A family day out at the beach, lake, or even the swimming pool doesn’t mean that you have to leave your babies behind. Infants and babies can come along too – as long as they wear the right life jackets. This is why we ranked and reviewed the thirteen best life jackets for infants and babies; these products prioritize your kid’s safety while ensuring that they enjoy themselves without feeling uncomfortable. With these products, your kids will have an extra layer of protection if an accident (e.g., a boating crash) happens. Let’s get to it.
1. O’Neill Wake USCG Infant Life Vest.Best overall infant life jacket.
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I love that the O’Neill Wake USCG Infant Life Jacket is very comfortable. It was designed to be lightweight and weighs just under half a kilogram! The neck support is also great.
But it's not just about comfort, this USCG-approved life jacket has top-notch safety features. The handle on the headrest makes it easy to pick up your child from the water, and the little strap between the baby's legs prevents babies from flipping over.
The design is just what infants and toddlers need. It looks sharp on the kids, and the colours are eye-catching and vibrant. A bonus feature; it protects your baby's head if they fall.
My biggest issue with the life jacket is that it is very bulky at the front. Because of all the bulk, it's quite difficult for babies to move around very freely. Also, the vest can sometimes ride up and get close to your baby's face, but the v-neck design of the life jacket will help reduce this.
The O’Neill Wake is one of the best infant life jackets you can get. It is lightweight, very comfortable, and US Coast Guard-approved.
Despite some shortcomings, the O’Neill baby Life Jacket is one of the most comfortable life jackets for kids. The price also matches its quality. It's a perfect blend of price and quality.
2. Overton's Infant Vest.Best budget infant life vest.
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The Overton is a great budget infant life jacket. The crotch area is elastic and offers a snug and comfortable fit that won't rub your baby's thighs. Because it's elastic it prevents chafing and has a lot of room for growth. Also, the armhole is padded. This will allow your baby to swing their arms as much as they want without any scrapes at all.
The oversized collar design provides excellent head support, which is great, especially for younger babies. It makes the baby float face-up on the water.
The shoulder strap is suitable for comfort, and it ensures security. It also works as a grab strap.
The vest comes with only one waist trap, and it's quite easy to put on and pull off.
A drawback of Overton's infant vest is its bulk. My baby was awkward in it for a while and couldn't walk well until she got used to it.
The oversized collar caused her to fuss because it was tight around the chin area. And the padded collar reduces head mobility.
Overton's infant vest is USCG approved; it is comfortable and fit. It provides excellent head support and ensures security.
Overton's infant vest is very affordable. Getting all its great features for a low price is fantastic!
3. Stohlquist Infant PFD Life Jacket.Best for your infant's mobility.
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Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket is a Type II PFD with a sea level buoyancy of 71bs. 60z. In simpler terms, it's great for mobility. The large arm holes are great for arm mobility and they prevent chafing, so you can watch your kids play, giggle, and wave their hands all day without worrying about them.
I find the open-back design quite appealing. It increases breathability and makes the kid feel comfortable even when sitting. The open neck and the double collar also provide great mobility and comfort.
The jacket comes with a lot of self-explanatory safety information and has full-sized adjustable straps.
The major issue with the Stohlquist Infant PFD Life Jacket is its durability. Customers have complained that it tends to rip along the seams quickly. There's also the crotch strap that is not padded. This could cause chafing if your infant wears it for too long.
Stohlquist Infant PFD Life Jacket is a design that allows for freedom and mobility. It is Coast Guard-approved, and lightweight. That said, the durability concerns are worth paying attention to.
The Jacket is relatively pricey, especially when you consider that it's known to sometimes have durability issues.
4. Airhead Wicked Flex Life Vest.Most fashionable infant life vest.
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Airhead Wicked Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Vest is an excellent product. The unique chick design with vibrant pink and zebra stripes is superb. The colour stands out, and you can easily spot your baby in the water.
It is very comfortable for an infant, with no fussing whatsoever, even if worn for an extended period. It is very soft, and the area around the armholes is well-padded. This ensures full arm mobility.
The safety features are also on point. It has a grab handle for easy retrieval, and the buckles make for a firm fit.
A pet peeve with the Airhead Wicked Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Jacket is the leg strap; it is not padded enough. And while the jacket is comfortable, it could chaff the thighs of big babies.
The product is more suited to the needs of little infants.
Airhead Wicked Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Vest is US Coast Guard-approved.
It is secure, easy to remove, and the design is guaranteed to turn heads. But it's more appropriate for small babies.
Airhead Wicked Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Jacket is a bit pricey, but when your kids set their sights on it, they wouldn't want anything else. It will make a fine addition to one of their favourite outfits.
5. Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket.Another great life vest for mobility.
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The Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket, like the Stohlquist Infant PFD Life Jacket, also allows mobility. The large arm holes help prevent chafing and scraping, and the double collar is excellent. The collar gently cradles your baby's head without compromising on mobility.
Unlike Stohlquist Infant PFD, this one comes in three nice retro colours, and the materials are quality. The double collar also makes it easier for the kids to float on their backs, even when they fall asleep.
I like that it's comfortable, and it won't ride up your baby's face. It also has a convenient grab handle, and it's easy to dry and store.
I don't like the bulk of the Stohlquist Kid's Life Jacket. It would not be comfortable for big kids as it would tend to squeeze their necks and the bottom of their heads tightly.
And then, the colour bleeds. After hand washing, the slight purple colour bled unto the pink.
Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket is a great product to keep your little infants safe and comfortable. It comes with full-sized adjustable straps, and it guarantees safety and mobility.
Despite some minor issues, Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket is still one of the best life vests out there; though the price is a bit higher than the others on the market, its design is worth it.
6. Oceans 7 Infant Life Jacket.Great budget infant life vest.
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The Oceans 7 Infant Life Jacket takes safety very seriously. Babies can be handfuls and if they do fall face flat in the water, the life vest pops them up immediately and flips them unto their back.
Another lovable feature is that it comes in different colours. The colours are evident both in and out of the water. The life jacket is also comfortable with its padded collar.
I also love that it comes with a self-explanatory brochure. It is straightforward to understand, and strapping your little one in won't be difficult.
Because the main focus of this vest is safety, it is quite bulky. It will be great for larger toddlers, but for the little ones, it will make them sink into it.
The crotch grab is also sewn at an angle on the left side, which could cause chafing.
The Oceans 7 infant life jacket is US Coast Guard-approved. It was designed with nylon construction and thick EPE floatation, which increases its durability. And it remains one of the safest infant life jackets you can get.
With the Oceans 7 Infant Life Jacket, you'd be getting a very safe life vest at a pretty affordable price albeit at the cost of comfort.
7. Stearns PFD Heads-up Life Vest.Best infant life vest with oversized collar.
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The Stearns life vest is very safe and comfortable. The Jacket has a zip at the front to keep it securely closed. It also has three straps that can be adjusted to control the vest firmly while still being comfortable.
The life vest is excellent at flipping any face-down child immediately onto their back, thanks to the back flotation pad. The oversized collar is also great for keeping your kid's face up. It gives your kid the much-needed confidence to play around in the water.
It comes in bright colours that stand out, and the grab handle makes it easy to pick up your baby whenever you want.
My issue with the Stearns PDF Heads up Type II Life Jacket is that water could easily get in your baby's ear when they're on your back. Hopefully, Stearns will consider this in future iterations of the product.
The life jacket is also pretty padded, so a child who still needs to be mobile in water might find it challenging to look around.
Stearns PFD Heads-up Type II Life Jacket is an excellent choice for your child. It has a familiar classic design, it is comfortable, and it offers a very secure fit. It is also Coast Guard-approved.
The life jacket offers excellent comfort and safety at an affordable price.
8. Airhead Treasure Life Vest.Cutest infant life vest ever!
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One thing I love about the Airhead treasure is the ocean-inspired design. Just looking at the picture makes you feel the ocean's cool breeze. It doesn't just stop there; the vest comes in different colours. You can pick the perfect one for your child.
The vest fits well, and its safety is excellent. It isn't as bulky as the previously reviewed Oceans 7 jacket, but that doesn't make it less safe. It's USCG-approved, its adjustable straps are durable, and the close-sided design ensures the vest stays on even when your baby moves around a lot.
My biggest issue with the Airhead treasure life jacket is that it doesn't work for all sizes. If your baby is around 7 months or older, they might find the jacket too small. It would be great if the jacket came in a larger size.
I would also love it if they could improve the crotch strap. The crotch strap should be two compared to the usual one that comes with this jacket. This would prevent the belt from sliding to one place and negate chafing.
The Airhead treasure life vest is US coast guard approved. It is perfect for keeping your little one's head out of the water. It preaches comfort with its zipper, buckles closure, crotch strap, and headrest. That said, your baby will quickly outgrow it.
It has a decent price for the comfort it brings to your child. But keep in mind that it's a small fit, and you might need to buy another vest in a few months.
9. Full Throttle Infant Life Jacket.Great budget infant life vest.
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I love the Full Throttle Infant Life Jacket because it comes with a very convenient buckle opening at the collar, making it easier to wear for babies. Also, the large padded collar protects their heads and ensures no water gets into their ears.
The Material is very quality, and the stitching is very excellent. I also love that the zipper is at the side rather than the front. The side zipper, coupled with the large padded collar ensures that the vest always keeps your baby's face up in the water.
Another thing I love about this product is the elasticized fabric leg strap. It is super comfortable for babies, and it prevents chafing.
My biggest issue would be the shape and thickness of the foam. It could make carrying your baby feel very awkward. And also, while the leg strap is comfortable, it absorbs a lot of water that you would have to wring out every time.
The full-throttle infant life jacket is US Coast Guard-approved. It is designed for infants less than 15 Kg. It is a good easy-to-wear life jacket.
The Full Throttle Infant Life Jacket has a fantastic price. It is one of the cheapest life vests on the market.
10. Stearns Infant Classic Series Life Vest.Another great budget infant life vest.
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The Stearns Infant Classic is a good infant life vest that's mostly great for floating in the water. It has a secure fit and an adjustable leg strap that helps keep your child stable in water, albeit on their backs
The product also comes with a rescue handle, and the open side ensures good mobility. It helps keep your kid's face from giving under water while swimming or just kicking around in the water.
Because of the design of this vest, your baby will find it difficult to stay upright in the water. The vest will always tilt and make them lie on their backs. While this is mainly to keep your child safe, it's not the most ideal. Also, the bulk around the neck does not allow for much head mobility.
The Stearns Infant Classic serves life vest is US Coast Guard-approved. It is especially great for infants weighing less than 30 pounds. But if you have plans to teach your baby how to swim, you'd be better off opting for the Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket.
The Stearns Infant Classic Series comes at a great and very affordable price. The price-to-quality ratio is excellent.
11. Stearns Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket.Good infant life vest with a secure fit.
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Take the Stearns Infant Classic Series, improve on its flaws, and you have the Stearns Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket. The Stearns Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene Life Jacket is lightweight, fits perfectly, has a clean design, and it comes in a host of nice colours.
The jacket comes with double crotch straps rather than the usual ones that most life vests have and a very convenient buckle at the neck area. It is not bulky around the back, and it has great mobility.
When I got it for my little niece, she was just going four months, and now she is five months, and it still fits. It fit then, and it still does now.
One drawback of Stearns infant puddle jumper-like jacket is that to get your baby in it, you will need to flip them back and forth to get all clips done. But when it's done, it's secured!
Also, the area around the neck will be a little tight for babies with extra rolls, as the neck space is relatively small.
The Stearns Infant Puddle Jumper Hydroprene is comfortable to wear all day and is US Coast approved. It's neither overly spectacular nor bad. It does everything just right.
It is appropriately priced for what it offers
12. Deluxe Kid's Rapid Dry Life Jacket.Best instant dry infant life vest.
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The thing I love the most about the Deluxe Kid's Rapid Dry life Jacket is the rapid dry technology for extended wear. Once your baby is out of the water, the vest dries up very quickly. Leaving your baby dry and comfortable.
The vest features a stretchable, flexed back panel and large armholes, allowing mobility and a free range of motion for your baby.
Another lovable feature is that the crotch strap comes padded; unlike most life vests, the belt does not cause chafing. The zipper at the front improves wearability, and the design is classic and straight to the point.
Customers have complained that for some reason, the zipper of this vest doesn't stay up. And when it does, it keeps poking their baby's chin.
Also, like many vests with oversized collars, the Deluxe Kid's Rapid Dry Life Jacket will make your baby lie back down, and face up in the water.
Deluxe kid's Rapid Dry life Jacket is US Coast guide approved. It is designed for infants under 30 pounds, and its rapid dry technology is top-notch.
Deluxe Kid's Rapid Dry life Jacket is sold at an average price; it's not too pricey and, at the same time, not too cheap. It is okay for the quality it provides
13. Salus Bijoux Baby Vest.Very comfortable infant life vest.
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I love the open-back feature of the Salus Bijoux. It makes the vest breathable and quite comfortable to wear for long hours. The open back also allows a wide range of movement for your baby.
Like the Full Throttle Infant life jacket, It also has an oversized head support, and the crotch strap is padded. The vest comes with an adjustable mesh and webbing system that provides excellent security, and it can support infants that weigh up to 13 Kg, but there's a catch that we'll get to.
While the Salus Bijoux Baby Vest can handle up to 13 Kg of weight, the vest runs small. For bigger babies, the harness around the neck region could press down on their shoulders and neck. I would love it if it could come in bigger sizes.
The Salus Bijoux Baby Vest is great for small babies, and it offers a great blend of mobility, security, and comfort.
The Salus Bijoux Baby Vest is one of the most expensive baby life jackets in the market, it is the costliest life vest on this list, and it does feel overpriced.
Better Kids
Help kids learn to swim, develop love for the outdoors and interest in competitive sports.
More Effective Parents
Improve your ability to identify risks while providing water-based development opportunities for your child.
Stronger Families
Improve family outcomes by sharing in water-based recreational and sports activities.