Brief Review of the Lifetime 1268 Basketball Hoop
Lifetime 1268 Streamline Impact Portable Basketball System: 3.0/10
Main Features
- 5 year warranty
- Three piece telescoping pole allows for height adjustment
- Adjusts in height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet
- 44 inch backboard
- Attaches to 12 gallon roller base
When shopping for a portable basketball system for your home, price is usually a factor that comes into play, along with quality, durability, and looks. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, a great option for you is the Lifetime 1268 Streamline Impact Portable Basketball System. Solidly in the low priced category, the 1268 makes an average starter hoop for your family, and allows you hours of play and tons of shots without a load of money to spend. However, remember that paying a lower price can sometimes sacrifice quality and other features.
Let’s take a look at some of the features included with the Lifetime 1268 Streamline Impact Portable Basketball system. While the price point is low, you might have to sacrifice some of the features and quality that you would find in other hoops. This hoop features a 44 inch backboard, which is constructed with a high-density polyethylene. While it is not the strength of an aluminum or Makrolon backboard, for the price this polyethylene can handle the job for most players with moderate use. The backboard has colored graphic details, and is UV protected for the color to last. Lifetime claims that the backboard can hold up through moderate use, and offers their 5 year warranty to back that claim up.
Like many other portable basketball systems, the Lifetime 1268’s hoop height can be raised and lowered according to your needs. The hoop can be adjusted from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in 6 inch increments; we found the hoop to be easy to raise by teens and adults, although children would likely need some help. Despite having an easily moveable hoop, the hoop and pole are seen to be weak and flimsy,
The base of a portable basketball system is of great importance, as a good base allows the hoop to stay strong through high winds and weather, as well as tough games with minimal shaking. The Lifetime 1268 comes with a mere 12 gallon base which can be filled with sand or water; while this provides a lightweight and easily portable hoop, the weight of 12 gallons of water or sand cannot withstand vigorous play. Some mentioned it leaked water when filled, and others talked of the cheap, thin plastic of which it is constructed.
For the most part, assembly of the Lifetime 1268 Portable Basketball system can be difficult and too time consuming; multiple reviewers stated that they needed more than one person to successfully assemble this hoop, and that at times there were parts missing. Lifetime features helpful customer service if you come upon missing pieces or questions, and their 5 year limited warranty comes into play on many of the pieces and parts.
What We Like About This Hoop
- Made in USA
- Five year warranty is provided by Lifetime for this hoop so that you can buy with confidence
- Nice range of height with maneuverability
- Great price point for those wanting a starter hoop
What Would Make This Hoop Better
- Easier assembly instructions would aide in the time consuming assembly process
- A better, more quality base that provides a more sturdy foundation with a heavier weight
- More protection around the backboard
- Thicker pole for more durability and strength
- A backboard made of a more high-quality material
A better starter hoop choice in our opinion is the Spalding Pro Slam Portable Basketball Hoop. It is more expensive, but still affordable and a much better hoop system.
