Comparing different brands is sure to be your first step towards buying a new trampoline for your garden. Find out what you need to look out for!
When buying a trampoline, many people are left confused by the wide range of models available. The most common question is how to choose the right trampoline supplier from among the many competitors. While your ideas about the size, shape, and model of the trampoline might be clear enough, it’s a different story when it comes to its quality.
In our guide, you’ll find out what you need to pay particular attention to when comparing trampolines from different brands. This time we’ll compare Akrobat trampolines with competing trampolines.
1. Warranty on trampoline components
The warranty is an extremely important criterion concerning the quality of a trampoline, as it’s a very good indicator of the materials the trampoline is made of. When browsing the range, you’ll quickly find that there are very few trampoline manufacturers who offer a lifetime warranty on their frames. Akrobat is an exception to this rule, as it offers precisely that.
Other important warranties to look out for when choosing a trampoline include:
- warranty on the jumping mat – Akrobat and other trampoline manufacturers offer a 2- or 3-year warranty;
- warranty on the safety padding – Akrobat is one of the few trampoline manufacturers that gives you a 5-year warranty;
- warranty on the springs – Akrobat gives you a full 10-year warranty, while other manufacturers often say nothing about this.
The availability of spare parts is also important here. At Akrobat, spare parts are always in stock in their warehouse, which means they’re always available for immediate use.
2. Setting up the trampoline
If you’re not the technical type, the ease of setting up the trampoline is definitely a factor you should look out for. Although many manufacturers claim that their trampolines are very easy to set up, you may soon find that it’ll take a lot of effort, time, and even tools.
Akrobat is the only trampoline manufacturer to boast the innovative AkroClick system. This allows the components of the frame to be interconnected without any tools. And because there are also significantly fewer components that could break, loosen, or rust, this also ensures greater stability and safety of the frame in the long run. This is why Akrobat has the confidence to offer a lifetime warranty on their frames.
3. Technical characteristics of a trampoline
The technical characteristics of a trampoline generally depend on the materials used. Recently, a large number of trampolines made in Asia have appeared on the market, and while these are cheaper it should be noted that there are no restrictions on the materials used in their manufacture.
Unlike such trampolines, Akrobat uses only materials of European origin, which, among other things, comply with all the REACH requirements, which restrict the use of any harmful chemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment.
Digging a little deeper into the technical features, there are some key differences between Akrobat trampolines and competing models.
3.1. Frames
Akrobat trampolines have frames made of hot-dip galvanized steel tubes in dimensions of 42/2, 45/2, 50/2, 80/80/3, and 80/40/3, while the makers of competing trampolines only offer information on the thickness of their tubes, which are made of ordinary galvanized steel.
And when comparing trampoline frames, the galvanized coating is actually more important than the thickness of the tube. No information on this is provided for competing trampolines, whereas Akrobat trampolines are made of Italian steel with a minimum galvanized coating of 275 g/m2, which ensures the mechanical strength of the frame. By comparison, the galvanized coating on Asian trampolines only ranges between 50 and 100 g/m2.
This makes Akrobat the only trampoline manufacturer
that can boast of this quality of tubing.
This quality of material also allows a maximum user
weight of up to 150 kg.
3.2. Safety padding
Akrobat uses a high-quality PVC material to produce its safety padding, which can be exposed to UV rays for up to 400 hours. In contrast, no information on this can be found from competitors.
Acrobat trampolines thus fully comply with the requirements of the EN 71:14 standard. This means that the safety padding is resistant to the most extreme temperature conditions, from -40 to +70°C, and this material also supports the offer of a 5-year warranty.
3.3. Springs
The conical shape of the springs is the main advantage of Akrobat trampolines. They are characterized by their extremely low impact on the body, long-lasting elasticity, and very quiet operation. The company uses 3.2 mm galvanized wire for their manufacture, which is the highest possible quality material on the market at the moment, and can withstand up to 2.5 million jumps!
You’ll very rarely find specifications on the springs for other trampolines, which means that extra caution is needed in this regard. The springs are the key to the safe and long-lasting use of the trampoline.
3.4. Jumping mat
When it comes to jumping mats, many competing trampoline suppliers boast an open jumping mat design that creates up to 70% greater air permeability than conventional mats. However, this is not quite the case.
If we compare the material of the jumping mats of Akrobat sport trampolines and those of competitors, we notice that Akrobat trampolines with AkroVent Sport mats have a much more open material structure. This ensures that Akrobat trampolines are more breathable and have superior bounce properties, with 62.7% softer jump absorption compared to competitors' trampolines.
4. Quality certificates and testing
In all respects, Akrobat's trampolines are manufactured in compliance with strict technical and safety regulations in accordance with the requirements of EN 71:14, which relates to toy safety and, consequently, trampolines for domestic use. For this reason, all Akrobat trampolines are certified by international and independent institutions such as Intertek from Germany and Keurmerkinstituut from the Netherlands.
Larger Akrobat trampolines are tested by the independent body Intertek up to a maximum load of 750 kg. This ensures that all Akrobat trampolines are completely safe for all users up to a maximum body weight of 150 kg.
On the other hand, most competitors have no such certifications obtained from independent and accredited providers. It’s true, however, that you’ll find the CE mark on them, and often also information that the maximum load of the trampolines is 500 kg.
But beware!
The CE marking should not be equated with the Safety of Toys certificate according to EN 71:14. It’s merely an internal declaration by the supplier, which means that such trampolines have not been tested by international and independent institutions and therefore don’t comply with EN 71:14. Consequently, the claims about maximum loads cannot be trusted, either.
In short, product comparison is a very important step in the process of buying a good trampoline. But consider the criteria set out above, and your purchase will be a complete success!
