Basketball Hoop Buying Guide
What to look for in a basketball hoop? There are some additional factors to consider when buying a basketball hoop including installation, the basketball goal's backboard, height adjustability, overhang, pole finish, size, and shape, basketball rim and net, and accessories.
basketball hoop buying guide
Semi-portable in-ground goals, on the other hand, are mounted onto a completely separate anchor system that is cemented into the ground. This provides the same stability of a direct-burial post while still allowing the goal to be moved to a new location (if you move to a new home, for example). Then, only a new anchor kit is needed, rather than an entirely new basketball system. Goalrilla and Goalsetter goals feature this type of installation. Most residential high end hoops have moved to this system for both ease of installation and portability when moving.
The rim of the basketball goal should be made of steel to ensure strength and stability. The rim should be at least 19mm thick. Thinner rims may seem more cost-effective initially, but are prone to bending and even breaking over time. This means a lower quality rim could also pose a safety hazard. For outdoor hoops, we recommend a rim that is finished with a weatherproof paint to reduce the risk of rust.
Height adjustability is an important consideration, particularly when buying a basketball hoop with younger players in mind. Goals that can be adjusted lower make the hoop accessible for younger children, or players who simply desire a lowered rim. Look for a goal that includes a removable actuator handle so you can lock the height in place and prevent unwanted height adjustments.
The extension or offset of a basketball hoop is the distance from the pole to the backboard. This is important because it keeps the pole away from the backboard, allowing players to pass under the backboard without running into the pole.
If you are thinking about purchasing a new goal, the options can be overwhelming. You may be unfamiliar with certain hoop features or unsure of your needs. Our comprehensive guide aims to explains goal components, features and other considerations to take into account when purchasing a new basketball goal online or at a big box retailer.
Portable systems generally have wheels or a base for portability and sometimes offer an adjustability option. These hoops may be versatile, however, the systems generally sold for residential use are not well-suited for aggressive play or serious ball players. Due to the lightweight design of most residential portable basketball goals, ball bounce off the backboard suffers greatly and hanging from the rim is strongly discouraged as well. The value you receive from an investment in a portable goal is much less than from a heavy duty in-ground system.
A heavy duty in-ground basketball hoop provides the most stability for players, since the pole is connected to a concrete footing installed in the ground. This type of installation is typically accomplished by bolting the post to anchor bolts imbedded in the concrete footing. This type of installation is both rigid and stable yet provides the flexibility needed to allow you to unbolt the post and relocate the goal if you sell your house and want to move it to a new home. An in-ground goal is the best choice for any individual wanting the greatest basketball experience at home.
To correctly determine which size of basketball goal to purchase, you should assess your playing space. This starts with the question: "How big is your playing area?" Most customers want the basketball backboard size to match the relative size of the court or other playing area. If you are planning to install the hoop in your driveway, typically you will choose from any of the units with 54" or 60" backboards. If your driveway is exceptionally large such as a three car drive, you could choose to go with a 72" wide backboard.
Atomic Sports provides an basketball goal Installer Directory for your reference if you choose to employ a professional to install your basketball hoop. Keep in mind this list is for reference only. You are not required to use any of the services shown. The list of operators is for your convenience and is maintained by Atomic Sports. The installers listed retain their listing by having no unresolved issues with customers. However, the list is not an endorsement of their services or guarantee of quality. Please keep in mind the installation of your basketball goal is an agreement between you and the installer, not Atomic Sports.
When buying a basketball goal online you should locate a retailer that offers free shipping and provides helpful installation details. Since selling online eliminates most of the overhead costs of a brick and mortar retailer, you can expect more "dunk for your dollar" when buying from a company like Atomic Sports.
The Gamechanger basketball goal line from Ironclad features budget hoops that don't sacrifice on features or quality. Each goal features crank height-adjustment, a heavy duty h-frame backboard and breakaway rim, and powder coat protection. Starting at only $799.
The Ironclad Fullcourt line of basketball goals features a stunning clear view backboard design for those wanting an unobstructed view while shooting hoops. Fullcourt hoops are adjustable from 10' to 5' and come packed with durability features.
If you love basketball, your home may feel incomplete without your own basketball system to play on whenever you want. Lifetime offers dozens of premium-quality basketball systems so you can play without limits. But with so many combinations of backboards, bases, poles, and rims, it can seem tough to know which system is best for you. This guide will help you quickly find the perfect setup so you can get straight to the (home) court.
Before you buy, make sure you have ample space to play. A large, flat, paved surface like a driveway is ideal. Keep in mind it is unsafe (and often illegal) to place a basketball hoop on a street or sidewalk. Whether you have the space in your driveway or backyard, location is going to be the first place to map out when determining the best hoop for your home.
A cheap, basic hoop may be fine if all you want is a toy for your little kids to get a taste of basketball. Just be warned that they may outgrow it fairly quickly, as the backboards on these models can soon feel very small to players, and the shaking from shots off the backboard only gets worse as bolts loosen over time.
Instead, what you probably want is a well-built basketball hoop that will hold up sturdily through cold winters, strong winds and blazing summer sunshine alike. The goal is to have a gathering place for family games of HORSE, intense two-on-twos, ritualistic free throw shooting practice and more, for years to come. And it certainly won't hurt if the hoop looks ready for serious competitions as well, with a gleaming glass backboard and a pro-style breakaway rim you can occasionally lower so that everyone can dunk.
Well, how you plan on using your basketball hoop, how long you plan on it lasting, and where it will be positioned on your property will help determine which model is most worth the money for you. Here are some factors to consider as you shop around:
Portable basketball hoops are popular not only because they can be moved around, but also because they generally cost a lot less and are more straightforward to set up. They're not entirely hassle-free, however. Installation can often be a pain (see below), and, as you'd probably guess, portable models are not as stable as permanently installed hoops anchored with concrete into the ground.
In-ground basketball hoops are the choice for people who are serious about having a really good spot to play in the driveway or yard. They are obviously installed in the ground, so they're not prone to being knocked over like some portable models do when there are strong winds (or strong dunks). In-ground hoops are anchored in by concrete and built of stiff, high-grade materials. As a result, the best in-ground basketball hoops will be far more stable, with less shaking and wobbling after hard shots to the backboard, compared to portable hoops. This not only provides stability, but makes the hoop a better tool to improve your game.
The main problem with in-ground basketball hoops, besides their typically high price tags, is that they cannot be easily moved. That may not be a problem if you don't foresee the desire to move the hoop to a different part of the driveway or perhaps out to the street. But before making your basketball hoop spot permanent, you should consider other reasons it might be nice to have a portable model. For example, you might want to be able to move it for delivery trucks, parties or future landscaping projects.
A third option for basketball hoops is the mounted model. This kind of hoop comes with a backboard and rim but no pole or base, and it's built to be mounted to a wall or roof (typically that of a garage). Mounted basketball hoops can be very sturdy, depending on what they're mounted to, but installation can be especially tricky and often requires the purchase of extra hardware.
That's why so many customers prefer acrylic for outdoor basketball hoops. It's less expensive, softer and lighter than tempered glass, while being superior to polycarbonate in terms of its lifespan out under a powerful sun.
Goalrilla's in-ground FT series of hoops is as good as it gets for driveway basketball games. They come in a choice of 54", 60" and 72", ranging in price from roughly $1,600 to $2,100, respectively. Every Goalrilla FT hoop features powder-coated steel frames and 1/2" thick tempered glass backboards, and they all come with a 9" anchor system and heavy-duty breakaway rims similar to those used at the highest level of competition. The rim height is adjustable too, from 7.5' to the standard 10', by twisting a hand crank.
While all of the Goalrilla FT hoops are sturdy, with little to no shaking after proper installation, the FT72 is exceptionally strong. It's built with a 6" x 6" steel pole, compared to 5" x 5" for the smaller Goalrilla FT hoops. Combine that with the fact that the FT72 is the biggest model in the series (72" wide by 42" high), and you can understand why this is our pick for the best overall in-ground basketball hoop. 041b061a72