Best Baby Diaper Pails – Guide & Reviews
Diaper pails play an important role in nurseries. You’ll be changing a lot of diapers until your child is potty trained - about 5000 total - so you want to be sure you have a baby diaper pail that makes it seem like there was never a dirty diaper in the first place.
Why parents use diaper pails:
- Conceals the smells of both poopy and wet diapers.
- Kids can’t get into the childproof lids and make a mess.
- They’re a place to store dirty cloth diapers until they’re washed.
The right diaper pail can make the diaper changing job stink less, figuratively and literally. What some parents swear by may not work at all for other parents, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide for selecting a diaper pail.
Best Baby Diaper Pails : Things to Consider
Before you decide which diaper pail works best for you, there are a few needs and uses to consider.
Are you using cloth or disposable diapers?
Cloth diapers can require soaking, so you may need a wet diaper pail if you’re using cloth. You’ll also want to see if the diaper pail comes with a laundry bag or if you have to purchase that separately for cloth diapers.
If you’re using disposable diapers, you’ll want a pail that holds a liner. You may use both cloth and disposable diapers, so you’ll either want a pail that can handle both, or you’ll need one of each.
What method do you want odors controlled?
Different diaper pails use different systems to contain odors. You may see the followings to choose the best baby diaper pail:
- Scented diaper pail liners
- Air filters (usually charcoal)
- Manual addition of deodorizer
You may be objected to artificial fragrances, or you want to do as little work as possible to keep the odors contained. These are all things to consider when looking at how the diaper pail combats odors.
Does the diaper pail require specific liners?
If you’re looking for a diaper pail that uses liners, keep in mind that you may be limited to which liners you can use in certain pails.
You may be limited to a brand-specific liner. They often contain odor or bacteria fighting properties, and you can’t swap brands between pails.
While these may be more effective, they are often more expensive. Some pails allow you to use any household garbage liner or even used shopping bags. You’ll have to decide if the cost saving benefits outweigh these less-effective types of bags.
Finally, diaper pails used for cloth diapers will require a cloth liner. You can throw the whole bag into the washing machine, but it does have to be dried completely before it’s returned to the pail, so this may require purchasing more than one cloth liner.
What is the capacity?
You don’t want to have to change the pail liner every day, and a larger diaper pail will allow you to go longer without changing it. However, the larger the pail is, the longer the diapers sit, and the worse the smell can get.
The decision will be yours on whether you want to empty the pail more often or deal with a smellier pail. Keep in mind that diaper size grows right along with your child, so you may want a larger size to accommodate bigger diapers.
The 10 Best Baby Diaper Pails
After testing out multiple diaper pails and consulting with experienced parents and caregivers, we’ve narrowed it down to the following ten best diaper pails.
Editor Rating:
The Dekor Diaper Plus Diaper Disposal System is a discreet and convenient diaper pail that will help keep your child’s room odor-free. You won’t need to do daily liner changes with this pail since the bag holds up to 46 diapers before it needs to be changed.
Step on the pedal to open the lid and drop the diaper in through a “trap door” design that helps contain odors. You can do this all with one hand, so you have a hand free for your baby.
The pail does come with its own brand of refills, but regular trash bags work just fine. The lid and the trap door both lock for easy childproofing.
Feature at a glance
- Holds up to 60 newborn diapers before emptying!
- Each Dékor Plus refill holds up to 580 newborn diapers
- The most economical refills when compared to others.
Editor Rating:
The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is on the higher end of the price range for the diaper pails, but the powder coated steel construction means it’s less likely to absorb smells like plastic pails do.
The pail is also designed to work with any type of trash bag, so you don’t have to splurge on refills. The pail features a childproof safety lock to keep kids out of the mess.
Many parents also love the color selection. With 12 colors to choose from, you can find something that blends in with your nursery decor. If you are using cloth diapers for your baby, the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is compatible with cloth liners.
Feature at a glance
- Powder coated steel and rubber seals to lock odors in
- No special bag required
- Improved design of the bag holder to avoid breakage
- Childproof safety lock
- Powder coated steel and rubber seals to lock odors in
- No special bag required
- Improved design of the bag holder to avoid breakage
Editor Rating:
The Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail received babycenter Moms’ Picks 2015 for Ease of Use, Best Quality, and Best Value. The diaper pail is easy to open with one hand, and it uses standard trash bags instead of more expensive proprietary refills.
The safety first diaper pail comes with a deodorizer disc that aides in keeping smells out of the nursery, and it doesn’t give off too strong of an artificial fragrance smell.
The smaller size requires more frequent trips to the outside garbage can, but you don’t have to worry about extra parts breaking with its simple design.
Feature at a glance
- Easy one-hand use
- Uses standard plastic bags
- Deodorizer disc keeps the pail smelling fresh
- No costly refills
Editor Rating:
The Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail offers a sleek design that will blend in with its nursery surroundings. The diaper pail utilizes a refillable odor-eating baking soda dispenser that sprinkles each time the lid is closed to significantly reduce odors.
Every time you shut the lid, the self-sealing system twists the bag shut, and it’s easy to operate with one hand. The liners snap shut, so you don’t have to bother with tying or cutting the bags when you throw them away.
You will need to purchase the correct brand of bags to go with this pail, and each bag holds up to 25 diapers. The slim design is excellent if you’re working with a small space.
Feature at a glance
- Powered by odor-eliminating baking soda
- Patented self-sealing system seals the bag as the lid closes
- One-handed use
- Just snap, seal and toss bags to dispose
Editor Rating:
The Diaper Dekor Classic Diaper Pail is a smaller and less expensive version of the dekor classic diaper disposal system. Made from ABS Plastic, the diaper pail does not absorb odors like cheaper plastic pails do.
The diaper pail is easy to empty when it is full, and the continuous refill liner is a convenient way to use only the amount you need so you won’t waste your refill. It easily accommodates larger diapers and cloth diapers with its big opening.
When you no longer need to throw away diapers, the diaper insert pops out, and you can use the pail as a regular garbage can.
Feature at a glance
- Simply step on the pedal and the lid opens.
- Super capacity Dekor holds up to 40 diapers before emptying.
- Unique trap door design.
- Use anywhere in your home or as regular garbage can after diapers are done.
Editor Rating:
The Diaper DekorPlus Pail comes in a stylish gray color that suits many of the current nursery trends. The contemporary design allows it to fit into nearly any room in your home.
Dekor prides itself on being able to hold up to 12 times more diapers than competitors. While the select-your-size refillable proprietary liners are convenient to use with the diaper pail, you can use any cloth or regular garbage liner.
The trap door design separates the lid from the pail, so you don’t expose all of the dirty diapers every time you open the lid. Also, you can keep curious little hands out of the mess by locking the trap door.
Feature at a glance
- Holds up to 60 newborn diapers before emptying!
- Each Dékor Plus refill holds up to 580 newborn diapers
- The most economical refills when compared to Genie II Elite
- Dimensions: 9.5"L x 13.75"W x 22.25"H
Editor Rating:
The Diaper Genie Playtex Complete Diaper Pail has a modern, streamlined design that’s available in multiple colors.
Its height means you don’t have to bend to toss your dirty diapers, and the hands-free foot pedal gives you ultimate ease of use.
The safe, naturally activated carbon filter absorbs diaper odors. Along with the airtight seal, odors will stay locked in. The seven-layer bags guarantee odor protection, and each refill pack holds up to 270 diapers.
Easily change bags with the front-tilt bin and built-in cutter, so you don’t have to move the diaper pail to unload and reload.
All of these features combined with the built-in odor controlling Antimicrobial give you a practically stink-free nursery.
Feature at a glance
- Most advanced Diaper Disposal System
- Foot pedal for easy, hands-free diaper disposal
- Built-In Antimicrobial protection inhibits odor causing bacteria
- Each refill pack holds up to 270 diapers.
Editor Rating:
While cloth diapers can be a bit of an investment to start with, they can save you money down the line. However, many people are too turned off by the thought of cleaning cloth diapers to use them.
The Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail makes the process much easier. It’s designed specifically for cloth diapers, and it features carbon filters that let fresh air in but prevent odors from escaping. The strong clamp closure also keeps odors in.
Eco-friendly moms and dads will appreciate the fact that the diaper pail is made of recycled plastic, and it’s recyclable. The diaper pail can hold about two days worth of cloth diapers.
Feature at a glance
- Only pail specifically designed for cloth diapers
- Carbon filter lets air in and keeps odors from escaping
- Strong clamp closure. Made from recycled plastic and recyclable!
- Dimensions: 11.38"L x 11.38"W x 14.25"H
Editor Rating:
Your hands are full when you’re changing diapers, and the Diaper Genie Essentials Diaper Disposal System’s one-hand design makes it easy for you to toss smelly diapers.
The pail holds up to 34 newborn diapers, and the starter refill pack can accommodate up to 100 newborn diapers. An indicator line will tell you when you need more refills, so you don’t unexpectedly run out of liners.
To help seal in odors, the diaper pail uses a patented air-tite system with a Push-N-Lock clamp. Also, the seven-layer refill bag has barrier technology to lock in odor and germs.
Once your child is out of diapers, you can continue to use the disposal system for kitty litter, hygiene products, and more.
Feature at a glance
- Helps keep your nursery fresh
- Diaper genie essentials diaper disposal pail
- incredibly easy-to-use,
- one-hand design system
- No twisting is required
- Holds up to 30 diapers
- Comes fully assembled and ready to use
Editor Rating:
You’ll appreciate the completely hands-free disposal design of the DekorPlus Disposal Pail. You can use regular garbage bags and cloth liners with this pail.
If you decide to go with the Dekor refills, you’ll be glad to know that they are made of 20% recycled materials and are biodegradable.
Enjoy the attractive design for multiple uses - kitty litter, dog waste, and garage use are all popular ways to continue to use your DekorPlus Disposal Pail.
Feature at a glance
- Made of 20% recycled materials and are biodegradable.
- Multiple uses - kitty litter, dog waste, and garage use
- Completely hands-free disposal design
Final Verdict
You’ll be able to easily find a diaper pail that fits your various needs with these ten excellent options. Multiple options are available whether you use cloth or disposable diapers, so it may come down to appearance or size for you.
Whichever diaper pail you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy a stink-free nursery with your baby.
