Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Portable Basketball System Review
Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Portable Basketball System: 7.0/10
Main Features
- 5 year warranty
- Standard rim with no compression springs
- Adjusts in height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet via telescoping mechanism
- 44 inch backboard made of a polycarbonate material (Polyethylene)
- 27 gallon base works to keep the hoop upright during use
- Simple Assembly: No tools required!
We have reviewed many other low cost Lifetime Basketball Hoops in the past, and have found the vast majority of them to be a great value. These lower cost system generally cost in the $100-$400 range and are made primarily for families with children who want to learn the game of basketball. The Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Portable Basketball System is a hoop that finds itself in this category. Priced at under $200, the Lifetime 1269 is one of the lowest cost portable hoops that you will find. If you are on a tight budget and don’t want to spend a ton of money on a basketball system, then give this hoop a closer look.
To begin our review, we want to discuss the specific strengths of the Lifetime 1269 Pro Court. First, even we actually prefer a standard springless rim to the typical low grade double compression breakaway rims that are found on most low cost portable basketball hoops. Low quality breakaway rims tend to be too bouncy when shots hit the rim making them feel flimsy and unlike gym quality rims. Springless standard rims on the other hand are firmer and are more responsive to shots. The truth is that low cost portable basketball system will not hold up to dunking over the long terms whether of not the hoop has a breakaway rim, so really what’s the point?
We also like the relatively large 27 gallon base that is featured on the Lifetime 1269. Most portable hoops in this price range do not have this large of a base. For portable basketball systems, the base is a critical component. With a base that is too small you will find that your hoop could tip during inclement weather and during dunking. Bottom line, the bigger the base the more stable the hoop.
The final strength of this hoop is simply price. At under $200, this portable basketball hoop is cheaper than all but a few hoops on the market today. If you are not going to spend over $500, the honest truth is that there is not a huge difference from a $200 to $400 other than a larger backboard and base. So, this hoop could give you just the amount of family fun for about half the cost.
Now, with a hoop this low cost there are going to be some weaknesses. The backboard is small at 44 inches and is made from a type of polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate is the lowest quality backboard material and while durable does not perform well during play. This leads to a lack of responsiveness when the ball hits the backboard giving the backboard a “dead” feeling. The telescoping height adjustment mechanism is not the most user friendly. It requires that the person changing the height be able to support the upper half of the hoop while lowering it or raising it, making it impossible for most children to adjust the hoop height safely. The three-piece support pole system is the lowest quality support system design found on basketball hoops. This lower grade support pole design means that the hoop will feel less stable during play. Lastly, the Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Portable Basketball Hoop does not have a support pole to hoop offset, which can make it easier to run into the support pole when driving to the hoop.
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
- No tools required for assembly makes this a huge advantage of the Lifetime 1269 for those who are not handy
- Great price point for those wanting a starter hoop
- Relatively large 27 gallon base
- Standard rim actually performs better than low grade breakaway rims
What Would Make This Hoop Better
- Small backboard made of polycarbonate material
- Telescoping height adjustment mechanism can be difficult for children to use safely
- No padding on the support pole or backboard
- No hoop to support pole offset
A slightly more expensive Lifetime Basketball System that you may be interested in is the Lifetime 71286 XL Portable Basketball System.
