The Best Baby Pool Floats To Introduce Your Baby to the World of Swimming
Infants and pools may not seem like an ideal match. It's not just their inability to swim, the obvious risks of drowning and sun exposure are also a consideration. But, if your baby uses a pool float with supervision, your little bundle of joy will have the time of their life while staying safe.
Pool floats come in a vast range of styles and sizes. But the ones made for babies are by far the cutest. You should not shop for a baby pool float on the mere basis of looks. With the cutest baby pool floats in 2024 on this list, your baby can love the summer while staying safe and looking adorable.
Finding a Safe Pool Float For Your Baby: An Ultimate Buyer's Guide
Baby pool floats give your little one the freedom to splish and splash to their heart’s content. But it is important to find the right one for your needs. Here is a buyer’s guide to help you shop a good one for your baby.
Factors To Consider in a Baby Pool Float
We understand your desire to buy the cutest pool float for your baby. But before you press that “Buy it Now” button, consider the following important factors.
Safety features
While they are safe, a pool floaty is not completely foolproof. It can be a serious risk to your baby if the float capsizes suddenly. That’s why you should check for safety features like durable leak-proof material, seat straps, child safety valves, and inner springs that make the unit stable. Be sure to match the age and weight limit with your child. And never leave your little one unattended on a pool float in the water.
UV protection
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against exposing babies under 66 months to direct sunlight. Older babies should also be protected as the heat and UV rays in the sunlight can quickly burn their delicate skin. That’s why a pool floaty with UV-blocking shade canopy should be a priority on your shopping list.
Convenience
While safety is surely a priority, you should not sacrifice on functionality as well. Look for a unit that inflates easily with a pump or by blowing by mouth. It should also be effortless to deflate and include a handle for easy transportation. Folding is also essential as it helps ease the storage process.
Size
You’ll notice that baby pool floats come in a vast range of sizes. This is because they are targeted towards babies of all sizes and ages. You should look for a pool float that is compatible with your baby’s size. That said, there are certain models that grow with the baby. They have expanding sides that you can use as your baby grows, so you don’t need to purchase a new float when your child grows big.
Types of Pool Floats
As your search may have already yielded, there is no one type of baby pool float. You’ll come across baby neck floats, arm floats, swimming vests, and baby floats. Let’s look at each.
Neck floats
Baby neck floats have currently taken social media by storm. These small inflatables circle your baby’s neck letting their legs and arms tread freely in the water. And while these promote motor development, there are some suffocation and drowning risks associated with them.
Arm floaties
Arm floaties are inflatable armbands designed to help toddlers learn swimming. They help kids maneuver around the pool easily and are best suited for children 2-12 years of age.
Swimming vests
Swimming vests are another popular type of pool floats. These appear similar to life jackets and are inflatable to keep children in a natural position inside the water. They are a great choice when your little one is learning to swim.
Baby floats
Baby floats are inflatable swimming aids that secure around your baby’s chest or waist to keep them afloat on the pool water. They often have protective canopies overhead that protect your baby’s skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
Here Are the Top Baby Pool Floats of 2024
SwimWays Baby Pool Float – Best Overall
The SwimWays Baby Pool Float is an incredibly innovative product that provides mommies and babies with a unique way to bond in the pool. This float is specially designed to provide parents with the ability to interact with their baby face-to-face, allowing them to have some much-needed quality time during water play. This durable fabric-covered float is made with a strong, reinforced PVC bladder for added safety.
The float is designed to fit most children aged 9-24 months. It also includes a removable sun canopy for added protection from the sun’s harmful rays. This sun shade easily attaches and removes with a simple hook and loop closure. The float also has two inflatable seats for maximum support and comfort, as well as two safety valves for easy inflation and deflation. A front attachable parent float is conveniently included so that parents can be right alongside their little ones without having to hold them the entire time. This best overall baby pool float is a great way for infants and toddlers to start learning how to swim and be comfortable in the water in an incredibly safe manner.
Pros
- Baby can freely kick their legs, helping to develop motor skills
- Safety valve helps prevent water from entering the float
- Sun shade creates a comfortable environment
Cons
- Not a safety device
Free Swimming Baby – Best Design
Our second pick is a reliable baby pool float that keeps your baby adrift. The Free Swimming Baby Splash and Play Inflatable Baby Pool Float is a cute option that ensures an ideal swimming posture. Your baby has more freedom to move their hands and legs by laying on its chest. There is a safety harness to keep the baby safe, while the raised front prevents it from overturning in the water.
It also serves as a comfortable resting place for when they become tired and want to doze off. The float itself is made with skin-friendly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but it has a soft sponge chest support to keep your baby comfortable.
Pros
- Made using skin-friendly materials
- Provides an accurate swimming posture
- Available in different sizes and colors
Cons
- Strap material could be better
Unlike the other inflatable pool floats on this list, the V Convey Baby Pool Float is a non-inflatable option. It makes use of polyvinyl foam encased inside soft TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) leather. The entire structure is soft, comfortable, waterproof, and easy to clean.
Plus, it also comes with a removable UPF50 plus sun canopy that keeps your little one protected from the sun. This float is thoughtfully shaped into a cute car shape to improve its buoyancy. The tail on the back is removable to accommodate all babies. You can choose your favorite from a range of colors, making it super versatile!
Pros
- Non-inflatable pool float does not leak or deflate
- Soft and very comfortable
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor usage
Cons
- Reports of faulty buckles
FindUWill – Best Value
Our next pick is an all-inclusive option. The FindUWill Inflatable Baby Pool Float comes with a removable canopy, inflator pump, carry bag, and even a floating duck toy. This floaty and its canopy are made using environmentally friendly, leak-proof PVC.
The most noticeable aspect of its design is a steering wheel complete with a little horn. It guarantees that your toddler will have lots of fun in the water. And when they are done, you can simply deflate it, wipe it dry, and pack inside the carry bag for easy transportation.
Pros
- Made using environmentally friendly PVC
- Designed to be leak proof
- Inflator pump and carry bag included
Cons
- Damaged canopies were shipped according to customer reviews
LAYCOL – Best For Infants
This brightly colored pool float,with its five-fold belt is a great option for infants. The unique safety harness ensures your baby’s safety as they wad, play, and splash around in water. We really like this baby pool float for its durable and safe material.
It employs sturdy PVC material into its construction that is both durable and free of leaking problems.The floaty also comes with a broad canopy that protects your baby from direct sunlight. You can adjust it according to the sun’s direction, or even remove it completely on a cloudy day, or when using it in an indoor or covered pool.
Pros
- Cute color choices
- Available in different sizes
- Comes with an inflator pump
Cons
- Not very easy to inflate
SwimWays – Best For Toddlers
How can our list be complete without a good option for toddlers? The SwimWays Baby Spring Pool Float is a cute yet safe swimming aid with a patented inner spring around its outer edge. This design feature, along with the dual air chambers, adds to the float’s stability and security.
We like the fabric cover and mesh seat too because they make the floater more comfortable for your kiddo. It comes with a detachable canopy that provides shade and UPF 50+ sun protection. You can monitor your toddler thanks to the see-through mesh sides.
Pros
- Stable and extremely secure
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Comes with a carry tote
Cons
- Difficult to repack
People Also Asked
A: The suggested age limit for most baby pool floats is 3 to 36 months of age. This means you can put your baby in a pool float when they are around 3 months old. However, be sure to keep a close eye on them, as babies and toddlers should not go into a pool without adult supervision.
A: Yes, most baby pool floats are quite safe. They are made using non-toxic, leak-proof PVC material that is friendly to your baby's skin. Some also feature widened sides and raised front to keep the bent safely afloat. They also have safety harnesses to prevent the baby from sliding off.
A: Most experts recommend against using a neck floaty for your baby. While they may look cute floating around the pool, the pint-sized swimming aid is a huge risk when compared to bigger floats. The reason is its quick deflation. If the bigger floaty develops a leak, it will deflate slowly and gradually. But a neck floaty will not only deflate quickly under the baby's weight, it will also put your baby at risk of drowning.
