Warm weather means saying hello to sunblock, trendy bathing suits, buying an above-ground pool, and adding your favorite pool floats and toys to the mix. Yeah, there’s a lot to do.
These days, you can’t go on social media from Memorial Day to Labor Day without spotting at least a handful of your friends posing with a decorative pool float.
“I love incorporating stylish yet playful elements,” said New York-based designer Emily Smith at Protea Interior Design. She highly suggests adding them as finishing touches for her clients when designing their outdoor pool areas. “A pool float brings a pop of color and fun to the space. You can go for inflatables shaped as unexpected everyday objects like popsicles, strawberries, and flamingos or more traditional floats like luxury loungers and classic tube pool rings.”
RELATED: The best inflatable hot tubs, according to experts
So, if you haven’t yet gotten your chance to snag an iconic pool float (whether it’s a unicorn, a pizza slice day bed, or even a colorful jet ski), summer 2024 is definitely your moment to elevate your pool space.
- Best Overall: FUNBOY
- Best Budget: Walmart
- Best for Quick Delivery: Amazon
- Best for Infants: Maisonette
- Best for Adults: Pottery Barn
Ahead, find more than a dozen different places you can get your hands on the best pool floats on the market. There are options for adults, teens, kids, and babies at a variety of different price points — to make sure everyone has fun in the sun this upcoming season.
Retailers include INTEX, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Pottery Barn, and more.
Best Overall: FUNBOY
Pros:
- Creative designs
- Very stylish
- Good support
Cons:
- None to speak of
FUNBOY is one of the most popular modern-day pool float companies online that sells dozens of creative options. From their Barbie pink-themed convertible float to an inflatable rainbow cloud float, there’s bound to be something on their website you’ll love.
Best for Families: Nordstrom
Pros:
- Great options for the entire family
- A large selection
Cons:
- Can take a while to blow up
While you probably come here for clothing and accessories, don’t sleep on Nordstrom’s selection of pool floats. There are surprisingly a full range of funky and fun floats to peruse, including a shark head (pictured above), a large cassette tape, giant balloon dog, and more.
Best for Adults: Pottery Barn
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Stylish
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Can be a little bulky
Pottery Barn sells a wide variety of quality options, including these soft fabric loungers or a poolside chaise to float about or to keep on dry land. Plus, for a limited time, you can snag this Lily Pulitzer pool lounger for chic Palm Beach vibes.
Best for Function: Frontgate
Pros:
- More traditional options
- Lots of support
Cons:
- Very basic inventory
If you’re willing to spend a little more money, Frontgate has tons of awesome pool floats that you’ll love this summer and beyond. These large noodles, for instance, come in many different colors and patterns and are easy to store.
Best Budget: Walmart
Pros:
- Great for hot days
- Excellent price point
Cons:
- Hard to inflate
Walmart, of course, has a lot of good pool floats that won’t break the bank. From floating hammocks to sea turtle floats, they’ve got you covered.
Best Splurge: Wayfair
Pros:
- Great for activities
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not designed for lounging
Wayfair pool float selection includes this awesome floating Beer Pong table, chair floats, and noodles, too.
Best for Quick Delivery: Amazon
Pros:
- Very versatile
- Best for quick deliveries and last-minute purchases
Cons:
- None to speak of
Amazon is an ideal place to snag a float if you’re on a time crunch since Amazon Prime Shipping will get your package to you in just two days. A lot of Amazon shoppers are good at leaving reviews as well, so you can be sure to get the best possible option. This float, in particular, has more than 12,000 raving reviews.
Best for Kids: Urban Outfitters
Pros:
- Most original
- Fun and stylish
Cons:
- Not great for relaxing
Urban Outfitters is the place to go for all the quirky, funny, and unique pool floats. From giant hot dogs to a ridiculous swan-floaty thing, you’re certain to get a few laughs with these.
Best Accessory Floats: Bed Bath & Beyond
Pros:
- Great accessories for storing food and drink
- Comfortable floating options
Cons:
- Not a ton of options to choose from
Snag an unsinkable foam cushion pool float or a floating accessory tray for some time in the sun with your favorite drinks and pool food.
Best for Lounging: Target
Pros:
- Great for relaxing and reading
- Great kid options
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- None to speak of
Get your hands on hundreds of different pool float options from Target, like this $10 poolside lounger, or this cheetah pool float for the kids.
Best for Adventures: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Pros:
- Perfect for rough sports and water activities
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- More focused on sporting goods and less on poolside fun
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect tubing float, Dick’s Sporting Goods will not only get you the best of the best for the boat but for the pool as well, especially if you like to stay dry while socializing in the pool.
Best for Infants: Maisonette
Pros:
- The best-curated pool floats on the market
- Great for adorable and original ideas
Cons:
- Focused on kids and less adult
Maisonette came to play with its selection of pool floats. No, but actually! You’ll find a mix of playful options, from a popsicle pool float with a matching doll bathing suit to a retro Gameboy controller float.
Best for Chilling: SUNNYLiFE
Pros:
- Pretty options
- Moderately priced
Cons:
- Not great for reading and floating
Whether you’re looking for kids’ styles or adult-sized pool floats, SUNNYLiFE will have you floating in style with the most Instagrammable shapes, including mesh hammocks, a luxe white tube bed, and even a giant ice cream float.
Best for Dogs: INTEX
Pros:
- Durable sea-worthy options for floating
- Great for staying dry
Cons:
- Not a lot of inventory
Add this luxurious floating mattress to your dreams of lounging on a waterbed, whether you’re gently drifting on the sea or enjoying a Mai Tai by your pool. Dive into ultimate relaxation and let the waves rock you into a blissful slumber.
Best Group Floats: Bote
Invite all your friends or bring the entire family to hop aboard in this inflatable floating water hammock that can hold up to eight people, or check out these great outdoor dock floats for neighborhood hangs.
Best Low-Price Overall: Costco
Pros:
- Good for purchasing in bulk
- Great budget buy
Cons:
- None to speak of
Costco has mastered the art of making everything affordable and easy to purchase in bulk, so this is a great option for families and pool parties.
Best for Reading: Big Joe Captain’s Pool Float Lounge Chair
Pros:
- Great for reading
- Easy to stay dry
- Very comfortable
Cons:
- A little bulky
Looking to kick back and read a book? Big Joe has everything you need to stay dry, from a giant floating chair to a large chaise to catch some rays.
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