Basketball Hoop Reviews

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop System

By

Pros

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

Cons

Stability, value, durability

Overall Rating

The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop System can be played on virtually anywhere, whether it be indoors, outdoors, or poolside. It adjusts in height from 3′ to 7′ with the use of a handle. This hoop is primarily suited for children, but adults can use it for playing basketball in the pool. It also has a breakaway rim, which allows children to dunk without being too concerned about breaking it. The polycarbonate backboard is shatterproof. The base comes with wheels, and can be filled with water or sand. Dimensions: 35 x 25 x 9 inches ; 38 pounds.

What To Like

  • Polycarbonate backboard. This is a very strong material, as it’s used on real portable and in-ground basketball hoops. It’s durable, and performs well. This is as good as you could expect for a mini-hoop. You see children in the video dunking on it with authority, so it must be strong to hold up over time.
  • Breakaway rim. This rim has a lot of give, which will protect the backboard when dunking. It’s pretty neat to see a mini hoop with a breakaway rim like this one. It makes it that much more fun for children to play on.
  • Height adjustment. This feature makes it more versatile. Children of all ages can shoot on a hoop like this one, even toddlers. Plus, it can be lowered if placed poolside or indoors if the ceilings are low.
  • Portable. It can be used virtually anywhere, plus it’s easy to transport if you decide to relocate.
  • Small footprint. Because it’s not a full-sized hoop, it can fit into small spaces. Plus, it can be easily stored.
  • Easy assembly. Instructions are easy to follow, and the hoop is pretty lightweight. There aren’t a lot of parts, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble. Most customers said it took about an hour to assemble.
  • Customer service. A customer review on Amazon.com mentioned how some parts were missing, and a representative from SKLZ actually replied to the comment. He apologized, then gave their customer service number so they could get the missing parts sent out. You don’t see that very often.

What Not To Like

  • Stability. What you gain with portability, you lose with performance. The backboard and rim wobble quite a bit when shooting.
  • Value. You can buy the Lifetime 90040 for less money, and it’s actually a 10 foot hoop.
  • Durability. While some elements of it appear to be durable, overall the hoop is susceptible to breaking down, particularly if it’s abused. The pole and base aren’t particularly strong. A few customers overall noted that the base was flimsy. A lot of portable hoops have this problem, even some of the more expensive ones. Though, I will say that durability is a problem for any mini hoop, so I wouldn’t be too discouraged by this.

Summary

If you are looking for a mini hoop that can be used for a variety of purposes, the SKLZ Pro is one to consider. It’s probably most ideal for those who have children and a pool. It is a basketball hoop that you can put in the driveway for your young children to enjoy.  It is a great hoop for children under 10 years of age that would like something better than an indoor plastic hoop but that aren’t ready yet for a full size hoop system.

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Spalding Pro-Image In-Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Tempered glass backboard, crank adjust, pro-image rim, 2 foot overhang, 4-inch square pole

Cons

2-section pole, no pole padding, ground sleeve installation

Overall Rating

The Spalding Pro-Image Hoop features a 54″ tempered glass backboard and a heavy-duty Pro-Image breakaway rim. The height adjusts infinitely from 7-10 feet with the U-Turn life system, which is a crank handle that can be removed. The pole comes in two sections and is 4-inches square. The backboard offset is 2 feet. The hoop is installed using a ground sleeve. The Pro-Image hoop is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

What To Like

  • Tempered glass backboard. This is the same material used in gymnasiums all over the world (though, not as thick). It’s very durable and resistant to scratching. Other materials, like acrylic for instance, will turn yellow with time. That won’t happen with tempered glass. It’s sturdy, and plays better than any other type of backboard.
  • “This is a great hoop once installed. High quality and very solid.” – Online User Review
  • 54″ backboard. This size is suited for a 1-2 car driveway. 60″ is more preferred, but it’s big enough to play serious games on.
  • Crank adjust. With the turn of a handle, the hoop goes up or down. It’s the most precise and durable adjustment mechanism out there. As mentioned, the handle can be removed so the height can’t be tampered with. The downside however is that it does take some strength to adjust it.
  • Pro-image rim. This rim is solid, so I would expect it to last as long as it’s not abused. It’s thick, and has a wrap-around brace for support.
  • 2 foot overhang. This is the distance from the backboard to the pole. A larger overhang provides a safer environment for the players, since they are less likely to run into the pole. There’s also more room for play underneath the basket.
  • 4-inch square pole. The thicker the pole, the more stability the hoop has. 4-inches is enough, given that a lot of hoops in this price range have a 3.5″ pole.

What Not To Like

  • 2-section pole. A one-piece pole provides the most stability. That is the standard among basketball hoops. Plus, you’ll have to put the two sections together during the assembly.
  • “Putting the pole together for this is a nightmare. My husband had to call and have a replacement pole shipped because the original warped while he was trying to pound the pieces together.” – Online User Review
  • No pole padding. A lot of hoops don’t have pole padding, even some of the more expensive ones. It’s nice to have particularly if serious games are going to be played.
  • Ground sleeve installation. This is better than the direct burial, but the anchor mount installation reigns supreme. A ground sleeve is cemented into the ground, then the pole is inserted. The problem is that the pole becomes very difficult to remove if desired. That’s because it tends to become one with the sleeve. This is particularly the case in colder climates.

Summary

For the money, this is one of the better in-ground hoops you can buy. If I had $450 to spend, this would certainly be one of my top choices. It’s not perfect, but you won’t find perfect in this price range. The tempered glass backboard is what makes this hoop so attractive. It has a 2 foot overhang, and a heavy duty rim for dunking. I think this hoop has a lot of value.

For the Cheapest Price, Most Customer Support and best Return Policy we Recommend Amazon.com for your basketball hoop purchase. Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Portable Basketball System

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Pros

Inexpensive, reputable brand, 5-year warranty, easy to move, perfect for young children, height adjustment

Cons

Small backboard, not sturdy, questionable durability, no overhang, adjustment mechanism

Overall Rating

The 1269 is the entry level portable system by Lifetime. It has a 44-inch acrylic backboard and a 27 gallon base that can be filled with water or sand. The height adjusts from 7.5 – 10 feet in 6-inch increments using a telescoping design. It has a classic style rim and a 3-section pole that is 2.75-inches round. The latter is powder coated for protection, and the graphics on the backboard are U-V protected. Lifetime backs the 1269 with a 5-year limited warranty.

What To Like

  • Inexpensive. The best feature of any entry-level basketball hoop is the price. Systems can cost thousands on the high end. Priced around $155, you won’t have to break the bank. As long as it’s not abused, it should last for as long as you need it do.
  • 5-year warranty. A warranty on an inexpensive hoop is important because it’s naturally not made with parts as strong as more expensive models. The backboard in particular will be more susceptible to cracking or breaking. With a 5-year warranty, you are protected just in case.
  • Reputable brand. Lifetime has been around since 1986, and they produce a long line of basketball hoops. They sell products that can be trusted.
  • Easy to move. It weighs less than 60 pounds, so kids can move it themselves without much trouble.
  • Perfect for young children. Kids under the age of 10 don’t need a $1000 basketball hoop. It’s perfect for just shooting around and enjoying the outdoors. This hoop isn’t built for rough play, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s not anything fancy, but that’s what makes it appealing.
  • Height adjustment. Not all hoops in this class can adjust, so this is a plus. Children can really benefit from this because it takes awhile before they can realistically begin making shots on a 10 foot hoop. This is particularly ideal for families with children of varying ages.

What Not To Like

  • Small backboard. A 44″ backboard is one of the smaller ones that you’ll find for an outdoor hoop. It makes it harder to shoot bank shots, plus it doesn’t give as much of a target.
  • Not sturdy. The hoop will shake quite a bit while shooting on it. It’s not cemented in-ground, the backboard is small and lightweight, and the 3-section pole isn’t sturdy. The ball naturally won’t bounce as well off the backboard.
  • Durability. I have no reason to believe that this hoop won’t last for at least 5 years as long as it’s not abused. But it’s naturally more susceptible to breaking down, particularly the backboard, because the material isn’t as strong.
  • No overhang. This refers to the space between the pole and the backboard. Since the backboard is directly attached to the pole, there is no space for playing under the backboard.
  • Adjustment mechanism. It’s a bit inconvenient, as you really have to tilt the hoop over to do it. You pull a pin out, make the adjustment, the insert the pin back in. Most hoops allow you to adjust it while upright.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘Economical, relatively simple to put together, and pretty sturdy’: See Review Here

Amazon.com: 4 Stars – ‘Love the Hoop – Height not as easy to adjust as you would thinking’: See Review Here

Amazon.com: 3 Stars – ‘Tedious Height adjust system’: See Review Here

Summary

The Lifetime 1269 is ideal for families who don’t want to invest a lot of money into a hoop for their children. It’s very basic, and functions as it should. The height adjustment is beneficial, and it’s made by a good brand. It’s not as sturdy or durable as some more expensive models, but that’s why it costs less. Overall, it’s a well made hoop, just don’t expect it to last forever.

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