Best Cloth Diapers of 2024
Eco-friendly and gentle on baby’s skin, cloth diapers are a popular choice for many parents.
By Jen LaBracio | Medically Reviewed by Brittany DiBardino DO
Cloth diapers are making a comeback. Once thought of as a vestige of the olden days, wash-and-wear diapers are an eco-friendly option that many families are now choosing for their babies.
Why Choose Cloth Diapers?
You definitely need diapers, but which kind you choose—cloth diapers, disposable diapers or a combination of both—is a personal choice.
Most families choose cloth diapers for a few reasons:
- Less waste. Disposable diapers don’t biodegrade. Most babies will go through upwards of 6,000 disposable diapers before they are potty trained, which means lots of diapers ending up in landfills. (3.3 million tons in 2018, to be exact, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency.) Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are reusable and don’t end up in a landfill.
- Cost savings. Cloth diapers can save you a lot of money, especially if you use them for several years and for more than one child.
- Gentle on baby’s skin. Disposable diapers contain ingredients that may irritate some babies’ sensitive skin. That’s not the case with cloth diapers.
Interested in cloth diapering but not quite sure you’re all in? Consider this: using cloth diapers doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Many cloth diapering families switch to disposables for outings, when grandparents are babysitting or for overnight wear.
Still don’t know if cloth diapers are for you? Check out Cloth Diapering 101 and How to Wash Cloth Diapers.
What Are the Best Cloth Diapers?
There are many different types of cloth diapers, from ready-to-wear options to diapers that are one large piece of cloth that needs to be folded and clipped. The variety can make choosing cloth diapers both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Here’s a rundown of the different types:
Flats and prefolds: The original cloth diapers, flats are big, rectangular pieces of fabric (think dish towel size). Prefolds are smaller pieces of fabric that have been doubled over. Both need to be folded, clipped and covered with a waterproof shell. They’re easy to wash, quick to dry and very inexpensive.
Fitted: These ready-to-wear diapers have elastic leg openings and snaps or Velcro tab closures around the waist. They’re made entirely from absorbent fabric and require a waterproof cover to go over them. They offer full-coverage absorbency (on the legs, waist and hips), and you can reuse the waterproof covering with a fresh diaper.
Pocket: These diapers have a waterproof exterior and inside pockets where you place absorbent inserts. The main benefits of a pocket diaper are the ability to adjust the insert for different absorbency levels and position the insert where your little one needs it most.
All-in-ones: Most similar to disposable diapers, convenient all-in-ones have a waterproof cover and an inner cloth lining to absorb fluid. When you change your child’s diaper, you toss the entire diaper into the dirty pile to be washed and then grab another (no folding, no inserting).
Hybrids: Very similar to all-in-ones, hybrids have a waterproof shell, too, but feature a removable inner cloth lining. At changing time, you just pull the dirty lining/insert out and snap a fresh one into the same shell (as long as there was no leakage onto the shell). The benefit of this system is you can purchase fewer shells (aka covers) and stock up on liners instead.
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?
If you’re planning on using cloth diapers from the start, you’ll need between 12-36 newborn-size diapers depending on how much laundry you want to do. After around three months, you’ll want to invest in a minimum of 10-12 cloth diapers if you plan on doing laundry every day and between 20-30 if you do laundry every other day.
A quick note about newborn-size cloth diapers. Because newborns are so tiny, most one-size cloth diapers don’t generally fit them well, which is why you’ll want a newborn-size stash of cloth diapers on hand. Newborns also go through a lot of diapers—at least 8-10 each day, sometimes even more. Some parents choose to use disposable diapers for the first few months and then switch over to cloth once their baby is a bit larger.
How to Wash Cloth Diapers
If you’re overwhelmed (and a little grossed out) by the thought of washing cloth diapers, know that it’s a pretty common worry for most parents as they explore whether or not to use cloth diapers with their baby. But rest assured it’s not as bad as it may seem at first.
First, be sure to always consult the specific laundering instructions for whichever brand of cloth diapers you choose. Keeping those directions in mind, you can then follow three simple steps:
- Remove the dirty cloth diaper. For breastfed babies, you can deposit a messy diaper directly in whatever diaper pail or bag you’re using to store dirty diapers, because breastfed baby poop is water soluble. If you’re dealing with a diaper from a formula-fed baby or a baby who’s eating solids, you’ll want to dump the contents of a poopy diaper into the toilet before tossing it in your pail.
- Wash. You’ll want to run two wash cycles: a cold cycle first without detergent (to loosen up the gunk) followed by a warm or hot cycle with detergent. (You can also add an extra rinse cycle to the warm wash cycle if your machine offers that option.) Skip the fabric softener or any other laundry additives.
- Dry. Dry your diapers per the manufacturer’s instructions. Some cloth diapers need to be air dried while others can go into the dryer on low or medium settings.
What detergent is best for cloth diapers?
As long as your laundry detergent doesn’t contain fabric softener, most brands are completely fine for washing cloth diapers. (Fluff Univesity, the largest cloth diaper community on the internet, has a helpful cloth diaper detergent index that’s worth a look if you’re interested in taking a deep dive into cloth diaper-friendly detergents.) Just keep in mind that many cloth diaper brands have their own recommendations on what detergent is best to use with their particular diapers, so check your brand’s recommendations first before hitting the laundry room.
How We Chose Our Best Cloth Diapers
We asked thousands of Babylist families about the products they love the most. We took the most popular cloth diapers they shared with us and added our own research and insight. We think you and your babe will love at least one of these diapers too.
Best All-in-One Cloth Diaper
Why We Love It
These incredibly soft cloth diapers have easy-to-adjust Velcro tab closures around the waist and are especially comfy for babies with chunky thighs (and toddlers) due to the generous cut. When your baby grows, it’s a cinch to make these one-size diapers bigger: simply let out more fabric using the resizing snaps.
Keep in Mind
Technically, the Miosolo diapers are the all-in-one type since everything is attached. However, there’s a pocket that stashes a thick insert you pull out when it’s time for washing—it remains tethered to the diaper cover. It makes for shorter drying times, but it can be difficult to stuff back into the diaper.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Easy to use as disposable diapers. Vibrant colors and we like the velcro snaps rather than disposable diapers. Easy to setup after washing. Diapers seem to fit better than regular disposables.” -Saudah
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 8-35 lbs |
Best Hybrid Cloth Diaper
Why We Love It
You don’t have to choose between convenience and being green with GroVia. Their diaper cover works with a snap-in cloth insert/liner or a biodegradable, disposable insert that’s perfect for daycare days or being on the go. Just trash the disposable liner and put a fresh one in the cover (as long as the cover is still clean).
Keep in Mind
You have to purchase covers and insert/liners separately. Also, covers are line-dry only.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I love our GroVia cloth diapers. My husband was concerned about cloth being difficult, but GroVia made it super easy. We use the hybrid system during the day and the O.N.E.s at nighttime. They are excellent quality and easy to wash. Plus they have really cute prints!” -Shandra
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 8-30 lbs. |
Best Stay-in-Place Hybrid Cloth Diaper
Why We Love It
Charlie Banana is a hybrid diaper like GroVia, but puts whatever liner you use—cloth or disposable—on lockdown. Cloth liners are inserted into a front-loading pocket (to avoid having to pull the liner out through a poopy mess in the back) while disposables are held on by an end flap. Soft fleece along the back makes for a comfy fit.
Keep in Mind
You have to readjust the elastic around the legs to resize the diaper, which is a pain.
What Babylist Parents Say
“They’re super soft. Easy to clean. Easy to use. Super reliable…they don’t leak. I absolutely love these.” -Emma
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 6-35 lbs |
Best Cloth Diaper for Newborns
Why We Love It
Cloth diapering a newborn can be tricky thanks to their tiny size and skinny legs. These all-in-one diapers cloth diapers from Thirsties are sized just right for smaller babies with a trim fit and an umbilical cord snap down. There are four layers of absorbency plus a microfleece liner and a waterproof exterior.
Keep in Mind
Investing in a newborn stash of cloth diapers can be pricey, especially considering the short window of time you’ll be using them. The good news is that many parents are able to resell their newborn stash to recoup a bit of the cost.
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 5-14 lbs |
Easiest to Use Cloth Diaper
Why We Love It
This all-in-one diaper is super easy to clean and dries quickly, and you don’t have to mess around with inserts. There’s a stay-dry inner lining to help wick away moisture and overlapping attached inserts so you can adjust the absorbency. The bonus? You can resize the diapers as your little one grows via a simple snap system.
Keep in Mind
The two sewn-in inner absorbent flaps makes the diaper a bit bulky.
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 8-35 lbs |
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Best Cloth Diapering System
Why We Love It
The Esembly system provides everything you need to cloth diaper sustainably, from organic blowout-proof diapers to specially formulated detergent to storage bags made from post-consumer plastic bottles. They also make cloth diaper-safe skincare, like diaper rash cream and a soothing balm. This Try It Kit is a great way to take cloth diapering for a test drive before you fully commit.
Keep in Mind
Esembly diapers are made of two parts—a cotton inner and a waterproof outer, so it does take an extra moment to put on. But it’s that two-piece design that helps them protect against blowouts.
Additional Specs
| Fit | Size 1: 7-17 lbs; Size 2: 18-35 lbs |
Best Pocket Cloth Diaper
Why We Love It
The standout feature on Rumparooz diapers is the ability to change the absorbency level and place it exactly where your child needs it most. The pocket diaper comes with two inserts that can be used together or separately, with six different ways to configure them. Leg openings with an inner and outer elastic barrier makes leakage near impossible (something every parent can appreciate!).
Keep in Mind
Inserting the liners into the diaper pockets can be an annoying task.
What Babylist Parents Say
“I love their absorbency and protection against leaks. Also, I’d be lost if I couldn’t use my dryer and that’s okay with this brand. I love knowing I helped the environment and my kid’s tush.” -Lindsey
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 6-35 lbs |
Best Prefold Cloth Diapers
Why We Love It
Prefolds definitely take practice, but you can’t beat the price. These highly absorbent prefolds are made from 100% unbleached Indian cotton. They’re soft, absorbent and lint-free. Pro tip: they also work really well as burp cloths.
Keep in Mind
Prefolds can be tough to keep in place, so many parents use a fastener like Snappis—a much safer alternative than old-school diaper pins!
Additional Specs
| Fit | Children 7-15 lbs (also available in larger sizes) |
Best Wet Bag for Cloth Diapers
Why We Love It
A bag to stash dirty diapers is a must if you’re going to be cloth diapering on the go. We love this machine washable one from Skip Hop thanks to its extra large zippered pocket with a waterproof lining to help keep the mess contained. There’s also a mesh pocket on the side for clean, dry items.
Keep in Mind
These types of bags are great for cloth diapers but also perfect for wet swimsuits, pump parts or anything else you need to keep separate from other stuff.
What Babylist Parents Say
“We use cloth diapers and this is perfect for when we are on the go. Never had a spill or leak. It packs away small but is large enough to get us through a day and then some.” -Nichole
Best Diaper Pail for Cloth Diapers
Why We Love It
This diaper pail has a large, wide opening, making it perfect for cloth diapers as they tend to be bulkier than disposables. It’s also larger than the average diaper pail and has a foot pedal to operate the lid.
Keep in Mind
You’ll want reusable liners (instead of plastic) in your diaper pail if you’re cloth diapering so you can cinch the drawstring on top and haul the whole thing over to your laundry area for wash day.
What Babylist Parents Say
“Initially, I skipped the diaper pail in my registry but when we decided to cloth diaper, having a hamper that could hold 1-2 days’ worth of cloth diapers (and the smell) was a must! This diaper pail does not disappoint- it keeps out the smells, can hold a substantial amount until it’s time for laundry day!” -Jenna
Choosing What’s Right for You
Purchasing a set of cloth diapers is an investment. Before you go all in with one brand, experiment with a couple different kinds to see what you like. Through some trial and error, you may find that one diaper is great for day use, another for overnights and yet another for vacations. Or maybe you’ll fall in love with one diaper brand but decide to use inserts from another line to boost absorbency. The only thing that matters is finding the best system for your family.
Jen LaBracio
Senior Gear Editor
Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor, a role that perfectly combines her love of all things baby gear with her love of (obsessive) research. When she’s not testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, spin, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.
