The Best Outdoor Basketball Hoops to Use Between NBA Playoff Games
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With the NBA playoffs getting underway, we’re itching to shoot some hoops ourselves. If you’re in the same boat but don’t have a place to play (or don’t like the crowds at the park), this might be the summer to invest in an outdoor basketball hoop this summer.
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Outdoor basketball hoops have quietly come a long way in the past decade or so — you might be surprised if you haven’t used one for a while. Hoops now have high-quality acrylic or even glass backboards mounted to sturdy steel frames for little to no shaking or tipping.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best outdoor basketball hoops to upgrade your driveway or yard, as well as some tips for choosing the right hoop.
In This Article
What Are the Best Outdoor Basketball Hoops?
Outdoor Basketball Hoop Buying Guide
What Are the Best Outdoor Basketball Hoops?
Check out our pick for the best outdoor basketball hoops here, including wall-mounted options and high-end picks.
Best Overall: Spalding Ultimate Hybrid Portable Basketball Hoop
Best Budget Pick: Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop
Best Wall-Mounted Hoop: Silverback NXT 54″ Wall-Mounted Basketball Hoop
Best High-End Hoop: Goalrilla FT72 Basketball Hoop
1. Spalding Ultimate Hybrid Portable Basketball Hoop
For most driveways and yards, this Spalding Ultimate Hybrid hoop is a great choice. It boasts a steel frame, a wide 60-inch acrylic backboard, and an Arena Slam breakaway rim that all combine for sturdy, easy play. The hoop can also be moved; once it’s in place, the base can be filled with 19 gallons of water and four 50-pound bags of sand for serious stability. You can also lower the hoop from 10 feet to as low as 7.5 feet for kids (or adults who want to feel like NBA players).
Spalding Ultimate Hybrid Portable Basketball Hoop
2. Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop
If you’re shopping on a budget, we like this Silverback NXT portable hoop. Even though it’s quite affordable (currently listed on Amazon for $550), the hoop delivers solid components like a sturdy steel frame and a responsive 54-inch polycarbonate backboard. It’s also easy to move, and the shape of the base helps avoid tipping or shaking.
Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop
3. Silverback NXT 54″ Wall-Mounted Basketball Hoop
Silverback also makes a great wall-mounted version of its NXT hoop. It hangs well away from the wall and the height can be adjusted anywhere between 7.5 and 10 feet. Together, these features yield a play feel that’s as close to tournament level as any wall-mounted hoop can get. Build quality is also top-notch with a powder-coated steel frame, an acrylic backboard, and a covered breakaway rim. This means the hoop can sit outside for years without rusting or breaking down.
Silverback NXT Wall Basketball Hoop
3. Goalrilla FT72 Basketball Hoop
For serious ballers (with space, approval from the HOA, and patience for installation), we recommend this Goalrilla FT72 in-ground hoop. With a concrete-cured anchor, a 72-inch tempered glass backboard, and an anodized steel pole, this hoop plays almost identically to an NBA regulation hoop. You’ll be able to make more bank shots or hard layups, and you can slam dunk with real force. If you want to dunk more or play with little ones, the hoop can be adjusted between 7.5 and 10 feet in height. The best spot to install the FT72 is on a lawn right up against concrete.
Goalrilla In-ground Basketball Hoop
Outdoor Basketball Hoop Buying Guide
From backboard material to installation processes, there’s a lot to consider when picking the best outdoor basketball hoop. Here are a few things to look at while shopping.
Type of Hoop: There are three types of outdoor basketball hoops: in-ground, portable, and wall-mounted. In-ground hoops are the gold standard with the best stability and the most solid construction. However, laborious installation and HOA restrictions sometimes make in-ground hoops difficult to install. But, if you have the backyard space and plan on staying in your home for a while, definitely consider an in-ground hoop.
Portable hoops are the most popular option. They use a water or sand-filled base that can be emptied to move the hoop around, and many offer fantastic quality with top-tier specs.
Wall-mounted hoops are another popular option. These are bolted to a wall (many users place them above the garage door), making them easy to assemble and install. Wall-mounted hoops are also smaller than portable or in-ground hoops, making them easy to transport if you move.
Backboard: A basketball hoop’s backboard is a big deal. The first consideration is size, with larger backboards offering the most opportunities for layups and bank shots. NBA regulation backboards measure 72 inches wide and 42 inches high, and most high-end outdoor hoops measure either 54 or 60 inches across. The backboard material is either tempered glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate, and dictates how well the ball rebounds. NBA-style tempered glass is the most bouncy (for good rebounds), acrylic is solid for most players, and polycarbonate is the cheapest option with the least rebound response.
Rim: The best outdoor basketball hoops use breakaway rims with springs that dampen the bounce of the rim and allow for dunking. This means you won’t feel robbed of good shots (something we’ve probably all experienced at public outdoor basketball hoops). Also check if the springs on a breakaway rim are covered, as this will protect them from rust.
Overhang: The overhang of a hoop references how far the hoop stands away from the base or the wall. The more overhang the better, as you’ll be able to charge the rim without worrying about hitting anything.
1. Spalding The Beast Portable Basketball Hoop
This outdoor hoop from Spalding, dubbed The Beast, combines stability and pro-level specs with the convenience of a portable basketball hoop. Its base is a massive 55-gallon tank that can be filled with water or sand, permitting hard slam dunks from most players. The backboard is made of NBA-style tempered glass and measures 60 inches across, which is about as big as any portable hoop backboard can be. The backboard and breakaway rim also have some overhang and sit away from the main pole, which you don’t often see with portable hoops. If you need to move The Beast, the tank can be emptied and four wheels allow easy mobility.
Spalding The Beast Portable Basketball Hoop
2. Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System
Another great portable option is this NBA hoop, also from Spalding. It’s about half the price of the Beast but still offers a very impressive build compared to most outdoor hoops. Like its big brother, the portable NBA hoop is designed with some much-appreciated overhang for driving layups. The backboard measures 54 inches across (which is big enough for most casual to intermediate players) and is made of a bouncy acrylic material. A large base and sturdy breakaway rim all but eliminate movement, although players should still be careful dunking.
Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System
3. Silverback NXT 54" Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop
If you’re looking for a high-end wall-mounted hoop, go for this Silverback NXT. Unlike some wall-mounted options, the NXT hangs well away from the wall and the height can be adjusted anywhere between 7.5 and 10 feet. Together, these features yield a play feel that’s as close to tournament-level as any wall-mounted hoop can get. Build quality is also top-notch with a powder-coated steel frame, an acrylic backboard and a covered breakaway rim. This means the hoop can sit outside for years without rusting or breaking down.
Silverback NXT 54" Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop
4. Goalrilla FT72 Basketball Hoop
For serious ballers (with space, approval from the HOA and patience for installation), we recommend this Goalrilla FT72 in-ground hoop. With a concrete-cured anchor, a 72-inch tempered glass backboard and an anodized steel pole, this hoop plays almost identically to an NBA regulation hoop. You’ll be able to make more bank shots or hard layups, and you can slam dunk with real force. If you want to dunk more or play with little ones, the hoop can be adjusted between 7.5 and 10 feet in height. The best spot to install the FT72 is on a lawn right up against concrete.
Goalrilla FT72 Basketball Hoop
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