6 Best Baby Wipes, Tested by Babies and Moms
As an expectant mom I put a multipack of wipes on my registry thinking that would see me through the first several months of parenthood. How optimistic and naïve that version of me was! Here’s the messy truth I soon learned: Babies typically go through a lot of diapers, and some changes require many wipes to get everything cleaned up. And that’s before you factor in messy meals, dirty fingers and sticky faces. Before long, I had packs of wipes stashed throughout the house, in my diaper bag and in the car.
But figuring out which wipes to stock up on isn’t always easy, especially when your baby has sensitive skin. When my husband and I started using the wipes we received from our registry, our daughter developed a diaper rash almost immediately. It would take lots of trial and error, including experimenting with water and cotton rounds, to find what worked for us.
For this guide, we put 10 baby wipes to the test, combining real-world feedback from parents using them with their babies and my own-side-by-side comparisons. We looked at everything from gentleness and cleaning effectiveness to moisture, durability and ease of dispensing. Read on for our picks for the best baby wipes, plus expert advice on what to consider when shopping.
To find the best baby wipes, we evaluated 10 products through a combination of real-world parent testing and standardized side-by-side comparisons. We also conducted extensive market research and consulted a dermatologist to help identify the best baby wipes that meet different families’ needs. Here’s how we tested and chose our picks:
- Four moms––myself included––tested wipes at home with our babies, ranging in age from approximately 1 to 7 months. Some of the babies had sensitive skin or a history of occasional diaper rash. Testers evaluated each product across six categories: ease of use and dispensing, effectiveness, construction and durability, moisture and residue, gentleness and scent and value for the money. They also documented how many wipes they needed for wet diapers, regular bowel movements and particularly messy diaper changes, along with any irritation or other concerns they noticed.
- I compared all 10 products using a standardized testing protocol, assessing the wipes thickness, texture, stretch and tear resistance, moisture balance, residue and dispensing consistency. For the latter, I pulled the wipes from each package five times to see how reliably they dispensed one at a time. These comparisons helped us to evaluate differences that weren’t always apparent from individual product testing.
- We examined each wipe’s ingredient list, water content, material, package quantity and price per wipe. We also considered relevant third-party certifications, such as EWG Verified and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, along with environmental claims relating to sourcing, plastic content and biodegradability.
- We consulted Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist to better understand what parents should look for in baby wipes, including potentially irritating ingredients, preservatives and considerations for newborns and babies with sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
- We reviewed real-world feedback alongside our hands-on product testing, product specifications, price and expert guidance. Our final selections reflect specific parent needs, from finding an affordable everyday wipe to choosing a gentle option for sensitive skin. We also considered product drawbacks, including difficult dispensing, excessive moisture and the number of wipes needed to effectively clean baby.
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- 99% water
- Gentle on our tester’s sensitive-skinned baby
- Reliable one-handed dispensing
- Some parents find them thin
The Bump takeaway: Millie Moon 99% Pure Water Baby Wipes earned our top spot thanks to their gentle feel, effective cleaning, balanced moisture and easy one-handed dispensing––all at a relatively affordable price.
These baby wipes check all the boxes. In our testing we found them to be the strongest all-around performer, and I personally loved how straightforward they were to use. Made with 99% water and a 100% plant-based viscose cloth, they worked well on my baby’s sensitive skin. I appreciated that they were large enough to cover my hand without being so large that they felt wasteful and that they cleaned up messes away without leaving any suds or residue on my daughter or my hands.
In our side-by-side testing, the wipes also dispensed one at a time on all five attempts, without tearing. Both my husband and I marveled at how easily these wipes came out of their packaging, even with one hand and as the pack emptied. That made quick and middle-of-the-night diaper changes just a little bit easier—and that goes a long way for tired parents.
Another winning factor for these wipes is their price. At around $0.04 per wipe, Millie Moon offers the kind of reliable performance we found in some pricier options, for considerably less.
Quantity: 1080 | Price per wipe: $0.04 | Water content: 99%| Number of liquid Ingredients: 9)
Our product tester says
“These wipes dispensed from the package very easily, which I really appreciated. I didn’t have any issues dispensing with one hand, even during some emergency diaper situations! I had zero issues and so did my husband who has generally found dispensing wipes to be more difficult than me.”
- 99% water
- Effective cleaning power
- Unbeatable price
- Fragrance and alcohol free
- A Costco exclusive product
- Package is bulky
The Bump takeaway: Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes earned our pick for the best budget-friendly baby wipes thanks to their effective cleaning, durable construction and low price per wipe.
You might not think that some of the most wallet-friendly wipes on the market would also offer a 99 percent water formula, plant-based Tencel fibers and a soft, durable texture, but that’s just what you’ll get when you add Kirkland wipes to your next Costco run. At around $0.03 per wipe, Costco’s store-brand baby wipes offer impressive value. In testing these wipes, I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly surprised by how effectively they cleaned without tearing or leaving residue behind. They were also sensitive enough for my baby’s sensitive skin, although I found them slightly less soft than some of the other wipes we tested.
The medium-to-thick wipes have an embossed texture and enough stretch to handle messy diaper changes without ripping. In our side-to-side testing, they also dispensed one at a time on all five attempts and had a good balance of moisture without feeling overly wet. The biggest drawback? The 100-count packages are bulky, and I found the resealable sticker flimsy––it wouldn’t stay closed properly. Still, for parents who already shop at Costco, these are a solid everyday option at a price that’s hard to beat.
Quantity: 900 | Price per wipe: $0.03 | Water content: 99%| Number of liquid Ingredients: 9
Our product tester says
“These wipes were very effective in cleaning my baby and I found them to be a really nice in-between moistness level that made cleaning up diaper messes of all kinds easy and efficient. There is nothing fancy about these wipes, but they simply work well and don’t leave any residue behind. The size of these wipes was totally efficient and provided good hand coverage. I liked that they were on the medium to thick side, soft enough, and stretched fairly well, and didn't rip.”
- 99.9% water
- Gentle and non-irritating on newborn skin
- Pretty packaging
- While labeled a fragrance-free wipe, some parents detect a fragrance
- Commercial composting service available, but limited to 20 cities
The Bump takeaway: DYPER EWG Verified 99.9% Water Wipes earned our pick for newborns thanks to their exceptionally soft feel, simple three-ingredient formula and effective cleaning with minimal rubbing.
Oh, those first newborn diaper changes when baby is so small and their skin is so fresh and delicate! After struggling to find wipes that worked for my own baby’s sensitive skin, I know how important a gentle option can be. That’s why I wish I’d had DYPER EWG Verified 99.9% Water Wipes on hand during those early days.
Made with 99.9 percent water and just three ingredients, these fragrance-free wipes are also EWG Verified. Our tester Katarina used them with her 2-month-old and found them to be exceptionally soft with just the right amount of moisture. Although they’re not as thick as some of the other wipes we tested, they were durable enough to handle diaper changes without tearing or bunching. For both wet diapers and regular bowel movements she typically used just one wipe, which is something we can all celebrate.
Our side-by-side testing backed up those findings: The wipes had balanced moisture and left behind no noticeable residue, although they required a firmer tug to remove from the package. Katarina also wished the package had a more secure closure to help prevent the remaining wipes from drying out. I loved these wipes as well and found them to be gentle and effective for my baby. And while this is not the most important factor, I really appreciated how beautiful the packaging is, a rarity in the world of baby wipes!
Quantity: 672 | Price per wipe: $0.10 | Water content: 99.9%| Number of liquid Ingredients: 3
Our product tester says
“I really appreciate that DYPER wipes are EWG Verified, because that is very important to me when choosing products for my baby. I also love that the wipes have only three ingredients, which makes me feel more comfortable about what I am using on my baby’s skin. The wipes themselves are extremely soft and pleasantly moist without being soaking wet, and I was able to use just one wipe for a pee diaper and generally one wipe for a poop diaper.”
- Extra-large size
- Thick and durable construction
- Effective cleaning with fewer wipes
- Certified home-compostable
- Expensive
- Some parents find the large size excessive
The Bump takeaway: Coterie The Wipe is our pick for messy diaper changes thanks to its extra-large size, thick construction and effective cleaning. These durable wipes offer plenty of hand coverage and can help tackle bigger messes with fewer wipes and passes.
There’s a lot to love about Coterie’s wipes, not least of all being their size—there’s a lot to them! These wipes are noticeably larger than many of the others we tested, offering plenty of coverage for those particularly messy diaper changes. Our tester Maria used them with her 5-week-old and found that just three wipes were enough for a particularly messy bowel movement, compared with at least four of her usual wipes. And as any parent knows, that can make the world of difference when you’re dealing with a particularly messy diaper.
Their thickness is another standout feature. Coterie was among the thickest wipes in our side-by-side testing, and Maria found that they stayed intact without tearing, stretching or bunching, even during bigger cleanups. Made from 100 percent VEOCEL lyocell and viscose, these wipes are also certified home-compostable, which may appeal to parents looking to reduce their use of conventional plastic-based wipes.
Part of their success isn’t just their size and thickness, but their moisture content. These wipes are moist enough to clean effectively without dripping or leaving any residue on baby’s skin. In our side-by-side testing, they also dispensed one at a time on all five attempts.
At approximately $0.15 per wipe, Coterie is one of the pricier options on our list, and the generous size can feel a little wasteful for smaller cleanups. But after trying them myself, I understand the appeal––especially when there’s a bigger mess to tackle.
Quantity: 896 | Price per wipe: $0.15 | Water content: 99%| Number of liquid Ingredients: 6
Our product tester says
“I know these are on the higher end of wipes, but I only needed to use half as many as I was with other landing brands. So it is probably the same price and I’m getting the quality brand!”
- Water-based
- Clean ingredients
- Subscription is convenient
- Expensive
- Some parents find them too dry
The Bump takeaway: HealthyBaby Wet Wipes earned our pick for the best planet-friendlier baby wipes thanks to their plastic-free, FSC-certified plant-based materials and biodegradability, without sacrificing softness, durability or cleaning performance.
HealthyBaby is a Certified B Corporation, and its wipes stood out in our research for their plant-based materials and environmental credentials. In our testing, we found that these wipes offered a strong combination of responsible material sourcing and effective real-world performance.
Our tester Katarina used these regularly on her 2-month-old, and loved how gentle they were for everyday use. She particularly appreciated their soft yet durable construction, which held up well during diaper changes without tearing or bunching. She typically just needed one wipe for a wet diaper and two to three for bowel movements, and found that they left no residue or irritation behind.
I, too, found these to be exceptional wipes that worked on my baby’s sensitive skin, and felt confident using them knowing they are made from FSC-certified, plant-based viscose without plastic fibers. The wipes are also EWG Verified and MADE SAFE certified, although those certifications speak to ingredient safety, rather than environmental impact.
Despite their soft feel, these wipes proved durable in our side-by-side testing, and their moisture level was well balanced without leaving baby’s skin overly wet. They also dispensed one at a tie on four out of five attempts, and Katarina appreciated the secure flip-top closure. Although some users note they find these wipes slightly dry, in our testing we found their moisture-content sufficient.
While these wipes are more expensive than many others on the market, HealthyBaby offers a convenient subscription service which reduces the overall cost for families who use them regularly.
Quantity: 512 | Price per wipe: $0.10 | Water content: 100%| Number of liquid Ingredients: 8
Our product tester says
“I absolutely love that these baby wipes are EWG Approved. That means a lot to me as a parent because I pay close attention to the products I use on my baby’s delicate skin. Knowing that these wipes have earned that approval gives me additional peace of mind and makes me feel more confident about using them during everyday diaper changes.”
- Soft, sensitive on baby's skin
- Carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
- Some users find less durable than other brands
- Some mixed reviews on moisture content
The Bump takeaway: Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes earned our pick for sensitive skin thanks to their soft, quilted texture, balanced moisture and gentle performance on our tester’s sensitive-skinned newborn. They also carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
When your baby has sensitive skin, finding wipes that clean effectively without causing irritation is especially important. Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes stood out in testing for their soft, quilted texture and balanced moisture. They’re made with 99 percent purified water, are fragrance-free and carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
Our tester Kiara used these wipes with her 1-month-old, who has particularly sensitive skin and occasionally experiences diaper rash. She appreciated their gentle feel and found them comfortable for frequent diaper changes, without noticing any irritation she attributed to the wipes. And while some parents find these wipes to be on the dry side, Kiara thought they had just the right amount of moisture to clean effectively without leaving excess wetness or residue behind.
The one drawback was durability. Kiara occasionally experienced tearing when dispensing wipes from a new package, although she found them sturdy enough for everyday diaper changes. Our comparative testing also found that the wipes tore more easily when stretched. Still, for an affordable option that cleaned effectively and felt gentle on her baby’s sensitive skin, Huggies proved to be a solid choice.
Quantity: 768 | Price per wipe: $0.03 | Water content: 99% | Number of liquid Ingredients: 10
Our product tester says
“The wipes felt very soft and gentle against my baby’s skin, which I believe was due in part to their quilted texture. I also appreciated that the wipes had no noticeable fragrance, which is my preference when selecting baby wipes.”
%% COMPARISON CHART %%
The best baby wipes should clean effectively without being unnecessarily harsh on baby’s skin. But with so many options available, what should parents look for? We reached out to Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified Dermatologist with over 10 years of clinical experience. Dr. Kanwal recommends paying close attention to ingredients and the construction of the wipe itself. She suggests parents to look for wipes that meet the following criteria:
- They’re fragrance-free, alcohol-free and dye-free, with a relatively short ingredient list
- They have a pH-balanced formula, ideally around 4.5 to 5.5
- They avoid formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and other known sensitizers
- They have a soft, substantial cloth-like texture that can clean effectively with fewer passes
Choosing wipes for newborns vs. older babies:
While it’s important to choose gentle wipes for babies of all ages, Dr. Kanwal suggests a slightly different approach for newborns and those with highly sensitive skin. She advises parents of newborns, as well as babies with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin, to use water-based wipes, or even lukewarm water and cotton rounds. “Infant skin has a thinner barrier and a higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, so absorption and irritation risk are higher,” she says. “The formulas should be kept simple. Safe picks include water-based, fragrance-free wipes with gentle humectants and preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate,” she says.
Older babies, she notes, can tolerate a slightly more textured wipe, but fragrance and alcohol free formulas are still preferred. No matter baby’s age, parents can help keep baby comfortable during diaper changes by “minimiz[ing] rubbing, pat[ting] dry, and apply[ing] a thin barrier layer if the skin looks pink,” she notes.
Beyond ingredients, parents might also pay attention to some other criteria such as:
- Price and value. A lower price per wipe doesn’t always mean a better deal. Consider how many wipes you typically need for a diaper change, along with their size, thickness and durability. In our testing, some larger, sturdier wipes cleaned effectively with fewer passes, while thinner options sometimes required more.
- Environmental impact. If sustainability is a priority, look at what the wipes are made from and whether they contain plastic. Some brands also offer biodegradable or compostable options, but those terms aren’t interchangeable and disposal requirements can vary. Regardless of how they’re marketed, wipes should never be flushed down the toilet.
- Sensitive skin. If your baby has sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin, look for fragrance-free wipes with simple ingredient lists and avoid ingredients that have previously caused irritation. Keep in mind that terms like “hypoallergenic” don’t necessarily mean that a product won’t cause irritation. The National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance can be another useful consideration when comparing options.
- Ease of dispensing. It’s worth considering how easily wipes come out of the package, especially when you only have one free hand. During testing, we found that some brands consistently dispensed one wipe at a time, while others required extra tugging or released multiple wipes at once. A secure closure also helps prevent wipes from drying out between changes.
Although baby wipe usage varies depending on your baby’s age, how often they need changing and how messy those changes are, it’s easy to go through hundreds of wipes in a month. In our testing, parents generally needed just one wipe for a wet diaper, while bowel movements could require anywhere from one to six wipes, depending on the mess and the product.
Given how many you’ll go through, it’s helpful to keep extra packs on hand, especially at your changing station and in your diaper bag. Buying in bulk can also save some money once you find wipes that work well for your baby. Some brands, including HealthyBaby and Coterie, offer subscriptions for added convenience. Just be sure to check the manufacturer’s expiration and storage recommendations, and keep packages securely sealed to prevent wipes from drying out.
About the writer
Madeline Weinfield is a mom of one and regular contributor to The Bump. She has written about everything from the best toys for little ones to the clothes that helped her get through postpartum. She will be forever blown away by just how many wipes she’s used in less than one year of parenting.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Experts
Dr. Shamsa Kanwal, MD, is a board-certified Dermatologist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She currently practices as a Consultant Dermatologist at myHSteam.
Product testers featured in this article
Maria M., mom of a 5-week-old; Katarina R., mom of a 2-month-old; Kiara W., mom of a 1-month-old; Madeline W., mom of a 7-month-old
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