Even before my daughter was born, my husband and I were already scouting around for a good diaper brand– obviously trying to get the biggest bang for our buck. If your infant is fully breastfed, then diaper expenditure will probably constitute the largest chunk of your infant expenses. So, choosing the right diaper is clearly very important.

For this review, I will only review seven diaper brands that I think is worth the try. I avoid reviewing diapers at the two extreme ends of the price spectrum because obviously the most expensive ones (ie. Merries by Kao) will perform considerably well, and the cheapest generic store brand types (ie. Giant store brand) will obviously disappoint to a large extent.

By the way, this review is not a sponsored or paid post. All diapers were bought and tested on my daughter. Results on other infants may vary.

1. Mamypoko Extra Dry diaper

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

Mamypoko diapers are perhaps the staple for every child in Malaysia. The brand value is exceptionally strong and the trust factor amongst mothers is unparalleled. Honestly, there’s nothing much to review on Mamypokos as they work great. The fit is good, the load-taking ability is fantastic and the nighttime reliability is also great. But I guess the most important thing to take note on Mamypoko is the price. During regular non-promotional/sales times, Mamypokos can be quite pricey. But during promotional periods, Mamypokos can be bought at a cheaper price if you’re buying two or three packs at once. The only tiny annoyance I have though is the bulkiness. If you’re planning to doll-up your daughter with close-fitting outfits, then the area between the legs will tend to look a bit puffy.

2. Huggies Ultra

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

Huggies Ultra was the first diaper my daughter used during our stay at SJMC. Firstly, the absorbency is good and the fit is also great. Although my daughter was born at a petit size of 2.87kg, the S-size diaper was still able to wrap around her waist and thighs pretty well. This is partly due to the stretchable garters at the waist that would work great on both large and small infants. However, I realized that Huggies Ultra diapers are pretty bulky as the length is a bit long – this explains the ability to take on heavier loads. This elongated design however also restricts the infant’s leg movements a bit. Despite that, Huggies would still be a good choice.

3. Drypers Wee Wee Dry

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

Another value-for-money brand that I like is Drypers. The material feels very dense albeit a tad bit stiff at the back. However, the noticeably large side guards are great for nighttime use when your infant is tossing around in bed. The absorbency is also very good and the fit is great. The plus point about Drypers is the price. It is actually quite affordable, especially the jumbo pack where one piece could cost less than 45sen (M size). If you’re getting it at an online shop with discounts, the price could even be lower.

4. Pampers Baby Dry

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

Pampers is perhaps just as pricey as Merries – both are made in Japan. However, I happened to stumble across it at an online shop for about half the usual price! The built quality is superior and the material is very sturdy. The absorbency is also great although it looks thin due to the honeycomb-like material used inside. Also, because of the special high absorbency material, Pampers are not as bulky as Mamypokos, which looks pretty nice with pants. All in, Pampers would be a great choice but the only downside is the price.

5. Whoopee

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

This locally manufactured brand is probably one of the most poorly constructed diaper by design. At first glance and first touch, the material feels rather promising and the side leak guards look pretty familiar. However, the double-fold design (instead of opening into a V-shape like most diapers, Whoopees opens into a U-shape) offers very limited height – Most diapers cover up to the infant’s tummy but Whoopees are far below that. This limitation in height causes Whoopees to be more susceptible to leakages from the back as poo is being excreted. Moreover, because of this short U-shape folding design, I do not see how S-size will be able to fit babies larger than 5.5kg although it is supposed to fit up to 7kg. To be fair, I think that Whoopees will be more suitable for newborns below 5kg. The cheap price will be most suitable for newborns using 8-10 diapers a day.

6. Tesco Loves Baby Ultra Dry

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

Not to be mistaken as a cheap store brand, Tesco Loves Baby is amazingly good and value-for-money. I’ve had the privilege of using the Made-in-Germany ones (I bought 6 packs of 58 pieces) before they were discontinued in Malaysia and they have far exceeded my expectations. The fit is really good and the height covers right up to the tummy. The absorbency is also amazing. These days, Tesco Loves Baby diapers in Malaysia are made in Malaysia. Instead of the previous V-shape fold, the new ones are double-folded opening into a U-shape. They are also more colourful and more intricately decorated unlike the Made-in-Germany ones which are just plain white. The fit and absorbency is still fantastic, being able to hold heavy loads just as well as the more expensive brands. Another noticeable point is that the Made-in-Malaysia ones are just as puffy as Mamypokos. Tesco Loves Baby is a clear value-for-money winner!

7. Petpet

Price :
Overall satisfaction :

This is the only diaper brand that I have yet to purchase. I’ve gotten this free sample that contains 4 pieces (how generous!) via online. Petpet is also another affordable locally-made diaper which is value-for-money. Because of its price, one could expect that it will have the familiar shortcomings. The absorbency and load bearing ability is just moderate- this can be seen from the thickness of the diaper. Perhaps not suitable for night time use as the infant’s tossing and turning could cause leakages. However, just like Whoopee, I would encourage mothers to use Petpet on newborns as the price is more palatable when you’re changing up to 10 diapers a day!

In general, I am quite fortunate as none of these diapers that I have tested have caused rash on my daughter’s bottom. But if they do, try applying Sudocrem Nappy Cream. Also, price-wise, various stores offer very varied prices depending on promotions, sales, road shows, fairs etc. Personally, I get most of my diapers via online marketplace platforms as they are generally cheaper, offer more discounts (credit card discounts, vouchers, free delivery, bulk discounts etc) and because I normally buy diapers in bulk so it’s easier to have a delivery man send it to my house.

There you have it! An unbiased review of the diapers we have tested. Hope this helps you in your purchasing decisions 🙂

Looking for more reviews? Check out The Essential Baby Diapers Guide in Malaysia 2016 by Shopcoupons!