Have you ever tried changing a diaper blowout with inferior baby wipes? It’s not pretty. Good baby wipes make all the difference when the you-know-what hits the fan.
Our helpful guide will explain the difference between cloth and disposable wipes, advise you on what to look for when shopping, and answer any questions you may have about baby wipes.
We’ve also reviewed all the best baby wipes brands, highlighting their strengths and pointing out any weaknesses they may have, so you can keep your hands and your baby’s bottom clean during messy diaper changes.
- Award-winning baby wipes
- All-natural ingredients
- Eczema friendly design
- Best bang for your buck
- Free of harsh chemical irritants
- Made with 99% purified water
- Chemical-free ingredients
- Over 600 wipes
- pH balanced formula
- Best value for price
- Thick and hypoallergenic
- Soft, non-sudsy feel
- Don't tear on the job
- No harsh ingredients or scents
- Gentle enough for faces
Product Reviews
These are the top baby wipes currently on the market.
WaterWipes Sensitive Baby Wipes
Best All Around Baby Wipes
WaterWipes have earned the National Eczema Association of America Seal of Acceptance, so these wipes are a great option if you have a baby with eczema. They’ve also won multiple awards, such as the 2018 Family Choice Award and the 2017 Top Choice of the Year Baby Maternity Magazine Award.
They’re an excellent choice for babies with sensitive skin because they’re hypoallergenic, without any of the harmful ingredients some parents want to avoid, like chlorine, formaldehyde, or phthalates.
The ingredients are 99.9 percent purified water with a hint of grapefruit seed extract, a natural skin conditioner. The wipes themselves are made from viscose and polyester and are also ideal for adults with sensitive skin or those who frequently break out in rashes.
Pros
- Gentle on eczema-prone or allergy-prone skin.
- Made with two ingredients: water and fruit extract.
- Suitable for preemies and newborns.
Cons
- They’re quite expensive.
- Not fully biodegradable.
Our Ratings
Aleva Naturals Bamboo BabyWipes
Best Natural Baby Wipes
These baby wipes are more expensive than other options, but if your heart is set on natural ingredients, they’re a great choice.
They’re made entirely from bamboo, so they’re strong enough to handle the worst diaper changes your baby can muster up, all while being soft enough to feel nice on their skin.
They don’t use irritating chemicals like parabens, phenoxyethanol, chlorine, or dyes.
Instead, these wipes are made with organic aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea extract, along with lavender, lemon, and tea tree oil. These ingredients are great for both cleaning and soothing your baby’s skin.
You can even use the hypoallergenic formula on babies’ faces.
Pros
- Plant-based ingredients are nice for those looking for natural alternatives.
- Bamboo is a known hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly material.
- They’ll work for every skin type.
Cons
- They’re pricey.
- Some people don’t like the scent of the essential oils in the wipes.
Our Ratings
Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes
Best Baby Wipes for Sensitive Skin
These mild wipes have been tested by dermatologists and don’t contain perfumes, which sometimes trigger allergic reactions or rashes in babies.
They use a soft grip texture so your baby will be gently but effectively cleaned after a dirty or wet diaper. The material won’t feel harsh against your baby’s skin — or yours.
Thicker than many other options, these wipes won’t shred or cling when you need them most.
If you’re looking for natural wet wipes, these don’t fit the bill. But they are gentle on sensitive skin, and they’re an affordable option.
Pros
- Fairly affordable option.
- Thick, textured design cleans with fewer wipes needed.
- Lightly scented, moist formula.
Cons
- Moisturizers give them an oily feel.
- Wipes tend to shed, leaving tiny fibers on skin.
Our Ratings
Amazon Mama Bear Baby Wipes
Best Budget Baby Wipes
Made with pharmaceutical-grade purified water, cucumber, aloe, and licorice root extract, these baby wipes from Amazon provide a gentle clean at a price you’ll love.
Soft yet sturdy, you can use these large wipes anywhere on your baby’s body. They’re perfect for mealtime to clean those sticky faces and hands, or keep them in your diaper bag to take care of the nastiest messes in a jiffy.
By choosing Amazon’s auto-delivery option, you can save between 5 and 15 percent on each order, so you’ll not only save money, but you’ll save time and precious energy by having these wipes delivered right to your door.
Each flip-top pack comes with 72 wipes. Made in a zero-landfill plant, they are also free from dangerous chemical irritants, including alcohol, dyes, parabens, and phthalates. They’re perfect for a baby’s sensitive skin.
Pros
- Auto-delivery option saves you money and time.
- Free of harsh chemical irritants you don’t want on your baby’s skin.
- Soft yet sturdy to tackle the toughest messes.
Cons
- Some babies seem to react to the formula. To test for allergies, first use wipes on a small patch of skin and watch for a reaction.
Our Ratings
Babyganics Face & Hand Baby Wipes
Best Baby Wipes for Diaper Rash
Infused with chamomile, these baby wipes should be soothing to any diaper rashes your baby develops. But before using these, you may want to consider if anyone in your family has an allergy or sensitivity to chamomile.
Babyganics wipes also use other plant-derived ingredients, including a seed oil blend made from tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin, and red raspberry.
These are hypoallergenic and supremely comforting when used on already irritated skin. Plus, they’ve been tested by dermatologists and pediatricians.
A plus is that they don’t have an odd or overpowering fragrance, and they don’t leave much of a residue on skin.
Overall, these wipes are thick, soft to the touch, and a little larger than most other options.
Pros
- The natural ingredients are calming on irritated skin.
- Large enough to fully protect your hands from messes.
- Light, barely noticeable scent.
Cons
- They’re moist enough to do the job but not as wet as some other brands.
- They’re relatively expensive.
Our Ratings
Huggies Natural Care Unscented Baby Wipes
Best Bulk Natural Baby Wipes
Huggies has formulated wonderful baby wipes for newborns. They feature natural ingredients specifically chosen to clean your baby’s skin gently but effectively. They’re also free of chemicals that could cause rashes or allergic reactions, such as parabens, fragrances, and alcohol.
Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, you can use these baby wipes anywhere on your newborn’s body, including the delicate skin of their face. Their pH-balanced formula will help maintain your child’s healthy skin levels.
Life with a newborn is hectic, so we really like that these come with a refillable pouch. Save money by keeping the original pop-top container, which allows you to grab a wipe with a single hand. This three-pack includes 648 wipes in total, so you’ll have enough to last for years — or at least more than a few days.
These wipes are great for newborns or as a baby shower gift.
Pros
- Cleans your baby’s skin gently but effectively with a combination of chemical-free ingredients.
- Three pack comes with over 600 wipes.
- Refillable packaging saves time and money.
Cons
- Refill bags aren’t resealable, so don’t lose the original packaging with the lid.
Natracare Organic Cotton BabyWipes
Best Organic Baby Wipes
These organic wipes will make you feel good about every diaper change. They are made with 100 percent certified organic cotton.
They use nourishing apricot, linden, and chamomile essential oils, plus they’re chlorine-free. A nice feature is that these baby wipes are biodegradable, which will go a long way to soothing your conscience about creating extra waste. Even better, you can throw these onto the compost heap if you have one.
Parents who use vegan products for their babies will like these since they aren’t tested on animals and don’t use any animal ingredients.
The resealable package prevents them from drying out. But they come in a smaller package of only 200 wipes.
Pros
- All ingredients come from organic sources.
- They don’t have an overwhelming or chemical-like smell like some other options.
- They’re gentle and calming on sensitive skin.
Cons
- These are pricey.
- They’re a bit thinner than some other brands.
Pampers Complete Clean Baby Wipes
Best Wipes for Newborns
Parents appreciate Pampers wipes because they tend to be stronger and sturdier than many other brands. Plus, since they aren’t as clingy as some others, they’ll cover your whole hand while you’re changing a dirty diaper. That extra protection is a godsend for new parents who aren’t used to handling outrageously messy diapers.
While this wipe is great for parents, it’s also a decent pick for newborns and will feel super soft on their sensitive skin.
They’re unscented, so there aren’t any unnecessary perfumes that will irritate your baby’s skin, and the hypoallergenic formula is excellent for allergy-prone babies.
It contains no trace of phenoxyethanol, parabens, or alcohol so these will ensure a clean and soothing feeling on their bottom.
Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended baby wipes.
- The price is affordable.
- You can use these on faces and hands without extra suds or residue.
Cons
- They aren’t quite as wet as many other brands are.
- Some parents get annoyed that they are too thin.
Pampers Baby Fresh Baby Wipes
Best Wipes for Camping
Pampers Baby Fresh wet wipes are super strong, and they have a soft grip texture, so they feel soft, but they’re still great at scrubbing away whatever you don’t want on your baby’s skin — whether poop or dirt. They don’t seem to rip even when you’re fighting to clean a very messy baby.
These are hypoallergenic and have only a light scent. They include a little comforting lotion, which is good news for babies with sensitive skin.
You’ll get 504 of them in a set of seven refill packs. It doesn’t come with a refillable tub, so you’ll have to order it separately if that’s the type of container you want.
Finally, if you have a wipe warmer, these will work great because they are thick and wet.
Pros
- Affordable option.
- Thick enough to get the job done.
- Don’t feel greasy or sudsy.
Cons
- They don’t come with a tub, and the packaging isn’t resealable.
- Some parents find the smell to be overwhelming.
Huggies Simply Clean Unscented Baby Wipes
Best Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes
With this bundle, you’ll get 704 wet wipes that you can use on your baby’s bottom, face, or hands — basically any place a child gets dirty. Plus, they are refreshingly unscented.
Hypoallergenic and free from alcohol or parabens, they’ve been tested by dermatologists, so they’re suitable for babies with sensitive skin. Another nice feature is that they won’t leave any annoying residue behind.
They come in disposable soft packs that you can easily store in your diaper bag, where a hard package won’t fit as well. Each package has a flip lid, so you’ll always be able to grab one quickly. Unfortunately, they don’t auto-feed, which means they require a little more effort to remove from the package.
Pros
- These are strong and won’t tear on the job.
- Completely scentless.
- Suitable for sensitive or delicate skin.
Cons
- They do create a small amount of suds.
- They’re stiffer than some other brands.
Disposable Wipes vs. Cloth Wipes
Baby wipes are some of the worst offenders when it comes to landfill waste. They represent a whopping 30% of non-biodegradable trash. Flushing them down the toilet, even the “flushable” kind, is even worse than throwing them away (1).
With my first baby, I didn’t even realize cloth wet wipes were a thing. I didn’t know anyone who used them. But since I’ve become more familiar with an eco-friendly lifestyle, I’ve realized that these are the cheaper and more socially responsible option.
We don’t deny it; disposable wipes are handy in a lot of situations. But even if you only use cloth wipes at home, the difference will add up, both in money spent and environmental protection.
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, cloth wipes don’t contain the chemicals or potentially harmful ingredients that disposables do. They are generally easier on sensitive skin, and their thicker design does a better job of wiping up messes.
How to Choose Baby Wipes
You’ll want to consider the following factors when deciding which baby wipes will be best for your little one.
Container Type
Baby wipes come in a variety of containers. You can purchase giant tubs of wipes or compact travel packs. Some wipes packages are designed to dispense the wipes one at a time, like a box of tissues. This keeps the wipes from sticking together and can help prevent unnecessary waste.
Thickness
Trust us — you do not want overly thin baby wipes. You’ll regret it with the first messy diaper change. Thicker is better, especially if the wipes are a bit textured because they’ll pick up mess better.
Sensitive Skin Formula
If you have sensitive skin, there’s a good chance your baby will too. Look for wipes formulated for sensitive skin to keep your hands and your baby’s bottom happy.
Store Brand or Name Brand
Having plenty of experience with brand name and generic wipes, we can assure you that a well-known brand name and a higher price tag don’t always mean you’re getting a better wipe. Our advice is to keep an open mind. You may be pleasantly surprised by a cheap tub you thought you’d hate.
Scented or Unscented
Your baby won’t care if their bottom smells like lavender — you’re the only one affected by that! Be aware that scented products contain ingredients that aren’t necessary for cleaning your baby and can even irritate skin.
Safety of Ingredients
If you’re suspicious of the additives used in some baby wipes brands, we’ve recommended several organic and natural alternatives to give you extra peace of mind.
How Many Baby Wipes Will I Need?
Your child will likely go through more than 2,500 or 3,000 diapers in their first year alone (2). That may seem excessive, but it’s true.
It’s a little trickier to calculate how many wipes your baby will need. Some say you can calculate this number at approximately 1,000 per month for the first six months, then as many as 2,000 per month once your baby starts solid food — especially if there’s liquid poop involved. (3).
But to add to the variables, you may also find yourself reaching for wet wipes for a wide range of other situations.
If you’re on a road trip and your baby’s hands are filthy, or you don’t have a sink to clean your own hands after a diaper change, you’ll want those wet wipes. And if your baby gets her meal all over her face? Wet wipes.
They come in handy even when your kids are bigger. If you’re camping with your family, you can use them to clean your face at the end of the night or wipe down your child’s eating area.
You’ll want to keep some baby wipes at home, of course, but they’re also handy in a diaper bag, or give an extra container to your child’s caregiver or keep a stash at grandma’s house. You might even want to keep a container in the car for travel emergencies.
Should I Buy Baby Wipes in Bulk?
Remember
It’s best to hold off on making a big purchase until after you’ve tried the brand you’re considering on your baby’s bottom (4). Buy smaller packages to use in the first couple of weeks and see which ones work best with no irritation to your baby’s skin.
After you’ve found a winner, then it’s worth it to buy them in bulk.
Can Baby Wipes Expire?
If your brand comes with added lotion or oils, it will last around three months after being opened, and two years unopened. Plain water wipes or those with fewer ingredients may last longer, particularly if you’re careful not to let them dry out. If in doubt, almost all brands come with an expiry date on the package.
Store your wipes packages upside down if they’re in a soft package, or make sure the lid is closed if they come in their own container. Be careful when buying in bulk or online to make sure you’re not committing to wipes that will only expire in a month. If they do dry out, though, don’t despair — you may be able to bring them back to life by spritzing them with a little water before use.
Baby Wipes FAQs
Which Baby Wipes are Best?
We recommend the WaterWipes Sensitive Baby Wipes as the best baby wipes, and for good reason. These wipes are so gentle, they’re the recommended option for babies with eczema. The WaterWipes are hypoallergenic and naturally derived.
If you’re looking for a natural option that doesn’t contain all the gross, harmful chemicals we all try to avoid, these are a great options. Their ingredients? Grapefruit seed extract and water.
What Baby Wipes Do Hospitals Use?
Hospitals tend to use disposable dry wipes. You can buy this type of baby wipe from multiple different brands, but we don’t recommend them for a couple reasons.
One, they aren’t good for on-the-go clean ups. Since the wipes are dry, you have to be right by a sink to use them. Second, they don’t have some of the bonus natural ingredients to keep your baby’s skin soft.
Is it Better to Use Baby Wipes or Toilet Paper?
For a baby, it is much better to use baby wipes instead of toilet paper. Toilet paper can be too rough on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Also, toilet paper leaves little pieces of residue on the skin that can irritate your baby. Baby wipes are formulated to not leave pieces of residue and to give your baby a more thorough clean than toilet paper could.
