Top Picks for Diapers in 2026
These are the diapers CR’s experts trust the most to keep your little one dry, based on our lab tests
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Diapers are an essential (though maybe not beloved) part of life with baby—and finding the right type can be a process of trial and error. Admittedly, diapers have a pretty tough job to do, but when they fail, they can fail big time. That’s why our test experts set out to find the disposable diapers that perform best in absorption and dryness, all in the hopes of stopping messes and rashes before they start.
“In our lab tests, we rated diapers for performance on how quickly they absorb moisture and their ability to hold moisture away from the baby’s skin,” says Joan Muratore, the engineer who led CR’s tests on diapers. Muratore and her team spent weeks testing diapers for absorption speed (using yellow-tinted saline, no less) and measuring the residual liquid left behind. But when looking for the right diaper for your family and lifestyle, there are other considerations that may play into your final decision, Muratore says. These include the following.
- Cost per unit: Is it budget-friendly?
- Ready availability: Will it be easy to replenish your stash?
- Sustainability: Are environmental factors important to you?
- Fit and comfort: Are you looking for extra blowout protection, like a pocketed waistband?
- Design factors, like patterns and scent: Are these nonnegotiables?
Top Picks for baby: See more top performers in bassinets, cribs, high chairs, infant car seats, convertible car seats, all-in-one car seats, strollers, lightweight strollers, double strollers, and travel systems.
Consumer Reports tested more than 60 different disposable diapers, including budget and store brands, subscription diaper brands, and premium diaper brands. The models that impressed our testers the most are our Top Picks for diapers for 2026.
Our Top Pick is the highest-rated widely available diaper from our rigorous lab tests. We’ve also designated a value pick that offers a great test score for a good price. Our expert pick is a total chlorine-free (TCF) diaper for a more sustainable choice that’s gentler on the environment.
Top Pick: BumBum Luxury Skincare Diapers
Graphic: Consumer Reports, BumBum Graphic: Consumer Reports, BumBum
The BumBum Luxury Skincare Diapers excelled in our lab tests, absorbing moisture quickly and leaving little wetness behind. Our testers also liked the aloe-enriched liner—designed to protect sensitive skin—and the diapers’ super soft feel.
More features we like include:
• Available in size 1 (8 to 14 pounds) to size 6 (35 pounds or more)
• High waistband to protect against blowouts
• Wetness indicator
Our testers’ value pick in diapers for 2026 scores just as high as our Top Pick for performance while still being cost-conscious. Our expert pick is a TCF diaper designed with environmentally conscious manufacturing practices in mind. Depending on your family’s needs and budget, one of these diapers might be right for you.
