Best Portable Basketball Goals – How to Choose By Cari | Published on August 17, 2022September 5, 2024 You’ve decided on a portable basketball goal over an in-ground system, but there are so many options on the market. Before purchasing a portable hoop, know what to look for in order to find the best goal for you. Of course, safety, quality, and ease are vital. Below we’ll discuss what else to look for when shopping the best portable basketball goals. Rampage 36" x 60" basketball goal Portability Portability is a key factor when shopping the best portable basketball goals. That makes sense, right? Unfortunately, when it comes to portability not all basketball goals are built the same. First, let’s talk portable vs. permanent. Reasons to choose a portable over an in-ground, concrete setup: HOA rules Driveway layout Frequent moves Infrequent use No concrete footers Of course, the list goes on. Whatever the reason, the ability to move the goal with ease matters. First, wheels help. This may seem obvious, but not all portable systems include wheels, which makes moving the goal a challenge. If you want to move the goal without dragging and/or needing two people, make sure wheels are included. Another aspect to think about is adjustability. For example, a goal that adjusts from ten feet to seven feet tall is much easier to wheel under a garage door than one that doesn’t adjust. Plus, it takes up less space. Every little bit counts when it comes to storage. Lastly, it’s important that the basketball goal is just as stable as one with a concrete footer. Be sure to look into how the goal stays upright. One option is to find a goal that includes a ballast box, the big box on the bottom that is filled with blocks. This provides counterweight, which prevents tipping during a rim-hang. Furthermore, when it’s time to move the goal, simply remove the blocks from the base for an easy roll. Adjustability Besides aiding in portability, adjustability is important for a number of reasons. First, an adjustable hoop grows with children. Portable basketball goals often allow you to set a custom height based on the age and ability of players. For example, the Rampage (pictured above) adjusts from 10 feet to 6 feet 6 inches, and the Rollajam (pictured right) adjusts from 10 feet to 7 feet. Many portable goals only reach as high as 7 feet, so consider what works best for the player’s in the long run. Another important aspect to research is the ease of adjustability. If tools are required every time you want to adjust the goal, that may be a deal breaker for some. Instead, look for basketball goals use a spring aided crank system, which allows for easy adjustments. Additionally, built in rim height indicators ensure precision. Think about the present and future when shopping for the best portable basketball goals by keeping adjustability questions in mind. Durability The best portable basketball goals are built to last. Stability and weight are key. When the goal is strictly used by a little kid, most portable basketball goals work just fine. However, if teenagers and/or adults plan to play aggressively, lightweight sets are not stable enough. Inexpensive goals found at chain retailers may tip over if players hang on the rim. Obviously, player safety is the top concern and is something to think about when shopping for a portable hoop. Another important consideration is weather. Outdoor sports equipment should stand up to the elements, especially wind when it comes to basketball goals. Also, slam dunks and rim hangs are important and fun to practice. Be sure to pick out a goal that allows players to fully play like they would on the court. The Rollajam and Rampage each include a ballast box, which is a counterweight on the rear of the base which ensures stability even during aggressive play. Clearly, permanent goals surrounded by cement will stand strong; however, quality portable goals take stability seriously as well. Rollajam 36" x 54" basketball goal Best Portable Basketball Goals – Our Top Picks: Rollajam Clear acrylic and tempered glass backboards available in sizes ranging from 36” x 48” to 36” x 60” Direct mounted to eliminate backboard breakage when players hang on the rim Optional bolt-on TuffGuard backboard padding Spring aided crank design makes adjustment effortless Rim height indicator shows height of rim Simple hand crank easily adjusts rim height from 10’ to 7′ Safety padding covers front of base unit Powder coat finish protects against the elements Post actuator retracts vertical post for rolling and storage Compact and easy to roll Rampage Clear acrylic and tempered glass backboards available in sizes ranging from 36” x 48” to 36” x 60” Direct mounted to eliminate backboard breakage when players hang on the rim Optional bolt-on TuffGuard backboard padding Rim height adjusts for smaller players Simple hand crank easily adjusts rim height from 10’ to 6.5′ Safety padding covers front of base unit Foot lever raises unit onto castors for rolling Powder coat finish protects against the elements Have questions? 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