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Alan Lee is a writer who specializes in baby and children’s products. To write the story, she crushed Cheerios and milk and placed them in about 50 diaper bags to ferment.
After a new round of testing, we tested eight diaper bags, six waist bags, and four portable changing tables and updated this guide with the new options.
When you take your baby for a walk, you don’t necessarily need to bring a special diaper bag. But if you prepare a bag full of diapers, it will be much easier to change diapers when you go out.
Since 2017, we’ve tested 50 diaper bags filled with diapers, bottles, and snacks and found a wide variety of options that are perfect for different needs and budgets. We recommend:
No matter which bag you use, remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics and most stroller companies recommend against hanging the bag from the stroller handle due to the risk of tipping (though most diaper bag manufacturers, as well as many parents and caregivers, ignore this warning).
This stylish and functional diaper bag is a great choice for caregivers who want a high-quality, machine washable diaper bag with thoughtful details.
The JuJuBe Classic Diaper Backpack is well-made, versatile, and very affordable. It has a premium look and feel, reflected in details like gold hardware and a rolling cover that easily slips over the handle of your suitcase. (We previously recommended JuJuBe’s BFF Diaper Bag, which is also machine washable and versatile. But JuJuBe is phasing out that product.)
This bag has 15 thoughtfully integrated pockets. The bag has two open side pockets: one is insulated (for bottles) and the other is for wipes (it even has a small opening for wipes with a magnetic flap). The changing table (included) fits into one of the pockets on the back panel. The main compartment is lined with a light fabric. This means that the five interior pockets (three stretch/mesh pockets and two zippered pockets) are clearly visible and can hold diapers, purses, and other essentials.
It can easily fit a lot of gear. The main compartment of this 21-liter backpack unzips completely, allowing you to organize your things like regular luggage. If you don’t need to unzip the bag completely, snaps on both sides of the bag can secure your items, preventing them from falling out.
Easy to clean. Of all the backpacks we tested, the JuJuBe was the easiest to clean. Because the backpack’s zipper opens flat, the seam at the bottom is easy to clean; we even turned it inside out and threw it in the washing machine. When we spilled spaghetti sauce on the front of the backpack, it came right out without leaving a stain.
The price of this backpack is high. Although it is not the most expensive backpack we tested, its price is still on the high side. However, we think it is big enough for several children and can be used as a regular backpack in the future. You can also resell it.
Weight: 2.3 pounds Dimensions: 16 x 12.25 x 6 inches Care: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle; line dry Colors: Two (JuJuBe also collaborates with designers and celebrities to create limited-edition patterns and colors.) Warranty: 10 years against manufacturing defects.
This backpack has the most pockets of all the backpacks we tested, and it’s also one of the least expensive. But it’s a little less durable.
The Ruvalino Diaper Backpack is one of the least expensive backpacks we tested, and one of the most popular diaper bags online (with nearly 40,000 reviews on Amazon at the time of writing). Praised for its affordability, versatility, and functionality, this backpack can be worn as a regular backpack or a tote bag.
The Ruvalino has the most pockets of any bag we tested. In addition to the two pencil cases, the Ruvalino has a total of 19 pockets. Two large zippered compartments (each with additional interior pockets) hold diapers, wipes, snacks, lunch, and extra clothing, while two elastic side pockets provide easy access to baby bottles or adult water bottles. A smaller zippered panel on the front of the bag has two insulated pockets for baby bottles. However, we found that the insulated pack typically only kept a bottle cool for about an hour (adding an ice pack would help even more).
This bag is machine washable. Unlike the main compartment of the JuJuBe bag, the main compartment of this bag does not open completely. As a result, during our testing, we were unable to completely remove cereal crumbs and milk smell from the bag. Even if we machine wash it, we still have to wipe it with a damp cloth to completely remove dirt from the bottom.
It has a unisex design. In addition, this bag is available in more than a dozen colors to suit different people.
It seems a bit cumbersome to carry around. The Ruvalino Diaper Bag has a well-thought-out structure. Even if it is partially filled, there is still plenty of space on your back.
19 pockets may be a bit overkill. Because this bag has too many pockets, it’s easy to lose things. Plus, when the pockets are full, it can be difficult to stuff larger items (like a jacket) into the main compartment. Ruvalino says this is a 30-liter bag, but it’s not very efficient at storing 30 liters of baby gear, although it holds a fair amount.
The material can wear out. After a few months of use, we noticed that the color and material of the bag began to fade.
Weight: 1.8 pounds Dimensions: 16.5 x 12 x 8 inches Care: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle; Line dry Colors: 16 Warranty: According to Ruvalino customer service at support@babyruvalino.com, this bag is covered by a one-year warranty against defects.
While not a true diaper bag, this nylon tote backpack is machine washable, easy to pack, and lightweight.
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack is a 27L bag that isn’t designed to be used as a diaper bag. But at just 13 ounces, this streamlined backpack/bag is perfect for travel and everyday use.
It has six practical pockets. Two high, open side pockets made of stretch mesh are designed for bottles. The back pocket is great for storing nappies or a small changing table (not included), and also for the backpack straps when you use it as a bag. Inside the main compartment, there is a small zipped pocket for keys, wallet and other small items, and a small zipped pocket on the front of the bag for wet wipes or other small items.
Comfortable to carry: Wide, padded shoulder straps make this bag comfortable to carry over long distances, and the chest strap also distributes the weight and helps keep the straps in place.
It’s very durable. Patagonia bags are made of durable, lightweight ripstop nylon that is weather-resistant but not waterproof.
It’s not as organized as a separate diaper bag. If you stuff most of your baby’s things into the main compartment, you’ll have to rummage around and even take things out to find what you need. Plus, the inside of the bag isn’t lined, so it’s the same color as the outside; it’s especially hard to find in a black bag. Storage bags can help solve your storage problems.
The length of the tote bag straps can present some challenges. Taller people may find the straps too short to carry the bag on their shoulders. Shorter people (5’3″ and under) may find that their bag drags on the floor when they hold it.
External mesh side pockets are loose-fitting. When the pack wasn’t fully loaded, our adult water bottles weren’t securely attached and often fell out.
This backpack has no structure at all. Although the nylon material is durable, it feels thin due to the lack of lining. If you want a backpack that won’t tip over, this is not it.
Weight: 13 ounces Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 inches Care: Patagonia recommends hand washing this bag with a mild detergent, but you can also secure the straps and machine wash it on a gentle cycle with cold water, then line dry. Color: Four Warranty: There’s a lifetime warranty; if your bag is defective, the company will replace, refund, or repair it; if the bag is damaged through normal wear and tear, the company will repair it for a small fee.
This roomy backpack comes with luxury features like a pull-out organizer for diapers, wipes, or extra clothes. It’s the most expensive backpack we’ve ever tested.
Fluffy and soft, the marshmallow-shaped Caraa Baby Bag is a stylish, versatile diaper bag with a travel compartment and three zipped pockets, all finished in a shiny, padded lining. There are also little foot pads on the bottom of the bag to keep the bag from sitting completely on the floor. We tested the large nylon model, but the bag is also available in medium and coated cotton.
The pocket design allows you to store all your essentials in the bag. The light-colored main compartment features four elastic pockets for easy organization and storage. A zippered pocket on the front lid provides easy access to your phone and keys. One of our testers loved the clever combination of pockets and found it to be the perfect place to store all of her and her baby’s belongings.
It offers unmatched storage options. The Caraa bag has four elastic pockets on the panels (two in the front and two in the back). It’s unique in that it can hold diapers, wipes, burp cloths, and a spare onesie. And because it’s removable, you can take it to public changing rooms without lugging the entire bag around (you can also remove the panels from the bag if you don’t need the extra organization).
It has many uses. If you prefer to use it as a tote, crossbody or shoulder bag, simply attach additional straps to the two buckles and tuck the backpack straps neatly into the designated pockets.
It’s an investment. The Caraa Baby Bag is the most expensive bag we tested. While we expect it to last for more than one baby, it feels more like a diaper bag than a JuJuBe and may not be as appealing after diaper changes.
The side pockets are not designed to hold adult bottles. Both side pockets are designed to hold baby bottles; they are insulated, zipped, and will not hold tall water bottles. While you can unzip the side pockets and put an adult-sized bottle in there, it is not very secure. One of the inside pockets can also hold adult bottles, but accessing them will be a little more difficult.
Weight: 3 pounds Dimensions: 13 x 12.75 x 5.75 inches Care: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle (black nylon and cotton styles only; spot clean other nylon colors); Line dry Colors: Five Warranty: This product is covered by a one-year limited warranty; manufacturing defects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and will require valid proof of purchase.
The Béis diaper bag is simple and practical, suitable for both men and women, and can be worn around the waist or over the shoulder. Although smaller than traditional diaper bags, it is roomy enough to hold everything you need for short trips with your baby.
It has several pockets. Inside the waist bag there are two zipped pockets, each of which has an additional elastic pocket inside, as well as a special place for napkins. At the back there is a flat open pocket in which you can put the changing table (included), but it is not very secure and can easily fall out.
Its capabilities exceeded our expectations. The main compartment easily holds diapers, wipes, a phone, and keys. You can also store a medium-sized adult water bottle on the side.
It’s more functional than it looks. We found that other diaper belt bags we tested were sleeker, had more streamlined shapes, or had decorative trim. The Béis also only comes in one color: black.
Weight: 1 lb. Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 3.5 inches. Care: Spot clean with damp cloth or sponge. Color: One. Warranty: Diaper bags and diaper purses are not covered by warranty; only unused bags with tags attached and a valid receipt are eligible for return or exchange within 45 days.
This portable changing mat has enough space for baby to lie flat out and can also accommodate diapers and wipes.
The Skip Hop Pronto portable changing table is about the size of a 14-inch laptop and is perfect for taking your baby on the go. My family uses it for all three of our kids, and several Wirecutter staffers have used it, too.
It’s portable and easy to carry. You can attach it to your stroller handle with a buckle; you can also put it in any bag or leave it in the car. (And since this backpack weighs less than a pound, it won’t tip over as easily as a bulky diaper bag when you hang it on your stroller.)
It has plenty of pockets and space. The outer zippered pocket and D-ring are perfect for a cell phone and a small set of keys. The inner zippered pocket is perfect for storing wipes (there’s even a wipe holder included), and the mesh pocket holds about three disposable diapers.
Its detailed design is exquisite. The Skip Hop Pronto uses more buckles and zippers to secure the flaps and fewer Velcro fasteners than other portable changing pads we tested.