In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Parasol Review

Healthy for baby, but pricey for below average absorption
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:   $0.37 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
  • Share this article:
48
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#12 of 23
  • 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. This makes it a diaper we don't recommend.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Parasol
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  
Price $0.37 List$0.37 List$0.32 List
$0.33 each at Amazon		$0.30 List
$0.32 each at Amazon		$0.32 List
$0.34 each at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
100
0
48
100
0
74
100
0
70
100
0
68
100
0
66
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Free of several irritants, average leakage, durableGreat absorption and leak prevention, better health and eco-friendlinessAbsorption, comfy, durable, better healthGreat health, good absorption, eco-friendlyGreat for health, eco-friendly, comfy
Cons Expensive, poor absorption, ecologicalHard to find a good fit, not as comfy or durableAverage leakage and eco-friendlinessPossible leaks, not so cozyAverage for leaks and durability
Bottom Line Healthy for baby, but pricey for below average absorptionHigh performing, healthier option that is Earth friendlyTop performance where it counts with a comfy feel and durable designBudget-friendly green option with great health and eco scoresHealthy, eco-friendly choice that gets the job done
Rating Categories Parasol Nature Babycare Babyganics Free & Clear Bambo Nature
Absorption (40%)
10
0
3
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
Leakage (20%)
10
0
6
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
5
10
0
6
Comfort (15%)
10
0
7
10
0
3
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
Health (15%)
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
3
10
0
7
10
0
9
Eco Friendly (5%)
10
0
3
10
0
8
10
0
4
10
0
6
10
0
6
Durability (5%)
10
0
6
10
0
1
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
6
Specs Parasol Nature Babycare Babyganics Free & Clear Bambo Nature
Type of Diaper Green Green Green Green Green
Chlorine-Free Elemental Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Totally Chlorine-free Elemental Chlorine-free
Perfume-Free Yes 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 No No Yes No Yes
Stretchable Side Wings Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stretchable Back No No Yes Yes No
Eco-awards Nordic Swan Eco Label PEFC Forest Sustainability PETA Cruelty-Free and Vegan 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 FSC Certified Rainforest Alliance Certified Nordic Eco-label FSC Certified Asthma-Allergy Denmark

Our Analysis and Test Results

Parasol Essentials for baby make diapers and wipes. This company was 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.

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

Performance Comparison


This chart includes the overall scores for each diaper tested in this review for a quick comparison of the competition. The Parasol (in blue) scored in the bottom half of the pack.


The sections below detail what we like and dislike about the Parasol diaper compared to the competition.

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 a 6 of 10 score, which is average for the group. While nothing to sing about, and we did experience some leaking, it is better than some of the competition and one of the higher scores for the Parasol in our tests.

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 with a 6 of 10 and 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 is made of.

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 fairly 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 score of only 3 of 10 for locking liquids away. This is significantly below the top scoring options that come in with scores as high as 10. 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.

While Parasol markets itself as an "eco-conscious" diaper it didn't stack up well compared to other green diapers we tested. This diaper earned a 3 of 10 for ecology. 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. Bambo Nature has similar accreditation and earned higher scores in most metrics. Nature Babycare also has significant eco-friendly certifications and manufacturing processes.

This is a pricey diaper at about $0.46 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.

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 really 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.

Manufacturer Video




— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz