In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Cuties Review

Good absorption and cheaper price can't make up for possible leaking
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Price:   $0.23 List | $0.23 each (in 144-pack) at Amazon
Pros:  Inexpensive, absorption, better health for the price
Cons:  Leakage, not eco-friendly
Manufacturer:   First Quality
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jul 28, 2017
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53
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#10 of 23
  • Absorption - 40% 6
  • Leakage - 20% 5
  • Comfort - 15% 6
  • Health - 15% 4
  • Eco-friendly - 5% 2
  • Durability - 5% 6

The Skinny

Cuties diapers are budget-friendly and came in the top half out of 23 diapers tested. It managed an above average score for absorbency with minimal moisture transfer to the paper. However, there isn't much to boast about here with average or below average performance in most metrics, and even the lower price can't save it from disappointing leakage. On the upside, this product does offer more for baby's health than the majority of cheaper products with chlorine, latex, and perfume free construction. It has an aloe additive and dye on the diaper, but it claims to be dye free which means their definition of dye may be different than yours. Overall, this diaper isn't good enough to pass muster and could leave a mess behind.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Cuties
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  
Price $0.23 List
$0.23 each at Amazon		$0.37 List$0.32 List
$0.33 each at Amazon		$0.30 List
$0.31 each at Amazon		$0.32 List
$0.56 each at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, absorption, better health for the priceGreat absorption and leak prevention, better health and eco-friendlinessAbsorption, comfy, durable, better healthGreat health, good absorption, eco-friendlyGreat for health, eco-friendly, comfy
Cons Leakage, not eco-friendlyHard to find a good fit, not as comfy or durableAverage leakage and eco-friendlinessPossible leaks, not so cozyAverage for leaks and durability
Bottom Line Good absorption and cheaper price can't make up for possible leakingHigh performing, healthier option that is Earth friendlyTop performance where it counts with a comfy feel and durable designBudget-friendly green option with great health and eco scoresHealthy, eco-friendly choice that gets the job done
Rating Categories Cuties Nature Babycare Babyganics Free & Clear Bambo Nature
Absorption (40%)
10
0
6
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
Leakage (20%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
Comfort (15%)
10
0
6
10
0
3
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
Health (15%)
10
0
4
10
0
6
10
0
3
10
0
7
10
0
9
Eco Friendly (5%)
10
0
2
10
0
8
10
0
4
10
0
6
10
0
6
Durability (5%)
10
0
6
10
0
1
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
6
Specs Cuties Nature Babycare Babyganics Free & Clear Bambo Nature
Type of Diaper Traditional Green Green Green Green
Chlorine-Free Elemental Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Elemental Chlorine-free
Perfume-Free Yes Yes Not Listed Yes Yes
Biodegradable No 99.90% No No No
Contains SAP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Miscellaneous Materials Details Corn Based Plastics
Wetness Indicator Yes No Yes No Yes
Stretchable Side Wings Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stretchable Back Yes No Yes Yes No
Eco-awards FSC Certified Vincotte OK Biobased Certified Swedish Asthma and Allergy Foundation Recommended "Good Environmental Choice" Eco Label from Swedish Society for Nature Conservation EcoCert GOTS Certified FSC Certified Rainforest Alliance Certified Nordic Eco-label FSC Certified Asthma-Allergy Denmark

Our Analysis and Test Results

Cuties brand diapers are manufactured by First Quality, a company that also makes adult incontinence products. First Quality began making children's diapers in 2008 and Cuties are the only diaper for children they make. The company's goal is to make a great performing diaper that has high absorbency qualities. It is one of the more economical diapers we tested.

Cuties diapers managed an average score for 24 products with above average absorbency and impressive health considerations for an inexpensive diaper.
Cuties diapers managed an average score for 24 products with above average absorbency and impressive health considerations for an inexpensive diaper.

Performance Comparison


This chart provides a comparison of the overall test results for the 23 diapers we tested in this review. Overall scores are computed using individual metric scores with a weighting toward absorption and leakage.


The sections below detail what we like and dislike about this diaper as a result of testing and compared to the competition.

Cuties has above average absorbency but you can see it still has moisture transfer on the paper.
Cuties has above average absorbency but you can see it still has moisture transfer on the paper.

Likes


Absorption is the only metric that Cuties earned a score above average. This makes it one of the few things we like about this diaper. With a 6 of 10 performance compared to the competition, this diaper is pretty good at locking away moisture and keeping baby's tushie on the drier side. Our tests also indicate it is consistent showing at the very least a certain quality assurance during manufacturing unlike some of the competition that had test results all over the board.

This diaper earned a 4 of 10 for health which is the average for the group and a high amongst cheaper diapers. While it doesn't offer a full disclosure on best practices or how it is made, it is chlorine free making it one of the few cheap choices that are. However, they don't state if they are elemental chlorine free or total so the jury is still out on what it means overall.

The Cuties diaper had some run off indicating it isn't absorbing liquids as fast as we'd like which could lead to leaks.
The Cuties diaper had some run off indicating it isn't absorbing liquids as fast as we'd like which could lead to leaks.

Dislikes


The Cuties diaper did not score well for leakage with a score of 5 of 10 which is below the average for the group. In our tests, this diaper showed some runoff which indicates slow absorption and a chance for leaking. Online reviewers also indicate that the diaper leaks more than the competition with 33% of reviews we looked at discussing leak issues. This means that one of the two main jobs of a diaper is lacking; the absorption is just average and the leakage is below average, this doesn't bode well for the diaper during use.

We also didn't care for the ecological performance of this product with a score of 2 of 10 with almost no consideration for creating a more Earth-friendly diaper. Cuties claim to be chlorine free but they don't say if it is elemental or total. They do not offer a disclosure list of how this is made or what it is made of. It does not appear as though renewable or sustainable resources were used and no information is given for biodegradability. While no disposable diaper is going to be Earth loving, some brands are making efforts to improve the eco-friendliness of this type of diaper.

Conclusion


Cuties diapers are a cost-effective diaper solution that scored above average for absorption but disappointed with a below average performance for leakage. This means Cuties aren't the best at the two main functions of a diaper, absorbency and preventing leaks. If a diaper can't absorb liquids quickly or it doesn't prevent leaks then it doesn't work very well. In addition, this diaper isn't the best for eco-friendliness and is below the average for comfort. No matter what metric is most important to you Cuties doesn't meet the need even with the lower cost.

Manufacturer Video




— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz