The Best Pool Floats for Tanning in 2022

It’s finally summertime, and you can’t wait to get that sun-kissed skin. You’ve decided to use your pool as your tanning spot, but there’s a tiny problem. You don’t have a pool float! From your previous experiences, getting to choose these types of products could be pretty frustrating.

Your pool float should be your gateway to unlimited fun during the summer and not a constant source of problems. Do you want a pool float that can last you for summers to come? Do you want one where you won’t topple over all the time? Or do you want a pool float just perfect for your kids? We’ll cover all your preferences here.

What are the Best Pool Floats for Tanning?

When tanning, you do not want a pool float that puts you in discomfort. In most cases, you might be spending a while in the sun; hence you want to be as comfortable as a pool float can afford. 

If you want the full option pool float, we’ll recommend the Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Inflatable Pool Float. It provides optimum comfort and ample space to enjoy your time in the sun fully.

If you’re on a tight budget, the Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float offers you the best value for your money. With the various options of use, you’ll definitely enjoy using this one.

If all you want is just a simple float that can accommodate a full-grown-sized adult, then the TRC Recreation Sunsation 70 Inch Full-Size Foam Raft Lounger is your best bet. If you’re a fan of having your pool float shaped in different ways, the Intex Watermelon Inflatable Island and the Swimline Beer Mug Pool Float are perfect examples.

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Inflatable Pool Float
   Offering you a soft mesh fabric accompanied by a small caddy that can carry your beverages, this pool float screams luxury. Definitely worth its price.

2. Best Pool Hammock: Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float 
   You can use this 4-in-1 pool float as a pool float, hammock, lounge chair, or saddle. Comparing its multipurpose functions to its price, it is a massive steal.

3. Best Portable Float: Swimline Pool Float
   If you want a float that won’t burden you with movement constraints, then this is it. Weighing just 4 pounds, it is the lightest on this list.

4. Best for Adults: TRC Recreation Sunsation 70 Inch Full-Size Foam
   Offering you 70 inches of float space accompanied by an inbuilt pillow, this float is perfectly suited for adults irrespective of their size. 

5. Best Circular Float: Intex Watermelon Inflatable Island
   You do not want a pool float in the regular rectangular shape? This float is the perfect choice for you. Despite its circular shape, it provides ample space for a full-grown adult.

Top 5 Best Pool Floats for Tanning

Still finding it hard to decide with the summary above? No need to worry. This detailed review will help you make up your mind.

1. Best Overall: Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Inflatable Pool Float

When it comes to comfort in a pool float, it does get any better than this pool float from Aqua Campania. It offers you premium comfort while trying to get that beautiful sun-kissed skin. Below are some of its features that made it our favorite:

• Adjustable Backrest

Most pool floats come in a horizontal shape where you have no choice but to lie down. With this float, you can make your own choice thanks to its adjustable backrest; you can either stay in the recliner or the tanner position. Whether you choose to lay on your back or sit up, this pool float has you covered. This way, you can optimize maximum comfort. 

• Cool Weave Fabric

The pool float is made from a soft mesh of fabric which helps protect the inner lounge chair and gives you a comfortable feel while lying on it. Also, the fabric helps cool your skin, providing relief from the hot tanned sun. The float also comes with handles which makes carrying it a breeze.

• It comes with a cup holder

Just in case you like having your beverages with you while getting a tan, the Aqua Campania pool float is a perfect choice for this. Offering you a separate cup holder which can hold two drinks, your refreshment is perfectly covered while laying in this pool float.

Why We Choose it Over Swimways Spring Float Recliner Pool Lounge Chair 

Although the Aqua Campania needs you to bring out some extra bucks out of your wallet, it has more features than the Swimways Lounge Chair. For example, the Swimsways does not have an adjustable backrest. This means you can only lie on it with your back slightly raised. Also, its cupholders are quite smaller and do not have as much space as the Aqua Campania pool float. Hence, the Aqua Campania is much better.

2. Best Pool Hammock: Aqua 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Inflatable Pool Float

We’ll all agree that versatility and comfort are something we’re willing to pay extra for. However, if you can get both at a market-beater price, that sounds like a dream come true. That’s exactly what Aqua Monterey Water Inflatable 4-in-1 Pool Hammock Floating Lounge offers. What exactly makes this pool hammock stand out to use? Find out below:

• It can be used for different purposes

During the summer, you could just laze around in your pool getting a tan, or you could place your seat outside the pool just enjoying a drink in the sunshine. Depending on whatever you’re feeling like, this pool hammock delivers. It could serve as a float, an exercise chair, hammock, or a saddle. Just a little bit of stretching, and you can use it in any way you deem fit.

• It uses a great combination of material

This pool hammock has two buoyancy pillows with mesh fabric connecting both pillows. The mesh fabric is where your body lays while the two pillows support your head and feet. While the fabric helps keep you cool in the sunshine, the buoyancy pillows help prop up your feet and leg, offering maximum comfort. 

• It doesn’t require much air to inflate

This is particularly important for those who love to travel with their floats. If you have quite a large float, you’ll need a pump which will just add to your bulky luggage. However, with this float, you don’t require that much air to use it. Due to its small ends and thin midsection, you can just pump it up with your mouth. This way, you can travel and still carry this gloat with no extra baggage required.

• Very affordable

For a float this good, you’ll expect the price to be on the high end. However, this float is the cheapest on this list, making it a perfect choice for those on a budget. 

Why We Choose It Over the FindUWill Fabric Pool Hammock Floats

Wonder why we fancy the Aqua Monterey Pool Hammock over its counterparts? Easy! First off, it’s much cheaper than most types of pool hammocks. Also, it can be quickly deflated in water compared to the FindUWill pool hammock. Its combination of features with the price tag makes it our favorite pool hammock.

3. Best Portable Float: Swimline Pool Float

Do you love your alcoholic beverages so much? So much that you even like your pool float shaped just like one? Well, the Swimline pool floats responded to your clarion call. The Swimline pool floats come in three different shapes (beer mugs, margarita glass, and red wine glass). Apart from its standout design, here are some other features we loved about the swimline pool floats:

• It comes with a cupholder

Want to stay hydrated while getting that perfect tan? No problem at all. The Swimline pool float has you covered. It comes with a cup holder, which also has space for some ice if you’d like to keep the drink chilled.

• Extremely Durable

Made from a 12-gauge PVC material, this pool float is just as durable as you’ll expect it to be. It can support a fully grown adult weighing as much as 265 pounds. Just in case you needed a float that could work on natural water bodies such as oceans or lakes, the Swimline pool float fits the bill. It floats right on top of the currents and does not get turned over.

Why We Choose It Over the Hoovy Inflatable Tanning Pool Lounge Float

Apart from the fact that the Swimline pool float is cheaper than most of its counterparts (such as the Hoovy lounge float), it also has superior features. The Hoovy Lounge Float has no attached cup holder. This means you can’t get your beverages into the pool with you. It could be quite the vibe killer when you need to move to and fro before you can get hydrated. Also, the Swimline pool float offers you durability despite its smaller size (4 pounds) compared to the much bulkier Hoovy Lounge Float. 

4. Best for Adults: TRC Recreation Sunsation 70 Inch Full-Size Foam

Do you want a pool float that can perfectly support any adult? The TRC full-size foam is the perfect choice for you. Minimalistic design coupled with perfect comfort, you have a true water companion in your tanning adventures. Here are a few of its outstanding features:

• Ample space

This pool float has ample space to support the size of an adult above 6 feet. Also, the foam perfectly wraps around your body to make sure you don’t topple off while on the water.

• It comes with a Built-In Pillow

At the end of the foam, the foam rolls into a pillow which helps prop your head and provides maximum comfort. The pillow is also made of the same material as the foam, providing you with the same amount of comfort as the foam.

• Does Not Require Inflation

This is probably the most outstanding feature of this pool float. It does not require you to use any inflation for you to use. This makes it relatively easy to use anywhere. Just unroll the foam, and you’re good to go.

Why We Choose It Over Cococabana 70 inch Foam Float

The TRC recreation sunsation is way better than its component. First, it is more durable and lasts for much longer compared to other alternatives. Also, it does not emit any chemical smell, which is quite common to foam pool floats.

5. Best Circular Float: Intex Watermelon Inflatable Island

Need a float that can make your Instagram pictures look even dapper? The Intex watermelon float gives off that cool and fun feel. Shaped and colored like a watermelon, this pool float screams the playful vibe that comes with summertime. Apart from its design, here are a few of its features we found interesting:

• Provides Ample Space

Despite its circular shape, this pool float still provides more than enough space for adults to play with. It can fit two fully grown adults or a couple of kids. Imagine yourself lying down on this float while taking in that summertime sunshine. It just sounds perfect.

• Very Durable

One attribute of this float its customers have commended is its durability. Many have testified to using it close to rocks and sandy surfaces without it having a single hole in it. If you need a float you can take close to natural water bodies; this is a perfect choice for you. 

• It doesn’t Take Much Effort to Inflate

While most floats of this size would require a pump to inflate them, you could blow this one out (up to 90% of its size) using a hairdryer. You could simply use your mouth to inflate it fully. This makes it handy, particularly if you don’t have a pump at home. 

Why We Choose It Over the NINOSTAR Huge HIT Summer Pool Float 

The Intex Inflatable pool float is superior to other counterparts in its category for many reasons. First, Intex is a popular brand in the pool float industry; hence, you get that assurance of quality when purchasing this pool float. Also, it has one of the largest sizes for a circular pool float, giving ample space for you to lie down and even place your pet on it.

More on VacuumHunt

Best Pool Vacuum for Sand
10 Awesome Pool Party Ideas for 11 Year Olds
How Fast Does a Solar Cover Heat a Pool

What to Look for in the Best Pool Float for Tanning

When buying a float, you could get quite flustered for choice, given the many options at your disposal. However, you could make the best choice for yourself by listing out the best attributes you desire in your pool float. This will help eliminate some options and point you in the right direction. Here are examples of some factors you should consider when buying a pool float:

Who will use it?

The size and age of the person that wants to use the float are very important when buying a pool float. If the user is quite tall, you’ll need to get something with a large size. If it’s meant for children, you’ll need a very durable pool float which can also protect the kids from falling into the water.

What Type of Pool Float Layout Do You Prefer?

The physical format of your pool float is another factor that should affect your buying choice. Do you prefer flat pool floats or those with a backrest? Or you’ll like a circular or rectangular pool float? Do you need headrests or footrests? These are questions you should answer before making a final choice. 

What Material is the Pool Float Made From?

Pool floats are made from different materials, from foam to vinyl or mesh fabric. Mesh fabric offers a cooling effect, while the foam gives a perfect fit around your body while laying on it. Knowing the various pros and cons of this material will help determine which suits you best.

Other Features

Some other enjoyable features come with pool floats which you have to consider if you can do without. Examples include cup holders, handles, repair kits, carrying bags, etc. 

FAQs

Can you leave pool floats in the sun?

No, you should not. While you can use your pool floats in the sun, you should not leave them out in the sun for extended periods (especially when inflated). This is because the air in the float can expand, causing the pool float to stretch and burst if expanded beyond its limit.

Can you tan in a kiddie pool?

Yes, you can. Due to the shallow depth, you can stay in the water and still get exposed to enough sunlight to get that perfect tan. 

What is a tanning pool?

A tanning pool is an inflatable tub that looks like a hybrid of a float and a baby pool. It has high perimeters, enabling you to pour some water and lie in it. This way, you don’t have to get into a pool to get your tan. They are also known as sunbath tubs or sunbathing loungers.

How do you make pool floats last longer? 

It all comes down to good use and storage. If your kids are the ones using the float, you should know that there’s little you can do to prevent it from getting damaged. This is because kids tend to jump and stomp on the float frequently. However, some tips you could use include storing them away from direct sunlight and in airtight containers, deflating them before storing them, etc.