Basketball backboards come in six different materials: tempered glass, acrylic, steel, fiberglass, aluminum and wood. We'll discuss each type individually, starting with the highest-quality systems.
Tempered Glass Backboards
Tempered glass backboards are generally the most expensive, but definitely the highest quality backboard available. Tempered glass provides the best ball response on rebounds and are the best choice when quality is more important than price. For that reason, they're the official choice of the NBA and collegiate level facilities. The term "glass" can be deceptive, because these heat-tempered materials are durable and break-resistant.