The 6 Best Diaper Pails that use Regular Trash Bags of 2022

Ah, yes, the dirty diaper. According to Diaper Genie, the average newborn will produce 9,600 dirty diapers within their first three years – that is a LOT of smelly waste!

As any parent will tell you, having a well-sealed diaper pail can be a real nose saver! It is not only super practical, but it also keeps smells and unhygienic bacteria locked away.

However, most diaper pails are built to use branded refill bags, which can be quite expensive and also leave you in a pinch when you run out. Buying diapers, baby food, and toys is expensive and time-consuming enough, so most of us parents resent having yet another baby supply to manage.

What if I told you that there are some diaper pails designed to use regular trash bags? In this article, I will give you our top 6 suggestions of the best diaper pails that use generic trash bags. Keep on reading to find your perfect odor solution!

Top 6 Best Diaper Pails That Use Regular Trash Bags

We tried several products, and here are our top picks:

1. Ubbi Odor-Locking Diaper Pail

There are numerous reasons why the Ubbi diaper pail is our number one pick. The first one is, of course, the fact that it will save you money because you won’t have to buy special bags. However, the design of the pail itself is more than impressive.

The pail is made of steel and not of some cheap plastic, so you can be sure that the smell will be shielded inside. You also get rubber seals around the sliding lid and the rim that make the pail airtight. What’s more, the unit can hold up to 55 nappies! In terms of cleaning, you can simply wipe clean the pail and Bob’s your uncle.

The Ubbi diaper pail is eco-friendly and has won nine different awards guaranteeing its effectiveness. It is also child-proof, so your little angel’s hands won’t find their way inside looking for some treasure. The design does not include a pedal for opening but an innovative lid that slides open and minimizes air disruption.

Pros:

• High-quality steel
• Rubber seals
• Sliding lid
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Colors different than white are more expensive

2. AKORD Slim diaper disposal system

Even though this is said to be an adult diaper pail, we think it works great for baby diapers as well. The pail is big (11L x 21W x 11H inches), and you won’t have to buy special refill bags to use it continuously. The 13-gallon trash bags are ideal for it!

What we like the most about this suggestion is that it has a well-engineered locking mechanism with a two-door system. That means that when you drop the diaper through the lid, it drops into the pail, and the two doors immediately shut tightly to lock all bad odor away.

The changing of the bag is also upper easy due to the door-mounted cutter. The best part is that the AKORD diaper pail is pretty much multi-purpose. Therefore, you could also use it for pet-related refuse like dog poop or cat litter. Last but not least, the unit is very affordable!

Pros:

• Multi-purpose
• Can use both trash can bags and refills
• Simple yet smart design
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Made of plastic

3. Skip Hop Diaper Pail

Now, this diaper pail may seem a bit too expensive, but trust us, it is worth it! The unit features a high-quality steel bin that is odor-resistant and will keep all the dirty diapers away. We love the dual air-lock system that will ensure your nursery stays fresh.

Moreover, the fact that the Skip Hop diaper pail fits standard kitchen trash bags will save you a lot of money. The space-saving design of the pail is also a great advantage since you will be able to place it anywhere in your nursery.

Another thing we really like is the built-in storage section that will keep all of your essentials close at hand. If you are interested, you can also buy the Skip Hop wipes holder that is sold separately but fits in the storage compartment. The unit also features a child-proof lock and a snap closure.

Pros:

• Steel bin
• Dual air-lock system
• Space-saving design
• Built-in storage compartment

Cons:

• A bit over the average price

4. Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail

The Safety 1st diaper pail is one of the cheapest yet effective diaper pails. For around 20 bucks, you can say goodbye to nasty odor (we love our babies, but we definitely do not love their full diapers) and enjoy an innovative product that is built to last.

The compact design of this diaper pail makes it ideal for small spaces. However, even though it is compact, it can hold just as many poo-packs as our previous suggestions. You can use standard 13-gallon kitchen bags and not spend money on ridiculously expensive bag cartridges.

This Safety 1st diaper pail is made of high-quality closed-cell plastic that locks in odor but does not absorb it. Moreover, the unit comes with a built-in deodorizer disc that will help keep away the smell. The replacement discs are sold separately, but a great life-hack is to fill it with baking soda once exhausted. We’ve also heard of moms using activated charcoal in a baggie made out of pantyhose as a cheap DIY improvement.

Pros:

• High-quality plastic
• Easy one-hand use
• Very affordable
• Compact design

Cons:

• The included deodorizer disc is not that effective – but with some DIY effort, this can be improved!

5. Creative Baby Tidy Diaper Pail

This next pail on our list of the best diaper pails that use regular trash bags is once again designed for one-hand use, and we love its simplicity. The Creative Baby diaper pail features a rotating lid design and a unique piston system that pushes the diaper into the pail.

This is the perfect pail to keep your baby’s room odor-free, and it is also not as expensive as some of the top-notch units on the market. Still, it is of great quality and is compatible with any disposable bag. We don’t like the fact that it is made entirely out of plastic, but if you clean it regularly using baking soda or Lysol, you will not have any problems.

The Creative Baby diaper pail can accommodate up to thirty soiled diapers, so you won’t have to empty it on a daily basis. It is also very compact, so it will not take up that much space in your little angel’s nursery.

Pros:

• One hand use
• Modern design
• Compatible with any disposable bag
• Keeps odors away

Cons:

• Plastic

6. Bubula JR Steel Diaper Pail

The Bubula JR diaper pail may be last on our list, but trust us, it is just as good as the rest of the pails we listed. It is pretty much the best diaper pail that uses regular trash bags in terms of material since it is made of sturdy steel and aluminum construction.

The construction, together with the air-tight lid and the flexible rubber seals, keeps odors locked in and prevents leaks. Moreover, a steel diaper pail does not absorb odors, something that plastic pails do. This means that it will last a long time, and will be easy to clean as needed.

Another thing we liked about the Bubula JR steel diaper pail is its non-skid bottom. This means that there will be no scratches on your hardwood floor. In addition, the unit features a safety-lock so your kids won’t be able to open it, and there will be no leaks.

Pros:

• Compatible with standard size liners
• Durable steel
• Rubber seals and air-tight lid
• Steel does not absorb odors like plastic

Cons:

• Does not seal off the inside when you open the top

See also: Alternatives to the Diaper Genie

Conclusion

Many parents try to use a regular trash can for their baby’s diapers, but the truth is baby diapers SMELL, and the bacteria from diapers can actually make this behavior UNSAFE! That’s where diaper pails come to the rescue. While bag refills can be a bit expensive, so we did some research and made a list of the best diaper pails that use regular trash bags instead of proprietary ones.

All of the products included on our list are of high-quality, and we know you will love them. Still, take a careful look at each one of them and consider whether you want a big, small, metal, or plastic diaper pail. We really hope this article has been useful, and if so, don’t forget to check our other articles on baby products!

See also: Is A Diaper Genie Really Necessary?

What sort of diaper pail do you prefer for your household?

Leave a comment, tell us what you think!