If you’re going to be taking your baby out for the day, then trust me: you need a diaper bag.
There’s always going to be the time when you need to perform an emergency diaper change, and it’s always a good idea to have snacks and bottles on hand.
Fashion truly meets function with this preppy tote. Wear it over the shoulder, as a tote, or attach it to your stoller with included clips. Featuring 9 pockets plus 2 bottle pockets, there’s a place for everything, including your wipes. Vilah Bloom’s innovative, easily-accessible wipes pocket is perfect for tackling messes—fast.
Which diaper bag is the best? To answer this question, we spent several months rigorously testing ten of the top-rated bags available from major brands. During our hands-on testing, we compared them side-by-side with contenders until we were sure we knew what qualities make a good bag the best.
Each bag was given a score based on the following criteria: capacity, ease of use, comfort, quality and style, and we looked closely at features like changing pads, strap systems, bottle holders and more. Interested in something more masculine? Take a look at The Best Diaper Bag for Dads. Read on to see which bags we picked as the very best.
Arrows Weekender Diaper Bag by White Elm
You’re going to love this diaper bag if you want to look stylish, yet laid-back, like a Cali or Colorado mom! The nature-inspired print works year-round, and this affordable bag features double vegan leather straps. The bag has six deep pockets for anything you’ll need to bring along with you. So chill!
Hip Cub Weekender Tote
Why we love it: From a daily diaper bag to a weekend tote for your kids’ sleepover with grandma and grandpa, this 9-pocket canvas favorite features an on-trend pattern that is “totes adorbs.”
Dads won’t even mind transporting it when needed. It’s not too bulky but big enough to handle the accessories of more than one child and its wipeable interior makes sticky spills a breeze to clean.
Pacapod Portland Bag
It’s not hard to see why this messenger-style bag is a best-seller for Pacapod. Not only is it stylish, but it also has an expandable panel and a three-in-one pod system that keeps feeding stuff separate from changing stuff.
The Winners
We loved our winners so much and we even had a chance to prove just how useful they are by taking them with us on vacation to Hawaii! The Skip Hop Chelsea, Skip Hop Forma, and Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel further cemented their award winning status as we tested their tensile on the road.
Rosie Diaper Bag in Brandy by Lily Jade
That’s a diaper bag?! We are so impressed with this bag for baby stuff by Lily Jade. The light green beads and fringe detail look gorgeous on the Western-style leather tote. Plus, the inside is lined with a striking red fabric. Not too boring for a diaper bag, eh? It also comes with a detachable, washable, baby-bag organizer and a changing pad. We’d say this one is worth the splurge. Oh, and you can wear it with literally anything since there’s no corny pattern or harsh coloring that will compete with your clothing.
Best overall diaper bag
It was a close race for our Editors’ Choice Award, but ultimately the top scorer was the Skip Hop Chelsea.
We loved the versatile carrying options and how easy it was to switch from carrying it like a handbag to a shoulder bag and attaching it to a stroller was a breeze, although BabyGearLab does NOT recommend this as it poses a risk for strollers to tip over backwards.
The metal hardware looked crisp juxtaposed against the faux leather and other fabrics used on the bag. There are plenty of pockets, but alas, no insulated ones for keeping a bottle warm/cold. We were glad to see metal feet and a quality, washable changing pad.
While we did run into a small problem with the zipper pulls (one detached!), this gave us an opportunity to investigate the warranty process at Skip Hop which proved extremely valuable. You can find more information about that experience in our full review of the Skip Hop Chelsea. Without a doubt, this bag is durable, easy to organize and stylish.
JJ Cole Collections Satchel
Type A moms, this bag’s for you. In addition to the seven exterior pockets, JJ Cole’s always-elegant (not to mention extra-spacious) satchel has four interior pockets so there’s a place for everything.
SoHo Collection Grand Central Station
Why we love it: For mamas who love extra accessories, this affordable 7-piece set is exactly what you’re looking for.
In addition to the roomy tote that looks like it belongs on a trip to the Hamptons, there’s a small purse with carrying strap for mom, a changing pad, two different size accessory bags for keeping things separate (and clean), an insulated bottle bag, and handy stroller attachments.
Bumkins Nixi Arcata Diaper Bag
Eco-conscious moms will love this cool, durable diaper bag made of recycled fabric. Six exterior pockets and 5 interior ones keeps all your stuff organized and the lightweight design prevents things from getting too bulky.
Best bang for the buck
The Skip Hop Forma is a great product. With the quilted look currently on trend, this bag is right on point stylistically speaking. While the Forma lacks the hearty metal hardware and faux leather details of its sister, the Skip Hop Chelsea, it makes up for it with everything else it has to offer. Between the 11 pockets, included accessories (like two small zippered bags, one of which is insulated), easy cleaning (you can turn the Forma completely inside out), and affordability we couldn’t help but adore this bag.
BAGGU Diaper Bag in White
So, you don’t like strangers invading your space and annoying your baby? Just sport this leather diaper bag — no one will even notice your baby. (Kidding!) The hand-painted designer bag by artist Adrienne Antonson involves both bright colors and neutrals — an appropriate reflection of the happiest days of your life. Let’s just say, when you look back and remember the “new-mom days,” you’ll remember this bag — and your baby.
Top pick for versatility
Our final award given was for Versatility. We wanted to find a bag that could not only fit everything we wanted but make it look really good and be easy to carry. This is where the Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel was a natural shoe-in.
While it does not boast many accessories, its darling look and adjustable canvas backpack straps won us over. What appears to be a larger handbag at first blush, quickly converts to a comfortable backpack with the nicely hidden black canvas shoulder straps. This is achieved simply by removing the two shoulder straps from the outside pocket and utilizing the brass claws, attaching them to the corresponding rings on the bottom of the bag. The bag can quickly be returned to its handbag state by reversing the process.
Of all the bags we tested, the Petunia Pickle Bottom Sashay Satchel looked least like a diaper bag and easily passed as a purse without the kiddo in tow, which was tremendously helpful.
Skip Hop Versa
Why we love it: Versatile is the name of the game with this satchel-style diaper bag! A strategically placed zipper allows this purse-like tote to expand, creating 20% more room—which, let’s face it, is never a bad thing.
Health-conscious mamas will appreciate the fact that it’s BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free. A front zippered pocket is designed to keep your phone accessible at all times.
Plus, its 11 pockets are a mom’s dream come true, especially if you have (or are planning to have) more than one child. More at https://www.brandreviewly.com/choosing-best-baby-diaper-bag/.
Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Bag
From the stain-resistant Teflon material and antimicrobial lining to the “crumb drains,” not one detail was overlooked on Ju-Ju-Be’s Be Prepared bag. Fill this baby up–the roomy interior can handle it, so it’s great for overnight trips, plane rides or for moms of multiples. It even has color-coded tabs that let you differentiate between kids.
Analysis and Test Results
When you have a baby join your family, one of the first things you’ll most likely notice is that there are a LOT of things you have you carry with you (in addition to the baby!) when it comes time to venture out. From diapers and dollies to snacks and sippy cups, and let’s not forget to mention the adult necessities like wallets, cell phones and keys, exactly what to carry it all in becomes a question every parent has to face. But it’s not all bad; much like driving a mini van, carrying this type of tote can actually be seen as a right of passage into parenthood. Congrats! You made it.
So, just how do you walk with the elite who have gone before and go about selecting just one bag from the literally hundreds of options available on the market today? Well, we here at BabyGearLab have tried to eliminate much of the guess-work for you by narrowing down the field to just three Award Winning products. With a little enlightenment and guidance, who knows? Maybe you’ll find one of them to be your perfect diaper bag.
