Basketball Hoop Reviews

Lifetime 51550 Courtside Portable Basketball System

By

Pros

Portable, breakaway rim, adjustable, space efficient, affordable

Cons

Backboard material and size, 3-piece pole, no overhang, not as stable

Overall Rating

The Lifetime 51550 Basketball Hoop is a entry-level basketball designed primarily for children and teenagers. It’s portable and is able to adjust between 8-10 feet in six inch increments. The backboard is 48 inches in size and made out of a shatter-proof polycarbonate material. It comes with a breakaway rim that allows for dunking. The pole is made up of 3- pieces 3-inches around. The Lifetime 51550 is backed by a 5 year warranty. Dimensions: 48 x 32 x 10 inches ; 80 pounds

What To Like

  • Portable. This hoop does have wheels so it can be moved rather easily even if its filled with sand. If you want nothing to do with installation, then a portable hoop is the way to go. You can move it anytime you need to, and you don’t have to worry about pouring cement.
  • Breakaway rim. I was a pleasantly surprised this had a breakaway rim. It allows for dunking, and most hoops nowadays have them anyway. Nice addition.
  • Adjustable. This is particularly beneficial if children under the age of 10 will be playing on it. Raising and lowering can be done by squeezing the handle and moving it up or down. It adjusts in 6-inch increments.
  • Polycarbonate backboard. At this price, you can’t expect to get a real high quality backboard. But polycarbonate is pretty solid for an entry-level hoop. It should stand the test of time, assuming that it’s not abused.
  • Space efficient. For one-car driveways, this hoop is perfect. You can always move it even should it get in the way. The backboard size is suited for small areas. So if space is lacking, this is a good option.
  • Straightforward assembly. Most customers said they didn’t a problem putting it together, though it will take some time to complete. A few noted that it took them around 3 hours. The instructions are clear and the packaging was thorough.
  • Pole padding. Included is a pad the wraps around the pole so it adds some cushion if someone were to crash into it.
  • Affordable. Relatively speaking, this is an inexpensive hoop overall. It’s ideal for those on a budget or simply don’t want to invest a lot of money in a basketball hoop.

What Not To Like

  • 3 piece pole. One piece poles are best for performance, but is probably not an issue for casual players. The pole thickness is only 3 inches, so it’s going to be less rigid compared to more expensive models.
  • Backboard size? 48 inches is still relatively small for a basketball hoop, as regulation size is 72 inches. However, if you have a one-car driveway or just limited space in general, then it should be suitable. Bank shots are more of a challenge with smaller backboards, and it general just isn’t as favorable. For kids however, this probably isn’t an issue. If you want a larger backboard, the Lifetime 1558 has a 52-inch one.
  • No overhang. A downside with portable hoops is that they usually have little to no overhang. This is the distance from the pole to backboard. Why does this matter? Well, having space allows for play under the hoop, and it decreases the chances of someone being knocked in the pole. Not a huge deal, but it’s a con nonetheless.
  • Stability. What you gain in portability, you are naturally going to lose in stability. A heavy wind could be enough to move it. Filling the base with sand as opposed to water will help. Water is easier to manage, but you will have to empty it during the winter so it won’t freeze. The hole is small, so filling it with sand will take longer.

Summary

The Lifetime 51550 Courtside Basketball Hoop is well-suited for children, teenagers, and casual players in general. What it’s not: a hoop designed to handle serious games played by adults. It’s also good for those who are just interested in shooting around on occasion. It’s portable, adjustable, and is reasonably priced. If this is what you’re looking for, then is one to consider.

Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Lifetime 90040 Adjustable Portable Basketball System

By

Pros

Adjustable, portable, backboard strength, durability, no installation, price, perfect for children

Cons

Backboard size, no overhang, unstable, difficult assembly, not built for competitive or intense play.

Overall Rating

The Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Basketball System is portable and height adjustable. The backboard is 44 inches, and the height is adjustable from 7.5 to 10 feet in increments of 6-inches. The base can be filled with 27 gallons of water or sand. Attached are wheels so it can be rolled to another location. The rim is a classic style made out of steel. If you want a hoop with a breakaway rim in a similar price range, the Lifetime Complete is an option. The shape of the backboard is rectangle, it’s made out of high-density polyethylene, and it’s UV-protected. It comes with a 3-piece, powder coated steel pole. Included is a 5-year warranty.

What To Like

  • Portable. It does have wheels for transportation, which is nice so you don’t have to empty the base each time you want to move it.
  • Adjustable. The hoop adjusts in 6 inch increments from 7.5 to 10 feet, which is pretty standard. This is ideal if people of various heights and skills will be playing on it. It’s adjusted using a telescoping mechanism, so it’s fairly easy to adjust. However, you have to tip it over to adjust it. Not a big deal however.
  • Backboard Strength. While far from the strongest backboard material you will find, it’s almost unbreakable and is protected from fading overtime. Long-term, it should be able to hold up well. I would not recommend dunking on this however. It’s not ideal for performance however, as the ball won’t bounce much off of it.
  • No Installation. One of the upsides with a portable system is that you don’t have to install it into the ground. Not only is it less expensive, but saves a lot of time and work also. If you don’t want to install a hoop, then this is a good option.
  • Price. For $100, you are getting a solid basketball hoop manufactured by a good brand that is suited for for small children and amateur players.

What Not To Like

  • Backboard Size. The bigger the backboard is, the better, particularly for beginners and children. The backboard is 44 inches, which is on the small end. You would like to see a bigger backboard. The rim is made out of steel, and is not a breakaway, meaning that it doesn’t give when dunking on it.
  • No Overhang. Unfortunately, there is no overhang (distance from pole to backboard). This doesn’t allow for play under the basket, and doesn’t make it as safe either. Also, if the ball goes directly through the basket, it could hit the pole and bounce away. You might be doing some running as a result, though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if children are playing.
  • Unstable. Portable systems are naturally a little more unstable than an inground version. Filling it with sand will provide more stability than water. Difficult Assembly Customers noted that it took two people to complete, and was a bit harder than anticipated. The lower part was easy, but install the backboard and rim on the pole seemed to be a chore. The consensus is that it will take a few hours to assemble.
  • Pole. The best poles are square and made out of one piece, which reduces vibration. This one is made out of 3 pieces of steel. However, for casual use this is ultimately ok, but it should not be dunked on. And is should be strong enough to last long-term.

Summary

If you are looking for a durable, inexpensive basketball hoop designed for children and amateur play, then this is a good option. It’s good for just shooting around and for family games. The adjustability is great for children, and it doesn’t have to be installed. However, it’s not built for adults or for serious play.

Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Buying A Basketball Hoop: What To Look For

By

The first step when deciding which basketball hoop to purchase is to determine what requirements you have. For example, where is it going to be installed? Do you have enough space for an inground model? How often will it be used? Are serious games going to be played, or will the hoop mainly be used for shooting around? Also, who will be using it? If you reside in a housing community, check to see what type of basketball hoop is allowed. A lot of times, only portable ones are allowed.

When you buy a basketball hoop, here are the three types to choose from:

3 Types of Basketball Hoops

Inground Systems

An inground hoop is pretty self-explanatory: the pole is buried into the ground using cement, either directly or it’s placed into a mounted anchor. Directing burying the pole makes it completely permanent, while using an anchor does allow for it to be removed. While the installation is work, this type is the most stable and durable. You can always hire a contractor to help or do the job for you. What’s nice about these hoops is that they have an overhang (distance from front of the pole to front of the backboard). This allows for play under the hoop, and no other type allows for this. If serious games are going to be played, then a premium inground hoop is the best choice; especially if there is going to be dunking. The price range for these models is around $800 into the thousands. This is also a good option if you are looking for a long-term solution. For a basketball enthusiast, there is no better option.

Mounted Systems

This type involves a backboard being mounted on a garage or the side of a house. This is also a more stable option. It’s ideal if the driveway lacks space for a pole. It’s also a good choice if you mainly plan on just shooting around, and only want something basic. They can be taken down and re-installed, which is nice if you don’t want it up forever. The only problem is that unless the hoop is extended out a few feet, it could be inconvenient when playing games.

Portable Systems

Portable basketball hoops include a base, pole, backboard, rim, and a adjustable bracket. The height is typically adjustable, and the base has wheels so it can be moved. For this reason, they are quite popular. No real installation is required, as all you really have to do is fill the base with sand or water so it’s stable. The downside is that they are not as rigid as the other options. The best portable units also fold up so they can be moved easier. This is the ideal choice if you want nothing to do with installation and want to move the hoop around. What you lose however is the realism that comes with an inground hoop.

Additional Considerations

Adjustability

Do you need an adjustable hoop? If people of various sizes and skills are going to be using it, then it should be considered. It’s really only necessary if children around 10 and under are going to use it, or you are an adult who wants to dunk. The adjustment is usually done with a broomstick or by hand, so this won’t be difficult. You will pay more for this feature, so keep that in mind.

Backboard

You will have to decide the size and material you want the backboard to be. Some of the most common materials include acrylic, tempered glass, graphite, and fiberglass. The best is tempered glass, as it’s used in the NCAA and NBA. Acrylic is fine, but it’s not as heavy and will begin to show signs of wear and tear over time. If you can get tempered glass, it’s a no brainer. The regulation size backboard is 72 inches across, 42 inches high, and 1/2 inch thick. The rule of thumb is to get the biggest and thickest backboard you can afford, as it will provide the most playing surface.

Recent Reviews & Articles

About This Site

Our goal is to provide honest opinions and reviews of basketball goals and hoops. We hope you find them helpful.

We do our best to keep all information as accurate and current as possible.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking Basketballhoopreview.net content to Amazon properties.