Diaper bags have come a long way—so much so, that many moms use them as their everyday bags without feeling like they’re sacrificing in the style department. But with so many options, for diaper bags that don’t look like diaper bags, how do you narrow in on which one to buy?
First, consider your family, lifestyle, and needs. Do you live in the city and walk everywhere? Or do you drive and mainly need a bag that will go from your car to the bottom of your stroller? Will you be lugging around belongings for one child or more? Do you need to carry a whole day’s worth of necessities or do you only need diapers and a few other items? Asking yourself these questions will help you determine the best style diaper bag to try.
What to look for in diaper bags:
From backpacks and crossbody bags, to tote and weekender bags, there are enough options you can rest assured you’ll find one you actually love. Consider these when shopping:
- Functionality: Features important to you, such as size and pockets.
- Style: Ensure you’ll be comfortable and happy using it daily.
- Durability: Fabric matters when it comes to long-lasting diaper bags.
Bunso Neoprene Diaper Bag Backpack
These Bunso Neoprene diaper bag backpacks are a great option if you’re looking for something affordable but still fits your needs. The Bunso is a true diaper bag, complete with a changing pad and many compartments for baby essentials.
But even without kids, it makes for a highly functional backpack you could take on a trip with your laptop in tow, thanks to the luggage sleeve feature. The backpack design is comfortable even when filled, and you can attach it to the handle of your stroller if it doesn’t fit below. The included zip pouches are incredibly practical, as you’ll probably find yourself using them even without the backpack.
What we love:
- Comfortable backpack style with elevated look.
- Lightweight, yet durable fabric.
- Easy to clean.
- Several color options
What we would change:
- Hard to dig for items toward the bottom if it’s packed.
Quick Facts:
- Size: 16.06”L x 3.82”W x 15.51”H (medium)
- Colors: Grey. black, khaki, mauve, rust
- Fabric material: Premium neoprene
Buy now on Amazon; $85
Lululemon fans are obsessed with their backpacks, and once you get one, you’ll understand why. The everyday backpack is perfect for parents who need a bag with plenty of space but also want something stylish and on trend. There are plenty of compartments for whatever you and your little one need for the day. Store your wallet and other personal items in the outside pouch for easy accessibility, your laptop in the back compartment if you’re traveling and all your baby’s needs in the roomy main compartment.
What we love:
- Many compartments
- Water-repellent fabric.
- Quality from a trusted brand.
What we would change:
- The price, but that’s Lululemon for you!
Quick Facts:
- Size: 11.4″ x 5.9″ x 16.5″
- Colors: Black
- Fabric material: Nylon
Buy now at Lululemon; $98
At under $80, this backpack is not only functional, but also one of the more affordable diaper backpacks available. The Forma offers plenty of space to store your essentials – even for two kids – and the zip opening is nice and wide so you can actually see what’s in there. It’s lightweight, easy-to-clean, and it has built-in straps to attach it to your stroller handle when you don’t want to carry it.
What we love:
- Attaches to the stroller.
- Extra wide double zip opening.
- Easy-to-clean water resistant fabric.
What we would change:
- Resembles a traditional diaper bag more than others on the list.
Quick Facts:
- Size: 16L x 8W x 14H
- Colors: Black, grey, navy, pink, sage
- Fabric material: Polyester
Buy now at Target; $79
For the quick outing that doesn’t require packing half the nursery, Caraa’s Baby Changing Sling keeps the basics close without weighing you down. The soft, water-repellent nylon bag holds spare diapers, your wallet and an included removable changing pad, with a dedicated phone pocket so yours doesn’t disappear into the mix. Our favorite detail? A magnetic front pouch that doubles as a wipes dispenser—because digging for wipes while holding a squirming baby is nobody’s idea of a good time.
What we love:
- Magnetic wipes pouch makes on-the-go changes easier.
- Includes a removable, tri-fold changing pad.
- Worn either cross body or on your waist.
What we would change:
- At $230, it’s a splurge for a smaller bag.
- Best for quick outings; the compact size limits how much you can bring.
Quick Facts:
- Size: 7 x 11 x 4.5 inches
- Colors: Clay and black
- Fabric material: 100% recycled, water-repellent nylon shell with synthetic lining and vegan leather trim
Buy now at caraa; $230
If you’re the mom who packs for every possible scenario, BÉIS’s Ultimate Diaper Backpack gives everything a place. The roomy interior opens wide so you can actually see what’s inside, while an insulated bottle pocket and easy-access wipes compartment keep frequent grabs within reach. A fold-out changing station means you can handle diaper duty on the go, and the removable front pouch becomes a separate crossbody when you only need a few essentials.
What we love:
Removable front pouch doubles as a crossbody.
Fold-out changing station with pockets for diapers and wipes.
Includes a water-resistant bag for soiled clothes and a pacifier pouch.
Luggage sleeve and padded laptop compartment make it useful beyond the baby years.
What we would change:
At 4.54 pounds empty, it’s hefty before you’ve packed anything.
Spot-clean only.
Quick Facts:
Size: 15.75”H x 8.66”W x 12.6”L
Color shown: Atlas Pink
Fabric material: 100% nylon body; 100% polyester lining
Capacity: 24.42 liters
Buy now at BÉIS; $198
Mia + Sophia is unique in their nice-looking vegan leather diaper bag backpacks. The style is simple and sleek, with 15 pockets and a large center compartment. Made with the highest quality vegan leather, this bag also has a built-in USB and power cable, making it convenient to charge your phone or bottle warmer, a portable changing pad, and an insulated milk bottle holder.
What we love:
- Classic style that you can wear as a backpack or purse
- Vegan leather that wears nicely.
- Big interior section with side compartments.
What we would change:
- Vegan leather canmake it heavier than others.
Quick Facts:
- Size: 14”H in x 4.4”W x 15.7”D
- Colors: Beige, black, brownFabric material: Vegan leather
Buy now on Amazon; $185
For overnight visits or outings with multiple kids, Quince’s Voyage Nylon Dual Compartment Weekender gives you room to pack generously. It’s a travel bag that can pull diaper bag duty, with a wide opening that makes finding things easier and a separate bottom compartment for spare outfits or bulkier supplies. The water-repellent nylon offers some protection from spills, while the luggage sleeve comes in handy when you’re navigating an airport with a baby in tow.
What we love:
Separate bottom compartment keeps bulky items out of the main section.
Wide opening and interior zip pockets make organizing easier.
Removable shoulder strap with a padded leather shoulder guard.
Useful for family travel long after the diaper years.
What we would change:
No changing pad or insulated bottle pockets listed; you’ll need your own.
At 4 pounds empty, it’s substantial for everyday errands.
Quick Facts:
Size: 16”H x 19.5”W x 9.5”D
Colors: Black, navy, dark green and cocoa brown
Fabric material: Water-repellent nylon twill with nylon lining and Nappa leather trim
Weight: 4 pounds
Buy now at Quince; $128
Sometimes you just need to take the baby to the bathroom without bringing your entire bag along. MINA BAIE’s vegan changing kit keeps diaper-change supplies together in a slim wristlet you can tuck into your everyday tote. Inside, you’ll find a foldable neoprene changing pad, a refillable wipes case and a water-resistant wet bag for messes. The vegan leather exterior looks polished enough to carry as a clutch, too.
What we love:
Includes a changing pad, wet bag and refillable wipes case.
Wristlet design makes it easy to grab for bathroom trips.
Water-resistant pouch lining.
Keeps changing supplies together when switching bags.
What we would change:
You’ll still need a larger bag for bottles, snacks and other essentials.
The wipes case holds up to 20 wipes, so check it before heading out.
Quick Facts:
Size: 11”W x 8”H x 1”D
Colors: Grove, coco, terra, black, teddy, clay and sand; hardware varies
Material: Microfiber vegan leather pouch; neoprene wet bag and changing pad
Changing pad size: 22” x 15.5” unfolded
Buy now at MINA BAIE; $59
This top-selling baby bag has a sophisticated yet stylish look. Petunia Pickle is woman-founded and woman-led, and this bag was created with the modern mom in mind, complete with an extra roomy interior and a zip-out changing pad. The bag also has a magnetic closure, stroller straps and can be worn as a backpack or as a crossbody bag. The material is easy to clean and water resistant for all of those inevitable spills.
What we love:
- Built-in changing station.
- Can be worn as a crossbody bag
- Fashionable
What we would change:
- Can look bulky when full.
Quick Facts:
- Size: 13″W x 5.5″H x 13.5″D
- Colors: Black, minnie mouse, leopard, sand, indigo, saddle
- Fabric material: Cotton
Buy now at Nordstrom; $199
HAPP’s Levy Backpack makes a strong case for choosing a diaper bag you actually want to wear. The quilted herringbone fabric and gold hardware give it a polished look, but the practical details are just as appealing: a wide-opening flap lets you see what you packed, and multiple interior pockets keep smaller essentials from getting lost at the bottom. At 1.9 pounds empty, it also leaves more room in your carrying capacity for everything your baby apparently needs to leave the house.
What we love:
Lightweight design with cushioned backpack straps.
Wide opening makes finding supplies easier.
Exterior bottle pockets and a magnetic back pocket keep essentials accessible.
Includes an adjustable, detachable crossbody strap.
Structured bottom with metal feet.
What we would change:
Changing pad and other accessories are sold separately.
Bottle pockets aren’t insulated.
Quick Facts:
Size: 17”L x 6”W x 12”H
Color shown: Beige
Fabric material: Water-resistant, quilted herringbone polyester with faux leather trim
Weight: 1.9 pounds
Buy now at HAPP; $198
One Last Thing: FAQ
How do I decide which diaper bag style is best for my family?
Diaper bags now come in all shapes and sizes! Considering your lifestyle is key. Kelly, a mom raising two kids in the city, prefers a backpack style because their family tends to walk everywhere. Maura, a mom of a newborn and two older children, loves the functionality of a diaper clutch that she can throw in whatever bag she’s using that day.
What diaper bag fabric is the most practical?
This depends on how and how often you’ll be using your diaper bag. But more and more brands are starting to use high-quality neoprene fabrics, many of which are water-resistant and easy to clean. Marissa, a second-time mom who recently switched to a neoprene backpack, says she finds it to be more lightweight compared to her previous vegan leather diaper bag.
What should I look for in a diaper bag if I’m formula feeding?
If you’re formula feeding, you’ll be toting around a few more essentials – bottles and formula – in the early stages of your baby’s life. Look for a diaper bag with insulated pockets so you don’t have to worry about carrying another bag to keep bottles at the appropriate temperature.
