Trampoline Buying Guide: How to Choose The Right Size & Type of Trampoline for Your Home

10 min read

In our opinion, you don’t have to look far to find family fun and lasting memories… just as far as your backyard! And, if you’re ready to take your backyard fun to new heights, there’s nothing quite like a trampoline to elevate your experience. Bouncing on a trampoline is a great activity for kids and adults alike, and can even fit into your fitness routine!

If you’re wondering what is the best trampoline for you or your family, look no further. We’ve put together the ultimate trampoline buying guide to help you navigate the shapes, sizes, and different types of trampolines in stock at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Knowing how to choose between the different shapes of outdoor trampolines, or whether to spring for a kids’ or fitness trampoline, isn’t just a budget or an aesthetic choice — it’s key to making sure that your whole family is safe and having fun for years to come.

Trampoline Sizes

Choosing a type of trampoline depends on the size of your backyard and your intended use of the trampoline. The different sizes of trampolines usually correspond with its intended activity, but can also help save space in smaller yards. But, just because you have a big yard doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll want to get a big trampoline to match. The larger the trampoline, the more effort it’ll take to bounce on your own. As a rule of thumb, a 6 foot trampoline can comfortably and safely bounce two kids or one adult — barring any weight limits associated with it!

Also, if you’re wondering, “What size trampoline do I need?” the three main things to consider here are how much space you have, your budget, and the number of jumpers you need to accommodate. Remember, you only want to place a trampoline on a level surface with adequate ground and sky clearance, so evaluating the trampoline-friendly area(s) of your yard is a good place to start. From there, your budget and number of jumpers should help steer you in the right direction. For example, if you’ve got a smaller budget or only need to accommodate a small handful of jumpers, a 6-10 ft round trampoline may work best for you. However, if you’ve got the space, the budget, and the desire for the whole family to be able to jump at once, you might consider a 14-18+ ft oval or rectangular trampoline.

Types and Shapes of Trampolines

When most people think of trampolines, they picture the traditional round shape. However, trampolines come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit a variety of needs. Some common trampoline shapes include rectangular, oval, and square. Each shape has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Small trampolines are better for indoor use, while large trampolines are better for outdoor use. With so many options on the market, there's sure to be a trampoline that's perfect for you.

Outdoor Trampolines

Girl jumping in an outdoor trampoline with safety netting

Outdoor trampolines are probably what you think of when you think of a backyard trampoline. The best ones will include features that promote safety, like reinforced framing, a netted enclosure, and padded foam. (You can also purchase them separately if they don’t come included, which we highly recommend.) They’re designed for big air and bigger fun, and come in a variety of sizes and shapes that change your bounce experience:

Circle
Oval
Square
Rectangle

For beginners or casual users, we recommend a circular trampoline like this AGame 12 ft Round Trampoline with Enclosure. The circular shape promotes a consistent bounce and naturally redirects you to the center of the trampoline, regardless of where you started your jump. If you’re an experienced trampoliner looking for a longer or more jumping area, you might find what you’re looking for with a rectangular or oval-shaped trampoline.

For more adventurous jumpers, or for gymnastics participants looking for a way to safely practice their skills between tumbling classes, we recommend a heavy-duty rectangular trampoline like this Skywalker Trampolines 14 ft Rectangular Trampoline with Enclosure. The rectangular shape provides more jumpable surface area for jumping creativity and skills practice, while the heavy-duty, galvanized steel frame will safely withstand jumping impacts without frame twisting. (And, the rectangular shape does not distribute weight as evenly across the surface as a round trampoline does, so these rectangular types of trampolines give jumpers the control to stick their landings as they would in the gym!)

If you’re looking for an outdoor trampoline option that provides great weight distribution without sacrificing square footage, the oval trampoline shape may be the choice for you. This shape provides all of the benefits of a round trampoline, plus a larger jumping area, making this the ideal shape for hosting multiple jumpers at a time. If this shape is calling your name, we recommend the Skywalker Trampolines 17 ft Oval Trampoline with Enclosure.

Kids’ Trampolines

Kids’ trampolines, or mini trampolines, are types of trampolines designed for smaller jumpers, to help build gross motor and balance skills. They are almost always circular, can be used indoors or outdoors, and are designed to fit one small child at a time. Great kids’ trampolines like this Skywalker Trampolines Mini Hopper 36 Inch Bouncer will include a padded handlebar, which your kid can hold onto for added stability. (Not to mention its super-cute frog theme for extra bouncing inspiration!)

Fitness Trampolines

Fitness trampolines are made to package up the health benefits of a larger outdoor trampoline into something smaller and more convenient. A trampoline workout, also known as rebounding, is a full-body workout that helps promote leg and core strength, lymphatic flow, and cardiovascular health. Plus it’s a great way to tap into your inner child and make workouts fun.

Like mini trampolines, most fitness trampolines will be circular for a lower footprint and easier bouncing, but you may find some rectangular or oval-shaped ones, which can help you do more varied workouts. Even for people experienced with cardio workouts, trampoline workouts can be uniquely challenging; if you’re just starting out, look for trampolines like this BCG Adults' Aerobic Rebounder, which includes an added handrail for extra stability as you work out.

Safety Considerations

While all trampolines are built with fun in mind, there are features that make certain trampolines superior safety-wise. Factors such as:

Mat quality
Spring material/location
Frame material
Presence (or not) of enclosure netting

All these factors can greatly impact the safety of your trampoline. Therefore, for the safest and most comfortable jumping experience, you’ll want to look for a trampoline made with a high-quality mat to prevent holes, hidden or coated springs to prevent pinching, a durable metal frame to withstand jumping force, and an enclosure net to safely contain your jumpers.

Be Aware of Weight Limits in Trampolines

Each trampoline will have its own designated weight limit based on materials, features, etc., and you will be able to find those included in your trampoline’s user guide (and also usually right on the box when you’re shopping!). However, as a general rule of thumb, rectangular trampolines typically have the highest weight limits, maxing out anywhere between 300-800 lbs. Ovals typically are the next largest weight-bearing option, typically maxing out between 300-400 lbs. Finally, round trampolines tend to vary the most, with 6-10 ft options typically maxing out around 200 lbs, 10-14 ft options typically maxing out around 300 lbs, and 14-18+ ft options typically maxing out around 400 lbs.

FAQ

We know that with all of the shapes, sizes, and features available today, picking the perfect trampoline for you or your family can take some time and effort. So, to help make the decision as easy as possible, we’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Are my kids too young for a trampoline?

A. Trampolines are great fun for almost every age! To make sure your children are having fun safely, we recommend that only children 6 years and older jump on a backyard trampoline (and only with adult supervision!). For younger children looking to get in on the action, we recommend they use only specially-designed kids’ trampolines.

Q. How much is a good quality trampoline?

A. A family trampoline ranges between $200 and $2,200 depending on the quality, safety features, and size of the set.

Q. What are some of the best brands of trampolines?

Now that you’re up-to-date on our trampoline buying guide, bounce over to our Trampoline Shop, in-store and online, to find the best trampoline for your family. We’re proud to stock many types of trampolines in different shapes and sizes to help you find the right fit, whether you’re looking for backyard fun or fitness.