In the world of disposable diapers, Huggies and Pampers lead the way in terms of both popularity and quality. But in a Huggies vs Pampers showdown, who would take the crown?
To get to the bottom of things, I decided to take a look at the different brands of both companies – including their training pants lines – to really see how they compare to each other!
For example, the Little Snugglers diapers are specially designed to prevent blowouts and save you precious cleanup time, while the Swaddlers are unbelievably soft and perfect for a baby with very sensitive skin.
I’ll also talk about both companies’ lines for older and more active babies that are created to prevent leaks and be really comfortable while your little one is playing and crawling around.
So, keep reading if you would like to find out who came out as the winner in the Huggies vs Pampers battle!
Huggies Little Snugglers vs Pampers Swaddlers
Before we try to decide which diaper comes out on top in the Huggies vs Pampers battle, I think we should start off by comparing the two brands’ beginner-stage diapers that are made with younger babies in mind.
Diapering a baby in the first months of her life can quickly turn into a full-time job, so figuring out which brand is best for your little one is important!
Features of the Huggies Little Snugglers
- Huggies GentleAbsorb Liner protects babys skin by pulling the mess away, while Pocketed Back Waistband contains the mess and helps prevent diaper blowouts
- Huggies Leak Lock System helps eliminate leaks for up to 12 hours of long lasting protection, plus wetness indicator changes color when its time for a diaper change
- Hypoallergenic, soft and breathable outer cover lets babys skin breathe to stay comfortable, clean and healthy. Polypropylene and polyethylene acts as a baby Side Liner - Pulls in fluid and helps provide a layer of protection between your babys skin and the mess
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When it comes to which brand of diaper parents prefer, you can bet that Huggies is somewhere at the top of that list! Their Little Snugglers line, in particular, is designed to be a great newborn diaper.
This diaper brand comes in eight sizes, from a preemie size to a size 6.
The preemie diapers are made for babies who weigh between 1 and 5 pounds, while their largest size will fit babies who weigh 35 pounds.
Absorbency is key with any diaper and the Little Snugglers make sure to keep your baby dry through a neat feature called a GentleAbsorb liner.
This liner starts absorbing wetness immediately so your little one doesn’t have to lie in uncomfortably wet diapers for long.
These diapers also come with a pocket in the back of the diaper to put a stop to all those blowouts that keep ruining your baby’s onesies!
Seriously, this pocket is the work of a genius since no amount of waistband tightening seems to be able to prevent a blowout.
This feature is not just a gimmick either – it actually works and I’m sure you will love it as much as any other mom.
The wetness indicator on the Little Snugglers makes it easy for you to know when the diaper needs changing, so you don’t need to do the uncomfortable two-finger test or wait until the baby starts crying to change it.
It’s especially helpful for first-time parents who are still learning their ropes!
Apart from being really absorbent, these Huggies disposable diapers include an umbilical cord cutout that provides new parents with peace of mind – no need to worry that your newborn’s umbilical cord stump will somehow be irritated by the diaper waistband!
I was super impressed by the velcro tabs on these diapers, too, because they stick tightly to the waistband and won’t come off no matter how active your baby gets.
When you go up a few diaper sizes (sizes 3 through 6), you will find that these diapers include Double Grip Strips which prevent your baby from taking them off.
The Little Snugglers are also perfect for babies’ sensitive skin since they are made to be hypoallergenic and don’t include any fragrances that could irritate your munchkin.
RELATED: Huggies Snug And Dry VS Little Snugglers: Which Is The Better Diaper?
Most importantly, these diapers are chlorine-free! In case you didn’t know, chlorine is a chemical used during the diaper manufacturing process that makes the finished product lovely and white.
But as the diaper gets bleached by chlorine, particles of a harmful chemical called dioxin are emitted, making it easy for your little one to come into contact with it when she’s wearing her diaper.
Different brands may contain chlorine in very small amounts but no chlorine is always the preferred option!
Your baby will also love that these diapers are super soft and keep diaper rashes away.
All in all, you really can’t go wrong with these Huggies diapers as they are one of the best diaper brands around, especially when it comes to putting a stop to blowouts!
Features of the Pampers Swaddlers
- Heart Quilts provide our softest comfort ever, while pulling wetness and mess away
- Air Channels allows air to reach babys skin to help keep them dry and comfortable
- Swaddlers wetness indicator lets you know when your baby might need a change
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While the Pampers Swaddlers are often compared to the Pampers Baby Dry diapers I’ve decided to go with the Swaddlers because they have more in common with the Little Snugglers than the Baby Dry diapers.
RELATED: Pampers Swaddlers Vs Baby Dry Diapers: Which One Is Better?
When it comes to Pampers Swaddlers vs Huggies Little Snugglers, the Swaddlers also include an umbilical cord cutout to keep the area clean and protected until the stump falls out.
In addition, the Swaddlers diaper comes with a wetness indicator (available in any size) to make changes a little easier.
But what sets the two brands apart is that Pampers puts a premium on softness.
For example, the Swaddlers diaper includes a heart quilts liner on the inside which makes it a lot softer than most other brands. The back and front of the diaper are really soft, too, which is a nice addition.
However, just because they are soft on the baby’s skin doesn’t mean that they are prone to leaking.
These Pampers diapers actually come with a special absorb away liner that sucks up all the moisture ASAP!
This makes this brand of diapers a great choice for babies who struggle with diaper rash or have really sensitive skin. The diaper is also made to be hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain parabens.
On the other hand, it does have a slight scent to it.
The Swaddlers brand is also a great overnight diaper because it comes with special air-dry channels.
These channels make sure that the baby’s skin stays dry throughout the night, reducing the chances of diaper rash.
Plus, they offer a snug fit and don’t sag so they’re a great choice for an active baby.
No need to worry that they will be too tight and cause discomfort because the sides are stretchy to accommodate movement.
Unfortunately, they don’t include a back pocket to prevent poop from leaking out and making a mess, unlike the Huggies brand above, which is a significant drawback in my opinion.
If you do decide to go with the Swaddlers and want to buy them off Amazon, make sure that the diapers you’re getting are the real deal and not counterfeit, since the latter could cause your little one to have serious allergic reactions.
Overall, this is a high-quality diaper that won’t disappoint you, especially if your munchkin has been struggling with a rash and needs a diaper that is really gentle on her skin.
But because this is a Huggies vs Pampers battle, I have to say that the Pampers do come out on top when it comes to diapers that are suitable for both infants and older babies.
This is because of their softness, fit, and absorbency – all of which lead to greater comfort for the baby.
Huggies Little Movers vs Pampers Cruisers
Even though different parents disagree over lots of things, I think we can all agree that babies grow quickly.
And before you know it, your once tiny little baby will be transitioning to bigger brands of diapers that are tailor-made for more active babies.
When comparing Huggies vs. Pampers, we can’t skip their Little Movers and Cruisers lines – here are some of their best features!
Features of the Huggies Little Movers
- Fitting Diaper features a contoured shape to move with your active baby and virtually eliminate leaks (Wet Fit, Among Open Diapers)
- Huggies DryTouch Liner absorbs wetness on contact while baby is crawling, moving or walking
- Huggies SnugFit Waistband & Double Grip Strips help keep the diaper in place for your active baby, while SizeUp indicator lets you know when baby is ready to move to the next size diaper
- Fragrance free, lotion free, paraben free, and free of elemental chlorine & rubber latex. Disposability - do not flush
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In case the name hasn’t given it away, the Little Movers diapers are made for munchkins who have places to go and won’t let anyone get in their way!
When it comes to the size range, this line is much more limited than the ones above because it doesn’t include smaller babies.
The diapers are available in four different sizes, from size 3 to size 6, with the minimum weight limit being 16 pounds.
Because active babies need more support and protection while they crawl or cruise around, the Little Movers line is designed in a way that gently wraps around the baby’s bottom.
This way, the chances of leakage are much smaller, even when your little one is playing and having fun.
There is also a wetness indicator to let you know when the baby needs a fresh diaper. I always appreciate this feature because it makes it easy for babysitters or other family members who are taking care of your little one to know when to change the diaper.
But one of the most helpful features of the Little Movers diapers is the SizeUp indicator.
Sometimes it can be hard to gauge when your baby is ready to go up a diaper size but if you opt for this diaper line, you won’t have any trouble figuring this one out!
The SizeUp indicator is a small button illustration on the waistband of the diaper. Once the diaper tabs can’t reach the little button anymore, you should buy these diapers in the next size up.
In addition, the waistband is designed in a way that snugly wraps around the baby’s tummy without being too tight or constricting.
The Double Grip Strips make sure that your munchkin can’t take off her diaper on her own, so the diaper will stay in place during the day and night.
Although, keep in mind that a tot who is taking off her diaper might be ready for potty training!
Next up is the DryTouch liner, which soaks up any wetness and moisture to make your baby feel as comfortable as possible. It minimizes the chances of chafing, too.
The Little Movers also include a Leak Lock System that makes it possible to wear one diaper for as long as 12 hours without any leakage.
Plus, the cutouts for the baby’s legs are specially shaped to keep moisture where it should be – right inside the baby’s diaper and nowhere else!
You will also love that this brand doesn’t contain any chlorine or artificial scents that could cause an allergic reaction, so the Little Movers hit all the marks when it comes to a good-quality diaper for active munchkins.
Features of the Pampers Cruisers
- Stay-put waist has Ultra-Strong grips and soft, stretchy sides for a secure fit that comforts skin no matter how they move
- 3-Way fit adapts at the waist, legs, and bottom, for comfortable fit that keeps up with all babys moves
- Super absorbent with up to 12 hours of leak protection for worry-free play
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If we’re going to talk about Pampers vs. Huggies, we can’t go on without mentioning Pampers Cruisers, which are the Little Movers’ main competitor.
The Cruisers are also made for babies who are cruising around learning how to crawl and need the right diaper to prevent wetness from finding its way out of the diaper.
Size-wise, they are similarly limited when compared to their Huggies counterpart. The Cruisers are available in sizes 3 through 7, with the minimum weight limit being 16 pounds.
Since offering the right fit is very important when it comes to diapers for older babies, Pampers has also made sure to offer a 3-way fit to prevent leakage and messes that you will have to clean up later!
By 3-way fit, Pampers means that the diaper hugs the baby’s bottom, tummy, and legs in a way that prevents wetness from leaking out.
To really seal the deal, there are additional Dual Leak-Guard Barriers to stop any moisture from escaping the leg area – something most other diaper brands fall short on.
Sadly, the Cruisers don’t include a wetness indicator, so keep this in mind as a potential downside. However, you will probably notice that it’s time for a change when it starts sagging, so it’s a good thing that the diaper doesn’t sag when it’s dry.
On the other hand, they come with a fit that is two times stretchier than the average diaper, so they will grow together with your baby.
Keeping the baby’s bottom dry for as long as possible is another key feature for every brand, whether it’s a disposable or a cloth diaper. In this respect, the Cruisers come with special channels that absorb moisture and keep it away from the baby’s bottom.
It works very well even as an overnight diaper, with Pampers promising up to 12 hours of dryness.
The grips are also very secure and won’t come off easily.
If you’re worried about any harmful chemicals coming into contact with your baby, you can rest assured that these diapers are a good choice because they’re hypoallergenic and haven’t been treated with chlorine.
All in all, if you can live without a wetness indicator, then the Pampers Cruisers could be a great fit for your little one.
On the other hand, Pampers boasts a fantastic fit for active babies.
And in the Pampers vs Huggies showdown, I must admit that this feature gives Pampers a slight advantage.
Huggies Pull Ups vs Pampers Easy Ups
Pull up diapers of any kind are slightly controversial in many parenting communities!
Some parents believe they can unnecessarily draw out the potty training process (while putting a dent in your family budget, too), while others have found them really useful for their kids.
While your baby might be fully potty trained by the time she reaches toddlerhood, there’s also a chance that she might still need diapers, too.
In this case, it’s good to know that there are pull ups for older kids available for this transitional period between baby diapers and big kids’ underwear.
And don’t worry – if your tot is being a little resistant to the potty, you can rest assured that she will, at some point, become potty trained. It’s only a matter of time!
RELATED:
- Must-Read Potty Training Books for Toddlers
- Potty Training: Why We Wait to Potty Train Until Age 3
- 10 Best Ways For A Successful Night Time Potty Training
And now onto the pull ups!
Features of the Huggies Pull Ups
- All-around coverage with extra absorbency & leak protection where your child needs it most
- Easy-open sides let you keep clothes on your toddler for quick changes on-the-go or at home
- Soft, stretchy sides that move up & down easily to promote Big Kid independence
- Customize your childs waistband and easily check for messes with Pull-Ups refastenable sides
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First things first – you’re going to need to know that the Pull Ups made by Huggies come in a variety of brands:
- Learning Designs Training Pants
- Cool & Learn Training Pants
- Nighttime Training Pants
Each brand has a specific version for boys and girls, too!
The Learning Designs diapers come with fun illustrations (including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse) in the front that fade away once the diaper becomes wet.
The shape of the diaper is also made to look like a pair of underwear, making the transition to actual underwear a bit easier.
Another great feature is that you can always refasten the sides of the diaper, so checking whether it needs to be changed is pretty simple!
The boys’ version of the diaper includes extra absorbency in the center while the girls’ version has added absorbency in the bottom which prevents leakage.
They are available in sizes 12M through 5T and your tot should weigh a minimum of 14 pounds and a maximum of 50 pounds for these diapers.
The Cool & Learn diapers also include similar features such as extra absorbency for boys and girls and sides that you can refasten as needed.
What sets them apart, however, is the cooling feature.
When the diaper becomes wet, your tot will feel a slight cooling sensation. This should help them understand what going potty means.
They are available in sizes 2T through 5T.
Your tot should weigh at least 18 pounds and a maximum of 50 pounds to wear these pull ups.
Lastly, the Nighttime pull-ups are made to help with night time potty training and preventing bedwetting.
They are very absorbent, more than any other Huggies brand, and are designed to resemble underwear.
The Nighttime training pants also come with cartoon illustrations in the front which fade away after the inside becomes wet. They are also very soft and made to stretch so that falling and staying asleep is easy peasy!
They are available in sizes 2T through 4T, while the minimum weight limit is 18 and the maximum weight limit is 40 pounds.
Features of the Pampers Easy Ups
- 360º Stretchy Waistband—for an underwear-like fit that’s easy for your toddler to pull up and down
- Pampers Extra Absorb Channels for superstar protection against leaks, day and night
- Dance-party-proof Dual Leak-Guard Barriers prevent leaks where they happen most
- Easy-Tear sides for lightning-fast changes and comfortable fit
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My last stop in the Huggies vs Pampers battle is the Pampers Easy Ups, their version of the pull up diaper.
While there are different designs available for both boys and girls, there are no differences between the boys’ and girls’ diapers in terms of absorbency, so you can get whichever design your tot prefers!
There are fun illustrations of cartoon characters (such as trolls) that I’m sure your toddler will be crazy about, making the transition to wearing underwear a little less stressful.
The Easy Ups include additional absorbing channels which make sure your toddler stays dry while she’s sleeping or playing around. You can rest assured that there won’t be any leaks either!
The waistband can stretch in all directions so it will be comfortable to wear and won’t be too tight around your toddler’s tummy.
Not only can the Easy Ups be pulled up or down like underwear, they are also extremely soft, too! They come in a wide range of sizes, from 2T to 5T for both girls and boys.
When comparing the Easy Ups with the Pull Ups, I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice, although the Huggies extra absorbency for boys’ and girls’ diapers is a very neat feature that gives it a slight advantage.
Plus, Pampers doesn’t offer different kinds of training pants like Huggies does.
But these training pants both do what they’re supposed to – get your tot accustomed to underwear and going potty on their own!
Comfort
Although comfort is hard to gauge with a diaper (unless the baby is clearly uncomfortable and trying to get out of it), there are a few indicators of discomfort, such as a diaper rash.
Most parents love Pampers because they work wonders for babies who have developed a rash on their bottom, meaning that their diapers are more comfortable in this regard.
Pampers diapers also tend to be softer to the touch, although this comes with its downsides as well, as they can sometimes leak.
Cost
Both Huggies and Pampers fall within the same price range where they are not as affordable as the generic brands but they aren’t super expensive either.
As you can see, they are quite evenly matched so I wouldn’t rely on cost as the main factor when trying to decide between these two brands.
Absorbency
Whether a diaper will leak or not depends on a lot of factors, such as the size of the baby and whether the diaper is the right fit, especially around the legs. Leaks do happen from time to time, and it varies across different brands, too.
A 2013 article by Ariel Shramko, Amana Shramko, and Athena Shramko found that Huggies Little Snugglers were winners when it comes to absorbency over the Pampers Swaddlers, so that’s something to consider!
Final thoughts
Now that we’ve covered some of the key products of both diaper brands, I hope you’re a little closer to deciding who the winner is in the Huggies vs Pampers battle!
If you ask me, I think both brands have plenty to offer.
While Huggies is a very trustworthy brand that many grown-ups spent their first years in, I must concede that overall, Pampers has a slight edge over Huggies.
Still, what I really appreciate about Huggies is that their Little Snugglers line is designed with a back pocket to prevent blowouts and moisture from escaping the diaper.
Full disclosure, this is a fantastic feature that every diaper brand should include since it makes the lives of parents so much easier!
But Pampers is a fantastic brand, especially their Swaddlers line, which is a great choice for babies with sensitive skin who have struggled with a diaper rash before.
They offer a good fit and their diapers don’t sag.
If your little one grows up to need training pants or pull up diapers you will also be able to rely on these two brands to carry you through this period.
Soon enough, your munchkin will be going potty all on their own and diapers will be a thing of the past!
**If you’re a budget-conscious new mom, make sure to also check out our guides on the Huggies and Kirkland diapers, how many diapers you really need, and can diapers expire.
References:
“Which Diaper is More Absorbent, Huggies or Pampers?” by Ariel Shramko, Amana Shramko, and Athena Shramko, published in the Journal of Emerging Investigators on September 19, 2013.
READ NEXT: Pampers Cruisers Vs Swaddlers: Which Diaper Is Better?
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