Best Cloth-Diaper Pails

Wet bags can handle soiled cloth diapers

Experts and parents are big fans of the Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag (*Est. $21), which they say makes cloth-diapering a breeze, especially on the go. A zippered compartment does a solid job of locking away moisture and smells from soiled diapers, and parents can stash clean diapers, wipes or other supplies in a dry compartment on the bag's exterior. The bag also has a range of uses beyond the diaper years as a place to stash swimwear or gym clothes, reviewers say. Because it does not have a shoulder strap, the Planet Wise functions best as diaper-bag complement instead of a stand-alone tote. Parents may also find the roughly 10-diaper capacity lacking, especially if they are looking for a roomier pail for use inside the home.

A well-reviewed higher-capacity wet bag is the FuzziBunz Hanging Diaper Pail (*Est. $20). Reviewers like its zippered bottom, which means parents can simply dump soiled diapers into the washer directly from the bag -- no contact required. Two handles allow the bag to hang from hooks or doorknobs, saving floor space over traditional diaper pails, and an elastic mouth makes depositing diapers easy. However, because the bag doesn't fully close, odors can be an issue. Some owners also report problems with leaks and broken zippers.

The Diaper Dekor Plus (*Est. $40) offers a more traditional pail alternative to stand-alone wet bags. Popular for both disposable and cloth diapers, the Dekor Plus has a foot pedal that makes it hands-free. Cloth-diapering parents will want to forgo plastic liners and purchase a reusable waterproof pail liner. Owners like the pail's ability to become a standard trash can after their children are out of diapers. The Dekor Plus receives mixed reviews for odor control, but it fares better among parents who use cloth diapers. Because cloth diapers are bulkier than disposables, they fill the pail sooner and have less of a chance to sit, likely helping combat smells.