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Up your vacation game with these fun inflatables. Inflatable Guest Bed
Whether you have a pool at home or you’re dreaming about the one at your favorite vacation spot, a pool float is a surefire way to maximize your fun in the water this summer. There are many different styles to choose from: inflatable loungers designed to keep you clear of the water for the perfect tan. Ride-on floats built for jumping competitions and towing the kids around. Hammocks that keep you floating coolly below the surface. Novelty inner tubes in the shape of brightly colored animals, perfect for selfies and photoshoots.
Whatever your style, we’ve researched some of the best options in every category with a particular focus on durability, design, and value. These are the pool floats you can find us napping in this summer.
Made from crystal clear plastic, this heavy-duty, extra durable float adds a touch of Insta-worthy cool to your pool setup.
You’ll need to purchase a pump separately.
If you’re looking for a pool float that will look great in your vacation photos, check out Funboy — the inflatables brand with a reputation for products that are as on-trend as they are long lasting. We especially love the Super Clear Chaise Lounger, an adult-sized option made of crystal clear plastic for a fun and totally unique look. Get the angle right, and you’ll look like you’re floating on top of the water in your pool snaps; alternatively, if you use the float in the sea or lake, you’ll be able to see right through to the aquatic life below.
Prefer bright colors? No problem, the float also comes in translucent shades ranging from pink to blue or even rainbow. It’s as comfortable as it is good looking, with an ergonomic lounger shape that cradles your back and supports your legs. At 70 inches in length, it accommodates most heights and is wide enough for up to two adults depending on size and weight. It also keeps you fully out of the water, making it an ideal choice for tanning or staying dry while reading or listening to music.
Other features include a reinforced cup holder to keep your drink from spilling and a tether point in case you want to secure it to a boat rail or dock. A dual valve makes for easy inflation and deflation in under two minutes, and the thick plastic and quality build should last several summers.
The Details: 70 x 44 inches | 10 pounds | Plastic
It’s made of thick vinyl and should last a lot longer than your average inner tube float.
It's a bit heavy to cart to the beach.
The Intex River Run 1 Inflatable Floating Tube is worth the extra expense for its heavy-duty construction. Although primarily designed for floating down rivers and at the lake, the puncture-resistant 18-gauge vinyl is also ideal for lasting summer after summer at the pool — no matter how many times it gets jumped on. The material doesn’t get too hot in the sun and if a leak does occur, your purchase includes a repair patch.
The float is also much more comfortable than a standard tube due to its built-in backrest. Hours of floating, cool beverage in hand? Yes, please. You can even store drinks in one of two integrated cup holders. A mesh bottom keeps you cool and eliminates the discomfort of sweaty skin sticking to plastic, while other features include two handles, an all-round grab rope, and two connectors for linking the tube up to other Intex floats and coolers.
The Details: 53 x 53 inches | 5.8 pounds | 220-pound capacity | Vinyl
This versatile float is super easy to inflate, deflate, and pack.
It’s designed for in-water use only — you won’t be lounging on it poolside.
Unlike lounger-style floats that are meant to keep you out of the water, the Aqua Leisure Monterey Hammock Float uses a length of supportive mesh in between inflatable head and leg rests to keep you floating comfortably just below the surface. This is ideal for keeping cool on super hot days, and also much easier to get onto than others. Despite its simple, lightweight design, the hammock is capable of supporting up to 250 pounds.
Don’t feel like lying flat? The stripy float can also be used as a drifter, lounge chair, or exercise saddle. We love that because it sits in the water and not on top of it, you can leave it in the pool over lunch without it blowing away. It’s one of the most packable options on this list, too, folding completely flat and weighing just over 14 ounces for convenient air travel. You won’t need to save suitcase space for a pump, either, because it can be inflated orally with minimal effort.
The Details: 44 x 27 inches | 14.4 ounces | 250-pound capacity | PVC, mesh
It’s big enough to make a statement with a gorgeous pearlescent finish that looks great in photos.
The manufacturer’s instructions say to avoid jumping onto the float for maximum longevity.
The Jasonwell Giant Inflatable Flamingo Pool Float may not be up to serious roughhousing, but if you’re looking for a grownup ride-on for tanning or adding flair to your vacation photos, it’s perfect. There are lots of flamingo floats out there, but this one stands out for its metallic rose gold color and pearlescent matte finish. Made from thick, raft-grade plastic, it’s big, bold, and beautiful with a weight capacity of over 200 pounds.
Getting onto the float can be a fairly hilarious process, although handles strategically placed on the flamingo’s neck make it possible to do so without damaging it. A wide recessed seat and wings that double as side bumpers help you to stay on board once you’re up. The float features dual valves compatible with an electric pump, manual pump, or a hair dryer on the cool setting. When you’re done, the valves open fully to deflate the flamingo in a matter of seconds.
The Details: 61 x 61 inches | 3.4 pounds | 200-pound capacity | Plastic
A detachable, adjustable shade gives you complete control over the amount of sun you get.
A slightly deeper seat may make this float difficult to board.
Available in blue or pink with a stylish tropical fern print, the Coolcooldee Pool Chair Float solves the age-old problem of having to limit how much time you spend in the pool due to sun exposure. Its newly upgraded canopy features a larger shade area and double fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection, keeping harmful rays off your face and torso. When you want some sun, you can fold the canopy back or remove it completely.
The float itself is a simple tube with a built-in seat and backrest so you can sit comfortably for hours at a time. An opening at the back of the seat allows water to flow through, which is great for keeping cool but something to bear in mind if you prefer to stay dry on your pool float. It can support up to 300 pounds and includes a handy cup holder. Those that feel brave enough to take their tech on the water will also find a purpose-built phone holder.
The Details: 43 x 40 inches | 300-pound capacity | PVC
This large-capacity, extra durable float will be the centerpiece of any celebration.
The white sections can be prone to staining.
If you love an animal-themed pool float (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love the choices offered by GoFloats. They include everything from realistic elephants, swans, and sausage dogs to fantasy creatures such as unicorns and dragons. We particularly love the American Eagle design, which passes the patriotic vibe check with flying colors for your July Fourth pool party or lake trip. It’s meant for teens and adults and has an impressive 500-pound capacity.
The tube design lacks a seat of any kind, which means you must drape yourself across the float if you wish to sit. Alternatively you can float vertically by propping your arms on the circle’s inner edge. The float is made from UV-treated, raft-grade vinyl with taped seams for added durability and puncture resistance. And although it’s best to use a pump to inflate it, it is possible to do so using a hair dryer or even orally in a pinch. The valve also opens fully for near-instant deflation.
The Details: 45 x 45 x 36 inches | 2.9 pounds | 500-pound capacity | Vinyl
This is a huge, two-person float with loads of cool features and an aesthetic custom-made for the princess-at-heart.
It’s too heavy for practical air travel.
If you’re a fan of Sixties chic, you’ll love the Retro Pink Convertible Float from Funboy. This patented, limited edition design draws inspiration from the golden age of convertibles — we’re talking sleek and stylish, with tail fins and a lightning stripe down the side. The baby pink color is massively on-trend, helping you to channel your inner Barbie; and you can use it both on the water and as a queen-size, poolside daybed.
It’s meant to fit two adults comfortably for fun days basking side-by-side in the sunshine. An inflatable head rest and side bumpers ensure your comfort, while a huge cooler section in the front provides the ideal storage space for ice, drinks, snacks, and speakers. Once you’ve poured your beverages, keep them in the dual cup holders. Despite its huge size, the float inflates in under two minutes with an electric pump or hair dryer on cold.
The Details: 105 x 59 inches | 12.2 pounds | Plastic
Mesh-covered holes allow a flow of cooling water while keeping your body above the surface.
You’ll need a pump with the appropriate adaptor for efficient inflation.
Love the idea of a pool float but hate the feel of PVC sticking to your sunscreen-slathered skin? This Oversized Pool Float from FindUWill offers a solution. Its durable vinyl core is covered with a stretchy green or blue monstera-print fabric that’s soft to the touch and amazingly comfortable. Mesh panels cover strategic holes in the bottom of the float, allowing a thin layer of water to seep through and prevent you from getting too warm.
Designed like a daybed complete with a built-in headrest, the float is contoured so you can stretch out comfortably on your back or stomach. And despite the flow of cooling water, no part of your body is submerged resulting in an even, all-over tan. The float can support up to 350 pounds of weight and features two rapid inflation valves.
The Details: 72 x 37 inches | 4.9 pounds | 350-pound capacity | Vinyl
This float folds compactly into a carry bag with a convenient over-the-shoulder strap.
It won’t keep you out of the water.
If you’re staying somewhere with a communal pool and need a float that can be carried back and forth, check out the Spring Float Papasan Pool Lounger from SwimWays. Unlike most floats, which pack down into a fairly bulky box, this one folds into three flat circles which can be zippered into a compact and easily portable carry bag. Best of all, a comfortable shoulder strap keeps your hands free for coolers, towels, and other pool day essentials.
When unfolded, the float is essentially a circular mesh hammock with inflatable edges that keep you floating just below the water level in a laid-back sitting position. It’s simple, cool, hard-wearing, and (thanks to the spring sewn around the outside edge), surprisingly stable. Available in various shades of blue, the float supports up to 250 pounds and inflates orally — meaning you have even less to pack.
The Details: 36 x 35.5 inches | 1.3 pounds | 250 pounds | Plastic, mesh
It’s big enough to sit two comfortably.
It's best used in calm waters like pools.
The SportsStuff Noodler 2-person Floating Lounge Chair is ideal for couples or friends who want to relax in the water together. The S-shaped inflatable tube is made from heavy-gauge, durable PVC with a nylon mesh seat set into each curve. This configuration allows two people to sit facing each other for comfortable conversation. The inflatable section doubles as a back and armrest, while an air-cushioned strip along the front of the mesh prevents leg chafe.
The hammock style means you’ll be submerged from the waist down, keeping you at just the right temperature. There’s a molded cup holder for each person, too. The Noodler can support up to 400 pounds and has speed valves for fast inflation and deflation. If you leave your pump at home, no problem — despite its large size, the tubes require surprisingly little air and are easy enough to inflate orally. It’s also relatively lightweight and packable.
The Details: 60 x 36 inches | 3.7 pounds | 400-pound capacity | PVC, nylon
This floating cabana gives four people the ultimate VIP experience.
It’s huge so you’ll need a pretty big pool to float it in.
Live your best celebrity life in the Funboy Giant Cabana Dayclub. Recently redesigned with thicker materials and stronger seams, it’s a floating palace with transparent walls on two sides and a removable mesh shade that allows you to control your exposure to the sun. It’s built for four adults, with four recessed seats (each with a comfortable backrest) and four molded cup holders. Each pair of seats shares a mesh foot bath to help ward off the heat.
We love the water entry pad, which makes it easier to haul yourself in gracefully and prevents everyone inside from getting splashed. Fill the central storage well with ice, drinks, and snacks; or keep it dry and use it to mount your speaker. Available in white or pale blue, the cabana features side grab ropes, eight handles, and a rope for tethering it to something solid in open water. A mesh carry bag helps with storage and transportation.
The Details: Approximately 10 x 7 feet | Plastic
Rainbow-colored lights that turn on automatically after dark make this one of the coolest floats on the market.
Since the lights are solar-powered, it must be left outside in the sunshine to charge fully.
If you’re a fan of nighttime swim sessions, you’ll love this inflatable pool float from DeeprBlu. The sturdy PVC inner tube appears white with a cute marine life pattern during the day. But come darkness, four color-changing, solar-powered LED lights turn on automatically to illuminate it from within. Even when you’re not floating on it, it adds atmospheric mood lighting to your alfresco poolside dinner or drinks party.
Lights aside, this is a durable, comfortable inner tube-style float with a reinforced backrest and a cooling mesh seat. It’s designed for sitting partially immersed — ideal for hot summer days and balmy evenings. Other features include a pair of grab handles for easy transportation and two cup holders. The float can support up to 300 pounds and has one-way valves for efficient inflation and deflation with a pump.
The Details: 47 x 47 inches | 3.1 pounds | 300-pound capacity | PVC
The orca design is both bigger and more lifelike than it looks in pictures.
A maximum weight limit of just under 90 pounds makes it unsuitable for older kids.
Even generations that didn’t grow up with the Free Willy movies will love the Intex Orca Whale Pool Float. At approximately six feet in length and with an updated, extra lifelike design, it’s the ultimate floating friend for kids aged three and older. The ride-on style is meant for boisterous play and plenty of jumping on and off competitions; however, since your kids will definitely end up in the water it’s crucial that there’s always an adult watching.
Two heavy-duty handles provide some stability for those that prefer to stay on board, while double air chambers prevent the whale from deflating completely even in the unlikely event of a puncture. If a leak does occur, use the included repair kit to patch it up and get back on the water. Top tip: unless your kids are super patient, you’ll want a decent electric pump to get the float filled up in record time.
The Details: 76 x 47 inches | 88-pound capacity | Plastic
The familiarity of this float’s fun design makes those first pool experiences less intimidating.
Although the canopy provides a decent amount of shade, toddlers should still wear sunscreen.
Recommended for ages one to three, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Inflatable Pool Float is based on the classic toy car that many toddlers will already have encountered. Its familiar design, bright colors, and friendly “face” all help to put little ones at ease and dispel any initial wariness of the water. The car features a sturdy seat with leg holes that allow your child to sit securely. This increases stability while also keeping their lower half cool.
The canopy provides shade from the sun, meaning parents can let their toddlers stay longer in the pool. It also provides natural grab points for keeping the float close. Above all, your little one’s favorite feature will probably be the moving steering wheel, and the horn that actually beeps. Sorry Mom and Dad — you’ll have to wait a while longer for peaceful days by the pool!
The Details: 32 x 22 x 23 inches | 1 pound | Vinyl
Available in a range of sparkly metallic colors, this floating cooler is a party showstopper.
With both medium-sized holders on the same side, extra care is required to distribute weight evenly.
Pool floats aren’t just for people. Floating coolers are the ultimate accessory for your summer pool party, enabling guests to fill up on canapés and snacks without leaving the water. This one from Poza is especially party-ready, coming in a range of colors including silver, gold, rose gold, and purple. All of them are filled with sparkling confetti and look great floating on the surface of your pool or hot tub.
The cooler boasts two handles for carrying it tray-style to the pool. Eight holders of varying sizes provide space for a range of chips, dips, fruit platters, and more with room for your drinks and possibly even a speaker as well. The cooler is stable, floats well even when fully loaded, and is made from UV- and tear-resistant PVC. If you do get an unexpected puncture, your purchase includes a handy repair patch.
The Details: 39 x 23 x 7 inches | 1.4 pounds | PVC
It’s beautifully made, with a retro chic aesthetic that will upgrade any pool party.
Be sure not to splash or rough-house near this float, otherwise it may tip over.
Described by Funboy as the “outdoor entertainer’s dream,” the Floating Cabana Bar is certainly one of the best-looking drink floats on the market. It combines a stable, inflatable base with a fringed, cabana-style fabric shade in classic pink, pale blue, yellow, or navy stripes. This attention-grabbing design not only looks good but also keeps the sun off your ice and drinks so they stay cold for as long as possible.
Essentially a floating bar, the inflatable is almost six feet long and three feet high. It includes two 12-inch circular wells, each of which holds approximately 12 cans but can also be used for ice, cocktail ingredients, and snacks. In between the two wells are four holders designed to keep your cup or bottle upright while you frolic in the water.
The Details: Approximately 6 x 3 feet | Plastic
A pool float is only fun for as long as it remains intact, which is why it’s a good idea to spend a little extra on a quality one. Look for thick PVC or heavy-gauge vinyl with reinforced seams and sturdy double valves. Hammock-style floats often last the longest simply because they have a smaller inflatable area than other styles.
Hammock floats are also one of the most portable options because they are predominantly made from lightweight, easily foldable mesh. Regardless of which style you choose, look at the float’s packed dimensions to get an idea of how much space it will take up in your suitcase or trunk, consider the weight, and prioritize options that come with a compact and reusable carry bag.
Remember that a pool float is not a lifesaving device and should only be used by competent swimmers or (in the case of children) under direct adult supervision. When purchasing a float for kids, look for one with multiple chambers. This prevents the float from collapsing completely in the event of a puncture, giving you time to get everyone to the side. Handles are great for getting on and off safely, while any float that you plan on using in open water should come with a tether for securing it to a stationary object such as a dock or anchored boat. Other, non-safety-related features to look out for range from cup holders to LED lights.
Before deciding on a style, think about how you want to use your pool float. Do you want a lounger that will keep you completely out of the water for tanning, reading, or listening to music? Or do you prefer the idea of being partially or fully submerged so you can benefit from the coolness of the water? If so, a hammock or inner tube will suit you better. Ride-ons and tubes are great for family fun, while hammocks and loungers are best for relaxation. You should also consider the number of people who will be using the float simultaneously. While the majority are made for one, some are especially designed for two or more with a load capacity to match.
A quality pool float should get you through at least one full summer season. If taken care of properly, it can easily last several years. Remember, a puncture doesn’t mean that the pool float has to be thrown away. Most can be quickly and easily remedied with a puncture repair kit and many come with an included patch or two.
It’s not recommended to leave floats in the pool for an extended period of time. That’s because prolonged exposure to pool chemicals, heat, and the sun’s UV rays causes plastics to break down, fade, and potentially crack. Floats that are left in the pool overnight will be exposed to significant changes in temperature, causing the air inside to contract (as temperatures drop) and expand (as it warms up again the next day.) This puts pressure on the plastic and makes it more susceptible to damage. Instead, remove the floats from the pool at the end of the day, rinse them with fresh water, and store them in a shaded spot away from any sharp edges.
At the end of the season, pool floats should be cleaned thoroughly while still inflated. Use fresh water and either a mild detergent or a baking powder solution to remove chemicals and any stains sustained over the summer. Then, let them air dry completely in a shaded spot away from direct sunlight. Once completely dry, the float can be gently deflated. Consider applying a layer of talcum powder to prevent plastics from sticking to each other in storage, then lay the float flat and roll it rather than folding it. Floats can then be kept in an airtight container (to prevent exposure to moisture and temperature changes) in a cool, dry place until you need them again.
Jessica Macdonald has been writing about outdoor lifestyle and travel gear for more than 10 years and has had the opportunity to test many different pool floats while on vacation in Spain, Greece, Indonesia, and more. For this article, she used her real experience and researched products online and compared price, features, and user reviews before choosing her category winners.
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