When my husband and I were expecting for the first time, with twins, we received and purchased a LOT of diapers, from different brands, in different styles.
We have since had more children (though one at a time), and have tried out a lot of different diapers, especially thanks to some diaper-themed baby showers my friends threw for me.
Some brands worked better for different babies. Some we needed to make sure we were using the proper diaper sizing.
Generally, our children are tall and skinny. We’ve had mostly girls, but one boy baby too.
Related: Where to Get Free Diapers
Where to Buy Diapers
There are a lot of different diaper brands out there. Some are only carried at certain retailers, and some are only sold online. We have not personally tested out all the different disposable diaper brands out there.
RELATED: The Cost of Cloth Diapering
Most major retailers, warehouse stores, grocery stores, dollar stores, drug stores, and convenience stores all sell diapers. You will typically spend the most per diaper at convenience stores (like gas stations), and can get pretty good prices at warehouse stores. The others can be good prices if you buy with coupons and when they run sales.
Major Retailers that Sell Diapers:
- Target (Look into diaper subscription options)
- Walmart
- BuyBuy Baby
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- BJ’s
- Family Dollar
- Dollar General
- Aldi (Little Journey’s Brand)
- CVS Pharmacy
- Walgreens
Online Retailers Who Sell Diapers:
- Amazon (be sure to sign up for Amazon Family)
- HelloBello
- Thrive Market
- Honest.com
- Boxed.com
Diaper Reviews
Because I am a price-conscious consumer, I am also going to list the price for each brand of diaper, using a Size 3 diaper as the standard across the brands (using current pricing – June 2020).
RELATED: Tips for Having a Baby on a Budget
My diaper reviews will share what I think the pros and the cons are for each diaper brand.
There are many factors when it comes to finding the right diaper for you and your baby. Some babies have highly sensitive skin, so you’ll likely want to opt for sensitive, hypoallergenic, or chemical-free disposable diapers.
Others want an all-around diaper that works both day and night. Some might want it to not be bulky when wet, etc. And sometimes the gender of your baby will play a factor in which diaper brand works better.
RELATED: 5 Tips for Preventing Diaper Blowouts
Experimenting for yourself is kinda important, but I hope this will help get you a starting point.
Here’s what we think about several of different popular diaper brands out there.
Huggies Snug and Dry Diaper Review
Pros: Cheaper, coupons widely available, Huggies rewards program. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben free, chlorine and latex free.
Cons: Leaks, bulky, wrong fit on my girls
Price: $0.22/diaper (Amazon)
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers Review
Pros: Thin, soft, smell good, great fit, Dry Max, wetness indicator, belly button notch, Pampers rewards program, coupons often available
Cons: More expensive and coupons not as good or as available. Didn’t always catch the poo up the backside. Caused at least one child to get a rash. Distinct strong diaper smell.
Cost: $0.28/diaper (Amazon)
RELATED: How to Remove Baby Poop Stains from Clothes
Pampers Pure Diaper Review
Pros: Thin, soft, adorable, didn’t leak, free of fragrance, chlorine bleach, parabens, latex, and hypoallergenic, wetness indicator. Pampers Rewards program.
Cons: Slightly stiff, more expensive.
Cost: $0.30/diaper (Get on Amazon)
See my Pampers Pure diaper review.
Kirkland Signature Supreme Baby Diapers
Pros: Large box, decent price. Fit well, cute design. Soft.
Cons: Costco membership needed, no coupons.
Cost: 0.18/diaper (Costco)
Member’s Mark Premium Baby Diapers Review
Pros: Keeps in messes, wetness indicator, doesn’t sag, soft, breathable, unscented, hypoallergenic liner, no latex or perfume, and affordable. Sometimes Instant Savings deals.
Cons: Only available at Sam’s Club. Not great at keeping baby dry through the night and sags.
Cost: $0.15/diaper
Parent’s Choice Diaper Review
Pros: Cheap, fit well, wetness indicator, hypoallergenic, perfume-free, latex-free.
Cons: Don’t breath well, not soft
Cost: 0.11/diaper (Walmart)
Up and Up Diapers Review
Pros: Lowest priced diapers, cute dot-design, chlorine free, parabens free, perfume free. RedCard users can save 15% when they subscribe. Target runs diaper/baby deals often.
Cons: Hard, bulky, plastic-like, don’t breathe, see the design through clothes, sag down.
Cost: $0.13/diaper (Target)
Luvs TripleLeakguards Diapers Review
Pros: Cheaper, money-back guarantee, soft, wetness indicator. Prime members can get 20% off when they subscribe.
Cons: Some tabs would rip off when putting it on the baby. Sometimes leaked. Rougher sound to them, distinct smell.
Cost: $0.17/diaper
Little Journey Diapers Review
Pros: Very affordable, not very bulky, fit well with dual leg cuffs, wetness indicator. Hypoallergenic liner with vitamin E and aloe, perfume and latex free.
Cons: Only available at Aldi in-store, a little stiff, small packages of diapers.
Cost: $0.12/diaper (Aldi only in-store)
You can see my experience with Little Journey diapers here.
HelloBello Diapers Review
Pros: Wetness indicator, lotion, fragrance, phthalates, and latex free, sustainably harvested fluff pulp, 100% chlorine-free processing, tons of different patterns to choose from, freebies. Available at Walmart.
Cons: Subscription-based bundles online, expensive
Cost: $0.28/diaper (at Walmart) or $65 for 189 diapers ($0.31/diaper) & 240 wipes ($0.03/wipe or $7.20) & free gift at HelloBello.com where it ships every 5 weeks.
Honest Diapers Review
Pros: Awesome designs, eco-friendly with sustainably harvested fluff pulp, super absorbent, latex, chlorine, fragrance, and lotion free. Can subscribe and save 5% on all shipments. Also sold at Walgreens, CVS, and Target.
Cons: Small packages, very expensive.
Cost: $0.41/diaper (on Honest.com not bundled/subscribed), $0.38/diaper (at Target plus you can subscribe & save), or $0.47/diaper (at CVS), or $0.37/each (at Walgreens).
Seventh Generation Diapers Review
Pros: Made without fragrances, lotions, chlorine, and even patterns/designs. Sustainably farmed pulp. Purchase supports charity. Available at Target, Walmart, and Thrive Market.
Cons: Harder to find in-store and online, more expensive, no or limited cute designs on outside
Cost: $0.32/diaper (at Walmart) or $0.31/diaper (at Thrive Market) or $0.33/diaper (at Target)
What have you found to be the best diapers for your kids and why?
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- 5 Popular Baby Food Feeder Options
- When to Introduce Sippy Cups
- 15 Must-Have Baby Items Essential for Life with Newborns
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jastalfam says
i used to love all sorts of them, mainly parents choice, but ashlynn has sensitive skin and the only diapers we have been able to get that dont give her rash are huggies. but not the cheap ones, the more expensive huggies (of course.). we like them a lot. haven’t really had issues with leaking except a couple times when she was sick and had the runs.
Diana Smith says
This post was super helpful! I use pampers and I like them but they are more expensive. Huggies suck!! Olivia always leaks and its just not fun!!
Elise and Jeff says
I use Huggies, but that is just because… I don’t really know why. I am not loyal to one brand, I just go with what is cheapest. Have you tried the amazon mom program? That is what I do, and my sister with triplets as well. You subscribe for your preferred brand and size of diapers, and choose how often you would like them sent to you, and ever month or two, a box of diapers shows up at your house automatically! Plus you automatically get amazon prime membership, which is free shipping on most things on amazon. I am getting 30% off my diapers, and I never have to buy them in the store! If you haven’t already, you should look into it, especially with multiples. My sister is saving so much money!
Also, yes, the “enjoy the ride” prizes are crap. I am glad you won, though! I use up all my points losing those silly games!
Brittany and Joe says
Well so far I’ve only used two kinds and that would be huggies and pampers. I actually like the huggies more, but it could be just a better fit for David and not anything more than just that.
Jed and Aubrey says
If I am buying in bulk, I would buy huggies. Because paired with sale prices and a coupon (easily accessible) they end up being the cheapest per diaper. However- they aren’t necessarily any better than the off brand. The newer version of Huggies are softer, so I usually try to buy those. So if I have coupons and they are on sale, I buy the newer version of huggies. If not- any other kind is fine- they’re pretty much all the same for my little guy. Great post!
Whitney says
Yeah!! We’re totally a Luvs family too! We buy off of Diapers.com. There boxes are huge. We’re buying size 3 right now. We buy two boxes at a time which amounts to 408 diapers for $73. No shipping. And they deliver in 1-2 days. (Usaully they come the day after you order.) Recently they’ve had this 30% cash back which they then apply to your next order, so the last three orders we’ve made we’ve gotten 408 diapers delivered next day for $51. Saweeet!!!
Natalie says
This is such a funny post! But I love it! My sister-in-law who has 4 kids has always used luvs. I started out using mostly cloth diapers, but when I did use disposables I loved the Pamper’s Swaddlers for the little ones. Once the babies start on solid foods I ditch the cloth and go for the Sam’s brand or Huggies. I never did my research as thouroughly as you though 🙂 Good work!
Janae Wallace says
I have had a struggle with diapers since Gabby was born. In the beginning, she needed preemie diapers but they’re super hard to find and really expensive. Then I would fall in love with a brand only to find that they’re completely different when you change to the next size! So for Newborn, I liked Pampers, size 1 and 2 were best with huggies, and now size 3 we use pampers cruisers. We tried the huggies little movers but they were SOO bulky and she was waddling really bad when she walked 🙂
Ultimately, I think the cheaper store brands and Luvs are a better option because they really are the same! We can’t use them because something in their ingredients (?) make Gabby’s butt get bright red…haha. Otherwise, we would be getting those! Plus, pampers had a rewards program too so why not, right? Good like in your diaper journeys!
Janae Wallace says
Oh and the wipes we use are Parent’s Choice. Tim doesn’t like sensitive wipes because they’re thin so I found that those are the best non-sensitive ones at the best price. Also, if you have amazon prime (or get super saver shipping), you can order them with free shipping and have them brought right to your door! 🙂