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When the weather heats up, it's time to head for the water. Whether you prefer the pool, the lake, or the ocean, don't forget to bring your floating drink holders along for some fun in the sun. They can keep your water bottle handy, hold your adult beverages, or act as festive pool party decorations. No more getting out of the water to grab your drink; it'll be right there next to you!
For maximum summer vibes, we recommend GoFloats' Floatmingo Drink Rafts, which are fun, functional, and Instagram-worthy. Keep scrolling to see more of our top picks and check out our buying guide for tips and information on how to pick floating drink holders that will quench your thirst all summer long.
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Floating drink holders come in an array of fun and funky designs. Of course, you should pick a drink holder that you love the look of. But aside from personal preferences, here are some practical things to keep in mind.
There are two main types of floating drink holders: individual drink holders and cooler-style drink holders. You can pick one or the other depending on your needs, or buy both since they serve different purposes.
Individual drink holders allow each person to have their own floatie for their drink. They’re great for large groups of people and large bodies of water, like lakes, oceans, or multiple pools, so that each person can keep their drink with them wherever they go.
Cooler-style drink holders are larger floaties designed to hold multiple drinks or larger containers like wine bottles. They often feature a main compartment as well as cup holders and small compartments for other items. You can even add ice to keep your drinks cold!
They function as a floating table, so they’re ideal for smaller groups where everyone will be clustered around the same area. In addition to drinks, you can use them to hold snacks and even non-food items like your cell phone, sunglasses, or a music player.
Because they’re inflatable, individual drink holders are somewhat flexible in what size cup they can accommodate. Most can fit standard 12- to 16-ounce cans, 12-ounce bottles, and 12- to 16-ounce cups. These generally have a base diameter between two and three inches.
However, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s description to see if they provide measurements or indicate what size drinks their floaties are made for. If you’re planning to drink out of a taller container, like a tumbler, bottle, or 16-ounce can, you should also consider the depth of the cupholder.
Tall drinks tend to become top-heavy and can be prone to tipping over when full. Look for a deeper cup holder or a floatie with a completely open bottom so you can adjust the drink to sit lower in the water. Alternatively, you can drink some of the drink before putting it in the water to help lower its center of gravity.
Depending on the size of your drink holder and your level of commitment, you may be able to inflate it by mouth or you may prefer to use another method. The fastest way is an electric air pump. If you own one of these, just check to make sure that you have the proper attachment for the drink holder’s valve.
If you don’t own an electric air pump, you can use a blowdryer on the cool setting to blow up most inflatables. However, using a blowdryer or electric air pump requires access to an outlet. If you’re going to the beach or to a lake, you would need to inflate your drink holders ahead of time or have a car power adapter.
If you’d rather avoid the need for electricity, you can either inflate them by mouth or use a hand pump. If you don’t already own a hand pump, you can find packs of floating drink holders that include one or purchase one separately.
Floating drink holders come in various fun summery designs, like flamingos, palm trees, and donuts. If you want something less playful, you can also find simple drink floaties in neutral colors. When choosing a design, make sure it will be easy to spot in the water.
For example, a dark blue drink holder will probably work fine in a small pool but might blend in too easily if used in a lake. Bright colors will be the easiest to see, like yellow or pink.
In addition to the color, consider whether you want a variety of floatie designs or just a single design. For themed parties, it can be fun to keep things coordinated and use the same type of drink holder for everyone. On the other hand, a variety pack can double as drink markers, allowing guests to easily remember which drink is theirs.
If you’re in calm water or an enclosed pool, your drink will probably stay close at hand with no problem. However, if you’re in moving water, your drink might try to float away!
If you’re worried about this, look for drink holders with straps that you can attach to yourself or a solid object. For cooler-style drink holders, look for straps or a handle on the side that you can use to tie your cooler to a boat, a floatie, or another object.
These Floatmingo Drink Rafts make the perfect pool or hot tub companion. Not only will they give you easy access to your favorite beverage, but they will look cute doing it too! Extra high walls help prevent them from tipping over, and their three-inch cupholders can fit most cups, cans, and bottles.
A couple of reviewers had a hard time getting them to stay upright and found that half-full cups worked best to avoid tipping. Still, many reviewers said these floats hold bottles and cans with no problem. They added that they're quite sturdy and work perfectly in the hot tub or pool.
With a large cooler section, five cupholders, and a bright rainbow design, this drink holder will be the centerpiece of your pool party. The cupholders can fit party cups, cans, and bottles, and the center section can be used for snacks, drinks, or other items. It inflates quickly with an air pump, a compressor, or a hairdryer.
While some reviewers experienced leaks or deflation, most were pleased with this drink holder. They said it stays upright and afloat with ease in pools, lakes, and rivers. They appreciated the deep cupholders as well. Some even used the center section to hold their phone, speakers, and sunscreen.
If you're looking for variety, this pack of inflatable drink holders has 15 different fun designs, including donuts, fruits, birds, and a unicorn! They're made from PVC and can hold drinks ranging from 12 to 15 ounces. Use them to keep track of your adult beverages or as a fun addition to your kid's pool party.
These floaties vary in size and shape, so some are better at balancing than others. Some reviewers found this frustrating, although one person noted that the more you inflate them, the more likely they are to tip over. Overall, people loved the cute designs, saying they make their pool parties fun and festive.
Instead of an inflatable drink holder, why not just use a cup that floats? These wine glasses can be used both in and out of the water and feature an extended rim to protect against splashes. They're made from durable BPA-free plastic and can hold up to 18.5 ounces of liquid. However, they float best with 14 ounces or less.
The wine glasses were a hit with reviewers. They praised the quality, saying that they look pretty similar to real glass. They also liked the size of the bowl, saying it's great for wine, cocktails, and other beverages. Some reviewers gave them as gifts with great results!
This tropical pineapple drink holder from Vickea is the definition of summertime. It's made from raft-grade PVC, and it can inflate in 30 seconds. The design features a main cooler compartment plus three cupholders. Use it in your pool or hot tub or take it to the lake or ocean. It also comes with a patch kit in case of leaks.
A couple of reviewers noted that the cupholders are on the small side and work best for cans or water bottles. However, many used it to hold drinks, cell phones, speakers, and snacks with great success. And more than a few used it as a doggie pool float and said their pups loved it!
For large drinks, try these drink holders from Human Bobber, which can hold 16- to 30-ounce cans, bottles, and tumblers. Velcro straps underneath help keep your cup stable, and a 30-inch leash can be attached to your swimsuit or a floatie to prevent lost beverages. There's also a smaller version for 12-ounce drinks.
A couple of people warned that your drink sits low in the floatie, so it will get warm if the water is warm. Reviewers also said these work best with larger cups that can't slip through the Velcro straps. But many used this with Yeti-style insulated cups and said it held their drink steady, even through small waves.
These Unicorn Drink Rafts will bring a sprinkle of magic to your pool party. They can fit a range of beverages, including cans, bottles, and plastic cups, and are designed with high sides to prevent tipping. Pair them with a unicorn floatie to complete a themed party or take them on your next beach vacation.
These floats seem to work best with lightweight drink containers; reviewers said heavy cups and tall bottles caused them to tip over. Even so, the majority of reviewers loved the fun design and said they look adorable in their pool. They added that they're easy to inflate and keep plastic cups and cans steady in the water.
Play this classic drinking game in your pool with GoPong's Floating Beer Pong set, which includes two rafts and three ping pong balls. Each raft can fit six standard size party cups and has high walls for stability and splash protection. The rafts can also double as drink holders if a game isn't in progress.
Some reviewers wished there was a way to anchor these floaties since they tend to drift while playing. But for most people, this game is so fun that they don't mind holding them in place. They said it's a huge hit at parties. Reviewers also liked that the rafts are easy to inflate and snugly fit standard Solo cups.
With nine separate compartments, this inflatable drink holder is perfect for a full day of floating. It features four small cupholders, one large cupholder, one cooler-sized compartment, and three slots to hold anything you desire. Plus, this floatie is made from anti-static material with handles on the side for easy access.
While a few reviewers said their drink holder sprung a leak, most were pleased with how useful it is in pools, lakes, and hot tubs. They used it to hold snacks, drinks, cocktail supplies, phones, speakers, lip balm, and other necessities. They also found it to be sturdy and stable when in use.
This pack of drink holders from Redting comes with everything you need to keep your beverages afloat at your next pool party. It includes 12 floaties in various fun designs, including a rubber duck, a watermelon, a heart, and a rainbow. Plus, it comes with an inflatable air pump needle and a storage bag.
Reviewers recommended using these drink holders for cans and lightweight drinks only, as heavier, taller containers tend to tip over. Still, they liked the variety of cute designs and said they create a playful, summery atmosphere. Adults used them to hold and identify drinks, while kids loved using them as floats for their dolls.
Whether you're having a pool party or catching waves at the beach, make sure your bag is packed with the proper gear. Check out more of our must-have products for summer fun!
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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