Basketball Hoop Reviews

Silverback SB-60 In-Ground Basketball System

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Pros

60″ Tempered glass backboard, 4-inch square pole, 2.5 foot overhang, anchor mount installation. A Poor man’s alternative to a Professional Basketball Hoop. Probably the Highest quality, low cost Hoop System available.

Cons

2-section pole, no lifetime warranty. That’s about it.  This is a 5 Star – Complete basketball hoop system.  Recommended by me as a top basketball hoop for under $1000.

Overall Rating

433_16_stars


Silverback is a division of Goalrilla, who produces one of the best lines of in-ground basketball hoops on the market. The SB-60 features a 60″ tempered glass backboard with aluminum trim. The two-section square pole is 4 – inches thick, and the backboard extends 2.5 feet out from the pole. It adjusts infinitely from 7.5 to 10 feet with the use of a steel actuator. It’s installed using an anchor bolt system. The SB-60 is backed by a 7 year warranty.

What To Like

  • 60″ tempered glass backboard. This size is ideal for most residences because it’s not too big for a driveway, yet is one step from being regulation size (72″). Simply put, tempered glass is the best of the best. It’s 5/16″ thick, which is enough to provide plenty of rigidity.
  • Handle assist mechanism. It uses a motor to assist with raising and lowering the hoop. Most are completely manual or gas assisted. This if the first hoop I have seen with a motor.
  • Pro-style breakaway rim. I don’t know any specifics about the rim, but it has a pro-style look to it. It’s not exactly the same as what’s used in the NBA, but it’s close. It’s heavy-duty and is built to last.
  • 4-inch square pole. Square poles are more sturdy than round ones, and 4-inches is solid. The thicker the pole, the less vibration a hoop has.
  • 2.5 foot overhang. This provides ample space for play underneath the basket. Plus, it’s safer because players are less likely to run into the pole. In general, this space just allows for more serious play.
  • Pole padding. Many premium hoops don’t come with a pad, they make you buy one separately. The SB-60 comes with one, and this just makes it that much more safe for the players.
  • Anchor-mount installation. This is the best installation for in-ground hoops because it can be removed easily.

What Not To Like

  • 2-section pole. It’s thick enough, but you would like to see a one-piece pole instead. Most hoops in this price range have one, so that is a bit of a disappointment. The two-piece pole isn’t as sturdy, plus you’ll have to put put them together during the assembly.
  • 7-year warranty. Not bad, but a lifetime warranty is standard for hoops in the $1000 range.
  • Somewhat Difficult assembly. According to reviews, you will need at least 3 adults to put up the heavy backboard.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘You Cannot Hang on to this hoop, it was not made for that’ – ‘Very Sturdy for the Price’

Video

Summary

When I review a basketball hoop, I am always looking for flaws. It’s really hard to find any glaring weaknesses with the SB-60. Even though the 2-section pole isn’t ideal, it’s still pretty solid. After doing some research, I found that that this is probably the best buy for in-ground hoops below $1000. If that is your budget, then the SB-60 is a great choice. If you can go a little higher, I would probably recommend the Mammoth 98862 instead.

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Lifetime 71566 XL Portable Basketball System

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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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Goalsetter GS48 Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop

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Pros

Rigid, durable backboard….quality breakaway rim….height adjustment…plenty of space under the basket…lifetime warranty

Cons

Backboard on the small end…installation could be challenging for some

Overall Rating

Goalsetter produces a long line of premium basketball hoops, including in-ground and wall-mounted models. Wall-mounted hoops are ideal for those who have limited space. The GS series is as good as you’ll find on the market. The GS48 features a 48″ tempered glass backboard, a heavy-duty flex rim, and a 2.5′ extension from the wall to the backboard. Also featured is height adjustment from 7 to 10 feet with the use of a crank handle. It’s also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

What To Like

  • Tempered glass backboard. This material is the best of the best, as it’s used in gyms everywhere, including college and pro. It’s very heavy, rigid, and durable. If you want a professional feel, then this is the only way to go. At 3/8″ thick, it’s going to be plenty sturdy.
  • Height adjustment. This feature is not as common on mounted hoops as they are on portable and in-ground models. It’s typically reserved for the higher-priced models, such as this one. It adjusts from 7-10 feet, which is pretty standard among hoops in general. It’s ideal for families who want to buy a hoop that grows with their children.
  • Heavy-duty flex rim. Rims on higher-priced hoops tend to have more give and durability. The more it gives, the less pressure it puts on the backboard. This rim in particular comes standard from Goalsetter. It’s 5/8″ thick, and made out of high tensile steel. In other words, it’s built to take some abuse for those who like dunking.
  • 2.5′ overhang. This is the distance from the wall to the backboard. Anything beyond 2′ provides sufficient space for play under the hoop. With this much space, players are unlikely to run into the wall during play.
  • Limited lifetime warranty. You have to a brand that is willing to stand behind their product. A lifetime warranty gives you insight on the quality and durability of the product.

What Not To Like

  • 48″ backboard. This size is on the small end. There are three larger sizes available, including 54″, 60″, and the regulation sized 72″ backboard. The smaller backboard really comes into play when shooting bank shots from the side.
  • Installation. As I mentioned on the GS72 review, a premium mounted hoop is naturally going to be a bit harder to install because of the heavier bracket and backboard. Certainly, a 48″ isn’t as heavy compared to a 72″, but it will still be more of a challenge. This however is no reflection on the hoop itself, as heavier models are typically made with higher quality.

Other Online Reviews

The lone review on Amazon.com mentions a problem with the alignment of the backboard with the mounting bracket. Could be an issue.

Summary

The quality of the GS48 is good. The biggest downfall to me is the 48″ backboard, which is a bit small. However, the GS series by Goalsetter does include 54″, 60″, and 72″ backboards. Of course, they do cost more, but are worth considering.

Is it the end of the world to have a 48″ backboard? Certainly not. Quality to me is more important, and the GS48 doesn’t disappoint in that respect. So if this what your budget allows, then it’s still a very good choice. But if you can spend another $300 or more, I would at least consider getting the GS54.

You can view the other models below:

GS54 (54″)
GS60 (60″)
GS72 (72″)

The biggest difference among the three is the backboard size. The backboard extension increases as well as the height adjustment, but you what you are paying extra for is the bigger backboard.

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