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If you have children, you have to deal with diapers…no ifs, ands, or buts (read: butts, very much so).
Diapers are just part of the deal, and since there's no getting around that, you might as well make diaper duty as easy as possible.
One way to do this is to invest in a diaper pail that will take whatever you throw at it.
With newborn twins, you'll be throwing those diapers double-time. You want your bin to be up to snuff, so that you don't have to sniff what's sitting inside.
There are many things to contemplate when picking a pail for your nursery. You can read all about the different factors to appraise, here.
In the meantime, here is a round-up of the best diaper pails for any scenario you might find yourself in.
The best diaper pails for every scenario at a glance
- Munchkin Step Diaper Pail — Best for Trapping Odors: Locks odors inside, even when the lid is open.
- Dekor Plus — Best for Ease of Use: A spring-loaded door closes automatically after diaper disposal.
- Diaper Genie Classic — Best for a Budget: Tough on diapers without being tough on your wallet.
- Diaper One-N-Done — Best for Small Spaces: A diaper disposal unit ideal for tight quarters.
- Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail — Best for Reusable Diapers: This powder-coated stainless steel bin blocks odors (while it's closed).
- Munchkin Toss Disposable Diaper Pail — Best for Traveling: These portable disposable bins are perfect while traveling.
What are the best diaper pails for every scenario?
Diapers stink, and you have to change them often, so you're going to want a set-up that is conducive to this necessary, but oh-so-scary job.
As parents to newborn twins, you will be utterly exhausted and will want to be able to complete this thankless task as efficiently as possible without breaking the bank over the lifespan of the bin.
The diaper pails listed below are among the top choices of like-minded parents. Some shine brighter than others, but all of them have call-out characteristics that make them contenders for any nursery or daycare set-up.
Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
The best for trapping odors
Bottom line: Munchkin's self-sealing system ensures the disposal bag is sealed shut as the lid closes, and it's designed with ingenuity; somehow, no smells escape while the lid is open.
| Best for Trapping Odors | Munchkin Step Diaper Pail |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Care & Cleaning | Spot or wipe clean |
| Maximum Capacity | 180 diapers (with the six included bags) |
| Dimensions | 27 x W 12 x D 11 in |
| Weight | 11.31 lbs |
Pros:
- Knocks it outta the park for containing odors
- Is super sturdy and has a colossal capacity
- Is very easy to install refill bags
Cons:
- At maximum capacity, this pail isn't totally silent when closing the lid
- Proprietary bags cost more than compatible alternatives
- The outer door can pop open when the bin is stuffed
This hands-free pail has a convenient step pedal to activate the unit, so you're never touching the bin to open a lid while holding a monstrosity of a diaper.
The Munchkin Step also features an Arm & Hammer baking soda puck insert and lavender-scented liners to help contain nasty odors within the bin and keep them from stinking up your home.
Best for Trapping Odors
Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
This is the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail. It's engineered to lock odors inside the bin, even when the lid is open and the pail is in use.
Dekor Plus
The best for ease of use
Bottom line: This diaper bin has a self-closing whisper lid, so it shuts silently, and a spring-loaded trap door instantly and automatically closes behind the disposed diaper to contain odors and prevent wafting.
| Best for Ease of Use | Dekor Plus |
|---|---|
| Material | ABS Plastic |
| Care & Cleaning | Sanitize with non-abrasive liquid household cleaner |
| Maximum Capacity | 60 newborn diapers |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x W 13.5 x D 9.63 in |
| Weight | 7 lbs |
Pros:
- Has a quiet, self-closing lid
- Has a spring-loaded door that automatically closes after disposal
- A foot pedal makes this a hands-free option
Cons:
- Not as durable as some of its competitors
- Odor control isn't great
- Spring-loaded door sometimes sticks
A foot pedal makes hand-free disposal possible, while a hidden child-proof lock on the odor trap door prevents inquisitive hands from poking where they shouldn't.
The storage compartment opens wide for quick and easy emptying, and a child-proof cutter inside the access door allows you to easily cut the bag liner.
Best for Ease of Use
Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail
This is the Dekor Plus. The hands-free diaper pail has a spring-loaded door that automatically closes after disposal. It also features a quiet, self-closing lid, which is key for sleeping babies.
Diaper Genie Classic
The best for a budget
Bottom line: This pail will get you from Point A (a filthy diaper) to Point B (a clean butt) without hammering your wallet.
| Best for a Budget | Diaper Genie Classic |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Care & Cleaning | Sanitize with non-abrasive liquid household cleaner |
| Maximum Capacity | 55 newborn diapers |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x W 11 x D 11 in |
| Weight | 4.34 lbs |
Pros:
- Push N Lock clamp helps prevent odors from escaping
- Bags have multi-layer film with an odor-locking barrier
- Does the job adequately without breaking the bank
Cons:
- Not very sturdy when full or empty
- No foot pedal makes for difficult disposal
- Odors escape quickly and forcefully when door is opened to dispose of a diaper
It has a push-button opening mechanism, which can be difficult to operate while holding a dirty diaper and ensuring your wriggling baby stays safe and secure. But if you have both hands available, it's easy enough to operate.
This bin is compatible with Diaper Genie square refills. Emptying the pail is fairly easy, as long as you have both hands available (the base doesn't always seem sturdy).
Best for a Budget
Diaper Genie Classic
This is the Diaper Genie Classic. It gets the job done for those on a tighter budget but lacks some of the bells and whistles other options have.
Diaper One-N-Done
The best for small spaces
Bottom line: This diaper bin is a nice option for those who have smaller spaces. The bin can hang on the change table or be mounted on the wall, so you don't lose valuable floor space.
| Best for Small Spaces | Diaper One-N-Done |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Care & Cleaning | Sanitize with non-abrasive liquid household cleaner |
| Maximum Capacity | 3 or fewer newborn diapers |
| Dimensions | 11 x W 6 x D 6 in |
| Weight | N/A |
Pros:
- Saves space, thanks to its small footprint in your nursery
- Has an open-top design, eliminating bending over to toss diapers
- Keeps smells to a minimum since the bags are changed more frequently
Cons:
- Has an open top design, so dirty diapers need to be removed immediately
- Has a small capacity, so bags are changed more often than other pails
- The One-N-Done set-up requires refills to be ordered more often
This pail has an open-top design, so the bags are meant to be tossed after each diaper.
Having said that, some people put a few more in the pail, depending on the diaper's contents (if it's only a pee, it can sit for a wee...if it's a number two, you know what to do).
Best for Small Spaces
Diaper One-N-Done
This is the Diaper One-N-Done. It's great for small spaces, where every square-inch counts. It can hang on the side of your changing table or be mounted on the wall.
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
The best for reusable diapers
Bottom line: This sturdy diaper bin is made of powder-coated stainless steel and has rubber seals to keep unpleasant odors at bay. Its neutral design will match any decor.
| Best for Reusable Diapers | Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail |
|---|---|
| Material | Powder-Coated Stainless Steel |
| Care & Cleaning | Wipe with a dry cloth (liquids can cause mold or rust) |
| Maximum Capacity | Up to 55 newborn diapers |
| Dimensions | 19.5 x W 8.4 x D 11.4 in |
| Weight | 5.15 lbs |
Pros:
- Powder-coated stainless steel structure doesn't absorb odors, keeping your nursery fresh
- Sliding lid minimizes air distruption to keep smells to a minimum when disposing diapers
- Works with any type of disposal bag
Cons:
- Tends to emit some odors when the pail is open for diaper disposal
- Odor control is less effective as babies get older
- No foot pedal means it's not hands-free for disposal
You will want to consider the capacity of the pail and the amount of diapers you'll be going through with twins versus how often you plan to do laundry.
Plastic bags can suction to the bin, but if you're using this for reusable diapers, that won't be an issue because you'll be using waterproof fabric bags for your liners.
Best for Reusable Diapers
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
This is the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail. Its powder-coated stainless steel structure makes it an ideal candidate for storing soiled reusable diapers until laundry day.
Munchkin Toss Disposable Diaper Pail
The best for traveling
Bottom line: This is the Munchkin Toss Disposable Diaper Pail. It's compact and portable, which makes it an ideal candidate while traveling.
| Best for Traveling | Munchkin Toss Disposable Diaper Pail |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Care & Cleaning | N/A |
| Maximum Capacity | Up to 90 newborn diapers (30 per pail) |
| Dimensions | 8 x W 7.25 x D 3 in |
| Weight | 8.3 oz |
Pros:
- Resealable lid keeps the bulk of the smells contained until you break the seal to dispose of a diaper
- Bin has a window to show how much space remains inside
- Compact design is great for confined spaces while traveling or on-the-go
Cons:
- Pail can't stand on its own until it starts getting fuller
- Odors escape every time a diaper is disposed of
- Difficult to dispose of the diaper without using both hands
While these are a good option for short trips or when you're in a pinch, they can be hard to use when you're trying to wrangle a baby and don't have the best smell-masking qualities, which can be tough when you're in close quarters, like, say, a hotel room.
But compared to hauling out your heavy-duty diaper pail for short-haul trips, this is an easier option that gets the job done.
Best for Traveling
Munchkin Toss Disposable Diaper Pail
This is the Toss portable pail by Munchkin. This three-pack of disposable bins can hold up to 90 diapers.
How to pick the best diaper pails for every scenario
There are many factors to consider when choosing which diaper bin will meet your needs, and those needs might change as your babies grow or as different situations arise.
You'll want to take time to think about things like odor control, ease of use, capacity, bag refills, esthetics, whether you'll be using the pail for disposable or reusable diapers.
The Munchkin Step Diaper Pail is magnificent at obliterating odors, but the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is the better option for those considering resusable diapers.
The Diaper One-N-Done is a nice option for smaller spaces, but the Diaper Genie Classic is the way to go for smaller budgets.
The Dekor Plus bin checks several boxes when it comes to ease of use, but nothing is easier than just tossing away the disposable Toss pail by Munchkin.
Which bin have you been eyeing?
With your twins, you'll be changing literally thousands of diapers (anywhere from 6,000 to 9,000...per baby!) before they're ready to start potty training, so make sure that whichever diaper bin you decide on can handle this major undertaking.
You can read more on our favorite diaper pails, here. And while you're at it, be sure to check out why this wipes dispenser is the cream of the crop, especially when you have twins and will be flying through wipes like nobody's business when your babies are doing their business.
Have you used any of these diaper pails before? What did you like about it? What didn't meet your expectations? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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