bounce houses

What Size Blower Do I Need for Bounce Houses & Other Inflatables?

In this small guide, we will provide you with the details you need to know about how big or small the blower for your party jumper should be.

An air blower inflating a bounce house

There's nothing worse than having a blower that is too small to properly inflate the bounce house that your children are begging you to use. And no, the blower that you use to inflate your air mattress when you go camping will not work, no matter how hard you will it.

It simply doesn't have the HP and CFM to do it. What are HP and CFM? We'll get into that in a second.

Before we get started, it should come as no surprise that the volume of air required to inflate a small, toddler-style jumper is quite different than a large, industrial inflatable playhouse.

Always properly size your blower to your party gear, it will pay off in the long run. A good rule of thumb is the bigger the kids on it - or adults - the bigger the blower.

Yes, adults jump too.

  • B-Air Koala KP-680
  • Costzon Air Blower
  • DREAMVAN Air Blower
  • NUNUA Air Blower
  • TOBBI Air Pump

Air Blower Terms

If electrical and mechanical terms scare you, rest easy, you're not alone. We had no idea what CFM was before our first blower bit the dust.

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)

A unit-based measurement of the amount of air equivalent to 1 cubic foot per minute that a blower can produce. CFM is one of the most important things to know with regard to blower size and capacity, as it determines both how quickly a jumper will inflate, as well as the overall size that it can support.

Horsepower (HP)

You've likely heard of horsepower several times in your life if you've owned a car. Or, in the offshoot chance that you're highly skilled in the field of equestrianism where the term is quite literal.

HP, or horsepower, refers to the speed at which the fan can turn, thereby creating higher amounts of CFM. Common horsepower ratings of inflatable blowers ranges between 1-3 HP.

If you're taking your inflatable on vacation or to the park, you may want to consider a generator that can handle supplying power to it.

A commercial bounce house being inflated by three air blowers
They need to push a lot of air to keep that thing inflated

Can You Inflate a Bounce House Too Much?

While anything is technically possible, the likelihood that you will over-inflate a bounce house is quite low. The reason for this is that inflated bounce houses allow for air to escape by nature. The continuous flow of air from the blower is what keeps the bounce house looking and feeling fresh to jump on.

Downsides of a Strong Air Blower

One interesting downside to having a strong air blower is that it could potentially mask a damaged bounce house. We're not suggesting a major leak would escape your attention, but a small one could with a powerful blower.

That's why you should regularly inspect your bouncy castle for any defects, scratches, nicks, tears or otherwise. Pay close attention to the seams for any slack.

Speaking of maintenance, check out our guides on how to repair and how to clean your bounce houses and other inflatables.

Wrapping up

The blower that is right for your sized bounce house is the best one to go with.