If you're looking to buy soft tip darts, it can be surprisingly difficult to know where to start. There are different weights, barrel shapes, tungsten percentages, grip styles, shafts, flights and points — and what suits one player may be completely wrong for another.

That's why we don't believe there is one "best" soft tip dart.

The best soft tip darts are the ones that suit your grip, throwing style, preferred weight and the electronic dartboard you're playing on.

In this guide, we'll explain the important differences and help you choose a soft tip setup that feels right for you.

What Are Soft Tip Darts?

Soft tip darts are designed primarily for use on electronic dartboards. Instead of the sharpened steel point found on traditional steel tip darts, they use a replaceable plastic tip designed to enter the small holes in an electronic board.

Electronic dartboards automatically register where a dart lands and calculate the score, making them particularly popular for social darts, home games and competitive soft tip play.

A typical soft tip dart consists of four main components:

• Soft plastic point
• Barrel
• Shaft
• Flight

Many of the same principles that apply when choosing steel tip darts also apply to soft tip darts, but weight and point compatibility deserve particular attention.

Soft Tip Darts vs Steel Tip Darts

The most obvious difference is the point.

Steel tip darts have metal points and are designed primarily for traditional sisal/bristle dartboards.

Soft tip darts use plastic points and are designed for electronic dartboards.

There are other differences too.

Soft tip darts are generally lighter because electronic dartboards have maximum recommended dart weights. Using darts that are too heavy can damage the board.

Steel tip darts, by comparison, are commonly available in considerably heavier weights.

If you're purchasing soft tip darts for a particular electronic dartboard, always check the board manufacturer's recommended maximum dart weight.

Who Are Soft Tip Darts For?

Soft tip darts can suit almost anyone.

They're particularly attractive to players who:

• Play regularly on electronic dartboards
• Want automatic scoring
• Play social darts at home
• Prefer lighter darts
• Participate in soft tip leagues or competitions
• Want to practise different styles of darts
• Enjoy online or interactive electronic dartboard features

Some players exclusively play soft tip, while others enjoy both steel tip and soft tip darts.

There's no reason you have to choose one format permanently.

Choosing the Right Soft Tip Dart Weight

Weight is one of the first things customers look at when choosing darts, but it's also one of the easiest things to overthink.

There is no perfect dart weight.

A heavier dart isn't automatically more accurate, and a lighter dart isn't automatically more difficult to throw.

The important question is:

What weight allows you to reproduce your throwing action comfortably and consistently?

Soft tip darts are typically lighter than steel tip darts, with many models falling somewhere around the mid-to-high teens in grams, although available weights vary considerably.

If you're new to soft tip darts, a middle-of-the-range weight can be a sensible starting point.

Experienced players moving from steel tip to soft tip may initially prefer something relatively close to the feel of their existing darts, while remaining within the electronic board's weight limits.

Important: Barrel Weight vs Complete Dart Weight

Pay particular attention to how the manufacturer states the weight.

Some soft tip darts are advertised by barrel weight, while electronic dartboard limits generally concern the weight of the complete assembled dart.

Once the shaft, flight and point are fitted, the complete dart will weigh more than the barrel alone.

Always check the manufacturer's specifications rather than assuming the advertised number represents total weight.

Choosing the Right Barrel Shape

Barrel shape can have just as much influence on how a dart feels as its weight.

There isn't one barrel shape that's best for everyone.

Straight or Parallel Barrels

Straight barrels maintain a relatively consistent diameter through much of their length.

They're extremely versatile and can accommodate front, middle and rear grippers.

If you're unsure which barrel shape suits you, a straight or parallel barrel is often a very sensible starting point.

Torpedo Barrels

Torpedo barrels usually have more of their weight concentrated around the middle of the dart.

Players who like a compact dart or naturally grip around the centre may find this shape particularly comfortable.

Bomb-Shaped Barrels

Bomb or bomber barrels are generally shorter and wider, concentrating the dart's mass into a compact package.

They're often popular with players who prefer a substantial feel in the fingers without needing a particularly long barrel.

Tapered Barrels

Tapered barrels gradually change diameter along their length.

Depending on the design, the taper can help guide finger placement and influence how comfortably darts group together.

Scalloped Barrels

A scallop creates a recessed area in the barrel.

For some players, this provides an extremely useful reference point because the fingers naturally locate the same position for each throw.

Consistency of grip position can be particularly valuable.

Which Barrel Shape Should You Choose?

Look at where you naturally hold a dart.

If you grip towards the front, choose a barrel with useful grip in that area. The same applies to middle and rear grippers.

Don't choose a barrel simply because your favourite professional uses it.

Their grip isn't necessarily your grip.

Understanding Dart Grip

Manufacturers use rings, grooves, knurling, cuts and increasingly sophisticated machining to create different grip patterns.

Grip is highly personal.

A very aggressive grip may give one player confidence but feel uncomfortable or restrictive to another.

Likewise, a relatively smooth barrel can feel wonderfully clean to one player and too slippery to somebody else.

Think about two things:

How much grip do you want?

and

Where do you want that grip positioned?

The second question is often overlooked.

A beautifully machined rear grip is of little benefit to somebody who holds their darts at the front.

Does Tungsten Percentage Matter?

You'll commonly see soft tip darts advertised as:

• 80% tungsten
• 90% tungsten
• 95% tungsten

and other compositions.

Tungsten is extremely dense, which allows manufacturers to make relatively slim barrels without sacrificing weight.

Higher tungsten percentages can therefore allow a manufacturer to create a slimmer barrel of a particular weight.

That can help with close grouping, but higher tungsten doesn't automatically make a dart better.

A 90% tungsten dart that perfectly suits your grip and throw may be a far better choice for you than a more expensive 95% tungsten dart that doesn't.

Consider tungsten percentage as one part of the design, not a quality score that determines which dart you should buy.

Soft Tip Points

Unlike traditional fixed steel points, soft tips are consumable items.

They bend, wear and occasionally break, so it's a good idea to keep replacement points available.

Points can vary in:

• Length
• Thread
• Flexibility
• Shape
• Colour
• Manufacturer compatibility

One of the most important things to check is thread compatibility.

Don't assume every replacement soft tip will fit every barrel.

If you're unsure, check the specifications of both the dart and replacement tip before purchasing.

Flights and Shafts

Flights and shafts can substantially change the way a dart behaves in the air.

Shaft Length

Changing shaft length alters the overall geometry and balance of your dart setup.

Broadly speaking, shorter and longer shafts can produce noticeably different flight characteristics, but there isn't a universal rule that says one particular length is best.

Experimentation is often the answer.

Flight Shape

Different flight shapes have different surface areas and aerodynamic characteristics.

Common options include:

• No.2 Standard
• No.6 Shape
• Slim
• Pear
• Kite
• Other specialist shapes

Larger flights generally provide greater aerodynamic influence and stability, while smaller shapes may provide a faster-feeling trajectory for some throwing styles.

Again, there is no universally superior option.

Can You Use Integrated Flight Systems with Soft Tip Darts?

Yes.

Modern integrated flight-and-shaft systems can be used with many soft tip dart setups, provided the thread and overall setup are compatible.

Systems such as Target K-Flex combine the shaft and flight into a single moulded component.

Potential advantages include:

• Consistent 90-degree flight positioning
• No separate flight becoming detached from the shaft
• Good durability
• Simple setup
• Reduced component management

Traditional separate shafts and flights remain an excellent choice, however, particularly for players who enjoy experimenting with different combinations.

Neither system is inherently better.

It's another matter of personal preference.

Electronic Dartboards

Your choice of electronic dartboard matters just as much as your darts.

Features vary considerably between boards and may include:

• Automatic scoring
• Multiple game formats
• Multiplayer modes
• Computer opponents
• Online connectivity
• Sound effects
• Large score displays
• Different segment designs

Before buying a board, check its recommended maximum dart weight and compatible point requirements.

Using unsuitable darts can shorten the life of an electronic board.

Can Soft Tip Darts Be Converted to Steel Tip?

Some can.

Conversion points are available for certain soft tip dart barrels, allowing them to be used on traditional bristle dartboards.

This can be particularly useful for players who enjoy both formats and want to retain the familiar feel of the same barrel.

However, compatibility varies.

A conversion point also changes the overall weight and balance of the dart, so don't expect a converted soft tip dart to feel exactly the same.

Always confirm the thread and compatibility before purchasing conversion points.

Soft Tip Darts for Beginners

If you're buying your first set, don't become overwhelmed by specifications.

I'd concentrate on four things:

1. Comfortable weight

Choose something within the limits of your electronic board that doesn't feel excessively light or heavy in your hand.

2. Versatile barrel shape

A straight or parallel 80–90% tungsten barrel is an excellent starting point for many players.

3. Moderate grip

Avoid assuming that maximum grip is best. A medium grip gives you a good reference point from which to learn what you prefer.

4. Replacement points

Buy some spare compatible tips. You will eventually need them.

Most importantly, give yourself time to become familiar with the darts before deciding they're unsuitable.

Soft Tip Darts for Experienced Players

Experienced players can be more precise about what they're looking for.

Think about:

• Exact barrel weight
• Complete dart weight
• Balance point
• Barrel diameter
• Barrel length
• Front, middle or rear grip
• Grip intensity
• Point preference
• Shaft length
• Flight shape

Change one element at a time where possible.

If you change the barrel, shaft length and flight shape simultaneously and your darts suddenly behave differently, you won't know which change produced the result.

Are Expensive Soft Tip Darts Better?

Not necessarily.

More expensive darts may offer:

• Higher tungsten percentages
• More complex machining
• Premium coatings
• Player endorsements
• Advanced point technology
• More elaborate presentation

Those things can be worthwhile.

But price doesn't determine whether a dart suits your throw.

A moderately priced dart that feels natural in your hand will usually serve you better than an expensive set that doesn't.

What Are the Best Soft Tip Darts?

This brings us back to the question we started with.

There isn't one answer.

The best soft tip darts for you are the ones that provide the right combination of:

Weight + Barrel Shape + Grip + Balance + Point + Shaft + Flight

for your particular throwing action.

Someone else's perfect dart may feel completely wrong in your hand.

That's one of the fascinating things about darts — small changes can produce surprisingly large differences in feel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Tip Darts

What weight soft tip darts should I use?

There is no universally ideal weight. Choose a weight that feels comfortable, produces a repeatable throw and falls within your electronic dartboard manufacturer's recommended limit.

Are soft tip darts suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Automatic scoring and the wide range of games available on electronic dartboards can make soft tip darts particularly enjoyable for beginners.

Do soft tip points break?

They can. Plastic points naturally wear, bend and occasionally break, so keeping compatible replacement tips on hand is recommended.

Can I put steel points into soft tip darts?

Not ordinary fixed steel points. Some soft tip barrels accept purpose-designed conversion points, but compatibility needs to be checked.

Is 95% tungsten better than 90% tungsten?

Not automatically. Higher tungsten content can allow slimmer barrel designs, but barrel shape, grip, balance and comfort are ultimately more important than the percentage printed on the packaging.

Can I use K-Flex with soft tip darts?

In many cases, yes, provided the barrel uses the appropriate shaft thread. Integrated systems such as K-Flex can provide a durable and convenient alternative to separate flights and shafts.

How often should I replace soft dart tips?

Replace a tip when it becomes badly bent, damaged, worn or no longer enters and holds in the electronic board reliably.

Choosing the Right Soft Tip Darts for You

When choosing your next set, don't start by asking:

"What are the best soft tip darts?"

Instead ask:

"What features are most likely to suit the way I throw?"

Consider your preferred weight, where you hold the barrel, how much grip you like and whether you prefer a straight, torpedo, tapered, bomb or scalloped profile.

Then experiment.

Finding the right setup is part of the enjoyment of darts.

At Deadeye Darts, we've been involved in darts for decades and stock a wide range of soft tip darts, replacement tips, flights, shafts, integrated flight systems and electronic dartboards from leading manufacturers.

Whether you're buying your first set or fine-tuning an established setup, the goal is the same:

Find the dart that works for you — not simply the dart somebody else says is best.