Best nappies in Australia

Top Pick for

Disposable nappies

Pampers Baby Dry

Top Pick for

Environmentally friendly disposable nappies

Tooshies By Tom

Top Pick for

Reusable nappies

Designer Bums

The best nappies in Australia

• Best disposable nappies: Pampers Baby Dry
• Best budget disposable nappies: Aldi Mamia Ultra Dry nappies
• Most environmentally friendly disposable nappies: Tooshies By Tom
• Best reusable nappies: Designer Bums

Best disposable nappies: Pampers Baby Dry

Pros

• Great absorbency
• Thinner profile for comfort and less waste

Cons

• Not super cheap
• Not biodegradable

Price: Bought in the largest pack size, Pampers Baby Dry nappies average out to 52c per nappy.
Amazon price: Check site for current pricing
eBay price: Check site for current pricing

Buy at Amazon

Buy at eBay

Buy at Catch

Why we chose it

Pampers Baby Dry nappies are our pick for the best disposable nappies. They hold an average rating of 4.4 stars from more than 7,000 customers on Amazon.com.au and are recommended by industry professionals.

Parents using Pampers Baby Dry cite the absorbency as a standout quality, particularly during the crucial overnight period when extra absorbency means extra crucial hours of sleep for mum and dad. Very few people report overnight leakage issues, which is consistent with Pampers' claim of being able to maintain dryness for up to 12 hours.

They're less bulky than many comparable nappies, which, while not impacting absorbency negatively, does result in ever-so-slightly less environmental waste. They're a popular, reliable, go-to nappy used by countless parents across the country.

Best budget disposable nappies: Aldi Mamia Ultra Dry nappies

Why we chose it

Aldi Mamia Ultra Dry nappies are outstanding value, but they're also remarkably reliable for their price point. Bubhub forums rate these nappies at 85% across 78 user reviews, and they have received numerous awards including the 2019 Canstar Blue Award for disposable nappies.

Like Pampers, the Aldi Mamia has a sleeker profile for bub's comfort while maintaining good, reliable absorbency. They're soft and comfortable, and the tabs are easily resealable should you need to make adjustments if they've been fitted incorrectly. They're perfume-free, which is better for sensitive skin, but might result in slightly stronger urine odours. If money is tight, you won't find a better, cheaper, more reliable nappy.

Most environmentally friendly disposable nappies: Tooshies By Tom

Pros

• Made from environmentally friendly materials
• Good protection

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Not quite as absorbent as Pampers

Price: Bought in the largest pack size, Tooshies By Tom average out to 68c per nappy.
eBay price: Check site for current pricing

Buy at eBay

Buy at Chemist Direct

Why we chose it

There's no getting around the fact disposable nappies create waste, but some brands are better for the planet than others. Tooshies By Tom nappies are made from sustainable plant-based materials extracted from corn, sugarcane and wheat. It's not clear how well they actually biodegrade while in landfill, but there's no denying the production process has a reduced impact on the environment.

They perform well in action, too. Chemist Warehouse customers rate them at 4.8 out of 5 from 60 reviewers. When my wife and I use disposable nappies, we go for these. Our baby finds them comfortable, and we rarely have leakage issues overnight. They're fragrance free, hypoallergenic, soft on skin and provide excellent protection while reducing your impact on the planet.

Best reusable nappies: Designer Bums

Pros

• No landfill waste
• Cute designs

Cons

• Expensive
• Need to be changed every 3-4 hours, so not ideal for overnight

Price: Each Designer Bum nappy costs $34.95, but discounts are available for bulk purchases.
eBay price: Check site for current pricing

Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

Our pick for the best reusable nappy is Designer Bums, which I use for my little one at home.

The average baby will soil 6,000 nappies before becoming potty-trained. That's an immense amount of waste. The only way to significantly cut that down is by using reusable nappies. Fortunately, there's been a boom in the modern cloth nappy scene of late, and a range of funky, colourful, "Instagramable" options are now available.

They have a 5 star rating from more than 2,000 user reviews on the Designer Bums website. Admittedly, this isn't the most impartial sample, but Designer Bums nappies aren't available through large retailers so user reviews in statistically significant quantities aren't available elsewhere.

They're one-size-fits-all with adjustable straps, so they grow with your baby. Liners are inserted into an outer shell for use and removed for easier cleaning. The shells themselves feature colourful designs, often created by local artists, and are released in quarterly product lines.

Keep in mind, the most popular designs sellout almost instantly; the community, self-dubbed "Pop Tarts" after the popping sound the buttons make, are a passionate bunch.