What I love about cornhole a.k.a. sack toss is that the rules are pretty easy to understand and you do not need much to have the whole family entertained. You just need corn-filled bags, a particular board with a hole or two, and you’re good to go.
While the equipment seems simple enough to get hold of or maybe even make on your own, I find that buying pre-made stuff saves me a lot of time and money. But there are so many options in the market, and I didn’t know what to look for.
Fortunately for you, I did all the research and came up with the five best cornhole boards you can find! I put them all in one place, including the features you should look for before making a purchase. So, keep reading to get started!
How To Choose The Best Cornhole Boards
As simple as it is, there are several important things to consider when judging a cornhole game set. Make the wrong choices, and you might end up with a cheap board that won’t last very long. Make the right decisions, and you can enjoy the game with your family for years to come.
Inarguably the most crucial part of this game is the board itself since the points are based on whether or not the bags are tossed on the board or through the hole. The board is the heart around which the whole game revolves.
According to the standards set by the American Cornhole Association or ACA (yes, there is such a thing!), you should consider the following when choosing a cornhole board:
1. Level
First, you should consider the skill level of the players. Are they beginners or experts? Do you play the game just to enjoy it or is it for competition?
For beginners, you do not need serious requirements, just a basic well-built board that you can play with kids or friends for fun. Just make sure that the frame is sturdy, and the materials used are of high quality so that the board lasts long.
For cornhole pros, there is a bunch of board selections for better and more technical play. These boards are used for competitions by professional players who know more about the game. In this case, the surface material is critical as well as the weight, size, and dimensions of the bags and the board.
2. Size, Distance and Dimension
Another thing you should look at is the dimensions and distance measurements of a board. As a general rule, all boards must have equal surface areas and angles, but not manufacturers are strict in implementing these.
A cornhole board should have an area of 4’ by 2’ or 48” by 24”. Any deviations from these could be considered against the regulations and can actually affect the experience of players. An uneven measurement can be unfair among players or teams.
Next, the board must be inclined at a certain angle. To create this incline, the front of the board should be 2 ½” from the ground while the back should have a height of 12”. This makes it easier to throw the bags on the boards and maintain smooth gameplay.
The hole is also a crucial part of the board. The hole should have a 6-inch diameter and positioned 9” from the top and 12” from the edge of both sides. Make sure to consult the ACA official rules to know about needed certification and other requirements.
3. Material
The ACA mandates that cornhole board materials be made from standard half an inch of plywood to give it some texture, minimizing slips and bounce during a game. This also somehow regulates the quality of the board.
Since the scoring depends on the surface, you might also opt for versions with visual details and markings. Make sure there are no bumps or blemishes on the surface as well.
Some manufacturers use other materials like plastic, metal, or other materials. However, these are discouraged because they are inconsistent and can affect the game experience. Metal and plastic are too slippery, and the standard bags tend to bounce off them.
Non-conventional materials are okay for casual games and for people who prefer a more portable version of the game.
4. Paint Requirements
The standard and most widely used paint for cornhole boards is glossy latex paint. It allows the bags to slide sufficiently on the surface. For professional matches, the preferred color is white although other colors may be permitted as long as they are easy to see.
5. Board Side
ACA prefers cornhole boards with solid wood sides wherein the only access to the underside is through the actual cornhole. This is because it is sometimes hard to tell if a bag was pitched through the hole or just fell through the open sides.
Portable folding versions that are open on both sides are also functional but is not ideal for competitive play.
For more details on how to play cornhole, watch this video:
Review Of The 5 Best Cornhole Boards
Picture | Best Cornhole Boards | Our Rating | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 | |||
 | |||
 | |||
 |
1. Viva Sol Bean Bag Toss Game
First in our list is the Viva Sol Bean Bag Toss Game, which is all-wood and conveniently satisfies the ACA’s size and dimension regulations. The set comes with two boards and eight bean bags.
The boards are made with light walnut wood that gives them a classic and appealing aesthetic. This model is perfect for those who prefer a pretty basic board without all the decals or prints.
As for portability, you can detach the legs of the boards and store them in a compartment underneath. Then, the boards can be easily packed together and carried with a rope handle. The set also comes with a carrier net for the bean bags. You can store all the other pieces between the two boards, and this makes them easy to store.
The construction of the board seems like they can withstand abuse and the test of time. However, since the boards are made of all wood, it can be quite heavy. The wood material is also not waterproof, so I would recommend to store it indoors to ensure longevity.
Pros
Cons
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Aesthetically pleasing all-wood design
- Simple, classic design
- Easy to store
- Meets all ACA requirements
- Comes with a compartment for the legs and a pouch for the bags underneath the boards
- Collapsible and foldable
- Comes with rope handles
- Heavy
- Not waterproof so it may need attention when it comes to storage
2. GoSports Cornhole Bean Bag Toss Game
The next product we have in our list is the GoSports Cornhole Board Set, which includes two boards, eight bean bags, and a carrying case with handles. The boards are made with durable aluminum frames and have water-resistant medium density fibre board (MDF) surface.
You can choose from a variety of board designs, like one that looks like a football field with green and white paint and an end zone where you can put decals for customization. Other designs include the American flag, a red and blue one, and the original black and white design.
Whatever design you choose, the boards can be folded up flat and transported using the carrying case. Because they are lightweight, this task is very easy. However, with 3’ by 2’ dimension, they do go a little smaller than the regulation size.
That said, these boards are great for playing casually at home or at a tailgating event where its smaller size comes in handy. Moving them from one location to the next is a breeze.
The eight premium duck cloth fabric bags function in blocking the wind and preventing any tears or snags. They contain an all-weather filling, too so you can rest assured that they will last a long time.
Pros
Cons
- Durable and water-resistant aluminum
- Many designs and colors to choose from
- Foldable boards and a carrying case for portability
- Customizable board finish
- Does not conform to the ACA regulation size
- Bag contact on the aluminum material makes an annoyingly loud noise
- Bags tend to slide or bounce off the surface
3. Driveway Games Cornhole Set
Next, we have the Driveway Games All-Weather Cornhole Game set. What I love about this product is that it is completely waterproof, which means it’s so easy to clean even if it gets muddy, sandy, or wet. So, you can play anywhere with no worries.
The set comes with eight all-weather plastic pellet-filled bean bags, four of them red and the other four in blue.
The cornhole boards are made from high-quality plastic and not from plywood, but they do come in the required ACA board size. The boards come in a variety of colors ranging from orange, pink, and white. Unfortunately, the plastic surface affects the sliding of the bags.
Thanks to the carrying handles and bag storage area with lock, you can easily transport and store the boards. The game set even comes with instructions for playing and setup.
Pros
Cons
- Comes in various eye-catching colors
- All-weather components and sturdy construction
- Bag storage and carrying handles for portability
- Lightweight and heavy-duty
- Can be used anywhere
- Slippery plastic surface
- If you’re used to wooden boards, this can be a challenge to get used to
4. GoSports Cornhole PRO Bean Bag Toss Game Set
The GoSports Cornhole Pro is another amazing Cornhole game set from the brand. Like its other product in this list, this set comes with two regulation size 4’ by 2’ boards and eight bean bags made with durable duck cloth.
The boards are made with a sturdy aluminum frame which makes them both durable and lightweight. They also fold in half and have built-in carrying handles for easy transport and storage. The legs of the boards also fold within seconds.
What makes this model special is the LED ring light placed around the hole for playing at night during camp or a barbecue. Once it gets dark, just stick and switch on the 38 LED lights on each board and you can continue playing all night.
The MDF surface of the boards makes every game a delight with minimal slips or bouncing.
As long as you keep the boards safe from the weather, it is a good and long-lasting choice.
Pros
Cons
- Lightweight and portable
- Water-resistant MDF playing surface
- Regulation size
- Durable all-weather bean bags
- LED light rings allow for both daytime and nighttime play
- Does not come with a carrying case
- The boards themselves are not weather-proof
5. Triumph Tournament Bean Bag Toss Game
Last but not the least, the Triumph Tournament Cornhole Game set is the most affordable among all products in this list. If you are on a tight budget and are looking for something that works for casual or beginner’s play, this could be the ideal set for you.
The boards are lightweight and have a melamine laminate surface that is resistant to scratch. They also come with foldable legs for easy setup and storage. The boards also lock together easily and have carry handles for convenience.
However, the affordability of this set does have some disadvantages. Both the bags and boards are undersized. Since the surface is also not made of wood, it tends to be slippery and causes the bags to slide.
If you plan to play cornhole professionally in the future, this may not be the set for you. However, if you’re all for an affordable, casual play, by all means, give this one a try.
Pros
Cons
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Scratch-resistant surface
- Foldable boards with handles for easy storage and transport
- Boards and bags are too small
- Not very durable
- Slippery surface
Conclusion
So, that’s how you choose the best cornhole boards! Overall, I think that the GoSports Pro is best cornhole board of choice. Although it costs a little more than the other sets, it is durable, lightweight, long-lasting, standard, and even lights up!
If you liked this article, please do leave a comment below and feel free to share it as well! If you need more fitness equipment, please take a look at our other product reviews.
