The Best Soft Tip Darts, No Sponsor Talk
The plastic tip clicks into the segment, and a half-second later the board chirps out your score before your arm has even dropped. That satisfying little sequence only happens when the dart's built right — so here's what separates the best soft tip darts from the bargain-bin sets.
The Short Answer
The standout soft tip darts are the Viper Diamond, Bottelsen Skinny's Tough Koat, Unicorn Gary Anderson, and Harrows Veridian. All four deliver the balance, precision, and durability that cheap sets can't match.
Each earns its spot differently. The Viper Diamond is known for nickel-silver plated barrels and diamond-cut aluminum shafts, while the Bottelsen Skinny's wins on grip and aerodynamics.
What Makes a Soft Tip Dart "Good"
A good soft tip dart starts with the barrel material. Tungsten barrels are slimmer for the same weight, which means tighter groupings, while nickel-silver and brass cost less but run thicker.
Grip matters just as much. Knurling, rings, or cuts on the barrel should lock into your fingers the same way on every throw — if the dart slips or sticks inconsistently, no spec sheet will save you.
Balance is the quiet third factor. A well-balanced dart flies flat into the board instead of wobbling, which protects the tip and keeps the sensors reading your hits cleanly.
Mind the Weight Limit
Electronic boards and soft tip leagues usually cap dart weight, most commonly at 18 or 20 grams. Heavier darts can damage the board's segments and may get you disqualified in league play, so check your board's rating before buying.
If you're not sure where to land inside that range, our guide on what weight darts you should use breaks it down. Lighter darts demand a faster, more deliberate throw, so most players settle between 16 and 18 grams.
Tips Break — Plan for It
Soft tips are flexible plastic by design, so they bend and snap instead of chewing up your board. That's a feature, not a flaw, but it means every set eventually needs fresh tips.
Buy a set with a standard thread (2BA is the most common) and keep a bag of replacement tips in your case. Swapping one takes seconds, and you'll never lose a game night to a broken point.
- Keeps spare tips on hand so a broken point never stops the game
- Reinforced cone stands up to the impact of darts up to 20 grams
- Twists on tight and fits all standard 2BA soft tip dart threads
What Should You Spend?
Quality soft tip darts run roughly $20 to $100 depending on barrel material, brand, and extras. Cheaper sets exist, but they're usually less durable and won't fly as consistently.
If you're just starting out, spend toward the lower end on a tungsten or nickel-silver set and put the savings into spare tips and flights. Curious what the top players throw? See what soft tip darts professionals use.
Common Questions
What are soft tip darts made of?
Barrels are typically nickel-silver, brass, or tungsten. The tips are flexible plastic so they land safely in electronic dartboards without damaging the segments.
Are soft tip darts good for beginners?
Yes — they're less sharp than steel tips, and electronic boards handle the scoring so you can focus on your throw. We cover this in depth in are soft tip darts good for beginners.
Can soft tip darts be used on a bristle board?
They can, but they won't stick well since they're built for electronic boards. Stick with steel tips on bristle boards for reliable results.
Pick a set inside your board's weight limit, grab spare tips, and let the board's chirp tell you the rest.