Before having my first child, I didn’t fully appreciate how much stuff I’d have to pack every time I left the house. The best diaper bags have enough space to store all of your baby’s essentials, like wipes, nappies, bottles, extra clothes, swaddles, and toys. They’re also convenient and easy for parents to use, so you won’t have to dig through your diaper bag looking for that hard-to-find pacifier. After multiple testers tested more than 20 diaper bags, we found the Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Backpack to be the best: It’s made with high-quality materials and has dedicated pockets to store all of your essentials. Our top pick for the price, the popular Skip Hop Forma Diaper Bag Backpack, is lightweight, roomy, and durable enough to withstand years of use.
When choosing a diaper bag, consider the size and style you want. If you have multiple children, you may want a larger bag, but be careful not to overload it. Additionally, many parents prefer backpacks or fanny packs, which leave their hands free. “A comfortable, well-designed, ergonomic diaper bag that fits your specific needs can improve your quality of life by helping you manage the daily responsibilities of motherhood,” says Amy McCormick, an occupational therapist and director of the postpartum rehabilitation program at the University of North Carolina at Rex Holly Springs Hospital in North Carolina.
Keep reading to take a closer look at all of our recommendations for the best diaper bags, plus more information about our testing process and what to look for when buying a diaper bag.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 13.4 x 6.7 x 13.8 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: 100% guaranteed against defects in hardware and fabric for two years | Cleaning Instructions: Wipe clean.
The Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Backpack has 10 pockets that make it easy to organize all your baby essentials and more. From slim, felt-lined electronics pockets to stretchy diaper pockets and insulated bottle pockets, we’ve got you covered. The spacious main compartment opens completely with a zipper, making it easy to organize and find items that have fallen to the bottom. There’s a strap on the back that lets you attach it to a rolling suitcase, making it perfect for travel. It’s also the lightest diaper bag backpack we’ve ever tested.
Many of the stylish diaper bags I tested were either uncomfortable or made of fabrics that were difficult to maintain and clean. That’s not the case with this bag. Depending on the style you choose, the outer material can be faux leather, coated canvas, or faux leather with a cable-like embossing. These styles are classic and professional, so they’re great for taking to work if you’re pumping or just want to keep using them as your baby grows.
While this bag isn’t machine washable, the material is easy to wipe clean. Our tester intentionally dumped a bag of blueberries on the bag and left it overnight. The stain came out easily the next morning. The included changing pad is machine washable, so you don’t have to worry about getting dirty while changing diapers.
The comfort level of this bag is also a big plus. It’s a backpack, and many of our experts recommend it. The back straps are padded for a comfortable fit. “If worn correctly and both straps are positioned correctly, it can help minimize the risk of injury and reduce stress on your back, abdomen, and pelvic floor,” says McCormick.
While I praise this bag for its roomy pockets, it can’t hold as much stuff as some of our other favorites, like the Skip Hop Forma or the Béis Diaper Backpack. When I tried to stuff too much stuff into the bag, it felt lumpy because the material wasn’t very stretchy. Our testers also found the side water bottle pockets difficult to stuff bottles into when the main compartment was full. In some ways, though, the limited space is a good thing. “More space means more stuff to stuff in there. And trust us, you don’t have to take everything but the kitchen sink,” says Laura Hunter, a nurse practitioner and co-founder of parenting resource brand Moms on Call.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 16 x 8 x 14 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: Limited Warranty | Cleaning Instructions: Wipe clean.
The Skip Hop Forma Diaper Bag is a great value for the money. My husband and I have been using this bag as our family’s primary diaper bag for over five years now, and it’s still going strong. It has two padded straps and is an ergonomic backpack, making it a great choice.
Because this backpack is so lightweight, it’s a great choice for parents with back issues, moms with weak core and pelvic floor muscles, or moms recovering from a C-section or tear. “Postpartum moms should consider core and pelvic floor health when choosing a diaper bag. After a vaginal birth, pelvic floor muscles are weak and can contribute to back pain, so a lightweight bag with evenly distributed weight, like a backpack, is ideal to relieve pressure. When recovering from a C-section, it’s especially important to avoid heavy shoulder bags, which can put pressure on recovering abdominal muscles,” says John Gallucci Jr., a physical therapist and CEO of Jag Physical Therapy in New York City.
I prefer to pack in this bag over other more stylish or square bags because the material is very stretchy. There are nine pockets in total, plus two storage pockets. The pockets include two bottle pockets, a main compartment, two elastic interior pockets, two front zippered pockets, and more. This bag also comes with a changing table.
The side bottle pockets are large enough to hold water bottles for parents, caregivers, or baby. The storage compartments are also great for packing when you’re on the go. If I want to leave a large diaper bag in the car, I can stash the bottles, diapers, and wipes in the cargo area, making it a breeze. McCormick also likes using removable storage compartments because they make it easy to add and remove items depending on the trip or activity.
The fabric is water-resistant, and our tester found that the baby food pouches were easy to clean, even after spills. In addition to being able to wipe up spills, I also found that the fabric was flexible enough to flip the bag over, which meant I could easily clean crumbs and dirt from the bottom of the bag.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.6 x 12.3 inches (Small), 11.8 x 6.5 x 12.8 inches (Medium), 12.3 x 7 x 13.8 inches (Large) | Weight: 3 pounds (Small), 3.5 pounds (Medium), 4 pounds (Large) | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty | Cleaning Instructions: Hand wash.
The Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack is available in small, medium, and large sizes, making it easy for parents to find the right option for their carrying style. In addition to multiple interior and exterior pockets (including a wipe holder and a thermos holder), the bag also features additional accessories such as storage pockets and shoe pockets. A travel pocket on the back also makes this bag ideal for travel. Other accessories include a changing mat and a stroller clip, but we don’t recommend using the stroller clip due to the potential tipping hazard of the stroller.
If your bag fills up easily, you may need to buy a larger size than you think you need. Our testers found the exterior zippered pockets difficult to use when the main compartment of the bag was full.
Many people love the look and feel of the Indy. It’s made from 100% vegan neoprene and comes in a variety of beautiful colors, some of which are neutral. It looks more like a backpack than a diaper bag. The fabric is soft but not stiff, and the padded shoulder straps make it easy to carry. Our testers found that the fabric stretched easily to accommodate the items you put in the bag.
If you (or your child) tend to spill things, this might not be the bag for you. Our tester spilled water and a bag of baby food on the bag, and it initially cleaned up well, but after some use, she noticed that the camel-colored bag had some stains.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 12 x 7.75 x 15 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: 45-day return policy | Cleaning Instructions: Wipe clean.
Some people like to overfill their diaper bags (and that’s okay). If you’re like me and are bringing twins or just need more space, the Béis Diaper Backpack is the way to go. The top of the bag has a large opening, making it easy to pack and retrieve essentials, and the inside has plenty of pockets. Our tester found the outside bottle pocket to be big enough to fit her water bottle, which wasn’t the case with other bags she tested. Inside the bag, you can tuck in the insulated bottle pocket to keep your baby’s bottles from getting lost in the main compartment.
Since the bag is large and weighs about 4 pounds, be careful not to overload it. “A bag that’s too big or too heavy can cause overload, which not only makes it difficult to access your items, but also puts unnecessary strain on your back, stomach, and pelvic floor,” says McCormick. While the bag can feel heavy with so many items, our testers found it comfortable to wear thanks to the padded shoulder straps.
What I love most about the Béis backpack is that it is clearly designed with the needs of baby and parents in mind. The included changing pad has a small pocket for storing diapers, wipes, or diaper rash cream. The bag also includes a pouch for a pacifier and teether. There is also a leak-proof bag that is perfect for storing dirty clothes or for parents who wear reusable diapers to store dirty diapers until they get home. Another optional accessory is a stroller clip, but we do not recommend using this as the weight of the bag can cause the stroller to tip over.
Our testers loved the extra features, as well as the fact that the bag is super easy to clean. The fabric is stain-resistant and easy to clean. It poured food from bag to bag effortlessly. Made from high-quality, easy-to-clean materials, this bag is perfect for families with multiple children or anyone who needs a durable bag that can withstand frequent, daily use.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 12.3 x 12 x 5 inches (medium), 13 x 12.8 x 5.8 inches (large) | Weight: 2.5 pounds (medium), 3 pounds (large) | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: 21 days return policy, manufacturing defects will be evaluated on a case by case basis | Cleaning Instructions: Machine wash (black color), use mild neutral soap mixed with warm water and a clean microfiber cloth (all other colors).
Being a parent doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style or love of luxury. Designed with parents and baby in mind, the Caraa baby bag is packed with thoughtful features. Forbes Reviews editor Margaret Bador found this bag to be the most functional of all the high-end bags she tested. She especially likes its hot and cold pockets and its completely removable diaper bin. The diaper bin has four pockets for storing wipes, diapers, and other essentials, which is handy if you need to carry several small items. “The removable organizer is also really helpful: When I pack all my diaper changing supplies in it, I can just take the whole thing out and take baby to the bathroom to change,” says Bador. Unfortunately, this bag doesn’t come with a changing pad that could be used with a changing table.
One of my favorite baby-friendly features is that the black model is machine washable, which is not often found in diaper bags. Whatever you spill, you can just throw it in the washing machine for a quick wash. Other colored diaper bags should be wiped down with a mild, neutral soap mixed with warm water and a clean microfiber cloth to preserve the color.
This bag comes in medium and large sizes, and versatility is key. You can wear it as a backpack or crossbody by attaching the shoulder strap. When wearing the backpack crossbody, the straps can be removed. The bag also has a stroller hook, but we don’t recommend using it as hanging the bag on a stroller can cause it to tip over. There are plenty of pockets in this bag. From insulated bottle pockets to phone pockets, hot and cold pockets, and magnetic pockets, you’re sure to find a place for everything.
When traveling, simply place the bag on top of your suitcase using the included luggage cover. Bador has used the bag for about two years, including on family trips and as carry-on luggage, and it shows virtually no signs of wear. The width of this bag is a little wider than many others, so that’s something to consider if you need to fit the bag into a tight space.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 16.5 x 13 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Bag Style: Backpack | Warranty: 1 year against defects in material or workmanship | Cleaning Instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Unisex diaper bags are ideal if you share a bag with other caregivers or if you simply prefer a unisex style. The State Lorimer Diaper Bag has a simple look that doesn’t make it look like a diaper bag and comes in five colors, including neutrals like olive green, black, and navy. You can personalize your diaper bag with up to three characters and two symbols or patches.
The padded shoulder straps are great, and the Bador was comfortable to wear even when fully loaded. When traveling, you can also use the built-in travel pocket to secure the bag to your suitcase. The fabric of the bag is easy to wash. In our tests, water flowed off the nylon part easily, and spills on the bag were easy to wipe away.
Badore loves all the pockets in this bag, including two main compartments, a front zippered pocket, side pockets for water bottles, an insulated bottle pocket, and more. With all that space, you won’t lose things at the bottom of the bag. It also comes with a washable changing pad and a padded laptop compartment that can fit a laptop up to 15 inches. This is definitely a huge plus for parents who sometimes have to work and take care of kids at the same time.
While this bag has plenty of room for all your essentials, the extra bulk can make it easy to overload, which can lead to extra stains on your back. It can also be dangerous if you use the included stroller clip, as the heavy diaper bag can tip over the stroller.
Forbes Review ratings are based on rigorous evaluation by our editorial team and are designed to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 6.5 x 7 x 4 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Bag Style: Waist Bag | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty | Cleaning Instructions: Machine washable.
I couldn’t ask for more from this compact diaper bag. The Colugo On-The-Go Organizer is sleek, convenient, and height-adjustable. According to Hunter, compactness is key. “Moms on Call recommends small, organized diaper bags that make it easy to store essentials. There are other things we can do without,” she said.
This bag has plenty of room for basics like diapers and wipes. The backpack has six pockets and two bottle holders to keep you organized. Our testers were surprised by how much they could fit in the bag. There was still room for her son’s sweatshirt.
My favorite thing about this bag is that it doubles as a stroller organizer. While it would be unsafe to hang a large, heavy bag on a stroller due to the possibility of it tipping over, with a bag this small I didn’t have to worry about that at all. In fact, this bag was designed as a stroller storage bag first and a diaper bag second. It’s nice to be able to grab the bag and go when you need to park the stroller or leave it unattended. The versatility also makes the price very affordable. One piece, two uses.
I love this machine-washable diaper bag because with three kids at home, sometimes it takes a long time to realize I’ve spilled a diaper. And it’s easy to clean. Our tester emptied most of his water bottle into the bag and found that the contents dried easily without staining anything in the other pockets.
This bag is easy to adjust and comfortable to wear. I didn’t have to fiddle with the straps to get it where I wanted it. Other shoulder bags or fanny packs I’ve tested have felt too bulky and cumbersome, but this bag doesn’t have that problem. The shoulder straps also have a fairly wide adjustment range, meaning the chair will fit people of all body types.
Over the years, we’ve asked three moms to test more than 20 diaper bags. We’ve included a few of our favorites in our guides, and we’re constantly testing other affordable diaper bags. Here are a few more products we’ve tested:
Fresh classic diaper bag: I’ve had this for a few years now and really like the style and look. However, it’s more boxy and doesn’t have as many storage compartments as other bags. Another tester also found that it wore out almost instantly, which made us question its high price.