portable basketball hoop Archives

Basketball is one of the most popular sports around the world. Regardless of wherever you reside, you’ll always find some people getting amused by this sport. The intensity, drive, strategy, physical competition, a test of endurance, stamina and some similar factors get associated when you play Basketball. And when you are getting to experience all these things in a single bunch, there is no way you won’t be amused. But there’s a problem. In order to play basketball, you must have a court and basketball hoop. Although the matter of court can be neglected in some situations, the hoop is a necessity.

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Now in gyms and colleges, you will find permanent basketball hoops. One thing to bear in mind is they are expensive. So a normal person can’t afford them if he’s going to use it for his own. Another problem with them is that they accommodate a lot of space. So if you have a short courtyard, installing permanent hoop won’t be a feasible option. That’s where portable basketball hoop come into the picture. Not only are they less expensive compared to permanent hoops but also they can be installed anywhere. In addition to that assembling and dismantling it doesn’t take much of a time. The portability factor allows you to play it with your friends in the neighbourhood or with family on the trip.

There are some of the best portable basketball hoops in the market, but very few of them actually sit on the top. We’ve reviewed some of them and come up with our 10 best portable basketball hoops. Let’s see them one by one.

BEST PORTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP Reviews:

1. Lifetime 90061 Portable Basketball System

Taking the top spot on our list we have a portable basketball hoop from Lifetime. Lifetime has a long-lasting reputation in the field of basketball systems and this product happens to be one of their best.

The hoop uses a steel frame with Polyethylene. Steel as a strong material provides firm strength to the frame, thus ensuring a strong foundation. Moreover, because of steel, you get extended durability. The backboard is very reliable as it is made to repel sun rays that may erase markings. Furthermore, being made from polycarbonate, it is very strong so even a fall won’t break it. Net is made from nylon and since nylon has high immunity against the atmosphere, it is difficult to get it rusty. This allows you to use basketball in indoor as well as outdoor conditions.

Compression dual springs are used in the rims of this portable basketball hoop. They are very helpful in sustaining the forces produced by dunking regardless of the intensity. But you will have to deal with impact bounce. Adjusting mechanism in this hoop is pretty convenient. In order to vary the height of the hoop you just have to move adjusting handles. You can vary height in between 7.5 ft to 10 ft. With this, you won’t have any problems with playing with friends and family of different ages.

A 35-gallon heavy-duty base is provisioned for this basketball hoop which ensures firm support and stability. You can fill it with water or sand to secure more support. Furthermore, the base comes with the wheel which allows you to freely move it.

Features:

Frame material – Steel
Backboard – Polyethylene
Height Range – 7.5ft to 10ft
Net material – Nylon

Pros:

Cons:

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2. SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop Basketball System

If durability is what you’re looking for in a portable basketball hoop, then you’ve stumbled upon the right product. SKLZ’s Pro Mini Hoop is enormously durable and gives you more than expectations.

The shatter-proof polycarbonate backboard featured in this portable basketball hoop is ultra-strong. So no need to worry about impacts, you just have to keep dunking without the worry of damaging the board. The backboard is sleek looking and gives an overall satisfactory look to the hoop.

As with most of the hoops, the frame utilized in this is made up of steel. With the use of steel, you get an enhanced amount of durability. One of the best things about this hoop is its range of height adjustment. It gives you the freedom of adjusting height between 3.5ft to 7ft. This is most suitable for friendly competition and with such height even kids will be able to take part in the sport.

The base comes with dimensions 31.6 x 20 x6.3” and can be filled with either sand or water. And since it is sturdy you don’t have to worry about the strength of the hoop as it won’t easily collapse.

Measuring 14.5” in diameter, the breakaway rim in this is highly reliable. You can make dunks with full force and the rim will retain its shape and position, thanks to the spring action. Furthermore, it utilizes all-weather nets so the weather conditions don’t have much effect on it. But it is recommended to shelter hoops in humid conditions.

Features :

Frame material – Steel
Backboard – Shatterproof polycarbonate
Height range – 3.5ft to 7ft
Net – All-weather
Breakaway rim

Pros:

Cons:

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3. Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System (60” Acrylic)

Spalding is one of the most trustworthy manufacturers of portable basketball systems. They’ve been providing basketball hoops for NBA games but they’ve got a good collection of portable hoops too.

In this feature of Spalding, the backboard is of 60 inches and made of acrylic. This backboard is supported by a steel frame with aluminium trim. It can pretty much work in any of the outdoor conditions without any hindrances. With the inclusion of aluminium, the overall weight of hoop is also reduced to a certain extent. This increases the portability factor of the portable basketball hoop.

You will find three different poles for the support of hoop. Each of these poles is 3.5 inches in diameter. The three-pole system is used in most of the top tier hoops because it produces less vibration. Also, the design helps in distributing forces equally thus damping most of the shocks. The diameter is thick enough to withstand most of the impacts and shocks. There are other variants of Spalding too that produce almost no vibration. But the problem with them is that they aren’t useful as portable hoops.

For adjusting the height, this system uses a screw jack. As with the screw jack, there aren’t restrictions of height. Just turn the crank located in the back and you will get the desired height for the hoop. The base has a capacity of 40 gallons. In this system, the base used is hybrid which allows you to fill it with water and sand at the same time. For the water, you can fill it up to 19 gallons and sand up to 200 lbs. This remarkably balances the base and provides firm support to the hoop. This basketball hoop is convenient to be used in your backyard, making it one of the best portable basketball hoops for the driveway.

Features:

Backboard – 60-inch acrylic
Frame – Steel with aluminium trim
Base capacity – 40 Gallons
Adjusting system – Screw Jack

Pros:

Cons:

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4. Lifetime Adjustable Basketball Hoop (54 inches)

Here we have another inclusion from Lifetime with a 54-inch backboard and arguably one of the best portable basketball hoops. As implied in its name this in-ground basketball hoop accompanies a 54-inch backboard. Being made from polycarbonate, it offers you a durability factor. This essentially enhances the life of the hoop and doesn’t let harsh conditions reduce it. The markings remain intact after a long period and don’t fade away.

The hoop is termed as a quickly adjustable hoop and it’s true in every possible way. With the use of power lift height adjustment, varying the height of the hoop doesn’t take much time. Height can be adjusted between 7.5ft to 10ft which is pretty standard for basketball hoops. This offers a lot of flexibility and enables people of all age groups to play the game.

Just like previous hoops this system to utilizes three poles but with a diameter of 3.5 inches. This actually reduces the vibration absorption capacity to some extent but the backboard makes up for it. Nonetheless, the range of dunks it can withstand is pretty high. Since the hoop isn’t being used for professional use, there aren’t any issues.

The base has the capacity of 35 gallons and it can be filled with water or sand as you desire. 35 gallons are sufficient to fulfil the requirements of portability and stability. However, filling the base with sand is the best choice because it can adhere to the base better than water. Apart from that, water can evaporate or leak so there are problems like that.

The rim it utilizes is Slam-it pro. It uses dual springs just like most of the Lifetime basketball hoops and offers a lot of resistance to shocks and impacts.

Features:

Backboard – Shatter guard polycarbonate
Adjustment system – Power Lift
Base capacity – 35 gallons
Frame – Steel

Pros:

Cons:

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5. Lifetime 90176 Portable Basketball System

While most of the portable basketball hoops are intended for personal use, there are some hoops that give a professional feeling. Lifetime 90176 Portable basketball system happens to be one and possesses every characteristic that makes it a pro hoop.

The hoop consists of a 52-inch backboard with a height of 33 inches. The backboard is made of polycarbonate just like the rest of the Lifetime basketball hoops. The size of the backboard is less in normal Lifetime terms but it does the job of withstanding various shots. The frame of steel used is about 1” thick and provides adequate support to the hoop.

Action grip type of adjustment mechanism is employed in this one. This mechanism uses a trigger for lowering and raising the hoop. By squeezing it, you can accomplish it and once you’ve determined the height, just release the trigger and height will be locked. You can adjust the height between 7.5ft to 10ft with increments of 6 inches.

The base has a capacity of 35 gallons, similar to that of the previously mentioned model of Lifetime. It is made from plastic but when you fill it with sand or water, it will withstand the entire load. A great thing about this base is that it doesn’t require any anti-freezing. To move the base you can use two wheels mounted on it.

Features:

Backboard – Transparent Polycarbonate
Base capacity – 35 Gallons
Adjustment type – Action grip
Frame – Steel

Pros:

Cons:

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6.Lifetime 71522 XL Portable Basketball System

This is a deviation from Lifetime’s usual Polycarbonate system as it utilizes acrylic backboard. This is somewhat similar to the 54 inch variant of Lifetime with differences in material for the backboard. The use of acrylic in this makes it one of the best portable basketball hoops for the driveway.

While acrylic isn’t the strongest of the material, the property of it being silent makes it best to be used for indoor sport. With the frame of steel having a diameter of 1.5” the backboard remains firm and secure without producing sound.

Hoop uses Powerlift pneumatic lift for the adjustment of height. With the pneumatic principles, the hoop is lowered and raised by using a trigger. The trigger is used in a similar way just like the previously mentioned product.

Rim uses dual compression springs which are most effective to resist effects of dunks. It has a diameter of 18” which is adequate to take on intense dunks.

Features :

Backboard – Acrylic
Frame – Steel
Adjustment style – Powerlift Pneumatic
Net – All-weather cotton

Pros:

Cons:

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7. Silverback NXT 54” In-ground Basketball Hoop

As one of the reputed manufacturers in hoops, Silverback’s NXT 54” is one of the best portable basketball hoops in the market. The backboard is made from acrylic due to its silent characteristic. One of the major things about this backboard is its extreme stability despite being made from acrylic. This stability is a result of support braces which are attached to corners of the backboard.

This hoop utilizes a mid-level rim and since it is a portable hoop, you can’t expect much. With a spring-loaded mechanism, the rim can take up most of the impacts with higher forces. But still, you have to be careful as continuous usage might damage the spring.

Poles are made of steel and coated in order to prevent the effect of rust. The height of poles can be adjusted between 7.5 ft to 10ft with the use of an actuator.

Silverback uses an interesting base design in this for even distribution of weight. Slant pole is provisioned in this which directly connects with the steel frame. In most of the cases, hoops use straight poles but using slant poles gives more stability and sturdiness to design.

Features:

Frame – Steel
Backboard – Acrylic (54 inches)
Height range – 7.5ft to 10ft
Weight – 131 lbs

Pros:

Cons:

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8. Spalding 888 series In-ground Basketball Hoop

When talking about portable basketball hoops, you can’t leave Spalding out of the equation. This 60” style of Spalding’s 888 series can’t be left out whenever someone mentions basketball hoops. The backboard is made from tempered glass with support of steel frame. This makes the overall hoop pretty sturdy and strong enough to comply with harsh impacts.

For the adjustment of height, the hoop uses U-turn Pro-Lift System. You can adjust the height between 7ft to 10ft with an infinite number of increments. This infinite increment system gives a lot of room and freedom to try out different things. The system uses a jack for raising and lowering the hoop, so the effect of weight on the adjusting mechanism isn’t of any worry.

It uses a Spalding flex breakaway rim which is flexible and can endure dunks of different intensities. With the professional look of the hoop, you can take part in never-ending basketball games.

Features:

Backboard – Tempered Glass
Backboard size – 60”
Height range – 7ft to 10ft
Pole Material – Steel

Pros:

Cons:

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9. Spalding NBA Ratchet Lift 44” Basketball Hoop

Another professional tier portable basketball hoop from Spalding is ratchet lift 44” basketball hoop. Polycarbonate backboard is used in this hoop. As mentioned before, polycarbonate is a highly resilient material which ensures the durability of the board. The backboard also comes with an offset of 16”, giving you a lot of room underneath. Board frame is made of steel which keeps the backboard intact against shocks and vibration.

The hoop uses Slam Jam breakaway steel rim which is spring-loaded. It provides a smooth breakaway, thus ensuring that players don’t damage their hands.

You can adjust the height between 8ft to 10ft with the increments of 4 inches. The mechanism used for adjusting the height is ratchet lift. It requires a minimal amount of force for lifting and lowering the hoop.

Features:

Backboard – Polycarbonate
Frame – Steel
Adjustment type – Ratchet lift
Slam Jam breakaway room

Pros:

Cons:

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10. Lifetime PoolSide Basketball System

The last portable basketball hoop in this list is again from Lifetime. Just like its name, it is intended to be used at the pool side. The board comprises 44 inches shatterproof fusion backboard made of polycarbonate. The frame of polyethene is used in this unlike steel to reduce the effects of corrosion. The pole is made to prevent rust and effects of UV rays.

The telescopic pole is used for the adjustment of height that can be adjusted between 4 to 6.5 feet. Considering that it is a poolside hoop, height is limited and it can be varied in increments of 6 inches. Unlike a traditional three-piece pole, it uses two-piece poles. This pole is coated with powder thus adding weather resistance property.

Features:

Backboard – Polycarbonate
Poles – Steel powder coated
Base capacity – 27 Gallons
Height range – 4ft to 6.5ft

Pros:

Cons:

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Factors to Consider before buying a Basketball Portable Hoop – (Buying Guide)

Backboard comes in different sizes and materials. The most common size for the backboard is 54 inches which are convenient for most of the people. You should always select the size in mid-range. Boards with more width aren’t suitable for portable hoops as they are intended to be used for professional use. On the other hand, small boards may hinder your experience. For the materials, the most common ones are polycarbonate and acrylic. As we’ve seen in the reviews of various hoops, they have their own pros and cons.

It is essential for the pole to be strong in order to support the hoop. In most of the cases, steel is used for the pole because of its strength. The variation lies in the configuration of the pole. Two pieces and three-piece configuration are used in portable basketball hoops. The Two-piece configuration provides more stability than a three-piece configuration.

More the capacity of the base, better the stability of the hoop. The capacity has a lot to do with the price of hoops. Capacity is measured in gallons of water or sand that can be filled in the base.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q1. What should I use to fill the base?

Water or sand, either of them can be used. For the quantities, you should refer to your instruction manual.

Q2. How to prevent the development of rust?

Keep checking the hoop frequently. Also, don’t use it in conditions that may cause rusting of the system.

Q3. Can I fabricate something on my system?

It is not recommended to do so as it will void the warranty.

Final Verdict –

So we reviewed some of the best portable basketball hoops available in the market. Now it’s up to you whether you choose Lifetime, Spalding or Silverback. Honestly, Lifetime comparatively produces better portable hoops as their characteristics comply with the requirement. But it doesn’t take away anything from Spalding and Silverback. Both of them are alpha manufacturers of portable hoops and offer some staggering products.

As we’ve discussed in Buyer’s guide, there are some points you need to keep in mind whenever purchasing a portable hoop. With that, you will be able to select an ideal hoop for using in your driveway or courtyard.