Babies get through a LOT of nappies - in fact; in their first year alone, you can expect your baby to make their way through 2,500 of them. Unless you’re using the more eco-friendly reusables, that’s a significant number of soiled nappies to dispose of.
If you’re finding yourself forever navigating to and from your outside bin to keep unwanted odours at bay, a nappy bin may be just the solution.
What is a nappy bin?
Nappy bins are dedicated containers in which you can store disposable nappies. Unlike traditional bins, nappy bins can lock in unwanted smells, preventing the need to trek to your outside bin every time your baby makes a bowel movement.
Why do you need a nappy bin?
According to the NHS, newborn babies can get through approximately 10-12 nappy changes a day and if you put the nappies in the main bin with the rest of your family’s waste, chances are, you will certainly know about it.
Whilst you can, of course, take your soiled nappies straight to the main household bin outside, doing this regularly between feeding, winding, changing and attempting to get your baby to go to sleep, can be an extra challenge you simply do not need - especially when you’re sleep deprived.
Whilst not essential, nappy bins are easy and convenient, storing a considerable amount of dirty nappies whilst locking in odours. Overall, nappy bins are a relatively small investment that can make your life just that little bit easier.
Things to consider when choosing your nappy bin
- The type of nappies you are using - Most nappy bins are made to store disposable nappies, however, some options are suitable for reusable nappies too. If you’re using renewable nappies, you may want to look for bins that don’t require a liner or come with a laundry-friendly bag that you can throw straight into the washing machine.
- Capacity - How many nappies do you want your bin to be able to store? Some nappy bins are relatively compact, holding up to around 25 nappies before they need emptying. Other nappy bins offer a larger capacity, which is ideal if you have multiples or are living in a top-floor flat.
- Liners - Do they require specialist liners? Some nappy bins require specific inners and branded cartridges, so you may want to factor in the cost and availability of refills. Others can be used with any standard bin bag liner. This can make them more affordable and potentially more eco-friendly; with less consumption of single-use plastic.
- Additional features - Look out for any additional features that may work well in your home. Are the nappy bins small and compact in size? Do they look stylish in your surroundings? Can they be used one-handed or do they offer any additional hygiene benefits?
- Cost - Finally, the cost of nappy bins varies quite considerably between brands and as such you may want to factor in both upfront costs and the cost of refills. Consider how long each cartridge lasts and how often you will need to replace them. Some nappy bins come with a supply of liners already included, which can cover you for a fair few months after your initial purchase.
All things considered, here are the ES Best recommendations on the best nappy bins you can buy for your baby today.
Best nappy bins at a glance
- Best overall: Angelcare Nappy Disposal System - £24.95, Amazon
- Best for hygiene: Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Advanced Nappy Disposal Sangenic Tec Bin - £19.99, Amazon
- Best for reusable nappies: Bambino Mio Nappy Bucket - £20.99, Amazon
- Best for large capacity: Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin - £79.99, Amazon
- Best for easy use: Vital Baby Hygiene Odour Trap Nappy Disposal System - £49.99, Amazon
- Best for small families: Korbell Classic Nappy Bin - £59.99, Amazon
- Best for travel: Munchkin Portable Disposable Nappy Bin - £9.99, Amazon
- Best for simple yet stylish use: Rotho Babydesign Nappy Pail - £13, Amazon
- Best for anti-odour: Chicco Nappy Bin - £55.66, Amazon
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Angelcare Nappy Disposal System
Best for: overall
Claiming to use up to four times less plastic than other systems, the Angelcare Nappy Disposal System has a push and lock system that makes it really simple to use.
Gently push it through the interior clamp and it moves automatically into the Odour Seal bag. It doesn’t wrap nappies individually, but instead uses a liner made from seven layers including a special antibacterial layer, keeping your dirty nappies sealed and self-contained so you never have to touch (or smell them!) again.
Suitable to use one-handed, there’s no twisting or buttons to press, so you can even use it while holding your baby.
Convenient and time-saving, the Angelcare Nappy Disposal System holds up to 28 size one nappies, and offers great value for money with a three months supply of refills included with your initial purchase.
Key specifications:
- Colour - White
- Dimensions - 20.5 x 20.6 x 40.1 cm
- Capacity - 28 nappies
- Special Features - One-handed use
- Requires branded liners - Yes
Buy now £24.95, Amazon
Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Advanced Nappy Disposal Sangenic Tec Bin
Best for: hygiene
Tommee Tippee Twist and Click Advanced Nappy Disposal Bin is the only nappy bin on the market that twists and individually wraps each nappy in a multi-layer anti-bacterial film, making it super effective at locking away odours and 99 per cent of potentially dangerous germs such as e-coli.
To use the bin, you simply lift the lid, drop the folded nappy inside and twist the handle until it clicks. Close the lid and you’ll hear the nappy drop down into the bin below.
With a capacity big enough to hold up to 28 nappies; you won’t constantly need to venture to the outside bin.
Stylish and slimline, it takes up minimal space in the nursery, with a flat lid that can open even when positioned tight up against a wall.
This bin comes with one pre-loaded refill cassette included, but it’s worth noting that it is only compatible with the Twist and Click refills (the other Tommee Tippee nappy bin cassettes will not fit). The refills are now made from 98 per cent recycled plastic to reduce their environmental impact.
Key specifications:
- Colour - Mint green
- Dimensions - 29.7 x 26.2 x 39 cm
- Capacity - 28 nappies
- Special Features - Antibacterial film liners
- Requires branded liners - Yes
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Bambino Mio Nappy Bucket
Best for: reusable nappies:
If you’re using reusable nappies, the Bambino Mio Nappy Bucket is a simple and straightforward way to store them whilst they are waiting to go in the washing machine.
With a child-safe lockable lid, the bucket uses concealed internal hooks to attach a washable laundry bag; two of which are included with your purchase.
When it’s full (it can hold up to 15 nappies at once), you can quickly throw the entire laundry bag straight into the machine - with no mess and no need to handle soiled nappies.
Bambino Mio recommended using this bin with essential oils to keep unwanted smells at bay.
Key specifications:
- Colour - Clear
- Dimensions - H 26cm x W 25cm x D 26cm.
- Capacity - Up to 15
- Special Features - lockable lid, washable laundry liners
- Requires branded liners - Yes
Buy now £20.99, Amazon
Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin
Best for: large capacity
If you have twins or multiples, or simply want to reduce the frequency of your trips to the outside bin, the Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin has an extra large capacity; offering the potential to store a significant 55 size one nappies.
Made from non-porous steel, the Ubbi has excellent odour control; with airtight rubber seals and an innovative sliding lid which slowly closes for safety. Once shut, the child lock means even the most curious of crawlers won’t be able to open it back up.
It comes with a higher price tag initially but with a larger capacity, it can also be used for longer - fitting 20 larger-sized nappies too. Unlike many other nappy bins, the Ubbi also works with any tall bin bag or cloth liner, removing the cost and hassle of buying branded bags or liners.
Key specifications:
- Colour - Grey
- Dimensions - 38.1 x 27.3 x 57.1 centimetres
- Capacity - 55 nappies
- Special Features - Steel bin with no need for liners
- Requires branded liners - No
Buy now £87.90, Amazon
Vital Baby Hygiene Odour Trap Nappy Disposal System
Best for: easy use
Suitable for both reusable and disposable nappies, the Vital Baby Hygiene Odour Trap Nappy Disposal System is another nappy bin that comes without the need for costly cassettes or branded liners. Instead, it can be used with any bin bag, including biodegradables.
Easy to use and storing up to 25 size one nappies, you simply drop your dirty nappy into the tube and flip the handle. It’s so straightforward, it can even be done one-handed.
With a patented odour trap seal, you can rest assured that both bacteria and stinky smells are safely locked away until you’re ready to take a trip to the outside bin.
Key specifications:
- Colour - Grey
- Dimensions - 26.1 x 25 x 49 centimetres
- Capacity - 25 nappies
- Special Features - Odour Trap seal
- Requires branded liners - No
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
Korbell Classic Nappy Bin
Best for: small families
A hygienic option for small families, the large capacity Korbell Classic Nappy Bin can hold up to 45 size one nappies at a time. The set comes already loaded with a biodegradable liner, along with an additional three liners. Thanks to its continuous refill system, each liner lasts around 10-11 weeks.
Easy to use, the hands-free foot pedal opens the lid and drops the nappy through the double sealing system. The biodegradable liners are not only lightly scented, but thanks to the ‘OdourKeeper’ trap door and tough ABS plastic, the Korbell can effectively keep smells locked inside so your room stays smelling fresh.
The Korbell Nappy Bin is also available in Mini size (25 nappies) and Plus (60 nappies) so you can easily choose the best option for your household.
Key specifications:
- Colour - White
- Dimensions - 56.4 x 34.5 x 24.6 cm
- Capacity - 65 nappies
- Special Features - Foot pedal, easy access emptying
- Requires branded liners - Yes
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Munchkin Portable Disposable Nappy Bin
Best for: travel
Ideal for travel, days out or long car journeys, the Munchkin Portable Disposable Nappy Bin converts from a flat-packed disk in your changing bag to a freestanding nappy bag in seconds. Once expanded, it’s big enough to hold up to 30 nappies with no refill cartridges or liners required.
The unique film and resealable lid ensure that smells and moisture are securely contained, whilst the transparent viewing window clearly allows you to see when the bag is full. When you reach your destination, the whole pack can be thrown away.
Whilst not the most sustainable option on our list (and not one we’d suggest using in the home), this is an affordable and practical solution to assist when travelling with a young baby.
Key specifications:
- Colour - White
- Dimensions - 18.1 x 12 x 18.1 cm
- Capacity - 150 nappies
- Special Features - Fold down
- Requires branded liners - No
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Rotho Babydesign Nappy Pail
Best for: simple yet stylish use
If all you’re after is a no-frills bin, then this budget buy from Rotho should do the trick. Other customers think so too, as it has an average of 4.5 stars across nearly 4,500 ratings on Amazon.
It’s available in four colourways, including olive green, dusty blue, grey and rose, and its small 10L design means you can tuck it neatly under your change table for discreet disposal. The robust lid makes it odour-proof, while the recessed grips allow for that all-important one-handed disposal.
Key specifications:
- Colours - Green, blue, rose and grey
- Dimensions - 26 x 26 x 31 cm
- Capacity - 10L
- Requires branded liners - No
Buy now £13.00, Amazon
Chicco Nappy Bin
Best for: anti-adour
Ensure your space stays fresh as can be with Chicco’s nappy bin. The sleek, silver number doesn’t require special bags for use and boasts a patented odour-blocking system and innovative seals which prevent odours from escaping.
Key specifications:
- Colours - silver
- Dimensions - 26 x 24.5 x 48.5 cm
- Capacity - 2.1kg
- Requires branded liners - No
Buy now £55.66, Amazon
Verdict
The Angelcare Nappy Disposal System gets our vote for the best overall nappy bin for its value for money and slightly more eco-friendly set-up.
The included refills last you a minimum of three months and whilst it isn’t the cheapest solution on our list; it’s easy to use, has a decent storage capacity and offers the ideal mix of one-handed use and an odour sealing specification.
