You can go without a lot of things when you have a baby, but diapers aren’t one of them. The right option does more than prevent leaks and blowouts—it’s also soft and gentle on your baby’s skin. To find the best diapers, we enlisted a panel of parents who tried these diapers with over a dozen kids and babies, ranging in age from 2 weeks to 5 years old. After extensive testing over the course of the past three years, our top pick for the best diaper is still (and ). These diapers consistently fit better on more kids in our testing and were the best at preventing blowouts and leaks.
If you’re looking for more specific features—like dedicated overnight diapers or the best option for sensitive skin—we also named additional winners for parents to consider.
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. “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 Dr. Scott Svitek. If you’re looking for a more eco-conscious diaper brand, and both performed well in our tests and got high marks from parents.
Comfortable Fit For Babies And Toddlers
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. Little Snugglers come in smaller sizes for younger babies (from Preemie to Size 6) and for older babies and toddlers (Size 3 to Size 8). Both versions performed equally well in our testing, and are also both fragrance-free, reducing the risk of potential irritation.
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 the lowest percentiles.
Very Few Leaks And Blowouts
No diaper design on the market is perfectly leakproof. In all of our testing over three years, we did have the occasional blowout with Huggies, but it’s much less than most other brands. 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 often. 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 when your child has peed.
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.
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Transparent Ingredients And Manufacturing
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 offers full ingredient transparency to parents, so they can avoid problematic additions in their child’s diaper, while also leaving 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 don’t do. 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 (AllergyCertified, Oeko-Tex and EWG Verified), and others that support its environmental-friendly ethos (B Corp status, Certified Plastic Neutral and its use of FSC-certified wood pulp in its diapers). The diapers are packaged in recyclable paper, which we appreciate.
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 relatively thin, which makes it easier to pack a good amount of them when you’re out all day or going on a trip. One of our long-term testers really liked the fit of these diapers.
Still Some 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 ones were riding in a car seat (not ideal but also rather common when the poop has nowhere else to go). However, they held up well overnight during long-term testing, with no leaks or blowouts.
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. None of our testers reported any rashes with these diapers.
Soft For Delicate Newborn Skin
Newborns can dirty many diapers per day as their digestive systems continue to develop, so you really want a diaper that can contain liquid messes. 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 it’s especially soft and free from many common irritants like fragrance, chlorine bleaching, parabens, phthalates and lotion. The Diaper is also made from 25% plant-based materials.
“These are the gold standard for comfort and absorbency. Clean ingredients, supersoft 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 in younger kids.
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 your subscription auto-renews when you buy Coterie diapers. This not only takes something off your to-do list, but also saves you 15% on each order.
Coterie’s newborn size has an umbilical cord notch, so the diaper’s waistband doesn’t rub against the stump before it falls off. There’s a wetness indicator that changes from yellow to blue when it comes into contact with liquid, something many new parents find helpful as a cue for a diaper change. This can also be useful in the very early days if you’re watching to make sure your baby is peeing (and therefore eating) 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 younger babies. This was not the case with our older babies who slept through the night and toddler testers. Parents with mobile babies also found this diaper more prone to leaking.
A Roomy Fit
Parents and caregivers looking for a quality diaper that’s especially affordable can find a solid option in from Target. Our testers found that they fit well on babies of various sizes. Both testers noted that they run slightly big, which isn’t a con as long as you’re aware of it. While being roomy, one tester noted that they still keep both pee and poop contained.
During testing, none of our testers experienced diaper rashes while using the Up&up diapers. They also appreciated the cute prints. The diapers are made without elemental chlorine, lotions, latex, fragrances, parabens and phthalates.
Good Containment
Our testers found these diapers to be absorbent and experienced very few leaks; when they did, it only happened overnight. In our absorbency test, Up&up diapers held more water than the Huggies. However, they weren’t a great option for wearing overnight, as one of our testers continually experienced overnight leaks. You might find that you need to change these diapers a bit more often than you would with other brands.
One factor that helps with containment is secure tabs. “I like the design and the green tabs—they make it easier to find them with a squirming baby when they’re bright like that,” one tester said.
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 their performance to be a good middle-of-the-road option that does the job.
Soft And Easy To Use
I had a tough time finding a good overnight diaper, using brand after brand in an attempt to find something that was comfortable for my kids and could also hold all of their pee. From the moment I got out of the package, I was impressed with them—they’re very soft and easy to get on. The sides don’t rip easily like some other pull-on diapers do. All three of the parents who tested these diapers agree they’re incredibly soft.
Gentle On Skin All Night
Two of our testers noted that their kids prefer these diapers because they aren’t itchy. They have no added fragrance, lotions, latex, rubber, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, pesticides, VOCs or optical brighteners. I appreciate a cleaner diaper like this for overnight since kids sometimes wear them for over 12 hours.
You won’t find any cute designs on these diapers, which could be a drawback for some toddlers. However, this means that there aren’t chemicals or dyes added for the sole purpose of making a cute design. Surprisingly, many of our kid testers like the plain white design, perhaps because as they get older, this style seems more like regular underwear to them.
Not For Heavy Wetters
Though I really like these diapers overall, they’re not the best pick for heavy wetters or older kids who still need an overnight diaper. One of my 4-year-olds who is a heavier wetter has leaked through these a couple times. His twin brother hasn’t had this issue, however. Another tester’s 3-year-old used The Pant overnight for many months without problems, and encountered leaks only when he outgrew them. This is a great pick for babies, younger toddlers and lighter wetters; older kids and heavy wetters should check out our next pick.
Ideal For Older Kids
As kids get older, it’s common for daytime potty training to come before nighttime. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 15% of 5- to 7-year-olds don’t stay dry overnight. Though these diapers actually failed sooner in our leak test than the Coterie Pant did, they performed better for heavy wetters during real-world testing.
Sizing up to XXL for kids up to 165 pounds means it’s a good option for older kids who still need to wear a nighttime diaper. I found them to fit a bit more loosely than the other overnight diapers I tested, but this didn’t lead to any leaks. I like that they really seem to give a lot of coverage up the belly for my boys. Five layers of protection help prevent leaks.
Enticing Prints
There are separate diapers for boys and girls, which is nice because it offers zoned protection where it’s needed the most. However, this also means that if a boy likes the girl print or vice versa, it may not provide the best protection.
Discreet But Not Supersoft
Especially for kids who are older, I appreciate that the Goodnites are thin and not very noticeable under pajamas. Though none of my kids complained about how these diapers felt, they definitely aren’t as soft as the Coterie Pant.
So Many Fun Prints
Whether it’s because you want to take 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 feature , , and many other 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.
Because parents like the adorable prints available in these diapers, they’re a great option for gifting as well; we particularly like the for a baby shower gift.
Strong Ethical Credentials
Even though disposable diapers aren’t the most eco-friendly product, these diapers do have quite a few trusted third-party certifications. The Honest Company Clean Conscious Diapers rely on in their absorbing layer, meaning pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests. It also carries a PETA label, which certifies that no animals were used in testing during the making of these diapers. Finally, the diapers are certified to be free of hundreds of specific chemicals by .
Softer Than The Previous Version
Honest released a redesign of its diapers last year, we tested both versions. Our tester—who used them on her twins as newborns and again when her babies were 10 months—found an improvement in terms of softness on the outside of the new diaper, which was a chief complaint about the old version.
Though the refresh made the diapers softer, we did experience some leaks, especially when using the diapers overnight with older babies. While some of our testers found that these diapers fit true to size, others felt that the fit was a bit small. If you’re experiencing leaks, try sizing up. You might find yourself moving up to the next size sooner in these diapers than in other brands.
Other Diapers We Tested
We tested 32 different diaper models, all of which went through our at-home lab tests for absorbency and leaks. Diapers that fared well in our initial quantitative tests went on to be tested in the trenches of real-world parenting with babies and toddlers of varying genders, ages and sizes.
: 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.
: Though the Bambo Nature Dream Diapers fared well in our lab tests, they did not hold up 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.
: 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.
: In our leak test, these diapers held only a very small amount of water before they started leaking, so they didn’t advance to real-world testing.
: We like the cute designs on this diaper, but it didn’t do great in our real-world or lab testing. Compared to our top picks, it didn’t feel as soft, and it didn’t contain leaks as well.
: This diaper failed our absorbency and leak tests, holding only eight tablespoons of water before it leaked. It did not advance to our real-world testing.
and : 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.
: 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.
: 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 the babies’ bottoms.
: In our real-world testing, these diapers produced a lot of leaks and blowouts, leading to a lot of frustration and outfit changes.
: Pura’s diapers were mediocre when it came to our home lab tests. Ultimately, they did not perform well enough to advance to real-world testing.
: Our tester found it difficult to get a good fit with these diapers. They also didn’t fare very well in our tests, failing to absorb water well and leaking after just one cup.
: Our testers had trouble with fit and leaks with Terra’s diapers. Even though the wetness indicator had shown no sign of peeing, the diaper leaked out the sides.
: These were previously our pick for the best value diapers. However, in 2025, the manufacturer changed, which could explain why we don’t find them to be as soft and absorbent as they used to be.
: In terms of leaks, Kudos performed well, with our testers rarely (if ever) experiencing leaks. However, they’re not as soft as similar options, and some of our testers found them to be stiff and uncomfortable.
: These absorbent nighttime diapers could be a good pick for younger babies. We found the traditional diaper fastening and smaller fit to be impractical for older babies and toddlers who often do better with a pull-up overnight diaper.
: A few of our testers experienced leaks with Huggies Overnites, and some found the material to be irritating, particularly near the tabs. They have a smaller and more slender fit, so size up if you decide to try these diapers.
: Our testers like the stretch in these diapers. They fit more like underwear than a diaper, which is nice for older kids who need protection overnight. Unfortunately, our kid testers found them to be scratchy, and they’re also scented, a quality many parents and caregivers try to avoid.
: I’ve used Pull-Ups off and on for years, and my kids like the designs. Part of the print fades when wet, which is a nice incentive for kids to stay dry. Though I’ve continually given them a chance, the diapers have consistently leaked with both boys and girls, and other testers reported the same.
: I was pleasantly surprised with the fit of these Walmart diapers. The quality, though, was not great. We experienced quite a few leaks, and the diapers regularly ripped while getting them on and off.
Eco By Naty Eco-Friendly Diapers: We tested an earlier version of the . They fit strangely; the bottom was wide and the tabs were narrow, which meant that they were difficult to put on, plus the tabs cut into our testers’ sides. They also produced quite a few leaks.
We also tested Seventh Generation Baby Diapers and Seventh Generation Free & Clear Overnight Diapers, which have since been discontinued.
What We’re Testing Next
We continually test new diapers as they roll out, retest our favorites and add additional contenders to our testing list. We’re currently planning to test , the new and the recently launched .
How We Test Diapers
Forbes Vetted began panel testing diapers in 2023 and has continued to test diapers on a rolling basis ever since, publishing our findings at least annually. Many of the diapers we recommend have gone through multiple rounds of testing with multiple families. Over a dozen babies and toddlers—the real MVPs of this project—have supported our testing efforts.
In addition to putting the diapers through real-world testing, we conducted at-home quantitative “lab” tests to more accurately compare the diapers to one another. We tested a variety of diaper sizes to get an accurate picture of how each diaper performs across various ages. We also tested diapers with both boys and girls.
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 or ripped off during diaper changes.
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 could hold. We also noted if the diaper started to break down or show any signs of deterioration during this test.
Leak Test
To determine how long each diaper could hold out before it leaked, 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 available only via a subscription service or only at select retailers. While this can be nice if you set up a recurring shipment or have a club membership, 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 because we know how important it is for parents to choose the right products for their babies.
- The author of this article, Alicia Betz, is a baby and kids gear writer at Forbes Vetted. She’s 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.
- The editor of this article, Margaret Badore, is the senior baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a journalist. She’s also a mom to three and tested many of the diapers for this guide.
- We regularly stay up to date on new innovations in diapering and recently covered the Huggies Skin Essentials Diapers launch and the Pampers Amore Diapers launch.
Our Experts
- Haley DeSousa, the head of curriculum and instruction at , a childcare, workspace and fitness club
- , a pediatrician and board member of the Allied Foundation, Long Island’s only diaper bank
- , the executive director of the Allied Foundation