Choosing the best baby supplies can be challenging. Diapers are something you'll use every day after your little one is born, but it's hard to know which are gentle on your baby's skin and prevent leaks and diaper rashes. Besides well-known names such as Pampers and Huggies, there are many newer brands. So how can you pick out the best diaper?
Our testers purchased 14 bestselling diapers available online and put them to the test to compare and recommend the absolute best diaper for your baby.
We tested each product for the following four criteria.
Which diaper ended up being the best of the best? We'll also tell you how to pick the best diaper for your baby in our buying guide, so read on for tips.
Dr. Hosobe is a pediatrician and the director of Hosobe Pediatric Clinic, located in Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo. She previously worked at Nagoya City University Hospital and Nippon Medical School Hospital before opening her own clinic. In addition to treating children, Dr. Hosobe also writes and supervises books, conducts educational activities regarding vaccinations, and runs a children's center. Her extensive experience raising two sons and a grandson has led her to support child-rearing in the community actively.
With six years of experience as an in-house sales representative for a stroller manufacturer, Kensuke has extensive experience and knowledge about strollers and European car seats. Accredited by the Japan Traffic Safety Education Association, he is a certified car seat instructor and is currently responsible for overseeing baby and children's products at mybest. Having verified over 300 childcare products, Kensuke uses his expertise to compare, evaluate, and report on the best products for parents to make life easier while raising their children. As a father of one himself, Kensuke understands the struggles and joys of raising a child.
Leaks are certainly a huge concern a caregiver has when buying diapers. We tested and gave an overall rating for leak prevention based on how much liquid the diaper absorbed, how fast it did it, and how well each diaper fit. The specifics regarding our testing methods are as follows.Amount of Liquid AbsorbedWe laid each diaper flat and poured 100 milliliters of water into the center then left it for one minute. We repeated this as many times as needed until water leaked out of either the top or side of the diaper, or until we confirmed that the diaper was soaked by touching the surface of it with a finger. At this point, we recorded this as the maximum volume of liquid absorbed, and the higher the volume, the higher the score we assigned.Rate of Liquid AbsorptionWe placed a 12-inch long acrylic pipe filled with 50 milliliters of colored water on top of each diaper and recorded how long it took to complete absorption.Diaper FitWe stretched out the elastic around the waist and gathers around the thighs of each diaper and measured how far they were able to stretch. The more a diaper's elastic was able to stretch, the higher our rating.
Next is our test to determine how well each diaper may prevent diaper rash. We tested and gave an overall rating for this based on two aspects: breathability and the ability to wick away moisture from the skin. The specifics regarding our testing methods are as follows.BreathabilityWe soaked each diaper with 100 milliliters of body-temperature water and then had one of our testers wear it on their hand for five minutes. We then compared the humidity before and after this five-minute period. The lower the humidity was afterwards, the higher the rating.Moisture-WickingWe first poured 100 milliliters of water into the center of each diaper and left it for one minute. We then placed a sheet of tissue paper (0.9 grams) on top of each diaper and a 500-gram weight on that and left it for three minutes. Afterwards, the tissue's weight was measured to see how much water it had taken in. The lighter the tissue, the higher the rating.
Next is our test for ease of use. We did diaper changes using dolls and scored each product according to the following.How easy it was to put on and take offHow easy it was to dispose ofHow easy it was to tell when it was time for a diaper change
Next is the test for compactness. We measured the thickness of five diapers stacked on top of each other, set defined standards to ascertain what is and isn't considered bulky, and then gave ratings for compactness.
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
Recently, reusable cloth diapers have been making a comeback, but there's no denying that disposable ones are more convenient and easy to use.
We recommend disposable diapers in general, and we'll explain why below. In this article, we've focused on testing and ranking those.
Because disposable diapers are known for their excellent liquid absorbency, they can help lessen any discomfort your baby may feel. And since you simply toss out used ones after a diaper change, another huge advantage is fast cleanup. Changing them is also easy and quick, which is a plus for busy caregivers.
Then again, a disadvantage is how quickly the costs of disposable diapers start to pile up. A survey of 100 parents found that most spend around $51 to $60 a month, while about 10 percent spend 100 dollars or more. Additionally, disposable diapers aren't the most environmentally friendly. But if your baby's comfort is your priority, we think disposable diapers are the better choice.
Cloth diapers can cost you a little more initially, but they're an investment that will save you money over the long-term. And because you can use cloth diapers many times, they're a more eco-friendly option to minimize waste.
However, compared to disposable diapers, they don't soak up as much liquid, and are prone to leaks and causing diaper rash. Obviously they require laundering as well, so using cloth diapers can take a lot of time and effort.
And when our testers tried using them, we found cloth diapers took a little bit of effort during a diaper change. If you do want to be more environmentally-friendly and save money, we recommend using cloth diapers some of the time, in combination with disposable ones.
When deciding what size diaper you need, here are some things to keep in mind.
Choosing a diaper size that fits your little one properly is essential. When selecting a size, make sure to check your child's weight for reference! If you decide strictly based on age in months, thinking, "My baby is six months old, so that's a size two," there's a risk it may not fit the shape of their body and could leak.
Even if the size written on the label is the same, actual diaper sizes can vary slightly depending on the brand. To find the right one for your baby, you can always try out a few diaper brands while using your baby's weight as a guide.
Babies tend to grow quite fast, so the timing for when you should increase their diaper size is also important. We recommend you get the next size up if you notice any of the following:
Given that some of my purchases ended up not fitting, I would hold off on buying in bulk until I found a favorite.
Consider the timing of when your child will likely need to size up. This will help minimize purchases going to waste.
Answer: diapers that don’t irritate your baby’s skin and cause absolutely no discomfort! However, such a perfect product just doesn’t exist.
If you could get the perfect diaper, it would be one that's gentle on your baby's skin, had zero chance of leaking, and would never cause diaper rash. However, in reality, this is impossible.
Firstly, every baby is different, such as their body shape, from long legs to a plump belly, or whether they are very active or calm. Therefore, you may end up in a situation where you'll have to try out a couple of different types of diapers to find the best one for your baby.
We can help you narrow things down, though. To figure out the diaper that's easiest on your baby's delicate skin, we set up standardized criteria to test stuff like which diapers best prevent leaks and diaper rash. Based on these results, we made a list ranking each product and a guide to help you make your best choice. Use this guide as a reference to help you choose the best diaper.
Here are some points to keep in mind when choosing the best diapers.
It should go without saying that getting a diaper that's gentle on your baby's skin is important. But as a parent or caregiver, you will also be concerned with stopping leaks and finding diapers that are easy to use.
Pampers Swaddlers is mybest's top recommendation. It achieved excellent results in every test we conducted. Let's look at the details.
A three-month-old infant produces about 30 milliliters of urine each time they go. During our tests, we found that nine out of the 14 diaper brands were able to absorb more than 300 milliliters of water. Even the product that was the quickest to leak soaked up 275 milliliters. This means any product in our list can absorb more than nine times the absolute minimum needed.
But Pampers Swaddlers absorbed the most: up to 400 milliliters of water. Because they soak everything up at a consistently rapid rate, you'll rest easy knowing they're a reliable overnight diaper. It's never a bad idea to have the highest liquid absorbency possible.
The gathers are the ruffles on the legs of the diapers which work to hold in messes. We found the most effective gathers measured at least one and three-eighths inches, and among those diapers, Pampers Swaddlers worked best to prevent leaks in our testing.
There were six diaper brands with gathers less than an inch high, and the product with the shortest had ones about three-quarters of an inch, which we determined to be insufficient.
However, even if the gathers are tall enough, there's no point to them if they fold up during a diaper change. You can better prevent leaks by fluffing up the gathers properly before you put a diaper on your baby, and make sure to adjust them well after taping it down.
To prevent leaks, it's crucial that you choose a product that fits your baby's body snugly while having excellent elasticity around the waist and thighs. In particular, your baby will not only have trouble moving around if a diaper has poor elasticity, but depending on the timing of their movements, this will lead to leaks.
In our elasticity tests, most of the products, including Pampers Swaddlers, exceeded the passing mark. However, within these were also some products that lacked proper elasticity around the waist. Loose bowel movements have a high chance of causing a blowout from the back, so be sure to choose a brand that has excellent elasticity around both the waist and the legs.
Pampers Swaddlers excelled at the speed of liquid absorption and moisture-wicking. We placed a tissue on top of one of these diapers a minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water all over it, and the tissue barely soaked up any liquid. Because this will prolong the freshness of this diaper, this can reduce any discomfort your baby may feel.
On the other hand, products we ranked lower saw the tissue we put down become absolutely soaked. This means that if you leave a wet diaper like this unchanged for too long, it may cause a diaper rash.
In addition, we tested for breathability by soaking each diaper with body-temperature water and using a hygrometer to measure humidity. We found that every product, including Pampers Swaddlers, tended to become stuffy easily. Therefore, it's important to change diapers at regular intervals, since your baby's diaper will get moist and clammy if they pee a few times and it's left on.
Diaper rash is caused by prolonged skin contact with pee or poop, dampness, or friction. Although it's difficult to avoid completely, it's important to do as much as you can to prevent it.
If you notice redness when changing diapers, be sure to wash the bottom clean and dry thoroughly. Add a layer of petroleum jelly before putting on the new diaper to help prevent diaper rash.
We recommend changing diapers at the same time as feeding. Combining both into a regular habit makes it easier to manage.
Since you'll be doing it many times every day, a diaper that's easy to change is also an important point to consider. We'll explain the features of easy-to-use diapers next.
A wetness indicator is a line or pattern on the crotch of a diaper that will change color when your baby pees or poops. You'll have an easier time telling if it's time for a diaper change and reduce the risk of leaving a wet diaper on for too long.
We confirmed that most diapers, including Pampers Swaddlers, come with a wetness indicator. But there were some products where it was difficult to tell if there was a change in color even after a few minutes had passed, meaning not all indicators work equally. The drawback of diapers without a wetness indicator at all is that you won't be able to tell at a glance if your baby has a wet diaper.
Diapers come in many different colors and patterns, meaning there is an abundance of designs to choose from. For parents or caregivers who want to change a diaper with little trouble, choose a product with markings to show you where you should tape.
If there is a line or mark that shows you where to tape the diaper down, it'll make aligning the diaper much easier, even for new parents and beginners. Pampers Swaddlers come with this tape marking, which is one more thing we liked about them. If you're not yet used to changing diapers, ones that lack the "tape here" mark may lead you to misalign the diaper, causing you to have to redo it a number of times.
Since babies go through diapers quickly, some may want to buy in bulk. And you'll need to bring diapers when you are out and about. The number of diapers you'll need to bring does vary depending on a baby's age and how long you'll be out, but diapers are surprisingly bulky when stacked, so something compact would be most convenient.
As a result of our product verifications, we found that most common brands, including Pampers Swaddlers, don't take up too much space and fall within two to two and a half inches in thickness. Meanwhile, luxury brands were found to be quite thick. When we stacked five of each diaper brand, we found a difference of about two diapers between the regular brands and the luxury ones, which made their bulkiness clear.
For those trying to save space, we recommend choosing from the mainstream brands for their compactness.
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 32 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 31.2¢ |
Pampers' Swaddlers, the brand most recommended by pediatricians, is a hypoallergenic diaper free of parabens and latex. The company claims it's the softest they've ever made. In addition to wicking away moisture quickly, this diaper was able to hold the most liquid out of all products we tested, with a maximum absorption volume of 400 milliliters. On top of the one-and-3/8-inch-high gathers, they fit nice and snug, preventing leaks with tight elasticity around the waist and legs.
Although this diaper isn't the most breathable, it absorbs liquid really well. When we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one and waited one minute, the tissue we then placed on top soaked up practically no water. Its fast-absorbing nature means your baby's skin will stay dry and comfortable and makes preventing diaper rash much easier. The markings indicating where to tape this diaper down made it easy to do a diaper change quickly and with little trouble.
The wetness indicator changes colors clearly the moment it gets wet, which is convenient for knowing exactly when your baby needs a change. Five of these diapers stacked together measure only two and a half inches thick, so they won't take up too much space. This is great if you go out for long periods of time and have to carry a bunch of diapers with you.
Along with its resistance to leaks and diaper rashes, it's easy for parents and caregivers to use. If you're having trouble choosing the right diaper for your baby, definitely give these a try.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.7 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.9 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.6 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 44 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 22.7 ¢ |
Like Pampers Swaddlers, Baby-Dry is a hypoallergenic diaper that's free of parabens and latex, with an added feature: a Dri-Weave liner to help keep your baby's skin dry. Our leak resistance test showed that they can hold an adequate 330 milliliters and we rated them highly for their ability to quickly wick away liquid. Although the elasticity around the waist wasn't that great, because it was good around the legs, we had no issues with the fit.
The gathers are about one inch high, so they should remain leak-free even if your little one is very active. We rated these diapers highly for skin-friendliness. Although they may get a little stuffy, they did well in our moisture-wicking test. A minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one, a tissue placed on top soaked up practically no moisture. This should help prevent diaper rash and keep your baby dry and comfortable.
Markings indicating where to tape the diaper down made changing one a smooth process. The wetness indicator that changes colors the moment it gets wet makes it easy to see when your baby needs a fresh diaper. Five of these diapers stacked together are only about two inches thick. If you like to stock up at home or need to carry a lot for a long outing, you'll appreciate how little space they take up.
In short, they're leak-resistant, easy to use and gentle on the skin. If your baby is prone to diaper rash, we strongly recommend considering this brand.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.3 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.7 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.4 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | - |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 37 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 21.5 ¢ |
All Good diapers use no chlorine bleach, parabens or latex. By buying them, you also contribute to donating one day's worth of diapers to children in need. Along with quick absorption, this diaper can hold 340 milliliters, which is more liquid than many other products. With one-and-3/8-inch gathers, the diapers will fit your baby nice and snug and be resistant to leaks.
The diapers lack breathability, but they should dry quickly and stay fresh for a good while. They performed well in our moisture-wicking test. Because the tissue we placed on a wet diaper after one minute picked up hardly any water at all, they should be good at keeping wetness at bay and preventing diaper rash. We were able to change this diaper with no trouble. Although the wetness indicator was a little slow to change color, because the color was distinct and easy to recognize, we believe you'll have little concern about overlooking the proper timing of your baby's diaper changes.
They're also compact, as five diapers stacked together measure just under two inches in thickness. Because they won't take up much space, this is a good choice for parents who want to stock up or who don't want to fill their diaper bag to the brim. This diaper is resistant to leaks, can help prevent diaper rash, and has outstanding compactness, so it should be in the running when choosing a diaper for your baby.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.5 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | - |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 48 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 15.1 ¢ |
Luvs diapers are free of parabens and latex. Our tests for leak resistance showed they could absorb a maximum of 280 milliliters of water, which is somewhat less than other products, but they absorbed it fast. They have gathers that measure about one inch high, and can also prevent side leakage thanks to excellent elasticity around the waist and thighs.
Our tests for skin-friendliness showed that, although not the most breathable, they can wick away wetness well. One minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto a diaper, practically no moisture came away. This gave the impression that they should dry quickly and stay fresh to prevent diaper rash. Markings indicate where to stretch the tape over the diaper made changing it a smooth process. Another detail we loved was that it's clearly labeled with the word "front," so it was easy to recognize which side you're holding during a diaper change.
However, although it does come with a wetness indicator, we were disappointed with how difficult it was to recognize any color change when the diaper got wet. We found that five diapers stacked together measure about two and 3/8 inches thick. They won't take up too much space, making it helpful for parents and caregivers who often go out for long periods of time and carry a lot of diapers with them.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.5 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 32 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 34.3 ¢ |
Special Delivery by Huggies is a diaper that includes plant-based materials and was tested by dermatologists to be hypoallergenic. They're free of fragrances, parabens, lotions, and chlorine bleach. Our tests for leak resistance showed that this diaper can hold a maximum volume of 340 milliliters of water, which we feel is an adequate amount. With side gathers that measure one and 3/8 inches, they will fit your baby nice and snug, making them excellent at preventing leaks.
They aren't very breathable, but they exhibited very little wetness one minute after soaking with water, and gave off the impression that they dry quickly. Because of this, we think this diaper can easily maintain a fresh feeling and help prevent diaper rash. It was relatively easy to change the diaper. However, although it has a wetness indicator, the color change was slow after wetting, which makes it somewhat difficult to know when you need to do a diaper change.
Five of these diapers stacked together measure two and 3/8 inches, which means they don't take up too much space. It's suitable for parents who want to stock up on a lot of diapers at home or who don't want to overfill their diaper bags.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.5 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.6 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 6-11 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 38 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 21.0 ¢ |
Rascal and Friends is a diaper free of latex, fragrances, and lotions. This product claims original design features like a special core, high waistband, soft leg cuffs and leak guards for a diaper that is not only skin-friendly, but also leak-resistant. This diaper achieved a high rating in our test for leak resistance because of its ability to absorb 390 milliliters of liquid fairly quickly.
Although this diaper has great elasticity to make it fit well, it was disappointing to see that the gathers' height was under an inch high. But it's quite resistant to wetness. In our moisture-wicking test, a tissue became slightly wet after letting the diaper absorb water for one minute. They aren't very breathable; however, if you are doing regular diaper changes, there should be little worry about this product causing diaper rash.
We were able to do a diaper change with no trouble thanks to the black line that made it easy to recognize where we needed to tape the diaper down. However, even though this product comes with a wetness indicator, because the diaper already is a rather dark color, it was difficult to recognize if the indicator had changed color and it was time for a diaper change. Five of these diapers stacked together measured about two and a half inches, so we believe these diapers are great for parents who don't want a bulky diaper bag.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | New Zealand |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.7 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 32 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 31.1 ¢ |
Little Snugglers by Huggies feature a soft pocketed waistband to prevent blowouts. This dermatologist-tested diaper is free of fragrances, lotions, parabens, chlorine and natural rubber latex. Our tests showed that this product can suck up an adequate 330 milliliters, and it also displayed lightning-fast absorption. It's effective at preventing side leakage with its gathers that measure over one inch. We rated it highly for leak resistance due to the great elasticity around the waist and legs.
Breathability is not its strongest feature, but it does wick away moisture effectively. After one minute, touching a tissue to the soaked diaper indicated it had absorbed almost all the wetness. They should feel fresh and keep your baby's skin dry. We could do a diaper change quite smoothly, thanks to marks showing where to attach the tape.
However, it was difficult to tell if the wetness indicator changed colors, which makes it hard to recognize when your baby needs a diaper change. Five diapers stacked measure two and a half inches. We think this product is fit for parents who often go out for long periods of time and need to carry a lot of diapers with them.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.1 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.5 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 50 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 40.0 ¢ |
Cuties diapers feature an extremely soft and gentle hypoallergenic liner. This product is dermatologist-tested and contains cotton fibers in its dryness layer. Our tests for leak resistance showed that this product could only hold a relatively small 275 milliliters, and exhibits a slower absorption speed.
The gathers are only one inch, but the elasticity around the waist and legs is excellent. We had the impression that it would be prone to leaks if left for too long, such as at night, but wouldn't cause any issues if it's changed at regular intervals. One minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one of these diapers, the tissue we then placed on top soaked up a small amount of moisture, but wetness shouldn't be an issue as long as a diaper change isn't left for too long. They're not very breathable and get a bit stuffy, but overall seem to keep skin fresh.
The mark showing where this diaper should be taped down was easy to find, which made a diaper change a smooth process. It also has a wetness indicator that shows a clear color change the moment it gets wet, which is great to easily recognize when it's time to change your baby's diaper. This diaper achieved high ratings for compactness. Five of these diapers stacked together measure two and 3/8 inches. This will make organizing the inside of your diaper bag easy.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.7 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.7 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.4 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 6-11 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 108 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 23.1 ¢ |
Millie Moon Luxury Diapers are made with feather-soft material that contains no chlorine, lotions, latex, or fragrances. Although the gathers measure under an inch tall, the diapers can hold a sufficient 280 milliliters and soaked up liquid the fastest among all of our tested products.
The elasticity is poor around the waist, but great around the legs, so if you don't have an overly active child, you shouldn't have too much concern over leaks. They do tend to get stuffy quite easily, but we found that they were decent at wicking away wetness. One minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one of these diapers, the tissue we then placed on top did soak up a little water, but we believe this should pose no issue if it isn't left for too long.
This diaper achieved high ratings for ease-of-use. It was easy to recognize where this diaper needed to be taped down, which let us change it smoothly. The wetness indicator exhibits an obvious color change the moment it gets wet, which makes it simple to recognize when your baby needs a change. However, five of these diapers stacked measure over three inches thick, which means a bunch of them will take up quite a bit of space. We don't recommend them if you need to pack a full days' worth in your diaper bag.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | China |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.3 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.6 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 168 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 4.2 ¢ |
Parent's Choice is a product made with a very breathable material. This diaper has been tested by dermatologists and is made with no latex, fragrances, or lotions. We gave it high ratings for leak-prevention, as along with quick absorption, this diaper can hold a maximum of 355 milliliters. It has great elasticity around both the waist and legs and gathers that measure one and 5/16 inches, which we believe will be enough for preventing leaks even for an active baby.
However, this diaper received low ratings in our tests for skin-friendliness. Despite the breathable material, it tends to get stuffy quite easily. And one minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one of these diapers, the tissue we placed on top became quite moist, so we believe that if you leave this diaper unchanged for too long, it can cause diaper rash.
Markings indicating where to tape the diaper down made changing it a smooth process. Another great feature of this diaper is that it comes with easy-to-understand explanations detailing when you should increase your baby's diaper size. This diaper has a wetness indicator that changes color in an obvious way as soon as it gets wet, which is great for any parent to easily recognize when they need to change their baby's diaper. Five diapers stacked together measure two and 3/8 inches, making it great for parents who want to keep the inside of their diaper bags tidy.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.7 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.6 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | - |
Made of organic cotton | - |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 35 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 34.3 ¢ |
The Honest Company diapers are made using plant-based plastic for the outer layer, and are free of latex, fragrances, and parabens. The gathers are short, at only three-quarters of an inch. But it absorbed 290 milliliters of liquid in our testing. It should fit your baby well, given the great elasticity around the waist and legs. However, with a not-so-great liquid absorption speed, there's a risk of side leakage, so we recommend changing this diaper frequently.
Our tests for skin-friendliness showed that it did tend to get stuffy somewhat easily, but it did well when it came to moisture-wicking. We got the impression that this diaper can maintain a fresh feeling and believe it would help in preventing diaper rash. But changing it wasn't the easiest. It was quite difficult to understand where to tape it and we felt that the process was a bit cumbersome.
Furthermore, while it does have a wetness indicator, it doesn't change colors clearly. The entire diaper is also covered in patterns. Although cute, we found it means you have trouble recognizing when the diaper needs to be changed. They're somewhat compact, as five diapers stacked together measure about two and a half inches, which makes it suitable for parents who take a lot of diapers with them when they are out and about.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | China, Mexico |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 3.7 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.5 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | - |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 49 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 31.0 ¢ |
Gentle Touch diapers by Mama Bear are hypoallergenic and free of chlorine bleach, fragrances, lotions, parabens, and phthalates. This diaper does not absorb liquids quickly, but it excels at holding them in. It has a maximum absorption volume of 350 milliliters, which gave it high ratings. The one-inch gathers would help to prevent side leakage. This product should also fit your baby well, due to great elasticity around the waist and legs, so we think you'll have little concern regarding leaks.
It isn't very breathable, and wetness was also quite noticeable. One minute after we poured 100 milliliters of water onto one of these diapers, a tissue touched to it became drenched. Because of this, we believe this diaper would be prone to causing diaper rash and can cause your baby to feel discomfort. For that reason, we recommend frequent diaper changes.
However, we were able to do a diaper change quickly and with no trouble, and we believe that parents won't make any mistakes with the easy-to-read indicator that changes color the instant it gets wet. It also achieved high ratings for compactness. Five of these diapers stacked together measure two and 3/8 inches, so they won't take up too much space and will make it easy to organize the inside of your diaper bag.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 6.7 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.4 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 32 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 31.2 ¢ |
Pure Protection by Pampers features an outer layer made of a fabric blend containing US cotton. This liner contains clinically tested, hypoallergenic and nutrient-rich shea butter. This diaper achieved high ratings for leak resistance. In addition to liquid absorption of 370 milliliters, the gathers measure one and 3/8 inches, which we believe is able to prevent leaks.
It also soaks up liquid quickly and received adequate results for elasticity. However, they're not very breathable, and can become quite wet. We noticed that the tissue we placed on top of a wetted diaper slowly became wet, and because of this, we believe that not changing it often enough may cause your baby to feel discomfort.
We were able to do a diaper change with no trouble. However, the indicator exhibits no clear color change when it gets wet, which makes it difficult to recognize when your baby needs a change. Five of these diapers stacked together measure almost three inches, so we don't think it's a great choice if you need to carry a lot of diapers with you.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | - |
Width when laid flat | 4.5 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 7.0 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.7 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | ✓ |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | - |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
Applicable weight | 8-14 lbs. |
---|---|
Number per package | 31 count |
Wetness indicators | ✓ |
Cost per diaper | 33.5 ¢ |
Sensitive Protection Diapers sold by the natural brand Seventh Generation are free of fragrances, lotions, and chlorine bleach. This product uses only Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable wood pulp. Although the gathers measure barely over three-quarters of an inch, the diapers hold an adequate 275 milliliters of liquid. In addition, they wick away liquids quickly and have sufficient elasticity around the waist and legs.
However, we recommend changing this diaper frequently since it does have a risk of side leakage. It's prone to becoming quite wet and feeling rather stuffy, so we believe that leaving this diaper on for long periods of time without changing to a fresh one comes with a high risk of diaper rash.
We had no trouble with diaper changes in our ease-of-use test. However, because this diaper has no wetness indicator, it may be a challenge to recognize when your baby needs a change. Five diapers stacked measure only about two inches, making it unlikely they'll take up too much space inside your diaper bag.
Type | Tab |
---|---|
Country of origin | USA |
Recommended age | Infant |
Width when laid flat | 3.7 in. |
Depth when laid flat | 5.9 in. |
Thickness when laid flat | 0.5 in. |
Contains vegetable oil | N/A |
Made of organic cotton | N/A |
Sensitive skin | ✓ |
Hypoallergenic | ✓ |
For this comparison, we stocked up on 14 of the most popular diaper brands from the list of top-selling products on sites like Amazon, Walmart and Target. We put each to the test to figure out which diaper is our most recommended product. mybest defines an excellent diaper as resistant to leaks, gentle on a baby's skin, easy to use and compact.
Here's what we tested:
Products we tested
Leaks are certainly a huge concern a caregiver has when buying diapers. We tested and gave an overall rating for leak prevention based on how much liquid the diaper absorbed, how fast it did it, and how well each diaper fit. The specifics regarding our testing methods are as follows.
We laid each diaper flat and poured 100 milliliters of water into the center then left it for one minute. We repeated this as many times as needed until water leaked out of either the top or side of the diaper, or until we confirmed that the diaper was soaked by touching the surface of it with a finger. At this point, we recorded this as the maximum volume of liquid absorbed, and the higher the volume, the higher the score we assigned.
We placed a 12-inch long acrylic pipe filled with 50 milliliters of colored water on top of each diaper and recorded how long it took to complete absorption.
We stretched out the elastic around the waist and gathers around the thighs of each diaper and measured how far they were able to stretch. The more a diaper's elastic was able to stretch, the higher our rating.
Next is our test to determine how well each diaper may prevent diaper rash. We tested and gave an overall rating for this based on two aspects: breathability and the ability to wick away moisture from the skin. The specifics regarding our testing methods are as follows.
We soaked each diaper with 100 milliliters of body-temperature water and then had one of our testers wear it on their hand for five minutes. We then compared the humidity before and after this five-minute period. The lower the humidity was afterwards, the higher the rating.
We first poured 100 milliliters of water into the center of each diaper and left it for one minute. We then placed a sheet of tissue paper (0.9 grams) on top of each diaper and a 500-gram weight on that and left it for three minutes. Afterwards, the tissue's weight was measured to see how much water it had taken in. The lighter the tissue, the higher the rating.
Next is our test for ease of use. We did diaper changes using dolls and scored each product according to the following.
Next is the test for compactness. We measured the thickness of five diapers stacked on top of each other, set defined standards to ascertain what is and isn't considered bulky, and then gave ratings for compactness.
Every child is different, but most use diapers until they are about four years old. Children can use up to 10 diapers daily, which is essential to consider in your monthly budget.
The younger a baby is, the more diapers they will use. As a rough guideline, babies will need about 10 to 12 diaper changes per day until they're around three months old, and this goes down to about eight to 10 around six months.
Most kids begin to grow out of diapers at around three to four years old, on average, but even if they don't wear them during the day, there is still the concern of bed-wetting at night. Because of this, there are many children over four that still wear diapers.
So, assuming that your child uses the maximum number of diapers per day that we previously stated until they are four years old, the total number you'll need until they grow out of them will be more than 9,000!
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
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