Best Basketball Backboards for a Quality Game
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Spalding NBA Acrylic Basketball Backboard -
Lifetime 1268 Streamline Impact Portable Basketball Backboard -
Spalding Poly Carbonate Basketball Backboard -
Spalding NBA Portable Basketball Backboard -
Biz Chair Economy Front Mount Steel Backboard -
Buyer's Guide
Every basketball player knows a quality backboard is important to the game and choosing the correct one for your court can be a challenge with all of the options available put there. Thankfully there are a few backboard standards to give anyone a wide selection of the right backboards they need.
Choosing a backboard with the right material is crucial to anyone playing the game. Backboards made from glass are constructed with longevity in mind and don’t dent easily when a ball bounces from them. They’re also very durable, most made with a reinforced steel frame that can last for many years without fear of breaking or wearing down. The only caveat is that their price tag puts most of them out of the range of a general player.
Acrylic material is just as durable as glass but at a more affordable price. Any pressure put on an acrylic backboard won't damage it and this includes hanging from the rim, slapping the backboard and even swinging off of it from a follow through (although not recommended!) Hurling a basketball at an acrylic backboard will also do very little to bruise, chip or dent it, making the material the best choice because of its sturdiness.
Other materials used for backboards include steel, polycarbonate and even plastic, which are good substitutes for a wide range of players. Steel backboards are best where weather conditions become a problem as steel is another very hard, heavy material. Polycarbonate backboards are in the same category as acrylic backboards, but are seen differently because a basketball bounces off the backboard softer. Lastly, plastic backboards are good for young basketball players in training, but their construction easily causes chips, dents and missing pieces from a basketball with overextended use.
Each of the best basketball backboards in 2022 chosen for this list are here because of their durability. Whether it's acrylic, polycarbonate or steel, these picks allow for the roughest play without the need to think about the consequence of playing too hard on the backboard and rim. Additionally, mounting any one of these backboards is quick and easy once you find the perfect spot and you'll be playing for a long time once it goes up. Finally, each backboard made this list because of their affordable price points. Finding the perfect backboard within your budget is the first real step in being able to actually play the game. This list provides a plethora of options for you to pick and choose by price.
Best Basketball Backboards of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Spalding NBA Acrylic Basketball Backboard - Best Basketball Backboard Overall
The Spalding 54” Acrylic Backboard Model 79564 gives any basketball player the best experience for their dollar. The durability of the clear acrylic background gives you a glass-like feel and you can throw any basketball at it without any resulting dents or scuff marks. The break-away rim allows for intense dunking and also gives the basketball a little more bounce as it comes off the rim. Thanks to having a reinforced frame, you won't have to worry about the backboard falling down from its mount; the amount of pressure it can hold without giving way is excellent. This easily mountable backboard fits in anywhere offering the serious and casual player alike a truly rewarding playing experience.
Lifetime 1268 Streamline Impact Portable Basketball Backboard - Runner Up
The Lifetime 48” Backboard and Rim Combo Model 90010Z delivers a quality basketball backboard at an affordable price. This backboard comes built with a steel frame and is touted as being shatter proof. At 48 inches, the backboard dimensions are a bit smaller than others, but it plays just as well. Made of durable acrylic material and a steel-frame, this basketball backboard is definitely one that you will be able to use for a long time. The Lifetime 48 inch Backboard is a great choice when looking for a backboard since it offers the same features as the 54 inch Spalding, just without the slightly higher price tag.
Spalding Poly Carbonate Basketball Backboard - Honorable Mention
The Spalding 48” Polycarbonate Backboard and Slam Jam Rim Combo Model 79354 is a quality model for any player looking to practice their game. The durable polycarbonate material is comparable to that of an acrylic backboard and let’s you play around without worrying about breaking the backboard.
The break-away rim allows for even the hardest dunks without the trouble of the backboard falling down. However, if you're looking for a mount included with this model you’ll have to have to buy that separately as it doesn’t come as part of the package. Despite this shortcoming, this backboard comes in at a more affordable price point than other acrylic backboards.
Spalding NBA Portable Basketball Backboard - Consider
The Spalding 44 inch Polycarbonate Backboard and Slam Rim Combo is truly a growing player’s best friend. The difference between this and the Spalding 48 inch backboard is simply the four inch difference; however this backboard is still a very good model. It has the feel of an acrylic backboard but at a more economical price point. With its durable polycarbonate material it can withstand any impact from either the basketball or yourself.
The break-away rim handles sudden, heavy pressure without any part of it breaking while any stray basketballs on the rim will bounce off cleanly. This backboard will also make the ball spring right off the material while the all-weather net guarantees everyone’s favorite “swish” sound when a ball sails cleanly through the hoop. This is another backboard on our list which doesn’t come with a mount included.
Biz Chair Economy Front Mount Steel Backboard - Best Basketball Backboard
This steel backboard harkens back to the days of playground basketball. The perfect backboard for the outdoors, it provides a very unique playing experience. The edges of this 39 by 54 inch backboard are rounded giving the owner a great way to practice their shooting skills. Although this backboard can be a bit more expensive, the manufacturing is top notch.
The steel material allows the ball to bounce off of it like a spring board so don’t get cocky and let the ball bounce too far away from you! This backboard is perfect for anyone who enjoys playing outdoors and really wants the feel of “playground basketball”. Like some of our other picks, this model doesn’t come with a mount and needs to be purchased separately.
Buyer's Guide
Meta description: Choosing the best basketball backboards in 2021 is as critical as choosing the basketball. Check our thorough shopping guide to make an ingenious choice!
Though having a basketball hoop in the driveway is a wise idea, buying the one that perfectly complies with your needs is strenuous. With a plethora of backdrops available in the market, hunting for the top one is daunting. We have put together a detailed shopping guide to help you make a clever choice.
Which basketball backdrop material is the best?
The backboard's construction material will have an impact on both the ball's bounce and the hoop's overall durability.
Tempered backboards
Professionals utilize tempered glass because it is scratch- and shatter-resistant. The bounce and spin of tempered glass are comparable to what you'd encounter at a gym.
Acrylic backboards
Acrylic hoops mimic the beauty of glass while costing less. Additionally, because they are usually small and light, they do not necessitate as much support. Experimenters will likely observe differences in the bounce and spin compared to what they're used to seeing at the gym.
Polycarbonate backboards
Backboards made of polycarbonate are extremely strong and have a comparable springy feel to acrylic ones. They've been engineered to survive the effects of time and the weather.
Which factors regarding the best basketball backboards are worth considering?
Size of basketball
Consider the size of the backboard as these can be anywhere from 44" to 72" in length, with 72" being the standard length for professional players. For a regular two-car driveway, smaller backboards (between 44′′ and 54′′ wide) are ideal because they take up less room. The 60-inch backboard is a good middle ground because it takes up less room while yet allowing for a wider range of shots.
You've probably seen 72-inch wide, 42-inch high backboards on television or at college basketball games. However, these fabled backboards are extremely heavy, and assembling one will necessitate a large crew.
Purchasing a 72-inch backboard does not necessitate shelling out a significant sum of money. Layups and bank shots are not an issue with most backboards. If you're training for a competition, you'll need the 72-inch boards.
Style
Rectangular and fan-shaped backboards are the two most common styles. Players prefer rectangular backboards because they provide them with more surface area to work with while spinning the ball off the glass.
Fan-shaped backboards take up less space than traditional ones. There are occasions when it comes down to personal preference.
Acrylic versus polycarbonate: which one is the best?
There are a wide variety of materials used to make basketball backboards when you go shopping for one. When it comes to transparent backboards, acrylic and polycarbonate are the two most typical materials to see.
The vast majority of customers aren't aware of the distinction between the two. Acrylic and polycarbonate are both plastics with properties that are strikingly comparable. They're both made of transparent plastic. Acrylic is not bulletproof, in contrast to polycarbonate's marketing claim.
The main downside of polycarbonate is its brittleness. Polycarbonate turns yellow, hazy, and brittle when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The fading, cloudiness, and brittleness of polycarbonate basketball backboards used outside cause them to look terrible within three years. This implies that a polycarbonate backboard, despite being promoted as "bulletproof," will actually grow brittle and easily break when used outside.
The UV light has no effect on acrylic, on the other hand. Even when exposed to UV light, an acrylic backboard will keep its clarity and vandal resistance. When used outdoors, an acrylic backboard will remain mainly clear for 15-20 years even if a stone is thrown at it, and it will bounce off with little or no damage. Acrylic is definitely superior to polycarbonate as a material for an outdoor basketball backboard.
How much do basketball backboards cost?
When it comes to your system's backboard, the type you get is mostly determined by the system's cost. Backboards can be made from three different types of materials.
Polycarbonate
These types of backboards are commonly found in youth hoops, mostly because they are incredibly low-cost to produce. Polycarbonate backboards, on the other hand, are remarkably long-lasting and lightweight for something as inexpensive as they are. Thus, they're a viable option for basketball systems that are meant to be taken along with you. However, polycarbonate's major drawback is that the rebounds are strangely firm.
Rather than bouncing off the backboard, the ball simply falls to the ground when it strikes it. For those who are used to playing on high-end rims, this could be a problem.
Polycarbonate boards will become yellow with time if you have them for an extended period of time. This is due to polycarbonate discoloration caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Acrylic
Any hoop that costs more than $200 will almost certainly come with an acrylic backboard. When compared to polycarbonate, they have a considerably better rebound reaction.
When the ball strikes the board, it travels a long way, but it does not travel as far as it would on a glass backboard. Acrylic has the drawback of collecting scratches over time and becoming drab.
Glass
In both the NBA and NCAA, tempered glass is used for the backboards. Because it's so pricey, only the most high-end systems make use of a tempered glass backplate. According to the NBA's official website, they employ an inch-thick backboard for their games.
Best Basketball Backdrop FAQs
Q: What is the ideal size of a basketball backboard?
A: We recommend purchasing a backboard no smaller than 54" in width for normal gameplay. Backboard sizes range in width from 48" wide to 72". Any smaller, and the player won't be able to perform any bank shots!
Q: In terms of basketball court size, is a 44-inch backboard adequate?
A: Smaller backboards, such as those measuring 44 inches, are ideal for young players who are only learning how to shoot. To give a true arena-style playing field for advanced players, larger backboards might be used. In terms of backboard size, large ones (54 to 60 inches) and regulation ones (72 inches) provide players with a competitive playing surface.
Q: Which material makes a better backboard: polycarbonate or acrylic?
A: They're both made of transparent plastic. Acrylic is not bulletproof, in contrast to polycarbonate's marketing claim. Acrylic is definitely superior to polycarbonate as a material for an outdoor basketball backboard.
