Yes, You Need a Functional (Not Designer) Diaper Bag—These Are the 6 Best on the Market

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The best diaper bags house everything moms and little ones need on the go. These bags have become an essential part of your daily life, and that’s why it’s necessary to select one that satisfies your needs. Diaper bags come in a variety of styles — from backpacks to totes and even traditional bags — there’s a bag for every mom. Aside from holding the essentials: Diapers, wipes, blankets, you also want it to include accessories like a changing pad for unexpected blowouts. To help, we spoke with experts to learn how to select the best diaper bags ahead, plus six options to shop.

Best Diaper Bags at a Glance

Best Overall: Kipling Camama Diaper Bag, $189
Best Diaper Bag Backpack: Ruvalino Diaper Bag Backpack, $32
Most Affordable: SoHo Tote Diaper Bag, $40
Best Tote Diaper Bag: Skip Hop Mainframe Wide Open Diaper Backpack, $64
Best Multi Use Diaper Bag: Original Bogg Bag, $90
Best New Diaper Bag: Lululemon New Parent Backpack 17L, $198

What to Look for in a Diaper Bag, According to an Expert

Since your diaper bag is used frequently, purchasing one that’s easy to clean is important. “We all love our designer bags, but sitting them down on the floor gets them dirty,” Kim Vaccarella, CEO and founder of Bogg Bags, tells SheKnows. “You also don’t want milk spilling in it.” That’s why it’s important to wait to purchase a designer diaper bag. “Bogg Bags are crafted with anti-microbial materials that are easy to clean and keep sanitized,” she says.

Also, look for diaper bags that have a good amount of space to hold your items. You don’t want to seek out bags that have narrow or compact silhouettes because bottles and bulky blankets won’t fit inside. Instead, consider options with wider zippered openings or totes.

Do You Really Need a Specific Diaper Bag?

A diaper bag does make it easy to access everything you need on the fly, but don’t let that scare you away from other options, especially if you find something that catches your eye. We’re seeing more and more tote-like designs from brands like Skip Hop and Kipling, and a surging amount of popular backpacks like Lululemon’s best-selling backpacks.

What Makes a Diaper Bag a…Diaper Bag?

Typically diaper bags are characterized by long carrying straps and compartments for bottles, wipes, and other essentials. Before modern designs hit the market, these bags often had storybook characters and other designs. Now, there are plenty of chic and minimal designs to purchase. Diaper bags also come in a variety of styles.

Is a Designer Diaper Bag Worth It?

While it seems like a right of passage to treat yourself (and your baby) to a designer diaper bag, it isn’t always practical. Sure, a high-end diaper bag is fun for a new mom, but after scouring the Internet for advice from veteran parents and experts, it’s best to have an everyday bag that you don’t mind scuffing up. “All of my friends and I made this mistake: the second we found out we were pregnant we started looking for fancy diaper bags. Resist the urge to do this!” CorporetteMoms said. “At least until after the kiddo is born and you’ve been using a diaper bag for a little bit of time and have a better sense of your needs (and the level of grossness that often comes with babies).”

What Age Do Babies Stop Using Diaper Bags?

Diaper bags are best used from infancy through the toddler years, but once your child is pretty trained, there’s really no use for one. Of course, you can opt to leave a bag in your car or stroller in case of emergencies, but if your child no longer has use for bottles, diapers, and wipes, you no longer need a diaper bag. That’s where non-traditional diaper bags come in: Think totes and backpacks that can transition with you and your little bestie as they grow.

If you’re on the search for a diaper bag, scroll ahead to shop six of the best options on the market.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Kipling is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. 

Experts in This Article

Kim Vaccarella: CEO and founder of Bogg Bags

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