The 7 Best Diapers, Put to the Ultimate Test: Real Babies

The outstanding, reliable performance of Coterie diapers continues to impress our product testers, editors and parent community members alike, earning it a Best of The Bump award for overall best diaper for the third year running. These diapers are ultra-absorbent. The company claims that in lab testing, their size 4 diapers hold more than 16 ounces of liquid, and have three times the drying power of other brands—a claim that, according to our product tester Julie, the diapers actually live up to. “The diapers were extremely absorbent—better than any diaper I’ve used,” said the mom of four after using them with her baby for a month. “They didn’t leak once. No blowouts escaped them. I used them during the night where [my baby] would go a 12-hour stretch without being changed …and still never had any leaking through.” Julie gave Coterie 10 out of 10 scores in a wide range of categories, including ease of use, effectiveness, features and design, and comfort. Talk about an all-around winner! (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

Not only do these baby diapers work exceptionally well, but they’re also made with apparel-grade fabric and hypoallergenic materials and are dermatologist-tested, so they’re less likely to irritate a baby’s skin. In fact, Coterie diapers are constructed from 25 percent plant-based materials and are free of more than 200 potential irritants, including fragrance, alcohol, chlorine and latex.

“The diapers felt very soft and stretchy. That’s what made it stick out the most to me when I first opened it,” Julie told us. “It felt like really soft, thick toilet paper. …[My baby] never seemed uncomfy in them, and they never left any red marks or irritation from the diaper leg cuffs like I’ve noticed other diapers have.” With their extraordinary leak and blowout protection, cleaner ingredients and super-soft materials, Coterie diapers are a top pick for parents and babies.

Size range: Newborn (under 10 lbs.) to 6 (35+ lbs.) | Materials: propylene (topsheet); polypropylene, polyester and polyethylene (backsheet); SAP and wood pulp (core) | Wetness indicator: Yes

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Newborn babies have delicate skin and can use up to 10 diapers a day—so the right diaper for this stage will be effective yet extra gentle. Kudos Ultimate Diapers are the only disposable diapers made with a top layer of 100 percent cotton, with no plastic coming in contact with baby’s body. Our product tester Bernadette tried Kudos out with her 5-week-old baby and loved this unique construction: “With a newborn, you’re cautious about everything that touches their skin,” she told us, “and having a soft cotton diaper [gives you] peace of mind.” These newborn diapers earned a perfect score from Bernadette across multiple categories, and earned a Best of The Bump award for best diaper for newborns. “When you feel the inside, it feels like a cloth, not plastic, which is nice since that's what’s touching baby.”

Not only that, but a whopping 70 percent of that cotton is unbleached. “You can tell that it’s made from cotton because it isn't the bleached white color of disposable diapers, it’s more of a beige,” said Bernadette. It might take a little getting used to seeing, but that pure cotton makes the diaper gentler on baby’s skin. (And rest assured, even the 30 percent of cotton that is bleached is still 100 percent chlorine-free.)

Kudos earned a 10 out of 10 score from Bernadette in ease of use—a must for sleep-deprived new parents. “Late night changes were easy,” she told us, “because we could handle the package and diaper with one hand and with minimal lighting.” Kudos also kept up with the rapid pace of newborn growth, as Bernadette tells us: “The velcro tabs were nice and gave enough stretch to fit our newborn between sizes and kept that size throughout the day.” Plus, a full front-to-back wetness indicator helps new parents know when a diaper change is in order.

Of course, even the gentlest and easy-to-use newborn diapers still need to deliver top-notch performance. Bernadette praised how effective the diapers were, noting that Kudos kept her newborn dry even during the most full of diaper situations, like on long drives. “We have not experienced any leakage overnight or during the day,” she said. The gentleness of Kudos Diapers combined with its excellent absorbency makes it an ideal choice for newborns.

Size range: 1 (7-12 lbs.) to 6 (30+ lbs.) | Materials: 100% cotton (top sheet); wood pulp and SAP (core); polyethylene and PLA (backsheet) | Wetness indicator: Yes

It’s a major milestone when baby starts sleeping through the night, but having to change a leaky or saturated diaper can interrupt and ruin a full night’s rest (for both baby and you!). That’s why the best overnight diapers should offer superior absorbency and keep a baby dry and comfortable for long stretches of nighttime sleep. After testing overnight diapers with my own 14-month-old daughter, I was especially impressed by the absorbency and softness of the Honest Clean Conscious Overnight Diapers, which are noticeably thicker than other diapers and promise up to 12 hours of protection—a promise that, in my experience, they keep!

As the “clean” in the name suggests, the Clean Conscious Overnight Diapers are made without latex, fragrances or parabens and boast a hypoallergenic inner lining. They also offer a stretchy waistband that provides a snug but comfortable fit, an essential feature that can help prevent middle-of-the-night blowouts. In fact, while testing these diapers, my daughter had a bowel movement immediately after waking up one morning—and since the diaper had already been in use all night, I braced myself for a messy blowout situation. But, to my surprise, the Honest diaper kept everything in. And it wasn’t a fluke, either: These diapers never leaked once during the entire testing process.

From personal experience, I can tell you Honest Clean Conscious Overnight Diapers are the clear choice for this year’s Best of The Bump winner for best overnight diapers. Although they’re more expensive than some brands, and not always as easy to find in stores, avoiding the hassle of changing wet pajamas and crib sheets in the middle of the night is, in my opinion, priceless.

Size range: 3 (16-28 lbs.) to 6 (35+ lbs.) | Materials: Wood pulp and sodium polyacrylate (core); polypropylene (outer layer); polyethylene and polypropylene (inner layer) | Wetness indicator: Yes

Babies use so many diapers that a price difference of even a couple pennies per diaper can add up quickly. If you’ve been on parent forums and social media groups, you’ve probably heard other moms and dads sing the praises of Kirkland Signature Diapers for this very reason—available only at Costco, Kirklands clock in at nearly 10 cents cheaper per diaper than comparable name-brand competitors. But do they deliver performance as well as a low price tag? Our product tester Arica put Kirklands to the test with her 2-month-old baby, and with 10 out of 10 scores in effectiveness, comfort and (no surprise) value for money, she made us believers. These diapers earned a Best of The Bump award for best affordable diapers, proving that cheap on cost doesn’t have to mean cheap on quality.

“These diapers are the most comfortable for my baby to wear,” Arica told us. “Kirkland Diapers are a favorite of his because they are so incredibly soft, and they are elasticated so they keep his accidents secure within his diaper,” she said. “He has never had any reactions to these diapers and seems very content while wearing them.” Arica also had high praise for the fit, telling us, “The diapers are great for babies of all sizes and [have] a great stretch for growing babies.” In category after category, Kirkland measured up against—and in some cases outperformed—brands that cost considerably more. Luv2Run1st, a member of The Bump forums, went so far as to call them “[the] only diaper so far that we don't get leaks and blowouts in.”

Keep in mind that Costco is a membership-based shopping club with fees starting at $60 a year. While you can order Kirkland Signature Diapers online without a membership, the savings are highest for members, as low as $25.99 a pack! But even for non-members, at only 18 cents a diaper, Kirkland’s still compete with high-quality options at an incredibly low price.

Size range: 1 (8-14 lbs.) to 6 (35+ lbs.) | Materials: Sodium polyacrylate, wood pulp, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester | Wetness indicator: Yes

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When baby has sensitive skin, a diaper that won’t cause irritation or discomfort is a must. That’s why Terra diapers, which debuted in the US and Canada last year and are designed with high-quality, plant-based materials—without any harsh chemicals or fragrances—were so highly-rated by our product tester Jaclyn, a mom of four. She gave Terra a perfect 10 out of 10 for materials and comfort, telling us, “My baby has very sensitive skin, so I was really pleased with that aspect of the diaper and the ingredients used to make it,” she explained. “It was really soft, fragrance-free and felt great—which can be unique among eco-friendly diapers.” Jaclyn’s testimony was so effusive, it helped earn Terra a Best of The Bump award for best diapers for sensitive skin.

One key factor for babies with sensitive skin is keeping them dry to prevent rashes. The absorbent core used in Terra diapers features high-quality Japanese SAPs that help to wick away moisture faster and keep baby feeling drier for longer. Jaclyn reported that her 5-month-old “felt dry to the touch when changing” and experienced no redness or irritation from the diapers.

Not only is Terra great for baby’s delicate skin, but these diapers are also better for the environment. Terra diapers are made out of 85 percent plant-based materials (by far the highest percentage among the diapers we tested!), and even the packaging is plastic-free (it’s made of biodegradable craft paper and rice). Whether your child has sensitive skin or not, Terra Diapers are an impressive choice all around.

Size range: 1 (under 11 lbs.) to 6 (35+ lbs.) | Materials: 100% bamboo fiber (backsheet and leg cuffs); polypropylene (top sheet and tape fasteners); SAP, wood pulp, tissue paper (core) | Wetness indicator: Yes

When your little one becomes mobile, you need a quality diaper that can withstand all of their crawling, scooching, walking and climbing and still protect against blowout and leaks. The Honest Clean Conscious Diapers in sizes 3 and up do just that, thanks to their ultra-stretchy sides that flex and adjust as your child moves without compromising leak protection. I tested these diapers with my 14-month-old daughter, who wore them on plenty of adventures. From trips to the park and playground to playing in the backyard with her toys, these diapers kept her dry and comfortable no matter what she was doing, earning them a best of The Bump award for best diapers for active babies.

Although they look slimmer than other diapers, the quilted bubble liner in the Honest Clean Conscious Diapers is surprisingly absorbent, and we never experienced any leakage or blowouts with these diapers. Even when my toddler was playing and frequently changing positions from sitting to standing to climbing, the diapers contained everything. They fit terrifically, with a low-profile around the butt and legs, whereas other active diapers I tested were saggy and poofy in those areas.

I also loved the modern black and white print. While so many other diapers have cartoons on them, these diapers look far more chic with a print that looks like it could belong in a modern art museum. The final verdict: if your little one is in their exploring stage, the Honest Clean Conscious Diapers are a great choice for a daytime diaper, with durable and absorbent construction, a terrific fit and a stylish look.

Size range: Newborn (Under 10 lbs.) to 7 (41+ lbs.) | Materials: Wood pulp and sodium polyacrylate (core); PLA and polyethylene (outer layer); polyethylene and polypropylene (inner layer) | Wetness indicator: Yes

Our community says:

Training pants are a perfect middle ground if your toddler is not yet ready for potty training but eager to leave the baby-ish diapers behind. They can offer the absorbency of a diaper but allow your child to pull them up and down like underwear, giving them a chance to practice their potty training skills. For a training pants option that checks all of the boxes, look no further than Millie Moon Luxury Training Pants, which earned a perfect score from our product tester Rothavy across all categories, and a Best of The Bump award for best training pants.

A standout feature of the Millie Moon training pants is the DreamFit waistband, which is made of 15 individual pieces of elastic to move closely and comfortably with your ever-busy toddler. “These training pants had a lot of great features, such as the extra stretch in the waistband,” Rothavy shared. “They fit great around her waist thanks to the stretchy material.” The pants also feature double cuff protection around the legs, reducing the risk of active toddlers experiencing side leaks.

Another smart design in the Millie Moon training pants is the resealable tab, which allows parents to roll the training pants and seal them closed for disposal (keeping any messes contained). Rothavy called it her favorite feature, noting how it “makes disposing [of] them so much easier.”

Millie Moon Luxury training pants are also fragrance-free, lotion-free, latex-free and dermatologically tested to keep your toddler’s skin protected from any potential irritants. “These training pants felt like clouds, they’re that soft,” Rothavy gushed. “She was able to wear them and run around all day without showing any signs of irritation.” She even said they helped with potty training, by getting her daughter used to taking off and pulling on an underwear-like product, adding “They are very stretchy which helps to put [them] on and take off.” So although we love Millie Moons, here’s hoping she won’t need them much longer!

Size range: 2T-3T, 3T-4T, 4T-5T | Materials: N/A | Wetness indicator: Yes