The 10 Best Basketball Rims
This wiki has been updated 18 times since it was first published in March of 2019. While it seems like a relatively straightforward decision, you may be surprised at just how many different options are available when choosing a basketball rim, including mounting patterns, tension adjustment, net attachments, and more. If you're building a court from the ground up or if you just need a replacement, one of these top-quality models will serve you well. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Spalding Arena
2. Jaypro Revolution
3. Bison Protech Competition
Editor's Notes
March 29, 2019:
Durability and safety are the two main considerations when purchasing a basketball rim. The first is pretty simple: a good goal has a powder-coated exterior, uses rust-resistant fasteners and hinges, and is made with good manufacturing procedures. The safety part goes to multiple different levels based on who'll be using the hoop. The vast majority of residential setups won't need much more than the Spalding Arena model, as it's well-made and can handle a few slam-dunks every now and then. If you're on a thinner budget, the Lifetime is also a good option, though it doesn't have a lot of flex, and it can't be adjusted to different spring tensions. If some big boys will be dunking a lot, but won't be having team practice for multiple hours a day, the Goalzilla is an excellent and durable choice.
If the hoop will see use by full-size athletes on a regular basis, though, or if it'll be used in an institution that requires its hardware to meet regulations, you should probably step up a level or two. Plus, the closer a rim is to professional-grade, the better it can be at preparing youngsters for their time in college, overseas, or in rare cases, the NBA. To that end, Jaypro makes some excellent options that are, for the most part, reasonably priced. They introduce adjustable springs and snag-free net connectors without charging a ton of cash. Their rims are no strangers to high school gyms or AAU leagues. Bison is in a very similar position. A further step up is Gared. Gared makes some of the absolute finest glass backboards on the market, and their 4000 model rim is one of the top goals available. For the very finest and most authentic experience, check out the Porter Athletic Torq-Flex 180, which is in use at a number of top-level Division I college basketball arenas. But it will cost you, and therefore is probably only on your radar if you're outfitting a high-end gym for a relatively deep-pocketed organization.
4. Jaypro Playground
5. Gared Sports 4000
6. Goalrilla Heavy Weight
7. Jaypro Scholastic
8. Porter Athletic Torq-Flex 180
9. Lifetime Slam-It
10. Gared Rear-Mount
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.