Looking for a fun new way for your family and friends to enjoy the water that doesn’t involve going out on the boat? Well, then look no farther- water trampolines are a one-stop-shop that provides hours of fun, bouncing around, and lounging for a relatively affordable price point.
While inflatable kayaks, canoes, and even one-man pontoon boats are an amazing way to enjoy the lake, sometimes they’re a bit of a hassle. You have to load them up, spend a lot of time cleaning them, and they’re not always the safest option- especially when you’re dealing with younger kids and tweens who probably have limited boating experience.
Water trampolines can be placed by your dock, inside of your pool, or launched from an island if you want to have some fun in the ocean. If you’re already taking the boat out, you can even bring your water trampoline with you and inflate it by your favorite chill spot- just make sure there aren’t any dangerous wildlife nearby!
Whether you’re looking for a small water trampoline for your kids or a large water trampoline that the whole gang can enjoy, this article on the Best Water Trampolines has it all.
Let’s jump right in with the Best Water Trampoline, the Island Hopper 17’ Bounce N Splash.
Contents
Our Top Pick: Island Hopper 17′ Bounce N Splash Padded Water Bouncer
Key Points at a Glance
- 17-foot total diameter.
- Massive 13-foot wide bouncing platform.
- Lots of handles and a rope ladder for mounting.
- Made with thick, durable 1,000 Denier PVC.
- Can be retrofitted with Island Hopper’s inflatable water slide (sold separately)
- Bright yellow color for easy visibility.
- Raised 3-feet off of the water.
- Protective foam padding on the edge.
- 5-year warranty.
The Details
If you’re looking for the ultimate water trampoline for the whole family, then look no further than Island Hopper’s massive 17-foot Bounce N Splash unit. This company has a long reputation for creating high-quality products, and there are several of their other models listed in this guide.
Reputation aside, though, this trampoline is built to last. It’s made with ultra-premium 1,000 Denier PVC that’s thick enough to withstand several kids or a couple of adults jumping on it simultaneously.
It has a maximum weight capacity of 1,000 pounds as well as an industry-leading 5-year “No Blowout” warranty that guarantees the life of the tube.
To top it all off, this large trampoline can be outfitted with Island Hopper’s other water trampolines accessories such as water slides, alligator heads, and more!
Even though it’s the more expensive water trampolines, we think it’s well worth the cost- especially if it’s something that you plan on keeping in the family for a while.
If you happen to have a floating water mat, combining the mat and the trampoline is a great solution!
This is the Best Water Trampoline for most buyers.
- 17 ft Water Bouncer only. 5 YEAR Limited Warranty....
- Water bouncer / swimming platform - Spring-less,...
- Material: Heavy duty reenforced 1,000-denier PVC
- Protective 0.5-inch foam perimeter padding...
- Inflated product dimensions: 17 ft. diameter x 36...
Our Runner Up: Island Hopper 13′ Bounce N Splash Water Bouncer
Key Points at a Glance
- 13-foot total diameter.
- Utilizes durable 1,000 Denier PVC for the bouncing surface.
- Features foam safety padding around the PVC.
- Comes in green or yellow.
- Features several handles and a ladder.
- Works with Island Hopper’s accessories.
- 1-year warranty.
The Details
Island Hopper is by far the best brand on the market, so we had to list them twice. This water trampoline is essentially the same as our top pick, just a little bit smaller. Its total diameter is 13-feet and it features a 9-foot wide jumping platform that’s designed to hold several kids and a couple of adults with ease.
It’s made with the same high-quality 1,000 Denier PVC utilized on the bigger model and features a 1-year warranty so you can purchase this with full confidence knowing that should anything go wrong with the inflatable, you’ll be 100% covered.
The tube itself is just over 2-feet tall which makes it easy for most middle-aged kids to climb on and off of with ease.
It can even be towed like a giant towable tube behind your pontoon boat or ski boat!
This 13-foot wide water trampoline offers the same high-quality design at a great price point for those who don’t need the giant unit. This smaller trampoline is also a lot smaller and easier to pack into your trunk the next time you go on vacation! Oh, and the solid 1-year warranty remains.
The one drawback of this is that it doesn’t come with an electric pump like its larger cousin. It only includes a simple hand pump.
Should you wish to upgrade, though, you can purchase the electric pump relatively cheaply.
- Water bouncer and swimming platform
- Material: Heavy duty re-enforced 1,000-denier PVC.
- Spring-less, interlaced nylon webbing mat with 0.5...
- Inflated product dimensions: 13 ft. diameter x 26...
- Aesthetically pleasing Natural Green color....
Best Budget: CSSAD Inflatable Water Trampoline 10 FT
Key Points at a Glance
- All trampolines undergo a 48-hour leak test to ensure tube integrity.
- 10-foot total diameter.
- Includes electric air pump.
- The heavy-duty tube is abrasion and tear-resistant.
- Multi-color green, yellow, and blue design for high-visibility.
The Details
If you’re on a budget and you’re willing to wait a little longer for shipping, then CSSAD’s inflatable 10-foot wide trampoline is an excellent budget choice. While the company’s name may lack ingenuity, the product itself is packed full of innovative features that are comparable to Island Hopper’s water trampolines.
It’s made out of a heavy-duty PVC material that’s built to withstand a lot of pressure, a significant amount of weight (doesn’t specify exactly how much, but we’d say it’s comparable to the 13-foot Island Hopper), and has passed all SGS certification tests to comply with international quality standards.
At less than half of the cost of most of Island Hopper’s models, it’s easy to see why this is a top-selling water trampoline.
As we mentioned, the one drawback of this particular unit is that there seem to be several reports of customers waiting weeks for their products to arrive. This is likely due to the fact that it’s a foreign-manufactured product and COVID-19 has severely affected international shipping times.
Best for Kids: RAVE Sports O-Zone Plus Water Bouncer
Key Points at a Glance
- Lightweight, easy-to-transport design.
- 5-foot wide jumping surface.
- Includes a small swimming platform and an attachable water slide.
- 400-pound maximum weight.
- Includes carrying bag.
- Includes a 12-foot long anchor line.
The Details
If you’re looking to buy a smaller-sized water trampoline for your kids to enjoy, then the RAVE Sports O-Zone Plus Water Bouncer is one of the best options on the market. It’s incredibly durable, compact, and perfect for a few kids to enjoy a trip out on the water.
It’s even small enough to set up in your backyard swimming pool!
The Sports O-Zone plus is made with high-quality PVC that’s designed to withstand 400 pounds of pressure. It comes with an inflatable swimming platform and an attachable inflatable slide that can be clipped onto the side of the main tube.
The extra additions alone are enough to sell most parents on this unit.
To top it all off, this water bouncer is probably the coolest-looking out of all of the options.
It r0cks a vibrant mix of white and blue with a bunch of bubbles drawn on the side.
The main drawback of this particular product is that it’s not dual compatible for toddlers and adults.
While one or two adults could lounge on it, it’s a bit too small for adults to do a bunch of jumping.
- 208" x 96" x 54" (528cm x 244cm x 137cm) overall...
- Bouncer: 96” diameter x 26” high (inflated)...
- Slide: 84" x 42" x 52" (213cm x 107cm x 132cm)...
- Durable 28-gauge PVC construction
- 2 Boston valves
Best for Lounging: Rave Bongo Water Bouncer
Key Points at a Glance
- Weighs only 37-pounds.
- Features a 3-step ladder for easy mounting.
- 500-pound maximum weight.
- 26-inch tall when inflated.
- Multiple size options should you want a bigger unit(10, 13, 15, and 20-foot).
- Nylon bouncing surface with no springs attached.
- Jump surface can be easily replaced if it’s damaged.
- RAVE offers tons of fun accessories.
The Details
The company wants to make it clear that this is not a water trampoline. While they do carry a more expensive “trampoline” unit that features heavy-duty springs and can handle serious acrobatics, they refer to this as their “bouncing” unit.
It’s designed for light bouncing, lounging, and is just an overall great water platform. While kids can certainly get a bit of air out of this, an adult trying to jump at full force could end up tearing the nylon bounce surface.
It’s worth mentioning here as well that should anything ever happen to the nylon fabric, you can easily order a replacement from the company that can be looped-in with a few minutes of work.
Should you want a large unit, they sell bouncers that are up to 20-feet wide and have a 1,500-pound weight limit!
- This product is made of a heavy-duty...
- Product dimensions – 120” Diameter x 26” H |...
- The black nylon webbing jump surface is attached...
- Inflates in a few minutes, and to keep your Bongo...
- The RAVE Sports Bongo should be inflated with air...
Water Trampoline Buyer’s Guide
Now, you may be saying to yourself, “I bought an expensive ground trampoline for my kids just a couple of years ago and they never even use it! What’s so great about this?”
Well, for one- water trampolines are different. Instead of just aimlessly hopping around and hoping you don’t fall off and break an arm, your family can combine the fun of jumping on a trampoline with the excitement of cannonball splashing into the water.
You can incorporate a number of fun family games like king of the hill, for instance.
Secondly, water trampolines are versatile. While the obvious use is as a trampoline or water playground, they can also be used to tan on, as a tube to be towed, to lounge around in, play a card game on, or just have a picnic while surrounded by beautiful scenery.
The only limit is your own imagination!
Oh, and as long as your bouncers are good swimmers and/or are wearing floatation devices, there’s relatively little risk to these platforms. Just be sure you anchor your water trampoline away from any rocks or shallow water.
Lastly, they don’t take up half of the space that that giant ugly trampoline in your backyard takes up. You can leave your water trampoline inflated all summer long as long as it’s secured and tied up to your dock.
Then, when the cold season comes, you can deflate it, fold it up, and store it out of sight for the winter! Given how small you can fold it up, you can even bring it with you on family vacations.
Important Features to Consider
Now that you’ve had a chance to do a bit of research, look at your options, and figure out if you actually want one of these super-fun water trampolines, it’s time that you took a good look at the most important features that you should be keeping an eye out for so that you can make the best decision.
Water trampolines can be a bit of an expensive investment, so it’s best to get one that you can enjoy for the long-term.
Size and Weight Limit of Your Water Trampoline
Size is probably the most important thing that you’ll have to decide on when purchasing your new water trampoline. This is often one of the trickiest parts as well. This is due to the fact that many of the Amazon sellers’ pictures are blatantly-obvious photoshopped images.
While this saves the sellers money on graphic design and promotion (which makes the products more affordable than they would be at your local big box store), it makes it very hard to tell the actual size relative to the oversized (or undersized) people pictured.
The best way to judge how large the water trampoline actually is would be to take a tape measure and extend it out however long that the product advertises itself to be. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and whether or not you should opt for a larger or smaller selection.
Usually, the diameter of the trampoline also dictates its weight limit. Smaller 10-foot water trampolines are typically designed to hold 2 or 3 people, while larger 15 to 17-foot water trampolines can hold 5 or more people at a time.
Handles and Ladders
One of the often-overlooked features is the escalation system. Once they’re fully inflated, these water trampolines can easily stand a couple of feet above the waterline. And not everybody has the upper body strength to pull themselves up without a handle or ladder to support themselves with.
It’s always a good idea to do yourself a favor and purchase a water trampoline that has some solid hand grips, a ladder, or a platform to make stepping onto the trampoline easier. Aside from making it easier to mount, it also makes it safer for younger kids who can easily lose their grip and faceplant into the water.
Rubber Inflatable Quality and Thickness
Since the entire system hinges on the quality of the inflatable tube, it’s essential that you select a water trampoline that has a thick, durable, leak-proof rubber tube. The last thing that you want happening is your tube bursting while your kids are out jumping around in the water. This can be as dangerous as it is disappointing.
While shopping around, make sure to look for things like:
- “Factory tested for durability”
- “Built to withstand x-amount of weight or pressure”
- “Marine-grade rubber”
- “No-Blowout Guarantee”
Kids (and adults) can be very rough, especially when there are fun trampolines and a bit of competition involved. Make sure that your tube can stand up to horseplay!
The Age of Your Kids
There are a lot of different options for water trampolines that range from small kiddie-size products to large 20-foot trampolines for teens and adults. If you’ve got a bunch of little kids, then you’re probably better off just getting one of the smaller trampolines.
They’re easier to climb on and off of, typically have extra features (like slides) that make them more fun, and they’re a lot cheaper.
If you’ve got a bunch of rowdy tweens and teens, though, you’ll definitely want to get a larger trampoline that can support them and all of their friends.
Local Laws and Regulations
Keep in mind where you plan on using your water trampoline. By your dock? At the ocean? Neighborhood pond? Local lake?
Water trampolines are always a great idea, but some public water spaces have rules regarding large flotation devices. Unfortunately, “Law Enforcement told me I had to take it down” is not usually a good enough excuse to warrant a refund from the manufacturer.
Make sure that wherever you plan on using your water trampoline has no strict laws or regulations on them.
Warranty
While some of these water trampolines are manufactured by high-quality factories in the USA, others are made in China where the quality is a lot more questionable. While there are still plenty of high-quality products that come from overseas, the vendors often tend to exaggerate certain details a lot more.
If you see a long list of great high-quality features with no warranty to back it up, then this can be a red flag. As these water trampolines can cost a lot of money, make sure that you invest in something that will last for the long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Water Trampolines Safe For Young Children?
Most water trampolines are rated for safe use by ages 2 and up. This, however, is subjective and all depends on your child’s swimming abilities, adult supervision, etc. As long as the bouncers are used safely, though, there are no hard or sharp objects that can hurt kids.
Can I Let My Water Trampoline Float For Long Periods of Time?
Yes! While you may have to top-off the air from time to time, these inflatables can stay out in the water for extended periods of time. Just be sure to bring it in and clean it from time to time and keep it away from sharp debris in the water.
Do Water Trampolines Have Springs?
Some water “trampolines” do have springs. These are designed for hardcore acrobatics and high jumps. Most of the products featured here, however, are “water bouncers.”
These are almost the same as trampolines but feature a nylon weave instead of a spring setup and aren’t meant for heavy jumping activity, just light bouncing and lounging.
Other Products We Looked At:
Island Hopper 10′ Bounce N Splash Padded Water Bouncer
Just because it didn’t make our top pick doesn’t mean that this water trampoline isn’t designed with the utmost quality and attention to detail. We just didn’t want to be redundant by listing Island Hopper as our top-pick in every category.
It features a springless bouncing design like the larger models and is built to support around 500-pounds so it’s perfect for a few kids or a couple of adults who are looking to lounge around on the lake.
Like the other Island Hopper models, this 10-foot unit includes a 5-year industry-leading warranty, tons of swimming handles, anchor points, and even a ladder for easy mounting.
Key Points at a Glance
- 5-year warranty on blowouts.
- 23-inches high when inflated, 7.5-foot wide jumping surface.
- 1,000 Denier PVC material for enhanced durability.
SURFMASS Inflatable Water Trampoline Swim Platform
No products found.
If you’re really looking for something small, then the SURFMASS water trampoline is a fairly decent option that comes at a friendly price point. It’s only designed to hold a maximum weight of 240 pounds which makes it the perfect choice for parents with young toddlers who don’t want to shell out all of the extra money for the expensive O-Zone water trampoline that we reviewed earlier.
While it doesn’t come with all of the extra accessories like slides and a water platform, it’s made out of similar high-quality PVC and nylon that’s designed to stand the test of time.
Key Points at a Glance
- Made with 1,000 Denier PVC.
- Includes fast-inflating electric air pump and patch-repair kit.
- 240-pound maximum capacity.
No products found.
SportsStuff PVC Funstation Bouncer
If you’re looking for a fun, cheap alternative to some of the more expensive 10-foot bouncers, then SportsStuff is a great budget choice. While the company name is a bit basic, the trampoline itself is by far the brightest and most fun that we’ve seen. It’s a giant red and yellow tube with “Funstation” in giant lettering on the side.
It’s engineered with K80 heavy-duty PVC and the bouncing surface is made out of the typical nylon used in other similar water trampolines.
Key Points at a Glance
- 10-foot wide platform.
- Includes an inflatable platform for easy mounting.
- Includes anchoring system.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a water-loving family, then this is it!
Whether you live near a lake, a pond, the river, the ocean, or just have a giant pool in your backyard, these inflatable water trampolines and bouncers are a great way to enjoy some fun in the sun!
From small 10-foot units for tots to large 20-foot units for multiple adults, your options are virtually limitless.
