The Tools of the Trade: What Darts Do the Best Players Use?

Whether you're throwing in a pub league for fun or playing competitively, the darts you use make a massive difference. There is nothing worse than getting to a dartboard and finding some blunt arrows that have hit the wall around the board as much as the bullseye, so here are the tools of the trade some of the best in the world use.

The funny and most frustrating thing about darts is that from the outside it looks fairly simple enough. You pick up three tiny arrows, stand at the oche and try to hit the treble twenty without making yourself look like you have never used your arm before. However, anyone who has played even half seriously knows it is nowhere near that simple.

The weight, grip and feel of a dart can change everything; some players like something light and quick through the hand, while others want a heavier dart that feels more solid on release. Just like how choosing a specific number in the lotto can change the outcome. Some prefer a barrel with plenty of grip, while others would rather have something smoother that comes away cleanly from the fingers.

That's why it is fascinating seeing what tools the very best in the world use when it comes to plying their trade. They are not just bits of metal with a famous name attached. They are pieces of equipment shaped around rhythm, comfort and years of tiny adjustments.

 

Luke Littler’s Target Darts

Luke Littler has made darts feel younger and more exciting, so it makes sense that his equipment has become a big talking point.

Littler used his Target Luke Littler Gen 1 darts during his rise to the top, with the set made from 90% tungsten and designed around the style of “The Nuke”. The darts come with a multi-grip barrel profile, with stronger grip around the front and middle of the barrel and a more subtle feel towards the rear.

That matters because Littler throws with ridiculous confidence for someone still so young. His action looks fast without seeming rushed, and the dart has to leave his hand in exactly the way he wants it to.

He has generally used a 23g setup, which sits in that comfortable middle ground for many players, offering enough weight to feel stable without becoming too heavy. He also pairs his barrels with his Target K-Flex flights and longer Swiss Points, which gives the whole setup a sharp, modern feel.

In 2026, he has also been experimenting with a prototype setup from Target, which says plenty about how even the best players are still searching for small improvements to gain every advantage possible.

 

James Wade’s Unicorn Darts

James Wade is a brilliant example of a player whose darts match his personality on the oche.

Wade has never been about unnecessary fuss, his whole game is built around rhythm, timing and that slightly annoying ability to keep taking out finishes just when an opponent thinks they are finally getting somewhere in a frame.

His Unicorn James Wade Maestro Premier darts suit that style because they are clean, controlled, and like James, they are not trying too hard to look wild. They are made from 90% tungsten and feature a smoother front section, with ring grip running further down the barrel.

Wade prefers a 20g dart, which is lighter than a majority of the top players on the PDC tour, which tells you something about his throw. He clearly likes a setup that moves quickly and does not feel too heavy in the hand.

There is something very Wade about that he does not need the flashiest-looking arrows in the room. He needs darts that do the job, leave cleanly and help him keep repeating the same action until the other player starts wondering why he is still hanging around in the leg.

 

Stephen Bunting’s Target Darts

Stephen Bunting’s darts are interesting because his setup has changed in a positive way which seems to have helped his game kick on again.

For years, Bunting was known for using an incredibly light dart, reportedly going as low as 12g, which is almost ridiculous when you compare it to what many other professionals use. He later moved up to 18g, and that change came around the time his form started moving in the right direction again.

His Target Stephen Bunting Gen 5 darts are made from 95% tungsten and have a front-loaded barrel, which gives the dart a different feel in the hand and through the air. The grip is designed to give him control without making the dart stick too much on release.

That balance is important for Bunting because his throw has always had a soft and natural rhythm. When he is flowing, it looks like the dart is hardly being forced at all, almost as if he is throwing a paper aeroplane.

The setup is finished with his red Target shafts, signature flights and Swiss Points, giving the whole thing a clean look that has become closely tied to “The Bullet” during the latter stages of his career.