How Much Should You Spend on Darts? 5 Price Ranges Compared

Shortest answer: Beginners get the most value from darts between $15 and $45 — that range already offers solid 80% tungsten quality that lasts for years. Players who throw regularly and want to improve should look at the $45–$80 range. Only above that do you notice a real difference in balance and grip, and only if you've already built a consistent throwing technique.

The most common question about darts isn't "which brand?" but "how much should I actually spend?" The answer depends on how seriously you play, but the differences between price ranges are more concrete than most buyers realise. This article compares five price ranges side by side: what you get for your money, what you miss out on, and when an upgrade is worth it.

Under $15: brass darts for absolute beginners

Darts under $15 are almost always made from brass, a cheaper alloy metal. Brass is less dense than tungsten, which means the barrel has to be thicker to reach the same weight. In practice, a thick barrel makes grouping more difficult, because the darts simply sit further apart in the board. For someone who wants to find out whether darts is for them, these are fine. But anyone who starts playing more regularly will hit the limits of brass within a couple of months. Typical in this range: KOTO 90 pieces, Winmau Michael van Gerwen Ambition, Target Luke Littler Brass darts.

$15 to $45: first tungsten, solid entry level

Above $15, the first darts with 70–85% tungsten appear. Tungsten is denser than brass, allowing the barrel to be significantly slimmer at the same weight. That slimmer profile makes grouping easier and gives more room in the board. The $15–$45 range offers surprisingly good quality. The finish is straightforward, with limited grip detail and standard shafts and flights, but the core geometry is sound. A set in this segment lasts one and a half to two years with normal use. Typical in this range: Red Dragon Javelin 85%, KOTO Imperial Black 80%, Harrows Assassin RG 80%.

$45 to $80: the right choice for the regular player

Most experienced players who don't play professionally sit in this segment. Darts between %45 and £80 offer 80–90% tungsten, more grip variation (tapered, knurled or scalloped) and come with better shafts and flights. This is also where barrel shape starts to matter. A torpedo barrel has its balance point more centrally positioned, a teardrop shape sits lower on the barrel (front loaded), and a straight barrel distributes weight evenly. The wide range of grip styles makes it easier to find a dart that suits your throw. Typical in this range: Target Luke Littler Loadout Swiss Point 90%, Winmau Blackout 1 90%, Harrows Supergrip 90%, KOTO Sting Black Straight, Torpedo, Tapered and Bomb.

$80 to $120: high tungsten and brand-specific technology

Above $80, brands apply their own technologies. Target uses their Vision coating here, Winmau their Prism grip. Tungsten content rises to 90–95%, making barrels even slimmer and more precise. The difference from the range below is subtle but noticeable for players who have already developed their technique. Someone just starting out will barely notice it. The gain is in finer tuning, not fundamentally better darts. Typical in this range: Unicorn Gary Anderson Phase 6 90%, Target Nathan Aspinall G2 Swiss Point 95%, Winmau Michael van Gerwen Signature Edition 90%.

Over $120: pro level and limited editions

The highest range contains tour-replica sets from professional players such as Michael van Gerwen, Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price, plus specialist editions with 95%+ tungsten, advanced multi-zone grips and hand-polished finishes. If you want to play the exact setup of your favourite pro, or you're looking for a premium gift, this is the segment for you. Typical in this range: Target Luke Littler G1 90% Swiss Point, Target Rob Cross 95K Swiss Point 95%, Target Star Wars Darth Vader Swiss Point 95%, Target Phil Taylor Power Gx2 Swiss Point 95%.

When is upgrading your darts worth it?

The step from brass to the first tungsten range is almost always worthwhile. Beyond that, upgrading only makes sense when your technique is consistent enough to actually feel the difference. A player with a lot of variation in their throw line will barely notice the difference between $45 and $80 darts. That investment only pays off once the fundamentals are solid.

The choice of price range doesn't have to be a guess. Want to see which specific sets in each range suit you? Browse the full selection on the darts page at Dartshopper, filtered by material, weight and price range.