Diaper Bag Buying Guide

Since becoming a mom, my fashionable totes and purses have pretty much taken a back seat behind my faithful diaper bag companion. As a mom, your diaper bag goes wherever you and your baby go. From baby bottles to diapers, baby wipes, toys, and your own personal belongings, your diaper bag is responsible for not only carrying these items but for keeping them organized and within easy reach.

Just as you never leave your house without your shoes on, your diaper bag will never leave your side. That is why I am a big advocate for finding the perfect bag for you, one that you will be proud to strut around town with and will make mommy life on the go that much easier. But in order to find a bag that combines convenience, functionality, and style, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. That’s where I come in!

Before diving into the top diaper bags of 2021, allow me to walk you through what your standards should be when choosing a bag.

Choosing the Right Diaper Bag

Diaper bags come in various shapes and sizes to cater to individual needs and purposes. You can choose from the following styles for your diaper bag:

• Backpacks
• Tote bags
• Satchels
• Clutches

Deciding on a style is just one part of choosing your diaper bag. You need to know what exactly you are looking for in terms of what your bag should include. I have found that there are a few standards every diaper bag should meet, regardless of style. Below are the criteria I swear by when purchasing a diaper bag:

Lots of Space

Babies are tiny, which makes it all the more shocking at just how much stuff they require. Look for a diaper bag that offers plenty of space for all of your baby’s needs, including the endless supply of diapers you will need ready and on hand throughout the day.

Gender Neutral

Do you want a bag that will last you from child to child? What about lending your diaper bag to one of your new mommy-to-be friends? In that case, it is best to stick with a gender-neutral color. Not only is a gender-neutral bag more stylish and sleek – in my own humble opinion – but they are practical to use for both genders.

Easily Accessible Compartments

Organization is key to navigating through diaper bag life. My entire life is pretty much in my diaper bag, so having multiple compartments makes it easy for me to quickly find what I am looking for. Take it from me, the last thing you want is a stinky baby crying in a Target parking lot while you dump your bag out on the floor of your car in a desperate search for diapers and wipes. Been there, done that, trust me, it’s not a pretty sight!

Material Used

If you are an optimist, let me stop you in your tracks sister: there is no getting around messes once you have a baby. Regular spit-ups and spilled juice are just the start of it, which is why you need a bag that can withstand the inevitable blows it is bound to take. Choose a material that is durable and easy to clean. Diaper bags that boast all organic or vegan material are also something you may wish to consider when contemplating material.

Top Diaper Bags of 2021

Once you know exactly what you are looking for in a diaper bag, you can confidently begin your search. Here are some of the top-rated diaper bags of 2021 that myself and other moms absolutely love.

Backpacks

Dailysmiley™ Change&Go Diaper Bag Backpack

If you’re traveling and want to have everything you need, including the changer, so you don’t have to put your baby down on any other surfaces then this is the bag for you. This bag is big enough to carry everything your baby needs and even has a fold-out section with privacy walls for germ-free diaper changes.

Itzy Ritzy Boss Diaper Backpack

This trendy diaper backpack combines style, functionality, and high-quality all in one – and it is also made of vegan leather! With 17 pockets, including two insulated bottle pockets, you couldn’t ask for better organization. Enjoy having your essentials within quick and easy reach, as well as other impressive features that include stroller clips and a changing pad. This bag also has rubber feet at the bottom to keep it free from dirt and germs on the ground.

Mancro Diaper Backpack

This multi-functional diaper backpack is another crowd favorite. Complete with insulated pockets, a changing pad, and stroller clips, this #1 bestselling bag has it all. The thick padded shoulder straps make traveling on the go with your baby easier, as do the multiple pockets and compartments for efficient storage and organization.

Freshly Picked Convertible Classic 

Made of vegan leather, this stylish bag will easily be able to become a purse after your diaper days are over. It has plenty of space to hold all of the necessities with 10 pockets to keep things organized. It also comes with a changing pad and metal feet on the bottom so it never has to touch the ground. The bag comes in several muted tones so you can choose one that best fits your style.

HaloVa Diaper Bag

This popular – and inexpensive – diaper bag comes in various colors to match your personal style and easily converts from a tote to a backpack. The water-resistant material takes the fear out of spilled juice or other accidents that tend to happen often. The insulated pockets will keep your little one’s bottles warm, while the special zippered mom pocket keeps your belongings organized and easily accessible.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack Diaper Bag

If you’re struggling between wanting a messenger bag and a backpack, this is the bag for you. The bag easily converts between both styles. It has a lot of space on the inside and has a fold-out changing station, so you can change your baby anywhere worry-free of germs.

Luli Bebe Monaco Diaper Bag Backpack

Totes/Satchels

TWELVElittle Carry Love Diaper Bag Tote

The Carry Love Tote weighs just over 1 pound, which makes it our most light-weight diaper bag. The spacious interior makes it perfect to carry around everyday baby essentials. The soft exterior material makes the bag crushable and yet durable to withstand daily parenting activities, not only making it the perfect diaper bag, but also a perfect everyday tote. Includes Machine washable changing pad.

Skip Hop Messenger Bag

Talk about organization! This top-rated diaper bag comes with an abundance of pockets and side compartments to keep your belongings in order. This over-the-shoulder tote bag boasts stroller clips so that you can easily clip the bag onto your stroller while on the go. Another awesome feature is the machine-washable changing pad that makes cleaning up that much easier!

JuJuBe B.F.F. Multi-Functional Convertible Diaper Bag

This all-in-one bag is the transformer of diaper bags. From over-the-shoulder tote to a messenger bag to a backpack, this bag allows you to wear it in whatever way is most convenient for you. The JuJuBe B.F.F. keeps your belongings organized in its many pockets, along with its handy key fob, a microfiber glasses pocket, and a quick-reach cell phone pocket. And let’s not forget the interior bacteria-resistant fabric and the exterior stain-resistant material. Is there anything this bag can’t do?

Baby K’tan Flex

If you’re not sure what style diaper bag you want, get one that does it all. The Flex can be carried as a tote, messenger, or backpack. It has plenty of pockets to keep everything organized, including an insulated bottle pocket, and comes with a changing pad. The bottom of this bag is also a cooler, which will come in handy when you need to keep milk or snacks cold throughout the day.

Nappy Bag by Maman

Whoever said that diaper bags can’t be stylish clearly never came across this bag. The Maman Nappy boasts a stylish exterior, with high-quality, water-resistant material. It boasts ample space and plenty of compartments and doesn’t break the bank! The universal stroller straps clip onto any carriage, making outings with your little one a breeze. The changing pad is stashed in one of the back pockets for easy access during diaper changes.

SOHO Grand Central Diaper Bag

Top-notch quality at a budget price, what more could you ask for? This seven-piece diaper tote bag comes with all the compartments and space you could want in a diaper bag. The stroller clips and matching changing pad offer ideal convenience while the zippered closure and small purse keep all of your personal belongings in order while on the go.

Honest Company Everything Tote Diaper Bag

Style, convenience, and eco-friendly sounds awesome, right? Well, this black diaper tote offers all three. Made of 100% vegan leather, this gorgeous bag features two interior insulated pockets to keep your baby’s bottles and snacks at the perfect temperature. The changing pad is ready and within easy reach, while zippered pockets store wipes and other diaper essentials.

Clutches/Minimal

Skip Hop Greenwich Convertible Hip Pack

Fanny packs have made a return to style and provide quick and easy access to your baby’s needs while you’re on short outings. While it’s not your traditional clutch and may look small, this bag will be able to hold your diapers, wipes, keys, money, and cellphone. You can wear it as a fanny pack, wristlet, or as a crossbody.

The Kibou

The Kibou, otherwise known as, the Deliberately Minimal Diaper Bag, is designed to sit comfortably on your waist, and go everywhere with you and your little ones. Effortlessly. A built-in waterproof pocket holds 20+ wipes wet (or a soiled onesie away from your other items). It also has a detachable changing pad that unfolds from the back flap. Slots of credit cards and cash as well as a key/pacifier holder mean this fanny pack diaper bag packs a punch.

Thule Changing Bag

Aiming for a minimalist, modern look that still boasts functionality? This chic diaper bag is ideal for changing diapers on the go, complete with a changing pad and stroller clips. The gorgeous bag comes in black, red, grey, and other neutral colors and has detachable, adjustable shoulder straps for your comfort.

Lil Fox Portable Diaper Bag

When going for a walk in the park or taking a quick trip to the store, you may not want to lug your whole diaper bag with you. This clutch will hold the bare necessities you need while out. The clutch itself is a changing pad, with pockets for diapers, wipes, and any creams you use. It also has a pocket for your phone and keys and a strap to attach it to your stroller.

Skip Hop Portable Changing Pad 

The Skip Hop Portable Changing Pad features a zip-off changing pad that’s easy to wipe clean, a built-in pillow, and a clear wipe case so you can know when you need to refill. It can hold up to four diapers plus any creams and other diapering essentials you use.

JJ Cole Diaper Changing Clutch 

At a very affordable price, this clutch is worth getting just to leave in the car in case of emergencies. The changing pad is easy to wipe clean and has multiple pockets to hold everything you need.

Take Away’s

While your diaper bag will house all of your baby’s essentials, you’re the one who is going to have it glued to your side every day. Choose the bag that works best for you and will keep you as organized and prepared as can be while on the go.

Related: Daddy Diaper Bags | What to Pack in Your Diaper Bag