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Trampolines have become an important part of our daily lives, especially now that career demands commonly reduce the amount of available time for family or exercise. These devices give you the chance to exercise after work or early mornings while also having fun. Their recreational purposes also ensure that you can spend time with your family participating in a fun and healthy activity. If you are thinking about purchasing a trampoline in the near future, you probably are wondering which is the best trampoline for the money. Read below to see our comparison of some popular models and find our pick for the best of the bunch.
Trampolines have become a common sight in a number of households, schools and even gyms. A trampoline is a device that consists of strong steel frames that hold together a strong fabric using springs. These springs are coiled to increase the strength and weight capacity. The device is mainly used for bouncing in both competitive and recreational settings. Even though this device is fun for kids, the usage is not limited to any age group. Users jump on an inelastic fabric known as a bounce mat, but it provides an illusion of elasticity due to the powerful springs connected to the frame.
The origin of the trampoline dates to a time where blanket dancers would be tossed up in the air on a walrus skin. In the nineteenth century, Pablo Fanque used the first trampoline-like device, which looked more like a spring board. From then on, Larry Griswold and George Nissen used this concept to make the first modern trampoline. Countless improvements have been made ever since to transform trampolines from being a circus only device to a common household item. Some common trampoline manufacturers include JumpSport, SkyBound, and SkyWalker.
JumpSport AlleyOOP VariableBounce |
SkyBound Stratos |
SkyWalker Jump N' Dunk |
Zupapa | |
| Honors | Best in Class | Best Value | ||
| The Good | High quality, durable, high jumps, soft landings, excellent enclosure system, rest zones, door entry system | Designed for safety, concave net design, high quality materials, steel frame, easy assembly, UV resistant, padding everywhere | Safe construction, modern construction, easy assembly, thick padding, safety net, large surface area, very affordable, basketball hoop | Strong, sturdy, durable, budget friendly, warranty extension, competes with more expensive models, solid enclosure, instructional videos |
| The Bad | Safety net assembly, pricey | Poor plastic tool for net assembly, net wears quickly, some shipping issues | Shipping issues with parts, spring puller is fragile, not very springy | Very heavy trampoline, zipper can get caught, safety net assembly can be lengthy |
| Overall | One of the best trampolines for the money. Performance, durability, safety features, and much more propel this above other units. | Very high quality trampoline for the money. While maybe not quite as good as the JumpSport AlleyOOP, they can be talked about in the same sentence. | A great value buy with above average construction and components. Unable to compete with the more expensive models, but does well nonetheless. | Gives you the best bang for your buck of any of the trampolines we've reviewed. Impressive craftsmanship with excellent safety features. |
| Our Rating | 8.8 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 7.9 |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
It is no surprise that JumpSport is our “Best in Class” trampoline for the money. It provides the best performance, highest durability, and best safety of any of the trampolines we have reviewed here. As this trampoline is made by the inventor of the safety net, safe design features are expected to be without peer! This is true as the JumpSport AlleyOOP trampoline gives you a variety of features to promote safety such as Rest Zones, Unforgettable Doorway, and strong safety net (rated at 295 lb impact strength). Furthermore, JumpSport only uses the most durable materials. This allows them to offer the best warranty you will find as they stand behind their designs 100%. Performance is amazing due to the VariableBounce technology that adjusts to take-offs and landings to ensure no twists or breaks occur from an awkward landing.
There really isn’t much bad to say about this trampoline outside of it being more expensive than the other trampolines we’ve reviewed. Outside of that, users have reported assembly of the safety net can be cumbersome at times, depending on the experience level of the assembler. Using a helper is advised as it can speed up the process and help out with those troublesome areas.
Overall, the JumpSport AlleyOOP trampoline is one of the best trampolines you’ll find without getting into the commercial brands. High bounces and soft landings make for an enjoyable time for a variety of jumpers. The high weight capacity (real world testing of 800 lbs with multiple jumpers) and excellent safety features are intended to accommodate multiple jumpers simultaneously without safety issues. The warranty is top notch and almost unnecessary due to the quality workmanship. If you can afford it, you can’t go wrong with this trampoline.
The Skybound Stratos line of trampolines are renowned for their safety and concave net designs. The unique design promotes safe jumping and playing while also offering a uniquely designed trampoline enclosure. The net is made up of high density, UV resistant materials to withstand the elements. SkyBound also provides itself on the durability of their products. The strong vinyl mat, rust resistant springs and frame, and various coatings lend to a long lasting product. Coating of the frame ensures it is not damaged by the elements and is rust resistant. Furthermore, vinyl padding is in place to cover any exposed materials that could cause injury to jumpers. Another excellent aspect of the SkyBound Stratos is the patented installation push-pin technology to eliminate the need to use an endless array of bolts and nuts to secure the pieces.
While assembling the trampoline, you will notice the product comes included with a plastic tool that can be used to help thread the net. This tool is practically useless and is easily broken. Another way to improve this trampoline would be to include a ladder as opposed to requiring the buyer to also purchase one. While ladders aren’t essential, when paying this much for a trampoline, it would be a good idea to include one as additional incentive.
The SkyBound Stratos trampoline is a very well made trampoline that is focused on safety and performance. Easily assembled (except the net), durable components, quality design, and a unique concave net design make it one of the better trampolines available. Additionally, it doesn’t cost as much as some of the higher end trampolines, but it provides performance that is in a similar range. High bounces with plenty of air time allow for a wide range of tricks. In combination with the safety precautions, that leads to a good time for kids and parents alike.
One of the most affordable trampolines currently available, the Skywalker Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline offers sturdy construction and excellent safety features at a fraction of the cost. While you will get better performance from the more expensive trampolines, you will be expected to pay for it! The Skywalker trampoline sacrifices some of that performance, but still offers plenty of fun for most families. Thick padding, strong connections, and a large jumping area are all good at giving the kids plenty to enjoy.
As stated earlier, performance is lacking when compared to the more expensive trampolines. You may not get the highest bounce or softest landing when jumping, but it isn’t a flat bounce by any means. A more pressing concern while putting the trampoline together is that the spring puller is fragile and breaks easily. Fortunately, a simple screwdriver works better and with little fuss.
the Skywalker Jump N’ Dunk trampoline is a good option for many families. It doesn’t offer the best performance or special features like Rest Zones, but it can easily accommodate most families and backyards for having fun. As this is a budget trampoline, the warranty is not as strong as higher grade models, so you may have to replace it sooner than normal compared to other trampolines.
The Zupappa trampoline offers the best value of any of the trampolines we have reviewed. The durable construction, powerful performance, increased safety, and affordable price tag allow it to strike a delicate balance of performance and price. The trampoline is constructed with a high amount of steel to lend to its strength and durability. The tight mat and strong springs give it an effective bounce that can propel the jumper to impressive heights. Furthermore, the enclosure is made of tightly woven material that can withstand strong impacts. While assembling the Zupapa Trampoline with Enclosure Net, instructional videos are available to walk you through each step to make for a much faster process.
As there is a good amount of steel used for components, this is a very heavy trampoline. While that is a testament to the strength of the frame, it can also be difficult to move around the yard. The safety net can also cause problems from time to time as the zipper has a tendency to become stuck and difficult to open/close. Finally, as is the case with most nets, this safety net can be time consuming to attach to the trampoline. While this is necessary, the other parts of the assembly more than make up for the lost time on the net.
Overall, the Zupapa 15′ trampoline gives most families exactly what they need, a good healthy recreational activity for the whole family. It may not be as cheap as the Skywalker or allow jumps as high as the AlleyOOP, but it strikes a great balance between the two. Unless you are training for competitive activities, the performance hit is negligible while the savings are extraordinary. If you are looking for a great trampoline for the money, the Zupapa is the way to go.
