In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Searching for the most absorbent overnight diaper to decrease nighttime changes? We tested the top 12 competitors to find the best overnight diapers. Selection can be confusing with so many diaper choices. We tested each product on key performance metrics like absorbency, leakage, comfort, health, and durability to help you choose the best diapers for your baby or toddler. We included some of our favorite cloth diapers and found them to have an overall impressive performance compared to the best disposable diapers.
The Rumparooz Pocket is a cloth diaper system suitable for babies from birth up to 40 lbs. The draw of this adorable diaper shell is the variety of absorbency levels achievable by placing different inserts into the pocket. The pocket feature and three "6rSoaker" inserts combine to create more than 17 degrees of absorbency, making it the perfect customizable setup for overnight use. This diaper has a waterproof outer layer, a soft micro-chamois cloth next to the baby's skin, and a double gusset interior design to limit leaks. It earned one of the highest scores for absorbency in our tests, making it an excellent choice for nighttime use.
This diaper requires stuffing a pocket with inserts, which takes time and creates a bulkier diaper than the average disposable. It can also be challenging for dads with bigger hands to accomplish. The added bulk can be uncomfortable for some little ones, and they will resist wearing them. Using cloth also creates extra work laundering the shell and inserts, so you'll need to purchase several diapers and do laundry regularly. If you want something disposable for nighttime or convenience, the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights offer good absorption and leak protection and can easily be tossed during overnight changes. We like this cloth diaper despite the added effort and bulk and think most sleepy-time littles will wake up dry and happy. It could be just what Mother Nature ordered for families looking for an eco-friendlier choice with better absorbency.
Our happy tester romped and roamed in the Rumparooz Pocket diaper. It was one of the best diapers for absorbency in our lab and real-life testing.
Pampers Swaddlers Overnights offered impressive results during our absorbency testing, supporting Pamper's claims with minimal surface liquid transfer. Our test results suggest that Swaddlers Overnights do a great job sucking fluid into the diaper's inner core and locking it away to keep the baby's skin drier. It also seems to have excellent leak protection, which is crucial in an effective overnight diaper to limit soiled bedding. Although some complain that the overnight version is virtually the same as the daytime Swaddlers, our tests show the overnight holds an impressive amount of "urine" without leaks.
If you are looking for an eco-friendly produced diaper, Swaddlers Overnights is somewhat off that goal. Although Pampers uses an Elemental Chlorine-Free production process, the diapers contain perfume, lotion, and dye (wetness indicator). The Rumparooz Pocket is a reusable cloth diaper that is free of additives and more eco-friendly in production. Overall, the Swaddlers Overnights are an excellent choice for an overnight diaper with exceptional absorption and an affordable price that is easy to find locally in stores.
Pampers Baby Dry is a convenient option if you want to use the same diaper for the day and night times. The material has a soft, cloth-like feel, making these some of the most comfortable diapers in our review. The tabs bend and flex without chafing, and the gussets are gentle on sensitive skin. In our absorbency testing, the Baby Dry diaper locks away moisture effectively compared to the competition, earning an above-average score.
While Baby Dry diapers perform well in absorbency, they are somewhat more prone to leaks than competitors we tested, earning a lower score. They are also not the most eco-healthy diapers. They contain fragrances and lotions and use an EFC manufacturing process rather than the preferred TFC method. If your child is creating more liquid at night than the Baby Dry can handle, the upgrade choice would be the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights that is made for more overnight urination. While not the highest-performing diaper, Pampers Baby Dry diapers have a price tag nearly half that of other popular overnights and may be the perfect choice for a family on a budget.
The Baby Dry is not very durable and the contents are somewhat vague according to the Pamper's website.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Counterfeit Diapers?
There have been reports of counterfeit Pampers Baby Dry diapers on Amazon. This issue plagues many brands, and if you feel you may have received a fake version, we recommend contacting Amazon directly to resolve the issue. We did not experience this during our testing process.
Eco by Naty presents a dependable overnight diaper thanks to impressive absorbency and leak protection in our tests. Naty is transparent about the ingredients in their diapers, which is extremely rare in the industry. It is among only a handful of stand-outs with a totally chlorine-free production process (woohoo!). Naty claims they are "free of all known allergens or substances classified as locally irritating, sensitizing, carcinogenic, or mutagenic." They practice what they preach with multiple certifications and awards to support their eco-conscious model. Naty markets its diapers as 99.9% biodegradable.
While perhaps biodegradable under ideal circumstances, most landfills (and plastic trash bags) lack the oxygen and sunlight required to break down even the most biodegradable diaper, so the claim is attractive but somewhat misleading. If you genuinely don't want to contribute to the landfill, we suggest you consider cloth. Eco by Naty also struggled slightly in our tests for durability and comfort; the tabs do not reattach well once used. The diaper is not as soft as its competitors, with some users noticing skin chaffing. Also, Naty uses European diaper sizing, which runs small, so pay attention to the weight ranges with this brand, not the size numbers. If you want an easier-to-find disposable with increased durability, the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights is hard to beat for overnight use absorption needs. Overall, we believe Babycare delivers where it counts and is well worth the higher price if your budget allows, especially if you want eco-healthy without the laundry and maintenance of cloth.
The GroVia O.N.E. is a cloth diaper system that is easy to use and great for the day or night. This reusable diaper is available with hook-and-loop or snap closures, is adjustable for growing babes, and comes with two soaker inserts that you don't need to stuff. This absorbent diaper is a breeze to use and reuse with straightforward instructions and versatility, especially for cloth diapering newbies (we see you!). The O.N.E claims enough absorbency that you won't need extra absorbers, even for overnight use, and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns to keep your little one looking stylish.
This cloth diaper requires frequent laundering, and you'll need multiple diapers on hand to make it from day to day, even if you do laundry daily. However, it is machine washable and can go in the dryer, so its downtime is short compared to some competing cloth options. While it isn't an expensive product, it has a higher initial investment than disposable options. Sometimes the Rumparooz Pocket is less expensive, but whichever you choose will be a commitment. Overall, we believe the investment is worth it for this diaper and love the idea that it is reusable for years with an extensive 10-35 lbs size range.
The Smart Bottoms Dream Diaper 2.0 Snap-In Overnight Insert is an overnight cloth diaper insert for use with the Smart Bottoms Dream 2.0 diaper that offers many customized absorbency possibilities. This reusable diaper insert is easy to use and has a microfiber lining that wicks away some moisture. The cover sports an impressive weight range for long-term use. We also like that the cover has a pocket for stuffing and snap attachments for the overnight inserts, making it possible to use soakers from different brands.
This diaper and insert combo are more expensive than many competitors, though the long-term use and adjustability might make that more acceptable over time. The natural fibers do not wick away moisture when using daytime inserts. This downfall requires frequent diaper changes to avoid potential rashes caused by chronically wet skin. However, we did not experience this with the nighttime inserts during testing. We didn't experience this with the Rumparooz Pocket, but again, it means committing to this kind of cloth option. We believe that this option has impressive absorbency, and the snap-in design makes it easy to use.
The Sustainablebabyish Snapless Multi Fitted is an organic bamboo/cotton terry diaper for babies from 10-35 lbs. This diaper has turned and topstitched leg elastic and includes two 3-layer bamboo fleece doublers for absorbency customization. These simple diapers come in a variety of stitch colors and have a traditional look you'll love.
You will need an additional waterproof cover to use this diaper, which adds to the overall cost and bulk. It also has lower absorbency than other cloth options, so you may need to invest in more doublers for adequate coverage. This diaper also uses a safety pin to keep the diaper closed, which could cause injuries if it accidentally disengages. We recommend purchasing a Snappi accessory to avoid this. If you want a disposable with excellent absorption and aren't convinced you're ready to commit to cloth, the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights is a great option with better absorption. Overall, we like the look and feel of this cloth selection. The layering method allows for customized absorbency, and we think that feature alone is a reason to love this cloth diaper.
New Name: Sloomb
This company is now called Sloomb, and we now link to the Sloomb version of this product. The product itself does not appear to have changed since our last test period.
Bambo Nature is an excellent choice for a day and night disposable if your baby has sensitive skin. It is super soft and comfortable, with impressive absorption and very few leaks in our tests. It is free of Elemental Chlorine, perfumes, fragrance, and dyes and comes in sizes 1 to 6. It is high-scoring in health and comfort metrics, making it a great choice if your baby has extra sensitive skin.
Because Bambo Nature diapers are pricey and their sizing system differs from traditional brands like Pampers and Huggies, you should test a smaller package to find the right size and fit before buying in bulk. Some users complained of issues with leaks and faulty tabs, but it performed above average on leakage in our tests, and we didn't have tab troubles. While less eco-health considerations than Bambo, the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights is a great disposable for overnights with better results than most absorption. Overall, we think Bambo is a reliable green diaper with much to offer to families looking for a disposable with eco-friendly traits.
Luvs is not an overnight-specific diaper, but past versions performed well in our overnight tests. However, this most recent update to the diaper has made them less effective for overnight use. We like that Luvs makes extremely affordable diapers, and the absorption in these diapers is above average, making them a good choice if you are on a very tight budget. The diaper is soft and cozy, and we had no complaints of poky tabs or scratchy material.
Unfortunately, Luvs have more leak complaints than other diapers, and they have one of the lowest eco-health in the group. They use an EFC manufacturing process, and the diapers contain lotions, dyes, and fragrances. So, if your baby has more sensitive skin, these diapers may not be a good choice. A disposable more like Bambo Nature or Eco by Naty could be more appropriate if you're dealing with sensitive skin. If you are simply looking for an affordable diaper and are less concerned with what is inside the diaper, Luvs will get you through the night.
Just edging out Honest Overnights in our absorption tests, Target Up & Up Overnight cost half as much and are available in Sizes 3 to 6. These diapers are worth trying if you are diapering on a budget and regularly find yourself shopping at Target. The material is soft and free of perfumes, making them suitable for babies with sensitive skin. We think they are a great value for an overnight diaper.
Some users report excessive leaks with Target's Overnight, but it seems that ordering a size up can resolve some of these issues and might be a trick to try before giving up if you otherwise like them. For an overnight that is one of the cheapest available, we think its performance matches the price, and they are worth considering if you're on the hunt for a fragrance-free overnight that won't break the bank. But we'd still recommend the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights over this brand if absorption is a key goal for you.
Honest Overnights Diapers in sizes 3 to 6 are a fun choice for those willing to spend more on an adorable overnight diaper. This diaper scored above average for eco-health because it is fragrance-free and uses totally chlorine-free processing. We appreciate that it is somewhat eco-friendly and potentially more suitable for sensitive skin.
Honest Overnights are one of the most expensive on the market for overnight options. If they fit within your budget and you use them for overnight purposes only, they might be worth considering for the cuteness factor. However, the pigments on this diaper could be potentially irritating to the skin, so you'll want to buy a small package before investing in larger boxes to test them with your little one. Also, some users complained of faulty tabs on Honest Overnights, and they performed below average in our absorbency and leakage tests, which is disappointing in such a high-priced diaper. So, if you want a reliable green disposable, we think Eco by Naty and Bambo Nature are better overnight selections.
Sposie Diaper Booster Pads is a one-size-fits-all booster insert designed to compliment your regular diaper for extra absorption during naps or nighttime. This booster can be a useful addition for any child, but we think it is especially effective at the front of the diaper for little boys who are heavy wetters. It might take time to zero in on the best placement for your needs and leak protection, but persistence can be worth it once you find the sweet spot, as this insert is great at preventing leaks.
Although Sposie Pads absorb lots of liquid, our testing showed that they aren't as good at wicking moisture away from a baby's skin as traditional diapers, which could potentially result in a rash. You could try to circumvent this by lining the booster pad with a synthetic cloth liner such as Kanga Care Reusable Diaper Liner to keep skin drier. Also, there is no method to hold this booster in position, so it may shift if your baby is an active sleeper. Despite these drawbacks, this could be the solution for parents who've tried everything and still find their little ones in a wet mess.
Huggies OverNites has historically been the cream of the crop for overnight disposables. However, it appears that Huggies recently updated this diaper. Unfortunately, the new diaper appears to be less dependable. In our absorption tests, Huggies OverNites performed inconsistently, so much so that we re-tested to ensure that the error wasn't ours. After additional research, it looks like we are not the only ones noticing a disappointing difference in the new design. Thus, we can't recommend Huggies OverNites as a reliable overnight disposable at this time.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Why You Should Trust Us
BabyGearLab is the first review site to purchase various diapers for testing in real life and in "the lab" for side-by-side testing and analysis. We designed testing procedures for absorption and leaks to mimic real-world use and applied "urine" to all kinds of diapers to give parents the inside skinny on which products perform the best.
We selected popular disposable diapers and cloth diapers with excellent to average absorption for inclusion in this overnight diaper review. We also entered Pampers Cruisers and Huggies Little Movers to see how they stack up to the competition. Our recommendations result from in-house absorbency testing, hands-on overnight testing, and lots of research.
Our overnight testing is divided over five metrics:
Absorption tests (40% of overall score weighting)
Leak Protection tests (20% weighting)
Comfort tests (15% weighting)
Health tests (15% weighting)
Durability tests (10% weighting)
Since 2012, we've purchased more than 85 diapers across categories for our extensive testing process. Our protocols put each diaper option through multiple performance comparisons to rate overnight absorbency and other key functions of a diaper. We've made gallons of mock urine for testing over the years (that's a lot of liquid!).
We subject overnight diapers to more than 24 individual tests to rate their performance compared to the competition. Absorbency is the most important metric for this category, and it represents 40% of the weighted overall score. The important rating is informed by 3 absorbency tests that include mock urine saturation timed testing complete with shifting weights to simulate a baby's moving around while asleep and repeatedly urinating. Our reviews also utilize diaper research and observations from several family testers using the diapers side-by-side and online reports.
Our testing team is led by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, is a board-certified pediatrician who uses her medical expertise to help choose products and analyze their results. The team also includes the original testing designer and coordinator, Bob Wofford, father of 7 and BabyGearLab Senior Analyst since 2013. The team is rounded out with Senior Review Editor, Abriah Wofford, who has tested 100s of overnight and cloth diapers for leaks and absorption over her six years with BabyGearLab. Senior Review Editor, Wendy Schmitz, analyzed data for roundup winners and write-ups for diapers starting with disposable diapers in 2014. Together, the team has several hundred hours of experience testing various diapers, from cloth to disposable, green to overnight, and everything in between.
Analysis and Test Results
We chose various top-ranked disposable diapers and the best cloth diapers to test for our overnight diaper roundup. Driving our product selection is the knowledge we acquired in our disposable and cloth diaper reviews and research on the top overnight-specific options. This information was pulled together to help you find the right option for your little one overnight.
Didn't Make the Cut
We tested over 18 potential contenders for this roundup, and not all of them made the final cut. Some diapers failed to measure up to the competition, while others were so similar to a better or less expensive product that we excluded them to avoid mudding the waters. Here is a breakdown of the competition that didn't make the grade and missed our list of recommended options.
Seventh Generation Overnight — This green diaper has impressive absorption properties, but both Bambo Nature and Eco by Naty performed better in our tests and have similar price points. While this brand may be more readily accessible in your local store, we still like the other options a bit more, and if you need to order online, we opt for those.
Walmart Parent's Choice Overnight Diapers — This inexpensive, store-brand diaper did not perform well in our tests for absorbency. You are unlikely to save any money over the competition by choosing this option over a product like Luvs that earned an absorbency score twice that of the Walmart brand.
Pampers Cruisers — This traditional disposable isn't an overnight diaper, and its absorbency test results bear this out with a score lower than most of the competition. If Pampers is your brand, the Pampers Swaddlers Overnights is the better choice with superior absorption properties.
Babyganics — This green disposable has one of the worst absorption test results in the group and failed to join the overnight review based solely on this factor, despite it doing well in our disposable diaper review.
Huggies Little Movers — Coming in with a score of 1 for absorption in our tests, Little Movers failed to offer anything useful for overnight use, pushing it to the bottom of the competition.
Value
Value is more than the price of one diaper. Your baby will be in diapers for nearly four years, so you're in it for the long haul, and the cost of diapers adds up quickly. It is vital to strike a good balance between price and performance. If you choose the cheapest diaper but find that you have to change it twice as often as a more expensive option, it doesn't save you money in the long run. Keeping this in mind, we chose the Pampers Baby Dry as our value pick. While it is not the cheapest option we tested, it is the best-performing diaper at a reasonable price point. If you don't mind putting in a little extra work, using cloth can cut your lifetime cost of diapering in half, making any of the cloth options in this review a good value.
Absorbency
Absorbency is one of the most critical attributes of any diaper, no matter the style. If a diaper doesn't adequately contain urine, it is useless. Locking fluids away is even more crucial in nighttime scenarios. Little ones need more protection and coverage to make it all night without waking or leaking on the bedding. We estimated the average amount of urine created by a 22 lb toddler overnight and poured this amount of our mock urine onto each diaper when devising our testing methods. We divided the liquid into several deposits to simulate real-life diaper use more closely. We placed weights on the diaper between sessions, mimicking a baby's weight and movement to represent typical use. The filter paper with the least amount of fake urine (green transfer) indicates the diaper's top absorption and wicking properties.
When choosing the best overnight diaper, you want the best absorbency and leak containment. A few traditional diapers and a cloth product had impressively high scores in our absorbency tests. Rumparooz Pocket and Pampers Swaddlers Overnights are the top-scoring cloth and disposable diapers. They offer superior absorbency and the ability to lock moisture away from a baby's skin, reducing sogginess and the potential for rashes. The lowest-scoring diapers for absorbency are the Honest Overnights and the Huggies OverNites. These products show a lot of green on the filter paper after testing, indicating that they cannot absorb and retain moisture, as well as some competitors. Sposie Diaper Booster Pads didn't sore well for absorbency. However, when used as a supplementary product, Sposies offer excellent additional absorption.
We've included photos of each diaper's absorbency performance results below. The competitors are shown from best to worst as assessed by the amount of green "urine" on the test paper. As you can see, not all overnight options offer equal performance levels.
The filter paper result for Pampers Baby Dry shows less fake urine (green transfer) than other contenders in the category, indicating that this diaper is a top performer for absorbency.
The Pampers Swaddlers Overnights filter paper result demonstrates a top-performing absorbency performance and the ability to lock moisture away from the baby's skin because it shows less green transfer than most contenders overnight.
Target Up & Up Overnight (above left) Huggies OverNites (above right)
Honest Overnights
Sposie Diaper Booster Pad with Pampers Baby Dry
Honest Overnights (above left)
Sposie Diaper Booster Pads (above right)
Daytime vs Overnight Diapers
Our tests prove that the best diapers for daytime absorbency are not necessarily the best for overnight use. For this reason, we recommend that you do NOT rely on daytime absorbency test results to choose overnight diapers for older babies. Our overnight review focuses on absorbency for older babies and toddlers who create more urine and wear a size three and up diaper.
Leakage
In an overnight scenario, the ability to contain leaks can be more critical than in the daytime. Because babies wear overnight diapers for longer periods, they can be more prone to leaking. A secure diaper can help prevent soaked pajamas and midnight bedding changes.
The top-performing diapers have greater adjustability in their fit, with stretchy tabs and elastic around the backside of the diaper. Top scorers in leakage include Rumparooz Pocket, Eco by Naty, and Target Up & Up Overnight. Honest Overnights were the lowest scoring because they do not have stretchable side wings and have a much higher percentage of leakage reports.
Here is an example of how the same size diaper can vary considerably between brands. Size 4 Seventh Generation Overnight (left, 22 to 32 lbs.) not only is quite a bit smaller in dimensions than Size 4 Honest Overnight (right, 22 to 37 lbs.), but sizing ranges differ as well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
Diapers vary in how comfortable they are for your little one, and a good one can help prevent chaffing and rashes. Our favorites have soft, fabric-like material and minimal pokiness at motion points, such as the leg gussets and the waistband.
Often, cloth diapers such as Rumparooz Pocket and Grovia O.N.E have cozy fleece fabric that makes them more comfortable than disposables, but the added bulk of cloth can count against them. Pampers disposable diapers earned the top score for comfort. We found Eco by Naty and Target Up & Up Overnights to be the least comfortable diapers. Both diapers have a stiff plastic feel, and some parents complain about chafing around the legs and stomach.
There's a noticeable difference in the amount of SAP in Pampers Swaddlers Overnights versus Sposie Booster Pad
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Health
Health considerations are always a significant factor in our book, and we took a deep dive to find out what is inside those diapers. To score this metric, we research manufacturing processes, check for added fragrances, lotions, and dyes, and note which diapers have special allergy certifications. Unsurprisingly, cloth diapers like GroVia O.N.E. and Rumparooz Pocket came out on top in this metric because they don't have as many added chemicals and contain fewer potential allergens.
Disposable diapers that score well for health include Eco by Naty and Bambo Nature. Both brands have various eco-awards and certifications, and Naty uses the preferred totally chlorine-free (TFC) manufacturing process, while Bambo Nature has an Elemental Chlorine-Free (EFC) process. Luvs and Pampers Baby Dry are tied for the low score in this metric. Both diapers use an EFC bleaching process, contain added dyes, lotions, and fragrances, and do not fully disclose other ingredients.
Reusable cloth diapers, such as the GroVia O.N.E., are made with fewer chemicals than most disposables.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Durability
Durability can be somewhat tricky to assess, but it matters for overnight diapers as they often need to last for 10+ hours through the night.
We considered if diapers had faulty tabs, leaky SAP, and fuzzy or pilling material. According to our research, the most reliable and durable diapers are Pampers Baby Dry and Bambo Nature. These brands have the fewest reports of diapers falling apart during heavy use. Cloth diapers are built with years of wear and tear in mind, and they last through hundreds of washes. Unfortunately, Eco by Naty and Target Up & Up Overnight were the flimsiest diapers in our review. There are many reports of faulty tabs on Eco by Naty, and Target Up & Up Overnight Diapers had issues with SAP leakage.
We enlisted a few active youngsters to do some hands-on testing in real-life situations.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
An excellent overnight diaper can potentially mean the difference between a restful night's sleep and multiple overnight changes dealing with urine-soaked bedding and extra fatigue the next morning. Investing in diapers specifically designed to handle the extra liquid output is well worth it for a full night's sleep and less hassle. Whether you're looking for an economical disposable or reusable cloth, we believe our diapering lineup can help you find the right nighttime solution for your little one. Choose your diaper, and sleep well.
