A guide to the best reusable nappies and eco nappies

reusable nappies

by Stephanie Spencer |
Updated on

If you're looking for the best nappy for your baby or toddler, have you thought about trying reusable nappies or eco nappies?

There was once a time when cloth nappies were all mums had. Reusable nappies were and still are a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective version of baby nappies.

To help you find out which environmentally friendly nappies are best for you and your baby, we’ve collected our top picks together.

Why use reusable nappies?

Just to give you an idea, if your baby were to wear nappies daily until they were potty trained, you'd have likely used around 4,500 nappies, which can take up to 500 years to decompose.

Not only are reusable nappies better for the environment, but they're also said to be softer on your baby’s skin. They also are less likely to spill, and supposedly help make potty training easier.

If you’ve done your research about reusable nappies versus disposable and have decided upon washables, you’ll be pleased to know things have come a long way, and they're easy to keep in your changing bag. Gone are the days of terry nappies and safety pins.

Let's be honest: eco nappies require more effort than disposables (luckily there are wet bags you can take on the go), but there are huge benefits to choosing washable.

The best reusable nappies

Best Reusable Nappy Gold Winner 2024

Description

The Kit & Kin Reusable Cloth Nappy was awarded Gold for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

These fab nappies save two plastic bottles from landfill for every nappy you purchase. They'll also keep your baby’s bottom dry and comfy for up to 12 hours, thanks to their super absorbent and gentle 100% naturally-derived material. With handy poppers and an adjustable waist, you can buy just one set of nappies to see you through from birth-to-potty.

Our mum tester said: "It stops me having to run to the supermarket weekly to get a fresh pack of disposable nappies. It's also much better on my child's skin which means no more nappy rash. I would definitely recommend the product to mums who are looking to cut down on their waste and do their bit for the environment - they're fab!"

Read our full Kit & Kin Reusable Cloth Nappy review.

Pros

  • Birth-to-potty
  • Velcro fastening is a hit with testers
  • Appealing designs

Cons

  • Might not be suitable for larger babies
  • Takes a long time to dry

Best Reusable Nappy Silver Winner 2023 and 2024

Description

The TotsBots Bamboozle System was awarded Silver for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

This reusable night-time system comprises of two parts, the Bamboozle Nappy Wrap and Bamboozle Stretch. Using the two parts together will give you up to 12 hours of no leaks overnight, and a comfortable fit for your little one, although our tester did think that they were a little bulky.

Our mum tester said: "After previously having leaks with other reusable nappies at night we were resorting to disposables which wasn’t what we wanted. Therefore we were excited to try the Bamboozle system. It was self-explanatory of how to fit the nappies there is an inner absorbent nappy with a wrap. There were also boosters which I found we needed overnight. They fit quite bulky so we needed to use a size up for vest to sleep in. I loved them overnight – super absorbent and no more leaks. They lasted for up to 10 hours. I now feel less guilty about the number of disposable nappies we were having to use."

Read our full TotsBots Bamboozle System review.

Pros

  • Easy to get on
  • Highly absorbent
  • Quick drying

Cons

  • Excessive pre-washing
  • Limited designs

Best Reusable Nappy Gold and Bronze Winner 2023 and 2024

Description

The Modern Cloth Nappies Pearl Pocket was awarded Gold and Bronze for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

The Modern Cloth Nappies Pearl Pocket one size all-in-one reusable nappy comes in over 30 colour-ways and is fully adjustable, designed to grow with your little one. From baby to toddler usage, this nappy fits approximately 3.6kg to 16kg children and is made with OEKO-TEX certified materials.

Not only can it be used during the day, but this reusable nappy can be boosted for night time use or heavy wetters. It has a tummy panel to stop moisture from travelling out and this feature also offers better comfort and fit. 

Our mum tester Charlotte said: "Absolutely love Modern Cloth Nappy nappies! They’re so easy to use and clean. The designs are really pretty and the nappies are well made! They do take a little long to dry, but it’s easy enough to pop them near the radiator for faster drying time. They fit my little girl really well. They’re super soft and kind to her skin."

Read our full Modern Cloth Nappies Pearl Pocket One Size All-in-One Reusable Nappy review.

Pros

  • Full adjustable
  • Fits 3.5kg - 16kg / Versatile baby to toddler use
  • Super absorbent
  • Full washable and easy to dry
  • Reusable and better for the environment

Cons

  • Really not much, but perhaps detachable inserts

Best reusable nappy Bronze Award Winner 2023

Description

The Seedling Baby Multi-Fit Pocket Nappy was awarded Bronze for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023

The Seedling Baby multi-fit pocket nappy is a one-size design to fit most little ones. It has three sets of size-adjusting snaps and is suitable from birth to toilet training, fitting children from approximately 4-16kg. The outer layer of the Seedling Baby nappy is waterproof and made of breathable PUL, with each nappy also coming with a microfibre booster layer to support any leaks or heavy wetters.

Our parent tester Helen said: "I was shocked it was sent all the way from sunny Australia, I have family over there who have said about this brand in the past (sharing posts from the company etc.) as they have children. I love this nappy as it's so versatile, I can use it as a pocket with my boosters, or I can use it with the pre-fold nappy inner supplied. I'm glad they sent an instruction booklet as the fold is different to my little lambs and close pops."

Pros

  • Gorgeous patterns and colour schemes
  • Easy to wash
  • High absorbency

Cons

  • Quite bulky

Best reusable nappy Gold Award Winner 2022

Description

Charlie Banana Reusable One Size Cloth Diaper with Fleece was awarded Gold for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022

These reusable cloth nappies come with Charlie Banana's 'Signature' softness, help protect your baby's delicate skin, and care for our planet. All Charlie Banana products are Climate Neutral Certified, and they're proud members of 1 per cent For The Planet, so every purchase is a tiny investment in a greener, kinder world for your baby.

Our testers found that the nappies were better suited for daytime use, and were a little restricted when it came to the designs, but overall, they were a hit. One reviewer even said they were almost as easy as a disposable.

Mum tester Helen said: "This nappy is brilliant, it's almost as easy to use as a disposable nappy, it's very easy to fit, and the fact that it has the option of disposable inserts (something I've never seen with reusable nappies before) may make it more appealing to those who may be just starting out with reusable nappies, or those who don't have much drying space."

Read the full review from Helen and other mum testers here.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • High absorbency

Cons

  • Best suited for daytime use

Best Reusable Nappy Silver Winner 2022

best-reusable-nappies
Price: $28.30

Description

Bambino Mio Miosolo All-in-One Nappy was awarded Silver for Best Reusable Nappy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022

The cute Bambino Mio Miosolo nappy fits well, sits comfortably and dries quickly after washing. It has a pull-out tab system which makes removing the core from inside the nappy super simple. However, the downside of the nappy is that it is not highly absorbent and usually wouldn’t last the whole night, according to some reviewers. Bambino Mio has however tried to solve the problem with an added booster pad. Our mums loved the great designs and how easy these nappies were to wash.

The nappy is made from stretchy water-resistant material, which means it is great for active babies, and as it is fully adjustable so you can use it from birth-to-potty.

Mum tester Nicola said: "I love this nappy. It is by far the best reusable we have used. It is durable, kept my baby dry with no leaking what so ever. We don’t get any nasty smells when using this. My baby also has not suffered from any nappy rash. My baby felt dry to touch when changed and not damp in any way. The nappy itself is easy to clean, I used a 60 hot wash and used the miofresh laundry cleanser."

Read our full review of the Bambino Mio Miosolo All-in-One Nappy here.

Pros

  • Birth-to-potty
  • Easy to wash
  • Great for active babies

Cons

  • Low absorbency

Best reusable nappy Silver Award Winner 2021

Description

TotsBots Easyfit Star was awarded Silver for Best Resusable Nappy in 2021

Quick drying, slim fitting and easy to use, these colourful, cute nappies come with a nifty Velcro tab that makes for quick changing. With a couple of bamboo boosters, the TotsBots Easyfit will stay dry for up to four hours. The fleece liner is great for reducing nappy stains, as well as making the nappies extra absorbent. This is an all-in-one nappy that fits most babies from birth-to-potty training and the Velcro ensures a good fit. Our mums loved these easy-to-use nappies, voting them 4.5 out of 5. One of our testers vowed she would never go back to disposable nappies after using these nappies.

Mum tester Louise said: "These nappies are so versatile. There is an easy to use popper system means that the nappies can go from birth to toddler which gives good value for money. They are really easy to use, wash well and look really comfortable on my toddler. It doesn’t feel like an extra effort to use them. The designs look so cute, particularly on those summer days when only a nappy is needed."

Read our full review of the Tot Bots Easyfit here.

Pros

  • Quick drying
  • Slim fitting
  • One size suitable for baby to toddler

Cons

  • Limited designs
  • 10 prewashes required before first use

Top pick for style

Description

Modibodi aren't just there for us postpartum as the UK's number one leak-proof underwear brand, they're there for your baby too.

Modibodi have now launched a baby range of sustainable and reusable baby products which include reusable nappies and bamboo nappy liners. Adapting to every growing baby, their nappies have been developed with a one size fits most design for baby’s between 5kg and 18kg. Designed for multi-tasking modern parents, each nappy can be simply thrown in the wash, meaning no soaking, no special detergents, no scrubbing and no stains all whilst being free from harmful chemicals. The nappies are also Oeko-Tex 100 Class-1 certified – the highest safety standard. Each four pack of reusable nappies comes in unique, modern and stylish designs, provides 12 hours' overnight protection, and they can hold up to one litre of leaks!

Reviewed by mum Victoria: "We have used lots of brands of reusable nappies and this is one of our favourites by far. I am super impressed with the quality of the nappy and how well it performed as an overnight nappy. We've always struggled with overnight nappy leaks when using reusables but this one was fantastic and kept my little one comfortable all night. For that reason alone it would be our winner!"

Read our full review of the Modibodi Reusable Nappy here.

Pros

  • Good quality
  • Easy to use
  • Great for overnight use

Cons

  • Quite bulky
  • Expensive

Top pick for customisation

Description

A highly absorbent, comfortable nappy, the fleece inner layer of the Littles Bloomz resusable nappies will keep moisture away from your baby’s skin, and the waterproof PUL laminated outer layer keeps wetness in. These are good value for money at only £3.90 each and there are a whopping 104 designs to choose from. You can choose to buy just the nappy (if you prefer disposable inserts), a bamboo insert, microfibre insert, or charcoal insert instead.

The nappies are suitable from birth-to-potty, so there's no need to buy more as your child grows older.

Mum Rachel on Amazon said: "I bought twelve of these nappies along with some microfibre and some bamboo inserts, and have used them with my baby since she was 2 months old. The inserts are super absorbent, which means her wees aren't sitting against her skin for hours on end when she sleeps longer at night, and the wraps dry really quickly after washing. (Just FYI, I've found the bamboo inserts take a bit longer to dry). The fitting mean I can make the nappy 'smaller' to fit her now, and as she gets bigger, I won't need to do them up so much that we can - hopefully - keep using them until she's potty trained.

"One downside is they are quite bulky when the poppers are done up for a smaller baby, and I don't think these would have worked when she was newborn as she was just too tiny. But other than that, we seldom get leaks, the designs are gorgeous, and they wash really well - barely any stains after two months of use! I can highly recommend these, especially as other brands can be quite pricey."

Pros

  • Great value for money
  • Lots of designs
  • Suitable for newborn to toddler

Cons

  • Bulky on smallest fitting

Best for ease of use

Description

These cute washable nappies have been designed with your little one’s comfort in mind. The birth-to-potty nappy is made from a unique, fast-wicking panel to keep excess moisture in the middle of the nappy and has a soft elasticated waist and legs. It has an easy hook and loop fastening and stretchy tabs for a great fit and easy, quick, one-step changes just like a disposable. It converts quickly from day to night with a specially-designed booster, has a unique design and leakproof double leg gusset. The designs are cute and colourful, but if you have a wiggly baby, you might find these nappies slightly complicated to put on and take off.

Mum tester Lola said: "It was my first time using cloth nappies, I always liked the idea of them but never got round to trying with my now 19-month old. While cloth nappies are not as 'convenient' as standard disposable nappies, they definitely look better and are more environmentally friendly. The all in one design makes it easy to pick up and put on, but also the fabric is quick-drying which is great in that it saves time between washing and being ready to use again."

Read our full review of the Close Pop-in Puffin Bio Laminate Nappy here.

Pros

  • Birth-to-potty
  • Good value for money
  • Easily converted to nighttime nappy

Cons

  • Quite bulky

Top pick for an affordable multipack

Description

The Alva Baby Pack Pocket Washable Adjustable Cloth Nappies come in plenty of fun designs that your kids will love, and are cheaper than many other reusable nappy multipacks on the market. The poppers ensure that you’ll get the best fit for your child, and are suitable from birth-to-potty.

Each nappy comes with two triple-layer microfibre inserts and a suede inner layer to wick away moisture and help keep the insert as dry as possible. They're also waterproof, breathable, and convenient for carrying on the go. Each pack includes six reusable nappies and 12 inserts.

Mum Kerry wrote on Amazon: "The world of reusable diapers was scary to us at first, there is just so much choice! So we just ordered these as they were the top selling ones, and we just wanted a few to try out reusable diapers. We have not been disappointed, and are now converted and love this brand. They are easy to use, wash well and dry quickly. The colours are great, although the grey is a bit dark and dull compared to the rest, perhaps okay on a little boy but seems too dark on our baby girl. Have since bought several more, including some gorgeous pink colours and are really pleased with this brand.

"I washed the inserts at least 7 times before our baby was born, not realising at the time just how important this is - the diapers will leak if you don't wash them enough to begin with! The poppers take a little longer than velcro or the disposables to put on (although we're talking seconds here!) but unlike those, the poppers ensure the diaper stays in place. We have now got 18 diapers and inserts which lasts us about 3 days, so we always have diapers to use even if we've got one load in the wash and the last load is still on the drying rack."

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Birth-to-potty
  • Colourful designs
  • Quick drying

Cons

  • Some parents said they leaked

Top pick for flexibility

Recommended

Description

Tj's BTP Nappy Wrap are birth-to-potty waterproof wraps made from polyester laminated with polyurethane (PUL) and are designed to be a flexible option. With double leg gussets for extra protection from leaks, these wraps can also be used over fitted nappies in size 1, 2, or birth-to-potty styles, as well as traditional terry nappies and other more bulky night options.

Mum tester Lucy Bull says: "Having a separate cover and liner makes it easy to wash and quick to dry. It also means that the system is flexible and more adaptable to suit different sized babies by using different inserts. The poppers make it easy to adjust so that the cover can grow with your baby, and the size can be reduced much smaller than my slim 3 month old."

Read the full review of Tj's BTP Nappy here.

Pros

  • Birth-to-potty
  • Easily adjustable
  • Great price

Cons

  • A little fiddly use

Recommended

Description

Ecobebé nappies are all-in-two nappies, they consist of a soft, breathable waterproof cover and a slim but highly absorbent insert. The designers wanted to make eco nappies more accessible to all parents, as sometimes they can be seen as the expensive option, so they have a fairly low price. They wanted to make a simple, easy-to-use, affordable, reusable nappy, and that's what they gave us.

Mum tester Kelly said: "The insert is very soft and it is reversible depending on which texture you prefer for your little one. It is slimmer when fully open (when the poppers haven’t been used to make it smaller) and my little boy seemed to find it comfortable. The insert did seem to dry quite quickly, which is helpful if you are short on time."

Read our full review of Ecopipo UK Ecobebé here.

Pros

  • Very soft
  • Reversible
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Quite bulky

How many nappies will I need?

This depends on how many nappies you get through in one day and how often you plan on putting a wash on. For example, if your baby gets through around 10-15 nappies per day, plus around 5 changes in the night, you might want around 20 nappies.

How to change and wash reusable nappies?

While reusable nappies are much better for the environment and your pocket, cleaning them is a lot harder than wrapping a nappy up and throwing it in a nappy bin. There are some things to note when it comes to how to change your baby's reusable nappies, and how to wash them.

When washing them, a top tip is to add a nappy liner between your baby and the nappy which acts as a permeable layer to stop any non-liquid waste from getting to the nappy. This makes the washing process a whole lot easier. All you need to do is wrap up any poop in the nappy liner and pop it in the bin before washing. Most nappy liners on the market are 100 per cent biodegradable.

Stephanie Spencer is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 8 to 6 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parents' lives easier.

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