THERE can be little better summer entertainment than bouncing around in the back garden on one of the best trampolines.
Over the past couple of years, trampolines for kids have become particularly popular as a welcome distraction to keep children active and let them burn plenty of energy in the garden.
Prices range from around £200 right up to £2,500, and all trampolines must pass stringent safety rules before they're ready to hit the shops. There is also a growing market for accessories of all shapes and sizes to add to the fun.
Building some bigger trampolines is a task to be taken up by two people, as the springs you need to load take lots of tension. This is what makes the bounce better.
You’d be advised also to take time to find a cover as it’ll be out in the elements, and while it is tempting to just leave it to weather any downpour it will decrease the lifespan of your trampoline.
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Here’s our top 10 trampolines for 2023 to get your budding gymnasts bouncing in the garden this summer.
Best trampolines for 2023 at a glance:
- Best rectangular trampoline: Sportspower Sport Pro
- Best for younger kids: Fisher-Price 4.5-Foot Trampoline
- Best inground trampoline: Berg Inground Champion
- Best oval trampoline: Jumpking 8 x 11.5ft Oval Trampoline
- Best extra-large trampoline: 17ft x 10ft JumpPRO™ Xtra Black Rectangular Trampoline
1. Sportspower Sport Pro 10ft x 8ft Trampoline
- Sportspower Sport Pro 10ft x 8ft Rectangular Trampoline, £270 at Argos - buy here
The appeal of a rectangular trampoline is that make the most of a smaller space.
This one, from one of the UK’s leading suppliers, is fully galvanised and comes complete with a safety mat and surrounding net.
Delivered in three boxes, it’ll take a pair of you a couple of hours to put together, but you'll end up with a great piece of kit.
This trampoline is designed for just one bouncer at a time.
Size: 10ft x 8ft Max. user weight: 100kg Age recommendation: 6 and over
2. Zero Gravity Ultima 5 Rectangular Barrel Trampoline
- Zero Gravity Ultima 5 Rectangular Barrel Trampoline, from £389.95 at Amazon - buy here
Designed with a striking colour combination that’ll brighten up the garden, this model goes up to 15ft x 10ft, and so can hold a couple of people for a joint trampoline session.
It has all the safety features you’d expect, including side netting, a perimeter mat and foam-covered poles around the sides.
The shape of this one gives it added stability as it is slightly curved, making it well-suited for those who want to take their exercise to the next level.
Size: from 12ft x 8ft to 15ft x 10ft Max. user weight: 100-130kg
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3. Fisher-Price 4.5-Foot Trampoline
- Fisher-Price 4.5-Foot Trampoline, £119.99 at Very - buy here
Buildable in minutes, this Fisher-Price option is a great way for younger kids to start their journey into trampolining.
It folds down to a very compact size and has all the safety features you'd expect from a trusted kids' brand like Fisher-Price.
You can also use this trampoline inside if you've got enough space - the perfect way to let kids burn off steam when it's raining outside.
Size: 4.5 ft Max. user weight: 45kg Age recommendation: 18 months and up
4. Sportspower Sports Pro 8ft Trampoline
- Sportspower 8ft Outdoor Kids Trampoline with Enclosure, £140 from Argos - buy here
This single-user trampoline is straight forward to set up; with assistance, it should take two hours tops.
Fully galvanised against the weather, there is a safety net and mat around the perimeter to save feet from disappearing down the sides.
Fully padded side poles further ensure slightly younger acrobats are covered if they take a tumble.
Plus, this Sportspower trampoline is one of the best-value options on our list.
Size: 8ft Max. user weight: 100kg Age recommendation: 6 years and over
5. Berg Inground Champion
- Berg Inground Champion, £719 at Wicken Toys - buy here
The advantages of an in-ground trampoline are that there is no frame to shift around as you bounce and kids can bounce on and off with ease.
They are also aesthetically more easy-on-the eye than a regular trampoline standing high with netting around it - but they do come with a higher price tag.
This Berg model is a great price and takes very little installation as its design allows for a shallower hole to be dug too.
Size: 11ft x 7ft Max. user weight: 100kg
6. Jumpking Oval 8 x 11.5ft
- Jumpking 8 x 11.5ft Oval Trampoline, £375 from John Lewis - buy here
With a free ladder included, this Jumpking allows you to enter and exit with a little grace.
Superbly made, this fully surround netted trampoline has great bounce and is a decent size and shape with a build time of around four hours.
Oval trampolines can also be easier to use with three different bounce areas that stop the jumper from being pulled back into the middle.
This understated green trampoline will blend in nicely with your garden too.
Size: 8 x 11.5ft Max. user weight: 90kg Age recommendation: 6 years and up
7. JumpPRO Xtra Black Rectangular Trampoline 17ft x 10ft
- 17ft x 10ft JumpPRO™ Xtra Black Rectangular Trampoline with Unique Double Bounce Mat, £2,499 from Madfun - buy here
More of a small extension than a trampoline, this is about as big as they get.
Over 112 springs give this JumpPRO trampoline the bounce you and others will need to get you skyward on the double-matted surface (it's one of the few brands to offer this).
As you’d expect the team behind this have years of experience in the jumping game and all the safety features far excel the minimum requirements.
You’ll get a ladder, 10-year warranty on the frame and a trampoline strong enough to hold up to 180KG in weight.
Size: 17ft x 10ft Max. user weight: 180kg
8. The Range Trampoline Bouncer
- Trampoline Bouncer, from £68.99 at The Range - buy here
One of the finest ways to up your cardio levels, you’ll feel the burn in no time at all with this Trampoline Bouncer.
Compact enough to use and store inside, this piece of equipment needs the stereo turned up to 11 for a flawless performance.
There are loads of trampoline training videos to show you how to get the most out of your workout; stick them on the telly and off you go, on the road to gluteal gladness.
Size: 122cm
9. Jumptastic Trampoline Hoop
- Jumptastic Trampoline Basketball Hoop, £90 from Amazon - buy here
This is a trampoline attachment rather than a trampoline, but it's such good fun that we had to include it.
There are a few of these on the market but none are complete with the universal clamps to enable attachment to almost any trampoline.
It allows you to leap in the air with all the expertise of an NBA basketball player, enabling even the vertically challenged to slam dunk.
The backboard also has a more realistic feel of a court-based hoop giving a real style shot versus flimsy alternatives, which are worth avoiding.
Size: 74.9 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm
10. Sportspower 14ft Rebounder
- Sportspower 14ft Rebounder, £239 from Asda - buy here
This trampoline comes with a point of difference that lets you pull tricks on the super-tough bounce net and push yourself to the sides, which are angled to a degree for acrobatic flips.
The angled areas have only been available on trampolines for a few years, and it does feel like a bit of an evolution.
Weight-wise this one will peak at around 60KG due to the uniqueness of its design.
Size: 14ft Max. user weight: ~60kg
Is trampolining good exercise?
Not only is it good exercise, it's great fun too.
The benefits are varied; there’s the smile it brings, as well as the fact you are outside, soaking up Vitamin D and not screen staring.
It is an intensive aerobic workout too, increasing the speed at which your heart pumps blood (and therefore oxygen) around your body.
This in turn strengthens the muscles of your cardiovascular system, and the boost in oxygen levels will make you feel more awake, alert and alive.
Which is the best trampoline?
There should be a more straightforward answer than “the most expensive you can afford”, but there isn’t.
It depends on how much you think you’ll use it, too.
If it going to be a daily routine and you can get kids to turn it into an outdoor play space, then spend a little more. Do try and gravitate towards a rectangular or oval one though as they take up less space.
What is the law on trampolines in gardens?
There are no specific laws, you don’t need planning permission to have one in the garden.
You should just be mindful of neighbours, noise and any intrusion into their personal space over the fence that may occur.
Where to buy trampolines in the UK
Check out the following retailers for good quality trampolines in the UK:
- Amazon
- John Lewis
- Argos
- Wicken Toys
- Trampolines UK
How much do trampolines cost?
Prices range from around £200 right up to £2,500. As well as the brand and additional features, the size is the main factor influencing the cost.
So consider the size of your outside space before you purchase a trampoline - and make sure you measure properly - allowing enough space around the outside for safety.
