6 Best Diaper Bags, Tested by a Mom and a 9-Month-Old

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

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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

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

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

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

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