It’s officially swimming season, which means many of us are relying on floating accessories to make pool time even more fun and relaxing. The best pool floats are durable and comfortable, with useful built-in features like cushioned headrests and handy cupholders. We polled the Forbes Vetted team to find out which pool floats they’ve been loving, and we rounded up the winners below. Our top pick, the PoolCandy Splash Runner Pro 2.0, is a comfy motorized float equipped with slots for your drink and phone. While pool floats can be a fun way to level up your lounging, keep in mind that they aren’t safety devices. Always swim safely and under supervision as needed. With that said, here are the best pool floats the Forbes Vetted staff recommends.
This next-level motorized pool float lets you cruise seamlessly around the pool. “I hesitate to admit how fun this motorized float from PoolCandy can be,” says staff writer Steve John, who’s used the 2.0 version of this float. “If you’re okay with not taking yourself too seriously—and not being taken too seriously—then there’s really no better way to kick back, relax and float in abject comfort and laziness.”
In addition to its motorized functionality, it features a convenient cup holder and built-in phone holder (best for waterproof devices). Plus, it holds up to 350 pounds and comes with a 30-day warranty.
A hammock-style pool float is versatile—you can sit, lie or lean on it. “My family loves these, particularly for how easy they are to pack and take on vacation,” says supervising deals and coupons editor Kara Cuzzone. “They hold you up similar to a noodle, but the mesh hammock adds a little more support.”
The Monterey Hammock comes in an array of bright colors and size variations (you can get a wider lounger, too), as well as multi-packs so you can get some for the whole family. This float supports up to 250 pounds.
If you’re looking for a pool float to hold a crowd, this one comes highly recommended. “My preferred float has become a lily pad–style floating mat,” says senior distribution strategist Kristina Bornholtz. “My family doesn’t have a pool, but we do have a lake house, and we’ve abandoned most of our inflatable floaties in favor of a 15-foot lily pad that the whole crew can lounge on.”
Aqua Lily makes an even bigger 18-foot version of this float, too, if you really want to max out. The 15-foot version is designed to hold seven to eight adults, or 1,050 to 1,200 pounds of distributed weight.
The classic noodle has gotten an upgrade with this extra-buoyant design. “I’ve used these foam noodles at a neighbor’s pool a few times and really like them,” says assistant deals editor Jordan Thomas. “They don’t look special, but they’re much thicker, cushier and more buoyant than your classic noodle. You also don’t have to inflate them, so you can just keep a stack ready to go.”
Also, unlike foam noodles, these come with a two-year warranty. Thomas recommends storing them in the shade, though; in her experience, she’s seen these stick together when left in the hot sun.
A statement pool float adds delight to any pool day but gets bonus points when it’s comfortable. “I bought this flamingo float for my brother for his birthday a few years back, originally as a joke, and it has become an absolute family favorite every summer (my parents live on a lake),” says director of features and special projects Kim Peiffer. “Everyone loves this float. It is absolutely huge, and when we bring it out at the end of our pier, we always have boats stop and ask us where we got it. Kids also love this float.” This flamingo float has room for two people, and doesn’t list a weight capacity.
If you’re looking for a baby pool float, this one offers support and shade. “It’s the first year my 1-year-old can go in the pool, so I picked up this float,” says senior updates editor Karen Tietjen. “It’s foldable, and since only the outside rim holds air, it can be inflated by mouth super quickly. I like the security of the harness and the added canopy for extra sun protection. The float holds him up but is still close enough to splash in the water, and it’s also a nice way to give us parents a few (mostly) hands-free moments while enjoying the water.”
The float packs down flat and also comes with a handy carrying bag. The brand recommends it for babies ages 8 to 24 months, and the listed weight capacity is 22 pounds.
How We Chose The Best Pool Floats
We evaluated firsthand experience, product materials and general consumer feedback before settling on a list of pool float recommendations.
- We polled our team of Forbes Vetted editors for their firsthand recommendations of pool floats that deliver comfort, durability and useful features.
- We made sure to include a variety of pool floats to suit a range of user needs, from cushioned floats to hammocks and noodles.
- We evaluated consumer reviews, taking note of any commonly reported problems and prioritizing picks that have an average rating of four-stars or higher.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Pool Float
When it comes to choosing a pool float, you’ll want to keep a few factors in mind for peak comfort and durability.
Size And Weight Capacity
Make sure to check out the dimensions and weight limits of a pool float—especially if you want to share a seat with friends, partners or family. Most floats indicate how many people or how much weight they can hold. It’s a good idea to look at other manufacturer guidelines, as well, to make sure you’ll get the most life out of your float.
Portability
Some floats are easier to carry than others: They can be big, bulky and even heavy, or they can deflate and pack down to fit easily in a tote bag. If you’re transporting pool floats to and from a local pool, for example, you’ll want to consider portability before purchasing.
Inflation Needs
What typically makes one of these pool devices float is air. You may need to blow up an inflatable float, and depending on its size, a device like a pump may come in handy.
You can buy an electric pump, similar to one you’d use to inflate an air mattress. Alternatively, you can use a hand pump like you would with a sports ball, a bicycle pump or an electric pump specifically intended for pool floats. Always read a pool float’s instructions for how to best inflate it.
How To Store Pool Floats
Pool floats are designed to get wet, but it’s important to properly dry and store them to prevent their materials from breaking down over the years. That way, they’ll be ready to go next swimming season. Here are some tips to keep in mind about how to store pool floats.
Clean And Dry Your Floats
Before putting away a wet item like a pool float, it’s key to clean and dry it well so it doesn’t harbor mold or mildew. Floatie Kings, a brand that makes custom pool floats, recommends spraying floats down with dish soap and a garden hose, then letting them dry completely before packing them up.
Leslie’s Pool Supplies offers some additional suggestions using vinegar and water or baking soda and water solutions. You can also towel off floats to dry them.
Don’t Let Them Bake In The Sun
Sun exposure can cause materials to fade, crack or even stick together. While you can let your floats dry out for a short window, try to store them for longer periods of time in shaded or covered areas. Leslie’s Pool Supplies advises that keeping pool floats shaded will help keep them from cracking or degrading.
Fold, Pack And Store
When it comes to storage, deflate and neatly pack any inflatables. You can consider packing them in either open-weave mesh or plastic crates, or sealed bins. Storing inflatables on a rack or shelf, if available, is also an option. Whichever you choose, make sure your floats are dry before putting them away for the season.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The home team at Forbes Vetted is constantly researching and testing top products for the outdoors, helping our readers navigate the product category to elevate their yards.
- Anna Perling is the author of this article and the senior reviews editor at Forbes Vetted. She has been contributing to product-focused service journalism for the past decade, covering a range of topics from office chairs to robot vacuums.
- Home and kitchen editor Monica Petrucci recently updated this story with refreshed information and product recommendations. She has covered several outdoor topics at Forbes Vetted, including pressure washers and outdoor solar lights.
- We regularly update our content, checking for accuracy and verifying our recommendations. This piece was last updated in July 2026.
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