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Best swim nappies
We've tested disposable and reusable baby swim nappies from Bambino Mio,
Huggies, Pampers and more. Find out which was the most leak-proof, durable and
didn't soak up lots of pool water
In this article
- The best disposable swim nappies
- The disposable swim nappies we tested
- The best reusable swim nappies
- The reusable swim nappies we tested
- How we tested swim nappies
- How do swim nappies work
- Can you use a reusable swim nappy on its own?
- Can you wear a normal nappy under or instead of a swim nappy?
Swim nappies are essential when taking your baby into a pool or the sea – they'll help to contain any solids and shouldn't soak up lots of water.
We've tested the most popular disposable and reusable swim nappies from well-known brands, including Bambino Mio, Huggies and Pampers, and costing from 25p per nappy upwards.
After testing each nappy with an average-sized three to four-month-old weighted doll in a baby bath filled with water, we can reveal the swim nappies that are durable, easy to take on and off, don't absorb too much water and most importantly, protect against leaks.
Keep scrolling to see the two standout Best Buy baby swimming nappies that excelled above the rest, as well as a Great Value swim nappy that does a fantastic job for less than 29p per nappy.
Compare 20 disposable nappies from popular brands including Pampers, Boots, Aldi and Asda
The best disposable swim nappies
Only logged-in Which? members can view the disposable swim nappies test results below.
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| Disposable swim nappy | Cheapest price per nappy | Durability | Non-absorbent | Protection against leakage | Size range | Pack size | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Average | ||||||
| Excellent | Average | ||||||
| Average | Average | ||||||
| Average | Average |
Date tested: August 2022. Pricing and availability last checked: 1 February 2024.
The disposable swim nappies we tested
All the disposable swim nappies we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best disposable swim nappies from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendation below.
Boots Baby Swim Pants
Only available at Boots: £3.50 per pack (from 29p per nappy)
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Type: Pull-up
Size we tested: 2-3 (3-8kg) – also available in 3-4 (7-15kg) and 5-6 (12-18kg)
Pack size: 12 nappies (size 2-3), 11 nappies (size 3-4) or 10 nappies (size 5-6)
Huggies Little Swimmers
Cheapest price: £5.25 per pack (from 44p per nappy) available at Sainsbury's, also available at Amazon, Boots and Tesco.
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Type: Tabs and pull-up
Size we tested: 2-3 (3-8kg) – also available in 3-4 (7-15kg) and 5-6 (12-18kg)
Pack size: 12 nappies (size 2-3 and 3-4) or 11 nappies (size 5-6)
Morrisons Nutmeg Swim Pants
Only available at Morrisons: £3.50 per pack (from 29p per nappy)
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Type: Pull-up
Size we tested: small (3-7kg) – also available in medium (7-15kg) and large (12-18kg)
Pack size: 12 nappies (small), 11 nappies (medium) or 10 nappies (large)
Pampers Splashers
Cheapest price: £5.25 per pack (from 44p per nappy) available at Ocado, also available at Amazon.
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Type: Pull-up
Size we tested: 3-4 (6-11kg) – also available in 4-5 (9-15kg) and 5-6 (14kg+)
Pack size: 12 nappies (size 3-4), 11 nappies (size 4-5) or 10 nappies (size 5-6)
Looking for the best nappy for your baby to use out of the pool? See our round-up of the best disposable nappies for our top recommendations and useful buying advice
The best reusable swim nappies
Only logged-in Which? members can view the reusable swim nappies test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Reusable swim nappy | Cheapest price per nappy | Cleaning | Non-absorbent | Protection against leakage | Washing instructions | Size range | Pack size | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Excellent | |||||||
| Good | Average | |||||||
| Excellent | Very poor |
Date tested: August 2022. Pricing and availability last checked: 1 February 2024.
Heading on holiday? See our guide on how to buy the best travel cot for a comfortable and safe night's sleep for your baby.
The reusable swim nappies we tested
All the reusable swim nappies we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best reusable swim nappies from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendation below.
Bambino Mio Swim Nappy
Cheapest price: £9.99 per nappy available at Bambino Mio, also available Sainsbury's.
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Type: Pull-up
Size we tested: small (up to 6 months) – also available in medium (6-12 months), large (1-2 years) and extra large (2 years+)
Pack size: 1 nappy
Splash About Happy Nappy Duo
Only available at Splash About: £19 per nappy
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Type: Pull-up
Size we tested: 3-6 months – also available in 0-3 months, 6-12 months, 12-24 months and 2-3 years
Pack size: 1 nappy
TotsBots Swim Nappy
Cheapest price: £10.95 per nappy available at Babipur.
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Type: Tabs
Size we tested: size 1 (10-20lbs) – also available in size 2 (20-35lbs)
Pack size: 1 nappy
Not sure what reusable nappy to choose for your baby? See the best reusable nappy brands according to parents.
How we tested swim nappies
We tested the most popular disposable and reusable baby swim nappies from supermarkets, high street and online retailers that were in stock for home delivery at the time of testing. We purchased all the products we tested.
Protection against leakage
We used a weighted doll that represented the size and weight of a three to four-month-old baby.
We filled each nappy with a peanut butter and water mixture, designed to replicate a solid stool, and put it on the doll.
Next, we submerged the doll into a baby bath filled with water and moved its legs around for three minutes to replicate the movements a baby makes when swimming.
We then checked if any of the peanut butter and water mixture had leaked out of the nappy.
Non-absorption
Each swim nappy was weighed, soaked in water for five minutes, then reweighed to see how much water it had absorbed.
Ease of use
Each swim nappy was rated on how easy it was to take on and off the weighted doll.
Durability
In order to test if a disposable swim nappy could be reused, we took the wet nappy on and off the weighted doll 10 times and rated its condition at the end.
Cleaning
We washed the reusable nappies according to the manufacturer instructions to assess how well it cleaned after the peanut butter and water mixture had been inside it.
Parent testing
Parents also gave us their feedback on the swim nappies after taking their babies swimming in them.
We also review disposable nappies. Find out more about our independent disposable nappy tests.
How do swim nappies work
While standard nappies are designed to contain liquids and solids, swim nappies work a little differently. They don't absorb as much liquid as a standard nappy, so that they don't soak up water from the pool and weigh your baby down. This means swim nappies will only contain solid stools, not urine.
Keep in mind they aren't designed to hold in solid stools for an extended period of time, so you should leave the pool as soon as you notice your baby's nappy needs changing.
Can you use a reusable swim nappy on its own?
Yes. Reusable swim nappies are designed to be worn on their own. As long as they fit securely, they should contain any poo until you're able to take your child out of the pool.
However for extra reassurance, you can wear a disposable swim nappy underneath a reusable swim nappy. Some swimming pools will insist you wear both, so it's worth checking their rules before you visit.
Looking for more top-scoring baby products? See our guide to the best baby carriers and slings.
Can you wear a normal nappy under or instead of a swim nappy?
You shouldn't put a normal nappy on your baby if they're going swimming, as they're designed to soak up liquid. This can result in a bulky, heavy nappy that'll weigh your baby down when they're in the water.
Can you reuse a disposable swim nappy?
Disposable swim nappies are designed to be single-use. However because of their durable, water-resistant material, it's possible to dry out and reuse a clean disposable swim nappy providing all the seams are still intact.
Disposable swim nappies tend to cost more and come in smaller pack sizes than standard disposable nappies. So if you're taking your baby swimming regularly, this could be a handy way to save money on them.
Keep in mind that manufacturers don't directly recommend this, however we have spoken to parents who've told us this has worked well for them.
Looking for more information on nappies? See all of our nappy advice for product recommendations, tips on how to use them effectively and the best ways to save money.
