There is no shortage of tungsten darts available for under £30, and several of them are genuinely good. This bracket used to mean settling for brass or very low-percentage tungsten, but that is no longer the case. The sets in this guide all come from established brands used at professional level, with real tungsten barrels that are meaningfully slimmer than anything in the pub dart box.
All prices were under £30 at the time of writing, though prices can change. If you are reading this some time after publication, it is worth checking current prices before buying.
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Quick Comparison
| Product | Tungsten | Grip | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dragon Javelin | 85% | Square grooves, moderate-aggressive | Neutral starting point, long barrel |
| Target Artemis | 80% | Radial grooves | Players wanting K-Flex integrated flights |
| Winmau Ton Machine | 80% | Classic rings | Traditional ring-grip feel |
| Harrows Caliber | 90% | Ring cuts | Widest weight range, best bundle |
| Red Dragon Raider | 90% | Standard grip | Colour options, compact 23g set |
Red Dragon Javelin
The Javelin is Red Dragon’s most consistent entry-level recommendation and one of the most reviewed budget tungsten sets in the UK. Red Dragon built it as the longest dart in their range: the 54.6mm barrel gives you significantly more room to find your natural grip position rather than being forced close to either end.
The square-groove grip runs the full length of the barrel at a four out of five on Red Dragon’s own intensity scale, placing it in moderately aggressive territory. It provides a confident hold without being so tacky that a clean release becomes difficult. Players with drier hands or those who prefer to feel the dart clearly between their fingers will find it particularly comfortable.
The 85% tungsten barrel uses a straight parallel profile, meaning the diameter is consistent from tip to shaft. Nothing about the geometry tries to push you toward a particular grip position, which suits players who are still working out what feels natural. At 24g, the barrel measures 6.5mm wide; the diameter widens only slightly as weights increase, keeping the slim feel consistent across the range.
Key Features:
- 85% tungsten barrel
- Square-groove grip, full length
- Straight parallel profile, 54.6mm barrel length
- Available in 20g, 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, and 26g
- Includes TRX Nylon medium shafts and standard flights
Target Artemis
The Artemis is Target’s entry-level tungsten set, using 80% tungsten with radial grooved machining across the barrel. The grooves provide consistent purchase at various grip positions without being aggressive, making the Artemis one of the more forgiving options in this roundup for players who are still developing a consistent release.
At 23g, the barrel is 6.75mm wide and 50.3mm long: slightly more compact than the Javelin, with a subtler grip texture that suits players who prefer not to feel a strong hold. The full weight range from 21g to 26g is available, and all weights share the same barrel profile.
The bundle is generous for the price. Each set includes six Pro Grip shafts in two colours, nine Pro Ultra No. 2 flights across three colourways, a dart wallet, and a one-month DartCounter app subscription. Having spare shafts and flights in the box means you can play immediately and experiment with different colourways without a separate purchase.
Key Features:
- 80% tungsten barrel
- Radial grooved grip
- Straight barrel, 50.3mm length (52.0mm at 26g)
- Available in 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, and 26g
- Includes 6 Pro Grip shafts, 9 Pro Ultra No. 2 flights (3 colourways), dart wallet
Winmau Ton Machine
Winmau manufacture the official PDC dartboards used at the World Championship, and the Ton Machine is the brand’s budget-end barrel. It has been in the catalogue for well over a decade and has built a reputation as one of the most straightforward, no-surprises entry-level sets available.
The grip is what defines the Ton Machine: a classic ring pattern running the full length of the barrel. These rings are the oldest grip design in darts, found on professional sets and basic pub darts alike, and most players find them immediately familiar. If you have ever enjoyed throwing ringed barrels and want a proper tungsten version with a recognised brand behind it, the Ton Machine is the obvious choice.
At 23g, the barrel measures 7.20mm wide and 45.7mm long, making it noticeably wider and shorter than the Javelin at the same weight. The 80% tungsten alloy is what Winmau describe as military-grade, and the set includes Prism Delta flights and Prism Force shafts. Prism is the same flight range used by several PDC professionals, which is an unusually premium inclusion in an entry-level bundle.
Key Features:
- 80% tungsten barrel
- Classic ring groove grip, full length
- Straight barrel, 45.7mm length at 23g
- Available in 22g, 23g, 24g, 26g, and 27g
- Includes Prism Delta flights and Prism Force shafts
Harrows Caliber
Harrows have been making darts since 1973 and the Caliber is their Amazon-exclusive entry-level set, designed to put 90% tungsten in front of casual players without the price tag that spec usually carries. At 90%, it sits joint-highest in this roundup alongside the Raider, and the slimmer barrel dimensions reflect that: at 22g the barrel is 6.5mm wide, widening only gradually across the weight range.
The barrel is a parallel design with ring-cut grip machining across the full length. Ring cuts provide consistent finger placement without the more aggressive texture of square grooves or knurling, which suits players who want grip security without a very strong hold. The length stays at a consistent 51mm across all weights, so the feel does not change much as you move up or down the range.
What separates the Caliber from similar sets is the bundle. The 16-piece package includes three darts, spare shafts in multiple colours, spare flights, and a travel case. For a player who has not yet settled on a preferred stem length or flight shape, the extra accessories save a separate purchase. The weight range from 21g to 30g is the widest of any set here, covering those who eventually want to try heavier darts as their game develops.
Key Features:
- 90% tungsten barrel
- Ring-cut grip, full length
- Parallel straight barrel, 51mm length
- Available in 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, 26g, 28g, and 30g
- 16-piece bundle: 3 darts, spare shafts (multiple colours), spare flights, travel case
Red Dragon Raider
The Raider is a single-weight 90% tungsten set available in multiple colour options. At this price point, having a choice of colour on a genuine 90% tungsten barrel is uncommon, and the 23g weight sits squarely in the range most casual players end up using.
At 23g, the barrel measures 6.72mm wide and 50.8mm long. The 90% tungsten construction keeps the profile slim for the weight, and the dart is noticeably narrower than the 80% alternatives in this roundup at the same gram weight. The set includes two complete sets of shafts, two sets of flights, and a checkout card: the extra accessories mean the darts last longer before you need to buy replacements, and the checkout card is a useful reference for players still learning their finishes.
The only real limitation is the fixed 23g weight. If you already know 23g works for you, the Raider offers strong specifications for the price. If you are still experimenting with weight, one of the sets offering a broader range will give you more flexibility without starting again.
Key Features:
- 90% tungsten barrel
- Available in 23g only, multiple colour options
- Barrel 50.8mm length, 6.72mm diameter
- Includes 2 sets of shafts, 2 sets of flights, and checkout card
How to Choose
Weight
Most beginners land in the 22g to 24g range. This provides enough mass for a stable, repeatable flight without being tiring across a longer session. If you are coming from pub house darts (typically unlabelled but often heavier than they look), starting in this bracket and adjusting from there is sensible.
The Harrows Caliber and the Javelin both cover a wide weight range, which gives you room to experiment. The Raider’s fixed 23g is not a drawback if that weight already suits you, but there is no room to adjust.
Grip
Grip intensity affects both how securely the dart sits in your fingers and how cleanly it releases at the end of your throw.
The Ton Machine’s classic ring groove is the most familiar texture and suits players who want a traditional feel. The Javelin’s square grooves are slightly more aggressive, giving more purchase for players who prefer to grip firmly. The Artemis’s radial grooves and the Caliber’s ring cuts both sit in moderate territory, and the Artemis’s K-Flex flights further simplify the setup. As a starting rule: if you grip tightly, a moderate-to-aggressive grip like the Javelin or Caliber works well; if you grip lightly, a subtler texture like the Artemis lets you release without resistance.
What Is in the Box
The accessories bundled with budget sets vary considerably. The Caliber’s 16-piece bundle includes spare shafts and flights in multiple colours, removing the need for an early separate purchase. The Artemis’s K-Flex flights eliminate the maintenance of traditional stems entirely. The Raider includes a checkout card, which has genuine daily use for players learning their finishes. If you are buying a first set, these differences are worth weighing alongside the barrel itself.
Our Pick
The Harrows Caliber is the strongest all-round choice at this price. The 90% tungsten spec is the joint-best in the roundup, the 21g to 30g weight range covers every preference, and the 16-piece bundle means you are unlikely to need to buy accessories separately for some time. Players who prefer a longer barrel or want to keep things simple should look at the Red Dragon Javelin: the straight parallel profile and wide weight range make it the most forgiving option for players still finding their style.
Related Guides
- Brass vs Tungsten Darts — Why the material matters and when to upgrade
- What Weight Darts Should I Use? — Finding your ideal weight
- Dart Barrel Shapes Explained — Straight, torpedo, and bomb profiles explained
- Dart Stems Explained — How stem length changes the flight of your dart
- Dart Flight Types Explained — Shapes, sizes and their effects on accuracy