Tungsten vs brass darts is the first real equipment decision every player faces. The material your barrel is made from affects the thickness of your dart, how it groups on the board, how long it lasts, and ultimately how well you score. Every dart in the Tommy's Darts Shop range is built from tungsten for good reason. it is the superior material for competitive play at every level.
What Is Tungsten and Why Do Darts Use It?
Tungsten is a rare metal with a density of 19.25 g/cm³, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. That makes it roughly 2.2 times denser than brass (8.73 g/cm³). In practical terms, a tungsten barrel can achieve the same weight as a brass barrel while being significantly slimmer.
A slimmer barrel is not just a feel preference. It is a scoring advantage. Slimmer darts take up less physical space in the treble 20 bed, which means your second and third darts have more room to land. Over a match, that translates into higher averages and fewer bounce-outs from dart-on-dart deflection.
How Brass Darts Compare
Brass darts are cheaper to produce and cheaper to buy. A brass set might cost under £15. But the trade-off is a barrel that needs to be significantly wider to reach the same weight. A 24g brass dart will be noticeably fatter than a 24g tungsten dart, and that width costs you on the board.
Brass also wears differently. Tungsten barrels maintain their grip patterns for longer because the metal is harder. Brass is softer and the grip texture dulls over time, meaning you lose the tactile feedback that keeps your throw consistent.
Understanding Tungsten Percentages. 80% vs 90%
Tungsten darts are not pure tungsten. They are tungsten alloys. The percentage refers to how much tungsten is in the mix, with the remainder typically being nickel.
80% Tungsten
The sweet spot for beginners and intermediate players. 80% tungsten darts like the Target Hydro 02 (£34.95), Target Vapor 8 (£39.95), and Target Exo 01 (£39.95) offer a real tungsten experience at accessible prices. The barrels are slimmer than brass, durable, and perform excellently for developing players.
90% Tungsten
The professional standard. Higher tungsten content means denser material, which means even slimmer barrels. Darts like the Target Bolide 01 (£54.95), Target Scope 01 (£69.95), and the Luke Littler G1 (£109.95) use 90% tungsten. The difference in barrel width between 80% and 90% is measurable and, at higher levels of play where groupings are tight, genuinely impactful.
Which Should You Choose?
If you are just getting into darts, 80% tungsten is all you need. The best darts for beginners guide covers this in detail. As your game develops and you want a slimmer barrel for tighter groupings, stepping up to 90% tungsten is a natural progression.
The one thing we would not recommend is starting with brass. The price gap between brass and budget tungsten is small (£15 to £20) but the performance gap is significant. Starting with tungsten means every hour of practice builds muscle memory around a barrel shape you will not need to abandon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tungsten darts better than brass?
Yes, for competitive play. Tungsten is denser, allowing for slimmer barrels at the same weight. This means tighter groupings, less deflection, and a barrel that maintains its grip longer than brass.
Why are tungsten darts more expensive?
Tungsten is a rare, dense metal that is more difficult to machine than brass. The higher raw material cost and precision manufacturing required to shape tungsten alloys account for the price difference. However, budget tungsten darts start from just £34.95.
What does the tungsten percentage mean?
It indicates the proportion of tungsten in the alloy. 80% tungsten means 80% tungsten and 20% nickel (approximately). Higher percentages produce denser, slimmer barrels. 80% is excellent for most players; 90% is the professional standard.
Can beginners use tungsten darts?
Absolutely. We recommend beginners start with tungsten rather than brass. Budget options like the Target Hydro 03 at £34.95 offer genuine tungsten performance at a price comparable to mid-range brass sets.
Do professional darts players use tungsten?
Every professional darts player on the PDC Tour uses tungsten darts, typically 90% tungsten. No professional uses brass in competition. See our guide on what darts professionals use for specific player setups.