Basketball is among the most popular sports played across the globe. Today, it is a lot easier to play or practice a game of basketball with your friends or kids at your backyard or front yard, thanks to portable basketball hoops. And while playing basketball can also help you burn some calories, choosing the right hoop isn’t as easy as you’d think it to be. There are many brands of hoops manufactured every year. To help you make a quick and wise buying decision, we have put together a list of some of the best basketball hoops that you can get for yourself.
Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Basketball Hoop
The one thing that we love about the Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Basketball hoop is that one can adjust the height to suit your game. This hoop is not only portable, but it has a quality build that makes it durable. This way, you can be sure it will serve you well.
Pro
- Has a sizeable backboard that measures 44-inches and is made from polyethylene and is UV coated
- It has a sturdy base that can easily hold 27 gallons of water or sand to keep in in place when it backboard takes a hard hit
- This basketball hoop has an adjustable height allowing for you to easily adjust it from 7.5 feet to 10 feet
- Both the braces and breakaway rims are made from steel guaranteeing durability
- The welded hooks on the backboard help to firmly hold the net securely to ensure it doesn’t fall off
- It has a 2.75-inch pole that is strong and reliable
- The Lifetime 1221 Pro Court basketball hoop has a nylon net that is attractive
- This hoop has been built to withstand the harshest weather which means you can use it regardless of the season
Cons
- The hoop becomes heavy once the base is filled and required two people to move it
- It’s only available in two different colors
Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop
The Silverback NXT is a 50-inch flexible and springy basketball hoop. It is made from steel, which ensures it’s durable with a frame that provides rigidity and strength from the top all the way to the pole at its base. It also has a polycarbonate backboard.
Pro
- It has a 50-inch polycarbonate backboard with clear edges and is a see through
- Its overhang measures 26-inches which makes rebound plays very easy
- Compared to other brands of basketball hoops the Silverback NXT is very easy to assemble as it only takes 90 minutes or less
- Similar to the Lifetime 1221 Pro, the Silverbird NXT also has an adjustable height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet
- The entire basketball hoop from the backboard to the base is made from steel which guarantees durability
- The steel construction also provides good stability
- The base can be filled with up to 25 gallons of water
- The side of the base has wheels that make it easy to move this basketball hoop from one area to another
- The front of the backboard comes with a square outline that can be used for making the perfect aim for the hoop below it
Cons
- Not suited for use in windy areas
- The base can sometimes leak water
Spalding NBA Hybrid Basketball Hoop
Spalding is a well-known brand when it comes to manufacturing sports products, especially for the basketball game. Like other Spalding basketball hoops, the Spalding NBA Hybrid basketball hoop has a sturdy construction with a height that can be adjusted to suit your preferred height.
Pro
- This basketball hoop is available in two styles – a 54-inch and a 60-inch acrylic backboard – giving you the freedom to choose the one that suits your game need
- The Spalding NBA Hybrid basketball can be adjusted from 7.5 inches to 10-inches
- Designed for outdoor play
- The hybrid base can be filled with a 50-pound bag of sand or 19 gallons of water
- The board frame is made from steel and has an aluminum steel which prevents it from easily getting damaged
- It has two wheels making it easier to move this basketball hoop from one area to the next
- It has a place that you can dial in your jump shots as you secure your crossover
- The board comes with a heavy-duty rim to help hold out against vicious dunks
- It has an easy enough screw jack lift feature that even your kids can use
- The Ultimate Hybrid base for this Spalding basketball hoop takes less time to assemble when compared to a traditional base
Cons
- Very expensive
- The instructions for assembling this basketball hoop aren’t clear
Lifetime 90040 Height Adjustable Basketball Hoop
The 90040 is the second Lifetime basketball hoop to make it on our list. Compared to other basketball hoop in our review, the 90040 is a dark themed product and comes with a 44-inch polyethylene backboard. The design on the backboard is both distinctive and attractive.
Pro
- The backboard has a distinctive and attractive design
- As a dark themed product, this basketball hoop is best suited for people who don’t want colorful basketball hoops
- The front of the board easily stands out compared to the rear thanks to the curved edges that point backward
- The board has a colorful border as well as an inner target border right above the hoop to help you line up your shots
- Easily adjust the height from 7.5-feet to 10-feet with short 6-inch changes
- The base can either be filled with 27 gallons of sand or water
- It has two rugged wheels at the front to help you move it around to your preferred position with ease
- Has a strong net and is one of the best basketball hoops for training
Cons
- Heavy shorts on target can make the backboard unstable
- The base has small fill up holes that make it hard to quickly fill up the base
Final Thoughts
When choosing a basketball hoop, it’s important that you first consider the size, rim as well as the material used to make the backboard. There are different types of materials, such as acrylic or glass. Depending on your need, find one that suits your immediate need. Secondly, also consider the base. While you can opt to use sand or water to fill the base, it’s important to consider the type of temperature you get when it’s cold. For instance, those living in cold areas are better off using sand instead of water as that can freeze, and when it eventually defrosts, the base may be damaged by then. Also, consider the brace and support that the backboard has before you make a buying decision.
