byKathleen Felton
Medically Reviewed by Jesil Pazhayampallil, M.D., F.A.A.P.
| March 13, 2025
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
QUICK SUMMARY
If I had to recommend just one baby pool float, it'd be the Laycol Baby Inflatable Baby Pool Float. It’s well-priced (well under $50), has an adjustable UPF 50+ canopy for sun protection, and is easy to use, according to parents in the What to Expect community.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Baby Pool Float Mambobaby Self-Inflating Pool Float
Jump to Review $59.99 See at Amazon Best Affordable Baby Pool Float Laycol Baby Inflatable Baby Pool Float
Jump to Review $23.79 See at Amazon Best Non-Inflatable Baby Pool Float Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Float
Jump to Review $69.95 See at Amazon Best Portable Baby Pool Float SwimWays Baby Spring Float with Adjustable Canopy
Jump to Review $25.09 See at Amazon Best Parent and Baby Pool Float SwimWays Baby Spring Float Mommy and Me with Canopy
Jump to Review $32.99 See at Amazon Best Adjustable Baby Pool Float SwimSchool Infant Baby Pool Float
Jump to Review $34.11 See at Amazon Best Baby Pool Float With Toys SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center
Jump to Review $32.16 See at Amazon
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Even though both of my kids love playing with water tables and bath toys, nothing beats hanging out at a local watering hole on hot summer days. And, because we have easy access to the beach, they’ve been playing in waterfrom a very young age. But it can be tricky to think of ways to engage your baby aside from holding them in your arms the entire time. That’s where the best baby pool floats come in handy. These recreational devices can help them feel more comfortable (and give your arms a much-needed break).
Of course, as with anything associated with water, there are important precautions to take into account before going for a dip. The experts I spoke with stressed that when using a pool float, your child should be constantly supervised by an adult and always stay within arm’s reach, and that the safest way to enjoy a "swim" session is by wearing an infant life jacket.
How I Chose the Best Baby Pool Floats
When researching the most popular pool floats marketed for babies and toddlers, I immediately eliminated any that were deemed dangerous by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as infant neck floats. I also made sure to exclude any products that had been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).
Next, I 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. I then referenced the most up-to-date swim safety information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Based on their feedback and the AAP’s latest drowning prevention policies, I further eliminated pool floats from the list that lacked safety straps or a true shade canopy to protect infants from the sun’s rays.
To narrow down the list even further, I turned to parents in the What to Expect Community; I researched popular baby pool floats to better understand which ones they (and their children) love. After taking my personal experience using baby pool floats over the years into consideration, I compiled the below list of seven baby pool floats. You can rest assured that these have received the highest marks for ease of use, ease of cleaning, storage, and design.
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Best Overall Baby Pool Float
Mambobaby Self-Inflating Pool Float
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
TheMambobaby Float wins the most points for its ease of use and durability. What to Expect parents particularly appreciate that this product is self-inflating and requires minimal setup: To use, all you have to do is open the air nozzle and let the float expand for a minute. It’s that simple!
A number of parents add 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 other 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. It also checks my design boxes, coming 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 mention 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 only downside I can find is that, at $60, it’s a tad expensive. But the ease of use, portability, and high weight limit make it well worth the higher price tag.
Community Reviews
stephanied154
“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.”
fortmacs
“We got a Mambobaby. She likes it for short bursts.”
krista0708
"oh my gosh yes! We just got ours last weekend and have used it twice and I feel like it’s worth every penny. My son loves it and it feels so secure. Buy it you won’t regret it."
Best Affordable Baby Pool Float
Laycol Baby Inflatable Baby Pool Float
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 may look like 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 separate compartments that need to be filled), it comes with a pump so you don’t need to worry about purchasing one separately. However, some parents mention that there are several parts to inflate, so it can take a little time to set it up.
Community Reviews
briahnawalker
“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.”
annekahn
“We ordered one off Amazon and our son really loved it.”
Best Non-Inflatable Baby Pool Float
Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Float
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, Mambobaby also makes a non-inflatable option that parents in the What to Expect community love just as much. 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 baby pool floats on this list, it has a UPF 50+ canopy and has 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.
Community Reviews
shanellemonroe
“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.”
mmahl20
“We’ve used it two summers now. My second used it when she was 4 months last summer and now when she’s 16 months! We really love it.”
Best Portable Baby Pool Float
SwimWays Baby Spring Float with Adjustable Canopy
Buying Options
Pros
- UPF 50+ canopy
- Canopy is adjustable
- Affordable
- Lots of colors (including a mermaid design)
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
The SwimWays Baby Spring Float has a mesh seat that’s buoyed by a large outer inflation chamber, which many parents say seems 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 this is 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 good: The mesh tray in front of baby can function as a built-in play space. Plus, a number of parents mention that their babies enjoy playing with a small toy in this tray while floating, adding to the overall fun. And at just $25, this is also one of the most budget-friendly baby pool floats on the market.
Community Reviews
mamaamme
“I have this one!! I love it and so does my little one.”
boymama2122
“Love, love, love this!”
mamaorii
“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!”
nicoleab20
“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.”
ejbomb
"We just have the SwimWays float and that works well for us."
Best Parent and Baby Pool Float
SwimWays Baby Spring Float Mommy and Me with Canopy
Buying Options
Pros
- Affordable
- Additional ring for parents to sit in
- Ring is removable
Cons
- 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.
Best Adjustable Baby Pool Float
SwimSchool Infant Baby Pool Float
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Affordable
- Available in a number of colors
- Canopy can be adjusted
Cons
- The canopy can become damaged if weighed down with water
Dimensions: 36 x 36 inches
Age recommendation: 6 to 24 months
Weight limit: Not listed
Why We Love It
Another great option is the SwimSchool Infant Baby Pool Float. This baby pool float has a similar design to the SwimWays Baby Spring Float, with a mesh seat surrounded by inflatable sections. Its star feature, however, is the removable and adjustable canopy. The multi-position hinge delivers three shady positions (so you can change it depending on where the sun is!) in a UPF 50+ fabric. Even the straps on the mesh seat are adjustable, and can be quickly changed for extra comfort for little ones.
I found this to be a sturdy and well-made option that’s equally great for travel, since it collapses nearly flat, enough so that you could stick it in a suitcase. I also appreciate the wide, flat mesh area around the seat, which is an ideal play space for small water toys.
Best Baby Pool Float With Toys
SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center
Photo credit: Amazon
Buying Options
Pros
- Includes inflatable toys for baby to play with
- Canopy is removable and made with UPF 50 fabric
Cons
- Some parents say the toys can be a little tricky to detach
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
This is anupgraded version of the SwimWays Baby Spring Float that includes a built-in activity center, doubling down on entertainment options for babies. Other enhancements include mesh sides and a UPF 50+ canopy that can be easily removed. But the reason it caught my eye as a mom of two, easily distracted little ones, is the fact that it comes with a fun array of toys. This way they can do more than float, exploring the water by playing with an octopus that squeaks, stacking rings, a rattle, and more.
I also love the fact that the octopus toy is removable, so your baby can continue playing with it at the beach or pool when not sitting in their float. But some parents do mention that it can be a little tricky to get it off initially.
Community Reviews
tcm34
"We have a swimways canopy float for baby that they sit in and can float around. Baby girl was obsessed and has the best time in it."
What to Consider When Buying a Baby Pool Float
- Safety: Experts stress to avoid neck floats entirely. These types of baby pool floats are never considered safe for little ones and can lead to serious injuries or death. It’s also important to enroll your child in swimming lessons (which the AAP recommends starting at age 1 for most children). While a pool float may be a fun way for babies and young toddlers to enjoy pool time, these products are no substitute for swimming lessons.
- Type: Baby pool floats like the ones on this list are considered recreational floats, not personal flotation devices. While the pediatricians I spoke to say it’s generally okay to place your baby in a pool float if you’re within arm’s reach and supervising every second, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved infant life jacket is prefered.
- Shade: Because sun protection is critical for infants, a baby pool float with a built-in canopy can provide a little extra coverage on sunny days. Even better is one with UPF fabrics (nearly all on this list are UPF 50+). Some canopies can be adjusted or removed, which parents may also find helpful.
- Storage: Baby pool floats often accompany families on vacation, so one that collapses flat may be easier to stash in a suitcase or store when it’s not being used.
- Assembly: Inflatable baby pool floats will always be a little trickier to set up than those that don’t have inflatable sections, such as the Mambobaby product listed below. Some inflatable floats are also easier to fill with air than others—those with fewer or smaller inflatable sections are a little simpler, for example, as are those that come with included pumps.
FAQs
Should babies use pool floats?
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.
What age can babies go in the pool?
“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.”
View Sources
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
- WhatToExpect.com, Swim Lessons for Babies and Toddlers, May 2022.
- WhatToExpect.com, Benefits of Water Play for Babies and Toddlers, September 2021.
- WhatToExpect.com, Sunscreen and Sun Protection for Babies: What Parents Need to Know, November 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know, June 2023.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Swim Lessons: When to Start & What Parents Should Know, May 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Steps for Healthy Swimming, April 2022.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Drowning Prevention, 2024.
- 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.
