Let’s state the obvious, pool hoops aren’t something that people buy PRIMARILY for their performance.
Our Top Pick:
Pool hoops are something you buy with one thing in mind – having fun. As such, this list will FOCUS on the hoops that are the easiest to have fun with.
Your Guide
Edis Hajlovac
What is meant by that?
It’s not possible to assign a Numerical Value to FUN, but it is possible to predict how often the fun will be interrupted by things such as the hoop tipping over or flat-out stopped by the hoop breaking.
The actual performance details that were at the forefront of our previous rankings will be all but ignored here because they are not nearly as IMPORTANT as the stability of the hoop and the quality of materials that will determine its durability and toughness.
You will have to accept the fact that no pool hoop will last forever because the CHLORINE that the Pool Water is usually treated with will leave a mark on the hoop sooner or later.
On the other hand, the hoops are relatively cheap so replacing an old one won’t have a major impact on your budget.
#1: Dunnrite Splash B600
The Dunnrite B600 is a hoop that is almost too good to be used as a poolside hoop.
It has a 43’’ polymer backboard and a fixed stainless steel rim that is coated in vinyl for increased rust protection and is sturdy enough to withstand relatively STRONG DUNKS.
The rim can be raised up to 56’’ from the surface of the pool so you can adjust the height for the group that is using it. The mechanism for changing the height is primitive but it exists, which is more than many pool hoops will offer.
The support pole is a 2.38’’ round piece of powder-coated aluminum that is connected to the base.
The base of the hoop is DESIGNED to be filled with water and it will weigh 200 lbs when full. This means that you will have to try really hard to tip this hoop over during play.
Key Features
- Coated stainless steel rim
- Adjustable rim height
- 43’’ polymer backboard
- High-capacity base
- Protective coating on the metal parts
- Package includes a basketball
Specification
- Brand: Dunnrite
- Weight: 46 lbs
- Dimensions: 28 x 44 x 65 inches
- Color: white
Pros
- Great performance for a pool hoop
- Good durability thanks to the protective coatings
- Rim height can be changed
- Won’t move around easily thanks to a high-capacity base
Cons
- One of the more expensive hoops
- The protective coatings won’t hold forever and you will need to reapply them after a while
#2: Lifetime 1306
This hoop from Lifetime is a great example of a pool hoop that copies many concepts from SUCCESSFUL portable hoops.
A base fillable with 27 gallons of water comes with two wheels for mobility and a round 5/8’’ support pole EXTENDS from the base to the backboard.
A 44’’ polycarbonate backboard is really good at doing its job and few pool hoops will feature a BIGGER backboard.
It’s also good to see that the rim comes with a durable nylon net that won’t be easy to rip or take damage from the elements.
This pole is telescopic, meaning you can adjust the height of the rim from 4’ to 6.5’ in 6’’ increments, and it is UV coated and rust-resistant for improved durability in the pool environment.
The backboard is shatterproof and the rim is sturdy, but I’d advise you to avoid excessive hanging on the rim after dunking because “sturdy” isn’t the same as “unbreakable”.
Other cool extras involve fade-resistant graphics and a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Overall, this is a great product as far as pool hoops go and it has all the features you want in a pool hoop. Unless you use it very RECKLESSLY, it will be a great source of entertainment for years to come.
Key Features
- 44’’ shatterproof polycarbonate backboard
- UV and rust-resistant steel support pole
- Adjustable rim height
- Wheels on the base for easy portability
Specification
- Brand: Lifetime
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Dimensions: 44 x 44 x 8 inches
- Color: blue fusion, white fusion, white impact
Cons
- The protective coatings won’t hold forever and you will need to reapply them after a while
- Rust will quickly become an issue despite protective coatings
- Doesn’t come with a ball
Pros
- Great performance for a pool hoop
- Good durability thanks to the protective coatings
- Rim height can be changed
- Easily movable due to wheels on the base
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
#3: GoSports Splash Hoop 360
This hoop from GoSports is different than all the other hoops features on this list.
While the other hoops are positioned on the edge of the pool and require a filled base for stability, the Splash Hoop 360 is designed to float directly on the SURFACE of the water.
This means that you can score on it from any direction and it has zero metal parts so that rust will not be an issue.
Despite an all-plastic construction, you can safely dunk on this hoop because there is no weak point on the rim that will likely break like the connection between the rim and the backboard.
The issue you can run into with these hoops is tipping over, but that won’t happen as often as you think. They will move around the pool, however, so don’t expect them to stay in the same place for a long time.
I’ve had the opportunity to play on a hoop like this and the experience was both very unusual and very FUN.
Scoring on it can be a challenge at times but it is a very gratifying feeling once you succeed and with a low price of just $35 you really have nothing to lose and a lot of fun to gain.
Key Features
- An all-plastic construction with zero metal parts
- Assembles in seconds
- Comes with two balls and a pump
- Designed with a wide base that makes it harder to tip over
Specification
- Brand: GoSports
- Weight: 4.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 24’’ tall, other dimensions note specified
- Color: red&white
Pros
- No metal parts that can rust
- Hoop assembles in seconds
- Very affordable
- Difficult to tip over
Cons
- Has no mechanism to keep the hoop in place
- Rim height is not adjustable
#4: Poolmaster 72783 Pro Rebounder
Unlike the previous hoops on the list which have some metal parts, the Poolmaster Pro Rebounder is made mostly out of plastic which brings about a UNIQUE set of advantages and disadvantages for a prospective buyer to consider.
Plastic construction means that the entire hoop will be very lightweight, but that comes at a cost of structural integrity as even the rim is made out of plastic.
This means that you can forget about HARD DUNKS, let alone hanging on the rim unless you want to break it faster than you thought possible.
A positive is that plastic doesn’t rust, something that commonly happens to the metal components of other hoops as a result of long exposure to treated pool water.
It will get discolored over time, but that’s no threat to Structural Integrity.
The net on the rim is RESISTANT to mold, which is a welcome feature. The base, which is supposed to be filled with water or sand, is quite small but this is okay as the hoop is light.
The plastic is advertised as weather-resistant and the hoop can be assembled in just SEVERAL MINUTES.
The backboard on the hoop is among the smaller in the class with a width of just 34’’. In my eyes, this doesn’t really mean that much since the rim is smaller than regulation (14’’) and pool basketball isn’t exactly known for having a lot of bank shots.
It is a very interesting concept overall and it is not a product for everyone. If you’re looking for a hoop that you can use to create epic pool dunk videos, this ain’t it chief.
Those of you looking for a fun and safe hoop for casual pool play may, on the other hand, have exactly what they’re looking for here.
Key Features
- All-plastic construction (except for the bolts)
- Mold-resistant net
- Weather-resistant materials
- 33’’ plastic backboard and a 14’’ plastic rim
- Comes with a suitable basketball
Specification
- Brand: Poolmaster
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Dimensions: 34 x 18 x 25.5 inches
- Color: blue and gray
Pros
- Lightweight
- Very fast assembly
- Plastic construction means rust won’t be a major issue
- Comes with a suitable basketball
Cons
- Not suitable for dunking
- Rim height is not adjustable
- A bit expensive for an all-plastic hoop
#5: Poolmaster 72820 Splashback
The second hoop from Poolmaster on this list is also primarily made out of plastic, which is far from the only similarity, and in some aspects appears STURDIER than its predecessor.
Given the primarily plastic construction which does appear sturdier in this case, I still don’t recommend dunking for the same reason as before.
The backboard and the rim materials are the same so there isn’t anything new to say about them.
The base of the Splashback is quite large, especially for a hoop of this size, and it will provide great stability during play which is always welcome.
But the usefulness of the stability is kind of wasted with a very FRAGILE rim that doesn’t support dunking and that is probably the weakest point of the hoop.
In total, it is a more stable and more EXPENSIVE version of the Pro Rebounder hoop features at #3. The uses and limitations of both hoops are identical and it’s up to you to determine if the extra stability is worth the increase in price.
Key Features
- All-plastic construction (except for the bolts)
- Mold-resistant net
- Weather-resistant materials
- 33’’ plastic backboard
- Comes with a suitable basketball
Specification
- Brand: Poolmaster
- Weight: 20 lbs
- Dimensions: 34 x 45 x 38 inches
- Color: white
Pros
- Lightweight
- Very fast assembly
- Plastic construction means rust won’t be a major issue
- Comes with a suitable basketball
Cons
- VERY fragile rim that is not at all suitable for dunking
- Rim height is not adjustable
- A bit expensive for an all-plastic hoop
Pool hoops won’t blow anyone away with amazing performance and they’re not supposed to as long as they are FUN to use.
The hoops we’ve featured on this list offer different playing experiences and they are DIVERSE enough for anyone to find something that will suit them.
Want to do epic pool dunks?
Go for the Dunnrite or Lifetime models.
Want to have a shooting competition or play HORSE?
The Poolmaster models are probably for you.
Want a 360-degree playing experience?
Go for the GoSports.
Pool basketball is a refreshing twist on the established mechanics of putting the ball in the hoop and it can be a THRILLING experience for casual players and hardcore hoopers alike.
I sincerely recommend you give it a try if you ever get the chance.
