A baby swim vest allows your little one to explore the seas of the world or the swimming lake in the next town safely and securely. Safety and reliability of the vest are a must.
But it gets even better:
Swim vests especially for babies often also have a diaper bib and offer UV protection.
This is how you recognize quality:
BeyondSurfing presents the best baby swim vests 2024. Avoid buying mistakes!
The best baby swim vest 2024?
Content
- 1 The top baby swim vests 2024
- 1.1 1. Helly Hansen Kids Baby Safe
- 1.2 2. Lalizas solid material lifejacket
- 1.3 3. Secumar Bravo Print children’s swim vest
- 1.4 4. HonuNautic solid lifejacket
- 1.5 5. Lalizas children’s solid lifejacket
- 1.6 6. limmys premium neoprene swim vest
- 1.7 7. splash about girls swim suit
- 1.8 8. HonuNautic solid lifejacket
- 2 Bestsellers: The most popular swim vests for babies
- 3 Buy swim vests for babies: How to make the right decision
- 4 FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about swim vests for babies
- 5 Conclusion: The most popular swim vests for babies reviewed
In a hurry? Our swim vest favorite for babies:
- Two different colors
- Warning colors and reflectors
- EN ISO certified
- Durable
- Extra handle at the end of the headrest
- Side fastener for easy donning
- Freedom of movement
Swim vests for babies Checklist
- Safety: Never let your baby out of your sight despite the swim vest. A striking color increases safety. The product must comply with the EN 13138 standard. The straps must not be detachable by children’s hands.
- Models: Inflatable models are not suitable for babies. Babies cannot keep their heads above water on their own, which is why almost all swim vests have neck supports. The right swim vest is adjustable and fits the child’s body perfectly.
- UV protection: Make sure you have adequate UV protection – water increases the effects of the sun on children’s delicate skin.
- Inspection: Check the function before each use and maintain the swim vest every 10 years.
Also interesting: The most popular paddling pools for babies 2024.
The top baby swim vests 2024
Best easy to put on swim vest
1. Helly Hansen Kids Baby Safe
Advantages
- Two different colors
- Warning colors and reflectors
- EN ISO certified
- Durable
- Extra handle at the end of the headrest
- Side fastener for easy donning
- Freedom of movement
Disadvantages
- Only suitable up to 15 kg body weight
- High purchase price
Summary
This Helly Hansen swim vest is ideal for babies. The buoyancy is designed for children weighing 5 – 15 kg. This corresponds roughly to the age range of 2 months to 3 years.
It is available in orange and pink. Both signal colors ensure good visibility on the water. In addition, two large reflectors on each side ensure that your baby is seen.
The material is 100% polyamide with a soft but buoyant filling. An additional handle on the top makes it easy to pull or lift the child in and out of the water. The side fastener makes it particularly easy to put on.
Conclusion
A lifejacket that leaves nothing to be desired: If you are looking for an experienced manufacturer and a design that has been thought through down to the last detail, this is the product for you.
Product details
Size: 5 – 15 kg | Material: Polyamide | Weight: 490 g
Customer ratings
The baby swim vest is ideal for very small users. The quality is excellent and the fit is unbeatable. One customer has already tried many vests and considers this one to be the highest quality on the market. The swim vest does its job very reliably and keeps the baby safely on the surface of the water.
Around 0% are neutral about the product, while 0% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
There are no negative reviews for this product so far.
FAQ
Best baby swim vest with reflectors
2. Lalizas solid material lifejacket
Advantages
- Reliably keeps your head above water
- Reflectors for extra visibility
- CE ISO certified
- Warning color
- Wide diaper bib for more comfort
- Incl. Whistle for older children
Disadvantages
- Only one color
Summary
This solid-fabric lifejacket is ideal for babies. But there are also versions for (small) children and adults. The product is ISO-certified and turns your baby into a safe supine position.
A comfortable winch seat is fitted. This means there is no pinching or rubbing. The clip fasteners and zipper provide a reliable hold. The vest can easily carry 8 kg and more.
The reflective strips improve visibility for even greater safety in the water. The material is smooth, pleasant on the skin and easy to wash.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a lifejacket in a high visibility color, this is the product for you. It is suitable for babies from 7 months to at least 18 months.
The lifejacket is not suitable for learning to swim. Movement is restricted too much and the body is rotated.
Product details
Size: 8 different from baby to adult | Material: plastic and foam | Weight: 0 – 90 kg
Customer ratings
The vest is not too bulky and complies with all the regulations of companies involved in water sports. The strap between the legs holds firmly without pinching. The whistle is not only for safety, but also for the enjoyment of older children. The zipper makes it very easy to put on. The price-performance ratio is good and safety is guaranteed.
Around 2% are neutral about the product, while 10% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
A baby was repeatedly turned from the supine to the prone position by the lifejacket. According to the enclosed description, the product is unfortunately not faint-proof.
FAQ
Best soft swim vest
3. Secumar Bravo Print children’s swim vest
Advantages
- Striking color
- Child-friendly pattern
- Reflectors
- Freedom of movement
- EN ISO certified
- Especially soft
Disadvantages
- No extra handle
- Only one color
- Not for the open sea
Summary
The lifejacket from the manufacturer Secumar comes in the typical swim vest orange. Dark orange dolphins are also printed on. This makes the design child-friendly.
A comfortable diaper bib increases your child’s comfort. The straps are easy to close with a click. The generous neck support keeps the child’s head on the surface of the water. Two reflectors improve visibility.
The material is AIREX foam. This is particularly soft and buoyant at the same time. An attached whistle for slightly older children can attract attention in an emergency.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a lifejacket for children aged 1 and over, this is the product for you. It is ideal for boat trips on the lake or river.
The certification is not for use on the open sea. To do this, you must fall back on the first place.
Product details
Size: 10 – 15 kg | Material: AIREX foam | Weight: 421 g
Customer ratings
The design is child-friendly and beautiful. They are child’s play to put on and take off. The child is visible from a great distance. Even very vigorous paddling and kicking will not turn the child from the supine to the prone position. It is therefore not suitable for learning to swim and that is exactly right. The product is very safe. The wearing comfort is high and the freedom of movement is sufficient. Instructions on how to put them on are included.
Around 0% are neutral about the product, while 8% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
One mother had to send the product back. She followed the size chart but the product doesn’t fit her daughter.
FAQ
Further highlights
4. HonuNautic solid lifejacket
Advantages
- Fish design
- different sizes
- Ergonomic filling
- ISO certified
- Diaper bib
Disadvantages
- not for the open sea
Summary
With the HonuNautic solid lifejacket, the company offers a safe product for infants and small children.
The customer can choose from different sizes in terms of weight classes. From 3 – 40 kg everything is included. The neck support in the infant version has the advantage that it stabilizes sufficiently but does not restrict the view. In addition, the head floats above water in the event of an accident.
The kayak float bag is divided and therefore adapts ergonomically to the body. The integrated diaper panty prevents pinching or chafing in the crotch. In an emergency, the belt makes it easier to lift the child out of the water.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a visually appealing life jacket for trips on inland waterways or lakes, this baby swim vest is the right choice.
It is not suitable for use at sea. For this, you are better off choosing BeyondSurfing’s 1st place.
Product details
Size: 3 – 10 kg, 10 – 20 kg, 15 – 30 kg and 30 – 40 kg | Material: foam and polyester | Weight: 430 g
Customer ratings
Customers praise the good fit of the vest without it pinching or squeezing.
Around 8% are neutral about the product, while 7% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
There are no written negative reviews so far.
5. Lalizas children’s solid lifejacket
Advantages
- Child-friendly design
- 7 Reflectors
- ISO certified
- Safety lock
- Faint-proof
- Collar protects the head
Disadvantages
- Only from 15 kg or 2.5 years
- No extra handle
Summary
The colorful solid fabric life jacket from Lalizas is suitable for slightly larger and heavier toddlers from approx. 2.5 years or 15 kg in weight. It is unconscious-proof and stabilizes the head. At the same time, it protects the head from bruising.
The 6 attached SOLAS reflector strips ensure ideal visibility. The print with sea creatures is child-friendly and a real eye-catcher. The crotch strap is wide and suitable for diaper wearers.
The material is robust and supple. The closure cannot be opened by children’s hands. This prevents your baby from accidentally releasing itself. The buoyancy is 150 N.
Conclusion
The vest is ideal for older babies and toddlers. It also offers enough protection for trips out at sea.
If you are looking for a lifejacket for babies under the age of 2, it is better to choose a different model.
Product details
Size: 15 – 40 kg | Material: Polyester and foam | Weight: 358 g
Customer ratings
The vest fits very securely. Most children really like the motif. The material is high quality and well made. The lifejacket has no inherent odor. The straps and belts are wide and therefore fit comfortably. Creating them is child’s play. Some parents have used the vest for several siblings over the years and have not noticed any defects in the material. One woman is very satisfied with the product, but expresses doubts that the vest will fit children with a little more weight. Your children are tall and slim and fit in perfectly.
Around 18% are neutral about the product, while 0% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
There are no written reviews yet that fall below 4 stars.
FAQ
Advantages
- Free transport bag
- Adjustable buoyancy
- Money-back guarantee
- Soft material
- Keeps you warm
- Padded safety harness
Disadvantages
- Only one color
- Without neck support (no lifejacket)
Summary
This swim vest from Limmys is particularly suitable for girls. It is pink and has a chalky floral pattern on the side.
The product facilitates buoyancy. However, you must hold your baby and make sure that it keeps its face above water. It is therefore more of a support for baby swimming.
The material is robust neoprene and Lycra fabric. This has a warming effect and protects your baby from cooling down. A free transport cover is supplied with the swim vest.
Important: This vest can only be used under constant supervision and physical contact. It does not protect you from drowning.
Conclusion
The swim vest is ideal for baby swimming. It ensures optimum freedom of movement and you do not have to hold the full weight of your child.
It is not a lifejacket – you must never let go of your baby or allow them to play in the water without supervision.
Product details
Size: S – L, 1 – 9 years | Material: neoprene and polyester | Weight: 11 – 32 kg
Customer ratings
The vest has no unpleasant inherent odor. The straps are padded and sit comfortably. The swim vest does not slip upwards. The foam elements are removable and can therefore be adjusted to the child’s weight. The fabric is comfortable against the skin. The product has a high-quality finish and is practical. Ideal for supervised baby swimming lessons.
Around 8% are neutral about the product, while 4% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
One child got abrasions on his arms from the product. The mother is therefore dissatisfied with the material. The crotch strap was too loose for one customer’s baby and one buyer feared that it could tear out quickly.
FAQ
7. splash about girls swim suit
Advantages
- Manufactured according to European standard
- ISO certified
- UV protection
- Adjustable buoyancy
- Especially comfortable
Disadvantages
- Only one design – more for girls
- No lifejacket, can only be used under constant supervision
Summary
This swim suit has adjustable buoyancy. It is pink and printed with a playful pattern. The design is popular with girls.
This baby swim vest is similar to a bathing suit for children. It is dressed in exactly the same way. The zipper is on the back. It is specially covered with fabric to prevent injuries. The material offers 50+ sun protection for baby’s delicate skin.
The swim vest is manufactured in accordance with European guidelines and certified to EN 13138-1: 203. The kayak float bags are removable and can therefore be adjusted to the baby’s weight.
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a cute swim suit with buoyancy for their daughter is well advised to choose this product. The ideal companion for baby swimming.
Please note that this is not a lifejacket. The baby must always be supervised and supported.
Product details
Size: 1 – 2 years | Material: Polyamide, polyester and elastane | Weight: N/A
Customer ratings
Young children can be safely and playfully introduced to the cool water. This helps them to overcome their fears and learn to trust the cool water. One customer writes that she loves the product for her daughter. It is the best swimming aid she has ever bought. Simply a great companion for baby swimming with your daughter.
Around 7% are neutral about the product, while 10% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
There are no written reviews available.
FAQ
8. HonuNautic solid lifejacket
Advantages
- Highly visible
- Diaper bib
- Safety fasteners
- Attached reflector
Disadvantages
- Not for the open sea
Summary
The HonuNautic lifejacket is specially designed for babies and toddlers weighing between 3 and 10 kg. This corresponds to an age of around 0 – 3 years. The manufacturer has a lot of experience in the water sports sector.
The material is robust and the kayak float bag is powerful at 100 N. The child is reliably turned into the supine position. This means it always gets enough oxygen. The product is suitable for protected lakes and inland waters.
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a durable and highly visible lifejacket for boating on the river will be very satisfied with this product.
It is not suitable for use on the open sea. To do this, choose BeyondSurfing’s comparison winner in 1st place.
Product details
Size: Size 1: 3 – 10 kg, other sizes up to adults over 90 kg | Material: Polyester | Weight: 390 g
Customer ratings
The product is fully functional and secures the baby in the water. The child is unable to turn in the prone position. This ensures that it always gets enough air. The quality of the vest justifies the price. Customers are completely satisfied.
Around 3% are neutral about the product, while 4% rate the product as poor and inadequate.
Some customers say it is a swim vest, not a life jacket as stated online.
More articles you might find interesting:
Bestsellers: The most popular swim vests for babies
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Buy swim vests for babies:
How to make the right decision
Andrea Teichmann ★★★★★
(Author and lifeguard from Grevenbroich)
What you need to consider when buying a swim vest for babies (incl. Checklist)
When looking for the best swim vest for children, you should definitely pay attention to the following features and characteristics:
- Swim vest type
- Size
- Weight class
- Wearing comfort
The swim vest type
A distinction is made between 5 different classifications:
| Kind | Features |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | Open sea – strongest buoyancy, turns unconscious babies in supine position and keeps the head up |
| Type 2 | Close to land – wide flowing waters or lakes without waves, turns unconscious babies onto their backs |
| Type 3 | Buoyancy aids – support buoyancy, the child must hold its head up independently, only suitable for babies with permanent support |
| Type 4 | Throwing vests – this buoyancy aid can be thrown, not suitable for babies |
| Type 5 | Special/other vests – vests with unusual technology that are not suitable for babies |
Babies cannot hold their heads independently. That is why only types 1 and 2 are possible for them.
Type 3 can be used as a buoyancy aid with constant supervision and physical contact. Inflatable swim vests are not suitable for babies.
Pro tip: A handle on the back can be indispensable in case of doubt. This means that the child can simply be pulled back into the boat and recovered more easily.
The right swim vest size
Age only plays a subordinate role in a swim vest for babies. To ensure good buoyancy, it is much more important to focus on body weight.
In general:
Select the correct size based on your child’s body weight. Be sure to read the product’s measurements and weigh your child. There are no standard sizes.
What many people forget:
Babies gain weight quickly. The buoyancy of the swim vest must be adapted to this and should ideally be able to grow and be adjusted accordingly
The weight class
The right weight class is vital. This is the only way to ensure that the buoyancy is appropriate for your child.
Good to know: The baby life jacket can only provide sufficient safety if it is designed for the weight of your baby. For a body weight of 3 kg, choose the category 3 – 15 kg rather than 0 – 3 kg.
The comfort
The fabric of the vest will inevitably touch children’s sensitive skin. Often a baby only wears a diaper underneath.
How do you recognize high wearing comfort?
Watch out for signs of discomfort or pressure sores in children who are not yet able to speak. Examine the areas under the arms and around the diaper in particular. In addition, the straps must not be easily detached by children’s hands.
Baby swim vests tested by Consumer Reports and Öko-Test
Consumer Reports and Öko-Test have not yet carried out any tests specifically on baby swim vests. However, both companies have tested swimming aids for children for harmful substances (source: Consumer Reports; Öko-Test).
The results are also relevant for swim vests:
Many products are contaminated with (phthalate) plasticizers, formamide or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is therefore essential that you pay attention to the ingredients.
The test reports explicitly state that buoyancy aids must comply with the EN 13138 standard. This is the only way to guarantee safety.
Well-known brands and manufacturers
The best-known and most popular baby swim vest brands and manufacturers include:
Helly Hansen, Lalizas, Baltic, Secular and Konfidence
These manufacturers have a lot of experience and all produce according to the European safety standard.
Pro tip: For unknown manufacturers, pay attention to experiences and reviews as well as the features described in BeyondSurfing’s buying guide.
Alternatives to swim vests for babies
If you want to splash around with your baby in the swimming pool or lake, an infant swim ring or water wings are also ideal.
1 Floating rings
Infant swim rings are inflatable rings with an integrated seat for your baby.
2 Water wings
Water wings are the classic swimming aid for small children. Lots of freedom of movement and fun in the water guaranteed.
Did you already know? Discover the best swimming aids reviewed now.
Care tips
A baby swim vest can only last a long time if it is cared for properly. Many manufacturers provide care instructions at the same time:
- Rinse the swim vest with clear water after each use.
- Rinsing is particularly important after contact with salt water.
- Dry the swim vest in a warm place.
- Important: Never leave the product in direct sunlight.
Regular maintenance saves children’s lives
A swim vest for babies is a must:
- Every 2 years for professional maintenance (at the manufacturer or specialist store).
- Replace every 10 years (or when it becomes too small).
- Automatically inflatable models must be tested before each use.
- Always check for material damage.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about swim vests for babies
What to look out for in swim vests for babies?
How safe are swim vests for babies?
How should a swim vest for babies fit correctly?
When can babies start wearing swim vests?
How expensive are baby swim vests?
Where can you buy baby swim vests?
Conclusion: The most popular swim vests for babies reviewed
Babies cannot swim naturally. They urgently need to be protected from drowning in and around water.
Quality and safety pay off:
High-quality baby swim vests can be recognized by their workmanship, comfort and durability.
The best for last:
With the right vest, your baby can learn to trust the element of water. So nothing stands in the way of a great day at the lake or boat trips with the whole family!
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.
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