One thing every parent quickly learns is that there’s no such thing as one perfect diaper. Newborns lying on their backs have different needs than toddlers who can’t sit still. Overnight calls for more absorbency, while potty training brings an entirely new set of demands. The same goes for wipes, diaper pails, and diaper rash creams—what works best for your family depends on your personal routines and day-to-day needs.
To help parents sort through the options, the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluated dozens of diapers, wipes, and other essentials through hands-on lab testing and hundreds of real-world parent tester evaluations. These Good Housekeeping 2026 Parenting Award winners stood out for everything from softness, absorbency, and ease of use to leak protection and odor control.
Pampers’ newest diaper is quite possibly its most comfortable. Available in sizes 0 through 7, it’s designed to be both exceptionally soft and absorbent. It also features a back barrier to help prevent leaks and blowouts, and the all-white design with subtle patterns gives it a more premium look.
TEST RESULTS: It earned high scores in our absorbency tests, including for how quickly it soaked up liquid and how well it kept the surface dry. Parent testers gave it top ratings for softness and fit, describing it as high-end without feeling bulky. One tester said, “I loved how soft and comfortable they were. They did not irritate my baby’s skin and absorbed wetness very quickly.” Plus, analysts found them more cost-effective than other premium diapers.
Made for active babies from crawling through running, these Huggies diapers are designed to prevent leaks. Features like a stretchy waistband, secure tabs, and a blowout blocker help keep messes contained, and cute Disney prints add a playful touch. They’re available in sizes 3 through 8.
TEST RESULTS: In addition to being a consistent top performer in our lab’s absorbency tests, these diapers earned perfect scores from parent testers for fit, absorbency, and ease of use. “I love that these diapers are easy to put on and have great absorbency,” one parent told us. “My baby loves looking at the character design on the diapers during changes.” Another said, “I like how secure the tabs feel.”
With a minimalist focus that is more on material transparency than on offering all possible features, HealthyBaby prides itself in making its diapers without elements like fragrance and lotion. Its certifications include EWG Verified for materials, FSC certified for pulp sourcing, and Oeko-Tex Made in Green for sustainable manufacturing.
TEST RESULTS: Beyond its materials, it performed well in our Textiles Lab’s absorbency tests. Parent testers praised its lightweight feel, and every tester said they would continue using it, with several calling it their new favorite. “I feel great about using this diaper on my baby’s sensitive skin,” one mom said. “The diapers are not bulky; they are simple, and they work!”
Among the most commonly used diapers in hospitals, Pampers Swaddlers are especially well suited for newborns and young infants. Each features a breathable liner, an absorbent core that locks in wetness, and a back blowout barrier, and they are available in sizes starting at Preemie to fit even the smallest babies.
TEST RESULTS: This diaper performed especially well in our lab tests measuring how quickly liquid was absorbed and how dry the surface remained under pressure. Parent testers with babies at the newborn stage also praised it. “We’ve used them for our baby from birth through almost 4 months old,” one parent told us. “I find the diapers very absorbent. Any potential blowouts were contained. My baby has sensitive skin and didn’t have any negative reaction.”
Offering Huggies quality at a lower price point, this diaper doesn’t skimp on performance. It features a stretchy fit, a back blowout blocker, a wetness indicator, and a fragrance-free design, and is available in sizes 1 through 8.
TEST RESULTS: Parent testers consistently praised the fit, the leak protection, and the “adorable” Disney-inspired prints. “Since I switched to Huggies Snug & Dry, my baby has had significantly fewer blowouts,” one mom told us. “The diapers are soft and don’t irritate my son, who has very sensitive skin.” Another described them as “well designed, with that blowout stopper in the back which truly worked!” In our lab, the diapers also performed well in absorbency testing, with the surface remaining dry even after pressure was applied.
Designed for overnight use, Millie Moon’s diaper is made to provide extra absorbency while older infants and toddlers sleep. Available in sizes 4 through 6, it features a secure waistband and a soft inner lining for comfort.
TEST RESULTS: It performed well in our lab’s absorbency tests, and parent testers consistently praised both its softness and overnight performance. “I really liked the exceptional softness of these diapers,” one parent said. “The material felt noticeably gentle against my baby’s skin.” Another told us, “I love how soft these diapers are. The absorbency is excellent, and they hold up well without leaks. I also appreciate how securely they stay in place. The Velcro tabs are strong and easy to adjust, which makes getting a good fit simple.”
Perfect for toddlers who are standing and on the move, Parasol diaper pants feature a stretchy pull-on waistband instead of traditional tabs, providing a secure yet flexible fit. When it’s time for changes, the sides tear away for easy removal. They’re available in sizes 2T through 5T.
TEST RESULTS: Parent testers gave them perfect scores for softness and praised how easy they were to pull on. “These diapers are so stretchy and incredibly soft,” one tester told us. “I absolutely loved these!” Another said, “My daughter has very sensitive skin and is prone to rashes. She was very comfortable in these, and we have no complaints.”
For parents making the move away from diapers, Millie Moon training pants feature a stretchy waistband, tear-away sides and a soft feel while encouraging greater independence during changes. They’re available in sizes 2T through 7T.
TEST RESULTS: They excelled in both our lab absorbency tests and at-home consumer testing. Parent testers gave them perfect scores for ease of putting on, leak protection, and softness, and every tester said they planned to continue using them after the testing period ended. “They were soft and feel higher-quality, which is good for an overnight pull-up,” one parent said. Another told us,“They are soft and very absorbent. I liked being able to trust these overnight.”
Coterie stands out for its thick oversize cloths, which clean up big messes with fewer wipes. They’re made without fragrance, and the packaging features a secure flip-top closure to help prevent the wipes from drying out between uses. In addition to the full-size container, you can opt for travel-size packs.
TEST RESULTS: These were a favorite among parent testers, who didn’t have a single complaint and unanimously praised the wipes’ texture. They also said they preferred them over the wipes they had been using previously. In our lab evaluation, the wipes earned high ratings for softness, feeling sufficiently wet, and ease of dispensing.
Hello Bello wipes offer an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on wetness or quality. They’re made with mostly water and a touch of aloe and chamomile to soothe skin, without lotion or fragrance.
TEST RESULTS: Parents agreed that they worked well to clean up messes. “What we liked most about these baby wipes was how soft, gentle, and versatile they were,” summarized one. “They cleaned really well without irritating the skin and were useful for diaper changes, mealtime cleanups, travel, and everyday messes. We also liked that the wipes were moist enough without feeling overly wet, and the packaging was compact, convenient, and easy to carry around.” As a bonus, parents enjoyed the cute prints on the packaging, available in multiple designs.
Most baby wipes are made from plant-based fibers that are chemically processed into the cloth. Parasol instead uses 100% cotton, creating a thicker, more durable material. The formula also contains aloe and vitamin B5 and is made without lotions or fragrance.
TEST RESULTS: Parents unanimously gave these wipes perfect scores for softness, wetness, and cleaning performance, and many commented that they felt thicker than the wipes they typically used. “The moisture level is exceptional,” one mom said. “I loved that they are made from 100% organic cotton, which makes them both strong and gentle. The compact packaging is also a great bonus for on-the-go use. These are wipes I would genuinely purchase going forward.”
Not only does Freestyle check all the boxes for a good wipe with its plant-derived cloth and its solution of 99% water, but it also has an innovative push-to-open lid that makes reaching for wipes with one hand easier.
TEST RESULTS: The packaging was consistently praised by parent testers. One called it “really easy to pull a wipe from,” while another said, “I liked the click-shut top of the baby wipe container—that did make it easier to close than other containers on which you think it’s clicked shut but it’s really not.” Beyond that, parents said the wipes were sufficiently wet and worked well at cleaning up messes.
Combining effective diaper rash cream with a convenient applicator, this set from Triple Paste is a hygienic and effective way to tackle irritation. The ointment contains zinc oxide to promote healing and create a protective barrier, and the silicone applicator has a suction base to help it stay on a diaper-changing table.
TEST RESULTS: Parents were obsessed; they gave it perfect ratings and couldn’t think of a single think they disliked about it. “I noticed visible improvement in redness and irritation after just one use,” a tester told us. Another said, “It got rid of my son’s diaper rash within two days. I really liked the spatula for easy application and not worrying about it getting in my nails.”
This compact diaper pail from iTouchless features an odor-locking mechanism to help keep smells contained even while disposing of diapers. It is designed for one-handed use and includes a child-safety lock. While it comes with a starter pack of bags, it works with standard household trash bags.
TEST RESULTS: Parents praised the compact size and said its odor control was better than that of other diaper pails they’d tried. “Unlike several other diaper pails we’ve owned, this one completely locks in the smell of dirty diapers,” one told us. “It truly exceeded our expectations. Another huge plus is that you don’t need to buy expensive replacement bags. It’s also aesthetically pleasing, making it an all-around win.”
In addition to having a large capacity that can hold dozens of diapers, the Jool Baby diaper pail features a motion-activated lid for hands-free use. It works with the brand’s continuous liner system, allowing you to empty it as needed, or you can use standard trash bags.
TEST RESULTS: The GH Cleaning Lab analyst highlighted the responsive motion sensor, noting that it opened the pail but wasn’t triggered by nearby movement. Parents also praised its convenience, capacity, and appearance. “It has a very high-end look about it, which is crazy to say for a diaper pail, but it's true!” one mom said. “It has a good height, so I don’t have to bend down. It fits a lot of diapers, more than my previous pail.”
Regalo’s two-in-one potty chair starts as a stand-alone unit, then converts to a seat that can be used over a real toilet. It is realistic in its design and flushing sound, and the seat is padded for comfort and has handles to keep toddlers feeling secure. Plus, the pieces come apart for easy cleaning.
TEST RESULTS: Parents said they liked this better than other training potties they’d used, especially for its design and configuration. “It looks like a real toilet, which I love because it immediately made my son interested in using it,” one said. “It tremendously helped us start the potty training process. It was very easy to assemble. It is also very easy to clean. The sound feature was a big hit at the beginning.”
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