Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications
A basketball hoop can be a great way for both adults and kids to have fun and get some exercise at home, whether you like shooting a few free throws in your spare time or you're helping to train the next Luol Deng. However, finding the right one for your driveway, garden or other outdoor areas can be tricky, especially when there are so many options out there.
In this article, we take you through the most important considerations from backboard size to net material, so you'll be able to hit nothing but net with your purchase. Then, we’ll share our top ten mounted, portable, freestanding and adjustable hoops available on sites like Amazon, Argos and Decathlon. All you need to do is make sure you have the space to play!
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
There are several different styles and combinations of basketball hoops to get to know, so before we dive straight into the products, it’s worth reading the buying guide to find the one that best suits your needs.
The first and arguably most important consideration is the type of basketball hoop you’re going to purchase. There are three options – portable, mounted and in-ground. However, we’ll be just focusing on portable and mounted in this article, as in-ground hoops require a pricey installation that won't appeal to the average casual player.
Portable basketball hoops come in the form of standalone units with wheels. So, whether you’re playing in the garden on your own or on the street with friends, the hoop can easily be transported from location to location to facilitate the game.
They’re weighed down by their base, which usually has a capacity of between 65 and 115 litres and can be filled with either water or sand. You’ll get a sturdier set-up if you use sand, however, as it’s denser. Furthermore, if using water, you run the risk of the contents freezing overnight during winter, so you’ll want to put a little anti-freeze in there to ensure this doesn’t happen.
The downside for this style is that they require more space as the base takes up room, which might be troublesome if you’re only working with a small garden, patio or driveway.
These hoops are typically just a backboard and a rim that you attach to a structure such as a garage or an exterior wall of your home. They’re generally superior stability wise, as the wall is unlikely to topple over no matter how hard you’re throwing it down. Plus, they take up no floor space, so you can make a playing area out of almost anywhere.
However, this hoop is at a fixed height, which might be OK if only one person intends on playing, but perhaps not if you’d like it to be shared around the family. Not only that, but if attached to a particular wall in your house, anyone indoors will have to put up with both the bouncing and the ball hitting the wall frequently, which could become annoying.
Another feature of the backboard to take into consideration is its size. A professional backboard is around 187 cm wide, but sadly most portable and wall-mounted don’t go that large. Instead, they tend to range from 60 to 115 cm.
The top-end of these widths should be more than enough for sticking in a driveway or playing on the street. The smaller size may not be ideal but is a good option if you’re particularly short on space, for instance, if you want to attach it to the roof of a garage.
If you’re buying a portable hoop, then the chances are that the height will be adjustable. This flexibility means that they’re a good option for adults and children as they change to suit whoever needs the hoop. They’re also great for younger players who are still developing as they can grow into it.
Most hoops range in height from 2 to 3 m (6 to 10 ft), and to adjust, you will access a mechanism on the pole. There is a range of different systems for this, such as trigger handles, crank handle adjustments or broomstick adjustments, but they’re all simple to use and have the same outcome. It’s just a case of learning how it works.
Finally, what would a basketball be without its net? The ball falling through the rim and hitting nothing creates the extremely satisfying ‘swoosh’ that one dreams of replicating day in, day out. This noise is, of course, created by the net material. Nylon is the best plastic-based material for a home-use hoop.
There are also chain nets, but these are unlikely when buying a setup. Instead, they can be purchased once you’ve already got your gear. The reason some people opt for the chain is that it is more robust and less likely to wear down. However, they are prone to rust if exposed to rain, which isn't ideal in the UK.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Northern Stone Pro Court Adjustable Portable Basketball | £239.99 High Mid | The Best Across the Board | ||
2 | Lifetime Basketball Backboard and Rim Combo | £55.00 Mid | An Impressively Large Wall-Mounted Hoop Pt II | ||
3 | Dripex Portable Basketball Hoop | £135.99 High Mid | Get Up and Dunking Quicker With an Easy Assembly | ||
4 | Northern Stone Wall-Mount Basketball Hoop | £54.99 Mid | Shooting Practice Approved | ||
5 | Tarmak B700 | £299.99 High | For Those Who Like to Take It to the Hole | ||
6 | Tarmak Hoop 500 | £24.99 Low | A Unique Mounting Design to Entertain Kids Anywhere | ||
7 | Lifetime Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop | £169.99 High Mid | Get the Hoop to Match the American Aesthetic | ||
8 | Bee-Ball Basketball Hoop With Backboard|ZY-015 | £65.99 Mid | A Wall-Mounted Option That's Larger Than Most | ||
9 | Abree Kids Basketball Stand | £32.37 Low Mid | One for the Young Globetrotters | ||
10 | Sure Shot Basketball Hoop and Backboard | £58.98 Mid | For Ballers of Any Age |
Last but certainly not least, we have this portable option from Nothern Stone. The fact that it scores highly across the board for everything, including its quality-to-price ratio, is what gets it to the top spot.
For instance, the base capacity is a healthy 90 L, the backboard material and size (polyethene and 114 x 77 cm respectively) are both above very good. Plus, the adjustability has more range than any of the other hoops so everyone can have a go. A clear winner!
We searched high and low for these wall-mounted options with large backboards, and the best we found was this offering from Lifetime. It matches the largest freestanding hoop in our ranking, so although it might not provide the authentic feel of playing on a court, it's the closest the bank and the rim will come.
We also like that company provide a five-year warranty with their hoop. This inclusion gives us the indication that they're confident in the quality of their goods, which in turn gives us more confidence in their product.
Dripex has produced an excellent, portable hoop here. It comes with a decent base capacity of 65 L and adjustable height between 2.3 and 3.05 m, so slightly less than usual, but still plenty of flexibility. Besides that, the backboard size is on the larger side, measuring 110 x 72 cm.
Another feature we particularly like about the backboard is that it's manufactured using shatterproof polyethene, thus ensuring extra safety, even if an accident occurs. Also, while it does require assembly, it's very straightforward, so you can start enjoying it ASAP.
Nothern Stone is known for producing highly respected gear, and here we have one of their wall-mounted hoops. It's not the smallest nor the biggest hoop, so it could be a great choice for those who have a smaller space and are looking to practise their shooting rather than their whole game.
The backboard is moulded from UV-protected high-density polyethene plastic, ensuring that it should stand up no matter what the British weather throws at it. Plus, all the equipment for getting it up on the wall is included.
Another Tarmak option here, only this time it's their take on the traditional, portable hoop. It has to be said, this is a pretty impressive bit of kit, with the largest backboard size on our list as well as a 143 L base capacity for sturdiness. This means it'll be able to withstand rougher play than many other options.
Not only that, but it's adjustable between the usual ranges and is made of high-end polycarbonate. The only reason it doesn't make the top of the list is that it's a bit more expensive than many other similar products. Still, if you have the cash, we're sure you'd appreciate the quality.
The Hoop 500 from Tarmak is a little different to the other wall-mounted options in our ranking. In fact, it's not really wall-mounted. Instead, this hoop is attached via straps to a pole, tree or something of similar inclination. This makes it a great portable option for children as it can be taken anywhere, whether home or away.
Granted, it's not the best or hardiest hoop and backboard combo you'll ever play on, largely due to the polypropylene (standard plastic) material. That said, it's an affordable option that can be easily taken on the go to entertain those younger enthusiasts.
Here we have an excellent quality hoop from Lifetime. The adjustable height ranges from 2.2 to 3.04 m, which means that everybody from the youngsters to the adults can be training those free throws when the time comes to play one-on-one.
The blue and white decal is also really smart, and while this isn't overly important, it projects the perfect "American sports" aesthetic that's sure to look good in your driveway. The only issue is that the base capacity is on the lower side, so you'll want to be careful of being overly aggressive when driving to the basket.
Wall-mounted designs are generally on the smaller side, but this offering from Bee-Ball debunks that and comes in with a backboard measuring a very respectable 113 x 73 cm. Moreover, the piece is high-density polyethene, which provides an experience similar to that of professional-style hoops.
Additionally, all of the holes are predrilled in the product and it comes with the required fixings for mounting as well. However, people have found, even with these inclusions, that it can be troublesome to put up securely. Plus, it's on the expensive side for a wall hoop.
While many portable basketball hoops are for both younger and older players, you might be looking for one just for the kids. Hence, the inclusion of this number from Abree, which is recommended for children aged 1-12. As you'd imagine, the features, such as height adjustability, are on the lower side.
The only letdown is that the capacity of the base is not provided. While this might not seem much of an issue on first thought, there's a big difference between a 7-year-old and a 13-year-old in weight and height, so knowing how many kilos or litres it takes would be much safer.
First up in our ranking is this wall-mounted option from Sure Shot. This is the perfect basketball hoop for ballers of any age as the dimensions of the hoop are regulation size, so can accommodate the usual size 7 ball. Plus, it's known to be pretty sturdy.
Of course, when we say sturdy, that doesn't mean you should be hanging off it after dunking over your 11-year-old, but sturdy enough for a normal game. One downside is that it is rather expensive in comparison to other hoops of this type.
Looking for other ways to have fun and stay active at home? Check out more of our suggestions for the whole family, whether you've got the garden space for a full ping pong table or just a corner of the garage to work out in.
Before you can become a proficient three-point shooter, you need to put in practice. Hopefully, this article has offered you a convenient and helpful stepping stone into the world of basketball through a dedicated hoop for the home. Here's to being the next Steph Curry!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Northern Stone|Pro Court Adjustable Portable Basketball
No. 2: Lifetime|Basketball Backboard and Rim Combo
No. 3: Dripex|Portable Basketball Hoop
No. 4: Northern Stone|Wall-Mount Basketball Hoop
No. 5: Tarmak|B700
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications