Doing exercise has been an essential thing to do every day for most of the people, and among all sorts of sports, basketball is one the most popular one. We play basketball with friends or family on the weekends, participate in basketball races, and do the practice.
Playing basketball games at home is a new trend now, with the best portable basketball hoops, you can play it anywhere you want, no matter in your backyard or your driveway. For some small type as door mounted, you can even play it indoor.
There are many factors you need to consider on choosing best portable basketball hoops for driveway, so here we made a detailed review for you as follow:
Quick Pick on the Best Portable Basketball Hoops For Driveway
Types 0f Driveway Basketball Hoops
There are two main types of driveway basketball hoops, one is in-ground basketball hoops, while the other is portable basketball hoops.
The in-ground type uses cement to fix the whole hoop on the ground, it is more stable and wiggles less in playing. From all aspects of its performance, in-ground basketball hoops are more likely those in courts or in the gyms. Cons of it are, of course, unmovable, once it is installed, you can hardly move it away. And the price of which is a bit more expensive than portable types.
Portable basketball hoops for the driveway, however, meet your demand for moving it into the garage for storage. Because of its free mobility, you are free to roll it either in your garden or other places for playing. The stability of it is lower than in-ground types, but the price of it is more affordable to most of the families.
If you want to get more detailed information on the difference between them, you can check out through our review.
On choosing which exactly you need for your driveway basketball hoop, you may choose according to your needs and budget.
Best Portable Basketball Hoops For Driveway Reviews
1. Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 44 inch |
| Backboard Material | Polycarbonate |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Classic rim |
This one can be regarded as a perfect portable basketball hoop for the driveway, stable structure and all-weather resistant parts keep it lasts long for outdoor use.
It has a polycarbonate backboard, which is highly durable, it is virtually unbreakable even when it tips down. Little graphic on it shows clear sights on your driveway. There are also many other colors of graphics that you can choose, each of them is printed by fade-resistant ink.
For different ages and levels of players, you can adjust its height through a telescoping height adjustment mechanism. But the operation of it is a bit difficult, before doing it, remember to tilt the whole thing down.
3 piece steel pole is also made all-weather resistant. For sturdiness, you need to fill enough water or sand in the base. If you live somewhere windy, you can put extra sand or stone on it for safety.
Anyway, it is a highly cost-effective type that is pretty affordable.
Pros:
- Superior strength and durability
- Easy to assemble
- Backboard is sturdy
- All weather-resistant material
Cons:
- The filler hols is quite small
- The water or sand in the base makes it hard to lift
- Hoops does not have spring, not suitable for dunking
2. Spalding 66291 Pro Slam Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 54 inch |
| Backboard Material | Acrylic |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Pro Slam breakaway rim |
| Base | 34 gallons |
This portable basketball hoop is the cheapest one among Spalding products, but overall performance is still far worth its price. If you want an acrylic backboard for driveway use, you may consider this one.
This hoop has a 54-inch acrylic backboard, though not sturdy as polycarbonate, but shows far better rebounding effect. The 54-inch large size also gives you more chances of bank shots. An authentic steel board pad is set to protect the backboard.
If you worried about it tips down by the strong wind, its 34 gallons base keeps it sturdy all the time, you can fill either water or sand in it. If you live somewhere cold, remember to add anti frozen with water or just fill in the sand for substitution.
Height of this hoop is also adjustable, from 7.5 to 10 feet, you can adjust the one you want in 6-inch increments through the handle, it operates so easy that even small kids are able to do this.
Pros:
- Excellent quality
- Heavy-duty, stable
- Portable and height adjustable
- Easy to raise
Cons:
- None of the hardware is labeled
- Takes about 6 hours on assembling
3. 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 |
If you are pro players who intend to improve your basketball skills at your driveway, but lack of enough money on tempered glass type, you can choose this type.
It has a 54-inch acrylic backboard, the same as Spalding 66291 type we have recommended before. From the appearance, it has no different from professional tempered glass type. Only the NBA logo printed on it, clear backboard gives you the best sight of your driveway.
Unlike other portable basketball hoops brands, Spalding has always adopted the angled pole to increase steadiness. Its arena slam breakaway rim enables dunking movement, steel cover outside springs protects them from being corroded.
What features most is the front cover, it serves as a rebounder in-game, prolonging game time and also guarantee safety. 44 gallons large capacity base ensures stability even in complicated weather conditions.
Pros:
- Quite stable, no hanging on the rim
- The hoop is solid in all sorts of bad weathers
- 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
4. Lifetime 90023 Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 44 inch |
| Backboard Material | Acrylic |
| Height | 8-10 feet |
| Rim | Classic rim |
If you want a cost-effective portable basketball hoop for the driveway, and also uses it for family recreation. Then the Lifetime 90023 series will be on your bet.
The backboard size is pretty small, only 44 inches, but meets the demand for recreation use. Acrylic material gives you chances of better rebounding effects. It is printed by fade-resistant ink, even for long-time use, it still keeps new.
The height adjustment range of this driveway portable basketball hoop is from 8 to 10 feet, it adopts a broomstick adjustment mechanism. With the help of a broomstick or a post, even a small kid can do it well.
It is equipped with classic rim, so we do not suggest dunking movement on it for safety. 3 piece round steel pole is offset a good distance from the backboard. The biggest cons of it are poor instructions, which means you need to read it carefully before assembly if you still have a problem with doing it, videos on Amazon will help you out.
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
5. Spalding 68454 NBA Portable Basketball System
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 54 inch |
| Backboard Material | Glass |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Arena Slam breakaway rim |
| Base | 40 gallons |
This Spalding portable basketball hoop is regarded as a recommended portable basketball hoop for a driveway because of its large base and sturdy structure.
What attracts most is its tempered glass backboard, which makes it the best choice for professional players. You can freely practice your basketball skills with this hoop. A large 54-inch backboard gives more bank shots.
Fond of dunking movement? Well, its area slam breakaway rim protects springs in the rim from being corroded, and double compression springs enable hard dunk, but not too frequently for its service life.
Its three-piece four-inch square pole also adds its sturdiness. In terms of height adjustment, for youth or beginner use, you can adjust it to a minimum height of 7.5 feet. Behind pole set a screw jack, by turning it to a certain direction, you are able to raise it up to a maximum height of 10 feet high.
Pros:
- The glass backboard gives more realistic for shooting and rebounding especially for professional players
- Pretty solid
- Brilliant system
- All the nuts and bolts are heavy-duty
Cons:
- A bit hard on raising and lowering the hoop
- Takes about 4 hours on assembling
6. Lifetime 1221 Portable Basketball Hoop
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Backboard Size | 44 inch |
| Backboard Material | Polycarbonate |
| Height | 7.5-10 feet |
| Rim | Black standard classic rim |
This one is listed as the sixth-best portable basketball hoop for the driveway for its backboard. Actually overall performance of its is quite the same as Lifetime 1269 type, but unlike a clear backboard, this one is covered with graphics.
It has a small inch polycarbonate backboard, reaching only 44 inches. For its cheap price, you may not expect its rebounding effects. But still, it is pretty sturdy, virtually unbreakable in different conditions.
The graphic printed on the backboard is made by fade-resistant ink, even for long-time use, it still keeps new. If you find the clear backboard showing driveway sights so disturbing in playing, then you can choose this one.
With the telescoping mechanism, you can also adjust its height from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6-inch increments, fits the demand of all levels, and nearly all ages use. However, its base is quite light, so you can put extra sandbag or stone on it in bad weather.
Pros:
- Simple to set up
- Height is fairly adjustable
- Unbeatable price
Cons:
- The plastic base is thin and backboard is too light
- The ball bounces off the base easily
Apart from this, there are also many other factors that needs consider before buying, here we offer some tips for you as follow:
Factors to Consider on Choosing Best Portable Basketball Hoops for Driveway
1. Price
For different backboard material and performance in playing, the price of each portable basketball hoops can be different. If you are a beginner or just want to get a portable basketball hoop for daily recreation, then you can get a cheap one. On the other hand, for pro players who intend to improve basketball skills, getting a cheap one is kind of a waste of money, so you can get one expensive type.
2. Mobility
As the name suggests, portable basketball hoops can be moved away, but not all the hoops are easy to move especially when they are filled with large capacity sand or water. Angled pole tends to be more difficult in moving than straight type.
3. Backboard materials
As we know, there are altogether three types of backboard materials, tempered glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate. Among them, tempered glass is the most pro and most expensive one, thus if you are a beginner, there is no need for getting such an expensive type. Polycarbonate or acrylic types are both suitable for daily recreation, and acrylic shows better performance on bank shots and rebounding effects.
4. Weathers
If you intend to get the best portable basketball hoop for the driveway, the weather is an essential factor you need to consider. If you live somewhere that is frequent windy or cold, then you should consider getting a large capacity base type, or a polycarbonate type, for it is more durable. And remember to add sand instead of water in case of it getting frozen.
5. Your needs
Portable basketball hoops for the driveway are not a necessity for each family, thus when you decide to buy it, you should make clear of your needs. Whether you want one for kids or for adults, for beginner recreation or for pro players daily training? After making clear of your needs, then you can decide one through performance.
Attention:
- When it has strong wind outside, remember to roll it into your garage for storing. Or you can adjust its height to a minimum level, gravity will help keep its sturdy in bad weather.
- As portable basketball hoops for driveway need to face complicated outdoor weathers, check them out frequently. See if there are any rugs, corrosion, or break elements that need to be repaired. A detailed maintenance method can be found in our review.
Summary
| Best | Type |
| Overall best performance for its price | Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Height Adjustable Portable Basketball System |
| Most affordable Spalding type | Spalding 66291 Portable Basketball System |
| Best worth buying type | Spalding NBA Portable Basketball System |
| Best cost-effective type | Lifetime 90023 Portable Basketball System |
| Best tempered glass type | Spalding 68454 NBA Portable Basketball System |
| Cheapest type for daily recreation | Lifetime 1221 Portable Basketball Hoop |
If you want to know more about the information about product specifications or want to know the updated price, please feel free to check out on Amazon.
