The 14 Best Pool Floats

Best Overall

Skbanru Pool Float

$20 at Amazon

For ultimate poolside relaxation, this pool float from Skbanru takes our top spot because of its comfort, design, and style. Its angled headrest and footrest make it ideal for lounging, while the mesh center keeps you in the water so you can stay cool. It’s made from thick and sturdy PVC that’s buoyant and has a high-temperature resistance.

It’s definitely an upgrade from your standard pool float, with a cupholder on the side so you can sip on your beverage while you bask in the sun. We also like that the pool float is quite spacious at 67 x 35 inches, accommodating one to two people comfortably. Plus, it has two valves so you can easily inflate and deflate your pool float when needed. 

^{Dimensions: 67 x 35 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Recommended Age: Teenagers and adults}

Best Budget

Sun Squad Inflatable Glitter Swim Tube

$5 at Target

If you don’t need anything fancy—just something you can perch in or prop yourself up on—this $5 no-frill pool float from Sun Squad will do the trick. It’s 36 inches in diameter, making it a great pick for smaller pools. Because of its compact size, the tubes are easy to inflate and deflate, too, making them ideal for a day trip to the town pool or even the lake or the beach.

The glitter design will make it a fan favorite amongst kids, and it’s suitable for those ages six and up. However, it’s large enough to fit many adults as well, with a weight capacity of 176 pounds. It’s available in four fun colors, including silver, red, teal, and pink. 

^{Dimensions: 36 x 36 inches | Weight Capacity: 176 pounds | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Best for Adults

SwimWays Spring Float Premium Recliner with Canopy

$50 $40 at Amazon

Designed with relaxation in mind, adults will love this shaded recliner pool float from SwimWays. It has a cupholder and canopy, offering everything you need for the perfect pool day. It also has a built-in backrest and mesh middle to keep you comfortable as you lounge. 

The sit-up style design also makes it a great choice for pool parties and social gatherings, compared to mats that may be more suited for laying out and tanning. It supports adults up to 250 pounds and is made with a durable yet comfortable fabric. This pool float also has a portable design, making it ideal for packing up and taking with you on the go. 

^{Dimensions: 55 x 38 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Recommended Age: 15 years and up}

Best With Lights

DeeprBlu Inflatable Pool Floats Chair with Color Changing Light

$32 at Amazon

Take night swims to the next level with a light-up pool float. This one from DeeprBlu is equipped with four color-changing LED lights, making it the perfect addition to bachelorette parties, summer photoshoots, or parties that go from day to night. Plus, it comes with two cupholders, a backrest, and a mesh center, making it just as comfortable as it is decorative. 

This solar-powered pool float automatically charges during the day and lights up when the sun goes down. Because of this, it shines brightest when fully charged, which is difficult on rainy or dark days.

^{Dimensions: 47 x 47 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Recommended Age: Adults}

Best Chair

Frontgate Floating Mesh Pool Chair

$149 at Frontgate

If comfort and support are a priority, try this floating mesh pool chair by Frontgate. It’s a lot like your favorite armchair—just suspended in water. The durable mesh chair has oversized armrests, a well-cushioned back for comfort, and an attached ottoman. Because it’s filled with ultra-buoyant polystyrene beads, even larger adults will stay comfortably afloat. 

When it comes time to call it a day, the mesh fabric ensures the chair dries quickly. A handle at the top of the chair allows for easier transport and storage, too. While the bead-filled chair back and armrests make this float the bulkiest option on our list, it's still a great pick if you don't want to bother with inflating and deflating.

^{Dimensions: 40 x 38 x 15.5 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Recommended Age: Not listed}

Best for Kids

Nerf Super Soaker Hydro Battle Ride-On Cruiser

$17 at Amazon $16 at Target

This one-person pool float provides plenty of opportunities for fun. While it’s perfectly suitable for simply sitting and enjoying the water, it’s also built to provide plenty of interactivity, thanks to the built-in water squirter with a constant stream of water. With a range of 16 feet, this water squirter packs quite a bit of punch, too.

If you have more than one child, make sure to get one for each. There’s no doubt the ensuing water fights will keep them occupied for hours. Because kids can be rough on their toys—especially during outdoor or backyard play—the inflatable tube is made from durable PVC and even comes with a repair patch to keep it in tip-top shape for longer. 

^{Dimensions: 42 x 42 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

Best Pool Mat

Frontgate Resort Pool Float

$169 at Frontgate

Skip the time-consuming inflation process with this pool mat from Frontgate. This 2-inch-thick mat is crafted from the highest-quality marine-grade closed-cell foam for superior buoyancy and durability (it won’t sink even if punctured). It’s flexible, lightweight, and can support up to 350 pounds.

The float is also triple-dipped in a vinyl coating that resists cracking, fading, and peeling in both chlorinated pools and saltwater pools. As a bonus, the mat is extremely quick-drying and easy to wipe clean, too. 

^{Dimensions: ‎74 x 26 x 2 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Recommended Age: Not listed}

Best Shaded

Intex Canopy Island Float Lounge

$130 $87 at Amazon $87 at Target $89 at Home Depot

Enjoy your pool even on the sunniest days with this extra-large pool float from Intex that keeps you comfortable in the shade. The large fabric canopy blocks a lot of light, but we also appreciate that it’s removable so you can still use the pool float when tanning.

The circular pool float is big enough to fit three comfortably, making it a great pick for pool parties and lake days. It also comes with two cupholders and a grab rope around the perimeter that makes it easy to get on and off the float.

^{Dimensions: ‎78.5 x 59 inches | Weight Capacity: 440 pounds | Recommended Age: 18 years and up}

Best Lounger

Funboy Cabana Sunbed Lounger

View on Funboy.com

Lay out in style with this luxurious lounger-style pool float from Funboy. It has a curved, ergonomic shape that makes it the perfect float to lay out on. Flaunting a premium design, this pool float features a water-friendly fabric cover and braided rope handles that put it a step above the rest. 

The pool float also has a fully mesh bottom to ensure proper drainage and prevent waterlogging. We also appreciate that the fabric cover is removable via zipper so you can store the inflatable chamber separately. Although pricey, this pool float offers a much more sophisticated look compared to other options, and we especially like the yellow striped design. 

^{Dimensions: ‎62 x 32 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Recommended Age: 14 years and up}

Best for Toddlers

SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center

$32 $19 at Amazon

Safety is undoubtedly of utmost importance with toddlers and pools, and this pool float delivers both security and fun, making it the best of both worlds. The floating activity center is like your typical baby seat: It has two leg holes to hold your baby or toddler (ages 9 to 24 months old) securely in an upright sitting-like position. Additional safety features include child safety valves and an innerspring for added stability to keep the float from tipping.

In terms of comfort, the raft has a large removable canopy with mesh sides crafted from UPF 50+ fabric. And, to keep your tot occupied, the adorable octopus accessory turns 360 degrees and includes pool toys like a squeaker, rattle, stacking rings, and a soft-touch star. Despite all this, the inflatable folds relatively easily into an included carry case for storage and transport, though it can take some finessing.

^{Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 3 inches | Weight Capacity: 30 pounds | Recommended Age: 9 months and up}

Best Ride-On

Intex Gator Ride-On

$19 $17 at Amazon

This crawling gator is ready to join your float collection for hours of fun. The alligator measures 80 inches long, so there's room for multiple children or adults to ride together.

The float has four handles for safe rides around your pool (or swamp). The durable, UV-resistant material will resist heating up on sunny days. Plus, your purchase comes with a repair kit in case of rips or tears. Intex also offers a 30-day warranty. If you're not a fan of alligators, Intex also sells a similar ride-on raft in the shape of a sea turtle, whale, unicorn, stingray, dragon, and more.

^{Dimensions: 80 x 45 inches | Weight Capacity: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Best for Drinks

FUNBOY Floating Cabana Bar

$79 at Amazon View on Westmarine.com

Bring your bar not only to your backyard but into your pool as well with this float designed specifically for your drinks. This floating bar from Funboy spans nearly 6 feet long to keep all your favorite drinks and snacks at arm's reach while you're floating. The bar has four cupholders and two large circular spaces to hold snacks, ice, or cans to grab throughout the day.

The striped canopy not only looks adorable in your outdoor setup but also keeps drinks cool and shaded from the sun. When you're not floating, the inflatable bar works equally well on your deck or patio for parties, special occasions, or simple weekdays in the sun.

^{Dimensions: 72 x 36 inches | Weight Capacity: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 14 years and up}

Best for Dogs

SwimWays Dog Raft

$35 $30 at Amazon View on Spinmaster.com

Furry friends can safely enjoy the pool with this float specifically designed for dogs. The reinforced fabric is designed to be puncture-resistant to protect against paws and claws. The inner-spring design on the elevated outer edges also keeps the float secure and stable.

There are small inserts on both sides of the float to let some water seep through and cool off your pup during the summer heat. It also folds flat to fit in the included carrying case for easy transport. However, little dogs' legs can fall through, so be careful when placing them on the raft. This option is made for small dogs up to 65 pounds, but SwimWays offers a large-dog option for bigger breeds.

^{Dimensions: 48 x 27 inches | Weight Capacity: 65 pounds | Recommended Age: Not applicable}

Best for Babies

SwimSchool Aqua Swim School Grow-with-Me Pool Float

$22 at Walmart

Introduce your baby to family pool days with this float from SwimSchool. Recommended for babies 6 to 24 months old, it comes equipped with dual air chambers for added stability and an adjustable seat to keep your baby secure. While this float includes multiple safety features to keep babies safe in the water, you should always keep an eye on the little ones in the pool. 

The pool float also has a retractable UPF 50 canopy you can adjust to keep babies out of the sun. It even comes with two pool toys to keep your baby entertained while in the water. It’s compact and exceptionally easy to take on the go, so you can have fun in the water all summer long.

^{Dimensions: 36 x 36 inches | Weight Capacity: 29 pounds | Recommended Age: 6 to 24 months}