The diaper bag is one of my favorite baby essentials. Even though it’s a crucial item for both baby and mom, (and dad) I am usually the one who ends up wearing it everyday!
Because of such, mommy typically ends up intimately familiar with the diaper bag and the various pockets (or lack thereof).
Once baby is born, it’s a race to ditch your purse, and switch to a diaper bag. After all, you need to be prepared whenever you go out with your baby (it’s a warzone out there). And the diaper bag will accompany you and your baby for a long time, so getting it right matters!
I personally have used 4 diaper bags so far. Please don’t judge me — it’s just like how you might own more than one purse in your life. Have mercy on me I love diaper bags!
Recently, there are so many innovated and good looking diaper bags out there. It’s like they’ve disguised themselves to no longer appear like the vintage clunky diaper bags of yesteryear.
And at the same time they all seem to be getting more and more functional than the old school traditional diaper bags I’m used to.
The 4 diaper bags I owned are all awesome — different and unique in their own special ways.
Included with those I own, there are 3 additional diaper bags that made my list which I do not own…
Yet…I should say I don’t own them yet (yes, I have a problem, we’ve established that), but they are diaper bags I’m targeting to purchase in the near term (once I win the lottery). Here’s my run down.
Amy Baby’s Top Pick Diaper Bags
1. Mina Baie Stevie Backpack – Best Stylish Diaper Backpack
Key Features:
Material: Nylon, vegan leather, or neoprene
Style: Backpack / convertible crossbody
Storage:
- 5 external pockets
- 10 internal pockets
- Insulated bottle pocket
- Padded laptop sleeve fits up to 16″ (depending on the size of bag you pick)
- Luggage sleeve
- Top carry handle
- Changing pad not included
- Stroller clips not included
Regular Price:
$179.00–$279.00
What do I Love About Mina Baie Stevie:
Mina Baie understands something very important: moms still like pretty things. I’ve seen more than one moms carry this bag. they look all so slick!
The Stevie Backpack does not look like a typical diaper bag. It looks like a stylish backpack you would carry even if you did not have diapers, wipes, snacks, and maybe one emergency lollipop hiding inside.
I love that it can go from daycare drop-off to work to errands without looking out of place. It has a laptop sleeve, bottle pocket, luggage sleeve, and enough organization to make it useful without looking bulky.
This is the kind of diaper bag you can keep using even after the diaper years are done. That matters because buying a diaper bag that only works for one short stage feels a little painful.
What to Consider:
The changing pad and stroller clips are not included, so keep that in mind when you look at the total price.
This is not the best “everything included” value bag. It is best if you want a stylish backpack that grows with you.
2. Freshly Picked Classic Diaper Bag II — Best Polished Everyday Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material: Vegan leather and nylon liner
Style: Tote / convertible backpack
Weight: 2.63 lbs
Capacity: 22L
Storage:
- 8 interior pockets, 4 exterior pockets
- Built-in insulated bottle pockets
- Wipeable interior and exterior
- Changing pad included
- Backpack straps included
- Stroller clips not included
Regular Price:
$199.00
What do I Love About Freshly Picked Classic Diaper Bag:
Freshly Picked is for the mom who wants to feel a little put together, even when her bag is full of diapers, wipes, and half-eaten snacks.
It looks polished and pretty, but still has enough room for real baby life. I love the large capacity and padded strap. You can fit so many baby essentials in and carry it comfortably.
The wipeable interior is also a big win because diaper bags get gross. Milk spills. Pouches leak. Snacks crumble. Life happens.
This is a nice everyday diaper bag if you want something stylish, roomy, and easy to carry. Great for first time moms (I was always packing extras)!
What to Consider:
The only downside is that stroller clips are also not included, which feels a little disappointing at this price. If you don’t care about that, it’s a great everyday diaper bag!
3. Ayla & Co Ayla Bag — Best Organized Everyday Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material: Durable vegan leather
Style: Backpack / crossbody / shoulder bag
Weight: 4lb
Storage:
- Numbered pocket system
- Removable washable inner liner
- Insulated and removable bottle/snack pouch
- Changing pad included
- Reusable wet bag included
- Snack bag included
- Stroller straps included with full-size bag
Mini size available
Regular Price:
$169.00–$229.00 full size
What do I Love About Ayla & Co:
The numbered pockets are the whole thing here.
At first, it sounds a little extra. Then you realize you always know where the diapers, wipes, pacifiers, and snacks are. Suddenly, it feels less extra and more like survival.
The removable washable liner is another feature I love. Because something will leak. Something will spill. Something will become sticky for no clear reason.
The Ayls mini has a built-in card wallet. You don’t even need to carry a wallet!
I also like that Ayla includes so many useful accessories. It feels like a complete system instead of a bag that immediately asks you to buy five more things.
What to Consider:
Ayla itself weighs 4lbs! It can feel a little heavy when fully packed, especially compared with nylon bags.
The insulated bottle clutch is helpful, but it is separate instead of built into the bag. If you carry multiple bottles every day, keep that in mind.
4. No Reception Club Getaway Bag – Best Travel Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material:
Exterior Fabric: 100% CORDURA® Recycled Polyester (water-resistant)
Printed Lining: 100% Recycled Polyester
Odor-Resistant Black Lining (Laundry Compartment): 81% Nylon, 19% Recycled Polyester
Insulated Pocket Lining: 100% Aluminum Foil
Trim: 97% Nylon, 3% Vegetable-Tanned Leather
Dimensions: Length 22″ (56 cm) x Width 13″ (33 cm) x Depth 9″ (23 cm)
Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) when empty; 5 lbs w/ shoulder straps + The Cubby + The Laundry Sack
Pack + Stay Organized: removable packing organizer (“the Cubby”) featuring up to 5 customizable sections
5 Ways to Carry (including luggage pass through)
Capacity: 25 Liters
Storage:
- 2 adjustable interior shelves
- Bottom emergency compartment for wet or dirty clothes
- Removable insulated mini cooler pouch
- Trolley sleeve
- Stroller clips included
- Changing pad included
Regular Price:
$235.00 – $320.00
What do I Love About No Reception Bag:
Best Diaper Bag for Traveling
This is the diaper bag for families who still want to go places after having kids.
Flying with babies and toddlers is not for the faint of heart. You need diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, extra clothes, toys, chargers, and then probably three more things you forgot until the second you sat down on the plane.
Stay Organized with Huge Capacity
There is nothing like this diaper bag in this world! It helps everything stay super organized. The shelves are the big magic. Instead of all your baby things falling to the bottom of the bag, you can create little sections for diapers, clothes, snacks, and bottles.
And the bottom compartment? So smart. If you have a blowout outfit, wet swimsuit, or mystery toddler mess, you have somewhere to put it that is not touching the clean stuff. Thank you, thank you.
What to Consider:
If you are mostly using a diaper bag for Target runs, preschool pickup, and quick errands, this may be more bag than you need.
It also does not have a dedicated outside wipes pocket, which I wish it did. For travel though, this bag is hard to beat.
5. Monaco by Luli Bebe – Best Soft Structure Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material: cruelty-free faux leather
Dimensions: 14” wide x 14” high x 7” deep
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Storage:
4 interior elastic pockets, 1 zipper compartment, 3 exterior pockets
Come with a changing pad
Stroller straps
Capacity: 22 Liters
Regular Price:
$169.00
What do I Love About Monaco:
I don’t personally own this bag, but I have friends who are using this brand. It looks very stylish and I often get a little jelly. The main differences of this bag are 1. soft vegan leather; 2. the back straps are all vegan leather.
Most diaper bags I’ve seen are in the style of keeping the shape. This one gives you a different style when you don’t have much stuff in the bag, it shapes smaller.
Kind of like how stripes are supposed to make you look thinner, the Monaco is a diaper bag masquerading as a lush backpack.
What to Consider:
The organization options are a bit on the limited side. I wish it had a big pocket at the back of the bag, to store the changing pad. If that were the case, parents wouldn’t have to unzip the bag and rifle through it looking for the changing pad (which at this point is buried underneath snacks and bottles).
6. Belle from Hannah & Sophia – Best Messenger Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material: I can’t find the detailed information on material. It’s fabric type instead of vegan leather type of material.
Dimensions: 16″ W x 7.5” B x 12.5” H
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Storage: 3 zippered pockets, 4 outer pockets (can be used as storage for backpack straps) and 5 inner pockets.
Comes with a changing pad
Capacity: 6.6 Liters
Regular Price:
$85.99
What do I Love About Hannah & Sophia:
Can be transformed from a backpack diaper bag to a messenger bag. What’s unique about this bag is the wide opening. It is very easy to access whatever you put in the bag. You can visually see what you need and reach items out easily as well.
I got some compliments on this bag when I was out about. It has a very unique design.
What to Consider:
I have to say it does look big and wide. I don’t really like how bulky it made me feel. The width can be a bit misleading, it actually doesn’t fit as much as you think inside. The opening of the bag is a little low, so you can’t put too much in without the risk of it falling out.
7. TOBIQ – Best Lightweight Travel Diaper Bag
Key Features:
Material: Weather and stain-resistant recycled plastics.
Dimensions: H 8″ x D 13″ x W 17″
Weight: 2 lbs
Storage: 4 big compartments with a total of 20 organizational features
Capacity: 30 Liters
Regular Price:
$199.00
What do I Love About TOBIQ:
This one technically is not a diaper bag. This is a travel bag that can be used for anyone including kids. So why do I include this bag in the list?
Because this bag can be super organized.
TOBIQ also offers a 60 L version of this bag, too big for me to consider as a diaper bag even for travel.
What to Consider:
TOBIQ bag can’t be converted into one big compartment, you’re stuck with the pocket setup — which is a very cool design, just not customizable.
FAQs
Do You Really Need a Diaper Bag?
No. You can use any big bag, or any backpack as a diaper bag for you and your baby.
So, why everyone is using a diaper bag when they have a baby?
The main difference between a diaper bag and non-diaper bag is the organization pockets! Diaper bags normally have a lot inside and outside pockets (small and big).
So you can put your baby’s essentials into different pockets based on size and usage.
It will be much easier to find stuff as there are lots of things to pack for a little person.
At What Age Do You Stop Carrying a Diaper Bag?
There is no golden rule on this. But I think in general you can stop carrying a diaper bag when your child is potty trained. It makes sense right? No diaper, no diaper bag.
But you can definitely still carry a diaper bag as long as you want. It’s just a super organized big bag. It’s still safe to carry extra clothes, snacks, and drinks for your toddlers, or just for yourself.
The Kibou Bag can definitely be used forever! Remove the changing pad and use that pocket for extra storage!
How Many Diapers Should I Keep in My Diaper Bag?
This depends on how many babies and how long are you going to be out. I normally carry 2 diapers for one baby if we are going to be out for a few hours (half day).
I do keep a few extra diapers in a bin in my car, just in case I forget to pack diapers (that has happened before! I find myself forgetting a lot of things after becoming a mom — not enough storage in my mommy hard drive).
Conclusion
There are so many options for diaper bags out there. These are my personal favorites.
If you are not sure which one to choose, always pick the one with more pockets! You’ll never regret you have too many options when it comes to being organized.
For your everyday use, pick the style you like most. Duh, isn’t that no-brainer?! I mean if you are struggling between capacity and the look, I’ll choose look.
You’ll want to love the appearance of your diaper bag, because you’ll use it everyday for at least 2 to 3 years. You can always find ways to hack the capacity.
I hope you match with the perfect diaper bag to accompany your first years of parenthood!
