The Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide

The Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide

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Wondering which trampoline is right for you and your family? We know that with trampoline prices ranging from £100 to £2,000, many trampoline shapes and sizes, different safety features and a large number of brands, choosing the right trampoline can be quite daunting.

To help you, we have put together a Trampoline Buying Guide with top tips on what to look out for and how to choose the right shape and size for you. 

kid on trampoline 

What should I look out for?

We set out below the key factors to consider (in no specific order). Prioritising these key factors may vary depending on your personal circumstances. Decide which factors are an absolute must for you and which ones are just good to have. Once you have prioritised these you will be able to narrow down your options.

Enclosure Net:

Quality - the net should be made of strong, durable material such as polyethylene to withstand the elements and children bouncing against it.

Positioning - to eliminate any risk of contact with the springs and padding, it is preferable if the netting is running inside the perimeter of the padding, alongside the jumping bed.

Top rim - enclosures with a top rim provide further reinforcement by preventing sagging and looseness in the net.

Springs: the more springs, the bouncier the trampoline tends to be. The lighter the jumper, the less springs are required to give a good bounce but generally the higher the quantity of springs the better. The Vuly Thunder and Thunder Pro ranges are springless, with a leaf spring system which achieves a perfect, no twist, vertical bounce.

Padding:

Thickness: the surrounding padding that covers the springs will protect children from getting caught in the springs and hitting the hard metal frame. The thicker the padding the better. Note that springless trampolines do not require padding.

Foam Quality: the foam padding needs to be resilient in rain. Open-cell foam soaks up water and rot, so go for a trampoline with closed-cell foam padding, as it is more likely to retain its integrity for longer.

Quality of PVC Covering: make sure that the PVC cover is UV resistant as prolonged exposure to the sun could shorten its lifespan.

Quality of Metal Frame: trampoline frames are made of hollow steel poles. The thicker the walls of the poles, the stronger the frame will be (although it will also be heavier to handle). Ideally, the steel frame should also be galvanised in and out to ensure that it is rust-proof.

Entrance Closure: some trampolines have an entrance which closes with zips and clips, while others have a self-closing (zipper-less) door which closes behind your child as they jump onto the trampoline. Zipper-less trampolines tend to be more expensive due to the more innovative design, but this is a great additional safety feature. Our Vuly and BERG trampolines have a self-closing entrance.

Maximum Weight Limit: max weight limit can vary significantly between brands and models, so make sure you are happy with the weight limit. A 50kg limit may be adequate if the trampoline is only used by young kids, with one jumper at a time, but you may wish to consider going for a higher weight limit if the trampoline is going to be used by multiple jumpers or adults.

Assembly: can you assemble the trampoline without expert help? How long would it take? Our trampolines can be assembled without expert help, ideally by two people, within a few hours.

Warranty: the longer the warranty the better. Make sure you use your trampoline according to the manufacturer’s instructions so that you do not inadvertently void the warranty.

Accessories: does the trampoline have any additional accessories? Although accessories may not be strictly necessary, having a ladder to help your little ones climb on and off the trampoline is helpful. Also, using covers to protect the trampoline from weathering and debris will prolong its life. A tie down kit can also ensure that the trampoline is secured to the ground during high winds.

Which size is right for my garden?

Which size is right for you depends on two things: the age of the jumpers and the size of your garden.

Larger trampolines are not suitable for littles ones under 6 years old, as they have a bigger bounce, and they are higher from the ground. However, if you have kids of different ages, it is better to choose a bigger trampoline, as the little ones will grow into it in no time. A bigger trampoline provides more jumping space for bigger jumping tricks and more people jumping at once. It will also last longer as the kids grow. In a Which? 2020 survey of parents who owned a trampoline, the most popular sizes were 10ft and 12ft.

Ultimately, the key consideration is what size trampoline would comfortably fit in your garden. Please read the ‘How to safely put up & maintain a trampoline’ section below for details on how to set up a trampoline safely before deciding on the size. Make sure to measure out the area in which you plan to put the trampoline to ensure it fits; it is easy to underestimate quite how big trampolines are.  

Also, one thing to keep in mind is that trampoline size tends to be measured by the diameter of the entire trampoline, so the jumping surface is usually 2ft smaller.

What shape should I go for?

The most popular trampoline shapes are round, oval, rectangular and square. Here is a table with the key advantages and disadvantages of each, or check our blog Which trampoline shape is right for you?:

Shape

 Advantages

Disadvantages

Ideal For

Round

Most common and popular shape.

It tends to force jumpers in the middle which increases the risk of collision if used by multiple jumpers.

1-2 jumpers

 

Bounce is light and easy in the middle.

Does not optimise footage as well as the oval, rectangular or square trampolines.

 

 

The central gravitational force can be seen as an advantage as it tends to push jumpers back towards the centre, protecting them from any contact with the frame, poles, or net.

The bounce is not as strong as with rectangular or square trampolines.

 

 

Safe for all ages and abilities. Great starter trampoline.  

 

 

 

It evenly distributes the weight on all the springs, so one side does not wear out faster than another.

 

 

 

Tends to be cheaper.

 

 

Oval

When used by multiple jumpers, they don’t all gravitate towards the middle.  It provides a more even, balanced bounce.

It does not optimise footage as well as the rectangular or square trampolines.

Narrower gardens

 

It has more space for practising trampolining tricks.

 

Multiple jumpers

 

The elongated shape provides jumpers with more control over their landings.

 

Practising long jumps or flips

 

Can normally fit in narrower gardens.

 

 

 

It is a hybrid of round and rectangular trampolines.

 

 

 

Safe design with no sharp edges.

 

 

Rectangular  

Provides the best quality of bounce to achieve higher jumps.

More suitable for more experienced jumpers.

Practising higher jumps & tricks

 

Rectangular trampolines are used for competitions and gymnastics, so they are by far the highest performance trampolines.

The uneven shape means that one side may wear down faster than another.

Multiple jumpers

 

More space for multiple jumpers.

It requires a larger, heavier frame to hold it down safely so it’s harder to move or disassemble.

Gymnasts/acrobats/athletes

 

More space for practising tricks.

Tends to be more expensive.

 

 

The force of each jump is evenly distributed, which allows bouncers to control their landing better.

 

 

 

It doesn’t have the central gravitational force of round trampolines which allows bouncers to stay in place more easily.

 

 

 

The rectangular shape makes it fit perfectly anywhere in your garden.

 

 

Square

Good firm bounce, perfect for higher jumps.

More suitable for intermediate jumpers due to more firm bounce.

Practising higher jumps & tricks

 

Provides more jumping space for tricks and flips.

Tends to be more expensive.

Multiple jumpers

 

It doesn’t have the central gravitational force of round trampolines which allows bouncers to stay in place more easily.

It requires a larger, heavier frame to hold it down safely so it’s harder to move or disassemble.

 

 

Better choice for maximising the space in your garden.

 

 

 
How much should I spend?

How much you should spend for a trampoline depends on your budget, but it is important to choose a trampoline made of quality materials to ensure that it is safe and durable. We believe it is worth doing some investigation first to find reputable brands before going for the cheaper options. 

The more expensive the trampoline, the more unique its design is likely to be, made using top-notch material that will last.

How to safely put up & maintain a trampoline

When deciding which trampoline to go for, you should consider the following safety recommendations:

  •  Your trampoline should be on perfectly flat ground clear of rocks and plants. Ideally, on soft ground such as lawn or wood chippings, as the give-in provides more support. Never place your trampoline on concrete or decking as it will increase the risk of injury if your kids fall, and it can put more strain on the trampoline.
  • We recommend leaving a minimum of 2ft clearance around the diameter of the trampoline – this will allow your little ones to comfortably get on and off and minimise the risk of accidents.
  • 24ft overhead clearance is also required for safety reasons – ensure that there are no branches or roof overhangs nearby, just wide-open skies.
  • We recommend using a tie-down kit to protect your trampoline from high winds. Putting the net down and using covers can also provide added protection and prolong your trampoline’s life.
  • Regularly check your trampoline for wear and tear to keep it in safe working order. Keep an eye out for holes, tears and sagging in the mat, loose stitching, or deterioration to the mat, bent or broken frame parts and lift the padding to check the state of the springs and if there is any rusting.

If you are still unsure which trampoline is right for you, speak to our customer service team who will be able to help. Get in touch here.