When it comes to planning a fun family day at the pool or beach, making sure your kids have the right swim diapers is key. Disposable swim diapers are convenient, easy to use, and designed to withstand water without swelling up like regular diapers. But not all swim diapers are created equal, and some are better than others.
So I'm doing what I do best: research. I’m ranking Coterie The Swimsuit, Huggies Little Swimmers, Pampers Splashers, and Hello Bello Swim Dipes based on ingredient safety, eco-friendliness, and price to see which swim diaper is truly the best.
How do swim diapers work and what do they actually do?
Swim diapers are specifically designed to contain solids (read: poop) while your baby enjoys the water. They don't hold or absorb pee because unlike regular diapers which swell up when they get wet, swim diapers are made to remain lightweight so kids can enjoy water play. So if your kiddo pees in a swim diaper before they get into the pool, it won't absorb. That’s why it’s best to change into a swim diaper right before hitting the water.
Babies typically need swim diapers from the time they are a few months old—when they start to dip their toes in the pool or splash around at the beach—up until they are potty trained, which usually happens between the ages of two and three.
The Best Swim Diapers
Criteria 1: Ingredient Safety
Coterie Swimsuit: Hypoallergenic, cruelty free, independently lab tested, and no fragrance, lotion, parabens, phthalates, VOCs, latex, or rubber, PFOS, PFOA, or BPAs, and skin-safe inks. 5/5
Huggies Little Swimmers: Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, made from wood pulp, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyrurethane elastics, polyolefin elastic, adhesives, colorants, and printing inks. 3/5
Pampers Splashers: hypoallergenic, made from elemental chlorine-free fluff pulp, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, inks, adhesives, and elastics, made without disperse dyes. 3/5
Hello Bello Swim Dipes: Hypoallergenic, made without chlorine processing (ECF), lotions, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, latex (natural rubber), gluten, soy, and odor inhibitors. 3/5
INGREDIENT SAFETY WINNER: COTERIE SWIMSUIT
Criteria 2: Eco-friendly
Coterie Swimsuit: Made with a plant-based cellulose core, which is evident by touch – they don’t feel like your typical plasticy swim diapers. Coterie reduces packaging waste wherever possible, and I appreciate that Coterie is extremely transparent about its processes and materials. 3/5
Huggies Little Swimmers: Not eco-friendly (and feel like plastic). 0/5
Pampers Splashers: Not eco-friendly (and feel like plastic). 0/5
Hello Bello Swim Dipes: Made using 100% renewable energy (but feel like plastic). 1/5
ECO-FRIENDLY WINNER: COTERIE SWIMSUIT
Criteria 3: Price (per pack of 20)
Coterie Swimsuit: $20 per pack, or $1 per diaper
Huggies Little Swimmers: $9.99 per pack, or $0.50 per diaper
Pampers Splashers: $9.99 per pack, or $0.50 per diaper
Hello Bello Swim Dipes: $12.99 per pack, or $0.65 per diaper
PRICE WINNER: TIED HUGGIES LITTLE SWIMMERS & PAMPERS SPLASHERS
My pick for the best swim diaper is Coterie.
Swim diapers tend to be one of those last-minute, dash to the store purchases. So skip the stress and order a pack of Coterie Swimsuits today! And while you’re at it, give the diapers and wipes a try. Need convincing? Check out my in-depth review of Coterie.
GET 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE OF COTERIE DIAPERS WITH CODE: NMM24
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