Cloth diapers aren’t always the most convenient or cheapest option, but it’s a choice that’s healthy for your baby and the planet. Plus, they’ve come a long way! Today you can find highly absorbent, easy-to-fit cloth diapers that are used exactly like disposables — only you throw them in the wash instead of the garbage. Plus, it’s not an all-or-nothing decision. You can use hybrid options (which are biodegradable but disposable), or supplement your cloth diapers with disposables.
Yet all of these advances have given cloth-using parents one problem: too many diapers to choose from! Luckily, we tested 17 of the most popular cloth diapers — from prefolds to all-in-ones — to find the best of the best. Did we forget one? Nominate your favorite here.
BEST FOR TRAVEL | gDiapers
Say you’re out and about a lot — there's still a way to be more environmentally conscious without carrying around a filled wet bag wherever you go. Enter the hybrid diaper, which can be used with either cloth or disposable inserts.
We tried a few hybrid diapering systems, and while it was a very close call, we reached for our cute little gDiapers the most often.
Each gDiaper hybrid insert is 100% biodegradable, meaning you can compost, flush or simply toss it in the trash for a faster break down than the typical 500 years it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose. (50 to 150 days vs. 500 years. Kind of a no-brainer.) The more environmentally conscious inserts (especially the composting option) was a major factor in our decision. We tried flushing the insert and it literally disintegrated into the water, which we like better than sending it to a landfill. (You can buy a 3-month supply of the biodegradable gRefills for $52 at Diapers.com.)
As for the diaper itself, the outside shell is made from super-soft cotton that feels more than a T-shirt than the typical diaper cover, and they’re also the least bulky (which is perfect for traveling). And with adorable style options (like these little ruffled gPants), they look the absolute cutest on tiny behinds.
We had a few instances of poo spilling out of the inner waterproof pouch (as we did with all hybrids, to be honest), and our infant tester leaked more often than our toddler. And while we wouldn’t recommend them for overnights, they’re our favorite option for running errands and short outings.
A bonus for parents of toddlers: The Velcro closures are in the back, making it nearly impossible for a baby to rip off. While the back closure is a little more difficult to put on a stationary baby, it’s super convenient for toddlers who refuse to lie down for a diaper change.