You Got It In The Bag: Here Are The Best Diaper Bags On The Market

Choosing a diaper bag these days feels like a lot. There are a lot of options out there for every kind of spouse out there. When we began looking into what to buy, my spouse and I had a lot of bags in our online shopping cart. We went back and forth between a lot of different types.

We are both sporty. We also appreciate a more minimalist approach when supplying our diaper bag. My spouse likes something with some style, while I would prefer something we both could use. Sometimes, our choices for bags came down to some silly reasons for choosing them.

You end up using your diaper bag for everything and you end up carrying it around with you. So, it matters how it will feel, look, and ultimately, that it will carry all the things you need it to carry. We discussed between me and my spouse and in our friend groups of parents with many kids.

In this article, we narrowed down our best diaper bags for your consideration:

• The right diaper bag size for you
• All there is to know about diaper bags
• The best diaper bags in the market for every parent – first-time or seasoned
• Lots more…

Stick with me and read on!

Your Preference Matters Too!

To start narrowing down your choice of diaper bags, we recommend asking yourself “What kind of bag would fit my lifestyle?” Do you enjoy keeping your hands free, or do you use a stroller often?

If you like being hands-free, opt for a backpack-style bag. If you find that strollers are more comfortable, they have bags with straps to attach them to the stroller. Do not even get us started on colors and design options. In the same way, you think about what kind of bag works best for your lifestyle. Think of this diaper bag as an extension of it.  

There are many styles of diaper bags to fit almost all occasions nowadays. If you or your spouse often need to be in a formal setting, they make diaper bags that can fit into a dressier occasion too. If you dig a more laid-back look, they can fit a more casual setting. 

Finding the Right Size

First of all, the diaper bag has to have enough storage room to carry essentials for a diaper bag and more, whether it is a backpack, messenger bag, or purse. It also has to have a fair amount of compartments and pockets to help section off items. We found those to be the best kinds of diaper bags for mom and dad. We are not opposed to using a backpack as a diaper bag either, so long as they fulfill our pockets rule. Otherwise, it is likely that things will not stay organized and get mixed up with one another. Eventually, it will turn into a dark hole of a carrier. 

Multiple Pockets!

The key to a great diaper bag is having multiple compartments! Below are the following items we would consider essentials for a diaper bag. It is important to find one that can organize things. We considered these as bare minimums for our situation.

This goes hand in hand with finding the right size. Since we did not want to buy extra accessories like organizing cubes, it was important to us to have a bag with a lot of pockets. Consider how much you want to be carrying, then find a diaper bag that has ways to organize everything. Some things to include (but not limit to) are:  

• Diapers (get a bag that can hold several at at time)
• Baby wipes
• Changing pad
• Burp cloths or bibs
• Change of clothing
• diaper cream
• Hand sanitizer
• Wet bag for dirty diapers. Whether you use cloth or disposable, having a bag to carry dirty diapers is always helpful
• Snacks
• Extra bottle with formula
• Sippy cups (if your child is older)
• Sunscreen

My spouse and I found that with our daughter, we are sparse packers and like to keep things minimal. Yet, if you are twinning or have two children, you will need a bigger bag or one with more pockets to be able to handle more.

Going Gender Neutral?

You run into the same problem with diaper bags as you do with any other products. There are limitless options available for both moms and dads. Whether you want to play into these ideas or not, it is not the cutest to be carrying around a sports backpack during a brunch or alternatively, to be carrying a brightly colored purse in the men’s room.

You can definitely say “forget it” to gender stereotypes. You can just get the cheapest diaper bag that is purely functional for you and your spouse to share. This is not always optimal. Some parents we know ended up getting many diaper bags for different situations, such as when they are hiking or traveling or in the city.

Another option – if you do end up wanting to share – is finding one that not only matches your preference but matches your spouse as well.

Additional Perks

Additional perks to diaper bags are a big reason why some parents choose one over the other. Every parent loves a good deal. Here were some additional perks we were thinking of when choosing a diaper bag.

Ergonomic

This goes to the top of our list of additional perks! There are so many reasons to consider a diaper bag that is not only functional but good for parents’ back and shoulders. You and your spouse are going to have days where you will either be carrying your baby or carrying your diaper bag.

Or what if you are a single parent and need to carry both? The ergonomics of a diaper bag become especially important then. My spouse likes backpack-style diaper bags, which are generally the most ergonomic. Other considerations may be to get a diaper bag with a strap for your stroller so you can avoid wearing it so often.

Easy to Clean

Okay, so we know the material is important because of how we want it to look – or possibly the color. But a huge consideration is how waterproof the outer material of the diaper bag is. Given how likely it is to get messy and how easy it is to clean are important factors. Having a backpack made of synthetic material or is machine-washable really means a lot, especially when as a parent you are always throwing things in the wash.

Insulated

If you have a newborn, it can be a really nice perk to have a bag that insulates well. It is also nice if you get one with an insulated pouch to help keep things – like your baby formula – cold or warm (whichever your baby prefers). Some diaper bags even come with ice packs that you can freeze and keep on hand.

Upsimples Backpack Diaper Bag

My spouse and I share this diaper bag by Upsimples. We love it because it is really simple but also has great designs that my spouse and I both appreciate that they included.

First of all, this is great for our newborn daughter. This backpack-style diaper bag features materials like waterproof Oxford fabric that looks stylish.

The best part is…

… it is casual enough for transitioning from home, work, to semi-formal occasions. It comes in several colors, all of which are flattering for both sexes. It carries 25L and, by itself, weighs 1.8 pounds. It comes with one large compartment as the body, 11 smaller compartments, and pockets to organize everything. It has a front pocket that insulates well and can hold up to 3 bottles.

As if that’s not enough…

… it even comes with a charging cable with a little pocket and cut out on the side so you can easily charge your phone. It has straps for holding at the top but also 2 stroller straps if you want to hang them on your stroller. If you find that you are a big packer, this might run small for you.

Pros:

• 25L, great size to fit everything
• Many smaller compartments for organization
• Insulated front pocket
• Changing cable and cut out for easy access
• 2 extra stroller straps for convenience 

Cons:

• Not great for minimal packers
• Pockets may be too small for organizing in larger functions

Ruvalino Backpack Diaper Bag

We have also tried the RUVALINO Travel backpack-style diaper bag. We also found that we really enjoyed using it. It is slightly smaller than the Upsimples backpack-style diaper bag. It features a 23L capacity and weighs 1.9 pounds. It also has an insulated front pocket for 2 bottles, 2 large compartments, and 16 pockets and smaller compartments. It was a tough decision between this and the Upsimples.

In my own experience…

… we really liked the 2 large compartments. It is made of 100% water-resistant polyester and comes in a variety of colors. Ultimately, we decided it was a little too casual-looking for us, though, for certain occasions. Our other issue is that we wished the insulated compartment was bigger. It also had fewer design perks and is a little too plain. It does have nice brown accents that stand out from the rest of the backpack.

A great feature that sets this bag apart is the laptop pocket. This is great for parents that need to take their little one to work. This diaper bag can easily pass as a regular backpack.

Pros:

• 23L capacity but lightweight
• 2 large compartments for easy organizing
• Insulated front pocket

Cons:

• Insulated pocket only holds 2 bottles
• Simple design that may not be for everyone

Mancro Large Multifunction Backpack Diaper Bag

This backpack-style diaper bag is a great choice if you and your spouse have a sporty and casual style. This is small, with a capacity of 21L, and weighs 1.7 pounds. As for pockets, this has one main compartment, with 7 smaller compartments. The front is an insulated pocket for bottles and can carry 2 bottles at a time. This unfolds like a suitcase, where you can completely open the main compartment and pull what you need from it.

Want to know the best part?

Some added perks to this diaper bag are that it includes a changing pad and 2 stroller straps, which makes it a good deal. We wanted to like it, but the design of some pockets makes it so it is not versatile. They have a pocket specifically for wipes, with a little zipper for easy single dispensing. But since it has a zipper, it feels really useless because it can catch on the zipper. It can also dry out the wipes.

If you are looking for a bag that can fit it all, this is a great option for you.

Pros:

• Large main compartment opens up wider for easy access and use.
• Includes a changing pad and 2 stroller straps
• Sporty great for casual look

Cons:

• Runs on the smaller side at 21L
• Insulated pocket only holds 2 bottles
• Wipes pockets are designed for single use, not versatile and not functional

BabbleRoo Stylish Backpack Diaper Bag

This was a bigger diaper bag that our friends recommended when we first started looking for a diaper bag. It comes with a little pocket for a pacifier. It is cute but a little gimmicky. I really wanted to like this because it was very stylish with the herringbone design in the front. It has 2 main large compartments and 5 insulated pockets. The front pocket for bottles can hold up to 3 bottles, which we really appreciated.

We ultimately did not want the BabbleRoo because it was just a lot of space for us. It holds 26L and weighs 2.2 pounds. The straps themselves run rather large. In terms of perks, it comes with a changing pad and 2 stroller straps. If you are taking care of more than one baby, we highly recommend this one for its storage space!

Pros:

• 26L, great for parents taking care of more than one baby
• Pacifier pocket keychain
• Stylish and casual
• Insulated front pocket holds 3 bottles
• Includes changing pad and 2 stroller straps

Cons:

• Large straps not very comfortable
• Heavier to carry around

Sensyne Diaper Bag Backpack

This Sensyne Diaper Bag Backpack measures 15.4” by 6.3” by 17.3”,  which is deeper than the BabbleRoo. This one has about the same capacity for storage. It has 12 compartments, with 2 large pockets for storage. There are 2 insulated pockets, with room to carry 3 baby bottles. However, the pockets for them run rather small.

As if that’s not enough…

… this also comes with a USB charging port and cable. But, we find that the hard plastic design is not as functional. It also comes with 2 stroller straps, so that is a plus.  It weighs about 2 pounds, so it can be heavy. It features material of polyester and has proven to prevent leaking and keeps dry from wet messes.

We ultimately did not need something so big.

But that’s just one side of the story…

If you need something with a lot of room, this is one to consider. Again, this Sensyne Diaper Bag Backpack has a pocket for wipes with a weird dispenser. This may not work well for everyone. If you are looking for a simple bag with many compartments, look no further.

Pros:

• Large size
• 2 insulated pockets, can carry 3 baby bottles
• Comes with USB charging port and cable

Cons:

• Heavier to carry around
• Some pocket functions are too specific
• Pockets for baby bottles run small

Final Thoughts

We covered a lot of diaper bags for a lot of considerations. Most of the time, diaper bags are a very personal choice and often – besides the functionality of a bag that can keep food and formula at temperature. You might want to consider whether it is a good size and fit for you. We included our favorite starter diaper bags for parents. This is great for parents who just want things simplified and no fuss whatsoever.

We took into consideration things like the number of things you may need to carry. We also took a look at any extra perks and amenities balanced with bags that are not overly designed. As a parent, you want flexibility from a diaper bag to handle a variety of situations. We believe our top picks really can be great for parents buying a diaper bag that can do it all.