The Truth About Cheap Trampolines | Pros & Cons
Trying to decide whether to buy a cheap trampoline? We've got you covered! Learn the pros and cons of cheap trampolines and make an informed decision.
min read
Thinking about buying a cheap trampoline?
Well, there’s a lot you need to know first. Buying a cheap trampoline can be appealing for multiple reasons, namely the low upfront cost.
But there are also plenty of downfalls to buying a cheap trampoline, and it’s essential to evaluate these before purchasing. The safety of your jumpers and the amount of time the trampoline will last could be at stake.
We’re going to use our decades of experience as a springless trampoline innovator and manufacturer to give you the main pros and cons you need to know before deciding whether to purchase a cheap trampoline.
After reading this, you will be able to make an informed and definitive decision on whether a cheap trampoline is right for you!
What Is Considered a “Cheap Trampoline?”
Before getting to the pros and cons, let’s go over what a cheap trampoline is to establish a working definition.
You should think of cheap trampolines as trampolines that cost around the $100-$300 range. Anything above that would be considered mid-tier (around $300-$850) or high-tier ($900+)
Check out our article on the cost of a trampoline for a complete breakdown of all the trampoline pricing factors!
3 Pros of Cheap Trampolines
Let’s start with the pros: Here are three advantages to buying a cheap trampoline:
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Low Upfront Cost
You probably guessed it, but the first pro to buying a cheap trampoline is the low price point.
For some, it’s hard to justify paying top dollar for a trampoline when there are likely many other expenses for you to take care of.
That’s predominantly why many trampoline owners want to buy a trampoline cheap: It’s convenient, easy and doesn’t break the bank.
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Good for Periodic Use
The next pro of cheap trampolines is that they are good enough to suffice if you or your kids don’t plan on using the trampoline consistently.
As you’ll see later, low-priced trampolines usually have major quality/durability concerns. But if you’re looking for a backyard trampoline to use periodically, then a cheap trampoline should be able to hold up as long as it contains adequate weather protection (UV-protective features, sturdiness, etc).
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Relatively Easy to Assemble
Because cheap trampolines are usually simplistically designed, the assembly process will typically be much easier than it would be on a premium-priced trampoline.
For example, an 8 ft Skywalker Round Trampoline ($199) will be easier to assemble than our Springfree 8 ft Compact Round Trampoline ($1,199), which is the most advanced 8 ft trampoline you can buy.
Skywalker’s 8 ft Round Trampoline:
Springfree’s 8 ft Compact Round Trampoline:
5 Cons of Cheap Trampolines
You’ve seen the pros of buying a cheap trampoline, so let’s flip it over and cover the key cons to consider:
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Fewer Safety Features
Arguably the foremost con to purchasing a cheap trampoline is they typically aren’t built with strong safety features.
Most modern trampolines come with fundamental safety features like an enclosure net and pads over the springs. For a lot of cheap trampolines though, the safety features end there.
Here are some of the safety issues that are common among cheap trampolines:
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Gaps can be created between the net and springs, so pinching injuries are possible even if they are covered.
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They use static metal poles to keep the trampoline in place, which can cause injury to wayward jumpers if they hit one of the poles.
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The trampoline frame is usually positioned in a way where the jumper can still land on it.
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Cheap trampolines are usually not built with high-quality materials, so key parts like the net, mat and padding could start to deteriorate quickly—which can greatly compromise safety.
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Low Quality
That last point in the “Fewer Safety Features” Section was crucial and leads us to our next con.
There is a reason that cheap trampolines are priced between $100-$300: They are built with low-quality materials that may not be weather resistant.
For example, a low-quality trampoline may not include a galvanized steel frame, zinc coating that protects against rust or UV-resistant features that safeguard against sun-related damage.
While a cheap trampoline may ostensibly look like a regular trampoline—with a net, springs and mat—many don’t include those higher-end materials that will help the trampoline last, which brings us to our next point:
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Shorter Lifespan
If the trampoline is cheap and built with low-quality, non-weather-resistant features, you can assume that it won’t last a long time under constant use.
Higher-end trampolines can last anywhere from 5-10+ years and can survive consistent use and inclement weather.
Cheap trampolines, though, may not last for more than 1-3 years, especially if it’s housed in an environment where it experiences continuous direct sunlight exposure or windy/severe weather.
This is why you will typically see low or limited warranties for cheap trampolines. For example, JumpKing’s 14 ft Trampoline has a one-year warranty on the frame and mat, six months on the frame padding and 90 days on all other materials.
On the other hand, our Springfree Trampolines, which are premium trampolines, have a 10-year warranty on all parts of the trampoline.
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Mundane Design
Although beauty is subjective, a lot of cheap trampolines come with a basic design that can sometimes be considered “eye sores.”
The look and style of a trampoline are usually not the first priority for most when buying a trampoline; however, it does reign as an important factor for those that care about their backyard appearance.
Cheap trampolines can take away from your backyard aesthetic while higher-end trampolines can add to a backyard aesthetic under the right conditions.
See the images below for differences between a cheap trampoline and a high-end trampoline:
Cheap Trampoline (Courtesy of Zupapa)
High-End Trampoline (Springfree Trampoline)
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Higher Long-Term Cost
Although cheap trampolines have a low upfront cost, the price to maintain one can exceed the overall cost of a mid-tier or high-end trampoline.
The long-term cost of a cheap trampoline shows itself primarily by the need to constantly pay for trampoline replacement parts.
Cheap trampolines tend to need more replacement part changes, which can cost $10-$200+, depending on the part. We’ve seen customers previously spend over $1,000 on replacement parts before buying a Springfree Trampoline.
As mentioned previously, cheap trampolines may not last longer than three years. If you want a trampoline to last longer than that, you could be looking at purchasing another trampoline sooner than you probably hoped for.
Because of the need for more replacement part changes, and potentially having to purchase a replacement trampoline, the long-term cost of trampoline can offset the savings you get from the low upfront price.
Should You Buy a Cheap Trampoline?
Now that you have a feel for both sides of the argument, would a cheap trampoline be a fit for you?
Every situation is different, but below are broad statements that will summarize whether you should look into buying a cheap trampoline:
You’re a fit for a cheap trampoline: You just want a basic trampoline that won’t break the bank to use for 1-3 years and don’t mind if it takes away from your backyard’s aesthetic.
You’re not a fit for a cheap trampoline: You want a safe, reliable and sleek-looking trampoline that will be able to last for 5-10+ years under consistent use and won’t be affected by damaging weather conditions.
The answer for you may not be as black-and-white as the above two statements. However, considering them, as well as the pros and cons you learned in this article, should help you assess if a cheap trampoline is worth buying for your situation.
It should be said that, although cheap trampolines are not the safest or highest quality, there are some good options out there if you’re looking to purchase one. See the lists below, where we rank the best trampolines this year at different price points, to learn about which trampolines stand out!
7 Things You Need to Consider Before Buying a Trampoline
At this point, you’ve likely figured out whether a cheap trampoline is right for you or not. Now comes the next question: Which trampoline should you buy?
There are several things to consider before purchasing a trampoline, including:
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Safety features
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Quality
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Durability
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Warranty
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Design and Style
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Cost
Properly evaluating these factors will direct you to the trampoline model that will be able to serve your family with joyful moments and minimal headaches. At Springfree Trampoline, that’s what we believe in most.
Read through our article on “What to Look For When Buying a Trampoline (7 Things)” and greatly increase your chances of buying your ideal trampoline the first time!
