Best diaper bags
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- Best diaper bag overall :
- Best diaper bag backpack :
- Best convertible diaper bag:
- Best diaper bag for twins:
- Best designer diaper bag:
- Best diaper bag tote:
- Best messenger diaper bag:
- Best vegan diaper bag:
- Best affordable diaper bag:
- Best diaper bag with changing station:
- What to pack in your diaper bag
No matter where you go with your baby, you’ll want to keep the necessities close by. Any parent or caregiver in charge of an infant knows all too well that the best diaper bag is stocked with diapers, snacks, wipes, a spare outfit, and other essentials, and it's an absolute must for outings. A good diaper bag has pockets that allow easy access to its contents, storage for bottles (insulated storage is always a bonus), and plenty of room for everything else you need to carry.
Do I need a diaper bag?
Most parents would probably tell you yes. Using any old backpack or regular tote is doable, but diaper bags are typically more convenient because they are designed with specialized pockets and easy-to-reach bottle compartments. Diaper bags are also designed for easy carrying. After all, you’ll have one hand (or more!) busy with your baby; it makes sense to choose a diaper bag with uncomplicated cross-body, tote, or backpack straps, or one that hooks onto your stroller.
Diaper bags should also have specialized features that make taking care of your baby easier when you’re away from home. These might include:
- Pacifier pockets: If you give your child a pacifier, you’ll want to have an extra one on hand. Oftentimes a baby tosses it out the stroller, and it’s nice to quickly grab a clean one when you are in a pinch.
- Wet/dry section: Having a spare change of clothes is a must for a baby. It is nice to have a wet/dry section to store soiled clothes and/or diapers so the other contents of your bag aren’t dirty when you get home.
- Changing pad or station: Many diapers come with a removable changing pad that matches the bag. Some others open up or have a fold-out panel so you can change your child on the bag itself.
- Laptop sleeve: If this diaper bag is going to dual as a commuter/work bag, consider looking for a diaper bag that has a laptop sleeve.
- Pocket for keys: Keys might be the easiest thing to lose into the abyss of the diaper bag. A pocket or a clip for keys is a must.
- Phone/wallet pocket: A zippered or otherwise secure pocket for your most important items makes your life easier.
- Stroller straps: Can you attach the diaper bag to the stroller? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends not hanging anything from stroller handles as it can cause the whole stroller to tip over. But stroller straps help distribute weight safely over the stroller's body rather than the handles. Keep in mind: Not every bag comes with stroller straps or hooks, and not every bag is suitable to fasten to a stroller.
- Bottle pockets: We love diaper bags with pockets that can hold bottles. It helps keep them upright so they don’t spill, and if they are insulated, you can keep bottles at the perfect temperature.
- Pocket for wipes: Babies and wipes go hand in hand, and it’s nice when a diaper bag has a designated pocket designed for quick access.
What kind of diaper bag should I get?
There are options for just about any taste: backpack styles, messenger bags, upscale designer diaper bags, diaper bags that don’t look like diaper bags, and even compact diaper clutches.
First, figure out how you will be using the diaper bag and how much you are willing to spend. From there, this list can help narrow down the best diaper bag options for you on the market.
- Backpack: This style frees up your hands and arms and is a great way to even out the distribution of weight in the bag. This is a great choice if you have back pain or have multiple diaper-wearing children.
- Totes: Usually larger in size, totes have an excellent storage capacity and pockets for organizing. Oftentimes tote style bags can be used for other purposes when you are beyond the baby years.
- Messenger bags: This cross-body style is usually adjustable, holds a lot, and has large pockets that are good to carry laptops or other sizable items.
- Diaper clutches: Tiny, yet mighty! Diaper clutches are a great choice if you are running a quick errand and only need a few diapers, wipes, and your keys on hand.
- Convertible bags: These are great if you need to change up the way you are going to carry your diaper bag. Usually these bags come with straps that allow you to carry it as a backpack, messenger bag, and tote.
Whether you are looking for a diaper bag that can hold it all or simply looks stylish when you’re and about, you’ve got options.
How we chose the best diaper bags
Since choosing a diaper bag depends largely on lifestyle, rather than health and safety, the best diaper bag will align with your budget and taste. That said, the best judge of what works, is of course, parents themselves. We took a deep dive into the BabyCenter community, searching through thousands of posts to find the diaper bags that get the most attention, good and bad. We then dove deeper: What were the basic favorites that the most people liked over a long period of time? The diaper bags that parents appreciated for their functionality? The best-looking bags? The bags that looked good but were irritating to use?
We condensed the advice from BabyCenter parents into a list of bags that are most appreciated for their form and function. Then we took a closer look at each candidate, looking for that combination of ease, convenience, price, and eye appeal to find the very best option for each style of bag: tote, messenger, backpack, and so on.
Best diaper bag overall
Ruvalino Multifunction Travel Back Pack
With a sleek style that doesn’t scream “diaper bag,” this modern backpack is about the same dimensions as a typical high school/college pack, but it’s outfitted with many more useful compartments and pockets than an ordinary backpack. Inside each of the bag’s two main zippered sections, there are diapers/wipes pockets, insulated bottle pockets, fabric loops to hold baby spoons and forks, a padded laptop sleeve, and two easy-access zipper pockets for your most-used essentials: one on the front of the bag, and one discreetly located on the side to keep sensitive items out of the reach of grabby babies and nefarious strangers.
Parents say
“I can’t imagine going back to a regular diaper bag now.”
"I have two in diapers and my 3-year-old still needs a change of clothes. I love that it has two separate large pockets. I felt like everything was lost in my Jeep diaper bag. It was also $21 on Amazon, which was about half the price of cheaper 'name brand' diaper bags."
Heads up
This bag doesn’t have a wet/dry section, so you’ll have to bring along a plastic bag for any messy items.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.8 x 16.5 inches
- Weight: 1.78 pounds
- Large central zipper compartment; smaller zipper compartment in front
- 18 total pockets including added laptop pocket, 2 insulated bottle pockets, mesh diaper organizer, and quick-grab “Mommy pocket”
- Padded laptop pocket
- Includes removable changing pad
- Choose from 8 colors
Best diaper bag backpack
Skip Hop Forma Backpack Diaper Bag
Fashion meets function in this practical and cute diaper bag. The Forma is ideal for trips because it comes with two handy packing cubes: One is insulated for bottles, beverages, or snacks, the other is mesh, which is perfect for clothing or diapers. The Forma has cushioned shoulder straps, an easy grab-and-go top handle, and straps to attach it to your stroller. The changing pad pocket can pull double duty as a laptop holder, too. But our favorite feature is the elastic interior pockets, which help to hold your gear in place while you adventure around.
Parents say
“I have the Skip Hop Forma and it's wonderful.”
I have the Skip Hop Forma and looove it!”
"I have the Skip Hop Forma and it's by far the best diaper bag I have ever seen or used. I'm so happy I splurged on it!"
Heads up
The zipper can be difficult to open with one hand.
Specs
- Dimensions: 8 x 14 x 16 inches
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
- 2 zipper compartments; two-way zip main compartment
- 2 insulated bottle pockets
- Changing pad pocket holds tablets and laptops up to 15 inches
- Includes cushioned changing pad, stroller straps, insulated packing cube, and mesh packing cube
- Choose from black, gray, navy, pink
Best convertible diaper bag
Freshly Picked Convertible Classic Diaper Bag Backpack
So beautiful that once you’ll pick it up you’ll want to keep carrying it long after your baby’s left the diaper years, this bag is the result of design focus groups who debated just what parents want (and don’t) in a diaper bag. Thus this winner: stylish, durable, a large capacity, and easy to organize and use. You can carry this convertible beauty as a backpack, cross-body bag or purse. We love the little metal feet that the bag sits on, keeping the bottom clean and steadying the bag so it’s easier to look through it.
Parents say
“I have a Freshly Picked diaper backpack (comes with a long strap to make it a shoulder bag) in gray and I LOVE it.”
“I have the Freshly Picked Classic Diaper Bag (backpack) and LOVE having my arms free.”
Heads up
If you overfill the bag, it can be difficult to use the outside pockets.
Specs
- Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 15 inches
- Weight: 2.3 pounds
- Large central compartment; 10 pockets, including large front pouch, interior “Mom pocket” with magnetic closure, insulated interior pocket, and mesh interior pockets
- Easy access front flap with magnetic closure
- Grab-and-go top handle
- Padded backpack straps
- Includes nylon changing pad, optional shoulder straps, and interior key clip
- Choose from 18 colors and patterns
Best diaper bag for twins
Petunia Picklebottom Boxy Diaper Backpack
The Petunia Picklebottom Boxy diaper backpack is an iconic staple in the diaper bag market. Built with all the bells and whistles, a large capacity, organizational pockets and multiple ways to wear it, it’s so gorgeous and well-made that you look and feel like you are wearing a designer bag that completes your outfit rather than just lugging around your day-to-day essentials. The hardware on this bag is exceptionally nice, too: heavy, solid, resists scratching.
Parents say
“I just bought a Petunia Picklebottom Boxy Backpack Diaper bag and love it!”
"The Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack has so many pockets and a place for everything! I love wearing it as a backpack, plus it's super easy to clip it on the stroller and go."
"I've had my Boxy Backpack for several months now, and I love it. It still looks brand new, and I'm very hard on it. I like the backpack carry, but my husband always carries it across his chest with the long strap."
Heads up
There are no insulated bottle pockets. Also, the backpack straps aren't padded, so they aren't the most comfortable.
Specs
- Dimensions: 13.8 x 13.8 x 6.3 inches
- Weight: Not available
- Large central compartment; 5 pockets; key clip
- Front flap with magnetic closure and snaps
- Zip-out changing station with removable changing pad and diaper/wipes pockets
- Includes stroller straps
- Choose from 17 colors and patterns
Best designer diaper bag
Burberry Leather Trim Nylon Baby Changing Backpack
Burberry’s usual attention to detail is clear in this sleek and lovely backpack with polished Burberry-logo hardware and textured fine-leather trim. It’s trendy enough to pass for just a good-looking backpack, but the Watson has details parents will appreciate: a removable changing pad, six interior pockets, drawstring side pockets that safely secure items you need easily accessible.The bag’s lining, in distinctive Burberry plaid, makes it harder for contents to hide.
Heads up
This backpack is on the larger side and the exterior pockets, with their cord-and-toggle closure, aren’t easy to open one-handed.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11.4 x 6.7 x 17.3 inches
- Weight: Not available
- Central compartment; 4 elasticized inner pockets; 2 outer pockets with drawstring and toggle closures
- Leather trim
- Includes fold-up removable changing pad
- Adjustable backpack straps
Best diaper bag tote
JuJuBe Be Light Zippered Tote Bag
Diaper bags can be heavy, and your shoulders and back are likely already sore from tending to your baby, so the lightness of this easygoing tote is truly a blessing: about half the weight of a loaf of bread. The Be Light folds up to the size of a deck of cards and can be tucked inside larger luggage when traveling; it also makes a top-flight gym bag once your child’s diaper days are done. The Be Light’s top zipper enclosure keeps all your stuff inside, and we love, as we always do on JuJuBe bags, the big, heavy zipper pull that’s easy to see and to grab, even one-handed. Our final favorite thing: The whole bag is machine-washable.
Parents say
“The JuJuBe Be Light is perfect, light and it’s really cute.”
“The JuJuBe Be Light is AWESOME and crazy light weight.”
Heads up
The Be Light doesn’t stand up by itself, so if you want to root through it one-handed, you’ll have to lay it down flat. We also wish it had an external pocket for phone/keys/wallet.
Specs
- Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 3 inches
- Weight: .46 pounds
- Large zippered central compartment; 1 zippered internal pocket; 2 insulated bottle pockets
- Interior fabric treated to resist bacteria, mold, and mildew
- Reinforced fabric loops for attaching messenger strap (sold separately)
- Choose from 10 colors and patterns
Best messenger diaper bag
Lekebaby Diaper Messenger Bag
Pockets, pockets, pockets is what you’ll get from this great big workhorse of a bag, which carries enough to easily see you through major outings like theme park or beach days. If you’re a “place for everything” type, a grand total of 17 separate compartments are prepared to meet your needs, as well as a roomy central compartment where you can throw it all in busy moments before taking the time to sort it out later. Carry it as a tote, strap it to your stroller with the included clips, or fasten on the messenger strap to carry it cross-body style.
Heads up
This bag is big, and could be overkill for shorter outings.
Specs
- Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 13.5 inches
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
- Large central compartment with magnetic closure; 9 external and 8 internal pockets
- Adjustable strap with removable shoulder pad
- Water-resistant fabric and lining
- Includes stroller clips, adjustable messenger strap, and cushioned fold-out changing pad
Best vegan diaper bag
Fawn Design Original Diaper Bag
The unique shape of this bag is what convinced us to add it to this list, with a half-circle zipper top that opens wide so you can see all the way to the bottom. Both bottom and sides are sturdy and solid, so it won’t tip over when you’re searching through it. There are six exterior pockets, including a zippered pocket for wallet/keys/phone, and six internal pockets, including a sleeve to hold your laptop, and a secure pouch that zippers shut. And will you just look at this thing! Gorgeous!
Parents say
“Fawn Design is such an awesome diaper bag.”
“I got the Fawn Design (the original size) and it's super spacious and I love it! It looks like a regular trendy bag and not a diaper bag so that’s why I picked it.”
Heads up
The design is pretty basic with no bells and whistles like a changing pad or insulated pockets. Also, some parents say that this bag is heavy even before they put their baby's stuff inside
Specs
- Dimensions: 13 x 13.5 x 7 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Large internal compartment with zipper top; 6 internal and 6 external pockets including 2 zippered pockets; laptop pouch
- Removable, adjustable backpack and cross-body straps
- Choose from 9 colors and designs
Best affordable diaper bag
Eddie Bauer Places & Spaces Bridgeport Diaper Bag Backpack
At a price that even penny-pinchers won’t complain about, this backpack has the style of a hipster bag, with design features that parents appreciate, like a side pocket perfectly sized to hold a wipes case, and panels on both the front and back of the pack that zip open: Now that wayward pacifier really has nowhere to hide! The shoulder straps are padded, and adjustable so anyone in the family can carry it comfortably.
Parents say
“I love my grey Eddie Bauer backpack diaper bag. It has multiple pockets and nice easy-to-adjust straps”
Heads up
Some parents say that the zipper pulls could be easier to operate.
Specs
- Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 16 inches
- Weight: 1.72 pounds
- Large main compartment; 7 pockets including 2 interior and 1 exterior insulated bottle pockets and front zippered pocket
- Padded adjustable backpack straps
- Includes removable changing pad
Best diaper bag with changing station
Itzy Ritzy Boss Backpack Diaper Bag
We love when bags come complete with a way to keep their bottoms from getting dirty, and the Boss Backpack has a uniquely cool one: rubber feet inspired by textured moccasin soles. Not only does it keep the bottom of the bag elevated from dirty floors and surfaces, it keeps the whole bag firmly in place where you put it, so you can hunt through it as carelessly as you like without knocking it over. The storage is well-thought-out too, especially the pockets on the sides of the bag, with one elasticized yet open to make contents easy to grab, and the other zippered to keep your essentials secure.
Parents say
“Never had a nice diaper bag - excited to have the Itzy Ritzy backpack”
“I have an Itzy Ritzy diaper bag & LOVE IT!!”
Heads up
Some parents have reported zipper issues with this bag.
Specs
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 7 x 18 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Large internal compartment and 17 other pockets including 2 insulated bottle pockets, zipper pockets on outside and inside of bag, and diaper/wipes organizer pockets on zip-down front flap
- Includes matching changing pad and stroller straps
- Choose from 6 different colors and patterns
What to pack in your diaper bag
What you pack in a diaper bag is somewhat personal, but in general the following list will help to ensure you have included the essentials before you go out with your new baby:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Ointment/diaper cream
- Changing pad (if your diaper bag doesn’t include one as an accessory)
- Burp cloths
- Pacifiers (if you use them)
- Snacks (for you or your child)
- Small empty dry sacks (to store soiled clothes)
- Change of clothes (in addition to a backup for baby, consider adding in a clean shirt for yourself)
- Hat and sunscreen
- Light blanket
- Toys
- Essential purse contents (sunglasses, bandaids, tissue, chapstick, keys, and wallet)
- Nursing cover
- Disposable placemats (for slightly older babies)
What to look for in a diaper bag
Nothing makes you think about how a new baby will fit into your life until you start shopping for gear. So, while you are thinking about what diaper bag is right for you, you may want to consider a few things.
- Carrying style: Do you plan to wear your baby? Will you push a stroller the majority of the time? If you wear your baby in the front, maybe a backpack style diaper bag would be best for you. But if you are going to be using a stroller most often, consider a diaper bag that will fit below your stroller.
- Adjustability: Are you raising this baby with a partner or another caregiver? If so, will they be using the same bag? Consider an option that will work for everyone who is caring for your baby. If you want to purchase more than one, so you have your own, that works too.
- Size: Consider how big or small you’d like your diaper bag to be. If you have more than one child, you might want something on the larger side to hold items for multiple children.
- Versatility: You may end up using a diaper bag instead of your purse for a period of time. Some diaper bags have designated pockets to include the items (wallet, phone, keys, etc.) that you typically store in a purse. To avoid carrying a diaper bag and a purse, consider finding something that serves both purposes.
- Durability: You’ll want a diaper bag that can withstand some wear and tear. Babies are synonymous with spills and messes. Consider a bag that is machine-washable or that is made of a material that doesn’t stain easily.
- Style: You'll want something that will look good and function well no matter where you and your baby are going.
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[AAP] 2022. American Academy of Pediatrics. "How to Choose a Safe Baby Stroller." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/How-to-Buy-a-Safe-Stroller.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed October 2022]
![Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt](https://web.archive.org./web/20240131104850im_/https://assets.babycenter.com/ims/2020/03/two-came-true-headshot_square.jpg?width=300)
Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt are the authors of the book, You Can Two: The Essential Twins Preparation Guide and cofounders of parenting site Two Came True.