all kinds of moving. This stand is perfect for use indoors.
Best Dartboard Stands
1. Winmau Xtreme Freestanding Dartboard Unit
From the maker of the leading dartboard brands, Winmay Xtreme Freestanding Dartboard Unit has everything you may be looking for and expecting for in a dartboard stand. Winmau is known for making some of the best bristle dartboards, and you can expect excellent quality as well with their accessories like the stand. This stand is compatible with most dartboards, not just Winmau boards.
The stand is a portable and compact unit that allows you to play the game wherever you go. It’s made of high-gauge steel to make it durable and sturdy. Because of the added weight, the stand remains footed at all times, no matter how strong the force you throw the darts with. The stand has an adjustable and lockable height setting so you can get a perfect dartboard height even if the floor is uneven.
Mounting this stand is super easy. It’s also collapsible and reduces to one-third of the size when it’s folded. It weighs 16 pounds, making it easy to assemble and carry anywhere.
2. Hathaway Centerpoint Solid Wood Dartboard Cabinet
If you’re looking for the best cabinet-style stand you can buy, go for Hathaway Centerpoint Solid Wood Dartboard Cabinet. This is a complete game station with lots of cool features. It gives an arcade vibe to the room and comes with pro-grade sizing and regulations. It offers two sturdy storage shelves and dart holders to keep your accessories neatly stored when you’re not using it.
It houses a fully functional dartboard and six soft tip darts, all of which are included in this cabinet. The electronic dartboard features 29 games and more than 90 variations to provide your friends and family hours of competitive fun. The dartboard even has a voice and sound system of its own.
This solid wood dartboard cabinet is made of solid poplar with a dark cherry finish, providing your home game room with a luxurious feel. It comes with durable base stabilizers for free leg support, keeping the dartboard standing upright anywhere you want. This cabinet can be wall-mounted if you’re going to keep it in one place. The sturdy wall mounts ensure the durability of the cabinet.
3. Darts Master Dartboard Stand
If you need an inexpensive yet quality stand, the Darts Master Dartboard Stand won’t disappoint. This is a heavy-duty stand made from lightweight steel. Though it has a lower gauge than the Winmau stand, it’s still good enough for most players. It’s compatible with all types of boards, using the universal wall mount bracket.
Because it’s lightweight, it’s easy to carry around. It’s also easy to assemble, and it collapses down to a practical size. You can set up the game with ease, whether indoors or outdoors. The brackets are included for attaching your dartboard.
It has a tripod leg, so it isn’t as stable as four-legged stands, but it’s still good enough. It wobbles a bit when you’re taking out or throwing darts, but it doesn’t impact the gameplay in a big way.
4. Shot! Portable Dartboard Stand
The Shot! Portable Dartboard Stand is one of the pricier options in the market, but its features are unrivaled. When it comes to compatibility and ease of assembly, this dartboard stand is a winner. It can be stored, transported, assembled, and used anywhere. With its simple assembly guide, it’s easier for one person to assemble it in minutes.
This dartboard stand has the capacity to collapse after use, making it perfect for outdoor use. It has a slim design, adjustable rubber feet, rotatable bracket, and wall protectors to make it suitable for indoor use.
A cool feature of this stand is its USB rechargeable light, making the dartboard usable even in low lighting conditions.
5. GRAN Darts Portable Tripod Dart Board Stand
Looking for a light stand for indoor use? GRAN Darts Portable Tripod Dart Board Stand is a perfect choice. Weighing under 3 ½ pounds, this is the lightest stand on this list, yet you can rely on its build quality and durability. It’s portable and easy to set up.
The stand itself is made of stainless steel with an O-type bracket, making it compatible with most bristle and electronic dartboards. It also includes a U-shaped bracket for Gran boards.
This stand also comes with a carry bag with both shoulder and hand straps.