If you’re new to the world of darts and find that you just don’t seem to improve no matter how much you practice, you may well come to appreciate what a tremendous difference the best soft-tipped darts for beginners can make to your dart game.
Offering an exceptional grip and a level of accuracy that most newcomers struggle to achieve with regular steel-tips, brands like our editor’s choice, the CyeeLife Aluminium Soft-Tip Dart Set can often prove to be the one thing that helps you develop from a total novice to skilled arrow-thrower.
Not that the CyeeLifes are the only choice of dart out there.
To help you find the perfect dart set for you, we took 15 of the year’s best-selling beginner-friendly soft-tip darts and tested them for their quality, grip, and performance. The CyeeLife set scored highest over all, but as you’ll see below, there were four other very excellent options too.
Top 5 Best Soft-Tip Darts for Beginners for 2024
AT A GLANCE
Related: Darts terms
There’s an abundance of good quality soft-tip darts on the market, so if were were ever going to determine a top five, we had to set some ground rules as to what constituted the best of the best.
First and foremost, we looked at performance and how good of a job each darts set did at helping newcomers to land more accurate shots. This included picking out options that offered almost perfect grip.
As you’ll see in our buyer’s guide later, factors such as weight, material, and high-caliber flights all influence the performance and were taken into consideration, as were quality and durability, value for money and, to a lesser extent, color and design.
Our detailed reviews outline just how well each of our top picks fared in all of those categories, but if you’re short on time right now, you’ll find a basic overview in the comparison table above.
1. Editor’s Choice: CyeeLife Aluminium Soft-Tip Dart Set
Shaft material: Aluminium
Weight: 18 grams
While other brands may be better if you’re looking for steel-tip darts, no other brand has managed to establish themselves as industry leaders in the soft-tip market quite like Cyeelife.
The company offers a huge choice of dart options suitable for players of all abilities, but it’s this CyeeLife Aluminium Soft-Tip Dart Set that is the best option for newcomers.
The reason for that isn’t just because they represent great value for money, either.
Sure, the low price tag for a 15-piece dart set is attractive if you’re put off by some of the more expensive darts on the market, but what’s even more appealing is the combination of lightweight standard flights, premium-quality aluminum shafts, and a solid 18 gram per dart, all of which comes together to improve speed and accuracy.
What’s more, these can easily be switched out for steel tip darts once you start to improve. This means that you can use them while you’re learning how to play with some fun and easy dart games and then upgrade your kit once you’re ready to take on your friends in a game of 301.
Add in exceptional durability and fantastic grip, and what you’ve got here is a hands down winner for the award of best beginner-friendly soft-tip darts.
What We like:
- Aluminum shafts come with rubber rings to stop them becoming loose and detaching from the barrel
- CyeeLife offer free alternative replacement tips if your darts don’t stick well in your board
- Comes with 15 darts and 180 dart tips.
What We Don’t Like:
- May be too heavy for some users, especially children
- Don’t work with all types of dart board.
-> Read More Customer Reviews Over On Amazon
2. Best Professional Grade Set: WIN.MAX 12-Piece Soft-Tip Darts Set
Shaft material: Aluminum
Weight: 18 gram
Like CyeeLife, WIN.MAX have developed an enviable reputation as purveyors of some of the highest quality darts equipment around, with a Who’s who of professional players all choosing their darts to other leading brands.
While their WIN.MAX 12-Piece Soft-Tip Darts Set may not be the exact set you’re going to see at major darts tournaments (most pros use steel-tips), each 18 gram dart is built to competition-grade professional standard.
The well-knurled nickel silver barrels have deep-set grooves which provide a solid yet comfortable grip while the 18-gram weight proves to be the optimum dart weight for new dart players looking to improve their accuracy time after time.
What We Like:
- Comes with flight protectors and complete darts tool kit
- The versatile plastic tips are suitable for almost all electronic dartboard
- Thicker flights ensure lasting durability.
What We Don’t Like:
- Color and design choices leave something to be desired.
->See What Other Customers Think Over At Amazon
3. Best Gift Idea: IgnatGames Soft-Tip Darts Set
Shaft material: Aluminum
Weight: 18/20 grams
The folks at IgnatGames have made a big deal out of the innovative, magnetic carry case that this 12-piece soft-tip darts set comes in.
There’s a good reason for that too. Not only does it provide excellent protection for the 12 included darts, but it also makes it a breeze to pack up your kit and head to the bar or your friends’ house for a quick game of Killer.
It also makes it the perfect choice if you’re looking to buy soft-tip darts as a gift.
Still, even more so than the case, it’s the darts themselves that we’re most concerned with, and IgnatGames don’t falter in that department either.
The kit contains two sets of six 18 gram darts and six 20 gram darts, giving you the freedom to switch to heavy darts once you start to improve.
Elsewhere, the brass barrels have been carefully knurled for optimum grip while the larger flight design help to increase speed without compromising on precision.
What We Like:
- Attractive case makes a great gift
- Comes with a 10-year warranty – a sign of IgnatGames confidence in the quality of their product.
- Aluminum shafts come with rubber O’ rings to ensure a stable and consistent flight path.
- Extra flights included
What We Don’t Like:
- The 20-gram set can be too heavy, especially for younger dart players
- Tips not as durable as with other brands.
-> See More Customer Reviews Over At Amazon
4. Best Lightweight Darts: CyeeLife Professional Soft tip Darts Set
Shaft Material: Aluminum
Weight: 16 gram.
If you liked everything about our Editor’s Choice pick apart from the 18 gram weight, and you’re in the market for a lighter dart, the CyeeLife Professional Soft tip Darts Set may well prove to be a suitable alternative, even if you’re not playing at a professional level.
The complete 12-piece contains 16 gram darts which makes them easier to throw, allowing you to get a good amount of speed without the need for too much power.
That being said, the real highlight for us is the thicker-than-average aluminum shafts knurled with five strategically-placed grooves for improved grip.
While not everyone likes a wider shaft, we find that it makes it a type of dart that is much easier to hold for newcomers who struggle getting a proper grip on more slimline options.
What We Like:
- Attractive design
- Fat aluminum shaft and 16 gram weight make them an ideal choice for novices
- Good value-for-money option with 100 tips and 24 flights.
What We Don’t Like:
- No carry case
- Tips don’t always work with all types of electronic dartboard, though Cyeelife will offer free alternative replacements.
-> Read More Customer Feedback Over On Amazon
5. Most Versatile Set: Viper Bobcat Adjustable Weight Soft Tip Darts
Shaft Material: Aluminum shafts
Weight: 16 – 20 grams
While we liked the aforementioned CyeeLife 16-gram set for their lightweight design, they are fairly limited in that if you eventually improve your game and want to play with a heavier dart, you’ll need to buy a whole new set.
That’s just one of the reasons why we love the Viper Bobcat Adjustable Weight Soft Tip Darts, a flexible, versatile package of three darts which gives you the freedom to start at a beginner-friendly 16 grams and then add more weight later on.
The set is sold in three weight options, all of which start at 16 grams but can either be upgraded to 17/18, 18/19, or 19/20 grams.
Weight aside, we also love the dual-banded knurled shaft with a concave center grip which improves the way you hold the dart for all-round improved precision and performance.
What We Like:
- Reinforced 2BA Tufflex Tips for added durability
- Attractive design
- Aluminum shaft features locking holes for a secure fit
What We Don’t Like:
- High price tag for only three darts
- Not as easy to put together as other brands.
-> Find More Customer Reviews Over At Amazon
How to Choose the Best Soft-Tip Darts: A Buyer’s Guide
So, you’ve seen what we consider to be the top five very best soft tip darts for beginners, but how did we come up with our selections?
More importantly, what should you be looking for when choosing your first novice-friendly soft-tips?
On the whole, there are three key things to consider, all of which ultimately affect your performance and playing style when you step up to the dart board before a game of darts.
These are:
Weight
It’s a fact commonly accepted among darts players that the heavier a dart, the straighter it flies. Yet before you go reaching for the heaviest set you can find, you should also note that heavier darts take a bit of getting used to and can be harder to throw when you’re first starting out.
Related: 5 Best Dart Flights
That’s why, with the exception of our ‘Best Lightweight Darts’ pick, we generally went with 18 gram darts as they’re heavy enough to still ensure accuracy while still being easy to use for beginners.
Grip
One of the most invaluable lessons any new darts player will learn is how to properly hold the dart in order to get the most accurate throw. While your own finger positioning is the most important factor here, the dart itself has a role to play.
When choosing which set to buy, look for a dart that comes with “knurled grip,” which means that it has rings, grooves, or ridges cut into the barrel to make it easier and more comfortable to hold.
Related: How to Play Shanghai Darts
While some professional players may prefer a smoother barrel to improve their performance, the knurled grip can really help newcomers get familiar with their darts and minimize dropping and slipping.
Shaft Quality
Darts shafts (sometimes called stems) can be made from a whole range of materials from plastic and nylon to aluminium and other metal.
While the material itself doesn’t really impact the dart’s flight, it does make all the difference in quality and durability.
Personally, we prefer aluminum shafts over a plastic shaft as even though they may be slightly more expensive than plastic and nylon or plastic shaft, they’re also significantly more durable and less prone to breaking, meaning they’ll last a lot longer than cheap darts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft-Tip Darts
What are soft-tip darts used for?
Soft-tip darts are used for electronic dart boards. If you have a typical bristle dartboard, you’ll need either steel tip darts or a set that allows you to swap between soft and steel tip.
What are the best types of flights for soft-tip darts?
Lighter, slimline flights tend to work best on soft-tip darts, making it easier to get a solid throw without putting too much power behind it.
Will soft tip darts damage my wall?
Soft-tip darts are very unlikely to damage your walls. Unlike steel-tip darts which may penetrate the wall if your shot goes awry, soft-tips tend to be a lighter, thinner dart, and although they might leave a tiny mark, making them a much better choice for novice darts players.
What are the Best Soft-Tip Darts For Beginners? Our Verdict
If you’ve read through this entire guide, you should now be armed with all the knowledge you need to make a fully informed decision when it comes to choosing which soft-tip darts to buy.
However, if you’ve reached this far and still haven’t made your mind up, allow us to leave you with a few suggestions.
If you’re looking for a versatile set of darts that you’ll still be able to use once you’ve advanced from beginner level to a more proficient player, then you might find a lot to like about the Viper Bobcat Adjustable Weight Soft Tip Darts which, as the name implies, will let you up the weight from a newcomer-friendly 16 grams all the way up to the kind of 20-gram darts that more seasoned players prefer.
If all-round quality and durability matter most to you, then the brand reputation and professional-grade design of the WIN.MAX 12-Piece Soft-Tip Darts Set should at least be on your radar.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking to spend your money on the overall best soft-tip darts money can buy in 2024, look no further than the CyeeLife Aluminium Soft-Tip Dart Set, a high-caliber pack of 18 gram darts which offers the ultimate combination of performance, quality, and exceptional value for money.
