Basketball Hoop Reviews

Spalding 68395R Portable Basketball System

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Pros

54″ backboard, no installation, 4-inch square pole, pole padding, crank adjust

Cons

Polycarbonate backboard, 3-section pole, stability

Overall Rating

The Spalding 6839R features a 54″ polycarbonate backboard, a 4-inch square pole, and infinite adjustment from 7.5 to 10 feet. The adjustment is made with the Screw Jack Lift System, which is a crank handle mechanism. The pole comes in 3 sections. Also included is a pole pad, an Arena Slam rim, and a 40 gallon base that can be filled with water or sand. The 68395R is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

What To Like

  • 4-inch square pole. A square pole is more rigid than a round one, and 4-inches is slightly thicker than the lower level hoops.
  • No installation. In-ground hoops are superior as far as stability is concerned, but the installation process takes time and effort. Another benefit with portable hoops is being able to easy transport them to another location if necessary.
  • 54″ backboard. A 54″ is a good size for either a one or two car driveway. This is just large enough to realistically be able to shoot bank shots. The ideal size for most homeowners is 60″, but this is the next biggest size. Simply put: it’s not ideal, but it’s good enough.
  • Pole padding. This may not seem like a big deal, but most hoops in this price range don’t have one. In fact, I have seen some hoops cost over $1000 that didn’t come with a pole pad. It provides a nice cushion in case a player runs into it, plus it has a nice look to it.
  • Crank adjust. I prefer crank adjust over gas assisted mechanisms because they last longer and are more precise. The only downside is that you will have to do some manual labor while lowering or raising the hoop, though it’s really not much trouble.

What Not To Like

  • Polycarbonate backboard. This is a very strong material, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, the reason I have it as a con because you can get the Spalding 68454 for just a little more money, and it has a tempered glass backboard.
  • 3-section pole. A pole with this many sections is not going to be as sturdy, plus putting them together takes some work.
  • Stability. The one thing I really don’t like about most portable hoops is they just aren’t as sturdy as their in-ground or mounted counterparts. This is such a key feature for the overall performance of a hoop. What you gain in mobility, you lose with stability.

Summary

If cost isn’t a factor, then Spalding 68454 is the better buy because it has a tempered glass backboard. This material is far superior to polycarbonate. Not only does it perform better, but it’s also more durable.

The Spalding 6839R is a middle of the road to low end Spalding Portable hoop. This is the scenario in which I would buy this hoop: If I only have one or two kids, if I was putting it into a shop or other area where it is rarely played or if I my kids are young and you want a less expensive hoop. The Polycarbonate backboard is not going to wow anybody, but it is sturdy enough. I would quit being so cheap and spend a little more money and upgrade to a better Spalding portable hoop.

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First Team RoofMaster Wall Mount Basketball Hoop

By

Pros

Stability, 60″ backboard, 3 foot overhang, adjustable, heavy-duty rim

Cons

Acrylic backboard, installation, price

Overall Rating

The First Team RoofMaster features a 60″ acrylic backboard, infinite adjustment from 6-10 feet, and a 3 foot backboard offset. Also included is a heavy-duty breakaway basketball rim. The hoop can either be mounted on a slanted roof or a vertical wall. The height adjustment mechanism is a crank handle. All the mounting hardware and instructions are included. The RoofMaster is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

What To Like

  • Stability. Mounted hoops are more stable than portable hoops because they are attached to a wall or roof. The large, thick backboard and the extension arms make it that much more stable.
  • 60″ backboard. This is the second largest sized backboard on the market behind the regulation sized 72″ board. It’s perfectly suited for a 2 car driveway, and is great for performance.
  • Adjustable. Not all mounted hoops are adjustable. Plus, it adjusts infinitely between 6-10 feet. This is ideal for children or those who can’t dunk on a 10 ft. hoop. The crank adjust is reliable and accurate.
  • 3 foot overhang. This provides plenty of space from the wall/roof to the backboard for play and safety. Players won’t have to be concerned about running into the wall or garage door. This is an issue with lesser expensive hoops.
  • Heavy-duty rim. It features a 3/16″ steel support and an internal flex spring to protect the backboard from damage. It has a powdercoat finish for rust resistance.

What Not To Like

  • Acrylic backboard. No doubt, acrylic is a strong material. It won’t shatter if you dunk on it, and it looks just like tempered glass. However, it doesn’t quite perform as well as glass and is more prone to wear and tear. If you want tempered glass, then you’re in luck. The RoofMaster Nitro has it.
  • Installation. A heavy-duty basketball hoop like this one isn’t going to be easy to install, and customers confirmed this. You could always hire a contractor to do it for you. Should you decide to do it yourself, I would recommend getting some help.
  • Price. For almost the same price, you could purchase one heck of an in-ground basketball hoop, such as the Goalrilla CV72. In-ground hoops are the best overall for performance.

Other Online Reviews

Currently, the sole review on Amazon.com mentions the difficulty with installation. A contractor was needed to help. After installation was complete, there are no concerns and the customer is happy.

Summary

The First Team RoofMaster is an upper echelon mounted basketball hoop. It’s one of the best available for homeowners. It has the ideal size backboard, a heavy-duty rim, and a wide range of adjustment. The installation is no walk in the park however, and the price tag is high. I can say for certain however that you won’t be disappointed with the overall quality of the hoop.

Lifetime 90014 Competition In Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Stability, pneumatic lift mechanism, tempered glass backboard, 4-inch square pole, 27″ overhang

Cons

Thin backboard, direct burial installation

Overall Rating

 

The 90014 Competition is one of the top in-ground basketball systems sold by Lifetime. It’s suited for a 1-2 car driveway playing area. It features a 54″ tempered glass backboard, a 4-inch square pole, and a 27-inch offset. The height adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments with the use of the Power Lift® pneumatic mechanism. The Slam-it Ultra rim is made of solid steel and has a wrap-around brace. The The 90014 is backed by a 5 year limited warranty. Dimensions: 58 x 36.5 x 7 inches; 125 pounds.

What To Like

  • Stability. In-ground hoops are best for stability. The tempered glass backboard adds to this because it’s a heavier material compared to polycarbonate and acrylic. The square 4-inch pole helps reduce vibration.
  • Infinite adjustment. You can raise or lower it to any height between 7.5 and 10 feet. Some mid-level hoops only adjust in increments of 6-inches.
  • Power Lift® pneumatic mechanism. This is a gas assisted adjustment mechanism that makes it easier to lift and lower the hoop. You grab the handle and simply raise or lower it depending on what height you want. The downside is that it may start leaking gas a few years down the road, which can affect precision.
  • Tempered glass backboard. Simply put, tempered glass is the best of the best. It’s used at the college and pro level. It’s heavier, more rigid, and durable compared to other materials. A huge plus.
  • 4-inch thick square pole. Less expensive hoops typically have round poles that are between 3-3.5 inches thick. Certainly, this is an upgrade. The square shape is superior as far as sturdiness is concerned.
  • Overhang. The thicker pole leads to a greater backboard offset, which is the distance it extends out from the pole. A 27″ offset is very impressive for a hoop in this price range. To put into perspective, the Mammoth 98856 is $200 more and has the same overhang. The benefit is more playing space under the basket so players are less likely to bump into the pole.

What Not To Like

  • Thin backboard. 1/5-inches thick is below average for tempered glass, as most premium hoops have a 3/8 backboard. But, they also happen to be more expensive.
  • Direct burial installation. While in-grounds do provide more stability than portable hoops, this type of installation does require time and effort. Plus, it can’t be removed. You can purchase a Lifetime ground sleeve for 4-inch square poles. The pole slides into the sleeve so it can still be removed if necessary. However, it’s still inferior to the anchor mount installation.

Summary

What’s most appealing about the the Lifetime 90014 Competition system is the tempered glass backboard. It’s truly the best for overall performance. You won’t find too many other hoops in this price range with tempered glass. The thick pole and 27″ offset are also positives. The backboard is a bit thin, so I would be careful about hanging on the rim and being rough with it. The installation will also require time and effort. Overall, it’s well worth the price.

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