13 best disposable nappies for babies, tried and tested

Score: 93/100

If it’s good enough for the Skin Health Alliance, then it’s good enough for us; these soft nappies have been tested and approved by the accreditation body for being kind to babies’ skin and they contain zero lotions or perfumes.

The newborn size has a lower front to avoid rubbing against the umbilical cord, and the size 6 nappy pants have easy-tear sides, so you can take them off quickly for those speedy changes. They also have double elastic at the legs to avoid leaks, which proved effective as we didn't spot any on test. One at-home tester said they fitted well, with “no irritation”, while another liked that there’s “an obvious front and back”, which is exactly what you want for a quick change.

The packaging also uses some recycled materials, a positive move towards a more sustainable product. These prove high performance doesn’t have to come with a big price tag.

Available in store only.

Score: 92/100

These nappies are designed to be soft and flexible, offering day and night protection for up to 12 hours. In our tests, they remained dry throughout with zero leakage, which is exactly what you want in a reliable nappy.

They have a wetness indicator, which lets you know when you’re due a change. And when it is changing time, the pack is easy to open, so you don’t have to wrestle with it as well as a wriggling baby. The tabs on the side can be opened and closed as often as needed, so you can adjust it for a snug fit. They’re breathable, have a stretchy waistband, and the cute cartoon design is a nice touch.

One of our at-home testers told us they were delighted with the absorbency and said the fit was ideal for their smaller baby. Big win.

Score: 92/100

Tesco has developed these nappies with busy parents in mind, with an easy-to-open pack and stretchy waist for a snug fit. The breathable nappies are dermatologically tested too, so they shouldn't irritate your baby’s skin.

They scored full marks for lack of leakage, thanks to the double leg elastic, and only felt very slightly damp after we poured on 12 hours' worth of synthetic urine. But the wetness indicator is a handy way to avoid it getting to that point. Our panellists didn’t experience leakage either. “They’re an affordable option compared to the branded ones, and so far, haven’t resulted in any leaks,” confirmed one.

The only area where they fell short was on smell, as our expert thought it was slightly plasticky. However, we’re guessing this might be better than some of the scents left behind by your little Fred or Flo.

Score: 87/100

These nappies also have a wetness indicator, a great feature that tells you if it’s time for a change. They’re designed to be quick drying too, to prevent any nappy rash or soreness. And as they scored nearly full marks for absorbency on test, we can vouch for their effectiveness.

The pull-up design was harder to tear than anticipated and took a few goes to get one side fully open. However, that’s a minor quibble and they contain no lotions or scents to avoid any irritation, while the handle on the top of the easy-open pack makes it easy to carry.

Score: 85/100

These dermatologically tested nappies from Lidl are great for latex allergy sufferers and they’ll protect against leaks at the same time. On test, they scored nearly full marks for their absorption rate, thanks to their ‘magic’ air tubes that wick away moisture to keep your baby dry for as long as possible.

Our tester did note very light leakage through the waist; however, they still thought they were excellent value for money. They arrive in an easy to open, resealable pack, which has a convenient carrying handle for you to move around as needed. The nappy is also simple to seal and re-seal so you can adjust the fit.

They were a hit with our panellists too, with one praising their “good value and absorbency”.

Score: 83/100

Pampers scored nearly full marks for absorption. There was no leakage either and they only felt slightly damp after we poured on 12 hours' worth of liquid. Our tester also noted the brand’s eco efforts – the nappies are made with 35% recycled materials, using FSC-certified wood pulp. The packaging is made from 50% recycled plastic, too, which is a step in the right direction.

The smallest size has a cut-out that sits comfortably underneath the umbilical cord, there are air channels for breathability, and one feature we liked the sound of is the ‘stop and protect’ pocket, which claims to contain even the messiest of poos. Happily, this was backed up by our at-home tester who told us they were “absorbent and able to stop poonamis”.

Score: 82/100

These Huggies pull-on pants are a good option for potty training. They’re very easy to put on, too – one of our panellists managed to slip a pair onto their sleeping baby without waking them.

During our tests, the top layer was left feeling damp after the fluid was absorbed, and though this might seem like a negative, it can help your child know when they need to go and encourage your them to use the potty.

You can also choose from a wide range of designs and colours, including Disney characters, and the designs fade when they get wet to help with training.

But these nappies go beyond aesthetics, as the generous waist panel has very stretchy elastic all the way around, making them easy to pull up and down. They’re also easy to tear down the side when no longer needed. Note that Huggies doesn't make smaller size nappies – just pull-on pants – so this was the only size we tested from the brand.

Score: 81/100

These Amazon own-brand nappies come in either a tab-closing or pull-on pants style to suit your little one’s age and needs. Amazon claims that they will keep them dry for up to 12 hours, and our lab test using the amount of (synthetic) urine the brand claims they can hold in that time, backed this up. So, they would make a good overnight choice. They’re also designed with extra-fast absorption channels to wick moisture away from your baby's skin.

They offer a less bulky fit than other nappies we tested, allowing your baby more flexibility to move around. They also have double elastic leg openings to stop leakage, which proved to be effective on test as we didn’t spot any leaks.

For ease, we recommend taking advantage of Amazon’s subscription service, offering a 10% saving on the monthly packs.

Score: 80/100

Mama Bamboo is a brand striving to make disposable nappies more sustainable, and as a B Corp certified company, it takes its social and environmental practices seriously. These nappies are made from bamboo, a biodegradable material, with a plant-based, corn starch liner. The packaging is compostable and recyclable, too.

Thanks to the bamboo viscose, the nappies are breathable, letting air flow through naturally and helping to regulate your baby’s temperature, so they won’t overheat. There's an elasticated waist to keep them in place, as well as a double leg elastic to avoid leaks. The size 3 nappies performed best for absorbency – we noticed some dampness with the size 1 and size 6 designs on our blotting paper test.

Score: 80/100

These are hard to beat on price, but they delivered on performance too, as we didn’t spot any leaks or dampness on test. It was the same at home for our tester too, who said, “they very rarely leak, and if they do, it’s because my toddler was wriggling around.” They could have scored better for their absorption rate, though.

They have a super-soft feel and large sticky tabs to keep them comfortably in place. However, there’s no elasticated waist on sizes 1 and 3, which may compromise the fit slightly. They are dermatologically approved though, so should be soft on those baby bums.

There are also pull-up pants in the range; however, they took our tester two goes to tear. That’s hardly a dealbreaker though.

Score: 80/100

Rascals has really considered what does and doesn’t go into its nappies – FSC-certified wood pulp does, while harsh chemicals, latex, fragrances and additives definitely don't. They have also met the OEK-TEX standard, which certifies that they don't contain any harmful substances that could irritate the skin. These nappies may come at a slightly higher price point, but when considering the skin health benefits, as one parent put it, “they are worth it!”

Our tester thought the nappies felt very soft and liked the deep inner pocket, which helps them soak up more liquid and keep it away from your baby's skin. There's also a high waistband and double leg elastics to stop leaks, which worked effectively, earning high scores for absorbency across both sizes we tested.

The nappies only feature waist elastic on one side and the packet is also a little harder to open than some, but overall, these offer protection with a plant-friendly approach.

Score: 73/100

From one Baby to another, Kit & Kin was founded by former Spice Girl Emma Bunton and has a kind-to-skin, eco-conscious mantra at the core of its mission.

Its nappies are made in a carbon-neutral factory from plant-derived materials and FSC-certified wood pulp (which is used to make the absorbent core). On top of this, for every 10 subscriptions sold, the brand purchases and protects an acre of rainforest. The skin-friendly and eco credentials don’t stop there either, as they are also hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty free, and allergy-certified.

But how did they deliver on test? They did feel a little damp to the touch on the inner surface of the nappy after 10 minutes, so they could have absorbed better. But there was no leakage through the legs, and only a small amount at the waist. The tabs are adjustable for a good fit and the waistband is a snug fit, plus there’s a double elastic leg cuff to avoid leakage. After all, babies simply Wannabe dry.

Score: 72/100

If you’re looking for a nappy that can biodegrade naturally and contains zero plastic, artificial colours or perfumes, while still offering reliable absorbency, these are for you. They’re made from plant-based fibres that are both OEKO-TEX certified (indicating they’ve been tested for pesticides and other harmful substances) and FSC-approved to ensure they contain no plastic micro granules.

They come in an easy-to-carry, recyclable pack with a handle on the top, and the smallest size has an umbilical cut-out for comfort, although note that the waist is not elasticated.

The size 6 pull-ups have an elasticated waist and easy-tear sides, while all sizes have double elastic leg cuffs to prevent leakage. They’re vegan and toxin-free, too. Yes, they’re expensive but if you’re keen to make a more planet-friendly choice, these are a good option.