Illuminating your dartboard for night-time play isn’t as easy as you think. There are tons of different options out there, and not all of them will do what you want. We took a look at some of the best dartboard lighting systems on the market to help you decide what’s best for your needs.
The main thing that we found out was that not all lighting systems are as functional as they are practical. What this means is yes, they will all light up your dartboard, but not all of them will light your dartboard well enough to play in the dark without shadows or glares.
In our comprehensive guide to the best dartboard lighting systems, we’ll show you the top lighting systems on the market and give you some advice when it comes time to choose. Let’s get started.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
| Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick: Target Darts Corona Vision Lighting System | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Unicorn Solar Flare Dartboard Surround | 4/5 | Click for Price |
| Rite Lite Battery Operated LED Light | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Viper Dartboard Cabinet Mounted Display Light
The first lighting system we are looking at may not be suited for every dartboard setup. This lighting system actually favors a dartboard that is primarily in a cabinet. The primary goal of this light bar is to enhance the visibility of your dartboard during night play if your dartboard is encased in a cabinet.
This item has 3 adjustable LED light settings and will provide a clear view of your dartboard regardless of your distance. The mounting hardware comes included in the set and installation is fairly simple. You will need to pre-drill small pilot holes onto your dartboard cabinet before screwing in the hardware. You may be able to get away with not pre-drilling holes, but it may be a difficult task otherwise.
The display light is connected to a bracket that allows you to flip the light bar up which will then allow you to easily close your cabinet. This item requires 4 AA batteries to operate, or you can purchase an external power supply separately.
The manufacturer of this product offers a limited 1 year manufacturer warranty when purchasing this product.
What we like
- LED lights with 3 brightness settings
- Good price
- Easy installation
- Universal fit for dartboard cabinets
What we don’t like
- External power supply sold separate
- May not be bright enough for some users
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Target Darts Corona Vision Lighting System
The next lighting system we are looking at is a product made by Target. This is actually our top pick because we feel this product is the best bang for the buck. It offers all the qualities that you should be looking for when purchasing a light system for your dartboard.
This is one of the first circular designed lighting system that we will be looking at today. As you can see, your dartboard actually sits in the middle of this circular design. The main purpose for this design is to evenly illuminate your dartboard, and help eliminate shadows.
In theory, this should give you the best lighting possible without the distracting shadows that come with some light bars. It also has a creative way of attaching the lights by using a magnetic attachment which makes installation easy and convenient.
It attaches to your wall with an adjustable bracket. The design of this bracket allows for you to perfectly mount this to your walls even if they are uneven. The compatibility of this item is awesome. It’s made to fit with any dartboard bracket so you aren’t forced to purchase a new dartboard.
What we like
- Super fast setup (only takes a few minutes)
- Superb quality LEDs
- Illuminates your dartboard without shadows
- 125 individual lights
- Circular Lighting Design
- Reasonably priced compared to competitors
What we don’t like
- Battery operated only
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Rite Lite Battery Operated LED Light
Using a light bar is an easy and convenient way to add some light to your setup. This light bar is pretty basic, but if your goal is for your dartboard to look good at night then this will do. In my opinion, it isn’t the best for functionality. From what I have researched, light bars usually cause some sort of shadow beneath the dartboards which may affect play-ability in the dark.
Lets take a look at some of the features that this light bar has to offer. It’s a wireless LED bar that can be used for various objects, and one of those is a dartboard. It comes with eight white LEDs that are very bright and vivid. The life of each LED is about 100,000 hours.
You will need to install batteries in order to make this work which means you may be eating through batteries depending on how often you turn this on. There is an an on/off switch that includes a dimmer setting. I wouldn’t recommended dimming the light if you are using for your dartboard setup since it may cause unwanted shadows.
The mounting is pretty standard. It mounts with a screw mount bracket that comes with a built in level and a few screws. The bracket slides off easily when you need to take your dartboard down to change the batteries.
One of the cool features about this light bar is that it comes with a wireless remote control. You can turn on the light from anywhere in your room. You can even mount the remote to your wall to use it like a traditional light switch.
What we like
- Awesome low price
- Built in level on the bracket
- 8 bright LEDs
- Wireless remote control
What we don’t like
- May leave shadows near your dartboard
- Manufacturer states that actual item design may differ from picture of product
- Comes with very small screws that don’t work well for mounting
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- Target Darts Vision 360 Dartboard Lighting System
This is the second product by the company Target that made our list today. This one is very similar to our top pick, except for the price. The price point on this is very steep. It offers many of the similar functions as their other dartboard. Lets dive in!
It comes with 125 LEDs similar to the previous design we reviews. It fully surrounds your dartboard as well to provide you with the brightest and shadow-less finish. Now on to the difference. This lighting system is constructed from a solid, quality steel frame that houses and protects the LED lights. The previous model uses a different magnetic design.
The steel frame is shaped to angle the light directly at your dartboard and not the player. This helps prevent glare or distraction from the player so your gaming session isn’t affected.
The whole system easily fits to any competition sized dartboard using our brand new Titan Dartboard Locking bracket, which is supplied with the lighting system.
The Titan Dartboard locking bracket securely locks the board to the wall with adjustable feet to allow for uneven walls. And allows you to easily rotate the board by removing the feet from the wall, turning the board, and then re-applying them. The feet are adjustable from the front so you don’t need to fiddle about behind your dartboard.
What we like
- Awesome design and functionality
- Doesn’t cause unwanted shadowing of your dartboard
- Circular lighting design
What we don’t like
- Very expensive price point
- Same brand has a cheaper alternative
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- Unicorn Solar Flare Illuminated Dartboard Surround
The Unicorn solar flare illuminated dartboard system is another great lighting set up for your dartboard. Unicorn is a big name in the Darts industry so it’s no surprise that they made this list. They also decided to go with the circular design because it’s in my opinion the best way to light up a dartboard without shadows.
This “solar surround” fits around your dartboard or a rubber surround and provides a full 360 LED illumination. This creates an awesome, stylish looking Dartboard in almost any room.
This lighting system is made from a durable injection molded frame that is attached to an aluminum front cover. Included with the set is a multi-adapter which requires a power outlet.
What we like
- High quality materials
- LED Lights
- Works on any dartboard
- Eliminates shadows
What we don’t like
- High Price
- Fitment may not be snug or tight
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
6- Biglight Wireless LED Light with Remote
Here is another great light bar if you are not looking for a circular lighting system. This wireless LED light by Biglight is a decent alternative to the round dartboard lighting system.
One of the coolest features about this item is that it has a direction adjustable light. The arm and light tube can actually be rotated 180 degrees to adjust the lighting direction to your desired angle. The light also offers a brightness dimming option that allows you to press “+” or “-” to adjust the levels.
A cool feature I found with this light is that it has an optional Auto Off timer. You can set the timer in 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes. It is operated and requires 3 AA batteries. Installation is easy. It comes with the required screws. It is recommended to drill pilot holes before mounting. I would also recommend anchors, as this set doesn’t specify if it comes with any.
What we like
- Cheap price
- Adjustable light
- Wireless remote
- Auto off timer
What we don’t like
- Light bar may not eliminate shadows fully
- May not be bright enough for dart playing
- Battery operated
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Dartboard Lighting System
To find the best dartboard lighting for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Circular or Bar Design
The main aspect that you need to decide before buying a lighting system for your dartboard is the style. The two traditional methods to light a dartboard are either by light bar, or by a circular (360 degree) design. What are the main differences between the two you may ask?
Light bars are notorious for leaving shadows around the dartboard. These shadows may create a bad experience if you plan on actually using your dartboard in the dark. Let’s just say light bars are an excellent way to light up your dartboard for display, but no so much functionality.
A lighting system that uses a 360 degree design is both practical and functional. Having a circular light on your dartboard might not be the most stylish piece in your room, but when it comes time to use it, nothing compares. Your dartboard will be fully illuminated with no shadows, or glare.
Mounting
When it comes to mounting, be mindful whether or not the lighting set up you are looking at includes mounting hardware. Some manufacturers will include a mounting bracket, but none of the hardware. Most of the hardware needed for mounting are mostly just screws, but may require additional hardware for stability.
If you are screwing a mount into your drywall you have essentially two options. The first option is to find studs in your wall for the screws. If you don’t have studs, or have no way to find studs, then you need to purchase some sort of plastic anchor. Holes will need to be pre-drilled before inserting the anchors. Anchors will help hold the mount in place without falling off the wall.
Battery or Adapter Powered
Before making a purchase, it is important to know if your light set up will be powered by a power adapter or batteries. If you don’t have a nearby outlet where your dartboard is, then it would be a wise choice to choose a lighting system that uses batteries as its main source of power.
Best Dartboard Lighting System Brands
Unicorn
Unicorn has been a big name in the Darts industry for many many years. They are partnered with playwiththebest.com who have been the leaders in the design and manufacture of premium sports equipment for over 100 years. They supply top gear for men and women all around the world for various specialized sports like cricket, darts, cue sports, and more.
They work hard to produce products for amateurs and professionals alike to take their game to the next level.
Target Darts
Target Darts was launched in 2006 and have built an astounding reputation in the darting community since for their innovative designs and ideas. The quality of their products are hard to match due to their impeccable craftsmanship.
Target Darts also sponsors some of the world’s top players in every continent. They also boast about their players, and their portfolio now has an incredible 6 world champions, including Rob Cross and 16 x World Champion, Phil Taylor.
FAQs
What Does LED Stand For?
The term “LED” stands for light emitting diode. I bet the next question you have is, what is a diode? Well a diode is an electrical component with two terminals that conduct electricity in only one direction. The diode is what emits the bright light around the tiny bulb.
Are LED Lights Safe to Use for a Dartboard?
Unlike many other energy-efficient forms of lighting, the LED bulb does not emit polluting radiation. This means that this type of light doesn’t pose as a health hazard. LED lights are also considered safer than traditional lighting because they operate at a lower voltage.
Final Thoughts
The Target Darts Corona Vision Lighting System does a phenomenal job at lighting up your dartboard. In our opinion, it is the best lighting set up you can get for the money. It is a circular design with 125 LED lights which is very bright and causes no shadowing. It is also battery operated which means you won’t have any wires showing on your wall.
Although the Unicorn Solar Flare Illuminated Surround is a top-tier choice as well, it falls short in the price category. Its price point is very high, and it needs to be plugged in order to work. This means that if you don’t have a wall outlet nearby, you’ll have to figure out how to get power to it.
Whichever lighting system for your dartboard you choose, we hope that this guide has been helpful. Thanks for reading!