A few blissful minutes of cooling off without a kid on your hip is hard to beat, especially when it comes to lazy days at the pool. That feeling is what the best baby pool floats can offer busy caregivers. These mini floats keep little ones happily splashing and safely contained so adults can enjoy some much-deserved, hands-free time in the water, even with a tot in tow. And—babies love them.
“As long as a baby is accompanied by a responsible, attentive adult, pool floats can be a great way to get little ones used to being in the water,” notes Clarey Collins, curriculum development manager for Goldfish Swim School. However, it’s important to keep in mind that baby pool floats are not the same as life jackets. “Babies should never be left alone in a pool float, nor should they be used as a life-saving device,” she warns.
When choosing the best baby pool float for your little fish, you’ll want to look for a secure and adjustable seat, a safety harness and a stable base to prevent tipping, says Sarah Sebe, founder of Sunsational Swim School. “It’s also recommended to select a float made of durable materials, that’s appropriate for the baby’s age and size and to ensure that it’s properly inflated before use.”
We talked to kid water safety pros and combed through tons of real parent reviews to find the best baby pool floats for safe summer fun. After reading this story, you may want to check out the best sunscreens for kids, pool toys for all ages or these fun water tables for toddlers.
How We Chose The Best Baby Pool Floats
I spoke with two infant swim safety experts, both of which regularly work with babies and little ones, to get the lowdown on what to look for in the best baby pool floats. I then did a thorough search, using the criteria recommended by our experts, to narrow down the options. I’m also a mom to three young kids, including twins, and a product gear reviewer with deep experience in baby gear. Lastly, I read loads of parent reviews in order to curate this list and included only those baby pool floats that received high marks for safety, comfort and quality.
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