Bullseye: The Best Darts

The Dual Core name refers to the billet that goes into every Stratos barrel. The billet is the skeletal rod around which the barrel is built and each one is made of tungstem heavy alloy, a dense material often used to replace brass. In the case of the Stratos, Winmau employs a combination billet that uses a combination of 95 percent alloy at the front half of the barrel and 85 percent at the back. That mix of the two densities creates a dart with more weight at the front which improves the center of gravity of the dart and allows it to fly with better trajectory. The Stratos is available in 21, 22, 23, and 24 grams and every one of them features tough onyx coating, nylon shafts, and Rhino flights for one of the best steel tips you can buy at the moment.

Accuracy is the key objective with the Voodoo, a steel tip dart Harrows has built from the ground up using a collection of materials to make it evenly weighted and aerodynamic. They've given it an ebonite brass barrel for a lighter dart, one that might be well suited more for beginners. Combining that with their slim plastic speedline shaft and Marathon Gold flight, the Voodoo finds that happy medium for heaviness so every player can get the best possible scores in their game. But not every player may want the knurled grip Harrows has added to the Voodoo, as some might find it offers an excessive grip on the barrel. Even though it's been added for precision, there may just be too much texture for some fingers to negotiate with any real success.

These darts are 90 percent tungsten, and come in 24 or 26 gram weights. The shaft is aluminum, and comes with spinners to keep the flights from wearing down too quickly, making these some seriously durable darts. They're also equipped with a non-slip "razor grip" which uses a cross-cut texture pattern to keep your fingertips from slipping as you throw. The Piranhas are incredibly accurate and well-balanced to help improve almost anyone's game, as the shaft thickness and the weight combine to give excellent control. Best of all, the price won't set you back too much, coming in at around $60. These darts get high marks in almost every possible category, landing them comfortably on this list.

Powercore's Competizione line uses 90 percent tungsten alloy barrels and in the case of this, the Mugello dart, utilize a dual grip so it can accommodate many types of shooters. The front of the barrel tapers just slightly which affords a good finger point along a wide grooved grip that sort of resembles the sharkfin grip on the Lumina, but without the severe edges of the angles. Here you get thick rings that are smooth and not as rigid.

The back half of the barrel uses triple ridge grooves that provide more edge to hook your finger on as you shoot. Obviously, every player throws differently and some people will prefer one grip style over the other to match their style of play. Beyond the barrel are Laro shafts, among the lightest and most resilient you can buy today and designed to hold the flight firmly in place while protecting it from contact with other darts on the board. The Mugello may look intimidating but it's a dart that throws very smoothly and evenly each time you play. Once you discover which of the two grips you like the best, this will be a valuable tool in your arsenal.

Cuesoul has built a consumer-friendly dart that emphasizes resilience and balance for a product suitable for all players. These are 20 gram brass barrels that have nickel plate for extra durability yet lightweight enough to keep some modicum of control while maintaining enough velocity to hit the mark. They come with aluminum shafts and flights that won't get knocked loose if and when they hit the wall or the floor. The points are sharp enough and stay that way through consistent and heavy use. Best of all, the price can't be beat, making them perfect for the consumer market at just $15 through most major online retailers. For that price you get a good dart with enough accuracy and even weight distribution. There isn't much in the way of grip and the little amount that has been provided may not be in the most ideal place for some players to get the most use out of it.

Done up in jet black and silver, the Target Carrera C11looks good and flies even better. Although only available in an 18g weight, target has taken a 90 percent tungsten barrel and given it a unique bi-directional grip with rings of axial and radial precision-milled pixels, resulting in an aggressive feel that some players might find just a bit sticky at first. The front-loaded barrel is bullet-shaped with a center of gravity towards the back, near where the barrel and shaft meet. Target has added Laro shafts to the C11 which is one of the best shaft brands in the business. They're made of resin instead of plastic or nylon which keeps them lightweight and avoids some of the curvature issues that aluminum shafts can pose. The Laro is unbreakable and will always remain straight so your throw is unaffected by the performance of your equipment. L-Style's Lippoint tip is at the front of the dart, designed to penetrate the board completely without hanging down and jeopardizing your next throw; while the finished tip helps lessen the amount of bounce backs and still remains easy to yank from the board.

The thinking behind these darts appears to have been all about function and control. Each one has been machined to create a barrel with reverse edging that results in excellent grip at your fingertips. Adding to that is Harrows' Vapor Deposition Process which layers a non-slip coating to the surface. The darts are 90 percent tungsten and have been infused with a mix of iron, nickel, and zinc, making them sturdy and resilient without the bulkiness. It's a simple-looking dart with simple black and white flights, making it look like a Stealth bomber and delivering with similar precision. Available in 18 gram weight, give these a try and you may find yourself with a new favorite dart.

The Black Magic set is distinctive because of its sleek black coated, lightweight brass barrel and the six rings of knurled texture placed strategically for an abundance of grip options to afford total control. Those rings come in the form of two thick loops at the forefront and end of the barrel with four thinner rings bunched together directly in the middle. So no matter how you like to hold the dart, there is a lot of grip for you to use. Despite the low price (around $12 with most online retailers), these still feel like high quality darts that should cost three times as much. They're resilient enough to withstand the indelicate treatment that might come from players of all ages and the standard 2BA tips will ensure every throw hits the board with confidence and without those bounce-outs we all hate so much.

The Cuesoul set of 18 gram weight darts are comprised of 85-percent tungsten barrels; the higher the tungsten amount, the higher the dart quality, and Cuesoul has certainly crafted each of their darts to meet your exacting standards. They're equipped with 2BA soft tip points but come with an optional set of steel tip conversions, allowing you to swap the tips out at any time. This set also comes with an extra set of aluminum shafts for additional customization while there are even an extra set of flights in the event the ones you have on the darts get bent or damaged for whatever reason. There is just a minimum amount of grip, sort of a cross between wave and shark fin but not very aggressive, so these are well suited for just about anyone in that department.

The Turbo is a soft point that you can find in 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 gram weights making it a great choice across the board. Whether you like a lightweight dart or something with a little extra heft to it, Elkadart has got you covered. They've been built with electro-plated brass barrels for a little extra resilience and a dull finish that emulates the look of an old-school dart you'd find in some smoky, dark pub. The texturized knurled grip along the length of the barrel comes in different shapes and forms depending upon which weight you choose. Some have rings of grip, others are fully textured with just some smooth areas in between, you'll have to find the right mixture of weight and grip that is right for your style of play. Aluminum shafts are pretty standard on darts at this price point and Elkadart's custom 100 micron flights will keep the dart flying straight and true every time you throw.