Is high absorbency the most important diaper feature? TCD moms say yes – high absorbency can mean no blowouts, no leakage, no diaper rash, and, with luck, every mom’s dream: a full night’s sleep.

With the help of our newest mama, Kristen, and her baby girl, Emma, we tested out the leading “high absorbency” diapers.

We chose four diapers designed for absorbency and comfort—Coterie’s The Diaper, Millie Moon’s Luxury Diaper, Honest’s Clean Conscious Diaper, and Pampers’ Pure Protection Diaper. We enlisted the help of an expert: Matheson Jean, R.N., a nurse specializing in pediatric care, to help us understand what to look for—and avoid—in these diapers.

We evaluated each on 1) Absorbency, 2) Softness, and 3) Materials, and found Coterie to be our clear winner. Read on to find out why. 

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What should parents look for when choosing a diaper?

Jean, our pediatric nurse, recommends a diaper with “breathable materials, moisture-wicking layers, and a snug yet gentle fit to prevent leaks and irritation.” Diapers sit against a baby’s skin all day long, and sometimes linings rip or tear; so look for safe, non-irritating materials throughout the construction. “Reduction of moisture and irritants can help prevent fussiness, overnight wakeups, and even infections!” she adds. 

How Coterie, Honest, Millie Moon, and Pampers Pure compared in our test categories:

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Absorbency 

Coterie Wins with Fast Absorption and High Capacity

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The four brands make bold claims on absorbency: "up to 12 hours of protection” (Pampers & Millie Moon); “Advanced Absorption” (Honest) and “up to 70% more absorbent” (Coterie). We conducted a liquid absorption test to find out which diaper was actually most absorbent (and would last overnight).

We poured ¼ cup (the typical amount a diaper needs to hold between changes¹) of blue-dyed water on each diaper and evaluated wetness immediately and after five minutes. 

Here’s how they ranked:

Winner: Coterie

Immediate results: absorbed the liquid almost instantly.

5 minute results: felt remarkably dry to the touch. 

#2: Millie Moon 

Immediate: absorbed the liquid quickly.

5 minutes: surface of the liner was wet to the touch.

#3: Honest

Immediate: the liquid overflowed the liner.

5 minutes: the whole surface of the liner was still very soggy. 

#4: Pampers Pure 

Immediate: liquid pooled on liner and did not absorb quickly. 

5 minutes: the surface of the liner was still soggy.

For quick absorption, wicking moisture away from the skin, and high liquid capacity, Coterie was the clear winner. Coterie stood out as the only brand that felt dry enough to last baby Emma a full overnight – exactly what we were looking for. 

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The full results from our test: 1 represents very low absorption and 5 represents high absorption:

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Clean Materials (TCF vs. ECF)

Coterie Wins with Transparency and Sustainable Materials

Are diapers safe? Am I exposing Emma to potentially harmful chemicals? Answering these questions for Kristen were harder than they should be.

The FDA doesn’t regulate diapers², meaning it’s up to parents to research diapers and pick the safest option (as if we need anything else on our plate). In our testing, only Coterie and Honest publish exhaustive lists of the materials used in each part of their diapers.

Let’s take a closer look:

Core materials may sound similar across the four diaper brands we compared – but Coterie is the only brand that uses Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF) Pulp. The others use Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) Pulp, a process which still includes chlorine derivatives. We definitely prefer the total chlorine free pulp found in Coterie as there are concerns about dioxin exposure with diapers using chlorine over a long period of time³.

Coterie is also free of lotion and fragrances to avoid harmful skin reactions. Honest uses citrus extract as an odor inhibitor while Pampers Pure includes shea butter in the lining. “Fragrances and lotion can cause inflammation from irritation or allergies on a baby’s very delicate skin," says Jean, our pediatric nurse expert. “Coterie uses hypoallergenic materials and stays away from chemicals and perfumes.”

Coterie’s status as the only TCF, fragrance-free, lotion-free diaper in our test makes it the best choice for clean, safe materials.

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Softness

Coterie Wins with All Day and Night Comfort

All four diapers we tested were softer and felt better-constructed than everyday disposable diapers like Huggies Swaddlers or Pampers’ Baby Dry. We evaluated softness on the most common sources of irritation and diaper rash: the lining, protection flaps around leg openings, and waistband. 

Winner: Coterie 

The lining was plush and pillow-like. The outer shell was sturdy enough to withstand potential blowouts, but the waistband and protection flaps against her skin were gentle. 

#2: Millie Moon

The lining was soft, but the protection flaps and waistband were plasticky against her sensitive skin, more comparable to standard diapers. 

#3: Honest

The lining was scratchy, stiff, and papery. The protection flaps and waistband were softer, but we couldn’t imagine Emma comfortable for a full night of sleep in these. 

#4: Pampers Pure

This ranked last in our testing, with a rough lining and stiff protection flaps that felt comparable to the everyday disposable diapers we’ve used in the past. 

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‍ The Verdict: Coterie Wins

After testing these four diapers from Honest, Pampers Pure, Millie Moon, and Coterie, the winner is clear: Coterie. It was the most absorbent diaper (by far), the softest, contained no fragrances or lotions, and was the only to feature Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF) Pulp. 

Our expert agrees: “Coterie is a fantastic diaper option with its focus on baby's comfort, skin health, and safety. I recommend Coterie to parents because of its high-quality materials, performance, and transparency and safety,” said Jean, our pediatric RN.

We hope that this test will help you choose your go-to absorbent diaper as it did for Kristen and baby Emma!

Ready to try Coterie? Use code CUSTOMERDIGEST10 to save 10% on your subscription. 

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^{1. https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/}

‍^{2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=876.5920}

^{3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8998495/}