There's a Perfect Diaper Bag For Everyone—These Are Our Picks

The Forma has plenty of room for all of your baby’s (and your) gear, which is Babylist parents' favorite thing about this bag. “[Plenty of] space for everything you would need to bring,” one Babylist parent shared in their review. The front zip pocket has enough space for two storage cubes (one insulated and one mesh, both included with the bag) and it also comes with a portable changing mat. The main compartment has an extra-wide opening which makes it easy to see everything at one and find what you need. We also love the quilted material and it comes in a few colors to suit every parent’s style.

Parents’ biggest gripe is that the Forma isn’t as durable as they’d like. “It has not held up at all. My baby just turned three months and it’s already ripping,” one Babylist parent shared in their review. A few mentioned they wish it had more internal pockets to keep things organized. 

As a fellow overpacker, I totally relate to the urge to pack all of the things so you’re ready for any and every scenario. This diaper backpack from Beis has all of the space and organization you’ll need. It features a convenient wipes pocket for easy access, a detachable fanny pack and the back unzips to reveal an entire changing station. On the inside of the back, there are a ton of pockets so everything has a place. There is an interior bottle pocket to keep milk cool on the go and it also comes with a smell-proof bag (great for transporting blowouts home) and also a pacifier pouch, teething toy and stroller straps. Parents also appreciate the neutral, sleek look that works for anyone.

All of that storage potential does make this bag heavy, even without anything in it (about three pounds when empty)—which turns out to be parents’ biggest concern mentioned in their reviews. A few also noted the zipper to access the main compartment doesn’t extend down the sides of the bags enough, that if extended would allow it to open wider.

In our research into what diaper bags Babylist parents use and love the most, this Lululemon pick came up quite a few times. It’s kind of like the Goldilocks of diaper bags—not too big, not too small with just enough space for the essentials. Which is why it’s our top pick for minimalist packers. 

There aren’t a ton of pockets inside, but the few this bag does have will certainly hold the basics like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a bottle or two and a spare outfit. There’s also enough space to store your must-haves (think keys, wallet, phone). The bag comes with a removable pouch (that doubles as organization) and a thin change mat that fits perfectly in the bag without making it bulky or taking up too much space. 

 Parents have few negative things to say in their reviews about this backpack. One of the most common was about how tricky the zipper is to do with one hand, which is something parents need to do pretty frequently when they’re busy wrangling a baby and all the things. And while the water-repellant material is durable and easy to wipe off, some note that it made the straps slip off of their shoulders easily. The bottle pockets on the outside are lined with elastic at the top to keep things secure, but a few parents noticed it lost its elasticity after a few months of use (causing their water bottles to fall out easily when they bent down). It's also a bit spendy, at just under $200. 

If you’re looking for a spacious, durable diaper bag that’s easy on the wallet, this KeaBabies might be the one for you. It’s $45, comes in a few different neutral colors and has a ton of thoughtful features to make parenting on-the-go easier. 

The bag has a super roomy interior with a wide opening, which allows you to open the bag and see everything easily. It also comes with a waterproof, wipe-clean changing mat that folds up nicely and fits in the interior pockets. What really sets this bag apart are not one, but three insulated bottle pockets in the front zip compartment (and they can fit many different bottle brands, including Dr. Brown’s four and eight ounce size). Based on parent reviews, it can hold up to three baby bottles. The bag is also durable; the Oxford fabric is both scratch-proof and water-resistant. 

By far the biggest complaining parents have about this diaper backpack is the zipper—you’ll definitely need both hands to get into it. One Babylist parent wrote in their review that it’s “difficult to zip [the] main compartment because of the squared design.” They also say the bag could use a few more pockets for interior organization. Parents also note that after a few months of use, some of the stitching on the bag’s lining came undone. It’s not the best quality but for under $50, we think it’s a great option if you’re looking for something to get the job done.

The Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Bag Backpack blends sleek design with unbeatable functionality, creating a simple, gender-neutral look, whether that’s your aesthetic, or you’re sharing with a partner. The Indi is made from water-resistant neoprene and doesn’t really look like a diaper bag (which we love). It’s super comfy to carry and holds just about anything in its numerous pockets and pouches, and comes with clips to attach to your stroller as well as a mini changing mat and a few extra pouches. It’s available in three different sizes depending on how much stuff you need to tote around. It also comes in a bunch of fun colors and Dagne Dover frequently releases seasonal, limited edition colors, too. 

There are a handful of things parents say they don’t like. Their biggest gripe is how dirty it gets, and then how difficult it is to get stains out of the bag, especially if you have a lighter color:  “It gets dirty very easily and stains are impossible to remove. [I] tried hand washing with cold water and dawn and nothing came out,” one parent said. And though it’s made of neoprene material (think scuba suit fabric), quite a few noted in their reviews that the bag was pretty heavy even when empty. 

I’m a huge fan of Mina Baie because their bags don’t really look like diaper bags—including the Kinney. The brand also does organization really well, so you get a bag that not only looks stylish, it’s also practical. There are a whopping 10 internal pockets and five external (including a neoprene bottle pocket on the side of the bag). The lining of the bag is water-resistant, because spills happen, and the exterior vegan leather is soft yet durable and easy to wipe clean. You can carry the Kinney a few different ways, too. It’s primarily meant to be worn as a backpack, featuring super comfy straps, but also comes with a shoulder strap. 

There are few things parents don’t love about this bag but the most commonly mentioned thing is that it slouches after it gets “worn in”. There isn’t much internal structure around the bottom, so it eventually collapses in on itself, especially when there isn’t much packed inside. And while the vegan leather is super soft and high quality, some parents realize they’d prefer a genuine leather bag instead. (I also love the Harper, which is made of leather, though it's currently sold out it Mina Baie says it'll be back soon!)

We love this State Lormier bag because it looks like a regular backpack but has all the diaper bag features you’d want and need. It’s made of a durable, water-resistant nylon material and the straps are padded so it’s comfortable to wear. The inside has a ton of organization, including two separate compartments. The back has a mesh pocket for storing soiled clothes, bibs or burp cloths and is roomy enough to fit a 15 inch laptop. The other compartment is where all of the pockets live, giving everything from diapers and wipes to bottles and pacifiers their own spot. The backpack also comes with a machine-washable changing mat. 

There are very few negative reviews of this bag beyond a few mentions of the fabric not holding up as well as expected. This was particularly noted about the bottom of the bag, showing wear pretty quickly since there aren’t any protective “feet” on the bottom. A couple parents thought the straps didn’t extend long enough.

When I tested a few different fanny pack diaper bags recently, The Pack was my top pick (be sure to check out our other guide for detailed reviews). It’s got nice organization inside, and for such a small bag, it can fit a ton of stuff without feeling too bulky. As a mom of two toddlers ages three and four, I love a good fanny pack diaper bag for shorter outings. Once I found myself needing less and less beyond snacks and my own essentials, I didn’t feel the need to bring our full-size diaper bag along unless I knew we'd be out for a long day. The Pack is perfect for that.

There are a few downsides to this bag, the main thing being that it can get heavy. “The bag can hold a lot, which is great but in return it makes it really heavy around the shoulder or waist depending on how you wear it. The strap is thick but in order to carry [the] weight of the bag it should be more cushioned,” a Babylist parent wrote in their review. Quite a few also mention that the strap loosens significantly while wearing, “I have needed to re-adjust them daily.” I personally didn’t notice this, but I do agree a cushioned strap would be nice for added comfort.  I have a larger chest and at times it feels like the bag is in the way but that might just be because of my body.

Huggies recently launched a line of diaper bags in a few different styles, and we couldn’t wait to check them out—a diaper brand should know diaper bags, right? The tote quickly became a fave because it’s roomy and has thoughtful features that make life easier, all wrapped up in a sleek tote-style diaper bag. A tote-style diaper bag is a nice option for parents who want to be able to easily see what they’ve packed and not have to remove the bag each time they need to grab something out of it (like you would with a backpack). What parents seem to love the most about the Huggies bag is all of the space to hold essentials and then some. One parent wrote in their review, “We use it everyday, whether it be for a diaper bag, overnight bag, or just a catch-all.” The nylon bag (the material is also water-resistant) measures 14 by 15 inches and features multiple pockets (including two insulated bottle pockets and a spot to put a pack of wipes for easy access). It also comes with a decently sized, padded changing mat that slips in a pocket right along the back wall of the bag. 

You can carry it as a tote over the shoulder or even as a crossbody with the longer adjustable strap. It also has two small clips on the top to attach it to a stroller (though I wish they were removable since they kind of get in the way if you’re not using them). And lastly, it comes with a little pouch to dispense poop bags, which is super convenient. For under $100, I was really impressed with all of the organizational features and design touches. 

There isn’t much to not like, aside from the limited color options. The bag itself is very structured, and since it’s designed to hold all the things it might be a bit too bulky for some. 

Traveling with kids also means traveling with a ton of stuff, and this backpack is the perfect place to stash it all. Designed specifically for parents traveling with babies and kids in tow (why didn’t we think of that?), the Getaway Bag is packed with thoughtful features—and more pockets than we can count. Our favorite is the center compartment with customizable “shelves” for organizing things just the way you like them. We also love the diaper compartment, the odor-resistant and waterproof pocket designed specifically for anything wet or dirty (because what would a plane ride with a baby be without a diaper blowout?) and the concealed security pockets for passports and other valuables. The organization found in this bag is so convenient, a handful of parents note they actually use it whether they’re traveling or not.

Perhaps the largest complaint about this bag is that it doesn’t sit upright when set down—parents say it falls over. Which contributes to the lighter colorway getting dirty pretty quickly. The bag is machine-washable if you absolutely have to, otherwise they recommend spot-cleaning only. Another parent wished it featured a chest clip for extra security and comfort when carrying the bag full packed (though you can purchase one separately). And lastly, it’s on the pricier side of things for a diaper bag, though most parents agree it’s well worth it.