We’ve rounded up the best diapers for your baby’s needs so your money doesn’t go to waste!
What’s most important about your baby’s diapers?
Babies use on average 700 diapers in their first three months, and then up to 3,000 in the first year 🤯 so choosing the right diaper is crucial. While shopping for the most affordable diapers, it’s also important that your baby is comfortable, dry, and healthy which is where pricier and more niche diapers come into play.
Fortunately, we’ve done the dirty work for you (pun intended) and put together a comprehensive list of parent-approved top picks for every lifestyle, budget, and baby’s need.
1. You can always reach for Pampers in a pinch thanks to their reasonable price point and reliable quality.
Pampers are known for being super-soft and flexible and parents report fewer leaks or blowouts when using these diapers. Plus, they have a variety of specialty diapers including their patented swaddlers, cruisers 360°, overnights, splashers, and more.
CONS: These diapers have a slight fragrance.
See why Hip Sidekick, Soleil, trusts Pampers…
We are, hands down, a Pampers family. They may be on the pricier side but, with a heavy wetter, we’ve found that the only overnights that worked for us were Pampers brand. Friday has never had a rash! I take advantage of as many diaper promos I can find and have stocked up for quite a while. – Hip Sidekick, Soleil
2. You can add these diapers to the list of ALDI exclusives we can’t stop buying!
ALDI diapers – in-store only!
ALDI’s Little Journey diapers mimic big-name competitors but for 1/4 the price! Unlike expensive Disney and Sesame Street characters, they feature a generic cartoon to indicate which side is the front, and that alone keeps the cost lower. There is also a wetness indicator and although these diapers seem less ‘pillowy’ they are equally as soft where it counts and super-absorbent! Parents have compared these to off-brand Target diapers.
CONS: Although these diapers are latex and perfume-free they are infused with Aloe & vitamin E which some parents may not prefer.
AND, ALDI diapers are Hip Sidekick– approved! Here’s what Erica had to say…
ALDI diapers by far win for the best affordable diaper option and they are REALLY good! Under $12 for a box – I think they are $11.99! – Hip Sidekick, Erica
3. These Kirkland diapers are such good value, that you might become a Costco fan for life!
If you’ve recently spoken to a Costco parent, they’ve likely raved about these super-absorbent diapers! They feature a wetness indicator, plus they’re fragrance-free and even made of some plant-based materials, go Kirkland!
CONS: A Costco membership is required to shop OR you can purchase these diapers online for a higher non-member price.
4. One look at Hello Bello’s ADORABLE patterns and you won’t be able to stop buying them!
Hello Bello Diapers– single packs from $8.99+
*OR bundle with wipes, baby lotions, sunscreen, & more for the BIGGEST savings!
Hello Bello diapers are SO soft & slim (bye-bye baby bum bulk!), plus they are gentle on sensitive skin and hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, latex-free, unscented, paraben, and phthalate-free. (Did you know that most mainstream diapers contain a variety of chemicals like chlorine? 😳) And even though they have the cutest designs and prints, they don’t compromise on quality– our team hasn’t had a single blowout or leaky diaper while using them!
CONS: Some parents report these diapers being ‘heavy’ after overnight use, no leaks, just heavier than most diapers.
Hip Sidekick, Erica, loves the ease of auto-deliveries & the CUTE diaper patterns…
The deliveries always arrive in the most adorable forms possible! In one box, the farmhouse packaging was so appealing that my one-year-old, Huxley, was entertained by that alone. 😆 While that’s not typically what I judge when it comes to diapers, Hello Bello definitely gets bonus points for entertaining my little one!
It makes me feel amazing that Hello Bello goes the extra mile to deliver the best for our babies! They hold up well too – just as good as Pampers. Plus, look how stinkin’ adorable those designs are! 😍
The best part, it’s so nice to not have to run out and get diapers and instead to have them delivered each month! – Hip Sidekick, Erica
5. If your goal is not to stink up the planet along with your baby’s diapers, then EcoPea Co. is for you. 🌱
EcoPea Co. Diaper Box $99
$10 off when you opt to Subscribe & Save
Final cost $89 shipped!
*You can also grab a diaper back starting at just $18.
Many eco-friendly diapers still require cutting down trees to create the diaper’s core. EcoPea Co. uses certified bamboo pulp which is a far more renewable resource than cutting down trees. They also come in 100% compostable packaging and use sustainable materials wherever possible. They are natural, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-approved too!
CONS: Pricier diaper option with small box count.
“These diapers are very nice and super absorbent! I previously used Huggies Snugglers and I would have to change my baby at least once throughout the night if not he would wet the bed. With these, he can sleep a whole 12 hours with no leakage! Will be the only diapers I buy! Yes, they are a little more expensive but they are worth it. Healthier for your baby and friendly to our Earth.”
5. Colicky babies or those with sensitive skin may require the cloudlike softness of Coterie.
These diapers are free of more than 200 chemicals, including chlorine, pesticides, VOC’s, and optical brighteners, and parents describe them as soft as Cashmere. Plus, they are designed to move liquid away from the skin in just 15 seconds and are made with apparel-grade fabric in the back that won’t pill or snag.
CONS: Pricier diaper. Only available at limited retailers.
Want the same softness for a lower price?
Consider Target’s in-house brand, Millie Moon diapers, starting at just $19.99!
6. Going to a baby shower? You can’t go wrong with Honest Baby diapers!
Honest Diapers $29.99
Opt to Subscribe & Save (5-15% off + free shipping for Prime members)
Final cost $28.49 shipped (5% off) OR $25.49 shipped (15% off)!
⭐️ Over 32,000 5-star ratings!
Not only are Honest diapers known for their incredibly cute designs, but they also have a clean promise and fit into most budgets, so they make an excellent gift! They were one of the first brands to offer a subscription plan so you never have that late-night drugstore run just to grab a pack of diapers. Plus, they are hypoallergenic, latex and paraben-free, made with plant-based materials, and super absorbent.
CONS: These diapers are on the pricier end.
First-time parents! Check out this happy customer’s OUTSTANDING review…
“We got plenty of diapers from different baby showers and after 2 months with a newborn, these are by far the best. Whenever we try and use another brand of diaper we always end up with a blowout. This never happens and always keeps the mess inside the diaper. They are made of good material so the diaper doesn’t stick to the baby in a sticky situation. They are not cheap, but would highly recommend these for first-time parents.”
7. Pampers Swaddlers give a little extra ‘love’ to newborns.
When first-time parents are worried about blowouts with their fresh newborn and newborns just want that huggable softness, Pampers Swaddlers has your back. They feature a high blowout barrier that goes generously up baby’s back, plus dual leak-guard barriers at the legs. Plus, the LockAway Channels help keep baby dry so they can stay restfully asleep while you do the diaper changing.
CONS: Not the most eco-friendly.
8. Feeling unsure about cloth diapers? This all-in-one brand makes the transition SO easy!
If you’ve heard the words inserts, layering, and covers tossed around, rest assured these Bambino diapers are the best all-in-one cloth diapers and a cinch to use! There are no inserts to mess around with, just a stay-dry inner layer to keep moisture away from baby’s skin. Plus, these diapers are one-size-fits-all which means they’re adjustable from birth to potty training age – talk about money saved!
CONS: Thick insert you have to remove before washing, can be tricky to put back in. Pricier than disposable diapers.
“I’ve tried every type of diaper – Grovia One, Grovia Hybrid Velcro, BumGenius 4.0 snaps and velcro, Thirsties, Alva … and these are my favorite. They make laundry easier with the attached insert. The Rainforest patterns are beautiful. The velcro laundry tabs are strong and stay on. Leakproof and absorbent. The velcro is easy for the middle of the night and daycare. I’ve ordered 2 of these sets of 6 so far.”
9. Pampers does it again with the best swim diapers too!
Pampers Splashers Disposable Swim Diapers $9.97
Opt to Subscribe & Save (5- 15% off + free shipping for Prime members)
Final cost $9.47 shipped (5% off) OR $8.47 shipped (15% off) + get 25¢ promotional credit!
Since swim diapers are basically meant to do the opposite job of regular diapers and NOT absorb all that water in the pool, it’s important to know which brands actually work! Pampers Splashers have velcro tabs so they can easily be removed and reused just like real diapers. They are also more absorbent on the inside to stop leaks from going into the water.
CONS: Not available for extra small sizes
Still wondering ‘which diapers are the best’? Here are a few things to consider:
When it comes to the BEST diapers, the most important thing is that your baby is comfortable and healthy. You might consider the:
- fragrance
- fit
- absorbancy
- softness
- sustainability
- cost
but ultimately you will need to try these diapers with your baby and for yourself to know what they prefer. 🤍
Last important note– How much do diapers cost?
When shopping for non-premium diapers, just remember that you should typically spend no more than15¢ per diaper. You can easily view the price per count when ordering online or use this handy Diaper Calculator.
