How To Buy A Basketball Hoop
What to look for in a basketball hoop? There are some additional factors to consider when buying a basketball hoop including installation, the basketball goal's backboard, height adjustability, overhang, pole finish, size, and shape, basketball rim and net, and accessories.
how to buy a basketball hoop
After purchasing a Goalrilla basketball goal online, you will receive an email from Goalrilla Basketball detailing your order information and your tracking number. Orders typically ship within 24-48 hours and vary on arrival time based on distance from our Evansville, Indiana, warehouse.
Semi-portable in-ground goals, on the other hand, are mounted onto a completely separate anchor system that is cemented into the ground. This provides the same stability of a direct-burial post while still allowing the goal to be moved to a new location (if you move to a new home, for example). Then, only a new anchor kit is needed, rather than an entirely new basketball system. Goalrilla and Goalsetter goals feature this type of installation. Most residential high end hoops have moved to this system for both ease of installation and portability when moving.
Polycarbonate backboards are made from a clear plastic material. They are often used on cheaper hoops because while they are very strong, the polycarbonate material has one major drawback; after prolonged exposure to UV light (aka sunlight), these backboards begin to turn an unflattering shade of cloudy yellow and become brittle. This can happen in as little as 3-5 years.
The rim of the basketball goal should be made of steel to ensure strength and stability. The rim should be at least 19mm thick. Thinner rims may seem more cost-effective initially, but are prone to bending and even breaking over time. This means a lower quality rim could also pose a safety hazard. For outdoor hoops, we recommend a rim that is finished with a weatherproof paint to reduce the risk of rust.
Static or standard rims have no spring, meaning the rim cannot flex. This puts added pressure on the backboard and is not ideal for dunking since the extra pressure can cause the backboard to shatter. The cheaper version of these rims are typically found on portable basketball goals which are not meant to be dunked on. Sometimes they are found on higher end goals, for example a commercial application where they are looking to deter dunking. Goalsetter even offers a double ring static rim that is considered extremely durable for commercial applications.
Height adjustability is an important consideration, particularly when buying a basketball hoop with younger players in mind. Goals that can be adjusted lower make the hoop accessible for younger children, or players who simply desire a lowered rim. Look for a goal that includes a removable actuator handle so you can lock the height in place and prevent unwanted height adjustments.
Accessories and parts will be shipped via UPS or FedEx Ground. Transit time is 3-5 business days.Accessories that are purchased with a basketball goal will be packaged with the goal and delivered via freight shipping.
Before you buy, make sure you have ample space to play. A large, flat, paved surface like a driveway is ideal. Keep in mind it is unsafe (and often illegal) to place a basketball hoop on a street or sidewalk. Whether you have the space in your driveway or backyard, location is going to be the first place to map out when determining the best hoop for your home.
A cheap, basic hoop may be fine if all you want is a toy for your little kids to get a taste of basketball. Just be warned that they may outgrow it fairly quickly, as the backboards on these models can soon feel very small to players, and the shaking from shots off the backboard only gets worse as bolts loosen over time.
Instead, what you probably want is a well-built basketball hoop that will hold up sturdily through cold winters, strong winds and blazing summer sunshine alike. The goal is to have a gathering place for family games of HORSE, intense two-on-twos, ritualistic free throw shooting practice and more, for years to come. And it certainly won't hurt if the hoop looks ready for serious competitions as well, with a gleaming glass backboard and a pro-style breakaway rim you can occasionally lower so that everyone can dunk.
Well, how you plan on using your basketball hoop, how long you plan on it lasting, and where it will be positioned on your property will help determine which model is most worth the money for you. Here are some factors to consider as you shop around:
Portable basketball hoops are popular not only because they can be moved around, but also because they generally cost a lot less and are more straightforward to set up. They're not entirely hassle-free, however. Installation can often be a pain (see below), and, as you'd probably guess, portable models are not as stable as permanently installed hoops anchored with concrete into the ground.
In-ground basketball hoops are the choice for people who are serious about having a really good spot to play in the driveway or yard. They are obviously installed in the ground, so they're not prone to being knocked over like some portable models do when there are strong winds (or strong dunks). In-ground hoops are anchored in by concrete and built of stiff, high-grade materials. As a result, the best in-ground basketball hoops will be far more stable, with less shaking and wobbling after hard shots to the backboard, compared to portable hoops. This not only provides stability, but makes the hoop a better tool to improve your game.
The main problem with in-ground basketball hoops, besides their typically high price tags, is that they cannot be easily moved. That may not be a problem if you don't foresee the desire to move the hoop to a different part of the driveway or perhaps out to the street. But before making your basketball hoop spot permanent, you should consider other reasons it might be nice to have a portable model. For example, you might want to be able to move it for delivery trucks, parties or future landscaping projects.
A third option for basketball hoops is the mounted model. This kind of hoop comes with a backboard and rim but no pole or base, and it's built to be mounted to a wall or roof (typically that of a garage). Mounted basketball hoops can be very sturdy, depending on what they're mounted to, but installation can be especially tricky and often requires the purchase of extra hardware.
That's why so many customers prefer acrylic for outdoor basketball hoops. It's less expensive, softer and lighter than tempered glass, while being superior to polycarbonate in terms of its lifespan out under a powerful sun.
If all of this sounds overwhelming or not the worth the hassle, it's worth considering outsourcing this job to a professional. Some manufacturers and online sellers offer an add-on service to build the hoop at your home for $100 and up.
Goalrilla's in-ground FT series of hoops is as good as it gets for driveway basketball games. They come in a choice of 54", 60" and 72", ranging in price from roughly $1,600 to $2,100, respectively. Every Goalrilla FT hoop features powder-coated steel frames and 1/2" thick tempered glass backboards, and they all come with a 9" anchor system and heavy-duty breakaway rims similar to those used at the highest level of competition. The rim height is adjustable too, from 7.5' to the standard 10', by twisting a hand crank.
While all of the Goalrilla FT hoops are sturdy, with little to no shaking after proper installation, the FT72 is exceptionally strong. It's built with a 6" x 6" steel pole, compared to 5" x 5" for the smaller Goalrilla FT hoops. Combine that with the fact that the FT72 is the biggest model in the series (72" wide by 42" high), and you can understand why this is our pick for the best overall in-ground basketball hoop.
As with any in-ground basketball hoop, be warned that it's essential for installation to be done carefully and properly. In addition to picking out the perfect spot for the new basketball hoop, you'll need precise measurements and quite a lot of concrete to pour. Also, be warned that while tempered glass backboards look awesome and provide a great touch for shots "off the glass," the material is often more likely to crack from an errant rock or tree branch than acrylic, polycarbonate or fiberglass.
Perhaps a $1,000 basketball hoop is out of the question, let alone one for $2,000, but you still want a product that allows for serious play and is much better and more durable than a toy. If that sounds like you, there's a sweet spot in the range of $500 to $800 where you'll find very good quality portable basketball systems without feeling like you went overboard.
The Hybrid comes in a choice of 54 or 60 acrylic backboards, priced at $550 and $800, respectively, when we looked. The backboard is supported by a steel pole (either 3.5" in diameter or 4" square, depending on the model), which is angled forward so it stays out of the way when people are playing. The pole is braced by a triangular "rebounder," which adds stability to the backboard at the same time it helps steer basketballs back into the court after they've gone through the hoop.
The hoop comes with a breakaway rim so that it won't bend if someone dunks, and the rim height is adjustable from 7.5' to 10' by twisting a hand crank. Also included: ground stakes to help it stay firmly in the ground, and a pair of plastic wheels for rolling it to a new location.
The Silverback NXT line has polycarbonate backboards and comes in 50 or 54 widths, priced at $430 and $523, respectively, when we looked. One of the strengths of the Silverback line is, literally, its strength. The hoops are built with a steel frame that extends all the way through the base up into the pole that connects to the backboard.
Speaking of the base, the Silverback NXT's features a uniquely sloped design that helps keep the hoop balanced and makes it easier to move using a wheelbarrow-like method. The company also promotes the Silverback as a "Quick-Play" hoop that, theoretically, can be taken out of the box and fully built in 90 minutes or less, mostly with preassembled parts. 041b061a72