6 Best Diaper Bags, Tested by a Mom and a 9-Month-Old
In a nutshell:
Based-on hands-on product testing by two parents and in-depth research, Dagne Dover Large Indi Diaper Backpack came out on top as the best overall diaper bag. From a roomy interior with plenty of stretchy pouches and pockets to a thick, absorbent changing pad, a stylish design and bonus features like an insulated water bottle holder, Dagne Dover stood out as the best on the market.
You’ve nabbed the car seat, stroller and carrier—basically all the gear you’ll need for life on the go with baby. But there’s one more thing you won’t want to leave the house without: A diaper bag. The best diaper bags hold all the stuff baby (and Mom or Dad) will need while out and about: diapers, wipes, spare clothes, bottles, snacks and more. Phew! Given the amount of stuff you’ll need to transport your little one from A to B, it’s worth investing in a diaper bag that’s lightweight enough to carry, but well-made enough to hold up over time.
And while you’re looking for practical features, don’t forget to pick a bag that suits your personal style and aesthetic. After all, you’ll carry it with you pretty much everywhere for the foreseeable future. (I sometimes use my diaper bag as a purse—and why not? All my personal belongings are already there!) With so many different diaper bag brands out there, picking the right bag for you may seem like a daunting task. But variety can be a good thing! Diaper bags come in all shapes and sizes, from roomy totes to sleep messenger bags and sporty backpacks.
For this article, I tested numerous bags with my 9-month old daughter. I try to get her out of the house as often as possible—whether it’s heading out for short grocery store runs, clocking time at the YMCA child center while I’m working out or attending her wide array of swim, music and sensory play classes, I’ve logged plenty of hours figuring out what makes a good diaper bag under many different circumstances.
The Bump has done the hard work of researching diaper bags for you, performing extensive market research to identify the top 15 diaper bags on the market, then narrowing the field to a shortlist of 10 products to test. From there:
- I personally tested 10 different bags of varying shapes, sizes, and styles, using each bag for an entire day with my 9-month old daughter and gave honest feedback. Some of these bags were also tested by my colleague Daniel Stecker.
- Bags were judged on a scale of 1 to 10 on the following factors: style and design, effectiveness of size, organizational features, additional features, convertible features, changing facilities, comfort, materials and value for money.
- To get a better idea of how these bags worked for a diverse range of families with different needs, we did scrupulous research reading user reviews online and in popular parent forums.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best diaper bag
- 100% vegan
- Laptop sleeve
- Comes with extras like stroller clips, insulated water bottle holder, and key leashes
- Expensive
- Large size makes it hard to keep things organized
There’s a lot to love about the Dagne Dover Indi. It comes in a stylish, gender neutral design, making it not just great for moms, but also a great diaper bag for dads. And when I first tried it out, I was shocked that it felt lightweight and comfortable even when stocked with a day’s worth of baby supplies and a 16-ounce water bottle. Daniel, another product tester and a dad of one, agreed, stating, “The unique material was comfortable on my shoulders and back even without extra padding.” He also noted Dagne Dover’s signature recycled 365 neoprene was easy to clean: “We were able to leave the backpack on the ground at the park, and easily wipe off any dirt, water or crumbs.”
The bag’s roomy interior comes with plenty of excellent storage features for baby supplies, including removable pouches for soiled wipes and clothing. Plus, there are ample bonuses for busy parents like a laptop sleeve and insulated water bottle pocket. This bag could easily be repurposed as a regular purse or even a hiking backpack once your little one’s out of diapers.
This high-performing combination of comfort, spaciousness and style easily netted the Dagne Dover Indi a top spot on our list, but the price tag is worth noting. At over $200, it’s definitely one of the more expensive items I’ve tested, so it might not be ideal for parents on a stricter budget.
Weight: 3.5 lbs. | Volume: 17 L | Care instructions: Hand wash with a mild detergent in cold water
Our product tester says:
"I was surprised how light it was. It kind of reminded me of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where the pants mysteriously fit all four friends and seem to defy physics. I put a lot of stuff in this bag, including a full water bottle, and it was somehow still super lightweight."

Our community says:
I’m a big fan of diaper backpacks when you’re really on the move, as they keep your hands free. The Dagne Dover backpack looks chic, but man can it hold a ton of stuff. Pro tip: When you really need to pack it full, release the side snaps to free up the corners of the bag. With the streamlined design and multiple colorways, it’s also a great gender-neutral diaper bag—both my husband and I were happy to wear it. – Ashlee N., mom of two and content director at The Bump
Best budget-friendly diaper bag
- Extremely affordable
- Two insulated water bottle pockets that fit all bottle sizes
- Dual zippers
- Wet wipes pocket
- Stroller clips sold separately
- Some parents found the material a little stiff
I’ll be honest—I wish I’d heard of the RUVALINO Diaper Bag Backpack when I was first choosing baby products while pregnant. I absolutely would have purchased one. After testing it for this article, I was shocked to see it sold for under $50 most places. First, the bag is incredibly cute, great for anyone looking for a gender neutral style that doesn’t look like a traditional diaper bag. Sold in a variety of shades and patterns (I got heather gray, which I loved), this bag could absolutely work as a day-to-day backpack once you’re out of the diaper stage.
But it wasn’t just looks that made RUVALINO a stand-out product. There was ample storage space including multiple hidden pockets on the front perfect for cell phones and wallets, insulated pouches for baby bottles and padded pockets for laptops or tablets. While parents often worry about the quality of the materials when it comes to lower price products, RUVALINO was well-made with no loose threads or faulty zippers. The one major downside is that despite the high capacity, when I actually sat down to use it, it always felt like it ran a little small. While it worked great for a trip to the YMCA for my daughter’s music class, it wouldn’t have been ideal for a longer trip.
Weight: 1.8 lbs. | Volume: 25 L | Care instructions: Hand wash only
Our product tester says:
“I definitely think this could be repurposed as a purse/backpack once a diaper bag is no longer needed. It had a ton of internal compartments that made it super easy to pack/organize our supplies. This is the kind of bag I'd buy for myself, regardless of whether I needed a diaper bag.”

Best diaper tote bag
- Excellent zip-out changing station
- Extremely stylish
- Can be worn crossbody, on the shoulder or as a backpack
- Insulated bottle pockets
- Expensive
- Bag is a little bulky to carry
What I immediately noticed about the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack is that it was a great blend of stylish and functional. While it can be worn as a crossbody bag, shoulder bag or backpack, it really shines as a tote bag—it looks more like a high-quality, designer tote than a diaper bag. Plus, it has a lot of practical features including five interior pockets, two exterior pockets, and stroller straps. The highlight for me was definitely the zip-out changing station in front, which included two built-in pockets for wipes and diapers—I really loved it. You can just set your bag out on a changing table and be ready to go.
This would be a great bag for long days or even vacations. Plus, it could easily be more than a diaper bag. In particular, I thought it would be a great choice for college or grad students with laptops, books, and other supplies they need to lug across campus. Once you’re done with diapers you could gift the student in your life a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag. That being said, the bag is a bit bulky and awkward to use as a backpack, it definitely works better as a tote. Plus, at a little under $200, it’s one of the pricier bags I tested. While I think the quality justifies the cost, I’d be hesitant to recommend this bag to anyone on a budget.
Weight: 3 lbs. | **Volume: 19.6 L | *Care instructions:* Wipe clean
Our product tester says:
“I can definitely think of at least three friends who would love the style of this bag. It's great as a gender neutral tote that doesn't really look like a diaper bag. But it has a lot of compartments and features that make it function really, really well as a diaper bag too.”

Best diaper fanny pack
- Holds four diapers plus wipes
- High-quality, slim changing pad easy to get in and out
- Includes six separate pockets
- Expensive for a fanny pack
- Not ideal for longer trips
For a short, sweet trip, it’s hard to go wrong with Itzy Ritzy’s Ritzy Fanny Pack & Crossbody. It works as a fanny pack, belt bag or a crossbody bag, with straps that are simple to adjust. Itzy Ritzy includes three exterior pockets where parents can stash their important items, like phones, keys, and wallets, as well as three interior pockets for essential baby supplies. It also comes with a changing pad, which I found to be a major plus during testing. The changing pad’s material is thin enough to easily fold up and slip into a compact space while still being thick enough to keep your little one comfortable.
The major downside is, obviously, the size. I found it hard to fit more than two diapers and a package of wipes inside. I wasn’t able to fit a lot of extras like toys, pacifiers, and burp cloths. However, I don’t always need a fully-stocked diaper bag for quick trips. Itzy Ritzy would be a great bag to have on hand when running brief errands with your baby.
Weight: 0.8 lbs. | Volume: 5 L | Care instructions: Wipe clean with damp cloth
Our product tester says:
“I really liked the changing pad they included. It was thick but somehow easy to fold up and tucked into a secret compartment near the top. I changed my daughter after her YMCA music class and it was easy to get in and out.”

Best large diaper bag
- Very high capacity with multiple organizer inserts
- Mesh packing cubes
- Luggage sleeve for travel
- A little big for everyday use
- Some parents felt the bag needed more interior pockets.
Like Daniel, our other tester for this product, I have many SkipHop products that rarely disappoint—and SkipHop’s Duo Weekender Diaper Bag was no exception. This large bag clocks in at 36 liters, the largest capacity of any on our list, and works as a tote or crossbody, but Daniel noted how easily it clipped onto his stroller. “A stand-out feature of the bag is its stroller compatibility,” he said. “We have other SkipHop products on our stroller, so it wasn't surprising that this bag excelled in that regard.” The Duo Weekender includes two insulated bottle pockets, two multipurpose packing cubes, two mesh packing cubes, and a luggage sleeve. This is one of the best travel diaper bags out there and would also be excellent for parents of multiple kids.
While SkipHop isn’t made from the same stylish, high-end material as designer diaper bags, it’s made from woven polyester that is durable and easy to maintain—I dripped a little formula on this bag just to test how easy it is to clean, using damp paper towels and a little detergent, and I was very impressed—the formula just formed a little droplet and sort of rolled off the bag on its own. Honestly, I probably could have wiped it off with a dry paper towel.
For parents looking for a trendier bag, fair warning: SkipHop may not be the best match as it definitely looks like a diaper bag. But if that's not a problem for you, it's a solid, practical choice, especially for families with multiple little ones.
Weight: 3 lbs. | Volume: 36 L | Care instructions: Spot clean
Our product tester says:
“I think this would be a great bag for travel or the newborn stage, where parents have to pack a lot more supplies like breast bumps, nipple cloths, burb cloths etc.”

Best convertible diaper bag
- Very stylish; doesn't look like a diaper bag in any mode
- Available in vegan leather or nylon
- Water resistant lining
- Less special changing and bottle-related features than other products
- Changing pad and stroller straps sold separately
If you want to feel fancy while carrying a diaper bag, then Mina Baie’s Emmy is for you. This was definitely the most stylish diaper bag I encountered while testing products for this article. But the benefits don't stop at looks—this convertible bag can be worn as a shoulder bag, backpack, or tote, and look more like a designer purse than a diaper bag in every mode. The bag is made from sleek, water-resistant vegan leather and comes in a variety of neutral colors, and comes with a range of great features including nine internal pockets, two insulated bottle pockets, stroller hooks, a key leash and a magnetic phone holder.
I could definitely pack all the basics in the Emmy Midi thanks to its spaciousness. It was also lightweight and mostly easy to carry, although it was a little bulky as a backpack. However, one thing worth considering about this bag is that it seemed a little more parent-friendly than baby-friendly. While it certainly works as a diaper bag, it lacks a lot of specific changing-related features like a changing pad or designated spaces for wipes and dirty diapers. All-in-all though, this is a great choice if you’re going somewhere a bit nicer with your little one and want a diaper bag to match.
Weight: 1.75 lbs. | Volume: 17 L | Care instructions: Spot clean
Our product tester says:
“This one was by far the most stylish of the bags I've tested. While it functioned great as a diaper bag, you could just as easily use it as a purse/travel bag. I will definitely be using this bag for non-baby related errands/trips in the future.”

Diaper Bags Comparison Chart
Overall best diaper bag | Best budget-friendly diaper bag | Best diaper tote bag | Best diaper fanny pack | Best large diaper bag | Best convertible diaper bag | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Best ![]() Dagne Dover Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack (Large) | ![]() RUVALINO Diaper Bag Backpack | ![]() Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack | ![]() Itzy Ritzy Ritzy Fanny Pack & Crossbody | ![]() SkipHop Duo Weekender Diaper Bag | ![]() Mina Baie Emmy (Midi) | |
Price | $$$ | $ | $$$ | $ | $$ | $$$ |
Weight | 3.5 lbs. | 3.5 lbs. | 3 lbs. | 0.8 lbs. | 3 lbs. | 1.75 lbs. |
Dimensions | 12.3" (L) x 7" (W) x 13.8" (H) | 11.8" (L) x 8" (W) x 16.5" (H) | 13.8" (L) x 6.3" (W) x 13.8" (H) | 15" (L) x 2.5" (W) x 8" (H) | 17.5" (L) x 9" (W) x 14" (H) | 13.5" (L) x 7" (W) x 11" (H) |
Volume | 17 L | 25 L | 19.6 L | 5 L | 36 L | 17 L |
Changing pad | ||||||
Stroller attachment included | ||||||
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Diaper bags come in all shapes and sizes. Before we get to our roundup of the best diaper bags, here’s a brief rundown of the different styles on the market:
- Diaper backpack. A diaper backpack is a great hands-free option for busy parents on the go. Backpack-style diaper bags tend to have plenty of interior and exterior pockets, which is an added plus for parents. Bonus: This is one of the most common styles on the market, so you’ll have plenty of diaper bags to choose from.
- Messenger diaper bag. A messenger diaper bag (also known as a crossbody bag) has one long strap that can be worn on the shoulder or across the body.
- Diaper bag tote. Tote bags come equipped with small grab handles as well as a long shoulder strap. Fashion-conscious parents will love diaper bag totes, as they offer lots of room and look like a regular handbag.
- Convertible diaper bag. A convertible diaper bag is a hybrid of all three of the styles listed above. They are ultra-practical and can be clipped to a stroller or worn as a backpack, tote or messenger bag. Some convertible diaper bags even come with a built-in luggage sleeve that can be slipped over the handle of a suitcase. Now that’s functional fashion!
- Diaper fanny pack. Great if you want to keep your hands completely free, diaper fanny packs conveniently cinch around your waste. While they tend to run smaller than other options, they can be perfect for shorter trips where you just need to pack a few items.
About the writer:
Erin Wisti is a writer and journalist currently living in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Fourth Genre, Slate, Electric Literature, Lithub, and other places. She is the mother to one baby, a daughter born in June 2024. And since she takes her daughter everywhere most days, she knows what to look for in a good diaper bag.
Plus, more from The Bump:
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