Changing diapers can be a messy and time-consuming task for parents, but having the right changing pad can make all the difference. With infants requiring an average of 6 to 10 diaper changes per day or around 3000 in their first year alone, having a comfortable and secure changing surface is essential (1). The best changing pads not only provide a secure surface for your little one but also help make diaper changing more efficient.
Changing tables are often considered a staple in a baby’s nursery, but finding the perfect changing pad to complement it can be challenging. Fortunately, changing pads have evolved over the years and come in a variety of styles and features, including built-in scales to monitor your baby’s weight and mobiles to keep them entertained. With so many options available, we’ve done the research to help you find the best changing pad for your baby’s needs.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Changing Pad: Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad
- Best Budget-Friendly Changing Pad: Munchkin Diaper Changing Pad
- Best Portable Changing Pad: Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad For Diaper Bag: Summer Quickchange Portable Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad For Dresser: Keekaroo Peanut Changer
- Best Organic Changing Pad: Moonlight Slumber Changing Pad
- Best Disposable Changing Pad: Munchkin Arm & Hammer Disposable Changing Pad
- Best Easy To Clean Changing Pad: Beautyrest Foam Contoured Changing Pad
- Best Changing Pad For Small Spaces: Skip Hop Nursery Style Changing Pad
- Best Smart Changing Pad: Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Changing Pads Picks
Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad – Best Overall Changing Pad
- Plastic cover so it’s easy to clean
- Comes with anchor screws for attaching to the surface it rests on
- The trough isn’t too deep, but the sides are just tall enough to keep our little one from rolling out
- Safety straps for added protection
- Could have a better no-slip grip liner on the bottom
Designed with your baby’s safety in mind, the 2-Sided Contoured Changing Pad has curved walls and a fast-release safety belt to ensure their safety. The non-skid bottom of the pad prevents slipping and secures it to furniture with a safety strap.
Your baby will be comfortable on the soft foam pad, and you can easily clean the sturdy quilted double-layer vinyl. Plus, the 100% waterproof material is simple to wipe clean with a wet towel, ensuring a germ-free changing area for your little one.
Munchkin Diaper Changing Pad – Best Budget-Friendly Changing Pad
- The anti-slip feet make it harder to slide across a smooth surface, which is great
- Waterproof cover
- Very soft padding
- A seat belt prevents the baby from rolling and falling
- The base seems to be of flimsy corrugated plastic and is not too firm
The extra grip rubber strips and buckled safety straps ensure that your child stays secure even as they wiggle, twist, and squirm. Moreover, you can use the fabric straps with fasteners provided to firmly attach the pad to your dresser or changing table for extra support.
The cushion’s plush, curved cover is made of waterproof, hygienic fabric that is easy to clean and maintain. This changing pad is designed to fit most dressers, changing tables, and changing pad covers, making it a versatile addition to your baby’s changing area.
Skip Hop Portable Baby Changing Pad – Best Portable Changing Pad
- The changing pad is removable, so if you need to clean it you can
- Sturdy wrist strap that opens so you can hook it to the stroller
- Compact
- It folds up really nicely and is easy to open up, even on the go
- Depending on what you diaper with, it could be too compact
The Pronto is one such pad that comes with a wipe-clean, zip-off changing pad, a built-in cushion, and a translucent wipes box for quick refills. In addition to these features, the Pronto has a front zipped pocket that is perfect for storing keys, a mobile phone, or other personal belongings.
Plus, the large mesh pocket can hold up to four diapers, creams, and other necessities. The best part is that the Pronto can be easily clipped to your stroller, strapped to your wrist, or dropped into your backpack for convenient and easy transport.
Summer Quickchange Portable Changing Pad – Best Changing Pad For Diaper Bag
- It folds up nicely and fits into a relatively small diaper bag
- Easy to wipe off
- Very compact
- Affordable
- The pad slides on hard surfaces that aren’t covered with fabric or carpet
Not only is this changing pad easy to fold and store in a backpack or glove box, but it’s also completely cushioned for your baby’s comfort and protection from soiled surfaces. The waterproof pad can be easily cleaned with a moist towel, and the hook and loop connector keeps it securely closed.
In addition, this portable changing pad is designed with a full-body cushion to provide your baby with maximum protection. With its compact size, it can even fit into your diaper bag.
Keekaroo Peanut Changer – Best Changing Pad For Dresser
- Great design and high sides so you feel like the baby is more secure and won’t roll off as easy
- The straps are nice and big
- You can use it for tummy time, sponge baths, and baby massages
- Stays put if you want to put it on a dresser
- It can be a bit cold to the touch
Thanks to this changing pad’s outer shell, which is impervious to any liquids, cleaning up messes is a breeze. Furthermore, the diaper changing pad’s solid covering prevents bacteria from growing or breaking down. With its water-resistant design, no water can penetrate the booster seat, thus preventing mold or degradation.
In addition, the Keekaroo Peanut Changer’s solid surface is simple to clean and prevents the development of bacteria. Made from a specially soft and squishy material that has been tested and designed for hospital use, this changer offers a clean, safe, and comfortable diaper-changing surface for your little one.
Moonlight Slumber Changing Pad – Best Organic Changing Pad
- The contoured edges are nice
- The waterproof material is great
- Easy to clean surface
- Very comfy
- A bit expensive
This Contoured Changing Pad is not only made from medical grade foam but also coated in vinyl and PVC-free encasement that is mostly made of stretch knit polyester of the highest quality. In addition, the pad’s entirely smooth surface with rounded corners has no stitching or indentations that can serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms. To give your baby a cozy and secure changing area, a safety belt and security strap are also included.
For added convenience, the Changing Pad comes with a detachable, organic cotton cover. The cover fits snugly over the pad’s edges, thanks to its elasticized corners and soft stretchiness. It is resistant to water, stains, and smells, and is also easy to sponge clean. Moreover, this changing pad is UL Greenguard Certified, ensuring a non-toxic solution for changing your baby’s diapers.
Munchkin Arm & Hammer Disposable Changing Pad – Best Disposable Changing Pad
- They are reusable as long as they don’t get soiled
- They are nice and soft
- Pretty large
- Very absorbent
- Usually just as a one use
When you’re out running errands or on a day trip, you never know when your baby may need a diaper change. Luckily, Arm & Hammer Disposable Changing Pads from Munchkin have got you covered. These disposable change pads are designed for on-the-go diaper changes.
With a three-layer construction and leak-proof liners, these pads are designed to absorb liquids and keep moisture away from your baby’s skin. Additionally, Arm & Hammer baking soda is incorporated into the pads, ensuring safe and hygienic diaper changes no matter where you are.
Beautyrest Foam Contoured Changing Pad – Best Easy To Clean Changing Pad
- Has the safety harness to ensure it’s strapped to your table securely as well
- Very soft
- Material is water resistant
- For the price, it works great
- Can take a while to get it flat after receiving
Thanks to its sturdy foam design, this pad helps to evenly distribute weight and provide pressure point relief for your little one. Even if your baby wiggles around, the pad’s contoured sides, fast-release safety clasp, and non-skid bottom ensure their safety and security.
Not only that, but the waterproof vinyl cover is easy to clean or remove, making sure that your baby’s changing area is always fresh and hygienic. This foam-contoured changing pad fits most common changing tables, making it a convenient addition to your nursery. And with its cute packaging, it makes for a perfect gift for new or expectant parents.
Skip Hop Nursery Style Changing Pad – Best Changing Pad For Small Spaces
- Non-skid bottom
- No need for pad covers or additional pieces
- Super easy to clean-just wipe with sanitizing wipes
- Space saving, perfect for small spaces
- Not the softest
Parenting doesn’t have to be a dirty job with this contoured changing pad that ensures hassle-free cleanup. The pad is not only comfortable and compact, but it also comes with a convenient tuck-away toy bar that will keep your baby entertained while you change them.
Its non-skid base and tabletop connection make it secure to use on any surface, and the safety belt keeps your little one in place during diaper changes. The toy bar is detachable and can be easily tucked away when not in use, giving you some extra time to attend to your other responsibilities.
Hatch Baby Grow Smart Changing Pad – Best Smart Changing Pad
- Sleek looking product
- Nicely designed and easy-to-use app
- The changing pad is wipeable
- Easy to clean because of the material
- Inaccurate sometimes
The Hatch Baby Changing Pad offers a cozy changing area for your little one, but what sets it apart is the embedded scale and touchscreen that make it a “smart” changing pad. By using the scale, you can track your baby’s weight and growth progress with ease. The touchscreen allows you to send this data, along with other important feeding and waste information, to the Hatch Baby app.
The real genius of this product, however, lies in the app itself. By utilizing the app on your phone, you can analyze your baby’s patterns and behaviors through helpful visuals. This will allow you to better understand your child’s routine and plan your day accordingly. You can even set reminders for feeding times, diaper changes, and more.
How To Choose The Best Changing Pad?
- Easy To Clean: Look for materials that won’t absorb urine and feces, such as foam, vinyl, or polyurethane, so you can quickly wipe it up and continue your day.
- Safety Straps: The majority of home-use changing pads come with safety straps that let you connect the pad to your preferred surface, such as a changing table, dresser, or tabletop (2). Although some parents find it comforting that the pad won’t roll about, others find it superfluous or annoying to use them.
- Anti-Slip Bottom: If the changing pad is made of a rubbery material, like the Keekaroo, it probably won’t slip on almost any surface. However, if it’s plastic, as it is with the majority of conventional changing pads, you should look for one with anti-slip grippers on the bottom.
- Ease Of Use: When it comes to changing pads, many of us immediately think of soft fabric and foam alternatives, but they aren’t the most straightforward to clean. While many require a sheet and changing liner, more recent versions may simply be wiped or rinsed off and don’t require anything that needs to be laundered.
- Waterproofness: Babies may surprise you by urinating everywhere before you can change their diapers. You may avoid doing a lot of unnecessary cleaning by using a waterproof changing surface with a machine-washable cover.
- Safety Standards: It’s essential to ensure that it meets federal safety standards. The standards established by the ASTM specify essential requirements such as stability, materials, warning labels, instructions, and more for all baby products. Luckily, most changing pads nowadays adhere to this.
Do You Really Need A Changing Pad?
If you’re worried about conserving space compared to a changing table, storing diapers, wipes, and other supplies in one place, and comfort for your baby then you need a changing pad for your baby. In fact, babies require changing many times during the day. There is no doubt that a changing pad would save you a ton of room, whether or not your kid had a full-on changing table. The fact that a changing pad is designed for comfort is unquestionably its finest feature. In addition to being fluffy and soft, the best ones include contours to prevent your infant from sliding off.
How Many Changing Pads Do I Need?
Even though you really only need one changing pad, having a few extras might be helpful if your budget and room permit. Families may elect to acquire multiple changing pads for convenience’s sake, in order to prevent shifting them from one location to another. For diaper changes on the go, though, having a second, portable changing pad that you carry in your diaper bag is also a smart purchase.
Do Changing Pads Come In Different Sizes?
Although changing pads come in a variety of sizes, the typical one is around 16 x 32. Measure the area before purchasing the changing pad if you intend to keep it in a specific location and utilize it there. Your changing pad offers a safety concern if you are using it on a dresser, changing table, or other raised surfaces.
How Wide Does A Dresser Need To Be For a Changing Pad?
36 inches tall would be a decent height for a dresser. A typical changing table may measure 20 x 26 x 36′′ height.
Do You Really Need Changing Pad Liners?
It’s a good idea to have liners even when they aren’t absolutely necessary. Your changing pad may wind up with feces stains depending on the material it is made of and whether it has any perforated patterns. These unpleasantries can be avoided by using liners. Additionally, they assist in soaking up any leaks that may occur after you remove your baby’s diaper, reducing the amount of cleanup you need to perform.
