Best Balloons for Helium (to fly the longest)

Looking for the best balloons to use with helium?
Whether you're decorating for a birthday, wedding, graduation, or corporate event, choosing the right type of balloon ensures your décor floats beautifully—and lasts as long as possible.
In this guide, we compare the most reliable latex and foil balloons that are designed specifically for helium use. Plus, we've included our top picks to help you get party-ready fast.
Party Like a Pro
To help families, event planners, and decorators create unforgettable moments using trusted helium balloon tips, tools, and supplies.
Know How Much Helium You Need
To simplify party planning with our free online helium balloon calculator — estimate how many helium tanks you need for any balloon setup.
Find Top-Rated Helium Tanks & Balloon Supplies
To guide you to the best helium tanks, latex balloons, and accessories available from fast, affordable, and Amazon-approved sellers.
Not all balloons are created equal when it comes to helium. Standard air-only balloons won’t float, while high-quality latex or foil balloons are engineered to stay airborne. Here's a quick breakdown of the best options that hold helium well:
Balloon Type | Size | Float Time | Best For | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Latex Balloons (Pack of 50) | 12" | 8–12 hours | Birthday Parties, Events | Buy on Amazon → |
Foil Balloons (Stars & Hearts) | 18" | 2–5 days | Gifts, Baby Showers | Buy on Amazon → |
Jumbo Foil Number Balloons | 34–40" | 3–7 days | Milestones, Anniversaries | Buy on Amazon → |
Tank Size | 9" Latex Balloons | 11" Latex Balloons | 18" Foil Balloons | Buy Online |
---|---|---|---|---|
Small Disposable | 30 | 20 | 15 | Shop Now |
Medium Rental | 100 | 75 | 50 | Local Only |
Large Rental | 200 | 150 | 100 | Local Only |
Disclosure: Affiliate links included. Creative Balloons Mfg. Inc. partners with several affiliate programs, meaning that we may earn a commission from purchases/clicks by those who visit this site at no additional cost to you.
Creative Balloons Manufacturing is a wholesale supplier of balloons and balloon accessories. We do not sell or refill helium tanks or offer inflation services. This page is intended for general information and planning purposes only.
Looking for the best way to fill your balloons for an upcoming event? Whether you're hosting a birthday, baby shower, or school fundraiser, finding the right size helium tank can help you save time, money, and stress.
This guide provides a helpful overview of commonly used helium tank sizes along with estimated fill capacities for both latex and foil balloons. Use it to better understand how many balloons a single tank can inflate — and choose the best option for your party setup.
From disposable helium kits for small gatherings to larger rental tanks for major events, this page outlines typical balloon fill counts based on average inflation. Estimates may vary depending on factors like balloon size, ambient temperature, tank pressure, and inflation method.
If you're organizing a balloon bouquet, centerpiece, or ceiling display, this information helps you better plan how many tanks to purchase — and gives a ballpark idea of what you’ll need for setup day.
Looking to estimate the amount of helium you'll need for your party or event?
Try our Helium Balloon Calculator here.
Looking to rent a large helium tank and want to estimate for how much it may cost?
Try our Helium Balloon Tank Cost Estimator tool here.