Best diaper bags

With a sleek style that doesn’t scream “diaper bag,” this modern backpack is about the same dimensions as a typical high school/college pack, but it’s outfitted with many more useful compartments and pockets than an ordinary backpack. Inside each of the bag’s two main zippered sections, there are diapers/wipes pockets, insulated bottle pockets, fabric loops to hold baby spoons and forks, a padded laptop sleeve, and two easy-access zipper pockets for your most-used essentials: one on the front of the bag, and one discreetly located on the side to keep sensitive items out of the reach of grabby babies and nefarious strangers. 

Parents say 

“I can’t imagine going back to a regular diaper bag now.”

"I have two in diapers and my 3-year-old still needs a change of clothes. I love that it has two separate large pockets. I felt like everything was lost in my Jeep diaper bag. It was also $21 on Amazon, which was about half the price of cheaper 'name brand' diaper bags."

Heads up

This bag doesn’t have a wet/dry section, so you’ll have to bring along a plastic bag for any messy items. 

Specs 

• Dimensions: 11.8 x 7.8 x 16.5 inches
• Weight: 1.78 pounds
• Large central zipper compartment; smaller zipper compartment in front
• 18 total pockets including added laptop pocket, 2 insulated bottle pockets, mesh diaper organizer, and quick-grab “Mommy pocket”
• Padded laptop pocket
• Includes removable changing pad
• Choose from 8 colors
   

Fashion meets function in this practical and cute diaper bag. The Forma is ideal for trips because it comes with two handy packing cubes: One is insulated for bottles, beverages, or snacks, the other is mesh, which is perfect for clothing or diapers. The Forma has cushioned shoulder straps, an easy grab-and-go top handle, and straps to attach it to your stroller. The changing pad pocket can pull double duty as a laptop holder, too. But our favorite feature is the elastic interior pockets, which help to hold your gear in place while you adventure around. 

Parents say

“I have the Skip Hop Forma and it's wonderful.”

I have the Skip Hop Forma and looove it!”

"I have the Skip Hop Forma and it's by far the best diaper bag I have ever seen or used. I'm so happy I splurged on it!"

Heads up 

The zipper can be difficult to open with one hand.

Specs

• Dimensions: 8 x 14 x 16 inches
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• 2 zipper compartments; two-way zip main compartment
• 2 insulated bottle pockets
• Changing pad pocket holds tablets and laptops up to 15 inches
• Includes cushioned changing pad, stroller straps, insulated packing cube, and mesh packing cube
• Choose from black, gray, navy, pink
   

So beautiful that once you’ll pick it up you’ll want to keep carrying it long after your baby’s left the diaper years, this bag is the result of design focus groups who debated just what parents want (and don’t) in a diaper bag. Thus this winner: stylish, durable, a large capacity, and easy to organize and use. You can carry this convertible beauty as a backpack, cross-body bag or purse. We love the little metal feet that the bag sits on, keeping the bottom clean and steadying the bag so it’s easier to look through it. 

Parents say

“I have a Freshly Picked diaper backpack (comes with a long strap to make it a shoulder bag) in gray and I LOVE it.”

“I have the Freshly Picked Classic Diaper Bag (backpack) and LOVE having my arms free.”

Heads up 

If you overfill the bag, it can be difficult to use the outside pockets.

Specs

• Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 15 inches
• Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Large central compartment; 10 pockets, including large front pouch, interior “Mom pocket” with magnetic closure, insulated interior pocket, and mesh interior pockets
• Easy access front flap with magnetic closure
• Grab-and-go top handle 
• Padded backpack straps
• Includes nylon changing pad, optional shoulder straps, and interior key clip
• Choose from 18 colors and patterns
   

The Petunia Picklebottom Boxy diaper backpack is an iconic staple in the diaper bag market. Built with all the bells and whistles, a large capacity, organizational pockets and multiple ways to wear it, it’s so gorgeous and well-made that you look and feel like you are wearing a designer bag that completes your outfit rather than just lugging around your day-to-day essentials. The hardware on this bag is exceptionally nice, too: heavy, solid, resists scratching. 

Parents say

“I just bought a Petunia Picklebottom Boxy Backpack Diaper bag and love it!”

"The Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack has so many pockets and a place for everything! I love wearing it as a backpack, plus it's super easy to clip it on the stroller and go."

"I've had my Boxy Backpack for several months now, and I love it. It still looks brand new, and I'm very hard on it. I like the backpack carry, but my husband always carries it across his chest with the long strap."

Heads up 

There are no insulated bottle pockets. Also, the backpack straps aren't padded, so they aren't the most comfortable.

Specs

• Dimensions: 13.8 x 13.8 x 6.3 inches
• Weight: Not available
• Large central compartment; 5 pockets; key clip
• Front flap with magnetic closure and snaps
• Zip-out changing station with removable changing pad and diaper/wipes pockets
• Includes stroller straps
• Choose from 17 colors and patterns
   

Burberry’s usual attention to detail is clear in this sleek and lovely backpack with polished Burberry-logo hardware and textured fine-leather trim. It’s trendy enough to pass for just a good-looking backpack, but the Watson has details parents will appreciate: a removable changing pad, six interior pockets, drawstring side pockets that safely secure items you need easily accessible.The bag’s lining, in distinctive Burberry plaid, makes it harder for contents to hide.

Heads up

This backpack is on the larger side and the exterior pockets, with their cord-and-toggle closure, aren’t easy to open one-handed. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 11.4 x 6.7 x 17.3 inches
• Weight: Not available
• Central compartment; 4 elasticized inner pockets; 2 outer pockets with drawstring and toggle closures
• Leather trim
• Includes fold-up removable changing pad
• Adjustable backpack straps
   

Diaper bags can be heavy, and your shoulders and back are likely already sore from tending to your baby, so the lightness of this easygoing tote is truly a blessing: about half the weight of a loaf of bread. The Be Light folds up to the size of a deck of cards and can be tucked inside larger luggage when traveling; it also makes a top-flight gym bag once your child’s diaper days are done. The Be Light’s top zipper enclosure keeps all your stuff inside, and we love, as we always do on JuJuBe bags, the big, heavy zipper pull that’s easy to see and to grab, even one-handed. Our final favorite thing: The whole bag is machine-washable. 

Parents say

“The JuJuBe Be Light is perfect, light and it’s really cute.”

“The JuJuBe Be Light is AWESOME and crazy light weight.”

Heads up 

The Be Light doesn’t stand up by itself, so if you want to root through it one-handed, you’ll have to lay it down flat. We also wish it had an external pocket for phone/keys/wallet. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 3 inches
• Weight: .46 pounds
• Large zippered central compartment; 1 zippered internal pocket; 2 insulated bottle pockets
• Interior fabric treated to resist bacteria, mold, and mildew
• Reinforced fabric loops for attaching messenger strap (sold separately) 
• Choose from 10 colors and patterns

Pockets, pockets, pockets is what you’ll get from this great big workhorse of a bag, which carries enough to easily see you through major outings like theme park or beach days. If you’re a “place for everything” type, a grand total of 17 separate compartments are prepared to meet your needs, as well as a roomy central compartment where you can throw it all in busy moments before taking the time to sort it out later. Carry it as a tote, strap it to your stroller with the included clips, or fasten on the messenger strap to carry it cross-body style. 

Heads up 

This bag is big, and could be overkill for shorter outings. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 13.5 inches
• Weight: 2.25 pounds
• Large central compartment with magnetic closure; 9 external and 8 internal pockets
• Adjustable strap with removable shoulder pad
• Water-resistant fabric and lining 
• Includes stroller clips, adjustable messenger strap, and cushioned fold-out changing pad

The unique shape of this bag is what convinced us to add it to this list, with a half-circle zipper top that opens wide so you can see all the way to the bottom. Both bottom and sides are sturdy and solid, so it won’t tip over when you’re searching through it. There are six exterior pockets, including a zippered pocket for wallet/keys/phone, and six internal pockets, including a sleeve to hold your laptop, and a secure pouch that zippers shut. And will you just look at this thing! Gorgeous! 

Parents say

“Fawn Design is such an awesome diaper bag.”

“I got the Fawn Design (the original size) and it's super spacious and I love it! It looks like a regular trendy bag and not a diaper bag so that’s why I picked it.”

Heads up 

The design is pretty basic with no bells and whistles like a changing pad or insulated pockets. Also, some parents say that this bag is heavy even before they put their baby's stuff inside

Specs

• Dimensions: 13 x 13.5 x 7 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds
• Large internal compartment with zipper top; 6 internal and 6 external pockets including 2 zippered pockets; laptop pouch
• Removable, adjustable backpack and cross-body straps
• Choose from 9 colors and designs
   

At a price that even penny-pinchers won’t complain about, this backpack has the style of a hipster bag, with design features that parents appreciate, like a side pocket perfectly sized to hold a wipes case, and panels on both the front and back of the pack that zip open: Now that wayward pacifier really has nowhere to hide! The shoulder straps are padded, and adjustable so anyone in the family can carry it comfortably. 

Parents say

“I love my grey Eddie Bauer backpack diaper bag. It has multiple pockets and nice easy-to-adjust straps”

Heads up 

Some parents say that the zipper pulls could be easier to operate. 

Specs

• Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 16 inches
• Weight: 1.72 pounds
• Large main compartment; 7 pockets including 2 interior and 1 exterior insulated bottle pockets and front zippered pocket
• Padded adjustable backpack straps
• Includes removable changing pad  

We love when bags come complete with a way to keep their bottoms from getting dirty, and the Boss Backpack has a uniquely cool one: rubber feet inspired by textured moccasin soles. Not only does it keep the bottom of the bag elevated from dirty floors and surfaces, it keeps the whole bag firmly in place where you put it, so you can hunt through it as carelessly as you like without knocking it over. The storage is well-thought-out too, especially the pockets on the sides of the bag, with one elasticized yet open to make contents easy to grab, and the other zippered to keep your essentials secure. 

Parents say

“Never had a nice diaper bag - excited to have the Itzy Ritzy backpack”

“I have an Itzy Ritzy diaper bag & LOVE IT!!”

Heads up 

Some parents have reported zipper issues with this bag.

Specs

• Dimensions: 10.5 x 7 x 18 inches
• Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Large internal compartment and 17 other pockets including 2 insulated bottle pockets, zipper pockets on outside and inside of bag, and diaper/wipes organizer pockets on zip-down front flap
• Includes matching changing pad and stroller straps
• Choose from 6 different colors and patterns