10 ft vs. 12 ft Trampolines: Which One Is Right for You?
Can't decide between a 10 ft or 12 ft trampoline? Read our expert guide now to find the perfect trampoline size for your backyard!
min read
Trampolines serve a dual purpose of inspiring fun and fitness.
But with so many options, choosing the right size trampoline can be difficult. Unfortunately, we’ve seen many consumers waste money on a trampoline that they thought would be big enough.
Two of the most common backyard trampoline sizes are 10 ft and 12 ft trampolines. Although there’s only 2 ft of difference between them, those 2 ft can have major implications!
We’re going to use our decades of trampoline expertise to directly answer the 10 vs 12 ft trampoline debate today.
After reading this, you will be able to definitively say whether a 10 ft trampoline, a 12 ft trampoline or neither are the size for you. Let’s get to it!
10 or 12 ft Trampoline? Here's What to Consider
Here are five things to evaluate as you decide between a 10 ft vs. 12 ft trampoline. As your reading through this make sure to note how each consideration applies to your backyard!
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Backyard Size
Before anything, you must figure out if the trampolines’ size is going to fit safely in your backyard.
What does “fit safely” mean? If you can place a trampoline in a spot with 3-5 ft of clearance space and out of range of impeding structures (fences, sheds, overhead tree limbs, etc.), that is considered a safe spot. Our recommendation is to measure your backyard beforehand.
How to measure for a trampoline: Using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the trampoline in the area you want to place it. Make sure you’re scouting out areas that are flat, level and no impeding structures!
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Jumpers’ Size
Next thing to check off on the list: Which trampolines will fit your jumpers’ size?
This pertains not only to your jumpers’ current size but also the future growth expected. If you have kids that are growing, buying a big trampoline first is recommended to ensure that they won’t grow out of it!
Here’s what to evaluate when deciphering if a trampoline will fit your jumpers:
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The trampoline weight limit (A 10 ft trampoline weight limit will likely be less than a 12 ft trampoline weight limit).
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The amount of jumping space.
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Your child’s future growth.
As far as 10 ft and 12 ft trampolines go, here are the answers to two common size-related questions:
Is a 10 ft trampoline big enough? It depends. For a growing child that wants a long-term trampoline, a 10 ft trampoline may not be big enough. However, if you’re buying a trampoline for a younger child to use for a few years, a 10 ft trampoline could be big enough.
Is a 12 ft trampoline big enough? It could be, but again this depends on how big your jumpers are (or are going to be) and how long they want the trampoline to last.
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Jumping Space Needed
Many people overlook the amount of jumping space when buying a trampoline. However, when buying for growing kids, you will need a trampoline to have plenty of space to jump – for now and in the future!
We’re going to let you in on a little secret about jumping space and trampoline sizes: On trampolines with springs used for the bounce, the amount of jumping space is around 2 ft less than its frame-to-frame size.
Take a 10 ft trampoline for example: Since the springs and spring padding take up around 2 ft of jumping space, you’re actually getting 8 ft of jumping space despite its 10 ft size.
See the photo below, courtesy of Amazon, and notice how the springs take up around 2 ft of jumping space on a 10 ft trampoline:
Springless trampolines don’t have this problem, as they use alternatives to metal springs, which maximizes jumping space.
For instance, our Springfree Trampolines use composite rods underneath the mat to provide the bounce, which means a 10 ft Springfree Trampoline provides the equivalent jumping space to a 12 ft spring trampoline:
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Intended Use
Another consideration when choosing a trampoline is what you’re wanting to use it for.
If you just want a trampoline for fun, then usability will not be a major factor in the decision between a 10 ft or 12 ft trampoline.
However, if you have aspiring gymnasts or kids that want to use the trampoline for athletics, buying a 12 ft or bigger trampoline would be recommended due to its larger amount of jumping space.
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Trampoline Cost
After evaluating the first four factors, you’re now ready to assess how much you want to pay for a trampoline.
When it comes to 10 ft vs. 12 ft trampolines, 12 ft trampolines will always be more expensive than 10 ft trampolines of equal quality because of their larger size.
However, trampoline costs will vary depending on various factors, including the brand and type of trampoline you buy.
How to Choose the Right Size Trampoline
Summing up all the points above, here are the five questions you need to ask yourself to know whether you need a 10 ft or 12 ft trampoline:
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Will a 10 or 12 ft trampoline fit better in my yard?
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Will a 10 or 12 ft trampoline accommodate the current size of my jumpers and their future growth?
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Will a 10 or 12 ft trampoline provide enough jumping space for my jumpers?
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Will a 10 or 12 ft trampoline have enough room to achieve my child’s athletic goals?
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Will it be worth it to pay more for a 12 ft trampoline than a 10 ft trampoline of equal quality?
The type of trampoline you buy (spring or springless) and the trampoline brand you buy also factor in heavily when it comes to choosing a trampoline.
You also need to note the shape of the trampoline you want – round, square, rectangle or oval? Each shape has its pros and cons that should be assessed before deciding on the 10 ft vs. 12 ft trampoline question.
Best 10 ft Trampolines
To assist you even further, we’ve used our expertise to round up a list of the best 10 ft trampolines you can buy this year. Ensuring that there is a trampoline for everyone, we have ordered them from least to most expensive:
Best 12 ft Trampolines
We’ve also put together an objective list of the best 12 ft trampolines you can buy this year. See the list below, ranked from least to most expensive:
Check out our article about the differences between 12 ft vs. 14 ft trampolines if you want to see another trampoline size comparison!
Which Trampoline Size Is Right for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which size trampoline is right for you.
The best way to decide is to consider your individual needs and budget. If you have a small backyard and a limited budget, a 10 ft trampoline may be the best option.
If you have a larger backyard and need more space to jump, then a 12 ft trampoline may be a better choice. Whatever you decide, you now understand all the major factors so you can make a fully informed decision!
However, at Springfree Trampoline, we want to make sure you’re certain about which size of trampoline you need. We have a free tool that can help sure up any questions you may have on size!
Our AR Tool allows you to see what a trampoline will look like in your yard before purchasing by following these three steps:
Step 1: Open the Springfree Trampoline website on your phone, click on a trampoline and click on the AR icon on the trampoline’s page. This will open your phone’s camera, where the trampoline will be visible.
Step 2: Move to the location you’re wanting to place the trampoline and zoom in and out, relocate or rotate using your fingers as desired.
Step 3: Once you have the trampoline in place, snap a photo and save it to help with your decision-making process!
Note: For a 10 ft trampoline, choose the Springfree Medium Round Trampoline. For a 12 ft Trampoline, choose the Springfree Large Square Trampoline.
