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Whether for a friendly game of “H-O-R-S-E” or a splash-filled dunking contest, a basketball hoop for pool use amps up the fun in a backyard pool. These aquatic basketball goals include a classic floating hoop that sits atop the pool’s surface and poolside nets that look authentic with backboards and full-size rims. This guide dives into pool basketball hoops, explores the features to consider when shopping for the best pool basketball hoops, and reviews some of the top models on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: GoSports Splash Hoop PRO
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Swimline Tall-Boy Floating Basketball Game
- BEST FLOATING: GoSports Splash Hoop 360 Floating Basketball Game
- BEST POOLSIDE: Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System
- BEST INFLATABLE: Swimline Giant Shootball Floating Basketball Game
- BEST ADJUSTABLE: Dunn Rite Splash and Shoot Pool Basketball Hoop
- ALSO CONSIDER: Poolmaster Classic Pro Rebounder Poolside Basketball
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pool Basketball Hoop
When shopping for the right hoop to add to a collection of pool toys, consider a few important factors, including the hoop’s type, size, and material. Ahead, find out more about the key attributes of these aquatic versions of B-ball.
Types of Pool Basketball Hoops
Pool basketball hoops come in three different types, including the classic floating hoop, which sits on the surface of the pool, and poolside and deck-mounted hoops, which resemble their courtside counterparts.
- Floating hoops: Shoppers can choose between the two types of floating basketball hoops: inflatable or rigid.
- Inflatable basketball hoops: These are made from vinyl and inflate to a hoop shape. They float on the pool’s surface like any other pool floaty.
- Rigid floating hoops: These options consist of a circular plastic frame made from lightweight PVC pipe that holds the net above the water’s surface. Unlike other basketball hoop types, floating hoops don’t have a backboard, which allows the players to shoot from any angle.
- Poolside hoops: A poolside hoop resembles the full-size basketball goals that use a weighted base to hold the backboard and net aloft. The base sits on the deck and holds the net and backboard over the water.
- Deck-mounted hoops: A deck-mounted hoop and backboard option is available that’s similar to a poolside hoop, but the hoop doesn’t use a weighted base for support. Instead, it’s mounted into the cement pool deck, which creates a sturdy design that’s capable of holding larger and heavier backboards.
Size and Design
Pool basketball goal rims are typically about 14 inches in diameter, which is smaller than the standard 18-inch rim on a traditional basketball net. The rims also are much closer to the ground than the 10-foot regulation height of a standard basketball goal. Floating models typically hover between 20 and 24 inches off the surface of the water, while the rims on poolside basketball hoops range from 24 to 50 inches high.
Pool basketball hoops vary in design. While poolside and deck-mounted hoops have backboards, floating models typically don’t, allowing the user to shoot from any position.
Material and Durability
Small floating hoops are typically made from lightweight plastic PVC pipe and foam, making them light enough to float above the water. However, this lightweight construction also makes them less durable.
Poolside and deck-mounted hoops don’t float, so they typically use heavy-duty plastic and metal in their construction, which makes them significantly more durable (and also more expensive) than their floating counterparts. Poolside basketball hoops have large bases that the user must fill with sand or water to create a foundation heavy enough to keep the basketball hoop aloft.
Our Top Picks
This list narrows the field of basketball hoops to some of the top models on the market in both floating and poolside options.
This model from GoSports consists of a weighted base that supports a backboard and a 14-inch rim. The hoop comes equipped with a larger 43-by-23-inch backboard, limiting misses so the players don’t have to get out of the pool as often to retrieve bad shots.
The base is weighted with 50 pounds of water, which provides enough stability to endure slam dunks. Durable high-grade plastic resists water damage while giving this basketball hoop a sturdy feel. The GoSports Splash Hoop PRO comes with two inflatable balls.
Product Specs
- Type: Poolside
- Size: 14-inch rim and 31-by-23-inch backboard
- Balls: Two included
Pros
- Stable, sturdy design
- Includes two balls
- Easy to install
Cons
- Height is not adjustable
Get the GoSports Splash Hoop PRO on Amazon or on Overstock.
This affordable hoop from Swimline is a budget option for pool owners looking to add basketball to the list of aquatic recreation activities. The floating net consists of a lightweight PVC pipe frame that forms a 14-inch rim and three foam floaties that attach to the lower part of the frame to keep it afloat in the water. A small inflatable basketball is included.
This basketball hoop is taller than most other floating hoops. While most floating hoops are around 20 inches tall, the frame on this rim sits a full 2 feet off the surface of the water. Assembling the Tall-Boy basketball net is easy—no tools required. Simply insert each tube into the connectors.
Product Specs
- Type: Floating
- Size: 14-inch rim
- Balls: One included
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy to assemble
- Light overall weight
Cons
- Not as durable as other pool basketball hoops
Get the Swimline Tall-Boy Floating Basketball Game on Amazon.
Most floating hoops are made with lightweight materials that may succumb to horseplay. The GoSports Splash Hoop 360, however, features heavy-duty plastic tubing that’s built to endure the force of hard slam dunks. It comes equipped with three thick foam floaties that keep the hoop upright even in the choppy waters created by intense aquatic one-on-one contests.
At 14 inches in diameter, the rim is smaller than a standard rim and sits about 22 inches above the surface of the water. The tube frame sets up quickly with no tools required. It comes with two inflatable balls and a portable pump, and it’s available in either a blue or red color scheme.
Product Specs
- Type: Floating
- Size: 14-inch rim
- Balls: Two included
Pros
- More durable than most floating pool hoops
- Includes two balls and a pump
- Rim rises nearly 2 feet above the water
Cons
- Tall height causes it to fall over more easily
Get the GoSports Splash Hoop 360 Floating Basketball Game on Amazon.
Similar to its full-size models, the Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System consists of a heavy-duty plastic backboard and a standard 18-inch metal rim attached to a powder-coated steel pole supported by a weighted base.
Users can adjust the pole from a rim height of 4 feet to 6.5 feet in 6-inch increments, making it one of the more versatile poolside basketball hoops on the market. It also features a large 44-inch backboard, which helps keep missed shots from leaving the pool.
Product Specs
- Type: Poolside
- Size: 18-inch rim
- Balls: Not included
Pros
- Sturdy metal and plastic construction
- Full-size 18-inch rim
- Adjustable height
- Large 44-inch backboard
Cons
- No ball included
Get the Lifetime Pool Side Basketball System on Amazon or at Target.
Along with heavy-duty vinyl construction, this inflatable basketball hoop from Swimline measures a whopping 45 inches in diameter at the base with a 14-inch rim that reaches 36 inches high, making it one of the larger floating models on the market.
A groove in the bottom of the hoop helps hold the included inflatable ball, keeping the two together when not in use. A dome under the hoop bounces the ball back out into the water after a score.
Product Specs
- Type: Inflatable
- Size: 16-inch rim
- Balls: One included
Pros
- Giant floating hoop
- Made with durable vinyl construction
- Includes a ball
Cons
- Large size makes it difficult to inflate manually
Get the Swimline Giant Shootball Floating Basketball Game on Amazon, at Walmart, or at The Home Depot.
While many poolside basketball hoops have adjustable heights, few are as adjustable as this model from Dunn-Rite. The rim and hoop attach to a steel powder-coated pole via a tension mount. By loosening the mount, users can adjust the rim to any height up to 56 inches above the pool deck.
This hoop is sturdy enough to handle the force of a slam dunk thanks to a large base that’s weighted with 25 gallons of water, giving it a total weight of 200 pounds. The Dunn-Rite Splash and Shoot hoop comes equipped with a full-size 18-inch rim and a large 43-by-29-inch polycarbonate backboard. It comes with one ball.
Product Specs
- Type: Poolside
- Size: 18-inch rim
- Balls: One included
Pros
- Sturdy 200-pound base
- Full-size rim and large backboard
- Includes a ball
- Can make micro rim-height adjustments up to 56 inches
Cons
- Expensive
Get the Dunn-Rite Splash and Shoot Pool Basketball Hoop at Walmart or on Amazon.
This poolside basketball hoop is not only more affordable than many other poolside models, but it also features licensed NBA logos for pro basketball fans. The hoop consists of a 14-inch rim attached to a 34-by-25.5-inch backboard. The rim, elevated about 20 inches from the pool deck, is supported by a water- or sand-filled base.
The hoop is available with a generic Pro Rebounder backboard or with the logo of any of 11 NBA teams, including the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls. Unlike other poolside basketball rims that can weigh 30 pounds or more, this model weighs just 15 pounds, making it easy to set up and take down.
Product Specs
- Type: Poolside
- Size: 14-inch rim
- Balls: One included
Pros
- Lightweight size
- Features backboard logos for NBA teams
- Includes a ball
Cons
- NBA logo models are significantly more expensive than the generic model
Get the Poolmaster Classic Pro Rebounder Poolside Basketball on Amazon or at Walmart.
Our Verdict
With a simple yet sturdy design and a large backboard, the GoSports Splash Hoop PRO is a worthy basketball hoop for any backyard pool. Those looking for a floating hoop should consider the GoSports Splash Hoop 360 Floating Basketball Game with its tall design and sturdy construction.
How We Chose the Best Pool Basketball Hoops
To narrow down the more than 20 pool basketball nets we reviewed to the picks included on this list, we considered several criteria. Durability and stability were key since pool basketball goals tend to take a beating from repeated slam dunks. With those factors in mind, we chose only those models with designs and materials that could withstand punishment without cracking or falling over. A basketball rim must be taller than the players, so we limited our search to those with higher rim heights that better simulate the feel of a real basketball goal.
For poolside models, we favored models with height adjustability as well as those with large backboards that help keep missed shots from leaving the pool. Finally, we also considered rim diameter, staying away from tiny basketball hoops that make scoring difficult by limiting our search to models with at least a 14-inch diameter.
FAQs
If you’re wondering about the location for your new pool basketball goal and if you can install it yourself, keep reading for answers to this and other questions.
Q. How tall are pool basketball hoops?
Height depends on the type of basketball hoop. Floating hoops can extend anywhere from 20 to 24 inches off the pool surface, while poolside basketball hoops may extend 50 inches or more from the pool deck.
Q. How do I place my pool basketball hoop?
Position your pool basketball hoop on a part of the pool deck that allows swimmers to take shots from a wide variety of positions from the pool. Make sure the hoop is positioned so that it doesn’t block other important parts of the pool, such as a ladder or slide.
Q: Are the dimensions of a pool basketball hoop the same as the dimensions of a regular basketball hoop?
With 14-inch-diameter rims, most pool basketball hoops are smaller than standard basketball nets. However, some poolside models have similar dimensions, with 18-inch rims and large backboards.
Q. How long do pool basketball hoops last?
Longevity depends on the material. Basketball hoops made from metal will eventually succumb to the elements and pool chemicals and rust. PVC and plastic materials, though not as strong as steel, can endure chemicals and water longer than metal.
Q. Is it hard to install a pool basketball hoop?
Most pool basketball hoops are easy to install; in fact, floating hoops can be assembled in minutes. While poolside hoops require a more involved installation process, most come with detailed instructions and require minimal tools to assemble.