8 Best Baby Wipes to Clean Even the Toughest Messes
Expert-approved baby wipes to clean hands, faces and bottoms.
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From diaper changes to mealtime, baby wipes are an absolute necessity to have on hand and easily accessible. You'll likely keep wipes around long after your baby is out of diapers, using them to clean hands, faces and everyday messes, big and small. No matter what messes get thrown your way, be prepared to tackle them with a wipe that's soft, strong and safe on your child's gentle skin. "Choosing baby wipes without added fragrances and essential oils is recommended, as these common allergy-causing ingredients can irritate delicate infant skin, potentially leading to skin sensitivities and allergic reactions," adds Good Housekeeping Institute Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann.
Our top picks:
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test baby gear of all kinds including the basics like cute clothes, nutritious baby foods and comfortable diapers and wipes. We recently tested 15 baby wipes from popular brands, collecting over 900 data points to analyze wetness, odor, size, texture and more. We tested the wipes in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and shared them with parent testers who tried them with their babies and provided us with real-user feedback. We combined our expertise with Lab and consumer testing data to choose the best wipes for you and your baby.
Keep reading to learn more about how we test baby wipes and what you should look for while shopping, but first, here are our top picks.
Pros
- Parent testers say they didn't cause rashes or irritation
- Minimal ingredients
- Stayed wet for easy cleaning
Cons
- Brand says to use within four weeks of opening
With a minimal ingredient list of just 99.9% water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract, WaterWipes are a fragrance-free option that is gentle on babies' skin. Just note that the brand discloses there’s a trace amount (0.002%) of a chemical, benzalkonium chlorine, in the wipe, but these are still accepted as safe for babies. Our parent testers felt comfortable using the wipes without worrying about diaper rash, with one happy tester sharing that her baby's super-sensitive skin showed no signs of irritation with these wipes. Testers kept the wipes on hand for everything from dirty diaper changes to wiping faces after a messy meal to cleaning hands after a trip to the park.
In Textiles Lab evaluations, we gave the packaging high scores for being easy to open and close, despite not having a cap like wipes from other bands. The wipes earned top marks in our softness comparison test. We and our testers agree that the wipes stay sufficiently wet, which makes tackling tougher messes easier. One tester emphasized, "Even the stinkiest dirty diaper is easily dealt with." One thing to note: Because the wipes don't use as many preservatives as others, they aren't as long-lasting, and the brand's packaging indicates that you should use the wipes within four weeks of opening.
Pros
- Higher scores for wetness than pricier brands
- Textured design helps clean
- Secure snap lid
Cons
- Some online reviewers say they're thin
With more than 26,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and high scores in Textiles Lab evaluations, these baby wipes are loved by real parents and GH analysts alike. Great for buying in bulk, each package comes with nine packs of 90 wipes for a whopping 810 total wipes — more than any other brand we evaluated. And at such an affordable price, many online reviewers say they stock up on Amazon Elements wipes, describing them as their "go-to" for easy cleanup. One GH analyst shared that she also loves keeping the wipes on hand, especially for mealtime.
During Textiles Lab evaluations, we were impressed by the easy snap lid that kept the wipes moist long after the package was opened, and in a blind comparison test, the wipes received higher scores for softness and wetness than wipes from more expensive brands. The wetness combined with the textured surface makes cleaning up bigger messes a breeze. Know that some online reviewers wish the wipes were a bit thicker for more stubborn messes, sharing that they have folded the wipes in half or doubled up for a sturdier feel.
Pros
- Natural color without bleaching
- High scores for softness
- Snapping lid and resealable cover
Cons
- Some testers wish the wipes felt wetter
Many baby wipes these days are plant-based, but EcoPeaCo takes its sustainability efforts further by not bleaching the wipes. While most baby wipes are bleached white, these bamboo-based wipes are light brown, which is the natural color of the pulp used to make the wipe. The best part is they don't sacrifice quality despite being more sustainable. They were some of our testers' favorite wipes, and they stood out in Textiles Lab evaluations.
In our tests, the wipes earned high scores across the board for properties like softness and odor. Wetness was average when compared to other wipes, and some of our parent testers wished the wipes were a bit wetter. The packaging features a plastic lid that snaps into place with a resealable cover underneath, which can help the wipes retain their moisture over time. During our evaluations, we noted that these wipes were bigger than others we tested. One parent tester said, "They were longer than a typical wipe, so I only needed one for cleaning." Our testers also loved the thickness of the wipes and the textured design, which they said helped them to achieve a good clean during diaper changes.
Pros
- Thick and durable
- Larger than wipes from other brands
- Highest softness scores in our tests
Cons
- Fewer wipes per pack than others we tested
The most luxurious wipes we've tested, these baby wipes from Coterie are oh-so-soft. In a blind comparison test, the wipes received the highest ratings for softness, with testers sharing that the wipes were "by far the softest" and "extra plush." Our parent testers agreed, adding that the wipes were softer than others they've tried from well-known brands.
In addition to being super soft, the wipes received praise from our testers and GH analysts for being thick and substantial, which can help prevent tears or ripping and makes cleaning tough messes a breeze. Plus, the wipes are textured for an even deeper clean. Our parent testers noted no signs of irritation or rashes when using these wipes. The packages may be smaller than those from other brands, with only 56 wipes per pack, but the wipes are larger than others we evaluated, so you're able to use fewer to handle a bigger mess. GH analysts love bringing the "travel packs" of these wipes with them on family trips, which earned them a 2024 Family Travel Award. Testers shared that the compact containers are the "perfect size" for packing and that the wipes are easy to throw in their bags for trusted cleaning on the go.
Pros
- High scores for wetness
- Unscented
- Easy to open snap lid
Cons
- Tear more easily than other wipes
Beloved baby brand Huggies' sensitive baby wipes earned top marks for their wetness in consumer tests and Textiles Lab evaluations. Our parent testers said the wipes stayed wet for easy cleaning, and they loved the packaging, complete with a simple-to-open-and-close snap lid to really lock the moisture in. Plus, testers said it was easy to just pull out one wipe at a time. They also highlighted that the wipes are unscented and appreciated that their babies' gentle skin showed no signs of irritation or redness with use.
The wipes are embossed with a textured design to aid with cleaning trickier messes, but they are more prone to tearing apart than other wipes we evaluated and were on the thinner side. When it comes to comfort, the wipes were rated highly for softness in a blind comparison test, and our parent testers commented that the wipes were "so soft" and loved using them on babies' delicate hands, bottoms and faces.
Pros
- Soft and smooth
- Designed to balance baby's pH
- Fragrance and alcohol-free
Cons
- Most ideal for diaper changes, not other messes
Pampers' baby wipes are specially formulated to help keep your baby's skin pH balanced. Brand representatives told us the ingredient list isn't as short as other brands' because it includes ingredients to help your baby maintain an acidic pH level of 4.6. Because the wipes are made specifically for diaper changes, they may not be as ideal for cleaning up other messes like sticky fingers or dirty faces. The wipes are still fragrance and alcohol-free, which can help prevent unnecessary irritation or diaper rashes.
During Textiles Lab evaluations, we were impressed by the soft feel of the wipes. Unlike most popular wipes we tried, these wipes don't have a textured design, which means they're super soft and gentle on your baby's delicate bottom. They're also very plush and thicker than others we evaluated. When we assessed the packaging, the snap lid earned high ratings for being easy to use and helped keep the wipes — which earned high scores for wetness — from drying out over time. Our parent testers regularly comment that Pampers wipes are wetter than other wipes they've tried and say the wipes are their go-to choice.
Pros
- Easy-to-use lid
- Great for cleaning all kinds of messes
- Fun printed packaging
Cons
- Not as wet as other wipes we tested
With fun maximalist packaging but a minimal ingredients list, these wipes from The Honest Company are just as cute as they are efficient. The popular wipes are one of our testers' favorites, beloved for cleaning up all kinds of messes throughout the day. One tester highlighted that the wipes are "very versatile," adding that they "left her child feeling very clean" no matter what mess they encountered — from dirty diapers to runny noses to art projects to mealtime.
The wipes earned average scores for wetness, but they're textured to tackle trickier messes, and our parent testers gave them near-perfect scores for their cleaning abilities. When we evaluated the wipes in the Textiles Lab, we rated the packaging highly for being easy to open and close, and we love that there's both a snap lid and a resealable tab to prevent the wipes from drying out. And the packaging is covered in tons of fun prints and patterns that we and our parent testers loved, just like the brand's popular diapers.
Pros
- Performed just as well as wipes from higher end brands
- Snap-shut top
- High ratings for wetness
Cons
- Can only buy at Aldi
A Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards winner, these Little Journey baby wipes are a total steal. They're available for an exceptionally low price — under $10 for a three-pack with 216 total wipes. Don't let the low price fool you, though: The wipes performed just as well in our Textiles Lab evaluations as those from higher-end brands. We gave them high ratings for wetness and love that there's a snap lid to keep the wipes fresh and moist for longer.
We and our parent testers appreciate that the wipes are fragrance-free, and testers say the wipes are "gentle" and don't irritate their babies' bottoms or faces. Made with a textured design, the wipes can manage all kinds of messes, whether dirty diapers or food-covered faces. These wipes are exclusive to Aldi, which means you'll need to visit an Aldi retail location or shop using a delivery service like Instacart to purchase them.
How we test the best baby wipes
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test baby essentials of all kinds, including the best baby clothes, strollers, foods, diapers and wipes. We recently evaluated wipes from 15 well-known brands, amassing more than 900 data points for review. We test wipes in the Textiles Lab and share them with parent testers who try them with their babies and provide us with real-user feedback. Here are some of the properties we consider when testing:
✔️ Packaging: We review the packaging including features like resealable sticker covers and plastic snap lids to ensure they open easily and close properly to protect the wipes from drying out.
✔️ Texture: Some wipes are textured with embossed designs, while others aren't. We assess each wipe and take note if the wipes feel particularly rough or extra smooth.
✔️ Wetness and softness: We evaluate the wetness and softness of each wipe in the Textiles Lab, rating both properties on a scale from 1 to 5. We also set up a blind comparison test and asked consumer testers to feel each wipe before rating its wetness and softness. We also asked our testers to share related open-ended feedback.
✔️ Parent testing: We share baby wipes with real parents who use them with their babies. They share their thoughts on some of the characteristics we consider in the Textiles Lab like texture, ease of removing from the packaging, softness and wetness. We also ask testers to rate how well the wipes cleaned up messes and ask them to compare the wipes to those from other brands they've tried. They also share how they used the wipes — for diaper changes, mealtime, at the park, etc. Each tester has the opportunity to share what they specifically like and dislike, as well.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine is a home and apparel reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and has tested and covered a variety of baby and children's products, including clothing, baby diapers, kids' luggage and crib mattress protectors. She recently coordinated consumer testing for baby wipes, conducting softness and wetness tests in the Textiles Lab and sharing product samples with parent testers to try for themselves.
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has a fiber science background. She has extensively evaluated a variety of children's products for the Textiles Lab, including swaddle blankets and crib mattresses. Lexie evaluated all of the featured wipes for construction and performance. She is also a mom and has tested wipes from many of these brands herself and with her children.
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