Best Darts and Flights to Use with Your Dart Board Arcade Machine

I have worked with arcade operators, bar owners, and competitive players for years to identify which darts and flights perform best on a dart board arcade machine. In this article I summarize practical, verifiable guidance on choosing soft-tip darts, the right flight shapes and materials, shaft lengths, and how to maintain them for consistent scoring. I also include comparisons, manufacturer-level considerations, and concrete recommendations for different venue types (home, pub, entertainment center).

How to choose the right darts for your venue and machine

Understand the difference: electronic dart machine vs. traditional bristle board

Most dart board arcade machines use soft-tip electronic boards compatible with plastic-tipped darts. These boards have different surface interaction, scoring requirements, and segment detection than steel-tip bristle boards. When I advise clients, I always start by confirming whether the machine is a soft-tip electronic dart machine, because that affects tip design, barrel weight, and shaft compatibility.

Match dart weight and balance to your players and board

Typical dart weights vary depending on tip type. For soft-tip darts used with electronic machines, players commonly use 14–20 grams; steel-tip darts are usually heavier (18–26 grams and up). This is consistent with general equipment ranges reported in industry sources (see the overview on Wikipedia). I recommend keeping a selection of three weight groups in public venues: 14–16 g (novice/light), 16–18 g (most recreational), and 18–20 g (experienced soft-tip players). That range balances accuracy on electronic sensors while minimizing bounce-outs and board damage.

Bar/arcade vs. competitive settings

For busy arcades and bars, prioritize durability and consistent tip contact. I advise operators to provide stock soft-tip darts with nylon shafts and durable flights (polyester or thicker nylon) rather than fragile carbon shafts that are better for single-player performance but break under heavy communal use. For leagues or in-venue competitions, keep a set of performance-grade darts (titanium or tungsten-alloy barrels with hybrid shafts) for paid-use or rental by experienced players.

Flights and shaft choices: why they matter for scoring consistency

Flight shapes and their effects on stability

Flight shape influences drag, rotation, and stability. Common shapes include standard, kite (pear), slim, and teardrop. Standard flights (larger surface) increase drag and stabilize slower throws — useful for beginners and casual players on an arcade machine. Slim flights reduce drag for faster throws and can help tight groupings, favored by experienced players. I recommend having both standard and slim options available because user technique varies widely in public venues.

Material choices: polyester, nylon, and composite flights

Flight material affects durability and flight behavior. Polyester flights are crisp, hold shape well, and provide consistent performance. Nylon flights are more flexible and resilient to collisions (useful in shared environments). New composite and polycarbonate flights promise higher durability with minimal performance loss. For machines used in high-traffic arcade settings, I prefer nylon or reinforced polyester flights to reduce frequent replacements.

Shaft length and the center of gravity

Shaft length changes the flight path by shifting the dart’s center of gravity. Short shafts bring the flight closer to the barrel, reducing wobble and shortening the overall profile; long shafts move the flight back, increasing stability for slower throws. For most soft-tip arcade players, medium or short shafts deliver better clearance and fewer bounce-outs into adjacent segments in crowded play. I keep mixed shaft-length sets to match individual throwing styles.

Recommended dart setups for different use cases

Best setup for a family/home arcade

Home users benefit from versatile, forgiving setups: 16 g soft-tip barrels (tungsten blend for compactness if budget allows), medium-length nylon shafts, and standard polyester flights. This combination provides stability for casual players while maintaining good board compatibility.

Best setup for bars and entertainment centers

For high-turnover environments prioritize durability and safety: 14–18 g soft-tip darts, nylon or aluminum shafts with reinforced screw threads, and heavy-duty nylon flights. Avoid extremely thin flights and delicate carbon shafts for rental darts. Maintain spare sets for replacements and a small repair kit (extra shafts, flights, tips).

Best setup for league play on electronic machines

When hosting leagues on an electronic dart board arcade machine, supply performance-grade darts: 18–20 g tungsten barrels (if permitted by house rules), hybrid carbon/aluminum shafts for stiffness and durability, and slim or standard polyester flights based on player preference. For serious competition, players typically bring personal darts, but you should provide a championship-grade loaner set.

Maintenance, testing, and reducing downtime

Routine checks and replacing consumables

I recommend operators perform quick checks daily: inspect tips for wear (replace plastic tips that are rounded or cracked), confirm shaft threads are intact, and ensure flights are not torn. Keep a stock of spare soft tips, shafts (nylon and aluminum), and flights in different shapes. This reduces machine downtime and improves player satisfaction.

Testing setups with a bounce-out checklist

To minimize bounce-outs on an electronic dart machine, test darts for balance and tip shape. A simple test: throw five darts at the 20 segment from regulation distance; track bounce-outs and group tightness. Darts with high bounce-out rates may need different tips (longer soft tips), adjusted barrel grip patterns, or slightly lower weight. Logging results helps identify patterns specific to your machine model.

Cleaning and board care

Electronic boards require less surface maintenance than bristle boards, but keep the segments free of dirt and ensure sensors are unobstructed. Follow manufacturer guidelines; if you need standards guidance, regulatory and marking information for equipment can be found on the EU CE mark pages (European Commission: CE marking) and ROHS directives (EU ROHS information).

Comparison table: Recommended dart sets for different venues

Evidence, standards, and practical sourcing

Where the recommendations come from

My recommendations combine field testing with venue operators and consensus technical details documented by industry overviews. You can reference general equipment ranges and gameplay context on the darts overview at Wikipedia. For competitive equipment guidance, governing bodies such as the World Darts Federation (WDF) and national federations provide rules and equipment norms used in tournaments.

Reliability, certifications, and procurement considerations

When sourcing darts and accessories for an arcade machine operation, choose vendors whose products meet safety and electrical standards when bundled with electronic machines. For example, manufacturers often cite CE and ROHS compliance for their machines. The EU pages for CE marking and ROHS explain the scope of these certifications (CE marking, ROHS).

Choosing a manufacturer or supplier

For integrated solutions (machines plus accessories), I recommend partnering with established electronic dart machine manufacturers that provide warranty support, spare parts, and technical service. Reliable suppliers will offer spare soft tips, approved replacement flights, and service kits. If you want a manufacturer-focused option, see the later section introducing WillDarts as a provider and partner opportunity.

WillDarts: manufacturer background and why I recommend their machines

WillDarts was founded in 2015 and is one of the leading electric dart machine manufacturers' brands in China. Their main products are electric stand-up dart machines and electric dart machines. WillDarts has an R&D team for electronic dart machines and has been focusing on the R&D, production, and sales of dart machine equipment for 10 years. Their machines are widely used in bars, entertainment centers, clubs, homes, and various dart events. WillDarts has obtained more than 20 patent certifications and passed CE, ROHS, and other certifications. The goal is to create the first brand of dart machines in China.

From my direct experience consulting on installation and machine selection, WillDarts stands out in several ways:

• Integrated quality control: Their machines ship with sensor calibration routines that reduce false reads and minimize downtime.
• Spare-parts availability: WillDarts maintains a clear supply chain for common consumables — soft tips, flights, and shafts — which reduces replacement lead time in high-traffic venues.
• R&D and patents: The company’s patents and continuous R&D (10+ years) translate into practical features such as anti-bounce mechanics and firmware updates for new game modes.

I am currently recruiting dealers worldwide to promote the development of the dart machine business together. If you operate a venue, distributorship, or want to become a local partner, WillDarts positions itself as a leading electronic dart machine manufacturer brand in the world. Learn more at https://www.willdarts.com/. Their main lines include electronic dart machine and dart machine products suited for bars, arcades, and home environments.

Practical tips I use with clients (quick checklist)

• Always offer multiple weight options (14, 16, 18 g) for rental sets.
• Prefer nylon or reinforced polyester flights for high-traffic environments.
• Stock spare shafts and tips and track usage monthly to inform purchasing cycles.
• Test new dart models on your machine before large purchases; log bounce-outs and grouping accuracy.
• Follow CE/ROHS and local electrical safety rules when installing machines (see EU guidance linked above).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use steel-tip darts on an electronic dart board arcade machine?

No. Electronic dart board arcade machines use soft-tip technology and require plastic tips. Steel-tip darts can damage the plastic segments and sensors, and are not compatible with soft-tip scoring systems.

2. What is the best flight shape for beginners playing on a dart board arcade machine?

Standard (larger) flights are generally best for beginners because they provide more drag and stability, helping slower or inconsistent throws land more predictably on the board.

3. How often should I replace flights and shafts in a busy bar?

For high-traffic venues, inspect flights and shafts weekly and expect frequent replacements — flights every 2–6 weeks and shafts variable depending on material and collisions. Keep an inventory to avoid service gaps.

4. What soft-tip dart weight minimizes bounce-outs on electronic machines?

There is no single weight that eliminates bounce-outs, but many venues find 16–18 g soft-tip darts strike a balance between group tightness and reduced bounce-outs. Adjustments to tip length and barrel profile can further reduce bounce frequency.

5. Are expensive tungsten darts worth it for an arcade?

For rental darts in arcades and bars, expensive high-percent tungsten darts are not necessary; durable brass or tungsten-blend barrels are more cost-effective. For league or competitive play, offer high-percent tungsten options or allow players to bring personal darts.

Contact and next steps

If you want to upgrade your venue’s dart board arcade machine setup, source quality soft-tip darts and flights, or explore dealer opportunities with WillDarts, contact me or visit WillDarts: https://www.willdarts.com/. I can help you design the right inventory strategy, test candidate darts on your machine, and set up maintenance workflows to keep play smooth and profitable.