Trampolines: A Cost Breakdown

If you have kids who love playing outdoors, there’s a high chance that they might have asked you to get them a trampoline, or the idea of buying a trampoline might have crossed your mind at some point. Even though they’re expensive, trampolines are a worthy investment.

Trampolines can cost as little as $250 to as much as $900, depending on the size, shape, and quality. The brand, safety features, and accessories also add to the price. Circular trampolines are cheaper than rectangular ones, and above-ground trampolines are cheaper than in-ground ones.

A number of factors affect the total cost of a trampoline, including the net, size, material, and style (whether in-ground or above-ground). So let’s take a closer look at those and how you can decide which trampoline is right for you.  

What Factors Go into Trampoline Cost?

Big backyard trampoline

Trampolines are available at various price points—you can find some as cheap as $200 and as expensive as $900 or even more. Of course, the trampoline’s size affects the cost the most; the bigger the trampoline, the higher the cost, but other factors also influence the price.  

Net vs. No Net

Most trampolines available today feature a safety enclosure, which is one of the reasons for their high price. Trampolines with a net enclosure that measures 14-15-foot wide can cost anywhere from $450 to $800.

Some higher-end models even cost up to $1500, depending on the net’s quality and the trampoline’s size.

Trampolines with no net are cheaper, but you might want to add a net for your kids’ safety. In this case, you can expect to shell out $50-$100 for an aftermarket net option like this one (example on Amazon) depending on the quality, size, and coverage they provide. 

Size

The size of the trampoline affects the price the most. The smallest ones you can get are 8’ trampolines that typically cost up to $300 (of course, higher quality will be more expensive).

Even though an 8-feet trampoline sounds like a decent size, it’s only suitable for 1-2 children under the age of 4.

So, if your children are older than that or if you have 3-4 kids, you should look at a larger option. In this case, something larger like a 12-feet trampoline is better, and you can expect to spend a minimum of $300 to get a decent quality.

Shape

Rectangular trampolines cost a little more than circle trampolines of similar size. This is primarily because of the extra jumping space you get with the former. Let’s do some math so that you understand how much extra space you’ll get.

Take a 15 x 15 feet rectangular trampoline and a 15’ circular trampoline. With the former, you’ll get 225 square feet of space, while the latter will give you 177 square feet. This is why rectangular ones cost more. 

So, do you need a rectangular trampoline or a circular one? Rectangular ones are better for those who train for sports like gymnastics since they can use the extra space for jumps and flips. 

But if you just want a trampoline for your kids or some backyard fun, getting a circular one is better, especially since it’s safer but costs less than its rectangular counterpart.   

Material

Another factor that affects the cost of the trampoline is the quality of the material used. As you might have guessed, high-end trampolines are highly durable and use strong springs and mats to ensure a high bounce.

Good-quality trampolines are made using weather-resistant and durable materials like hot-dip galvanized steel. These trampolines can withstand harsh weather and be kept outside during the winter. They also use thick materials in the frame tubing to carry high weights. However, they often come with a higher price tag.

Above-Ground vs. In-Ground

Above-ground trampolines are cheaper than their in-ground counterparts. In addition to a more affordable upfront cost, above-ground trampolines are also cheaper to set up and install since you don’t need specialized tools.

When it comes to in-ground trampolines, the cheapest way to set them up is to opt for expert installation, which can add up to $200 to the total cost.

Accessories

Accessories also increase the price of the trampoline. Some useful and fun accessories you should get for your trampoline include a ladder (especially if you have kids), a basketball hoop, wind stakes, and a weather cover for protection in the winter. 

Other standard accessories include sprinklers, shade covers, a volleyball net, a slam ball, and a replacement jumping mat. Unfortunately, all of these can roughly cost you another $100.  

How to Decide Which is Right for You

Blue trampoline on the lawn in garden

To determine which trampoline is the right option for you, you should answer the following:

  • What type of trampoline do you need? Do you need a square or rectangular trampoline to practice gymnastics, or a smaller one for at-home workouts?
  • What kind of safety features are you looking for? Do you want a trampoline with nets and other enclosures, or something without it?
  • Are you willing to shell out more money to get more expensive trampolines that are safer and last longer, or are you looking for something more affordable (but not long-lasting)?
  • How many people will be using the trampoline? Are they adults or kids? Knowing this can help you determine the correct size you should opt for.

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