Tungsten vs. Brass Darts: Our Expert Guide to Choosing the Right Material
At Dartremi, we’ve been producing high quality darts for players of all levels, from casual pub throwers to professional competitors. One of the most common questions we hear is:
“Should I buy tungsten or brass darts?”
The answer? It depends on your playing style, budget, and how serious you are about the game.
As a darts manufacturer, we’ve tested thousands of darts over the years, and we know exactly how different materials perform. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between tungsten and brass darts—based on real-world experience, not just specs.
By the end, you’ll know:
- Which material gives better grip and control
- Why brass darts are cheaper—and when they’re still a good choice
- How long each type lasts
- Our honest recommendation based on your skill level
Weight & Density: Why We Use Tungsten for Our Premium Darts
When we design darts, density matters more than most player’s realize. And normally tungsten darts is our top choice for high-end darts. Below are the reasons. First let us have a look for the material properties comparison.
Scientific Comparison: Material Properties
we’ve collected hard data on how different dart materials perform
| Property | Tungsten (90%) | Brass | Differentce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 17.0 | 8.4 | 2x denser |
| Mohs Hardness | 7.5 | 3.0 | 2.5x harder |
| Thermal Conductivity | 173 W/mK | 109 W/mK | 60% higher |
Source: ASM International Material Properties Database
Tungsten darts has a higher density. It can allow slimmer barrerls without sacrificing weight. Also we’ve learned from years of production: 90% tungsten darts are 30% thinner than brass at the same weight, a 24g tungsten dart has half the diameter of brass. So tungsten darts means thinner barrels, a thiner barrels means less bounce-outs and tighter groupings, give you better precision.
There is a very fun fact: Some of our tournament players insist on 95% tungsten, i think that’s one of the main reason.
However we still produce brass darts, because they serve a purpose:
Compared with tungsten darts, it’s a softer metal, that means easier machining, which keeps costs low. Meanwhile thicker barrels improve grip for beginners but limit advanced play
So it’s great for beginners who don’t want to invest too much upfront.
Durability: How Long Will These Darts Last?
We’ve had customers use the same tungsten darts for a decade, however the others who wear out brass darts in a year. We subjected 100 darts of each material to our accelerated wear test:
- Tungsten darts showed minimal wear after 50,000 throws (simulating 5 years of league play)
- Brass darts developed visible grooves after 10,000 throws (1 year equivalent)
- Grip texture depth decreased 12% on tungsten vs. 47% on brass
High grade tungsten ( more than 80% content ) resists nicks and wear, even years of league play. Also unlike brass, it won’t tarnish over time. By the way, we have to say that we only use premium alloys, because cheap tungsten blends ( Less than 70% content ) can chip
So Tungsten: Built to last if you can get the right blend.
For brass dart, we’ve seen it gets smooth after heavy use. Also if we don’t have a well maintenance, it can oxidize.
So it best for casual players who don’t throw daily.
Grip & Feel: What Works Best for Your Throw
As manufacturers, we tweak grip patterns based on material. Here’s what we recommend
For Tungsten, means maximum control
- Easier to hold for advanced techniques, like fingertip grips.
- Stays grippy longer, even after thousands of throws.
- Preferred by 90% of our pro clients for consistency.
For Brass, means simpler, but less refined
- Decent for basic grips, but thicker barrels limit finger placement.
- Grip wears down faster—we’ve tested this in our factory.
- Better for beginners still learning their throw.
Our Advice: If you’re developing your technique, tungsten helps refine your grip. Brass is okay for starters but holds back progression.
Price: Is Tungsten Worth the Extra Cost ?
First, let’s see a cost in our production.
Our Manufacturing Insights
For tungsten machining, the standard steel tools wear out too fast, it requires diamond-tipped tools; the production time is also 2.3x longer than brass; it has higher reject rate ( 7% vs 2% for bass.
So you can see the production cost is much higher than brass barrels.
Dartremi’s 2024 Product Lifespan Study
Below is a data we collected in 2024.
| Factor | Tungsten (90%) | Brass |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | 40~150 | 10~25 |
| Lifespan | 5+ Years | 1~2 Years |
| Best For | League/tournament play | Beginners/casual use |
So honest Opinion: If you play weekly, tungsten pays off. If you just throw for fun? Brass is fine.
Final Recommendation: What Should YOU Buy?
You can choose Tungsten If you:
- Play in leagues or tournaments
- Want darts that grow with your skill level
- Prefer a slimmer, more controlled grip
- Are ready to invest in a long-term set
You can choose Brass if you:
- Are new to darts and testing your interest
- Need a cheap set for the pub or garage
- Don’t play often enough to justify premium darts
Ready to Upgrade Your Darts?
At Dartremi, we can make & supply both high performance tungsten darts and affordable brass sets.
- View our Dart Barrels Collections Here!
- Check our service of Dart Barrels Customization Here!
In addition, Our team has helped thousands of players find their perfect darts. Contact us—we’d love to help!
