Best Diaper Trash Cans: Keep Your Nursery Fresh and Odor-Free
Dealing with dirty diapers is an inevitable part of parenting, but managing the associated odors doesn’t have to be a challenge. A high-quality diaper trash can, or diaper pail, is designed to contain unpleasant smells, making your nursery a more pleasant space for both you and your baby.
Modern diaper pails come equipped with features like hands-free operation, odor-sealing mechanisms, and compatibility with standard trash bags or specialized liners. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-tech solution, there’s a diaper pail to suit every family’s needs.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the top diaper trash cans available in 2025, considering factors such as odor control, ease of use, capacity, and overall value. After exploring these options, be sure to check out our other parenting essentials, including the best baby monitors, best bottle warmers, and best baby swings.
Top 15 Diaper Trash Cans
1. Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
Price: $59.99
Highlights: Hands-free foot pedal, self-sealing system, Arm & Hammer baking soda puck
About: The Munchkin Step Diaper Pail offers exceptional odor control with its self-sealing system and built-in baking soda puck. The hands-free foot pedal makes diaper disposal hygienic and convenient. Its sleek design fits well in any nursery, and while it requires proprietary liners, many parents find the odor containment worth the investment.
2. Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail
Price: $69.99
Highlights: Uses standard trash bags, steel construction, childproof lock
About: The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is known for its durable steel construction, which helps contain odors effectively. It doesn’t require special bags, allowing you to use regular kitchen trash bags. The childproof lock adds an extra layer of safety, making it a favorite among parents seeking both functionality and cost savings.
3. Dekor Plus Diaper Pail
Price: $59.95
Highlights: Hands-free operation, large capacity, biodegradable refill liners
About: The Dekor Plus Diaper Pail features a foot pedal for hands-free use and a trap door to seal in odors. Its large capacity means fewer trips to the trash, and the biodegradable liners are an eco-friendly bonus. The sleek design and multiple color options make it a stylish addition to any nursery.
4. Playtex Diaper Genie Complete
Price: $53.23
Highlights: Built-in antimicrobial, foot pedal, carbon filter
About: The Diaper Genie Complete offers a multi-layer odor-lock system and a built-in carbon filter to neutralize smells. The foot pedal allows for hands-free operation, and the tall design means less bending over. It’s a trusted choice for many parents, though it does require proprietary refill bags.
5. Simplehuman 38 Liter Rectangular Step Can
Price: $99.99
Highlights: Stainless steel body, uses standard trash bags, silent lid closure
About: While not specifically designed as a diaper pail, the Simplehuman Step Can is a popular choice for cloth diapering families. Its stainless steel construction resists odors, and the use of standard trash bags adds convenience. The silent lid closure ensures minimal disturbance during diaper changes.
6. Munchkin UV Diaper Pail
Price: $129.99
Highlights: UV sterilization, self-sealing system, foot pedal
About: The Munchkin UV Diaper Pail takes odor control to the next level with its UV sterilization feature, which kills germs and bacteria. The self-sealing system and foot pedal make diaper disposal easy and hygienic. It’s a high-tech solution for parents concerned about cleanliness.
7. Diaper One-N-Done
Price: $16.00
Highlights: Portable design, uses grocery bags, no special liners
About: The Diaper One-N-Done is a budget-friendly and portable option for diaper disposal. It uses standard grocery bags, eliminating the need for special liners. While it lacks advanced odor control features, it’s a convenient choice for travel or secondary diaper changing stations.
8. Bubula Steel Diaper Pail
Price: $94.99
Highlights: Steel construction, airtight lid, large capacity
About: The Bubula Steel Diaper Pail boasts a sturdy steel body and an airtight lid to lock in odors. Its large capacity reduces the frequency of emptying, and the modern design complements various nursery decors. It uses standard trash bags, offering long-term savings.
9. Diaper Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail
Price: $54.95
Highlights: Affordable, simple design, uses standard bags
About: Award-winning, hands-free functionality parents love—just step on the pedal, drop in the diaper, and you’re done. No bending, no twisting, no squishing—just simple, mess-free diaper disposal.
10. Baby Trend Nursery Center® Playard
Price: $79.99
Highlights: No special bags required, easy one-hand operation
About: The Baby Trend Nursery Center Playard is gender neutral and fun, perfect for any home or nursery setting. This Playard is featured with a removable full bassinet, a mobile with three adorable plush toys, and a diaper stacker for baby’s essentials.
11. Magic Diaper Pail
Price: $69.99
Highlights: Dual-seal system, sleek design, multiple color options
About: Revolutionary 100% odor-free system with dual-seal technology locks away diaper smells completely. Winner of 2023 Baby Innovation Award for breakthrough odor control design.
12. Tommee Tippee Simplee Diaper Pail
Price: $20.37
Highlights: Compact size, antimicrobial film, easy to use
About: The Simplee Diaper Pail by Tommee Tippee is designed for smaller spaces and features an antimicrobial film to combat odors. It’s easy to use and ideal for parents seeking a compact diaper disposal solution.
13. Ubbi Adult Diaper Pail
Price: $99.99
Highlights: Designed for adult diapers, hands-free operation, large capacity
About: The Ubbi Adult Diaper Pail features a sleek stainless steel construction, ensuring durability and a contemporary look that fits seamlessly into any room. Utilizes any standard tall kitchen trash bag, saving you money and time by eliminating the need for special liners and simplifying the disposal process.
14. Foundations Tall Diaper Pail
Price: $99.99
Highlights: Odor-sealing multi-layer film, compact design
About: Featuring an airtight lid that locks in odors, this diaper pail keeps any home nursery or childcare center smelling clean and fresh, ensuring a pleasant environment for everyone. With the ability to hold up to 60 newborn diapers, this pail minimizes bag changes, letting you focus more on caring for your little one and less on frequent trash runs.
15. Korbell Diaper Pail
Price: $52.37
Highlights: Hands-free foot pedal, childproof lock, biodegradable liners
About: The Korbell Diaper Pail offers a hands-free foot pedal and a childproof lock for added safety. It uses biodegradable liners, making it an eco-friendly option for environmentally conscious parents.
Editor’s Choices for the Best Diaper Trash Cans
Best Overall Diaper Trash Can: Munchkin Step Diaper Pail
Combining hands-free operation with excellent odor control, the Munchkin Step stands out as the top choice for most families.
Best for Budget-Conscious Parents: Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
An affordable and straightforward solution that uses standard trash bags, offering convenience without breaking the bank.
Best High-Tech Option: Munchkin UV Diaper Pail
With UV sterilization and a self-sealing system, this pail is perfect for parents seeking advanced odor and germ control.
Best for Cloth Diaper Users: Simplehuman 38 Liter Rectangular Step Can
Its compatibility with standard trash bags and durable stainless steel construction make it ideal for cloth diapering families.
Best Deal on the Best Diaper Trash Cans
Top Budget Pick: Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
At just $30, this pail offers simplicity and functionality, making it an excellent choice for cost-conscious parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Diaper Trash Cans
What features should I look for in a diaper trash can?
Key features include effective odor control, hands-free operation, ease of bag replacement, and compatibility with standard trash bags or proprietary liners.
Are diaper pails necessary?
While not essential, diaper pails offer a convenient and hygienic way to manage dirty diapers, especially in nurseries or bedrooms.
Can I use regular trash bags in diaper pails?
Some diaper pails, like the Ubbi and Diaper Champ, are compatible with standard kitchen trash bags, which can save money in the long run. However, others—such as the Diaper Genie or Munchkin Step—require proprietary refill liners designed to seal in odors more effectively.
How often should I empty a diaper trash can?
This depends on the pail’s size and how frequently your baby uses diapers. Most families empty the diaper pail every 2–3 days, but larger models may go longer between changes. For best odor control, it’s ideal to empty the pail before it gets too full.
Do diaper pails smell over time?
Even the best diaper pails can develop odors if not maintained properly. Regular cleaning, replacing filters, and using odor-neutralizing agents like baking soda can help keep your pail smelling fresh.
Are diaper pails safe to use around toddlers?
Most quality diaper trash cans include childproof features like locking lids or safety latches to prevent curious toddlers from accessing dirty diapers. Always check for safety certifications and use the lock if your child is mobile.
Can I use a regular trash can instead of a diaper pail?
You can, but diaper pails are specifically designed to trap odors and make diaper disposal more hygienic. Regular trash cans lack the sealing mechanisms and may lead to unpleasant smells in the nursery.
Best Diaper Trash Cans Conclusion
Choosing the best diaper trash can is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about odor control, ease of use, and convenience during an already busy parenting season. Whether you need a sleek, steel option like the Ubbi, a high-tech solution like the Munchkin UV, or a budget-friendly pick like the Safety 1st Easy Saver, there’s something here for every nursery and every parent.
From antimicrobial linings and UV sterilization to hands-free foot pedals and eco-conscious liners, today’s diaper pails do more than just hold waste—they help you maintain a clean, comfortable, and smell-free space for your baby. Select a diaper trash can that fits your lifestyle and diapering habits, and enjoy one less thing to worry about during those early months.
