Pampers Swaddlers Review

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, it made thinner diapers, invented gelling material, added elastic legs, and refastening tabs.

Performance Comparison

Likes

The best aspect of the Swaddlers diaper is comfort. This diaper offers better comfort features than most diapers in this group. It has soft materials and motion points and cuffs that don't chafe.

It also offers average leak protection and durability performance, but there is nothing to brag about, with several traditional green options performing better in every metric.

Dislikes

Unfortunately, this diaper has much to dislike, starting with its test results for absorption. Arguably the most essential feature and functionality of a diaper are absorbing liquids followed by leak prevention. This diaper earned disappointing results for absorption and just average for leakage, 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 containing messes can result in wet clothes and bedding and late-night crib changes so your baby has a dry place to sleep. For absorption, this diaper had significant wetness transferred to the test paper, which means the baby's skin will be wet and lead to skin irritation or a diaper rash. We prefer diapers that lock moisture away, so the baby's skin stays dry.

We also dislike Pampers' lack of concern for eco-friendliness or nods to health. For health, this diaper is only latex-free. Pampers doesn't say anything about chlorine, perfume, dye, or lotion and only provides a partial list of materials and what they include. Some of these potential materials 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 (something we don't typically see). This diaper and its packaging are not biodegradable, nor do they use renewable resources. They don't use any plant-based materials, and their disclosure list is only partial.

Should You Buy the Pampers Swaddlers?

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 critical 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 top-ranking diaper competition that can be less expensive and higher performing.

What Other Disposable Diaper Should You Consider?

We think there are better selections in our lineup no matter your diapering goals. Mama Bear Gentle Touch scored higher overall and in key metrics like absorption and leakage. This lower-priced diaper is comfortable and durable, making it an excellent choice for most families, especially those on a tighter budget. Alternatively, if you want the best of the best with no game playing, Babyganics is an excellent choice with impressive performance where it counts and an average green diaper price. If you want remarkable functionality with a little bit more for health and eco-friendliness, the Seventh Generation Sensitive Protection diaper is an excellent option with great absorption and more considerations for your baby's health than the Swaddlers.