34 Diaper Comparison
/Oh boy, diapers! Every parent’s favorite subject.
You either love or hate diaper changes, but having the right diapers can make your life so much easier. No (or at least less) blowouts, dry pajamas when they wake up, no fluids leaking while holding them, in a baby carrier, or in a car seat, saves you a whole lot of time in clean up and laundry, and time is precious when you’re caring for littles.
I really don’t mind diaper changes. Part of the way I keep it fun is by trying as many different diapers as I can. I currently have 3 kids 3 and under, so I’ve been changing my fair share of diapers over the last few years. Chances are, if there’s a diaper that’s reasonably priced, I’ve tried it. There are still plenty to try, but I’ve got a pretty good leg up. Or two baby legs up. Ha.
I’ve even tried diapers in two different countries! And no, the same brand in different countries are not the same. I’m looking at you, Huggies.
The following diaper comparison is a list of diapers in alphabetical order and my rating of them. While a list like this can be helpful, the last word on diapers is personal preference, depending on baby’s body shape and weight, how heavy of wetters they are, their age, how often they poop, parents’ budget, and generally what other diapers the parents’ have tried. Complicated much? Yeah. That’s why I’ve given subcategories under the diaper ratings, such as absorbency, price, softness, etc. Have I spent too much time thinking about diapers? Yes.
What’s my ideal diaper, and the criteria for ratings? All of the following:
Great absorbency/no leaks
Soft
White or not-obnoxious prints
Natural
Stretchy waistbands and tabs, a higher waist, none of that low-rider business that lets all the #2 out
Affordable.
Is there such a diaper? Almost. There is one that checks all but one of those boxes: it may very well be the most expensive diaper, which makes it unattainable for many. Which is why diaper comparisons like this exist, to help parents find the qualities they’re looking for most in a diaper, at a price they can afford, because you just can’t have it all.
Determining which features are most important to you can help you find which diapers you should be trying!
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The overall winners in each category…
Best Diaper Overall:
Coterie
Most Absorbent:
Coterie
Softest:
Coterie
Least Expensive:
Parent’s Choice
Most Fun:
Hello Bello Subscription
Best Natural:
Coterie, Dyper
For reference:
$ = $0.30 or less per diaper
$$ = $0.31 - $0.49 per diaper
$$$ = $0.50 or more per diaper
All prices are based on size 5 diapers and the cheapest price they can be purchased at any of the big retailers (Amazon, Target, Walmart); current as of April 2024.
The diapers we’ve tried, in alphabetical order:
All Good (5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 These diapers are super absorbent, great for day or night. In fact, these are so absorbent, they make for terrible beach diapers since they just keep absorbing liquid, ha! I don’t think I can remember a time when one of my children leaked through these.
Softness: 3/5 Really the only con I can think of with these diapers is that they’re not the softest. They’re not bad, I just think they could do better. If they were softer, these diapers would be pretty near infallible!
Price: $ For the absorbency of these diapers, they are a great value.
Naturalness: Paraben, latex, and fragrance-free
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: These diapers are only available through Walmart, and recently they’ve been almost continuously out of stock in most sizes. I believe they’re discontinued.
2. Cloth Diapering:
Yes, I even cloth diapered for a few months! I really wanted to go full steam with cloth diapering but it ended up just not being practical for us. My husband didn’t care to deal with them and even my other caregivers said they would rather buy disposable diapers for when they were watching my kid(s), than deal with the cloth diapering, which would have meant only part-time cloth diapering. Factor in an international move, being pregnant and going back to work and generally dealing with life and kids, it just felt like a lot.
I did have fun with it though while we were in Italy, and found what worked for us with what we had. Although I later found out it could’ve been so much easier. My mom, who cloth-diapered all 5 of her kids, helped show me what I needed and how to do it, or at least one way as I found there are different kinds of cloth diapers now. More things to learn and choose which way to do it, oh me oh my. I couldn’t find any kind of cloth diaper covers in Italy except for the pocket kind, so I got those and paired them with some prefolds. Despite using 1-2 prefolds and 1-2 inserts, my son’s diaper still would only last 3-4 hours before soaking his clothes. I learned to consistently change it before the 3 hour mark to avoid having to change diaper AND clothes. I later found out the prefolds I had were much thinner than what they’re supposed to be…but I powered through for several months despite not having the proper stuff. Because of the leakage issue, I didn’t even consider using the cloth diapers at night, I always used a disposable for nighttime. But I saved a little bit of money and some diapers going in the land fill, anyway. Ha.
3. Coterie (5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 These things are amazing, for day and night.
Softness: 5/5 so soft.
Tabs: 5/5
Price: $$$ The downfall of these diapers, is their high price tag. I guess the old adage continues to ring true, you get what you pay for.
Naturalness: While there are no organic or purely biodegradable diapers yet (that I know of), these diapers come pretty close and I appreciate Coterie’s transparency in their processes and why they choose the materials they do, without trying to green-wash anything. They have some noteworthy certifications, including EWG.
Sizing: Coterie has slightly smaller size ranges in their smaller diapers, therefore their smallest sizes (N-4) fit smaller. For example, their size 1 fits 8-12lbs where a standard size 1 fits 8-14lbs
Noteworthy: These diapers are solid white, which I think is a pro. No dyes, look better under clothes, and just look classier all around. But if you’re a print-fan, you might find these boring. Can be bought by box or subscription.
4. Cuties (2.5/5)
Absorbency: 2/5 These diapers get a pretty good “saggy crotch” long before they’ve reached capacity, and can start to leak. They’re alright for the daytime given the price if you’re up on changing them, but I wouldn’t use them at night.
Softness: 4/5
Price: $
Naturalness: “Made from materials free of latex, fragrance, dyes and chlorine, these diapers feature a hypoallergenic inner liner enriched with aloe, natural botanicals and vitamin E”
Sizing: True to size
5. Daddy’s Choice (2/5)
Absorbency: 2/5 These diapers get the saggy crotch after just an hour or two of wear, and must be changed regularly or you run the risk of the diaper coming apart and the absorbent beads coming out.
Softness: 5/5
Tabs: 3/5 They have shorter, not very stretchy tabs that make it harder to fasten the diaper on.
Price: $
Naturalness: 0% additives, parabens, chlorine, fragrance, bleach
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: These may be discontinued as well, as they are out of stock everywhere.
6. Dyper (4.5/5)
Absorbency: 4/5
Softness: 5/5
Tabs: 3/5 Another diaper that I wish had stretchier, longer tabs.
Price: $$
Naturalness: Bamboo diapers that have an impressive list of testing and transparency; they even offer a compost program to reduce the impact of diapers in landfills.
Sizing: I’d say true to size. Last time I tried these they had their own sizing (S, M, L), but they have since switched to standard diaper sizing.
Noteworthy: These are white, classy looking diapers. They have a newer line of black charcoal diapers which I think look quite cool. These can be bought by box or subscription. Overall I really liked these diapers and would probably give them a 5, except my husband didn’t like them as well, so I gave them a 4.5 :)
7. Earth & Eden (3.5/5)
Absorbency: 3/5 A bit of saggy crotch can start to happen after awhile.
Softness: 4/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: “clinically proven gentle on your baby's skin; free from lotions, latex, fragrance, and chlorine bleaching. Not tested on animals; Made with SFI Certified sustainably sourced fluff; Printed with non-toxic water-based inks; Produced in a Zero Waste to Landfill Facility; Non-toxic super absorbent polymer(sodium polyacrylate)”
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: These diapers are white with just a design around the band. Each box comes with several different designs, which is a little detail I enjoy. Most diapers, if they have a design, have just 2 per size. Last time I had these I think I counted 8+ designs per size.
8. Esselunga (Italian) (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 3/5
Price: €
Naturalness: ?
Sizing: True to size, but please note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
Noteworthy: These are Italian grocery store brand diapers
9. Hello Bello (4/5)
Absorbency: 3/5 These diapers are pretty good but I would have to keep an eye on my heavy wetters as they would often wake up from their nap wet.
Softness: 5/5
Tabs: 5/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: “Hypoallergenic, made without artificial fragrance, phthalates, parabens, lotions, or latex”
Sizing: Hello Bello has slightly smaller size ranges in their smaller diapers, therefore their smallest sizes (N-3) fit smaller. For example, their size 1 fits 8-12lbs where a standard size 1 fits 8-14lbs.
Noteworthy: Made in the USA. These diapers can be bought by box, or set up as a subscription. In each box you can have up to two different sizes and pick 7 different designs. As many of those designs as you wish can be nighttime diapers. Each month you can edit your box, changing up size and designs. This keeps things fresh and new and really had me looking forward to diapering, always excited to see which design we’d get to open up next. It’s the little things in parenthood sometimes, you know? If you buy these by box on Amaxon or at the grocery store, the prices are cheaper. I’ve also wondered if somehow the diapers differ between subscription and box? I might be imagining it, but beyond the price the subscription ones seem a bit thicker and softer…
10. Hello Bello Nighttime (5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 These are good nighttime diapers and my children have had no leaks with these.
Softness: 5/5
Price: $$$
Naturalness: “Hypoallergenic, made without artificial fragrance, phthalates, parabens, lotions, or latex”
Sizing: Hello Bello has slightly smaller size ranges in their smaller diapers, therefore their smallest sizes (N-3) fit smaller. For example, their size 1 fits 8-12lbs where a standard size 1 fits 8-14lbs.
Noteworthy: Made in the USA. These diapers can be bought by box, or set up as a subscription. In each box you can have up to two different sizes and pick 7 different designs. As many of those designs as you wish can be nighttime diapers. Night diapers usually only have 3 or so designs, and some designs can be sold out. Each month you can edit your box, changing up size and designs. This keeps things fresh and new and really had me looking forward to diapering, always excited to see which design we’d get to open up next. It’s the little things in parenthood sometimes, you know?
11. Honest (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5
Softness: 3/5
Price: $$$
Naturalness: “To make the core of the diaper, we now harvest wood from well-managed, responsibly sourced trees in North America (instead of Scandinavia) to reduce our transportation carbon footprint.
Turned into fluff pulp
We don't add latex, fragrance, or parabens
We use a plant-based backsheet, and our new, more efficient design reduces the amount of material used in each diaper
Our diapers are cruelty-free and never tested on animals”
They also list diaper ingredients right on their website, which is nice.
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: Honest seems to be ever striving to create a better, more sustainable diaper. I’ve used them off and on since 2021, and there have been noticeable differences in their diaper formulas. First time I tried them, I really liked them. Second time, they were so bad I didn’t plan on buying them ever again, especially for the price! But a couple of coupons later I decided to give them another try, and more recently they’ve proven to be pretty good, absorbent diapers again.
12. Honest Overnights (5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5
Softness: 5/5
Price: $$$
Naturalness: “To make the core of the diaper, we now harvest wood from well-managed, responsibly sourced trees in North America (instead of Scandinavia) to reduce our transportation carbon footprint.
Turned into fluff pulp
We don't add latex, fragrance, or parabens
We use a plant-based backsheet, and our new, more efficient design reduces the amount of material used in each diaper
Our diapers are cruelty-free and never tested on animals”
They also list diaper ingredients right on their website, which is nice.
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: I’m not sure why their overnight diapers are softer than their daytime diapers, unless I tried them at awkward times as they’ve been switching up diaper formulas?
13. Huggies Unistar (Italian) 1/5
Absorbency: 1/5 While Huggies are not my preferred diaper in the US nor in Italy, I still don’t know why the Huggies in Italy were so bad. I would go to change my son’s diaper, and basically if he wasn’t on his back when he peed, it would leak right out, even if the diaper was far from capacity. Beyond that, it got to the point where I knew I had to change his diaper after 1.5hrs or the diaper would leak. They were the right size, on correctly, and no matter what, leaked more often than not.
Softness: 2/5
Price: €
Naturalness: ?
Sizing: True to size, but note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
14. Huggies Extra Care (Italian) 2/5
Absorbency: 2/5 While Huggies are not my preferred diaper in the US nor in Italy, I still don’t know why the Huggies in Italy were so bad. I would go to change my son’s diaper, and basically if he wasn’t on his back when he peed, it would leak right out, even if the diaper was far from capacity. Beyond that, it got to the point where I knew I had to change his diaper after 1.5hrs or the diaper would leak. They were the right size, on correctly, and matter what, leaked more often than not. These Extra Care ones I had when my son was a newborn, and I don’t remember them being as bad as the All-star variety.
Softness: 3/5
Price: €
Naturalness: ?
Sizing: True to size, but note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
15. Huggies Snug & Dry (3/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 Maybe a touch over 3 for absorbency, these could “almost” be used for nighttime, but not quite. My kids would often wake up wet, so they don’t pass the nighttime test, but just by a little.
Softness: 3/5 average softness. Not rough nor silky.
Price: $$
Naturalness: “Huggies® Snug & Dry™ diapers are hypoallergenic, fragrance free and dermatologist tested.”
While they are transparent about their ingredients and have them listed on their website, that doesn’t mean they’re good ingredients.
Sizing: Run a touch small, with a lower waist band.
16. Kirkland (Costco brand) (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 These have a very decent absorbency, almost nighttime worthy, almost. They do get a little saggy in the crotch after a while.
Softness: 3/5
Price: $
Naturalness: “They are hypoallergenic, made with plant-based materials* and made without fragrance, lotion, natural rubber latex, elemental chlorine.”
Sizing: Run a touch in the small side, with the lower riding waistband.
Noteworthy: The makers of Huggies also make Kirkland diapers, hence their similarities. I like Kirkland better overall because they’re cheaper and have nicer prints.
17. Luv’s (1/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 2/5 crinkly and don’t feel very soft.
Price: $
Naturalness: Luv’s does not disclose their full ingredient list, and if you dig through their FAQ’s you’ll discover only that they’re latex free and elemental chlorine free. These have a very strong chemical-perfume smell that I highly dislike.
Sizing: These run a touch small, but they do have a higher waistband going for them.
Noteworthy: Proctor and Gamble, the same makers of Pampers, make Luv’s diapers. Makes sense, since Pamper’s Baby Dry and Luv’s are the two strongest perfume smelling diapers I can think of. Aside from that I find their prints obnoxious.
18. Mama Bear Gentle Touch (Amazon Brand) (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 I’ve tried these periodically over the past few years, and either they’ve grown on me or they’ve improved their formula. I wasn’t a huge fan the first time I tried these with my first, I would’ve given them maybe a 3/5. Currently I have my youngest in these and I’m rather impressed. The absorbency is great, at least during the daytime for my heavy wetter!
Softness: 4/5
Price: $
Naturalness: “Formulated without elemental chlorine, perfumes, lotions, parabens, and pthalathates.”
Sizing: True to size
19. Mama Bear Plush Protection (Amazon brand) (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5
Softness: 4/5 While these are supposed to be Amazon’s softer, nicer line of diapers, I was underwhelmed. I like their other diapers, but I didn’t necessarily think these were that much better.
Price: $
Naturalness: “Made with sustainably sourced pulp; Free from Elemental Chlorine, Bleaching, Natural Latex, Phthalates, Lotions and Fragrances”
Sizing: True to size
20. Mama Bear (Italian) (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 3/5
Price: €
Naturalness: ?
Sizing: True to size, but note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
Noteworthy: Overall pretty nice/average diapers, but their prints were nicer than the US ones I thought!
21. Meijer Overnight (3.5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 no leaks here!
Softness: 2/5 rather papery
Price: $
Naturalness: “The diapers are hypoallergenic and free of latex, lotions, and perfumes.”
Sizing: True to size, maybe a touch big
Noteworthy: Gosh the designs are just so unattractive! Overall these are pretty great, reliable diapers, but I wish they were softer and because of their designs I don’t care to purchase these again, which feels silly to me for the value that they are.
22. Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club brand) (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 3/5
Price: $
Naturalness: “Hypoallergenic free from lotions, parabens, fragrances, natural rubber latex & chlorine bleaching”
Sizing: These run a touch small.
Noteworthy: I find these similar to Kirkland and Amazon brand diapers. They have the lower waistband which I don’t prefer.
23. Millie Moon (4.5/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 These are great diapers all around, I often use these as night diapers, but they’re not my favorite night diapers due to occasional leaks.
Softness: 5/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: “Free from Lotions, Latex, Fragrance and Elemental Chlorine to protect delicate skin”
Sizing: Run slightly large
Noteworthy: I wish their tabs were a little stretchier and longer.
24. Pampers Baby Dry (2/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 These used to be some of my go-to affordable diapers, I even used to use them as nighttime diapers.
Softness: 3/5 I’ve always been curious as to why these fuzz out more than the Italian Pampers ever did.
Price: $
Naturalness: “hypoallergenic and free of parabens and latex* (*Natural Rubber)”
I dislike the fragrance these have, not because it’s unpleasant, but because I don’t want chemical smells by such tender body parts.
Sizing: True to size
Noteworthy: These used to be some of my favorite absorbent diapers until something changed and the tabs became awful. They don’t stick well and the diapers fall off of my children frequently. I thought it might have been a bad box from Amazon, but I also got a box from my local grocery store and it was exactly the same. I got tired of waking up to my kids with their diaper half off, or them walking around and suddenly hearing a “plop!”. Unless something changes, I would not buy these again. Based on more recent reviews of these diapers, it appears I’m not alone in my dissatisfaction of this apparent new formula.
25. Pampers Cruisers (2/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 2/5 papery
Price: $$
Naturalness: “free of parabens and latex.* (*Natural Rubber)”
Sizing: Run a touch small
26. Pampers Baby-Dry (Italian) 5/5
Absorbency: 5/5 These were my favorite for overnight and trips!
Softness: 3/5
Price: €€
Naturalness: “0% profumo”
Sizing: True to size, but note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
Noteworthy: Pampers in Italy are solid diapers! Very reliable and yes, a bit different than the US ones.
27. Pampers Pure (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 Good absorbency, I have on occasion used these as night diapers, but they weren’t foolproof.
Softness: 4/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: Made WITHOUT: Elemental Chlorine, Fragrances (Pure is Fragrance Free), Parabens, or Latex (Natural Rubber)
Made WITH: Premium cotton, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester blend, pH-Sensitive materials, Elemental chlorine-free fluff pulp, mineral-based odor absorber, super absorbent polymer
Sizing: True to size
28. Pampers Sole e Luna (Italian) 5/5
Absorbency: 5/5 These were trustworthy, everyday diapers and also good for nighttime.
Softness: 3/5
Price: €
Naturalness: ?
Sizing: True to size, but note that standard diaper sizes in Italy differ from standard diaper sizing in the US
Noteworthy: Pampers in Italy are solid diapers! Very reliable and yes, a bit different than the US ones.
29. Pampers Swaddlers (4/5)
Absorbency: 4/5 another good absorbency from Pampers, another one I used for a bit as night diapers. One too many leaks, though, and I decided I could do better for night time.
Softness: 4/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: Made WITHOUT: Parabens, Bisphenol A (BPA), Elemental Chlorine or Latex (Natural Rubber)
Made WITH: Polypropylene non-woven and spandex (free of natural rubber latex), Absorbent fluff pulp derived from wood pulp, pH-sensitive material, Safe and Nontoxic Polyacrylate Polymer, Polyester, Polypropylene and stretch film, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Sizing: True to size
30. Parents’ Choice (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5 nothing amazing, but really, this is hands down the cheapest diaper I know of, which makes it a pretty good deal, at least for day time!
Softness: 3/5
Price: $
Naturalness: “Each diaper is made without natural latex, lotions, and perfumes”
No ingredients list to be found. A third party source mentions Parents’ Choice as using bleached materials.
Sizing: Run a touch small
31. Proudly (2/5)
Absorbency: 2/5 I was really hoping for better from these, but alas. Temperamental and leaky even during the day.
Softness: 5/5
Price: $$
Naturalness: ingredients: sustainably-sourced and biodegradable wood pulp, sodium polyacrylate, shea butter, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, calcium carbonate, spandex/elastane fiber, non-toxic adhesives, and non-toxic ink (for our adorable print).
No: elemental chlorine, fragrance, latex, parabens, phtalates
Sizing: True to size but with the less flexible, short tabs
Noteworthy: Black and woman owned company
32. Rascal + Friends (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5
Softness: 4/5 surprisingly soft for such inexpensive diapers!
Price: $
Naturalness: No latex, fragrance or lotions “Our premium diapers and diaper pants are predominantly made of fluff pulp, super absorbent material (SAP), polypropylene non-woven fabrics, polyethylene film, together with some fastening and elastic materials.”
Sizing: True to size, these have the less stretchy, shorter waistband tabs.
Noteworthy: These diapers can be bought in Cocomelon prints, which many children would probably greatly enjoy (and may make diaper changing time less of a struggle for some toddlers!)
33. Up & Up SuperAbsorb (Target brand) (3/5)
Absorbency: 3/5 For the price, these make great day diapers. However, I find they don’t live up to their 12-hour boast (not that they need to for the day, and if they did, why would they make a night time diaper, anyway?). I always have to change my 2yo daughter’s diaper just before or just after her nap.
Softness: 3/5 not overly soft, verging on papery
Price: $
Naturalness: “Made without elemental chlorine, lotions, latex, fragrances, parabens and phthalates”
Sizing: These run a touch small
34. Up & Up SuperAbsorb Overnight (Target brand) (4/5)
Absorbency: 5/5 These end up a little saggy but they consistently get my toddlers through the night which makes them a winner in my book, especially for the price.
Softness: 3/5 not overly soft, verging on papery
Price: $
Naturalness: “Made without elemental chlorine, lotions, latex, fragrances, parabens and phthalates”
Sizing: These run a touch small, I size up for nighttime.
