How Long Do Helium Balloons Last?

January 31, 2026

If you’re planning a birthday, anniversary, or surprise delivery, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:

How long do helium balloons last?

It’s a fair concern. No one wants balloons that start drooping before guests even arrive.

At PartySpot.ca, we deliver helium balloons same day across Metro Vancouver and ship across Canada. We handle hundreds of balloon orders every month, and over time we’ve learned what truly lasts — and what doesn’t.

This guide is based on real customer orders, real conditions, and real results.

Quick Answer:

From our daily deliveries, here’s the realistic range you can expect:

Balloon Type	Real Float Time (Indoors)
Latex balloons	8–24 hours
Foil/Mylar balloons	3–7 days
Bubble & Bobo balloons	7–21 days
Giant & Number balloons	3–10 days

These times assume indoor use, away from heat, direct sunlight, and sharp objects. If you wonder, why even helium escape? Because its atoms are extremely small — a fact confirmed by Britannica

From Our Experience at PartySpot

We prepare balloons every day for birthdays, proposals, graduations, and surprise room setups.

Across hundreds of orders:

Latex balloons usually begin shrinking within 8–12 hours.
Foil balloons often still look great after 3–4 days indoors.
Bubble and bobo balloons can float for over two weeks in stable conditions.

This is why we recommend mixing balloon types depending on how long you want them to last.

Latex vs Foil Helium Balloons

Latex Helium Balloons

Latex balloons are soft, stretchy, and affordable - but they are porous, which allows helium to slowly escape.

Real lifespan:

8 to 24 hours (shorter in warm rooms)

They’re best for:

Same-day parties
Budget decorations
Short photo sessions

Foil (Mylar) Helium Balloons

Foil balloons are made from a sealed metallic film that holds helium far better.

Real lifespan:

3 to 7 days, sometimes longer indoors

They’re ideal for:

Surprise room decor
Weekend parties
Proposal setups
Multi-day celebrations

Scientific Mind Note: Here is more about gas permeability of different materials

How Long Do Special Helium Balloons Last?

Some premium styles last much longer:

Bubble balloons: 1–3 weeks
Bobo balloons: 1–3 weeks
Big number balloons: 3–10 days
Giant helium balloons: 2–7 days

These are popular for milestone birthdays and event backdrops because they stay floating longer and keep their shape.

What Affects How Long Helium Balloons Last?

Temperature

Heat expands helium and weakens the balloon → faster deflation
Cold shrinks balloons temporarily (they re-expand indoors)

Sunlight

UV rays weaken latex and overheat helium.

Movement

Balloons tied to cars, doors, or fans lose helium faster.

Scientific Mind Note: Heat expands helium and weakens balloons. Cold makes them shrink temporarily explained by Charles Law

Indoors vs Outdoors

Indoor balloons last much longer due to stable temperature and no wind.

Will Helium Balloons Last Overnight or 3 Days?

Based on our deliveries:

Helium Balloons Last Overnight?
Time	Latex	Foil
Overnight	Sometimes	Yes
24 hours	Usually deflated	Yes
3 days	No	Yes
1 week	No	Sometimes

I'll Share One Feedback from Our Customer

A customer in Surrey ordered a 30th birthday balloon setup for a Saturday party.
We delivered Friday evening.
By Saturday night, all balloons looked perfect.
By Monday morning, the foil number balloons were still floating, while the latex ones had fully deflated.
This is why we recommend foil or bubble balloons for multi-day events.

Vancouver, Canada Climate Tip

Metro Vancouver’s cooler, humid climate helps balloons last slightly longer indoors than in hot, dry regions.
However, leaving balloons in a parked car - even for 20 minutes - can destroy them due to sudden heat.