With so many choices, you might be finding it difficult to find the best portable basketball hoop. Figuring out the sizing, styles and looking at the various brands can really make it confusing.
We’ve done plenty of research and examined all the pros and cons of the top nets available to present to you a complete, all-in-one reference guide to help you choose.
We want to help you come to a decision and take out all the guesswork where we can show you the top hoops that will keep you and your family happy for years to come.
All the information is here in one handy guide so you don’t have to check site after site and individual posts on each and every net.
Check out our basketball hoop reviews.
Comparison Guide to the Best Portable Basketball Hoops
Image | Product/ Model Name | Backboard Size (In) | Backboard | Height (ft) | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 44 | Polyethylene | 7.5-10 | $ | ||
 | 52 | Polycarbonate | 7.5-10 | $$$ | ||
 | 44 | Polyethylene | 7.5-10 | $ | ||
 | 48 | Polycarbonate | 8.0-10 | $$ | ||
 | 44 | Polyethylene | 7.5-10 | $$ | ||
 | 60 | Glass | 7.5-10 | $ | ||
 | 54 | Acrylic | 7.5-10 | $$$ | ||
 | 52 | Polyethylene | 7.5-10 | $$$$ | ||
 | 54 | Polycarbonate | 7.5-10 | $$$$ | ||
 | 44 | Acrylic | 8.0-10 | $$ |
Why Choose A Portable Basketball Hoop?
Introducing The Kids To Sports
A portable hoop is a common but great way to get the kids involved with sports.
It’s also a great way to get some extra family time together while promoting healthy competition and building skills that will help them in their future.
These nets are great for kids because they can be adjusted fairly low and then raised as they grow.
Develop Your Skills
Having a basketball net in your driveway at your convenience is a great way to get some extra shots in to improve your skill.
There’s no better way to get great at something than to have it at your disposal for daily practice.
Healthy Exercise
There’s no better way to promote a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your kids than a portable basketball hoop.
Regular play can instill a sense of pride and make them enjoy and get the benefits of exercise from a young age that will last until they’re adults.
Getting Your Kids Serious About It
Who knows, maybe you have a child that truly wants to go far and make things happen in the game.
Giving them a portable net to practice with is a great way to get them skilled and make them fall in love with the game even more. It might just pay dividends in the future.
High Quality Brands
Lifetime
Probably the number one in producing the best basketball hoops you’ll find. Certainly the most widespread of the manufacturer's at least.
The majority of the hoops on this list are produced by Lifetime and you can be sure they’re quality.
Their products are backed by hundreds of high rated reviews with satisfied customers.
Spalding
If you know sports, you probably know Spalding. They’ve been in the sporting good game for a long time and you can be sure everything they produce is of their top standards.
You won’t be disappointed with their basketballs and you definitely won’t be disappointed with their portable hoops.
Top 10 Portable Basketball Hoop Reviews
1. Lifetime 1221 Pro Court
Portable Hoop
Coming in at number one on the list as our best portable basketball hoop and for good reason is the Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Adjustable net.
While it may be fairly basic looking compared to some of the others on the list, it stands the test of time and its reviews show that.
Its backboard is 44 inches made from durable polyethylene and strong enough to withstand most everything you can throw at it while resisting chips and cracking.
The net is also adjustable from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6-inch increments and the 27-gallon base can be filled with either sand or water to hold steady.
The hoops rim is 18-inches of solid black steel. Rest assured, the net is covered with a 5-year warranty if something does happen to it.
2. Lifetime 52-Inch
Portable Basketball Hoop
This portable basketball hoop is built perfectly to have a great time.
Convenient, easy to use, affordable and simple setup are what makes it so great.
You have everything you need here to have a great time.
Backed by a clear shatterproof Makrolon backboard that's supported by a steel frame with graphics to help you line up your perfect shot.
Not to mention, the pneumatic power lift system will left you quickly adjust the height of the net from 7.5 to 10 feet.
The 35 gallon base will keep the net in place but can be easily emptied of water or sand to let you conveniently move the hoop to where you want. This is a great net supported by a 5 year warranty.
3. Lifetime 90040
Portable Basketball System
At the time of this review, the 90040 by Lifetime is one of the most affordable portable basketball hoops on the market.
While you won’t get the fancy pneumatic lifts of the higher priced models, what you’re left with is a sturdy and reliable hoop that has made users fall in love with its simple design.
The telescoping height adjust system allows you to extend the height of the hoop from 7.5 to 10 feet with its all-weather rust resistant pole and steel rim.
Its 44 inch polyethylene backboard is strong enough to withstand regular play and its base is easy to fill and empty with water or sand.
The 90040 is a great hoop to get somebody into enjoying the game without breaking the bank and still having some serious fun.
4. Lifetime 48 Inch Portable Hoop
One of Lifetime’s top products is this 48-inch advanced but still very affordable model.
With a virtually unbreakable polyethylene background, you can rest easy knowing this one can stand hard dunks, layups and all sort of shots without breaking.
Water and UV-resistant, it's made to withstand all the abuse you can give it while still performing the best it can.
Its adjustable frame can be worked in 6 inch increments from 8 to 10 feet with its easy to use shift speed system.
Its solid steel Slam-It Rim with double-compression springs and welded net hooks for amazing functionality and durability and give the net a great look.
This one comes highly recommended from us and comes with a 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
5. Lifetime 1296 Pro Court
Another highly affordable model from Lifetime.
Gets the job done without being overly complicated and maintains its portability, which is the biggest plus.
It’s a quality product for a great price and the 44-inch shatterproof polyethylene backboard is perfect for a hoop this size.
The graphics are screen printed and fade resistant.
Like most standard portable nets, the 1296 by Lifetime has a telescopic pole that adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet. The pole is weather-resistant and works great for both indoor and outdoor play.
Simply put, this is a great model to easily fill up with water or sand and get to playing quick. You’ll love it.
6. Spalding NBA "The Beast"
Portable Basketball System
7. Spalding 66291 Pro Slam
8. Lifetime 90061
9. Lifetime 71524 XL
Height Adjustable
10. Lifetime 90023
Guide to Buying the Best Basketball Hoop
When buying a portable hoop, you want to take into account who you’re buying it for. If it’s for younger kids, you really want to make sure it gets low enough.
Most of the nets on this lift can drop down to 7.5 feet, which is great for younger ones and getting them into the game.
As they grow or get more skilled, you can extend them up to 10 feet for suitable play styles. Finding the best basketball hoop for your preferences will take some personal consideration.
Weighing It Down
The nets here can also be filled with either water or sand.
However, if you’re keeping the net up for winter and it gets cold in the area, it’s probably best to use sand instead. If the water freezes it may crack the base container.
Hoops with smaller base containers will be more susceptible to tipping over, so take that into account if you live in a windy or storm prone area.
Playing Area
Depending on your play area size, you may want to opt for larger backboard models as well. The larger backboards can offer rebounds for stray shots, instead of you know, going through a window or something.
Material
Lastly, you’ll want to consider how hard you’re going to be playing. The main three types of material are polycarbonate/polypropylene, acrylic and tempered glass in order of increasing performance.
Tempered glass is the real deal and will offer the best possible rebound shots. Polycarbonate is fine for general purposes, but you’ll notice the ball doesn’t bounce completely great off it.
Final Thoughts
With all the info contained in this complete basketball hoop reviews guide, we hope it’s made it easier to figure out what you need to come to a decision.
Getting one of these products is definitely an investment, so you really want to make sure you’re making the right choice.
Taking into account your budget, space allocation and the age of the kids if kids are going to be using this hoop are all things you need to consider. Each model has its own respective pros and cons that may make it better for certain scenarios.
Whether it’s casual fairly light play or more hardcore play, there’s a model on here that will fit the bill.
You don’t need to go for a super expensive model, however, they do offer certain benefits the others don’t. All the hoops here are certainly playable and will offer years of fun if you take care of them.
A few more tips on buying a basketball hoop can be found in the video below.