Lifetime 51550 Courtside Portable Basketball Hoop Review

Best Basketball Hoops Rating

Lifetime 51550 Courtside Portable Basketball Hoop Review:   7.8/10

Main Features

• Features a 31 gallon base with wheels for easy transportation and to keep the portable basketball system in place during shots and dunks
• 5 Year warranty so that you can buy with confidence
• Slam-it rim with two compression springs
• 3 piece support pole and frame system
• Height adjustments from 8 feet to 10 feet in 6 inch increments
• Backboard that is 48 inches that is made with polycarbonate material

There are countless families who are wanting a high quality basketball hoop that is a good value and will allow for their kids to have a hoop for their home.  If you find yourself in this category then the Lifetime 51550 Courtside Portable Basketball Hoop would be a nice choice.  This basketball hoop has some higher quality features when it is compared to the its price.

We really like the five year warranty provided by Lifetime, who manufactures all of their hoops in the USA. They have a solid reputation as a value based basketball hoop manufacturer.  If you would like a Lifetime basketball hoop with a larger backboard with similar features as the 51550, we consider you take a closer look at the Lifetime 71566 and Lifetime 71522.

While the hoop is small it has some great characteristics. To start, the backboard is 48 inches and is made of a polycarbonate material that is very strong.  The downside to polycarbonate backboards is that they do not have the performance found with backboards made from acrylic and tempered glass.  The height adjustment mechanism is very easy to use allowing the hoop’s height to be adjusted from 8 feet to 10 feet in 6 inch increments.  Having a hoop that has the height adjustment feature allows for children to practice proper shooting technique.

The three piece support system does vibrate, but will meet the needs of most families looking for a hoop for recreational style play.  As a safety measure, the bottom of the backboard is lined with padding, which will keep players from getting injured.

What We Like About This Hoop

• The Lifetime 51550 basketball hoop has a double spring rim which is rare at this basketball hoop’s price point
• Having the height adjustment system makes this hoop great for basketball players of all ages
• The 31 gallon base is quite large and should minimize the possibility of the hoop tipping

What Would Make This Hoop Better

• The three piece support pole system is more susceptible to vibration that two or one piece support systems
• Polycarbonate backboards are strong, but do not provide the same performance of hoops featuring tempered glass backboards

As we mentioned previously, the 51550 hoop is a great option for families with growing children.  The basketball system is a lower priced hoop and should not be looked to provide professional level performance.  There are many great features that come with this hoop that you may not find with other value priced hoops.  If you are looking for a higher quality, more expensive hoop, we suggest that you consider the 71566 or 71522, both from Lifetime.