Lifetime 71281 In-Ground Basketball Hoop Review – Detail Guide

Are you being basketball lover and plan to start training at home from today? If yes, then the Lifetime 71281 In-Ground basketball hoop is the best choice for you. Lifetime 71281 In-Ground Basketball hoop review make it possible for you to know about the strengths and weaknesses of this hoop.

The inclusion of new technologies in this basketball system makes it the best In-Ground Basketball Hoop. Worldwide people acknowledge that lifetime company builds high quality and strength full products. All products of Lifetime are manufacture in the USA.

Lifetime 71281 basketball system features 52 inches wide backboard. This backboard size may be smaller for some adult players, but this size is accurate for most users to enjoy the basketball game at home.

The backboard of this basketball hoop is made up of polycarbonate. There are so many advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate material that we will describe below.

A top of a line-height adjustment mechanism is install in this basketball hoop, which can adjust its height from 7.5 feet to 10 feet.

The slam-it pro rim is equip in this basketball hoop makes it sturdier and more robust. Lifetime 71281 basketball system is also recommended for playing dunk shots.

An all-weather nylon net also increases the durability of the basketball system. Now, you may ask this question that this basketball comes with a five-year limited warranty or not? Read the complete article and find its answer.😉

Now, let’s dive into the detailed review about Lifetime 71281 Basketball Hoop.


Lifetime 71281 In-Ground Basketball Hoop
9.0/10 Our Score
  • Backboard Material: Polycarbonate
  • Rim Material: Slam-It Rim
  • Backboard Dimension: 54 x 32 inches

Nothing is better than having durable and stable Lifetime 71281 In-Ground basketball hoop; even in affordable price. 

Main Features

  • 52 inches backboard, which is made up of polycarbonate, make this basketball hoop shatterproof
  • Slam-it pro rim equipped in this basketball hoop makes it stronger
  • With the help of the Power-lift height adjustment mechanism, you can adjust its height with more ease.
  • Powder-coated steel pole
  • 5-years limited warranty

Backboard

Lifetime 71281 In-Ground Basketball Hoop backboard

The Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop is equip with 52 inches wide backboard. However, this size is smaller for professional players. Still, kids and teenagers can get a lot of entertainment and pleasure by playing with this basketball hoop with their friends and family.

There is also a thick foam padding on its backboard, which helps to keep the player safe from serious injury during jump shots.

Its backboard is made with polycarbonate material. However, this material is mainly use in outdoors because it has the ability to encounter outdoor climates.

Polycarbonate material also gives flexibility to the backboard, which makes it unbreakable. You can say that polycarbonate is a durable material, and the weather has the most minor effect on it.

But the rebounding force of polycarbonate material against a basketball ball is pretty bad, and its transparency may turn to yellow when the rays of the sun directly fall on it for a long time.

This backboard size can easily be mount in outdoors. This basketball hoop is also an ideal option for the trainees.

Furthermore, you can also use this basketball hoop as a swimming pool basketball hoop. On this occasion, the size of this Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop becomes very handy.


Height Adjustment

The specialty of the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop is its height adjustment mechanism. The top-of-the-line variant of height adjustment mechanism is install in this basketball hoop, which is known as the Power-Lift mechanism.

In this mechanism, you can adjust the height of the basketball hoop by just squeezing the lever in an upward or downward direction and set it to your desired height. The range of its height is from 7.5 Feet to 10 Feet.

This is an easy adjustment mechanism; even kids can also do that work more efficiently. Lifetime 71281 basketball system does not take more time or energy to adjust the height of its rim.

We highly recommend you to buy that Adjustable Basketball Hoop, because it makes it possible to play basketball for people of all ages.


Rim

Lifetime 71281 In-Ground Basketball Hoop rim

The Slam-It Pro rim is install in this basketball hoop. So, you can play dunk shots or layup shots with Slam-It Pro Rim, as double compressional springs are attach to the rim and it save the player from serious injury during dunk or layup shots.

But one thing you should have to keep in mind is that do not hang with its rim; otherwise in result, the backboard may shatter.

However, kids and teenagers can also improve their shooting skills, dunk shots, and much more with this basketball hoop at a very affordable budget.

The advantages of the Slam-It rim are given below

  • It comes at less price as compared to the Pro-Style Breakaway Rim
  • Slam-It rim considered as a sturdy rim
  • It comes with a diameter of 18 inches
  • There is also orange color on its steel frame, which makes it rust and corrosion resistant
  • Also suitable for playing dunk shots
  • Kids can improve their shooting skills

Pole

The components of the basketball hoop depend entirely on its pole as well as overall balance, stability, and safety of your basketball hoop also depend on it. That’s why the pole is considered as a most prominent part of the basketball hoop.

Now let’s talk about the pole of the Lifetime 71281 basketball system; this basketball hoop comes with a friction weld joint that increases your basketball system’s safety. You can also say that it acts as a safety guard.

Another advantage of the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop is that it comes with three pole pieces, which ensures that it has incredible stability. The thickness of its pole is 3.5 inches, and it comes with a round shape. Its steel frame is entirely powder-coated, which signifies that it is ultimately rust and corrosion-resistant.

Let us tell you that, Lifetime company gives surprise to their customers by adding the pole pad in the set of this basketball hoop.

The disadvantage of this basketball hoop is that there is no unbolting option in this basketball hoop, or you can say that it is directly mount into the ground without an anchor kit, which will make it difficult for you to change its location in the future.

However, if you must have to remove the pole in the future, you can visit our article on how to remove the basketball pole.


Warranty

Lifetime 71281 basketball system is a solid basketball hoop. And the manufacturer of this system gives 5-years of limited warranty. The warranty of this basketball hoop covers replacing or repair of any of the components of the basketball hoop. We have completely described that, how you claim your Lifetime’s Product Warranty in the Frequently Asked Question section



Pros
  • Power-Lift height adjustment mechanism makes it easier to adjust the basketball hoop
  • The backboard is quite large for the home’s backyard or driveway
  • Slam-It Pro Rim make it possible to play dunk shots
  • A three-piece pole gives it more stability
  • Its assembling is relatively easy
  • Comes at Very reasonable price
  • Made in the USA
  • Five years limited manufacturer warranty
  • Completely powder-coated steel frame
  • All-weather nylon net makes it more durable
Cons
  • Polycarbonate material gives pretty bad rebounding force against basketball that’s why it is mostly recommended for beginner players.
  • There is no unbolting option in this basketball hoop
  • This basketball hoop is not suitable for skillful players

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is Lifetime a good basketball hoop?

Answer. Overall, Lifetime manufactures high-quality products. The manufacturers of a lifetime build their basketball system by keeping every single requirement of the customer in their mind. Most of the lifetime basketball hoop comes at a very reasonable price, the same as Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop.

Q2. How to adjust the height of the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop?

Answer. Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop features the Power-Lift height adjustment mechanism, which is very easy to use. You have to grip the lever attached at the backside of the pole and move it in an upward or downward direction to change its height.

Q3. How to assemble the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop?

Answer. Here’s a complete detailed video that we have given below. With the help of this video, you can quickly assemble your hoop

Q4. Which one is the best affordable basketball hoop?

Answer. If you want both peace of mind and affordable basketball hoop together, we recommend you go Lifetime 71281 Basketball hoop.

Q5. How do I claim the Lifetime Product warranty?

Answer. It is a straightforward method of that. You can get a lifetime warranty according to the principles given below

  • You have to give your complete contact information, along with the address
  • Give the product information, along with its model number and product ID
  • Give the purchase date (when you buy that lifetime product)
  • Write the store name from which you purchase that product
  • And at last, describe your problem with the product

Fill all of these requirements in the Lifetime Warranty Claim section.

Q6. How do I assemble my in-ground basketball hoop?

Answer. The instructions for assembly of your basketball hoop are included with your shipment. The only tools needed to assemble your basketball hoop are an adjustable wrench and a hammer.

Step 1: Prepare the area where you will be installing your hoop. Dig a hole that is at least 3 feet deep for the pole and another 2 feet deep for the base (longer if you’re in an area with heavy clay soil). Make sure to check with your local building department before installing to make sure you meet their requirements.

Step 2: Place the metal pole into the hole, making sure it is level. You can use a level to check this, or simply make sure that both ends are even on either side of the hole.

Step 3: Lay out all of your parts in order so they are easy to see and access when needed.

Step 4: Attach the brackets to each end of the pole using bolts and nuts provided in your kit. You may need another person to help hold things up while you tighten them down.

Step 5: Attach the base plate to each bracket using bolts and nuts provided in your kit (again, you may need another person here).


Final Verdict

At last, we want to say that, lifetime 71281 basketball system is durable hoop. This basketball hoop is mainly recommend for kids and teenagers as they can improve their basketball playing skills.

It is also consider as one of the best basketball hoops for trainees. You can also use the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop in your driveway or backyard, as it comes with weather-resistant material as well as its complete steel frame is completely powder coated which makes it rustproof.

Furthermore, one of the most significant advantages of the Lifetime 71281 basketball hoop is that the manufacturer gives the five years of limited warranty of this basketball hoop.

However, if you are finding the basketball hoop for adults or for professional players, then we recommend you to go with Goalrilla FT72 In-Ground Basketball Hoop.


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