Best Backyard Swing Sets For Any Budget

Frustrated with trying to convince your children to put down their iPads and go play outside?

Backyard swing sets are a great solution and they tend to be a universal favorite among children of all ages. Luckily, there are plenty of swing sets out there for you to choose from and I’ve picked out the 10 best swing sets over a range of budgets.

Starting with basic swing sets through to more complex play sets that come with all sorts of extra features such as monkey bars, slides and climbing walls. You’re sure to find something that will make your kids want to play in the yard for hours.

Best Basic Swing Sets

Swing-n-Slide - Equinox Swing Set	Swing-n-Slide - Orbiter Swing Set	Lifetime - Heavy Duty A-Frame Metal Swing Set	Eastern Jungle Gym - Classic Cedar Swing Set
Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review
$	$	$$	$$
Wood	Wood	Metal	Wood
2 swing positions	3 swing positions	3 swing positions	3 swing positions
115 lbs/swing	115 lbs/swing	135 lbs/swing	150 lbs/swing

Best Swing & Play Sets

Backyard Discovery - Saratoga Playset Swing Set	Swing-n-Slide - Cedar Brook Play Set	Lifetime - Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set	Lifetime - Adventure Tower Playset	Backyard Discovery - Skyfort II Swing Playset	Gorillaplay - Treasure Trove Swing Set
Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review	Read the Review
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$$	$$$$$
Wood	Wood	Metal	Metal/Plastic	Wood	Wood
3 swing positions	3 swing positions	4 swing positions	3 swing positions	3 swing positions	3 swing positions
8 children 960lbs	9 children 990lbs	6 children 640lbs	10 children 1600lbs 135lbs/swing	9 children 1080lbs	15 children 800lbs 250lbs/swing

How To Choose Your Next Swing Set

Before diving into the reviews of the best swing sets below, I came across a number of very important considerations from both the manufacturers and owners of the swings sets while researching all the products for this article.

I actually started with a list of about 20 swing sets, but crossed many off since they didn’t rate highly in all of these areas. All swing sets reviewed here successfully passed this list of concerns for parents.

1. Available flat space in your yard. Not only do you need to have enough space for the structure itself, but for safety reasons manufacturers suggest that you have at least six feet of clearance surrounding it too.
2. The overall stability of the structure. Many swing sets require the use of ground anchors to help keep them secured to the ground or tipping over as they are being used. Others (mostly wood swings) are stable enough on their own to not need any anchors. One thing to keep in mind about ground anchors is that you will need to check them from time to time, as they can come loose after a lot of use.
3. The taller the better. The best swing sets are at least 7 feet tall so they can accommodate taller or older children instead of only smaller, younger children. Some of them can even accommodate teenagers and adults, which means you can swing right along with your kids!
4. Wood or metal construction. This is important because it directly affects the cost and stability of the structure. Wooden sets are a more costly option – and they are naturally more stable due to their heavy weights – but unless properly maintained they can warp, splinter, fade or rot over time particularly in wet climates. On the other hand, metal and plastic sets tend to cost less, are lower maintenance and are fairly durable, but they are usually lighter than wooden ones which can make them less stable. Ground anchors are recommended in most cases.
5. Swing seat material & construction. The best swing sets have the sling styled seats which are much better to have than the hard and slippery plastic ones. This is due to the flexible nature of the materials used, which allows for a better fitting and more comfortable seat than the plastic seats.

(We’ve made these tips into a fun infographic here!)

Swing-n-Slide – Equinox Swing Set

If you are limited on space or just want a simple swing set for your yard, then this A-frame option is perfect for you and our pick for the best value swing set.

The set is offered in beautiful Earth-tone colors and you can choose between 2 models with either 2 or 3 sling styled belt seats, depending on your needs. Plus, each swing seat can hold up to 115 pounds of weight, which allows older kids and teens the chance to swing as well.

This wooden swing set is heavier and sturdier than similar metal ones, however, you will still need to use the included ground anchors to keep it from rising up from the ground as it is being used.

At 7 foot tall it’s a full foot taller than similarly priced metal swings. It is also a low-maintenance option due to the innovative WoodGuard used to protect the wooden posts. This means there is no need to sand or repaint the set and you don’t need to worry about rot or decay from the elements – they’re so confident that it comes with a 5 year warranty.

All this contributes to making the Equinox our pick for the best value swing set.

Amazon – Equinox Swing Set

Swing-n-Slide – Orbiter Swing Set

This is another great option for someone who needs a simple swing set or does not have a lot of space in their yard. Swing-n-Slide’s A-frame Orbiter Swing Set offers exactly those things.

While the Equinox swing above is available as a model with 3 swings, the Orbiter has 2 swings plus a cool trapeze bar with gym rings. This gives children the chance to build their upper body strength as well as offering another option to simply swinging. That makes it perfect for the little monkeys in your life.

Amazon – Orbiter Swing Set

Lifetime – Heavy Duty A-Frame Metal Swing Set

Offered in either vibrant primary colors or more natural Earth-tones, another fabulous swing set option from Lifetime is this very popular A-frame model. At 9’4″ high it’s one of the tallest A-frame swings, which along with the weight limit of 135 lbs/swing makes it more suitable as a swing set for older kids.

The set features two sling styled swing seats – with UV resistant plastic coating on the chains to help prevent pinches – that are strong enough to support an adult’s weight. It also comes with a trapeze bar and gym rings for added fun.

It is made with powder coated low alloy steel to prevent rusting, keep it cool to the touch and help keep it looking like new. Note that while it’s advertised as not needing ground anchors, other owners recommend this inexpensive ground anchor kit to help stabilize the frame for larger kids.

Amazon – Lifetime Heavy Duty A-Frame Swing Set

Eastern Jungle Gym – Classic Cedar Swing Set

Constructed with one hundred percent all-natural cedar wood, this is another beautifully made A-frame swing set. The wood for this set comes to you already sanded down and factory sealed to help prevent splintering and rot from the elements.

There are two sling seats that have Plastisol coated chains to help keep fingers from being pinched and a trapeze bar with gym rings, which helps promote use of the upper body muscles.

Perhaps the best aspect of this particular A-frame swing set is just how sturdy it is. When used with the accompanying ground anchors, this swing set can actually support the weight of adults too – up to 150lbs per swing. This is one of the best swing sets for the entire family!

Amazon – Classic Cedar Swing Set

Backyard Discovery – Saratoga Playset Swing Set

Made by Backyard Discovery, the Saratoga is one of the best wooden swing sets with a play structure. Constructed with weather resistant cedar, this set can make an extremely sturdy and beautiful addition to any yard.

Two sling style seats and a two person glider seat – both options have coated chains for safety – offer plenty of fun and can accommodate up to 4 children swinging at a time plus another 4 children playing on the rest of the structure. On the ground level, this specific playset also offers a clubhouse with a few windows and a fully functioning door. Additionally, the upper level offers kids a spacious, covered play area and access to the fun 8 foot wavy slide that comes with this structure. Considering the size and quality the price is better than I thought it would be.

As a neat bonus feature, there is a built-in picnic bench area with a canopy off the backside of this particular set. The perfect place to have an afternoon snack.

Amazon – Saratoga Playset Swing Set

Swing-n-Slide – Cedar Brook Play Set

Another great product from Swing-n-Slide is this beautifully crafted wooden swing set and play structure. Made to last you for many years, this sturdy structure is constructed with weather and UV resistant materials such as cedar wood, powder coated metal and polyethylene plastic.

This set comes with many features that your kids will love. It has two sling styled belt swings, a two person glider swing, a set of monkey bars, and a rock climbing wall with eight brightly colored climbing rocks. It also features an attached picnic bench on the ground level, an upper deck with a window and sun-burst gable roof, a sturdy lower deck, a standard climbing ladder and a ninety degree angle sidewinder slide – which comes with a lifetime warranty against cracks and breaks.

Amazon – Cedar Brook Play Set

Lifetime – Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set

One of the most popular swing sets on the market right now is this one from Lifetime. It is a nice free-standing set – which means there is no need to use ground anchors with it – and it comes in both Earth-toned and primary colors, depending on your preferences.

Made with powder coated steel and UV resistant plastic, this swing set stays cool to the touch and it is meant to last you a long time by not cracking, warping, fading, splintering or rotting.

It features three sling style seats that have rubber grips on the chains to prevent pinching, a trapeze bar with attached gym rings, a fireman’s pole, monkey bars and a 9 foot wavy slide. That means several kids can easily play on it at the same time comfortably.

Amazon – Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set

Lifetime – Adventure Tower Playset

This really neat swing and playset from Lifetime is a nice and sturdy free-standing option – which means that there is no need for ground anchors to keep it from tipping over.

This particular swing set offers two sling style seats, a trapeze bar, a nine foot wavy slide, a standard climbing ladder, two 3-D rock climbing walls and a circular clubhouse underneath with a tower up top that has a fun steering wheel inside of it. With so many different play options to choose from, it can easily accommodate up to 10 children at a time.

The entire set is made of powder-coated metal to help keep it from rusting and UV resistant plastic to avoid fading, warping and cracking over time. Both of those features also keep the structure fairly cool to the touch, even after sitting in the sun all day, to help avoid nasty burns.

Amazon – Lifetime Adventure Tower Playset

Backyard Discovery – Skyfort II Swing Playset

A super fun option for your backyard is this awesome swing set made by Backyard Discovery. Made from one hundred percent, weather treated cedar wood and UV resistant plastic this structure is not only very sturdy, it is meant to last for many years.

This particular set features two types of swings: two sling styled belt seats and one glider swing that can hold two kids at a time. Plus, each swing has a UV resistant plastic coating on its chains to help keep them cool to the touch and prevent little fingers from being pinched.

Other features include a 10 foot wavy slide, a set of monkey bars, a rock climbing wall, a built-in picnic table, a sandbox and a super fun clubhouse up top with a crow’s nest on the upper levels.

Amazon – Skyfort II Swing Playset

Gorillaplay – Treasure Trove Swing Set

With this swing set, your kids will feel like they are playing at the park without ever needing to leave the backyard!

It has a solid wood frame made from lightly stained cedar and all of the main support beams have “Timber Shield” coverings – which protect them from the elements and help keep them strong. Even in direct sunlight, the UV resistant vinyl used for the slides and canopies stay fairly cool to the touch and are less likely to fade over time.

This set comes with all the bells and whistles you would expect to see on a similar structure at your local playground making it one of the best swing sets available today. It offers multiple swinging, climbing and sliding options, two sandbox areas and a built-in picnic table. It also has a steering wheel, play telescope, flag kit, a Tic-Tac-Toe panel and a clatter bridge to provide them with hours of imaginative play opportunities.

Amazon – Gorillaplay Treasure Trove Swing Set

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