Which Dart Brand Should You Buy? Red Dragon vs Winmau vs Unicorn vs Harrows vs Target
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
Summary
Who this is for: New Zealand dart players who are past their first cheap set and trying to work out which brand is actually worth committing to — whether that's your first "proper" set or an upgrade before the club season starts.
Key takeaways:
Red Dragon, Winmau, Unicorn, Harrows and Target all make excellent darts — they just make them for different kinds of players.
Winmau and Red Dragon are technically sister brands under the same parent company, but they couldn't be more different in personality or price point.
Unicorn has been inventing the technology the whole industry now uses since before World War II ended.
Target is the brand behind Luke Littler's darts, which is why "Target darts" searches have spiked since his World Championship win.
You don't have to match your dartboard brand to your dart brand — plenty of good players mix and match.
What's inside:
A breakdown of what each of the five brands is actually known for
Which current pro players throw for each brand
A quick-reference comparison table
A straight answer to "which one should I actually buy"
Ask five different dart players which brand is best and you'll get five different answers, all delivered with total confidence. That's because there isn't a single "best" dart brand — there's a best brand for your budget, your grip, and how seriously you're taking this. We stock more darts than anyone else in New Zealand, and we're darts and only darts, so we don't have a favourite horse in this race. Here's an honest look at the five brands we get asked about most, so you can stop guessing and start throwing.
Red Dragon — Built for Character (and Your Wallet)
Red Dragon is a Welsh brand under the Nodor Group umbrella, and it's built its name on two things: bold, colourful designs and genuinely good value at the entry-to-mid level. If you've ever seen a dart set with a flame pattern, a rainbow finish, or a snake wrapped around the barrel, there's a good chance it's Red Dragon.
That snake theme isn't random — Red Dragon holds a five-year signature deal with Peter "Snakebite" Wright, one of the most recognisable characters in professional darts, and his signature ranges are some of their best sellers. In 2026 Red Dragon also rolled out their new "Switch" point technology, letting players swap dart points without needing a full repointing kit — a genuinely useful upgrade for anyone tired of replacing bent points.
If you're buying your first set that isn't a supermarket special, or you want something with a bit of personality without paying pro-level prices, start here.
Winmau — The Board the Pros Play On
Winmau has been making dartboards and darts since 1945, and if you've watched a PDC World Championship on TV, you've watched darts hit a Winmau board — they've held the exclusive supply deal for every PDC tournament board since 2022. They're also the title sponsor of the Winmau World Masters, the oldest continuously running darts tournament in the world.
Interestingly, Winmau and Red Dragon are sister brands under the same parent company, but you'd never guess it from the products. Where Red Dragon leans colourful and accessible, Winmau leans premium and tournament-grade, including dart ranges built around players like Michael van Gerwen.
Buying Winmau — especially a Winmau board paired with Winmau darts — means buying into the exact setup used at the top level of the sport. If that consistency matters to you more than flash, this is your brand.
Unicorn — The Old Guard, Still Winning
Unicorn has been around since before most other dart brands existed, and the list of things they invented reads like a history of the sport itself: the first commercial plastic dart flight in 1945, the first darts classified and sold by weight in 1949, and titanium tungsten darts in 1987. A lot of what every brand does as standard today, Unicorn did first.
These days Unicorn is home to Gary Anderson's signature Phase range — Anderson is a two-time World Champion, and his darts are built around the same tungsten barrel craftsmanship that's made Unicorn a fixture in pro cabinets for decades. There's nothing flashy about the branding. The reputation does the talking.
If you want a set built by the brand that's been quietly setting the standard since before your grandparents watched darts on TV, Unicorn won't let you down.
Harrows — Precision Engineering, English-Made
Harrows doesn't chase headlines the way some brands do, but their current player roster is genuinely strong: Ryan Searle, Luke Woodhouse, Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall all throw Harrows on tour. Their darts are designed and manufactured in England, and they're known for their Quick Point shaft and point system, which makes swapping components faster than most other brands manage.
What makes Harrows worth a look is the value equation — you're getting tour-level engineering and English manufacturing without paying flagship pricing. It's a brand that rewards players who've moved past their first set and want something that performs like a pro dart without the pro dart price tag.
Target — Where the Hype (and Luke Littler) Live
If you've searched for "Target darts" recently, there's a good chance Luke Littler is the reason. Littler throws Target's Swiss Point darts, and after his World Championship win, anything with his name on it has been flying off shelves — his own signature sets included.
Beyond the Littler effect, Target has built a real reputation on Swiss Point technology: interchangeable, titanium-coated points that hold their edge longer and swap out cleanly. The designs tend to be sleek and modern rather than loud, which suits players who want the latest engineering without the novelty finish.
If you're chasing the newest tech, or you just want to throw what the current World Champion throws, Target is the obvious pick.
Quick Comparison
Brand | Known For | Signature Player | Best For |
Red Dragon | Bold designs, real value, Switch point tech | Peter "Snakebite" Wright | First proper set, players who want personality |
Winmau | Official PDC board partner, tournament pedigree | Michael van Gerwen | Players who want the same setup as the pros |
Unicorn | Industry-pioneering craftsmanship since the 1940s | Gary Anderson | Players who value proven, no-nonsense quality |
Harrows | English-made, Quick Point system, strong value | Ryan Searle, Damon Heta | Intermediate players stepping up without overspending |
Target | Swiss Point tech, sleek modern design | Luke Littler | Players chasing the latest tech (and the Littler effect) |
So Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Here's the honest, no-jargon version. If this is your first set that isn't from the bargain bin, Red Dragon gives you the most character for your money. If you want to throw exactly what you see on TV during the World Championship, go Winmau, and pair it with a Winmau board if you're setting up a full home rig. If proven craftsmanship matters more to you than marketing, Unicorn has been getting it right since before tungsten darts existed. If you're an intermediate player ready to step up without jumping straight to flagship pricing, Harrows is the sweet spot. And if you're chasing the newest tech — or you just want to throw what Luke Littler throws — Target is your brand.
One more thing worth knowing: nobody says your dartboard and your darts have to be the same brand. Plenty of serious players mix a Winmau board with Unicorn or Target darts because it's what suits their throw, not because of brand loyalty. If you're still working out your grip, weight preference and throw style, our beginner's guide to choosing your first dart set is a good next stop, and once you've settled on darts, our dartboard package guide walks through matching it to a board.
Not Sure Which One's Right for You?
We stock all five of these brands (plus a few more) under one roof, which means you can compare them properly instead of bouncing between five different overseas websites. If you're still on the fence, get in touch and tell us how you throw — we'll point you at the set that actually fits, not just the one with the flashiest box.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dart Brands in NZ
What's the best dart brand for a beginner in New Zealand?
Red Dragon is a strong starting point for most beginners — the sets are affordable, well-made, and come in designs that make darts feel a bit more fun while you're still learning your grip and stance. Harrows is also a solid beginner-to-intermediate option if you want English-made quality without a big spend.
Are Winmau darts the same brand as the Winmau dartboard?
Yes. Winmau makes both dartboards and darts, and since 2022 they've held the exclusive supply deal for every PDC tournament board, which is why you'll see the Winmau name during televised World Championship matches. You can buy a Winmau board and Winmau darts together, but you don't have to.
What darts does Luke Littler use?
Luke Littler throws for Target Darts, using their Swiss Point technology with interchangeable titanium-coated points. His signature sets are among the most searched-for darts in New Zealand right now following his World Championship win.
Is Red Dragon only for beginners, or do pros use it too?
Red Dragon covers both ends of the spectrum. It's a great entry point because of the price and range, but it's also the brand behind Peter "Snakebite" Wright's signature sets, so there's genuine pro-level engineering behind the fun designs.
What makes Unicorn darts different from newer brands?
Unicorn has been in the industry since before most other brands existed, and it pioneered technology — like the first plastic flights and the first titanium tungsten darts — that the rest of the industry later adopted as standard. It's a brand built on proven craftsmanship rather than trend-chasing.
Do I need to match my dartboard brand to my dart brand?
No. Your dartboard and your darts are independent choices. Plenty of players use a Winmau board with darts from a completely different brand, because board choice and dart choice come down to different things — one is about bounce-out resistance and durability, the other is about grip, weight and balance.
What tungsten percentage should I look for in a decent set of darts?
Most mid-to-premium darts across all five of these brands run 80–95% tungsten. Higher tungsten content means a thinner barrel for the same weight, which generally means tighter groupings on the board. It's less about the brand and more about the specific set within that brand's range.
Which brand has the best point or flight technology right now?
It depends what you value. Red Dragon's new Switch points make swapping points fast without extra tools. Target's Swiss Points are built for durability and clean swaps. Harrows' Quick Point system is designed for speed of change. All three solve the same problem — a bent or worn point — in slightly different ways.
How much should I expect to pay for a good set of darts in New Zealand?
A solid entry-level set from any of these five brands typically starts under $50, with mid-range sets sitting between $70–$150 and flagship signature sets (like Luke Littler's or Gary Anderson's ranges) running higher. Price generally reflects tungsten percentage and barrel machining rather than the name on the box.
Can I actually buy all five of these brands from one New Zealand store?
Yes — we carry Red Dragon, Winmau, Unicorn, Harrows and Target, along with several other brands, which is part of why we carry a bigger range than any other dart-specific retailer in the country. You can compare all five without ordering from five different overseas sites and waiting on international shipping.
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