REASONS TO BUY
Good absorption
Comfortable
Durable
Easy to find
REASONS TO AVOID
Average leak protection
Few nods for health
Poor eco-friendliness
Pampers Swaddlers Review
Better than average with good absorption, but average leak protection and few nods for health and the environment leave it struggling to keep up
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Disposable Diapers
The Skinny
Pampers Swaddlers are super comfortable diapers that feel good against your skin and don't have rough edges or abrasive parts. The diaper offers impressive durability, good absorption, and average leak protection. While it managed to come out as one of the top-ranked disposable diaper in our competition, it still struggles to really compare to higher-scoring or less expensive diapers. Pampers also hasn't incorporated much in the way of health or eco-friendliness, with limited disclosure on materials and chemicals and presumed use of chlorine, perfumes, lotion, and dyes. Overall, this version of Swaddlers did pretty well in our tests compared to previous versions, but we hope parents will look at less well-known brands to get better absorption, with more consideration for the earth and baby's skin. We simply think there is more to be had at this price point that meets more goals.
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on May 24, 2023, to include new information on how it compares to 13 newly tested popular diapers in our most recent update.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Pampers Swaddlers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $0.35 List $0.33 each at Amazon | $0.27 List $0.18 each at Amazon | $0.33 List | Check Price at Amazon | $0.31 List $0.31 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Good absorption, comfortable, durable, easy to find | Excellent absorption, great leak protection, comfortable, durable, inexpensive | Great absorbency, few leaks, very durable, fragrance and lotion-free, TCF | Great leak prevention, good absorption, comfortable, very durable | Better absorption, good leak protection, comfortable, durable |
| Cons | Average leak protection, few nods for health, poor eco-friendliness | Not eco-friendly, uses coloring/inks | Uses inks | Not as eco-friendly, lack of transparency | Not eco-friendly, disappointing health attributes |
| Bottom Line | Better than average with good absorption, but average leak protection and few nods for health and the environment leave it struggling to keep up | A high-performing diaper that works well and has a reasonable price, but isn't as eco-friendly as you might want | Absorbent, durable option with good leak protection and impressive considerations for health and eco-friendliness | This diaper offers excellent leak protection and comfort, with better absorption but the lack of disclosure is disappointing | Cozy with great absorption and leak protection at a lower price, but eco-friendliness and health attributes are disappointing |
| Rating Categories | Pampers Swaddlers | Kirkland Signature | Hello Bello Premium | Huggies Little Snug... | Huggies Snug & Dry |
| Absorption (45%) | |||||
| Leakage (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Pampers Swaddlers | Kirkland Signature | Hello Bello Premium | Huggies Little Snug... | Huggies Snug & Dry |
| Type of Diaper Green/Traditional | Traditional | Traditional | Green | Traditional | Traditional |
| Chlorine-Free ECF/TCF | ECF | ECF | TFC | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Fragrance-Free | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No - Strong baby powder scent |
| Biodegradable | Not listed | Not listed | No | Not listed | Not listed |
| Contains SAP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miscellaneous Materials Details | Petrolatum, Stearyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. Topsheet/Inner-Liner: Polypropylene/Polyethylene nonwoven. Adhesive: Thermoplastic Polymers. | Made with Plant Based Materials (At least 23%+ by weight) | TCF fluff pulp from sustainably managed forests, a high-performance Super Absorbent Polymer, polypropylene/polyethylene/polyester nonwoven fibers, plant-derived PLA nonwoven fiber, spandex strands, and an elastomeric fill | Wood Pulp Sodium Polyacrylate Polypropylene Polyethylene Adhesives Polyester Polyrurethane elastics |
Wood Pulp Sodium Polyacrylate Polypropylene Polyethylene Adhesives Polyester Polyrurethane elastics |
| Wetness Indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stretchable side wings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stretchable Back of Diaper | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eco-Awards & Certifications | Accredited as safe by Skin Health Alliance | Good Housekeeping ~ "2022 Parenting Awards" New York Magazine ~ "Best Diaper Subscription" ptpa.com ~ "winner" |
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| Dye-Free | "Pampers uses pigments for these colors, not dyes, because some dyes can cause allergy. The pigments we use are non-allergenic and skin safe. They are also commonly used in other consumer products, contact lenses, and food packaging." | Not listed, does have a print | No | "Printing inks are used to provide a decorative design. The colorants and pigments we use are evaluated to ensure they are safe and non-sensitizing." | "Printing inks are used to provide a decorative design. The colorants and pigments we use are evaluated to ensure they are safe and non-sensitizing." |
| Lotion-Free | No | Yes | Yes | Not Listed | Not Listed |
| Latex-Free | Yes | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
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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, it made thinner diapers, invented gelling material, added elastic legs, and refastening tabs.
Performance Comparison
Swaddlers are a comfy and durable diaper that fared well overall.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Likes
The best aspects of the Swaddlers diaper are comfort and durability. With soft materials, elastic and movement points, this diaper is a cozy cloth-feeling wonder. And unlike many comfy diapers in our best disposable diapers review, it is also durable to boot.
Swaddlers offer above average absorption, with less mock urine transfer to the filter paper than others indicating it absorbs quickly and does a decent job of locking away moisture.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
It also offers good absorption and average leak protection than many of the traditional diapers we tested. While better than previous versions and certainly higher than the average for this group, the absorption is good but not great.
The lack of significant back elastic ont he Swaddlers might be a design flaw that impacted its leak protection test results.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Dislikes
Unfortunately, this diaper isn't all sunshine and roses. It 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. While its leak protection is somewhat close to average, it feels disappointing compared to other options we tested.
Swaddlers do not offer impressive ingredient transparency, and the manufacturing process is somewhat of a mystery as well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We also dislike Pampers' lack of concern for eco-friendliness or nods to health, as it is only latex-free. Pampers is elemental chlorine free, but they say nothing of perfume, dye (definitely uses something for the prints), or lotion (it includes Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract) and only provide a partial list of materials. Some of these materials can potentially irritate sensitive skin and lead to diaper rash or skin irritation.
For eco-friendliness, Pampers also 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.
While you might not be disappointed with the Swaddlers diapers, we also think there are better options available if you are willing to look outside the Pampers brand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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. It even fared well enough in our tests for absorption and just about average for leaks. However, this diaper didn't hit the mark to be a favorite diaper in the competition, with higher-performing options available at similar prices that give more thought to health and ecology.
What Other Disposable Diaper Should You Consider?
Hello Bello Premium is a reasonably priced, readily-available diaper we really liked. It has good absorption and leak protection with higher than average marks for every metric, including admirable eco-friendliness and health considerations. It is a newer brand, but it is becoming popular, and we think you'll love how easy it is to find and how well it performs. If you want the absolute best diaper in our tests, and money is no object, Parasol Clear and Dry has great absorbency and leak protection with a comfortable and durable design.
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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