Deciding between trampoline brands springfree or plum... Help

[Millypip91]

Decided to get my 6yo a trampoline for her and her baby sister. Baby is only 7 months so won't be using it for a while and therefore we wanted to invest in a good one that will really last. I am really down the rabbit hole but have narrowed it down to either the plum springzero one or a springfree one. We want one that's quiet to be mindful of our neighbours and obviously safety is also a factor and both of these seem to be good for noise and safety. There is a significant price difference - plum coming in at around 300 whilst springfree more like 1000 (which seems mental but might be worth investing if it lasts ages?) The thing is there is a 10 year guarantee on all parts with the springfree one whereas the plum one has a pretty standard guarantee but people report that they last 10 years ish if well looked after. Has anyone tried either brand? Could they leave a review? Is there extra cash worth it for springfree? Not many reviews on the new springzero plum one which is making me a bit dubious... Thank you! X

I live abroad in a community where most families (including mine) have a trampoline and pool in their back garden. I know a lot of people who have both types - the springfree one is "better" in the sense that there arent springs so therefore less chance of injuries but I also havent seen that many injuries with the Plum/spring ones anyway. We have one with springs.

The spring free ones are usually an oval/more rectangular size (if this is a consideration) and are very very difficult to assemble. My community is very transient so play equipment is often moved to other families with the help of other parents - the Plum/springed ones are much easier to put together in my experience.

Having seen both in action for several years, assuming they are well cared for (eg from wind) then I would probably save my money and buy a Plum one as they are a very respected brand that you can always buy replacement bits for as requided. If you are really hot on the "no springs = really safe" aspect then pay out to get the Spring free brand. The only other aspect is your youngest - if you envisage her going on it whilst a toddler then the Spring Free would be "safer" whereas a 6 year old should be sensible enough to not put their fingers etc inside the springs. In sum, I dont think the SF ones are worth triple the cost (in my experience) but I would pay slightly more.

I havent heard of the specific one that you have mentioned other than if it is very new then the reviews wouldnt tell you much about the longevity anyway.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply this was actually really helpful. I think I am going to go for the plum one as cost difference does seem a lot considering that we don't even know how into it they will be and definitely want something easy to put up and down for the winter months. Thank you!

No problem. If I were in your shoes then that is what I would do (I have never bought a new trampoline though, here we just buy whatever other families are selling!) and in many ways the most important safety aspect on the springed ones is the netting around the sides and the padded cover over the springs. I would never let my 7 year old go on a trampoline that didnt have both of those (some families literally have just the trampoline part) and I think the Plum/spring trampolines can be more securely attached to the ground anyway. The Spring Free ones tend to "jump up" from the ground if more than one child jumps on it.

I think you will find it challenging to put it completely down and then up again every winter. Here we leave the base part up all year and just remove the safety net as that part is relatively easy to get on and off. The people with the Spring Free ones have to leave it constantly up.

And yes, I get what you mean - my child moaned constantly that we didnt have a trampoline when we first arrived then we did manage to get him one and he has used it about 5 times. He still goes on them lots in other peoples houses, just not in his own garden!!