Ask anyone the one word they associate with trampolines, and you’ll likely get “jump” ninety-nine percent of the time. The original trampoline was first employed by Inuit tribes, hundreds of years ago, who stretched walrus skins to propel their fellow Inuit into the air. Fast forward to the more modern 1930s, when American gymnasts, George Nissen and Larry Griswold, developed a trampoline device using canvas and springs after observing the bounce properties of a safety net during a trapeze performance. Nissen and Griswold dubbed their device trampoline, after the Spanish word for diving board, “trampolin.”
Top 10 Best Trampolines Comparison Table
|Trampoline Name||Shape||Size||Max. Weight||Our Rating||Price|
|Skywalker 15 ft. Jump N' Dunk trampoline||Round||15 ft.||200 lbs.||
|Round||12 ft.||200 lbs||
|TÜV Approved Zupapa trampoline||Round||12, 14, 15ft||330 lbs||
|Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline||Rectangle||15ft||250 lbs||
|SkyBound Super 7 trampoline||Hexagon||7ft.||110 lbs||
|Exacme||Round||8, 10 ft.||375 lbs||
|Skywalker 8 ft. Jump N' Dunk||Round||8 ft.||175 lbs||
|Super Jumper Combo||Round||14ft||330 lbs||
|Skywalker Trampolines 12-Feet||Round||12ft||200 lbs||
|Skywalker Oval Trampoline||Oval||17ft||250 lbs||
|Skywalker Trampolines 10-feet||Round||10ft||175 lbs||
|Skywalker Trampolines 17 ft||Oval||17ft||200 lbs||
|Skywalker Trampolines 15-Feet||Round||15ft||200 lbs||
Trampolines nowadays are made of durable steel frames with taut, strong fabric pulled over it. The fabric is connected to a network of strong springs that provides the jumper with added “bounce” or the sensation of elasticity. By jumping on a trampoline the user is pushing their weight against the springs, which propels the jumper upwards in an assisted bounce.
If you’re looking to enhance your home with a trampoline, whether it be for exercise, sports, entertainment or just for some good ol’ fun (kids love them), be sure to read this ultimate trampoline buying guide and reviews thoroughly to find the best trampoline that fits your lifestyle.
Why Buy a Trampoline?
Jumping is a calisthenic activity, highly regarded by fitness experts as a great form of exercise and cardiovascular workout. If you’re looking for a fun way to add cardio to your day, just spend a few minutes jumping on a trampoline. Want a good, intense, heart-pumping exercise to add to your high-intensity interval training (HIIT)? Jumping on a trampoline is a great heart-pumping option. It’s also one of the best ways to get your kids doing some exercise, and they won’t even know it!
The trampoline was first utilized at an Olympic event in 2000, when gymnastic competitors used the jumping device during the floor routine to perform acrobatics like flips, twists and somersaults. Besides gymnastics, other amateur and professional athletes may choose to cross-train with the trampoline to strengthen and refine their coordination, balance, rhythm and spatial awareness.
Trampolines are great at keeping guests and kids entertained from small gatherings to large parties. Your children can invite friends over, and the backyard trampoline will keep them engaged and having a blast for hours. Throwing a huge birthday party? Include trampoline activities, and it will be what everyone talks about for weeks to come.
When you jump on a trampoline, try frowning. I bet you can’t. Trampolines have the ability to bring the “kid” out of all of us. Not only that, it brings the “glee” out of all of us. Jumping on a trampoline will ease your stresses for those crucial few minutes when you need to recharge your head. Go ahead, bounce, and feel the happiness emanate from you.
High-end trampolines from a reputable brand are made to last. The materials used are top quality and flawlessly manufactured. The design of these pricier trampolines often provides the best bounce. Mid-range trampolines will last for a while, but the material will show some wear and tear even though they may still retain bounce and safety properties. Budget trampolines are not great for long-term use, and are not recommended because manufacturers tend to cut a lot of corners to bring the prices down.
Trampolines come in different shapes, which effect the jumping surface area, type of bounce, materials used and required yard space. The most common trampoline shape is round. Because the springs are placed equally around the frame, round trampolines give the most consistent bounce and push the user to the middle of the trampoline. The whole frame absorbs the impact of the jump, so a heavy-duty, weighted frame is not needed. This equates to less costly materials required for the frame, and the whole setup is light enough to move around your yard.
Oval trampolines have greater jumping surface area than round ones, and also push the jumper towards the center of the trampoline. Due to the larger surface area, the user will need to jump hard in order to bounce higher. Assembly is also trickier with oval trampolines, since the frame pieces come in different sizes and shapes.
Square trampolines give you the most jumping surface area due to its corner to corner measurement. However, because the jumping surface area is greater, the frame needs to be made of a higher gauge steel, which means a very heavy trampoline. On the flipside, square trampolines can accommodate heavier jumpers.
Rectangle trampolines offer the best bounce, because the springs do not work together which creates a controlled ascent and descent no matter where the user is on the trampoline. Because the square and rectangle trampolines measure corner to corner, these trampolines use yard space most effectively.
The size of the trampoline is important to consider in terms of how much backyard space is required, and whether children will be bouncing on it or adults as well. Mini-trampolines are most appropriate for indoor use, and for smaller children. Twelve-foot trampolines are great for outdoor play with pre-teens and younger. For older kids and adults, a fourteen-foot trampoline is much more appropriate.
Trampolines have various features that ensures safety for participants. The more safety features that comes with the trampolines, the less likely the user will make an emergency visit to the hospital. Safety pads should completely cover the frame, springs and hooks. Safety nets keep trampoline jumpers from flying off the device and onto the ground. Optimized safety nets are the best of its kind because they connect directly to the trampoline fabric, instead of the steel frame. The optimized net keeps the jumper on the softer fabric, as opposed to the spring, frame and hooks. So these ones are likely to be the safest and something you often see from a reputable brand.
When you’re dropping that much cash on a trampoline, I’m sure you want one that lasts for quite a bit of time. Although it’s hard to say which trampoline is durable based on the manufacturer description, potential buyers can easily do a browser search of the specific products to find user reviews in order to research and compare.
Top 10 Trampoline Reviews List
1. Springfree O92 Large Oval Trampoline with FlexrHoop and FlexrStep, 8’x13’
Touted as the world’s safest trampoline, the Springfree O92 Large Oval Trampoline has a patented rod-based system that does not utilize harmful springs which eliminates 90 percent of product-related injuries. Built to endure harsh weather, this trampoline will last for quite some time with its double powder-coated galvanized steel frame, UV-resistant polypropylene net and mat, and composite fiberglass rods.
The Springfree Large Oval Trampoline can take a bit of time to put together and the unique springs are challenging to attach, so get the whole family involved to make the installation as painless as possible. Instructional videos are available online via QR codes on the printed instructions to take away any confusion in the installation process. This trampoline is one of the more expensive ones on the market but if you’re looking for the safest it could be worth it.
2. AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline with Integrated Safety Enclosure
Utilizing a plethora of state-of-the art technology, the AlleyOOP DoubleBounce is ahead of the trampoline game and gives the Springfree Large Oval Trampoline a run for its money. This trampoline setup touts AirShockTM Technology, Triple-Fail-SafeTM Enclosure and DoubleBounceTM System to reduce the risk of injury while using their trampoline.
The AlleyOOP DoubleBounce Trampoline will also leave a pretty big hole in your wallet, but that’s the price you pay for the best in materials and safety.
3. Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline with Enclosure, 9’x15’
A favorite amongst gymnasts, the Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline gives a bigger bounce for little effort. The frame itself is composed of weather- and UV-resistant materials, and galvanized steel, making this trampoline last despite exposure to weather. The safety enclosure frame connects with the trampoline frame with reinforced T-sockets to minimize possible twisting due to wind and regular use.
Buyers of the Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline complain that it comes in 3 boxes, which do not always arrive on the same day. Not only that, the materials inside the boxes are not packaged well, so the boxes might arrive torn and with parts loose, damaged or missing. Other buyers complain that the springs begin to lose tension quickly, especially if used by those 200 lbs and over, despite the manual indicating a weight limit of 300 lbs.
4. Skywalker Oval Trampoline with Enclosure and Wind Stakes, 17’
This Skywalker Oval Trampoline is one of the biggest on the market. The frame is composed of 14 gauge galvanized steel to add to its durability. Like the Skywalker Rectangle Trampoline, welded T-sockets attach the enclosure frame to the trampoline frame to keep the structure from twisting. Additionally, the enclosure net interlocks directly to the jump mat, away from the springs and frame. In this package, the buyer also receives a set of 4 galvanized steel wind stakes to keep the structure from blowing away in a storm.
Those who bought the Skywalker Oval Trampoline complain that the directions are unclear with incorrect illustrations. Also, there is a gap in the safety net at the entrance, so make sure your kids zip it up correctly before bouncing around. Otherwise, reviewers note that this trampoline is sturdy, of good quality, and that the safety net is very durable.
5. Skywalker Oval Trampoline with Safety Enclosure, 17’
This version of the Skywalker Oval Trampoline is exactly the same as the previous trampoline, but without wind stakes included. This trampoline utilizes 96 rust-resistant springs, covered by an extra-thick spring pad and a slip-resistant woven jumping mat. The pad is available in different colors for an option in buyer customization.
Again, buyers complain that the Skywalker Oval Trampoline have poor instructions for assembly. Additionally, the markings on the materials are unclear. If instruction manuals are not your friend, try to search for video instructions on YouTube or the manufacturer’s website.
6. TUV Approved Zupapa Trampoline with Enclosure Net, Safety Pad, Ladder, Mat Springs, Shoes Bag, Cover and T-Hook, 12’ 14’ and 15’
This Zupapa Trampoline, and all other trampolines made by this brand, are TUV-certified. TUV is an independent organization that ensures the safety of different kinds of products to protect the environment and humans. The Zupapa Trampoline are made of 42mm x 1.5 mm, rust-resistant, galvanized steel, which are much stronger than the steel used in most other trampolines. The rust resistant springs are also heavily gauged at 7 inches to provide a better bounce. The heavy-duty jumping mat is made of UV-protected polypropylene which should last through bad weather for years. Enclosure poles are protected with 10mm foam, so your kids aren’t hurt should they jump into them.
Buyers of the Zupapa Trampoline are not happy with the directions. Seems like manufacturers have issues with giving clear instructions (see Skywalker reviews above). Other users complain that attaching the enclosure net to the springs is tedious, because assemblers need to lace one long string through. What’s more? The string provided by Zupapa is also short by several feet. Buyers have issues with the net poles being flimsy, the net stretching and sagging easily, the enclosure zipper breaking without difficulty, and the pad tie downs and seams ripping with little effort. Furthermore, the trampoline parts are very greasy upon delivery, so be careful when assembling the product.
7. Skywalker Round Trampoline with Enclosure and Spring Pad, 15’
Like most Skywalker trampolines, this round 15’ version uses a heavy gauged and rust resistant galvanized steel frame with T-sockets. The Stay-Put enclosure attaches the enclosure net to the jump mat, so there are no gaps. All trampoline materials are UV-protected for resistance to weather damage.
The 15’ Skywalker Round Trampoline is easy to assemble, like most round trampolines. The enclosure net comes pre-attached to the jumping surface, eliminated an hour of assembly-work. Instructions are a little bit unclear on where the door should line-up with the mat. Users also complain that the safety mat and the foam surrounding the safety enclosure bars could be a little thicker.
8. Skywalker Trampoline Round Trampoline with Enclosure and Spring Pad, 12’
Like the 15’ Skywalker Round Trampoline above, this 12’ version is also made of heavy gauged, rust resistant galvanized steel, T-sockets, a Stay-Put enclosure, and UV-protected materials, but with a smaller jumping surface area and yard-space usage.
Although Skywalker has great customer service, their trampolines tend to fall apart quicker than their more expensive counterparts. Users complain about the fast deterioration of the pad, seams, and enclosure net.
9. Super Jumper Round Combo Trampoline, 4.5’ 10’ 14’ 16’
Like all the trampolines mentioned thus far, the Super Jumper Round Combo Trampoline is made of galvanized steel, and the materials are UV coated to prevent sun damage.
The manufacturer has placed a choking hazard warning on their trampolines due to small parts and children under 3 years old are not advised to use their trampoline. Otherwise, users say this trampoline is easy and quick to assemble, is made of good quality, and can hold a lot of weight.
10. Skywalker Round Trampoline with Enclosure and Blue Spring Pad, 10’
This 10’ Skywalker Round Trampoline does not take up a lot of space for those with small yards. Again this Skywalker version is made of heavy gauged steel with T-sockets, a Stay-Put enclosure net, and a UV-resistant frame pad.
Due to its relatively small size, the Skywalker 10’ Round Trampoline has a weight capacity of 175 lbs, and can tip easily in strong winds. As with other Skywalker trampolines, the materials tend to wear quickly.
Trampolines have existed for hundreds of years. Previously used for acrobatics, trampolines can now be employed by the average person for exercise, entertainment, sports, and fun. Modern technology makes it possible for anyone to have a personal trampoline at home, with additional state-of-the-art safety properties. Before purchasing a trampoline for your home, consider the range of prices, shapes, sizes, safety features and durability available on the market. Now that you’re armed with all you need to know about purchasing the best trampoline for your lifestyle, go out and get one!