Summer’s in full swing, and for those heading to the pool (or the beach, or the lake), a floatie is likely at the top of your list of things to bring. The right pool float can turn an ordinary day by the water into an incredibly relaxing, vacation-like experience — but the wrong kind can have you falling into the water the moment you try to adjust and get comfortable.
I’ve long avoided buying pool floats for that very reason, but this year I finally found the one: Big Joe’s Noodle Sling. Not only does it come in more than a dozen fun colors for summer, but this lightweight pick is easily the most comfortable pool float I’ve ever used — plus, it costs just $35.
I’ve been putting the Big Joe Noodle Sling to the test since I bought it in April, and it has yet to disappoint me. If you’re thinking about buying a new pool float for the season, here’s what you need to know about my favorite.
This beanbag-style noodle sling is made with mesh and filled with buoyant beans, so it requires zero inflation for a relaxing day at the pool. It comes in 17 bright, summer-ready colors and has an overall 4.6-star rating on Amazon from more than 5,900 shoppers.
What I liked about it
You don’t have to inflate it
My wife has an inflatable PVC pool float that is very cute but takes forever to inflate. The first time we went to the pool this season, I hopped right in the water to relax on my noodle sling, but she spent about 15 minutes sitting on the edge of the pool struggling to blow up her pool float. We ended up buying a manual pump to inflate it and it works great, but it still requires effort to get it ready — it just takes significantly less time. And when it comes to relaxing in the pool, effortless is always preferable.
Instead of relying on air to stay afloat, the noodle part of the Big Joe Noodle Sling is actually filled with buoyant pellets (like a beanbag chair!), meaning it’s always ready to dive in when you are. And since there’s no air required and it’s not made of plastic, you also don’t have to worry about tiny punctures letting air out and deflating your float.
But if you ever need to add more filling, there’s a zipper on the arm to access the inside. I haven’t had to worry about this, though, so I can’t speak to its usefulness or necessity.
It’s easy to get on — and stay on
The No. 1 reason I’ve avoided pool floats for years? Stability. Most pool floats are extremely difficult to get on: You have to have someone else hold it still while you attempt to climb on top of it (which feels impossible when both you and the floatie are slippery from the water).
Even with help, I’ve fallen in the water my fair share of times. So if I’m going to use a pool float, it needs to be clumsy-proof. And thus far, this noodle sling is the only one I’ve ever used that actually meets that requirement. Its soft material means it never gets slippery the way wet PVC does, and the shape gently cradles your body, keeping you secure.
I used this pool float for the first time while visiting my mom in the Arizona heat earlier this spring. She’d just bought a couple of them after seeing them (and their impressive number of 5-star ratings) on Amazon, and she immediately raved to me about how great they were. I hesitantly gave the noodle sling a try but quickly realized I’d found my Goldilocks pool float.
So when it warmed up enough at home in Nashville to go in the pool again, I ordered one for myself. In the past few months, I haven’t gone to the pool without the Big Joe Noodle Sling, and I’ve never once struggled to get on it or felt like I was going to fall in the water.
It keeps your head above water
I’m generally not a fan of putting my head underwater; plus, I color my hair regularly (hair dye and pool chemicals do not mix well). So, when I go to the pool, I tend to just wade in water no higher than my shoulders. Since the Big Joe Noodle Sling is designed to be sat in like a chair and, as mentioned earlier, is especially stable, it’s the perfect setup for me to kick back and relax in the pool without worrying about getting my hair wet. My shoulders and head stay above the water at all times while the rest of my body can be underwater in sheer summer bliss. Plus, it makes it easy to hold onto a drink as you’re floating around.
What I didn’t like about it
It doesn’t dry instantly
The Big Joe Noodle Sling has one major con: Unlike your typical inflatable PVC pool float that dries off in minutes, this pick gets absolutely soaked in the water. I wring it out and try to drain it as much as possible before I leave the pool, and then I place it on my balcony to dry. Once it’s on the balcony, it does dry relatively quickly thanks to its mesh fabric, but I do have to admit that it isn’t exactly fun hauling a sopping wet pool float back to my apartment. (If you live in a house and have a pool right in your backyard, you probably won’t have this issue because you can leave it to dry outside.)
It takes up more storage space than inflatables
The other thing to keep in mind is that, because this pool float isn’t inflatable, it does take up more space in your home than one that can be deflated and folded up when not in use. Still, it fits just fine on the top shelf of my entryway closet with my beach bag and the rest of my outdoor supplies, but if you have extremely limited storage space, it might not be the best option for you. It also means it’s not a great pool float to pack on a vacation that requires a flight.
The pocket is pretty useless
The pool float also has a pocket on one arm, but to be honest, I don’t find it very useful. It’s not large enough to hold my water bottle, which is the only thing I could see myself using it for. A smaller and flatter bottle might fit, though, and the pocket would definitely work for stashing a pair of sunglasses or a bottle of sunscreen.
Bottom line
The Big Joe Noodle Sling is a stable, comfortable pool float that allows me to relax in the water effortlessly. I love that it doesn’t need to be inflated and is easy to get into. It works especially well for those who prefer to keep their head above water, and since it’s not made of plastic and filled with air, you don’t have to worry about it deflating thanks to tiny, pesky holes — meaning it will last you season after season.
While it may not dry immediately like a plastic pool float that can be wiped down, this beanbag-like option dries quickly when left out in the sun or hung up. And even though it takes up more space than your standard inflatable floatie, it’s still relatively easy to store.
At just $35, the Big Joe Noodle Sling is more than worth it. Every other pool float I’ve tried has paled in comparison, so it’s safe to say this affordable, fun and colorful pick will be my go-to from now on. If you’re on the hunt for a new pool float that literally won’t let you down, consider snagging one of these noodle slings before summer is over.