I have hung Nodor boards in my own garage and helped a friend kit out his pub. Nodor is the original sisal bristle dartboard company, and their tournament-grade boards still hold up against every modern competitor. Here are the five I actually recommend.
| Board | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Nodor Supabull 2 | Tournament bristle | Serious home players |
| Nodor Cricket Pro 800 | Electronic soft-tip | Family use |
| Nodor SupaWires 2 | Staple-free bristle | Reduced bounce-outs |
| Nodor Octane | Mid-range bristle | Budget steel-tip |
| Nodor Pulse | Electronic with app | Tech-friendly play |
Nodor Supabull 2
The Supabull 2 is the board I have on my own wall. The bullseye is reinforced for longer life, the sisal is dense and self-healing, and the wiring is staple-free which dramatically reduces bounce-outs. It is BDO and PDC approved if you ever want to host a sanctioned match at home.
Nodor Cricket Pro 800
For families with kids or anyone living in an apartment, the electronic Cricket Pro 800 is the move. Soft-tip darts will not damage walls, the scoring is automatic, and the built-in games keep things interesting. Sound effects can be muted, which I appreciate after the third round.
Nodor SupaWires 2
The SupaWires 2 uses a blade wire system that almost eliminates bounce-outs on hits to the wires. If you are tired of darts kicking back from the outer ring, this board is the upgrade. Build quality is excellent and the sisal holds up to thousands of throws.
Nodor Octane
The Octane is the budget bristle pick. It does not have the reinforced bull of the Supabull, but the sisal is still dense and the spider wire is thin enough for good scoring. For under fifty dollars, it is a real bristle board that will last a casual player years.
Nodor Pulse
The Pulse is Nodor’s app-connected electronic board. Track stats, play online opponents, and log your throws automatically. It is a soft-tip board so kids and apartment dwellers are covered. I am not the target user, but my nephew loves it.
What Matters Most
Sisal density is the biggest factor in board life. Compressed African sisal self-heals between throws and lasts years. Cheap boards use loose fiber that falls apart in months. After density, look at the wire system. Staple-free or blade wires bounce out less.
My Setup
I have my board at the regulation 5 feet 8 inches from floor to bullseye, with the oche line at 7 feet 9.25 inches. A surround behind the board catches stray throws and protects the drywall. Good lighting on the board, not behind you, makes scoring obvious.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake new players make is not rotating the board. Rotate it a quarter turn every couple of weeks to spread wear evenly. The second mistake is leaving darts in the board overnight, which can deform the sisal over time.
Final Recommendation
For serious home play, the Nodor Supabull 2 is my pick. For families or apartments, get the Cricket Pro 800. The Octane is a fine budget bristle, and the Pulse is for the tech-curious. All of them play well, the choice depends on your space and style.
Frequently asked questions
Are Nodor boards better than Winmau or Unicorn?+
Nodor invented the bristle dartboard. Top-line Nodor boards play as well as anything from Winmau or Unicorn. For casual home play any major brand is fine, but Nodor has the heritage.
How long should a bristle dartboard last?+
With rotation every few weeks and quality steel-tip darts, a good bristle board lasts 3 to 5 years of regular weekly play before the bullseye starts to wear.