When you're lounging around on a lilo or soaking up the bubbles in a hot tub, there's only one thing that could make the experience even better. Introducing the inflatable cup holder, a brilliant invention designed to present you with your favourite icy beverage no matter which body of water you're floating around in, whether that's the swimming pool, the bath, or (if you dare) the sea.
There are many different designs nowadays, from practical floating drinks trays to novelty flamingos and unicorns that add a splash of poolside colour. Luckily for you, we've collated all the information that you need to know in order to find the most suitable cup holder to last you the whole season. In addition, we've selected ten of the most popular products to buy on Amazon and eBay.
Quick List - Top Inflatable Cup Holders
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There's a wide selection of inflatable cup holders out there so it's important that you know how to find the best pick out of a crowd. In this buying guide, we've selected the top trending products on the market and we've broken down all the facts you need to know before you choose one.
In this section, we will show you the benefits of the two main types of floating cup holders: novelty and supersize. From shapes to styles to affordability, we've covered every aspect to help you land on the perfect decision for you.
Novelty inflatable cup holders are what you expect to see floating around amongst lilos and rubber rings, ready for grabbing at any time. They're colourful, fun and engaging for all ages. Most often, you'll see a flamboyance of pink flamingos or a blessing of rainbow unicorns carrying cans of pop – or maybe a cheeky cocktail – around the pool.
You can also find an abundance of unique designs ranging from blingy diamond rings to mermaid tails, cacti, pineapples and avocados! The best part about novelty inflatable cup holders is that they are the most versatile option and are compact enough to use in the pool, the hot tub or even the bath.
You'll also appreciate the usefulness of having individual cupholders for a large group of people. There's great fun in letting everyone choose their favourite design and having it float around the pool with them.
While individual cups offer more flexibility for you to swim around with your own drink, they can often topple over if the waves are too choppy. If you're planning a pool party that's more of a big splash than a lazy lounging session, you'd be better off with the stability of a supersize holder or tray.
These have a larger surface area and are therefore more resilient to the waves created in a busy pool, not to mention that they carry everyone's drinks in the same place so they can't float astray. Often, a supersize floaty can carry between four to ten cups, with some even sporting pockets for food so you can throw on a lunchtime snack.
If you like to host pool parties or hot tub nights, a large holder is your best option, scoring ten points for durability, aesthetics and practicality for groups of people. The designs aren't always as fun as the individual ones, although we've managed to find a selection of both sleek and novelty designs for all to love.
While the majority of novelty holders only have space for one drink per floaty, others can have up to ten! This means that you need to rule out the holders that will be too little or too much for you, depending on a number of factors; cost, lifestyle, and preference.
Starting with the former, it's important to make sure that you buy a float that fits your budget. If you choose one with more holders than what you need, it will cost you significantly more than one with a suitable number of holders for you.
Look at your ideal scenario when you buy your drinks holder. Would it be you and a few friends cracking open a cold one by the pool or would it be a huge family party with drinks getting topped up by the minute? If you prefer to shop for necessities, a floaty with one to four holders will be enough. If you like to over-cater, let your budget shop for you and get the most you can for your money.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FEEBRIA Inflatable Floating Drink Holder | ![]() | A Luxurious Pick for Anyone From Couples to Big Groups | |
2 | Bheddi Inflatable Drink Holders for Pool | ![]() | The Best Selection for Parties | |
3 | CestMall Inflatable Drink Holder | ![]() | A Funky Rainbow Float for Food and Drinks | |
4 | TourKing Flamingo Cup Holder | ![]() | A Flamboyance of Fun Flamingoes | |
5 | Aim2Entertain Doughnuts Inflatable Cup Holders | ![]() | You'd be Dough'Nuts' to Miss Out on This Offer! | |
6 | Guangcailun Watermelon Inflatable Drink Holder | ![]() | A Summery Design for Small Groups or Couples | |
7 | MOVKZACV Inflatable Drink Holder for Pool | ![]() | The Practical, Durable Choice | |
8 | FXQ Water Inflatable Ice Bucket | ![]() | A Floating Ice Bucket for Champagne Nights With Your S.O | |
9 | A/C Inflatable Drinks Snacks Holder | ![]() | A Snack Boat for Watching the Game From the Pool | |
10 | WS UK Inflatable Palm Tree Drink Holder | ![]() | A Floating Mini Island to Hold Your Long Island Iced Tea |
This is the ultimate hosting float, equipped with everything you need from snacks to entertainment. Going far beyond the basic requirements of a cup holder, this floating party station includes an ice bucket, an iPad slot, drink holders, snack comportments and even a place to keep your phone.
Picture yourself and your partner catching up on your favourite series and munching on some crisps and dip all from the comfort of your own pool. Tempting, right? It has up to nine compartments and its super robust design is sure to keep your belongings safe while you swim.
This pack of pop holders is everything you can want for your pool party, whether it's your 12th birthday or your 40th! These quirky, fun designs add a bit of personality to every drink and they're a great party gift to send home with your guests once they've used them.
Or, pack them in your holiday beach bag for easy cocktail access while you're lounging by the shore. This pack of ten also comes with its own mini pump for convenience, although they're so small that you can easily blow them up by breath when you can't take the pump with you.
After every storm comes a rainbow – and a pool party! With four individual cup holders and a large sharing compartment for your water, wine or mixers, this novelty supersize party float is a must-have for days or nights spent by the pool.
It's also a sturdy, reliable choice for kids parties thanks to its durable wide surface and ability to balance well on the wavy aftermath of a cannonball jump. Look to this fun and friendly design to add some colour to your summer.
Next up, a flamingo cup holder to hold your fizzy drinks, frappucinos, fruit punch, and of course, drinks that don't start with the letter F. These little guys are such a stylish addition to your party and they're so cute that they almost deserve an invite themselves!
The floats are wide in diameter with a singular cup holder so you can be sure that your drink will stay upright all day. In this pack, you get twelve flamingos costing just over £1 each. This is the best bargain on the list and an easy choice for anyone who's stuck with making a decision.
A delicious looking trio with the option of strawberry, chocolate and berry frosted doughnuts, these beverage boats are great for chilling in the pool with your friends as well as carrying in your beach bag for days out by the sea.
They don't require as much air as the usual novelty designs, thanks to their basic yet well-decorated design. These cute doughnut cup holders are just enough for you and a few pals to have refreshments in the hot tub without having to get out every time you need a drink! Result!
Fresh, colourful watermelon is a well-known summer classic and this sweet slice is exactly that. It's also available in other fruity designs such as pineapple and orange, and as they're bought individually, you can mix and match as you please.
This product is fairly bargainous too, depending on how many singles you want to pick up to cater to your group. The novelty design is adorable and ideal for buying in small quantities to try out the idea of a drinks floaty.
Playing pool in the pool? Jokes aside, while this triangle design resembles that of a snooker rack, its three-corner design is actually proven to offer enhanced stability. It's 54 cm in length and it can hold up to six drinks of your choice, so you can swim around in freedom.
In addition, it boasts durable padded corners which provide greater protection to avoid spills when it hits the poolside. It might not be the most exciting design we've laid eyes on, but it's practical enough to hold drinks for a group and compact enough to not take up too much space.
With six cup holders and an ice bucket, this is a brilliant summertime cooler. It has a super practical design with ropes and handles to secure it in place when you need to. It also comes with a sample of strong repair paper so you can patch it up in case it gets damaged.
The main feature of this float is the ice bucket which can keep your drinks chilled while you paddle. The downside to this is that, while it's keeping your drinks cold and fresh, it will also be cooling down the water temperature of your pool which isn't ideal for smaller pools nor hot tubs.
This bargain beverage float is a great one for those looking for a quick, affordable solution to poolside drinking. In addition to your cans of beer or pop, you can also add a tub of guacamole and some nachos for a summertime snack.
The majority of the compartments in this holder won't hold a can upright, although they can most definitely hold food, sunglasses and your favourite book. It's more of a practical pool tray as opposed to being a designated drinks holder.
Could this cute palm tree drinks holder set be your perfect poolside accessory? They can hold anything from beer cans to red solo cups and even small bowls of snacks. Not to mention that they're a great prop for Instagram photos and can safeguard your phone in between shoots!
As you drink more and your cup becomes emptier, balancing these floats can be a challenge due to their cumbersome shape. It lacks the benefits of a simplistic design and fails to hold an empty cup on wavy waters. That said, if you're sitting in still waters, like the hot tub, this should work just fine.
Wondering how else you can upgrade your poolside experience? We've got plenty more guides to help you get the very best water-friendly accessories for everyone in the family. Click the links below to find out more!
No. 1: FEEBRIA|Inflatable Floating Drink Holder
No. 2: Bheddi|Inflatable Drink Holders for Pool
No. 3: CestMall|Inflatable Drink Holder
No. 4: TourKing|Flamingo Cup Holder
No. 5: Aim2Entertain|Doughnuts Inflatable Cup Holders
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