What to Look For When Buying a Trampoline: A 9-Point Checklist
✍️ Gary and the Trampolines Ireland Team — Ireland's leading trampoline experts!
When buying a trampoline, check nine things: a frame galvanised inside and out, good springs, a UV-resistant mat, thick and wide padding, a tall net, a per-person weight limit that suits your family, recognised safety marks, a long frame warranty, and spare parts you can actually buy. Then check it fits your garden with 2 metres clear on every side.
Two trampolines can look identical in a photo and last three years or fifteen. Here's what makes the difference, from 9,000+ orders delivered across Ireland.
The checklist
1. The frame: galvanised inside and out
Irish damp rusts a trampoline from the inside of the tubes, where you can't see it. Look for hot-dip galvanised steel, treated inside and out, not painted or powder-coated only. The frame decides whether a trampoline is worth repairing in five years.
2. The springs
Springs make the bounce. Longer, better-quality springs give a smoother, deeper bounce and keep their tension for longer. BERG's Champion and Elite use TwinSpring springs; the Favorit uses SoloSpring. Springfree uses flexible rods under the mat instead of springs.
3. The mat
Look for a UV-resistant mat with strong stitching at the edges, where it takes the most strain. BERG's AirFlow and AirFlow Pro mats are woven to let air through, which gives a more responsive bounce.
4. The padding
Padding covers the springs and frame. Check both thickness and width. BERG padding is 38cm wide on every range, and 20mm thick on the Favorit or 30mm on the Champion and Elite. Thin, narrow padding is one of the first signs of a budget trampoline.
5. The safety net
A net keeps jumpers on the mat, which matters most near fences, walls and paving. Check its height, how it attaches, and whether the entrance closes itself. BERG offers the Comfort, Deluxe and Deluxe XL nets.
6. The weight limit, per person
Check the maximum user weight, and that it's per person. BERG limits run from 50kg on the 200 (6.5ft) up to 120kg on the 430 (14ft). If teenagers or adults will use it, that decides the size. See our BERG weight limits guide.
7. Safety marks
Look for the CE mark and an independent test mark. BERG's Favorit, Champion and Elite trampolines carry the CE mark and the GS mark, tested by TÜV.
8. The warranty
A long frame warranty tells you what the manufacturer expects. BERG frames carry 8 years (Favorit) or 13 years (Champion and Elite) when you register the trampoline. Many budget trampolines offer a year or less.
9. Spare parts
Every trampoline eventually needs a new net, mat or padding. Check you can buy them. With a budget trampoline, a torn net often means a new trampoline. We carry one of the largest stocks of genuine BERG parts in Ireland.
Then check the fit
- Space: the frame plus 2 metres clear on every side, with nothing overhead. See how to measure your garden.
- Size: size for the oldest child in five years' time. See what size for 1 to 5 kids.
- Type: above ground, in ground or flat ground. See our InGround vs FlatGround guide.
- Anchoring: budget for ground anchors. In Irish wind they're not optional.
Buy from an authorised dealer
Buying from an authorised dealer means the warranty is honoured and there's someone to ring when you need a part. We're an official BERG Premium Dealer and Ireland's only Springfree stockist, and we'll price match authorised Irish BERG dealers.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when buying a trampoline?
A frame galvanised inside and out, good springs, a UV-resistant mat, thick wide padding, a tall net, a per-person weight limit that suits your family, CE and GS safety marks, a long frame warranty, and available spare parts.
What is the best trampoline brand in Ireland?
We sell BERG and Springfree, two of the leading premium brands. BERG offers the widest choice of sizes, shapes and in-ground models; Springfree uses a springless design. See our guide to the best trampoline brands in Ireland.
Is it worth paying more for a trampoline?
Usually, yes. A budget trampoline replaced every three years costs more over a decade than one good trampoline, and a premium frame can be kept going with replacement parts.
Ticks every box: BERG and Springfree, in stock now
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Comparing a trampoline from somewhere else? Send us the details and we'll tell you honestly how it stacks up. Call 01 960 1641 (ROI) or 028 3756 8930 (NI), Mon-Sat 9am-6pm.
