The short answer: It depends on where the basket will stand. If it stays outside all year, you want a galvanised steel basket fixed in the ground, just like on a disc golf course. If it is for the garden or the summer house, or for taking on trips, a lighter basket like the Latitude 64 Trainer Lite with carry bag is the obvious choice for most people.
Trainer Lite Basket with Carry bagWhat to look for
Baskets come in roughly three kinds. The biggest difference is what they are made of, and with it how long they can stay outside and how easy they are to move.
Permanent baskets are made of galvanised steel and built to stand outside in all weather, year after year. It is the kind of basket you find on every disc golf course, and it is fixed in the ground. It is heavy and costs more, but you never have to bring it in.
Light baskets are made of a lighter metal and can be set up and taken down in no time. They can stay out for a summer, but they last longest if you bring them in when you are not using them. They can be moved and taken on trips, but they are a little bulky to carry around.
Portable baskets are the lightest and are partly made of fabric. They are built to be taken anywhere, but because the fabric does not cope with staying outside for long, they should come in after use.
The chains are what catch the disc. Some players have strong opinions about which manufacturer makes the best baskets, but honestly we think most baskets catch just fine. Choose based on where the basket will stand and how often it needs to move.
Our picks, by what you need
A basket that stays out all year
The Innova DISCatcher Pro 28 is the same type of basket you find on courses around the world, and it is approved for tournament play. It is made of galvanised steel with 28 chains in three layers that slow the disc down and catch it. It can be installed permanently in a sleeve that is set in concrete or fitted to a ground screw, so it can stay put through summer and winter.
DISCatcher Pro28 TargetFor the garden and the summer house
The Latitude 64 Trainer Lite weighs 16 kg, has 24 chains and goes together or comes apart in under a minute without tools. It stands steady with ground stakes and is great for practising putts at home. With the carry bag from the short answer it is easier to take on trips and to put away when you are not using it. The bag is made of hard-wearing nylon with room for the basket, the pole and a few accessories. You can also buy the basket on its own.
Trainer Lite BasketFor taking along
The Latitude 64 ProBasket Go weighs 10 kg and stands on a tripod that folds out easily. The top and bottom are made of a strong fabric, and it has 16 chains. It folds up and packs into a small bag, so it is easy to bring to the park, the beach or on holiday.
ProBasket GO