Diaper changes can put parents in a stinky situation. In fact, parents will change about 6,000-9,000 diapers before their little one is potty trained (and if you have twins, triplets or multiple kiddos in diapers it can be even more!). While your baby will most definitely be the cutest bundle of joy, what’s hiding in their diaper isn’t so sweet. That’s why the right diaper pail can make diaper changes easier and keep bad smells at bay.
We’ve created a list of the best diaper pails to help parents neutralize odors in their nursery and make the most out of this sometimes messy situation.
Jump Ahead:
- Best Looking Diaper Pail: Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
- Best Odor-Blocking Diaper Pail: Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
- Best Budget Diaper Pail: Up & Up Diaper Pail
- Best Diaper Pail for Twins: Playtex Diaper Genie Complete
- Best Diaper Pail for Cloth Diapers: Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail by Busch Systems
- Best Hands-Free Diaper Pail: Dekor Classic Diaper Pail
- Best Diaper Pail for Germaphobes: Tommee Tippee Simplee Diaper Pail
- Best Large Diaper Pail: Bubula Steel Diaper Pail
- Best Diaper Pail for Single Diapers: The Diaper One-and-Done
What to consider when choosing a diaper pail
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a diaper pail that’s right for you and your little one:
Odor blocking: Keeping the smells at bay in your baby’s nursery is the main reason for a diaper pail, so odor-blocking is of the utmost importance. Some diaper pails use scented liners or specialty odor-control systems and some are made of steel, which traps odors better than some plastic pails.
Type of bags: Some pails require specialty bags, which is beneficial if they’re scented or work with an odor-trap system, but be sure to consider the cost of the refill bags before you buy. If you’d rather save money on refills, a diaper pail that doesn’t use specialty bags may be the right choice for you — however, this pail may be more expensive upfront.
Size: If space is limited in your nursery or you’re a parent of multiples, the size of your diaper pail is important. Some pails have a small footprint and take up less space in the nursery, while others hold over 200 diapers — perfect for parents of twins or multiple children in diapers, which keeps you from taking out the trash every day.
Easy to use: Changing a diaper when baby is wiggling is a tough job, so be sure to get a diaper pail that is easy to open and shut. Some pails offer hands-free options and others feature a step opening, so you can always keep one hand on your little one while tossing out that dirty diaper. Another thought to keep in mind: Some diaper pails feature a locking system, good for keeping curious toddlers out of the trash.
Best Looking Diaper Pail

Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Buy on amazonWhat You Need to Know:
- Made of steel to lock in odors
- Save money with no specialty bags
- Comes in a wide variety of designs
This award-winning diaper pail gets the approval of parents and experts alike. The steel design means odors are trapped in without any specialty systems or bags, so you’ll save money by using any regular trash bag. Its footprint is small enough to fit in tight places, but big enough to hold up to 55 diapers. Plus the child lock and slow-close lid keep little ones safe.
Review Highlights:
“I think the idea of making a stainless steel pail is great! Not only is it easy to clean but the smell is well contained. I can even use my cloth diaper bag with this pail which was a major selling point for us! Cost is more than we wanted to spend, however it has proved to be worth it.”
Best Odor-Blocking Diaper Pail

Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
Buy on amazonWhat You Need to Know:
- Highly rated odor control with self-sealing system
- Compatible with two types of pail liners
- Features easy-to-use foot pedal
If odor-blocking is your No. 1 concern, look no further than the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail. This diaper pail combats stinky stenches with its self-sealing system and an Arm & Hammer lavender-scented baking soda puck for double the odor-fighting power. The Munchkin Step does require special bags, but you have your choice of ring refills or snap, seal and toss bags — it’s the only diaper pail with dual refill capability. It has a built-in bag cutter, making it easy to change bags. It also features a foot pedal for hands-free opening and a child lock to keep the little ones out of a stinky situation.
Review Highlights:
“If you are looking for a first diaper pail, I can understand you are looking around….don’t be fooled by the ones that look nice….this one looks plain, but I will tell you….when your kid starts eating solids, you will thank me. If this is your 2nd or more, then I’m telling you this is the one you want….”