Best Cornhole Boards Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

Playing cornhole is a great way to spend time with friends and family. It’s also a perfect activity for tailgating or backyard parties. If you’ve considered investing in a cornhole set but don’t know where to start, this article is for you!

We’ll break down the basics of cornhole and point you toward the best cornhole boards on the market today. No matter your budget, we have a board to suit your needs.

The best cornhole boards for money

There are a few factors to consider while picking the cornhole board appropriate for your garden or next to a big event. Below is a list of cornhole boards ranging in price and quality.

The more expensive boards are at the top as you scroll down, followed by a couple of less expensive (but lesser quality) options. Also, the last 3 on our list are a complete corn hole set for those who want to purchase a complete set, not just the boards.

1. Slick woody’s rustic grey- top pick

This is one of the more expensive boards on the list, costing roughly $250ish, but it is Slicks. Woody’s is one of the market’s best creators. They are well-versed in the field and support professional cornhole players.

They only use high-quality wood, which guarantees your board will last for a long time. In addition, when you get a Slick Woody’s cornhole board, you will get a set of 8 cornhole bags to start playing right away.

2. Viva sol premium all-wood – b-e-a -u-tiful

When you purchase a Viva Sol board, you may wonder whether it is a work of art or a game that you should play. The craftsmanship is just stunning.

This is one of those boards you’ll want to show off to your friends, and the walnut finish adds to its charm, giving it a premium feel. 

3. Driveway games all-weather – the best non-wood board

The All-weather set is made of premium, high-grade plastic, so you won’t have to worry about poor quality. The plastic also makes it relatively easy to carry.

These are the same boards you will find at your local church, and I can assure you that they are extremely sturdy.

However, if you’re not used to playing on a wooden board, this might not be the game for you. But, overall, if you’re looking for a portable cornhole board to take camping or to the beach, this is a fairly excellent board. 

4. Gosports original- for the casual cornholer

These fellas, like crocs, are unattractive but functional. You might be put off because they are not made1 of wood or are not a standard size. However, this board is ideal for you if you’re just a casual player wishing to hang out with his pals. Again, this is a very cheap option.

5. Go sports portable PVC

If you’re looking for casual cornhole fun with your kids or on the road without worrying about competing, this board might be for you. However, you should know that your friends may mock you for using this board. 

6. Overall best cornhole set: Gosport’s solid wood premium cornhole set

The GoSports Solid Wood Premium Cornhole Set is a durable, regulation-size set that can be used for recreational or tournament-style play. Because cornhole is a great game for cookouts and tailgates, you’ll enjoy how portable this set is: Fold the legs and slide them into the handled carrying bag.

It only takes a minute or two to set up once you arrive. Just keep in mind that it’s not lightweight, so it’s not perfect for beach outings or park days where you’ll need to wander around.

7. Triumph premium 2×3 cornhole set

Because most cornhole sets are made of solid wood, they can be quite expensive. However, if you’re looking for a low-cost set that doesn’t skimp on quality, this is it. The set includes two scratch-resistant melamine-laminated wooden game platforms.

The game’s sturdy, foldable wooden legs ensure that it is pleasant and steady during play and easy to hide or transfer to any outdoor party.

Remember that these cornhole boards are slightly smaller than regulation size, making them unsuitable for actual tournament play. However, that won’t stop you from having a great time in the backyard, and the smaller target will make for a longer game.

8. American Cornhole Association official cornhole set

Try the American Cornhole Association Official Cornhole Set if you want professional standards on a cornhole board. This is the only cornhole board manufactured by the official governing body of cornhole. It is built to the same specifications and high-quality materials used in tournament play. The set includes two solid wood boards as well as eight regulation bags.

Things to consider when buying a cornhole board

What is cornhole?

Individuals or teams compete to get the most bags in the hole or on the board until the game ends. The gameplay might be offensive (scoring points), defensive (preventing your opponent from scoring), or a combination of the two.

Check if your cornhole set complies with American cornhole association (ACA) regulations.

A decent cornhole set follows all of the ACA regulations. If you enjoy competition, take your spare time seriously, or want to raise your children to be cornhole superstars, this is the lowest standard you should strive for when buying a cornhole set.

• The Boards

A cornhole board that the ACA has approved is made of wood, is 4 ft by 2 ft, and is at least 1/2 inch thick. It has a 6-inch diameter hole 9 inches from the top end of the board and 12 inches from the two sides. The front end of the board (the part facing the player) must be 4 inches off the ground, while the back end must be 12 inches off the playing surface.

The ACA also requires that the board’s frame’s sides be closed and that the only possible way to access or see the area under the board is through the hole. This regulation limits arguments regarding how a bag ends up beneath the board.

The board surface should be sanded, finished, and painted to get a very smooth texture. Wood blemishes are not acceptable. The idea is to provide a playing surface that provides a fairly constant sliding for the bags, allowing them to glide into the hole when pitched on the board.

However, the surface should provide enough grip, so the bags do not slide too quickly over the hole. We found that all the wooden boards we evaluated met these criteria on our list.

• The Bags

Bag construction regulations are very complex, so I’ll explain them a little simplified. Bags must be 6 x 6 inches, packed with plastic pellets or feed corn, and weigh between 14 and 16 ounces. The ACA’s preferred bag material is duck canvas.

The importance of slide, grip, and bounce

One of the key features of the cornhole is the slide. The composition and build of the set should allow for a smooth, comfortable glide into the hole. If there is insufficient grip, the bag will slide over the hole. If there is too much grip, it will just come to a halt where it pitches.

Certain situations necessitate the bag being “bounced” into the hole, such as when an opponent’s bag is blocking the entrance to the hole. The player can bounce their bag over the opponent’s to get it in the hole by changing the trajectory of their throw.

This advanced move can only be performed on a cornhole board with the perfect combination of grip and bounce. All of the medium to high-end cornhole boards we examined for this article were capable of providing this level of bounce.

If you and your pals want to use some of the more advanced cornhole techniques, choose one of the larger wooden boards on our list.

What type of filling is used?

Your bag’s filling can be either corn-filled or pellet-filled. While a corn-filled bag must be split open (which is a lot of fun), they start to decay if not properly cared for.

How does the stitching look?

Is it a single stitch, a double stitch, or a triple stitch? There are several options, but one simple rule is that the more stitches it has, the finer your bag will be.

How much weight does it have?

160 ounces of corn kennel and 10 ounces of duck cloth are used in official regulation bags. This is important because if you plan on participating in cornhole competitions in the future, you’ll want your bags to weigh the same.

How frequently will you be playing?

Will you be playing every day or only on weekends? Is this going to be one of those purchases you’ll come to regret? Consider this carefully.

This will enable you to determine how much money you want to spend on a board.

Who will be playing?

If you’re looking for a cornhole board to train for a local competition, you should look for a regulation-sized board with a wood finish.

The way you play varies greatly depending on the size and materials used, and just as you wouldn’t train for a basketball game on an 8-foot ring, you wouldn’t play professional cornhole on a plastic board.

However, suppose you’re looking for a casual outdoor game with your family on weekends or a camping vacation. In that case, you should avoid buying wooden boards because they are heavier and more difficult to store.

Consider your skill level.

Before considering surface material and size factors, it is important to assess your skill level.

Beginner – If you play cornhole for fun with your family, or if you played it at a party and now want to buy one for yourself, you are regarded as a beginner. In this instance, you don’t have to spend much money on a cornhole set that you’ll only use once or twice.

 Medium – Medium-level corn holders outperform average cornhole players. If you consider yourself a medium player and want to improve your game, you should buy an American Cornhole Association-approved cornhole set. 

Professional – Professional corn holders are the game’s most ardent enthusiasts. They are likely to be well-versed in all aspects of the game, from the many cornhole slang words to its overall story. They may have even competed (and won) in a few professional games, with ambitions to compete in more. Therefore, investing significantly more money on the best cornhole set is worthwhile if you consider yourself an expert.

Siding count

Cornhole boards include thin siding strips on the bottom edges to prevent bags from falling under the board. These are especially useful with heavier regulation cornhole boards because they eliminate the need to reach under or raise the board to retrieve it. In addition, scorekeeping devices are conveniently fastened to the siding on the upper end of some boards.

Size

If you’re a pro and take this game seriously, you’ll need 24′′ x 48′′ regulation cornhole boards. In addition, the regulation bean bag toss should be 6 inches square and filled with corn. The ACA recommends these sizes.

And if you’re just having fun, we recommend sticking to tailgate-size boards. These can be any size, but they are most commonly 24′′ x 36′′. These smaller boards can be used on a smaller court and are much more appropriate for younger players.

Surface

The texture of the board surface is also important; it should be smooth and properly sanded. Otherwise, the bean bags may bounce and slide across the surface, detracting from the gameplay experience.

Price

Cornhole sets fluctuate in price, so consider how frequently you use your cornhole boards. Higher-quality regulation boards made of wood will be more expensive, but they will last you several summers.

If you are frequently playing with children or traveling with your cornhole boards, choose a more durable but less expensive model that is easier to replace. “Cheaper solutions might be good for young players or beginners, but they’re probably not ideal for experienced players or regulation-level gear,” Francis says.

Should you buy custom cornhole boards or mass-manufactured cornhole boards?

Unless you know the manufacturer of your board, buying a custom-made board is usually a gamble. That said, a custom-made board will almost always be of higher quality than any other inexpensive cornhole board.

They are, however, much more expensive, and you run the danger of being taken advantage of.

Best cornhole board brands

1. Slick woody’s

Slick woody’s is well-known for making high-quality cornhole boards. They have been making cornhole boards for over ten years and are even endorsed by Matt Guy, the world’s best cornhole player.

2. Go sports

Go Sports is America’s leading manufacturer of Cornholes boards, and they also provide a variety of other yard games, including other bean bag toss games. They are the most well-known brand in yard games, having been in business for nearly two decades.

3. AJJ cornhole

AJJ Cornhole has made a name by producing cornhole board sets with bespoke cornhole decals and logos. In addition, they enable you to customize your board by adding crazy effects and decals. This means you can even get cornhole set personalized with your face on it.

Faqs

What are regulation cornhole boards?

These are cornhole boards suitable for tournament play as defined by the American Cornhole Association. Playing a cornhole game helps standardize play for everyone while ensuring no player or team has an undue advantage. Some guidelines are as follows:

• The cornholes boards are made of wood
• The surface of the board is made of half-inch plywood
• The board’s surface must be completely smooth
• Cornhole boards must be painted in high-gloss latex paint
• The official cornhole regulations can be found here

What kind of material is ideal for me?

When choosing a cornhole board, you have two options: 

1. Wood

When most people think of corn hole boards, they see wood. It is used in American Cornhole Association tournaments, and timber provides a control plastic cornhole players have never experienced. However, wood boards are a little heavier and require much attention. 

2. Plastic

Plastic boards are significantly easier to carry and maintain. As a result, you can put your board in your garage for months at a time and expect it to be as good as new. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for wooden boards.

Playing on the plastic board, on the other hand, can be frustrating, especially for experienced players. To win, they need different strategies. 

The decision between a wood and a plastic board is a personal one, and you must eventually choose the one that is best for you.

How should I care for my cornhole boards?

The Short response? It depends.

The lengthy response. How you care for your boards will differ significantly depending on the material used.

The most important thing you can do to extend the life of your custom cornhole board is to store it properly. Choose a place that is away from the elements and animals. It should be somewhere cool and dry.

I normally keep them in my rec room, but they can be kept virtually anywhere that is dry. Just make sure it isn’t in contact with water or humidity. A sealant finish is one of the best ways to protect your boards.

What is the best way to store cornhole boards?

You’ll want to keep your cornhole boards away from moisture, dust, and severe weather. A dry place, such as your garage or basement, will suffice. To keep the boards clean, store them with their backs against each other and cover them with a towel or sheet. Make certain that they are not placed near any heavy objects that could scratch the surface of your boards or fall on them and cause breakage.

What is the size of the hole on a cornhole board?

The diameter of the hole is 6 inches. It is 9 inches from the board’s top edge and is centered on it.

Conclusion

Slick Woody’s is, without a doubt, my favorite cornhole board. The quality is superior to that of most custom-built cornhole boards.

If you’re not going to play cornhole every weekend, though, you’d be better off buying something much easier to store, such as the Driveway All-weather board. Even though it is not regulated, it is ideal for anyone trying to have a good time.

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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