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Best Diaper Bags

Updated November 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Diaper Bag
Petunia Pickle Bottom
Boxy Diaper Bag
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Unrivaled Quality
Bottom Line

A cut above the rest, this high-end diaper bag is lauded for its superb quality, spacious interior, and host of desirable features.

Pros

Roomy, with 5 interior compartments and 2 bottle pockets, making organization a breeze. Features a zip-out changing station with compartments for wipes and diapers. Converts from a backpack to a crossbody bag. Stylish and of unbeatable quality.

Cons

Expensive, though most buyers agree it's worth the price. A few reviewers felt it was too bulky.

Best Bang for the Buck
Skip Hop Diaper Bag Backpack
Skip Hop
Diaper Bag Backpack
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Most Stylish
Bottom Line

This stylish black diaper bag doubles as a backpack for your other traveling needs.

Pros

It has built-in stroller straps to ensure it's secure while on a walk and a handle and backpack straps for easy carrying otherwise. It can fit a laptop and has internal pockets for your phone and other small items.

Cons

Some struggled to get the main compartment closed and to stay closed.

Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Bag
Itzy Ritzy
Boss Diaper Bag
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Compartments Galore
Bottom Line

This popular backpack diaper bag takes organization to the next level with a grand total of 17 pockets and compartments.

Pros

Beautifully designed, right down to the smallest detail. A wealth of pockets and compartments makes it easy to stay organized. Rubber feet keep the base clean and prevent scuffing. Comes with stroller straps and a changing pad.

Cons

Some reviewers complained that the zippers can be sticky. Somewhat heavy, due to a thicker fabric and leather construction.

Eddie Bauer Places & Spaces Bridgeport Diaper Bag Backpack
Eddie Bauer
Places & Spaces Bridgeport Diaper Bag Backpack
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Best for Sharing
Bottom Line

A solid choice if you're looking for a stylish diaper bag that even dad can be proud to carry. Highly functional with a neutral design.

Pros

Boasts a spacious interior with 7 compartments. Features 3 insulated bottle pockets. Zippered front pocket is ideal for everyday essentials, such as wallets and cell phones. Comes with a wipes case and a changing pad. Great price point.

Cons

A few reviewers complained that it doesn't stand up without being supported. The wipes case and changing pad aren't the best quality.

Ruvalino Diaper Bag Backpack
RUVALINO
Diaper Bag Backpack
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

A waterproof diaper bag that's versatile design lets you use it as a backpack or handbag.

Pros

This grey diaper bag has 16 pockets, 20 big zippered compartments, and mesh pocket organizers. It has an ergonomic back design and padded shoulder straps, and insulated bottle pockets, so your baby's formula or milk never gets too hot or cold.

Cons

The bottle pocket is only suitable for smaller baby bottles, and the wipes pouch isn't big enough to accommodate many wipe containers.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best diaper bags

One of the most surprising things about parenting is just how much stuff you have to carry around for such a small baby. A roomy diaper bag with plenty of open and zippered pockets for organization is a lifesaver. It can mean the difference between feeling like you're lugging around a ton of bricks and barely noticing you're carrying an extra bag at all.

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A good diaper bag can lighten your load when you take your baby out and about.

Types of diaper bags

Let’s take a look at the three main types of diaper bags: tote, messenger, and backpack. Each type has its pros and cons. Choose the style that works best for you in terms of comfort, ease of use, and design.

Tote diaper bags

Tote diaper bags are like large handbags or tote bags and are designed to sit on one shoulder. Although they're not always the most practical option if you do a lot of walking, they're popular and come in many materials and patterns.

Pros:

  • Large and roomy interiors

  • Come in a wide range of colors and styles to suit all tastes

  • Have big compartments that can fit a lot
     

Cons:

  • Can be bulky

  • Not always possible to carry hands-free

  • Handbag-style design might not be suitable for all parents

Expert tip
 Having a changing pad included with your diaper bag for when you are in public is a nice feature.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Messenger diaper bags

Messenger diaper bags are worn crossbody. The strap sits on one shoulder and the bag sits around the hip on the opposite side of the body.

Pros:

  • Hands-free

  • Suitable design for parents of all genders

  • Tend to be slimmer and less bulky

  • Easy to access the bag without having to put it down
     

Cons:

  • Can be too small, especially if carrying gear for more than one child

  • Fewer high-fashion designs available

Backpack diaper bags

A non-traditional but hugely practical option is a backpack diaper bag. Not always the most stylish option, backpack diaper bags are ideal if you value function over fashion.

Pros:

  • Large enough to fit everything you need

  • Less likely to cause back pain as the weight of the bag is evenly distributed

  • Both hands-free at all times
     

Cons:

  • Inaccessible unless taken off your back

  • Can be unwieldy to wear

Is there enough room?

We can't stress it enough: a diaper bag needs storage, storage, and more storage. And we don’t just mean space in the bag; we mean organization, too. You need plenty of pockets and sections to pack everything needed for both your baby and you.

For the baby:

  • Diapers

  • Wipes

  • Rash cream

  • Bottles or sippy cups

  • A change of clothes

  • A wet bag for soiled diapers or clothes

  • Sunblock

  • Burp cloths

  • A couple of toys/comfort blankets

  • Pacifiers

  • A hat

  • A bib

  • Snacks

  • A small first-aid kit

For you:

  • Hand sanitizer for before and after diaper changes

  • Tissues

  • Water

  • Snacks

  • Keys

  • Wallet

  • Cell phone

Expert tip
Get a diaper bag large enough for a change of clothes for you. Spit-up happens!
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Diaper bag considerations

Ease of use

Here are some factors that determine how easy a diaper bag is to use:

How wide it opens: You want a diaper bag that opens wide enough to see and grab any items in the main body of the bag as soon as it’s unzipped. This will make a huge difference when trying to change your baby one-handed in a public restroom, for example.

Easy-access pockets and compartments: A range of zippered and non-zippered pockets and compartments is best. Compartments with zippers will keep important items from falling out if the bag tips, whereas compartments with snaps or elastic are easier to get into with one hand.

The color of the lining: A light-colored lining makes items easier to find, as some objects are hard to spot against a dark background.

Comfort: You might be carrying around your diaper bag for hours at a time. And it's likely to be relatively heavy when stuffed with everything you need for your child and yourself. Comfort is key. Look for bags with padding in the straps for extra comfort. Every parent has his or her own preference here – some find backpacks the epitome of comfort, whereas others find them annoying to carry – so go with what suits you.

Weight

With everything you need to carry, a diaper bag gets heavy quickly. That's why you want a bag that's lightweight when empty.

Don’t add unnecessary pounds to your load with the weight of the bag itself. The lightest diaper bags weigh less than a pound, and we've seen some as heavy as five or six pounds.

Unless weight isn't a factor for you, we recommend picking a diaper bag that weighs three pounds or less when empty.

Size

The trick is to choose a diaper bag that's big enough to fit everything you need without being too big. If you get a bag that's bigger than you need, you could fill it up with unnecessary junk and end up lugging around half your bodyweight. Consider whether you're a minimalist, who only wants to carry the bare essentials, or a "just in case" person who likes to be prepared for anything.

Color and style

From basic black unisex styles to designer diaper bags that look like the hottest oversized handbags, you'll find all kinds of colors and styles on the market. While we wouldn't recommend style to be your only consideration, it doesn't hurt to pick a diaper bag you like the look of. After all, you might be carrying it for several years. And just because you’re a mom or dad doesn’t mean you have to stop being chic.

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For your safety
Avoid diaper bags designed to hang or clip on the back of a stroller. The extra weight could cause the stroller to tip backward.
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Diaper bag prices

Inexpensive diaper bags

An inexpensive diaper bag will cost you $10 to $40. While this is perfect for anyone on a tight budget, you do get what you pay for. The quality won't be high, and it may start to fall apart after only a couple of months.

Mid-range diaper bags

You can find some excellent diaper bags in the mid-range bracket. Expect to pay $40 to $100, but know that you'll get a high-quality bag that should last until your little one is out of diapers.

Expensive diaper bags

The most expensive diaper bags often come with a designer label. Of course, if you spend $100+ on a diaper bag, you should end up with a beautiful bag that will last the duration. However, if style is not a big factor for you, an expensive diaper bag without a designer name attached is unlikely to be significantly higher quality than one that costs $80 or $90.

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You'll likely be using your diaper bag for the first two to three years of your child's life. It’s worth shelling out for a quality item that won't break at an inopportune moment.

FAQ

Q. What's the best type of diaper bag?

A. Each type of diaper bag has its pros and cons (see above). So it depends which type you find most comfortable, easy to carry, and visually appealing. However, if you suffer from back problems, we recommend a backpack diaper bag, as the weight of the bag is distributed evenly over both shoulders and is less likely to cause or exacerbate back pain.

Expert tip
Lots of pockets make finding things quicker since you don't need to dig through one large compartment.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Q. Should I choose a diaper bag that comes with a built-in changing mat?

A. Some parents find built-in changing mats to be an excellent feature, whereas others think they're just an extra thing to carry. Think about whether you're likely to find yourself in a place that doesn't have proper baby-changing facilities, and whether you'd want a changing mat or you'd be happy to make do. For some people, the convenience of having a changing mat isn't worth the inconvenience of having to carry it around.