Credit:
Reviewed / Alexandra Frost
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Credit:
Reviewed / Alexandra Frost
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The Thirsties are impressively absorbent, and a snug, comfortable fit, which pushed them into our top pick. Read More
The Charlie Banana cloth diapers have snaps in convenient places which helps with absorption and fit. Read More
The bumGenius has a waterproof cover and inner cloth lining all together in a single package. Read More
The Rumparooz has four size settings, dozens of cute prints and was quite absorbent—for smaller amounts of liquid. Read More
These pocket cloth diapers from Kinder have a grippy elastic waist to prevent blow outs and five adjustable settings for fit. Read More
For new parents, one of the most overwhelming costs is diapering your baby. The $3 billion cloth diaper industry is projected to jump to over $5 billion by 2030 and while reports—and babies—vary, parents can expect to spend up to $1,000 on disposable diapers the first year, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. And that’s not counting any environmental costs.
On the other hand, parents using cloth diapers can expect to pay just a few hundred dollars in set up for all the necessary materials. With inflation costs soaring, the potential savings means more parents are exploring the world of cloth diapering, which can seem intimidating at first.
While each baby and parent might want a different style, fit, material, or type, there are some universal qualities that all great cloth diapers have. We researched and tested some of the most popular cloth diapers, from prefolds to all-in-ones to pocket diapers, and determined that the Thirsties One Size All in One (available at Thirsties) is the best cloth diaper available on the market right now.
For those who prefer inserts, we recommend the Charlie Banana Reusable Cloth Diaper One Size (available at Charlie Banana). You may choose to purchase additional inserts for more convenience with this product too. Be careful—the super cute designs will have you buying more than you planned to.
The Thirsties cloth diapers fit well, and excelled at containing both real-life and simulated messes.
This top winner outperformed all the other options in a variety of tests, including poop and pee simulations, and multiple wears on a real baby, my fifth child, age 3 months. The super absorbent blend of materials means that you won’t have to worry about leaks, and this product was especially absorbent with lots of pee, contributing to choosing it as a winner.
The baby’s skin wasn’t wet when we removed the diaper, as it does a better job of wicking moisture away from the baby. While some diapers were bulky, saggy, or otherwise ill-fitting, Thirsties conformed to the baby’s body well, leaving no room for gaps or areas that seemed too tight. It seemed the most comfortable, but not too hot, which my baby could attest to if she could talk (I think.)
Good fit
Excellent absorption
Cute patterns
None that we could find
With many cute prints and good absorption it's easy to see why Charlie Banana was a top pick.
Charlie Banana was another of our worry-free leakproof options—during testing, it handled the most pee and poop with minimal to no leaking. It also left my baby’s skin feeling dry and fresh, pulling moisture away from the skin.
The snaps are in convenient places to tailor fit the product to their little bodies, and I especially loved the second and third rows of snaps that angle down towards the middle which are in just the right places for perfect sizing.
I’m not kidding when I say you will want every adorable print—and there are over 40 options to choose from. We loved “Banana Fiesta,” and plan to buy “Cactus Azul” next.
Extra rows of snaps
Great fit
Very cute patterns
Pricey
The bumGenius All-in-One offers much of the same convenience as disposable diapers.
All in ones like this make cloth diapering truly as easy and affordable as possible; not only can they fit comfortably for a few years but there’s also only one item to keep track of rather than multiple parts.
This diaper has inner flaps that you can put in specific spots based on where your baby needs extra coverage, and there’s no insert stuffing to speak of.
The bumGenius performed pretty well in testing, though it did have a medium size poop leak. However, overall, compared to some other options that had larger pee leaks, this one didn’t struggle to contain liquids and only had a few drops outside the correct area.
Many cute prints
Inner adjustable flaps
Decent liquid absorbency
Some poop leakage
The Rumparooz was very absorbent for smaller amounts of liquid.
In our absorbency tests, this diaper was in the top few contenders, successfully pulling liquid away from baby’s skin. Some of the others were less absorbent and liquid seemed to sit right on top of the fabric, increasing the chances of rash or irritation.
However, as more pee was spilled into this diaper, the absorbent abilities went down, showing that it won’t hold as much pee as our top picks. Overall, it was a reliable and consistent option without any pee leaks, though it did have a moderate poop leak.
However, unlike some others on this list, it is also available in newborn sizes which fit babies 4 to 15 pounds.
Good absorbency
Many cute prints
Four size settings
Moderate poop leak
The Kinder cloth diapers were the most budget friendly—and best for belly sleepers.
Kinder prides itself on having the best product for belly sleepers, which is a plus for older babies who tend to wake up soaked through their diapers. It has a thicker rear elastic as well that prevents blowouts out of the back and top of the diaper, a must-have.
The five adjustable rise settings allow it to be more versatile for a wider age range, and might be best for people who plan on cloth diapering longer than early toddlerhood. Finally, they are the most budget friendly of the options we tested.
Thicker elastic
Budget friendly
Good for belly sleepers
None that we could find
Soft and comfortable
Channeled soaker
Outlast closure feature
May be warm
Limited color options
100% cotton
Fits under any diaper cover
Not very absorbent
Good fit
Not bulky
Not absorbent
All cloth diapers were tested in both real life—and simulated—potty situations.
I’m Alex Frost, a journalist with 15 years of experience, much of which I’ve spent researching and testing products for parents and children. I’ve worked with Insider, Parents, Huffington Post, Washington Post, Consumer Reports, and other publications, to bring realistic, helpful, and meaningful parenting information to those fighting the good fight everywhere, with kids of all ages.
I’ve covered everything from diaper bags and strollers to the best toys for older kids, and diving into issues from mental health to trending parenting hacks, often with a baby in my lap and a toddler or three nearby asking for a snack (again). As a mom of 5 under age 8, I’ve been through my fair share of diapers of all kinds, and know the pain points well.
We conducted three types of tests in considering cloth diapers. The pee test included pouring three amounts of “pee” (warm water with dye) on the diapers, at 30, 45, and 60 ml, to simulate multiple urinations in the diapers. We observed absorbency and leaks at each increment.
Later, we did a poop test with chocolate pudding, adding an equal amount to each diaper and squishing it down to simulate the force of actual poop in a baby diaper. Finally, I tested the diapers on my own 3 month old, who pooped and peed in each, and we observed absorbency and leaks again, checking her skin for dryness and comfort.
Cloth diapers include lots of trial and error, because it takes time to determine your—and your baby's—personal preference with fabrics and fit. You also have to determine which processes is easiest for you, the parent, and what works best for your baby’s bathroom schedule and skin.
Fit: The fit should be snug around the legs, belly, and back, but not so tight as to leave lines or not be able to put a finger beneath the fabric.
Type: Some people prefer prefolds, some want an all in one, and others want to stuff inserts into pocket style diapers. Some cloth diapers come with a soaker as well, which is an additional pad that helps absorb pee and poop before it hits the diaper or cover itself.
Affordability: You want to choose diapers that seem to be high quality material, but also ones that are affordable, as you presumably would be trying to save money over buying disposables. You can look for options that come with additional inserts, or guarantee their product to last.
Washing Directions/Fabric: Some diapers and fabrics are more sensitive to the washing process than others. If you plan on washing your diapers in a washing machine, follow directions carefully, avoiding detergents and dryer sheets that will damage the diapers. Also, keep in mind some babies might be sensitive to certain fabrics, so finding the right fabrics can take some trial and error.
Cloth diaper fans might have a specific preference between these two types, but both are generally effective at doing their jobs.
Prefolds have a two step process—fold a prefold diaper, sometimes called a cotton flat, and secure it with a snapping/closure product of your choice. Then, you wrap the cover around the prefold.
All-in-ones, on the other hand, are a bit more like disposables, in that you just pull them on.
First, follow the directions carefully on the brand you are buying, as each might have different suggestions specific to that fabric.
But generally, stripping involves adding a stripping solution to hot water in your washer, and letting them soak, before washing the diapers in your machine. To wash them on an ongoing basis after that, some people invest in a sprayer to remove poop, others move the poop to the toilet, and then wash, and others have additional various processes and preferences.
Sanitizing the diapers periodically, such as every few days (though check your diaper’s recommendations here again), keeps stains under control. There are various processes for this, but some involve adding a small amount of bleach to your typical load, and soaking before running the washer.
Like disposables, they work to contain pee and poop, and to absorb properly, pulling both away from your baby’s body. They often work by securing with a Snappi or other snapping connector, unless they have their own snaps like most all in ones. They close by adjusting snaps to your baby’s size, and choosing different snaps as they grow to allow more room.
This varies widely by brand and type, and some might last just a few years, while others can last a decade, if properly treated. It also depends on how frequently you use them, and how consistent you are with thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing them.
Sometimes, snaps lose efficacy before other parts of the diaper, so look for guarantees, warranties, and other promises that might allow you to replace them.
Alexandra Frost is a Cincinnati-based freelance journalist, content marketing writer, copywriter, and editor focusing on health and wellness, parenting, work, real estate, business, education, and lifestyle.
Alex has a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and Journalism, both from Miami University. She has also taught high school for 10 years, specializing in media education.
For over a decade she has been helping publications and companies connect with readers and bring high-quality information and research to them in a relatable voice. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Forbes, Huffington Post, Glamour, Reader’s Digest, Today’s Parent, Women’s Health, and Parents.
Away from the keyboard, Alex is also a mom to her four sons and one daughter, all under age 8, who keep things chaotic, fun and interesting.
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