Pampers Swaddlers Review
Pros: Comfortable, durable
Cons: Leaks, limited absorption, health, ecology
Manufacturer: Pampers
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
![]() This Product
Pampers Swaddlers | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $0.33 List $0.27 each at Amazon - 19% off | $0.43 List $0.43 each at Amazon | $0.35 List $0.33 each at Amazon - 5% off | $0.39 List $0.39 each at Amazon | $0.32 List $0.33 each at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Comfortable, durable | Great absorption and leak prevention, better health and eco-friendliness | Absorption, comfy, durable, better health | Great for health, eco-friendly, comfy | Great health, good absorption, eco-friendly |
Cons | Leaks, limited absorption, health, ecology | Hard to find a good fit, not as comfy or durable | Average leakage and eco-friendliness | Average for leaks and durability | Possible leaks, not so cozy |
Bottom Line | Leaks with low absorption means potential for diaper rash and messes | Earth friendly, healthy choice that works great | Keeps baby drier in a cozy, durable diaper that has better health stats | Comfy, healthy option with performance where it counts | Best green bang for the buck that works well with a top health score |
Rating Categories | Pampers Swaddlers | Nature Babycare | Babyganics | Bambo Nature | Free & Clear |
Absorption (40%) | |||||
Leakage (20%) | |||||
Comfort (15%) | |||||
Health (15%) | |||||
Eco Friendly (5%) | |||||
Durability (5%) | |||||
Specs | Pampers Swaddlers | Nature Babycare | Babyganics | Bambo Nature | Free & Clear |
Type of Diaper | Traditional | Green | Green | Green | Green |
Chlorine-Free | Elemental Chlorine-free |
Totally Chlorine-free |
Totally Chlorine-free |
Elemental Chlorine-free |
Totally Chlorine-free |
Perfume-Free | No | 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 | Yes | No |
Stretchable Side Wings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stretchable Back | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
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 |
Nordic Eco-label FSC Certified Asthma-Allergy Denmark |
FSC Certified Rainforest Alliance Certified |
Our Analysis and Test Results
A well-known diaper brand, Pampers is owned by Proctor and Gamble. Pampers is one of the first companies to invent the modern disposable diaper. An American chemical engineer that worked for Proctor and Gamble, Victor Mills, began working on the idea of the disposable diaper in the 1950s. In the 70s, the company added tape closures to their diapers instead of pins and through the 80s and 90s made thinner diapers, invented gelling material, added elastic legs, and refastening tabs.
Performance Comparison
Likes
The best aspects of the Swaddlers diaper is comfort and durability. This diaper offers better features for comfort than most of the option in this group. For durability, it managed to score over the group average.
While some diapers are comfortable and others are durable, not all seem capable of being comfy and tough to last through a blowout or a long time between changes.
Dislikes
Unfortunately, there is much to dislike in this diaper, starting with its test results for leakage and absorption. Arguably the two most important features and functionality of a diaper are preventing leaks and absorbing liquids. This diaper earned low scores for both tests making this a poorly functioning diaper on both fronts.
This diaper leaked in our tests, and leaks were reported by Amazon users as well. Not being able to contain messes can result in wet clothes and bedding and late-night crib changes, so baby has a dry place to sleep. For absorption, this diaper had significant wetness transferred to the test paper, which means baby's skin will be wet and can lead to skin irritation or a diaper rash. We prefer diapers that lock moisture away, so baby's skin stays dry.
Other things we dislike are Pampers' lack of concern for eco-friendliness or nods to health. The Swaddlers diaper earned very low scores in both metrics. For health, this diaper is only latex-free. Pampers doesn't say anything about chlorine, perfume, dye, lotion, and only provides a partial list of materials and what they include. Some of these omissions can irritate sensitive skin and lead to diaper rash or skin irritation.
For eco-friendliness, Pampers doesn't make much of an effort, and if they are, they aren't talking about it. This diaper and its packaging are not biodegradable, are not made with renewable resources. They don't use any plant-based materials, and their disclosure list is only partial.
Conclusion
Pampers Swaddlers are often the first diaper hospital born babies use, and the one many parents stick with thinking hospitals know best. This diaper has a reasonable price that is neither cheap nor expensive, and it is very soft to the touch with smooth materials and friendly elastic. However, this diaper did not fare well in our tests for leaking or absorption, two key aspects of what makes a diaper functional. Without the ability to absorb liquids, combined with leaking, we think this diaper isn't a good choice compared to the competition that can be less expensive and scored higher.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz