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I am going to explain what you need to look for and show you some of the most popular basketball hoops on the market:. Here is all you need to know:. If you plan to install the basketball hoop in your driveway or backyard, make sure you are legally allowed to do so. If permanent basketball hoops are not allowed, check out my article about portable basketball hoops. Permanent basketball hoops require you to dig a pretty deep hole usually 48 inches for the goal post. Make sure there are no underground utility lines where you want to put the hoop.
There is a free service that can tell you where you can dig safely. Find out more at www.
Measure your driveway, backyard or any other area where you want to install the hoop. If you have decided to buy an in-ground basketball there are a lot of options to choose from.
The main differences are the thickness of the goal post, the size, material, and overhang of the backboard as well as the quality of the rim. The support pole is the foundation of every basketball hoop and responsible for its stability. You want the pole to be as sturdy and stable as possible so that the shaking of the hoop after shots or dunks is kept to a minimum.
Cheaper basketball hoops often come with relatively flimsy support poles 3. Most of the basketball hoops sold today are height-adjustable and allow you to lower the rim to 7. The most expensive hoop in this test, the Pro Dunk Platinum , can even lower it all the way to 5. However, the height adjustment mechanic is also a source of instability.
But, these huge backboards weigh a ton and are therefore reserved for the most expensive and massive basketball hoops. More affordable basketball hoops usually start with backboards that are 48 inches wide, but the most common dimensions are 54 or 60 inches. These backboards allow you more than enough space for bank shots and layups — 72 inches is really only necessary for the most advanced basketball purists.
Professional backboards, on the other hand, are made of tempered glass. This material is very hard, scratch-resistant, and offers the best rebound response. The downside of tempered glass is its weight. A inch wide backboard like that will easily weigh over lbs and will be completely unfazed by the impact of a basketball, offering a playing experience like no other.
If you want to see a great example of a basketball hoop like that, check out the Pro Dunk Platinum. On an official NBA basketball court, the distance between the baseline and the backboard is defined to be 4 feet. This allows players to attack the rim without crashing into the support pole.
It also enables them to dribble underneath the basket. If you want to do the same, you need a hoop featuring a big overhang distance between backboard and goal post. However, if you only have a small driveway, this can actually be an advantage as it saves a lot of space. More expensive and heavier hoops like the Pro Dunk Platinum offer up to 4 feet of overhang and allow for much more under-the-basket action. If you are buying a hoop, make sure the springs of the breakaway mechanism are covered to prevent rust and ensure longer durability. Find A Store. Sign Up For More Deals.
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Product Recalls. Customer Care. If you want to lower the hoop for your kids, you can adjust the height using the telescope mechanism of the support pole. Unfortunately, this takes two people and is a bit complicated. If you need to change heights often and quickly, there are much easier adjustment systems available in more expensive basketball hoops. The backboard of the Lifetime Pro Court is made of Polyethylene and only 44 inches wide. So if you want to work on your best Michael Jordan imitation and dunk from the free throw line, you will inevitably crash into the post. The Lifetime Pro Court is best used for shooting around and less for real basketball games.
Overall, this is a great basketball hoop for goofing around or for kids under the age of For older or very dedicated kids, you may want to look into something closer to a professional basketball hoop. The Lifetime Front Court is a clear step up towards more professional basketball hoops. The inch, see-through backboard looks great and allows for more creative layups; the rim has a breakaway mechanism that softens the bounce and is great for dunking.
The Lifetime Front Court is a little heavier than its little brother the Pro Court, but it is still very portable and can be moved easily by one adult.
If you have kids of different ages and you are looking for a basket where you can adjust the height quickly, this hoop is a great choice. The one-hand, speed shift adjustment allows you to change the height in 6-inch increments within seconds. This overhang is a real game-changer because it gives you extra space to land after a layup and allows for real basketball games.
The only downside to this hoop is probably the assembly process. A lot of customers complain about the poor quality of the instructions and the number of tools needed. So, if you are not a talented handyman, you better reserve enough time! Overall, the Lifetime Front Court is a great hoop in the moderate price range that is especially awesome if you need to adjust the rim height often and quickly.
Moving farther up in the world of portable basketball hoops, the Spalding Pro Slam features a inch, acrylic backboard, a covered breakaway rim, and a gallon base. Spalding is the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world and the official sponsor of the NBA. This Spalding hoop has a forward-bent support pole that extends the backboard in front of the base, which is great for under the hoop play and layups.
The inch, see-through backboard should be big enough for almost any recreational basketball player and the covered breakaway rims make dunking fun. Like for most portable basketball hoops, the assembly of the Spalding Pro Slams seems to be quite an adventure and can take you and a buddy up to 5 hours. Luckily you only need to assemble it once and will have fun for years.
If you can afford it — pay an experienced handyman to do the assembly or get the Amazon hoops assembly service! No doubt — the Spalding Pro Slam offers the best bang for your buck. A large inch backboard, a sturdy base, and adjustable height make this hoop perfect, not only for little kids but also their basketball-obsessed fathers! The Silverback NXT features a gallon base, adjustable height, and a covered breakaway rim.
The most obvious distinguishing factor from other basketball hoops is the infinity edge backboard, which is not covered by a frame like every other backboard and offers a very modern, clean look. This basketball hoop is produced by the same company that makes the Goalrilla in-ground baskets which are very well known for their incredible build quality. The excellence of this hoop is obvious the second you unbox the Silverback NXT packaging.
Every part is numbered and the instructions are very detailed. You can easily assemble this hoop in 2 hours, and if you need help there is even a youtube assembly video! The adjustment system is easy to use and allows you to change the height from 7. If you want to get an idea about the quality of the Silverback NXT, check out this video:.
The Silverback is not cheap, but it is a great choice if you want to invest in a really high-quality basketball hoop engineered to last. If you want to save a little bit, there is also a smaller version with a inch frame. This portable basketball hoop by Spalding is the first one in this article that comes with a tempered glass backboard — the same material used in professional indoor hoops. You will notice it immediately when you are working on your bank shots!
While this hoop features the same dimensions as the Spalding Pro Slam presented earlier, when it comes to build quality and stability, this basket is in another league entirely. The gallon base is massive and provides the necessary weight to avoid the shaking and rattling which is present in a lot of cheaper baskets.
Unfortunately, your kids will not be able to move this basket on their own. Once the gallon base is filled with water the hoop gets very heavy and hard to move. But a strong adult should have no problem rolling this basket from the driveway back to the garage. Overall, this Spalding is an extremely solid, heavy duty hoop that could easily last you 10 years. With a huge inch backboard and a massive gallon base, it comes closer to a professional basketball hoop than any other portable hoop on the market. This portable basketball hoop has a backboard made from high-quality tempered glass.
Combine this material with the weight of the huge backboard, and you get a rebound efficiency unlike any other. If you plan to throw alley-oop passes off the backboard, this is definitely the hoop for you. Other advantages: And even if you are a big and athletic player, you can still hang on the rim without worrying about getting buried underneath the basket. Unfortunately, all this weight has one negative side-effect.
It is not exactly easy to move this basket. You can certainly do it with two adults, but if you plan to stow it in the garage after every basketball game, this is probably not the perfect hoop for you. If you are looking for a high quality basketball hoop that you can move easily, I would go for the Silverback NXT. Portable basketball hoops come in a very wide price range! If you are looking for the first basketball hoop for your little kids, and you are not sure if they are going to stick with it, then the Lifetime Pro Court is a great beginner hoop.