Best Diaper Pails
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It should come as no surprise that babies produce loads of dirty diapers — upwards of seven a day. That’s not only a lot of trash, but a lot of funky odors. But a good diaper pail can prevent the dirty diaper smell from infiltrating your little one’s sweet nursery.
Diaper pails are essentially trash cans for a baby’s room, and some come with special features like odor-blocking liners or filters designed to mask the overwhelming stench. Plus, most are capable of holding many diapers at once, meaning you won’t need to run out to the trash can several times a day.
Not sure where to start? Read on for our guide to the best diaper pails on the market for every budget and need.
How we chose the best diaper pails
As we looked for the best diaper pails out there, we kept the below in mind:
- We spoke to five What to Expect staff members who have six children between them and have tested several of the diaper pails on this list, in addition to my own experience using diaper pails for my two children.
- We read through product reviews and ratings on the retailer pages to see which had the most amount of positive reviews and what specific features parents liked and disliked about each diaper pail.
- We combed through feedback from parents in the What To Expect community to see what diaper pails were most — and least — popular. We made note of diaper pails that parents gave rave reviews to and were referred to most frequently. We prioritized those that were:
- Easy to use, especially hands-free designs and wide openings
- Great at blocking odors
- Easy to change bags
Other factors to consider when buying a diaper pail
When shopping for a diaper pail, there are some features you’ll want to think about.
- Odor-blocking. This is obviously one of the most important aspects to consider before purchasing a diaper pail. Obviously all diaper pails are odor-blocking, but some are better than others. Look for diaper pails with odor-control systems or bags that help block the smell. And, keep in mind that smells might escape more easily from plastic pails than a stainless steel pail — although steel pails might cost more money.
- Type of bag. Some diaper pails require specific bags that you have to purchase on a fairly regular basis. Although these bags might perform better at masking odors, the cost can add up quickly and make your diaper pail a bit of an investment. Some diaper pails use regular garbage bags, which is a little more convenient and can save money. Consider how much you’re able to spend on bags — and remember that you’ll be changing them out quite frequently.
- Ease of use. There are a few features that can make a diaper pail much easier to use. Some have foot steps so that you can easily open them up and throw away the diaper while holding baby in the other arm. But even if a pail isn’t hands-free, it should still be easy to use, whether with an extra-large opening that you don’t have to squeeze a diaper through or a simple slide top that you can still open and toss with one hand. Essentially, it should be designed for a quick, easy way to toss a dirty diaper.
- Size. Diaper pails can be on the larger side because they’re meant to contain odor and hold a decent amount of diapers. Some, however, can be more compact and a better fit for a smaller nursery, while others have space-saving features, like storage for diaper essentials.
- Price. Diaper pails can range from $30 to over $70, so figuring out your budget and deciding what you’re comfortable with spending is key. If the diaper pail needs special bags, you should take that price into consideration as well as it can add up over time.
- Style. Because a diaper pail will always be on display in the nursery, you may prefer for it to look nice and unobtrusive. Some diaper pails can be bulky, while others may be more streamlined and sleek.
Do I need a diaper pail?
Whether or not a diaper pail is an essential is a hotly debated topic in the parenting world. Although some parents find them extremely helpful for masking odors, others swear they’re a waste of money. At the end of the day, no one needs a diaper pail — you can always toss dirty diapers into any garbage pail with a lid, which can save you money in the long run.
But diaper pails can be a big convenience. It’s easier to place diapers in a designated spot in the nursery rather than taking the diaper to the main garbage, especially for middle-of-the-night changes. Some diaper pails also offer more odor blocking protection than regular garbage pails (unless you’re buying a fancy garbage can, which just might cost the same as a diaper pail). Ultimately, it’s all about personal preference, budget and lifestyle.
Why Trust Us?
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Best Overall Diaper Pail
Ubbi Diaper Pail
- Works with any type of garbage bag
- has a large capacity
- easy slide opening
- many color options
- Expensive
When we looked through the What to Expect community forums, we found that the Ubbi diaper pail was easily mentioned most often. Many parents raved about how easy it is to use and how well it masks diaper smells: A lot noted that they used the Ubbi for several years (and through multiple babies) without any issues related to smell.
It has a sleek design and comes in a lot of different color choices to match your nursery, unlike most other diaper pails that are only offered in white. But one of the best things about the Ubbi is that you don’t need special bags for it, which is a convenient money saver (and means it can be used as a regular garbage pail down the line).
“We use the Ubbi and love it, particularly that it takes normal trash bags so you don’t have to spend a fortune on special bags,” says Robin Hilmantel, What to Expect’s Senior Director of Editorial Strategy and Growth, . “It really does a good job of keeping the odor contained.” She notes that she tries to take poop diapers to the outdoor garbage can right away and occasionally uses a Munchkin Arm and Hammer Nursery Freshener in the Ubbi to keep it fresh.
Sarah Darby, What to Expect’s Senior SEO Content Strategist, also used the Ubbi with her son and really appreciated that she could use any garbage bag with it. “It also holds more diapers at a time, so I only have to take the bag out one to two times per week and it never smells when closed,” she says, noting that like Robin, she puts a Mrs. Meyer’s Essentials Oils packet in the bottom of the Ubbi to keep it fresh. She also adds that although it lacks a foot pedal, it’s still easy to use one-handed — just slide the top open and toss the diaper in.
Parents also attested to the fact that bags were easy to change, but some noted that a very full bag creates some suction to the pail that can make it hard to remove. One other downside is that it’s still a pricey diaper pail, despite the lack of the foot pedal. However, many reviewers felt that the impressive odor-masking and ability to use any garbage bags available are what set this pail apart from the rest.
Weight: 5.15 pounds
Dimension: 12.5 x 8.75 x 21.6 inches
Capacity: 20 larger diapers, 55 newborn diapers
Hands-free? No
Material: Steel
Best Odor-Blocking Diaper Pail
Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
- Has a foot pad for easy use
- has space for scented baking soda pucks to help control odor
- Expensive
- requires special bags
The Munchkin Step diaper pail is another popular option among the What to Expect community. With a self-sealing system and space for a baking soda puck, this pail was designed with odor-blocking as a top priority. The bags seal shut each time you close the pail to keep the odor out, and the lavender-scented baking soda puck keeps you from smelling dirty diapers when you open the lid. It also has a foot pad so you can open the lid and chuck the dirty diaper in without any fuss.
I’ve personally used the Munchkin diaper pail with both of my kids and have very little complaints. Although it’s small, I found that it still holds an impressive amount of diapers. And, I like that it’s very easy to use, even when holding a newborn, although the opening to put the diaper in is a little tight. I don’t have any problems with odor, either
However, I’ve found that changing the bags isn’t the easiest. There’s no built-in cutter, so you need to have scissors on hand to cut the bags. Plus, sometimes the extra bags get tangled around the refill rings, making it hard to pull them through. It also gets expensive fast: The bags need to be purchased regularly, and you have to swap the baking soda pucks out every few weeks. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, this may not be it, but I do love it for its impressive odor control.
Weight: 11 pounds
Dimension: 12.44 x 11.5 x 27.5 inches
Capacity: 30 diapers
Hands free? Yes
Material: Plastic
Best Diaper Pail for Small Nurseries
Skip Hop Diaper Pail
- Includes storage space
- compact size
- works with any garbage bag
- Expensive
- lock system can be tricky to use
This Skip Hop diaper pail has a tall, slim design that allows it to easily stand against a wall or dresser without taking up too much room. It also has a built-in storage compartment on top to hold diaper essentials that you’ll want nearby, saving you even more space.
As far as odor control goes, this one has some great features in place. It has a dual air-lock disposal system that traps odors in the pail by releasing the diaper into the bag once the lid is closed tightly. It’s also made of stainless steel to really lock odors in and make it more durable and long-lasting. And, you can use your regular kitchen garbage bags inside.
This one has pretty great reviews, with many users noting that it fits well in narrow spaces next to their changing area. They also appreciate having wipes, diapers and ointments in a convenient spot. However, some reviewers have said that the dual air-lock disposal system has some flaws: It may not let the garbage bag fill up completely since it needs room to release the diaper. Others struggled with pressing the button hard enough to release the diaper. That said, many noted that the airlock system worked well once they figured out how to use it.
Weight: 9.35 pounds
Dimension: 8.25 x 27.25 x 14.5 inches
Capacity: 30 diapers
Hands-free? No
Material: Steel
Best Large Capacity Diaper Pail
Diaper Genie Complete
- Has a foot pedal
- Uses carbon filter for odors
- Holds hundreds of diapers
- Requires use of special bags
The Diaper Genie is the OG diaper pail, with thousands of great reviews and plenty of feedback from the What to Expect community. The Diaper Genie Complete is packed with features and holds a lot of dirty diapers — up to 36 newborn sized ones. This is a great option if your baby needs to be changed a lot or if you have multiples. Although it may get smelly if you don’t change it often, it has several odor-blocking designs in place including an air-tight clamp and a carbon filter at the top.
“The Diaper Genie does a really great job of containing the diaper stench,” says Christine Mattheis, Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions at What to Expect. “I liked that it was tall enough to contain many diapers before needing to take the bag out to the trash.” She also adds that she found it very easy to use and was notably highly kid-proof — even up against her toddler who managed to get into everything but the Diaper Genie.
Grace Pan, Product Designer at What to Expect, tested both the Diaper Genie Complete and Diaper Genie Expressions and preferred the Complete. “I love the Complete because it’s tall, so adults don’t have to bend over to throw a diaper away,” she says. “It also has a large capacity to contain diapers.” She notes that the hole on the Expressions is quite small, while the hole on the Complete is large enough to toss diapers away with no mess.
One major downside of the Diaper Genie is that it requires special bags. However, they have a multi-layer film that keeps odor in and inhibits bacterial growth, so you might find that they’re quite handy.
Although there are thousands of positive reviews on the Diaper Genie, it’s worth noting that some parents in the What to Expect community found that it didn’t hold in odors as much as they wished it would. And Christine ended up having to throw her Diaper Genie out once her child was potty trained because the pail smelled so bad inside. So, it might not be a good option if you want to use it for more than one child over time.
Weight: 8.36 pounds
Dimension: 12.06 x 9.38 x 27 inches
Capacity: 36 newborn diapers
Hands-free? Yes
Material: Plastic
Best Value Diaper Pail
Dekor Classic Diaper Pail
- Affordable
- compact
- has a foot pedal
- Small capacity
- requires use of special bags
Most of the diaper pails on this list cost at least $70. In comparison, the Dekor Classic is much more affordable at just $35. If you don’t want to spend a lot but still want a diaper pail that will block odors, this is a great option to choose with plenty of positive reviews on both Amazon and in the What to Expect community. It has several important features, such as dual rubber seals to lock in odors and an easy-access door for changing the bag without fuss.
The foot pedal makes it easy to toss diapers one handed, and the built-in cutter makes cleaning out a dirty bag so simple. The way the Dekor bag is designed is that it supplies one continuous liner without a specific length. You use the built-in cutter to cut the bag where you need it, which means you won’t waste any bags by throwing them out before they’re full. Parents who use cloth diapers can also instead opt for the reusable cloth diaper liner.
“I’ve used other diaper pails when visiting friends, but I always find my Dekor to be the one I like the most,” says Leah Rocketto, Associate Commerce Editor at What to Expect. “I like to throw out the dirty diaper as soon as it’s off, and the foot pedal makes it easy to do that without having to take a hand off my baby.” Leah adds that the Dekor holds more diapers than people would expect; she changed it two to three times a week when her daughter was at peak dirty diaper production. She hasn’t had any issues with odors, but does have to push the lid down herself. (This, however, could be because her Dekor was a hand-me-down.)
For those who do have to change the bag more frequently, the Dekor makes it easy to do so. And, more frequent bag changes are more likely to cut down on odors. Parents found that the built-in bag cutter made changes quickly and appreciated the small, compact size that allowed them to put the pail just about anywhere.
Weight: 6.7 pounds
Dimension: 12.25 x 21 x 8.75 inches
Capacity: 4 gallons
Hands-free? Yes
Material: Plastic
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