Silverback NXT Review – Should You Get This Portable Hoop?

Welcome to my Silverback NXT Portable review!

Offering a wide variety of unique hoops, Silverback is a manufacturer to consider.

You cannot compare Silverback NXT Portable with top models like Spalding. However, if you are looking for a well designed and affordable basketball hoop, different from others, Silverback should be your pick!

In this review, you will learn how strategically the manufacturers have designed the hoop. With technological advancement, imaginative engineering, and superior transportability, NXT is going to change your views for sure.

So let’s skip the foreword and let us check out the ultimate Silverback NXT Portable model in my review!

Silverback NXT Portable Hoop Review

Many critics call Silverback NXT not a gym-quality hoop. However, its design, pricing, and layout steal the game. Undoubtedly, this model is durable and powerful.

With a top-class backboard, the rebound performance is good if not exceptional.

What makes the NXT mobile hoop different from other mobile basketball goals is its Stabili-Frame technology. In other words, Silverback uses steel on steel connections between the main pole of the hoop and the base.

Therefore, the difference it makes is the complete elimination of joint weaknesses. This empowers you to play with more confidence.

The base is also worth mentioning. It has a couple of bars to stabilize the structure and provide enhanced stability. It’s not the largest one (only 35 gallons), but it will do the trick.

Yes, you can easily transport the hoop as NXT has a couple of large wheels. Along with are two hand grips on each side of the base, enhancing transportability and portability.

However, there are a few drawbacks to this model, which will be also discussed in this review. That said, let’s start with an in-depth look at all features of NXT Portable.

Backboard Size	50″ or 54″
Backboard Material	Polycarbonate
Rim Quality	Single-spring breakaway rim
Support Pole	Stabili-Frame steel-on-steel pole
Base System	35-gallon base
Height Adjustment	7.5 – 10 feet
Overall Rating	🏀🏀🏀🏀
Price	$600 – $820
Best for	Young and amateur hoopsters

Silverback NXT Portable Main Features

With some exceptional features, Silverback NXT is a superb portable goal.

According to the manufacturer, it takes 90 minutes to assemble the goal, while on the other hand, some users say it takes up to 120 minutes.

We can agree that it all depends upon the level of your expertise when it comes to assembling the hoop.

The Ergo-Move feature of NXT is also interesting for many. It allows goal movability with convenience. It’s a precisely made slope designed base which allows perfect weight distribution.

Result? Portability and transportability as the winning factors.

That said, let’s take a look at more intriguing features of this hoop in my detailed Silverback NXT review.

Backboard

The NXT backboard comes in two sizes. A 50 inches board and a 54 inches board. However, both backboards feature polycarbonate material.

In my opinion, polycarbonate material can be a setback for many. Especially when it comes to professional rebound performance. You will notice a lower rebound effect than you get from tempered glass.

However, the backboard performance isn’t that compromised!

The reason is the wrap-around framing perimeter that makes an X-shape across the backboard. This unique design adds exceptional stability to the system with interesting rebound performance.

Furthermore, it’s a known fact that backboards have a metal frame. The board is attached to that metal frame. But NXT portable has a unique addition here.

It doesn’t attach to any metal frame. Instead, the backboard wraps around at a ninety-degree angle.

It’s a different technique known as flanking. Manufacturers have used it to increase the overall stability, which directly strengthens the polycarbonate backboard.

Silverback calls it Infinity backboard, which is way cooler than traditional framed backboards. With a crisp and cleaner look, the absence of a metal frame adds more style to the overall look of the goal.

Rim

The rim of the NXT portable is somewhat disappointing. The rim is a simple spring model, which is designed to be completely exposed.

You see, Silverback didn’t cover the spring, making it a pretty daunting drawback.

That said if you plan to keep your Silverback NXT portable hoop outdoor, be prepared for rusting. The exposed spring is sceptical and vulnerable to the rusting process.

Therefore, cover the spring at all costs if you want it to last longer.

The bounce of the rim is also not impressive either…

You see, unlike premium models in this category, the rim quality is a bit weaker. You can still dunk. But keep your dunks feather-like and avoid hanging on NXT!

If you are looking for a high-quality mobile goal, made for dunking, you should go with The Beast!

Support Pole

The infinity-edge polycarbonate backboard of the Silverback NXT has a good supporting pole system.

The 50 inched backboard basketball hoop has 3.5 inches round pole with 2.5 feet overhang. On the other hand, the 54 inched polycarbonate backboard has the same 3.5 inches round pole.

Furthermore, the support pole is slanted to offer the maximum and evenly distributed weight of the overall basketball system.

Unlike the major competitors of Silverback, the pole directly connects to the steel frame found below the base. This increases the overall integrity of the hoop structure.

Base

The base of the Silverback NXT is another undermining issue. It features a thirty-five gallons base. Of course, you can fill it with either water or sand.

What a large base capacity does is that it prevents the basketball hoop from tipping over. It also provides overall stability to the hoop, especially when dunking and leaving all the weight on the rim and the base.

Unfortunately, the base is also not impressive for NXT so once again, avoid hanging when dunking!

Professionals recommend a minimum of fifty-gallon capacity base for dunking lovers. Dunking and hanking below this mark is a big no!

However, everything isn’t bad here!

The base of the NXT has a couple of metal bars. You will not find this in other leading competitors’ hoop bases. These bars run at the length of the base, improving the overall stability.

It means, you can try dunking as the chances of tipping over would be less. However, try at your own risk!

Height Adjustment

The height adjustability range is pretty good. You can adjust NXT portable from seven and a half feet to ten feet. This is the average height adjustment for mobile hoops.

With NXT, you can adjust the height in six inches increments. Expensive basketball hoops have smaller increments, but their height adjustment is already as per the standard.

And that brings us to the end of the review of Silverback NXT’s features. In case you want to see more, I recommend watching the video review below (installation guide included!)…

What Do I Like About Silverback NXT?

There are many things that make me consider Silverback NXT. For instance:

• The unique design of the infinity backboard enhances the performance as well as the stability.
• Good balance and durability of the structure.
• Addition of incredible Ergo Move, making transportability easier and swifter.
• The majority of the parts come pre-assembled, minimizing the overall assembling time.
• Stylish and trendy look due to unique Stabili-frame technology.
• Pocket-friendly making it value for money for a moderate level of players.
• Lightweight basketball system, only 175 pounds before adding sand to the base.
• Steel over steel connection between the main supporting pole and steel chassis.
• Backboard with the ability to fold backwards, augmenting overall rigidity and firmness.

What I Don’t Like About Silverback NXT?

Even though there are many things that I like about this hoop, there are a few things that worry me.

Since this is an honest Silverback NXT review, I would like to share the most concerning issues. For example:

• The exposed spring rim is not good for unpredictable outdoor weather conditions.
• Polycarbonate backboard is concerning for many. Some critics believe they could have gone for an acrylic basketball backboard if not a tempered glass backboard for better performance.
• The low gallon capacity of the base makes dunking excitement negligible.
• Still expensive compared to other models in this category with similar features.
• Challenging for first-time assemblers, mostly due to many pre-assembled parts.
• Not suitable for windy areas or exposed directly to the sunlight.
• Polycarbonate backboard can easily turn yellow due to sun rays and exposure.

Who Is Silverback NXT Portable Best For?

Even though there are many drawbacks to Silverback NXT in my review, still, the exceptional features it offers makes it a very good purchase. It is not an absolute waste and is a hot selling hoop indeed!

This model is a great choice if you are a new basketball player or intermediate-level hoopster. However, if you are a professional hoopster, you would be utterly disappointed!

Since the rim has exposed spring and the base is not standardized, I would personally not recommend it for heavy dunking or rough games with your buddies.

Even the players who are learning how to dunk should avoid this model. It may cause serious damage as it’s hard to manage the weight.

But as I said, if you are looking for a good-quality recreational hoop for a reasonable price, you should consider this NXT Portable for sure!

Alternatively, I have some great recommendations for dunkers on my list of best mobile hoops.

Conclusion

The majority of the quality hoops come from either Spalding or Lifetime. However, Silverback is a perfect competitor to all major brands.

This unique hoop is equipped with high-quality components, ready to take your basketball game to the next level. If you are in the market for an affordable and good-quality (amateur) goal, this is it!

Backboard Size	50″ or 54″
Backboard Material	Polycarbonate
Rim Quality	Single-spring breakaway rim
Support Pole	Stabili-Frame steel-on-steel pole
Base System	35-gallon base
Height Adjustment	7.5 – 10 feet
Overall Rating	🏀🏀🏀🏀
Price	$600 – $820
Best for	Young and amateur hoopsters

My favourite feature is the “Infinity Backboard” design. It’s unique and it already showed that it enhances the overall performance of “normal” backboards.

Another good thing about Silverback NXT Portable is the price!

If you don’t want to shell out $1000’s on your basketball system, but still want to get a good-quality hoop, you should definitely go with NXT.

With this, we have come to the end of my Silverback NXT review. What do you like about it the most? Do let me know in the comment box below…

Related Reviews:

• Lifetime Pro Court Adjustable
• Spalding Ultimate Hybrid