Halloween Inflatable Buying Guide: Size, Lights and What's Included

Halloween inflatables are the fastest way to make a big impression. Plug one in, and a few minutes later there's a glowing ghost, monster or pumpkin patch on your lawn. But with so many sizes and styles, it's easy to end up with a 9-footer that swallows a tiny yard, or a little pumpkin that disappears on a big lot. This Halloween inflatable buying guide walks through what to compare before you buy.

1. Match the Height to Your Space

Height is the first thing to decide, and it depends on more than just how much lawn you have.

Measure the spot where the inflatable will stand, then check for overhead obstacles like branches, gutters, porch roofs and wires. Also think about viewing distance. A house set far back from the street needs taller pieces to read from the sidewalk, while a home close to the road can go smaller.

Here's a simple way to think about it:

• Under 5 ft: porches, patios, small front yards, or as filler beside bigger pieces.
• 5 to 7 ft: the sweet spot for most front yards.
• 8 ft and up: large lawns, deep setbacks, or a single statement piece.

Don't forget width. A wide scene can fill a lawn without towering over it.

Small Spaces: Under 5 ft

The 2.8 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Ghost is a friendly ghost bursting from a jack-o'-lantern, sized for small porches and patios, with internal white LEDs. The 4 ft Inflatable Jack-o'-Lantern has a sinister smile and green eyes and includes 2 stakes, 2 ropes and a power adapter. The 4.9 ft Inflatable Spider on Pumpkin packs a lot of color into a compact footprint.

Peekaboo! A Ghost Pops Out of the Jack-o'-Lantern

2.8 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Ghost with Built-In LED Lights

$51.99MSRP $81.86

A Grinning Pumpkin With Glowing Green Eyes

4 ft Inflatable Jack-o'-Lantern with Built-In LED Light

$48.99MSRP $72.18

A Giant Spider Claimed the Biggest Pumpkin

4.9 ft Inflatable Spider on Pumpkin with Rotating Light

$45.99MSRP $66.48

Most Yards: 5 to 7 ft

This range is tall enough to see from the street without overpowering the house. The 5.9 ft Inflatable Ghost Holding a Pumpkin measures about 41.3 x 25.5 x 70.8 in. The 6 ft Inflatable Floating Ghost is about 4.25 ft wide and 1 ft deep, with a 10 ft cord and a weight of 4 lbs. The 6 ft Inflatable Pumpkin-Head Skeleton waves hello with a big smiling pumpkin head.

Want something low and wide instead? The Inflatable Vampire and Coffin is about 6 ft long and 2.6 ft tall, so it fills a flower bed or the space under a window.

Red Light Swirls as This Ghost Hugs His Pumpkin

5.9 ft Inflatable Ghost Holding a Pumpkin with LED Lights

$40.99MSRP $47.00

A 6-Foot Ghost Dancing Across Your Lawn

6 ft Inflatable Floating Ghost with LED Lights

$61.99MSRP $98.44

Grinning Ear to Ear (He Doesn't Have Ears)

6 ft Inflatable Pumpkin-Head Skeleton with Rotating Lights

$89.99MSRP $143.96

He Rises at Dusk. Right on Your Front Lawn.

Inflatable Vampire & Coffin Halloween Yard Decoration, LED Lit

$119.99MSRP $192.62

Big Statements: 8 ft and Up

The 8.4 ft Inflatable Frankenstein has glowing red eyes and an 89-light rib cage, and it inflates in about 90 seconds. The 8 ft Inflatable Mirror Face Ghost has a shiny mirror-style face that stands out day and night. For a cheerful giant, the 9 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Patch Family has silly faces, 3 hats and 5 expressions. The 8 ft Inflatable Red Dragon has huge wings and a flame-effect light that looks like it's breathing fire.

It's Alive! And It's 8 Feet Tall.

8.4 ft Inflatable Frankenstein with LED Rib Cage

$94.99MSRP $152.06

Eight Feet of Ghost With a Face Like Glass

8 ft Inflatable Mirror Face Ghost with LED Lights

$55.99MSRP $66.36

The Whole Pumpkin Family Dressed for Witching Hour

9 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Patch Family with Witch Hats and LED Lights

$69.99MSRP $106.38

Here Be Dragons. Specifically, on Your Porch.

8 ft Inflatable Red Dragon with Wings & Skull, LED Lit

$78.99MSRP $119.68

2. Compare the Lighting

Nearly every Halloween inflatable lights up, but not in the same way. Check the product details for:

• Steady LEDs. Most inflatables glow from inside with white or warm white LEDs. This is a clean, even look. The 8 ft Long Inflatable Pumpkins and Ghost uses warm white LEDs for a cozy glow.
• Rotating color lights. Some inflatables add a spinning light that throws shifting color. The 4.9 ft Spider on Pumpkin has an LED pumpkin light, two flashing eye lights and a rotating color light inside its body.
• Featured lights. Some designs spotlight a detail, like Frankenstein's 89-light rib cage or the flashing eyes on the Inflatable Wizard Owl on Crescent Moon.

If your yard is already bright from string lights or a spotlight, a steady glow blends in nicely. If the inflatable is your only light source, a rotating or flashing light will get more attention.

3. Check What's in the Box

This is where inflatables really differ. Anchoring gear matters, because an inflatable is only as good as its ability to stay upright. Before you buy, look for the list of stakes, ropes (sometimes called tethers or drawstrings) and sandbags:

• The 8 ft Mirror Face Ghost includes 5 stakes, 3 drawstrings and 4 sandbags.
• The Inflatable Vampire and Coffin includes 4 ground stakes, 4 tie-down ropes and 4 sandbags.
• The Wizard Owl includes 4 ground stakes, 2 wind ropes, 2 sandbags and an adapter.
• The 5.9 ft Ghost Holding a Pumpkin includes 4 stakes, 2 drawstrings and a sandbag.
• The 9 ft Pumpkin Patch Family has 2 built-in sandbags plus ground stakes, and a blower and power adapter.

Sandbags are especially helpful if you plan to set up on a patio, deck or driveway where stakes won't go in. For step-by-step anchoring help, read our guide on how to secure inflatables in wind.

Also note the power details when they're listed, like cord length. A longer cord can mean one less extension cord, but always use outdoor-rated cords outside.

4. Consider Window and Hanging Inflatables

No lawn? Lots of wind? Window and hanging inflatables get you the same glow in places a standing inflatable can't go.

• Window inflatables attach with suction cups and look like they're breaking out of the house. The 3.3 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Head Ghost Window Decoration has sharp claws, inflates in about a minute and includes suction cups for windows, doors or smooth walls. The 3.4 ft Inflatable Window Ghost with Orange Face includes 3 suction cups and a drawstring.
• Tentacles make a whole house look invaded. The 6.9 ft Inflatable Octopus Tentacles, 2 Pack include ropes and suction cups to mount them on windows, rooftops or garden beds.
• Hanging inflatables use the space above. The 6.2 ft Hanging Inflatable Witch and Black Cat can hang from a roof, tree or staircase, with ropes and stakes included.

A Pumpkin-Headed Ghost Just Smashed Your Window

3.3 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Head Ghost Window Decoration

$28.99MSRP $37.98

Peekaboo! A Ghost Is Stuck to Your Window

3.4 ft Inflatable Window Ghost with Orange Face and LEDs

$34.99MSRP $38.58

A Sea Monster Is Breaking Out of Your House

6.9 ft Inflatable Octopus Tentacles with LED Lights, 2 Pack

$63.99MSRP $102.32

The Cat's Pranking the Witch Again

6.2 ft Hanging Inflatable Witch and Black Cat with LED Lights

$57.99MSRP $87.38

5. Think About Storage

Inflatables fold down small, which is one of their best features. Still, a few extras help. Some include a storage bag or a zipper for faster deflation. Whatever you buy, make sure it's completely dry before you pack it away, and keep the stakes, ropes and sandbags in the same bin so nothing goes missing.

Quick Buying Checklist

1. Measure the space, including overhead clearance.
2. Pick a height that suits your yard and viewing distance.
3. Decide what kind of lighting you want.
4. Confirm the anchoring gear in the box.
5. Plan the power: outlet location, cord length and an outdoor-rated extension cord if needed.
6. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for setup and use.

Find Your Inflatable

Browse all our outdoor Halloween decorations, see what's popular on our hot sellers page, or plan where your new inflatable will go with our Halloween yard display ideas.

Orders ship from US warehouses and usually arrive in 5-10 business days, with free shipping on orders over $75 in the lower 48 and 30-day returns.