Ask any family with a trampoline in their garden and they’ll tell you it’s the outdoor toy their child uses the most. Kids just love to bounce, and a trampoline helps any child over the age of three keep fit and active while having fun.
But there’s a lot to think about when buying a trampoline. What size and shape do you need? Should it be in-ground or overground? On this page, you’ll find our recommendations to suit all budgets and needs, as well as a guide to the features you should consider before making your purchase.
Buying guide
Should I buy an in-ground or overground trampoline?
In-ground trampolines – that is, trampolines which are set into the ground – are increasingly popular, both because they are more discreet (no eyesore in the garden) and safer (nothing to fall off). But you’ll have to dig a deep hole to fit it in, and organise proper drainage to prevent rusting. Above-ground trampolines are easier to set up and maintain – but they entail more safety risks and can be a blot on the landscape.
What shape should I buy?
Round is the most popular shape – it’s the cheapest to make, and the bounce is light and easy in the middle. Hexagonal designs are a fun alternative and offer the same kind of bounce. A rectangular trampoline will suit those more serious about gymnastics, as they offer the best quality of bounce to achieve high jumps, while oval trampolines are great for narrower gardens – and for multiple jumpers, as bouncers don’t all tend to gravitate towards the middle. Octagonal trampolines also give a more predictable vertical bounce.
What size should I get?
The most common sizes for trampolines (the diameter of the jumping surface, not the surrounding springs and padding) are 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 12ft and 14ft, with oval and rectangular ones coming in a whole different set of sizes. Generally speaking, it’s a case of the bigger the better: more jumping space allows for bigger tricks, or more people jumping at once – and it will last you longer as the kids grow.
Be warned, though, it’s very easy to underestimate just how much space you’ll need for a trampoline. Before investing, be sure to measure out the area where you want to put it – and make sure it’s surrounded by grass or AstroTurf rather than hard concrete, to reduce the risk of injury if your child falls off. You should also ensure there’s enough space either side for the kids to get on and off and make sure it’s not near obstacles like branches.
What else should I consider?
The frame should be made of galvanised steel (ideally with weld-free construction) to ensure that it won’t rust, and will cope with the stress of people jumping on it day after day. The enclosure should be strong and weather-resistant and fit securely to the trampoline frame using padded poles – these prevent jumpers from landing on the springs and frame without compromising on the amount of jumping space. Springs, if there are any, should be zinc-coated to cope with all weathers, and pad covers should have a thick layer of UV-resistant and all-weather padding to give even more protection. Check your trampoline’s warranty – and, if you plan to keep it a long time, make sure that spare parts will be available to buy should you ever need them.
The best trampolines from £99
1. Capital inground Trampoline: Best sunken trampoline
Price when reviewed:£625-£895
If you’re concerned about ruining your view, then check out Capital Play, a company that specialises in trampolines that sit completely level with the ground. There’s a patented air-vent system in the surround pad to give more airflow, which ensures a good bounce with no slapping noises as your kids jump. There are also loads of accessories available, including full, half or corner netting (in case there’s a nearby obstacle), basketball hoops and a magic night-light system. There’s no shortage of sizes and shapes, and you can even choose from green or grey padding.
The only hard part is installation: you’ll probably need a day to dig the hole, and another half day (with helpers) to get it all set up. It might be a better idea to pay for Capital Play’s own installation service.
Specs – Sizes available: 4 circular (8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 14ft) and 3 rectangular (10 x 6ft, 11 x 8ft, 14 x 10ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Safetynetting included? no; Warranty: 10 years for frame and retaining wall, 5 years for jump mat and springs, 2 years for padding
2. Jumpking Zorbpod: Best all-rounder
Price when reviewed:£599-£669
The Zorbpod is a real statement trampoline – and it was our little testers’ favourite. Its futuristic globe-like enclosure is 60cm higher than most standard trampolines, and inside it’s more spacious than the competition. Our testers told us it feels like you’re bouncing in your very own snow globe – minus the snow – and the sturdy interlocking base of the frame gives a great bounce, as well as making it impressively quick to put together. There are a few minor gripes, but none are deal-breakers. This is a trampoline to die for.
Specs – Sizes available: Two circular (12ft and 14ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 10 years for framework, five years for bed and springs, two years for netting and surround pad
3. Springfree: Best for safety
Price when reviewed:£895-£1,495
The vast majority of trampoline-related injuries involve the springs, so this spring-free design is a parents’ dream come true. In fact, the Springfree range came about when a mother-and-father team – a nurse and an engineer – put their heads together to invent a way of making trampolines safer. In 2003, they launched their first model, which allows kids to bounce all the way to the edge of the mat without coming into contact with metal springs or frame (which also gives a bigger jumping space).
Springfree trampolines remain the safest in the world – the only ones, in fact, endorsed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The quality of the engineering is palpable, from the durability and thickness of the steel to the robustness of the netting and the quality of the bounce. You can even upgrade to a “smart” trampoline, which can track your movement and incorporate it into games to improve bouncing skills.
Specs – Sizes available: 3 circular (8ft, 10ft, 13ft), 2 oval options (8x11ft, 8x 13ft), 2 square (11 x 11ft, 13 x 13ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 8 years for frame, flexirods and enclosure, 2 years for mat and netting
4. Plum 7ft Junior Jumper Springsafe: Best for younger children
Price when reviewed:£190
Great for younger children due to the light and easy bounce, this trampoline also has a lower frame than most at just 40cm, making it easier to get on and off. It’s spring-safe, as the jumping mat is sewn directly to the safety pad/enclosure, so the springs aren’t exposed at all. The hexagonal enclosure has a fibreglass top rim, which we found helped prevent sagging to retain a neat finish. It’s just a shame is that the colour schemes – it’s available in either a pink and purple combo or blue and green – feel a bit gendered.
Specs – Sizes available: 1 hexagonal (7ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 1 year for frame, 6 months for non-frame parts
5. Sportspower Trampoline: Best budget buy
Price when reviewed:£99-£199.99
If you’re looking for a fun trampoline on a budget, this is your best buy. It has a high-quality galvanised steel frame – something you won’t often find at this price – and the safety enclosure is simple to take on and off if you want to store it away during the winter months. It comes with a ladder, and padding for the poles and frame to help prevent injuries. It’s not quite as robust or long-lasting as the more expensive trampolines in our roundup, but it should see you through a few years of jumping. Our only real gripe is that the springs can squeak during bouncing – but it’s not so loud as to annoy the neighbours.
Specs – Sizes available: 4 circular (8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 14ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 2 years for frame, 1 year for fabric elements
6. TP Genius Octagonal: Best for uneven ground
Price when reviewed:£479-£529
This octagonal trampoline makes it easy to jump straight upwards – as opposed to round frames that bounce you towards the centre of the trampoline. It’s also got a patented crawl-through tunnel-style entry and exit system, which replaces the more traditional zip entry – a boon, as one of the biggest causes of trampoline injuries is zips being left undone.
More good news for parents is that the springs are fully shielded, and the frame provides stability on uneven ground (just don’t put it on too much of a slope). The design has had a facelift for 2017, with a shiny new black paint finish to replace the lacklustre stainless steel, plus a bright blue finish on the poles, padding and top rim.
Specs – Sizes available: 2 octagonal (10ft and 12ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 10 years rust causing failure for frame, 1 year for all other parts
7. Vuly Thunder: Best for super strength
Price when reviewed:£1,399-£1,999
The Vuly Thunder is the world’s first soft-edged trampoline, using leaf springs instead of coil springs. That means bouncers can’t get caught in them – and it’s possible to jump much higher than on most trampolines, to heights of over three metres.
And don’t worry about the impact when you land: the Thunder has a heavy-duty frame that’s rated to take the weight of a car (although we don’t recommend trying it). You don’t even need nuts and bolts to assemble the Thunder, as the frame just clicks together, making it one of the easiest trampolines on the market to set up. The mat has printed icons, which are brilliant for jumping games, and if you do wind up having any problems, the company’s customer service is second to none.
Specs – Sizes available: 3 circular (9/10ft, 11/12ft and 13/14ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel with outer matt black powder-coating; Netting included? Yes; Warranty: 10 years against rust-causing failure for frame, 1 year for all other parts
8. Jumpking Oval JumpPOD: Best oval
Price when reviewed:£449-£749
As we’ve mentioned, bouncing towards the outside of a round trampoline propels you back towards the centre. With an oval trampoline, there are three different bounce areas, plus a higher maximum user weight – so it’s much safer if you have more than one child jumping at the same time.
Aside from safer bouncing, the shape is ideal for narrower gardens, and the JumpPOD is really is built to last, with extremely high-quality materials that should see your children through their entire childhood. Assembly is also noticeably less complicated than many other trampolines in this price range.
Specs – Sizes available: 2 oval options (8 x 11.5ft, 10 x 15ft and 14 x 17ft); Frame made from: galvanised steel; Netting included? yes; Warranty: 10 years for framework, 5 years for bed and springs, 2 years for netting and surround pad
