A complete home darts setup has four parts: a bristle dartboard, a surround to protect the wall, lighting to remove shadows from the board, and a mat or oche to mark the throwing line. Buying them together as a bundle costs less than buying each piece separately, and makes one of the most memorable Christmas presents for anyone who plays darts.
This guide shows what a good setup gift looks like at £100, £150, £200 and above, how to pick the right lighting, and the measurements you need to put it all up properly.
Last updated 5 November 2026. Bundle prices were correct at the time of writing; check each product page for the current price.
What goes into a home darts setup
| Part | Why it matters | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Dartboard | A bristle board is the standard for steel-tip darts. Boards wear with use, so a fresh one makes a real difference. | Dartboards |
| Surround | Catches misses and protects the wall and plaster around the board. | Surrounds |
| Lighting | A ceiling light casts shadows from darts already in the board. A dartboard light lights every segment evenly. | Lighting gifts |
| Mat or oche | Protects the floor from dropped darts and marks the throwing line in the right place. | Mats & oches |
| Auto-scorer (optional) | Cameras detect each dart and keep score in an app. | Smart darts gifts |
The best home darts setup gifts by budget
Around £100: a complete starter setup
The £100 Budget Setup Bundle combines the Red Dragon Razor Edge dartboard, a Red Dragon surround and a SteadyThrow Lite raised oche, which is everything except the darts. At the time of writing it costs £90.99, against £101.80 for the items bought separately. Add a set from our beginner darts gifts if they don't have darts yet.
Around £150: a step up in board quality
The £150 Setup Bundle pairs the Mission Samurai 4 Graphite board with a Winmau Pro Line 2.0 surround and a Prozone Essential mat, at £140.99 against £156.95 separately (at the time of writing).
Around £200: board, surround, light and mat
The £200 Setup Bundle is the first to include lighting: a Winmau Blade 6 Dual Core board, Pro Line white surround, Polaris 120 light and a Clearzone mat, at £197.99 against £220.00 separately (at the time of writing).
£200 and above: the premium setup
At the top end, setups pair a premium board with a ring light. The TOR EVO + Corona Vision 2 + Notched Surround bundle combines Target's TOR EVO board with the Corona Vision 2 light and a notched surround designed to fit around the light. For fans of a particular brand or player, there are also Winmau Blade, Harrows Fortis and Ryan Searle Heavy Metal setups in our darts gift sets and bundles.
Browse every option in dartboard gifts and home setups.
How to choose dartboard lighting
- Ring lights wrap around most or all of the board and light it from several directions, which removes the shadows darts cast on each other. The Target Corona Vision 2 gives 270 degrees of light with touch brightness control, the Winmau Plasma Ice 360 is a full ring that fits any board or surround, and the Mission Torus 270 comes in black, green or silver finishes.
- Compact lights cover part of the board and are quicker to fit. The Winmau Polaris 120 gives 120 degrees of light and attaches magnetically, with or without a surround.
- Check compatibility. Some lights are designed to fit with particular surrounds, so check the product page if you are buying both.
Measurements for putting it all up
| Measurement | Steel-tip standard |
|---|---|
| Height to the centre of the bullseye | 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor |
| Throwing distance | 2.37m (7ft 9¼in) from the face of the board to the oche |
| Diagonal check | 2.93m (9ft 7⅜in) from the centre of the bullseye to the back of the oche |
Our full guide to setting up a dartboard correctly covers fixing, spacing and rotating the board in more detail.
Practical tips before you buy
- Measure the space. You need room for the 2.37m throwing distance plus space to stand behind the oche.
- Think about the floor. Dropped darts damage wooden and tiled floors, so a mat is worth it.
- Delivery: every bundle in this guide is over £50, so UK delivery is free, including Express Shipping.
- Auto-scoring: camera systems like the Autodarts Vantage mount around a standard bristle board. See smart darts gifts.
Buying for someone specific? Our darts gifts for Dad and darts gifts for husbands lean heavily into home setups, and our Christmas darts gift guide covers every person and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need for a home darts setup?
A bristle dartboard, a surround to protect the wall, a dartboard light and a mat or oche to mark the throwing line. Darts and a case complete the setup.
How high should a dartboard be?
The centre of the bullseye should be 1.73m (5ft 8in) from the floor, with the oche 2.37m (7ft 9¼in) from the face of the board for steel-tip darts.
Is a dartboard light worth it?
Yes, for most home players. A ceiling light casts shadows from darts already in the board, while a dedicated dartboard light lights every segment evenly.
Are darts setup bundles cheaper?
Yes. Our setup bundles are priced below the total cost of buying each item separately, and each bundle shows the saving.
Do I need a surround for my dartboard?
It isn't essential, but a surround catches missed darts and protects the wall, which is why most home setups include one.
