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Best trampolines
The best trampolines should be easy to assemble and stable once built, whether they're 6ft or 10ft, rectangular or round.
We've tested the most popular 8ft trampolines from top brands and retailers including Argos, Plum and Smyths to see which was the easiest to put together. We also checked to see how safe and stable the trampolines were once built, and whether their enclosures were easy to take down on windy days.
One bounced ahead of the others and impressed us enough to be named a Which? Best Buy trampoline.
The best trampolines
Only logged-in Which? members can view the trampoline test results below.
Join Which? now to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Trampoline | Price | Sizes available | Ease of assembly | Stability | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Excellent | ||||
| Easy | Excellent | ||||
| Average | Good | ||||
| Average | Good | ||||
| Average | Average | ||||
| Average | Average |
Date tested: July 2022. Pricing and availability last checked 9 April 2023.
The trampolines we tested
All the trampolines we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view best trampolines from our tests.
Join Which? now to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Kanga 8ft Premium Trampoline
Only available at Amazon: £139.95
Other sizes available: £189.95 for 10ft at Amazon, £219.95 for 12ft at Amazon
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Sizes available: 8ft, 10ft, 12ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.27 x 2.44 x 2.44m
Need to know: 29kg trampoline weight, 100kg maximum user weight, ladder and anchor kit included
Plum 8ft Wave Springsafe Trampoline
Only available at Amazon: £169.99
Other sizes available: £179 for 10ft at Asda, £219 for 12ft at Asda, £259 for 14ft at Asda
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Sizes available: 8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 14ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.1 x 2.44 x 2.44m
Need to know: 39kg trampoline weight, 50kg maximum user weight
Sportspower 8ft Outdoor Kids Trampoline
Only available at Argos: £130
Other sizes available: £160 for 10ft at Argos, £190 for 12ft at Argos, £260 for 14ft at Argos
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Sizes available: 8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 14ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.42 x 2.44 x 2.44m
Need to know: 42.5kg trampoline weight, 100kg maximum user weight
Techsport 8ft Trampoline with Safety Net
Only available at Smyths Toys: £109.99
Other sizes available: £89.99 for 6ft at Smyths Toys, £129.99 for 10ft at Smyths Toys
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Sizes available: 6ft, 8ft, 10ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.45 x 2.44 x 2.44m
Need to know: 40kg trampoline weight, 100kg maximum user weight
Ultrasport 8ft Trampoline
Only available at Amazon: £177.99
Other sizes available: £99.41 for 6ft at Amazon (out of stock), £269.99 for 10ft at Amazon
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Sizes available: 6ft, 8ft, 10ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.39 x 2.51 x 2.51m
Need to know: 38kg trampoline weight, 120kg maximum user weight
Zero Gravity 8ft Ultima 4 Trampoline
Cheapest price: £139.95 at Amazon, Zero Gravity
Other sizes available: £119.95 for 6ft at Amazon (out of stock), £189.95 for 10ft at Amazon, £244.95 for 12ft at Amazon (out of stock), £289.95 for 14ft at Amazon
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Sizes available: 6ft, 8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 14ft
Dimensions inc. enclosure (H x W x D): 2.56 x 2.43 x 2.43m
Need to know: 39kg trampoline weight, 75kg maximum user weight, ladder included
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How we tested trampolines
We tested trampolines from the most searched for brands, stocked at the most popular UK retailers. We bought every product we tested, so you can be sure our recommendations are honest and unbiased.
Safety checks
Bouncing on a trampoline will always carry a level of risk, but the best models minimise this. We checked each trampoline for the following:
- Frame and enclosure height We made sure each trampoline met the required minimum heights (50cm for the frame and 150cm for the enclosure on 8ft trampolines).
- Finger entrapment We used a 7mm rod, representing the size of a child's finger, to make sure it couldn't fit through the enclosure's safety net.
- Visibility We checked there were no blind spots on the enclosure, so you could see and supervise your kids no matter where you were located. We also checked whether the opening was clearly highlighted and an adult was able to fit through.
- Durability We placed 150kg on each trampoline mat for 10 minutes. Afterwards we examined each spring for signs of permanent deformation, and checked that the frame padding still covered all the springs.
- Warnings Trampolines are required to have certain warnings in their instructions and on the trampoline itself. We checked that they were all there.
All the trampolines we've tested passed these checks.
Stability
- We checked each trampoline's stability by placing 110kg (around the weight of two adults) on the edge of the trampoline's frame to see if it tipped over.
- We also checked the stability when bouncing on each trampoline.
- We made sure the legs couldn't be easily pulled out when lifting the frame.
Ease of assembly/disassembly
- We assembled each trampoline and rated how easy each one was to put together, evaluating instructions, ease of putting parts together, how easy the springs were to attach, how straightforward the enclosure was to assemble and how clearly parts were labelled.
- In strong wind it's best to take the enclosure off your trampoline, so we also looked at how easy it was to quickly detach and disassemble each trampoline's enclosure.
Enclosure strength
- A 60kg tester hung from the top of each enclosure to test its strength. Some barely deformed and remained stable, while others popped out of their connections to the enclosure support poles.
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How to buy the best trampoline
Follow what we've learned from our testing and you won't go far wrong.
Tools All the trampolines we tested came with the tools needed to assemble them, but the spanners and screwdrivers were small and difficult to use. Consider using your own tools that you're comfortable with to make assembly easier. A mallet is also handy in case any poles are a tight fit.
Size Trampolines come in standard sizes, starting from 6ft and going up to 14ft. For spring-free trampolines the size options are different. Size is measured by the diameter of the jumping surface, and excludes the surrounding springs and padding, so take this into account when measuring the usable space in your garden.
Padding The surrounding padding that covers the springs should be a decent thickness and resistant to rain. Open-cell foam will soak up water and rot, while closed-cell foam will last longer. The PVC covering (on both padding and the bounce mat) should be UV resistant, as prolonged exposure to sunlight could increase the risk of it perishing.
Metal frame A trampoline frame is constructed from hollow steel tubes. The thicker the poles, the stronger the frame, but it will also be heavier. You also want the poles to be galvanised, both on the inside and outside of the tubes, otherwise they're more likely to rust over time.
Safety netting Make sure the netting is made from a strong and durable material so it can withstand the weather, as well as your kids bouncing against it.
Number of springs The more springs there are on a trampoline, the bouncier it tends to be.
Positioning If you plan to leave the trampoline out when not in use, think about placing it where there isn't too much sun, as the PVC covering could degrade over time if left out in direct sunlight. Also make sure the trampoline is placed on soft ground such as a lawn or wood chip. If that's not possible, get shock absorbers for the base and crash matting to surround the trampoline. For larger trampolines, consider tying it down with an anchoring kit so it doesn't get caught up in big gusts of wind.
Spring vs spring-free trampolines
Brands such as Springfree and Plum manufacture trampolines with fibreglass rods instead of springs. This, in theory, makes for a safer trampoline, as they eliminate the impact areas that can cause injury.
However, they cost significantly more to buy than regular spring-based trampolines.
In-ground vs above-ground trampolines
In-ground trampolines have their advantages: they take up less space, they're less of an eyesore in the garden and might be safer as your kids can't fall off.
However, they require digging a big hole in the ground to fit them in - which can be as deep as 90cm for the widest trampolines. Additionally, you'll need to ensure proper drainage to prevent rusting and deterioration of the trampoline below the ground.
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Trampoline safety
When buying a trampoline, look for one with a safety enclosure that runs along the inside of the mat, putting the netting between the bouncer and the springs. This minimises the chance of your child making contact with any of the hard frame materials.
We've tested trampolines to make sure they've been designed to be safe, but trampolining will always carry some risk, with the most common injuries being bruises and sprains.
You should never leave your child unsupervised while they're using a trampoline, but remember that many accidents can still happen, so keep these other safety tips in mind:
Only allow one child on the trampoline at a time According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 60% of trampoline injuries occur when more than one person is using the trampoline at the same time.
No bouncing exits Don't let your little ones launch themselves off the trampoline on to the ground. This might seem obvious but it's a common cause for injury.
No somersaults Kids shouldn't attempt them unless they've been taught properly, otherwise the chance of landing badly is high.
Kids under six years old shouldn't use standard trampolines They should only use models that have been designed specifically for younger children. Kids under the age of six are not yet developed enough to handle the bouncing movement, and are therefore more susceptible to injury.
Check for wear and tear, especially after long periods of not being used If you're not using the trampoline much over winter, for example, you might wish to remove the mat and springs and store them away. If it stays up and out, check for signs of sagging, stretching and deterioration. Lift up the padding to check the state of the springs and for any signs of rust. Check the frame for any signs of bending or weld joints beginning to weaken.