Mini basketball hoops and wall mount hoops are great items to help a young child develop a greater interest in basketball. The mini hoops are considered to be toys but they are also skill building elements that a child or adult can use when they cannot go outside to play.
We had several readers ask us if mini hoops are recommended by professional players. We asked our basketball expert panel of coaches and players. Our experts agreed that the majority of them had mini hoops when they were young, and most of them still have mini hoops inside their homes.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop
- Best Budget: Spalding Over The Door
- Best for Door: JAPER BEES Mini Pro Over The Door
- Best Wall Mount: RAMgoal Indoor Mini Basketball Hoop
- Best High-End: Silverback NXT 54″ Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop
Mini Hoops & Wall Mount Hoops Reviews
1. SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop
This is a complete set that comes with a ball. It is great for children and adults. It is realistic and can improve shooting skills.
The padding on the back of the backboard helps to keep the backboard from hitting the door and making a lot of noise while you are playing. The padding also stops the backboard from damaging the door finish.
All of the hardware you need to mount this mini hoop is included.
What We Like
- You can actually hear the ball swish through the net when you make the shot and do not hit the rim.
- It easily mounts over your door
- The backboard is shatterproof so it is safe to use in your home, office, dorm, or anywhere you like.
What We Don’t Like
- The backboard is slightly flexible and not as stiff as you might have liked it to be.
2. Spalding Over The Door Unit
The Spalding mini hoop mounts easily and can be used in a bedroom, dorm-room or office. It also comes with a ball. You have everything you need to start playing as soon as the hoop is mounted.
The door hooks are padded so you can mount this on an office or dorm room wall without worrying about damaging the door. This padding also helps to keep the noise level of the game being played to a minimum.
The backboard is lightweight and has a very realistic look to it.
What We Like
- This mini hoop has a 9 inch steel break away rim
- The backboard is padded polycarbonate and it is not going to shatter.
- This set is very easy to assemble and install. A common screwdriver and wrench is all you will need.
What We Don’t Like
- Backboard is thinner than you might would like for it to be
3. Tekk Nate Robinson Monster Jam Mini Hoop
Tekk has made a basketball endorsed by Nate Robinson. It comes complete with everything you need to play.
The materials used in this mini hoop are thicker and stronger than the materials used in the average mini hoop games. This set is durable enough to be used by older kids and adults.
This is a versatile unit that can be mounted over the door or on the wall. It has the ability to grow with your child because it can be raised higher as the child ages and their skills improve.
What We Like
- The rim of this hoop is solid steel and exactly like the rims used in college and professional basketball.
- The equipment looks just like original basketball equipment.
- Easy to install with provided hardware
What We Don’t Like
- It is slightly more expensive than some of the mini hoops.
4. JAPER BEES Mini Pro Basketball Hoop
Fundamentally this is a mini basketball hoop that can be used by children, or adults. It is relatively inexpensive yet professional looking because it is made of high quality materials that are thicker than average mini hoop materials.
The materials used in this set are high quality and durable. The net is thicker than most mini hoop sets, and there are dual springs on the break-away rim.
The backboard has foam padding that stops it from being noisy or damaging your walls or door. Your child can play well into the night without disturbing the rest of the house
What We Like
- This unit has a break away rim.
- It is a versatile unit that comes with the mounting brackets to secure it to the door or to the wall.
- This unit has a shatter-proof backboard made of a clear polycarbonate material.
What We Don’t Like
- The actual color of this set is not the same as the color you see in the picture.
5. RAM-goal Indoor Mini Basketball Hoop
A high quality basketball hoop. It does look like a professional ball hoop, and can be enjoyed by college aged students and adults.
The synthetic leather ball gives this mini hoop set the look and feel of a real basketball hoop. Because it mounts to the wall you can set this hoop at a traditional height of 10’ and let your basketball enthusiast improve their shooting technique. Once the hoop is in place it can be adjusted by as much as thirteen inches when younger children are playing, then raised to regulation height when the older kids are using it.
Please check our portable basketball hoops reviews.
What We Like
- Has a high quality break away rim
- A mini hoop that comes with everything you need to mount it to the wall.
- The height of the hoop can be adjusted as far as 13 inches to make it adaptable for different sizes and ages of players.
What We Don’t Like
- Can be wall mounted but not hung over the door
6. AOKESI Pro Indoor Mini Basketball Hoop Set for Kids
Safety is a priority with this great mini hoop set because of the shatterproof backboard. It is designed to entertain children while it allows them to develop shooting skills.
It comes with an air pump, the needle to air the ball, mounting hardware, a steel rimmed basket, ball net and backboard. Your kids will be playing within minutes of getting this hoop. There are 2 balls so two kids can play at the same time with no fussing over who has the ball.
It has protective foam padding that helps keep it from being noisy or doing any damages to the door.
What We Like
- Comes complete with 2 rubber basketballs.
- This mini hoop is designed to be hung over a door.
- Affordable and fun
What We Don’t Like
- Cannot be wall mounted with the hardware supplied
7. Silverback NXT 54″ Wall Mounted Adjustable Basketball Hoop
This is a high end basketball hoop that is realistic in appearance and style. It is not designed to mount over the door, and it accommodates normal basketballs sized for professional games.
The set is intended for basketball play that truly emulates the action of a real professional game. All of the equipment is regulation size so you can get the feel of really playing basketball in your own garage.
Easy to install and you can be playing in about 120 minutes. You can even mount it outside because it is weather resistant.
Silverback offer market top in-gound hoops, don’t miss our in-ground hoops review post.
What We Like
- The height of this basketball hoop can be adjusted from 7.5’ to standard 10’
- It can be mounted indoors or outdoors. It is durable and weather resistant
- The backboard is designed with increased rigidity. You can install this unit in about 120 minutes.
What We Don’t Like
- This is not actually a mini hoop but is a full size basketball hoop that will require ample playing room like in a garage or outdoors
8. Liberty Imports Magic Shot Mini Basketball Hoop
The Magic Shot by Liberty is a highly durable mini hoop that is designed with kids in mind. It is very affordable and provides hours of play.
You get the backboard, the net, the rim, the hardware to mount the unit, the ball to play the game with, a pump and a needle to air up the ball. This is a complete mini hoop basketball set.
Since you can mount this unit on a wall you can mount it at regulation height, or at whatever height your child needs, and then the height can be increased as the child grows.
What We Like
- It is versatile and can be mounted over a door or on the wall.
- Comes complete with everything you need to mount and play.
- This mini hoop meets or exceeds the safety requirements set up by ASTM and CPSC.
What We Don’t Like
- It is very small with only a 4.5” ball.
Best Mini Basketball Hoop: What to Consider?
When you are considering buying a mini hoop or a wall mounted basketball hoop there are a few things to consider that will help you find the perfect one. Your first consideration needs to be the age and skills of the player that will use the item most.
Mounting Options
The mini hoops can either be designed to mount on the wall or be hung over the door. They are great for use in bedrooms, offices and dorm rooms.
Some of these mini hoops can be mounted in either way and that makes them more versatile.
Padding
Most mini hoops will be padded on the back of the backboard. This padding allows them to be quieter when they are played with and helps prevent damages to the door or wall that they are mounted to.
The Ball
Some mini hoops come with synthetic leather balls, some come with rubber balls, and some come with the foam balls. The type of ball that the unit comes with should help you decide what age the player should be.Foam balls are designed for younger children.
Adjustable Height
Some mini hoops have backboards that can be adjusted up to 13 inches. You can establish the board and later when the child grows you can raise the board to a higher level to increase the playing difficulty.
Shatterproof
You want a backboard that is shatterproof so you know that there will be no accidents or injuries while the hoop is being used.
Steel Rims
Many of the mini hoops have steel rims and durable nets like professional hoops have. Most of the steel rims are designed to be break away rims.
Cost
These items can range from $10 to $400 dollars. You want to start a small child or toddler off with a less expensive set until you see how much they like the game.
More expensive units are designed for adults to put in their offices or for college students to hang in their dorm rooms.
Mini Basketball Hoop Setup Tips
Over the Door
When you hang a mini hoop over a door make certain that the door mounts are secured into the door. Often when mounting these units in hollow core doors the mount does not stay stabilized and if the child grabs the rim it can pull the mounts out of the door.
Wall Mounts
The majority of wall mounts are designed to be screwed into studs that are sixteen inches apart. This is the standard measurement for wall studs.
Locate your studs and make a mark to show where you wish to mount the backboard. You should also use a level to make certain that your marks are level so your hoop will be level.
Where to Put Your Mini Basketball Hoop
Bedrooms
This is a great location so the child can play whenever they want to. You will probably want an over the door hoop if you plan to place it in the child’s bedroom.
Offices
You can hang these units on the back of office doors and use them when you need to relax or while you are thinking through a problem.
Garages
The wall mounted units are better designed for mounting in a garage. In a garage the child or adult can have the hoop hung to the appropriate height so they can truly practice their skills and improve their game.
FAQ’s about the wall mount basketball hoop:
Where should I put my hoop?
This will depend on the type of hoop you purchased and the mounting hardware included with the hoop. If it is a door mount consider a bedroom, office, or play room door. If it is a wall mounted unit consider a play room or a garage as a good location.
What height should I set the hoop for my child?
The height of a basketball hoop will depend on the size and age of the child. 8 foot is perfect for 8 to 10 year olds of average height. 9 foot is perfect for 10 to 11 year olds of average height. 10 foot is the traditional height for school hoops, college hoops, and professional hoops. 10 foot is perfect for anyone 12 and up.
Can I dunk on a wall-mounted basketball hoop?
You can dunk on a wall mounted basketball hoop as long as the backboard is properly secured into the studs of the wall. You should make sure that the backboard is anchored properly into the studs and not simply hung on the wall board before you attempt to dunk.
Last word
The mini hoops and wall mounted hoops allow people to enjoy the game of basketball inside their homes and offices. Many people think of these hoops as mere toys, but they are actually skill building tools that can help improve your game.
When buying one of these hoops make certain you know where you will want to put the hoop in your house so you get one that you can use.