If you’re a new parent looking to explore the world of cloth diapers, you’re in luck! Cloth diapers are becoming an increasingly popular choice among parents who are seeking a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable diapers.
With so many different types and styles of cloth diapers available, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve done the research and evaluated the top cloth diapers based on factors such as absorbency, fit, leakage, comfort, and ease of use.
Whether you’re looking for all-in-ones, pocket diapers, or prefolds, we’ve got you covered with our recommendations and advice.
You may also be interested in our list of the best detergent for cloth diapers.
Our Top Picks
- Best Budget-Friendly Cloth Diaper: ALVABABY Cloth Diapers
- Best Hybrid Cloth Diaper: Amazing Baby SmartNappy NextGen
- Best Cloth Diaper For Heavy Wetters: Mama Koala 2.0
- Best Cloth Diaper For Overnight: Ecoable Fitted Cloth Diaper
- Best Cloth Diaper For Sensitive Skin: wegreeco Pocket Diaper
- Best Cloth Diaper For Potty Training: MooMoo Training Pants
- Best Cloth Diaper For Newborn: Thirsties Duo
- Best Cloth Diaper For Toddlers: ALVA Cloth Diaper
- Best Pocket Cloth Diaper: Rumparooz Cloth Pocket Diaper
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Cloth Diapers Picks
ALVABABY Cloth Diapers – Best Budget-Friendly Cloth Diaper
- Covers are quick drying
- They leave no fur behind
- Firm clasping with the snaps
- They hold in poop well
- May not be best for heavy wetters or longer travel
Why not opt for pocket nappies, also known as modern cloth nappies (MCNs), or reusable, washable, super-absorbent cloth diapers? The suede fabric interior and waterproof, breathable TPU exterior make for a durable and comfortable design.
Each diaper includes two 3-layer microfiber inserts, and the one-size-fits-all design can be adjusted to S, M, or L by attaching snaps to different rows of buttons. Additional features include hip snaps and crossover snaps to combat “wing droop.”
- Fit: 6.6-33 lbs
Amazing Baby SmartNappy NextGen – Best Hybrid Cloth Diaper
- They are soft and cute
- The Velcro is strong but not rough on the skin
- Muslin fabric is soft for baby
- Velcro closure is easy to operate and won’t come loose unintentionally
- The inserts have a synthetic feel
The Smartnappy NextGen Hybrid diaper comes with an innovative leak prevention system that features a double guard, two layers of water-resistant fabric, and two elasticized barriers. They also use quality elastic at the back of the waist and legs for a snug and comfortable fit.
The EasyTab system ensures that your child is perfectly fitted, comfortable, and stylish. No more fumbling with complicated snaps! This diaper also eliminates sagging and bulkiness. Both disposable and reusable inserts are compatible with the SmartNappy pocket-sling, which holds the absorbent inserts in place with ease.
- Fit: 5-40 lbs
Mama Koala 2.0 – Best Cloth Diaper For Heavy Wetters
- Beautiful prints and an insane amount to choose from
- Nice wide opening to stuff pockets
- Pocket material is soft, stain resistant, and easy to rinse off
- The outer material is soft and very durable
- The hip/closure area could be an inch or two longer to really accommodate all the way to potty training
Prevent wing droop and keep the diaper secure with hip and crossover snaps for a perfect fit. The TPU waterproof coating and snug leg holes provide ventilation and leak prevention. These cloth diapers come in one size, fitting babies from 8 to 40 pounds, with 3×4 rise snaps that make them perfect for both newborns and toddlers.
Each set includes six adjustable 4-layer bamboo polyester cloth diaper inserts that promise leak-free nights and blowout-free days! The diapers are easy to clean and keep your baby cool and dry, making them an ideal choice for infants with sensitive skin prone to heat and moisture.
- Fit: 8-40 lbs
Ecoable Fitted Cloth Diaper – Best Cloth Diaper For Overnight
- Come with two hemp inserts, a small one and a doubler that can be folded to put more absorbency right where it’s needed
- Easy to wash
- They work great with a cover
- Comfortable for your child
- They don’t wick away moisture the way microfleece does
Fitted cloth diapers are an excellent option for babies who tend to wet more frequently at night. The highly absorbent hemp cotton material in this adjustable, one-size cloth diaper ensures that you’ll always wake up to clean, dry sheets.
Each set includes a soft shell and two hemp diaper inserts that snap in. With this diaper set, you can keep your baby’s diaper leak-free for up to 10 hours. Adjust the size using snap buttons and soft elastic for the perfect fit as your baby grows. For heavier wetters who sleep through the night, the snap-in hemp insert soaker is a great addition.
- Fit: 10-30 lbs
wegreeco Pocket Diaper – Best Cloth Diaper For Sensitive Skin
- Can be used for all stages, from newborn till they are done using diapers
- The pocket is wider than most so the inserts slide in and lay flat easier than some other diapers
- The insert itself is absorbing
- Elastic in the insert hole
- The pad does absorb the pee. But the lining cloth becomes wet immediately
These cloth diapers are constructed with top-quality materials that are both gentle and breathable, providing your baby with the utmost comfort.
One feature we love about these diapers is the pocket design, which helps keep them close to your little one. Plus, they’re incredibly adjustable! The diaper comes with snaps on the waist and front sections, making it suitable for newborns weighing between 8 and 33 pounds, and can be easily adjusted as your child grows.
These diapers are built to last, with leg gussets that can withstand multiple washings and prevent leaks. And with the soft elastic construction, the diaper fits snugly without irritating your baby’s skin. The inner suede fabric is also incredibly soft and wicks moisture away from your baby’s bottom, keeping them comfortable and rash-free.
- Fit: 8-33 lbs
MooMoo Training Pants – Best Cloth Diaper For Potty Training
- They are soft, and feel like cotton
- Excellent for potty training at night
- Great in-between when transitioning from pull-ups
- They wash and dry well
- They do not hold much fluid before leaking out
These pants are designed to let your child feel wet when they have an accident, which helps them recognize when they need to go potty. This means fewer clothing changes for you and fewer accidents on your furniture and carpets. Made from 100% cotton, these pants are more comfortable and less likely to cause diaper rash than disposable diapers.
The elastic waistband with a cover ensures a comfortable fit that can be easily adjusted for your child’s size. These pants can also be washed, dried, and reused multiple times, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option than traditional disposable diapers.
They hold up well in the wash and maintain their color, so you don’t have to worry about them fading over time. While they won’t dry completely, the wet feeling helps your child learn when to use the restroom and start their potty training journey.
- Fit: 22.5-43.5 lbs
Thirsties Duo – Best Cloth Diaper For Newborn
- The snaps are easy to snap on and off
- The material is durable
- They look good running around in just a diaper
- Very waterproof
- The honeydew color is quite see-through
Despite being entirely waterproof, Thirsties Duo Wrap diaper covers are nonetheless breathable, flexible, and highly cozy for your baby’s tender skin. Fitteds, prefolds, and flats may be covered with wraps, creating an incredibly cozy, waterproof barrier. You will only need two sizes with the adjustable rise from birth to the typical weight/age for toilet training.
Size three is designed to suit people who want a larger choice for ongoing diapering. This wrap is the most adaptable on the market thanks to the rise’s adjustment and the distinctive leg gussets. Leg gussets offer superior leak-proof security, and the bindings are incredibly gentle on your baby’s skin.
- Fit: 6-18 lbs
ALVA Cloth Diaper – Best Cloth Diaper For Toddlers
- They are so cute and affordable
- Easy to clean
- Great quality adjustable cloth diapers
- They are very snug around the legs and waist
- Microfiber doesn’t work well once the baby gets bigger
These are designed to fit infants and young children weighing 6.6 to 33 pounds with a one-size-fits-all feature that allows you to adjust the size to S, M, or L by attaching the diaper to different rows of buttons.
The exterior layer is made of polyester while the waterproof and breathable layer is made of TPU. Even though the inner layer is made of suede fabric, moisture is pulled away from the insert to keep your baby dry. Each diaper comes with two 3-layer microfiber inserts.
- Fit: 6.6-33 lbs
Rumparooz Cloth Pocket Diaper – Best Pocket Cloth Diaper
- Very soft interior against the baby’s skin
- Cute designs and vibrant colors
- Patented inner gussets go a long way to prevent leaks
- The stay-dry micro chamois layer is great
- They are bulky
The Rumparooz One-Size Cloth Diaper is a versatile pocket diaper system that can adjust to your growing child. It offers four different sizes of adjustable diapers, accommodating infants weighing 6 to 40 lbs, making it a one-size-fits-all garment from birth to potty training.
This cloth diaper uses exclusive leak-prevention technology with twin inner gussets to contain even the messiest messes. Each diaper includes 6r Soaker absorbent pads, which are adjustable to six different levels of absorbency. It is also available in a variety of vibrant colors and modern designs.
- Fit: 6-35 lbs
Types Of Cloth Diapers
- Prefolds and flats: Flats, the first type of cloth diaper, are substantial, rectangular pieces of fabric. Smaller portions of cloth that have been folded over are called prefolds. Both must be clipped, folded, and waterproofed before being carried. They are affordable, quick to dry, and simple to wash.
- Fitted: These come with snaps or Velcro closures, elastic in the legs and back, and are composed of absorbent material. They require a cover because their exterior is not waterproof. You should only change the fitted cloth diaper while changing if the cover is still clean.
- Pocket: These diapers contain interior pockets where you can store absorbent inserts in addition to a waterproof exterior. The option to put the insert where your child needs it most and alter it for various absorbency levels is the key advantage of a pocket diaper.
- Contour: These diapers are contoured to fit your baby and fit tightly around the legs. However, they do need to be fastened with a pin or diaper clip. Additionally, they need a cover to be waterproof, which you may reuse as long as it isn’t soiled.
- All-in-ones: Convenient all-in-ones are most comparable to disposable diapers in that they contain a waterproof outer layer and an inside fabric liner to absorb liquid. When changing a child’s diaper, you place the entire diaper on the pile of soiled ones to be laundered before picking up another (no folding, no inserting).
- Hybrids: These diapers frequently include internal absorbency layers that may be detached, enabling more effective absorbency customization. As long as the remainder of the diaper is clean, this feature also enables you to remove a soiled insert and snap in a fresh, clean one.
Cloth Diaper Vs. Disposable Diaper
Cloth diapers are frequently more affordable than disposable diapers and available in a range of styles. To prevent chafing and diaper rash, for instance, if you do use cloth diapers, make sure you change the diapers often. Contrary to disposable diapers, cloth diapers do not pull moisture away from the skin. Though they require more time to clean and sanitize. This might be an important factor to take into account if you had a very difficult birth or if you don’t have much support at home (1).
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?
Depending on how much laundry you want to do, you’ll need anywhere from 12 to 36 newborn-size diapers if you intend to use cloth diapers from the start. After around three months, you should buy at least 10 to 12 cloth diapers if you intend to wash them every day, and 20 to 30 if you wash them every other day.
Additionally, newborns go through a lot of diapers—at least 8–10 each day, maybe even more. When a baby is a little older, some parents decide to move from disposable to cloth diapers after the first few months (2).
Is Cloth Diapering Really Worth It?
If you change them frequently, they are beneficial for the baby’s skin. The benefits of using cloth diapers for the baby’s skin and the environment are frequently lauded. However, because they are often less absorbent than disposables, you must replace them more frequently. You’re going to need a lot of cloth diapers, which should be washed in full loads and dried on a line.
What Is A Major Disadvantage Of Using Cloth Diapers?
They need to be washed often before use and again after each use. The need to handle and maybe clean away poop by hand is one possible drawback of using reusable diapers. In order to guarantee a complete cleaning of the diaper and reduce the possibility of discoloration. Some people may not find this to be a chore they like, and the idea itself may be unsettling.
Do You Change A Cloth Diaper After Every Pee?
You must change a baby wearing a cloth diaper after each pee/poop. You’ll need a location to store the dirty liners just like you would have a diaper pail for dirty disposable diapers. Simply dispose of the waste in the toilet and store the dirty sheets in the hamper for cleaning.
How Often Do You Wash Cloth Diapers?
The majority of cloth diaper parents wash a load of diapers every two to three days. They will begin to smell after that point, and stains may begin to appear. Therefore, be sure to stock up on enough clean diapers to last at least a few days. You could also look at this detergent index that takes a deeper look at the best detergent to use.
How Tight Should A Cloth Diaper Be?
As a general guideline, your diaper should be snug enough to prevent moisture evaporation but loose enough to allow you to slide a finger inside. Keep in mind that a properly fitted cloth diaper will always be snug around your baby’s legs and waist.
