Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: December 24, 2024
Rec Room Pick is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Do you love playing darts with your friends around the bar? Then you need a durable and shock absorbent dart mat. These mats are placed on the floor below your dart board to protect your floor from falling darts. So if you have tiled or laminated floors it won’t get scratched or cracked by falling darts, all thanks to the thickness of the mat.
You’ll find that not all dart mats are the same. Some are made with high-quality material and others are low-grade products. That’s why we’re giving you reviews on the best dart mats on the market. In our reviews we’ll be talking about the materials the mats are made out of, their usage and size. Below the reviews section, you’ll find an extensive buyer’s guide to help you find the best dart mats for your requirements. We’ll start by reviewing our editor’s choice which is the Viper Padded Throw dart mat.
Other features: provides a regulation distance embossed toe line for both steel tip darts (93-1/4″) and soft tip darts (96″), heavy-duty, non-slip, made in the USA
If you want to protect your floor from the point of where you’ll throw the dart to the board then you need our editor’s choice which is the Viper Padded/Toe Line mat. It’s a long mat that gives your floor extra protection against falling darts.
You’ll love that this mat has embossed toe lines that give you markers of where you can stand to throw your darts. These lines give you accurate distances to throw for soft tip darts and steel tip darts.
The Viper Padded dart mat is a durable product that’s easy to fold and store thanks to the flexible vinyl it’s made from. The black color of the mat adds to the aesthetics of your entertainment area or bar. What’s more, the non-slip grip ensures that you and your teammates can safely play without slipping on the floor.
The ZAAP heavy duty dart mat is our best-valued product because of the quality, price and convenient features it provides. This is a long thick dart mat with four printed lines to give you exact distances for the type of darts you’ll be throwing. The quality and thickness of the mat give your floor extra protection from steel tipped darts.
Additionally, the mat is made with rubber that can be used on any surface such as carpets, wooden or laminated floors.
It’s made with flexible rubber that allows you to fold or roll the mat up for easy storage. The ZAAP dart board mat is easy to clean too, so if you spill drinks or food on it, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth.
If you’ve recently bought a dart board then perhaps you’ll benefit from the Target Darts World Champion mat. This is because this dart mat is our budget pick. It’s a highly durable mat that comes at an affordable price.
This dart mat is used by avid players and target pros at bars, parties, events & simply for practice rounds. The thick heavy-duty construction of the mat protects your floors from dart points and steel casings around the dart. It’s made with non-slip material so you can place it on any surface for safe gameplay.
What’s more, the dart mat can be rolled or folded up for easy storage and it won’t affect the shape of the mat. Overall this is the perfect gift to give partners, fathers and anyone who loves playing a game of darts.
The Dart World Let’s Play mat is perfect for tournaments because of the durable rubber material it’s made from. This mat is made with heavy-duty rubber, that’s non-slip and it’s easy to clean. Additionally, the rubber rolls up perfectly for easy storage when you’re not using it.
This dart mat is designed for players that use steel and soft tip darts. Simply use the oche lines on the mat as markers when using steel or soft dart tips.
The thickness of the Dart World mat is 3mm so it will protect your floors from heavy falling darts with sharp points. Your floor won’t crack or get scratched thanks to the heavy-duty rubber this mat is made from. Overall, the mat doesn’t move even when placed on carpets or wooden surfaces making it ideal for home and bar use.
Some dartboard floor mats are made with thick rubber but the Shot dart mat is made with carpeted fabric with a non-slip grip underlay. Therefore we gave this mat a nomination of the best fabric used to make a dart mat. The carpeted fabric provides an extra layer of protection because dart points won’t poke through the surface. What’s more, the mat is soft so you can stand on it barefoot and it won’t feel uncomfortable under your feet.
The dart mat isn’t suitable for home use so it’s mainly utilized for tournaments or in bar settings. On the other hand, it has printed toe lines on the mat to give you the proper distances used for soft and steel tipped darts. Overall, this dart mat is easy to store when not in use and it doesn’t have a chemical scent to it.
What do we love it for?
Comes in two sizes
For commercial use
Made with high quality carpeted fabric
Has a non-slip underlay
What were we disappointed with?
Not easy to clean
Throw lines aren’t straight
Things to Consider
We hope you found a dart board mat on our review list that will work for your practice rounds or fun games with your friends. On the other hand, if you’re still not sure which product to buy then read our buyer’s guide. This section gives you more information on dart board mats so you can make a conscientious decision on which one to buy.
Features to consider when choosing a dart mat
There are certain features that separate the low-end dart mats from the high-quality ones. In this section, we’ll discuss what features to look at before buying your dart board mat. This way you’re able to pick a product that has the specifications you need for your game of darts.
Mat and floor material
The first most important feature to look at before buying your dart board mat is what fabric or material was used to make it. This will determine how durable the mat is and if it’s easy to fold up for storage & how effortless it is to maintain the runner. Let’s take a look at what fabrics and materials are commonly used for dart board mats:
Foam: Dart mats made with foam are typically cheaper and more lightweight than any other type of material. On the other hand, foam is not as durable as rubber so it can tear over time. Foam is comfortable to stand on but doesn’t give you the level of protection you need for your floor.
Rubber: These dart mats come in various thicknesses and they provide the best level of protection for your floor. Furthermore, rubber is a non-slip product so mats made with this material won’t move when you’re playing. Rubber mats work well when you’re playing with heavy steel tipped darts because the material is shock absorbent. It will protect your floor from dents and scratches. Overall, rubber mats are easy to fold and maintain. The best rubber dart mat is the ZAAP heavy duty runner. It’s a tough mat that can withstand any harsh conditions and scuffs from shoes.
Vinyl: This material has a smoother surface so it’s more comfortable to stand on with your bare feet. Vinyl also has the best grip on smooth floors so it won’t move around when you’re playing. Dart mats made with vinyl are durable so they won’t tear and they’re easy to fold up. Vinyl dart mats are utilized for commercial use because of its durability and ease of maintenance. The Viper Padded Throw dart mat on our review list is made with vinyl and it’s made for commercial & home use.
Carpeted: Some dart mats such as the Shot Professional runner on our review list is made with carpet fibers. These mats are robust, easy to fold up and soft to stand on. If you do decide to buy a carpeted mat, ensure it has a rubber underlay like the Shot Professional to prevent the runner from moving
Usage
There are mats utilized for home use and there are products specifically designed for tournaments and bars.
Commercial dart mats are more durable and have extra features on them such as throw lines intended for soft & steel tip darts. Furthermore, commercial dart mats with throw lines are extra sturdy so they don’t slip and slide when you’re playing.
Dart mats that are for home use are generally lighter and flexible so they’re easy to roll up or fold for effortless storage & transportation. A dart mat for home use is affordable and can come with throw lines too. You can get ones with various designs on them so it complements the aesthetics of your home.
On the other hand, you can get dart board mats for both commercial and home use. If you want a heavy-duty mat that can be used for tournaments, bars and for the home the Viper Padded Throw will work for you.
Size
When throwing darts you must stand behind a line, a specific distance away from the board. Dart mats come in many lengths to accommodate these throw lines so that you are the correct distance away from the board when throwing darts. These mats are between 8ft and 10ft long.
You want to select a mat that’s wider too because it will cover more surface area of the floor which provides additional protection.
Sometimes you’ll experience stray darts that will hit against the board which causes them to fly away from the mat. That’s why it’s important to select a wider mat so it can protect more surface area.
Oches
Oches are the lines you must stand behind when throwing darts. As mentioned before these lines are specifically placed for proper gameplay especially for tournaments. These oches must be measured precisely away from the dart board depending on the type of darts you’re using.
Here is the measuring distance for steel and soft tip darts.
For steel tipped darts the oche is 7ft and 9 1/4″ away from the board
Oches for soft tip darts is 8ft away from the dart board
If you are over the line when playing in tournaments with darts you will be penalized. But if you’re practising for a tournament at home, it’s important to buy a mat that has the proper oche distances. The Dart World Let’s Play mat is perfect for tournament practice because it has precise oche lines.
Warranty
Excellent quality dart mats will come with a warranty that covers the product in case of damages on arrival through shipping. A warranty is important especially for commercial dart mats because they are expensive and need to have proper guarantees that protect the consumer. Select a mat that’s covered by at least a 1-year warranty.
Extras
Do you want dart mats that come with extra features? Let’s see what else you can get with your dart mat:
Aesthetics: Some dart mats come with amazing graphic designs on the surface that complement bars and home entertainment areas. If you don’t want the mat to affect the style of your space, select the Shot dart mat that has funky designs printed on the surface.
Dart surrounder: If you want to protect your wall then you may want to purchase a dart surrounder with your mat. These are mats that you place around the board to protect your wall from stray darts. Viper sells these surrounders so if you decide to buy this brand’s floor mat consider getting the wall protector too.
Laser dart lines: There are some dart mats that don’t come with oches. If that’s the case consider getting a laser dart line device. This device is installed below the dart board and places a laser light line on the floor where you must stand. The only downside to laser dart lines is that they can be difficult to see in brightly lit areas.
Price
Dart mats are relatively cheap but it depends on what materials they’re made out of. Heavy-duty rubber mats can cost between $60 and $100. Carpeted or vinyl mats can cost between $70 and $150. Furthermore, you may pay less for standard streamlined designs. Our budget pick which is the ZAAP heavy-duty mat costs $51.55 so select this product if you are on a tight budget.
Dart mats are long and are better suited for the floor because they are fundamentally runners. They may be too long to be installed on the wall and it won’t come with mounting equipment. If you want to protect your wall from stray darts then you need a surrounder. As mentioned before these mats are specifically designed for your wall because they surround your dart board. These wall mats come with mounting equipment so you can easily put the surrounder on the wall.
If you don’t have the budget for a surrounder you could also use Dodge Dart floor mats which are car floor protectors.
You want to pick a mat that has no chemical odors and that’s soft to stand and sit on for children. These mats are thicker and easy to clean. Additionally, you want to pick a mat that has a smooth surface rather than a carpeted one because food can get stuck in carpet fibers. The carpet fibers can also cause scrapes and burns on your child’s skin if he or she falls.
So if you want a mat that’s comfortable and smooth, select one made from rubber or vinyl. Perhaps you’ll like the ZAAP heavy-duty mat because it’s wide and made with thick anti-slip rubber.
You can use a dart mat outside, provided it’s made from rubber or vinyl materials. Grass can get stuck in carpeted dart mats making them difficult to clean. Although, it’s advisable not to leave the dart mat outside because it may not be weather resistant. UV rays can melt or damage the surface of rubber mats and water can cause them to break & tear easily. Perhaps look for a dart mat that’s specifically designed to use indoors and outdoors because it will be made with more hardwearing materials than standard mats.
Our Verdict
Still having trouble picking your product from our best dart mats review list? Perhaps we can help you further. Our editor’s choice which is the Viper Padded/Toe Line mat has embossed oches on the surface so they won’t rub off over time. What’s more, it’s made with soft padded vinyl so it’s comfortable to stand on.
Our best valued product is the ZAAP heavy duty dart mat because of its durability and properly distanced oches. Furthermore, it’s a thick mat that provides extra protection for your floors.
Last but not least is our budget pick which is the Target Darts World Champion mat. It’s a lightweight, flexible mat that’s easy to store and transport & it’s made from odorless materials. You get all these features for an affordable price.
So now that you know which is our top three best dart mats on the market, which one will help you win the game next time?