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.
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.
Now, let's dive into the list of products and narrow down your options until the best choice shines out to you. We've taught you all the basics, but if the decision becomes too difficult, just check back at the buying guide to refresh your memory and guide you in the right direction.
£6.45
Style | Novelty |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 1 |
Dimensions | 17 x 15 cm |
Quantity | 4 (singles available) |
£10.99
Style | Supersize |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 8 |
Dimensions | 70 x 50 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
£28.07
Style | Supersize |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 6 |
Dimensions | 66 x 46 x 21 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
£9.91
Style | Supersize |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 6 |
Dimensions | 54 x 6.5 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
£2.59
Style | Novelty |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 1 |
Dimensions | 19 x 19 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
£3.45
Style | Novelty |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 1 |
Dimensions | 19 x 19 cm |
Quantity | 3 (singles available) |
£12.89
Style | Novelty |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 1 |
Dimensions | 19 x 16.5 cm |
Quantity | 12 |
£13.99
Style | Novelty supersize |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 5 |
Dimensions | 55 x 96 x 65 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
£9.99
Style | Novelty |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 1 |
Dimensions | 20 cm |
Quantity | 10 |
£29.66
Style | Supersize |
---|---|
Number of Holders | 9 |
Dimensions | 53 x 80 cm |
Quantity | 1 |
Image | 1 ![]() FEEBRIA | 2 ![]() Bheddi | 3 ![]() CestMall | 4 ![]() TourKing | 5 ![]() Aim2Entertain | 6 ![]() Guangcailun | 7 ![]() MOVKZACV | 8 ![]() FXQ | 9 ![]() A/C | 10 ![]() WS UK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Inflatable Floating Drink Holder | Inflatable Drink Holders for Pool | Inflatable Drink Holder | Flamingo Cup Holder | Doughnuts Inflatable Cup Holders | Watermelon Inflatable Drink Holder | Inflatable Drink Holder for Pool | Water Inflatable Ice Bucket | Inflatable Drinks Snacks Holder | Inflatable Palm Tree Drink Holder |
Features | A Luxurious Pick for Anyone From Couples to Big Groups | The Best Selection for Parties | A Funky Rainbow Float for Food and Drinks | A Flamboyance of Fun Flamingoes | You'd be Dough'Nuts' to Miss Out on This Offer! | A Summery Design for Small Groups or Couples | The Practical, Durable Choice | A Floating Ice Bucket for Champagne Nights With Your S.O | A Snack Boat for Watching the Game From the Pool | A Floating Mini Island to Hold Your Long Island Iced Tea |
Price | £29.66 | £9.99 | £13.99 | £12.89 | £3.45 | £2.59 | £9.91 | £28.07 | £10.99 | £6.45 |
Style | Supersize | Novelty | Novelty supersize | Novelty | Novelty | Novelty | Supersize | Supersize | Supersize | Novelty |
Number of Holders | 9 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
Dimensions | 53 x 80 cm | 20 cm | 55 x 96 x 65 cm | 19 x 16.5 cm | 19 x 19 cm | 19 x 19 cm | 54 x 6.5 cm | 66 x 46 x 21 cm | 70 x 50 cm | 17 x 15 cm |
Quantity | 1 | 10 | 1 | 12 | 3 (singles available) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 (singles available) |
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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!
We hope that you found this buying guide helpful and that you've managed to land on a decision. Whether you're planning on floating around in a swimming pool or filling up the paddling pool for the kids, an inflatable cup holder is an accessory you must try out this summer.
Author: Annie Speight
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