The 8 Best Portable Basketball Hoops for Driveway

This article updates with time. I will add more to this list when I unpack more hoops. If you notice something missing from these reviews that you think really should be here, please share it in the comments. My goal is to eventually make this list exhaustive of everything you should know when buying a portable basketball hoop.*

Since there’s only a handful of top-quality basketball hoops on the market, buying the best portable basketball hoop seems like a pretty easy job. And surely, there isn’t much difference between them.

But if you’re like me, you like to research, shop smart and get the right value for the price. I prefer to know what I’m buying, what other expenses could come with it, and what problems should I expect in the lifetime of a given product.

To make everyone’s life easier, I took the time to try out the best basketball portable hoops I could find online. I’m in reselling business, so I’ll just put them back on the market when I’m done with them. I’ll keep only one, but I’m still not sure which. (UPDATE: This one stayed with me. The reason I’ve decided to go with a lower price range is that I already have an in-ground hoop so this one’s just-in-case)

I’ve visited five different basketball equipment stores in Omaha to see if I’m missing something while I was waiting for deliveries from Amazon. Nada. Every portable basketball hoop I found was already in online shops, not to mention the prices were much higher compared to those online.

Now I’m going to make a list of the best portable basketball hoops that are actually worth your money. Also, I will try to give the best prediction on what you can expect from the particular hoop in the future.

If there’s anything you’d like to ask or add, write it below.

If you’re looking for the best hoop you can find under $450, my choice today would be the Spalding 66291 Pro Slam Portable because of its stability and assembly simplicity. Over $450 I would advise you to go with Silverback NXT if you’re not aiming too high, and Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System if you have cash and don’t mind to spend it for more quality.

Silverback NXT Portable Basketball Hoop (50″, 54″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
It adjusts from 8-10 Feet (backboard goes down to 7.5).
Adults aren’t going to have a problem with lowering or raising this portable basketball hoop as it just requires sliding a bar in one of directions and pulling back a bit to secure it in position.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
Silverback NXT offers 50 and 54-inch backboards with Infinity Edge wrap-around perimeter (meaning: increased rigidity). Pick your number.
1/8″ acrylic shatterproof backboard that fits with the price.
The backboard offset is 26 inches which are plenty for the type of basketball played in the driveway or on streets.

RIM AND NET
The rim and net on this portable basketball hoop are pretty basic, which doesn’t mean they’re low in quality, just that they’re not first class.
The cover is excellent, you see it from the start that the rust won’t appear at least two years from buying.
It’s packed with an average spring, so you need to watch out when dunking the ball (hanging on the rim can ruin it).

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
The capacity of the support base made of safe plastic is 35 gallons, which may seem weak, but Silverback NXT actually shines in overall hoop balance (the wheels together also take around two gallons of water).
Dimensions are about 32″ x 50″ at the back (farthest point).
Fill the base with sand or water and make it around 3/4 full any you’ll be ok. You know, for decent water expansion during the cold times.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
The pole connects to a steel undercarriage that is under the hoop base. It adds more hardness and stability to a portable basketball hoop.

Improve Hoops RATING: 8/10

Spalding NBA “The Beast” Portable Basketball System (60″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
The adjustment goes from 7.5 – 10 feet.
Very easy for handling (unless you’re a kid under 11) in 5″ increments.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
Features 60-inch glass backboard with almost zero chance of shattering on you.
1/4″ tempered glass, makes a beautiful sound when the ball hits the backboard, even from the corners of the driveway.
Extremely heavy, exactly what you expect from portable basketball hoop at this price range.
The backboard Offset is 4 feet, which is deep enough to play under the basket without any worries for hitting the pole.

RIM AND NET
Pro Image Breakaway basketball rim – enclosed breakaway rims are considered best, but their lifespan might be shorter because the springs are metal made. Luckily, this one has springs covered.

Great for dunking, but be careful with hanging if you’re over 250 lbs (even though the best portable basketball hoop should be able to handle you). Features thr All-Weather Spalding white net that you may won’t need to change soon, but in case you rip it off or something, it is best have one replacement net at home.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
The capacity of the support base is 52 gallons, which will keep this portable basketball hoop stable for dunking and occasional hang after a dunk.
Dimensions are about 36″ x 64″ (total support width and depth).
You can fill the base with water or sand for balance, and it’s best to fill at least 3/4 of volume.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
A 5-inch square angled pole system – comes in two pieces.
It is a way better option than the three-piece pole for portable basketball hoop; offers at least 20% more stability and in the end more confidence when the game is on.

Improve Hoops RATING: 9.5/10

Lifetime 1531 Portable Basketball System (48″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Features Lifetimes’s QUICK ADJUST height alignment mechanism that is doing its job. Kids over 7 shouldn’t have a problem with this one.
It adjusts from 8 to 10 feet in 5″ increments.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
Packed with 48″ heavy shatterproof backboard, formed of Makrolon Polycarbonate which is similar to glass.
Graphics on the backboard probably won’t fade soon because of the inks UV-protection that saves the color.
I would never expect backboard like this on a 48″ portable basketball hoop, totally blew my mind – very stable.

RIM AND NET
They use Lifetime’s Slam-It Basketball Rim that’s compatible with almost all Lifetime models.
It can handle light dunking, but since it’s a 48″ backboard model, it’s not recommendable to hang even for a second.
Net is weather resistant, made of nylon which makes me even more convinced this is the rim of average quality, but absolutely durable.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
Measurements of the base are 46″ x 30″, while capacity goes up to 31 gallons.
If anybody over 150 pounds is going to play on it, you’ll need to fill it with sand. It is stable enough only then. Don’t go below 300 lbs for this one.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
Weatherproof three-part metal pole with the rust-resistant surface.
Pole in three pieces is not a perfect solution, but for the money, this is an awesome deal, since everything else is more than ok.

Improve Hoops RATING: 7/10

Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System (54″, 60″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
This portable basketball hoop adjusts from 7.5 – 10 feet.
It’s moderately simple for adjusting because the height adjustment bar is practically a long screw with a crank attached to the end. I suppose a 9-year-old could do it efficiently.
Has a hand crank that can later be easily removed if you want to keep the boys from moving it around the driveway on their own.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
54 or 60 inches, pick a number. It vibrates a bit when shooting, but I suppose you can take care of it just by securing the pole with a rope somewhere in the driveway.
Tempered glass, top quality sound when shooting a ball. Spalding is killing it with backboards.
The backboard offset is 16″, which is better than most portable basketball hoops on the list and should allow the game in the paint.

RIM AND NET
Heavy duty Arena Slam breakaway rim – made of solid steel.
Dunking is allowed for all and hanging just for kids or lightweight adults.
The rim is strong, and you’d really have to be heavy to break it.
The standard Spalding white all-weather net comes with it.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
The base is roughly 34″ wide and 54″ deep. It can receive about 42 gallons of water.
If you’d like to fill it with sand to make it more steady, you’ll need to use 8-9 bags (around 350 pounds). You’ll need to fill at least 3/4 while the platform is down, position it upright and fill the rest.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
A four-inch square pole – comes in three pieces.
It has a 4-strut mount for increased support (If you’ve had a portable basketball hoop before, you’ll see the difference immediately).

Improve Hoops RATING: 8/10

Spalding 66291 Pro Slam Portable Basketball System (54″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
This one adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet (6-inch increments).
It’s not difficult to align it, at least to 9.5 feet (last half inches could go a bit harder, especially for kids under 10).

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
54-inch wide acrylic backboard with the frame of steel.
It comes with an authentic steel board pad.
Surprisingly heavy for this price range, has an excellent rebound feel (expect a bit shorter rebs opposed to in-ground basketball hoop).

RIM AND NET
Spalding Pro Image Breakaway basketball rim which goes on more expansive models and it is considered one of the best rims on the market.
You can dunk on it, but you must not use too much force. In reality, it all depends on the material you fill the base with, but the hanging is out of the question.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
Dimensions are 51″ L x 33.5″ W x 6″ H, and the capacity is 34 gallons.
It is stable enough if you’re not going to get crazy on it, and even more if you fill it with paving stone sand (it’s awesome because it sets up like cement).
If you fill it with water, don’t expect an unforgivable experience in the driveway with Spalding 66291, except if all of your kids are under 10.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
The pole comes in three pieces. It’s not best if you’re looking for stability, but in this price range who can expect more.
It is metal made, and the user reports suggest that it can live through hurricanes.

Improve Hoops RATING: 7/10

Lifetime 48 Inch Portable Basketball Hoop (48″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Speed Shift mechanism; adjustable from 8 to 10 feet in 6″ increments. It shouldn’t be a problem for kids over 10.
It has a button with a handle that activates pole sliding.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
The backboard on this one is 48 inches wide, it’s shatterproof, acrylic, and gives a nice rebound feel.
It’s also 2 inches thick, the ball comes off smooth, so the bank shots won’t damage your car in the driveway if it’s too close.
Backboard offset measures 18″ which means the inside play is comfortable enough for those under about 200 pounds.
How strong it will shake, and how loud it is, depends on the material you’re going to fill the base with.

RIM AND NET
Lifetime Slam-It rim with double-compressed springs, made of steel.
It’s great for dunking, but don’t hang if you’re adult or child over 11.
Users can experience more shaking than usual.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
It’s 30″ wide x 46″ long with a capacity of 31 gallons and comes with a 5-year warranty.
It makes a huge difference to add sand instead of water.
On this one, it is allowed and even recommendable to add sandbags over the base (because of its built).

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
The support pole on this portable basketball hoop is steel framed, all-weather resistant and seems durable.
Comes with the padding on the lower part of the pole.

Improve Hoops RATING: 6.5/10

Lifetime 1529 Courtside Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System (50″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Speed Shift mechanism; adjustable from 8 to 10 feet in 6″ increments. It shouldn’t be a problem for kids over 10.
It has a button with a handle that activates pole sliding.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
The support pole on this portable basketball hoop is steel framed, all-weather resistant and seems durable.
Comes with the padding on the lower part of the pole.

Improve Hoops RATING: 8/10

Spalding Pro Slam Portable NBA Basketball System Black (54″)

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Goes from 7.5-10 feet in 6-inch increments.
It’s not easy enough to adjust it, kids under nine shouldn’t even try to do it.

BACKBOARD SIZE AND MATERIAL
54″ Acrylic Backboard made of thick steel.
It comes with a steel board pad.
One of the best stability backboards – It doesn’t shake at all with bank shots, I’m very surprised since it’s in the lower price range. I’m thinking about this one for my driveway.

RIM AND NET
Spalding’s Pro Slam Breakaway Rim, you can dunk on it and even hang for a few seconds – so steady and sturdy.
It doesn’t matter what you fill your base with, sand or water, this rim is retractable.

BASE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY
Dimensions of this portable basketball hoop are 51″ x 34″, and it has a 34-gallon volume.
You can, of course, fill it with water, sand or even cement.
This one is built so that you can put sand bangs or bricks on it, so those are two more options.

SUPPORT POLE FEATURES
This one has a 3.5-Inch round angled pole that comes in three pieces.
It seems like good material, and I think that it could be rust-free at least the first four years.

Improve Hoops RATING: 7.5/10

Why choose a portable basketball hoop?

I don’t understand how someone who loves basketball and has a place for a portable basketball hoop, doesn’t have one. If you’re one of those, but looking for a change, here are all the answers about having this kind of hoop. Also, here’s the information and ratings about almost all good portable basketball hoops you can find right now.

Bonding with the family
There are plenty of benefits that a home hoop brings. Except for the obvious, playing the best sports ever, another thing is bonding with the family. You don’t need to go to school playground or a park with your boys just to shoot hoops. It’s better to do it at home, where you can right after going for a shower eat delicious dinner mom made.

Health benefits
Health benefits are also obvious because shooting hoops or even playing 1v1 or 2v2 burns a significant number of calories. If you’re a bit overweight, it could be a great solution to lose a few pounds.

Improving the game
If you’re a basketball player looking to upgrade your game, isn’t it better when you can practice it at home? Jump shot is one of the things you can practice even on a cheaper hoop. Shots off the backboard from the side might not be the same, but that’s only one aspect. With higher price range you get a better backboard and a better feel of the basket, so it’s like you’re in the gym, not at home.

How to choose a portable basketball hoop?

When choosing a portable basketball hoop, you need to ask yourself four questions:

1. Who’s going to use this hoop?

Is it for kids? Or for adults? Maybe for both? The hoops for adults will need to be much more stable and will require more space around the hoop. Also, it will need to have better off-set (a virtual distance between the backboard and the base) for more comfort when finishing around the rim. The backboard width for kids will usually be 48” and less, while teens and adults will enjoy 48” and higher.

2. What’s my budget?

Can you afford a basketball hoop that fits your needs? If you can’t, maybe you should consider playing on a public court. It’s the worst when people buy a cheap and not so stable hoop and think they’ll regularly play 3v3 on it and dunk on it like a pro. It just doesn’t work that way. It’s better to save some money and then buy a hoop. On the other hand, if you don’t care much about dunking and playing serious basketball, or you’re just looking to buy one for the kids, it’s not necessary for you to spend much money. Just go with some intermediate one like Silverback or Lifetime, and you’ll be fine.

3. What’s the size of my driveway/backyard?

Playing area and recommended backboard size:
1-Car Driveway: 44”, 48”, 54”
2-Car Driveway: 54”, 60”
3-Car Driveway: 60”, 72”
Dedicated Playing Area: 72”

4. Am I going to move this hoop often?

Unfortunately, not all portable hoops are portable enough. For some, you need two or three people to move it. If you’re going to move it often, it’s best to take a portable basketball hoop with 52” wide (or less) backboard.

What’s the cost of a portable basketball hoop?

The cost of this kind of hoop goes from around $100-$500 for kids’ and beginner models, to $450 and up for adults’ and advanced models. The price mostly depends on the material and the size of the backboard, as well as base size. With more expansive portable hoop you’ll get a more authentic feel of the game like you would in a gym.

If you have enough space in your backyard or driveway, it’s much better idea to buy a good basketball hoop that will last for years, and that can handle a little bit of dunking or even hang on the rim. The prices of portable basketball hoops in most cases actually match the quality of a hoop.

Considering that, it’s not hard to guess that the best hoop available in some normal price range would be Spalding Beast, but for half of that price and with 6“ smaller backboard you can get a solid basketball hoop from Lifetime that will also last for years. You just won’t get that pro feel when shooting the ball because and you’d be forbidden to hang on the rim even for a second. If you’re looking for a hoop for little kids, even the cheapest one can last at least for years.

Hidden costs
With every cost comes another cost, and that should be clear by now, but we can still take some steps to minimize it. Every of these hidden costs can be prevented; you just need to follow the instructions and buy a portable basketball that fits your needs.

The most common hidden cost is when base cracks and you need to get a new one. It usually happens when the water inside freezes or cars runs over it. The solution here is simple – don’t fill it with water but with sand, as the instructions say. Another common hidden cost is when a hoop falls over and damages the car inside the driveway or even hurts the guys around the basket. Then you need to repair both the hoop and the vehicle.

As time passes some of the mechanisms will wear out so you’ll need to replace them, but that’s only after a few years of consistent play.

Where to put a portable basketball hoop?

There are plenty of options, but most common ones include driveway, backyard and dedicated playing area close to the house. Avoid putting it on the streets. It’s better to put in in a backyard than in a driveway if you have a concrete area there. If you have kids under 8, the backyard is a better and safer option to stay far from cars and traffic.

Put it somewhere where you have a sufficient playing area available. Let there be space around the hoop for lay-ups and jump shots from every side of a basket. If the surface is sloped, adjust the height to match the surface. Make sure the hoop is far enough from the house if you don’t want to risk damaging windows.

Are portable basketball hoops safe?

Portable basketball hoops are safe as long as you follow the instructions and don’t act like a fool. If the instructions say that hanging on the rim is not allowed for kids over the age of 14, then don’t do it. And don’t allow your children to do it. These are the four rules that you must follow if having this kind of hoop:

Don’t place a hoop on a too sloped surface
If you have a hoop with 54“ backboard or less, don’t hang on the rim
Don’t put bricks or bags of cement on the top of a support base
If the hoop’s not visible for drivers to see, don’t place a hoop facing the street or on the street

If you have a smaller backboard, the construction (the support pole) is lighter, so the hoop is more sensitive to dunking and hanging on the rim.

This is especially critical for teens who are just starting to get stronger and bigger, but they don’t know it yet, and they still don’t have the feeling of control. The kids that age just don’t think about consequences. For them, it’s best to look for Spalding Beast or similar hoop and be without worries.

The bags of cement or weight on top of the base are one of the most common mistakes people make, and it’s a big one. You know why they do it? They don’t follow the instructions; they’re lazy to buy sand and do things right. And then when something happens, they blame the manufacturer.

Here are the best ways to secure portable basketball hoop from falling over.

Placing the hoop on the street can be dangerous if the drivers don’t respect speed limit in your street and if drivers can’t see the hoop (and the kids who play on it) when coming to their driveways. Some neighborhoods are not even allowing portable hoops on the streets because of the safety. Are portable basketball hoops easy to move?

What’s the proper way to fill out a support base?

This is one of the most common questions people ask when buying a portable basketball hoop. And the answer should be simple; fill it with sand or water, just like the manufacturers are recommending.

But sometimes people think they’re smartest in the whole world, so you’ll often see bricks on top of the base, cement inside or out, or weight bags on top. That are not brilliant options. It’s mostly a matter of safety because anything you put on top of the base can make a hoop tip over and cause injury. And that surely isn’t your goal. Proper ways:

Water
Sand (recommended)
Basegel

If you fill the base with water, you’ll have a solid total weight, but you’re risking freezing of the water (if you don’t winterize it well) or leaking if anything happens with a base. Leaking can again cause tipping over the hoop that can fall on children if they’re around.

The best choice is to use the professional recommendation and filling it with sand. It’s about 45% denser and heavier than water and this way you’ll get a good weight, safety, and pretty stable pole. The only downsides are that’s isn’t cheap like water and that you won’t be able to empty the base whenever you want.

BaseGel is an awesome option if you’re planning on having this hoop for years and don’t want to worry about freezing and the inconvenience of sand. A BaseGel will freeze if the temperature drops below 32 degrees F (0 degrees C) and then return to its initial state when the temperature rises above that number.