In Ground Vs Portable Basketball Hoop – Which Type Is Better?

Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by

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Having a basketball hoop in your backyard can lead to hours of joy and fun. You can play with your family and just have an all-around great time. But there is the question; which one do you choose?

There are two types of basketball hoops you can choose from – an in-ground one and a portable one. This article is about in-ground vs portable basketball hoop comparison to determine which type will be the best option for you. So, Let's see the comparison between these two.

Before we jump into the difference between a portable hoop and in ground hoop, let's first touch on what these two are.

In Ground Basketball Hoop

Honestly, you can tell what each of these is just by the name, but we wanted to take the time to explain it thoroughly. In ground basketball hoops are more stable and also have a much more solid installation system.

Naturally, this installation process, of course, comes with more effort. Since it's mounted in the ground, these offer more robust performance. They are installed with an anchor system which you can take apart when you need to move it.

You can’t just take it out whenever you want since these are bolted on pretty tightly. As you probably have guessed by now, these are a more permanent solution.

You need to fix a location to put these in, and it will stay put for years. In-ground hoops will last you anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Some high-end ones can even last you upwards of 15 years!

The poles are mostly made from steel which gives it the strength and durability it needs. Most of the in-ground hoop's backboard is made from durable materials. That gives it quite an authentic bounce. All in all, these are a solid choice if you want something that you don’t want to tinker with for a couple of years or so.

Portable Basketball Hoops

Portable basketball hoops are, well, portable. The base is made from plastic, and you will also see there are wheels as well. This makes it easier to move them around.

Portable hoops are the best if you need something that can be moved on a whim and doesn’t have any lengthy installation process. Just because they are portable and have wheels doesn’t mean they move around a lot on their own.

Since they are weighted down with sand or water in the base, once you place them somewhere, the chances of them rolling away is quite low.

The lifespan of these, is of course, not as much as in-ground ones. You can expect these to last from anywhere between 2 to 5 years, which isn’t all that bad if you ask us.

You also need to be careful with these too. Players cannot be too rough with it. As cool as they look, hard dunks are a no-go with these because there is a chance it will just tip over. But if you need something fairly solid and, more importantly, portable, these are a fantastic choice.

In ground Basketball Hoop vs Portable

Now that we know what each of the hoops is. Let's get on with the comparison. Which one is the right choice for you? Here are the main differences.

Installation

When it comes to ease of installation, portable ones take the cake here. They require very little effort to install compared to in-ground hoops. You will need to use different tools to install an in-ground basketball hoop.

If you aren’t particularly handy, you might even need professional help installing an in-ground hoop. So, points for installation go to portable hoops.

Portability

You know what is coming for this section, don’t you? The portability crown obviously goes to portable hoops. They are relatively easier to move since they aren’t mounted down with an anchor.

In-ground hoops can be removed and reinstalled somewhere else, but it’s nowhere as easy as portable ones are. As we mentioned already, in-grounds are more of a permanent solution.

Play Style and Durability

When it comes to playing style and durability, in-ground hoops can handle more stress. They are also more durable, so you can dunk without the worry of it breaking. On the other hand, portable hoops are a bit more fragile. So, you cannot play that rough.

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Wrapping Up

Now, you should have a pretty good idea about in-ground vs portable basketball hoops. You need to remember that it all depends on your needs and play style at the end of the day.

If you want something more durable and a permanent solution, go for in-ground hoops. However, for those who want something more portable and lightweight, portable hoops are the best choice.

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