In-ground basketball hoops are a great way to add a basketball goal at home or in an outdoor recreational space at an office building or school. These are highly sturdy hoops that can stand up to rough play at any time of the year.
There are plenty of in-ground basketball hoop options on the market, regardless of your budget. The quality of materials tends to provide the biggest differences among these hoops. The Goalrilla 60-Inch In-Ground Basketball Hoop has some of the best materials available in this type of product.
What to know before you buy an in-ground basketball hoop
In-ground basketball hoops have two specific means of performing the installation.
Mounted in cement
With some in-ground basketball hoops, the installer will dig a hole in the ground and fill it with cement. Place the post into the cement and brace it until the cement dries and can support the weight of the post and goal.
Some people will bury a metal post in the ground with cement, leaving 12-24 inches of the post sticking out of the ground. They then can slide the basketball goal post over the top of the buried post. If you ever want to move the post in the future, this is the best option.
Bolted to a cement pad
Some basketball posts have a pedestal or base section at the bottom with holes for bolts. You’ll drill into a cement pad and use long bolts to secure the base to the pad, supporting the weight of the basketball post.
Should the homeowner want to move in the future, just unbolt the pedestal from the base and take the goal and post with you.
This type of design will fit over the top of a post sticking 12-24 inches out of the ground for extra stability.
Other basketball hoop options
For those people who don’t have the capabilities to install an in-ground hoop, other basketball hoop options include:
Portable hoops with a weighted base and wheels
Mounted hoops for the side of a building or an eave
Small indoor hoops that are more like toys
In-ground basketball hoop features
Although basketball hoops may all seem the same at first glance, the quality of the materials and the features available set them apart.
Backboard material
Backboards that consist of tempered glass will have the highest quality. This glass is the same material used for indoor basketball standards at schools or professional arenas. The glass gives the most realistic bounce for the ball.
Other materials are cheaper than tempered glass, such as acrylic, fiberglass and polycarbonate. However, these materials don’t provide quite the same level of realistic performance when the basketball strikes it.
Post material
The post on an in-ground basketball hoop will consist of steel. Often, the manufacturer will use powder-coated steel to prevent rust.
Adjustable rim height
The majority of in-ground basketball goals will offer the ability to adjust the height of the rim without moving the primary post. The post will have a mechanism to raise and lower the rim that consists primarily of steel, delivering the greatest level of strength and durability.
A standard rim height for a basketball hoop is 10 feet from the ground. Most hoops offer the ability to lower the rim to 7 or 7.5 feet, stopping at 1/2-foot increments.
In-ground basketball hoop cost
For a high-quality in-ground basketball hoop and backboard system, expect to pay $500-$2,000. Basketball hoops that contain lesser materials may cost $200-$500 for an in-ground hoop.
In-ground basketball hoop FAQ
What is the lowest height a rim should be for small children?
A. Having a rim height at 7-8 feet is good for younger basketball players, as they may not have the strength to shoot the basketball to the regulation height of 10 feet. The majority of in-ground hoops will have an adjustable rim height down to about 7 or 7.5 feet.
Do I need a special hoop for women’s basketballs?
A. Even though women’s basketballs have a smaller diameter than men’s basketballs, both genders use the same diameter for the rim, so there’s no need to purchase a different kind of in-ground basketball hoop for women.
Which in-ground basketball hoop should I get?
Best of the best in-ground basketball hoop
Goalrilla 60-Inch In-Ground Basketball Hoop: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon
Our take: Those who want a hoop that can stand up to regular play while continuing to look new will appreciate the durability in this model.
What we like: This backboard and pole offer an adjustable height of 7.5-10 feet, so they’re perfect for players of all ages. The 3/8-inch thick and 60-inch wide backboard will stand up to any kind of weather and rough game play.
What we dislike: This is one of the more expensive pieces of in-ground basketball hoop hardware on the market.
Best bang for your buck in-ground basketball hoop
Goaliath 50-Inch Warrior In-Ground Basketball Hoop: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Our take: Finding a tempered-glass backboard in an in-ground hoop at such a low price point is impressive.
What we like: Tempered-glass backboard gives players a more realistic bounce than polycarbonate or fiberglass. Players can easily adjust the height of the rim between 7.5 and 10 feet for players of any age.
What we dislike: The backboard measures only 50 inches in width, so it’s a little smaller than some more expensive options.
Honorable mention in-ground basketball hoop
Lifetime In-Ground Tempered Glass Backboard Basketball Hoop: available at Amazon
Our take: For a mid-priced in-ground hoop, you’ll receive a high level of materials and a good build quality with this model.
What we like: It’s easy to adjust the height of the rim between 7.5 and 10 feet with the hand-crank mechanism. The tempered-glass backboard will provide a true bounce of the ball, delivering realistic levels of performance.
What we dislike: The backboard measures 54 inches in width, so it’s not quite as wide as backboards you’d see on indoor basketball hoop systems.
Kyle Schurman is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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