Find the Best Backyard Playsets

There are currently over 144 backyard playsets available to purchase on Amazon alone. No joke (we counted!) Before buying one, we wanted to look at every single option that we could find. With so many different brands, price ranges, materials, and features, it is not easy to tell what the best fit is!

These playgrounds are not cheap, either! The average price on Amazon is currently around $1,630. We wanted to research our options and find the perfect one! To do so, we created a spreadsheet and started comparing all of the brands, models, prices, number of reviews, customer ratings, and more.

We decided to create this list from our findings and hope it will be helpful for others that are looking for the best backyard playsets of 2023! This list covers the best buying options for every price range.

Ready to find an awesome backyard playground? Simply pick your price range below, or feel free to check out all of the available options.

If you’re looking for an affordable or smaller backyard playset, the under $500 price range has a few good options. Playsets at this level are typically best for younger kids and will make a good starter set. There aren’t many wooden options or full feature playsets available. You will usually find a lot of metal swing sets that don’t include the typical features most would expect. Here are the top-rated options listed below.

Best Overall: Buckley Hill Wooden Swing Set

Backyard Discovery is one of the more popular swing set brands. This model is currently their lowest-priced (also one of the smallest.) It is a great and affordable choice for younger kids. The manufacturer’s recommended age is up to 10 years old, but to get at least a few years out of it, we wouldn’t recommend buying for any child older than 7. 

They thought about safety when building this model. The upper fort features mesh enclosed walls for protection, and you can even clearly see through the mesh, which is a nice feature. The upper fort isn’t very high off the ground, so you won’t have to worry too much about anyone falling off either.

The rock climbing wall is a perfect size for the younger ones, and once they climb into the fort, there is a chalkboard they can play with as well. This playset also includes two swings and a pretty fun looking 6-foot wave slide.

If you’re looking for a safe and quality swing set under $500, this is such a great buy! Especially if you prefer wood material. This playset is the highest rated in the under $500 price range and will last a long time. It is also one of the easiest to set up and great for small backyards.

Estimated at 4-8 hours for two people. The overall construction is considered easy. This model also has an interactive app you can download that will give step by step directions for easier assembly.

Equipment: Covered upper fort, wave slide, two swings, rock climbing wall, and chalkboard.

Material: Cedar  

Warranty: 1 year full warranty, 5 year limited warranty 

Dimensions: 123 x 107 x 92 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Backyard Discovery Cedar Wood Playset

You could say that this playset is the “big brother” of the Backyard Discovery model that is listed above. It has a few different features and is also a little bit larger. This model includes a larger swing set frame and also fits a pretty cool trapeze bar in the middle! The rock climbing wall on this model is in the back vs. the front, and the slide is 2 feet longer than the model listed above. The fort is also a few feet higher off the ground and fits a sandbox below.

This playset is another excellent choice and still comes in under $500. It is a little bit more expensive than the Buckley Hill model above. So if you are willing to spend a little bit extra for the larger swing set, slide, and the addition of the sandbox, then this could be a good pick. It is also essential to keep in mind that this is not as easy to set up and be sure to check the dimensions as it is a little bit larger (but still a good size for smaller yards.)

Estimated at 5-10 hours for two people. Assembly is moderately easy, but not as easy as the Backyard Discovery Buckley Hill model that is listed above. This model also includes an app for easy assembly! Be sure to download the app to make construction move a little bit faster.

Equipment: Covered upper fort, wave slide, two swings, trapeze bar, rock climbing wall, and sandbox.

Material: Cedar  

Warranty: 1 year full warranty, 5 year limited warranty 

Dimensions: 139 x 132 x 98 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

There are a lot of excellent options at this price point. You won’t find as many features as you can for over a thousand dollars, but you can still get a quality playset. Most playsets listed here include all the features you’d expect, such as a rock-climbing wall, two to three swings, an 8ft slide, and a fort/play area. If your budget has the flexibility it will also be worth checking out Gorilla Playsets. They are more expensive vs. swing sets in this category, but if you spend a few hundred dollars more you can get longer-lasting and more durable options.

Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set

Lifetime’s playsets have quite the reputation! Most of their models are highly rated and known for A+ quality and durability. Lifetime only makes metal swing sets, so if you’re looking for a wood design the Lifetime brand won’t be an option. Although the metal definitely provides some benefits. You won’t need to worry about the wood peeling, cracking, or warping. They are generally just a bit easier to maintain. 

The Adventure Swing Set has so many different sets of equipment that your kids will love. You will not find another playset in this price range with monkey bars or a fireman’s pole! So if those features are essential, this will be a great choice. The wavy slide is 9-feet long, which is a perfect size. The swings are also top-notch. If they love the swing sets at the local playground, this is a close second.

If a covered fort, rock climbing wall, or other cool features like that are important, this might not be the best choice. Typically wooden playsets are better suited for those features and have more of a “castle” feel. If you are looking for a durable playset that is low maintenance, easy to put together, and will not get “outgrown” this is one of the best choices in the under $1,000 price range. As long as you don’t mind the look of the metal, this is truly a great value playset!

It’s an excellent choice for anyone that wants an affordable playset that will last a long time. Older kids can enjoy this playset as well and will love all of the different equipment. For the price, this model packs a ton of value. It is on the larger side and will likely be a better option for a medium or large yard. If a fort area is a must-have, you will be better off with a wooden playset in this price range.

Estimated at 4-6 hours for two people. Assembly of this model is considered easy, and it doesn’t require nearly as much time as some other models in this price range. You should have at least two people when assembling it (there are a couple of steps that will require extra help!

Equipment: Fireman’s pole, monkey bars, wavy slide, three swings, trapeze bar, gym rings

Material: Low alloy steel   

Warranty: 5-year limited manufacturer warranty

Dimensions: 110 x 35.8 x 31.5

Recommended age: Designed for kids of all ages

Creative Cedar Designs Sky View Wooden Playset

This playset by Creative Cedar Designs is currently the highest-rated wooden swing set under $1,000. It has plenty of standard features such as a wave slide, rock climbing wall, and two swings. This model also includes a picnic table, glider swing, sandbox, and a cool fort area packed with some extras (captains wheel, telescope, and binoculars.)

Overall there are a lot of great features packed into this model, and it is also a cute looking playset. Putting it together will likely be a full day job (or two), but it is considered easier to assemble than any other playset in this price range.

There are some more impressive wooden playsets in the $1,000 – $1,500 range, but for the price, this playset packs a ton of value! It is likely not a good fit for older kids, but it will be perfect for children up to 9-10 years old. If you value high quality, looks, and lots of equipment, you can’t beat this. Altogether it is by far the best wooden model that you will find in this price range when comparing quality, features, and assembly time!

Estimated at 9-12 hours for two people. This model has a ton of different pieces, and it does take some time to set up. We’d recommend planning out a full day or two to assemble. It does take more time than some other playsets, but it still has easy to follow directions and isn’t challenging to figure out.

Equipment: Wave slide, rock climbing wall, glider swing, two swings, sandbox, picnic table, ladder, steering wheel, telescope, binoculars

Material: Cedar  

Warranty: 1-year full warranty, 10-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 214 x 112 x 117

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Swing-N-Slide Jamboree Fort Play Set

If you’re looking for a quality swing set for a smaller backyard, this one could be a great choice. This playset has two platforms at the top. One area is enclosed, while another area is open with a telescope attached. There is even a neat little fort area underneath the playset as well. It also includes a nice size rock climbing wall, an 8-foot wavy slide, two swings, and a trapeze bar.

This playset has such a compact design! For all of the features it packs in, it doesn’t take up much yard space at all. If you have a small backyard, you’ll love this set. It is overall the second-highest-rated model in this price range, but there are some complaints about the assembly difficulty and time! If the assembly was more straightforward, there’s no doubt this would receive an even higher rating.

If you have a smaller yard, this model is the best wooden option for under $1,000. The playset by Creative Cedar Designs (currently #1 on this list) might be a better value for many families, but it is bigger and doesn’t have as large of a fort area for the kids to play in. You will also want to keep the assembly time in mind before buying this model!

Assembly is considered more challenging than the other top choices in this price range. You will need to go online and print out the correct instructions, as the instructions shipped with the playset are noted as harder to follow. The estimated time can range from 8 hours – 16 hours. If you are good at putting things together or have experience with tools, there is a good chance you won’t have any trouble. For those that are less handy (this is where I would fall, lol!) I’d plan to ask for some help from a friend if possible. It seems to be a mix between people who have no trouble putting it together and people who do have a problem.

Equipment: Wave slide, rock climbing wall, two swings, picnic table, telescope, and trapeze bar. 

Material: Cedar

Warranty: Lifetime warranty on slides/climbing mountains, 5-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 96 x 44 x 15.8 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Most backyard playsets fall into this category! Out of any other price point, you will find the most options in the $1,000 – $1,500 range. The majority of these sets are medium to large and pack a ton of features. These playsets typically have multiple fort areas, swings suitable for older kids, picnic tables, giant slides, rock climbing walls, and more. The quality and durability of these sets are A+ and built to last a long time.

Swing-N-Slide Grandview

First up on the list is one of the best wooden swing sets that you can buy for under $1,500! One of the unique features of this playset is the tube slide. In this price range, you will not find any other models that contain an enclosed tube slide. A cool feature! In addition to the tube slide, this set has other unique features that others in this price range don’t, such as a curved slide and monkey bars. Other features include two swings, a glider swing, a rock climbing wall, and two platforms. Those are all pretty standard for a playset in this price range.

This model does take up a decent amount of yard space. So it will ideally be best for medium to large backyards. For under $1,500, this playset is a remarkable value. It looks like it would cost more and is even comparable to some of the models that are much more expensive! There is a lifetime warranty on the slides, and the 5-year limited warranty also adds a lot of protection on the wood itself. Thumbs up on that, the last thing that you want to worry about is the slide breaking or the wood rotting away. Especially after spending close to $1,500!

Since this is a bit larger than most other comparable playsets, it also has a higher age limit. This model isn’t something that your kids will grow out of by the time they turn ten like some of the other wooden playsets in this price range. Putting it together will take a day or two, but the instructions are easy to follow and not a problem for most parents.

Perfect for families that have the yard space and are looking for a quality playset that will last more than just a few years. Bonus points if you are looking for a playset with additional features like an enclosed slide and monkey bars.

Assembly is estimated to take around 10-15 hours for two people. It is not hard to put together, but it definitely will take some time! Instructions are clear. There are a ton of different parts, so it is crucial to stay organized and lay out all of the parts before starting.

Equipment: Enclosed tube twist slide, side-winder slide, two swings, glider swing, rock climbing wall, monkey bars  

Material: Cedar

Warranty: Lifetime warranty on slides/climbing mountains, 5-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 96 x 42 x 43 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 12 years

KidKraft Brooksville Cedar Wood Swing Set

Here’s another great option (especially for smaller backyards!) This playset has more of a “treehouse” like feel to it. It features two covered clubhouses. One for the boys and one for the girls! Just kidding. Well kind of. In our house, that is likely what it would turn into, at least. Anyways, the fort areas are a cool part of this playset, and most kids would love that feature. This playset also includes a standard wave slide, rock wall, two regular swings, and a glider swing.

The quality of this model is top-notch! You can tell the material is not cheap, and it is also very sturdy. No doubt it will last more than just a couple of years. It is also effortless to assemble and will be able to fit in pretty much any yard. There is also a very similar model available that you will want to check out here, the main difference being the wood color and position of the rock climbing wall. Other than that the sets are pretty similar. I’d recommend checking out both options before you decide to buy this model.

It’s an excellent choice for anyone that is searching for a sturdy and durable playset that will last! Especially an excellent buy if your kids love imaginary play or if you think they would enjoy the two clubhouses. It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles like some other models in this price range. So if a tube slide or monkey bars are essential, then it might be best to check out our top choice listed above. This model is also an excellent set for anyone that doesn’t want the playset to take over their whole backyard! It is very compact and fits well in small spaces.

KidKraft recommends that you have two people who help assemble. They also state an estimated assembly time of 12 – 14 hours, although it seems like that is even on the higher side. The directions for this swing set are easy to follow, and setup is overall considered simple! The assembly time is a bonus as swing sets in this price range typically take a little bit longer to assemble.

Equipment: Wave slide, upper clubhouse, lower clubhouse, two swings, glider, rock climbing wall, cafe area with removable bench

Material: Cedar 

Warranty: 1-year full warranty, five-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 163 x 137 x 114 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Backyard Discovery Woodland All Cedar Wood Playset

This next playset by Backyard Discovery has an upper and lower clubhouse as well! Additional features include an eight-foot wave slide, rock climbing wall, two swings, a ladder, and a glider swing. It is a cute looking playset and even has a seating area in the bottom clubhouse. This playground is definitely on the larger side, and you will need a medium to a large backyard to fit it properly. It could probably fit in a smaller yard as well, but it might look a little bit out of place!

All in all, this is another option in the under $1,500 price range that is seriously worth considering. It is also one of the top 3 highest-rated, and you can tell they built it to last a long time. It is easy to put together and looks fantastic! The high fort area has a fresh design, and it’s something I wouldn’t mind seeing every day when looking outside.

This playset is an excellent choice if you are looking for something more significant in size and easy to build. Also, if your kids wish for a playground that has fort areas, this will be the perfect fit. It is durable and will last many years! It doesn’t have monkey bars or an enclosed slide, but if you can live without those features, this model will save you some money and time spent assembling!

It will take an estimated 13 – 16 hours to put this swing set together. We recommend that you have two people help assemble it, but it’s possible to complete putting it together by yourself. The directions are easy to follow and clear. It isn’t a problematic swing set to build, but there are a lot of parts, so be sure to schedule a weekend to get it finished and stay organized!

Equipment: Upper clubhouse, lower clubhouse, two swings, glider swing, rock climbing wall, wave slide, playset ladder

Material: Cedar 

Warranty: 1-year full warranty, five-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 166 x 200 x 136 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Lifetime Adventure Tower

Lifetime’s Adventure Tower is an excellent option if you are looking for a metal playset under $1,500. This model features two clubhouses. The top play area comes equipped with a steering wheel and a space to draw. The kids will love the lower fort area for pretend play. It has over 5 feet of standing room! You’ll also find a 9-foot wavy slide (which is pretty fast.) The older kids will enjoy the slide and swings on this set. It even includes two rock-climbing walls on each side and an arched climbing ladder to get to the top!

Overall this is a great playset that will last a long time. It might not be very ideal for little ones, but it is a great playset for kids from 3 – 12 years old. Out of all the metal playsets in this price range, this is by far the highest-rated by users and will likely be the best value you can find regarding price, features, and durability! If you are willing to spend a little bit more, there is a similar model here that is almost identical to this one, but it also includes monkey bars and a fireman pole!

If you prefer metal playsets and don’t want to spend over $1,500, this is an excellent choice. They pack it with features that younger kids and older kids can both enjoy. Similar lower-priced models don’t include the rock climbing walls or clubhouses. If those features are essential, this will be the best deal. If not, the lower-priced model listed in the under $1,000 price range should work, and you can plan on saving up to $500.

For a team of two people, expect 10 – 16 hours to put this playset together! The directions are easy to follow and shouldn’t be challenging for most. Most other playsets in this price range have a similar assembly time. If anything, this model might require an additional hour or two.

Equipment: Ground level clubhouse with hardtop roof, top clubhouse, two swings, trapeze bar, two rock-climbing walls, arched climber, steering wheel, wavy slide

Material: Low alloy steel 

Warranty: 5-year limited manufacturer warranty

Dimensions: 114.9 x 48 x 36.8 inches

Recommended age: Designed for kids of all ages

If you are looking for a big playset with all of the features you could ask for, here are a few great options under $2,000. There are only around ten different choices available at this price point. Most of these playsets are really large! That said, they have so many different sets of equipment and features the size makes sense. If you’re shopping this price range, make sure you have space in your yard! It’s also important to think about assembly time. The bigger the playset, the more time it will take to put it all together!

Backyard Discovery Skyfort Cedar Swing

If you have room in your backyard for a big playset, this is one of the best choices in the under $2,000 range. It is by far the highest-rated and reviewed model in this price category! The thing is since it takes up so much space, it isn’t ideal for everyone. For those who have room and are looking for tons of features, it’s hard to beat this model. Especially for the price!

This playset has the largest fort area out of any other comparable sets. The fort on the top of the playset is enclosed, and it even has a little open area with an elevated platform and telescope. The bottom also has another play area and space for a sandbox. One of our favorite features is the monkey bars! This model is one of the only wooden playsets in this price range that includes the monkey bar set. It is a nice size, and even older kids will enjoy using them. The monkey bars also act as an entrance into the fort! In addition to the monkey bars, the set also has a 10-foot wavy slide, rock climbing wall, and three swings.

Note: There is also a similar model with a tube slide that you can check out here. It is currently a bit more expensive.

It’s best for anyone that has a big backyard and is willing to spend some extra money to get all the features! The large size, multiple fort areas, and sandbox make this playset stick out vs. competing models. It has everything that you could ask for packed into one playset.

This is a large playset, so construction will probably take around 15 – 20 hours for two or more people. As a bonus, this playset comes equipped with a 3D interactive assembly app that you can download on your iPhone or Android phone. The app will help speed up the building process, but be sure to plan at least a weekend to put this playset together. 

Equipment: Wave slide, rock climbing wall, monkey bars, two swings, glider swing, picnic table, crow’s nest with a telescope, covered upper porch, sandbox area, flat-step ladder

Material: Cedar

Warranty: 1-year full warranty, five-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 263 x 201 x 148 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Gorilla Backyard Playground Frontier Deluxe

Gorilla Playsets are a bit more expensive than other brands. That might be because they are so well built and the quality is top-notch! If you are looking for a durable playset that will last forever, this model could be another great option. It also has a lot of cool features that you can’t find elsewhere. It includes two swing set frames; one frame holds two standard belt swings and a trapeze bar. The additional frame has a really unique tire swing! You’ll also find a rock climbing wall with a rope on this model. Rock climbing walls are a standard feature on most playsets, but the rope is a fun addition. There is even a deluxe climbing ramp and rope ladder that you will not find elsewhere!

Putting together this model is a piece of cake. It is far more straightforward than most others and will only set you back 6-8 hours to assemble the whole thing. Through our analysis, the average time to construct a playset that costs over $1,000 will take 14 hours! This model takes about half the time to complete.

Even though the assembly is short, it isn’t a small swing set. It probably won’t fit in a small backyard but will be just the right size for an average or large yard.

If you don’t mind spending a little bit more on quality and durability, this playset is a great choice. You will also love the easy assembly. If you aren’t handy and don’t want to worry about spending days putting something together, this is an impressive set.

Effortless assembly. This set will only take 6-8 hours to assemble. That is half the time of comparable playsets in this price range. Directions are clear and easy to follow. Putting this playset together should be no problem for most adults!

Equipment: Rock wall with climbing rope, tire swing, deluxe climbing ramp, elegant rope ladder, wavy slide, two swings, trapeze bar, picnic table, sandbox, tic-tac-toe panel, telescope, and steering wheel

Material: Cedar

Warranty: 1-year full warranty, 10-year limited warranty

Dimensions: 263 x 201 x 148 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 10 years

Spending over $2,000 is a considerable investment – but it definitely comes with its perks! The best backyard playsets you can find have a price point from $2,100 to $5,099. Just in case you’re curious, here is the most expensive playset on the market today! Popular features you won’t find in most lower-priced models are enclosed tube slides, multiple fort areas, rope ladders, drawbridges, and more.

Gorilla Playsets Mountaineer Wooden Swing Set

If you are looking for an exceptionally well-built playset, you’ll love our first recommendation in this price range. Gorilla playsets are known for having some of the most durable wood and equipment in the industry. No doubt, this model will last for a long time! A 5-year manufacturer warranty even backs it.

As far as equipment goes, this set has everything a kid could ask for in a playset. It includes an extreme tube slide, wavy slide, rock climbing wall/rope, and a climbing ladder. The swing set portion has two swings and one trapeze bar (but you can replace the trapeze bar with another swing if you prefer.) Under the playset, you will find a sandbox area and picnic table. The top fort area is a pretty good size and includes a tic-tac-toe board and telescope for pretend play. You can also buy additional accessories such as a pirate ship wheel. 

All in all, this is a beautiful and fun backyard playground. The assembly time isn’t too bad for a playset of this size and is easier to assemble than comparable models. It packs a ton of different equipment into a compact design that would fit nicely in most backyards.

Perfect if you are looking for a playset packed with features that isn’t too big. They construct it with safety and durability in mind. This model is an excellent choice for anyone willing to spend money on a premium playset that will last “forever.” 

This playset is easier to assemble than others in this price range. You should still expect 12-16 hours to complete the build. This set includes a step-by-step manual that should make things easy to follow. The wood is pre-cut, pre-sanded, and pre-drilled to help make assembly go faster.

Equipment: Tube slide, rock climbing wall with rope, deluxe ladder rope, wave slide, two swings, trapeze bar, safe entry ladder, tic-tac-toe panel, steering wheel, telescope

Material: Cedar

Warranty: 5-year manufacturer warranty

Dimensions: 174 x 240 x 132 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 12 years

Gorilla Treasure Trove Swing Set

The most expensive playset that you can currently buy on Amazon is the Gorilla Treasure Trove II coming in at over $4,600! If you have the budget for this backyard palace, there is no doubt that your kids will be asking to go outside as much as possible! While you should at least check out the Treasure Trove II, we recommend saving almost $1,000 and buying the comparable Treasure Trove I.

This set truly has everything you can ask for in a playset. With over 15 different activities it is just like a real playground or park! Our favorite features are the tube slide and drawbridge; the tube slide sits over 13 feet high. That’s quite the ride. The drawbridge also connects to another platform and wave slide, which is a unique feature that you don’t see on any other backyard playsets. This set also features a rock climbing wall with a rope, two sandboxes, a three-person swing set, and plenty of other fun activities.

The quality and durability of this set are A++. It’s truly the definition of a “backyard playground.” If you have room in your backyard for a big playground like this and want to invest your money in something that is going to last a long time, this is the ultimate dream (for kids!)

It’s an incredible playset that has more equipment than any other model. A few things to keep in mind are the time it takes to assemble and the yard space that it will take up. If you’re willing to put up with the long assembly time (or hire it out to a licensed contractor) and have room in the budget, this is by far one of the best playsets that money can buy.

This is a huge playset! Budget around 20 hours to put this together. We recommend that you have at least 2-3 people helping. The instructions are easy to follow. Keep in mind; it has are a lot of different parts and sections that will take a while to organize and assemble.

Equipment: Wave slide, rock climbing wall with rope, climbing ladder, drawbridge, tic-tac-toe panel, ladder, tube slide, swing, trapeze bar, glider swing, 2 sandboxes.

Material: Cedar

Warranty: 5-year manufacturer warranty

Dimensions: 330 x 228 x 156 inches

Recommended age: 3 – 11 years

We hope you enjoyed the read and have enough information to decide on the perfect playset for your family! There are a lot of great options, but we love the Backyard Discovery Skyfort II. Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions – we might just be able to help! After countless hours of research, we’ve learned a thing or two. Oh yeah, and of course, please feel free to share the playset you decided on!