What is a dartboard surround and do you need one?

Short answer: A dartboard surround is a ring of EVA foam that fits around your dartboard, catching missed darts and protecting your wall from damage. For most home players, a surround is close to essential. Solid entry-level options are the KOTO 4 pcs. Surround and the KOTO Surround. For an official PDC model, go for the Winmau Surround PDC.

Sooner or later a dart will land next to the board. Without protection, that costs you a wall or door frame. A dartboard surround catches those misses and keeps your setup tidy.

This article covers what a surround actually does, which models Dartshopper recommends, and what to look out for when choosing.

What exactly is a dartboard surround?

A dartboard surround is a ring of foam (usually EVA foam) that fits around a standard 17.75-inch dartboard. The ring catches darts that land outside the scoring area, so the points don't disappear into your wall or skirting board.

Surrounds come in two formats. Single-piece (often a four-section self-assembling ring or a fixed whole) and multi-section. Both work equally well but differ in storage and shipping.

Why do you need a dartboard surround?

A surround serves three purposes: wall protection, point protection for your darts, and a tidier look for your setup.

•        Wall protection. A missed dart damages plaster, wallpaper and wood trim. EVA foam stops the point without leaving holes.

•        Point protection. Steel-tip darts can bend or break on impact with a hard wall. The foam absorbs the hit.

•        Sound dampening. A surround reduces the impact noise of missed darts and the rattle of a dart dropping to a hard floor near the skirting.

•        Looks. A dartboard with a surround looks finished. Same difference as a painting with or without a frame.

What should you look for in a surround?

Three things determine whether a surround fits you:

•        Fit. Almost all surrounds fit standard 17.75-inch (45.1 cm) bristle dartboards. Electronic boards have different dimensions.

•        Material and density. EVA foam is the standard. Higher density means a longer lifespan and fewer visible holes after extended use.

•        Single-piece or multi-section. A single-piece surround is more rigid and stays tighter. A four-piece variant is cheaper, easier to ship and to store.

Which dartboard surround is best for home use?

Three surrounds Dartshopper recommends for different scenarios: budget, all-round, and official PDC.

KOTO 4 pcs. Surround

Material: EVA foam

Format: 4 separate pieces

Colours: black, red, blue, grey

The KOTO 4 pcs. Surround is the entry-level option. You click four foam segments around your dartboard. Ideal if you want affordable protection and don't mind the visible seams between the pieces.

View the KOTO 4 pcs. Surround.

KOTO Surround

Material: EVA foam

Format: one piece

Colours: black, red, blue

The KOTO Surround is a single-piece ring. Tighter and more rigid than the four-piece version, and the most popular choice for home use. With more than 400 reviews on Dartshopper, a proven option.

View the KOTO Surround.

Winmau Surround PDC

Material: high-density EVA foam

Format: one piece, official PDC

Colours: black with PDC logo

The Winmau Surround PDC is the official model of the PDC. If you want the same look as TV tournaments and prioritise quality over price, this is your pick. Higher foam density also means a longer lifespan.

View the Winmau Surround PDC.

How do you mount a dartboard surround?

A surround needs no screws or brackets. You slide the ring over the front of the board; the elastic foam clamps itself against the sides of the dartboard.

For a four-piece surround, place the sections around the board and push the ends together. For a single-piece ring, feed it behind the board and pull it forward until it sits flush with the front face.

For the correct height (1.73 m to bullseye) and distance (2.37 m to oche), check the official rules of the WDF.