We Tested 23 Diapers With Over A Dozen Babies—Here Are The Best Diapers
We tested 23 diapers and landed on Huggies Little Snugglers and Huggies Little Movers as our top ... More pick. ALICIA BETZ FOR FORBES
See all of our favorite diapers after an additional round of testing with more tots. Our Top Recommendations
After testing, these brands and styles were our favorites and the biggest crowd-pleasers. That said, new parents might want to sample a few of these picks to see which works best for their child at their current age and stage.
'When parents ask me about choosing the right diaper, I always say: start with your values. Some families lean toward holistic, all-natural approaches,' says pediatrician Scott Svitek. If you're looking for a more eco-friendly option, Coterie The Diaper and the Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers both performed well in our tests and were well-liked by parents. Babies can go through almost 3,000 diapers just in their first year, so finding the best option for your family can make those first few years easier.
Amazon Huggies Little Snugglers
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Typical price: $0.28 per diaper (varies by size, type and retailer) | Materials: Wood pulp, sodium polyacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene* | Fit: True to size | Absorbency: High
Pros: Really good fit for all sizes
Very few leaks or blowouts
More affordable than some
No fragrance
Cons: Not the most environmentally friendly option
* Main active materials
No matter how many diaper brands I've tried with my three kids, I always come back to Huggies, and they were a favorite among our testing panel as well, including another editor who relied on Huggies through three kids. The diapers fit really well, aren't prone to leaks and don't leave behind small particles like many other diapers do. We like the Little Snugglers for younger babies and Little Movers for older babies and toddlers. Both are fragrance free, too, reducing the risk of potential irritation on baby skin.
In our tests, Huggies consistently performed well across all age groups, from newborns to toddlers. The diapers have a flexible waistband with thinner straps, which is likely part of what helps them fit little ones of all shapes and sizes. In our tests, they worked well for kids in the 90th percentile for weight and height as well as those in lower percentiles.
Huggies diapers consistently fit all shapes and sizes well and rarely leak. ALICIA BETZ FOR FORBES
Among all of our testing for over two years, we've only had the occasional blowout with Huggies, and they very rarely leak. In our at-home tests, Huggies held two cups of water before they started to leak. The brand uses ingredients like wood pulp and sodium polyacrylate to absorb liquid.
In our real-world tests, some parents noticed that the diapers started to feel damp and that their kid's skin felt a bit moist but the diaper didn't actively leak. This could be an issue if you use the diapers overnight, but we didn't find this to be a problem when regularly changing diapers throughout the day. Like many baby diapers, there is a wetness indicator so you can tell if your child peed or not. No Fragrance, Parabens or Phthalates
Parents appreciate that the diapers are fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, lotion-free and have no elemental chlorine bleach. Only one of my kids occasionally got a diaper rash while wearing Huggies, though this likely has more to do with the fact that he has sensitive skin and is prone to rashes than any other factor. Our other testers didn't have any issues with diaper rashes in Huggies.
Healthybaby Healthybaby Diapers
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Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Typical price: $0.43 per diaper (varies by size and bundle option) | Materials: Polyethylene, polypropylene, sodium polyacrylate, wood pulp, cotton fiber* | Fit: True to size | Absorbency: Medium
Pros: Full transparency on ingredient list
Free from many common irritants, including fragrance
Plenty of third-party certifications
Monthly subscription option
Cons: No wetness indicator
Our testers experienced some leaks and blowouts
* Main active materials
One of my kids has sensitive skin and is prone to rashes, so I know how important (and difficult) it is to find the right diaper. Healthybaby Diapers offers full ingredient transparency to parents, so they can avoid problematic additions in their child's diaper and also leaves out the biggest known offenders like fragrance. The diapers are also free from parabens, phthalates, fragrances, optical brighteners, chlorine, latex and lotions. The company publishes its full ingredient list, which most other diaper brands do not. If your child is sensitive to a specific material or ingredient, this makes it easy to determine whether this diaper will work for them.
The Healthybaby diapers also carry a number of third-party certifications, some that are more relevant to the brand's focus on gentle ingredients like its Allergy Certified, Oeko-Tex and EWG Verified, and others that support its environmental-friendly ethos like its B-Corp status, Certified Plastic Neutral and the use of FSC-certified wood pulp in its diapers. Features That Make Life With Kids Easier
Healthybaby diapers are available via a monthly subscription, which is helpful for busy families. Not needing to remember to order more diapers helps take something off your plate. The diapers are also super thin, which makes it easier to pack a good amount of them when you're out all day or going on a trip. Mixed Results With Leaks And Blowouts
In our at-home lab tests, these diapers were a top performer when it came to absorbency, and they were middle-of-the-road for leaks. In our real-world testing, we experienced a few leaks, and they left skin feeling rather damp overnight. Our testers also experienced a few blowouts while their little one was riding in a car seat (not ideal but also rather common when the poop has nowhere else to go).
None of our testers had a rash with these diapers. The diapers don't have a wetness indicator, which some families prefer. Without this indicator, make sure you're regularly checking for wet diapers, so you don't leave your child sitting too long in a wet diaper.
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Typical price: $0.53 per diaper (varies by size and plan) | Materials: Sodium polyacrylate, chlorine-free wood pulp, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene* | Fit: True to size | Absorbency: High
Pros: High absorbency
Cleaner ingredients than many other brands
Umbilical cord notch for newborns
Subscription option
Cons: Not as good at containing mess in older babies and toddlers
* Main active materials Soft Gentle For Delicate Newborn Skin
Newborns tend to poop and pee quite a bit, so you really want a diaper that's up to the task. Add on the fact that newborns have very delicate skin, and finding the right option can be tough. We like The Diaper from Coterie specifically for newborns because they're really soft, and they're free from many common irritants like fragrance, chlorine bleaching, parabens, phthalates, lotion and VOCs. They're also made from 25% plant-based materials.
'These are the gold standard for comfort and absorbency. Clean ingredients, super soft and hold up incredibly well overnight,' says Haley DeSousa, the head of curriculum and instruction at Haven, a childcare, workspace and fitness club. Our testing panel also found that they have great absorbency, and in our lab test, they were the top performer at preventing leaks. Extra Features Make Newborn Life Easier
If you've never opened the closet to realize you're completely out of diapers, then you have your life a bit more together than I do. Your brain can get foggy when you're sleep deprived, which is why I like that you can select auto-renew when you buy Coterie diapers. This not only takes something off your plate but also saves you 10% on each order.
Coterie's diaper has a wetness indicator, and the newborn size has an umbilical cord notch, making this particular diaper particularly useful to parents of newborns. Some diapers that have cleaner ingredients go without the wetness indicator, but when you have a newborn who is peeing a lot and not verbal yet, it's nice to have that visual cue that it's time to change your baby's diaper. This can also be really useful in the very early days if you're watching to make sure your baby is peeing often enough, too. Not As Great For Older Babies And Toddlers
Our testers found these diapers to be incredibly absorbent and didn't struggle with leaks when using them with newborns. This was not the case with our older baby and toddler testers. Parents with mobile babies in particular found this diaper more prone to leaking.
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Typical price: $0.19 per diaper (varies by size) | Materials: Sodium polyacrylate, plant-based-SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified fluff, polypropylene* | Fit: True to size | Absorbency: Medium-high
Pros: Stretchy waistband provides a good fit
Good absorbency
Extremely affordable
Cons: Costco membership needed to take full advantage of value price
Not as soft as other brands
* Main active materials Extra Stretchy Waistband For Comfy Fit
Parents and caregivers looking for a quality diaper that's especially affordable can find a solid option in the Kirkland Signature Diapers. Our testers found that they fit really well on testers of all sizes, and some parents even noted that the waistband felt stretchier than Huggies. This allowed them to get a tighter, more secure fit. They also have strong tabs, which helps the diapers stay on, especially when they get a bit saggy.
During testing, none of our testers experienced diaper rashes while using the Kirkland Signature Diapers. The absorbent fluff material comes from responsibly managed forestlands. The diapers are designed to be hypo-allergenic and are made without fragrance, parabens, phthalates, lotions, elemental chlorine, natural rubber latex and BPA. Good Containment
The diapers contain poop and pee really well even the redesigned diaper. In our absorbency test, the Kirkland diapers stopped absorbing after about five minutes, and in our leak test, they leaked a bit sooner than the Huggies. Our testers found them to be absorbent and experienced very few leaks while testing. However, they did tend to get a bit more saggy and damp than our top pick, especially when using them overnight. You might find that you need to change these diapers a bit more often than you would with other brands. Mild Drawbacks To Consider
We also noticed that while the diapers didn't cause any irritation, they're not quite as soft against the skin as our other top picks. While there isn't anything inherently bad about these diapers, most of our testers found them to be a good middle-of-the-road option that does the job. The diapers were previously made by Kimberly-Clark, the same company that makes Huggies diapers. In 2025, the manufacturer changed, which could explain why some parents don't find them to be as soft and absorbent as they used to be. We tested the new version and found it remains a solid value pick as Kirkland diapers remain extremely affordable and contain the mess. They're just not quite as soft as they once were.
Amazon The Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers
Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Typical price: $0.38 per diaper (varies by size and retailer) | Materials: Wood pulp, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene* | Fit: Small | Absorbency: Medium
Pros: Made with cleaner ingredients than many other brands
Adorable prints make them a great gifting option
New redesign is more absorbent
Cons: Some testers experienced leaks and blowouts
* Main active materials So Many Fun Prints
Whether it's because you want to get a cute picture of your baby in a diaper or your toddler is particularly picky about patterns and designs, the Honest Company Clean Conscious diapers are the cutest out there. Current prints include Big Trucks, Catching Rainbows, Donut Grow up and over 20 more options. Being able to customize your baby's look with an adorable diaper can make the chore of incessantly changing them a little more fun. Of course, we wouldn't have picked them if they weren't also good at containing leakes.
Because parents like the adorable prints available in these diapers, they're a great option for gifting as well; we particularly like the pre-made diaper cake for a baby shower gift. Earth-Friendly Initiatives
Even though disposable diapers aren't the most eco-friendly product, you can find options that are mildly eco-friendlier than others. The Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers rely on FSC-certified wood pulp in their absorbing layer, meaning pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests. It also carries the PETA Animal-Test free label, so no animals were used in testing during the making of these diapers. Finally, the Honest Co. diapers are certified to be free of hundreds of specific chemicals by Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The diapers are also fragrance, latex, chlorine and paraben free. Simply put: It's a diaper you can feel good about buying if you're trying to avoid certain practices or ingredients. Softer And Fewer Leaks Than Older Version
These particular diapers recently got a refresh, and we've been happy with the new design. Our tester found an improvement in terms of softness on the outside of the diaper, which was a chief complaint of the old version.
While some of our testers found that these diapers fit true to size, others feel that the fit is a bit small. You might find yourself moving up to the next size sooner in these diapers than in other brands.
The diapers fared well in our home lab tests, but our testers experienced a mix of leaks, blowouts and good performance with the older version of this diaper. Part of the leak issue may be because these diapers tend to fit smaller. If you're experiencing leaks, try sizing up. So far, the new version has tested well, and we haven't had any leaks or blowouts. Other Diapers We Tested
We tested 23 different diapers, all of which went through our at-home lab tests for absorbency and leaks. Diapers that fared well in our initial tests went on to be tested in the trenches with babies and toddlers of varying genders, ages and sizes.
Babyganics Triple Dry Diapers : These diapers did not pass our absorbency test. In fact, they were the least absorbent of any we tested. They also look like they run small, though these did not advance to our real-world testing.
Bambo Nature Dream Diapers : Though the Bambo Nature Dream Diapers fared well in our lab tests, they did not hold their weight in the real world. Almost every tester—but especially boy parents—noted that they leaked a lot, and they failed to contain both poop and pee.
Dyper Skin Happy Diapers : The Dyper diapers weren't terrible, but they failed pretty quickly in our absorbency test. They also consistently left kids damp even after a short period of time.
Earth And Eden Sensitive Diapers : In our leak test, these diapers only held a very small amount of water before they started leaking, so they didn't advance to real-world testing.
Eco By Naty Eco-Friendly Diapers : These diapers fit strangely; the bottom was wide and the tabs were narrow, which meant that it was difficult to put on and the tabs cut into our testers' sides. It also produced quite a few leaks.
Hello Bello Premium Diapers : We like the cute designs on this diaper, but it didn't do great in our real-world testing nor our lab testing. Compared to our top picks, it didn't feel as soft, and it didn't contain leaks as well.
Mama Bear Gentle Touch Diapers : This diaper failed our absorbency and leak tests, only holding eight tablespoons of water before it leaked. It did not advance to our real-world testing.
Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers Cruisers : The Pampers diapers performed well overall but fell behind in some key areas. Our testers experienced quite a few leaks in Pampers, and the diapers also tended to leave a lot of fluff and particles behind.
Pampers Pure : When it comes to a diaper that is 'clean,' Pampers Pure simply wasn't as free from as many irritating ingredients as our top pick. The diapers include lotion, which can be irritating, and they don't disclose their ingredients the way some of the other diaper brands do.
Parasol Clear And Dry Natural Disposable Diapers : These diapers were difficult for our testers to get a good fit on their kids because the adhesive tabs are small. They also tend to leave behind fluff on babies' bottoms.
Parent's Choice Dry And Gentle Diapers : In our real-world testing, these diapers produced a lot of leaks and blowouts, leading to a lot of frustration and outfit changes.
Pura Diapers : Pura Diapers were mediocre when it came to our home lab tests. Ultimately, they did not perform well enough to advance to real-world testing.
Rascals Premium Diapers : Our tester found it difficult to get a good fit with these diapers. They also didn't fare very well in our leak and absorbency tests, failing to absorb water well and leaking after only one cup of water.
Terra Diapers : Our testers had trouble with fit and leaks with Terra Diapers. Even though the wetness indicator had shown no sign of peeing, the diaper leaked out the sides.
Up & Up Diapers : We didn't find these affordable Target brand diapers to be very sturdy, and the material started to break down during our at home lab tests. One of our testers also found that the tabs didn't secure very well and her child was able to get out of the diaper.
We also tested Seventh Generation Baby Diapers, which have since been discontinued. How We Tested The Best Diapers
In addition to putting the diapers through real-world testing with our panel of testers and their little ones, we also conducted our own at-home lab tests to more accurately compare the diapers to each other. We tested a variety of diaper sizes to get an accurate picture of how each diaper performs across various ages.
We first began testing diapers in 2023 with a panel of testers and have since added more diapers and more testers. Many of the diapers we recommend have gone through multiple rounds of testing with multiple families. To date, we've tested 23 diapers. Security And Fit
We evaluated how securely each diaper fit, looking for gaps around the legs and back. We also paid attention to how well the tabs secured to the diaper, noting if they came off while our kids were wearing them. Absorbency
To test absorbency, we immersed each diaper in water for 10 minutes, weighing the diaper before and after this test. This helped us determine how much liquid each diaper can hold. We also noted if the diaper started to break down or show any signs of deterioration during this test.
We put all of the diapers through at-home leak and absorbency tests to determine how much liquid ... More they can hold before leaking. ALICIA BETZ FOR FORBES Leak Test
To determine how long a diaper can hold out before it leaks, we laid each diaper out and poured one teaspoon of water on it at a time. We ranked the diapers in the order that they began to leak. Real-World Performance
The ultimate test is how well each diaper held up on real babies and toddlers. We tested the diapers on children of varying ages, from newborns to preschoolers. Our kids wore the diapers at home, on outings, overnight and wherever they went. We watched for leaks, blowouts, rashes and other notable events. We also considered how comfortable each child felt in the diapers. What To Consider When Buying Diapers
Ultimately, you want a diaper that works best for you and your family. 'Try a few brands, see what works for your baby, and don't feel like you need to commit to one solution forever,' says DeSousa. 'What works at 3 months might not at 13 months, and that's normal.' Fit And Comfort
Fit is important because it helps prevent leaks and keep your baby or toddler comfortable.
'If it leaves marks around the waist or thighs, it's too tight. If you see gaps, it's too loose. It should sit low, below the belly button, snug but not constricting,' says Svitek. For newborns, a cutout for the umbilical cord can be helpful, too. Absorbency
'A good diaper keeps moisture away from the skin, reducing the chances of diaper rash,' says Svitek. Look for a diaper that has high absorbency, especially if you'll be using it overnight. Material
'Materials matter too; babies are in diapers 24/7 for a long time, so you want something breathable and free from things like fragrance or unnecessary chemicals,' says DeSousa. Most diapers use similar materials for absorbency, elasticity, leak protection and wetness detection. However, if your baby has sensitive skin or any allergies, choose a diaper that clearly labels every ingredient or that is certified to be free from irritating ingredients. Accessibility
Some diaper brands are only available via a subscription service or are only available at select retailers. While this can be nice if you set up a reoccurring shipment, it can also be limiting if you run out and need new diapers now. Consider what you would prefer before making your diaper choice.
Think about accessibility in terms of price, too. Because babies and toddlers go through so many diapers, the cost can add up. It can be helpful to do some budgeting and research to determine how much you are able to spend on diapers. Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, the baby and kids gear team puts copious amounts of time into researching and testing products. We know how important it is for parents to choose the right products for their babies, and we've tested everything from the best crib mattresses to the best toys for 6-month-olds. The author of this article, Alicia Betz , is an experienced product tester and parenting journalist. She's also a mom to three who has tested and used a wide variety of diapers, from Huggies, our top pick, to cloth diapers .
, is an experienced product tester and parenting journalist. She's also a mom to three who has tested and used a wide variety of diapers, from Huggies, our top pick, to . The editor of this article, Rose Gordon Sala , has over 20 years of journalism experience and a dozen years of parenting experience. She was part of the panel test for this article, testing and providing insight on a variety of diapers.
, has over 20 years of journalism experience and a dozen years of parenting experience. She was part of the panel test for this article, testing and providing insight on a variety of diapers. We interviewed three experts to learn more about how to find the right diaper for your child and how to tell if you're using the right diaper. These experts included Haley DeSousa, the head of curriculum and instruction at Haven , a childcare, workspace and fitness club; Dr. Scott Svitek , a pediatrician and board member of the Allied Foundation, Long Island's only diaper bank; and Heather Edwards , the executive director of the Allied Foundation.
Which Brand Diapers Are Best For Babies?
In our tests and our real-world experience, the best diapers for babies are Huggies. We've found that these diapers are the ideal mix between affordability and practicality. They fit babies and toddlers of all shapes and sizes really well, they are great at preventing leaks and blowouts and they're gentle on skin. Our top picks are Huggies Little Snugglers and Huggies Little Movers .
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A mom felt like she was "walking on a hot bed of Legos constantly." It took months to learn why.
When Amber Meade twisted her ankle and broke a bone in her foot, she expected recovery to be easy. She needed surgery to shave down the damaged bone and make sure the nerves and tendons in her foot were where they should be. The procedure seemed to go smoothly, but in the weeks that followed, she began to feel debilitating pain. A second surgery found that a screw placed in her foot had been pressing on the head of one of her nerves. That screw was moved, and a nerve decompression was performed but the pain didn't stop. "It would just turn black and blue, swell up really big, and I just was unable to put any weight on it," 41-year-old Meade said. The pain upended everything. She left her job as a surgical assistant since she could no longer stand for long periods. She was unable to take part in family activities with her two young sons. Even light breezes could trigger the pain. Resting under a blanket was unbearable, making sleep difficult. Meade compared the sensation to "walking on a hot bed of Legos constantly, while getting stabbed with a pencil." Meade spent months seeing different specialists. Finally, after nearly a year, a doctor suggested Meade might have something called chronic regional pain syndrome. It was the first time Meade had heard of it. It would take even longer before she could find a treatment that helped her pain. Chronic regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a chronic disorder with no cure, said Dr. Rohan Jotwani, an interventional pain specialist and anesthesiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. Jotwani was not involved in Meade's care. CRPS can occur after surgery, like Meade's, or from other injuries to the nerve. "For some patients, they'll have an injury to a nerve and it will get better with time. For some patients, that injury will actually develop into its own chronic pain disorder," Jotwani said. Diagnosing the condition is difficult, Jotwani said. No test or scan can definitively identify it, and because it is a rare condition, many doctors may not be familiar with it, he added. Physicians have to rely on clinical criteria. Telltale hallmarks for the condition are extreme levels of pain at the source, even when nothing should be causing it - like when a bedsheet causes pain, as Meade experienced. CRPS patients may also experience swelling, changes in temperature and skin color or texture changes. They may even begin to lose function in the affected area. Diagnosing chronic regional pain syndrome is only the start, Jotwani said. Actually treating the condition requires a "multi-pronged approach" that can vary from person to person. Treatment typically starts with physical therapy. Patients may also take medication to decrease nerve signals in the area, so they feel less pain, or try interventional techniques like a nerve block. Meade tried multiple options, but nothing was improving her pain. "Doing regular therapies was not working. I even heard, at 33, that I was getting older and that 'sometimes we just hurt more.' I thought that was comical," Meade said. In 2022, long after Meade's pain started, a doctor suggested she see physical therapist Dr. Anita Davis, who specializes in treating the condition and leads the comprehensive pain rehabilitation program at Brooks Rehabilitation in Florida. The pair worked to develop a physical therapy routine that would work for Meade. "Before me, she had all of the traditional exercises ... and those things were just not possible with that much pain in her foot," Davis said. "As healthcare providers, we ask patients to rate the pain from zero to 10. These folks are typically going to be at the top of the scale, even on a good day. When I ask her to do something that's painful on top of her existing pain, it's just crazy to think about doing that." They also worked on relaxation and emotional exercises to cope with the mental load of the constant pain. "Pain management for Amber ... isn't just the physical aspects," Davis explained. "Anything that enhances relaxing the nervous system is valuable." The protocol led to some improvements for Meade, but while CRPS patients can have "symptoms subside for a length of time," it is "a lifelong condition," Davis said. "There's not a cure for it," Davis said. Meade said she still feels pain and discomfort, and is at risk of flare-ups when the weather changes or if she steps the wrong way. In addition to working with Davis, she is taking medication and receiving ketamine infusions every few months. She said the combination of ketamine treatment and physical therapy allows her to "do a lot more than I have been able to." The effects of the infusion usually last around four weeks. Meade uses that period to work on strengthening her body. "I try to make some headway in my physical health before that starts going down, because I know it's going to," Meade said. "The pain is a lot less when my physical health is better." Meade said even without the effects of the infusions, she is dealing with less pain than before her diagnosis and treatment. She can focus on her day-to-day activities. She sleeps better and can walk on the beach, one of her favorite activities. She can't do too much running around with her kids, but she can play catch and help with homework most days. Meade said she hopes to improve her functionality and eventually go back to work and be more active, but for now, she is grateful for what she has gained. "I want to try to get to that point where I have less and less flares, and get up to doing what everybody enjoys doing: Working, coming home, having something to work towards, going on vacations," Meade said. "Every time I have a good day, we work a little bit harder."
