Are you a first-time mother venturing into the wild world of disposable diapers? Because they’ll be a part of your little one’s life for the next two or three years, diapers are a significant investment. With so many brands on the market — all featuring different shapes, styles, and materials — it can be hard to determine the right diaper for your baby.
Thankfully, our team has done the dirty work for you (pun intended) and rounded up the best diapers of 2023. Keep scrolling to discover which diaper is best suited for your baby’s needs.
What to Look for in the Best Diapers of 2023
Not all diapers are created equal. Here’s what to look for in the best diapers of 2023:
- Absorbency. Simply put, you’ll want an absorbent diaper that has minimal leakage.
- Price. Babies go through lots of diapers. (Families can expect to use 2,000 to 3,000 diapers during the first year alone.) Therefore, you’ll need to find a brand of diapers that aligns with your family’s budget.
- Fit. A diaper’s overall fit is another important factor to consider. Naturally, this takes a bit of trial and error to determine which brand(s) fit your baby’s bottom best.
- Materials. Sensitive skin or not, your baby deserves the best. Avoid super absorbent polymers (SAP) and diapers containing chlorine or chlorine dioxide. Additionally, eco-friendly diapers that are made of bamboo or organic cotton are excellent choices for babies with sensitive skin.
- Ease of Use. Stretchy, tear-resistant tabs are ideal for quick changes. And because it’s hard to tell when super absorbent diapers need changing, wetness indicators can be incredibly helpful.
12 Best Diapers of 2023
Found yourself overwhelmed in the diaper aisle? Below are the 12 best diapers of 2023:
Best Disposable Diaper: Kirkland Signature
This big-box disposable diaper takes more environmental considerations than its counterparts. Plus, Kirkland Signature diapers are free of lotions and fragrances, and they’re Elemental Chlorine-Free. They also offer excellent absorption and leak protection without breaking the bank.
However, while Kirkland Signature diapers are somewhat friendly to sensitive skin, they aren’t entirely chlorine-free. They also lack transparency regarding the manufacturing process and ingredients.
Best Diapers for Active Babies: Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers
Whether your little ones are crawling, scooting, walking, or simply kicking, Huggies Little Snugglers Baby Diapers are ideal for active babies. The waistband and leg bands are soft and won’t chafe your baby’s skin. However, they’re secure enough to stay put while your baby moves. Plus, the velcro “double grip strips” offer an extra level of protection.
Best Diapers for Sensitive Skin: Hello Bello Diapers
If your baby’s skin is prone to irritation, Hello Bello’s diapers are the ones for you. Celebrity couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd designed these diapers with high-quality, plant-derived ingredients, and they’re free of artificial fragrances, latex, lotion, parabens, and chlorine. And even though they feel as soft as other high-end diaper brands, Hello Bello diapers are a fraction of the cost.
Best Non-Toxic Baby Diapers: Honest Diapers
We love The Honest Brand’s non-toxic personal care products. And their beloved baby diapers are no different, as they’re free of latex, parabens, chlorine, perfume, and other harmful chemicals. Honest diapers are made of plant-based materials — including a sustainably sourced core made from pine and spruce trees — and the box is made of recycled cardboard. Plus, parents love the leak protection, gentle material, and snug fit.
Best Overnight Diaper: Pampers Swaddlers Overnights
These overnight diapers offer all-night protection and up to 12 hours of wetness control, making them a tremendous option for your newborn baby. They lock liquid in the inner core, keeping your baby’s bum dry all night long, and they offer better leak protection than other leading diaper brands. Overall, Pampers Swaddlers Overnights deliver effective absorption at an affordable price. However, they do contain perfumes, lotions, and dyes, and they aren’t eco-friendly.
Best Biodegradable Diaper: Andy Pandy Bamboo Disposable Diaper
This eco-friendly diaper is 100% biodegradable and made from bamboo. It is hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and free from harsh chemicals — including chlorine, phthalates, latex, PVC, TBT, alcohol, preservatives, and antioxidants — so you won’t have to worry about rashes or irritation on your baby’s skin. Plus, the diaper’s silky soft texture and the wet indicator strip are excellent bonuses.
Note that bamboo fiber is naturally thermal regulating, keeping your baby cooler in hot temperatures and warmer when it’s cold out.
Best Cloth Diaper: Esembly Cloth Diaper Bundle Set
If you’re taking the cloth diaper route, Esembly’s Cloth Diaper Bundle Set is the best on the market. These diapers have a fragrance-free and chlorine-free disposable inner layer that’s made of soft and absorbent organic cotton, and they have an outer layer made of recycled plastic. While the initial cost is more expensive than most, the brand claims you’ll only need 24 inner diapers and six outer diapers throughout your baby’s diaper-wearing lifespan – saving you money in the long run.
Best Organic Baby Diaper: Dyper Diapers
Both the interior and exterior of Dyper Diapers are made from sustainably sourced, natural bamboo viscose, making them incredibly gentle on your baby’s skin. They are also free of phthalates, alcohol, perfume, and chlorine. Our favorite part? You can minimize waste by composting these diapers through the ReDyper service – which picks up dirty diapers directly from your doorstep.
Best Swim Diapers: Alva Swim Diapers
The Alva Swim Diapers are sustainable and budget-conscious, and they come in an abundance of kid-approved colors and patterns. These waterproof diapers feature soft elastic waist and leg bands, and they’re completely adjustable via snaps. Because they’re meant to be worn over regular diapers, they aren’t absorbent. However, they’re incredibly lightweight when wet, so they won’t weigh your baby down.
Best Newborn Diapers: Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
The best diapers for a newborn baby are Pampers Swaddlers, which are a popular choice in many American hospitals. They feature a flexible yet absorbent liner that soaks up all the liquids, and they aren’t at all bulky. Additionally, these newborn diapers use a technology that pulls moisture away from the skin, making them ideal for preventing diaper rash.
Best Budget Diaper: Up & Up Diapers
This cost-effective diaper is designed to keep your little one comfortable and dry. They are hypoallergenic, free of latex, lotion, and fragrance, and feature secure grip tabs for a snug fit. Up & Up Diapers have an umbilical cord cutout for newborns and utilize absorbent technology for minimal leakage.
Best Splurge Diaper: Coterie
This high-quality, high-performing diaper is designed to be more absorbent than any other. It has a greater liquid capacity and fast-drying capacity than its competitors, making it an excellent option for both day and night use. Plus, Coterie diapers are third-party tested, dermatologist-approved, and made entirely of clean ingredients.
Best Diapers of 2023
Any parent will tell you that high-quality diapers are essential baby supplies. So, if you were previously unsure which diaper brand was best for your baby, we hope that today’s article pointed you in the right direction.
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