Best Baby Pool Floats 2023

A few blissful minutes of cooling off without a kid on your hip is hard to beat, especially when it comes to lazy days at the pool. That feeling is what the best baby pool floats can offer busy caregivers. These mini floats keep little ones happily splashing and safely contained so adults can enjoy some much-deserved, hands-free time in the water, even with a tot in tow. And—babies love them.

Although they require close supervision, the best baby pool floats can give your arms a bit of a ... [+] break, letting you and your little one relax a bit more this summer.

“As long as a baby is accompanied by a responsible, attentive adult, pool floats can be a great way to get little ones used to being in the water,” notes Clarey Collins, curriculum development manager for Goldfish Swim School. However, it’s important to keep in mind that baby pool floats are not the same as life jackets. “Babies should never be left alone in a pool float, nor should they be used as a life-saving device,” she warns.

When choosing the best baby pool float for your little fish, you’ll want to look for a secure and adjustable seat, a safety harness and a stable base to prevent tipping, says Sarah Sebe, founder of Sunsational Swim School. “It's also recommended to select a float made of durable materials, that's appropriate for the baby's age and size and to ensure that it's properly inflated before use.”

We talked to kid water safety pros and combed through tons of real parent reviews to find the best baby pool floats for safe summer fun. After reading this story, you may want to check out the best sunscreens for kids, pool toys for all ages or these fun water tables for toddlers.

Amazon

With more than 7,000 5-star reviews, this baby pool float (suitable for infants as young as 3 months up to 9 months) is a popular pick for baby’s first summer. It’s packed with plenty of thoughtfully designed safety features—including a soft seat with an adjustable 3-point harness, child safety valves and dual air chambers for added security—to give you peace of mind in the pool. Parents will especially love the built-in handles to more easily hold on to the float and pull baby through the water. Mesh sides make seeing your little one from every angle a breeze too, while an adjustable UPF 50+ sun canopy provides some much-needed shade and protection from the sun on hot days.

No pool in your backyard? No problem. SwimWays Spring Float folds flat and comes with a carrying bag so you can take it on vacation, to the neighborhood pool or simply store it without all the bulk. It’s available in five fun colors and patterns so you’ve got options.

Amazon

This top-rated baby swim float has over 20,000 positive reviews on Amazon and an impressive 4.5-average star rating—and it’s deeply discounted right now, which is a steal. Parents appreciate that it puts baby in a horizontal swimming position, allowing them to kick and splash around the pool as they start to get a feel for it. It has an extra wide design for stability and is available in three sizes based on your baby’s age and weight, starting from as young as 3 months old or 11 pounds all the way up through 6 years (or 48 pounds).

An adjustable bottom support ensures a close, custom fit every time, even as your little one grows. A manual pump is also included so you don’t have to blow it up by mouth—a huge pain in the butt if you’ve ever tried. It’s worth noting that tons of reviewers wrote how much their little ones enjoyed being in it.

Amazon

There’s something to be said about a baby pool float you don’t have to blow up or worry about deflating while your little one is lounging in the water. More than 2,500 parents rated the Mambobaby a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, specifically calling out its sturdiness and the fact that it’s nearly impossible to tip it over in the water. It’s made of a super soft and sealed foam membrane for improved buoyancy. The UPF 50+ rated sun canopy is removable as is the footrest, which the brand encourages parents to use for extra stability.

Baby can be positioned two different ways—on their tummies in breaststroke position or on their backs—and secured with an adjustable 5-point harness. There’s a variety of cute colors to choose from, and it comes with a free pair of shades to shield your babe’s eyes from the sun. While it’s definitely on the expensive side, it might be worth the splurge for those who don’t want to waste time inflating a device every year or those who want something a bit more durable.

Amazon

Forget the pool toys. This interactive octopus float comes with a built-in activity center to keep babies busy so parents can chill...a bit. It might just make them a little less reluctant to get their toes wet, too. Make some noise with the cute squeaker fish, stack the rings, or gnaw on the fish teether and soft touch star. A rotating octopus has a toy on each tentacle to entertain your little one as they lounge.

In addition to bringing the fun, this trusty pool float is designed with baby’s safety in mind, featuring child safety valves, dual air chambers and a wide base for extra security in the water. Parents love the removable and adjustable UPF 50+ sun canopy, which keeps kiddos shaded no matter where the sun is at. The seat is made of soft mesh so as not to irritate your mini me as well. Another bonus: it blows up in just a few minutes with fabric-covered inflation to help prevent punctures and increase durability. Fold it up, pop it in the included reusable carry bag and hit the pool.

Walmart

Cruising in the water never looked so cute thanks to this classic cozy coupe pool float from beloved toy brand Little Tikes and PoolCandy. It’s fun to sit in both in and out of the water—just be sure to remove it from the pool when not in use in case little ones try to reach it given how attractive that design might be! Made for toddlers ages 1 and up, it offers a steering wheel that actually turns and a horn babes can honk (over and over). The yellow canopy provides decent shade, and it can hold up to 250 pounds, so it’s durable and steady, too. Just keep in mind that there’s no harness on this baby pool float, meaning you should definitely be close by and mind the age rating. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for baby’s first car float.

Amazon

Keeping up with two tiny ones in the water is no joke, but thankfully this dual parent-and-me pool float—designed for babies age 8-24 months—has you covered. It’s perfect for twins, friends or siblings close in age and allows you to float along right next to them so you’re always in reach. Two deep pocket seats with plenty of leg room allow little ones to kick and splash in the water comfortably. There’s also four inflatable and detachable sea creature friends to play with should someone start fussing. A spacious center bin is the perfect place to put more pool toys, sunglasses, sippy cups and more.

SUNNYLiFE US

Because sometimes you just want an Insta-worthy pool float that’s fun for them, but nice for you to look at too. This stylish baby shark float from Australia brand Sunnylife comes with a removable canopy to keep them cool and shaded. A cozy head rest and soft leg supports ensure maximum comfort while they float by your side just living their best life. It’s designed for babes up to 33 pounds, but keep in mind, this one lacks a safety harness, too. While many pool floats are made of some sort of vinyl—this one is made with a phthalate-free PVC. Many reviewers praise the high quality and how much their littles love it. Stick some stylish sunnies on baby and prepare for all the adorable summer photo ops.

I spoke with two infant swim safety experts, both of which regularly work with babies and little ones, to get the lowdown on what to look for in the best baby pool floats. I then did a thorough search, using the criteria recommended by our experts, to narrow down the options. I’m also a mom to three young kids, including twins, and a product gear reviewer with deep experience in baby gear. Lastly, I read loads of parent reviews in order to curate this list and included only those baby pool floats that received high marks for safety, comfort and quality.