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7 Best Diaper Pails of 2024

Updated
Contain that outrageous stink.

A good diaper pail can be hard to find. Too many options don’t fully contain that nasty stench.

After hearing many complaints, we made it our mission to seek out only the best diaper pails. We spent hours researching all the current options, listening to reviews from parents and caregivers alike.

We’ve rounded up the top seven diaper pails to rid your nursery of diaper odors. It will soon smell as sweet as your baby does — when their diaper is clean.

Our Top Picks

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Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Ubbi Steel Pail
Best Steel Pail
Ubbi Steel Pail
  • Slow-close lid prevents pinched fingers
  • Holds 55 diapers
  • Environment friendly
Product Image of the Dekor Classic
Best for Odor Control
Dekor Classic
  • Simple to open
  • Award winning product
  • Fits well in small nurseries
Product Image of the Munchkin Step
Best Hands-Free
Munchkin Step
  • Foot pedal makes it hands-free
  • Self-sealing system
  • Sleek-looking design
Product Image of the Diaper Genie Complete Diaper Pail (White) with Antimicrobial Odor Control |...
Best for Twins
Playtex Diaper Genie
  • Several colors to choose from
  • Front tilt emptying system
  • Built-in carbon filter
Product Image of the Busch Systems Odorless
Most Stylish Diaper Pail
Busch Systems Odorless
  • Stylish and cute
  • Works with cloth diapers
  • Locked handles prevent spills
Product Image of the Safety 1st Easy Saver
Best Budget Pick
Safety 1st Easy Saver
  • One-hand operation
  • Affordable
  • Fits up to 50 smaller diapers
Product Image of the Charlie Banana Hanging
Best Hanging Pail
Charlie Banana Hanging
  • Eco-friendly
  • 3 color options
  • Waterproof

Review Methodology: At Mom Loves Best, our team of experienced professionals conducts thorough research, hands-on testing, and data analysis to evaluate the best diaper pails available in the market. We compare various factors such as odor control, capacity, ease of use, and price, among other key decision-making criteria. Our assessments are based on real-life experiences, factual evidence, and performance measurements, enabling us to rank and recommend the top diaper pails for parents. By reviewing the design choices and their effects on users, we provide a reliable, user-centric evaluation that sets our website apart from competitors and helps you in making informed decisions. Trust Mom Loves Best to deliver the most comprehensive and trustworthy assessments of diaper pails for your family’s needs.



The Best Diaper Pails of 2024

Here are the best diaper pails on the market.

Ubbi Steel Odor Locking Diaper Pail

Best Steel Diaper Pail

The powder-coated steel used by the Ubbi Diaper Pail won’t absorb any odors, which means when you throw the diapers out, you’re also tossing out the smell. Rubber seals ensure any diaper smell stays in the pail.

The nice thing about this pail is that it doesn’t require any special bags, which will save you money because you can just use any inexpensive trash bags you have on hand.

To make sure your baby doesn’t use the pail as an impromptu toy box, it has a childproof safety lock, which will save you a lot of aggravation. The slow-closing lid is also a nice touch as it prevents little fingers from getting pinched as the lid closes.

Pros

  • There are 21 lovely colors to choose from.
  • Works with regular trash bags.
  • Slow-closing lid prevents pinched fingers.
  • Made with environmentally friendly steel.

Cons

  • Hardware rusts if pail isn’t completely dried after cleaning.
  • Small opening for diapers.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
4.5 / 5
Capacity
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Style
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

User Experience

This diaper pail boasts a powder-coated steel design that doesn't absorb odors, ensuring that the smell is disposed of along with the diapers. I appreciate the rubber seals that keep any unpleasant scents contained, as well as the childproof safety lock that prevents curious little hands from turning it into a toy box. One great feature is that it works with regular trash bags, saving money in the long run. Additionally, the slow-closing lid is a thoughtful touch, preventing tiny fingers from getting pinched. With 21 lovely colors to choose from and environmentally friendly steel construction, this product is a solid choice, despite the small diaper opening and potential for rusting if not thoroughly dried after cleaning.

Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail

Best Diaper Pail for Odor Control

This pail comes in three different colors. But more importantly, it has triple odor control, which keeps the smell in the pail and out of the air.

The Dekor Classic is more than just a diaper pail. It converts to a regular trash can, so it lasts longer than the diaper years. And the hard plastic doesn’t absorb odors like the softer plastics on other models.

But our favorite feature of this diaper pail is that the foot pedal allows it to be used hands free. This makes it easy to dispose of dirty diapers while still holding your baby — a consideration that’s lacking in some other diaper pail designs.

Pros

  • Simple to open.
  • It’s a pretty affordable pail.
  • Roomy enough for cloth diapers but still fits in a small nursery.

Cons

  • The bag doesn’t seal off completely, allowing for some minor odor leakage upon opening the lid.
  • Refill bags are costly.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
4 / 5
Capacity
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Style
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Personal Perspective

This diaper pail has greatly simplified my life with its simple yet efficient design. The outer lid with a trapdoor beneath and a cabinet door for emptying the bag make it more reliable and easier to empty than regular diaper genie models. The wider bag allows for more diaper storage, which is a huge advantage. Although there is a brief moment when inserting a new diaper where you may catch a whiff of the bag, it's gone in an instant and doesn't let smells escape when closed. The built-in cutter, pedal-operated lid, and lightly scented bags add to the convenience and odor control of this diaper pail, making it a valuable addition to any nursery.

Munchkin Step Diaper Pail

Best Hands-Free Diaper Pail

Environmentally conscious parents will feel good about this purchase. For every diaper pail purchased, Munchkin plants a tree. And one of the best features is that you don’t have to set your baby down to use this diaper pail as it includes a step pedal.

This diaper pail uses a self-sealing system so the bag closes when the lid does. That means that your refill bag will be twisted tightly whenever you close the lid, which keeps odors out of your nursery. Even when you open the lid to add the next dirty diaper, you won’t be hit by a puff of diaper smell. When you refill the liners, you can choose which method works best for you: rings or seal-and-toss bags.

To help fight stench even more, this diaper pail comes with a lavender-scented baking soda freshener.

Pros

  • Foot pedal allows for hands-free operation.
  • The front swings open when you need to remove the bag.
  • Sleek-looking design.

Cons

  • The opening is small, so you have to squash diapers through.
  • Lid can be tricky to seal fully.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
4 / 5
Capacity
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Style
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Community Feedback

My experience with this diaper pail has been quite positive, especially when it comes to odor control. The twisting mechanism does a great job of sealing in the smell, and I've found that adding laundry scent beads or dryer sheets further enhances its masking abilities. The pail is also quite spacious, easily accommodating 13-gallon drawstring trash bags, which has saved me money compared to using the narrow bags it comes with. On the downside, I do wish the lid would click shut more securely, as it sometimes feels slightly open. Additionally, the closing mechanism feels somewhat cheap, and I worry about the gears slipping if the bag gets too full. Nevertheless, this diaper pail has been reliably effective for odor containment for over a year, and I'm quite satisfied with its performance.

Playtex Diaper Genie Complete Diaper Pail

Best Diaper Pail for Twins

Diaper Genies are popular with new moms because they’re champions when it comes to controlling odors. This unit has a built-in carbon filter which is great for eliminating smells, and it contains an airtight clamp to trap odors in the bag.

This hands-free diaper pail can hold up to two days’ worth of diapers, making this a great option for families with twins or more than one child in diapers.

Unlike some other diaper pails, this one has a fairly large opening at the top, which means you don’t have to squish the diaper to get it to go inside. That’s a big relief when the diaper is especially messy or if you’re holding a baby in one arm.

Diaper Genies require the use of special bags, which can get costly. When the diaper pail is full, simply tilt the bin forward, use the built-in cutter to cut the bag, and tie a knot to seal the bag at the bottom to continue using it.

Pros

  • Taller pail holds more diapers and requires less bending!
  • Comes in multiple color options.
  • The front-tilt emptying system makes it easy to dispose of dirty diapers.

Cons

  • Diapers sometimes stick between seals, requiring some extra effort to push them down.
  • Sometimes has issues with lid popping off.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
4.5 / 5
Capacity
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
3.5 / 5
Style
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

First-Hand Impression

My experience with this diaper pail has been a mix of pros and cons. On the positive side, it effectively contains odors, making my home smell fresh and clean. The front button also makes it easy to access the bag when it's time to dispose of it. However, the pail doesn't hold as much as I'd hoped, requiring me to empty it every couple of days. Additionally, the swapping of bags can be a bit inconvenient, as you need to cut and tie the bags yourself.

Busch Systems Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail

Most Stylish Diaper Pail

Busch Systems’ odorless cloth diaper pail is the best option for any style of nursery. It comes in a soft white color with gray handles. The little bear on the top of the lid is a cute accessory your kids will love!

This pail has a carbon filter that lets air in but keeps odors out. The plastic handles lock the lid on so no sneaky smells can escape and little ones can’t get into the contents.

We also love this pail for its small size. It’s 17.4 x 13.3 x 13.3 inches, so it fits in small nurseries. Tuck it away in a corner to be more discreet.

Whether you use disposable or cloth diapers, this diaper pail is an awesome solution. It holds about two days’ worth of cloth diapers, depending on your baby. Just be sure to clean the pail out once a week or so to keep it super fresh and clean.

Pros

  • Stylish design fits most interior styles.
  • Carbon filter keeps odors out.
  • Locked handles prevent spills.
  • Holds two days’ worth of diapers.

Cons

  • Lid is hard to open, especially with one hand.
  • Smaller design requires more frequent emptying.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
4 / 5
Capacity
3 / 5
Ease of Use
3 / 5
Style
5 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

User Experience

Love how this diaper pail effectively contains odors and keeps the room smelling fresh! I've tried both wet and dry pail methods, and it works well with either method. The pail is a bit smaller than expected, but it fits about 2 days' worth of cloth diapers, just as advertised. The only downside is the metal closures are a bit tight and can be difficult to open and close, but it's a minor inconvenience for an otherwise great product.

Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail

Best Budget Diaper Pail

This inexpensive pail won’t put much of a dent in your budget. And you won’t feel like you’re lining it with dollar bills since regular trash bags work great.

To help combat odors, this diaper pail comes with a deodorizer disc. When that outlives its usefulness, you can use baking soda to control the odor.

If you roll your baby’s diapers tightly, this unit can fit up to 50 smaller diapers, but it doesn’t take up a ton of space.

Pros

  • Basic design does a decent job of fighting odor.
  • Very affordable option.
  • Lid includes space for an air freshener.

Cons

  • Springs from the lid tend to break off.
  • The hole where you insert the diapers in is pretty small.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
3 / 5
Capacity
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
3.5 / 5
Style
2.5 / 5
Total Rating
3 / 5

Personal Perspective

Bought this diaper pail for my first child ten years ago, and it has since served us through four kids. The only issue we encountered was a finicky button, but we still used it for eight years before getting a new one. I even used it for cat waste when scooping the litter daily, and it worked perfectly with no smell. This pail is great because it uses regular kitchen garbage bags, making it a cost-effective option compared to fancier versions. The scent discs may be pointless, but that's a minor drawback. Just be careful with the trash chute, as it's a bit small and may cause contact with diaper contents if not handled properly.

Charlie Banana Hanging Diaper Pail

Best Hanging Diaper Pail

Parents who don’t like the idea of a traditional diaper pail may like this washable alternative. A hanging bag won’t absorb diaper odors because you can toss it in the wash after you empty it.

This hanging diaper pail by Charlie Banana saves space as it fits on any doorknob or hook, leaving your valuable floor space free.

This hanging pail works great for disposable diapers, but it’s also a good choice for cloth diapers. If you’re using cloth diapers, which tend to be bigger and bulkier, it can hold about 25. When you’re ready to wash your cloth diapers, there is a big zipper on the side of the bag that gives you more room to dump them out.

After your baby grows out of diapers, you can use it as an ordinary laundry bag.

Pros

  • More affordable than traditional diaper pails.
  • Comes in three different colors.
  • Waterproof fabric prevents leaks.

Cons

  • Odors may escape the opening as it doesn’t seal tightly.
  • Fabric might melt in the dryer.

Our Ratings

Odor Control
2.5 / 5
Capacity
3 / 5
Ease of Use
5 / 5
Style
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.5 / 5

Community Feedback

My experience with this cloth diaper pail has been fantastic so far. I love how it keeps the smell contained while allowing air circulation to prevent ammonia buildup. Hanging it on a doorknob has been convenient, and the side zipper makes it easy to unload the diapers into the washing machine. I've been using it for about a month now, and I haven't noticed any stink issues. It's also great that this bag is machine washable and air dries quickly, making it low-maintenance and environmentally friendly.

Are Diaper Pails Necessary?

If you aren’t a mom yet, you may be surprised by how many diapers you’ll change in a day. A good rule of thumb is that your baby will have to be changed every 2 to 3 hours, or up to 10 times per day.

Fun Fact

At 10 diaper changes per day, your baby will burn through about 3,650 diapers in the first year alone. You’re going to want a good system for storing and disposing of all those stinky diapers and wipes.

Taking each diaper outside is a hassle. But you also don’t want dirty diapers in the kitchen garbage can — unless you’re using it as a diet aid. Continually walking by those dirty diapers could make you permanently lose your appetite!

I learned quickly after my first baby was born that using a regular garbage can and disposing of diapers once a day wasn’t enough. They still stunk up my baby’s nursery, and I couldn’t catch a whiff of that sweet newborn smell over the stench.

But once my diaper pail arrived in the mail, that stench was a thing of the past. Somehow that single item really managed to contain all those evil odors.

How Does a Diaper Pail Work?

Diaper pails have one primary way of stopping that odor from exiting the pail and entering your nostrils — they make a super tight seal.

A regular garbage can might be completely open. Other garbage cans have loose-fitting lids that do little to contain the odor. But disposal units designed for babies have tight seals meant to keep the nasty air in.

When Should I Start Using a Diaper Pail?

You can start using a diaper pail as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital, but your baby’s first diapers won’t be as foul-smelling as the ones they’ll make after starting formula or solids. Formula-fed babies tend to have stinkier diapers than breastfed babies.

If your baby is breastfeeding, you can try to hold off on purchasing a diaper pail, but if you prefer to keep your baby’s nursery as fresh-smelling as possible, it’s best to have one right from the start. You don’t want anything distracting you from those precious moments with your sweet baby.

How to Choose a Diaper Pail

These are the factors we considered when searching for the best diaper pails.

  • How difficult the bag change is: Some diaper pails have complicated sealing systems, making it difficult to change the liners. We prefer a system that’s easy to drop a liner into and doesn’t require ten minutes and both hands to refill.
  • Bag cost: Don’t just search for the cheapest diaper pail; you need to look at the total cost. The refill bags might bleed you dry, especially if you’re making frequent changes. If money is a top priority, look for a brand that works with regular trash bags.
  • Ease of use: The best diaper pails can be operated hands free, which allows you to dump diapers with one hand while you hold your baby in your other.
  • Odor prevention: This is one of the main reasons for buying a diaper pail in the first place, so you want to make sure it actually contains the stench. A good diaper pail won’t eliminate the odor, but it will trap it.

Don’t Forget a Child-Proof Lock

Before you make the final decision about which model to buy, consider getting one with a child-proof lock. A child-proof lock can prevent babies from getting hurt or from being too curious for their own good.

Once babies can walk, they get into everything. If you take your eyes off them for just one minute, they might get an arm stuck in the diaper pail, or worse, think it’s the perfect place to stash a favorite stuffed animal or pacifier.

Trust me: once something enters those diaper-y depths, you won’t ever want your baby to use it again. No pacifier is worth that retrieval effort!


FAQs

What Kind of Diaper Pail is Best?

Diaper pails are awesome and come in different shapes and sizes, but there are two main types of diaper pails: regular and hands-free.

Regular diaper pails need you to physically open the lid to dispose of the diaper.

Hands-free diaper pails use a foot pedal or sensor to open the lid for you, so you don’t have to touch anything.

Hands-free pails are generally more expensive than regular pails, but they’re a great option if you’re concerned about hygiene. One of the best models is the Ubbi Steel Odor Locking diaper pail.

Which Diaper Pail is Best for Odor Control?

Odor control is important when choosing a diaper pail. Some pails use carbon filters to neutralize odors, and others use scented bags or proprietary systems to trap odors in.

Usually, diaper pails with proprietary systems tend to be the most effective at controlling odors. Some popular options include the Ubbi and Munchkin STEP diaper pails.

What Can I Use Instead of a Diaper Pail?

If you can’t invest in a diaper pail, just use a regular trash can with a lid. Just keep in mind that regular trash cans aren’t designed to trap odors like diaper pails are, so you might experience more odors in your home.

How Many Diapers Does a Baby Use In a Day?

Newborns tend to plow through 8-12 diapers a day, while older babies typically use 6-8 diapers a day. This means you’ll be changing your baby’s diaper quite frequently, so having a reliable diaper pail is super important.

How Often Should You Change a Diaper Pail?

It’s good practice to empty your diaper pail every 2-3 days, depending on how often you’re changing your baby’s diaper. If you notice any odors coming from the pail, don’t wait, it’s time to empty it.

Can You Put Baking Soda in a Diaper Pail?

Yes, you can put baking soda in a diaper pail to help control odors. Just sprinkle a little bit of baking soda at the bottom of the pail before adding a new bag.

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Headshot of Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC

Reviewed by

Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC

Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC is a cardiology nurse and freelance medical writer. Katelyn has 8 years of nursing experience inpatient and outpatient, primarily medical-surgical and cardiac. After having two children she has a passion for Women’s Health and Lactation teaching and support.