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Want to shoot hoops at the office or in a kid’s room without driving everyone nuts? I tried a mini basketball hoop that promised to be quiet.
Mine was the Iserlohn Quiet Mini Basketball Hoop, which isn’t sold on Amazon anymore. The button goes to the SKLZ Pro Mini, a popular over-the-door hoop with a shatter-proof backboard and a spring-action rim. Here’s what came in my box, how I set it up, and whether quiet really means quiet.
- Way bigger and sturdier than cheap wastebasket hoops
- Foam padding cuts the noise and protects the door
- Spring-loaded rim like a real hoop
- Soft balls are nearly silent
- Goes up in minutes
- With a regular rubber ball it’s not quiet
- The included pump is basic, cheap plastic
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
What came in the box
The backboard is clear and the lines appear to be painted on, not a decal. The metal rim attaches with standard basketball-style hardware and is spring-loaded, so you can pull it down and it springs back up.
My kit also came with a cheap but working hand pump (needle adapter plus an inflatables adapter), the net, a rubber basketball and, the secret to quiet, two squishy cloth-covered foam balls.
Why it’s quieter
There’s thick foam, about a quarter inch, around the edges of the backboard and around the center square. The two metal brackets at the top that hook over the door are lined with foam too.
All of that should keep it quiet and keep it from marring up your door.
The noise test
With the regular rubber ball, it’s not quiet. Also, I didn’t hit the net, which is only partially embarrassing. My skills in life aren’t athletic.
With the squishy balls it’s a different story. You can barely hear anything. The foam is a wicked big help, and with the soft balls it’s basically silent.
Who it’s for
This would be perfect for an office or a kid’s bedroom. It’s way bigger and more robust than the cheap plastic hoops I used to stick on wastebaskets. It’s a great way to relieve some stress and shoot some hoops without disturbing anyone.
If you go with the SKLZ, it includes a ball. For the quietest setup, pair it with soft foam balls like the ones in my kit.
FAQ
Is a mini basketball hoop quiet?
With soft foam balls, yes. With a regular rubber ball, not really.
Will it damage the door?
The foam-lined brackets and pads are there to keep it from marring the door.
Does the rim move?
Yes. It’s spring-loaded and snaps back up.
Which hoop does the button go to?
The SKLZ Pro Mini over-the-door hoop. The Iserlohn hoop in my video isn’t listed on Amazon anymore.
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