This article will help you choose the best inground trampoline for your family.
In-ground trampolines look great and have a low profile in your yard. They are safer to get on and off as you don’t need a ladder, which is important to younger kids and those with mobility challenges. They will also stay in place in the wildest weather as it is difficult for the wind to get underneath them and send them flying.
However, there’s also no doubt that inground trampolines sit at the higher end of the price range for trampolines. A good in-ground trampoline with a net ranges from around $1,500 to $3,000, excluding any excavation or installation costs.
If you’re not sure if an inground trampoline is right for you, I’ve written a good article that outlines all of the pros and cons of inground trampolines, and even a rough and ready guide on installation.
If you already know that you’re after an inground trampoline, read on the discover the upsides and watchouts for the different brands in this category.
Overall Round-Up of In-Ground Trampolines
There are three well-known inground trampoline brands for sale on Amazon. These are Avyna, Berg and the InGround Trampolines (IGT) brand. All three of these brands manufacture above ground regular trampolines, as well as the inground trampolines.
Our recommendation for a good quality inground trampoline that will meet most families’ needs is Avyna 14’ In-Ground Trampoline.
Rank | Name | Basis | Price range | Link to Check Price on Amazon |
1 | Avyna 14’ In-Ground Trampoline | Great bounce, mid-range price and the best warranty | $$$ | Check Price |
2 | Berg 14’ In-Ground trampoline | Relatively lower price, great bounce and good warranty | $$$ | Check Price |
3 | 15’ InGround Trampoline (IGT) brand | No net available, higher price and shorter warranty | $$$$ | Check Price |
For more detail about the winning specifications of each of the brands, let’s go through the details below.
The Winner – Avyna 14’ In-Ground Trampoline
Types of In-Ground Trampoline – Flat Profile vs. Slightly Raised Profile
There are two types of profiles for in-ground trampolines, sitting just above the ground or sitting completely flush with the ground.
I recommend that you look at a trampoline that sits a couple of inches above the ground. It will still be easy for little kids to get on the trampoline, and really help with the air transfer needed for a good bounce.
This is important, because if the air can’t get out and in again quickly, it will severely lower the effectiveness of the bounce. If air underneath the trampoline is trapped, it acts just like a giant pillow and makes bouncing much more difficult.
Even though each of the brands has ‘special’ features to help the air transfer, having the trampoline sit just above the ground is more important than any ‘special’ feature.
All three brands, Avyna, Berg and InGround Trampolines (IGT) have a range that sits flush with the soil. The IGT trampoline is designed to sit just above the soil, but strongly suggests that the surrounding soil is built up in as “a ramp” to help prevent water flowing in.
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
Above Ground | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In-Ground (2-6” above ground) | Yes (InGround) | Yes (InGround) | – |
Flush with ground | Yes (FlatGround) | Yes (FlatLevel) | Yes (IGT System) |
Note: IGT system sits 2-4” above ground, but you build up the soil around the trampoline so that it looks flush with the trampoline. This also prevents water flowing into the pit of the trampoline.
Country of Ownership, Manufacture & Production
I had a good look at where each brand is headquartered (and designed), and where the trampoline is manufactured. In some cases, where the country wasn’t published on the brand’s webpage, I contacted them directly to find the information.
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
Head Office | Netherlands | Netherlands | USA |
Made In | China | Vietnam | USA |
Both Avyna and Berg are headquartered in the Netherlands. Avyna is manufactured in Vietnam, and they have a cool video on YouTube showing the production process in their factory (don’t worry, there is no Dutch language, despite the title). Berg’s trampolines are manufactured in China. They also manufacture Go-Karts, and they proudly say that some are made in Europe, but are conspicuously silent about the others.
IGT are headquartered and manufactured in the USA. At first, I was really impressed by this, and despite the higher price, was going to suggest IGT for all patriots. However, their warranty just isn’t up to scratch (see below). If you’re going to have the highest prices, and talk about your superior quality, you should really have the best warranty. These trampolines are an expensive investment. Given that they sit in the ground, you don’t want the worry of wondering if it has rusted.
Bounce Quality
For in-ground trampolines, bounce is basically a function of springs, shape of the trampoline and the quality of the mat, with some help from the protective pad.
The Avyna trampolines stand out in terms of bounce. They have 96 x 8.5” PowerSprings with great bounce power. The rubber d-ring connectors give an additional springiness.
The Berg trampoline comes in second. They also have 112 x 8.5” TwinSprings which are arranged in a V-shape around the trampoline. This orientation puts the springs at a diagonal, which allows the mat to be marginally bigger.
The IGT trampoline has MaxAirFlow. They also have 120 springs on their 15’ trampoline. However, the springs don’t seem as spring-y as the PowerSprings or TwinSprings. It might be that the steel is a bit too strong and don’t stretch as well.
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
Springs | TwinSprings | PowerSprings with Rubber D-rings | Standard |
Mat | AirFlow | Air X-Tream | MaxAirFlow |
Warranties for In-Ground Trampolines
A warranty tells you how much the company believes in the quality of their products.
Like all trampolines, these are exposed to the weather. But given that the frame on an in-ground trampoline is below the surface of the ground, there is an added risk that there will be higher levels of humidity and dampness. The soil will release moisture, and the rain may drain slowly.
For in-ground trampolines, Avyna has the best warranty set, with Berg coming in second and IGT coming in third.
Both Avyna and Berg provide a lifetime warranty on their frames. This is really encouraging. However, IGT only provides a 10 year warranty on their trampolines. This is still more than some of the lower priced above ground trampolines. But this is a USA-company who talks about having the highest quality, and is the most expensive. They should have the best warranty as well.
Additionally, Avyna has a longer warranty on other parts of the system. The Springs have a 10-year warranty, compared to Berg at 5 years and IGT at 3 years. At Avyna, the jumping mat and protective pad are covered for 3 years, compared with only 2 years for both Berg and IGT.
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
Frame | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 Years |
Pad | 2 Years | 3 Years | 2 Years |
Jump Mat | 2 Years | 3 Years | 2 Years |
Springs | 5 Years | 10 years | 3 Years |
Maximum jump weight
The maximum allowable weight for the various inground trampoline brands varies a great deal.
IGT has the highest weight rating at 450lbs for their 15’ inground trampoline. Avyna has a weight rating of 352lbs for their 14’ inground trampoline, and Berg has a weight rating of 265lbs for their 14’ inground trampoline.
Whilst all trampolines suggest that only one person bounce at a time, reality is that a second (or third) kids will sneak on when you’re not looking.
Both Avyna and IGT inground trampolines have a high enough weight range for three 115 pound kids (around 11-14years on average).
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
14’ | 265lbs (14ft) | 352lbs (14ft) | 450lbs (15ft) |
Price Range for In-Ground Trampolines
There’s no way around it, in-ground trampolines are an investment. The Avyna and Berg in-ground trampolines come with or without safety nets.
The IGT comes without a safety net. An adapter kit must be purchased separately from IGT, and then a safety net must be purchased separately again. Their website says that you need your own tools and mechanical skills in order to fit the adapter kit. If you install the trampoline, and then realise you need the net, you have to do considerable excavation to fit the adapter kit.
Given the importance of a safety net for kids in a yard, I really struggled with this. How can a manufacturer produce a trampoline for kids that then requires you to go through hoops to install a safety net?
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
InGround 14’ | $$$ | $$$ | – |
InGround 14’ w/ net | $$$ | $$$ | – |
Flat Profile 14’ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ (15ft) |
Flat Profile 14’ w/ net | $$$ | $$$$ | – |
Depth of hole to be dug
The last area to consider is the excavation. This is where you have to dig a hole underneath the trampoline, so that when the jumping mat depresses, you don’t hit the ground suddenly.
The installation instructions have a complete description, but broadly, the jumper will depress the mat more in the center than they do at the edges of the mat.
The In-Ground trampolines need to be dug around 2’6” for the Avyna and Berg. However, the IGT system needs to be dug to 2’9”, and then the ground level built up to make it flat.
If you’re looking at the flat profile versions, these typically need to be dug to 3’3” or 3’5” in the center.
If you have particularly hard or clay soil, you may want to hire an excavator bobcat or contractor (or both!) to dig it out for you. You can see the (w)hole process here in this article (pun intended!).
In-Ground Trampolines | Berg | Avyna | IGT |
InGround 14’ | 2’6” | 2’6” | 2’9” (15ft) |
Flat Profile 14’ | 3’5” | 3’3” | – |
In Summary
I found it fairly tricky to find good information online comparing these expensive inground trampolines. I hope this helps you choose the right inground trampoline for you. Our tip, for most families, the Avyna 14′ will give the right balance of performance and safety, with the best warranty.
Go Forth, Kids!