Basketball Backboard Choices

When the weather turns from winter to spring, it's time to get outdoors again and get moving - and a basketball backboard is great incentive to get much-needed exercise in a fun way.

When considering a basketball backboard for your home, however, there is no shortage of choices.  You could say there are a few too many choices out there when you consider the number of products currently on the market, thanks to the likes of Lifetime Basketball, Spalding Basketball and many other contenders in the basketball backboards industry.

Before deciding on one model or another, it's imperative to go over a few key points to guide your buying decision.  Here are just a few ideas to consider.  First off, let's consider the type of basketball goals you can buy.  Choose one which makes the most sense for your budget, your overall goals in buying a basketball backboard, and quality issues.

Types of Basketball Backboards

There are really three main ways to enjoy the game of basketball in the home, with three overall models of basketball hoops you can purchase.

1. Portable basketball hoops are the most common, most accessible and possibly the least worrisome.  They come in many price ranges but also come in various levels of quality, with Spalding and Lifetime being two main companies producing some great products.
2. Wall-Mount basketball hoops are not as convenient in the sense that they are permanent structures, or should be considered as such.  They are convenient in that they don't need to have a pole to assemble, but inconvenient in that they require holes to be drilled in a wall and as such are not adjustable by nature, unlike the other types.
3. In-Ground basketball backboards are also a permanent structure, but they can be adjusted in height like the portable basketball systems.  As for convenience, they are the least convenient to set up with concrete work and possibly building permits required (same for wall-mounted hoops in some areas) - but they are considered the highest quality in terms of stability and "slam-dunkage" for lack of a better term.

Which Basketball Backboard is Best?

This is a question that cannot be answered by anyone but yourself.  Some enjoy the ease of setting up a wall-mount system, and as a young boy, I can attest they're just as fun as the other two.  But consider the damage to an external wall that is done, and possible damage with water intrusion into a wall.  All things considered, so long as installation is conducted carefully, and the holes where the backboard is fastened to the wall are sealed properly, this is a moot point.

Nonetheless, these are considerations with a wall-mount basketball hoop.

With a portable backboard, the drawback is that many teenagers (and some grown ups!) like to slam-dunk like Kobe or Shaq (or whomever you root for), and a portable basketball backboard won't be the best in terms of stability unless a hefty price is paid (portable systems range from under $100 to over $10,000).

However, you can find great systems like those from Spalding Basketball, Goalrilla or Lifetime (especially their Mammoth systems).  These systems can withstand a lot of punishment, come with glass backboards in many cases or acrylic, and have a genuine feel of an NBA backboard.

Portable basketball hoops are known for being convenient since they can be moved where needed, and set up easily.  They're also adjustable, and affordable as a wall-mount system in many cases.  Are they the "best" basketball backboard for your needs?  Only you can decide.

In-ground basketball goals have very little drawbacks, except they are permanent, require manual labor to set up (digging a hole and setting concrete) - and as such, cannot be moved if the family moves from one home to another.  They also tend to be more expensive than other systems by nature, but like anything - you can find in-ground systems in your price range.

Various Adjustment Systems

Another consideration in buying a basketball backboard is in their adjustment mechanisms.  Wall-mounted systems are usually not adjustable, but the other forms (in-ground and portable) are usually adjustable in height.  This mechanism differs in quality and brand, price range and convenience.

The "best" type would be hydraulic adjustments, usually found in upper-crust basketball systems like Goalrilla, Lifetime's upper echelon series, Spalding and Mammoth systems.  There are others to note, but the point here is that if you want the best money can buy, you want a hydraulic adjustment system.

Other types of adjustment would include a pin and various fixed holes along the shaft - the only issue being that the backboard can get heavy and cumbersome to adjust with one person.  There is also a common screw-jack adjustment, where the upper shaft rides a large screw of sorts and a nut is turned to adjust the height.

These other systems are a bit more cumbersome to use, but they're effective and save money.

Quality and Warranty For Basketball Backboards

Like anything purchased, clues in quality come from the various warranties that can be found - is the product only guaranteed for 90 days?  Keep your money.  Look for 5 year warranties or better - by then you would have made your money back and then some.

Look for brand names - Spalding is one of my favorites since I've been playing on them all my life, but Lifetime basketball goals are great products, as are Goalrilla and Lifetime's own Mammoth systems.

Best Place to Buy Basketball Backboards

Personally, I like to shop online for most major purchases, and when it comes to basketball goals, I'd say Amazon is one of the better buying experiences I've had for their money savings in most cases, and you don't pay the sales tax in most states.

If you have an Amazon Prime account, you get free shipping on most purchases, too - so that's further savings from other outlets.  Of course there are other places to shop online, but I trust Amazon with most of my own purchases for their quality customer service.

Wherever you buy your basketball backboard, you now have a few more choices to consider when buying them.  Enjoy years of service by selecting from top name brands (trust me on that!) and steer clear of cheap knockoffs.