Basketball becomes more and more popular over the years.
This has made almost every little kid want to learn how to play the sport. Most often than not, these kids get so inspired by their favorite athletes and want to be just like them when they grow up. Whether they aspire to be the next LeBron or want to become a part of the WNBA, their journey towards their goal begins in their very own homes. Even teens and adults want to learn this sport as well and of course, they need something to practice with.
It’s not new to any of us that when one wants to learn the sport they need to learn how to do various moves and skills and dunking is one of the most essential skills to have and improve over time. In order to learn how to dunk one must have the right equipment for it. A durable and strong basketball hoop is required for this skill to be honed. As consumers, we need to be observant of the parts that the hoop has, especially the rim. The rim is where players heavily rely on when it comes to dunking.
If the rim is not the breakaway type and doesn’t have springs installed in them, then expect the rim to break into itty bitty pieces when dunked on.
This is why we are gladly introducing you to our list of the best basketball hoops for dunking! You may scroll down further to see a more detailed review of each hoop.
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On November 18, 2021
Spalding “The Beast”
- One of the most stable portable basketball hoops in the market
- A highly durable basketball system
- Materials are made out of premium quality
- Professional grade
- Performance is great. The backboard doesn’t shake when the ball makes contact to it
- Construction is solid
- Holds up well even when exposed to UV-rays
Performance-wise, you will not be disappointed. You won’t have to worry about part breaking or fading because they are all made from high-quality products. This basketball hoop is portable, high-quality, and is best known for its durability and strong structural integrity. Go on and give this beast a try and see for yourself!
What Makes This Our #1 Product?
Here’s a video review on the Spalding “The Beast”:
The 6 Best Basketball Hoops for Dunking
Here are our six choices for the best basketball hoops for dunking:
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dunkable Rim
Players of all ages are amazed at how professional NBA players get to do monstrous dunks on the court. It’s not surprising that people replicate these moves at home. With that being said, it’s not that easy to dunk on just any rim you see at home or in your suburban courts. Usually, when people don’t choose the rims they practice on they tend to injure themselves and break their equipment.
These are the following structural factors you need to check when purchasing a dunkable hoop:
- Check the gauge of the steel if it’s too thin or weak
- Check the extension arms if they’re thick enough
- Check the anchoring system and see if it’s strong enough
- Check the thickness of the backboard (the thicker the better)
- Check the rim mounting technique if it’s substandard or not
Rim Types
There are two basic types of rims: rigid and breakaway.
The classic rim or also referred to as a rigid goal is a type of rim that is fully welded and does not move or flex when a player dunks on the rim. These are typically used for outdoor play (driveways and backyards) or indoor play (if the indoor facility is on a tight budget).
The latter rim type on the other hand is called the breakaway rim. This type of rim flexes when a player exerts force onto the rim. There are two sub-categories for this type of rim: the “true breakaway” and the flex rim. The true breakaway rim only flexes when a certain amount of force is put on the rim and reverts back to its position when the force is no longer present. Many consumers prefer and still use this type of hoop. While the flex rim is a popular choice as well and will yield pressure when applied. This rim can be pulled down with less force compared to a breakaway rim. The flex rim also has two types of style: 180 and standard. The standard style only fleeces downward while the 180 flexes from side-to-side and downwards as well.
It’s obvious that breakaway and flex rims are better than the rigid ones so we encourage players to buy basketball systems with these types of rims.
Environment
Not everyone is aware that the environment you play in is an important aspect to consider when choosing the appropriate rim. We have to identify where you’re going to use your rims, would it be used for indoors or outdoors? For outdoor use, look for rims that are maintenance-free and heavy-duty so that it can withstand harsh elements and unsupervised play. For indoor use, people usually go for rims that are breakaway and flex types with a 180-style. This would meet the criteria for high-level competition.
Mounting
In the industry of basketball manufacturing, most brands make two types of mounting patterns: 5’’ x 4’’ and 5’’ x 5’’. Indoor goals are 5’’ x 4’’ and outdoor goals are 5’’ x 5’’. These are measurements that refer to the space/distance of the holes on the backboard that you use to mount the rim.
After knowing what type of rim you’re going for, now we can proceed to our list of the best basketball hoops for dunking.
Overview Of The 6 Best Basketball Hoops For Dunking
1. Spalding “The Beast”
- 4.1/5 rating
- Dimensions: 54 – inch
- Backboard: Tempered Glass (Elite Rebound)
- Height: 7.5 – 10 ft
- Rim: Steel pro image rim
- Pole Size: 4’’ square pole
2. Lifetime 71522
- 4.1/5 rating
- Backboard Size: 54’’ x 33’’
- Backboard Material: Acrylic
- Backboard Type: Steel-framed acrylic
- Height: 7.5 – 10 feet
- Adjustment Type: Power-Lift
- Rim: Slam-It Pro
- Pole: 3.5 round; 3-piece
- Warranty: 5-Year Limited
3. Silverback NXT
- 4.5/5 rating
- Backboard Size: 54 inches
- Backboard: Infinity Edge acrylic backboard
- Height: 7.5’ – 10’ with all-steel actuator and lock height adjustment option
- Mounting hardware NOT included
- Warranty: 5-year limited
4. Lifetime 71524 XL
- 4.4/5 rating
- Backboard Size: 54 inches
- Backboard: Steel Framed Shatterproof
- Backboard Surface: Polycarbonate
- Height: 7.5 – 10 feet
- Support Pole: 3.5 inches
- Warranty: 5 Year Limited
5. Spalding Hybrid Basketball Hoop
- 4.1/5 rating
- Backboard Size: 54 inches
- Backboard: Steel board frame with aluminum trim
- Backboard Material: Tempered Glass and Acrylic Board with arena-style padding
- Height: 7.5 – 10 feet
- Support Pole: 4’’ inch
- Offset: 16-inches
- Base: Ultimate Hybrid Base; 19-gallons or 4 50 pounds of sand
6. Spalding NBA 180 Breakaway Over-The-Door Mini Basketball Hoop
- 4.2/5 rating
- Backboard Size: 28.125’’ x 16.4’’
- Backboard: Polycarbonate with arena-style padding
- Padded over-the-door bracket
- Rim: 180° breakaway rim
- Designed for indoor play (but can also be used for outdoors)
- Backed by Spalding’s warranty
6 Best Basketball Hoops For Dunking
1. Spalding “The Beast”
4.1/5 Overall Rating
Pros:
One of the most stable portable basketball hoops in the market Durable Premium quality Professional grade
Expensive
What do most people think of this product?
The top products won’t be complete without the most known brand in the basketball industry, Spalding! This brand is more focused on the professional players and for people who want to take their skills to a whole new level. Since this brand is popular and is NBA approved, don’t expect products here that are low-cost. Almost all their high-quality basketball hoops are worth a fortune. Stick around to know more about the Spalding The Beast Glass Portable Basketball Hoop.
The backboard material is made from tempered glass, this type of material is commonly used in professional basketball hoops such as the NBA and NCAA. Unlike polycarbonate boards that scratch easily and fade due to being exposed to the sun too much, the tempered glass is the complete opposite. They look sleeker and last longer too, in terms of cleanliness. The weight is just a little sacrifice that you have to put up with since it is quite heavy, but rest assured, you’ll get to practice your layups and bank shots better with this board.
To complement the nice backboard would be a breakaway rim, which is perfect for enduring those monstrous dunks. The net is weather-resistant too. For that soft touch experience that is what the compression springs are for. Adjusting the height is quite flexible too, with the screw jack lift system, it allows the backboard to be adjusted with infinite heights between 7.5’ to 10’.
The Powermove Base of The Beast is the most expensive one in the market to date. With 40-gallons you can fill that up with sand or water and get a very stable base which makes up a stable basketball hoop overall. We recommend using sand over water though. Like most people, they don’t want to deal with leaks. And it’s equipped with 4 wheels too for easy portability.
From the reviews we read, the assembly time of this portable basketball hoop took a couple of hours, nonetheless, they were left completely satisfied with the build.
If you’re the type of player who wants to heat things up a bit and go towards a more professional approach to the game, then this portable basketball hoop will be a perfect buy. You have to have the money for this because right off the bat they are really expensive. But, expect nothing but the best from Spalding. They made this product pricey because it is absolutely “a beast” after all.
Performance-wise, you will not be disappointed. You won’t have to worry about part breaking or fading because they are all made from high-quality products. This basketball hoop is portable, high-quality, and is best known for its durability and strong structural integrity. Go on and give this beast a try and see for yourself!
2. Lifetime 71522
4.1/5 Overall Rating
Pros: Acrylic material is strong Wheels on the base make portability easier Dual compression springs on the rim Power-lift adjustment Warranty
Limited base capacity 3-piece support system is not strong and durable enough
What do most people think of this product?
It’s expected that we will never seem to run out of Lifetime products on our lists. Hoops from this brand will always seem to exceed our expectations and all this for an affordable price. Now, moving onto the features of the hoop. This model has a 54-inch steel-framed acrylic backboard with an adjustable height mechanism called Power-Lift. This lets the user raise or lower the height from 7.5 to 10 feet with infinite increments. It also includes Slam-It Pro rim and attached to it is an all-weather net and a 3.5’’ diameter round steel pole. The bottom part of the hoop has a 35-gallon base with wheels which can be moved to any desired location.
Let’s move on to the deeper details of each feature. The Acrylic backboard comes in second as the most durable material used for boards. Actually, most of Lifetime’s cheap basketball hoops’ boards are made from Polycarbonate and luckily this one is made out of a stronger material. The size is more than enough to satisfy players of all ages. The steel-frame that hugs the borders of the board prolongs the life of the system. Another good thing about the board is it has padding at the bottom of the system which protects players from injuries.
This time we’re going to talk about the main star of this review which is the Slam-It Pro rim. This is made out of solid steel and comes with two compression springs and the best part? Unlike other Lifetime models that have exposed springs, the Lifetime 71522 has a metal cover to keep the compression springs protected and prolong its life. The rim was designed for players who love to play rough and the compression springs protect the players from injuring themselves because the spring bounces back once it’s released.
The downside of this hoop is its reliance on the 3-piece support system. This type of support is usually found in cheap basketball hoops so this means that this model is prone to shaking when basketball hits the system when in use. Another thing that could’ve made this hoop a whole lot better is if the capacity of the base were to be 40-gallons instead of 35. This way tipping will be prevented.
Overall, another great hoop with an affordable price tag. Pros outweigh the cons and we assure you that this hoop will not let you down when it comes to handling those monstrous dunks.
3. Silverback NXT
4.5/5 Overall Rating
Pros: High-quality acrylic material Large backboard size Spring activated breakaway rim Powder-coated spring construction Backboard is sturdy Height adjustment is a breeze Assembling is easy, quick & simple Instructions are clear High-quality parts
Some parts are mislabeled Does not include mounting hardware Assembly is a two person job
What do most people think of this product?
We chose the Silverback NXT as the best overall basketball hoop among all the other items in the list because we believe that this monstrous beast performs so well, it’s a good bang for your buck, stable, durable, and overall just a really great hoop. We’ll tell you exactly why this product is superb.
The backboard has these cool features, the backboard itself is an Infinity Edge backboard. It has a wrap-around perimeter that gives increased sturdiness, it appears to be virtually unbreakable, and the size is quite large, it measures up to 50’’W x 33’’H.
Due to the great stability, the Infinity Edge offers more rebound action to the players which makes the game more enjoyable. The support brackets are directly connected to the board itself, so it’s a pretty nice touch that this brand made so that people don’t have to deal with those annoying vibrations that make the whole basketball hoop shake. And according to the feedback of the people who brought this product, the majority of them said that the Silverback NXT is quieter compared to other portable basketball hoops. The size is large and that is what most people want of course, and let’s not forget the material of the board itself. It’s a clear, high-quality acrylic board that looks sleek and gives the players the feeling of being a pro themselves. You won’t have to worry about the design chipping off because they’re fade-resistant and UV-resistant, so that’s a relief.
The product itself is a wall-mounted adjustable-height basketball hoop, unfortunately, the mounting hardware is NOT included.
The diameter is a standard 18-inch rim with a net included. The pro-style breakaway rim is a big upgrade from our standard rims in which most basketball hoops are equipped with. Unlike the standard rims that discourage you from practicing those intense dunks, the pro-style breakaway rim is the complete opposite. The rim was made to tolerate dunks and intense play to satisfy the user.
The height adjustability of this portable basketball hoop is from 7.5’ to 10’ with an all-steel actuator and lock height adjustment option. This is perfect for families because the adjustability of the height caters to a wide age range. So adults, teens, and kids can play and enjoy this awesome hoop.
Nobody wants to go through the hassle of putting pieces together to form their basketball hoops. It’s a fact that users want to play as soon as possible and factors that inhibit the quick assembly time are instructions that are difficult to understand and mislabeled pieces. The good thing is you won’t have to deal with any of these. The quick-play design of this wall-mounted basketball hoop will have you finish the assembly of the entire hoop in just 90 minutes or less! It’s got pre-assembled parts too so that takes a whole load off your shoulders.
This is an ideal basketball hoop for all those aspiring and pro players out there. If you’re looking for a hoop that saves up space in your driveway or the inside of your house, then this is absolutely perfect for you. It’s wall-mounted so no need to allot a ton of space for the base and everything. The Silverback NXT caters to indoor and outdoor use such as garages, barns, schools, gyms, and more!
Also, if you’re on a tight budget then you don’t have to worry. This high-quality hoop is a low-cost product so your wallet won’t have to suffer from serious loss. Plus, it’s got a 5-year warranty! You get good value for your money with this item. A durable, stable, and long-lasting backboard, adjustable height, pro-style breakaway rim that can endure even the toughest of dunks, and quick assembly time.
So go on and get a piece of your own Silverback NXT Wall Mounted Adjustable Basketball Hoop and enjoy its awesome features!
4. Spalding Hybrid Basketball Hoop
4.1/5 Overall Rating
Pros: Sturdy Arena slam breakaway rim for monstrous dunks Super long lifespan Has 2 sizes of backboard for your choosing (54’’ or 60’’)
Vague Instructions
What do most people think of this product?
What is basketball without the brand Spalding? Of course, we’ll include one of Spalding’s basketball hoops on our list because we can’t deny the fact that this brand has really made its name on the market already. This particular hoop boasts its high-end features that provide both amateur and professional players an authentic feel of the game. So to kick things off, we’ll be talking about the features. This basketball hoop has a slanted pole that provides sturdiness and sets up an offset to prolong any type of game while offering extra protection for players.
The 54’’ acrylic backboard is more suitable for a middle-level player but it still works well for any type of player. Plus, the steel board frame that comes along with the aluminum trim is the reason behind the long lifespan of this hoop. Let’s not forget that gnarly Arena Slam breakaway rim which would give you and your friends an optimum experience to match up with your competitive game. It’s important to note that flexible rims are the best types of rims and not the rigid ones that don’t move at all.
The last pro we’re gonna be talking about here is the Hybrid Base. This means that you can fill up to 19 gallons of water inside or if you want to opt for sand that’s totally doable as well. The base is detachable too so taking out water or sand will be a breeze. The only con this has is the vague instructions in assembling this basketball hoop.
Overall, this hoop is great for newbies and pros alike, a little bit on the pricey side but it’s definitely worth it.
5. Lifetime 71524 XL
4.4/5 Overall Rating
Pros: Performance of the height adjustment mechanism is superb Large shatterproof backboard Price is worth it Base rolls on wheels Three-part pole steel covered with powder coating 5 Year Limited Warranty
Takes long to assemble Backboard can warp in the heat; better for colder states No rebound effect
What do most people think of this product?
Thankfully not all outdoor hoops are expensive. Fortunately for many, Lifetime manufactures affordable and decent basketball hoops. The Lifetime 71524 features a 54-inch shatterproof polycarbonate backboard with a ShatterGuard steel frame to protect it. It has an adjustment mechanism called the Power Lift which allows users to easily adjust the height of the hoop to their preference from 7.5 feet to 10 feet with no increments.
Included in the features is also the break-away Orange Slam-It Pro rim with an arena-style wraparound brace supporting a ⅝-inch ring of solid steel and is built to endure a slam. So it’s pretty obvious that the rim exceeds our expectations even though it’s a cheap basketball system. Attached to the rim is an all-weather net and pole with fade-resistant graphics, designed to withstand even the harshest of elements. Now the bottom part of the hoop has this Heavy-Duty portable base with a capacity of 35-gallons which provides stability and portability. It can also be filled with either water or sand for added stability.
A lot of consumers have left positive remarks on this particular model from Lifetime, and I understand why. Lifetime always sees to it that they only provide their consumers with the best. The loveable traits about Lifetime 71524 are its portability, height adjustment, backboard, spring-back pro rim, and of course its price.
The portability is a huge plus because you won’t have to unbolt the base from the ground, all thanks to the wheels it has. No more cement too, so you don’t have to get down and dirty with that. Not all portable hoops are adjustable so luckily this one does. Being able to adjust the height will make things easier for you and your children. You won’t have to buy a separate kids hoop for your children because you can share this one with them because of the height adjustability and you cut on costs too!
The 54-inch backboard is large enough for players to enjoy and it can definitely fit your driveway. You can perform bank shots on the side as well. The polycarbonate material it’s made out of is pretty durable and won’t shatter easily. The spring-back pro rim contains springs so this makes it suitable for dunking and the ball bounces off softly when shooting from long-range. And who wouldn’t be attracted to that price? A hoop of less than $500 is a winner!
Overall, a great hoop for the price point. It’s suitable for both adults and children and the features are to be enjoyed by any type of player. If you’re interested in adjustable portable hoops made by this brand then you can check out the Lifetime 1269.
6. Spalding 180 Breakaway Over-The-Door Mini Basketball Hoop
4.2/5 Overall Rating
Pros: Easy to assemble Nice design Padding on the back of the board Great for kids and adults Breakaway rim quality is great Spalding mini rubber ball and assembly tools are INCLUDED
Consumers claim that the rim is not breakaway and therefore breaks easily Cheap quality Backboard is thin
What do most people think of this product?
This basketball hoop is a small-scale replica of the official NBA backboard. The size is actually 2.5X bigger than the original Spalding NBA Jam Mini Hoop. It features a clear shatterproof polycarbonate board equipped with arena-style padding. The steel rim breaks side to side when dunks are performed on it. The package includes the shatterproof backboard, the Spalding mini ball, assembly tools, the breakaway rim, and the nylon net.
This hoop is favored by consumers because it comes at a larger size and a lot of people prefer that. The design is also a plus as it is manufactured to resemble the look of an official NBA backboard. The assembly is easy as well. It fits most standard doors, the breakaway rim’s quality is also decent. This is the only hoop on the list that offers a 180-style rim which makes it flexible and move from side-to-side and downwards. However, some have claimed that the rim is not breakaway at all since they have encountered issues with it. Issues such as the rim being “very very stiff” and hence, it breaks in less than a month.
Overall, this hoop still holds up pretty well. You have to take note of the negative remarks on this though.
