The 5 Best Baby Pool Floats for Fun in the Water

reviewed mark Medically Reviewed by Jesil Pazhayampallil, M.D., F.A.A.P.  | February 28, 2024
best baby pool floats

QUICK SUMMARY

The best baby pool float is the Laycol Baby Inflatable Baby Pool Float. It’s well-priced, has an adjustable UPF 50+ canopy for sun protection and is easy to use, according to parents in the What to Expect community.

In This Article

Whether it’s at the beach or a pool, introducing your little one to the water can be a fun and exciting time for you both. Water play is important for babies and toddlers, who can use it to engage in fun sensory exploration, develop their gross motor skills and learn about cause and effect (i.e., When I kick my feet, water splashes!). There are many different ways to engage in water play with your little one, such as using fun water tables that offer hours of play, or bath toys and water toys that can be used in a tub or kiddie pool

But, if you’re planning on taking your little one to your local swimming hole, baby pool floats are one way to enjoy time spent in the water. These infant floats can help little ones feel more comfortable in the water, and even give them the sensation of floating. Plus, they’ll help prevent your arms from tiring out since you don’t have to carry baby’s weight the entire time. Of course, as with anything associated with the water, there are important safety precautions to take into account: Only use a baby pool float when your child is being constantly supervised and an adult is within arm’s reach. 

How we chose the best baby pool floats 

Not all baby pool floats are considered safe for little ones. So, in order to decide on the best baby pool floats, we started by eliminating any baby neck floats, which are deemed unsafe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as any baby floats that have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). 

We also spoke with two pediatricians and members of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, Jesil Pazhayampallil, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician based in Long Island, New York; and Tina Feeley, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician practicing at Chestnut Hill Pediatrics in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, to get their take on how to safely use a baby pool float, as well as learn about any important features to consider. Both doctors reiterated the importance of staying within arm's reach of your baby while in the pool, even when using a float. We also referenced the most up-to-date baby swim safety information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Once we chose baby pool floats that met safety standards, we then turned to parents in the What to Expect community to narrow the list down further. We learned what other features parents often consider when shopping for a baby pool float and which ones they (and their children) have loved. Based on their feedback, we narrowed down our list to five baby pool floats that received the highest marks for the following features:

  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean and store
  • Entertaining for young children
  • Has a canopy with a UPF 50+ rating
  • Has straps for added safety

Baby pool float safety

Experts say it’s generally okay to place your baby in a pool float if you’re within arm’s reach and supervising every second, but a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is preferable. Additionally, you should enroll your child in swimming lessons (which the AAP recommends starting at age 1 for most children). While a pool float may make it easier for babies and young toddlers to enjoy pool time, these products are no substitute for swimming lessons.

Why Trust Us?

What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.

Best Overall Baby Pool Float

Mambobaby Self-Inflating Pool Float

best overall baby pool float mambobaby
Buying Options
Pros
  • Easy to compress and fold
  • Lots of color options
  • Self-inflating
  • Removable “tail”
Cons
  • Expensive

Dimensions: 10.63 x 10.63 inches

Age recommendation: 3 to 24 months

Weight limit: 40 lbs.

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

A top-recommended baby pool float among parents in our What to Expect community, the Mambobaby Float wins points for how easy to use it is. Parents particularly appreciate that it’s self-inflating and requires minimal setup: To use, open the air nozzle and let the float expand for a minute. It’s that simple!

A number of parents note that their little ones seem comfortable strapped into this pool float, which offers two positions for babies (backstroke position for little ones 3 to 6 months old, or breaststroke position for babies up to 24 months). There are also helpful features, like a generous sun canopy that can be removed if you’re in the shade, straps with an easy-to-adjust buckle and a “tail” that helps balance the float. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors, some of which have cute animal faces like a flamingo or shark. Parents also say the material feels especially soft — a nice feature for delicate baby skin.

This is one of the easiest baby pool floats to travel with, too. Reviewers note how easy it is to compress and fold (and it comes with a storage bag, so you can easily pack it in a suitcase). It’s appropriate for children up to 24 months or 40 pounds (whichever comes first), which is notably a higher weight limit than comparable products on the market.

The downside is that at $70 this is one of the more expensive baby pool floats available. But the ease of use, portability and high weight limit make the Mambobaby worth the higher price for many parents. 

Community Reviews
  • “We got this floaty for our 20-week-old and it's pretty nice. Just place baby in, Velcro and snap. It's easy to use and feels very safe. The sun shade does offer protection to her face and body, but not really her legs.”

  • “We got a Mambobaby. She likes it for short bursts.”

Best Affordable Baby Pool Float

Laycol Baby Inflatable Baby Pool Float

best affordable baby pool float laycol
Buying Options
Pros
  • Large canopy
  • Affordable
  • Lots of sizes and colors
Cons
  • Some parents say it’s not the easiest to inflate

Dimensions: 11.3 x 2.35 inches

Age recommendations: 3 to 36 months

Weight limit: Up to 48 lbs. in the large size

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

This budget-friendly inflatable baby pool float from Laycol is your “classic” pool float, but it’s far from basic. Parents appreciate the large canopy, noting that it provides superior sun protection, as well as the variety of size and color options. (The weight limit will depend on which size you order — small goes up to 18 pounds, for example, while extra large can hold little ones up to 48 pounds.) 

The canopy is removable and folds flat, so the entire float is easy to travel with once deflated. Though it’s inflatable, which means some work on your end (and there are numerous separate compartments that need to be filled), it comes with a pump so you don’t need to worry about purchasing one separately. However, parents note that there are several parts to inflate, so it can take some time to set it up.

Community Reviews
  • “We used this last summer. I still stayed right with her and held the float pretty much the whole time, just for my own peace of mind. What’s great about this is the shade offers really great coverage.”

  • “We ordered one off Amazon and our son really loved it.”

Best Non-Inflatable Baby Pool Float

Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Float

best non-inflatable baby pool float mambobaby
Buying Options
Pros
  • Doesn’t need to be inflated
  • Large
  • Removable “tail”
Cons
  • More expensive

Dimensions: 19.69 x 18.9 x 5.91 inches

Age recommendation: 3 to 24 months

Weight limit: 40 lbs.

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

In addition to the brand’s previously mentioned self-inflating float, the Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Float is another popular pick from parents in the What to Expect community. Unlike the self-inflating model, this one is made of buoyant pearl foam and doesn’t require air to be added, so you can use it right away. It’s also a little bigger but has a similar “tail” that balances the float from the rear, which the brand says helps further reduce risk of flips. 

Like most other floats on this list, it has a UPF 50+ canopy and can be used in two swim positions, breast and backstroke, which should be used according to baby’s age. 

Because there’s no risk of deflation and minimal setup required, some parents prefer to pay a little more for this option. Just remember that even though it’s non-inflatable, it’s no less important to be within arm’s reach of your child every second they’re in the pool float.

Community Reviews
  • “I bought a Mambobaby last year and my son loves it. I like it because it’s a non-inflatable float and will last up to 40 lbs. It also came with a removable canopy.”

Best Portable Baby Pool Float

SwimWays Baby Spring Float with Adjustable Canopy

best portable baby pool float swimways
Buying Options
Pros
  • UPF 50+ canopy
  • Canopy is adjustable
  • Affordable
  • Lots of colors
Cons
  • Smaller recommended age range than some other products

Dimensions: 34 x 30 inches

Age recommendation: 9 to 24 months

Weight limit: Not listed

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Unlike other baby pool floats on this list, the SwimWays Baby Spring Float has a mesh seat that’s buoyed by a large outer inflation chamber, which many parents say is extremely comfortable for their babies. The outer ring is the only part that needs to be inflated, which parents also appreciate as it’s quick and easy to do. Although it’s one of the largest floats on our list at 34 inches wide, it can easily be packed in the bottom of a suitcase: It folds into three small rings (including the canopy) and lies flat in an included storage bag. 

Also unlike other floats, the mesh tray in front of where baby sits can function as a built-in play space. A number of parents mention that their babies enjoy playing with a small toy in this tray while floating, adding to the overall entertainment.

At just $25, this is also one of the most budget-friendly baby pool floats on the market.

Community Reviews
  • “I have this one!! I love it and so does my little one.”

  • “I just got this one at the thrift store. Put my babe in it and it held her up well. She didn’t stay in it long (because the water was too cold for her) but I give it a huge two thumbs up!”

  • “I got the SwimWays Infant Spring Float and my guy seemed to enjoy it this past weekend. It’s nice for the young babes before they can sit up.”

Best Parent and Baby Pool Float

SwimWays Baby Spring Float Mommy and Me with Canopy

best parent and baby pool float swimways
Buying Options
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Additional ring for parents to sit in
  • Ring is removable
Cons
  • Extra ring means more items to store

Dimensions: 34 x 30 x 3 inches

Age recommendation: 9 to 24 months

Weight limit: Not listed

Why We Love It

You should be within arm’s reach of your baby anytime they’re in a pool float, but the SwimWays Baby Spring Float Mommy and Me with Canopy turns that into a bonding activity. Very similar to the SwimWays Baby Spring Float above, this model has a wide mesh seat and ring that is comfortable for baby to sit in. It comes with an additional ring for parents that can attach to baby’s float or be used separately. Reviewers note that the ring was spacious enough to fit parents of different sizes without pulling down the baby’s end of the float. Plus, many found that it was easy to inflate both rings and that they stayed inflated the entire time.

FAQs

It’s okay to put your baby in a pool float that they sit in (it shouldn’t be placed around their neck) if a parent or caregiver is supervising closely. “Pool floats are fine to use if a parent is always within arm's reach of the float,” says Dr. Feeley. That’s critical, because pool floats don’t prevent drowning, and babies can easily fall or slip out of them.

However, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation device would be a safer option. “U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are preferred, but you still should have a caregiver within arm’s reach at all times when a child is near the water, or could be near the water,” says Dr. Feeley.

Babies should absolutely not use baby neck floats, per the FDA. These products can lead to death or serious injury, especially in little ones who have developmental delays or special needs.

“We generally recommend waiting until infants are over 6 months to go in a public chlorinated pool,” says Dr. Feeley. “This is because the chlorine can be very irritating to their skin.” Babies can also start wearing sunscreen around 6 months, which is important for pool time. The AAP recommends infants over 1 year old start swimming lessons.

Remember, too, that babies may get cold more easily than older children, so be mindful of how long they're in the water for.

Regardless of your child’s age, make sure you are following all safety precautions and closely supervising (and within arm’s reach) of your child whenever you introduce her to water.

“We pediatricians take water safety very seriously, as drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4,” says Dr. Pazhayampallil. “Bottom line, children should be closely supervised in and around any body of water, including the bathtub, toilet, bucket of water or kiddie pool.”

  1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
  2. WhatToExpect.com, Swim Lessons for Babies and Toddlers, May 2022.
  3. WhatToExpect.com, Benefits of Water Play for Babies and Toddlers, September 2021.
  4. WhatToExpect.com, Sunscreen and Sun Protection for Babies: What Parents Need to Know, November 2022.
  5. American Academy of Pediatrics, Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know, June 2023.
  6. American Academy of Pediatrics, Swim Lessons: When to Start & What Parents Should Know, May 2023.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Steps for Healthy Swimming, April 2022.
  8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Drowning Prevention, 2024.
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Do Not Use Baby Neck Floats Due to the Risk of Death or Injury: FDA Safety Communication, June 2022.