Cloth Diapers
Best Cloth Diapers for Babies and Toddlers
6 picks compared
7 min read
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The short answerFor most families our top pick is the Mama Koala 3.0 one size pocket diaper, a snap adjustable shell with a stay dry lining and natural inserts in the pack. If you want the most inserts for your money, the ALVABABY six pack comes with twelve, and the babygoal Boho set is the largest bundle for building a stash fast. Parents already using prefolds should look at the babygoal covers instead, since those are shells without a pocket insert.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
Mama Koala 3.0 One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers (6 Pack with Inserts)
★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 Editor's pick
The Mama Koala 3.0 is a one size pocket diaper with a stay dry AWJ lining and six four layer natural inserts in the pack. Snaps let the same shell adjust as your baby grows, which is why it is our overall pick to start a stash.
- Stay dry AWJ lining against baby
- Natural fiber inserts included
- Snaps adjust across sizes
- Inserts must be stuffed before use
- Pocket style needs a full wash routine
Best for: Parents wanting one reliable one size pocket diaper to start with
ALVABABY One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers (6 Pack with 12 Inserts)
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best value bundle
This ALVABABY set pairs six one size pocket shells with twelve inserts, so each diaper has a spare on hand. The snaps adjust the fit and the prints suit girls and boys, making it a strong value bundle.
- Twelve inserts, two per diaper
- One size snaps grow with baby
- Covers girl and boy prints
- Insert material not stated as natural
- Needs stuffing before each change
Best for: Getting the most inserts in one affordable bundle
wegreeco One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers (6 Pack with Inserts and Wet Bag)
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Starter set pick
The wegreeco set gives you six one size pocket diapers, six inserts and a wet bag in one floral themed pack. It is a tidy starter kit that covers the basics without extra pieces to track.
- Wet bag included for outings
- Six matching inserts in the set
- One size adjustable snaps
- Single print theme per pack
- Pocket needs stuffing and prep
Best for: A simple one size starter set with a wet bag
babygoal Boho One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers (Pack of 13)
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Biggest bundle
The babygoal Boho pack is the biggest bundle here at thirteen pieces, with six pocket diapers, six rayon from bamboo inserts and a wet bag. It is the quickest way to build a usable stash in one purchase.
- Largest bundle of the group
- Rayon from bamboo inserts
- Wet bag for travel
- More pieces to wash and sort
- Pocket style requires stuffing
Best for: The biggest bundle to build a stash fast
babygoal One Size Pocket Cloth Diapers (6 Pack, Microfiber and Bamboo Inserts)
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Mixed inserts pick
This babygoal set includes six one size pocket diapers with both microfiber and rayon from bamboo inserts. Having two insert types lets you compare how each feels and absorbs before committing to one.
- Two insert types, microfiber and bamboo
- One size snap adjustment
- Reusable washable pocket design
- Microfiber can feel less soft
- Stuffing needed before use
Best for: Trying both microfiber and bamboo inserts in one set
babygoal Reusable Diaper Covers (6 Pack with Wet Bag)
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Cover pick
These babygoal covers are shells with double gussets, meant to go over prefolds or fitted diapers rather than hold a pocket insert. A wet bag is included, making them a good fit for parents already using flats.
- Works over prefolds and fitteds
- Double gussets to contain leaks
- Wet bag included
- No absorbent insert included
- Needs a separate prefold or insert
Best for: Parents using prefolds or flats who need covers only
Cloth diapers trade the throwaway routine of disposables for a shell you wash and reuse. This guide sticks to the diaper itself, the pocket diapers, one size shells and covers, rather than standalone inserts, which we cover separately. The choice comes down to four things: the style of diaper, how it adjusts to fit, the inserts and absorbency, and the washing routine you are willing to keep.
Pocket diapers versus all in ones
Almost all of our picks are pocket diapers. A pocket diaper is a waterproof shell with a soft inner layer and a pocket you stuff with an absorbent insert before each change, then empty before washing. That extra step is the trade off for being able to add or swap inserts to match the day. A true all in one sews the absorbency permanently into the shell so there is nothing to stuff, but the sets in this package are pocket diapers and covers rather than all in ones, so we have not claimed otherwise. The babygoal covers are the one different style: a bare waterproof shell meant to go over a prefold or fitted diaper you supply yourself.
One size adjustable sizing
The Mama Koala, ALVABABY, wegreeco and babygoal pocket diapers are all one size, which means a single shell covers a wide span of ages using rows of snaps across the front. You fold the rise down for a smaller baby and open it out as the child grows, so one stash can last instead of buying fresh sizes. None of these listings state an exact weight range, so treat the snap settings as the real guide and adjust the fit to your own child rather than to a number. A snug fit around the legs and waist matters more than any label.
Inserts and absorbency
Every pocket set here ships with inserts, so you can start without buying extras. The Mama Koala uses four layer natural inserts, the babygoal Boho pack uses rayon from bamboo, and the other babygoal set mixes microfiber and bamboo so you can feel the difference. As a rough guide, natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo hold more and feel softer but dry slower, while microfiber is quick drying but less soft against skin, which is why many people keep it away from the body side. You can add inserts for heavier wetters, which is part of why pocket diapers are flexible. The babygoal covers include no insert, so you pair them with a prefold or flat of your own.
Washing and prep
Cloth diapers only work well with a steady wash routine. A common approach is a short cold rinse, then a full warm wash with a normal amount of detergent, with pocket inserts pulled out first so everything gets clean. Skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and cut how much they absorb, and follow the heat guidance on the diaper you buy. New natural fiber inserts also need prepping: wash and dry them several times before first use so they reach full absorbency, while shells and microfiber usually need just one wash to be ready.
Questions people ask
What is a pocket cloth diaper?
A pocket diaper is a waterproof outer shell with a soft inner layer, sewn together to leave a pocket opening. You slide an absorbent insert into that pocket before putting the diaper on, then pull the insert out for washing afterward. Most of our picks, including the Mama Koala, ALVABABY, wegreeco and babygoal sets, work this way.
Are these cloth diapers one size or sized?
Nearly all of our picks are one size diapers, which means a single shell adjusts to fit a range of ages using rows of snaps on the front. You fold the diaper down for a smaller baby and open it out as the child grows, so one set can last well into toddlerhood instead of buying new sizes.
How many cloth diapers do I need?
It depends on how often you want to wash. Many families keep around two to three dozen so they can wash every other day rather than daily. Starting with one or two six packs like these and adding more once you know your routine is a common way to build a stash without overbuying at once.
What is the difference between a pocket diaper and a diaper cover?
A pocket diaper holds its insert inside a sewn pocket, so the whole thing goes in the wash together. A cover, like the babygoal covers in this list, is just the waterproof shell: you lay or fasten a prefold or fitted diaper underneath it, and you can often reuse the cover for a few changes before washing. Covers suit parents who already use prefolds or flats.
What inserts come with these diapers?
The pocket sets here ship with their own inserts, so you can use them straight away. The Mama Koala comes with four layer natural inserts, the babygoal Boho pack uses rayon from bamboo, and the other babygoal set mixes microfiber and bamboo inserts. The babygoal covers are the exception and include no insert, since they are meant to go over a prefold.
How do I wash cloth diapers?
A common routine is to do a short cold rinse first, then a full warm wash with detergent, and to unstuff pocket inserts before they go in. Follow the care notes on the diaper you buy, since some fabrics prefer lower heat, and avoid fabric softeners, which can coat the fibers and reduce how much they absorb.
Do I need to prep cloth diapers before first use?
Yes. Natural fiber inserts such as cotton and bamboo reach full absorbency only after several wash and dry cycles, so prep them a few times before the first real use. Synthetic microfiber inserts and the shells themselves usually need just one wash to be ready.
Are cloth diapers worth it compared with disposables?
Cloth diapers are reusable, so the same set is washed and used many times instead of thrown away after one change. That reusability is the main appeal for families looking to cut down on waste and ongoing purchases. The trade off is the washing routine and the up front purchase of a stash, so it comes down to whether that fits your household.
The bottom lineSo which one?
Almost every pick here is a one size pocket diaper: a waterproof shell with snaps and a pocket you stuff with an insert before each change. The Mama Koala is our all round choice, the ALVABABY and babygoal Boho win on how many inserts and pieces come in the box, and the babygoal pocket set lets you try microfiber and bamboo side by side. The one outlier is the babygoal cover, which holds no insert of its own and is meant for parents who already use prefolds or flats. Pick the pocket sets if you want a complete system in one order, and the covers only if you are adding to an existing prefold stash.
