Intro
You don’t need magical powers to float on water.
With the best floating mats, you can enjoy the summer holidays floating around on the cool blue. Floating water mats are somewhat of an alternative to your standard floating tubes or noodles, which leave parts of your body submerged in the water. The beauty of floating water mats is that you can be on top of the water and remain fairly dry.
What’s important to note is that floating water mats vary greatly in design, style, and size. From single floating water mats to family-style floating water mats, there are tons of different ways to spend time atop the water.
If you’re looking for some top-notch floating water mats with some solid features for this summer on the lake, stick around and check out our best floating water mat reviews!
The Top 9
#1 Russo Floating Fortress Foam Mat 18’
The Rosso Water Floating Fortress Mat is an 18’ water pad that is perfect for the lake or ocean. It is made out of durable, high-grade two-ply closed cell foam that is 1 ⅜ thick. It is incredibly adaptable to just about any situation, and has a capacity of 1,200 pounds, perfect for anywhere from 6-8 people to enjoy!
The foam is completely tear-resistant and UV-protected. You don’t have to worry about it fading in the sun if it’s left out for too long. The beauty of this floating mat is that it is large yet portable. You can easily roll it up and store it away with the included Velcro straps and 12’ bungee tether. Overall, it is one of the best water mats that float on the market today!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best floating water mat for tons of people
- Easy to store with Velcro straps
- Anchor is handy to tie it off
Cons
- None!
#2 Flotation IQ Floating Oasis Mat 15’
For smaller groups and families, one of the floating mats is the Flotation IQ Oasis Floating Mat, as it measures in at a smaller 15 feet. It is very easy to unroll and lay on the water. The surprising thing is, even at a smaller size than the Rosso floating mat, it has the ability to support almost 300 pounds more!
As for the design, the mat is made out of a durable polyolefin foam, which is said to be resistant to scratches and tears. The added durability comes from the foam membrane that is positioned between the two outer layers. To keep your mat still on the water, Flotation IQ has included a D-ring tethering system with a ten-foot bungee tether line. This makes it excellent for parents who want to make sure that their little ones stay put in the water.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely durable foam
- Best weight capacity for small size
- Very portable
Cons
- A few complaints about flimsy nylon straps
#3 Maui Aqua Lily Pad 20’ Floating Water Mat
Sometimes you gotta go big or go home. The Maui Aqua Lily Pad 20’ is a massive floating Foam Pad that provides an insane amount of surface area for you to play or relax on. With all that room to roam around, it’s one of the best floating mats for the entire family. Do note that it only supports 1,300 pounds though, which is a bit less than the smaller aforementioned mat.
In terms of durability, it stays strong with its two-layer cross link foam material that is sandwiched around the Flexcore center. At only 25 pounds, you’ll be able to easily carry it down to water too. Overall, if you’re looking to go big, the Maui Aqua Lily Pad 20’ Floating Foam Pad might be the brightest water mat in your future.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Room for the whole family and more
- Very durable design
- Easy storage capabilities
Cons
- Low weight capacity for the large size
#4 Fun Float Floating Water Mat 18’
Some people like to keep it simple, and if you’re one of those people, you’ll love the minimalist design of the Fun Float Floating Water Mat. No matter what body of what you choose to sit on, it’s a solid design. It is made with three-layer foam material that is sandwiched around a thick center core. Overall, it can hold up to 1,250 pounds with ease.
It comes complete with durable buckle straps to make transportation easy, all while keeping your mat rolled up tightly. There are a few different colors to choose from, including blue, pink, white, and yellow, so no matter what style you want to rock, the Fun Float can provide.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable three-layer construction
- Easy to anchor
- Great for smaller groups
Cons
- May not be as buoyant as it suggests
#5 Fedmax Floating Water Mat 19’
The Fedmax Floating Water Mat is another one of the best choices for those who want something larger than life. This heavy-duty mat has the ability to support up to 1,625 pounds, which is pretty amazing for large groups, especially adults. In fact, Fedmax claims it has the highest capacity of any floating water pad on the market.
The durable three-ply foam is likely responsible for that high weight capacity. Not only is it incredibly sturdy, it’s also very weight-resistant. The mesh layer is sandwiched between the two layers to add a bit of flexibility as well. Some other features of the Fedmax mat include the tether for docking and the carrying handle for transport.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best for huge groups
- Made out of three durable layers
- Comes with carrying handle for transport
Cons
- Some have complained about the colors fading
#6 Big Joe 1050ABW Floating Water Pad 15’
Here comes Big Joe! This sweet little floating water mat is surprisingly strong for only being 15’, as it has the ability to support up to 1,500 pounds! The EVA foam is incredibly sturdy, helping to keep your mat floating while retaining its integrity through UV protection. The company says the mat is perfect for anywhere from 5-6 adults. With a small size, we love it for the swimming pool!
The Big Joe has Velcro straps for easy transportation, as well as small grommets at the ends to attach anchors to. There are little wave designs on the rails of the mat, providing a cool, summer vibe, perfect for floating on the lake.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tough EVA construction
- Large carrying capacity for small size
- Large Velcro straps
Cons
- Some people have complained of small tears
#7 Floating Island Hopper Water Mat 20’
If you’re going for sheer size, there is nothing bigger than the Floating Island HopperWater Mat 20’. It’s one of the best floating water mats for the whole extended family. The mat is made out of triple-layer XPE foam, which is said to be completely tear-resistant. With a mesh inner core, you get both flexible and sturdiness. Even the dog can hang out on the Island Hopper Water Mat without tearing it up!
With the Tuff Hide membrane, peeling due to sun damage becomes a thing of the past. Of course, the one downside to the large size is that it is a bit heavier at 35 pounds, though the company does provide bungee cords to transport it more efficiently.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Humongous design
- XPE Foam is fade and tear-resistant
- Seven grommets for versatile anchoring
Cons
- Can be a bit heavy for some to carry
#8 Redneck Convent Floating Water Mat 18’
Do you consider yourself a redneck? If so, your arsenal isn’t complete without the Redneck Convent Floating Water Mat. It’s a solid, 18-foot long mat with a vibrant design, built for fun! It’s one of the best floating water mats for the whole family and is ultra-durable thanks to the cross-linked polyethylene design. In fact, it may just be one of the most durable floating water mats for the price.
It comes with a 12-foot bungee tether to anchor it to your boat or dock, as well as a high-grade carabiner. There are also a few easy storage straps for rolling it up and transporting it, each of which is incredibly thick.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Thick and durable carrying straps
- Bright colors
- Very sturdy for the price
Cons
- Can wrinkle badly if left in the sun for too long
#9 O’Brien Floating Water Mat 18’
O’Brien is a legendary floating water mat company that has been in the game for over 50 years. This little water island is made out of three-layer foam for serious durability. Whether you want to run around, do some yoga, or kick back and relax, this water mat has a solid surface to do it all. It comes with a grommet and a rope attachment to make anchoring easy.
There is plenty of room for a small group of adults or a large group of kids to hang out. When the summer day at the lake has come to an end, you can easily roll this mat up and take it back to the car without a fuss.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable three-layer foam
- Included grommet for anchoring
- Easy to roll up and store with Velcro straps
Cons
- A bit thinner than some floating mats, so you will likely get wet
FAQ
What’s The Best Place To Use A Floating Water Mat?
Adults and kids can enjoy floating water mats and water pads on just about any body of water from the lake to the ocean, though it is always important to be careful about which body of water you choose to enjoy your mat on. Of course, you should never use it on rapids, nor when the waves in the ocean are choppy. It is best to find a body of water that is flat and calm, as this creates a perfect platform for your mat. You can even use your floating water mat for the swimming pool if you want!
What Is The Best Way To Make My Floating Water Mat Last Longer?
The best way to enjoy your floating water mat for the whole summer is by cleaning it when you’re done floating. Wiping it off with a wet rag or hosing it down with fresh water is a wonderful way to get rid of any dirt, bacteria, or grime that may be on it from the lake water or from your body. People often end up trapping all of this stuff in the mat when they roll it up, which creates the perfect environment for mold to grow.
We recommend rinsing it off and letting it air dry before storing it away in a cool, dark place, away from the sunlight.
Final Verdict – Which Should I Buy?
We hope that you now have all the information you need to get the best floating water mat for all of your summer adventures. Whether you are looking to soak in the sun with some friends or enjoy some time with the family, floating water mats provide little islands of paradise for all.
Of course, if we had to pick the best of the bunch, it would likely be the Russo Floating Fortress Foam Mat 18’ Even with its large size and durable design, it is lightweight enough to transport with ease.
