In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Parasol Review

Healthy for baby, but pricey for below average absorption
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Price:   $0.56 List
Pros:  Free of several irritants, average leakage, durable
Cons:  Expensive, poor absorption, ecological
Manufacturer:   Parasol
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jul 28, 2017
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48
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#11 of 22
  • Absorption - 40% 3
  • Leakage - 20% 6
  • Comfort - 15% 7
  • Health - 15% 6
  • Eco-friendly - 5% 3
  • Durability - 5% 6

The Skinny

The Parasol diaper is an average diaper with average scores for health, leakage, and comfort. It has soft fabric and skin-friendly tabs and motion points. On the downside, this diaper didn't perform well in our tests for absorption, which means there is a potential for skin irritation and diaper rash from contact with excess moisture. The absorption problem, coupled with the average leak performance, means this diaper is potentially going to disappoint and leave more than one person feeling wet. These flaws make it a diaper we don't recommend.

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Our Analysis and Test Results

Parasol Essentials for baby make diapers and wipes. It is a company founded on the belief that baby products should be safe and eco-conscious. The company has spent years creating a soft top sheet layer that uses less wood pulp than traditional diapers. They believe that eco-friendly diapers don't have to be bulky or rough. The company makes efforts to use fewer materials from sustainably managed forests, less packaging materials, and reduced shipping waste, so their diapers have a smaller overall footprint.

Performance Comparison


In our tests for leakage the Parasol did leak but it still scored about average compared to the competition. However the combination of possible leaks and poor absorption mean this diaper could lead to a wet mess.
In our tests for leakage, the Parasol did leak, but it still scored about average compared to the competition. However, the combination of possible leaks and poor absorption mean this diaper could lead to a wet mess.

Likes


The Parasol performed fairly well in our tests for leakage with an average score for the group. While nothing to sing about, it is better than some of the competition and one of Parasol's higher scores in our tests. However, we did experience some leaking.

The Parasol diaper is relatively durable but there are diapers in this review that are both more comfortable and durable.
The Parasol diaper is relatively durable, but there are diapers in this review that are both more comfortable and durable.

We did like that this diaper earned an above-average score for health and gave some serious consideration for chemicals and materials that could be potential irritants to baby's skin. This diaper is free of chlorine, perfume, lotion, and latex with a partial disclosure list on what the diaper has inside.

Parasol is a fairly comfortable diaper with soft fabric and friendly closure tabs.
Parasol is a fairly comfortable diaper with soft fabric and friendly closure tabs.

The Parasol also earned average scores for comfort and durability, so while it isn't the most comfortable or durable option, it does offer a very soft fabric and skin-friendly motion areas and tabs. The diaper is reasonably durable with few complaints on how it holds up between diaper changes, but it isn't anything to write home about, and other diapers were more durable.

The test results for the absorption capabilities of the Parasol were disappointing with significant wetness transfer on one end.
The test results for the absorption capabilities of the Parasol were disappointing with significant wetness transfer on one end.

Dislikes


This diaper did not perform well in our tests for absorption with a low score for locking liquids away, coming in significantly below the top scoring options. The Parasol had more wetness transfer to the test paper than much of the competition, which could mean possible skin irritation for baby, diaper rash, or wet clothing.

This diaper earned a below-average score for ecology. While Parasol markets itself as an "eco-conscious" diaper, it didn't stack up well compared to other green diapers we tested. The Parasol has a partial disclosure list for ecology. It shows a Nordic Swan Eco-label and is PEFC, cruelty-free, and vegan. It does not discuss biodegradability for the diaper or packaging, and it doesn't mention the use of renewable resources. Some diapers we tested have similar accreditation and earned higher scores in most metrics. Others also have significant eco-friendly certifications and manufacturing processes.

Parasol is a pricey diaper at about $0.56 per diaper, which is higher than the average option. Given the lower overall score and the disappointing absorption results, it certainly doesn't worth the added cost.

The Parasol diaper has cute patterns and a higher price.
The Parasol diaper has cute patterns and a higher price.

Conclusion


The Parasol diaper is an average diaper with few above-average scores in individual metrics. It performed average for leakage, but the absorption score was disappointing. Given that a diaper needs to lock away liquids and prevent leaks, it is frustrating that this option isn't good at either. This self-proclaimed "eco-conscious diaper" had surprisingly little supporting information for ecology, leaving us disappointed. Overall, the higher price and lower scores mean the Parasol is a no-go, in our opinion.

— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz