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The 6 best baby paddling pools 2024?

by Laura

baby_paddling_pool
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Doesn’t spending a sunny afternoon in the outdoor pool with your baby sound tempting? A baby paddling pool offers an inexpensive alternative to cool your child down in summer and get them used to the water.

Avoid buying mistakes now:

BeyondSurfing has spent over 25 hours researching for you and presents a detailed buying guide alongside the most popular models at 2024. Here you can find out everything you need to know to make a safe purchase decision.

The best baby paddling pool 2024?

In a hurry? Our favorite baby sink:

Special Offer
Vedes baby pool colorful*
What characterizes the offer?

  • Favorable price
  • Attached sun protection
  • Colorful design
  • Padded base
  • CE-certified
  • Inflatable without pump
  • Can be used without carpet pad

Baby paddling pool Checklist

  • Features: There are products with a sun canopy that protect against UV radiation. There are foldable pop-up paddling pools for the beach on vacation. A drain for the water is worthwhile for use in the garden. Several air rings allow the height of the pool to be adjusted.
  • Hygiene: The water must be changed daily.
  • Material: The seams of the walls must be soft and the material must not contain any plasticizers.
  • Safety: Baby paddling pools must maintain a very shallow water depth of 10 to 20 cm. The baby must never be left unattended in the water.

Also interesting: The most popular baby swim vests of the year.

The top 6 baby paddling pools in 2024

How do we rate? Our experts thoroughly research and evaluate each recommendation. We take into account the most important product features, adherence to quality standards, prices, customer reviews, our own experiences, and much more. Learn more about our process.

The best baby paddling pool with sun protection

1. colorful Vedes baby pool

Advantages

  • Favorable price
  • Attached sun protection
  • Colorful design
  • Padded base
  • CE-certified
  • Inflatable without pump
  • Can be used without carpet pad

Disadvantages

  • Sunshade is askew

Summary

This colorful baby paddling pool looks like two imaginative mushrooms. They tilt their heads together above the pool and thus provide sufficient shade.

The bottom of the pool consists of small air chambers and is particularly soft. No additional carpet pad is required, even on hard surfaces. The assembly also works without an air pump.

The capacity is 45 liters. Up to two babies can fit in the tank. For a small surcharge, the manufacturer supplies various water toys as a set.

Conclusion

A colorful, safe(CE-certified) and affordable paddling pool for babies. Sun protection is particularly suitable for warm days.

The parents cannot sit in the tank here.

Product details

Size: 89 x 102 x 30 cm | Material: Plastic | Weight: 1.4 kg

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 87 % of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

The design is very child-friendly. Babies love to play in it, even without water. The floor is inflatable and therefore particularly comfortable. The pool can be used without an extra base. The sun canopy protects babies from UV radiation. Tip from a customer: The pool can also be used as a ball pool.

Around 6% are neutral about the product, while 6% rate the product as poor and inadequate.

Unfortunately, the mushroom-shaped sunshade does not stand up straight on several products. However, this does not impair the function in any way. After delivery there is a minimal inherent odor of the material.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

FAQ

Is there room for two babies in the paddling pool?
Yes, there is room for two babies.
Does the product have CE certification?
Yes, the product has been CE marked and complies with the safety guidelines.

The best baby paddling pool for the garden

2. sand and water mussel

Advantages

  • Particularly skin-friendly
  • For sand and water
  • Cute shell design
  • Many different colors
  • Robust material
  • Ideal for the garden
  • With cover

Disadvantages

  • Bulky transportation
  • Higher price segment

Summary

This sand and water shell is made of hard plastic. This means that, unlike other models, it retains its shape. No need to inflate!

The advantage of this material is its great robustness on the one hand and the particularly non-toxic materials on the other. The plastic does not need to be softened and therefore requires no chemicals.

The design looks like a cute crab in blue or red. This pool can be filled with up to 120 liters of sand or water. This makes it a very versatile product.

Conclusion

If you value low-pollutant materials and would like to use your pool as a sandpit, this is the model for you.

Transportation and storage are somewhat bulkier due to the dimensionally stable material.

Product details

Size: 100 – 120 L water | Material: Hard plastic | Weight: 4.2 kg

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 87 % of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

The layout is praised by buyers. It is easy to use and fully fulfills its purpose. The quality is very good and the price is reasonable in comparison. Customers recommend the product to others and are delighted with it.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

FAQ

How many liters of sand fit in the shell?
One customer added 3 x 25 kg and the tank was still not full. We therefore recommend up to 120 liters of water or sand.

The best baby paddling pool for vacations

3. Smart Planet pop-up beach pool for toddlers

Advantages

  • Extra light
  • No inflation necessary
  • Robust PVC
  • Free carrier bag
  • Ideal for vacation
  • Small pack size
  • Can also be filled with salt water

Disadvantages

  • Cannot be used in the home
  • Not for hard floors

Summary

This pop-up baby pool is a special kind of pool. It does not need to be inflated. Simply dig a hole, ideally in the sand, and fill it with a little (sea) water.

The basin can be folded small and stored in the bag supplied. This makes transportation particularly easy. This is particularly practical on vacation at the beach.

Babies can gain their first experience in seawater without being endangered by waves. If you place a parasol next to the pool, your child will stay cool and protected from UV radiation at the same time.

Conclusion

The ideal companion for vacations at the beach or summer days at the lake. In just a few simple steps, your baby has its own private pool.

A hole must always be dug for use. This leaves its mark on the garden.

Product details

Size: 80 x 80 x 15 cm | Material: PVC | Weight: 340 g

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 93 % of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

A fair price and top workmanship. Customers are delighted and recommend the product to others. Delivery is quick and easy. A great addition for days at the lake. The area around it gets nice and muddy and makes for great games. If you’re not afraid of dirt, you’ll have lots of fun here with your child.

Around 0% are neutral about the product, while 7% rate the product as poor and inadequate.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

Further highlights

4. Intex Gator Play Center

Advantages

  • Water nozzle in crocodile design
  • Free swimming ring
  • Inflatable parasol
  • Slide
  • Fishing bucket and duck
  • Cute design
  • Inflatable bucket

Disadvantages

  • Weak seams
  • A little too much stimulation for small babies

Summary

This play center with slide is a special paddling pool for babies. Its many extras encourage you to play and be creative. If the sun is too strong, the baby can be placed under the sunshade.

An infant swim ring in the shape of a duck can support the baby in the water. An inflatable bucket and the squirting crocodile will make young children laugh.

The attached slide is padded with a mat at the end. So the slide lands softly. The size and water depth are more suitable for older babies from 1 year of age.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a particularly varied pool with a slide, this is the product for you.

The pool is equipped with so many extras that it can overwhelm small babies. Children under 12 months should be given a different product.

Product details

Size: up to 160 L | Material: PVC | Weight: 3 kg

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 76% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

The pool is easy to set up with a pump for the foot. The design is child-friendly and lovingly created. Delivery and the ordering process are simple and clear. Customers are very satisfied with the product. The soft pad at the end of the slide is particularly praised. The squirting crocodile makes the babies laugh.

Around 7% are neutral about the product, while 16% rate the product as poor and inadequate.

The seams are not very robust. As babies weigh very little, the seam is only designed for light loads. The pool should therefore not be used by older children or adults.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

5. Intex Winnie the Pooh Baby Pool

Advantages

  • Cute Winnie the Poo design
  • With sun protection
  • Soft padded base
  • Drain
  • CE certification
  • Printed safety instructions
  • Favorable price

Disadvantages

  • Bulky due to the sunroof
  • Sunroof is crooked on some models

Summary

This cutely designed baby pool not only has an inflatable, padded base, but also a sun canopy. It stretches across the pool like a rainbow.

Pictures of Winnie the Poo characters make the design particularly child-friendly. The material is CE certified and therefore particularly gentle on baby’s skin. Especially in summer, the sun canopy is an important extra to protect against UV radiation.

The pool can be filled with just a few buckets. After use, the water can simply be drained via the attached drain. Handling is child’s play.

Conclusion

Anyone looking for a baby paddling pool with a sun canopy will be delighted with this CE-certified product.

The sun protection makes the product somewhat more bulky and unwieldy to pack.

Product details

Size: 109 x 102 x 71 cm | Material: Plastic | Weight: 1.2 kg

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 85% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

The design is cute. Small children can easily get over the edge of the pool. The arch as a sunshade is practical and beautiful to look at. The pool can also be used as a ball pool and set up in the living room. The floor is nice and soft and well padded. The material reliably retains the air for several weeks. Assembly is quick and easy.

Around 9% are neutral about the product, while 7% rate the product as poor and inadequate.

In the case of one customer, the UV radiation damaged the material after a few days. The pool should therefore not be left in direct sunlight for too long. The bow is not completely round on all models, but hangs at a slight angle.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

FAQ

How old should the children be when using it?
The pool is suitable for babies under 1 year old. Only under supervision, of course.
Is the roof removable?
No, it shares the air chamber with the edge of the pool.

6. intex baby pool

Advantages

  • 2 different colors available
  • Durable vinyl material
  • Available in a set of two
  • CE certified
  • Padded base
  • Favorable price

Disadvantages

  • Not suitable for very small babies

Summary

This baby pool from Intex is CE certified and meets European safety standards. It is available in green and pink. You save money when you order a set of 2.

The floor is inflatable and padded. The baby sits comfortably even on hard concrete floors. The rectangular shape makes the basin space-saving and easy to store.

It can hold up to 57 liters of water. These are held in place by a robust 18 cm high vinyl wall. Even strong sunlight has little effect on this material.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a robust and space-saving model at an affordable price, this is the one for you.

If you prefer a more playful design, choose a different product.

Product details

Size: 85 x 85 x 23 cm | Material: Vinyl | Weight: 830 grams

Customer ratings

What customers say
A full 86% of all customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

The product is also suitable as a foot bath for adults. It is versatile and customers would recommend it to others. The pool fits well on a balcony or in the bathroom if you don’t have a garden. The size is ideal for children around 1 year old. The seams are very clean and soft. Even high temperatures cannot harm the material. The shape makes it easy to place in a corner.

Around 8% are neutral about the product, while 5% rate the product as poor and inadequate.

Even though the product is CE certified, it unfortunately did not perform so well in the Öko Test. One customer’s seam burst after just 2 days. The manufacturer replaced the product free of charge.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

FAQ

Is it really not possible to choose the color?
Some customers report that they received their desired color on request.
Is the material free of harmful substances?
Yes, this is guaranteed by the CE marking.

Rating: Baby paddling pool reviewed

Evaluation Criteria: The most important features in direct comparison. Find out what makes a good product in our tests in the guide.
NamePrice*SizeMaterialSun protectionColor choice
Vedes baby pool colorful14 $89 x 102 x 30 cmPlasticYesNo
Sand and water mussel39 $100 – 120 L waterHard plasticNoYes
Smart Planet pop-up beach pool for toddlers16 $80 x 80 x 15 cmPVCNoNo
Intex Gator Play Center56 $up to 160 LPVCYesNo
Intex Winnie the Pooh Baby Pool12 $109 x 102 x 71 cmPlasticYesNo
Intex baby pool16 $85 x 85 x 23 cmVinylNoYes
*Approximateprice incl. VAT included. Prices may change in the meantime.

Bestsellers: The most popular baby paddling pools

What do others buy? In our bestseller list, we present the TOP 11 most purchased offers. The selection is updated daily.

(**Last update 2024-09-16)

Buy a baby paddling pool:
How to make the right decision

baby_pool

There is now such a large selection of paddling pools that a completely separate product range has developed for babies.

In the buying guide, you can find out how to keep track of the wide range of products and which criteria are used to select the right product. BeyondSurfing also asks you exactly the questions that everyone should answer before making a purchase.

Advantages and disadvantages of paddling pools for babies:

  • Fewer attractions than in an outdoor pool
  • No journey necessary
  • No aggressive chlorine
  • Easy to repair
  • Inexpensive
  • Trains baby’s motor skills and balance
  • Playful introduction to water
  • Easy to use
  • Misuse as a drinks cooler
  • Children quickly outgrow the size of the paddling pool

What you need to consider when buying a paddling pool for babies

Babies may only play in the water under supervision. At least one adult must supervise and support the child at all times when splashing around. The water in the pool must not be deeper than 20 centimeters.

Thorsten Vent ★★★★★
(Supervisor of the Unfallkasse Nord in the area of day care centers)


When looking for the best paddling pool for babies, make sure you pay attention to the following features and characteristics:

  • Material
  • Size
  • Design
  • Valves
  • Extras

The material of paddling pools for babies

The manufacturers use different materials for the air chambers. Vinyl models are particularly robust. This is gentle on baby’s skin and has particularly soft seams.

Cheaper models are made of plastic. These are often mixed with plasticizers. So don’t save money at the wrong end when buying.

There are also models of baby paddling pools that are not inflated. They are made of hard plastic and perform particularly well in the Öko-Test.

The more robust the better:

From UV radiation on the roof, soil with stones to sticks in the grass – the baby pools have to withstand a lot. Use customer reviews as a guide to find a robust model.

With a soft mat as a base, the material is ideally protected and the baby’s bottom is cushioned.

The right baby paddling pool size

A baby paddling pool should not be too big. The baby must always be able to sit up in the water so that there is no risk of drowning.

Ask yourself the following questions before you buy:

  • How much space do you have available?
    >> There are mini models that even fit in the bathroom.
  • How old is the baby?
    >> The younger the fish, the shallower and smaller the pool needs to be.
  • How is the baby pool filled?
    >> A few buckets are usually enough. Nevertheless, there must be a tap nearby.
  • Is the pool outside or inside?
    >> Models for the garden must be made of particularly robust material.
  • Would you like to bathe in it with your baby?
    >> If you want to sit in the pool with your baby in summer, there are also models that have a larger diameter but are still flat.

The design

The design of baby paddling pools ranges from simple to colorful with printed pictures. Such extras naturally have an impact on the price. A simple model is often sufficient, especially because babies quickly outgrow the small pools.

The valves

Inflatable baby paddling pools can be divided into two categories:

1 Valves for inflation:

Allow air to be let in and out. Of course, this does not apply to the hard-shell models. A suitable air pump simplifies assembly. However, due to their small size, blowing them up with the mouth is often sufficient.

2 Valves for draining the water:

A drain valve is very practical for pools that are installed in the garden. Simply open and the water seeps into the grass. If the pool is in the apartment or on the balcony, however, this is not such a good idea. Exception: a very small basin for the shower.

The extras

As there is also a wide range of baby products on offer, there is competitive pressure on the market. The companies try to attract the attention of buyers with extras:

  • Basin with cover
  • Free documents
  • Water toys
  • Baby pool with slide
  • Paddling pool with roof for sun protection, e.g. in mushroom design
  • u. v. m.

Baby paddling pool tests by Consumer Reports and Öko Test?

In 2010, Öko Test carried out a test on 16 paddling pools and published the results. The main focus was on the compatibility of the material. Although the test objects were larger pools, the material is identical.

Weak performance:

Only pools made of hard plastic were rated “good”. In many cases, phthalate plasticizers were found in the other products. These were actually banned by the EU Parliament for baby and children’s products. You can find the test winner from Öko-Test here.

Play it safe:

If you are unsure about your purchase, the TÜV test mark can help. Or look for a CE printed on the product. Both guarantee that the product does not exceed the pollutant content standard.

Consumer Reports has published tips on cleaning slightly larger paddling pools. You can read more about this here.

Well-known brands and manufacturers?

The best-known and most popular baby paddling pool brands & manufacturers include


Bestway and Intex


Both manufacturers are even available in supermarkets in many European countries. They offer a wide range of products from air beds and inflatable pools to baby paddling pools.

Hygiene is the be-all and end-all

A paddling pool for babies contains little water. This is due to the low volume. The small quantity makes it easy to change the water. And that’s exactly what you should do after every splashing session.

Inexperienced defense:

Babies’ immune systems are not yet fully developed and fungi and bacteria quickly accumulate in the water. Small children also like to urinate in the pool. To protect the health of the little ones, the water must be changed daily.

There is a possible alternative to changing the water regularly: a water care product without chlorine, such as Bayrol. It has been specially developed for babies and contains no aggressive chemicals.

Building a paddling pool for your baby yourself?

The following video is intended for the construction of a dog pool. However, it is just as suitable for building a baby paddling pool. Simply adjust the height and width accordingly:

FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about baby paddling pools

When are babies allowed in the paddling pool?

Manufacturers write recommendations for use from about 6 months. This is the time when most babies can sit up on their own. This ensures greater safety in the water.

What is the optimum temperature for a baby paddling pool?

Ideally, the water should be lukewarm. This means that when you dip your finger in, you feel neither cold nor warmth.

Use solar energy:
A pool with a dark base is worthwhile in summer. This means that the water is heated by the sun.

Can you put a baby paddling pool on the balcony?

Yes, because the mini paddling pools are so small that they fit easily on the balcony or even in the bathroom. However, the surface is harder here, which is why a mat underneath is recommended.

How can you keep baby paddling pools clean and tidy?

Change the water daily and then wipe down completely once with a mild detergent. There are also special chlorine-free water additives that can be used for baby pools.

How long can you leave the water in the paddling pool?

The water in a baby pool should be changed daily. The little ones’ immune systems are still very weak, which is why hygiene plays a particularly important role.

What should my baby wear in the paddling pool?

At home, your baby can simply relax and bathe without clothes. If your garden is visible and you don’t feel comfortable with your child being completely naked, there are cute baby swimming trunks.

Which is the best baby paddling pool?

The best product is always the one that is tailored to your requirements. Ideally, you should use buying guides to help you make the right purchase decision for you.

Editor's note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone. The content has not been endorsed, reviewed, approved, or in any way financially supported by any advertiser. We only include products we believe to be useful. How we work

*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.

Laura

Beach and snorkeling expert
Laura lives in Greece and couldn't imagine a day without the sea on her doorstep. When she's not writing for BeyondSurfing, she likes to spend her free time on the beach or in the water with snorkeling gear.

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