Wipe warmers are a relatively recent addition to the baby gear landscape. So, are they just another item that you’ll buy and then regret later on, or are they a must-have for your new arrival?
We’ll help you figure that out by answering the most common questions about wipe warmers. We’ve also put together a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right wipes warmer for your needs and budget. And we’ll share our picks for some of the best wipe warmers on the market.
- Has a light mode
- A window on the wipes
- Electrical plus points
- Removable lid
- Detachable power cord
- Affordable
- More sustainable
- Includes a night light
- Flexible
- Ever-fresh system
- Energy efficient
- Nice light
- One-of-a-kind misting feature
- Top-down heating
- Easily to temporarily move
- Quick heating
- Large capacity
- Precise temperature control
- High capacity
- On/off switch
- A quick warmer
The Best Wipe Warmers of 2024
Here our top picks for the best wipe warmers.
Hiccapop Wipe Warmer
Best Overall Wipe Warmer
The Hiccapop wipes warmer has an innovative silicone seal that locks moisture in. This feature, in combination with the top-down heating system, keeps the top wipes warm and all of the wipes moist.
To ensure optimal moisture retention, the manufacturer recommends that you pour a half cup of water over your wipes when you load them into the warmer. You can also add a drop of lavender oil to the water if you want.
What We Like
The Light
The integrated light gives off a gentle glow. Just bright enough to change a diaper by, but not bright enough to be stimulating and wake the baby further.
It is not a night light that shines all night. Instead, it is activated by a small button when you want it. Then it turns off again, automatically, after ten minutes.
A Window On The Wipes
There is a window on the front of the unit which allows you to see how many wipes you have left and whether you need to refill sooner rather than later.
Electrical Plus Points
The low voltage power adapter and safety fuse help to avoid any possible hazards. It also uses minimal energy to keep the wipes warm. That can be important to parents who want to give their baby all the comfort they can, but want to reduce their impact on the Earth at the same time.
What We Don't Like
Slightly Larger Than Most
That’s not to say it’s huge or unsightly, but it will take up more space than some other models. If you don’t have much space in your nursery, it’s something to consider.
Product Specs
| Capacity | Up to 80 average thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | Yes |
| Built-In Light | Yes — it turns off automatically after 10 minutes |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Disposable “pop-up” style wipes only |
| Heating time | Heats a full warmer in two hours |
Our Ratings
User Experience
Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer
Best Wipe Warmer for Nighttime Changes
The Munchkin warmer has a top-down warming system. This heats the top wipes first to ensure you get a warmed wipe every time. And for eco-friendly moms, this warmer will work with cloth wipes, not just disposables.
The gentle green glow emitted by the warmer is wonderful at night. It gives you enough light to see what you’re doing without being overwhelming. Plus, the green color is great for gender-neutral or jungle-themed nurseries.
The manufacturer recommends that you pour a half cup of water over your wipes each time you refill the warmer to ensure the wipes stay moist.
What We Like
Removable Lid
The removable lid makes this wipe warmer incredibly easy to refill. It also makes the wipe warmer easy to clean.
Detachable Power Cord
The power cord can easily be removed from the back of the unit. That allows you to leave it in one spot for warming but grab it, unplug, and go to another room if you need to.
Affordable
Despite having some great features, this warmer won’t drain your bank account.
What We Don't Like
Stiff Clips
Some reviewers complain that the clips which fasten the lid of the wipe warmer can be stiff. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it’s something you might want to know upfront.
Keep It Full
The design means that you need to keep the wipe warmer fairly full in order to warm the top layer of wipes.
Product Specs
| Capacity | Up to 100 standard thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | Yes |
| Built-In Light | Yes — It turns off via button or automatically after 10 minutes |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Both |
| Heating time | Three hours |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Prince Lionheart Warmies Wipes Warmer
Best Wipe Warmer for Cloth Wipes
This Prince Lionheart warmer is the only one on the market designed exclusively for cloth wipes. It comes with a 12-pack of Prince Lionheart “Warmies” reusable cloth wipes.
The unit uses a patented ever-fresh system which is said to inhibit the growth of both mold and bacteria. This consists of a small, antimicrobial micro-pore pillow that sits at the bottom of the unit.
Every three to four days, you remove the pillow, soak it in water, and place it in the wipe warmer. This is designed to keep the wipes free from contamination without using bleach or other chemicals.
What We Like
More Sustainable Than Disposable Options
The reusable, cloth wipes are made of 100 percent rayon, which is derived from bamboo and is a less environmentally damaging option than disposable wipes.
Night Light
The built-in night light gently illuminates the room. This is good for night time diaper changes where you want to avoid bright lights that could leave your little one wide awake and ready for action.
Flexible
It can be used with any brand of cloth wipes, as well as with disposable wipes. So, if you have not had the opportunity to wash your reusable wipes, there is always the option of using an emergency pack of disposables. No shocking cold disposable wipe to the tushie here.
What We Don't Like
Replacement Pillows
The pillows that sit at the bottom of the warmer have to be replaced every three months. This is an added expense that should be factored into your buying decision.
Night Light Issue
The light does not switch off — either automatically or manually. If you prefer a completely dark room for you or your baby, you won’t have that option.
Product Specs
| Capacity | 12 rolled cloth wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | No |
| Built-In Light | Yes |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Made for cloth, but can be used for disposables |
| Heating time | Three hours |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer
Best Budget Wipe Warmer
Although you can use the last Prince Lionheart warmer on our list with disposable wipes, the manufacturer recommends that for regular disposable wipes you use the Prince Lionheart Ultimate wipes warmer.
This model also has the patented ever-fresh system to inhibit mold or bacteria growth. Soak the antimicrobial micro-pore pillow with distilled water every three to four days and it will keep your wipes clean and moist.
Pillows must be replaced every three months or so and packs of three replacement pillows are readily available online.
Some buyers have tried using the warmer without the pillow, but reported that this caused the bottom wipes to dry out and become discolored, rendering them useless.
What We Like
Ever-Fresh System
The ever-fresh antimicrobial micro-pore pillow system helps keep the wipes moist and the interior of the wipe warmer clean. It also provides a buffer between the wipes and the bottom of the warmer, where the heating element is.
Energy Efficient
The low-power usage makes this wipe warmer economical to use.
Nice Light
The warmer has an integrated night light which gives off a low, soft glow. This is just bright enough to see what you are doing during a diaper change, but not bright enough to disturb your baby during the night.
What We Don't Like
A Long Time Warming
The bottom-up heating design means it takes a long time for the top wipes to warm up. If you have just filled the warmer up or turned it on for the first time in a while, you’ll have to wait several hours before you have access to a warmed wipe.
Product Specs
| Capacity | Up to 60 standard thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | No |
| Built-In Light | Yes, but it does not switch off |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Disposable |
| Heating time | Four hours |
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Munchkin Mist Wipe Warmer
Best Wipe Warmer That Doesn't Dry Out
The Munchkin Mist wipe warmer has a unique wipe-moistening feature that sets it apart from the other products out there.
You fill a small water reservoir on the front of the wipes warmer. Each time you open the lid, a light spray ensures the wipes at the top of the warmer remain moist.
The misting system can also be used at any time. Just press the button on the front of the wipe warmer and a light mist of water will be dispensed.
The reservoir is easily popped out, refilled, and replaced.
What We Like
One-Of-A-Kind Misting Feature
The Munchkin misting feature ensures the wipes at the top of the warmer always stay moist. We also like that it can be used at the press of a button, making your wipes a little more wet than usual — great for those difficult clean-ups.
Top-Down Heating
The heating element for the Munchkin wipes warmer is in the lid. This means the wipes at the top of the pile are heated first. That makes sense because these are the ones you’ll be using first.
Easily To Temporarily Move
The cord can be simply unhooked from the rear of the wipe warmer. This allows you to take the warmer from the place where you normally have it plugged in. You can use it in another room and return it to its heating spot.
What We Don't Like
Needs More Features
Many reviewers have said they wish this model had an integral light. Also, if this warmer had a light and window, you could see the number of wipes in the unit.
Product Specs
| Capacity | Up to 60 standard thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | No |
| Built-In Light | No |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Both |
| Heating time | Three hours |
Our Ratings
User Experience
QDTTSRY Baby Wipe Warmer
Best in Temperature Regulation
Although the warmer takes up space on your changing table or changing station. The upright design means this warmer can accommodate more than half of the footprint of a standard wipe warmer.
There is no requirement to pour water into the unit to keep your wipes moist. The warmer has a built-in temperature sensor that locks temperature within the unit making it accessible for both daytime and nighttime use.
For a meticulous mom who only wants the best for her child, it is great to know that this warmer is made of BPA-free material. Moreover, this is a quick-refill warmer. All you need to do is to peel the plastic seal of the original package, align the top wipe through the opening, secure the package with the strap then close the lid. Power on the wipe warmer and you’re good to go!
What We Like
Large Capacity
This wipes warmer can accommodate up to 80 wet wipes.
Precise Temperature Control
Grownsy guarantees that the wipe warmer will keep the wipes inside warm and moist within the temperature range of 45 to 55 degrees Celsius. All thanks to its built-in temperature sensor.
Quick Heating System
The heating system is not only energy-efficient but it also quickly charges.
What We Don't Like
Cloth Wipes Incompatibility
Some reviewers said they found the wipes warmer incompatible with cloth wipes. This is something to note when you are planning to use this for such.
Product Specs
| Capacity | Up to 80 standard thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | No |
| Built-In Light | No |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Disposable wipes |
| Heating time | Not specified |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Gogo Pure Wipe Warmer
Best High Capacity Wipe Warmer
The Gogo Pure wipe warmer doesn’t earn a spot on many best wipe warmer lists but it should.
The extra-large capacity design means you can get 100 baby wipes in this model, minimizing the need to frequently check and refill your wipes warmer.
A flip-top lid with a silicone seal means that despite the fact your wipes may stay in this warmer longer than some others, they still remain moist. And that’s without having to pour any water over them when you first place them into the warmer.
What We Like
High Capacity
Being able to fill the warmer with 100 wipes is a fabulous option, especially if you are the parent of multiples and go through a higher-than-average number of wipes.
On/Off Switch
This may not be a big deal to some people, but if you have your wipe warmer plugged into an outlet that is not readily accessible, it can be a pain to unplug it when not in use. The Gogo wipes warmer has an on/off button so you can turn the warmer off without having to unplug it.
A Quick Warmer
The wipes are warmed and ready to use in under three hours.
What We Don't Like
No Frills
Apart from the off switch and the ability to stack it full of wipes, the Gogo wipes warmer does not have much in the way of additional features. The lack of a light or a wipes level window may be a deal-breaker for some parents.
Product Specs
| Capacity | 100 standard thickness wipes |
| Wipe Level Window | No |
| Built-In Light | No |
| Cloth or disposable wipes? | Disposable |
| Heating Time | Two to three hours |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
| Product | Best | Capacity | Wipe Level Window | Built-In Light | Cloth or disposable wipes? | Heating time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiccapop Wipe Warmer | Overall Choice | 80 average size wipes | Yes | Yes | Disposable | 2 hours |
| Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer | Nighttime Changes | 100 standard size wipes | Yes | Yes | Both | 3 hours |
| Prince Lionheart Warmies | Cloth Wipes | 12 rolled cloth wipes | No | Yes | Both | 3 hours |
| Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer | Budget Pick | 60 standard size wipes | No | Yes | Disposable | 4 hours |
| Munchkin Mist Wipe Warmer | Doesn’t Dry Out | 60 standard size wipes | No | No | Both | 3 hours |
| Baby Wipe Warmer | Temperature Regulation | 80 standard size wipes | No | No | Disposable wipes | N/A |
| Gogo Pure Wipe Warmer | High Capacity | 100 standard size wipes | No | No | Disposable | 2 to 3 hours |
Do I Really Need A Baby Wipe Warmer?
Google this question and you’ll find dozens of conflicting answers. You’ll see parents who say they couldn’t live without it to those who tell you not to spend your money on it.
For me, the answer is somewhere in the middle. No, the world will not come to an end if you don’t have a wipe warmer, and your baby will not turn out to be a pampered princess if you do.
That’s why I would place the wipe warmer firmly in the “nice to have but don’t sweat it if you don’t” category.
How Does a Wipe Warmer Work?
Your wipe warmer will look like a plastic box with a lid. You’ll open the lid to refill the baby wipes when they get low.
This lid also has a smaller “lid within a lid” which opens when you press a button. Within this small opening, you will find a plastic or silicone flap system through which you pull the wipe. This design allows you to remove one wipe at a time and readies the next wipe.
A heating element in the wipe warmer warms up the unit and the wipes within it. Depending on the model of the warmer, this element may be in the lid or the bottom of the unit.
Wipe warmers with a heating element in the base warm all of the wipes, which is good for those runny poopy diapers that require numerous wipes. Wipe warmers with the heating element in the lid usually only heat the wipes at the top of the pile. This is adequate for most diaper changes.
So how do those wet wipes stay moist? Won’t the heat dry them out?
Depending on the model, you may have a sponge at the bottom of the wipe warmer. You must remove and moisten this sponge on a regular basis and this ensures the wipes do not dry out. You may also have to buy additional sponge pads on a regular basis.
Other models may have a small water reservoir that must be refilled.
How to Choose the Best Wipe Warmer
You should begin by setting your budget. Since this isn’t a necessary purchase, it’s good to start there. Identify what you would feel comfortable with spending, and what you wouldn’t.
Then look at wipe warmers in your price range and decide which features you would like. For each model, ask yourself:
- Is the wipe warmer suitable for the wipes I plan to use? Will it also be suitable if I switch to another kind of wipe? This is good to know because sometimes babies have sensitive skin and the wet wipe you planned to use may cause a rash.
- How many wipes does the warmer hold? Is capacity important to you?
- Can you see how many wipes are left, without opening the wipe warmer up?
- How long does the warmer take to warm up the wipes? How long do they stay warm?
- How easy is it to move the wipe warmer to where you are changing a diaper if you need to?
- Does it have an integrated light? Do you want one?
Wipe Warmer FAQs
There are some questions about wipe warmers that crop up again and again, so we thought we’d answer them all here.
Do Wipe Warmers Stay On All The Time?
Wipe warmers use relatively little electricity, so most people leave them plugged in all of the time. The warmers are designed to reach a certain temperature and then turn the heating element off — just like your heating at home. This prevents overheating so you do not have to unplug them.
Do Wipe Warmers Dry Out Wipes?
A frequent complaint about some wipe warmers is that they dry out the wipes, rendering them useless. This may have been true for the first generation of wipe warmers, but you are unlikely to run into this problem today.
There is, however, one exception.
If you leave the wipe warmer turned on for a sustained period, by which I mean days, and do not remove any wipes from it, you may experience some drying. This usually only affects the three or four wipes closest to the heating source.
Do Wipe Warmers Cause Bacteria?
Many parents worry that the combination of warmth from the wipe warmer and moisture from the wipes will be the perfect breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. However, bacteria can grow on any surface in your home, given the right conditions.
Keeping your warmer clean, in the same way you would any other appliance in your home, should keep it bacteria-free.
Important Fact To Know
Can Wipe Warmers Cause Diaper Rash?
Reading some reviews and forums, you might see some parents speculating that the wipe warmer caused diaper rash, UTI’s, and other infections. This is only the opinion of the parent.
Wipe warmers do not cause diaper rash or infections. Instead, diaper rash is caused by (2):
- Irritation from stool and urine, especially when a baby is in a wet or dirty diaper for too long.
- Chafing or rubbing.
- Irritation from a new product, such as a change of wipes or diaper rash cream.
- Bacterial or yeast infections.
- The introduction of new foods or as a response to foods eaten by mom if the baby is breastfed.
- Sensitive skin in general.
- The use of antibiotics.
How Do You Refill A Wipe Warmer?
There are two elements to refilling a wipe warmer — the wipes and the water reservoir.
Refilling The Wipes
It’s easy to do. You take your wipes out of their packaging, open the lid of the warmer, and drop them in.
When you refill, take any remaining wipes out of the wipe warmer, place the fresh wipes in the bottom and put the existing wipes on top. This will prevent the bottom wipes from sitting in the warmer for an extended period and potentially drying out.
Also, try to run down the wipes in the warmer so you can fit an entire new pack in at once. If you can’t do this, store the remaining wipes in a Ziploc bag until they are needed — that will keep them moist.
Refilling The Water Reservoir
The exact detail of how you refill the water reservoir in your wipe warmer will depend on your model. Always check directions instead of winging it.
Since you might want to know how easy it is to refill the reservoir and what method is used — a reservoir or a sponge — before you buy it, we’ll cover instructions for each model in our product reviews.
Wiping Out the Competition
While wipe warmers aren’t a necessity, there’s no doubt that warm wipes feel nicer to the skin than cold wipes do. If you can give your baby’s bottom that extra comfort without putting much of a dent in your bank account, why not do it?
If you haven’t bought a nursery night light yet, you can buy a warmer with a light and skip that expense.
