12 best diaper bags of 2024, tested and reviewed by a busy mom

If you talk to any mom, they’ll tell you that an awesome diaper bag is key to making motherhood just a tad easier.

Sure, you could use any random tote of your liking to hold all of your baby’s essentials but with a diaper bag, they’ll include convenient features like insulated pockets for bottles, built-in changing mats and supportive shoulder straps, just to name a few.

There’s no bad time to invest in a new diaper bag. Whether you’re still pregnant or already toting around things for an infant or a toddler (diapers, snacks, toys, pacifiers, water wipes, a change of clothes — you get the point) just about everything in that “Mary Poppins” bag will become essential to everyday life. Therefore, finding the perfect diaper bag is a pretty big deal. (Tip: and a great baby shower gift!)

To make your life easier, I’ve tested out some of the top diaper bags on the internet, according to rave reviews — with comfort, functionality, durability, and even aesthetics in mind. Read on for my take on these mom-approved bags, and if you’re still on the hunt for more baby products, be sure to head to our review of the top car seats and baby wipes, per experts.

Related: the best strollers for babies.

The Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack is available in three different sizes and eight different colors. It has storage for extra diapers and clothes, but it also has pouches and pockets for wipes, toys, snacks, and more. Plus, it has two key leashes – one for keys and one for other on-hand essentials (like, say, a binky). And if your little one has an older sibling who likes to (or needs to) be distracted by a tablet, there’s room for that too.

I’ve seen this bag all over the internet, and now I know why parents love it. The ability to customize this bag to your size needs and style preferences makes it an easy choice. It’s also been designed with with premium neoprene, which is a sturdy, resilient material (you could drop this bag out of a 30-story building and it would be intact.) While it’s a bit more expensive than some other diaper bags, the quality makes it a worthy investment.

Leaving the house as a new parent involves lots of moving parts — and having separate spaces for organizing all your essentials makes life a lot easier. Courtesy of Lambert, we propose a stylish and practical Parent Bundle that combines the best-selling diaper bag, bottle cover, and pouch. The pristine black polyurethane leather is exceptionally durable (take a peek at the babies testing out if it’s bite-proof in the pictures).

I was thrilled to test Lambert’s Parent Bundle, as the brand already offers a stunning variety of bags, suitcases, and accessories crafted from vegan leather and recycled materials. I love that this set is sustainable, but also well-designed: featuring long openings for easy access, exposed silver zippers to keep everything safe, and light shoulder straps. Both the bottle cover and the pouch fit perfectly inside the backpack, with more room to spare. For a value of $270, this bundle is really a steal.

A backpack is a great option for those looking to go hands-free. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a diaper backpack that strikes the balance between heavy-duty and lightweight, but this option from Thule does the trick. The fabric is on the thicker side, which is ideal for packing the bag with loads of essentials. But, at under three pounds, you’ll hardly remember you’re wearing it.

I love how roomy this backpack is — you could even throw a laptop in it if you’re the type to experience some overlap between work life and mom life. The combination of internal and external pockets is also very convenient. In case of “emergencies,” you can separate clean from dirty items. I only wish it came in a few more colors.

You’ve probably seen MZ Wallace’s iconic quilted bags swung on the backs of celebrities like Ann Hathaway and Jennifer Garner. It’s no surprise that the A-listers love the style — it’s sort of a low-key luxury, something practical, sophisticated, and light-as-air. But few people know just how well these bags do for all your diaper needs.

I’d heard these bags were “super lightweight,” but it wasn’t until I tried it on myself that I realized just what two pounds feels like. And, it’s not just that the bag isn’t bulky, but the weight is distributed quite evenly due to the thoughtful placement of each of the internal and external pockets (of which there are plenty). Bid goodbye to prodded shoulders or and pokes in the back — it feels like nothing is there. Not to mention, the sleek style, marked by gunmetal hardware and puff nylon, elicits compliments everywhere you go. It’s a diaper bag worth the splurge.

Another great convertible diaper bag is the Stonz Urban Backpack, which can be carried as a tote or thrown on your back when you’re on the go. Parents love the fact that this bag is expandable, so you can pack in all the goodies when you’re in a crunch. The insulated front pocket is easily accessible — ideal for bottles or snacks.

I was thoroughly impressed with this small, but mighty diaper bag for a few reasons. The polyester material easily wipes clean with damp cloths, which is extremely helpful with all the potential spills and stains that are part of everyday life with a baby. While this bag is on the smaller side, I love that it tucks easily underneath a stroller. However, the real selling point for this diaper bag is that it’s now on sale for just $36 on Amazon, making it a great budget option.

You won’t be sacrificing style with this elegant diaper tote available in three classic shades (my favorite being this lovely blush). From the outside, it looks like your sophisticated everyday work bag — complete with sparkling hardware and supple vegan leather. Open it up, and you’ll find five interior storage pockets and a zip closure.

I’ve noticed that most diaper bags are compact, and the pockets veer on the wider side. This works great sometimes, but other times leads to major spillage (which is less than ideal when you’re carrying bottles or other liquids). On the flip side, this tote from Little Unicorn features deeper, narrow pockets that are large enough for a tall water bottle or laptop.

Another excellent choice from Dagne Dover is the Landon Newopreve Caryall Bag. The crossbody strap is ideal for those who want to reduce stress on their back or the hassle of a handheld option. It’s wide and thick, which makes even the heaviest loads much more tolerable. Reviewers love this bag so much that they end up buying it in multiple sizes and colors.

Of all diaper bag builds, my favorite build is a crossbody. I find that a longer strap is the easiest option to hang off a stroller or carry yourself. I’ve heard that the smaller versions are also great first travel bags for toddlers — which makes sense because they’re lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy enough to stand up alone without tipping over.

lululemon has done it again. You probably already know and love their iconic Everywhere Belt Bag (which truly lives up to its name — it comes everywhere with me and I often forget it’s there). The brand’s New Parent Tote is like the more refined, larger, grown-up version. It’s designed with water-repellent fabric and offers two side water bottle pockets for easy access. Reviewers have mentioned that this is also one of the few totes that is large enough to fit a breast pump — which is a huge plus for pumping moms.

Personally, what I love most about this diaper bag is the fact that I can get away with using it as a gym bag as well. It’s sleek, sweat-wicking and reduces the need for me to have more junk in the house. As far as using it as a diaper bag, the best part is certainly the size. It’s not too big or bulky, but still offers a good mix of smaller and larger internal and external pockets to hold everything you could think of.

It looks like any other backpack, except it’s much more. With a whopping 30,000+ reviews on Amazon and a price point below $50 — we knew this option would make our list. With nearly a dozen different colors to choose from, a changing pad, 16 pockets (including insulated bottle pockets), a laptop pocket and much more, this diaper backpack seems like a no-brainer.

“When you hear ‘diaper bag,’ you might picture something bulky or uncool,” said Matt Levy, The Post’s Live Events and Experiences Reporter. “The Ruvalino avoids all those cliches with its cool gray exterior that would fit in on any hip college campus. Yeah, there may be diapers, snacks, baby books and various parental knickknacks kicking around inside but no one would be the wiser if they saw you wearing it.”

Best for travel: The JULIA Black Recycled Nylon Diaper Bag

Flying with a little one is no easy feat. When looking for a diaper bag suited for travel, there are a few things you should keep in mind — how secure it is, how easily can it be attached to a suitcase, whether the material is flexible enough to stuff beneath a seat, and if it is durable enough to withstand some bending.

All these requirements are met with Lambert’s JULIA Recycled Nylon Diaper Bag. I love the clean look of this diaper bag, but I also recommend it to anyone planning to travel with their little one. You can wear it crossbody, as a shoulder bag, or carry it as a handbag. The trolley sleeve is ideal for easing up your load, by simply placing the diaper bag atop a rolling suitcase. The Nylon material is flexible, without looking wrinkly. Consider it your best bag for your next baby-on-board adventure.

Vera Bradley is known for their fantastic range of joyful, quilted handbags and pouches, but their duffel can easily double as a baby bag too. While most parents opt for a firmer diaper bag, some might prefer a fabric option that is easier to stuff into tight spaces (ie. under seats while traveling). Shoppers also love the fact that it comes with a 53-inch removable, adjustable strap that fits perfectly over strollers.

I bought this bag before embarking on a six-hour plane journey with my six-month-old. That purchase truly felt like one of the best decisions of my life when it comes to parenting. Unlike more structured diaper bags, this one can easily be folded up or tucked away so it takes up minimal space. It also zips closed and it’s easy to find everything inside with the see-through mesh pockets.

For parents who want to maintain an all-natural household, we suggest going with a diaper bag from Storsak. This Organic Tote is made from cotton without any added chemicals and offers a matching, generously sized organic changing mat. It’s a great choice for a health-conscious household.

There are a couple of features that make this an excellent diaper bag in my book. First, it easily converts from a backpack to a shoulder bag. The interior of this bag is also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about spills and stains. And finally, the stunning light beige polka-dotted pattern would look great in just about any nursery. If you’re not buying this diaper bag four yourself, it would make a lovely baby shower gift.

How we tested

My evaluation of the top diaper bags was based on a few key factors — comfort, functionality, durability, and aesthetics.

Comfort: Diaper bags can either be worn or held and when you’re also juggling a baby, the goal is for them to be as comfortable as possible. My primary focus was on how soft the material was, how wide the bands and straps were, and whether any parts of the bag were adjustable.

Functionality: With diaper bags, it’s all about pockets. I looked for bags that were designed with both internal and external pockets, as well as ones that offered some see-through mesh pockets so items could easily be identified. I also made note of any diaper bags with insulated pockets for snacks and bottles.

Durability: Some diaper bags are built better than others. I’ve put all of these to the test — meaning they have been thrown on the ground, and shoved into tight corners, and I’ve even tested to ensure those advertised as waterproof held up to the claim.

Aesthetics: Every parent has their own style when it comes to diaper bags — starting with whether they like the look of a tote, cross-body, or backpack. I’ve tested a variety of builds and looked for bags that are offered in a range of colors and patterns. I’ve also made note of any bags that are versatile enough to be used for other activities including work, travel, or working out.

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