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Baby & Kids Health & Safety

Best Infant Life Jackets

Updated August 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Oceans 7 Infant Life Jacket
Oceans 7
Infant Life Jacket
Most Versatile

Your infant will enjoy the lake or ocean safely in this U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.

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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Your infant will enjoy the lake or ocean safely in this U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.

Pros

With adjustable straps and head floatation support, this type two life jacket will keep your infant safe in and near water. This life jacket is ideal for infants weighing 8-30 pounds and is lightweight enough to be comfortable when wearing.

Cons

This life jacket does not have a zipper to keep it closed in the front.

Best Bang for the Buck
Airhead Infant Life Vest
Airhead
Infant Life Vest
Customer Favorite

This life jacket, with three chest straps and a leg strap, will fit your infant well and keep them afloat in the water.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This life jacket, with three chest straps and a leg strap, will fit your infant well and keep them afloat in the water.

Pros

With bright coloring to be easily visible in the water and a low price to be easy on your wallet, this life vest is a customer favorite for infants who weight between 8 and 30 pounds. The adjustable straps will grow with your infant and the leg strap will keep the vest from sliding over their head.

Cons

The large head support piece may be uncomfortable for your child out of water.

RAVE Sports Infant Universal Life Vest
RAVE Sports
Infant Universal Life Vest

Don't let the low price fool you, because this life jacket offers a fit and safety features that work for most young swimmers.

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Bottom Line

Don't let the low price fool you, because this life jacket offers a fit and safety features that work for most young swimmers.

Pros

Easy to adjust for a fit that's suitable for most babies. Has a durable nylon exterior. Head pillow provides adequate support for most wearers. Fits kids up to 30 pounds. Rated as a type III flotation device. Affordable and Coast Guard approved as a Type II floatation device.

Cons

Design is on the bulky side, so it's not comfortable for all babies.

Stearns Infant Classic Series Vest
Stearns
Infant Classic Series Vest

Basic infant life jacket that's a good pick if you're on a budget and want something to have on hand.

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Bottom Line

Basic infant life jacket that's a good pick if you're on a budget and want something to have on hand.

Pros

Does what it needs to do. Keeps the head above water and flips the baby to their back. Head cushion handle lets parents keep a good grip.

Cons

Big and bulky, making it uncomfortable for many babies.

Stohlquist Life Jacket for Infants
Stohlquist Waterware
Life Jacket for Infants
Easiest to Use

This life jacket features a quick release buckle over entry zipper for added security.

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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

This life jacket features a quick release buckle over entry zipper for added security.

Pros

This lightweight life jacket with head support is classified as type two, meaning it will help keep your infant's head above water as they float. This life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard approved and brightly colored to be easily visible in the water.

Cons

This life jacket does not have as much back padding as others in the same category.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
May 06, 2021
56
Models
considered
28
Hours
researched
Category cover
Our Top Picks
Oceans 7
Best of the Best
Oceans 7
Infant Life Jacket
Bottom Line
Your infant will enjoy the lake or ocean safely in this U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
Shop Now
Airhead
Best Bang for the Buck
Airhead
Infant Life Vest
Bottom Line
This life jacket, with three chest straps and a leg strap, will fit your infant well and keep them afloat in the water.
Shop Now
RAVE Sports
Top Pick
RAVE Sports
Infant Universal Life Vest
Bottom Line
Don't let the low price fool you, because this life jacket offers a fit and safety features that work for most young swimmers.
Shop Now
Stearns
Top Pick
Stearns
Infant Classic Series Vest
Bottom Line
Basic infant life jacket that's a good pick if you're on a budget and want something to have on hand.
Shop Now
Stohlquist Waterware
Top Pick
Stohlquist Waterware
Life Jacket for Infants
Bottom Line
This life jacket features a quick release buckle over entry zipper for added security.
Shop Now
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