As a mom on a budget, I’m constantly looking for deals and lesser-known brands to save some money. My mom always told me that diapers are not the place to cut corners, and she was absolutely right! Huggies and Pampers are more expensive than store-brand diapers, but these brands come with guaranteed customer satisfaction.
The last thing moms need is to have a blowout in the middle of the grocery store because they went for the cheaper diaper. In the Huggies vs. Pampers battle, we’re going to break down each feature these brands have to offer.
For consistency, this article compares Huggies Little Snugglers and Pampers Swaddlers.
- Huggies vs. Pampers: How They Stack Up
- Huggies Overview
- Pampers Overview
- Best Leak Prevention
- Most Absorbent Diaper
- Best Fitting Diapers
- The Best Priced Diaper Brand
- Are Huggies and Pampers Both Fragrance-Free?
- Huggies vs. Pampers Size Chart
- A Safe Alternative to Huggies and Pampers Diapers
- Summing It Up
- FAQ
Exclusive Look: What Sets Huggies Apart from Other Baby Brands
Gentle Leak Protection
Huggies Little Snugglers
Designed to comfort delicate skin, Huggies Little Snugglers are dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and free of any harmful ingredients. Their patented Leak Lock® provides up to 12 hours of 100% leak-free protection, and the pocketed waistband helps prevent blowouts up the back. In Preemie through size 2, there's an extra absorbency layer: the GentleAbsorb® Diaper Liner, which wicks wetness away on contact for diaper rash prevention. Additional comfort features include a curved shape, stretchy fit, and double grip waistband strips for adjustability.
Get to Know Pampers: The Ultimate Guide to Premium Baby Care
#1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand
Pampers Swaddlers
The #1 Pediatrician recommended brand, Pampers features superior skin protection for newborns, babies, and toddlers. Their ultra-absorbent layers keep skin up to 3x drier by locking wetness away, resulting in 0% skin irritation. Dual leak-guard barriers around the legs and the pocketed blowout barrier provide 100% leak-free prevention. Pampers are hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved, and free from any harmful ingredients.
Battle of the Diapers: Huggies vs. Pampers on Leak Prevention
Leaky diapers are the worst. Luckily, Huggies and Pampers diapers have some awesome stats when it comes to leak prevention. Both Huggies and Pampers have a 100% leak-free claim for up to 12 hours of protection.
Both brands employ a blowout blocker, a pocketed waistband that prevents blowouts from leaking up the back.
Huggies Leak Prevention Features:
- Leak Lock® technology pulls wetness away from skin on contact.
- The curved elastic and pad hug your little one’s bottom, providing gentle leak protection.
Pampers Leak Prevention Features:
- Dual Leak-Guard barriers along the leg cuffs keep messes inside the diaper.
- Lock Away Channels™ wicks wetness and messes away from the skin, locking it there for up to 12 hours.
Customer Review: “I only use Pampers. They were the only ones I tried that didn’t leak.” ~Allie, Mom of 4
Final Verdict: Tie
While both brands have comparable leak-prevention features, Pampers was the Mom-preferred diaper in our poll.
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Photo: Pampers.com
Diaper Absorbency: Huggies vs. Pampers – Which Brand is Best?
A diaper’s absorbency is key to avoiding the dreaded diaper rash. Both Huggies and Pampers state their diapers are safe for sensitive skin. Pampers goes a step further, claiming 0% skin irritation.
Huggies Absorbency Features:
- The GentleAbsorb® Diaper Liner immediately pulls wetness away from baby’s skin. However, this liner is only found in Preemie through Size 2.
Pampers Absorbency Features:
- The entire diaper utilizes the Wrap and Protect System™, which pulls wetness from skin on all sides. It features the Breathe Free Liner™ and ultra-absorbent layers that keep skin three times drier than other brands.
- The LockAway Channels™ quickly absorb wetness to help maintain pH balance.
Final Verdict: Pampers
While other Huggies diapers have additional liner features, Little Snugglers GentleAbsorb® Diaper Liner stops after Size 2. All the absorbency features in Pampers are found in every size of Swaddlers. Personally, I’ve noticed my sons’ bottoms were driest when using Pampers.
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Photo: Pampers.com
Find the Best Fitting Diapers for your Baby
A diaper’s fit ultimately comes down to each individual baby. Pampers has a larger range of sizes, fitting babies from under 10 pounds to over 49 pounds. Huggies fits babies from under 6 pounds to under 41 pounds. Both brands offer preemie sizes.
As mentioned above, Mom Allie said Pampers fit best for her long, skinny babies. I found Huggies to fit my average and chunky children better, and so did Michelle, a mom of four. “I preferred Huggies because of the straps on the side. Pampers doesn’t stretch enough for [my baby’s] big booty!”
Huggies have a curved and stretchy fit, which seems to contour better on chubbier babies. Pampers offers a slimmer diaper profile that appears less bulky under clothes. Both brands feature an umbilical cord cut out on their newborn sizes. The waistband part under the belly button area curves down to allow room for the cord stump.
Final Verdict: Huggies
If you don’t mind a slightly bulkier diaper profile, Huggies is likely the better-fitting diaper. Their curved design contours to the body, giving it a more universal fit.
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Photo: Huggies.com
Get More for Less: The Best Priced Diaper Brand
Both Huggies and Pampers are neck and neck in terms of pricing. In almost ten years of diapering, I have consistently found Huggies to be a few cents cheaper than Pampers. Both brands have the option on Amazon to subscribe and save. If you purchase a 198-count of size 1 Huggies, it comes to $0.25 per diaper. If you purchase the same in Pampers, it works out to $0.27 per diaper.
More often than not, I find myself reaching for Huggies simply because of their slightly lower price. It adds up over time!
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Are Huggies and Pampers Both Fragrance-Free?
Huggies proudly states they are 100% fragrance-free, which many parents appreciate given the increased findings of fragrance-related skin irritation. On the other hand, Pampers includes 100% plant-based stearyl alcohol and Aloe Babadensis leaf extract. Their conclusion is that “parents prefer a lightly scented lotion in the diaper area.”
Valentine, a mother of a 2-year-old son, says, “Pampers has always been my top choice for my son’s diapers. Despite trying various brands, Pampers consistently delivers without fail. One thing I particularly appreciate is the fresh, clean scent of the diapers – it might sound strange, but I assure you, it’s a refreshing bonus!”
Even with their light use of fragrance, Pampers still maintains an accredited skin safety rating from the Skin Health Alliance.
Huggies vs. Pampers Size Chart
Top Tips For Finding Alternatives to Huggies and Pampers Diapers
In case we haven’t sold you on either big-name brand, check out our review on Kudos diapers here. Kudos are breathable, hypoallergenic, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to be free of the top 100 most harmful chemicals – the golden standard when it comes to safety.
If you’re not sure what to look for in a good diaper brand, here are the top features you should look out for in the label:
Features:
- Only 100% doctor-recommended cotton touches your baby’s skin
- Made with 4x more plant-based components than other diapers
- DoubleDry technology, featuring two absorption layers
- Wetness indicator
Our Final Verdict on Huggies and Pampers
Which is better, Pampers or Huggies? My diaper bag is never without Huggies. I find both brands equal in quality, leak prevention, and absorbency. So for me, it comes down to the price and fragrance. Huggies has slightly lower prices and is completely fragrance-free. I’ve found they fit more comfortably on my kids, too.
Like much of motherhood, finding the best diaper for your baby is trial and error. What works for one might not work for others. But you can be sure that both Huggies and Pampers are gentle on the skin and safe for your little one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my newborn’s diaper?
Poopy diapers should be changed the moment that special smell tickles your nostrils. Leaving your baby in a dirty diaper for extended periods of times puts them at risk for a diaper rash.
Are Huggies and Pampers made by the same company?
No. Huggies is made by Kimberly-Clark and Pampers is a Procter & Gambel brand.
Do Huggies absorb more than Pampers?
In a study done by the Journal of Emerging Investigators, they found that Huggies absorbed about 33mL more urine than Pampers.
