11 Best Portable Basketball Hoops for Home

The wall-mounted basketball hoops have given way to the portable basketball hoop systems because they are so convenient and easy to install. It is just important to remember that you shouldn’t need to compromise on quality just because you want a portable and affordable system.

This is why the base of any portable basketball system must be the first feature you review. Products with a good base will be able to withstand the toughest games, while those with a flimsy bottom are liable to fall over. If you have aggressive, older players or are interested in trying trick shots off of a polycarbonate backboard and want to hang off of the hoop, you need a base that can withstand your play.

Filling The Base

The best portable basketball hoop reviews focus on the base because its design will affect your game. Some bases have a 27-gallon capacity, making it easier for the hoop to tip over when compared to the systems that have a 42-gallon capacity base.

These bases are typically filled with water, but individuals looking for a stable game can also use sand or other inexpensive, heavy material. If you want a truly strong game, look for a base that will let you place bricks or other materials in it to help weight it down even more to reduce shaking and vibration when it is being used.

Besides annoying rattles, a sturdy base will also stop the portable hoop from tipping over, which is annoying and poses a safety hazard to anyone trying to use the hoop to practice or play.

It’s important to note that while many people weigh down their portable basketball hoops by putting rocks, tires, and other heavy objects on top of the base, this is not recommended by the manufacturer. In fact, most manufacturers recommend against this behavior because the objects lying on the base rapidly become safety hazards.

If someone were to displace the basketball hoop or knock it back severely, any object on top of the base has the potential to become a projectile that can hit somebody. A brick might seem hard to move, but remember that an average person jumping and slamming generates a lot of force.

Consider The Sturdiness & Portability

For this reason, it’s once again important to invest in a sturdy base. Consider who is going to be playing and then choose accordingly. If you know players are going to get forceful and aggressive, spend the extra money to get a large, heavy base for both your safety and the integrity of the hoop.

Another key feature of the base to look at is a set of wheels with durable casters. The only point of this type of system is that it can be portable, so you should be able to move it from location to location with ease. After all, very few people can just pick up a fully installed and constructed basketball hoop with no difficulty, especially when the base is full of sand or water!

Now, most portable systems won’t be moved that often, but what if you’re not allowed to keep a hoop out at your driveway overnight or need to create extra room for parking during a party or event?

With greater portability, you could take it out when you wish to use it and then put it away at the end of the day. It’s important when looking for a basketball hoop with wheels that also needs to be weighed down that you purchase a model that you are strong enough to push when the base is full or partially full. Having stronger, more durable wheels can help you with this endeavor.

Backboards and the Portable Basketball Hoop 

Every hoop that comes with a portable basketball system should be of the same dimension. This is because basketball is a highly standardized game in the United States and no one wants to practice on a hoop that doesn’t match the one used in a real game, especially if they are trying to join a school or local team or just fancy themselves the next Michael Jordan.

What is often a variable with this type of system is the backboard. A standard backboard of regulation size will be 72 inches horizontal and 42 inches vertical. The rectangle within the board should measure 24 inches horizontal and 18 inches vertical, with the line being 2 inches in width.

You’ll find that most portable basketball hoops do not have a regulation backboard.

By reducing the size of the backboard, the system becomes lighter and more portable. This is also why virtually all portable backboards are not made with glass. Most people don’t realize it, but glass is actually an extremely heavy and durable material when it is designed to be thick like the kind used in the majority of regulation basketball hoops.

After all, how often do people truly break windows nowadays?

What to Look For

The easiest way to save money when buying a portable basketball hoop is thus to avoid glass and other clear acrylic materials. These tend to be the most durable but are also expensive to manufacture, and companies can therefore charge more for them. Remember this when choosing the size of the backboard, since each extra inch is extra money being pulled from your wallet.

You can save money by going with a backboard that is less than 50 inches horizontal, but these reduce the amount of space you have to work on your game. Backboards in the under-50-inch range are usually best for younger children, smaller driveways, or small courts. They can also be beneficial if you’re trying to learn how to do trick shots or improve your corner shots.

If you just want a basketball hoop for some fun with the family, then anything in the 50 to 60-inch range is a good option. These backboards are still smaller than regulation size, but they fit most driveways and give you enough space to legitimately practice.

If you play in a recreational league, have a teen playing high school basketball, or you are an aggressive player, then a 60-inch backboard is going to be your best option. While the backboard is still smaller than normal, there is plenty of space to learn how to properly sink shots off of the backboard and keep basketball skills sharp.

In general, manufacturers will not compromise the vertical measurement of basketball hoops because it then becomes difficult for there to be enough room for the actual hoop on the backboard. However, be careful when shopping for discounted or imported portable basketball hoops because unscrupulous companies will try to save money by shaving off an inch or two of the vertical measurement.

All of the products reviewed on this list do meet the standard, however, so you can rest assured these truly are the best portable basketball hoops!