Welcome to my review of Lifetime 71524 XL height adjustable portable basketball hoop.
Lifetime is a reliable brand, and the 71524 XL is a powerful edition from them. Let’s go over my detailed review to see whether this hoop is for you or not.
Lifetime 71524 XL Review
In the basketball hoop industry, Lifetime is a renowned name. They are the pioneers to invent height-adjustable basketball systems.
Lifetime 71524 XL is one of their leading mobile basketball hoop systems. Due to its incredible performance, many basketball lovers opt for 71524 XL to practice their gaming skills.
The hoop features a wide backboard. However, it isn’t as wide as the NBA regulated one. That said, you might have a harder time shooting those bank shots on this one.
What I like about XL is the base. The 35-gallon base is above average, stopping the structure from falling down.
Don’t think about dunking and slamming though!
With infinite height adjustment, the Lifetime 71524 XL features a round support pole, a good quality rim, and a polycarbonate backboard.
Polycarbonate might not be the best material in terms of rebound action. However, you will notice that this backboard is practically unbreakable!
Another interesting thing is the net and pole of the 71524 XL basketball hoop. It comes with an all-weather resistant coating, allowing players to keep it outside for long.
Let us dive into a detailed Lifetime 71524 XL review, evaluating each aspect of this model.
| Backboard Size | 54″ |
| Backboard Material | Polycarbonate |
| Rim Quality | Slam-It Pro Rim |
| Support Pole | 3.5″ round steel pole |
| Base System | 35-gallon base |
| Height Adjustment | 7.5 – 10 feet |
| Overall Rating | 🏀🏀🏀🏀 |
| Price | $500 – $700 |
| Best for | Amateur and beginner hoopsters |
Lifetime 71524 XL Main Features
71524 XL is one of the premium basketball hoops in the Lifetime catalogue. It is a pretty heavy structure and not made from mediocre materials.
From the backboard to the rim, supporting pole, the base, or height adjusting mechanism, everything is made of quality.
The main features and details for 71524 XL are:
Backboard
The backboard of 71524 XL is made from polycarbonate material.
The 54 inches backboard has a square shutter guard, ensuring strength, durability, and sturdiness to the game. The dimensions of the shutter guard are 55 x 33 x 1 inch.
Since the backboard is made from polycarbonate material, do not expect a professional rebound.
You can witness exceptional rebound performance on tempered glass backboard or the acrylic material. However, it is a stronger backboard with better durability.
Since the Lifetime 71524 XL has a clear design, it gives a professional look.
You can find fade-resistant graphics printed on the backboard. It is made from UV-protected ink, able to stand against the harshest weather.
Even though the backboard is virtually unbreakable but accidents can happen anytime. Therefore, the five-year manufacturer warranty can come in handy.
Even fade-resistant graphics cannot completely protect the backboard from the extreme sunlight and rain. Sooner or later, the backboard can easily become yellow.
Rim
The Lifetime 71524 XL hoop is equipped with Slam-It Pro Rim. It is armed with double compression springs.
That said, you will notice that the basketball will bounce off the rim with a softer effect, especially when shooting the ball from a long distance.
The rim also has a nylon net that is all-weather resistant.
Even though you can dunk and slam on this basketball hoop, don’t go for long hanging on and rough dunking.
Support Pole
The basketball structure is supported with a 3-piece pole section. These poles are 3.5 inches in diameter and are square.
Since it is a 3-piece pole, the durability is also great. The support pole of Lifetime 71524 XL is powder coated and is also resistant to rust.
The downside is that in extremely windy conditions, the pole can bend.
Moreover, you will notice that the 3-piece pole takes a lot of space to adjust. The 2-piece and 1-piece poles are better, more stable, and consume less space but are costly.
Base
Like all the other types of portable basketball hoops, Lifetime 71524 XL also has a solid base. The 35 gallons capacity base can either be filled with water or sand.
You cannot, however, add both at the same time. In my opinion, the best option is to fill the base with sand because it’s heavier.
There are built-in wheels on the base that help in better transportability. There are handles too allowing you convenient dragging of the entire structure.
Despite all these, you will notice that the 35 gallons capacity base is not secure enough.
Rough and heavy dunking or slamming can result in the structure falling over. To do so, you need 60 gallons capacity base.
But it’s still better than its counterparts that feature 27 gallons capacity base. They severally wiggle all the time.
Height Adjustment
The feature of the height adjustment mechanism in this model is exceptionally amazing.
The height adjustment ranges from 7.5 feet to 10 feet. What makes it brilliant is that the height increment is infinite. You can adjust it as per your height.
Even a 10 years kid can enjoy playing with Lifetime 71524 XL height-adjustable hoop.
To adjust the height mechanism, you simply need to squeeze the two grip handles and pull it up or push it down.
The mechanism works in opposite direction. Meaning, that when you pull it up, the height will decrease. While, when you push the handle down, the height will increase.
Therefore, with such incredible height adjustment, players of all ages and levels can enjoy basketball training at their convenience.
In case you do get this model, you will definitely need some help with assembling the whole structure. Therefore, here’s a super-helpful video from Lifetime…
What Do I Like About Lifetime 71524 XL?
In my Lifetime 71524 XL review, I have already discussed some incredible things about this model. It is averagely priced, and yet it comes with a few good features.
Some of the most incredible things about this hoop are:
- Portability is phenomenal with built-in wheels to support transportability.
- The infinite height adjustment can help families to adjust the hoop as per the height of their kids.
- The 54 inches polycarbonate backboard is large enough for the two cars driveway.
- The steel frame of the backboard can promise long-lasting performance.
- Fade-resistant graphics add dope effects.
- The spring-back pro rim is perfect for light to medium level dunking and slamming.
- Affordable as compared to other brands with the same features.
- All-weather resistant net and sturdy support pole
What I Don’t Like About Lifetime 71524 XL?
Though I like a lot of things about Lifetime 71524 XL in my review, it certainly needs improvement. For instance:
- The 3-piece support pole consumes a lot of space.
- The little overhang is leaving you less space under the hoop.
- It takes more than 6 hours to assemble the whole system.
- The manual instructions and directions are not clear.
- The compromised rebound performance is a turn off for many.
- The structure wiggles when the ball hits the rim.
Who Is Lifetime 71524 XL Best For?
Lifetime 71524 XL is a solid hoop. It is an excellent structure for new basketball players. Even the intermediate-level players will enjoy dunking and slamming.
But if you are planning to polish your professional skills, then this hoop isn’t for you.
The whole structure can withstand normal dunking and slam. However, if you are planning to hang on it for long or dunk and slam heavily, it’s not ideal at all.
Therefore, professional players shouldn’t opt for 71524 XL.
Conclusion
As I said in my review, The Lifetime 71524 XL height-adjustable basketball hoop is a perfect choice for beginners, intermediate-level players, and experts.
Due to wheels in the base, it is easy to transport anywhere in the home. Moreover, 71524 XL is an ideal hoop if you are under budget constraints.
You will get a ton of value for as little as $500.
| Backboard Size | 54″ |
| Backboard Material | Polycarbonate |
| Rim Quality | Slam-It Pro Rim |
| Support Pole | 3.5″ round steel pole |
| Base System | 35-gallon base |
| Height Adjustment | 7.5 – 10 feet |
| Overall Rating | 🏀🏀🏀🏀 |
| Price | $500 – $700 |
| Best for | Amateur and beginner hoopsters |
What I like the most about these hoops is the fact that the backboard is practically unbreakable. It doesn’t offer the best rebound action, but at least it might last forever.
Another great thing about Lifetime 71524 XL is the base.
35-gallon might not seem like a lot, especially when compared to some pricier models in this category. But it’s more than enough to hold a lightweight backboard and offer an amazing hooping experience for your entire family.
All in all, 71524 is a good-quality and super-affordable basketball system. I would highly recommend it to all types of hoopsters.
With this, we have come to the end of my Lifetime 71524 XL review. What do you like about it the most? Do let me know in the comment box below…
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Thanks for reviewing this. I have an older version of this model and we thoroughly enjoy it. We really like the fact that it is easily adjustable so when my young sons use it the lower height is perfect and when I take on the neighbor for a game of house we move it back up. The only complaint with my older model is the water fill hole is not screw in. It pops out easily. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Dave! 🙂
The Lifetime 71524Xl adjustable basketball hoop seems to be suitable for the entire family. The height can be lowered when younger kids are playing, and then moved up if teenagers or adults want to have a game. The fact that it has transport wheels, means it can be moved around when not in use or you want to play in a different area.
The fact that it takes 6 hours to assemble and the instructions are not clear, might frustrate many people. Does the video from Lifetime help with the assembly, or is it still a challenge?
The video instructions from Lifetime are super-helpful! 👍
With 3 grandsons, I am always looking for fun gifts for holidays and birthdays. This might just fill the bill as a gift for everyone one year. I noticed that the stand is primarily behind the hoop. This is a great design. Lots of hoops that I have looked at have the pole in the center which is pretty dangerous. I also like the unique foot pedal for changing the height. All my grandsons are teens so they might not be using that. My grandkids are out of the country so I will have to see if this is available where they are. They will love it.
Thanks for your comment, Anastazja! Wishing you lots of fun 🙂
What a timely article on basketball hoops (Lifetime 71524), especially since the NBA finals are already underway between the Warriors and the Celtics.
Lifetime 71524 looks like a good enough semi-professional basketball hoop. I like that it can give beginners the opportunity to grow confidence in their game. I also like its easy portabily.
My question is does it have two valves in the base one for water and another for sand? Also, can it withstand heavy winds?