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Trust us: not all disposable diapers are created equal.
Your baby will go through thousands of diapers before potty training, so you want to make sure you're shelling out for ones that actually work. The best diaper should be absorbent and built well to prevent leaks, and they should also be lightweight and soft so your little one stays comfy.
The Good Housekeeping Institute puts disposable diapers to the test by using a variety of absorbency evaluations (like in a cupped position, when it’s flat, and at a 45-degree angle), measuring how dry the surface stays after fluid is absorbed, and scoring the overall construction. We also have a panel of consumer testers rate each diaper's softness in a blind comparison, then we send the diapers home with real parents to use on their babies. We reviewed over 1,400 data points in our latest test to find the picks ahead that offer the best performance and top user feedback. But first, here's what you should keep in mind as you shop for baby diapers.
Here are the best disposable diapers you can buy for your baby:
Huggies Snug & Dry diapers earned the highest score in our test because of their absorbency speed and overall construction. They quickly soaked up fluids from different angles (babies don’t pee in just one position!) and held the liquid inside the core. They’re also the most lightweight diapers in our test and unlike many others, they have elastic stretch at the waist to give a great fit, which is key for preventing leaks and blowouts.
The design features an all-over Mickey Mouse print, which one tester noted was a bit visible under light clothing. Still, that same tester credited these diapers from preventing a total mess thanks to the secure fit around the waist. These are also less expensive than others, which proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get high quality diapers.
Huggies also sells other standout diapers, like Overnites (which are best for sleeping), Little Snugglers (which have a genius pocket at the back waist to catch blowouts), and Little Swimmers (which are best for swimming). The brand also recently launched a premium diaper called Special Delivery, though we found it’s about double the cost with performance that’s comparable to the Snug & Dry diapers.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.24 (size 4, 100-count) • Available sizes: N-6 • Wetness indicator: yes
These diapers are a favorite among our testers and hospitals, where they’re used on newborn babies. They’re popular for a reason: they proved to be soft, lightweight and absorbent in our tests. Plus, the absorbent core didn’t leak – even when we applied a weight onto it – so you know baby will stay dry.
Most diapers are available in sizes Newborn through 6, but Swaddlers are available in extended sizes from 0 (for preemies) to 7. And unlike most brands (even the “green” ones), Pampers posts its full ingredient list online. These diapers are also backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, so if they’re damaged or defective, Good Housekeeping will give you your money back.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.33 (size 4, 120-count) • Available sizes: 0 (Preemie)-7 • Wetness indicator: yes
These diapers were among the top performers in our test. On top of that, they’re available in adorable patterns like fruit, animals and more and they’re made without lotions or fragrances.
They stood out in particular for having barely any liquid runoff when we placed them at a 45-degree angle. They also absorbed fluid quickly, held onto it in the core, and were rated soft by our panel.
The complaints from our testers were only about convenience: it took time to differentiate the front and back during diaper changes because of the all-over prints and there’s no wetness indicator past size 2.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.32 (size 4, 74-count) • Available sizes: N-6 • Wetness indicator: only sizes N-2
The Honest Company diapers beat out dozens of others in a blind comparison when we asked our panel to rate the softness on the inside of the diapers. The absorbent core was able to hold onto fluids well, especially when we held the diaper at an angle and when we applied a weight to the surface.
The only downside was it absorbed the liquid a bit slower than others when we poured it on all at once in the cupped position. It’s also worth noting that this one doesn’t have the convenience features, like a wetness indicator or an obvious front and back.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.27 (size 4, 140-count) • Available sizes: 1-6 • Wetness indicator: no
Not only were these Aldi diapers the most affordable in our test (less than half the cost of others!), they were also among the most absorbent. Our experts were blown away at how well they performed for the price: they had one of the quickest absorbency speeds when we poured the water on all at once.
This style is also a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, so GH stands behind it with its money back guarantee. Just keep in mind that they’re only available in Aldi stores and they’re made for sizes 3-6, though the brand has variations for smaller babies.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.13 (size 4, 82-count) • Available sizes: 3-6 • Wetness indicator: yes
If you’re looking to give your baby the best comfort and protection without any of the added stuff (like the clean-smelling fragrances), Pampers Pure is incredibly soft and breathable while being made with plant-based materials. Not only are these diapers good for babies with delicate skin or diaper rash, but they also follow steps to be better for the environment by using sustainable resources like certified wood pulp and recyclable packaging.
Like the Swaddlers, these had quick absorbency in our tests and the absorbent core held onto the fluids without leaking when we applied a weight to the surface. These also have the full ingredient list online. The patterns are cute without being too cheesy, and they come in lighter colors that are less visible under clothes.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.42 (size 4, 108-count) • Available sizes: 0-6 • Wetness indicator: yes
Pampers makes our list again, but this time for its innovative diapers for crawling babies and active walkers. They slide on like underwear instead of closing with tabs and have stretch around the entire waist to give a perfect fit – i.e. there are less leaks when babies and toddlers are on the move.
They were overall absorbent and the core held onto fluids well (like the other Pampers diapers we tested). They weren’t rated quite as soft as the brand’s other styles, though they were still scored above average by our tester panel.
Just note that they’re more difficult to get on when baby’s lying down during diaper changes (it helps to have baby stand on the floor or lean against you to pull them up), but the tear-away sides were super easy to remove. They also come with a small piece of tape on the back so you can easily roll them closed before you toss in the diaper pail.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.36 (size 4, 140-count) • Available sizes: 3-6 • Wetness indicator: yes
If you’re looking for diapers that are better for the environment, this style was among the best when we compared brands with “green” claims. And while some diapers have eco-claims that are misleading, these have a clear list of every single material used to make the diapers right on the packaging, including FSC-certified wood pulp. The European brand also earned the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, which means the environmental impact of the entire product lifecycle was evaluated.
The diapers had above average scores for softness and absorbency, and stood out in particular for the surface staying dry once all the fluid was absorbed inside. The downside is that they’re pricier than others and don’t have the convenience features like a wetness indicator or elastic stretch at the waist.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.43 (size 4, 180-count) • Available sizes: 1-6 • Wetness indicator: no
When it comes to diapers, there’s no need to shy away from store brands. This style from Walgreens was among the top-rated in our roundup with excellent absorbency scores in all of our Lab’s tests and high softness ratings from our panel. The diapers are also lightweight so you don’t have to worry about them weighing baby down.
They don’t have elastic stretch at the waist, but there are stretchy tabs for the closures and testers said they gave a good fit on their babies. They also said they didn’t experience any leaks.
More details: • Price per diaper: $0.23 (size 4, 66-count) • Available sizes: N-6 • Wetness indicator: yes