Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These 4 trash cans will make changing diapers a breeze

By

You love your baby, but let’s be honest, you are not a fan of smelly diapers. They can quickly stink up a room, so instead of tossing them outside or just letting the smell overpower your baby’s room, a diaper trash can is the way to go. Diaper pails keep the scent out using some version of a containment method—a trap door for a diaper to squeeze through. While you don’t have to invest in a diaper pail, it may be worth your while to get one yourself or add it to your registry for your upcoming shower.

When deciding which baby diaper pail you’d like, there are a few details to look into. You will want to consider the following:

Recommended Videos

Do you prefer plastic to stainless steel?

Plastic can absorb odor even with liners, so if that’s a concern for you, you may want to go with a stainless steel can.

Related

The size of the diaper pail

If you have an older baby or toddler, or more than one baby, you may want a larger diaper pail. Diaper pails can hold as few as 30 diapers at one time and can go up into the hundreds. Even though baby diaper pails prevent odor, you shouldn’t let too many sit in the pail for an extended period. 

Trap door

A lot of diaper pails function with mini trap doors underneath their lids. You push your diaper through, and the door keeps the yucky smells out. Some trash cans have a squeegee-like opening to push diapers through, while others have sliding lids. You’ll have to figure out which style you prefer.

You need to think about other details from color, trash bag compatibility, and if the diaper pails are hands-free. As you read through the diaper pails we have rounded up, you’ll find which aspects are most important to you. We have found a variety of diaper pails, so you are sure to find something on this list!

baby boy with diapers
HDesert / Shutterstock

Diaper Genie

Diaper Genie

The Diaper Genie is the classic diaper pail, and for a good reason. You step on the pedal for a hands-free experience to open the lid and push a diaper through its airtight clamp. In addition to keeping unwanted diaper scents contained inside, the diaper genie has a built-in carbon filter. It comes with two bags, so you’ll want to stock up on another box when you get your genie! Fortunately, this product can hold up to 270 diapers, but I don’t think you necessarily want to wait until it’s full before taking out the trash. The best part? The diaper genie is ideal if you aren’t looking to spend too much money on your pail.

Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail

Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail 

The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is a fun option because you can choose from several design styles to match your baby’s nursery. Designs range from blush pink to marble, making it easy to match your bathroom or nursery decor as much as possible. Because the can is made of stainless steel, it won’t absorb the diapers’ odor, and its sliding lid keeps odor out of your baby’s bedroom. If you have a nosy toddler, no need to worry because the sliding lid has a childproof lock. You can use any trash bag with the Ubbi pail, and it can hold up to 55 diapers if needed.

baby boy in diaper
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Skip Hop Nursery Diaper Pail 

This stainless steel diaper pail has a dual lock door system—two trap doors opening to conceal the diapers below. Its push-n-lock clamp keeps out smells while its lock keeps out your kids. What makes this trash can awesome is that it also has a storage compartment up top. Your diapers, wipes, and ointments can find a new home with this pail making diaper changing consolidated and easier than ever. Bonus points for this pail because it’s hands-free and can be used with any trash bags. Plus, its rectangular, sleek design makes it ideal for sliding into a corner.

Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail

Go back to the basics with this diaper pail by Dekor. Step on the foot pedal, open the lid and drop dirty diapers through its trap door. This white plastic trash pail holds up to 45 newborn diapers. Depending on your needs, Dekor also offers a mini-sized can and a larger sized can. You can use Dekor’s matching powder scented liner bags (only two come with initial purchase), and if you’d like, you can even choose biodegradable bags. 

We hope we have made your diaper pail shopping just a bit more exciting, if not easier. Smelly diapers are not something most of us want to think about, but it comes with the territory when you have a little one at home. Hopefully, your family has fresher smelling days ahead!

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Antonia Maric
Antonia Maric
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Antonia Maric originally hails from Westchester, New York. Aside from writing, Antonia takes pride in exploring national…
When can babies go in the pool? What you need to know before summer starts
Have a safe and cool summer with these pool rules for your baby
Baby swimming in a pool

Once the weather gets warmer, many families are eager to hit the pool for some relief from the heat, but those with young infants at home may find themselves wondering, "When can babies go in the pool?" Whether it's signing up for local swimming classes to teach your little one basic water safety or for recreation and relaxation on a hot summer day, taking your baby in the pool can be a lot of fun.

There are, however, some basic guidelines experts recommend about how old your baby should be before they join the rest of the family. Before you go for a dip this summer, here's what you need to know about when babies can go in the pool.
General guidelines

Read more
When do babies start walking? This is what you should expect
This is when you should have the house baby-proofed
Toddler boy walking around

We bribe. We beg. We will set that baby up for those first steps any way we can. But your little one will not start walking before they're ready. When is that? When do babies start walking? It's the next major milestone after crawling, and parents cannot wait to capture the moment their baby discovers they have two feet that will take them anywhere. If you have a baby who's about to become a walker, this is what you should expect before the first step is attempted.
Look for clues to tell when your baby will start walking

First things first — there are markers to watch out for to know your baby is about to walk. If you keep an eye on that little human of yours, they give hints as to when they're ready to start walking. By then, you can obsessively watch them so you don't miss a step.
Your baby will hit these milestones when it's almost time to walk

Read more
Can toddlers drink almond milk or other plant-based drinks?
How safe are milk alternatives for your toddler?
Toddler girl drinking milk through a straw while lying on the grass

Milk is an important part of the diet of toddlers. Milk, along with other fortified dairy products or soy beverages, plays an integral role in helping toddlers grow strong bones and teeth. Generally speaking,  milk helps your toddler's body grow. Almost all cow's milk has been fortified with calcium and vitamin D, crucial nutrients for your growing child. But what's a parent to do if they are vegan or have children who are allergic to cow's milk? These parents often wonder if their toddlers can have almond milk or other plant-based drinks as an adequate substitute for cow's milk.

With the recent increase in the popularity of plant-based drinks and almond milk, parents have been confused about whether their toddlers should be drinking these beverages instead of cow's milk. If you've been curious whether toddlers can drink almond milk or other plant-based drinks, this should help clear up any confusion.
Why is milk so important?

Read more