6 Best Diaper Pails for a Stink-Free Room, According to Parents

When talking to parents on our team and reading through dozens of community forum discussions, the Ubbi emerged as the most popular diaper pail on the market—and it has been for years. Families love the powder-coated stainless steel design, which works to block odors, especially compared to other materials, like plastic, which tend to absorb bad smells. For further protection, the pail is complete with a rubber seal around the rim and sliding lid that make it completely airtight. While some parents report a smell when opening it, many confirm that when it’s shut it does a great job at preventing odors from seeping into the room. “We didn’t use a diaper pail until recently. My 3-year-old with special needs is still in diapers so we caved and I regret not getting one from day one! We went with Ubbi [and] there’s zero smell from the pail when it’s closed,” praises The Bump forum member coldbrew.

To dispose of baby’s diaper with the Ubbi, all you have to do is move the sliding lid to the side, drop it in, slide it back and you’re good to go. The innovative lid creates an airtight closure to trap in any odor, and it's equipped with a childproof lock to keep little ones from getting into it. And when it gets full, you don’t have to worry about getting special liners to refill it. Parents love that the Ubbi is compatible with a wide range of garbage bags. “I love that you can use any trash bag with the Ubbi (don't have to buy Ubbi-specific bags, even though we have because they come in huge rolls),” says Carolyn M., mom of one.

While the Ubbi is considered the best diaper pail out there by many, it does have a couple of drawbacks to be aware of. Parents we spoke to told us that they wished it had a foot pedal to make disposing of diapers more straightforward. “I don't love that you have to open it by hand,” shares Danielle G, mom of one, “it can be really difficult when you have a wiggly baby on the changing table!” Some also wish the lid offered a bigger opening as well. But despite these downsides, many parents say it’s a game-changer—plus, it comes in plenty of neutral colors. “We went with the Ubbi and it has been great. [W]e went with that because we liked the color and it fit size wise,” says amief from The Bump community forums. Needless to say, you can ensure that the Ubbi will get the job done and look cute while doing so.

Dimensions: 11.4" (L) x 8.4" (W) x 19.5" (H) | Capacity: 13 gallons (up to 55 newborn diapers) | Material: Stainless steel

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If you’re on the fence about getting a diaper pail or you simply don’t want to spend a lot, a budget-friendly option, like this one from Diaper Genie, is the way to go. The Classic Pail may look simple, but it has plenty to offer, which is why it came as no surprise that it’s a close-second to the Ubbi in The Bump community. This affordable diaper bin holds up to 55 newborn diapers in a compact space, which parents appreciate. “For us, the Diaper Genie works well. The smell hasn't been a big issue and it's very compact which is nice because his room is small,” says Campbell R., mom of one. This small but mighty pail can be counted on to keep bad smells at bay, thanks to its signature Push N Lock clamp that seals the top of the bag while the lid is closed. When you need to open it again, simply push the lid’s button to drop, dispose of your little one’s dirty diaper and you’re all set.

The Diaper Genie uses the brand’s special liners, which are made from a durable multi-layer film finished with odor-locking barrier technology. The opaque material can also be cut and tied to any length. Though they come in packs suitable for up to 165 newborn-sized diapers, some parents don’t like the idea of having to buy specific refills and prefer options that are compatible with normal bin bags. However, others don’t mind and even think that these liners offer more benefits than the average bag. “Even more so than the bin itself, I find that the bags that came with this bin are really effective at containing smells,” shared Michelle D., a mom of one. “We also use our lidded trash bin downstairs, but for upstairs I appreciate the aesthetic and how slim/compact the Genie is.” Overall, for under $30, this diaper pail definitely delivers. In fact, many say they’ve been able to count on it for years.

Dimensions: 11" (L) x 11" (W) x 21.3" (H) | Capacity: Up to 55 newborn diapers | Material: Plastic

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It may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when shopping for diaper pails, but if you have four-legged family members, you’ll need a design that they can’t get into. Plenty of parents in The Bump community mentioned that their pets knock over their bins, resulting in a mess (to say the least!). Others also mention that they use diaper pails for both dirty diapers and used dog bags or cat litter. Either way, if this is something your family needs in a diaper pail, look no further than this option from Simplehuman. Parents in our forums agreed it was one of the best out there when it comes to these specific use-case scenarios. “We are combining our cat litter scooping with diapers in one bin so we opted for the Simplehuman can. I would have done the Ubbi (and man I still want to) but the opening hole size scared me especially when looking at using it for cat scooping,” shares opaque1997, The Bump forum member.

The Simplehuman stands out because of its split lid with a butterfly opening—it has two sides that lift, rather than a single lid that slides or goes up and down. This offers a wider opening to dispose of what you need into it, and the patented slow-close lid prevents bursts of smelly air when you open or close it. Plus, it’s equipped with a lock and an internal odorsorb pod to further neutralize odors. The Simplehuman is also made from premium stainless steel, which works to block odors rather than retaining them over time. “I have two friends that have gone this route (with the Simplehuman) and have had no issues as its all metal,” adds forum member opaque1997. All of these features combine to create a diaper pail that your pet is less likely to get into. While it does come with a higher price tag, many parents say this diaper pail is definitely worth it. Plus, the modern design can be used as a normal trash can in your home down the line.

Dimensions: 15.6" (L) x 7.7" (W) x 21.8" (H) | Capacity: 18 liters | Material: Stainless steel

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Of course, odor elimination is the main point of having a diaper pail. That being said, some parents—especially those that live in small spaces—may want a bin that will go the extra mile to get rid of stinky smells. That’s where this top-rated diaper pail from Munchkin, which has been a favorite among The Bump community for years, will come in handy. The clever design closes off the top of the bag and keeps it sealed even when the lid is open, ensuring there isn’t a blast of dirty diaper smell every time you need to use it.

The best part, however, is the ring of odor-absorbing, lavender-scented baking powder which works hard to absorb odors. “We have two of the Munchkin [Arm & Hammer] pails, one for upstairs and one for downstairs and we love them! We have never had an issue with odor at all. The baking soda seems to last a long time—we haven't had to refill either of ours yet and it's been two-and-a-half months,” shares AimeeL85, The Bump forum member. “The [Arm & Hammer] is what I have now and it has been the best pail. I have had it for two years now and it still works great. It contains the smell well and it dispenses baking soda every time you use it,” agrees azzyberry, another community member. Some parents even say that they’ve had this bin for years and there’s still no smell.

Other highlights you’ll love about the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail is that it features a step pedal for added hands-free convenience. And while it does require special bags from Munchkin, families don’t seem to mind too much. “I use the Munchkin and it does require special bags, but I love how the system closes the bag each time,” says forum member JelloBean1. The bottom line: You can rely on this hardworking, odor-neutralizing pail to keep all of baby’s diapers (and their potent smells) out of sight and out of mind until garbage day.

Dimensions: ‎12.4" (L) x 11.5" (W) x 27.5" (H) | Capacity: 13 gallons | Material: Plastic

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High-capacity diaper pails are ideal for families that have multiple kids in diapers or who simply want something that they don’t have to empty as often. Take this option from Diaper Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail, for instance. While most standard diaper bins on the market hold around 40 to 50 newborn diapers, this model has a 26-liter capacity and can hold up to 60. While that may not seem like much more, it does make a difference. In fact, some parents say that they only have to empty it once a week, which they love. “I have used nearly all of the diaper pails […] and like the Dekor best,” shares forum member Dawn05. “I empty it each week the night before the trash goes out. I haven't had any smell issues.”

In addition to its large capacity, Diaper Dekor Plus has a wide 27.2-inch opening and a foot pedal that makes disposing diapers a breeze. When the lid is open, you’ll notice the patented OdorKeeper trap door which quickly lets the diaper through and instantly closes to minimize smell exposure. And when it’s shut, the dual rubber seals and hidden childproof lock will keep everything safely contained. To top it all off, the Diaper Dekor Plus is made from 70 percent recycled plastic. Though some parents prefer stainless steel over plastic diaper pails, others appreciate how plastic models, like the Dekor, can be sanitized easily with standard household cleaners.

Dimensions: ‎13.2" (L) x 9.2" (W) x 21.5" (H) | Capacity: 26 liters (up to 60 newborn diapers) | Material: Plastic

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