Moms, parents of babies and toddlers! The time has come for you to have some summer fun with your little ones.

There are so many things to do this season, but a major one is going to the swimming pool or to the beach.

You need a safe place for your baby to lay while they nap or play in the water – that’s where these 10 best baby pool floats come into play!  From practical designs like inflatable swim rings and boats to cute animal shapes from brands like Mambobaby and SwimWays, there’s something here for every family on any budget.

Be sure to check out our favorites and the four decisive factors to consider before heading down to the pool this summer!

Product Comparison (Top 10)

Ready? Here are our picks of the best floaties for babies

1. Flyboo Baby Shark Pool Float

Suitable Age: 6-36 months

Can you believe this crazy thing? It’s an inflatable baby shark float that floats in water! Your children must have heard of the “Baby Shark” song, right? After all, this super catchy song is the most-watched video on YouTube, so a baby sharky style float is perfect for babies having some pool fun.

The extra-thick PVC makes it super durable, so your little ones will be safe from any harm while they enjoy themselves with other family members at the pool.

Besides being able to block off direct sunlight, the adjustable canopy also includes bells that jingle inside each tooth so your child will be able to enjoy some extra sensory stimulation.

2. Flyboo Baby Unicorn Pool Float

Suitable Age: 1-6 years

This float is for kids who love unicorns. It has an extra thick and waterproof PVC material, making it comfortable to sit on as well as protecting your baby’s bottom.

When you set out for a day of fun in your new baby Inflatable boat, don’t forget the safety precautions! This one comes equipped with an airbag and valves on both sides to help keep it balanced. The handles on the unicorn float raft give your children more security, so they can hold onto the sides and not slip away.

Plus there’s also that handy string attached, so even if they wander off too far from shore, just pull gently enough for them to stay close by.

3. Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Swimming Ring with Removable Canopy

Suitable Age: 3 months-6 years

The Free Swimming Baby is an inflatable baby pool float that helps babies learn how to kick and swim in a horizontal position.

It features mesh sides with UPF 50+ sun protection, as well as bottom support for preventing any sliding out. The removable sun shade allows your child from being directly exposed to harsh UV rays while they enjoy their time at the beach or poolside daycare center without worry about getting burned.

You’ll love this product because it’s easy storage; compact enough when not inflated, so you can take them anywhere on those hot summer days!

4. SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center

Suitable Age: 9-24 months

This baby pool float is a must for parents who want to keep their little ones safe. It has features like a removable sun canopy, child safety valves, patented inner springs, and dual inflation air chambers so they can swim without the worry of drowning while also having tons of fun!

The interactive octopus toy will entertain your baby as well with pufferfish that squeak when touched or stacking rings. In case those aren’t already interesting enough colors on deck, there’s even something called “soft touch stars” that could be the cutest item ever invented by humankind.

The Baby Spring Float Activity Center is an excellent choice for those looking to travel or take their poolside fun on the road. The entire unit folds flat into 3 compact circles, making it easy and lightweight enough that you can bring this baby anywhere.

It’s recommended for babies over 9 months old, but many owners reported using it for babies even younger when supervised and provided with extra care.

5. Intex Stingray Ride-On

Suitable Age: 3-6 years

Get ready for a day at the beach or pool with this adorable, colorful giant sting ray float! Your baby will love playing in it and never want to get out of the water.

With its maximum weight limit of 88 pounds so older babies or young toddlers can enjoy as well- there’s no risk that their big sister might flip them over when she comes by on her own adventure.

Two heavy-duty grab handles make holding onto the baby floater easy. The air chambers provide additional safety measures because if you have any punctures from sharp objects poking through, the product got you covered: included a repair patch should anything happen. That rigid bottom really does help stability out in those waves so whatever happens, the pool float stay put.

6. Baby Boat Float Pool Swimming Ring

Suitable Age: 6-36 months

This baby float is perfect for any child who loves boats. The bright yellow design will catch anyone’s eye, and the handlebar steering wheel lets them pretend they are in control of this ship!

It includes a carrying bag, unsinkable rubber duckie, and an inflator air pump so you can take it anywhere including pools or lakes – all while keeping your little one happy by providing endless entertainment (and making sure nobody gets lost).

7. SwimSchool Infant Baby Floatie with 5 Toys

Suitable Age: 6-24 months

SwimSchool’s floaties for babies are made of high-quality materials, and they are designed to be safe and secure for babies.

There are multiple features that make this product unique: Dual inflation chambers, child safety valves for security, and 20% wider for superior buoyancy/stability in the water. With the retractable canopy’s multi-position plastic hinge, you can enjoy superb sun protection while also having access to see baby playing with the included toys in the interactive play area.

There are so many advantages to buying this product over other inflatable pool floats, but the main one is that it provides safety for your infant or young toddler while in the pool.

8. Flamingo Pool Floats for Babies

Suitable Age: 6 months-48 months

It’s that time of year again! Are you looking for the perfect float to keep your little angels cool this summer? We recommend this pink flamingo baby float for pool.

Made from high-quality, durable, non-toxic PVC and designed with comfort in mind – it’ll be wide enough for hours on end without feeling cramped or uncomfortable. Plus, its backrest helps toddlers stay cozy while they enjoy a day at the poolside party (or just playing around).

This baby floater is perfect for children between the ages of 6 and 48 months.

9. LAYCOL Baby Pool Float

Suitable Age: 3-36 months

The LAYCOL Baby Float is perfect for summertime! It has a UPF 50+ sun canopy that protects your child’s skin from the harmful rays of a hot sky.

This leakproof PVC product has passed the CPC Standards, the highest safety and non-toxic standards available, making it naturally safe for babies to use. Furthermore, shoulder straps keep them from moving or falling over.

If you want to teach your little one how to swim, this baby floater is an excellent choice. You can use it to introduce backstroke, breaststroke, or even to practice floating.

10. Poolmaster Mommy and Me Baby Rider

Suitable Age: 8-24 months

Poolmaster’s Mommy and Me Baby Rider is the perfect poolside companion for you and your baby. This swimming aid offers a comfortable drop-seat construction that provides ample legroom, while the detachable canopy offers great sun protection as needed.

The split ring opening allows for easy parent access to the baby when desired. Recommended for ages 8-24 months, these all-in-one floaties for babies are a great way to introduce your little ones to the water!

Honorable Mention: Baby Float with Arm Wings

Suitable Age: 2-6 years

If you are looking for a toddler swim vest that is comfortable, easy to wear and safe, this is the one. We know how important it is to teach your child to swim with confidence.

That’s why this toddler swim vest is designed with arm wings made of durable polyester material and a soft multi-panel design for superior comfort. To ensure that the kid cannot open the vest on his own, Hutigertech’s swim vests come with a safety shoulder harness, adjustable buckles, and security buckles at the back.

You can also add a personal touch to your toddlers by choosing from one of the many colorful designs suitable for boys and girls, and this bright color appearance makes them easy to spot on land or water.

Honorable Mention: Mambobaby Non-Inflatable Baby Swim Float

Suitable Age: 3-24 months

Mambobaby is a well-known manufacturer of baby swimming floats with a safety-first mentality. Unlike the rest of the baby pool floats on the list, this product is non-inflatable.

This is actually a good thing, meaning that you can save time by not inflating the floaties each time your babies want to play in the water. It is also more durable as you would not need to worry about the material being punctured. The downside is that it is less portable and takes up more space during storage.

Many mommies are buying Mambobaby Swim Float because it is a fun, safe, and comfortable aid for a baby’s first swims. It helps the baby to float upright in the water with no effort required from parents. The soft waterproof foam belly pad allows babies to lay back comfortably while kicking their legs freely or sitting up supported by the headrest.

While Mambobaby is an essential tool for learning how to swim, it also helps babies balance and strengthens core muscles. Its bright colors attract attention, making it easy for parents to keep track of their baby in the water.

But be careful. There are a lot of knock-offs of Mambobaby around, so make sure you compare and buy from an authentic source like from this link here:

How Do You Choose the Right Baby Float?

Age and Weight Limit

Always check the manufacturer’s recommended age limit and weight capacity before choosing an inflatable floatie for your child. It is important to choose one that fits well, so they stay safe in the water.

Type of Float

What are the best types of floats for babies? There is a wide variety of choices. Some floaties will teach your child how to swim, some help them stay afloat, and others have built-in toys that provide entertainment during those long summer days at lakes or pools.

Also, infants should not wear swimming vests and should rely on inflatable floats instead for safety purposes since they don’t want their arms or head getting stuck under water when you’re not looking.

Safety

Some baby pool floats are a little less safe than others. Your child could get into trouble if the float flips, so make sure you consider a pool float that has additional safety features, such as high-quality leak-proof material, dual air chambers, inner springs for stability, safety seat buckles, and built-in handles for parents to hold on to.

Sun Protection

How can you keep your baby safe from the sun? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and also limit sun exposure in toddlers whose delicate skin is prone to burning. Pool floats with UPF 50+ canopies are great because these coverings help protect against harmful UV rays.

Convenience

Some of the best baby pool floats are those that inflate and deflate quickly. These include ones you can control by mouth or hand, which also fold up for transportation and storage so they’re super convenient to use! If you don’t care for portability, consider non-inflatable ones like the Mambobaby baby float to skip any preparation time.

Design

You know your baby well. You can’t help but notice that they seem to have a favorite color or animal, and if you’re like most parents, these are the types of things that come up in conversation with them from time to time: “What do YOU want for Christmas this year?”

The market offers a variety of baby floats in various colors and designs. You can find them designed like sharks, unicorns, flamingos, ice-creams, or even cartoon characters! But if your little one is old enough (perhaps 1 year old), then go for something that will make them happy because who doesn’t want to ride on their favorite animal?