Pros

Polycarbonate backboard, portable, affordable, spring rim, easy height adjustment, 5 year warranty

Cons

Small backboard, incremental height adjustment, lack of stability

Overall Rating

The Lifetime 71566 XL is an entry-level portable system that features a 50″ shatter-proof polycarbonate backboard. The height adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet with the use of a handle. You raise and lower the handle to make the adjustment. The 3.5″ round pole is broken down into three sections. Included is a solid steel double compression rim for dunking. The backboard offset is 22 inches. The base holds 35 gallons of water or sand. The 71566 XL is backed by a 5 year limited warranty.

What To Like

• Portable. Talk about stating the obvious. Nonetheless, portability allows you to move it from one spot to another and requires no installation. You can take with if you relocate.
• Affordable. Basketball hoops can get awfully expensive, but the 71566 XL is priced in a range that is affordable for many families.
• Polycarbonate backboard. This is a very strong material, as it’s stronger than the often seen acrylic backboards. Therefore, it’s not as likely to break because of dunking.
• Spring rim. It provides some give so players can dunk. However, I wouldn’t recommend hanging on it.
• Easy height adjustment. Squeeze the handle, and lower it up or down. That’s it, the process is quick and easy.
• 5 year warranty. If something breaks within five years, Lifetime will send a replacement part.

What Not To Like

• Backboard size. 50″ is a bit small, so players don’t have as big of a target when shooting.
• Height adjusts in increments. If you look at more expensive hoops, they’ll adjust infinitely. In other words, you’ll be able to set it anywhere in the height range, typically 7.5 – 10 feet. This hoop adjusts in 6-inch increments, so users don’t have as many options.
• Lack of stability. Naturally, a portable hoop isn’t going to be as stable as an in-ground. Plus, the pole and backboard aren’t very sturdy, so it will have some wobble.
• 22-inch offset. Not much space under the basket. Not a huge deal, but it’s less safe and doesn’t give players as much room to maneuver.
• 3-section round pole. A one-piece square pole is best for performance.

Summary

The Lifetime 71566 XL is pretty similar to many entry-level hoops. It’s well-suited for children or adults, as long as they don’t abuse it. The backboard is solid, the spring rim allows for dunking, and the height adjustment is pretty straightforward. It’s not going to perform as well as an in-ground. But if you want a portable hoop at a reasonable price, then it’s a good option.

As with all of the portable hoop systems that we have reviewed, installation is not a cakewalk. Once the hoop is up, it is actually a pretty sturdy hoop for the price. I would say that this hoop is fine for families with young children or old people with young grandchildren. I would not consider this the best alternative for families with rough teenage children that like to play basketball.

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Pros

Portable, 54″ polycarbonate backboard, infinite adjustment, 22-inch overhang, breakaway rim

Cons

3-piece 3.5″ round pole, lack of stability, value

Overall Rating

The 71523 Competition XL is the second highest priced portable hoop sold by Lifetime. Featured is a 54″ polycarbonate backboard and infinite adjustment from 7.5 to 10 ft. The slam-it pro rim has a wrap-around support that mimics what you would see in a gym. The rectangular extension arms allow for a 22 inch overhang, which is an increase over lesser priced models from Lifetime. The pole comes in 3 sections and has a diameter of 3.5 inches. The base holds 35 gallons of water or sand. The 71523 is backed by a 5 year limited warranty. Footprint: 49 x 24 x 12 ; weight: 118 lbs.

What To Like

• Portable. This type of hoop is suited for those who don’t want to install an in-ground model, or would like to store the hoop while it’s not being used. Portables are also ideal for casual players who won’t care as much about a lack of stability.
• Infinite adjustment. Some portable hoops adjust in increments, but this one can adjust to any height between 7.5-10 feet. It’s raised and lowered with a pneumatic handle assist. This makes it easier to adjust, but doesn’t have the reliability long-term that a manual one does.
• 54″ polycarbonate backboard. It’s well-suited for a 1-2 car driveway, and is big enough to shoot bank shots on from all angles. Polycarbonate is stronger than acrylic, which makes it less susceptible to damage if exposed to dunking and rough play.
• Breakaway rim. What’s different about this rim compared to other similar models is the wrap-around brace. It gives it a more professional look, and plays better because of it. Players can dunk without worrying about causing damage.
• 22-inch overhang. This isn’t much, but the Spalding 68564 costs $60 more and has an overhang of 16 inches. The more overhang a basket has, the more safe it is for players. That’s because there is more room to maneuver under the backboard. It also provides a little more realism.
• No installation. Another benefit of buying a portable hoop is not having to dig a hole or pour cement.

What Not To Like

• 3-piece 3.5″ round pole. The best poles are square and come in one-piece because they all but eliminate vibration. For casual play, it’s not a big deal however. But if you want performance, I would look for a hoop with a single pole. The other downside is that the sections have to be put together, which can be a challenge at times.
• Lack of stability. What you gain in portability, you lose in stability.
• Value. The Lifetime 71524 almost has the exact same specifications, yet costs $100 less. I think the main difference is that the 71523 has stronger extension arms, which results in a larger overhang. But is that alone worth an extra $100?

Summary

The Lifetime 71523 is ideal for casual/recreation play among children or adults. It’s a quality hoop, and there isn’t much to gripe about. Lifetime produces a really solid line of affordable basketball hoops. What’s strange how much this hoop resembles the Lifetime 71524, yet costs $100 more. What you have to decide is whether the additional overhang is worth the difference in price.

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