Best Baby Pool Float

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best baby pool float is, I’d recommend the SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center.

There comes a time when you want to introduce your little one to the wonderful world of water. You may be going on vacation and want to take them in the pool with you, or paddle in the sea at your local beach.

Choosing the right baby pool float for you and your child will make you focus on the fun of the water without the tears! Let them dangle their feet in and enjoy a new experience; they’re sure to love it.

If you’re looking to purchase one, check out our top reviews on the best baby pool floats on the market today.

Here are the baby pool floats I will be reviewing:

• SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center With Canopy
• Intex Recreation 56584EP Froggy Friend Shaded Baby Float Toy
• SwimWays Baby Spring Float
• Delicacy Baby Swimming Float
• Intex My Baby Float
• SwimWays Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy
• Poolmaster 81555 Learn-to-Swim Swimming Pool Float
• Intex Stingray Ride-On Baby Float
• TRSCIND Baby Pool Float Swimming Floats Inflatable Shark Baby Floatie
  

How to Choose the Best Type of Baby Pool Float

A baby pool float is one of the easiest ways to introduce your infant comfortably to the water. They are able to splash around and get used to the feeling without being fully immersed and all while being safe and secure.

Fit Your Child Perfectly 

When looking at different floatation devices for your baby, make sure they are child-specific. There are a variety of floaters on the market today that are available for older kids as well as adults.

Check the specifications on the side of the box to make sure your little one will be comfortable and enjoy their experience in the water.

Another thing to consider is to see how big the holes are where your child will put their feet. Check around the inside to make sure there is no excess material as it could scratch them, and they could come out in a rash. 

Float Not Sink 

This is one of the most important things to consider as certain pool floats may only hold a maximum weight. If you are buying it for the summer when your child will be nine months old, make sure that they are able to fit in it, and it will not sink when they’re placed inside. 

Check the maximum weight it can hold and also how big the actual product is. Sometimes, the bigger the floater, the better it is to hold older infants in. This also means the less likely it is to tip over.

I made sure when I bought a pool float for my youngest that she would be able to use it for at least a year. This way, she is able to get comfortable in the water with the same floater rather than changing it four times a year. This also helped build her confidence as she grew attached to her “butterfly that could swim” as she likes to call it. 

Safety Comes First

Although with most pool floats, you are able to have your hands free, you must make sure that you are always with them and that you properly supervise them while in the water. 

Check the sun protection as some have built-in canopies while others have nothing at all. If you’re out playing in the water all day, this is something to seriously consider. 

Other safety features to look for include: 

• Seat straps 
• Safety valves 
• Patch kit for repairs
• No leakage points

Entertainment Value

When doing anything with little ones, you have to turn it into a game to make it interesting and fun. Look for a pool floaty that incorporates all of that. It could include toys to play with or have bright, eye-catching colors designed to be interesting for your baby. 

When choosing, see what colors and extra features that it may come with. If you know your baby can’t sit still and wriggles around, find one with a handlebar to get them used to the feeling of kicking in the water. 

What Are the Benefits of Swim Floats?

When your child is six months old, it’s one of the best times to take them into the sea or pool and get used to the feeling of the water. Having a floatation device is one of the easiest ways to do that. 

Free Arms 

You can supervise your child without having to have them in your arms constantly! You can take them into a deeper pool, knowing that they are safe and secure in their floaty and have your arms free to play games with them. 

I loved this when we went on our last family vacation. We could put our youngest in the floater and play with her and my son without having to hold her. It was a brilliant break for my back pain! 

Improves Cognitive Functioning 

Having your baby kick their legs around and move in the water not only helps with their basic motor skills, it helps with their basic cognitive functioning. 

Their brain is learning about how to move around in water and also about the resistance that they meet. When they grow older and take swimming lessons, it will come quicker and easier for them. 

Most floaties nowadays make it easier for your baby to move their legs and arms around, helping improve their movement. If your baby hasn’t started to crawl yet at six months, take them for a few sessions in the sea. They may improve their strength.

Added Protection

Having that air-filled rubber surrounding your child not only adds that extra added protection, it gives you peace of mind. Not only that, it protects them from splashes from the waves and other people in the sea. 

When your child is six to ten months old, their skin is still very delicate. The devices are usually made from rubber to make sure your baby’s skin doesn’t get hurt. Even with the water sticking to the floater, your baby’s legs do not get stuck and rub. 

Precautions for Using a Baby Pool Float 

One of the main things to remember is that any child under the age of six months will be too young to be able to use one of these products. They are still not able to fully support themselves and keep themselves upright. 

If you would like to take a younger child in the water, consider using a baby bath to start with to get them used to the feeling. You could also join a baby swim class. Once they are older they will be able to use a pool float with ease. 

Another thing to consider is making sure that you dry the swim float in a shaded area and not keep it in direct sunlight. Although they have sun protection, the UV rays can degrade the material and damage it over time.

My Baby Pool Float Reviews

I’ve come up with nine of the best pool floats on the market—perfect to use with your little ones on a summer’s day.

SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center With Canopy

This baby swim float from SwimWays is a great all-rounder, excellent for infants who are anywhere between nine months all the way up to 24 months old. It has been ergonomically designed to help you and your child feel at ease in the water.

The Spring Float Activity Center features a large circumference with dual inflation chambers the whole way around to make sure your baby is stable when swimming in the sea or pool. This is great for a little one who is still a little unstable with their balance and needs that extra support. 

Its removable canopy has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection to protect your baby’s sensitive skin from the sun’s rays. It can be easily clipped and unclipped, which makes it perfect for storing. Having a removable canopy is a great feature as depending on where you go on vacation, you may not need one. It’s also great to stop water coming from overhead, if older kids are jumping around or splashing nearby.

This baby float is covered with durable fabric and a mesh seating area for added comfort for your little one. They are able to float at eye level to maintain contact and will not have any of the float rub on their little chubby legs. Having soft mesh for the leg holes rather than rubber adds to their comfort and enjoyment. 

A feature that I love about this pool float is that it comes with an interactive 360-degree octopus attached to keep your child entertained in the pool. It also comes with a squeaker fish, stacking games, and a crackling star to increase the fun in the water. 

This is the only patent swim float with an innerspring sewn into the fabric. It adds extra stability to make sure your baby can have an enjoyable time in the water without the tears.

Intex Recreation 56584EP Froggy Friend Shaded Baby Float Toy

This simplistic baby pool float has three air-filled chambers to make sure your child is able to stay afloat and keep eye contact with you at all times. Having the extra chamber filled with air gives them that extra stability that other pool floats may not have.

The unique frog design with the lily pad as a shade makes it fun for the kids as well. It looks inviting and friendly, making your child’s first time in the water a great one. Having such a fun design is perfect for children who are wary of the water as they will be more inclined to get in. 

This floaty is great for parents on a budget who want something affordable and easy to use. This is perfect if you’re looking for something to pack for a vacation without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for a floaty for your toddler, this is the one for you as it’s easy to use, lightweight and great to get them into the pool. However, it’s not for use with babies younger than one as there is minimal support.

SwimWays Baby Spring Float

This baby float is designed for your baby’s first time in the water. Its low center of gravity allows your little one to get as close to the water as possible without the risk of drowning. This is great for an infant who loves the water and wants to be as close to it as possible.

The soft mesh seat with leg holes allow for added comfort when swimming, which will keep them happy. Consider this option if your child has sensitive skin, as the fabric will be softer for their legs. 

The three-color design with water drops is eye-catching and inviting for your child to come and play. Although it’s simple, it does the job, and that’s the main thing. With its dual air chambers, your child can focus more on playing with the colors on the outside and the water than being scared. 

This floaty comes with a convenient carry storage bag which is perfect for traveling with. Simply let the air out, pop it into the bag and away you go. If you are a very active family and are always on the go, this is a great floaty to consider.

Delicacy Baby Swimming Float

Unlike many pool floats, this one has a built-in cushion designed for your little one to secure their bottom and prevent them from slipping and sliding out. The center piece is designed to make sure your baby cannot fall out and even when leaning forward, their face will not touch the water.

The armpit, with 40-degree movement, as well as the vest-style design, is an excellent way to introduce your children to the water and get them ready to swim. They are able to play with other family members in the pool without the fear of tipping over. This is a good feature if you want to introduce your child to the water quite quickly and make sure they are safe at the same time. 

The Delicacy float has two special wings that are designed to enable your child’s swimming with dual chambers in each. It can help them feel more relaxed and at ease in the water with more stability, helping boost their confidence. 

This swim float is designed for children from the age of six months all the way up to 30 months. You can use it as soon as your baby starts to sit up and hold themselves stable. No more sitting at the edge of the pool, you can get in and play as a family.

Intex My Baby Float

This baby float is one of the cheapest on the market and easy to take wherever you go with your family. It can be folded away and stored easily in your bag, blown up by a pump or manual inflation, and put straight into the pool. This is ideal for someone who wants to save a few bucks yet still have a safe floaty to take in the water with your baby.

It has an extra backrest for added comfort, which helps balance your little one in the water. If they are still slightly wobbly this is a great floaty to help them balance and keep them upright when needed. The backrest is part of the second ring of air and can’t be detached, which means they are supported at all times.

Unlike the other floats, this one has one larger ring with a smaller ring surrounding it for your baby to hold onto when in the water. Both have valves that are easy to open and use in whichever way you like. This is good if you don’t have a pump or are somewhere with no easy access to other methods.

Having two smooth seat straps allows your child to sit upright and be at eye level with you when playing in the water. They are able to splash around with ease without worrying about falling to one side.

SwimWays Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy

This swim float has your little one’s safety at the forefront of its design. Its large surface area means that even if your little one falls to one side, they are supported by the floaty. It’s designed for babies who are nine months and older.

The removable sun canopy has UPF 50+ protection included to make sure that your little one is not getting sunburned while enjoying their swim. This is a good feature as when they become a more confident swimmer, you can remove the canopy and let them learn how to kick themselves a bit more. 

If you’re a family that likes going on a lot of trips, this floaty comes with a convenient carry case that folds in three circles and can be put into a bag. To open, simply unfold the circles and use in the pool. If you want to save time on vacation, this is a great one to consider. 

The inflation is fabric covered to add to your child’s comfort when in the water. It also has meshing around the seating area where their legs go to make sure that the floatation device does not rub. This is good if your child has sensitive skin as it will be smooth and easy to use.

Poolmaster 81555 Learn-to-Swim Swimming Pool Float

This easy to use swimming aid is great for children who are just starting out learning how to swim. It will help them get comfortable in the water while the whole family gets to play. They are designed to be training flotations for your children to develop their skills and build their confidence.

The quirky frog design is sure to get your children excited to go and splash in the sea. It’s bright and eye-catching and will take the focus off of the water. It also includes a small sun canopy at the top of the frog to add that extra protection for them. 

The swim float also includes a drinks holder which is a perfect feature for your little one. You can add a cup of water for them to drink if they get thirsty—to stop them drinking the pool water. If you don’t want to use it for them, store something for yourself in there! 

It also includes a detachable frog toy that squeaks to keep your child entertained. You can make a game of throwing it in the sea and having them chase after their toy. 

The drop seat construction supplies ample legroom for your little one to learn how to kick their legs while being safe and secure. It puts them slightly deeper in the water than some floats but allows them to learn how to move in the water with ease.

Intex Stingray Ride-On Baby Float

This fun design brings the creatures of the ocean up to the top to help your infant have a fun experience in the sea. The design of a baby stingray gets them more involved in the ocean and wanting to see more. Don’t blame me if they want to go to the aquarium after though!

The floatation device has a canopy that covers the whole of the floaty and joins at the handlebars to make it all connected. This is a good thing to consider if your child loves to pick and play at things. They will not be able to take off or move the sun canopy at all so they will be protected from the sun no matter what. 

The inflatable handlebar has toy balls to play with to keep your child entertained while they’re splashing around in the pool. They are also able to hold onto it to give them extra stability when learning how to kick their legs. This is good if their balance is not fully there yet, as they can grab onto something to make sure that they remain upright.

The ring is made with two air chambers for your baby’s safety when in the water. They are able to comfortably float in the water while maintaining eye level with you at all times. It also comes with a repair patch so if there are any breakages you can make a quick fix.

TRSCIND Baby Pool Float Swimming Floats Inflatable Shark Baby Floatie

What’s better than listening to Baby Shark on the radio? Having a baby shark floater for your child to play in!

Your baby will be able to take their love for the song and transfer it to the water. It also makes for some great photo opportunities to send to the rest of the family! 

The swim float has two heavy-duty handles so your little one is able to grip securely onto the float without damaging it. This is great for younger infants who are still learning how to sit upright as they can grab onto the handles to provide them with support.

The seating area is spacious to add toys and has comfortable leg holes where your child can float at eye level. Each of the shark’s teeth has bells in it for your child to play with while swimming. This keeps them occupied, especially if they’re scared of the water.

Time to Float!

For an easy all-round, affordable floaty we recommend the SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center as the best baby pool float.

Not only does it have a wide surface area for your baby to play with the toys that are included, its dual inflation rings add for that extra support your little one needs. 

Its removable canopy is perfect wherever you may want to go, whether that be in an indoor pool or out on the beach. It’s affordable, easy to use, and great for little ones who are learning to swim!