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Basketball Hoops for the Pool

March 11, 2016 By Scott Gump

I’m going to try something a little bit different in the format of these reviews. It makes sense for a page on the best pool basketball hoops to rank them all on one page. It makes for easier reading and sorting in your mind. At least it does for me. The other hoops are more specific with their details and it is important to have a page dedicated to each hoop. However, for pool basketball hoops, there are a few criteria that are consistent with all of these hoops that need to be explored. In looking for a basketball hoop for you pool, you should consider the following:

  1. Safety and Strength: If you have ever played basketball in the pool, especially with or as a teenager, you know that the games can get rough. There are no referees in pool basketball. It is fight and claw to get to the basketball hoop and jump over someone’s head to slam it. You are lucky if the hoop doesn’t fall into the pool, crushing down on an innocent player (or bench sitter). So with these reviews, we will consider the safety, durability and construction of the hoop.
  2. Rust Protection: No secret that you pool basketball hoop is going to be around water.  You don’t want your hoop to rust out over a year and spill the rust stain all over your pool deck and into your pool.  It also becomes a safety issue when you have rust in and around a pool and hoop.  So let’s make sure you find yourself a basketball hoop that isn’t going to rust away.
  3. Assembly: If you are like me, assembling things is not your strong suit.  I love to play ball, but I dread setting up a basketball hoop.  With a pool hoop, you want something you can set up yourself without much time going into it.
  4. Look: What?  You need a cool looking hoop to set up beside your pool.  It is mandatory.  You spent way too much on a house with a pool to put a doinker hoop that is ugly next to it.  I will help you find a good looking hoop.
  5. Strong Rim: This goes along with #1 (Safety and Strength), however, it is a little bit different.  Hoops and rims are two separate things.  Let’s make sure you get a good sturdy rim to go along with your nice hoop.

Top 5 Pool Hoops in Order from the Best to the Worst

PoolSport Portable Pool Basketball Hoop

We are definitely going with the PoolSport as the #1 reviewed hoop.  However, this doesn’t mean to stop scrolling down and reading other reviews.  It may not be the right hoop for you, but it is definitely the right hoop for a lot of people.  Let’s first discover the benefits:

It is cake to assemble – It is strong, durable and will last through rough play – Well balanced with a large enough rim (14inch) to fit a regulation sized ball – comes with its own matching basketball – Looks good and overhangs the pool nicely.

Now the Negatives

Rust issue: There are certain reviews with this hoop that say that the rust is overwhelming and bleeds into the pool.  Other reviewers say that rust is not a problem and that it was addressed with new stainless steel hardware.  Some say the rust comes from the rim.

Click Here for The Price on Amazon

Splash & Shoot Port Regulation-Size Pool Basketball Hoop Set

What can I say.  Splash and Shoot takes over #1 and #2.  They just make the best pool side hoops, no doubt about it.  This hoop is regulation size which may or may not be what you are looking for.  I personally prefer it.  But I don’t prefer to use a regulation ball.  Big hoop small ball makes for a lot more made three pointers which is what I shoot.  I quit dunking after I separated my shoulder.

Assembly is easy, no problem.  There is one reviewer that said there was some missing hardware and they had to go to the store and buy it separately.  There aren’t any complaints of rusting or durability issues.  It is certainly a strong pool hoop that is great for teenagers.  Once again, not in love with the baby blue but it looks get next to the pool.  5 Star Pool Hoop!

Click Here for The Price on Amazon

S.R. Smith Salt Pool Friendly Competition Basketball Uprights

This is an interesting pick at #3.  Definitely not conventional.  The S.R. Smith Basketball hoop is new to Amazon and doesn’t have any user reviews.  If you go their website you can read the product details.  It is heavy at 46 lbs.  Based on the product specifications, it looks to be a sturdy and strong hoop with heavy uprights and anchors and a safety pad under the backboard.

Instillation: This thing is not as easy as the others to install.  It is definitely a more comprehensive install.  NOTE: Two in-deck plastic anchors (AS-100P) for concrete decks are required to install the game.  You have to install the anchors with the concrete.  So if you haven’t done this already, than this is not for you.  This is a hoop that you should get if you are installing a pool now.  THESE HOOPS ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SALT POOLS.

Lifetime 1301 Pool Side Basketball System

I think Lifetime makes Great Basketball hoops.  I especially like their kids hoops.  I may not be doing this hoop justice at #4.  It would really be a tough decision between the top four.  It would be nice to anchor a hoop into the cement if you have the opportunity.  However, if you are going with portable pool hoop, this lifetimes 1306 is a great option.  Installation is not terribly difficult, with an estimated start to finish time of 1 hour. It comes with a nice rim and net and the product is heavy duty.  Some users say that if you call the company they will send you a new net every 2-3 years or when necessary.

The only major issue that I can see in this hoop is rusting. IF you have a salt pool, you may want to think twice about buying this hoop.  There will be rust issues.  With a non-salt pool it still may have rust issues where the angle meets the pole and with the rim.  Still, definitely a good alternative and worth considering.

This lifetime pool hoop is also well built, sturdy and looks good.  No question about it.  It is a fun hoop.  It is a little more difficult to assemble as some of the parts look similar and there doesn’t appear to be labels on the parts.

There are definite rust issues with this hoop.  The problem appears to be coming from the hardware bolts.  Other than the rust issue, this is a very well designed pool hoop.

Click Here for The Price on Amazon

A couple others to consider

At 24 pounds it is not the heaviest of the pool hoops, but I do think it is a good one.  Smaller 14′ hoop for play with a smaller ball.  Hard plastic backboard.  There is one reviewer that had problems with the design.  The other reviewers seem to really enjoy it.

Click Here for The Price on Amazon

Okay fine, I will admit along with the reviewers that this is not the most sturdy pool hoop on the market.  You are not going to go crazy with a dunk ball pool game.  However, this hoop does have a market for pool hoops.  We used to use one of these things.  Put it in the shallow end and jump off of the diving board and throw the basketball in the hoop.  Very difficult to make it.  First to 5 makes wins.  I enjoyed it at least.

Click Here for The Price on Amazon

Filed Under: $100 to $300, Lifetime, Portable Basketball Hoops, Reviews

Lifetime Youth Portable Basketball System

November 1, 2012 By Scott Gump

Pros

Perfect Outdoor hoop for Children under 8 Years old.  Height adjustment from 5.5 to 7.5 feet

Cons

None. Unless you are looking for a hoop for older children.

Overall Rating


Are you looking for an outdoor basketball hoop for your young children? Maybe your children are too old for their indoor plastic basketball hoop system and you are ready for an upgrade. Or maybe, you just want to get your children outside so they quit breaking everything in your house. The Lifetime Youth Portable Basketball system is perfect for children, I would say under 8 years old. It adjusts from 5.5 feet to 7.5 feet, which gives your children something to dunk on and feel like they are really playing on.  The Rim Size is smaller than regulation (15′) and is better with a junior basketball.  Preferred over the SKLZ Mini basketball Hoop System. 

What To Like

  • Easy assembly. Alot easier than most portable systems.
  • Durable. It is built well. Sturdy and durable for a children’s outdoor hoop.
  • High Amazon User Reviews. Don’t just take it from us. This is a highly rated youth outdoor basketball hoop system.
  • Easy Adjustment You don’t need a tool box to adjust the height of this hoop.

What Not To Like

  • Only for Young Children This hoop is built for children up to probably eight years old. After that age, you had better get a 10 foot regulation hoop.
  • Not much else. Some say it was tricky to put together. I didn’t find it very difficult at all. Overall, it is a nice beginners hoop. Any family with young children would be happy to get this for Christmas.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: Almost 5 Stars – ‘Great sturdy hoop for my children up to 7 years old.’

Videos

Update – 3 Years Later

So, our Lifetime portable basketball hoop has survived the weather well now for three years.  This is a photo of the hoop three years after we bought it:  There aren’t any defects and our kids still love playing with it.

lifetime portable basketball hoop

Summary

Not much criticism on this mini hoop system for children. It’s actually a great toy for younger children. Definitely Highly Recommended. Cheap at under $100

Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Filed Under: Below $100, Lifetime, Portable Basketball Hoops

Fisher-Price I Can Play Basketball

September 26, 2012 By Scott Gump

Pros

Polycarbonate backboard, breakaway rim, height adjustment, portable, small footprint, easy assembly, customer service

Cons

Stability, value, durability

Overall Rating


The Fisher Price, I can play basketball hoop system is a Mini system designed for children. It is mostly used indoors, but can be taken outside for short periods of time. It adjusts from 3 feet to 4 feet to 5 feet and 6 feet at its height. The base is sturdy and you can even add sand or water when playing outside. The system comes with a small basketball. Personally, my kids play with this system all of the time and love it.

What To Like

  • Easy assembly. Piece of Cake.
  • Durable. It is built well. Sturdy and durable.

What Not To Like

  • ‘Not made of recycled plastic’ Doesn’t bother me at all, but it bothered someone.
  • Not much else. There are some nit-picky reviews like that it is a ‘pain to put together’ and they ‘wish it would have come with two basketballs.’ But generally, the consensus is that this is the mini hoop to buy for young children.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: Almost 5 Stars – ‘It’s big, solid, well-build and will last a long time’

Summary

Not much criticism on this mini hoop system for children. It’s actually a great toy for younger children. Definitely Highly Recommended. Cheap at only $55.00

Orders processed Through Amazon.com:

Filed Under: Below $100, Portable Basketball Hoops, Reviews

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