As someone who loves playing basketball, you always want to have the best possible hoop to play on. But what if you don’t have a lot of space, or you want to be able to take your hoop with you wherever you go? That’s where portable basketball hoops come in!
Portable basketball hoops are perfect for small spaces or for taking with you on the go. They’re usually much cheaper than their in-ground counterparts, and they’re easy to set up and take down.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best portable basketball hoops for 2022.
We’ll be considering factors like price, features, durability, and more. So if you’re in the market for a new portable hoop, read on!
Without any further ado, let’s jump right in!
Why should you trust and what did we consider to make our list?
- This portable basketball hoop review guide has been divided into two parts. Hoops for the youth-adult category and hoops for the mostly kids category. So you can decide based on the end-user requirement.
- We picked the most popular hoops and reviewed them to make the list.
- During the review process, we were not biased towards any brand and provided both pros and cons so that deciding the right product becomes a piece of cake for you.
- We considered the price, quality, portability, usability, stability, user-friendliness, and more importantly the opinion of the real users of the products.
- None of the products will cost you an arm and a leg.
Best Portable Basketball Hoops at a Glance
- Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop – Our pick for youth and adults.
- Lifetime 71566 Courtside – Our pick for kids.
Top 5 Quality Portable Basketball Hoops – for Youth & Adults
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Top 4 Best Budget Portable Basketball Hoops – for Kids
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Top 5 Quality Portable Basketball Hoops – for Youth & Adults
1. Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop- Best Portable Basketball Hoop for Driveway
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Backboard Size: 50″ and 54″
Backboard Material: Polycarbonate
Rim: Compression breakaway
Base Size: 25 gallon
Height Adjustment: Easy slide actuator
Support Pole: Stabili-Frame
Editor’s Rating: 5 / 5
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- It’s only a breeze to assemble this portable hoop in a quick time.
- You have the liberty to choose between two different sizes (50″ and 54″) of the backboard.
- Filling the base with either water or sand or base gel is a cakewalk.
- No question on the sturdiness of the unit.
- The stabili-frame system helps it stand firm even without anything in the ballast.
- You adjust the height effortlessly from 7.5′ to 10′ in 6″ increment.
- The wheels underneath the base make it easy to transport.
- You will get ample overhang (26″) under the goal.
- A compression breakaway rim makes it withstand dunking.
- Both adults and young players will like it.
- We must praise the instruction manual. It’s readily understandable.
- It’s one of the most cost-effective basketball goals for adults.
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- The rebound of the backboard is ok but could have been better. However, it’s quite natural in the case of a polycarbonate backboard.
- This goal wobbles slightly when the ball hits the backboard. However, it’s not too shaky and won’t fall down at all. It’s precisely what you should expect from a portable unit.
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Detailed Review
Silverback NXT is the best portable basketball hoop on our list, considering the affordability for what it offers.
The ease of assembling offered by this portable basketball system is something that you wouldn’t want to miss.
You don’t need to hire any assembly service provider. You with the help of another guy should be able to complete the installation within two-three hours. This way, it’s saving you from spending extra money on the installation process.
Although the rebound is not too good, you can’t expect the same rebound that you get from a tempered glass backboard.
While you can fill the base and wheel with water, base gel, or sand, we suggest using either water or base gel. It’s because it’s a tad troublesome to remove the sand compared to other options.
The stabili-frame system of this goal is something we must mention here. That means it uses more steel than other basketball hoops and makes it more stable, even using only 25 gallons of water or sand. It has the ability to stand even without anything in the ballast.
As a whole, it is one of the best outdoor portable basketball hoops considering the stability, usability, price, ease of assembling, portability, etc.
You won’t regret buying it.
While it’s the best-rated portable basketball hoop for adults and young players, at the same time, it will be an overkilling option for the kids.
2. Lifetime 71524 XL – Best Portable Basketball Hoop for the Money
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Backboard Size: 54 inches
Backboard Material: Poly carbonate
Rim: Pro-Style compression breakaway
Base Size: 35 gallon
Height Adjustment: Power Lift
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 / 5
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- 54 inches shatterproof Makrolon Polycarbonate background gives this hoop durability and strength.
- 18 inches Slam-It Pro rim where the springs are covered. This feature allows you to dunk while playing.
- The most comfortable power shift height adjustment mechanism lets you adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments. You can adjust the height with only one hand, and the process is fast.
- A 35-gallon heavy-duty base can be filled with water or sand that makes the goal stable when playing. Easily movable because of the wheels underneath.
- 3 pieces powder-coated steel round basketball pole, all-weather nylon net, and fade-resistant graphics.
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- Polycarbonate backboard is not rebound friendly. That means balls don’t rebound that much after hitting the backboard. But better than any polyethylene backboard.
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This model is appropriate not only for recreational play but also for tournament play with your neighborhood.
This comes with 54 inches shatterproof Makrolon Polycarbonate backboard. As you can see the backboard is well enough to play angle shots or distance shots.
Detailed Review
Sometimes you will be getting more than the expected rebound from a Polycarbonate backboard which actually will not help you.
Why?
Because that makes the rebound a bit inconsistent, which is not good for playing bank shots. This does not happen always, that is why you can either take this problem into consideration or avoid it.
In this case, you will have a pro-style compression breakaway rim where the springs are covered, so you can slam dunk while playing. But again although your dunking will not hamper the rim that much, it is always better to avoid hanging on the ring after dunking to avoid accidental injuries while you are using transportable hoops.
The power lift height adjustment mechanism will give you the comfort of adjusting the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments. How cool is that?
The 35-gallon heavy-duty base can be filled with water or sand. Filling with water is hassle-free while filling with sand will give you more stability.
Since the base has got wheels, the whole system is easily movable.
3. Spalding “The Beast” Portable Basketball Hoop Review – Best Portable Basketball Hoop for Dunking
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Backboard Size: 60 inches
Backboard Material: Tempered glass
Rim:Pro-Image Breakaway
Base Size: 55 gallons
Height Adjustment: Crank
Support Pole: 2 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 5 / 5
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- Super sturdy, you will see very little shaking after the ball contacts the backboard.
- Easy to move with the detachable handle.
- Assembling is easy with the help of another person. You can hire a service provider as well without spending too much. The instruction manual is pretty much straightforward.
- Absolutely ok for dunking.
- Till the date of this writing, it is the only 2 pcs support pole portable system on the market. Others are usually 3 pcs. 2 pcs support pole provides more stability and less vibration during the play.
- 60” tempered glass backboard provides the highest rebound possible for a portable option.
- Pro Image breakaway covered rim with an all-weather net. The cover prevents the spring from rusting.
- The largest base with 55 gallons of capacity.
- Easy to manage height adjustment (crank) to adjust the height from 7.5 – 10 feet in infinite increment.
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- A bit expensive but won’t break your bank. It is always what you pay is what you get. You will not regret the quality if you are serious about the game.
- A foam padding could have given the backboard an extra dimension in terms of safety measures.
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“Spalding” is dominating the sports markets since 1876 by manufacturing different sports items. It has been influencing the basketball market as well by producing high-quality basketballs and basketball goals both portable and in-ground.
We believe, among the portable hoops this version of “the beast” is something that you should go for if you are looking for quality and performance over anything else.
While it is using the highest quality components that can be used for a movable system, keep in mind, you will have to spend extra bucks to afford this option, because is always what you get is what you pay.
If you want to compromise the performance and quality for the money then this is not the option for you. In that case, you should go for the Spalding hybrid portable goal.
So, let’s dive into the detail review section.
Detailed Review
Backboard
Let’s talk about the positives first. 60” tempered glass where the ball will come off with the highest velocity among the other materials (i.e. acrylic or polycarbonate). So you will get the same professional feeling as you would expect from a gym quality goal. You will see a very little vibration after the ball hits the backboard.
Playing bank shots is not a problem at all with this 60” tempered glass backboard portable basketball hoop.
The other side of the coin is, in terms of durability tempered glass tends to last less than its other counterparts. There is a chance of shattering as this is a glass material. But don’t worry, it will not shatter so easily. A foam padding could have added an extra dimension to the backboard as well.
Rim
Absolutely dunk-friendly Pro image breakaway rim with an all-weather net. The spring is covered, so normally is supposed to prevent the spring from rusting and it does that. According to some user reviews who have been using this goal for over a year, they have not seen any kind of rust.
Base
So far this model has got the largest base with 55 gallons of water capacity.
Isn’t that big?
While filling the base can be done with either water or sand, we prefer sand over water as that will provide you with more stability. Using BaseGel can make it a sturdy base second to none.
Two wheels and a detachable handle are there to help you to move the goal easily.
Height Adjustment
Crank height adjustment is relatively easier to use. Although the Lifetime products provide more sophisticated and easier to use height adjustment methods this one from Spalding is not hard to manage either. You can adjust the height from 7.5 – 10 feet in infinite increments.
Support Pole
The only 2 pcs basketball pole that provides more stability and less vibration after you hit the backboard or rim with the ball. Generally, you will find 3 pcs support in other portable options. 3 pcs tends to shake more than 2 pcs.
Moreover, this model features an angled pole that gives it a more professional look and feels.
Overall we think, this is the most heavy-duty portable basketball goal if you are serious about your game. You will have to spend a bit more, but you will not regret it after observing the quality and performance. But if you are looking for some budget options, this is not the ideal option for you. In that case, you should go for either Spalding Hybrid Portable goal or Lifetime 71524 XL
4. Spalding NBA Hybrid Portable Adjustable Basketball Hoop Review
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Backboard Size: 54/60 inches
Backboard Material: Acrylic
Rim: Arena Slam breakaway
Base Size: 200 lbs of sand or gravel and 19 gallons of water together
Height Adjustment: Crank
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 5 / 5
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- Provides enough stability.
- Easy to empty the base and transport.
- Durable.
- Both 54 and 60 inches acrylic backboards are available to choose from with heavy-duty steel frames. Acrylic provides highly satisfactory rebound and durability.
- The base can be filled with both 200 lbs of sand or gravel & 19 gallons of water meaning enough stability during the play. That’s why the term hybrid has been used for this goal.
- Crank (U-lift) height adjustment that allows you to adjust the height easily from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.
- Arena slam the breakaway rim with the all-weather net. The springs of this rim are covered which makes the rim durable. The quality of the rim allows you to slam dunk without damaging the rim.
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- Assembling. Well, its easy, that is not a problem of course. The problem is you need another person to help to assemble different parts. You have a paid solution though, you can always call an expert service provider to assemble the hoop.
- 3 piece support pole will increase the shaking a bit after shots hitting the backboard. But the good thing is, the extra shaking is almost unnoticeable; that means it will shake almost like other hoops shake. You won’t find any problem in terms of stability, and sturdiness during the play.
- The price is moderately high; although the quality, performance, and durability will be even higher.
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“Spalding” as a brand has been igniting the market for over a millennium now in different sports. Their basketball has been considered the official basketball of the NBA in 1983, and they have been dominating the basketball hoop market as well for so many years now.
We consider “Spalding NBA Hybrid” as one of the top-notch portable basketball hoops for a couple of reasons; the portability and easy-to-use hybrid base are two of the main features that forced us to select this product as the top one on our list.
Let’s get into the detailed review.
Detailed Review
Backboard
This model features both 54 and 60 inches acrylic backboards. Acrylic is the second highest quality backboard material after tempered glass in terms of rebounding.
If you want to have a combination of rebounding and durability then acrylic is the best bet. The ball jumps off the backboard quite well and should satisfy you for sure. But don’t expect something like a gym quality performance from this model.
54 or 60 inches is enough to play the bank shot, right? You will be able to play the bank shot, putback and tip-in shot so comfortably without thinking too much about the space required from a backboard.
Rim
Arena Slam breakaway basketball rim with the all-weather net is ok for slam dunking whenever you want. But don’t hang too often for your own safety. The rim is covered by a case to prevent rusting, which is important for the sake of longevity.
Base
Here is the interesting component of this hoop that makes it one of a kind.
How?
Well, the hybrid system allows you to fill the base with both 19 gallons of water and 200 lbs of sand (4x 50 lbs = 200 lbs)together in two different chambers.
You can easily put sandbags directly into the chamber instead of pouring the sand. You just open the cover of the chamber and put the sandbags in.
Isn’t it cool? We liked this feature most. Because this makes the goal highly stable and easily movable.
So easy to move. Guess how? You just open the cover and remove the sandbags, now even if you don’t remove the 19 gallons of water, you can easily move the system with the help of another person. Meaning here in order to move the system you don’t have to go through the pain of emptying all the water out from the base.
Height Adjustment
Spalding NBA Hybrid portable basketball system offers crank (U-lift) height adjustment that allows adjusting the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.
The crank height adjustment procedure is not as comfortable as the action grip. But not a difficult one at all. For this goal, it is easier to make the height down than up.
Support Pole
A 3 pcs support pole system and a 3 pcs support pole is the common scenario of any portable goal. As per our knowledge, there is only one portable hoop (“Spalding the beast”) that has got a 2 pcs support pole to provide less wobbling and more stability after the ball hits the backboard or rim. But you have to spend more to buy that version of a hoop.
The shaking of the goal after the ball contact is pretty much acceptable and normal.
5. Lifetime 71522 XL Portable Basketball Hoop Review
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Backboard Size: 54 inches
Backboard Material: Acrylic
Rim: Slam-it Pro
Base Size: 35 gallon
Height Adjustment: Power lift
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 / 5
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- 54 inches shatterproof Acrylic backboard perfect for the bank shot.
- Most advanced power lift height adjustment mechanism that allows you to adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.
- A 35-gallon base that can be filled with water or sand ensures stability. The base has wheels under them, resulting in a smooth movement to the desired location.
- 3 pieces support pole.
- Slam-it Pro rim that has a cover to protect the springs from rusting and making the rim durable and dunking friendly.
- All-weather nylon net and fade-resistant graphics.
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- Assembling the parts may seem troublesome at first. But if you take someone to assist you during the process then that should be an easy task to accomplish.
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Detailed Review
This is another quality portable basketball system that allows you to play with your friends and family. Appropriate for kids, teens, or adults.
This model features 54 inches steel frame shatterproof Acrylic backboard. 54 inches is quite big for the distance shot and angle shot, more specifically bank shots, right? Yes, it is. The acrylic backboard gives you a good rebound. The backboard is durable and virtually unbreakable.
The most advanced power lift procedure will allow you to adjust the height very easily from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.
The 35-gallon base that can be filled with water or sand gives you excellent stability and portability like other products of Lifetime we have listed here. Obviously, the base also has got wheels to move the hoop to any location without any trouble.
The solid steel Slam-it Pro rim has a cover to protect the springs that make the rim durable and stable to make it dunking friendly.
Top 4 Best Budget Portable Basketball Hoops – Mostly for Kids
1. Lifetime 71566 Courtside Portable Basketball Hoop Review
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Backboard Size: 50 inches
Backboard Material: Poly carbonate
Rim: Compression breakaway
Base Size: 35 gallon
Height Adjustment: Action grip
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 4.5 / 5
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- 50 inches shatterproof Polycarbonate backboard with weather resistant steel frame that also increases the rigidity. You already know Polycarbonate material is durable.
- A heavy-duty 35-gallon portable base that can be filled with water or sand. The base has wheels underneath it.
- Action Grip/Trigger handle height adjustment which is easily manageable with one hand. You can adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in 6 inches increment.
- Compression breakaway rim, meaning the rim has double compression springs. Having springs is helpful for slam dunking. Although we recommend not to do hang on the ring; not only to keep the hoop in good condition but also to avoid injuries.
- All-weather heavy-duty nylon net.
- 3 pieces support pole.
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- Polycarbonate material is not that much rebound friendly. But at least not as much dead as Polyethylene backboards.
- To assemble the hoop, you will have to have someone to help you in the process. Or you can always call an affordable and expert service provider to assemble the system.
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Have you ever wished for a quality portable system by spending very few bucks compared to the other quality options that cost more?
Lifetime 71566 courtside can be your top choice among all the other budget options we have listed here.
Let’s see how.
Detailed Review
This portable basketball system features 50 inches shatterproof backboard made from Polycarbonate material. A Polycarbonate backboard is a durable option we should say.
We found both young and adult players who think this option is an ideal choice for them. But obviously, for recreational playing only.
You will have some spaces from the relatively bigger backboard to play bank shots as well as putback and tip-in.
Although Polycarbonate is not that rebound friendly but at least better than Polyethylene. You will get a satisfactory level of rebounding to play a recreational match. At least it is quite enough to play putback shots.
One of the best parts of this goal is the height adjustment mechanism. This model features a trigger handle/action grip feature which is very easy to manage with one hand. You can adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in 6 inches increments.
We found it very easy to adjust the height as expected. Action grip is way better and more comfortable than telescopic adjustment. Most of the budget goals have telescopic adjustment, but this one has an action grip. That is another reason behind choosing this model as our top pick.
Another good part of this product is the compression breakaway rim. That means the rim has double compression springs but is not covered. Having springs will allow you to do a slam dunk, although we recommend not to overdo it. Obviously, you should not hang after dunking.
The 35-gallon portable base will give you stability once you fill it with water or sand. People generally fill the base with water as it is hassle-free. But filling with sand makes it even more stable. With that being said, 35-gallon is quite enough to have good stability once you fill it with water as well. We also felt likewise.
So, if you are looking for a budget option then we strongly recommend you to go for this model.
2. Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Goal Review – Best Portable Basketball Hoop Under 300
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Backboard Size: 44 inches
Backboard Material: Polyethylene
Rim: Standard rim
Base Size: 27 gallon
Height Adjustment: Telescopic
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 4 / 5
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- Lightweight and the base has wheel hence easy to move.
- Good choice for kids, and young players.
- 44 inches backboard made out of high-density polyethylene that makes the backboard unbreakable until you hit it with a hammer. 44 inches is perfect for kids or learners.
- The heavy-duty 27-gallon base can be filled with water or sand.
- Telescopic height adjustment mechanism. You can adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in 6 inches increment.
- Three pieces support pole.
- Standard rim with all-weather supported nylon net.
- Very much affordable.
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- Although the telescopic mechanism is easy to manage but not as comfortable as other mechanisms like trigger handle, power life or crank handle.
- Standard rim, meaning no springs. So dunking will damage the rim. But as the kids mostly use this hoop, so this is not a big issue.
- The plastic backboard is not rebound-friendly. But ok for recreational play.
- Mostly kids friendly. Adults will not enjoy playing with this option.
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Were you looking for a useful portable basketball system for your kids? You can go for this option too.
This is one of the popular portable basketball goals for recreational play, particularly for kids, and young players. You can easily afford this model as it falls under our budget category. You will get all the basic functionalities by spending very few bucks compared to other options.
Detailed Review
The backboard is made out of Polyethylene, and the size of the backboard is 44 inches. You already know Polyethylene backboard is not too good for rebounding. But this is not a must-have benefit for children.
The standard rim is used for this model, meaning there are no springs associated with the rim. But this should not be a problem as this model is mainly for your children and they are not going to dunk while playing.
You can adjust the height according to your need easily (from 7.5 feet to 10 feet, in increments of 6 inches) as this model comes with the telescoping height adjustment mechanism.
Although telescoping is not the best of the best height adjustment procedure regarding comfortability, unfortunately almost all the budget hoops come with this mechanism. That is why we recommend you to go for our top pick in the budget category which is the Lifetime 71566 Courtside model.
The base capacity is 27-gallon which you can fill it with water or sand. We found that sand gives more stability than water.
This is a lightweight product with wheels underneath the base. So you can move it very easily to your desired location.
3. Giantex 10FT Portable Basketball Hoop Review
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Backboard Size: 43 inches
Backboard Material: Polyethylene
Rim: Standard rim
Base Size:66 lbs of water and 88 lbs of sand
Height Adjustment: Knob adjustment
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 4 / 5
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- A cost-effective portable basketball hoop.
- The wheels under the base rolls without any hiccups whatsoever, so you can move the goal here and there effortlessly.
- You can adjust the height from 6.5′ to 10′. Therefore, you have the luxury to use this hoop for any age level.
- It’s not hard to adjust the height with the use of a convenient knob adjustment system.
- The 43″ inch backboard gives enough coverage for the kids. It’s not flimsy either.
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor playing.
- Easy to assemble.
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- Had the base capacity higher, it would have been a more sturdy system for the kids.
- Not a perfect goal for an adult player at all. Particularly who loves to hit the backboard hard with aggressive shots.
- The net quality could have been better.
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Detailed Review
This Giantex 10ft portable system has a 43″ backboard, which is made from polyethylene. Polyethylene is one of the most commonly used backboard materials for kids’ basketball hoops or budget basketball goals.
Don’t expect too much response from a polyethylene backboard when the ball hits it. For kids, it’s not necessary either.
You can fill the base with either 66lbs of water or 88lbs of sand. I prefer sand to water for maximum stability.
The installation process is not complicated. However, if you are a novice in installing a portable hoop, you can hire any expert assembler to do the job for you.
Altogether, this one is the right budget hoop that provides enough quality features for the kid’s liking. It’s a well-built product. You won’t regret buying this basketball system.
4. Lifetime 90022 Youth Portable Basketball Hoop Review
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Backboard Size: 32 inches
Backboard Material: Polyethylene
Rim: Standard rim
Base Size: 10 gallon
Height Adjustment: Telescopic
Support Pole: 3 pcs
Editor’s Rating: 3 / 5
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- 32 inches impact backboard made out of high-density Polyethylene. This makes the backboard virtually unbreakable.
- Lightweight and easy to move as the base has wheels.
- 10-gallon heavy-duty base that can be filled with water or sand.
- 3 pieces powder-coated round pole.
- Telescopic height adjustment mechanism where you can adjust the height from 5.5 feet to 7.5 feet in 6 inches increment.
- Standard rim with all-weather nylon net and fade-resistant graphic.
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- The standard rim is not suitable for slam dunking. But this should not be a problem as your kids will not dunk generally.
- Only suitable for recreational play.
- Although telescopic pole height adjustment is easy to do but not as comfortable as action grip, or power shift, or crank handle mechanism. But a telescopic pole is the commonly available option when you are going for a budget basketball goal.
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Detailed Review
This is another popular model available on the market targeted at kids and young players. That means mainly for the recreational play for your kids.
This model features 32 inches impact backboard made out of high-density Polyethylene. As you know, Polyethylene is not rebound friendly, but that is not a major issue in this case as your kid will enjoy enough without any significant rebound.
The backboard is durable and effectively unbreakable.
The base has wheels to move the whole system easily while having a 10-gallon capacity to fill the base with water or sand. We tested by filling with both sand and water. Both performed well. But filling up with sand made it more stable. On the other hand, filling with water is hassle-free.
Telescoping height adjustment will let you adjust the height from 5.5 feet to 7.5 feet in 6 inches increments.
This model comes with a standard rim with an all-weather nylon net.
Overall, this is also a very lightweight movable basketball goal, so you will not face any trouble moving and placing it in a proper location.
The base is relatively small that offers only 10-gallons of capacity. As per our observation, this seemed too small. On the other hand, Some of the parents who bought this item for their kids think, this is well enough for stability.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more for your kids, then you can buy our recommended budget portable goal; Lifetime 71566 Courtside.
BaseGel Basketball Goal Portable Bases Polymer – What, Why, and How?
Don’t you think lifting the heavy sandbags or pouring only water is kind of old days style of filling the base? Why not try the state-of-the-art method to do the job? This method ensures less hassle for you but more stability to the base.
Yes, we are talking about the H2Old BaseGel, which is a super absorbent polymer that you can use in place of sand or water to support the transportable goal’s base.
Here one 16 oz of bottle replaces 400 lbs of sand or 40 gallons of water when added to water.
The recipe for filling up the base with this polymer is an easy process.
Here is how.
1) Add ⅔ of the BaseGel to the base.
2)Next, fill half of the base with water.
3)Then, Add the remaining BaseGel to the base.
4) Add water up to the recommended fill level of the base.
Done! In 2-3 minutes the BaseGel will turn into a stable and firm gel. That’s it. How easy is that?
Why do we prefer using BaseGel in place of sand or water? Particularly we highly recommend you to use the BaseGel instead of water.
It is because
1)This polymer resists leaks if small holes or cracks develop in the base.
2) Environment-friendly.
3) No problem to use in any climate.
How to remove BaseGel from the base?
Although you won’t want to remove the BaseGel until it is really necessary. Because this gel will remain as a firm gel for 7 years or more. But if you want to remove it for any reason, then here is the process.
1)Use simple table salt and water solution to reverse the BaseGel back to liquid.
2)Done! Remove the liquid as you do in the case of water.
Have more questions on BaseGel? Visit this page to know the answer to the frequently asked question.
Watch this video from H2Old to understand the process visually.
if you do not know about the different types of hoops then no worries. We are going to brief you in the next section.
What Are the Different Types of Basketball Hoops?
Typically, the basketball goals are categorized into three types for playing recreational matches. Portable, in-ground, and wall-mount.
However, trampolines with basketball hoops and poolside basketball hoops are some other popular types of goals amongst the kids and adults.
Let’s get some insights into three major types of basketball systems.
Portable Basketball Hoop
Due to the portability benefit, portable goals are now the most popular type of basketball goals. The main advantage of this kind of hoop is that you can carry, place and play anywhere you like to play.
Carrying a portable basketball system is not troublesome if you have proper knowledge about it. We will discuss those later in this article. Portable goals have wheels that make life easier when you move them from one place to another.
Are you wondering if this type of hoop is stable or not? They are stable. To maintain stability you can always fill the base with water, and sand. Some bigger hoops have space to place bricks or other materials on top of the base to make the base even more stable.
The only drawback of cheaper portable basketball goals is, that they tend to shake and vibrate too often, whereas the expensive ones remain stiffer than their low-price counterparts. It is always “what you pay is what you get.”
In-Ground Basketball Hoop
As the name implies this type of hoop is cemented directly into the ground. So once you set up an in-ground hoop, you can not move it anywhere else. The main benefit of this type of basketball goal is they are very rigid and sturdy, resulting in greater stability than portable goals.
Wall-Mount Basketball Hoop
This is another self-explanatory category of the basketball goal. They are mounted straight on the wall. These are the least favorite type, but you can save space using them.
So after knowing about the three types of basketball hoops, it is very much clear that each of the types has some advantages and disadvantages.
But obviously, the portable basketball goals will be the perfect choice as they give everything you need from a hoop.
Why Portable Basketball Hoops?
- They are transportable; you can move anywhere and play.
- Transportation is very easy.
- You can adjust the height.
- Very much affordable and cheaper than in-ground goals.
- You just assemble it, and it’s ready to go. No need to dig a hole or something.
- You can keep it in the garage during bad weather to retain its quality.
The Downside of Portable Goals
The major downside of movable basketball goals is, that you should avoid ring hanging after scoring. At best you can do slam-dunking, but you must not hang on the ring after dunking.
Exciting time ahead. Now we are going to dig into the buying guide so that you can educate yourself enough to make the right decision and buy the top portable basketball hoop based on your need and choice.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Movable Basketball Hoop
Now we are going to teach you briefly about the portable basketball system construction that will help you to learn different buying factors.
Backboard Materials
The first thing you need to know about a movable basketball hoop is the merit and demerits of different kinds of backboard materials. Backboard materials are directly related to the performance, and longevity of the hoop.
There are four types of backboard materials available on the market. Plastic (Polyethylene), Polycarbonate, Acrylic, Tempered glass.
Plastic(Polyethylene)
This is the cheapest material among the four types of backboard materials. No doubt this material is used to make budget hoops.
This material is only suitable for kids’ or toddlers’ basketball goals as they mostly play a game for a recreational purposes. The ball almost does not rebound after hitting the backboard. Most of the time balls just drop down instead of bouncing off.
So if you are on a budget or you want to buy a basketball hoop for your kids, then this material is a good choice. Otherwise, you should not go for a portable basketball system that has a plastic backboard.
Polycarbonate
The price of this material is higher than plastic but cheapest compared to acrylic and tempered glass. Although this is the most economical material compared to acrylic and tempered glass, the other side of the coin is Polycarbonate is the most durable, and strongest among all the available materials. Mostly intermediate, and professional players like this material as they tend to play rough games, and the Polycarbonate backboard is not going to break ever.
While durability and strength offer good value, there is a downside to this material as well. Balls don’t reflect well after hitting the backboard, and this will give a dead feeling which in turn may put a bad impact on your play.
Acrylic
Acrylic is the most popular basketball hoop among the players. The performance of acrylic is better than that of polycarbonate materials. That means the ball reflects more than the polycarbonate backboard, resulting in better rebounding play. Concerning durability, this is also a durable material, although not as durable as its polycarbonate counterpart. What about the price? Price is very affordable, not too high, not even too low.
Tempered Glass
If quality and performance are two of your topmost priorities of you, then we recommend you to go for tempered glass material. Balls reflect so well after hitting the backboard that you will almost get the feeling of a professional game. That means you will get a good rebound once the ball hits the backboard.
No wonder why the tempered glass backboards are expensive, it is because of their quality. If you are serious about your game, you should go for tempered glass backboards.
Backboard Size
Different portable basketball goals come with different sizes of backboards. The large backboard is helpful for rebounding play as well as distance, and angle shooting.
For a learner or beginner 44’’ backboard size is perfect. On the other hand, the 48’’- 50’’ range is ideal for practicing drives to the basket and bank shots. Usually, teenagers use this size of backboard. 50’’ – 60’’ size is preferred by the aggressive players while the regulation backboards are 72’’. 60’’ will be enough for you to have a professional feel.
Rim
Rim is another principal object of a basketball goal. The rim should be 18 inches in diameter from edge to edge so that the ball can easily go through it. There are mainly three types of rims available on the market. Standard rim, Compression breakaway rim, Pro-style compression breakaway rim.
Standard Rim
The standard rim is not for the players who like to do slam-dunking very often. Why? As the standard rim does not have any spring, and it is fixed, so it will break the backboard if you hang onto the rim after scoring. That is why it is suitable for casual/recreational play, especially for young or junior players.
Compression Breakaway Rim
Compression breakaway rims are better than standard rims if you like slam-dunking very often. The use of springs makes this type of rim somewhat ok for frequent slam dunking. But remember they are ok for moderate dunking not ok for ring hanging or harder dunking.
The springs are not covered for compression breakaway rim that makes the rim bouncy, but the downside is, it can rust over time.
Pro-Style Compression Breakaway Rim (Covered Springs)
Pro-style compression breakaway rims are perfect for you if you have the habit of slam dunking. But still, we advise you not to do it very frequently to minimize the damage to the backboard.
The springs are covered, and concerning quality, this type of rim has got the highest quality compared to its other counterparts. You guess it right. As the quality is high, the price is also higher than the standard compression breakaway rim. Pro-style rims are also less bouncy than standard compression breakaway rims.
Supporting Base
Since you are searching for the top portable basketball hoop so you must consider knowing about the supporting base. Having a stable base is a must.
The size of the base varies. Some goals have a base size of 27 gallons, some are in the range of 35 to 40 gallons, and some are 50+ gallons. The bigger-sized base gives more stability and security than the smaller-sized base. Why? Because you can put more water or sand inside the base to make it stable on the ground.
If you buy a base with wheels, then it will be helpful for you to move the hoop very quickly.
Just remember one thing. If you are staying in a location where the weather gets cold, try to mix some antifreeze in the base. Otherwise, there is a chance of water expanding, resulting in a damaged base.
The “Lifetime” (brand) hoops are exceptional in this situation. Their bases are made of Polyethylene plastic which expands when the water freezes.
You can fill the base of the transportable basketball hoops with the state-of-the-art solution BaseGel Basketball Goal Portable Bases Polymer. You can also use only water or sand. Water is easier to manage as far as filling, draining, and moving are concerned. On the other hand, sand gives better stability than water. But using BaseGel polymer is the perfect solution in terms of filling, draining, moving, and stability.
Supporting Pole
The supporting pole is also a crucial part of the portable basketball system as it is responsible for maintaining the stability of the goal. Mainly there are three types of pole designs. Three pieces, two pieces, and one piece.
Three pieces
Three pieces support pole is found mainly in the cheapest and middle-tier portable basketball hoop. In this case, the hoop shakes most compared to other types.
Two pieces
Two pieces support pole is mainly found in the top-quality portable basketball hoops. This kind of pole gives more stability than three pieces supporting pole and is capable of tolerating rough play.
One piece
A one-piece support pole is used in the case of in-ground basketball systems.
Height Adjustment
Any movable basketball goal should have the height adjustment feature. Previously it was not possible for the kids to have fun with the basketball as the standard height of the hoop is 10 feet. A kid is not able to score a goal at that height. To make life easy for everyone, almost any transportable goal comes with a height adjustment system.
Previously a broom handle was required to adjust the height, but these days there are some other comfortable techniques that have been introduced. Here are some height adjustment mechanisms you will find in the modern age portable systems.
Telescoping Pole
This is a procedure where you lean the hoop over and then unscrew a bolt. After adjusting the height up or down, you re-insert the knob. This is basically how a telescoping pole adjustment mechanism works.
Commonly you can adjust a telescoping pole from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in 6 inches increments.
Generally, you will find this mechanism in the cheaper goals that are used for the kids mostly.
Broomstick Adjustment
This height adjustment procedure is also called “exact height” or “ratchet adjustment.”
Working Mechanism
A pole or broomstick is used to unlock the ratchet behind the backboard. Then the same steel pole or broomstick is used to adjust the height ( high or low according to your choice).
This height adjustment procedure is mostly used to make low-cost portable goals.
Trigger Handle/Action Grip
This type of height adjustment is also called one-hand height adjustment.
Working Mechanism
The process is relatively easy. The height adjustment mechanism is located behind the pole. You will find a handle with a trigger behind the steel pole. You just have to squeeze the trigger and then move the handle up and down. This will make the channel slides up and down. Once you release the trigger, the backboard will be stabilized.
Power Lift/Pneumatic Adjustment
This is also an instant, fast one-hand height adjustment procedure.
Working Mechanism
In this case, the process of adjusting the height is also very easy. Even better than action grip and also durable. You simply have to squeeze the handle, and the gas pressure will help to make the height high or low. As this mechanism uses gas to assist the adjustment, this is also called a “gas shock” or “hydraulic” system.
The main benefit of this procedure is, that you don’t have to adjust the height in 6 inches increments. After grabbing the handle you can release it anytime, and the backboard will be stabilized right there, which means you can increase or decrease the height in infinite increments.
Because of the simplicity of this mechanism, even a kid can adjust the height.
Crank Handle
This is another easy to do adjustable height procedure. Although not as comfortable as the action grip or power lift mechanism. But better than a telescopic or broomstick mechanism.
Working Mechanism
In this case, a crank is located at the back of the steel pole. You just have to turn the crank to adjust the height high or low.
Portable Hoop Maintenance Checklist
Just in case you are wondering how you can do the maintenance of a movable hoop to make it usable for the long run, here are some tips.
- Clean the pole, backboard, base, etc. You can clean things with regular household cleaning solutions and detergents. Vehicle cleaning agents are also good to go.
- Remove the streak from the backboard.
- If you use water to fill up the base, then check the water level regularly.
- Check the nylon net. If it is damaged or worn change it. If you are planning to go for a vacation or not using the hoop for a longer period of time for any reason take down the net and keep it inside your home to ensure its durability.
- Check the nuts and bolts, and tighten them if required.
- Lubricate the parts if needed.
- Take care of the rim. As you and other players will tend to dunk, the rim will be affected more than any other part of the hoop. If required contact the manufacturer for the replacement if they provide it.
- See if there is any rusting over time, try to remove the rust using the methods shown in this wikiHow article or simply use an emery cloth to remove them. You can follow this another wikiHow guide to paint rusty steel.
- If the rust has penetrated the pole area replace the pole immediately for your safety.
Final Words
We hope you enjoyed reading our portable basketball hoop reviews and found it helpful to find the best portable basketball hoop based on your requirement. We tried to explain every detail of the products with pros and cons so that you can take an educated decision before buying a portable basketball goal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The standard basketball hoop height is 10’, meaning the height from the top of the surface to the ground is 10’. This is the standard followed by NCAA, NBA, and high schools. This is the height from the top of the ring, not the top of the backboard or from the bottom of the rim. While 10’ is the standard, you can easily adjust the height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in most of the height adjustable portable hoops for your driveway. You can even adjust the height from 4’ to around 6.5’ in case of a kid’s portable hoop.
The cost varies in a wide range. But our recommendation is to keep it below $500 for the one that will be used by absolute beginners. For youth and adults, you will find good hoops in the range of $600-$900.
The regulation basketball backboard dimensions are 72 inches (183 cm) in width and 42 inches (110 cm) in height. If you find something written as 72” backboard, that means that is the width of the backboard. Mostly you will find this type of denotation on the product short description page online, but most of the manufacturers also mention the width as well on the detail description page. While 72” is the standard width of a backboard, you will find a number of variations on the market. 50”,52”, and 54” are the most common backboard width for the adult portable basketball hoop. For kids 44”,32” and some other small width size is available for the backboard.
As we said, the standard size of the backboard is 72” but there are a number of different sizes available for the movable basketball hoop. But we recommend you not to go for below 52” for youth and adults, otherwise, it will not allow bunk shots. For kids any size between 32”-44” is ok.
Tempered glass vs acrylic vs polycarbonate – which one should you buy? Well, if you want the highest quality and performance then tempered glass is the one you should go for. But these are comparatively more expensive than the acrylic and polycarbonate ones. If you are buying goals for the advanced level of player then this must be your choice of backboard material. Acrylic performs almost similar to the glass backboard but of course, not the exact same performance you should expect from acrylic. In terms of durability, the acrylic is completely ok. Acrylic is considered to be the perfect choice for adult beginner and intermediate players. Poly-carbonate is something you should go for only when you want to go too hard with the backboard and search for a budget hoop where the performance is not a big deal to the target users. Because this time you will get a very less professional feel and performance compared to the other type of backboard materials. The rebound is not that good compared to others but ok for the recreational play. But if you talk about the durability and toughness poly-carbonate is a perfect choice.
Well, every height adjustment is ok to good, but the broomstick mechanism and telescoping pole should be avoided if you have a moderate budget. Most convenience mechanisms are crank handle, trigger handle/action handle and power lift systems.
Well, the definition of “perfect” is relative to your need and budget. But the ideal capacity of a transportable hoop base should be 35 gallons to ensure the stability of the hoop if the adults and young players are going to play. You will find hoops having more than 35-gallon capacity. The bigger is the better, but we think 35 is the ideal number. For kids, you can even go for the base capacity of 27 or 10 gallons.
Either sand or water; the sand will give more stability. Spalding NBA Hybrid system will allow you to use both water and sand. Apart from sand and water, there is another state-of-the-art super absorbent polymer named H2OLD BaseGel.
Pro-style compression breakaway is the best and you should be aiming to buy this. Standard rim and compression rim can be the choice for kids’ hoops or fresh beginner hoops.
Yes, definitely. You can call your nearby service provider (google it). Or you can find a professional service provider at a reasonable price from Amazon. A hiring service provider is not a must. But it can save a lot of your time and keep you away from the hassle.
There are quite a few differences, that’s why we categorized them into two categories. You may not spend a lot for a complete beginner or a kid, but safety measure is something you must consider. That is why balancing the budget and quality is important here. Our selection list of budget hoops will exactly serve that purpose. But for youth and adults meaning intermediate and advanced players should spend more to get a professional performance. The quality of the backboard material, performance, the capacity of the supporting base, the rim quality, and the height adjustment mechanism all these parameters are important to consider when choosing a goal for youth and adults to get a professional feel and good performance.