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In-ground basketball hoops are a fantastic alternative for anybody which has a flat driveway, and that likely stays at their present residence for several decades. Many times, in-ground basketball systems offer higher stability compared to their mobile counterparts. This creates more precise and consistent bounce off the rim and backboard.
The costs for in-ground basketball hoops may fluctuate significantly from below $200 into the thousands. It’s crucial to pick an in-floor hoop that meets your price point while getting high enough caliber to survive years of drama.
Below we’ve chosen three in-ground basketball hoops we believe are of the maximum quality. The choices are categorized by cost under $500. This way, you’ll have the ability to locate a fantastic hoop on almost any budget that will fulfill your distinctive basketball requirements.
List of 5 Best In-Ground Basketball Hoops under $500
1. Lifetime 71799 In-Ground Basketball Hoop
The Lifetime 71799 In-Ground Basketball System with 50-Inch Shatter Guard Backboard is an in-ground basketball system that features a 50 inch backboard made of Makrolon polycarbonate designed with fade resist graphics. Being an in-ground basketball system, it is much sturdier than portable basketball systems.
This basketball system weighs 86.7 pounds. Its height can be adjusted from 7.5 to 10 feet. Height adjustment is made in 6 inch increments and it is quite easy to do. The package comes with a steel Slam It rim that has double compression springs for that spring back action. The system is made for dunking. Attached to the rim is an all-weather nylon net. The basketball system is held up by a 3-piece 3.5 inch round pole.
The base is ready to be cemented. One just has to dig a hole for it and add the cement. It will require some tools for assembling. Setting up the system can take a few hours. It will certainly take a few hours just digging a hole and letting the cement dry up. The instruction manual is not the best, but with the right tools, professional help is not necessarily needed to have it up and playable. Once assembled, the system is quite sturdy.
Bottom line: The Lifetime 71799 is an affordable and sturdy in-ground basketball system that has an easy to use height adjustment mechanism. It is not the easiest to assemble and its manual is not the best, but it is quite sturdy and has a 5 year warranty.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 54 x 34 x 6 inches
- Backboard dimensions: 50 x 33 x 1 inches
- Weight: 86.7 pounds
- Height: 7.5 to 10 feet
- 50 inch Makrolon polycarbonate backboard
- Steel rim
- Nylon net
- 3.5 inch round steel pole
- Model number: 71799
Pros
- Price
- Sturdy
- Slam It rim
- Easy height adjustment
- Fade resist graphics
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- Backboard wobbles
- Instruction manual
- Takes a few hours to assemble
2. Spalding 88454G In-Ground Basketball Hoop
The Spalding 88454G In-Ground Basketball System with 54″ Glass Backboard is an in-ground basketball system. This basketball system features a glass backboard with a steel frame that is lined with aluminum. The system is great for layups and bank shots. The product dimensions are 63 x 11 x 11 inches. The whole package weighs 147.7 pounds. The glass backboard’s dimensions are 54 x 32 x 1 inch.
This in-ground basketball system’s backboard has the same look and feel of other professional backboards. The rim’s height can be adjusted anywhere between 7 to 10 inches. This system makes use of a U-Turn mechanism to adjust the height. The crank used for height adjustment needs to be lubricated from time to time. Else, one might have an extremely hard time adjusting it. A lot of people might find it rather difficult to assemble.
Most definitely, it will need tools for assembly. The hardest part is putting the two part of the pole together. That will need a sledgehammer and something to hold it in place as the pole parts are “banged” together. After attaching the ground sleeve and pole parts, the rest of the assembly process is much easier. All of it can be done by one person, except when one has to attach the backboard. This might need at least two people.
Bottom line: The Spalding 88454G is a reasonably priced and sturdy in-ground basketball system. Its glass backboard gives it a professional look and feel. It might be difficult to assemble and kids cannot adjust the height, but it is great for aggressive play and gives true rebounds.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 63 x 11 x 11 inches
- Backboard dimensions: 1 x 54 x 32 inches
- Weight: 147.7 pounds
- Height: 7 to 10 feet
- Backboard: 54 inch glass with steel frame
- Pole: 2 piece 4 inch square Steel
- Rim: Heavy duty steel
- Model number: 88454G
Pros
- Good price
- Sturdy
- Glass backboard
- Ground sleeve
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Hard to adjust the height
- Needs maintenance
3. Goalrilla GLR GS 54 In-Ground Basketball Hoop
The Goalrilla GLR GS 54 Basketball System is an in-ground basketball system. It features a 54 inch tempered glass backboard and a one piece steel pole for easier assembly. The glass backboard delivers true rebound. Compared to artificial boards, it does not shake as much when one is shooting hoops.
The tempered glass backboard is 54 x 34 x 3/8 inches. It has an internal steel frame that is 1 x 2 inches with an aluminum trim. The pole is 5 x 5 inches. This is coated with rust resistant powder coating to withstand the elements. Due to the fact that the pole is one piece, assembly is not that difficult. However, the system is quite heavy weighing 291.1 pounds which is why it will definitely need more than one person to assemble. It is much easier and faster to assemble it with three people.
Goalrilla believes that welded construction is much better than those that need screws and bolts. Thus, their basketball systems are not as time consuming to assemble. This basketball hoop is a solid and sturdy in-ground basketball system. However, the pole tends to flex a bit. Yet, it is a good basketball system that can last for years.
Bottom line: The Goalrilla GLR GS 54 is an in-ground basketball system that requires minimal assembly. It may have minimal pole flex and it is heavy, but that is because it is mostly made of solid steel that is rust resistant. This hoop is very solid and sturdy.
Specifications
- Weight: 291.1 pounds
- Height: 7.5 to 10 feet
- Backboard dimensions: 54 x 34 inches
- Backboard: tempered glass with steel frame
- Pole: 5 x 5 inch one piece steel pole
- Rim: Steel
- Net: Nylon
- Model number: B4003W
Pros
- Rust resistant steel
- Glass backboard
- Heavy duty
- Anchor bolt system
- 2.5 feet overhang
- Minimal assembly
Cons
- Heavy
- Pole flex
4. Lifetime 71525 In-Ground Basketball Hoop
The Lifetime 71525 In-Ground Basketball System with 54 Inch Shatter Guard Backboard is an in-ground basketball system that features a 54 inch backboard made of Makrolon polycarbonate. This basketball system also features a Pneumatic lift mechanism making its height easily adjusted from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments. The product dimensions are 54 x 34.3 x 6.3 inches. The Makrolon polycarbonate backboard measures 54 x 33 inches and it is 1 inch thick.
This basketball system is held up by a 3.5 inch round steel pole that is made up of 3 pieces. The package includes a solid steel Arena Style Slam It Pro rim that is equipped with double compression springs for that spring back action. It has welded steel net hooks and comes with an all-weather nylon net. Assembly is not that difficult if one has sufficient technical knowledge. One must also know how to use certain tools. It can take a few hours to assemble and a few hours to let the cement dry up. Assembling the unit goes faster with some help. It is a solid in-ground basketball system once it is assembled. In case something goes wrong, this product comes with a 5 year warranty.
Bottom line: The Lifetime 71525 is an affordable and sturdy in-ground basketball system. It can be a bit tricky to assemble some parts, but it comes with a 5 year warranty which covers all the parts.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 54.5 x 34.3 x 6.3 inches
- Backboard dimensions: 54 x 33 x 1 inch
- Weight: 87.4 pounds
- Height: 7.5 to 10 feet
- Backboard: 54 inch Makrolon polycarbonate
- Rim: Steel
- Net: Nylon
- Pole: 3.5 inch round, 3 piece steel
- Model number: 71525
Pros
- Price
- Sturdy
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- Tricky to assemble
- Plastic backboard
5. Spalding 88307PR In-Ground Basketball Hoop
The Spalding 88307PR In-Ground Basketball System with 52 Inch Acrylic Backboard is a very sturdy and durable in-ground basketball system. This basketball system has a 52 inch acrylic backboard with a steel frame. The combination makes the backboard solid. It does not even reverberate as much.
This Spalding basketball system’s dimensions are 53 x 34 x 7 inches. The system weighs 50 pounds, but the shipping weight is 91.2 pounds. The package includes the 52 inch acrylic backboard, 3 piece steel pole, Pro Slam rim and net. The rim’s height can be adjusted from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6 inch increments.
This basketball system makes use of a Pro Glide lift system to make height adjustment much easier. There is also a 16 inch board offset for more room to play and a backboard pad for protection against injuries. The Spalding 88307PR might be difficult for some people to assemble. It does need tools and the know how to use these tools. Some even hire professional people to assemble it. This basketball system is a bit difficult to assemble because the instruction manual is difficult to understand.
Bottom line: The Spalding 88307PR is a very affordable in-ground basketball system with an easy to use height adjustment mechanism. It can be difficult to assemble because the instruction manual is not so helpful, but once assembled, it is sturdy and solid.
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 53 x 34 x 7 inches
- Shipping weight: 91.2 pounds
- Weight: 50 pounds
- Height: 7.5 to 10 inches
- Backboard: 52 inch Acrylic
- Pole: Steel
- Rim: Steel, 3.5″ round
- Model number: 88307PR
Pros
- Price
- Stable
- Durable
- Pro Glide lift system
Cons
- Instruction manual
- Assembly
Conclusion
You’ll get precisely what you pay for when searching for the very best in-ground basketball hoop. If you do not care about replacements and wobbles or so are about a predetermined, limited budget, then the in-ground hoop by Lifetime provides a great mix of value and quality.
If you factor in the exclusivity and advantage of owning a basketball hoop in your yard, the rewards easily justify the price. Do your self and your loved ones a favor and choose quality, that, in the long term, actually proves to be the less expensive alternative.
