The best parent-approved diaper bags for baby’s next day out
Look for options with helpful extras, like insulated pockets and changing mats.
Dagne Dover Large Indi Diaper Backpack
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$215.00
I spoke with moms and doctors (who are also parents) about what to consider when shopping for a functional diaper bag that is durable and easy to organize. Here’s what they recommended looking for:
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Below, I compiled recommendations from parents and experts, as well as their advice on what to look for in the best diaper bags. All the products listed are made from easy-to-clean materials and offer varying features to accommodate every type of parent.
Dr. Andrea Braden, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta, GA and mom of five recommends Dagne Dover’s diaper backpacks since they’re made of easy-to-clean neoprene that lasts “forever” and has an included pouch and a key hook. “[It has] all the things that I like for a purse, but also all the accoutrements that one might want for a diaper bag as well,” she says. Senior commerce photo editor Becca Delman is also a fan, saying that it’s lightweight and easy to clean (making it a great gift for new parents). It also has stroller clips and a mini changing mat, and comes in three sizes and various colors.
Material: neoprene | Dimensions: 12.25 x 7 x 13.75 in. | Weight: 4 pounds
As you can tell by now, we don't think diaper bags need to be boring and basic. This diaper backpack from Calpak may look simple, but it's surprisingly chic. It has a luggage trolley sleeve and space for a laptop. It's also resistant to water or other water-like substances (cough cough).
Material: recycled nylon, recycled polyester | Dimensions: 15.25 x 6.25 x 11.5 in. | Weight: 1.75 pounds
You'll find Petunia Pickle Bottom several times on this list — and for good reason. The brand makes practical, but stylish diaper bags and backpacks that moms and dads love. This one is spacious and also has a trolley sleeve, making it great for travel. It can also be easily attached to a stroller.
Material: water-resistant polyester | Dimensions: 6.7 x 11.8 x 15.4 in. | Weight: 2.25 pounds
We love when diaper bags have a removable changing mat — it's that type of intentional design that shows it was made with parents (and grandparents) in mind. This bag can hold snacks, wipes, bottles, diapers (of course) and other must-haves.
Material: water-resistant nylon | Dimensions: 12.2 x 7.9 x 15.7 in.
Once again, we love Petunia Pickle Bottom and this backpack makes our list because it is lightweight, while still being spacious. The front zippered pocket is good for easy-to-grab snacks (in the case of a snack emergency) and also comes with a washable changing pad.
Material: water-resistant polyester | Dimensions: 18.94 x 16.73 x 6.54 in. | Weight: 2.46 pounds
A friend recommended this diaper backpack to me, and while it won’t win a beauty contest, I appreciate how functional it is. The straps are cushioned and supportive, and the gender-neutral design suits both me and my husband. The foldable changing mat has been a lifesaver too, plus the pockets — including three insulated slots for bottles and slimmer ones for wipes, keys and other essentials — help it stay organized. There’s also an external pouch that’s great for storing pacifiers that you need to always keep in easy reach.
Material: water-resistant polyester | Dimensions: 17 x 12.5 x 8.5 in. | Weight: 2.49 pounds
Playforth has had a Skip Hop diaper bag, like this one, for eight years and has been impressed by how well it has withstood time. This model has a large interior space with a wide opening that makes it easy to locate items, as well as a changing pad pocket (large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop) and insulated side pockets for bottles.
Material: polyester | Dimensions: 16 x 8 x 14 in. | Weight: 1.4 pounds
Lauren Nemeth, a fourth-grade teacher and mom of two, likes this diaper bag since she can wear it as a tote or a backpack. “It has a lot of room inside to keep everything I need organized,” she says. “It’s also lightweight so it doesn’t hurt my back. I like that I can fit my wallet, keys and phone in there, too.” It has four insulated pockets designed to fit large bottles (up to 25 ounces), a back pocket that converts into a luggage sleeve and a waterproof changing pad.
Material: vegan leather exterior, nylon interior | Dimensions: 15.5 x 5.5 x 14 in. | Weight: 3.15 pounds
This reimagined fanny pack, which has a 4.8-star average rating from 160 reviews at Béis, is the lightest bag on our list. Designed with short outings in mind, it has just enough space for a few diapers, a pack of wipes and the included changing pad. You can wear the adjustable belt around your waist or in a cross-body style, plus it’s made with a stain-resistant finish, according to Béis.
Material: nylon | Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 3.5 in. | Weight: 1 pound
This vegan leather bag, which has a 4.6-star average rating from 779 reviews on Amazon, has wipeable surfaces and 10 pockets (including two that have insulated lining) in addition to a large compartment. It comes with a changing pad, a top handle that you can hang from a stroller and shoulder straps, which can convert it from a backpack into a crossbody or tote bag.
Material: vegan leather exterior, nylon interior | Dimensions: 15 x 13 x 7 in. | Weight: 2.3 pounds
With a luggage sleeve and studded feet that keep the bottom of the bag from touching the ground, this tote bag was designed with travel in mind. The bag, which has a 4.8-star average rating from more than 3,500 Amazon reviews, includes a dedicated case for pacifiers, a changing pad and insulated pockets, plus adjustable shoulder straps. It also has side pockets with a magnetic closure, which makes it easy to grab items quickly, according to the brand.
Material: polyester | Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 16 in. | Weight: 2 pounds
This offering from Ayla comes packed with extras to make your (and your baby’s) life easier, including a reusable snack bag and wet bag, stroller straps, an insulated removable bottle and snack pouch, a changing pad and an inner liner that’s both removable and washable, according to the brand. It has inner and outer compartments, and a chic, minimalist design that makes it great for multifunctional use as an office bag or purse. It has a 5-star average rating from 257 reviews on Ayla.
Material: vegan leather | Dimensions: 15 x 13 x 6 in. | Weight: 4 pounds
This highly-rated diaper backpack from Dikalson has a 4.8 star average from 24,721 reviews on Amazon, and has everything you need for a long day out with your bouncing baby. It has a portable changing pad, stroller straps, and a pacifier case for easy access to your baby’s soother, according to the brand. The backpack also includes a zipper wipe pocket and five insulated pockets, and has a spill-resistant lining for easy cleaning of any potential messes.
Material: polyester | Dimensions: 12.45 x 16.5 x 2.5 in. | Weight: 2 pounds
Crafted from a quick-dry nylon, this diaper bag can be carried as a mini backpack, clipped onto a stroller, carried with luggage sleeve, and more according to the brand, It’s on the smaller side, but has nine pockets, including two insulated pouches that are perfect for carrying baby bottles on the go. The bag also comes with a large wet bag pocket, specifically for wet clothes.
Material: nylon | Dimensions: 11 x 5 x 13 in. | Weight: 1.66 pounds
When it comes to diaper bags, function is usually more important than form; after all, it doesn’t matter if it looks good if you can’t find the wipes when you’re mid-diaper change. That’s why a durable material that’s waterproof, water-resistant or stain-resistant is essential. “It is worth investing in a high-quality option, because [there’s a] likelihood that you will use the same one for several years — and potentially for longer if you have more than one child,” says Playforth.
Next, consider the initial weight, since that can add unnecessary heft to your back or shoulders. Braden recommends looking for bags that have padding on the shoulder straps for extra comfort since she’s often holding a baby and a bag at the same time.
Finally, the type of bag you choose comes down to a matter of personal preference. While some may prefer carrying a crossbody bag, other parents appreciate the convenience of a backpack. “I think the importance of a diaper bag that can be carried without the use of your hands is often under-appreciated,” says Playforth. “If you can put it on your back, it frees up your hands for all the other things parents end up carrying.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty and wellness writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like postpartum hair loss and pregnancy pillows, and is herself a mom to a three-month-old daughter.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select covering skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more.
For this article, Pai spoke to a pediatrician, an OB-GYN and a teacher — all of whom are moms — to narrow down the best diaper bags to shop this year, and highlighted their recommendations to consider.
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