Among our key recommendations on top baby gear brands to go for are established US-based companies with reputations and established US-based customer support. In this article, I have described the current top US-based inflatable water slide companies and manufacturers and those based abroad in China and other jurisdictions.
If you want to read about the top inflatable water slides brand available in the market today, we have a list and reviews here.
Let’s that with those that proudly use the ‘Made in America’ tag or label;
US-Based Inflatable Water Slide Companies
#1. Little Tikes:
The biggest and most successful manufacturer of inflatable water bouncers and slides is Little Tikes. As of October 2022, 4 of its 11 brands of inflatable water slides and parks are among the top-selling brands with great reviews exceeding 4.5/5 from over 40,000 customers.
Little Tikes manufactures high-end brands that meet and exceed various safety standards. Their designs are also unmatched – in terms of complexity, safety features, durability, and overall user satisfaction.
Little Tikes is an Ohio-based baby products development company that designs and manufactures products that encourage active and imaginative play including water slides. The Little Tikes™ Company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Hudson, OH.
Little Tikes products are frequently and rigorously tested for heavy metals such as lead. Litte Tike’s website says they also do not use BPA, latex or harmful PVC and/or phthalates.
Little Tikes guarantees that every product is 100% compliant with the CPSIA, which includes regulations concerning phthalates and lead content in surface coatings and all components.
Little Tike’s wide variety of active play products and developmental toys distributed in the USA meet or exceed ASTM F963.
On Little Tike’s categories of toy and development play gear they manufacture for kids, inflatable water slide and parks fall under the category of active play along with climbers and slides; playhouses, bounce houses, toy blasters, swing sets, sand and water play tables, among others.
Below is a snapshot from Little Tike’s website showing water slide brands;
Some top inflatable water slide gear brands that Little Tikes manufacturers include;
- Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Inflatable Bouncer Includes Heavy Duty Blower With GFCI, Stakes, Repair Patches, And Storage Bag, for Kids Ages 3-8 Years – $187: This brand is currently the best-selling water slide on Amazon and has an average rating of 4.7/5 by over 9,500 customers as of October 2022.
- Little Tikes Jr. Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer, Multicolor – $149: This Little Tike’s water slide brand is currently the fourth best-selling brand in the children’s outdoor inflatable bouncers on Amazon. It has a high rating with over 2,500 parents giving it an average of 4.7/5 similar to the Heavy-duty model above which also has 4.7/5 rating.
- Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Bouncer with Arched Canopy Overhead Cover: With over 2,200 customer reviews on Amazon and with the highest rating among all Little Tikes’ brands, this model is currently the 9th best-selling product in the outdoor inflatable bouncers category on Amazon. It sells for around $200 and like that it comes with one repair kit to patch any leaks on the slide. The current price of $200 is, however, a temporary promotional price that slashed 40% off its usual price. Check its current price here.
- Little Tikes Giant Inflatable Slide Bouncer with Heavy Duty Bouncer- This Little Tike brand of water slide goes for $344 and is currently the 13th best-selling outdoor inflatable bounces on Amazon. You can check its current price today as the $344 price is promotional price with 27% of its usual price. Check its price today here.
Below are other Little Tikes’ brands of inflatable bounces, slides and water parks listed on its website;
- SPLASH ‘N SPRAY INDOOR/OUTDOOR 2-IN-1 BOUNCER
- Family Fun Water Park
- LOL Surprise Jump and Slide Bouncer – Sells for $329 on their website
- LOL Surprise River Race Water Slide – Sells for $549 on their website
- Made in the Shade Water Park – $429
- Pack ‘n Roll Bouncer – $379
#2. Intex:
Another inflatable water slide company based here in the US that matches Little Tikes in terms of the number of years in the market is Intext Recreation Corp. which has been around for 50 years – since 1975. Intex distributes airbeds, above-ground pools, spas, toys, furniture, boats, and more.
In our 2022/3 list of best inflatable water slides for kids, Intex’s brand called Intext Rainbow which throws balls and has a sprinkler, slide, and a pool came first ahead of Little Tikes
The company buys has a range of over 50 kids’ inflatable slide brands that range from $20 to over $300 as per the listings on its website.
To be honest, Intex is more of a kids’ pool and pool accessories manufacturer than a water-slide manufacturing brand. Intext has made a name as a go-to brand for family pools similar to the one below;
One of the leading water slide brands by Intext called Intex Inflatable Jump-O-Lene Playhouse is currently the 5th best-selling inflatable water bouncer on Amazon and sells for $59 (check Intext price today here).
This Intext Inflatable Jump-o-Lene Playhouse is perfect for jumping and playing. This colorful bouncer comes equipped with a crawl-thru door for kids to easily crawl inside.
Another Intext brand on Amazon’s best-seller list is the Intex Jump O Lene Castle Inflatable Bouncer which is the 6th best-selling inflatable water bouncers. This brand can support two kids and similar to Little Tikes, kids of age 3 can start using this brand.
Intext is based in Long Beach California and like Little Tikes’ brands, Intext water slides are made here in the US. I like that they have robust communication channels for support as demonstrated by direct contact details as well as their commitment to respond to support inquiries within 48 hours.
I think Intext wins when it comes to a brand or company with the largest number of patents and perhaps highest investment in R&D. See this list of extensive patents that Intext has.
#3. Bestway:
Headquartered in Chandler Arizona, Bestway is another inflatable water slide and house bouncer manufacturer that is based here in the US. The company has been in operation for over 20 years and their inflatable products are available all over the world with a presence in over 50 countries.
It partnered with Matel through the Fisher-Price brand to design and distribute Bestway Fisher-Price Inflatable Ball Pit which is currently among the best-selling brands on Amazon.
Foreign-based Inflatable Water Slides Companies
#1. Banzai:
If you prefer water slides that splash water on the sides while your kid speed slides, then Banzai is your water manufacturer to go for.
As you can see in the image below showing one of its brand, Banzai has designed its slides to have a water sprinkler system that will make playing on it even more fun as it will feel like you are in a real water park.
Banzai is another leading manufacturer of inflatable water slides with a great reputation. They have been in business for over 15 years and have a wide range of products that are both safe and durable. Unlike Little Tikes which recommends that is brands can be used by kids from 3 years in age, Banzai recommends that its water slide brands be used when kids attain 5 years. Its exact age range recommendation is 5 to 12 years, against Little Tikes 3 to 8 years.
As of October 2022, one of its brand – the BANZAI Bump N Bounce Body Bumpers is the 2nd best-selling brand in the inflatable bouncers category on Amazon. Compared to Little Tikes brands that sell for up to $300, Banzai sell for a fraction of that. In fact, the Banzai Bump N Bounce Body Bumpers sells for just $17 but again, this is a promotion price. Check Banzai’s current price today here.
Not all Banzai’s brands are inexpensive as the one above. Some of the top brands that Banzai is know for including the Banzai Falls Water Slide sells for over $500. The original Banzai Falls Water slide was the finalist in 2006 for the TOTY (Toy of the Year) Award.
Several media reports praised this brand which Banzai claims to led the transformation of America’s backyards into mini water parks in 2 minutes. The BANZAI Sidewinder Blast Water Park is currently selling for $518 but can check its price on Amazon today here.
Here are some of their most popular products:
- The Sidewinder Falls Inflatable Water Slide – $499.99
- The Banzai Splash Blast Lagoon Inflatable Water Park – $349.99
- The Banzai Fall Freeze Triple Racer Inflatable Slide – $399.
Below is a quick 45-seconds video of the original Banzai water slide released in 2006.
In May 2012, the Department of Consumer Protection announced that 21,000 of Banzai in-ground pool water slides Banzai water slides were being recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
See a snapshot below from Department of Consumer Protection in the Connecticut. The recall resulted in Banzai brands remove from store shelves in Wal-Mart and Toys R Us.
As per the CT State warning back in 2012, Banzai’s in-ground pool water slide are designed for use with in-ground pools, but can be dangerous. The slide can deflate while someone is using it, resulting in them hitting the ground and being injured. It’s also unstable and can topple over easily, both when there’s no wind and when it’s windy. And to make matters worse, the warnings and instructions that come with the slide are inadequate.
The recall was prompted by the death of a 29-year-old woman from Andover, Mass who died after fracturing her neck going down the water slide, which had been placed over the concrete edge of a pool. Watch the WPRI video reporting below on the recalls back in 2012;
Below is the image of the recalled Banzai brand;
Banzai brands are made in China as revealed during the reporting of the recalled brands and the company sells its brands of water slides on Amazon, Walmart, and Kohl’s.
From its contact page, I couldn’t find Banzai physical address in the US and couldn’t ascertain if it has local customer support. Instead of listing detailed contact info including email address, phone number of chat options, the company has three forms which can be filled by different categories of stakeholders – including customers, media and retailers.
I got the snapshot on its website below.
I usually advice parents to avoid smaller brands with products that have limited presence in the market and poorly structured customer support with opaque customer support options. The missing contact details and lack of physical address here in the US makes me doubt how the company can manage to support the massive US market without failing.
#2. Action Air
Action Air is another water inflatable company available in the US market but manufactured by Swiftech Company Limited which is based in different provinces in China. On its website, Action Air wrote that it ‘wants to bring the world new and innovative playgrounds by designing inflatables.
They have done this since 2003 and has designed over 1,000 items that have sold in 67 countries worldwide. Action Air’s inflatable products are not only safe and affordable but also easy to set up and take down as well as convenient to store. So children can enjoy their own personal water park all season long!
On its website, it has listed 10 water inflatable brands and their prices range from $199 to $599. Their best-selling brand, the Action Air Bounce House goes for around $260 but can check its price today here.
#3. Meland
Meland is the newest company to join this list of top inflatable bouncers and slide companies. Meland was launched in 2017 and since 2019, the company has focussed on developing development toys for girls. Meland has listed its inflatable house bouncers with slides and blowers among its outdoor sports gear. Its top-selling brand, the Meland Bounce House for Kids sells for $167 and can be used for kids from age 3.
From the review of its website, I could not authoritatively determine if Meland is an American-based company as it has not listed any physical address. However, it has listed a US-based phone number with Los Angeles area code (310) on its contact page.
While I am usually skeptical of small baby gear brands that haven’t even finished 5 years in the market, this company’s top-selling brand has a high approval rating of 4.7/5 by close to 3,000 customers on Amazon.
While I cannot ascertain the presence of local US-based customer support I highly encourage you to read the reviews keenly with an emphasis to understand the ease of replacing or repairing/patching any part of their water slides.
#4. Valwix:
Valwix Inflatables is a newer company that has made a name for itself in the inflatable industry. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, China. Valwix specializes in manufacturing and exporting high-quality inflatable products such as water slides, bounce houses, and pools.
While their manufacturing operations are in Shenzhen, China, they claim that customer shipments are out of their US warehouse and takes 3 to 7 days for them to ship.
Their best-performing brand, the Valwix Indoor Outdoor Inflatable Bounce House sells for about $183 (check price today on Amazon) and has received an average of 4.5/5 by over 111 customer as of this post in October 2022.
Which companies should I trust?
Like several other baby gear where manufacturers and companies dominating in those product categories are new and emerging brands, inflatable water slide companies appear to be relatively new. A few old established players such as Intext and Little Tikes have been around for half a century but they are competing equally with new brands that have 3 to 5 years of operation.
What this means to you as you pick the right company to buy your inflatable slide from:
There is a problem with getting products from new or little-known brands.
- First, they usually have limited or foreign-based customer support which makes it difficult to get the support you need. As you pick your preferred brand, make sure the customer support is based here in the US with a customer support page indicating local phone numbers and US office hours that you can contact them.
- Second, new brands have unstable supply chains and may have frequent shortages of replacements or accessories. The good thing is that you can find many established brands with good customer support and a stable supply chain. These companies have been in the business for long enough to know how to keep their customers happy as well as how to manage their inventory.
One key reason I would stick with Little Tikes and Intext over foreign-based brands such as Bonzai is that old established brands have a reputation to keep. Their products have been tested over time with several iterations to get to the most recent updated models that are not only safer but free from hazards that have led to recall by some companies such as Bonzai.
Getting the right product design for kids require companies to invest heavily in R&D and I have found only established companies to be doing this original research. As explained below, companies such as Intext over 30 patents ranging from superior tensioning structure for extra safety to island water slide for more interactive play.
Below is a snapshot showing a few of the patents registered to Intext Corp.
Which companies make the best brands of inflatable water slides?
There are many companies that make inflatable water slides, but not all of them are created equal. Some brands are known for their durability and safety, while others offer a more budget-friendly option. It’s important to do your research before purchasing an inflatable water slide to make sure you’re getting a quality product.
Some of the best brands of inflatable water slides include Intex and Little Tikes. These brands have over 100 years in the market and have shown significant commitment by investing in R&D and providing top-notch customer support here in the States.
I have separately reviewed top water inflatable slide brands and you’ll notice that Little Tike’s brand is top on the list. Little Tikes brands stand out because they have the longest warranty in the industry, superior safety features, a wide range of products to choose from as well as excellent customer service. It also comes with repair patches that are so essential as kids will be kids and accidents happen. The repair patches give the longevity you desire as you don’t have to buy a replacement every time there is a hole.
If a company you expected to be part of this list isn’t here, consider if you can find it among manufacturers who make accessories for 21 fun things for kids to do with water
Inflatable Water Slide Companies that sell wholesale:
If you are thinking about venturing into the business of importing or setting up a drop-shipping business as most entrepreneurial moms did that back when drop-shipping was new, Alibaba is your best place to find and negotiate with Chinese manufacturers.
As of October 2022, there are more than 2,200 brands – mostly generic brands of inflatable water slides that you can choose from. See the snapshot below showing the wholesales on the Alibaba platform;
One of the top-rated suppliers of wholesale inflatable slides for kids is this company out of Henan China which sells a piece for $33 if you get a batch of 1000 units. Considering that most US parents are willing to pay up to $150 for a unit of an inflatable water slide, you can get decent margins after deducting all your expenses.
To succeed doing the business of sourcing and selling inflatable slides, you need to be able to negotiate a good price with the supplier while also being able to find the right market that is willing to pay a profitable retail price.
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Sandra W. Bullock is a grand-mom to two boys and is part of the review board here at Motherhoodhq.com. She is responsible for the quality control of content and is among our most experienced moms. She has over 20 years of writing parenting content online focussing on baby safety indoors and outdoors. She has written widely on babyproofing nurseries and homes for infants and toddlers and published work on privacy and the safety of baby monitors. She is a renowned advocate for non-wifi baby monitors that cannot be hacked and spends a lot of time educating parents on how to secure their homes – including ways to secure the baby from harm in and around homes. Sandra is a native of Atlanta where she also works. She can be reached using her email, Sandra.w(at)motherhoodhq.com
