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5 Best Diaper Genies & Trash Cans for Babies Reviewed in 2024

last updated Jul 13, 2019

Along with late night feedings and bedtime stories, your little mini-me will introduce you to the process of changing a diaper. Especially since babies typically go through eight to 10 diapers a day. If you choose to use disposable diapers over cloth diapers, you’re going to need somewhere to throw the dirty ones away.

Sure, you could toss the disposable ones in your kitchen trash can, but do you really want a pail full of poopy diapers in your kitchen? The trashcan in your bathroom is another option, but not necessarily ideal. Diaper changes have to happen quickly and having a diaper pail next to your changing table will make the process a lot smoother. We’ve created a list of the five best Diaper Genies and Trash Cans to help keep your nursery smelling fresh and diaper changes stress-free.

In a Hurry? The test winner after 31 hrs of research

icon
Dekor Plus Hands-Free
96.3/100 our score
Design
94
Ease of Use
97
Value
98
Dekor Plus Hands-Free
Why is it better?

Comes with a limited lifetime warranty

Can be used long after diaper needs are met

Choose from six colors

Great for cloth and disposable diapers

Holds up to 60 newborn diapers

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Dekor Plus Hands-Free
Test Winner: Dekor Plus Hands-Free
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
19
Researched Sources
Hours Researching
31
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
17
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Jessica Mentzer:

This page has recently been updated. In the process, one item was replaced with a more currently item in the marketplace. Three products also received updated criteria sections.

Sorting Options
Design Ease of Use Value By Default
Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
96.3
Design
94 %
Ease of Use
97 %
Value
98 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$54.95
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.7
Design
97 %
Ease of Use
92 %
Value
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$79.99
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Design
92 %
Ease of Use
97 %
Value
92 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85
Design
88 %
Ease of Use
85 %
Value
82 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link
$59.99
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.3
Design
80 %
Ease of Use
83 %
Value
81 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (18.03.24)
Amazon Link

5 Best Diaper Genies & Trash Cans Reviewed

1. Dekor Plus Hands-Free

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
96.3
Dekor Plus Hands-Free
Amazon Link
Design
94
Ease of Use
97
Value
98
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$54.95

Comes with a limited lifetime warranty

Can be used long after diaper needs are met

Choose from six colors

Great for cloth and disposable diapers

Holds up to 60 newborn diapers

Complaints that odors can still leak out of the pail

One customer had issues with the doors not closing properly

When changing and diaper you have your baby to keep safe than a dirty diaper to deal with the last thing that you want to deal with is a trying to open a diaper trash can. That is what makes this a great diaper trash can it is completely hands free. Just simply step down on the foot pedal, the door opens, and drop the spoiled diapers right down in. It is easy to dispose of dirty diapers. There is no twisting, turning, or squishing. It is easy to use each and every time.

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Design

It is child-proof as is the lock on the lid flap and access door. This wonderful diaper pail is easy to use, hygienic and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It is perfect for cloth or disposable diapers and can hold up to 60 used newborn diapers at a time. There are six colors to choose from to match your baby’s room wonderfully. After your diaper needs are over, this item can be used as a regular trash can for the household, kitchen, or bathroom, or pets by simply removing the diaper insert.

Ease of Use

The lightweight design of this diaper pail makes it easy for you to move. The lid closes quietly, so you won’t have to worry about it startling your baby. Other diaper pails force you to push the dirty diaper through a small hole that leads to the trash bag. Throwing soiled diapers away is easy with this one as it only takes a quick step on the foot pedal and a slight toss of the diaper into the can.

Value

It comes with a foot-operated lid and easy liners that can be cut according to your diaper load. These extra touches make this pail easy to use and versatile. Made of closed-cell ABS plastic materials, this product will not hold odors, resists scratches, and will not rust. The custom liners have a baby powder scent to further combat odors. The foot-operated pedal lifts the lid for you. The special liners can be cut with the refill cutter that is attached inside the door of the pail, providing a fantastic value for the price!

2. Ubbi Steel Odor Locking

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.7
Ubbi Steel Odor Locking
Amazon Link
Design
97
Ease of Use
92
Value
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$79.99

Choose from 16 colors

No special bags are required

Winner of nine product awards

Made of steel-–locks in odors-–not a porous material

Includes a rubber seal around the lid to hold in odors

Some say it does not contain odors even with the sliding door and lid closed

The sliding door can be troublesome to operate while trying to safely hold a baby

Designed to fit into small spaces, this award-winning diaper can is made of durable steel that is not porous so it holds in odors better than other materials. No special bags are necessary for this item, as ordinary garbage liners can be used quite well. Unlike most diaper pails, this one is ready to use right out of the box and it can hold up to 50 used newborn diapers.

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Design

Available in 16 various colors, it has a small sliding door in the lid to decrease the air flow from inside the pail. This door has a child-proof safety lock so toddlers cannot open it. It is most efficient to use this door to put in diapers and use the lid for just changing the bag. A rubber seal on the edge of the lid holds in odors too on this well-designed steel diaper can.

Ease of Use

With the pail being made out of a powder-coated steel, odors will have a hard time fighting their way out of the can and into your room. The steel material is also extremely easy to clean as it can be wiped down with disinfectant wipes or a cloth. You will easily be able to use it after your child is out of diapers as it is highly durable. The modern design of the can doesn’t scream diaper pail, thus allowing it to blend in with any decor. With it being lightweight, you can easily move it from room to room or to another spot in the nursery if need be.

Value

Unlike other diaper pales on the market that requires special bags that are only used on those diaper pails this diaper pail does not. When using this diaper pail all that is needed is any tall kitchen bag or cloth liner. That means no more ordering special diaper roll bags or proprietary hard to find bags. It uses any brand, scent, or style of a tall kitchen trash bag that you have on hand. It is convenient, easy to use, and no much less expensive plus it does just the same purpose as the other pails. It keeps the house from smelling like dirty diapers.

3. Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
Amazon Link
Design
92
Ease of Use
97
Value
92
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Simple diaper disposal system pail

Constructed from 100 % plastic materials

Easy to use, one hand diaper disposal design

No special bags required, use standard trash bags

Features a deodorizing ring that keeps rooms smelling fresh

Design does not allow diaper pail to seal around the hinge of can

Deodorizing ring sits far down into the pail

The designs of these diapers pails seem to get simpler and simpler. This one is one of the simplest designs on the market plus is also features a deodorizing ring that works great for keeping the nursery and house smelling more like fresh air and less like stinky diapers. The one hand disposal system is easy to use. It makes disposing of those diapers simple and effortless.

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Design

The design of this easy saver diaper pail is simple. It has been constructed from 100 % plastic and features no special bags, no handles, no buttons, or anything that does not make disposing of diapers easy. The idea of the design seems to keep things at the lowest cost without having to make things complicated. It keeps the smell in. Helps prevent the diapers from smelling with the deodorizing ring and the one hand disposal system fits the simple design as well.

Ease of Use

It is as easy to use this diaper pail as it is to throw away any other trash item. With a simple push of the lid, it pops open, and then the dirty diapers are placed in the can, and simply push the lid closed. Then when it is time to change out the bag the process is just as simple. Open the large lid, pull out the bag full of dirty diapers, and replace.

Value

One of the best things about this simple design is that it does not require any special diaper pail bags. You can simply use any standard trash bag to line the diaper pail. Not only does the simple design save you when it is purchased the first time, but it is a diaper pail that saved you each and every time.

4. Munchkin Step Arm & Hammer

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
85
Munchkin Step Arm & Hammer
Amazon Link
Design
88
Ease of Use
85
Value
82
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$59.99

The company will plant a tree for every pail sold

When the lid closes the bag is sealed shut

Operates with both seal and throw away bags and rings

Has foot pedal for hands-free disposal

Includes lavender-scented baking soda disk, starter refill ring, and toss and seal bag

Parents say the closing mechanism of the pail does not work well after several months like the gears are stripped from usage

A few buyers claimed that having to squish the diapers into the small opening was gross with a dirty diaper

Using two methods of odor control, this diaper pail from Munchkin is one of the best in minimizing foul smells from dirty diapers. It uses the rings of bags that some others do along with the snap and seal technology that closes the bag each time you toss a diaper in it. This combination of odor-fighting genius is also aided with baking soda disks in the pail to make the most efficient tool against odors.

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Design

Creating the freshest nursery possible for your little one is possible with this diaper pail system. It features one of the best odor control system that has been used in kitchens for many years. They have brought that same technology and placed together with a diaper pail system. It combines some of the best odor controlling power in its class with a diaper pail system that makes disposing of those dirty diapers easy. The sleek design makes it a great addition to any nursery.

Ease of Use

Odor protection just doesn’t get much better than this item from Munchkin. With baking soda disks, bags that close after each deposit, and lavender-scented bags with baking soda in the plastic, you should not smell anything upsetting in your nursery. The lid has a small opening where the soiled diaper goes in, which can be troublesome to some parents because the diaper must be folded or compacted to get it in the pail. However, this makes odors from the can less when it is opened.

Value

Parents can opt to use biodegradable bags for their diaper pails to help the environment. A nice incentive to purchasing this diaper pail over others is that Munchkin will plant a tree for every pail they sell. So help save our environment and purchase one of the best odor controlled diaper pails for your baby’s nursery. Munchkin has decided to do their part directly by planting a tree for each diaper pail purchase.

5. Diaper One N Done

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
81.3
Diaper One N Done
Amazon Link
Design
80
Ease of Use
83
Value
81
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Individual diapers are sealed

Comes with a frame - hang from changing table or stand on the table top

Available in 13 colors and patterns

Includes 100 bags with purchase

Disposes of each diaper separately – eliminates a diaper pail full of dirty diapers

The simple concept of diaper disposal is not favored by some parents

It takes two hands to tie off the bag and start a new bag after each diaper toss

Want a diaper pail system that is easy to use and does not have any pail that sits on the floor? Then this is a system that you may be looking for. The system uses smaller bags that come in a roll. When changing a soiled diaper you place the diaper in one of the bags, tie the bag in a knot, and then place the bag into the storage trash can. Once the can is full then all you have to do is dump the pail off into the normal trash. That means there is no canister full of spoiled diapers waiting for trash day.

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Design

No floor space is needed at all. Diaper disposal could not be easier, cleaner, or more sanitary than with the One N Done pail. It comes with 100 bags to get you started, so it can be used right away. The gorgeous graphics on the pails and the simplicity of the product makes this a wonderful gift for new parents.

Ease of Use

This system is one of the easiest to use. It is a system of small bags on a roll that allow you to simply place the spoiled diapers in one of the bags and tie a knot. None of those fancy refill systems or disposal systems. It is a diaper disposal bag and trash can system that is easy to use, keeps the smell down, and then when the small can is full it just goes out to the normal kitchen trash.

Value

Some reviewers claim that a simple pail and small garbage bags would be a cheaper option, but this pail is beautifully decorated in many colors and designs to match your room décor. The choice of pail colors and designs is a refreshing idea for diaper pails. Parents have many options to match nursery furnishings and color schemes.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Design

All items we list have been rated overall as a great product by consumers for disposing of diapers. These are the best Diaper Genies and diaper pails that parents have put through the tests of diaper disposal most recently. Although mostly used for disposable diapers for infants, these products may also be used for adult diapers and, with some, cloth diapers may also be stored before washing.

Sizes and holding capacities vary with each, so the consumer must decide which would work best for their space size and diaper usage. Prices must be considered too because some are more economical than others. Any of these diaper bins would make ideal baby shower gifts or just a gift in general for new parents.

Ease of Use

Every diaper pail or can has some sort of odor protection to keep the smells inside the product the best it can or in some cases as in the single-use cans, the odor control lies in the fact that each diaper is tossed separately.

Different methods are used, but it seems that the most effective restriction of odor comes with the pails that use the one-diaper-to-a-sealed-part-of-the-bag method, such as the diaper genies. Parents seemed very pleased with these, as it combines with bags that have baking soda in them or are lavender-scented. Some even have baking soda disks in the lid that can be refilled regularly. The closing off of the bag after each deposit does seem to work well, however, any diaper pail is going to smell when emptying the entire bag into the regular trash.

Value

The only pails that eliminate odor entirely are the ones that wrap each diaper in an individual bag for immediate disposal. This is more time consuming for parents, and it takes both hands to tie the bag and toss it after each diaper change. This is the reason a number of different types of diaper pails are offered.

Finding the perfect diaper pail depends heavily on how often parents change the bag in a diaper pail, how much space they can devote to a diaper pail, how much they want to pay for one if child safety prevention is needed, and how much odor protection is desired. Odor control is the biggest factor in getting the right diaper bin and all of these items handle that issue well.

Most Important Criteria (According to our experts opinion)
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Parents, Did you Know?

If your diaper pail does not feature a filter, you can place a coffee filter at the bottom of the pail that has had a few drops of essential oils placed on it. It keeps the pail smelling fresh even when it isn't.

Parents, Did you Know?

Cleaning you diaper pail inside and outside is just as important as changing out the bag. Keeping the pail as clean as possible is great for hygiene along with keeping the odors down.

Other Factors to Consider

Safety

A few of the diaper pails have safety locks, buttons, or door handles that would pose as a deterrent for inquisitive toddlers. The larger lids still open without any special hindrances, but very small children cannot usually lift the larger lids of the bins. Parents who have small kids in the house while caring for a baby may want to look into these diaper pails to prohibit any messy accidents from occurring.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: Can you use the Hands-Free Dekor Diaper Pail for cloth diapers? Adult diapers? Pet waste? With regular garbage bags instead of the liners?

a:

This diaper pail is very versatile because of the odor protections that the manufacturer has installed in the product. It can be used for cloth diapers, adult diapers, and pet waste. It will hold less of the cloth and adult diapers than newborn disposable baby diapers, but it works equally as well and contains odors. Regular kitchen garbage bags may be used with this product too.

q: The Ubbi Odor Locking Diaper Pail has a childproof lock on the small sliding door of the lid. Why is this not on the whole lid? Does this pail work well with regular plastic kitchen bags?

a:

The lock on the small door of this pail is to prevent kids from having access to the used diapers. Kids very small could learn how to open this door by watching parents use it, but will be too small to lift the larger lid to gain access. The sliding door would most probably be the most used entry to the pail. Yes, regular plastic 8-gallon or 13-gallon kitchen garbage bags work well with this product.

q: For the Arm & Hammer diaper pail, how do you replace the baking soda cartridge or can you just refill it with baking soda you buy? Why does this diaper pail make noises when it is closed?

a:

The cartridge can be taken off and refilled when needed with the baking soda you purchase in the store. Just snap it back into place when filled. The noise you hear is the pail twisting and sealing the bag after you put a dirty diaper in it and it turning the baking soda cartridge.

q: Which are the best diaper pails to use for adult diapers? And for cloth diapers?

a:

Any of the diaper pails we feature on this page that do not seal the diapers after each deposit can accommodate the cloth diapers. The pails such as Munchkin seal the diaper after each use for throw away. Cloth diapers are not tossed until after many uses. All of the pails work well for adult diapers. They will not hold as many diapers as newborn diapers and will have to be emptied more often. Some of the sliding doors or lids may be a bit small, but by folding the diapers, they can easily fit into the pails.

q: Is the opening small on the Munchkin Step diaper pail? Do you have to squish the diapers in it? Does it come with any bags and does it sprinkle baking soda in the bag like the older model?

a:

Yes, the opening is quite small and diapers will have to be folded or squeezed to get them in the hole. The reason is to minimize the air flow of the open pail. The pail does come with a few bags, so you will have to purchase more bags very soon. The baking soda for this model comes in the bags already. It is in the plastic so there is no need for it to come as a powder in the pail. A baking soda disk must be replaced periodically. This is one of the best diaper pails to neutralize odors.

q: Does the One N Done diaper pail have a lid? I do not understand why it says it is for only one diaper at a time.

a:

This is a diaper pail for parents who do not want a pail full of dirty diapers sitting around in their house. The concept eliminates odors because the soiled diapers are tossed as soon as they are bagged. No, it does not have a lid because diapers are not intended to stay in the pail. Some reviewers are using it to hold several diapers at a time for newborns that are not on solid foods yet. You just put a diaper in the opened, clean bag, tie it off and toss in the regular garbage can.

q: Which diaper pails would be the best to fight odors? Which features would be the best?

a:

All of the diaper pails have some sort of odor deterrent either in the pail materials, the bags, or an additional compartment for chemical disks. For the best odor protection, buy one that has all three of these features. The ones with baking soda have mixed reviews with some parents raving about it and others say it does not work well. A few manufacturers use the chemical disks that come with the pail and must be refilled or re-purchased often. These do help as well too. It seems the best way to positively eliminate diaper smells is to change the bag often, thereby not holding the soiled diapers for prolonged periods. Maybe the best choice for some that are really opposed to the foul smells is to purchase the pails that allow just one or two diapers per bag. If it is not there, it cannot smell.

Sources

  1. Pregnancy Editors, Diaper pails: Beyond the garbage can, Buyers Guide
  2. Jim Shulman, Jim Shulman | Baby Boomer Memories: Will the old cloth-diaper pail make a comeback?, Online Article
  3. Consumer Reports News:, The ‘poop’ on diaper pails, News Article
  4. Claire Yezbak Fadden, The Great Diaper Debate: Reusable or Disposable Which one is better for the environment?, Online Article
  5. Wikipedia, Diaper Genie, Wikipedia Page