Best Swim Diapers
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
Nothing ruins a swim day faster than a sudden evacuation — especially if it was triggered by your baby, who pooped in the pool. (Hey, accidents happen!) But you don’t have to avoid public pools until your child is potty trained. You just need a good swim diaper.
A swim diaper is essentially a hybrid between swimwear and a diaper that’s specifically designed to contain a baby’s fecal matter, so it doesn’t end up in the pool. Swim diapers mimic the fit and feel of regular diapers, but often look more like a bathing suit than a diaper.
Most pools require children who are not potty trained to wear swim diapers because they can help prevent, or at least delay, a bowel movement from leaking into the water — something that poses a health risk for other swimmers.
How We Chose the Best Swim Diapers
The best swim diapers are snug-fitting, are easy to change and/or clean and fully contain feces. Still, there are other important factors that we considered when choosing the best swim diapers, including:
- Adjustability: Swim diapers can include a few features that make them easily adjustable. Disposable diapers typically have tabs that mimic those on regular diapers, so you can adjust as needed to fit baby. Keep in mind that some disposable diapers are pull-on style and therefore, not adjustable. Reusable diapers, on the other hand, usually have snaps or Velcro that’s easier to adjust for a more secure and comfortable fit. Some even include a variety of snaps to change the size of the diaper so it will actually grow with your child.
- Size range: Disposable swim diapers typically come in a similar size range as traditional disposable diapers, making it easy to determine the right size for your little one. Some reusable diapers function similarly; adjustable reusable diapers typically have a larger size range inclusive of multiple traditional diaper sizes in one product.
- Ease of cleaning (for reusables): All reusable diapers require you to flush any solids before cleaning. Ideally, your reusable swim diaper is machine-washable to make life easier — a feature of every single reusable option on this list.
All of the swim diapers on our list met this criteria and received overwhelmingly positive feedback What to Expect staff and community members. You may also want to consider the following features to find the best swim diaper for your child.
- Type: There are two main kinds of swim diapers: disposable and reusable. Disposable diapers are thrown out after each use, while reusable diapers can be washed and reworn. While disposables are cheaper upfront, reusable swim diapers tend to be more durable than the disposable kind because they’re often made of multi-layered, waterproof fabric designed to withstand long-term use. Most can be tossed in the laundry with the rest of the family’s clothing (after you’ve flushed any solids down the toilet, of course). This makes them a lot more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run than their disposable counterparts.
- Price: Although disposable swim diapers are cheaper upfront, the cost adds up over time. If your child spends a lot of time in the pool, reusable swim diapers may be more cost effective. Reusable diapers are, comparatively, pretty affordable. They’re also often adjustable, so they can provide a better value overall because you may be able to use the same diaper until your child is potty-trained. That said, if your family doesn’t visit the pool often, cost may not be as much of an issue, and you may prefer the convenience of disposables.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Reusable Swim Diaper
I Play by Green Sprouts Eco Snap Swim Diaper With Gusset
- Range of cute designs
- Snaps at the side
- Runs small
An overwhelming majority of parents in the What to Expect community swear by the reusable i play Eco Snap Swim Diaper. Available in a whole rainbow of shades and patterns, these swim diapers include three different layers of material: A wicking liner which helps pull moisture away from baby’s skin, a second absorbent layer that keeps messes in and a third outer waterproof layer to help prevent messes from leaking out. The gussets, a new feature on this year’s diapers, add extra leak protection. Many caregivers appreciated the triple-layer design for keeping accidents in, while maintaining a reasonable price point. (It’s also machine washable, and can be put in the dryer on low.)
What really stands out, however, is the snap design, with three on one side of the diaper. This makes it much easier to take them off after an accident instead of pulling the whole thing down and potentially making a mess. The snaps also allow for quick diaper checks.
Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Director at What to Expect, has used this swim diaper with her daughter, Olivia. “It was easy to put on because it snaps only on one side,” she says. “Olivia's in a wriggly stage right now so you have to hold her down to get things on, it made it easier that it was just one side and not both sides. Would use again!
Another plus: the fabric is UPF 50+, which helps block out harmful UV rays from the sun — crucial for protecting your baby’s sensitive skin. One important thing to note before buying is that some parents said these diapers run small and that they had to size up for their child, especially for bigger babies.
Material: Recycled polyester
Type: Reusable
Size: 6 months - 5T
Count: 1
Best Disposable Swim Diapers
Huggies Little Swimmers Disposable Swim Pants
- Includes easy re-closable sides
- Flexible material
- May run small
Huggies’ Little Swimmer Disposable Swim Pants feature double leak-guards that wrap around your baby’s legs to help contain messes. But the material is stretchy so it won’t squeeze their legs or waist. Many parents appreciated the easy-to-open sides that allow you to make a quick change in case of an emergency, adjust the fit or check that your baby hasn’t gone potty. Others noted that the side tabs were easier to maneuver than pull-up diapers when cleaning up after an accident in the pool.
Such was the case for Olivia DeLong, Senior Health Editor, who used the Huggies swim diapers with her daughter. “They are easy to use, slide right on — and pull off — and seemed to do the job very well, which is the most important part,” she says. “My daughter liked them because they weren't bulky and felt just like a normal pull-up so there was no fussing about putting them on.”
For Stephanie Porter, Creative Director at What to Expect, the Huggies Little Swimmers provided total convenience. “We liked how similar they were to the regular diapers,” she says. “It was also nice for travel because we could buy them when we got to where we were going instead of having another thing to pack.”
Material: N/A
Type: Disposable
Sizes: 3 (16-28 lbs), 4 (27-37 lbs) or 5-6 (37+ lbs)
Count: 40
Best Adjustable Swim Diaper
Beau and Belle Littles Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper
- Cute designs
- Soft material
- Adjustable sizes
- Runs small
The Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper from Beau & Belle Littles can be adjusted to fit babies from 6 to 35 pounds. This means that you can buy just one swim diaper (or a couple to have on hand!) and adjust it as needed to properly fit your baby for years. The Nageuret diaper is also made of PUL polyester material, a special soft, waterproof fabric that’s easy to clean in the washing machine. Each diaper also has comfortable elastic waist and leg openings that will contain messes without chafing baby's delicate skin. If your little one has an accident in the diaper, all you have to do is knock solids in the toilet and toss the diaper in the washing machine and dryer. Also nice: The patterns are super cute, so baby can wear the diaper with a rash guard and still look adorable.
Material: 100 percent PUL polyester and polyester mesh
Type: Reusable
Size: One size fits 6-35 pounds, waist 7.75-19.5 inches, legs 5.5-10 inches
Count: 1
Best Swim Diaper for Toddlers
Thirsties Swim Diaper
- Soft material
- Adjustable sizes
- One reviewer reported that a seam ripped after a few uses
While each Thirsties Swim Diaper comes with three adjustable rise settings (small, middle and large) to make sure you get the most secure fit, we love that it includes larger sizes with room to comfortably fit toddlers. Each pair includes hip snaps that can help prevent the swimwear from drooping and make it easy to take it on and off, especially when dealing with an accident. It’s effective at preventing messes from escaping, largely thanks to the reinforced fabric around the leg. Your baby will also appreciate the soft interior mesh, which will let him swim in comfort without weighing him down.
Material: 100 percent polyester, waterproof TPU laminate
Type: Reusable
Size: 1 (6-18 pounds), 2 (18-40 pounds), 3 (35-55+ pounds)
Count: 1
Most Comfortable Swim Diaper
Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper Snaps
- Lyocell material sustainably sourced
- Snaps on both sides
- Not adjustable
Charlie Banana swim diapers are made with a lyocell fabric that’s known for being incredibly soft and smooth, on top of stretchy and absorbent, making it a super comfortable pick for baby. Parents appreciate that the snaps on both sides of the diaper make it easy to take off when there’s a mess to clean up. And, it holds in number two just as well as any other option thanks to its snug back and leg elastics. Eco-minded parents might also appreciate that lyocell fabric in the lining is made with sustainably-sourced wood pulp, making it an even more environmentally-friendly option than other reusable swim diapers on the market.
The downside? This diaper is not adjustable, meaning that this may only last you one summer depending on how fast your kiddo grows.
Material: Polyester, polyurethane, Lyocell
Type: Reusable
Size: XS (under 14 pounds), S (12-20 lbs), M (16-28 lbs), L (22-34 lbs)
Count: 1
Best Trunk-Style Swim Diaper
I Play by Green Sprouts Classic Trunks with Built-In Reusable Absorbent Swim Diaper
- UPF 50+ protection
- Bathing suit and swim diaper in one
- Easy to pull on
- May run long for some babies
If you want your little one’s swim diaper to look less like a diaper and more like swimwear, you’ll love these lightweight i play trunks. Beneath each adorable pattern is a convenient built-in, reusable swim diaper that will help contain any accidents. And just like the i play diaper already featured, the swim diaper inside these trunks helps wick away moisture and keeps messes securely inside. It also similarly has UPF 50+ sun protection built-in, and is machine washable.
Material: Polyester
Type: Reusable
Size: 6 months - 4T
Count: 1
Our Research
- We spoke to three moms on the What to Expect editorial team, who have four children between them and have tested many of the diapers on this list:
- Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Director
- Olivia De Long, Senior Health Editor
- Stephanie Porter, Creative Director
- We also considered feedback from the millions of What to Expect community members who have tested a wide range of swim diapers.
- We selected diapers that had overwhelmingly positive reviews from community members and What to Expect editors on the fit, comfort and containment capabilities.
FAQ
Do swim diapers actually work?
Yes, to some extent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swim diapers are designed to hold solid feces, but no manufacturer claims they are 100 percent leakproof. Still, most pools require swim diapers because they can help prevent or slow downcertain infection-causing germs and parasites (like Cryptosporidium, which causes diarrhea) from leaking into the pool as possible. Swim diapers are not designed to contain pee or diarrhea; if the latter occurs it’s important that you take your baby out of the pool as quickly as you can and change their diaper.
Do swim diapers catch pee and poop?
Swim diapers catch solid poop (not diarrhea), per the CDC. They are not meant to absorb water, including urine. That’s why you should regularly check swim diapers (around every 60 minutes), change in an area away from the pool, and use regular diapers when your little one is not in the water.
Do you need to put a diaper under a swim diaper?
You do not need to (and shouldn’t!) put a diaper on under a swim diaper. A swim diaper (whether it’s reusable or disposable) covered by a swimsuit is perfectly sufficient. If you add a regular diaper to the mix, it will only swell when submerged in water and could make baby uncomfortable or break apart, leaking feces and absorbent beads and making a big mess in the pool.
How should swim diapers fit?
For a swim diaper to do what it’s made to do — hold accidents in — they need to fit a bit more snugly than your average diaper. That’s why many have cinched sides, waists or leg openings. Like regular diapers, most pool diapers are sized by weight, so check the packaging and manufacturer sizing charts for guidance. And don’t be surprised if the diaper seems a little on the tight side.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Swim Diapers, April 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cryptosporidium: General Information for the Public, February 2021.
Trending On What to Expect
