Mini basketball hoops (which you mount – unlike portable basketball hoops) have been a common feature of American households for decades. Driving or walking through any suburban locality is sure to offer up sights of backyards and front yards with hoops attached to walls, doors, or poles in front of homes of all shapes and sizes.
After all, basketball is one of the most popular sports in the country with the NBA coverage followed by millions on broadcast TV.
If you have a child who has caught the sport on television, then they are likely to want to try out the sport for themselves. In order to appease their wishes, you will need to get a mini basketball hoop installed in your yard since playing the game is simply impossible without a hoop through which to score. As sports equipment go, these are relatively easy to figure out in terms of the ease of setting them up for your child to play with.
With the new mini basketball hoops, these hassle-free sports items have just gotten even more convenient and easy to handle. These mini hoops are lightweight and easy to move around as well as set up repeatedly in different spots. They come in premium sleek designs and a variety of different features. So get your child a swanky new mini basketball hoop as a gift for their birthday or for the upcoming Christmas.
Buying a new portable basketball hoop may seem as easy as a walk in the park initially. But the sheer variety and brands available at the stores can prove to be quite confounding for just about anyone. Owing to their popularity, the market is flooded with a wide variety of basketball hoops attachable to poles, walls, or doors for customers to choose from depending on their requirements.
Traditional basketball hoops are equipment that is often left outside to weather the natural elements such as rain, storms, or blistering heat during summers. The mini basketball hoops, on the other hand, can be installed indoors and thus, be used irrespective of the weather outside.
But the ones found in the supermarkets or most online stores can often be of poor quality or make. So if you are getting a new mini basketball hoop it is important that you do thorough research before settling on one.
In this article, we will discuss at length the various features as well as the pros and cons of some of the best mini basketball hoops for your benefit. So without further ado, let us get on to presenting you with our meticulously curated list of the 5 best mini basketball hoops that you should consider purchasing.
The 5 Best Mini Basketball Hoops:
Below we review and list the best mini basketball hoops currently available for sale online. Scroll further down for a complete guide on how to select the right mini basketball hoop for your home.
1. SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop for Door
- It comes with a 18”x12” backboard made of polymer with a brushed and polished finish to its metal surface
- It contains brackets that are padded and comes pre-assembled making it easy to attach them to any vertical surface
- The rubber 5” basketball that comes with the kit ensures that it is set to go right away
- The 8 loop net attached to the hoop is highly durable
- The hoop itself is made of steel and has a diameter of 9” and can be attached to the backboard with the wench provided in the kit
- The backboard is shatter-resistant
This SKLZ Basketball Hoop comes with a range of impressive features. The backboard is a decent size and can be attached to either walls or doors. The shatterproof surface is made of a polymer which ensures that no matter how hard your child slam dunks it with their balls, it is not likely to break. This feature lends the board longevity which is a great plus.
The hoop is a standard 9 inches in diameter and made of steel to better withstand the rough play of amateur children as well as the powerful dunks of a budding professional. The brackets attaching the hoops to the wall as padded.
This enables the equipment to make minimum noise and also absorbs shock to better protect the walls or doors to which it is attached. The entire set only weighs about 4 pounds making it extremely easy to handle and mount on a wall.
This mini basketball for the wall can be installed in your child’s bedroom or in the basement to enable them to play basketball indoors in all types of weather. Irrespective of whether it is storming or snowing outside, playing on this offering from SKLZ is the best way for your child to while away their boredom when going outside is not an option.
2. Spalding NBA Slam Jam Over-The Door Mini Basketball Hoop
- The durable backboard is made of polycarbonate
- The backboard at 18”x10.5” is a small-sized replica of the ones used by the NBA
- Comes with a 5” rubber ball
- The hoop has a 9” diameter
- The detachable hoop is made of steel
- The backboard has foam padding for protection
This offering from Spalding is the perfect gift for your NBA obsessed child or friend. Spalding is not only the world’s largest producer of basketballs but also the official maker of the balls used in the NBA. The design of the set is an exact replica of the hoops and backboards used in professional league games. This mini basketball hoop for door comes with both premium quality design and impressive specifications which deserve closer scrutiny.
The durability of the backboard is an essential requirement for ascertaining the quality of a basketball kit. The backboard of this mini basketball set is made of tough polycarbonate which ensures that it can easily withstand high force.
The rim of the hoop is breakaway which makes it so that it bounces back in position, with its flexibility making it more durable. The hoop is not built to support much weight so as long as no one tries to hang off it, it’ll remain in top condition for a while despite regular use.
The rim of the hoop has a standard diameter of 9” which ensures that the difficulty level of a straight dunk is the same as in actual basketball courts. The backboard is further equipped with shock-absorbing foam padding to better protect the surface that the hoop is attached to. This product thus ticks off every box in terms of portability, quality, and protection.
3. Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set
- Can be installed indoors as well as outdoors
- The pole holding the hoop has six adjustable heights
- The rim of the hoop is oversized to better help young kids learn the game
- Perfect for kids aged between 1.5 to 6 yrs old
- Six small sized balls are also provided with the kit
- The base can be filled with sand for better stability
This set is the perfect choice for your people with young children aged between 1.5 to 5 years old. Parents are often skeptical about letting their young children play outdoors unsupervised and understandably so. This particular basketball hoop is the perfect solution for such people as it can be used both indoors as well as outdoors.
This basketball kit comes with a pole to which the hoop and supporting backboard is attached. This pole allows for its height to be adjusted. This ensures that your growing child can continue playing with it for a while despite their steadily increasing height. It offers six different heights ranging from 2 to 4 feet.
The rim of this basketball hoop is built to be oversized to ensure that the children playing have an easier time learning the sport. Furthermore, the kit also comes with 6 basketballs so that kids can start playing right away after set up. The base of the pole provides space that can be filled with sand to lend the structure of the set more stability.
4. Mini Pro Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop
- Backboard is 18”x12” which is the perfect size for indoor games
- Backboard comprises of a single frame for better stability
- The rim is highly durable and capable of withstanding forceful dunks
- The backboard and rim is provided in the kit fully assembled
- Mounting hardware is also included in the set
This mini hoop comes with a durable backboard in a single frame to provide maximum stability. It is further reinforced with steel to make it even more capable of absorbing forceful hits. With dimensions of the backboard measuring at 18×12 inches this one is on the larger side compared to the other options on our list. But this just lends this set a more realistic look and feel due to its size being closer to that of regular outdoors basketball sets.
Stability and durability have been given the utmost priority in the design of this mini basketball hoop for the wall. To this effect, the rim of the hoop is also made of reinforced steel to ensure that it does not break despite heavy pounding from incoming dunks.
Furthermore, it provides convenience to customers by providing pre-assembled backboard, rim, and mounting hardware. This ensures that the people buying this set have to put in only minimal effort to mount it on their walls.
5. SKLZ Pro Mini Micro Hoop with Foam Ball
- 15”x10” shatterproof backboard for durability
- Shock absorbing padded bracket to reduce damage to walls or doors
- The breakaway rim measures 8” in diameter
- The hoop comes with a 3-ply loop net able to withstand rough use
- A 4” ball is also provided with the set
- Perfect for indoor games
The Pro Mini Micro Hoop is another great offering from SKLZ and this model also comes with their trademark quality and sleek design. The shatterproof backboard is composed of polycarbonate and consequently, very durable. The break-away hoop and heavy duty 3 ply loop net further enhance its longevity making it particularly long-lasting.
The rim comes fitted with an action spring that shifts under the weight of the incoming ball to withstand the pressure of the dunk. It bounces back into position once the pressure is withdrawn after the ball moves away. This ensures that both the wall or door as well as the structure of the basketball set has to bare only minimum force from the onslaught of regular dunks.
The set also comes with a 4-inch foam-filled mini ball that is perfect for indoor games. The overall impression of this set of basketball equipment exudes is that of compactness and stability with each component designed to be capable of withstanding the maximum level of force. As such, this mini basketball hoop for the door is perfect for use in closed office spaces, inside your child’s bedroom, and inside other confined spaces.
A Buyer’s Guide to Mini Basketball Hoops
There are a few things that must be kept in mind while choosing a suitable mini basketball hoop to purchase. While there is a wide variety of them available in stores, not all may fit your specific requirements. So here is our list of things to remember while buying your child an indoor basketball set:
Mini Basketball Hoop for Door
Mini basketball hoops are made to be mounted specifically on a door or a wall. Those made for a door can normally come with a bracket that can be screwed into the door frame or a bracket that can be hooked over the top of the door to keep the hoop in place.
Mini Basketball Hoop for Wall
The mini basketball hoops that you mount on a wall seems to be less popular than the door mounted hoops, most likely due to the perceived ease of installation for a door mounted hoop. As you generally can’t hook the hoop over a wall a mini basketball hoop specifically made for walls come with special brackets and back padding that you need to screw into a wall to hold and support the hoop.
These hoops can also be found as specifically designed outdoor versions, which can be added above a garage, for example, and can handle rain and sunshine better than indoor mini basketball hoops.
Material and Size of the Backboard
It is very important that the backboard to which your indoors hoop is attached be of good and durable quality. After all, if the backboard cracks under the force of a hard throw, the entire set will be useless due to the danger of the crumbling material inducing injuries. Thus, you should choose a mini hoop that comes with a backboard made of either polymers and polycarbonate or containing some padding to withstand shock.
The height of the pole (if any)
If you opt for a hoop with a pole supporting it then you need to ensure that it allows multiple adjustable heights. This ensures that growing children can continue to play with them for at least a while before they completely outgrow the set.
This is especially pertinent if you have a teenage child hitting their growth spurt or even a fast-growing adolescent. To make sure that the hoop lasts long enough, buy one with a pole whose height can be manipulated like the 3rd product on our list.
Padding quality of attaching brackets–Indoor basketball sets come with the risk of damage being caused to the wall to which the hoop is attached. This is due to the extreme force and pressure of the ball repeatedly hitting the backboard and the wall behind which it has to withstand. It may lead to cracked plaster, damage to the paint job, and even long-term damage caused to the wall itself.
Nowadays there are mini hoops available that come with padded brackets that attach the equipment to the walls. They form a barrier between the walls and hoops and absorbs the shock of the ball hitting the backboards instead of letting the walls face the brunt of it. In order to prevent any long-lasting damage to your walls, you should go for a mini hoop that comes with padded brackets.
Ease of assembly
All the options of basketball hoops that we discussed in the previous section are extremely easy to assemble and install. While some come with pre-assembled parts such as hoop with padded brackets and backboards, some allow you to do the assembling to ensure better portability.
If you do not feel comfortable with handling too much of the installing then go for the pre-assembled ones. The non-assembled ones, on the other hand, come with detailed instructions and are also perfectly easy to figure out.
FAQs
What are the benefits of a mini basketball hoop?
Mini basketball hoops are a great addition to any home. They can be used for playing, exercising, or as a decoration.
There are many benefits of having a mini basketball hoop in your home. It is not only fun, but it also helps you get your daily exercise and improve your skillset. It is also easy to install and easy to clean.
The most obvious benefit of having a mini basketball hoop in your home is the fun factor. It is an enjoyable activity that can bring people together in the house and help them stay healthy.
What are the leading mini basketball hoops in the market?
Mini basketball hoops are becoming more popular in the market. There are a lot of people who want to play basketball at home or in their office. They have different benefits such as being portable, easy to set up and easy to use.
The leading mini basketball hoops in the market are the HoopNation Junior Hoops and the HoopNation Mini Basketball Hoop System.
Can I use a mini basketball hoop for outside activities and sports games?
The mini basketball hoop is a great idea for the backyard or any other outdoor space. It can be used to play games, have a dunk contest, and even practice your jump shot.
You can also use it as an alternative to your standard basketball hoop.
Where can I buy a mini basketball hoop?
Mini basketball hoops are a popular item to have in the home and they can be bought from many different retailers. The best place to buy a mini basketball hoop is Amazon because they offer low prices and fast shipping.
Mini basketball hoops are a popular item to have in the home and they can be bought from many different retailers. The best place to buy a mini basketball hoop is Amazon because they offer low prices and fast shipping.
What is the purpose of a mini basketball hoop?
A mini basketball hoop is used for recreational purposes. It is a type of toy that can be played with by kids and adults.
Mini basketball hoops are usually placed in the backyard or near the pool. They are often made of PVC pipe with a net attached to it. Some have a hoop attached to it as well.
Is there a difference between mini and regular basketball hoops?
The difference between mini and regular basketball hoops is the size of the net. Mini basketball hoops are smaller and have a smaller net, while regular basketball hoops have a larger net.
Mini basketball hoops are also referred to as junior, mini-hoops, or youth-sized basketball hoops. They are typically used in playgrounds and parks for children under 12 years old.
Are mini basketball hoops good?
Mini basketball hoops are a fun way for kids to play and get exercise. The size of the hoops also makes it easier for kids to jump over them.
Mini basketball hoops have been around for a while now but have recently become popular again. They are available in a range of sizes and can be used indoors or outdoors. Depending on the size, they can also be used as training equipment or as toys for children.
How to Assemble a Mini Basketball Hoop
If you are not confident in your ability to assemble and stall a mini hoop all on your own you should take at look at the following video. It provides a step-by-step guide with clear instructions and a visual demonstration.
Thus, choosing the right mini hoop to help your child be active and physically fit is quite an easy and stress-free process.
A bit of research may be necessary to help you better figure out your exact needs and narrow down the hoops that are tailor-made for your purposes. All you have to do is keep in mind the few necessary requirements to look for in every hoop you consider and you will be able to make the correct choice.
This article was last updated on December 5, 2022 .