Nothing beats the summer; grilling and parties bring friends and family together. If you are lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard then it takes the party atmosphere to a whole new level.
But you don’t want a pool just to swim laps do you? Of course not, you need a few toys so that when you and your crew jump in you have some fun activities to do. For those of you who already have the massive swan floaty and every super soaker known on planet earth, then it’s time to step it up and get one of the best pool basketball hoops.
Imagine dunking over your best friend between beers and dropping deep bombs from the other end of the pool. Too bad there are no three point lines in pools.
We’ve got a great list of our picks for the 7 best pool basketball hoops. We’ve tried to gather pool hoops that meet a wide range in terms of both features and budget. So whether you have a small above ground pool or a complete water park, there is something in this list for everyone.
1. Swimline Cool Jam Pro Poolside Basketball Hoop
First up on our list of best pool basketball hoops is the Cool Jam Pro Poolside Basketball Hoop. Coming in at just under $200, this pool basketball hoop is in the mid-price range compared to some of the others on this list.
This hoop provides hours of fun thanks to a regulation metal rim and 44 inch polycarbonate backboard. Of course this isn’t going to be a gym quality hoop, but it will certainly allow for fun recreational game play while taking a dip.
Assembly is easy with this pool hoop and is one of its biggest strengths. That means you have this thing up and ready for use in no time.
It does appear that Swimline Cool Jam does have an issue with rusting over time, especially with the rim. Hopefully, Swimline will consider adding rust protection coating to the rim to help prevent rusting.
2. Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System
Lifetime is a basketball hoop brand that we’ve reviewed extensively here at Hoops Fiend. They make very popular value hoops and even manufacturer some high-quality in-ground basketball systems like the Lifetime Mammoth line.
Their Pool Side Basketball Hoop is a mid-priced pool hoop that comes in three different color options: Blue Fusion, White Fusion, and White Impact.
This pool basketball hoop is designed to sit on a deck or on the concrete just outside the pool. If you don’t have a deck or an in-ground pool then this hoop would not be a good choice for your pool.
The support pole does have powder coating which helps protect it from rust. As for the backboard it is shatter-proof and the graphics are fade resistant. This pool hoop also comes with a five year limited warranty.
Unfortunately, the rim on the Lifetime Pool Side Basketball Hoop also has a tendency to rust.
3. Dunnrite PoolSport Basketball Hoop
Dunnrite brings the rim rocking fun to your backyard with the PoolSport Basketball Hoop. With a cool blue and white color scheme, this hoop screams summer.
The base is filled with water and is 17 inches wide and 38 inches tall. With a base this size you shouldn’t have to worry about the hoop tipping unless you throw down rim breaking dunks, which we don’t recommend.
Rusting is a problem with this hoop as well, but doesn’t seem to be as big of an issue as with some other pool basketball hoops.
4. SwimWays 2-in-1 Basketball & Volleyball Swimming Pool Game
For those of you who are fans of both hoops and volleyball then the SwimWays 2-in-1 Hoop is the perfect choice. Killing two birds with one stone is one of my favorite pastimes and there is no doubt that having two different sports to choose from will only increase the fun you can have in your pool during those warm summer days.
A big pro for this pool hoop is that is doesn’t require any tools to assemble, which is a big plus for me as a non-handy person.
The hoop is mini-sized, so if you require a full size basketball experience then we suggest considering another hoops from our list. As for the volleyball net it spans 24 feet. A basketball and volleyball are included.
5. First Team Hydroshot Select Swimming Pool Basketball Hoop
Whoa, now that’s a pool basketball hoop! The First Team Hydroshot Select Pool Basketball Hoop takes your pool basketball experience to a pro level. Featuring a 60 inch acrylic backboard, this a full-sized basketball hoop that can be used for deep shots and rim hanging slam dunks.
Being a heavy-duty pool hoop you’ll need to have a concrete platform to mount this badboy so that it has a sturdy base.
Featured on this pool basketball hoop is a hand crank height adjustment mechanism, single-piece support pole, and a pro style breakaway rim.
The only serious downfall about this hoop is the price. Expect to pay over $4,000 to experience this authentic basketball playing experience in your pool. Is it worth it? Depends on how much you love the game and how deep your pockets happen to be.
6. COOP Hydro Spring Hoop
The only pool basketball hoop that floats on top of the water that made it on our list, the COOP Hyrdo Spring Hoop is a great option that allows for basketball games without spending hundreds of dollars.
The “hydro spring” name comes from the patented spring technology that is embedded in the base of the system that allows for the base to bend and flex while retaining its shape.
This hoop is 20 inches in height, which allows for players of all sizes to throw down monster dunks. A mini basketball is included so you can get in on the action right away.
7. Poolmaster Pro Rebounder Basketball Hoop
The Poolmaster Pro Rebounder is the last pool basketball hoop to make our list. At under $100, this is a great choice if you are looking for a pool hoop that balances quality and value effectively.
The base of the Poolmaster Hoop can be filled with either sand or water and will help keep the hoop upright.
One of the biggest strengths of the Poolmaster Pro Rebounder Pool Hoop is that the rim is rust resistant. This is something that is an issue with many pool hoops and it is nice to see Poolmaster address this concern.
This hoop comes with a mini-basketball and requires a small area for the base.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Pool Basketball Hoop
What Kind Of Pool You Have
For those of us with above ground pools without a deck or patio surrounding the pool, you’ll want to buy a hoop that can float on top of the water unless you plan to build a small platform for the basketball to sit on just outside of the pool.
In-ground pools allow for a greater variety of pool basketball hoops. You can more easily use a hoop that sits just outside the pool.
Full Size or Mini?
There are a lot of pool basketball hoops that are mini-sized, which has pros and cons. The pros are that you’ll likely spend less on the hoop and don’t need as much space to use the hoop. The main con is that mini-hoops don’t provide as authentic of an basketball experience as full-size hoops do. Which hoop you prefer will be very individual to your needs and preferences.
How Much You Want To Spend
The prices of pool basketball hoops vary greatly from a under $20 to over $4,000! Obviously, the quality of these hoops are quite different. Most of the decent pool basketball hoops on the market are priced between $100 and $200. Hoops in this range have a metal rim, polycarbonate backboard, and water-filled base.