The best diaper bags hold everything a mom and baby might need while traveling. These bags have become an integral part of your daily life, so it’s important to choose a bag that suits your needs. With so many different styles of diaper bags available—from backpacks to totes and even traditional bags—you’re sure to find something that’s right for you. In addition to essentials like diapers, wipes, blankets, etc., you’ll also need an accessory like a changing table to prevent accidents. To help you out, we spoke to experts to learn how to choose the right diaper bag in advance and came up with six shopping options.
Best Overall: Bellroy Laneway Tote, $159 Best Value Diaper Bag: Happ Levy Backpack, $179 Largest: Kipling Camama Diaper Bag, $189 Best Backpack Diaper Bag: Ruvalino Diaper Bag Backpack, $32 Best Value: SoHo Tote Diaper Bag, $40 Best Diaper Bag: Skip Hop Mainframe Wide Opening Diaper Bag Backpack, $64 Best Multi-Functional Diaper Bag: Original Bogg Bag, $90 Best New Diaper Bag: Lululemon New Parent Backpack 17L, $198
Since diaper bags are used so often, it’s important to buy one that’s easy to clean. “We all love designer bags, but if you leave them on the floor, they can get dirty,” Kim Vaccarella, CEO and founder of Bogg Bags, tells SheKnows. “You don’t want to spill milk there.” That’s why you should think twice before buying a designer diaper bag. “Bogg bags are made from antimicrobial material, which makes them hygienic and easy to clean,” she says.
Also, choose a roomy diaper bag. Avoid bags that are too narrow and compact, as they won’t fit bottles and thick blankets. It’s recommended to choose a bag with a zipper or a bag with a wider opening.
Diaper bags provide easy access to all your essentials, but don’t let that stop you from exploring other options, especially once you’ve found one you like. We’re seeing more tote styles from brands like Skip Hop and Kipling, as well as more popular backpacks like Lululemon’s best-selling backpack.
Diaper bags usually have longer straps and compartments for bottles, wipes, and other necessities. Before modern designs came along, these bags were often printed with fairy tale characters and other motifs. Nowadays, there are many stylish and simple designs on the market. Diaper bags also come in a variety of styles.
While buying a designer diaper bag for yourself (and your baby) may seem like a luxury, it’s not always practical. Sure, expensive diaper bags are fun for new moms, but after scouring the internet for advice from seasoned parents and experts, it’s probably best to invest in an everyday bag you won’t mind wearing and tearing. “My friends and I all made this mistake: As soon as we found out we were pregnant, we started looking for a fancy diaper bag. Don’t give in to temptation!” says CorporetteMoms. “At least not after baby is born, when you’ve had a little more practice with your diaper bag and are more aware of your needs (and the level of mess a baby often creates).”
Diaper bags are best used from infancy through toddlerhood, but once your baby is well-trained, there’s no longer a need for a diaper bag. Sure, you can keep a diaper bag in the car or stroller for emergencies, but once your baby no longer needs bottles, diapers, and wipes, you no longer need a diaper bag. That’s where nontraditional diaper bags come in: Consider bags and backpacks that can grow with you and your baby.
If you’re looking for a diaper bag, scroll down to check out six of the best options on the market.
SheKnows is on a mission to inspire and empower women, and we only recommend products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Bellroy is a sponsor of SheKnows, but all products in this post have been independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you buy something by clicking a link in this article, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
This bag is one of the most practical diaper bags we’ve found, and our top pick. The Bellroy Laneway Totepack can be carried in three convenient ways: as a tote or backpack, or by the top handle. The bag is packed with practical features to keep all of your little one’s essentials close at hand, like dual front zippered pockets, an internal stretch pocket for bottles or shoes, and a wide mouth for easy access. Plus, it’s made from durable nylon fabric made from recycled ocean waste, making it eco-friendly and easy to clean. We also love the Totepack’s built-in Apple AirTag patch pocket, which will keep your bag safe while you travel. Dimensions: 15.74″ x 15.74″ x 6.6″ Color Options: 3 Pocket Locations: Front and Interior Weight: 1.10 lbs Style: Tote Stroller Hook? No Diaper Cover? No How to Clean: Spot Clean, Do Not Tumble Dry Pros: Multiple Carrying Options, High-Quality Metal Accessories, Folds and Packs for Easy Travel Cons: Changing Table Not Included
Whether you’re pregnant for the first time or for the third time, it’s a good idea to spend a little money on baby products that you’ll use every day. That’s why we recommend you invest in the Happ Levy backpack. The unique design showcases the brand’s exquisite craftsmanship. Plus, this backpack has plenty of room for all your little one’s essentials, with nine compartments and a wide zippered flap that’ll keep you from digging around. Dimensions: 17” x 6” x 12”; Color Options: 4; Pocket Locations: Front and Side; Weight: 1.9 lbs; Style: Backpack; Stroller Hook? Yes; Diaper Cover? No; Cleaning Method: Spot Clean; Pros: Handmade; Waterproof; Padded Backpack Straps; Cons: Expensive
The Kipling Camama Diaper Bag is our roomiest option. This roomy bag features a removable bottle holder and pacifier pocket, allowing you to securely store your little one’s most important items. The bag also includes an easy-to-clean changing mat. Plus, there’s plenty of room inside the bag to store diapers, toys, extra clothes, blankets, and more. Dimensions: 17.25” x 11” x 11”; Color Options: 2; Pocket Location: Front and Side; Weight: 2.11 lbs; Style: Tote; Stroller Hook? Yes; Does It Have a Diaper Cover? Yes; Wash Method: Machine Wash, Do Not Tumble Dry; Pros: Removable Bottle Holder; Pacifier Pocket; Roomy; Cons: Expensive
Amazon is a great place to find affordable diaper bags. If you’re looking for a backpack-style diaper bag, look no further! The $43 bag has been purchased by over 3,000 shoppers this month and has over 14,000 five-star reviews. This backpack features large zippered compartments to hold all your nighttime essentials. It also features 16 pockets and an insulated pocket for wide- or tall-mouth bottles. Dimensions: 11.8″ x 7.8″ x 16.5″ Color Range: 15 Pocket Location: Front Weight: 1.78 pounds Style: Backpack Stroller Hook? No Diaper Bag? Yes How to Clean: Spot Clean or Hand Wash Cold, Lay Flat Dry Pros: Waterproof Shoppers love its functional durability Cons: Bulkier design
The SoHo Tote Diaper Bag is an affordable, stylish, and traditional diaper bag. This lightweight bag features 11 pockets for diapers and other essentials, plus 8 additional accessories like wipe holders, changing pads, and more. Dimensions: 14.8″ x 14.8″ x 5.4″ Colors: 1 Pocket Locations: Front and Side Weight: No Style: Traditional Bag Stroller Hook? No Diaper Bag? Yes Cleaning: Spot Clean Pros: Great for baby shower gifts Holds 8 items Cons: Short shoulder straps
Shoppers are calling the Skip Hop Mainframe Diaper Backpack “an amazing buy.” This backpack features a structured frame, a zippered main compartment, insulated bottle pockets on the sides, and built-in straps for securing a stroller. “Absolutely stunning!” shared the same reviewer. “It’s roomy inside, but the overall package is very compact! The straps are super comfortable and the material is easy to wipe clean. I’m in love with it and wish I’d ​​found it sooner! It looks better in person than it does online!” A more economical choice than the high-end “look and feel” Dimensions: 15″ x 15″ x 7″ Colors: 3 Pocket Locations: Front and Side Weight: 1.8 lbs Style: Tote Stroller Hook? Replace Lining? Yes Cleaning Method: Air dry, spot clean, or wipe down Pros: Minimalistic design, high-quality product at an affordable price Cons: Some buyers report that the zipper breaks easily
Bogg bags are known for their spaciousness and durable construction. Did you know that this bag is incredibly versatile? For example, it can be used to store all of your baby’s essentials. We love using the Bogg bag to carry toys to the beach or to carry the baby’s sports gear, but it’s even more amazing as a diaper bag! Vaccarella designed these bags specifically for moms: they’re easy to clean and can grow with your family. While turquoise is the brand’s best-selling color, new neutral shades are also available. Better yet, you can purchase storage pockets to add more compartments to the bag or to neatly organize items like diapers, clothes, blankets, and wipes. Dimensions: 19″ x 9″ x 14″ Colors: 45 Pocket Type: No Weight: 5 lbs Style: Tote Bag Stroller Hook? No Diaper Bag? No Cleaning Method: Wipe Clean Pros: Durable Works with all stages of diaper bag use Additional accessories available for purchase Cons: Does not include changing table
Lululemon bags are known for their viral popularity, and it was only a matter of time before this “new parent backpack” joined the brand’s other popular backpacks and fanny packs. Designed with parents in mind, this bag includes multiple compartments to keep moisturizer, diapers, clothes, and more organized. Dimensions: 12.2” x 7.9” x 15.7” Color Options: 2 Pocket Location: Front Weight: 2 lbs Style: Backpack Stroller Hook? Yes, the carrier attaches to the stroller handle Changing Pad? Yes Cleaning Method: Clean in place, do not tumble dry Pros: Lightweight Attaches easily to stroller Includes storage bag and changing pad Cons: Expensive