Best trampolines

The best trampolines should be easy to assemble and stable once built, whether they're 6ft or 10ft, rectangular or round. 

We test the most popular 8ft trampolines from top brands and retailers including Argos, Plum and Smyths to see which is easiest to put together. We also check how safe and stable the trampolines are once built and whether their enclosures are easy to take down on windy days. 

One bounced ahead of the others and impressed us enough to be named our Which? Best Buy trampoline. 

The best trampolines

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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. 

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Kanga 8ft Premium Trampoline

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Sizes available 6ft, 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 Wave Springsafe Trampoline

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

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Sportspower 8ft Outdoor Kids Trampoline

Available from Argos (£115)

Other sizes 10ft at Argos (£135), 12ft at Argos (£170), 14ft at Argos (£220)

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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

Available from Smyths Toys (£119.99)

Other sizes 6ft at Smyths Toys (£99.99), 10ft at Smyths Toys (£129.99)

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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

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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

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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 test trampolines

We test trampolines from the most searched for brands, stocked at the most popular UK retailers.

We buy every trampoline we've test, 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 trampolines minimise this. We check each trampoline for the following:

• Frame and enclosure height We make sure each trampoline meets the required minimum heights (50cm for the frame and 150cm for the enclosure on 8ft trampolines).
• Finger entrapment We use a 7mm rod, representing the size of a child's finger, to make sure it can't fit through the enclosure's safety net.
• Visibility We check there were no blind spots on the enclosure, so you could see and supervise your kids no matter the viewing angle. We also check whether the opening was clearly highlighted and an adult was able to fit through.
• Durability We plac 150kg on each trampoline mat for 10 minutes. Afterwards we examined each spring for signs of permanent deformation, and check that the frame padding still covers all the springs.
• Warnings Trampolines are required to have certain warnings in their instructions and on the trampoline itself. We check that they are all there. 

All the trampolines we've tested passed these checks. 

Stability

• We check 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 tips over. 
• We also check the stability when bouncing on each trampoline.
• We make sure the legs can't be easily pulled out when lifting the frame.

Ease of assembly/disassembly

• We assemble each trampoline and rate how easy each one was to put together.
• We consider the instructions, ease of putting parts together, how easy the springs are to attach, how straightforward the enclosure is to assemble and how clearly parts are labelled.
• In strong wind it's best to take the enclosure off your trampoline, so we also look at how easy it is to quickly detach and disassemble each trampoline's enclosure. 

Enclosure strength

We hang 60kg from the top of each enclosure to test its strength.

The best trampolines we've tested barely deformed and remained stable, while others enclosure's popped out of their connections to the enclosure support poles. 

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How to buy the best trampoline

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 – and a mallet for any poles are a tight fit. 

Size Trampolines come in standard sizes, 6ft going up to 14ft. For spring-free trampolines the size options are different.

This size is 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 It covers the springs and 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 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, so are 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.