The best game on the market, yes, but why?
When you’re shopping, you’re probably looking to get the most for your money… right? It shouldn’t be any different when you’re looking to invest in a set of cornhole boards. There are many options ranging from as little as $44 to $859.
To make the most informed purchasing decision, you need to know what affects the cost of these cornhole sets:
- What sizes are available?
- What materials are used to build these boards?
- Can you customize the design of the playing surface?
- Do the bags come with the set?
- Or the question so many people tend to forget: how much does shipping cost?
You’ll find the answers to all these questions and more here.
WHAT SIZES OF CORNHOLE SETS ARE AVAILABLE?
What size cornhole set are you looking for? When looking to buy a cornhole set, you should start by asking yourself what size would suit you best? This will narrow down your search right from the start.
CORNHOLE BOARDS, REGULATION SIZE
Traditional tournament style: regulation-size cornhole board measures 4 feet long by 2 feet wide. If you’re an ultra-competitor and want the ultimate cornhole game in your backyard, this is the one for you. These are generally the most expensive boards because of their size and the amount of materials needed to build them.
HAYON SIZE CORNHOLE BOARDS (AUTO BOX)
Then there’s the tailgate size. This set is designed to be virtually the same game as the regulation size, but more portable and a little less expensive. Sometimes, taking your regulation game to the soccer game or your friend’s house is a challenge due to the nature of their size. However, since the tailgate size is only 3 feet long by 2 feet wide, it’s much easier to move around, whatever the size of your vehicle. It’s a good alternative to the regulation style if you’re not very competitive.
HOW DO THE MATERIALS USED IN CORNHOLE BOARDS AFFECT COST?
Everyone always asks me, “What are your boards made of, they look expensive!” And as a supplier of cornhole products, and a player and enthusiast of the game for many years, I tell them… “WOOD”. WOOD”. Now, I know it sounds simple, but it’s true.
Some of the boards you’ll see on the market are inexpensive, and there are very good reasons for this. Some manufacturers use ½” particleboard (MDF) for the tops and a veneered plywood frame. This will help keep the price of a regulation cornhole under $100 (sometimes including shipping). But what you gain in competitive price, you lose in quality.
CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS FOR LOW-END CORNHOLE BOARDS
Particleboard is smooth and attractive, but soft and expands when wet. Did you ever pick up a piece of furniture from Ikea back in the day? You saw this online entertainment console and it looked incredible, so you pulled the trigger and ordered it. It arrived at your home a week later in 100 pieces with an Allen key and a few instructions. After working on it for four frustrating hours, you finally put it all together and couldn’t wait to show it off, so you invited some friends over to check it out and celebrate.
One thing led to another and a good time was had by all. Chips, dips, sodas and cocktails for everyone! But you didn’t think to use coasters. Then there were a few spills, but that’s no big deal. Then you notice a week later, where the spills happened and the sweat from the cans where the drinks were, it started to look different. The “wooden” entertainment center you bought wasn’t actually made of wood. It looked more like glorified cardboard with a nice veneer on it. The fact is, you usually get what you pay for.
You can get a particleboard cornhole set for under $180. However, you’ll probably have to buy this same set every year because they simply won’t last. If you leave them out overnight, the dew will damage them, and don’t even think about leaving them out in the rain or snow.
As we say in the Saguenay, “Forget it my man!!!”
CORNHOLE BOARD CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
The materials most commonly used in the construction of a cornhole set are 2×4 pine for the frame and standard ½” plywood for the tops. This is a major advance over particleboard construction.
Pine 2x4s are very durable and easy to build. The only problem you usually encounter with them is that they tend to warp easily. Pine is a soft wood, so in the long term this could potentially cause you problems.
Unlike particleboard, pine cornhole sets can be left out overnight and this won’t damage the boards (not recommended though). ½” plywood is a good, sturdy board. It’s cheap but decent.
You’ll find that the majority of mid-range boards are made this way. The ½” top is good, but not the best.
During play, a ½” top allows the board to bounce. This is when you throw the bag and it lands directly in the center of the board, giving the bag a trampoline effect. A 3/4″ top will eliminate this problem.
I’ve seen these mid-level pine cornhole sets ranging in price from $175 to $300 (plus shipping) depending on which supplier you store with. Overall, it’s a quality set… but wait until you see the rest!
CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS FOR HIGH-END CORNHOLE BOARDS
Now here’s a set of quality cornhole boards. This company (American Cornhole Organization) makes an excellent product… if you don’t mind paying for it.
They build their boards from top-of-the-range materials. The frame is made of cabinet-grade poplar. This is a hardwood that resists warping and looks fantastic. The top is a lacquered 4′ x 2′ piece of 5/8″ Baltic birch plywood, the smoothest, flattest plywood available.
One thing we haven’t discussed until now is what a consistent playing surface is. Most manufacturers like to apply a coat of lacquer to their tops to seal a vinyl sticker or give the boards a nice sheen. A coat of lacquer will do the trick just fine. However, you’ll lose a consistent playing surface in the process. Humidity affects lacquer considerably. If the air is humid, the boards will become sticky. If the air is dry, the boards will become extremely slippery. These are just some of the factors to consider when making your purchase.
Next, the folding leg system is built with a crossbar for added stability. They went the extra mile and added a rubber foot to apparently help the boards stay in place during play. They attached clasps to the boards to keep them locked during transport.
I’ve found over the years that this can be counterproductive, as once assembled, the boards are far too heavy to carry. I think it’s much easier to grab the boards separately by their handles (if they have them, ours do) and carry them with both hands, essentially balancing the weight throughout your body.
Now you’re wondering how much this set costs? Drum roll please, the answer is $550 Canadian ($429 without their standard logo) .
So you need bags to play with, do you? With this company, bags are a la carte. If you opt for their standard 10 oz. corn-filled, canvas fabric bags, it’s an additional $56 US. Then shipping costs an additional $355 for delivery in Canada. That’s over $850
Elsewhere in Canada, you pay $490 for a set of high-end boards with an inconsistent playing surface, a logo you may not be interested in and a set of bags that don’t even come with the set. With a shipping charge of $85, for a bill of $639 without light, without the regulator.
What if I told you that you could buy a set of boards built with top-of-the-line or even superior materials – a 3/4 birch plywood surface, the most consistent playing surface in the industry, that you could choose between the 11 graphics you want and get pockets included, a carry bag, led lights and a 27-foot regulator wire, an exclusive accessory, side handles, double legs, all for a combined value of $750 for a fraction of the price and a 1-year satisfaction guarantee?
Take advantage of our offer of 459.99 + tx.
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