The innovation of portable basketball hoop brings the arena at home, you are able to play basketball just at your backyard or on the driveway. It is just a substitution of the hoop at home, so the overall performance is not as good as those in court. The best performance type is, of course, tempered glass one, but the price is much higher. If you want one that plays like a pro but does not have enough budget, you may consider the best acrylic portable basketball hoop.
Acrylic portable basketball hoop ranks middle either in price or hardness among polycarbonate type and tempered glass type. So what are the exact differences between them and which kinds of acrylic portable basketball hoops are worth buying? In this article, we will solve all your problems. In addition, we provide the best acrylic portable basketball hoop review for you to choose.
Picking the Best Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop
Advantages of Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop
Most intermediate or professional players would like to get a high-quality acrylic portable basketball hoop because they are much harder than polycarbonate types, thus giving rebounding effects in playing. Some believe polycarbonate portable basketball hoops are a kind of toy, but tempered glass is too expensive. In such conditions, an acrylic portable basketball hoop becomes the best and the only choice.
If you want one that looks real, choose one acrylic backboard with a little graphic. Thus unless you play or touch it near the backboard, it looks just the same as glass in a court or gym.
Anyway, the best acrylic portable basketball hoop is able to meet your demands on price, appearance, and rebounding effects. That is also the reason for their hot selling.
What Are Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop Price?
Acrylic portable basketball hoop price is normally cheaper than glass type and more expensive than polycarbonate type. Its price range is also the biggest. For a high level, acrylic portable basketball hoop price reaches around $800, while you can also buy one for only $200.
For different levels of acrylic types, their performance varies largely. One with a high price, of course, has good performance just like Spalding Hybrid hoops. As for the cheap type, if you aim to get one for entertainment, then you can choose from them.
The 3 Best Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoops Review
Acrylic portable basketball hoop price ranges normally from $400-$800, at each price level, the working performances of them are different. Here we divided them into high level, mid-level, and low level. In each level, we selected the best one so you can choose according to your needs:
High-Level Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop – Spalding NBA Hybrid Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 54 inch |
| Backboard Material | Acrylic |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Arena Slam breakaway rim |
| Base | 40 gallons |
This acrylic portable basketball hoop has a 54-inch backboard, it is pretty wide among portable types and thus offers more chances on a bank shot. Its acrylic backboard enables to get more rebounding effect in playing.
Main Features:
1. Ultimate Hybrid Base
Unlike traditional portable basketball hoops, this type has an ultimate hybrid base that enables 200 lbs of sand or gravel and 19 gallons of water. You need just to fill the lower part with water and the upper part with sand. The removable lid serves as a front cover for the rebounder also. Through such design, moving it can be an easy task, remove sand away and you can push it around easily.
2. Arena-Style Breakaway Rim
If you are fond of dunking actions, this acrylic portable basketball hoop meets your demand. Double springs covered by steel metal protect the hoop on the monstrous dunk. But for its service life, we still suggest less dunking actions with it.
Pros:
- Equipped with breakaway rim, enabling monstrous dunk
- Shake just slightly
- Sturdy and has nice bounce to it
- Nice quality
- Height adjustment crank works pretty well
Cons:
Bad instruction
Mid Level Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop – Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 54 inch |
| Backboard Material | Acrylic |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Arena Slam breakaway rim |
| Base | 40 gallons |
This is another Spalding portable basketball hoop. Acrylic backboard equipped, of course. Look at the appearance, the backboard is designed so clearly, that only the NBA logo is set. And the size of the portable basketball hoop is also 54 inches, giving you the feel and look of a pro.
Main Features:
1. Arena Slam Breakaway Rim
The same as the Hybrid portable basketball hoop, this one has also a breakaway rim, the strong orange steel rim and all-weather nylon net are able to support the big attack of the dunking movement.
2. Easy height adjustment
The ages and heights of players at home are various, in order to make it suit the need of every player, this acrylic portable basketball hoop is capable of adjusting the height from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments. Thanks to its screw jack lift system, lowing and raising up hooks become quite easy,
3. Angled pole
Most Spalding portable basketball hoops are designed into an angled pole, it turns out to be more sturdy and stable than the conventional straight type, reducing wiggling in playing to a large extent. Any cons? Well, it adds difficulty in transferring it. You may need a partner on moving it around. The front cover is used as a rebounder in playing, it helps to reduce the frequency of picking up balls all the time.
Pros:
- Quite stable, no hanging on the rim
- The hoop is solid in all sorts of bad weather
- Easy to lower or raise through the crank
- Great quality, no wobble
- Nice instructions
Cons:
- Requires two-person on installing and takes about 4-5 hours
- Difficult to move once filling in with water or sand
- Difficult to pull the main pole together
Primary Level Portable Basketball Hoop – Lifetime 90023 Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 44 inch |
| Backboard Material | Acrylic |
| Height | 8-10 feet |
| Rim | Classic rim |
This portable basketball hoop is regarded as the most cost-effective type. It has the lowest price among acrylic portable basketball hoops, and its overall performance meets the demand of daily recreation perfectly.
In terms of its acrylic backboard, it is quite hard and brings some rebounding effects, not as good as others though. The 44-inch backboard size is a bit small, but for family entertainment, it is enough. The whole backboard is clear, all the graphics on it are UV protected and resist fade even for a long time.
Main Features:
1.Easy height adjustment
This acrylic portable basketball hoop is able to adjust the height from 8 to 10 feet, all you need is to get a broomstick or post, push it upward, and then it becomes a hoop for higher-level players to play. With an easy operation height adjustment system, you can improve your shooting skills step by step.
2.Classic rim
One reason for its cheap price is the classic rim, it means no springs are added to it. Thus if you try any dunking movement, it is easily get broken. So for getting one on practicing your dunking skills, you may find one best portable basketball for dunking, or to practice on the court.
In a word, this is a simple designed acrylic portable basketball hoop that meets the basic needs of beginners or intermediate players. If you intend to get one to improve your skills like professionals, you may choose a middle-level or high-level type. But for family entertainment, this is perfect.
Pros:
- Pole is offset a good distance from the backboard
- Pretty sturdy for regular play
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to adjust the height
- Excellent quality
Cons:
- A bit difficult in filling the sand
- Poor instructions
Difference Between Glass and Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop
Tempered glass portable basketball hoops
Tempered glass portable basketball hoop is the most ideal one for professional players, they are the same as hoops in the court or gym. The rebounding effects are the best. However, the biggest cons of glass portable basketball hoop are that it is easily broken. Once you tripped it down, then the next thing you shall do is definitely to change a new backboard, which is pretty expensive. And you may get many scraps on the glass backboard if not careful in assembling.
Acrylic portable basketball hoops
Acrylic portable basketball hoop, however, is a bit weaker than tempered glass type in rebounding effects. But they are harder and stronger. It is not easily broken unless you give harsh force manually.
Major difference
What’s more, the main difference between the two types is of course price. Glass portable basketball hoops are more expensive, reaching around $1000, while acrylic portable basketball hoops are cheaper, and price levels are different based on performance.
By the way, till now, Spalding is the only brand that produces glass portable basketball hoops, thus if you intend to get a glass one, try Spalding.
The Benefits of Acrylic Backboard
Acrylic is good since it is cheaper making it affordable to every consumer in terms of savings. The processing of acrylic is easier because you can drill, mill, polish, and bend without any challenge. If it is maintained regularly it will last for long years, making it durable. It has a transparency property which makes it shine rather than discoloring when exposed to sunlight.
Acrylic Versus Tampered Glass
Acrylic has higher strength than tampered glass because when it is exposed to high strains, it does not shatter, and also it is not subjected to vandalism easily.
It is made up of soft material in that when objects such as rocks are thrown at it, it bounces back and cannot be damaged.
Due to its soft material, it is light hence making it portable. It is easily molded into a variety of shapes when heated to 100 degrees Celsius. It retains its color when exposed to sunlight since it has a weather resistance property.
Acrylic Versus Polycarbonate
Acrylic is not stronger than polycarbonate because it is vulnerable to cracks and scratches when drilled. Acrylic is less resistant to chemicals hence should not be cleaned with harsh chemicals such as ammonia-based sprays.
What Should You Know About Acrylic Glass?
The durability of Acrylic Glass
Acrylic is lasted approximately 10 to 30 years, depending on its property. Due to its weather resistance, it will withstand a high level of ultraviolet light, saltwater spray, extreme cold, and high temperatures changes without losing its lustra. It is also resistant to dirt and mold growth hence making it more durable.
Strength of Acrylic Glass
Acrylic has a transparent building material that withstands high pressures and hence can be used for yacht windows and aquariums in marine museums. It is also resistant to chemicals both in organic acids and bases, although natural substances can dissolve them, especially petroleum products.
The thermal conductivity is even lower, making it perform better. It is always perfect for creating other products since it is flexible and easily molded into different shapes.
Discoloration of Acrylic
Acrylic material is hardly affected by sunlight; hence it does not turn yellow because it is made up of natural gas and when in solid form it is completely inert.
Reasons As to Why Acrylic is So Expensive
Acrylic is considered to be so expensive because it is more durable, and it is much stronger than other types of glass. Its lightness prosperity makes it to be expensive despite being able to withstand weight from other objects and more pressure.
Attention
The acrylic backboard is more sturdy than glass but still needs careful protection in use. Do not scrape the backboard with hard things like stone or knife. And for your safety, remember to fill in the base with enough water or sand before assembling.
Summary
| High Level | Spalding NBA Hybrid Portable Basketball System |
| Mid Level | Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System |
| Primary Level | Lifetime 90023 Portable Basketball System |
Each of the recommended acrylic portable basketball hoops has its own features, you should buy one based on your actual needs and budget. If you want to know more details, please check freely on Amazon.
