Babies Baby Safety The Best Baby Pool Floats for Safe Splashing in the Sun It’s time for baby’s first frolic in the water By Maya Polton Updated on March 18, 2024 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Parents / Kristin Kempa New seasons—and new places—can often send parents looking for new baby gear. And while a baby pool float isn't necessarily a must-have, we think they are definitely worth it if you have a summer baby or are planning a vacation because they're a helpful, safe way to introduce your baby to swimming so you can be somewhat hands- (or more accurately, hip-) free for some precious minutes. Just make sure you're following some general swimming safety guidelines. “Caregivers must always stay arm’s distance from any child in a float, and remain attentive to the well-being of the child," says Jennifer May, certified lifeguard and member of the United States Swim School Association. You'll never want to leave them alone in the float or leave toys in the pool that can act as a lure for your baby. To help you find the best baby pool floats that fit various budgets, we spoke with three experts, including May, and made sure to include floats that were well-made, easy to use, including some level of sun protection, and were, above all, safe for you and baby. Here are our favorites. Our Favorites Best Overall: Swimway Baby Spring Float Best Non-Inflatable: Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Swim Float Best Budget: Intex Baby Pool Float Best Canopy: Swimways Sun Canopy Spring Float Best for Learning to Swim: Swim School Progressive Training Cruiser Best Inflatable: Intex Kiddie Float Best Portable: Swimway Baby Spring Activity Center Best With Parent: Poolmaster Mommy and Me Pool Float Best Overall: SwimWays Baby Spring Float Amazon Buy on Amazon $40 $34 Why We Like It This baby pool float has several important safety features to land it at the top of our list. Rather than having holes for a baby’s legs to rest in, this pool float is more like a lounge chair, with a soft seat for the baby to lie back in while remaining clipped in with a three-point harness. The wide base of the float also has two inflatable air chambers and child safety valves to keep your baby upright. We especially like the built-in handles on both sides of the float that provide an intuitive place to grab, so caregivers can securely hold the float at all times. Because sun protection is another must, there’s an adjustable (and removable) sun canopy with UPF 50+ fabric. We appreciate see-thru mesh on the canopy’s sides, so you can always keep your eye on the baby at every angle. When it’s time to pack up, this float deflates and folds by looping into three compact circles that’ll fit right into the included storage bag. But Take Note The only drawback of this float is it’s only appropriate for younger babies. There is no weight limit listed on the float and only a recommended age range, but you’ll likely be able to tell when they’re ready to kick under water instead of floating on top of it. The Details: Recommended age: 3 to 9 monthsWeight limit: Not listed Best Non-Inflatable: V Convey Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Swim Float Amazon Buy on Amazon $90 Why We Like It Some parents might like the reliability of a non-inflatable baby pool float. There’s no risk of the float deflating while the baby is in the pool—or of finding a hole in it right before your pool fun begins—because it is made of sealed pearl foam. It's available in three colorways but no matter the color, it always comes with a three-point harness strap, a removable sun canopy, and a removable footrest—all great safety features. When using this pool float, your baby can be positioned in two ways. The brand refers to the directions as “breaststroke,” which is a forward-facing position with legs in the water, and the “backstroke” position, which is more of a lounging position with legs out of the water. In either position, it’s a cinch to adjust the UPF 50+ sun canopy to cover your baby’s delicate skin. When not in use, the canopy will fold flat. But Take Note This pool float does cost more and takes up more space than other baby pool floats on our list, It doesn't pack into a storage bag either. The Details: Recommended age: 3 to 24 months old Weight limit: 13 to 40 pounds Best Budget: Intex My Baby Float Amazon Buy on Amazon $8 Buy on Walmart $5 Why We Like It For a wallet-friendly pool float, this inexpensive pick is a no-frills option that may be just what you need. The bright yellow float is fully inflatable and, of course, deflatable to a small size that’s perfect for packing in a suitcase for vacation or a day trip to the pool. When inflated, the float features an inner and outer ring, measuring 26.5 inches in diameter. The two rings help keep the pool float stable. The diaper-style seat means your kiddo is positioned in the middle of the float with their legs submerged in the pool water. Recommended for kids from ages 1 to 2 years old, there’s a weight maximum of 33 pounds for this float. But Take Note There is no sun protection or canopy with this pick, so sunscreen, rash guards, and a baby sun hat are a must if you choose this float. It's also not for young infants. The Details: Recommended age: 1 to 2 years oldWeight limit: 33-pound maximum The Best Baby Walker Alternatives for Tots on the Move Best Canopy: SwimWays Sun Canopy Spring Float Target Buy on Amazon $28 $25 Buy on Target $28 Why We Like It Affordable, safe, secure, and well-reviewed, this baby pool float is suitable for babies from 9 to 24 months old, one of the widest age ranges on this list. To use this device, an adult must inflate the inner and outer rings, which are connected via a mesh liner. The popular float has been updated with a special valve that will inflate up to three times faster than previous iterations of the same product. You’ll be in the water soon and save your breath! The stand-out shade-providing canopy on this float pivots up to 60 degrees, blocking the sun at various angles. The sides of the canopy are see-through mesh, so your baby is never out of sight. If you don’t want the canopy, it’s easy to remove (and put back on when you change your mind). The entire float is made of comfortable fabric so it’s not rigid when you put the baby's legs through the holes and into the pool. When pool time is over, the entire float folds into three rings and packs into the included travel bag, making it a portable addition to all your pool gear. But Take Note One drawback some users find is that the rings keeping babies safe are too big for them to reach past and splash directly in the water. The Details: Recommended age: 9 to 24 months Weight limit: None listed Best Inflatable: Intex Kiddie Float Amazon Buy on Amazon $16 Buy on Walmart $21 $19 Why We Like It Blow up this two-chambered baby pool float and you’ve got everything your kiddo needs for fun in the sun. Not only will your kiddo love floating and splashing in the pool, but this baby pool float features an interactive (inflatable) handlebar that houses three balls that move through the clear bar as your kiddo moves in the float. The seat has two smooth leg holes, so when you put your child in, their legs will be immersed in the pool water. The canopy inflates just like the rest of the float, and it’s always in place. But Take Note The fact that the canopy is not retractable may make it a bit tricky to get squirmy babies into the float, and depending on the angle of the sun, it won’t always provide full shade. The Details: Recommended age: 1 to 2 years oldWeight limit: 33 pounds Best Portable: SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center Amazon Buy on Amazon $32 $27 Buy on Walmart $32 $27 Why We Like It Heading to the pool, or truly anywhere, with young kids always requires lots of extra stuff so chances are, you’ll love that this super-portable pool float folds flat and fits into the included carry bag. The bag has a long shoulder strap, so it’s easy to tote this lightweight float to and from the pool. We love that this float has both inner and outer rings that get inflated, plus there’s a spring inside to keep it all steady. The fully adjustable baby float comes with a removable sun canopy that’s made of UPF 50+, and the sides are made of see-thru mesh, so you can always keep an eye on your baby. If the pool isn’t fun enough, this “activity center” float has an attached rotating octopus. Each tentacle of the octopus is holding a toy to engage your kiddo—a squeaky fish, stacking rings, a fish-shaped teether, and a soft starfish. But Take Note The inflation valves on this one are a bit tricky to figure out. The Details: Recommended age: 9 to 24 monthsWeight limit: Not listed Best With Parent: Poolmaster Mommy and Me Pool Float Amazon Buy on Amazon $29 $21 Buy on Walmart $32 Buy on Home Depot $26 Why We Like It This pick makes it easy to make sure you are never further than an arm's reach from your baby when they're in the float because, in addition to the drop-seat baby float ring, it has an attached split ring opening for an adult to swim with the baby. Thanks to the split ring design, the parent section is inclusive of most body shapes. The fully inflatable design also has a detachable and retractable sun canopy for helpful sun protection. The canopy is inflatable too. For added fun, this float has two attached water toys to entertain babies just a little more. If you’ve got twins, there’s even a version of this baby pool float with two seats for babies and one spot for an adult, though that version doesn’t have a sun canopy. But Take Note While the canopy moves on this one, it doesn’t always stay upright when you want it to. It's also a bit cumbersome. The Details: Recommended age: 8 to 24 months Weight limit: Not Listed How We Selected the Best Baby Pool Floats We aimed to pick out the baby pool floats that are safe, affordable, comfortable, and work for different age needs. Other factors included user reviews, shipping and return policies, and availability. We looked for baby pool floats that live up to their promises of quality, safety, and durability. We also interviewed pediatricians Jordan Watson, M.D., FAAP, of Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware and Sarah A. Denny, M.D., FAAP, of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, as well as Jennifer May, a certified lifeguard and founder of LifeCycle Swim School in New Jersey. Factors to Consider Type of Float There are many types of pool floats on the market, but the first thing you should know is that there’s a difference between a recreational pool device and a personal flotation device. “A recreational pool device includes different pool floats that are usually inflatable and designed for recreation and not specifically to prevent drowning,” Dr. Watson warns. Do not rely on a baby pool float to serve as a personal floatation device. With that in mind, it’s up to you to choose between fully inflatable floats and those made with other floating materials such as foam. Some baby floats come with harnesses, while others just have holes into which you slip the baby’s legs to keep them upright. You can also choose all sorts of fun shapes, including flamingos, cars, spaceships, and even sharks. One kind of float you should never, ever purchase, according to the FDA, is a neck float, as they can lead to death or serious injury. Sun Protection It’s very convenient if your baby’s float comes with a built-in, adjustable canopy to shield their skin and eyes from the sun. But not all floats come with that option, and some canopies only work when the sun is at specific heights in the sky. That’s OK, though, according to May. “If the baby float doesn’t have a canopy, then using hats, rash guards and/or sunblock are necessary–even on cloudy days,” May says, adding, “If the baby float has a canopy, position yourself so that the canopy doesn’t block your view of the child.” Ease of Use If you choose an inflatable float, think about how difficult it will be to blow up, and whether you need a pump to help you out. Once it’s ready for the pool, you’ll also want to be sure it’s easy to get your baby in and out of the float without a lot of fussing. How to Use Baby Floats Safely “Baby floats are not water safety equipment and should only be used with constant, capable adult supervision, within arm's reach of the child,” says Dr. Denny, who is the lead author of the AAP Policy Statement and Technical Report on Prevention of Drowning. Dr. Watson also suggests only using a baby pool float in the shallow end of the pool, which makes it easier to get a child in and out of the pool quickly. Since your baby will always be in the pool with a caregiver, you should also take breaks from the float. “Limit time in the float, and give equal time out of the float promoting self-rescue positions and skills,” May suggests. You can even enroll your baby in a swim class early on, so they can learn to roll over onto their back to float, reach for the wall, and even climb out of the pool on their own. Pool floats have different recommended age or weight recommendations but in general, only use a pool float if your baby has “good control of their head and trunk," explains Dr. Denny, Babies are too young to use most swim vests or water wings safely. And even toddlers shouldn’t rely on them regularly, according to the experts. “These devices promote a vertical position in the water, which is the drowning position,” May tells us. “Regular use creates muscle memory towards this dangerous position. Children who regularly wear these devices can also develop a false sense of security and confidence in the water.” Who We Are Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 13-year-old son, a 9-year-old son, and a 5-year-old daughter. Maya’s kids are all very strong swimmers, thanks to a summer full of pool time and frequent swim lessons. Once summer rolls around, her whole family can often be found at their local pool. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Do not use baby neck floats due to the risk of death or injury: FDA safety communication.