Amazon shoppers love this inflatable lounger. I put it to the test in the summer heat

CNN

a day ago

Every summer seems even hotter, sweatier and stickier than the last. If you don't live near the beach or have access to a pool, you might find yourself with limited options for a reprieve from the stifling heat. But creating an at-home oasis doesn't have to be complicated or costly. Highly rated on Amazon, the Sloosh Inflatable Lounger is an under-$30 find that promises to give you personal, cooling bliss in just a few simple steps. I went hands-on with the Sloosh lounger for an afternoon to see if it was worthy of becoming a summertime staple.
Sloosh Inflatable Tanning Pool Lounger Float
A versatile inflatable best suited for at-home use, the Sloosh lounger can pull double duty as both a tanning bed or splash pad and a roomy pool float. Even when it's on sale for $25, it's still more expensive than other inflatables, but its comfy design and durable build are sure to elevate your outdoor relaxation experience. It's more versatile than other pool floats
One of the main selling points of the Sloosh lounger is that it can be used both as a pool float and a pool itself. Unlike other floats, the Sloosh can be filled with water to create a personal pool of relaxation for tanning or keeping cool. The high, four-wall design helps keep water in, so even if you get in and out of the lounger multiple times, you won't be dumping loads of water out with each trip.
Though it might not seem like much, a few inches of water can make a huge difference in helping cool you off on scorching days, especially if you're miles from the nearest pool or beach. Plus, if you've got small kiddos, you could use the Sloosh as a makeshift kiddie pool or splash pad for them to play in. With some help, I was able to fill up the lounger by carrying buckets of water from the sink (city life!), but ideally, you'd want an outdoor garden hose on hand to make things go faster.
This design not only keeps water in when on land but it also helps keep water out once you decide to take the Sloosh into the pool. Surrounded by those high walls on all sides, you can stay relatively dry atop the water while lounging in the Sloosh. As long as the drain hole on the float's bottom remains tightly closed, you're free to gently roll or change positions without fear that one wrong move will dump you into the water. And if you get a little hot, you can always add water to the Sloosh while it floats, but we'd recommend being conservative with the amount to ensure it maintains its buoyancy.
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It's comfortable
The Sloosh lounger was very comfortable. I'd even go as far as to say it could rival some of the air mattresses I've slept on. The inflatable base lifts your legs, bottom and back off the ground, keeping them cushioned from whatever hard surface might be underneath you. For me, the Sloosh lounger was just the right mix of cushion, bounce and support. I didn't feel like I was sinking into the ground, but it also wasn't so firm that I couldn't relax my weight into it. Plus, because it's inflatable, you can always add or release air until you find the most comfortable fill for you.
The roomy rectangular design of the Sloosh gave me plenty of room to shift around too. Whether I was lying on my back, stomach or side, I never felt cramped. Though there was room to spare, it was never so vast that I felt the Sloosh was cumbersome or unnecessarily empty; essentially, it gave me the perfect amount of personalized lounging space.
Unlike with other floats and inflatables I've tried, the Sloosh lounger didn't have any rigid seams that poke and prod you as you're trying to relax. The UV-resistant PVC build felt smooth to the touch wherever it made contact with my skin, and the lounger was also free from any harsh synthetic or plasticky smells. I also liked the included headrest, which you can detach and use elsewhere as a pillow if you decide to change positions.
With my lower back on the headrest, my feet and legs fit comfortably inside the lounger. When I wanted to recline back more, I set my feet on top of the outer edge of the float, which was just as comfortable a position. I tested Sloosh's large-sized lounger, which was roomy enough to support my almost 5-foot-7-inch frame, but the brand does offer an extra-large size that will give you 15 more inches of length and 11 extra inches of width.
The Sloosh is also designed with some thoughtful features that increase the overall lounging experience, like the aforementioned inflatable headrest for added support, two cup holders for your favorite beverages and an attached exterior rope to tether yourself to other floats or dock yourself to something stationary. Since it's currently on sale for $25, you'll be lucky to find a more affordable pool float or tanning lounger that offers the same level of versatility, comfort and quality design as the Sloosh.
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Setting it up was simple
Though the Sloosh lounger didn't come with any assembly instructions, it was pretty straightforward to figure out what goes where. For the main lounger, there are two points for inflation: one on the outside that inflates the exterior sides and one on the inside that inflates the ribbed base. The Sloosh lounger also comes with an inflatable headrest, which you can clip to the back of the lounger to hold it in place. The only pain point is that all these sections have to be inflated separately.
This entire inflation process took just over five minutes, though I did make use of an electric air pump to speed things up. When you're done lounging, you can release any water from inside the float using the interior drain hole. From there, you'll pull out and pinch the inflation nozzles to release air from the lounger. This job is best suited for two people: one to keep the inflation nozzles held open and the other to help press down on and roll up the body of the lounger. With the air out, I was able to get the float and headrest back into the original box, but I'd recommend finding a separate bag or storage option for long-term or frequent use, since the cardboard box is bound to get soggy or damaged over time.
It feels durable
Pool floats don't have a reputation for being crafted with the highest quality materials; they lose air, rip or pop seemingly out of the blue. I even tried to use a brand-new pool float instead of an air mattress once and woke up with my head on the floor and a deflated sheet of plastic beneath me. Needless to say, I had pretty low expectations for the Sloosh lounger.
While it's difficult to simulate a whole summer of use in an afternoon of testing, I did my best to test the lounger's durability by jumping on it, throwing it around, dragging it across grass and concrete with a person inside it, and leaving it to sit in direct sunlight for over four hours.
To my pleasant surprise, the Sloosh lounger held up well against the roughhousing. The only real signs of wear were some scuff marks on the bottom of the lounger, which you could wipe clean if you desired. Most impressively, the lounger consistently held its air throughout the day. After leaving it sitting in the hot sun, I expected it to feel slightly less bouncy when I returned a few hours later, but it still felt as if I had just inflated it. Even after jumping and flopping around on it, the Sloosh didn't appear to suffer any major air loss.
The PVC material is thick enough to withstand scratches and compression without making the lounger feel heavy. Plus, all the small parts on the Sloosh, like the inflation nozzles, clasps for the headrest and docking rope felt just as soundly made. I also appreciated that the box for the Sloosh included two vinyl repair patches, so you can easily fix up your lounger if it does get a small hole.
There are lots of color options
Maybe you couldn't care less about what your inflatable lounger looks like. But if you do, you'll be happy to hear that Sloosh's lounger comes in an array of colors and prints, including nine iterations of the tropical leaf print one I tested, nine solid color options and nine other patterns. You can also grab the Sloosh lounger in an oval design.
While the color won't affect the performance of the lounger, it's still nice to be able to choose something that matches your preferred relaxation aesthetic.
You need a pump to inflate it
My main gripe with the Sloosh lounger was that, despite the box claiming that it was 'easy to inflate,' it didn't come with any sort of air pump. It also didn't come with directions for how to inflate or assemble it properly. Granted, if you've ever inflated anything before — like another pool float, an air mattress or even a bike tire — you'd be able to figure out the relatively simple process. I ended up using an electric air mattress pump to get the Sloosh set up. You could also probably use a manual air pump for quick inflation, but I would not recommend blowing this up by mouth, unless you want to feel severely lightheaded.
It's not great for taking on the go
While the pump immensely sped up the process and had the main lounger inflated in just over a minute, having to depend on it for inflation is inconvenient. This method works fine if you're planning to use the lounger within a few feet of your own home, but if you want to take it the beach, park or local pool, you'll have to bring it already inflated or pack the pump in your bag and hunt down a place to plug it in — both of which are incredibly awkward options. This severely limits the lounger's portability, and though it might not be a deal breaker for at-home users, for those looking to lounge elsewhere, a complicated setup is the last thing you want when you're trying to relax.
Even on sale for $25, the Sloosh lounger is still more expensive than some other run-of-the-mill pool floats, but what you're paying for is superior quality, comfort and versatility — all of which are bound to improve your precious relaxation time.
While I didn't love that there's no pump included, you can grab one for less than $15 on Amazon to significantly speed up the setup process. Though it might not be the perfect option for travel, the Sloosh Inflatable Lounger is a handy at-home aid for those without easy access to a pool or beach. It's also something that kids, teens and adults can all make use of. Let's just say, you'll be glad you have it in your home the next time a heat wave rolls through.
Can you tan on a pool float?
Can you tan on a pool float?
Being in any direct sunlight — whether on a pool float or not — increases your exposure to UV radiation and increases the likelihood that your skin might burn. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your face and body to prevent skin damage. You should reapply at least every two hours, as well as directly after swimming.
Do you tan faster in a pool?
Do you tan faster in a pool?
According to The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center, surfaces like water, snow and even sand can reflect UV rays from the sun. This means you're getting direct UV exposure from the sun as well as indirect exposure scattered from the surrounding surfaces. UV rays can also reach below the surface of water, so whether you're swimming or sitting poolside, you should be dutiful about applying and reapplying sunscreen to keep your skin protected.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Jillian Tracy tested the Sloosh Inflatable Tanning Pool Lounger Float, assessing it for comfort, durability and overall value.