Best Baby Wipe Warmers that Help with Messy Pants

There are some things new parents need to keep their baby safe and happy. And there are other products, like a baby wipe warmer, that aren’t absolutely essential but will absolutely transform your little one’s changing experiences for the better. Just think, no more chilly wet wipes on that ultra-sensitive tush. Baby’s going to have a much gentler diaper change. And mom and dad are going to benefit from a lot less wriggling and grizzling while they’re dealing with the stinkiest part of being a parent.

What Is a Baby Wipe Warmer?

Baby wipe warmers are simple gadgets designed to hold and dispense gently warmed baby wipes. So instead of pulling out a cold wipe from a regular packet and having it be a bit of a shock to your baby’s skin, you can use a warm wipe and give them a more comfortable changing experience.

They’re very much a ‘luxury’ product in terms of how essential they are for a baby’s health or safety. If you can’t afford a diaper warmer, it’s nothing to fret about. But you might want to consider putting one on your baby shower registry or picking one up for yourself if all the essentials (bottle warmer, floor seat, changing mat, etc) are covered.

Baby wipe warmers contain a small heating element that warms the wipes to a comfortable temperature. Most have an integrated water reservoir or a hydration sponge that needs to be topped up to prevent the wipes from drying out. The best baby wipe warmers heat the wipes without removing any of the moist soaps or lotions needed for a squeaky clean bottom.

How to Choose the Best Baby Wipes Warmer

Here are some things to consider when shopping for a new baby wipe warmer:

Compatibility: Is the baby wipe warmer compatible with many types of wipe or just one brand? Could I swap to a different brand of baby wipe?

Capacity: How many wipes does the baby wipe warmer hold? Is it easy to refill the warmer? Could I refill it quickly mid-diaper change if needed? How do I know when the warmer is nearly empty of wipes?

Efficiency: How long does it take the warmer to warm the wipes after a refill? Does it warm all of the baby wipes or just some? How do I know when the wipes are warm enough to be used after a refill?

Portability: How easy/convenient is it to move the baby wipe warmer around? Is it compact enough to be used for travel?

Extra features: Does the baby wipe warmer have an integrated night light? Would this feature make nighttime diaper changes easier?

Best Baby Wipe Warmers

*Best Baby Wipe Warmer for After Dark*

Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

Munchkin’s Warm Glow Wipe Warmer contains a soft night light to make nighttime changes quick and stress-free. Open the warmer’s lid to turn on the light for ten minutes and enjoy a diffused glow that’s powerful enough to light up your way but gentle enough to ensure baby stays calm and sleepy.

Advantages

• Great for nighttime changes that don’t disturb baby
• Window shows how many wipes are left
• Night light auto-shuts off after 10 mins
• Top-down warming prevents wipes from drying out

Disadvantages

• Top-down system means only the first 1-2 wipes are warm
• Wipes don’t stay warm for long (best for quick changes)

See also: Best Car Seat Protector

*Best Baby Wipe Warmer for Keeping Wipes Warm & Wet*

Hiccapop Wipe Warmer

Hiccapop’s Wipe Warmer is one of the best warmers for keeping wet wipes warm and moist even in fairly large batches. This is due to the silicone seal around its dispenser that limits airflow and prevents the wipes from drying out. It also has a night light and enough storage capacity for a week’s worth of diaper changes.

Advantages

• Large capacity (can hold a week’s worth of wipes)
• Soft night light for after dark diaper changes
• Silicone seal traps moisture and keeps wipes wet
• Refill window shows when wipes are running low

Disadvantages

• A little bulkier than some rival products
• Hard to clean (lots of edges and grooves)

 

*Best Baby Wipe Warmer for Keeping Wet Wipes Fresh*

Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer

The Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer has a hygiene feature that many rival products lack. Its casing is treated with a special additive to prevent unwanted mildew and microorganisms from growing in the wet, warm interior. With its unique EverFresh hydration system, parents needn’t worry about cleanliness, safety or moisture. Simply replace the warmer’s EverFresh ‘pillow’ every three months to keep wet wipes super fresh and clean.

Advantages

• Large capacity (holds 80 to 100 wipes)\
• Compatible with reusable cloth wipes (holds 16)
• Soft light for calmer, easier nighttime changes
• Treated to prevent mildew and bacteria

Disadvantages

• EverFresh pillow needs replacing 4 x per year
• Dispensing hole is a little tight

See also: When to Start Buying For Baby

*Best Baby Wipe Warmer for Compact Spaces*

Dexbaby Space Saver Wipes Warmer and Dispenser

Dexbaby’s Space Saver Wipes Warmer is one of our favorite products as it’s one of few devices that actually looks and works like a wipes dispenser. Instead of sitting horizontally, it stands vertically to save space on your changing table. It also has a diffused night light and a top-down warming system to prevent baby’s wet wipes from drying out.

Advantages

• Slimline compact design for space-saving
• Auto shut-off night light for easy changes
• Wipes stay warmer for longer (very effective)
• Large capacity (holds biggest boxes of wipes)

Disadvantages

• Hinge is a little brittle (be careful)
• No rubber feet/less sturdiness

*Best Baby Wipe Warmer for A Little Luxury*

Munchkin Mist Wipe Warmer

Munchkin’s Mist Wipe Warmer might just be our favorite baby wipes warmer on the list because of its super clever spritz button. There’s no danger of your wipes drying out as the button on the front releases a spray of water to rehydrate the warmer’s contents. This also happens automatically every time the lid is closed so you can bet on Munchkin providing the wettest, warmest wipes possible.

Advantages

• Very effective spritz-spray button
• Extra-long cord for portability
• Compatible with a large variety of brands
• Lightweight for maneuverability

Disadvantages

• A little on the large/bulky side
• Can be hard to get wipes out one-handed

See also: 20 Tips-for-Breastfeeding-a-Newborn

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you get clued up on the best products and figure out which baby wipe warmer is a suitable choice for your home, we’ve answered some common questions.

Q – Can I leave my baby wipes warmer switched off until I need to use it?

A – Not really. Most wipe warmers are designed to be plugged in constantly because it takes several hours for them to heat up from a completely cold start. Even the fastest device on our list – the Hiccapop Wipe Warmer – takes two hours to heat up from a standing start. So it’s always better to keep yours plugged in. These warming devices are designed to use small amounts of power and auto-regulate their warming elements to prevent overheating and fires.

Q – Will a wet wipe warmer dry out my baby’s wipes?

A – Different products have different features and parents respond to these in different ways. The best way to find a baby wipes warmer that keeps your diaper wipes moist is to read customer reviews. If dry wipes have been a problem for you in the past, look out for special features like Munchkin’s spritz ‘n mist button. It should be noted all wipe warmers have to be used regularly to stay moist. If you don’t use a plugged-in wipe warmer for a couple of days, the top two or three wipes may be extra dry and need discarding (unless you have a spritz/rehydrate function).

Q – Is there a risk of mildew and bacteria if I use a wipes warmer?

A – A lot of parents fear the combination of moisture and warmth because they know (quite rightly) that it can create a suitable environment for bacteria. However, there is no more risk posed by a wipe warmer than any other ‘wet’ product (bottle warmer, breast pump, etc) provided you keep yours clean and well-maintained. Most baby wipe warmers have specially treated components to prevent mildew but if you’re still worried, wipe the device with an antibacterial cloth two or three times a week.

Q – I’ve heard baby wipe warmers can cause diaper rash. Is this true?

A – There is no medical evidence to suggest baby wipe warmers, when used and maintained correctly, can cause any harm to your child. If your wet wipe warmer is clean and working properly, a rash is more likely to be caused by chafing, a mild allergy to a new product or skin irritation from contact with a dirty diaper. However, if you have any doubts, you should stop using the wipes warmer and consult a pediatrician.

Wrap Up

Baby wipe warmers are the type of product some parents have no use for and other parents cannot live without. Like a lot of decisions made during a newborn’s first few months of life, it really depends on what your child likes and will tolerate. If your baby cries every time a cold breeze touches his tush, a wipes warmer could make his changing experiences much softer, gentler and more pleasant. And you know you’d do anything to see that adorable grin (even at 3am on a school night).

Which baby wipe warmer have you tried? What did you like about it? Tell us in the comments below!