Image: MomJunction Design Team
Diaper disposal can be a challenge if you have a child at home. So, we have created a list of the best diaper pails to keep your child’s nursery clean and odor-free. They are trash cans that hold soiled diapers, preventing foul odor from spreading around the house. These pails are available in different sizes and styles to meet your requirements. So, read on to learn more about the available products and make an informed choice.
Top Picks
11 Best Diaper Pails For Your Child’s Nursery In 2024
1. Best Dual-Air Locking Steel: Skip Hop Diaper Pail
This steel diaper pail is non-porous and designed to contain odor effectively. It has a built-in storage space to hold diapers and other baby essentials. This diaper disposal unit is compatible with Skip Hop wipe holders and can work with any standard kitchen bag that fits well. Thanks to this, there is no need for additional proprietary bags while you use this diaper pail.
Pros
- Has a child lock
- Ergonomic design
- Dual air-lock system to trap odor
- Does not take much space
Cons
- Diaper may not drop down all the way
- May not be suitable for heavy diapers
"This canister exceeded my expectations, keeping odors in even when full. It's functional beyond diapers—I use it for my dog's bags too. The front caddy is a thoughtful addition, helping me stay organized."
2. Best Carbon Filter-Lid: Playtex Diaper Genie Diaper Pail
This diaper pail with an innovative design comes with a proprietary Diaper Genie liner and a circular cartridge that fits into a slot within the bin so that its users can pull a new liner each time they are done with one. Each Diaper Genie liner boasts seven layers, which keeps the odor contained. The front of the pail opens and tilts, thus making it easy to access the used liner. Cut the liner, tie a knot, and dispose of the bag. To learn how to use this diaper pail, watch this video by a tester.
Pros
- Carbon filter lid for containing smell
- Slim design
- Diaper pail with foot pedal
- Available in two colors
- Suitable for gifting
Cons
- May require multiple pushes to push the diaper in
- Paddle may be slightly fragile
"Replacing bags in this diaper genie is pretty simple and effortless. The horizontal cut-off feature for the bag is a smart innovation, eliminating waste. It does not hold as much as expected, but it traps odor effectively."
3. Best Child-Lock Button:Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer
The mom-tested Step diaper pail is brought to you by Munchkin, a trusted brand. The pail is equipped with self-sealing technology and has a turning mechanism within the lid that shuts the mouth of the liner each time you close it and prevents odor from escaping the can. The front of the plastic pail slides open, allowing you to see the liner and also remove it if it is full. The liner refill rings fit into the slot below the cover. Before buying, check out this video review to learn more about this step-on diaper pail from the tester’s experience.
Pros
- Lavender scented for filtering foul odor
- Sleek design
- Child safety lock button
- Comfortable height
- Compatible with different types of bags
Cons
- May require more effort to force shut it
- May be slightly loud
"Using this pail has been an awesome experience for me. It efficiently contains the stench, even in my bedroom. The bags are simple to install and dispose of. Also, even after months, I've had zero issues."
Skip Hop Diaper Pail Best Dual-Air Locking Steel | Playtex Diaper Genie Diaper Pail Best Carbon Filter-Lid | Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer Best Child-Lock Button | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 9.35 pounds | 8.5 pounds | 11.31 pounds |
| Dimensions | 8.25 x 27.25 x 14.5 inches | 10.25 x 13.5 x 21.75 inches | 12.44 x 11.5 x 27.5 inches |
| Material | - | Plastic | Plastic |
| Color | - | White | White |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,457 | 1,453 | 5,468 |
| Price | $84.99 | $61.65 | $67.95 |
4. Best Pedal-Operated Plastic: Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Equipped with a rubber seal at the rim, this pail helps contain any smell, making it a mommy-approved option. It also has a slow-closing lid and a slider lid, which opens a small window on the main lid to dispose of the diapers quickly. This diaper pail with childproof lock keeps children from opening the lid of the waste compartment and does not require specialized diaper disposal bags, making it a hassle-free option.
Pros
- Stainless steel finish
- Step pedal-operated
- Slim design
- Non porous finish
Cons
- May not lock odor effectively
- May require bending to open the pail
"I have used this diaper pail consistently for over six months, and I'm pleased with its performance. Even regular trash bags work perfectly with it. It keeps the diaper stench locked inside."
Do remember5. Best Pedal-Operated: Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 11,017 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
The Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail is made of ABS plastic, which is more durable and non-absorbent to odors than standard plastic diaper pails. It contains a step pedal-operated main lid, a rubber liner that seals the bin tightly, and a spring-operated trap door that closes shut once you have thrown the diaper. A front access door on the pail provides access to the used liner, and the plastic cutter on the door allows you to cut the used liner. Apart from the child safety lock that prevents the child from opening the lid, the main access door can be locked too.
Pros
- Hands-free design
- Can be used as a trash can
- Pre-installed refill
- Award winning product
Cons
- May reek from outside
- May not hold many diapers
"The bend-free foot-step design makes this diaper pail easy to use, even with my toddler in my arms. Its sturdy build and metal-free design make it good reasons for purchase."
6. Best Customizable Stylish Diaper Pail: Playtex Diaper Genie Expressions
This dad- and mom-approved diaper pail liner is built to contain up to 50 newborn diapers. Versatile enough to be customized, you can pick from several stylish diaper pails that are sold separately to enhance the diaper pail’s appearance. The diaper pail with one-handed operation has a lid that opens on the press of a button and the inner push trap door opens when you throw the diaper and closes automatically. It includes multi-layer diaper pail refill bags to further eliminate leaking and odors. The trap door also clamps the liner on closing, which prevents the odor from spreading. Moreover, the fabric sleeves are available in several colors and patterns so that you can pick one that suits your nursery the best.
Pros
- Suitable for baby nursery
- Offers ease of cleaning
- Rust-resistant
- Microbial lock for keeping diaper odor away
Cons
- Paddles may not be durable
- Lid may not be easy to open
"Sometimes, it may get a bit challenging to dispose of diapers due to the tight spring, but its credible odor-lock mechanism masks any hint of diaper odor. Besides, doubling it as a 'non-flushable' wipes bin worked wonderfully for me. Lastly, the ready-for-disposal bags are a plus"
Quick tip7. Best Space-Saving: Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe
This hygienic diaper pail comes with a unique deposit system that holds the diapers in a collection cup below the lid. You can pull the handle to open the trap door to the cup and turn the handle again to dispose of the diaper into the main diaper pail. This diaper container is built to hold up to 30 diapers, and the cup acts as a buffer to prevent odor from transferring to the outside. Also, this classic diaper pail has a handle that operates as the main slider door on top for access to the collection cup.
Pros
- Can be placed anywhere
- Easy to use
- No assembly required
- Superior odor control system
Cons
- Lid design may not be great
- May be slightly large
"I have used this product in various settings. Being simple to use and compact, it's great for minimizing unpleasant odors from diapers and doggy bags. Though the smell does seep out if the bin is not emptied in time, however, it offers the convenience of being compatible with regular garbage bags which is a boon."
8. Best Diaper Pail With Deoderizer Disc: Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 5,497 satisfied customers on Amazon have said good things about the product.
The Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail comes with a button that operates with a spring-loaded lid. This diaper trash can is designed to minimize the odor that comes out of the pail each time you open it. The back of the lid has a replaceable deodorizer disc, which contains all the bad smell within the pail. This dad-and-mom-approved diaper bin does not require any proprietary liners, thanks to which you can use any diaper pail bags or even a plastic bag of your choice.
Pros
- Easy-to-access inside liner
- Easy-to-use design
- Can be used using one hand
- Compatible with standard plastic bags
Cons
- Sticker on the front may not come off
- Odor disc may not be easily available
"This diaper pail is perfectly sized and convenient to use, effectively containing the smell, and the lid pops open without any hassle, facilitating single-hand use. When it's time to change, the bin can be emptied effortlessly."
9. Best Tall: Bubula Steel Diaper Pail
Made entirely of metal with a steel and aluminum construction, this compact diaper pail is durable and also resistant to odors, making it a trusted choice for parents. It comes with a gasket lining the rim of the pail, which helps seal the bad smell within, and the tall design makes it easy to access. The push-to-open lid has a spring mechanism, and the latch opens the entire main lid to let you place the garbage bag inside a metal holder within the pail.
Pros
- No custom diaper liners needed
- Safety lock included
- Advanced design
- Leak-resistant
- Sleek design
- Available in different colors
Cons
- May require additional air filters
- Plastic parts may not be durable
"I like its sizeable capacity, which helps handle our two toddlers simultaneously. My favorite feature is that it can be used with any standard garbage bag. Though the sliding mechanism can get a bit noisy at times, it's not a big deal as it offers the convenience of one-handed diaper drops without bending."
10. Best Recyclable: Busch Systems Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail
Built with a clamp system, this trusted diaper pail with a carbon filter is specially designed to eliminate odors and hold cloth diapers. The carbon filter on the top keeps a check on the foul smell from the pail, and the clamp can hold the position as tight as possible, thus sealing the top of the pail.
Pros
- Recyclable
- No batteries required
- Can work with a charcoal filter
- Built to hold the filter together
Cons
- May work with only cloth diapers
- May be slightly small
"It has proven to be an effective tool for soiled diaper storage. The lid did crack a bit due to overstuffing, yet it remarkably keeps the odor contained. All in all, it is a worthwhile purchase."
Do remember11. Best Bucket-Style Framed: Diaper One N Done
The Diaper One N Done Pail is shaped like a bucket and features a frame attached to the diaper changing station. The diaper bucket works in a simple way, where you should just place a bag in the bucket, tie the knot, and dispose of it the usual way. If you are a parent who is used to throwing soiled diapers in a trash can, this diaper pail is apt for you.
Pros
- Suitable for two babies
- Can hold up to 100 diaper pail bags
- Ergonomically designed
- Suitable for nurseries
Cons
- May not work with big diapers
- May require more effort to close the pail
"This design allows for easy, mess-free diaper disposal, making changing baby's diapers significantly easier. I would recommend this for nurseries or even for managing pet waste. Although the plastic bag tends to fall off easily, a quick DIY fix can solve this."
What Is A Diaper Pail?
A diaper pail is a specialized dustbin designed exclusively to hold the baby’s soiled diapers. Like a dustbin, the diaper pail also comes with a lid and a step pedal and allows you to install a disposable garbage bag or a diaper bag liner inside. Diaper pails have several advantages over conventional dustbins.
Why Do You Need A Diaper Pail?
Diaper pails offer the following benefits over dustbins:
- Odor control: A pail comes with integrated functionality of controlling foul odor. This is made possible with integrated deodorizers or filters, and the use of fragrance-laden, proprietary diaper liners.
- Portability: Diaper changes can happen anywhere in the house, but you cannot carry the dustbin everywhere. Diaper pails are portable and can be moved from room to room, where your baby needs the diaper change.
- Exclusivity: It keeps the diaper waste separate from other household waste. It can be hard to open the dustbin lid to throw other household waste when there are foul smelling diapers already in it. Diaper pails help solve this problem.
How To Choose The Right Diaper Pail?
Look for the following features when shopping for a diaper pail:
- Odor sealing ability: A good diaper pail should entirely seal the odor within. Check if the diaper pail has a secure lid. You can also use scented liners to get rid of the odor, and a diaper pail with a filter or a deodorizer is an added advantage.
- Liner changing feature: You can put a disposable diaper liner in the diaper pail just like you would put a garbage bag in a trash can. It should be easy to set and remove a liner from a diaper pail. Several diaper pail manufacturers sell proprietary liners that fit perfectly into their diaper pails and also contain the odor better.
- Ease of use: Does it have an easy to open the lid? Is it easy to carry from place to another? Check how convenient it will be to use when you have a dirty diaper in one hand and a baby in another hand.
- Easy disposal of dirty diapers: Look for features that allow you to tie the liner within the diaper pail so that you do not expose the soiled diapers.
- Overall costs: Some diaper pails only work with the proprietary liners and do not work with standard trash bags. Liners cost extra, which eventually adds to the cost of the pail itself. A diaper pail that also works with standard trash bags is a good option.
, a mommy and motherhood, home, and lifestyle content creator, says, “Diaper pails make storing and disposing of your baby’s soiled diapers simple. With the right diaper pail, you can breathe easier and also keep the baby’s nursery hygienic.” She adds, “Pick a diaper pail of the right size after considering how often you change your baby’s diaper, and choose one with a good lid and liner. Also, factor in portability—you should be able to carry it from room to room effortlessly.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it necessary to get a diaper pail?
A diaper pail helps you effectively store all dirty diapers and seal the odors until garbage day.
2. How often should I clean a diaper pail?
Clean the diaper pail once a week to minimize the odors and keep the nursery fresh and clean. You may also follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
3. How many diaper pails do I need?
You need only one diaper pail in a nursery room. However, invest in one diaper pail per room if you have multiple children.
4. Do I need special bags for the diaper pail?
No, you may safely use the regular trash bags in the diaper pail.
5. How should I get the poop smell out of the diaper pail?
Try to place a dry sheet at the bottom of the diaper pail. You may also add baking soda to the bottom of the can every time you replace the bag.
6. How should I disinfect a diaper pail?
Pour liquid soap all over the interiors and exteriors of the diaper pail, allow it to sit for five minutes, rinse the diaper pail, and allow it to air dry thoroughly.
7. What can I use as a diaper pail?
You can use the regular trash can in place of a diaper pail. But ensure that you wrap all the dirty diapers in a disposable cover to seal the odor.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We aim to make parents’ and children’s lives easier, and so we have handpicked this selection of the best diaper pails that will help keep your baby’s nursery clean and odor-free. Each option has been researched after exploring multiple customer reviews on different websites and picked based on ease of use, convenience, and utility. We have also given the features of every product to help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
Diaper pails are indispensable for keeping your child’s nursery clean, fresh, and odor-free. These trash cans have varying levels of capacity and storage space to hold all the diapers and baby essentials without creating a mess. Thanks to these high-quality and durable diaper pails that are ergonomically designed for easy use, your home will be pristine. When buying one, remember to check its odor-sealing ability and liner-changing features to keep your house spotless and breathe easy. Our recommendations for you include the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail with child-proof lock, the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered By Arm & Hammer with self-sealing technology, and the Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail for its pedal-operated design.
Infographic: Pointers For Choosing The Best Diaper Pail
Babies can soil as many as 8-12 diapers a day. Therefore, a diaper pail could be a good investment to avoid heaps of diapers and keep the house and baby nursery clean. Refer to the infographic below to learn the various features of a good diaper pail.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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