Darts is a fun and entertaining game to play especially when played among friends. But, this sport can sometimes turn out to be dangerous if precautionary measures aren’t observed. One of these dangers is damaging your floor and the walls when darts bounce out or miss the target. According to statistics, most darters mostly focus on protecting their walls using dart backboards and forget to use the best dart mats to protect their precious floors as well.
Now, if you’re a beginner learning how to play darts, a dart mat is a crucial accessory that can be of immense help. First, it holds your darts whenever you make a terrible throw, and second, it gives you accurate measurements of the oche. So, if you’re a novice that knows less about dart measurements, a dart mat can be of great value.
Contents
Best Dart Mats: Editor’s Top Picks
Why Do You Need a Dart Mat?
Although we’ve discussed a lot about dart mats, I believe some people are still not convinced as to why you need one. You see, regardless of your skill level, there are chances that your darts may hit the spider and fall to the ground.
This frequent contact of your darts with the floor can leave unsightly holes and marks that can cause both cosmetic and compromising structural damage to your precious floor. Besides, if you’re using soft tip darts, you’ll experience rapid wear of the dart’s tips when they get to contact with the hard floor. So, for this and much more, let’s discuss some reasons why a dart mat is an inevitable investment.
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Protects Your Floor
The first reason, which happens to be pretty obvious, is protecting your floor against damages caused by the darts. In fact, the whole idea of having a dart mat is to protect your precious flooring. You see, when playing darts, it’s obvious that some of the darts will bounce out and fall to the ground. Since you can do nothing about it, the best way to prevent it is by having a dart mat.
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Protects the Darts
Other than protecting the floor, a dart mat plays a key role in protecting your darts from bending. This is especially true if you’re using soft tip darts. Since their tips are very fragile, these types of darts can wear out prematurely if they keep falling on a hard surface.
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The Toe Line
When playing darts, a player must stand at a certain distance from the board depending on the type of darts he/she is using. Unfortunately, most beginners aren’t familiar with the official measurements. So, to eliminate all the hard work, buying a dart mat can sound like a smart choice.
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Very Comfortable
Most dart mats are made of foam or rubber. These two materials have a high density that’s beneficial in two ways. One, it provides a perfect landing zone for the darts. And two, it helps to relieve your joints from pain and fatigue after standing for too long. They also minimize knee and hip injuries keeping you safe and comfortable when playing.
Types of Dart Mats
When picking the right target darts mat, there are many things you need to consider. Some factors such as high foot traffic, price, and resilience can play a key role in deciding the type of dart mat you’ll need for your specific setting. In this section, we’re going to discuss four types of dart mats that will protect your floor, your darts, and your wall against premature damage.
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Home Dart Mats
These types of mats are commonly used at home or places with low foot traffic. The design is pretty basic as they have nothing fancy to offer. They’re usually cheap and offer great value in terms of protecting your floor and providing an accurate throw line.
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Industrial-Grade Dart Mats
These dart mats are designed with performance in mind. They’re made from heavy-duty materials that offer exceptional strength. Despite being pricey, these dart mats are hugely used in places that experience high foot traffic as they’re resistant to wear.
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Floor Dart Mats
These ones are heavily suited for professional play. They’re mostly made from vinyl or rubber and their main purpose is to make the game fair and competitive. Apart from holding the darts, these types of mats protect players from skidding while still providing accurate oche measurements.
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Wall Dart Mats
Lastly, there are wall dart mats. While all the other mats are tasked to protect the floor, this one is designed to fit on the wall to protect it against stray darts. So, if you’re a beginner practicing how to throw, then you might consider adding this mat to your wish list.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dart Mat
Now that we’ve discussed 8 of the bestselling dart mats in this business, our next focus is to highlight some useful factors you’ll need to consider when picking the right mat. You see, nowadays, it’s quite difficult to pick a perfect dart mat due to the many available options.
Also, there are many parameters you’ll need to consider to ensure that you get a mat that suits your needs. Since there’s a lot to talk about here, we’ll narrow down these factors by discussing the 6 parameters that are of great importance.
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Purpose:
The first thing you need to think of when picking a dart mat is the purpose or rather the value it offers for your money. Are you buying it for casual or professional use? You see, the reason why this factor is so important is that dart mats come in different variations.
Dart mats that are intended for professional use have more accurate throw lines that suit professional play. Most of them have 2, 3, or 4 throw lines that suit different regulation games. So, if you’re looking to spend more to get a serious mat, then such models can be perfect picks.
On the other hand, if you’re intending to get a dart mat for casual use, then perhaps you can opt for a cheaper model that has a sticker oche or a laser oche.
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Mat Material:
Other than the purpose, the next important factor that demands great attention is the material used on the mat. You see, the material the mat is made out of will have a great impact on its longevity. Unless you get a laser throw line, most dart mats you’ll get are made from any of the following materials.
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Foam:
Foam is a relatively cheaper alternative that offers great value. It’s also thick and lightweight meaning it can be folded and stored easily. However, foam tends to flatten quite fast. Due to this reason, mats made from foam are best used at home rather than in places experiencing high foot traffic.
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Vinyl:
Vinyl on the other hand is quite thin as compared to foam. It’s also bouncy meaning players will feel more comfortable when standing on it even on bare feet. Vinyl can also be rolled up easily for convenient storage. But, regardless of all this, vinyl can easily wear out when exposed to areas with high foot traffic.
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Rubber:
Lastly, there’s rubber. The best thing about this material is that it offers an all-around solution to all your needs. First, mats made of rubber are thicker than those made of vinyl. This offers a perfect landing zone for darts especially steel tip darts.
Secondly, rubber is anti-slip meaning it won’t shift around when stepped on. It’s also tough enough to resist regular wear even when used in areas with high foot traffic. The only problem with rubber though is that it releases a strong chemical odor especially when it’s new.
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Type of Flooring:
The type of flooring you’re planning to use your dart mat on can play a key role in your decision-making. In most cases, you’ll expect to use your mat on a carpeted, tile, hardwood, concrete, or vinyl flooring. Now, most dart mats tend to perform well on hard floors but struggle when used on carpeted floors.
So, if you’re planning to use your dart rug on a carpeted floor, always go for one made of vinyl or rubber. The reason why these two are the best is that they can hold well on carpeted floors without shifting.
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Size:
From what you’ve read in our review section, you must have realized that most dart mats come in different sizes. Some have a length of 8 ft. while others go to as far as 10 ft. The width is also variable depending on the model you’re getting. Some have a width of 23 inches while others go to as far as 26 inches.
Since the main purpose of a dart mat is to protect your floor and your darts against the impact that causes damage, you need to pick a mat that’s wide enough to cover a bigger surface area. This way, most of your darts will land on the mat to prevent damage to your floor.
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Style and Design:
The overall style and design of your dart mat can play a significant role in your final decision. If you’re a serious player, picking a black mat with white printings of the throw line can give it a professional look.
On the other hand, if you’re a casual player that loves exaggerated effects, then you can pick a mat that has colorful graphic markings on its surface. You can also pick mats such as the Gran Mat and the GranBoard to take advantage of the cool LED effects.
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Portability:
The last factor you’ll need to consider when picking a dart mat is its portability. Remember, your dart mat will have to be rolled and carried to another location at some point. This is true if you need to carry the mat to your friend’s place or if you want to go camping with other enthusiast darters.
In most cases, vinyl tends to stand out in this department, as it’s thin and less bulky. Foam and rubber have their own advantages but rolling them up can be difficult as they’re thick and resilient.
The Best Dart Mats Reviews:
But, despite a dart mat being such a useful accessory, deciding on which model to pick can be very difficult especially if there are other options available. For that reason, this insightful guide has filtered at least 8 incredible dart mats that will be steady enough to protect your precious floor.
1. Viper by GLD Products Padded Throw/Toe Line Dart Mat
Product Specifications
- Material: Soft Vinyl
- Dimensions: 117″ L x 24″ W x 1/4″ D
- Color: Black
- Made in the USA
Taking pole position in today’s discussion is the Viper Padded Throw/Toe Line Mat. Now, there are two main reasons why this dart mat has outperformed most of its closest rivals. One, it offers excellent protection to your floor against falling darts. Two, it offers the convenience of a traditional dart mat by providing an accurate throwing distance to eliminate any guesswork.
The Viper Padded Throw/Toe Line Mat measures just 117″ L x 24″ W x 1/4″ D. Although some players might complain of the mat being too thin, the sleek design helps to prevent bulkiness, especially when storing the mat. Now, one area Viper has excelled in is using vinyl as the primary material. This idea has given this mat an extra boost in terms of cushioning meaning your darts will not penetrate through and damage the floor.
The vinyl fabric is also flexible and non-slip meaning players will have an easy time throwing. Another great feature about this mat is the oche markings that include the throw lines for both soft and steel tip darts. While most dart mats release an unpleasant rubber smell, the Viper Padded Throw/Toe Line Mat is made from a vinyl fabric that only needs a few hours to expand before being used.
Highlighted Features
- Two throw lines for soft and steel tip darts.
- The vinyl material used withstands heavy impact.
- It has roll flex qualities that make it easier to roll the mat.
- Non-slip surface.
- Thin profile for easy storage.
2. Dart World Let’s Play Darts Dart Mat
Product Specifications
- Material: Anti-slip rubber
- Dimensions: 9 ft 10” long by 24” wide
- 3 printed oche markings (7’6”, 7’9 ¼ “, 8’)
- Weight: 19.4 pounds
- Thickness: 3mm thick
- Color: Black
The Dart World Let’s Play Darts is a mat that offers an exceptional balance between price and quality. While our previous Viper Padded Mat was made from Vinyl, this pro-quality pick is made from a non-slip rubber material that offers a lot of safety when playing. This dart mat is an ideal choice for both beginners and professional players due to two main reasons.
One, the mat measures 9 ft 10” long by 24” wide. Two, the surface is marked with three throw line-markings that suit all types of players. What this means is that players using either steel tip or soft tip darts will enjoy playing without worrying about marking the oche.
Besides the oche, this dart mat has a thickness of 3mm. What this means is that heavy darts will not have any chance of sinking on the mat and damaging your floor. The size of this pro-mat is another major plus as it offers a wide surface area where darts can land on. Now, although this dart mat is regulated for professional use, it suffers one major flaw. It’s made from rubber that tends to release a strong odor especially when new.
Highlighted Features
- Made from a heavy-duty rubber material
- Thin profile allows easy folding for safe storage
- Features three oche markings
- Has a company logo for authenticity purposes
- Suitable for multiple floors
3. Target Darts World Champion Darts Mat
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 118” by 23.5”
- Weight: 4.63 pounds
- 3 oche lines (7’6”, 7’9 ¼ “, and 8’)
- Color: Black
On the third position, we have the Target Darts World Champion Dart Mat. Now, if you’re eyeing to give your home a pro setup, then perhaps coupling your bristle dartboard with this pro-mat can perform the trick. That’s because this dart mat is a championship quality mat that will give your floor the beauty and the protection it deserves.
Made from a lightweight felt material, this dartboard is amazingly durable and odorless as compared to most mats made from rubber. It comes with professional measurements of 118” by 23.5” that are ideal for competitive play. The face of this mat is printed with three oche markings that reveal the regulated throw lines for steel tip and soft tip darts. Besides, Target Darts has printed its company logo on one end of the mat to prove its authenticity.
About the performance, the Target Darts World Champion Dart Mat has not disappointed. First, the mat has a depth of 3mm that is enough to stop heavy darts from damaging your floor. Secondly, this mat weighs just 4.63 pounds. Although this lightweight can prevent the mat from holding perfectly on the floor, it makes folding the mat quite easier. It’s also available in a cool black color that adds some aesthetic appeal to your floor.
Highlighted Features
- Made from a light odor-free felt fabric
- Anti-slip advantage
- Printed Target logo on the surface
- Lightweight for easy rolling
- Three printed oche lines
4. GranBoard LED Darts Mat Dart Rug
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 118” by 23.6”
- Color: Multi-colored
- Package Content: USB cable, instruction manual, 2× LED strips and a switch box
The best thing about the GranBoard LED Darts Mat is that it’s among the few dartboard floor mats that offer a delightful playing atmosphere. So, whether you’re playing darts at home or in a pub, this dart rug will improve your playing mood thanks to its high-intensity LED lights. In fact, the LED lights come in the form of two strips that are attached to the mat using Velcro.
But, despite being so stylish, this dart mat has not failed to focus on its main duty which is to protect your floor. To guarantee maximum safety, GranBoard has used a soft and flexible fabric in the construction to provide a tough cushioning where darts can land on. About the dimensions, this dart mat has a length of 118” and a width of 23.6”.
Although some players will complain of being thin, rolling and packing this dart mat is something you’ll truly enjoy. When it comes to the oche, the GranBoard LED Darts Mat has not been overemphasized by using multiple oches. Instead, they’ve added just one oche that’s strapped using Velcro. Since this mat uses 360 degrees high-intensity LEDs, GranBoard has included a USB cable for connecting the lights with a reliable power source.
Highlighted Features
- Can be linked with GranBoard3 using a USB cable
- Features 2 strips of LED lighting
- The light effects can be synchronized
- Requires only 12W of power supply
- The oche is stuck on the mat using Velcro
5. GRAN MAT -LED Action Darts Mat
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 118″ x 23.6″
- Material: Light carpet fabric
- Package Content: 2× LED strips, circuit box, USB cable and instruction manual
The Gran Mat-LED Action Darts Mat is a close cousin to our previous GranBoard LED Darts Mat. In fact, the two seem to share a lot in common including the features and the technology. Much like the GranBoard LED Darts Mat, this dart mat is equipped with LED effects that provide a delightful gaming atmosphere by improving the interior ambiance.
The Gran Mat-LED Action Darts Mat is made from lightweight carpet-like materials that have non-slip properties. This allows the mat to offer the right support when throwing darts without skidding. About the dimensions, this dart mat has a length of 118” and a width of 23.6”. Although some players will complain about it being too narrow, these dimensions are enough to hold your darts especially if you place the mat at the center of the dartboard.
Other than that, the Gran Mat-LED Action Darts Mat doesn’t just come alone. The package also includes a USB cable, an instruction manual, two LED strips, and a circuit box. To enjoy inspiring LED effects, all you have to do is to link the mat with the GranBoard3 using a 12W USB adapter.
Highlighted Features
- Light carpet material is easy to fold
- LED lights provide a cool 360 degrees lighting effect
- USB cable links the mat with the GranBoard3
- Has a GranDarts logo for authenticity
- LED strips require just 12W of power
6. Winmau Xtreme Dart Mat (Heavy-Duty)
Product Specifications
- Material: 100% Rubber
- Dimensions: 118 inches by 23 inches
- Weight: 19.51
- Color: Back and Yellow
- Two oche marking (7’ 9 ¼ “ and 8’)
Both the GranBoard and Gran Mat LED mats have really excelled in providing dart players with lots of playing dynamics. Unfortunately, some players, especially professionals, may not like the idea of having too many fancy features on a dart mat. For this reason, the Winmau Xtreme Dart Mat is a reliable choice that gives you the feeling of playing darts in a legitimate setting.
First, this dart mat is made of 100% rubber that’s strong enough to suit both commercial and home use. Unlike our previous GranBoard mats that are made from light carpet, the rubber material used on the Winmau Xtreme is safe enough to protect any type of flooring. This dart mat comes with dimensions of 118 inches by 23 inches that are considered to be standard.
Now, Winmau’s decision to use rubber as its primary material comes with its share of pros and cons. About the pros, this mat is non-slip meaning players will not skid when throwing. It’s also bouncy and quite thick proving the right depth for darts to land on. On the negative side, this dart mat releases a strong rubber smell that can be quite disturbing.
Highlighted Features
- Made from 100% non-slip rubber
- It has two oche marking
- A mix of black and yellow colors
- Highly portable and easy to fold
- Has two Winmau logos
7. Pachi Paradice Harrows Professional Dart Mat
Product Specifications
- Color: Black
- Weight: 19.84 pounds
- 2 oche marking (7’6” and 7’ 9 ¼ “)
- Material: Rubber
The Parachi Paradise Harrows Dart Mat may not be as vocal as the Winmau Xtreme or the Viper. However, this dart mat adds some dynamics to your game, which is not the case with most of the brands we’ve covered. The use of industrial-grade rubber has impressed most professionals as it gives you the chance to play darts without skidding.
Besides, rubber is known to be thick, bouncy, and very resilient. With such features, this dart mat can handle heavy darts and high foot traffic without wearing out. Its thickness and high density also provide a safer landing zone for your darts without letting them damage your precious floor.
Now, aside from the construction, the Parachi Paradise Harrows Dart Mat comes with two oche marking on its surface. There’s the 7’ 6” mark and the 7’ 9 ¼ “ mark. So, whether you’re playing darts professionally or casually, these two oche markings will be of immense value to your game. Other than that, this dart mat weighs 19.84 pounds making it quite easier to fold and pack.
Highlighted Features
- Made from industry-grade rubber
- Two visible oche markings
- It has non-slip properties
- Wide enough to capture stray darts
- Best for both soft tip and steel tip darts
8. Lehom Heavy Duty Darts Mat
Product Specifications
- Material: Non-slip rubber
- Color: Black with white printings
- Thickness: 1/5”
- Dimensions: 118” by 24”
- 4 dart-throwing lines (7’ 6”, 7’ 9 ¼ “, 8’ 0” and 8’ 6”)
Coming last in our discussion is the Lehom Heavy Duty Darts Mat. Though it came last in our list of the best dart mats, the Lehom is not a mat that can be underestimated. First, this mat is made from heavy-duty non-slip rubber that’s strong enough to resist shifting when stepped on. It’s also thick and bouncy meaning your darts will not damage the floor in case of bounce-outs.
Now, the Lehom Heavy Duty Darts Mat has a length of 118” and a width of 24”. These measurements allow this mat to cover a wide area which is a major plus to beginners learning how to throw. Its weight of 15.85 pounds is another major plus that allows you to fold this mat easily for convenient storage.
Are you playing darts casually or professionally? Well, whatever your reasons are, the Lehom Heavy Duty Darts Mat comes with four oche markings that suit all regulation games. So, whether you’re using the 7’ 6”, 7’ 9 ¼ “, 8’ 0”, or the 8’ 6” throw line, this dart mat has all the standard measurements regulated by the PDC.
Highlighted Features
- Suits both soft tip and steel tip darts
- Made from high-quality non-slip rubber
- Thick enough to withstand heavy abuse
- Flexible enough to roll easy
- Rubber surface is easy to clean
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I Use a Dart Mat Outside?
Yes, you can. Dart mats can be used outside provided they don’t suffer from the harsh effects caused by the elements. Vinyl and rubber tend to perform well on the outsides as compared to carpet. However, if vinyl and rubber are exposed to rainwater and UV rays, they can melt and break easily. So, always use your dart outside when the weather is favorable, or consider using a mat that’s specifically designed for outdoor use.
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Can I Stick a Dart Mat on the Wall?
The simple answer is no. You see, dart mats are specifically designed to be used on the floor. They’re relatively longer and unable to fit well on your walls. They also lack the necessary mounting hardware so you’ll really strain to mount them.
For these reasons, a surrounder will remain to be a better pick if you want to protect your walls. Surrounders fit perfectly around your dartboard and they come with the right mounting hardware meaning you won’t have to struggle to mount them.
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Are There Special Dart Mats for Kids?
Yes, there are. In most cases, dart mats made from vinyl or rubber tend to fit the bill pretty well. Mats made from these materials offer immense protection to kids in case they fall. They’re also soft and gentle on your kids’ skins.
These materials are also resilient and can withstand regular abuse from kids. Lastly, vinyl and rubber are easy to clean. So, in case of spills and stains, these mats can be wiped easily without being damaged.
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Are There Situations When a Dart Mat Isn’t Necessary?
Well, the simple answer is yes. You see, dart mats are designed to protect your floor against damages caused by the darts. They also protect your darts, especially soft tip darts, from the heavy impact that can cause rapid wear.
Although a dart mat is such a necessity, there are two situations where you might not need them. One of them is when playing darts outside. Since the darts won’t damage your grass, you don’t need to have a dart mat when playing outside.
However, if you’re unable to measure the throw line, then perhaps you might consider the convenience of a dart mat. The second situation is when using soft tip darts. Unlike their steel tip counterparts, soft tip darts are cheap and most of them come with replacement parts. So, if you don’t care much about the darts, then there’s no need of using a dart mat.
Final Verdict
As you can see, a dart mat is an inevitable investment that demands great attention when shopping for dart accessories. Although it’s often overlooked, a dart mat is key in protecting your floor against premature damage. Besides, these mats protect your darts against rapid wear while still offering a non-slip surface where you can stand on and not worry about falling over.
As you can see in our review section just above, most of the best dart mats we’ve discussed offer great value for the money. Most of them are thick, non-slip, and safe enough to be used by all types of players. Like it’s not enough, these mats have different oche markings that suit players using either the soft tip or steel tip darts.
So, in case you’ve been struggling to find the right dart mats to suit your style of play, then this guide has offered you some excellent picks that will leave you spoilt for choice.