For everything else you need to know about swing sets, see Swing Sets 101
Swing Set Buyer's Guide
You can find swingsets and playsets at prices ranging from less than $500 to well over $5000. Our Buyer's Guide is designed to give you an idea of what you can expect to find in different price ranges as well as a list of swing set brands and where you can buy them.
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Choose a Price Range
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Materials
If you are planning to spend $500 or less you can expect to find a variety of small mass-market playsets, usually made of metal or plastic with a few imported Chinese "cedar" sets at the higher end of the price range.Size and accessories
At less than $500, most swing sets will be small and, at their highest point, up to 6 or 7 feet high, though many sets will be shorter. These sets will generally be simple with perhaps a couple of swings and a short slide.Weight limits
Swing sets in this price range are usually designed for small children, so they will have lower weight limits, usually 100 pounds per child, as well as a total weight limit for the set limiting how many kids can use it at a time. Swing sets in this price range are not meant to be used by adults.Packaging and Assembly
Wooden swing sets may come as kits with 4x4 lumber not included. Complete swing sets will be flatpacked with no pre-assembled components.Where to buy
Swing sets in the less than $500 range can be found at large national retail chains such as Walmart,KMart, ToysRUs, orHome Depot both in the stores and on their websites.Brands
To find brands that sell playsets in this price range, please see our Swing Set Brand Guide below. -
Materials
Swing sets in the $500-1500 range include largermetal sets, a fewplastic sets, and sets made from Chinese "cedar".Size and accessories
At the lower end of this price range, the sets may be as simple as a few swings, but at the higher end you will find sets with more structures and more accessories. While you can get more bells and whistles than at the lowest price range, swing sets in this range, particularly wood playsets or plastic, will not be as sturdy as sets in higher price ranges.Weight limits
Weight limits vary depending on size and materials. 100 to 120 pounds per swing is common. On some sets, total weight capacity may be limited to 600-800 pounds. This is fine for kids but may not be safe if grownups want to play.Packaging and assembly
Sets in this range may come as kits with 4x4 lumber not included. Complete swing sets will beflatpacked with no pre-assembled components.Where to buy
National chain retailers includingWalmart, Sam's Club andTarget sell sets in the $500-1500 price range. You can also find sets in this range at Amazon and other online retailers, and some brands that sell swing sets in this price range sell direct to customers on their websites.Brands
To find brands that sell playsets in this price range, please see our Swing Set Brand Guide below. -
Materials
Most playsets in the $1500-2500 price range will be made from imported Chinese "cedar", but you can also find sets made from pressure treated pine and vinyl coated pine.Size and accessories
In this price range you will find a lot of variety in sets with most having sizable forts or towers and many choices of swings and other accessories. The sets can be quite large with swing beams up to 8 feet high.Weight limits
Weight limits in this price range vary a lot. Some sets have weight limits as high as over 200 pounds per swing, so you can find a playset that will accommodate grownups and kids of all sizes. Make sure to check weight limits before purchasing, however, as some sets in this price range still only have weight limits up to 150 pounds per swing and as low as 800 pounds overall.Packaging and assembly
Most sets in this price range, especially the ones imported from China, will be flatpacked, with pre-cut lumber and pre-drilled holes, but no pre-assembled components. Sets made from domestic wood species, however, may come with pre-assembled components, and you can find brands and dealers at this price range that offer assembly services, usually at an extra cost.Where to Buy
You can find playsets in this price range at national retail chains and online retailers as well as online direct from the playset brand itself. At this price range, you also begin to see sets at authorized dealers and brand showrooms. Brands that sell through dealers or showrooms will usually provide store locators on their websites, so you can find a dealer near you.Brands
To find brands that sell playsets in this price range, please see our Swing Set Brand Guide below. -
Materials
This price range begins to include premium playsets which means sets made with bigger, better wood and higher quality construction. While this price range includes playsets made from Chinese "cedar", you can also find playsets made from domestic woods including Redwood, Northern White Cedar, and pressure treated pine. You can also find a variety of vinyl coated sets in this range.Size and accessories
Playsets in the $2500-5000 price range will be large and include forts or towers, high playdecks, several choices in swings and a variety of accessories.Weight limits
Weight limits on playsets in this price range are usually high —200 pounds or more per swing and playdecks may take total weights from 800 to 1000 pounds to essentially unlimited. In general, swing sets in this price range are strong enough for grownups to play too, though sets made of Chinese "cedar" may have lower weight limits than those made of domestic woods.Packaging and assembly
In this price range, imported sets will be shipped flatpacked with predrilled and precut lumber but no pre-assembled components. Sets produced domestically may have pre-assembled components. Many online dealers or brands that sell directly to customers will also offer assembly services, usually at an extra charge.Where to Buy
Playsets in this price range are usually sold either directly from the playset brand’s website or sales department, or brands may sell through their own showrooms or at authorized dealers.Brands
To find brands that sell playsets in this price range, please see our Swing Set Brand Guide below. -
Materials
This price range represents premium playsets, meaning sets that are made with bigger, better wood and highest quality construction. Most sets above $5000 will be made domestically from Northern White Cedar or Redwood as well as vinyl coated and pressure treated pine, though you can also find a few very large sets made from Chinese "cedar".Size and accessories
At this price range, you can expect to find large and very large sets with just about any playset accessory you can dream of. Some playset companies that sell sets in this range offer customizable, or modular, sets, so you can make your playset as big as your imagination — and your budget — will allow.Weight limits
This price range offers big playsets with high weight limits. Check the weight limit on any specific set you are interested in, but in general, you can expect that sets in this price range will have weight limits of at least 200 pounds per swing and be able to hold adults and a whole neighborhood full of kids.Packaging and assembly
Domestically produced sets in this price range will usually be shipped with pre-assembled components making them easier to assemble, but brands that sell playsets in this range will also offer delivery and assembly services.Where to buy
Premium playsets can be purchased at brand showrooms or from authorized dealers or on their websites.Brands
To find brands that sell playsets in this price range, please see our Swing Set Brand Guide below.
Swing Set Brand Guide
Please Note: The Brand Guide will be most useful when viewed on wider screens
Terms used in this chart: Where to Buy, Material
| Brand | Where to Buy Where to Buy | Material Material | Source | under $500 |
$500 to $1500 |
$1500 to $2500 |
$2500 to $5000 |
over $5000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard Adventures | authorized dealers | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| Backyard Discovery | big box stores,online retailers,online direct | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| Cedar Summit by KidKraft | big box stores,online retailers | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| CedarWorks | online direct,phone | Northern White Cedar | domestic | |||||
| Creative Playthings | brand showrooms,authorized dealers,online direct | pressure treated pine | domestic | |||||
| Creative Playthings - Playtime | brand showrooms,authorized dealers,online direct | pressure treated pine | domestic | |||||
| Eastern Jungle Gym | authorized dealers,big box stores,online direct,brand showroom,online retailers | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| Flexible Flyer | big box stores,online retailers | metal | domestic | |||||
| Gorilla | big box stores,online retailers,online direct | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| Iron Kids | big box stores,online retailers | metal | domestic | |||||
| King Swings | authorized dealers | vinyl,Southern Yellow Pine,Chinese "cedar" | domestic | |||||
| Lifetime | big box stores,online retailers,online direct | metal,plastic | imported,domestic | |||||
| Little Tikes | big box stores,online retailers,online direct | plastic | domestic | |||||
| PlayNation | authorized dealers,online direct | Chinese "cedar" | imported | |||||
| Rainbow | brand showrooms,authorized dealers | mix of Chinese "cedar" and domestic cedars | imported,domestic | |||||
| Sportspower | big box stores,online retailers | metal | domestic | |||||
| Step 2 | big box stores,online direct,online retailers | plastic | mostly domestic | |||||
| Swing Kingdom | authorized dealers | vinyl | domestic | |||||
| Swing n Slide | big box stores,online retailers,online direct | Chinese "cedar", pressure treated pine | imported,domestic | |||||
| Woodplay Safari Series | authorized dealers,phone | Chinese "cedar" | imported |
Note: This list is limited to companies that sell nationally and is not meant to be exhaustive, nor is it intended as an endorsement of any specific retailers or brands.
Metal
Metal was the preferred material for the classic backyard swing set of the 1950s through the 1970s. Metal construction became less common with the advent of more full-featured playsets from the 1980s through the present, but it is still the preferred material for lower-end products that exclusively feature swings, as well as a few mid-range products that include forts along with the swings.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Plastic
The most common use of plastic as a structural material in children's playsets is for the "fort" end and the "support" end for the swings. The swings are usually suspended from a beam or pole that is made from a stronger material such as wood or metal. Plastic playsets are targeted toward younger children and are not suitable as children grow.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Chinese "cedar"
Playsets marketed as generic "cedar" are made from a tree found in southern China calledCunninghamiaLanceolata. This species first appeared in playsets marketed as China Fir, but that name eventually morphed to just plain "cedar" or Pacific Cedar. Chinese "cedar" has become popular as a playset material because it is the least expensive wood option. It is not sawn to traditional North American standards and is usually smaller in dimension than comparable 2x4s and 4x4s.
For an in-depth discussion of natural materials, see Swing Sets 101
Kit Playset
A kit playset consists of swing set accessories and assembly instructions only and provides a list of lumber you will need to purchase separately. Wooden components need to be cut and drilled to specification and all the resulting components need to be assembled.
For an in-depth discussion of assembly, see Swing Sets 101
Flatpacked
The wooden components are cut and drilled, but for shipping efficiency they are flatpacked, and there is no pre-assembly of components. Thus, each deck board, roof piece, and fence slat needs to be individually identified, put in place, and secured.
For an in-depth discussion of assembly, see Swing Sets 101
Pre-Assembled Components
In addition to the wooden components being cut and drilled, many of the sub-assemblies such as decks, fences, roof panels, and ramps are pre-assembled.
For an in-depth discussion of assembly, see Swing Sets 101
Pressure treated wood
Pressure treated wood is injected with chemicals to make it last longer. A common chemical formulation for pressure treated wood used in playsets is ACQ — Alkaline Copper Quaternary. Due to the high copper content and its corrosive effect on steel, special hardware is recommended for sets made from this wood. It is not safe to burn and must be disposed of in the "non-clean wood" repository at the local transfer station or landfill, but ACQ treated wood is long-lasting and relatively inexpensive.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Vinyl coated
Backyard playsets made using vinyl coated pressure treated wood began to appear around the year 2000. By adding vinyl coating, two of the most concerning characteristics of pressure treated wood in playsets are eliminated: splinters and direct contact with chemicals. Vinyl coated wood playsets have the added benefit of being virtually maintenance-free. The downside is that the wood could decay inside the vinyl without the decay being visible.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Redwood
Redwood has been used in premium playsets for more than 30 years. It is cut to traditional North American dimensional standards and is available in larger sizes than many other wood species due to the size of the trees. Redwood used in playsets is typically stained, and regular reapplication of stain is required to reduce splinters and is often required to maintain the warranty.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Northern White Cedar
Northern White Cedar has been used in premium playsets for more than 30 years. In addition to naturally resisting decay, Northern White Cedar fibers are soft, so the wood remains splinter-free, without maintenance. Northern White Cedar playsets do not need to be stained, but their color will change over the years to a silvery-grey. Lumber for Northern White Cedar is traditionally cut to larger dimensions than other wood species, so playsets made from Northern White Cedar usually have high weight limits.
For an in-depth discussion of materials, see Swing Sets 101
Where to Buy
- authorized dealers
- Retail stores that have agreements with specific swing set brands to sell, and usually service, that brand's products
- big box stores
- National retail chain stores such as Walmart, Target, or Home Depot
- brand showrooms
- "Bricks and mortar" stores that are owned and operated by the swing set brand
- online direct
- Brands that can sell directly to customers through their own websites
- online retailers
- Stores such as Amazon or Wayfair that sell a variety of brands or products exclusively online
- phone
- Brands that have a sales staff who can sell their products directly to customers over the phone
Material
For an in-depth discussion of swing set materials, see Swing Sets 101
