The Best Baby Pool Floats To Keep Them Safe And Shaded

Forbes

20-05-2025

If you're planning on heading to the pool with baby in tow this summer, a baby pool float is a must for many families. Experienced parents know that holding a baby in your arms the entire time in the pool can be tiring and you still have to worry about protecting their sensitive skin from a sunburn. The best baby pool floats alleviate all that by offering floatation, safety and shade in one compact package, like our top overall pick, the Mambobaby Self-Inflating Baby Pool Float.
The best baby floats are safe, easy to use and provide shade.
Despite the convenience of baby pool floats, parents need to always be vigilant when they're in the water. 'A pool float can offer support, but it should never replace adult supervision,' says Tom Dolan, a two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer and president of Big Blue Swim School. 'Baby floats are one part of a broader safety approach, but an adult must always be within arm's reach of a child.'
We've found the best baby pool floats to keep them safe and comfortable while splashing around.
Amazon
Recommended age: 3 to 24 months | Weight limit: 13 to 40 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 5 inches
Our best overall pick has a ton of useful details that really add up: It's self-inflating, meaning parents won't have to huff and puff at the pool to get it ready and, most importantly, it has an adjustable five-point seatbelt, similar to the one in their car seat, that keeps your baby extra secure. The belt also has a covered lock to prevent little hands from accidentally unbuckling themselves. There are two different positions your baby can be in depending on which way they prefer—it can hold them in backstroke style (lounging on their backs) or breaststroke position (on their tummies).
Parents can also stretch and clip the bottom fabric panel to the removable tail portion to create a full-on bed-type floating lounger they can be strapped into. At least one of my babies didn't enjoy being upright in more traditional baby floats, and having alternative options would've been nice to have. The detachable UPF 50+ canopy has mesh sides to help with both ventilation and visibility. The baby float also compresses down fairly compactly—you simply squeeze all the air out and roll it up to stuff it back in its carry bag.
Amazon
Recommended age: 9 to 24 months| Weight limit: 33 pounds | Dimensions: 34 x 30 x 20.5 inches
I've used—and packed—this baby pool float through multiple kids for various trips. The clever spring mechanism allows it to fold into a flat, compact circle that can easily be tossed into your trunk or suitcase without taking up much space. When you're ready to use it, simply pop it back open and attach the canopy. Their proprietary Hyper-Flate valve makes blowing it up (and deflating it) esier and quicker, while the soft mesh bottom is comfortable around the baby's legs and easy to get them in and out of. I appreciate that the mesh UPF 50+ sun canopy is adjustable so you can position it to best protect their faces.
Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear writer Alicia Betz also used this float with all three of her kids. 'I like that it has a canopy to help keep them shaded and that they can play and splash in the water,' she says. She also used it frequently for travel and says it was convenient to pack.
Amazon
Recommended age: 3 to 24 months | Weight limit: 13 to 40 pounds | Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 5 inches
The pros of a non-inflatable baby pool float means no more endless blowing to inflate it—or worrying about holes and leaks. Made of a soft pearl foam material, the Mambobaby non-inflatable pool float is as cute as it is packed with features.
Both the generously-sized UPF 50 canopy and tail are removable so you can adjust the float to your baby's preference. They can float in it in two positions: on their backs or on their chest as if they're doing tummy time in the water. Like the other Mambobaby float on our list, it also has an adjustable five-point harness with a covered safety-lock to ensure a secure and comfortable fit even as they grow.
There's an ergonomically placed cushy head (or chin) rest and the cover zips off for easy cleaning. A higher weight limit means even larger toddlers should be comfortable in it. Parents should note that since it doesn't inflate, it also doesn't deflate, so you'll need to consider if you have the space to store it at home or in your car.
Amazon
Recommended age: 3+ | Weight limit: 20 to 40 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 25 inches
Toddlers are fickle and might start resisting going into a traditional baby float. Something more interactive might engage them again like this bright car inflatable pool float. It has a high weight limit of up to 40 pounds, so most toddlers should be able to use it. A thick and cushy seat with leg holes keeps them comfy while they 'drive' around the pool using the attached steering wheel that actually spins and has a working beeping horn (which may or may not be a good thing for caregivers.)
It comes with an attachable 120-degree adjustable UPF 50 canopy. It's available in four colors to suit every color preference. Just keep in mind it's recommended for older toddlers who are at least 20 pounds, and remember, even when they're older, an adult must always be within arm's reach and watching them closely.
Walmart
Recommended age: 8 to 24 months | Weight limit: N/A | Dimensions: 37 x 33 x 23.5 inches
Instead of just standing (or treading water) next to your baby to make sure you're always within reach, float with them instead. Baby can sit comfortably in the drop-seat, while a detachable sun shade helps keep their sensitive skin protected. The adult can float right across from them in the split tube and rest their forearms on that half. There are two inflatable toys attached to entertain little ones as well. If you've got multiples, or two close in age, Poolmaster also offers a twin pool float that carries two babies and a caregiver.
'The Poolmaster swim float was my favorite to use when my twins were babies,' says Betz. 'Taking care of twins at the pool can be stressful, but this made it easier so I could keep an eye—and hand—on both of them.'
Amazon
Recommended age: 12 to 24 months | Weight limit: 33 pounds | Dimensions: 26.5-inch diameter
If you're just looking for a one-time use baby float for a special trip, the value of the no-frills Intex My Baby pool float can't be beat. I actually used this one with two of my babies and found it quick to inflate and easy to get the babies in and out of. At under $10, it's a fantastic option you won't feel bad about accidentally leaving behind. It has a smaller ring inside of the larger tube for added stability and deep cross-shaped straps to cradle the baby's body. A pillowy backrest gives their heads something to lean back on.
The float has two air chambers for extra peace of mind and safety. The major downside is it doesn't have a built-in shade like pricier options, but I just kept my babies in long-sleeved swimsuits and sun hats.
As parents ourselves, the baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to helping parents find the best products to keep their babies safe. We've spent countless hours testing and researching products, including products parents might want to stock up on for summer fun near the water like the best infant life jackets and the best water shoes for kids.
To find the best baby pool floats, we conducted a deep-dive in product research, consulted expert insights and drew upon our own experience using baby pool floats with our kids.
'Infant floats are typically designed for a specific age group,' says Dolan. Parents should pay close attention to the manufacturer's age and weight limits before purchasing a baby float. Depending on the age of your child, you should also note how the float is designed to keep your baby in the seat whether it's with leg holes only or straps. Dolan says, 'Your child should feel snug in the float's seat.' He also recommends looking for features 'such as seat straps, extra-wide designs for increased stability, reinforced seams and bright colors for increased visibility, as these will all make a difference in your experience.'
Since babies have more sensitive skin, having built-in sun protection while floating around at the pool is super convenient. Many floats have attached or detachable UPF sun canopies (all the ones with canopies on our list are UPF 50) and some even let you adjust the angle, which is ideal since a fixed shade sometimes won't actually protect their faces too much depending on which way the sun is. Regardless, always protect their skin with UPF-protective baby swimwear, sun hats and baby-safe sunscreen.
The best baby pool float is the kind you'll use correctly each time. Inflatable pool floats take a lot of physical blowing to get it to full capacity, but a non-inflatable version may be more cumbersome for you to store or take while traveling. Consider how easy the design is to get your infant in and out of as well. Are the straps easy to adjust and get on the baby's body? Are the leg holes wide enough to comfortably and quickly place them in? You don't want to be struggling in the water while holding a flailing baby trying to get them in a pool float.
According to Dolan, the safest pool float for babies is the one that fits them correctly and that parents can get them safely in and out of. 'It is important to note that these are not safety devices,' he says, and can cause 'a false sense of security.' He reminds parents that a baby pool float 'is just one part of a multi-layer safety approach,' including close adult supervision, reducing water hazards and early swim lessons among other things.
'A U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is the safest flotation option for babies and young children, when used appropriately,' says Dolan.
'Most baby floats are designed and marketed for use starting around 3 to 6 months, when the baby has enough neck support to hold up their head,' says Dolan. 'Even then, any time spent in the water should be brief, closely supervised and include direct parent involvement.
Parents can explore swim lessons starting as young as 3 months for their babies, which help build the foundational skills your child needs for a lifetime of swimming safety.'