Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Best nappies in Australia
Through a combination of extensive research, reading real user reviews and personal experience, we’ve selected the 4 best nappies in Australia for your little one.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"The best nappies in Australia","anchorName":"#the-best-nappies-in-australia"},{"label":"Methodology","anchorName":"#method"},{"label":"Disposable vs cloth nappies","anchorName":"#disposable-vs-cloth-nappies"},{"label":"How to compare baby nappies","anchorName":"#how-to-compare-baby-nappies"},{"label":"How to wash cloth nappies","anchorName":"#how-to-wash-cloth-nappies"},{"label":"3 things to consider","anchorName":"#3-things-to-consider"},{"label":"Best rated baby nappy brand award breakdown","anchorName":"#awards"}]}
Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on actual customer reviews from multiple shopping and parenting forums, and extensive personal experience. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the nappies with the highest review score within those parameters. If consumer sentiment on two products was similar, the author's own experience served as a tie-breaker.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amazon prices last updated on 1 December, 2023 at 01:01 pmeBay prices last updated on 1 December, 2023 at 05:21 am
Methodology
Our editorial team compared nappy brands found in major chemists, retailers and online stores across Australia.
We examined hundreds of customer reviews and ratings as well as expert reviews and our own personal experience.
The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Our editorial team read through hundreds of user reviewers on Amazon.com.au, Bubhubs and Chemistwarehouse.com.au. We then carefully researched each product and compared costs. Personal experience with all of these brands was taken into account when deciding between similarly rated products.
When rating the social impact and environmental impact categories, our own research was weighted higher than user reviews.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.
Best Rated Baby Nappies Brand: Mamia
An ALDI brand, it's no wonder Mamia ranked best for value for money. It also received the best nappy score for anti-leak protection and got good scores for comfort and absorbency too.
Newborns typically go through around 10 nappies a day while older babies and toddlers go through 6 or more.
They can cost as little as 15c for disposable nappies or as much as $35 for reusable nappies.
Paper liners can help with disposing of solids from reusable nappies.
Disposable vs cloth nappies
Nappies are one item that you need to purchase before your baby is born and you'll use them for at least a couple of years until your little one is toilet trained. There are two main types to choose from, each with their pros and cons, so it's up to personal preference which is the right option for you and your baby.
Disposable
Disposable nappies are the most commonly used and the most convenient type of nappy. They come in a range of sizes from newborn through to toddler, and are easy to use and dispose of. Most disposable nappies have elastic leg holes and waistbands so that they fit snugly on your baby, and a moisture-absorbing pad soaks up liquid. This helps to keep your baby dry and reduce the risk of nappy rash. While disposable nappies were seen as a lifesaver for mums around the world after their invention, they do create a lot of waste with millions of nappies going into landfills each day.
Pros
Convenient and easy to use when in a hurry or away from home
Can throw in the bin after use
Come in different sizes and shapes to suit all babies
Absorb moisture quickly
Lock in moisture so your baby stays reasonably dry between changes
Cons
More expensive
Not reusable
Bad for the environment
Cloth (reusable)
Cloth nappies are usually made from natural materials like bamboo, hemp or cotton, so they are breathable and kinder on your baby's skin. As they are made from cloth, they can be washed and reused for a long period of time.
While they were once just a square or rectangle piece of material that you had to fold up and safety pin together, there are now different styles to choose from that include moisture-resistant and absorbent layers, pockets to add absorbent inserts or press studs that combine waterproof and absorbent layers that can be taken apart for washing. You can still buy the original flat cloth nappies if you are on a tight budget, and these often come with a fastener so you won't need to use pins.
Pros
Lighter environmental footprint
Cheaper than disposable nappies over time
Usually made from natural materials
Cons
More effort required when putting on baby if using flat nappies
Can take some time to work out how to put them on correctly
More washing to do
How to compare baby nappies
If you are preparing for a new baby and trying to decide on the right nappies to meet your baby's needs and your lifestyle, consider the following points before purchasing.
Convenience
It's true that disposable nappies are much more convenient than reusable nappies thanks to how easy they are to put on whether at home or out and about, and the fact that you can throw them straight in the bin after changes. However, even though a little more time consuming, modern cloth nappies can also be easy to use once you get the hang of them, and if you do find that they take a bit longer you can distract your baby with some toys. The main inconvenience of cloth nappies is the washing process.
Size
All nappy brands have a size guide that indicates which is the right size based on your baby's age and development stage. You can choose from newborn, crawler and toddler sizes, and then opt for pull-up nappies when your child is toilet training. It's important not to buy nappies that are too big or too small, so that your baby stays comfortable and you can avoid messy spills.
Price
Budgeting for a baby can be difficult with so many things to buy upfront and then ongoing costs. Nappies are one thing that you'll need a lot of, and the cost depends on whether they are disposable or reusable, the brand and what materials they are made from. For reusable nappies, you can expect to pay around $2-$5 for plain flat cloths and as much as $25-$35 for some of the styles that have pockets or layers. Disposable nappies are much cheaper individually, with prices ranging from 15c through to over $1.50.
The cost of nappies certainly adds up over time, as you may use 8 or more a day for newborns and at least 6 a day for crawlers and toddlers. If you prefer to use disposable nappies over cloth nappies, consider buying in bulk and take advantage of discounted packs when you see them.
With cloth nappies you'll need to have around 20-30 to cover the number of changes for newborns and time for washing and drying. As your baby gets older and has fewer changes then you won't need as many.
Impact on the environment
Disposable nappies can take a very long time to break down and can not be recycled. There are eco-disposable or biodegradable nappies that break down more quickly due to their lack of chemical products, but these are generally more expensive.
Cloth nappies are kinder on the environment but they still need to be washed and dried, and if you don't have many nappies you will need to do this as frequently as every day or every other day. You can opt for certified organic cloth nappies so you know they are 100% natural and have a more simple manufacturing process.
You can also use a combination of cloth and disposable nappies, or switch to cloth as your baby grows and doesn't use as many nappies each day.
Skin sensitivity
If your baby has sensitive skin, some disposable nappies may irritate them and cause rashes. Some brands carry nappies that are designed for sensitive skin that are unscented and have fewer chemicals.
Washing and drying
If you opt for reusable cloth nappies, the type of material that you choose will impact the washing and drying time. While cotton, hemp and bamboo are great for sensitive skin either as the core material for the nappy or liner, they do take longer to dry, so make sure that you are able to wash and dry these efficiently before you run out.
To keep your cloth nappies a little less dirty, you can use paper liners that can be thrown straight into the bin with any solids.
Fit
You'll know you've chosen the right nappy when you notice the following things:
Your baby is able to move around freely. While this will not be as noticeable for newborns, it will be easy to tell if your child is crawling or walking.
There's no leaking around your baby's legs and you can't see any liquid coming through any part of the nappy.
You don't have to change the nappy too often, which means that it holds a good amount of liquid.
Your baby doesn't react to the material.
How to wash cloth nappies
Washing cloth nappies is a relatively simple process, but it can be overwhelming thinking of all that extra washing to do as well as the risk of smell getting around the house in between washes.
So you can get rid of solids straight after changing, use paper liners that can be put straight into the bin. Then you can rinse the cloth in cold water and throw them into a bucket filled with water that has a lid. You can keep adding dirty nappies into this bucket until you are ready to do a load, then simply pour out as much water as you can into the laundry sink, tip the nappies into the washing machine, add detergent or washing powder and then start the cycle.
3 things to consider
Be prepared to try a few different options. The first pack of nappies you buy might not be quite right for your baby so try a few different brands until you find something you are happy with.
Don't immediately discard the idea of cloth nappies. Even though they take more work, you may find that the modern versions are easier than you think.
Leaving your baby in a dirty nappy for too long can lead to rashes and irritations, no matter what type of nappy you have used. Make sure to change regularly and always have nappy rash cream on hand just in case.
Best rated baby nappy brand award breakdown
Brand
Absorbency
Anti leak protection
Comfort
Value for Money
Overall rating
Recommended
Total Score
Mamia (Aldi)
4.28
4.19
4
4.6
4.32
83%
7.86
Huggies
4.4
4.19
4.26
3.73
4.35
85%
7.83
Babylove
4.16
4.1
4.24
4.06
4.24
82%
7.68
Pampers
4.06
4
4
3.81
4.16
71%
7.4
Coles
3.98
4.08
4.06
4.22
3.98
76%
7.34
Tooshies by TOM
3.9
3.7
3.8
3.6
4.1
80%
7.27
Thankyou
3.81
3.96
4.04
4
3.96
73%
7.2
Bambo Nature
3.5
4.08
4.42
4
3.75
83%
7.11
Rascal + Friends
3.84
3.86
3.84
3.88
3.88
72%
7.05
Ecoriginals
4
3.4
4.1
3.6
3.9
70%
7
Little One's
3.69
3.67
3.73
4.17
3.79
71%
6.93
CUB
3.5
3.68
3.88
3.98
3.66
72%
6.77
Naty
4.33
3.67
3.33
3
3.67
67%
6.61
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.
David Milner is an award-winning games journalist, former editor of Game Informer magazine, and regular contributor to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Embarrassingly, he only completed The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the first time in 2019. Bloodborne is his favourite game ever.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
