

Pro Tip: For the best performance, look for a high-quality steel rim with an NBA official diameter of 18 inches. Tempered glass provides the most rigidity and better, more consistent rebounding across the glass.įor more a detailed analysis, check out Tempered Glass Backboards VS. The backboards are made from a safety glass that is hardened in the production process, making it 5-10 times stronger than normal glass. Tempered glass backboards are what you’ll find on pro-style hoops and in high school, college, and NBA arenas. It’s also very strong and unlikely to chip or crack, even if someone were to throw stones at it. Acrylic maintains its brilliance after 15-20 years of sun exposure. Unlike polycarbonate, however, acrylic will not become cloudy, yellow, and brittle over time. This can happen in as little as 3-5 years.Īcrylic is similar to polycarbonate in that it is a strong, clear backboard material. They are often used on cheaper hoops because while they are very strong, the polycarbonate material has one major drawback after prolonged exposure to UV light (aka sunlight), these backboards begin to turn an unflattering shade of cloudy yellow and become brittle. Polycarbonate backboards are made from a clear plastic material. You’ll typically find basketball hoop backboards in one of 3 materials: Polycarbonate, Acrylic, or Tempered Glass For more info on finding a backboard size that fits your space, check out What Size Backboard Do I Need?Īlong with backboard size, you’ll want to consider backboard material. 54” goals are more common for smaller driveways that don’t have as much space to accommodate a larger hoop. If you don’t need a goal quite that big, the 60” hoops are great mid-size hoops and the most popular choice for residential use. If you are purchasing a hoop for an aspiring high school or college athlete, or if you just want the most authentic, arena-like experience, the 72”x42” is the way to go. The heights will vary also, depending on the model. This refers to the width of the backboard. The most common sizes you’ll find are 54”, 60”, and 72”. The size of the backboard is another important factor to consider when buying a basketball hoop.

Most residential high end hoops have moved to this system for both ease of installation and portability when moving. Goalrilla and Goalsetter goals feature this type of installation. Then, only a new anchor kit is needed, rather than an entirely new basketball system. This provides the same stability of a direct-burial post while still allowing the goal to be moved to a new location (if you move to a new home, for example). Semi-portable in-ground goals, on the other hand, are mounted onto a completely separate anchor system that is cemented into the ground.
