Pampers Swaddlers Review
Pros: Comfortable, easy to find
Cons: Poor leak protection, health, and ecology, limited absorption
Manufacturer: Pampers
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Pampers Swaddlers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $0.35 List $0.32 each at Amazon | $0.36 List $0.36 each at Amazon | $0.36 List $0.33 each at Amazon | $0.24 List $0.19 each at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, easy to find | Great absorption, soft material, better health and eco-benefits | Impressive absorption, great leak protection, comfy | Durable, comfortable for baby, affordable | Durable, comfy, lower price, good leak protection |
| Cons | Poor leak protection, health, and ecology, limited absorption | Less durable, below-average leak prevention | Average eco-friendliness, lower health scores, less durable | Average absorbency, less eco-friendly | Not eco-friendly, no considerations for health |
| Bottom Line | Poorly functioning diaper with few positive attributes make this comfortable option one we don't prefer | A soft and cozy diaper with some green practices and high absorbency but less than stellar leak protection | Top performance in absorption and leaks with a comfy feel but they aren't as green as some of the competition | A durable diaper that has some health and comfort benefits without breaking the bank | Durable and cozy diaper with good performance for the price, but it lacks ecology and health considerations |
| Rating Categories | Pampers Swaddlers | Seventh Generation... | Babyganics | Mama Bear Gentle Touch | Kirkland Signature... |
| Absorption (40%) | |||||
| Leakage (20%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Health (15%) | |||||
| Eco Friendly (5%) | |||||
| Durability (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Pampers Swaddlers | Seventh Generation... | Babyganics | Mama Bear Gentle Touch | Kirkland Signature... |
| Type of Diaper | Traditional | Green | Green | Traditional | Traditional |
| Chlorine-Free | Elemental Chlorine-free |
Totally Chlorine-Free | Totally Chlorine-free |
Elemental Chlorine-free |
Not Listed |
| Perfume-Free | No | Yes | Not Listed | Yes | Yes |
| Biodegradable | No | No | No | No | No |
| Contains SAP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miscellaneous Materials Details | |||||
| Wetness Indicator | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stretchable Side Wings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stretchable Back | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eco-awards |
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 aspect of the Swaddlers diaper is comfort. This diaper offers better features for comfort than most of the products in this group. It has soft materials and motion points, and cuffs that don't chafe.
It also offers average performance for leak protection and durability, but there is nothing to brag about, with several traditional green options performing better in every metric.
Dislikes
Unfortunately, there is much to dislike in this diaper, 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 disappoint 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 can lead to skin irritation or a diaper rash. We prefer diapers that lock moisture away so the baby's skin stays dry.
Other things we dislike are 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, 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.
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 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 competition that can be less expensive and higher performing.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz