Basketball can be a perfect game for people of all ages. The goal of the game is simple enough; just put a ball through a hoop. But it’s also very physically demanding, allowing you to burn off plenty of calories and energy. For this reason, many parents turn to the best portable basketball hoop for a driveway to get their kids active again. In the age of video games, getting your child up and outdoors can be a real challenge. However, games like basketball have been popular for years and can be a great way to motivate the kids to get active and hangout outdoors for a fun afternoon of hoops with the whole family. This model by Best Choice Products is designed specifically with kids in mind. Its design is pretty basic, but it’s a great option for the family on a tight budget in search of a model that’s sturdy, reliable, and able to keep the kids entertained all afternoon long.
Our Verdict: Built tough, equipped with a stable base, and specifically designed for kids. Did I mention it’s reasonably priced? You really can’t get better than this. It features a highly adjustable post that will allow you to slowly raise the backboard as your child’s basketball playing skills develop and as your child grows. The large base can be filled with either water or sand for increased stability. The two large rear wheels located on the base will allow you to quickly and easily wheel this basketball system to its appointed storage spot, so you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged from being left out in inclement weather. Overall, this is a solid basketball system that’s stable enough for dunking and short enough to accommodate smaller children in need of a tough basketball hoop they can play and practice on.
Table of Contents
Overview and Features
Shopping for a portable basketball system is easy enough if you’re looking for a model older kids or adults can use. But finding one that’s specifically designed for small children can be a real challenge. Fortunately, Best Choice Products has come up with a perfect solution. Their latest model is perfect for younger children in need of a basketball hoop that’s designed to last and one that won’t topple over during an intense pick-up game.
This basketball system will give the kids the perfect opportunity to learn how to get better at dribbling and brush up on their free throws, jump shots, and layups. This model is categorized as a junior basketball hoop. It’s short enough that even kids under the age of eight can enjoy taking shots and perfecting their free throws. Older kids will love it because they can use it to learn how to dunk or work on their layups.
Our Rating:
- Easy assembly
- Low price
- Large base
- Highly portable
- Solid stainless steel construction
- Designed specifically for kids
Adjustability
What good is a basketball system your child will quickly outgrow?
Fortunately, this hoop system is highly adjustable and starts at six and a half feet tall and can be raised up to eight feet high. Basically, this system is the perfect height for younger children for practice, a game of horse, or those new to the game who need a solid system they can use to perfect their shooting. The fact that it’s so adjustable is one of its biggest selling points. Since it can be raised up to eight feet in height you won’t have to worry about the kids quickly outgrowing it. However, since the lowest setting is at six and a half feet, this may be seen as a drawback for much younger children. Some competing models will have a lower starting height of just five to five and a half feet, which would be a better option for kids around six or seven years of age. Yet models with that type of lower setting usually don’t offer the type of adjustability or max-height rating that this model offers.
Portability
This model comes equipped with a couple of large wheels which are designed to make moving this hoop system fast and simple. Highly portable, you can wheel it into the garage after a fun game of horse with the kids. This will be a huge selling point if you’re looking for a system that’s easy to transport and store. The compact design means it won’t take up much room in the garage or shed, so you won’t have to worry about leaving it out in the elements year-round.
Backboard
Since this system is designed for kids and comes with a much smaller than average base, it should come as no surprise that the backboard is also smaller than what you can expect to find on a full-sized model. The backboard measures in at two feet by sixteen inches and is made out of thick polycarbonate material. This type of material is very solid and offers a similar bounce like what you’ll get from a standard acrylic backboard. While it may not be quite as durable, if younger kids are dunking on it, you really don’t have to worry about the backboard cracking under that type of weight.
Durable Design
Durable and built tough, this model is also weatherproof, which means it won’t rust if left out in the rain. The hoop itself is made out of heavy-duty steel and comes equipped with a nylon/polyethylene all-weather net. The entire system weighs in at seventeen and a half pounds.
Dimensions
This model measures in at twenty-nine inches in length, seventy-six and a half inches wide, and just under ninety-eight inches tall. Before you hit that buy now button, make sure you have plenty of space to accommodate it. Choose a paved, flat area. If possible, you can use your driveway for the perfect spot, however, it can also work well on the sidewalk or street, under parental supervision.
Base
The base can be filled with sand or water for the type of top of the line stability that will allow the kids to practice their dunking technique without the worry of the hoop falling over or wobbling. This is a standalone unit that’s equipped with two wheels for improved portability. It comes with a five-gallon base, which seems a little small when compared to the type of base you’ll find on systems designed for adults. A full-sized base can hold anywhere from twenty-seven up to forty-two gallons. However, since this model is specifically designed for small children, the five-gallon base should work out well and prevent the system from moving during use.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Highly adjustable
- Affordable price
- Lightweight design
- Durable construction
- Portable
Cons
- Not recommended for teens or adults
- Small base
Best Choice Products Hoop System Vs. Yaheetech Portable Basketball Hoop System
The portable basketball system by Yaheetech will give this model a run for its money. It features painted round iron posts that are one and a half inches in diameter and coated in antirust, non-toxic paint. It also features an incredibly durable PE base and backboard, complete with a tough nylon net. Its new design features round posts topped off with knobs. This redesign is meant to improve the system’s overall durability, especially considering that Yaheethech produced systems in the past using oval-shaped posts that had a negative impact on stability. This model also comes with two large, four-inch wheels for ultimate portability and a large base that can be filled with sand or water to prevent the system from moving or rocking during use. However, in terms of height, this system falls short. While the Best Choice Products system can be adjusted from six and a half feet up to eight feet, the competition can only be adjusted from five feet up to seven feet, which means the kids may quickly outgrow it. But this can also be seen as a plus for smaller children. In terms of price, both are available in the same price bracket, however, the competition isn’t quite as versatile and adjustable. Ultimately, if you don’t want a basketball system that the kids will quickly outgrow, stick with this model by Best Choice Products.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
This is a fairly basic basketball system. It comes with a very small backboard and base, and a shorter frame design with a max height of just eight feet. But considering it’s designed with smaller children in mind, most parents will be pleasantly surprised by this compact system and what it has to offer. If you’re looking for a model that your smaller kids can use and practice on, then look no further.
This model obviously can’t stand up to the type of quality and durability that a basketball system that’s designed for adults can, but for a system that’s designed for kids, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another model that can compare, especially in this price bracket. A great buy for the kids and the family on a tight budget, I gave this model a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
