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Floats are a must for relaxing in the pool, or keeping the kids entertained, or making your pool party a bit more interesting and lively. Depending on the size of your pool and your zeal for entertaining, you might choose an inflatable donut for one person or a raft to fit two or more swimmers. There’s a pool float for almost any situation or combination of people—and the best pool floats often do more than just float.
Continue for details on our recommendations and for guidance on how to differentiate and choose among the great many appealing options.
- BEST OVERALL: Aqua Campania Ultimate 2 in 1 Recliner Pool Lounger
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float
- BEST LOUNGE FLOAT: Intex Rockin’ Inflatable Lounge
- BEST DOUBLE FLOAT: Aqua Premium Convertible Pool Lounger
- BEST FOOD FLOAT: Intex Pizza Slice Inflatable Mat
- BEST ANIMAL FLOAT: GoFloats Giant Inflatable Pool Floats
- BEST PARTY FLOAT: Bestway CoolerZ Rapid Rider Quad Inflatable Raft
- BEST BABY FLOAT: Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Float
- BEST DOG FLOAT: Milliard Dog Pool Float
Our Top Picks
For their features and specs, material construction and positive customer reports, these are our favorites among the best pool floats you can get today.
Best Overall
Aqua Campania Ultimate 2 in 1 Recliner Pool Lounger
The Aqua Camapania Ultimate 2 in 1 Recliner Pool Lounger is packed with features, including a fully adjustable backrest, which you can raise for reading or lower to lie comfortably on your back or stomach. The cool weave fabric keeps tanners cool and the fabric’s added thickness is good for increased buoyancy—meaning, you don’t have to worry too much about flipping out of the float when maneuvering. Another feature we like: The removable canopy provides shade when you aren’t ready to call it a day but need a break from the sun. Note also that the Aqua Campania comes with a detachable caddy that’s handy for keeping beverages, snacks, and your smartphone within reach.
The inflated size of the float is 56 inches by 36 inches and it can hold 250 pounds.
The Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float offers four different positions for keeping cool and staying comfortable in the water. You can lounge, sit, drift on your stomach, or sit saddled while exercising. And there is no need to climb or jump into the float; its unique hammock design makes it easy to submerge the float below the water’s surface, so you can slide right on. Bonus: Because of its minimal, pack-and-go design, the Monterey Hammock is easy to take with you to the beach, the lake, or a friend’s pool.
This affordable choice for pool fun measures 44 inches by 28 inches and holds up to 250 pounds.
Best Lounge Float
Intex Rockin' Inflatable Lounge
For a relaxing pool float lounger, consider the Intex Rockin’ Inflatable Lounge, designed with a recline angle that’s ideal for reading and chatting while soaking up rays. The aesthetic aqua color helps the float blend nicely with your pool’s decor, and the float has a built-in cup holder—handy! Also quite handy is the included repair kit for dealing with punctures.
This well-made float measures 74 inches by 39 inches when inflated and can hold 220 pounds.
Best Double Float
Aqua Premium Convertible Pool Lounger
The Aqua Premium Convertible Pool Lounger’s stylish colors and removable 4-position backrest make it a great all-around option for two people. There’s also a removable canopy—a major plus, we think, for staying out of the sun’s glare when desired.
When inflated, the float measures 74 by 38 inches; using the removable footrest extends the length to 90 inches. It can hold up to 250 pounds.
Best Food Float
Intex Pizza Slice Inflatable Mat
Nothing says pool party quite like pizza! Float around on your own slice solo or use the attached tethers to join slices with a friend! This novelty pool float is made with 12-gauge vinyl and is not the most durable option in this roundup—but it’s certainly the most unique.
The float measures 69 inches by 57 inches and the maximum weight is 220 pounds.
Best Animal Float
GoFloats Giant Inflatable Pool Floats
This oversized pink flamingo float can be the life (or wildlife) of your next pool parties. Made from premium raft-grade vinyl, it should hold up to play and bumps against rough surfaces. The float has a rapid valve system for quick inflation (you can even use a hair dryer in a pinch), and deflation is a inch. The float also comes with a handy storage bag for easy transport.
The extra-large surface can hold 400 pounds and the float measures 114 inches by 55 inches by 47 inches when fully inflated.
Best Party Float
Bestway CoolerZ Rapid Rider Quad Inflatable Raft
The Bestway CoolerZ Rapid Rider Quad Inflatable Raft comfortably fits up to four adults or a mix of adults and kids in the pool, on the lake, or in the river. Two coolers and four drink holders add convenience for floaters, and backrests add comfort. Each seat has a mesh bottom to keep you cool in the water and you can dip your toes in via the open center section. The float is constructed with puncture-resistant Fortech vinyl and the built-in grommets with rope make it easy to tether to other rafts or a dock. It’s also equipped with its own repair patch.
Bestway’s float mesures 101 inches by 101 inches.
Best Baby Float
Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Float
The Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Baby Swim Float keeps a baby in the ideal swimming posture, allowing little ones to learn kicking from a horizontal swim position. The raised front prevents capsizing and the soft bottom support has a safety belt to keep your little one secured in place. A removable canopy provides shade from the sun. The float is easily inflated and deflated, and its PVA material is nontoxic.
The float comes in blue or yellow and is available in three different sizes: small (11 to 24 pounds), large (13 to 38 pounds), and extra large (28 to 48 pounds).
Best Dog Float
Milliard Dog Pool Float
Let your pet get in on the fun! This ride-on puppy float, designed to look like a paw, is crafted from heavy-duty UV- and puncture-resistant vinyl. The vinyl won’t stain, fade, or mildew and the float is sturdy enough to hold up to 110 pounds of furriness. If your four-legged friend prefers to nap under a tree, just flip the float over and take advantage of its five extra-large cup holders.
The Millard measures 50 inches long by 40 inches wide.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Pool Floats
The two most basic features of a pool float are its size and purpose. But when shopping for the best pool float for your water adventures, it’s a good idea to consider the following features:
Size
Pool floats come in different shapes and sizes―from rectangular lounges to circular tubes to novelty designs. Size is an important factor when shopping for adult- and kid-sized floats. It’s also a good idea to consider a float’s size in light of your pool’s size, so as not to crowd guests who prefer swimming without a float.
Weight
Always check the product insert from the float’s manufacturer for weight information. Each float has a weight limit and it’s recommended to stay under the weight limit for safety. It’s also good to know how much a float weighs when deflated for transport considerations if you plan to use your float at different locations.
Material
Most pool floats are made with foam, mesh, or inflatable vinyl. Inflatable floats are the most common and are made from basic or raft-grade vinyl―higher quality vinyl offers resistance to tears, as well as damage from regular wear and tear. Some inflatable floats have a fabric covering for those with an aversion to vinyl. Other floats have sections of mesh so you can float partially submerged in the water to keep cool. Foam and mesh floats do not require inflation.
Purpose
When the sun is too hot for hanging out on your deck’s lounge chairs, pool floats offer a refreshing solution. Choose buoyancy while partially submerged in the water or lounge on the water’s surface and enjoy a variety of activities. There are floats for reading, exercising, holding food and beverages while entertaining, tanning, kid activities, or to help smaller children enjoy the water.
Features
Pool floats are available with plenty of included or optional features: coolers, cup holders, armrests, backrests, and mesh areas for allowing water in. Some have motors and even sails. Others come with handles for carrying or tethering, if you’ll be using your float on the lake. A double-valve design is a nice feature to have so that air doesn’t escape the float before replacing the valve’s plug. Certain valve types also facilitate quick inflation and deflation.
Repair and Maintenance
There’s not much worse than getting ready for a little rest and relaxation in the pool, only to discover that your new pool float has gone flat. With the right maintenance, you can protect and extend the life of your rafts and rings. Periodically clean your floats with soap or vinegar solutions. Also, when you’re not using your floats, it’s best to deflate, rinse, and store them in a dry area.
However, if your float does spring a leak, you have options. Many vinyl inflatable floats come with repair kits that include patches for those unexpected tears, but there are also some temporary DIY methods for patching holes as well, such as covering the hole with duct tape.
Many floats come with a pump, but if not, you’ll need an air pump or hair dryer to reinflate as the air seeps out from use.
Tips for Using Pool Floats
Leisurely water activities with pool floats can be fun for the entire family. Here are a few tips to keep your family safe and your floats in tip-top shape.
- Strict adherence to safety guidelines can help avoid accidents. Never jump onto or off of pool floats to avoid impacts on hard surfaces that could cause head and other bodily injuries. A pool float is not a substitute for a life vest or another safety flotation device.
- Store your floats properly during the winter season: deflate, clean, and dry completely prior to storage in a dry area.
- Always keep an air pump and repair kit handy for any unexpected tears or leaks.
FAQs About Your New Pool Floats
Caring for your pool floats can help maximize the floats’ longevity and your enjoyment. Here are a few answers to some of the most common questions about float maintenance.
Q. Is it okay to leave floats in the pool and sun?
It’s best to not leave your pool float in the sun when not in use. The sun’s UV rays can fade your float’s color and cause the float’s materials to break down, increasing the likelihood of tears and punctures.
Q. What is the best way to store pool floats?
It’s recommended to deflate, rinse, and then store the floats in a dry area to prevent mildewing. If you’ll be storing your floats for the winter season, follow the same steps, plus scrub the floats with a cleaning solution prior to rinsing.
Q. How do you clean pool floats?
Clean your pool floats naturally with either a soap or vinegar solution. However, if they appear to have mold or mildew, you should use a bleach mixture.
Q. How do you fix a ripped pool float?
The first step in repairing a ripped float is to identify the location of the tear. If it’s not easily identifiable, you might need to submerge the float under water and look for bubbles coming from the tear. Then you can use a repair kit to apply a patch, or if you’re looking for a temporary solution, duct tape will work.