Consider these 9 Best Diaper Pails to Keep the Smell in Check
Little ones make big messes, including lots of soiled diapers. The last thing you want to do is toss those diapers into the regular trash can — if you dispose of diapers that way, the whole home will smell foul in no time.
Instead, you’ll be better off purchasing one of the best baby diaper pails. Diaper pails are specialized trash receptacles for disposable and washable diapers, keeping odors trapped until you are ready to get rid of, or wash, an entire bag.
As you search for diaper pails on Amazon and elsewhere, keep a lookout for certain key features:
- The capability to work with disposable diapers and cloth diapers or reusable diapers
- Enough space for antimicrobial liners or even regular trash bags/regular garbage bags
- Enough space to hold plenty of diapers (most are sized similarly to a trashcan)
- A step pedal for ease of use allows you to open a plastic pail or steel diaper pail without using your hands. If the lid opens without using your hands, you won’t spread as many germs around
- A changing table or station for storing your supplies when you need to carry out diaper changes
- Some sort of odor neutralizer to get rid of the diaper smell (these are similar to what you find in good garbage cans)
- Good seals, like rubber seals, again trap odor and stop it from spreading throughout the home or your baby’s nursery
Today, let’s detail some of the best diaper pails.
Best for Short-Term Odor Control: Munchkin® Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer
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Munchkin’s Step Diaper Pail is a phenomenal choice for parents seeking short-term, highly effective odor control. That’s because this diaper pail is powered by Arm & Hammer, neutralizing odors whether the lid is open or closed.
The Munchkin step diaper pail has a specialized, self-sealing system that protects your home from escaping diaper odors. This is the only diaper pail compatible with Refill Rings and Snap, Seal & Toss Bags. Therefore, you can dispose of diapers how you see fit, not in a way you might not already be used to.
The diaper pail has a lavender-scented baking soda puck and various other accessories. As if that wasn’t enough, Munchkin plants a tree each time someone purchases one of these diaper pails. This hands-free diaper pail is a stellar choice if you want to ensure your baby’s dirty diaper messes don’t foul up your home.
Best for Long-Term Odor Control: Diaper Genie Complete Diaper Pail
On the other hand, Diaper Genie’s Complete Diaper Pail is a much better choice for long-term odor control. That’s because this hands-free diaper pail has a foot pedal-activated lid, which means you can open the diaper pail without bending over or using your hands.
More importantly, the diaper pail has Double Air-Tite clamps and a deodorizing carbon filter. This diaper pail has several layers of odor protection to keep your home clean and safe. The refill bags from Diaper Genie have built-in antimicrobial layers to lock in diaper odors and prevent germ transmission.
This practical diaper pail can hold about 270 newborn-sized diapers. The pail is durable and lets you clean it quickly without worrying about rust.
Bottom line: it’s a top choice if you want a more significant diaper storage receptacle before going to the dumpster.
Best for Compact Diaper Disposal: Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail
The Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail is a compact, handy diaper pail that can hold 4 gallons of bags and diapers. Like many of the best diaper pails, it’s hands-free thanks to the step-open system. This cost-effective diaper pail also benefits from triple odor control to keep the smells inside the pail all day.
That’s partially because of the closed-cell ABS plastic construction, which works similarly to metal but doesn’t risk rusting. On the downside, you do have to use Dekor proprietary refills — this could mean getting refill bags requires a little more effort than other diaper pails on the market.
That said, the diaper pail is assembled from the box and comes with a preinstalled refill. It’s a stellar choice if you need a diaper pail for a small, compact room like a bathroom, laundry room, or elsewhere. You can also use this as a portable diaper pail; consider putting it in the trunk of your car on a road trip with your diaper bag for easy, smell-free diaper disposal.
Best for Childproof Diaper Disposal: Ubbi Steel Odor Locking Diaper Pail
Ubbi’s Steel Odor Locking Diaper Pail is a popular choice among parents because it has a childproof lock, preventing your little one or their siblings from opening the pail and spilling the contents.
It’s not a complex childproof lock, either. Simplicity usually works best, and this diaper pail’s simplistic locking system is very effective. The diaper pail comes ready to use out of the box and isn’t prone to breaking.
This award-winning diaper pail has excellent approval and doesn’t require any special bags, inserts, or refills. It’s also made of steel, which traps odors more effectively than traditional plastic, which is porous and may allow some odors to escape.
Best for Germ Defense: Munchkin® UV Diaper Pail
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Best for Germ Defense:
Munckin’s UV Diaper Pail is another phenomenal choice, especially if you want to double down on germ defense. Diapers are dangerous for your family because of their potential to spread germs around the house. This patented self-sealing diaper pail keeps the bag sealed whenever the lid is open or closed.
This diaper pail has four gold UV lights integrated into the lid so germs from your baby’s diapers are exposed to synthetic sunlight, killing them.
This is a good diaper pail for various other reasons. It works with branded refill rings, bags, and refills. You also get everything you need to ensure the pail works perfectly with your purchase, like a USB cable and adapter. While it’s a little pricey, it’s still a stellar pick for parents.
Best for Changing Accessory Storage: Skip Hop Diaper Pail with Dual Air-Lock
The Skip Hop Diaper Pail with Dual Air-Lock is a good choice for parents seeking one of the top picks for various reasons. For example, this baby gear is sleek and streamlined, so you can save space whether you set it up in the kitchen, dining room, changing room, or elsewhere.
The diaper pail is also made with water-resistant steel, plus a dual air-lock disposal system. This proprietary system traps smells effectively, ensuring that your nursery remains fresh and clean smelling all day long.
However, the standout feature is the built-in storage compartment, which allows you to keep all of your diaper-changing accessories close at hand.
The steel disposal bin further helps with odor-blocking and ensures long-term durability for the diaper pail. It’s pretty affordable, and you can purchase a separate wipes dispenser that can be mounted on the pail. It’s a good diaper pail for parents who forget to grab a spare diaper when it’s time to change.
Best for Budget-Friendly Diaper Disposal: Diaper Genie Expressions Pail
Diaper Genie’s Expressions Pail is a highly affordable baby product, making it an excellent pick for parents who need a budget-conscious choice. This budget-friendly diaper pail holds 3.1 pounds before needing to be refilled, and it comes with a push and lock clamp to prevent odors from escaping and kids from quickly opening it.
The diaper pail can be opened with one hand for maximum convenience, and it features a multilayer refill film to trap odors within the pail instead of letting them escape. However, the proprietary Diaper Genie refill bags also have built-in antimicrobial layers for better odor protection and reduction of germ transmission.
Overall, this is a standout choice thanks to its affordability and functionality. While it lacks bells and whistles or fancy features, it does well. Consider it an excellent potential secondary diaper pail in a laundry room or guest bedroom.
Best for Reduced Plastic Waste: PurePail Classic Diaper Pail
The PurePail Classic Diaper Pail is many parents’ favorite for one big reason: it reduces plastic waste. Not only does it hold 20% more diapers than competing diaper pails, but it’s also made with BPA-free plastic or polypropylene.
The pail uses 34% less plastic waste, so it’s a popular choice among parents who wish to purchase a diaper pail while keeping the environment in mind.
It comes with refill bags that save up to 50% on plastic compared to other diaper canister solutions. Indeed, the diaper pail can hold up to 55 newborn diapers before needing to be changed.
It’s also a practical choice in terms of odor control. A charcoal filter can absorb odors without adding any fragrance. The lid, meanwhile, is bolstered by a child safety lock. Many parents will prefer this diaper pail thanks to its blend of practical benefits and eco-consciousness.
Best for Premium Pail Performance: Foundations Premium Hands-Free Tall Diaper Pail with Airtight Lid
Foundations’ Premium Hands-Free Tall Diaper Pail is the go-to choice for parents who want the best and don’t mind spending a little extra to get it. This 8.5-gallon diaper pail has a step-on opening mechanism and weighs 16 pounds. The airtight lid does a great job trapping odors within the diaper pail.
Unlike other diaper pails, the Foundations pail lets you use any diaper pail refill cartridges or rings. This could save you a lot of money in the long run.
This diaper pail is also highly durable and consistent. It should last for over 10,000 open and close cycles and even comes with a one-year full warranty that protects you against any manufacturer defects.
The Bottom Line
When choosing the best diaper pail for your needs, consider your budget and what you prefer to focus on. For instance, if you are worried about germs, the Munchkin® UV Diaper Pail is the obvious choice. On the other hand, parents looking for long-term odor defense should try the Diaper Genie Complete Diaper Pail. Whatever you pick, your home will smell better with one of the best diaper pails!
Sources:
- Can baking soda really absorb odors in the fridge? | Office for Science and Society | McGill University
- Water Treatment Using Carbon Filters: GAC Filter Information | MN Dept. of Health
- How does ultraviolet light kill cells? | Scientific American
This story was originally published July 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM.