The 9 Best Slip n Slides
Updated by · How we research
From a 16-foot triple to a 75-foot giant, nine water slides compared by lanes, sheet thickness, bumpers, weight limits and price. The JAMBO Premium Triple wins. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
The CPSC has warned since 1993 that adults and teens can break their necks on backyard water slides, so these are kids' toys, even when a seller pitches one to adults. A slip n slide is a long plastic sheet you stake to the lawn and soak with a garden hose, and kids ride it belly-first on a small board on summer afternoons.
Editor's Notes
October 17, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Three lanes, three boards, a crash pad at the end and years of strong sales put the JAMBO Premium Triple on top. Most of the old list had aged out. The Team Magnus Dual Racer, the Intex Play Center and the Little Tikes Wet & Dry are no longer available, the Bestway Triple has no current listing price, and the Bountech Bounce House was never really a slip and slide. We also let the Wham-O Double Surf Rider go, since the Wham-O Triple does the same job with a third lane.
The JOYIN Double Lane is the bargain, and the WOW Sports Super Slide is the heavy one for families who wreck thin sheets. The Wahii Waterslide stays as the giant, with a new listing, and the WOW Strike Zone stays for its bowling pins.
One correction. An older note here suggested these slides were fun for grown-ups too. The CPSC has warned since 1993 that adults and teens can break their necks on backyard water slides, so we no longer pitch any of them to adults, even the long ones.
The evidence is thinner than we'd like. We found no lab tests of lawn slides, so the ranking draws on published length, sheet thickness and weight limits, on the tears and leaks owners report, and on recall checks.
July 15, 2020:
In today’s update, we added in the Wham-O Triple Racer, another model from the maker of Slip ‘N Slides. It’s got three racing lanes in the brand’s signature bright yellow, a well as blue and orange. A large pool forms at the end, so no matter who wins the race, everyone is treated to a big refreshing splash at the finish line. It’s equipped with three inflatable boogie boards, which provide a smoother, slicker ride. The pair of included anchors help it to adhere firmly to the ground, and two patches make for quick repairs in the event of a tear. If all you require is a two-rider model, check out the Wham-O Double Surf Rider, which features a similar design with the pool of water at the end. Today we also added in the Bountech Bounce House, which consists of two slides that are part of an eight-foot-tall bounce house that also features a climbing wall. Riders will land in a refreshing pool of water, and kids will enjoy some squirting fun with the built-in cannon at the bottom. It’s made with safety in mind, with a protective mesh net at the top. It comes with the required blower, as well as a storage bag with handles.
For one of the longest water slides around, look to the Wahii Waterslide, which features a length of 75 feet, making it suitable for a backyard with a long, sloping hill. It’s manufactured in the United States with UV-resistant material and should withstand quite a bit of use, making it great for neighborhood parties. Note that it doesn’t come with an integrated sprinkler system to hook your hose up to, so you’ll need to configure sprinklers or a hose, accordingly, likely at different points throughout. Toddlers can get in on the action with the Little Tikes Wet & Dry, which features a slide with a ladder that goes on top of a mat that’s decorated with friendly jungle animals. This versatile choice also works well for some dry fun in the backyard when you use just the slide.
No matter which model you go with, be sure to set it up safely by finding a smooth hill or flat surface where there are no tree stumps, roots, or rocks, that could damage the slide. Adding a small amount of water underneath the slide will help soften the ride a bit. Be sure to supervise children at all times while they’re on slip ‘n slides or in swimming pools.
June 15, 2019:
Anybody who ever had a slip-n-slide as a child knows how much fun they can be. We figured why should all that fun be limited to the children though, which is why we included the Wow World of Watersports Giant 200502 and Wahii Waterslide. At 25 feet long and a massive 75 feet, respectively, both of these models are just as suitable for adults as kids. Also, the Wow World of Watersports Giant 200502 comes with inflatable bowling pins, so you can turn it into a game and see who gets the best score after 10 frames.
While perhaps not quite suitable for adults, the Team Magnus Dual Racer is 31 feet long and can accommodate kids up to 12 years old. It features an inflatable bumper between the two lanes to minimize the possibilities of a mid-run collision and ensure everyone arrives safely at the finish line. The Intex Inflatable Play Center, Bestway Triple, and Wham-O Double Surf Rider are all best suited to children between five and eight years or age, while the Little Tikes Wet & Dry is the ideal choice for toddlers. We feel an obligation to point out to our readers that the Bestway Triple and Wham-O Double Surf Rider are both prone to tearing, but they do come with repair patches, and their low price still makes them a worthwhile purchase for a day or two of fun.
Length, Lanes And Sheet Thickness
One lane means a line, two lanes let siblings race, and three lanes, as on the JAMBO Premium Triple and Wham-O Triple, suit a group.
Start with your yard. A slide needs flat, soft grass for its full length plus room to stop, so a 20-foot slide wants roughly 30 feet of clear lawn, with nothing hard at the far end. A 32-foot slide needs about 40 feet. The giant 50- to 75-foot party slides need a long, open strip, and a gentle downhill makes them faster but also harder to keep wet. Walk the area first and pull out rocks, sticks and sprinkler heads.
Lanes decide how many kids ride at once. One lane means a line, two lanes let siblings race, and three lanes, as on the JAMBO Premium Triple and Wham-O Triple, suit a group. An inflatable bumper or splash pool at the end slows riders before they reach the grass.
Thickness is the best clue to how long a sheet will last. Better kid slides list 0.25 millimeters, about 10 mil. Wahii calls its 7.5-mil plastic the thickest of any giant slide, a claim about giant slides, since 0.25 millimeters is thicker on paper. Weight helps too: the WOW Sports Super Slide weighs 36 pounds because of its inflatable rails, while basic sheets weigh 3 to 4 pounds. Most thin slides fail at the stake holes, so look for reinforced stake points or bonded anchor tabs.
Check your water pressure as well. JOYIN suggests a faucet flow of about 16 liters per minute, roughly 4 gallons, for its 22.5-foot slide. Longer slides need more, and slides without a built-in sprinkler, like the Wahii, need you to bring your own.
Who Should Ride, And Who Shouldn't
Lawn slides are made for kids. Most are rated for ages 3 or 5 up to 12, with weight limits of 200 to 250 pounds. In 1993, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Wham-O's then-owner warned that adults and teenagers should not use backyard water slides (CPSC). The reason is physics: a taller, heavier body sliding headfirst can stop suddenly, and the notice listed seven adults and a 13-year-old with neck injuries, some left paralyzed. The Boy Scouts of America repeated that guidance in a 2015 safety alert (Scouting magazine).
Some giant slides are sold with adults and teens in the title. If older kids use one, keep them feet-first or seated on a board at low speed, one rider per lane, and never let anyone dive. Searches for enclosed or railed slides often mean inflatable pool slides, which are a different product: in 2012, Banzai recalled about 21,000 inflatable pool slides after one death and a paralyzing injury (CPSC). That recall doesn't cover any lawn slide on this list.
We also checked each brand here for recalls with the CPSC. Joyin recalled its Sloosh dive sticks in 2026 because they violated the federal dive-stick ban (CPSC). Its water slides weren't part of it, but check any combo pack for dive sticks.
Setup, Care And A Little History
Unroll the slide in the sun for a few minutes so the vinyl relaxes, then stake every anchor point, not just the corners. Run the water before anyone rides, since a dry sheet grabs skin and a sun-baked one can get hot. Keep the end well clear of fences, walls, trees and patios. Supervise young kids, and send riders down one at a time per lane. Some makers suggest a few drops of mild soap for speed, but it makes boards and grass slick and isn't worth it.
Move the slide every day or two, or the grass under it will yellow. When you're done, rinse off grass and dirt, let both sides dry completely, and roll it loosely for storage. Use the included patches on small holes right away, before they spread.
The idea dates to 1960, when Robert Carrier, an upholsterer, laid down a strip of vinyl for his son, who had been belly-sliding across the family's wet driveway (New York Times). Wham-O began selling it in 1961, and the name Slip 'N Slide remains Wham-O's trademark, though people use it for every lawn slide (Mental Floss).
How we researched this
We compared 23 lawn water slides, inflatable slide sets and bounce houses, and screened 14 in depth. We read the makers' published specs (the Wahii and WOW Sports sites did not load for us, so some specs come from listings only), analyzed patterns in owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls and safety notices with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of lawn slides.
Sources (7)
- CPSC: Wham-O backyard water slides are dangerous for adults and teenagers (1993)
- Scouting magazine: body-sliding safety alert (2015)
- CPSC: Banzai inflatable pool slide recall (2012)
- CPSC: Joyin expands recall of Sloosh dive sticks (2026)
- New York Times: Who made that Slip 'N Slide?
- Mental Floss: Slip 'N Slide history
- CPSC recalls
Frequently asked questions
What is the best slip n slide?
For most families, the JAMBO Premium Triple. It has three lanes, three bodyboards and an inflatable crash pad, and it is rated for kids 5 to 12 up to 200 pounds. The JOYIN Double Lane is the best value.
Is there a slip n slide for adults?
Not a safe one. The CPSC has warned since 1993 that adults and teens should not use backyard water slides, because a sudden stop can cause neck and spinal injuries. Some giant slides are marketed to adults, but the risk is the same.
What is the most durable slip and slide?
Heavier sheets last longer. The WOW Sports Super Slide weighs 36 pounds with inflatable rails and a 250-pound limit. Among basic sheets, look for 0.25-millimeter PVC and reinforced stake holes.
How much water pressure does a slip n slide need?
A normal garden hose works for most kid slides. JOYIN suggests about 16 liters per minute, roughly 4 gallons, for a 22.5-foot slide. Longer slides need more flow or a second hose.
Will a slip n slide kill my grass?
It can yellow the lawn if left in one spot. Move it every day or two and let the grass recover.
Can you connect two slides together?
Only some. WOW Sports slides link to each other for a run of up to 100 feet. Most other sheets aren't designed to connect, and overlapping them leaves a seam that can catch riders.
