Best Disposable Diapers of 2021
If there’s a registry item we know for sure that you’ll use each and every day with your baby, it’s diapers.
Diapers are one of the essential things you’ll need for your little one. Making sure your baby’s bum stays clean and dry is crucial for baby’s comfort and to avoid diaper rash. Expect to become a diaper-slinging pro in no time—most newborns go through about 10 or more diapers every day. That’s more than 300 changes in the first month…but who’s counting?
Do You Need Disposable Diapers?
Yes, most parents will want disposable diapers for their baby. How many will depend on if you’re planning on solely using disposable diapers or if you’re hoping to use cloth diapers either part of the time or exclusively. (Here’s how many diapers you’ll likely need during baby’s first year.)
There are pros and cons to using both disposable and cloth diapers, so spend some time doing your research and figuring out what you think is going to work best for your family and for your little one before you commit to anything. And remember that diapering doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision; lots of families use a combination of both disposable and cloth diapers in a variety of different ways. (You can cloth diaper at home, for example, and switch to disposables for overnight, daycare or when you’re out and about.)
What Type of Disposable Diaper is Best?
The most important consideration when you’re choosing a diaper is to figure out what works for your baby. You might find your newborn’s skin reacts to one brand of diaper and not another, or that your little one is having more blowouts in a certain brand. Finding the right diaper usually involves some trial and error and is all about figuring out what’s best for your particular baby.
Factors that might sway you toward one disposable diaper brand over another include:
- Cost
- Softness
- Absorbency
- Fit
- Fragrance
- Environmental impact
How Do You Figure Out the Right Size Diaper?
Each diaper brand fits differently, so it’s a good idea to try out several different brands before you click buy on those supersized packs. A diaper that fits well will:
- Hit right below your baby’s belly button
- Fasten symmetrically on either side
- Fit snugly, but not dig into your baby’s skin and still allow them to move around comfortably
The bad news is that an ill-fitting diapers will often lead to lots of leaks and even the dreaded blowout…but the good news is it will be pretty obvious that it’s likely time to give a new brand a try.
Also keep in mind that if you begin experiencing issues with a diaper you and your baby already liked, it’s probably just time to move up a size. (Newborn sizes go up to about 10 lbs, so your little one will probably grow into the next size around one month, depending on how much they weighed when they were born.)
How We Chose Our Best Diaper Picks
We asked thousands of Babylist families about the baby products they love the most, then took the most popular diapers they shared with us and added our own research and insight—and some of our favorites as well. We think you and your baby will love at least one of these diapers too.
Do you think this content is helpful? Let our editors know!
Most Popular Disposable Diaper
Why We Love It
Pampers are by far the most popular choice among Babylist users for their super-soft feel and flexible fit (read: fewer poopsplosions). Their Swaddler line is the cushiest and includes a wetness indicator as well a newborn design that makes space for the umbilical cord. They’re well-priced and seem to work well for all different shapes and sizes of babies.
Keep in Mind
You can earn gifts with every Pampers purchase by joining Pampers Rewards.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I like that the Pampers netting prevented leaking, especially when I was breastfeeding and my baby’s stools were not as firm.” -Kit
Best Store-Brand Disposable Diaper
Why We Love It
Affordable, absorbent disposable diapers—just one more reason to love Target. Parents rave about these store brand hypoallergenic diaper’s absorbency, leak protection and comfy fit. And of course the low price point doesn’t hurt, either.
Keep in Mind
Other store brands we love: Walmart’s Parent’s Choice and Costco’s Kirkland Signature diapers.
Best Disposable Diaper for Sensitive Skin
Why We Love It
Whether your baby has sensitive skin or you’re looking for a plant-based disposable diaper option, Pampers Pure are quickly climbing up our list of parent favorites, and for lots of good reasons. These diapers are hypoallergenic and made with 0% chlorine bleaching, fragrances, parabens and latex. They’re made from cotton and plant-based fibers and are an absorbent yet gentle choice for baby’s new skin.
Keep in Mind
These diapers feature a wetness indicator strip to let you know when it’s time for a change.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Love that they are chemical free! Very soft, great leak protection, and fits my son perfectly compared to other brands. If you are looking for a chemical free option that has the bells and whistles of other diapers (wetness indicator, cute designs, leak protection) these are a great choice!” -Erin
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Best Compostable Disposable Diapers
Why We Love It
Think composting + disposable diapering don’t go together? Think again.
Dyper’s bamboo-based diapers combine convenience and sustainability. Made with bamboo but without harmful chemicals like chlorine, fragrance, latex or even inks, these diapers are soft, durable and absorbent. But here’s what really makes them stand out: they’re compostable. Soiled diapers can be returned for composting through the company’s REDYPER service. They’ll give you the bags, the boxes and the prepaid shipping labels and you do the rest. Diaper even purchases carbon offsets with each delivery to help reforestation efforts.
Keep in Mind
The REDYPER composting service costs $39/month. Want to compost at home instead? You’ll need to remove the non-compostable closure tabs and front tape and put the rest of the diaper in your trash or find a diaper composting service in your area.
Best Disposable Diaper Subscription
Why We Love It
A diaper subscription service can save you money and the hassle of remembering to constantly add diapers to your shopping list. (Two big wins in our book.) The Honest Co. diaper and wipes bundle is our favorite. The diapers are made from plant-based materials and are eco-friendly, feature an absorbent core, and don’t contain any latex, chlorine processing or fragrances. And the patterns? They’re truly the cutest.
Keep in Mind
You’ll have to remember to update your size preferences before every shipment or you’ll quickly end up with a whole bunch of diapers in the wrong size. We like the company’s app for making this quick and easy.
“Pricey but worth it”
What Babylist Parents Say
“These are pricey but worth it. My little one has never gotten a diaper rash.” -Alicia
Best Affordable Disposable Diaper Subscription
Why We Love It
Hello Bello brings eco-conscious, hypoallergenic diapers right to your door—at a fraction of the price as other similar brands. Hello Bello diapers are super soft and absorbent. They’re made with a plant-derived core liner, sustainably harvested fluff pup and are processed without chlorine. And did we mention how cute they are? They come in tons of fun designs, including seasonal specials. Diaper bundles come with diapers and wipes (plus fun add-ons like freebies, coupons and more) and the option to add in extras like vitamins, hand sanitizer and more at 15% off.
Keep in Mind
Some parents find that Hello Bello diapers aren’t as absorbent as some other brands they’ve tried—but others disagree. We think they’re worth a shot based on affordability and convenience.
What Babylist Parents Say
“The diapers are sooo soft and minimize blow-outs. The designs are super cute and they are plant-based. The wipes are one of only brands that didn’t irritate our girl’s bum.” -Loran
Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Diaper
Why We Love It
Bambo has shown us that it is possible to create a sustainable disposable diaper. About 95% of all waste produced from creating these diapers is recycled, making them an eco-friendly choice. They’re very gentle on baby’s skin and really absorbent, too.
Keep in Mind
These diapers may run bigger than their weight recommendations, so if you have a small newborn you might want to try their preemie size. Looking for another sustainable choice? Check out Seventh Generation Baby Diapers.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Our baby has slept through the night since two months and I don’t think this would be possible if not for the great absorbency of Bambo Nature diapers. I wish they were a little more inexpensive, but you get what you pay for and we love these.” -Amy
Most Affordable Disposable Diaper
Why We Love It
Diapers don’t come cheap, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality when it comes to these mess-containing must-haves—and you won’t have to with Luvs. Babylist parents swear by these affordable diapers as a solid, reliable choice that won’t break the bank. They protect against leaks and fit as well as other traditional diaper brands, but without the expense.
Keep in Mind
The no-frills price point means extras like fragrance-free options aren’t available.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Luvs are soft, hold a lot and don’t leak.” -Caitlin
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