Many new parents believe that diapers are the only essential item needed to change a baby’s diaper, but that is not the case.
If you have some experience in changing diapers, you will know that the platform and location you choose to do this, will make life either much easier of harder for you.
With so many brands and diapers changing pads available, it is easy to get confused when it comes to choosing the best one for your needs or situation.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered and done some in-depth research into changing pads and found out the best changing pads could significantly make it easier for you.
| Baby Changing Pad Name | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad | $ | 5/5 |
| Naturepedic Organic Cotton Contoured Changing Pad | $$$ | 4.75/5 |
| LA Baby 30" 4 Sided Changing Pad | $$ | 4/5 |
| Serta Perfect Balance Organic Changing Pad | $$ | 4.35/4 |
| Munchkin Secure Grip Changing Pad | $$ | 4.5/5 |
Before we simply dive into our selection for the top five diaper changing pads, there are a few things that you need to consider when choosing these pads.
We have constructed a detailed buying guide that will allow you to look through the market and all the unimportant selling points and enable you to get the best-suited diaper changing pad for your needs.
Best Changing Pad: Everything You Need to Know
Different Types of Changing Pads
Manufacturers have now started designing changing pads for various situations, and this significantly improves the versatility and functionality to allow you to have the ideal changing pad for your needs.
Having one of each might be ideal, but if that is too expensive, you should choose the best-suited one of these types for your needs. Let’s look at the types of changing pads available on the market today:
1. Standard Changing Pad
The standard diaper changing pad is designed for home use, and it features a sturdy structure that you can use with a changing table or any other surface.
These changing pads are primarily based on a mattress design, and they will ensure optimal comfort and keep the baby in place. Many of the advanced pads will also feature leak-proof linen and they will dry quite fast.
2. Travel Changing Pad
The travel changing pad is one of the lightest on the market, and they are also foldable. This makes them extremely versatile and portable and you will be able to pack them inside a diaper bag easily.
The standard changing pads are chunky and they take up too much space.
3. Diaper Changing Kit
If you are looking for the best value for your money, the diaper changing kit will be the ideal choice for you. These kits include changing pads and they also offer you added storage space for lotion and other fundamentals.
Furthermore, these kits are very popular among outdoor lovers and travelers looking for something more than the standard travel pad.
4. Disposable Changing Pad
Disposable changing pads will also fall into the travel pad category and these pads are extremely lightweight when folded.
The disposable pad can be discarded and they are sometimes designed from eco-friendly materials as well. These changing pads are much cheaper in the short run, but more expensive as time goes on.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the different changing pad types, you should be able to get the best one to meet your needs.
But the type is not the only important aspect you need to look out for, and we have compiled a list of other important features you should take note of as well.
How to Choose the Best Changing Pad
Baby will often experience diaper changing as a traumatic time before they get used to it.
Ensuring your child is at his or her most comfortable position, can greatly increase the success of the process and limit some of the traumatic exposure. Below are the features you’ll need to look for a changing pad:
1. Flat or Curved
Changing pads are different from one another and certain pads have a flat surface, while others tend to curve at the sides.
If your baby likes to wriggle or even fight you while changing their diaper, the curved changing pad will keep them in position, and they will not have a lot of space to move in.
2. Added Safety Belt
Many changing pads will feature this addition, and unfortunately, it is a little more expensive. With a safety belt, you will be able to keep them locked in place and then proceed to complete the job. We highly recommend these for aggressive babies.
3. Comfort
The comfort of the pad will relate to the cushioning or the softness of the surface. It can be uncomfortable for anyone to lie down on a hard surface, and having some added padding will ensure your baby is more comfortable and therefore, more relaxed as well.
4. Waterproof
Unfortunately, spillage is unavoidable and eventually, you will have to deal with this. A waterproof pad will allow your child to mess on the pad comfortably, and you can clean it up before it is soaked into the pad. This just makes life better in general.
5. Portability
The most functional pads will allow you the opportunity of using them wherever you go, and weight and size will definitely play a huge role when it comes to portability.
The more portable your pad, the better use you will have for it and the more value you will get for your money.
6. Fit Changing Table
This one is for those parents who have invested in a changing table, but this is not as important as the changing pad. You should ensure that the dimension of the pad does fit your table.
This will certainly make the changing process much more efficient and save you unnecessary adjustment hassles.
By using these six features as your judging criterion, you should be able to get the best changing pad in no time.
We also used this as our guideline in the selection process and it allowed us to separate the great from the good changing pads to allow you to make your decision much easier. Now, let’s look at the top baby changing pads in 2020:
Best Changing Pads 2020: Our Top 5 Picks
Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad
Regarded by many as the best changing pad on the market, the Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad has been designed with absolute comfort in mind.
The pad features a durable quilted vinyl and this has been proven to be 100% waterproof and easy to wipe, which will allow you to have the occasional spillage from time to time.
Also, the changing pad features a safety belt and it has been designed to make the baby sit on the pad more comfortable.
Once you are done, the quick-release buckle will allow you to release the baby without hassles and the belt will also keep the baby secure as to keep them from tangling the belt.
This pad also features slightly curved walls to keep the baby locked in the middle and make life a little easier for you.
Babies will also enjoy the softness of the mattress and many people have even reported that tired babies might fall asleep on the pad due to the comfort it provides.
This pad provides excellent value for money and it is certainly not all that expensive. We highly recommend this standard changing pad for home use.
One problem with the pad is the size as this will not make it ideal for traveling. Also, the pad is unable to be folded as well.
Pros
- Standard pad design
- Keeps the baby locked in place
- Very comfortable mattress design
- 100% waterproof
- Really affordable
Cons
- Very large design
- Not good for traveling
Naturepedic Organic Cotton Contoured Changing Pad
Naturepedic has certainly stepped up their game regarding comfort and environmental safety with the Organic Cotton Contoured Changing Pad, which is one of the most luxurious changing pads you can find on the market today.
In terms of materials, this pad has been designed with organic cotton and has been covered by a 100% polyethylene food grade coating.
This coating makes the pad 100% waterproof and will ensure that any spillage can be stopped long before it soaks into the cotton. Cotton is also relaxing and this changing pad will provide enough comfort to reduce the trauma new babies sustain from those first diaper changes.
The pad is also one of the firmer pads you will find and the air core support layer will ensure that the pad does not fall into itself to make it comfortable for your baby and easier for you to change the diaper.
One thing missing from this great pad is the safety belt, so you might need to purchase one separately or have someone help you if the baby is feisty about the changing process.
This is certainly one of the most expensive pads you will find, but every inch of the pad is perfectly safe for your baby. All the materials are organic and many nature lovers will enjoy the peace of mind they get from having this nature-friendly changing pad.
Pros
- 100% organic construction
- Sturdy design
- Soft and comfortable
- Perfect for eco-friendly baby
- 100% waterproof
Cons
- Very expensive
- Does not include a safety belt
LA Baby 30″ 4 Sided Changing Pad
The LA Baby 30″ 4 Sided Changing Pad features a unique cocoon-like design to keep your baby entrenched in the middle of the pad.
The pad is designed from very high-quality materials and it features a rougher, but still soft inner texture. This will keep the baby from sliding around on the pad and make life a little easier for you when it comes to changing the diapers.
The pad also features a quilted outer cover which has been tested to be 100% waterproof and will make wiping down the pad much easier before eventually having to wash it.
All of the materials included are nontoxic and the added antimicrobial properties will ensure the best possible level of cleanliness you could find.
Furthermore, this pad includes a safety strap to secure your baby and is also comes with a 1-year warranty. The product has been proudly manufactured in the Unites States and this will ensure you get the best value for your money.
In terms of pricing, this pad is not all that expensive, and it falls right in the middle when it comes to value. We highly recommend this standard pad for home use, and you can be sure that every cent you spend will be well worth it with this changing pad.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable construction
- Non-skid surface
- Locks the baby in place
- 100% waterproof
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Can be a little harder to clean
Serta Perfect Balance Organic Changing Pad
The Serta Perfect Balance Organic Changing Pad does have most of the designs that you would expect in a great changing pad.
The pad is durably designed and sturdy with all four of the sides contoured to ensure your baby is locked into place. With the organic cotton layer, this will be ideal for nature lovers and a little healthier for your baby.
The pad is quite soft when you look at it and feel it, and this will certainly make it a more comfortable experience for your little one.
The added security belt will keep your baby locked in place and ensure that you do have optimal time to wipe and change the diaper without any hassles.
In terms of size, this changing pad will fit on most dressers and will be ideal for almost anywhere in the house, which should provide you with good multifunctional use.
This changing pad does cost a little more than you would expect compared to other more lucrative pads, but it will certainly be a great investment to keep your baby happy and make life a little easier for you when the baby needs changing. We still highly recommend the changing if you can afford it.
Pros
- Contoured design
- Soft but sturdy construction
- Waterproof
- Fits everywhere
Cons
- A little overpriced
- Not 100% organic product
Munchkin Secure Grip Changing Pad
Last but certainly not least, we have the Muchkin Secure Grip Changing Pad and this changing pad does put a lot of emphasis on safety and keeping the baby secure.
The pad is quite sturdy and comfortable regarding the design and it also features additional safety strips to keep the baby in place and make life a little easier for you.
Two of the sides have also been contoured and this will keep the baby from rolling over while you are busy. If that is not enough, the baby can also be securely strapped on the pad and this will keep them from going anywhere.
Furthermore, the surface has been tested and it is 100% waterproof, which should allow you to wipe down the pad in case of any spillage quickly.
We like the design and the softness, and the price is not too bad either on this changing pad. In terms of recommendation, we believe that you will get good value for your money and you also be able to use this pad for multiple years and even multiple child births. Most babies also love the design and the comfort the pad offers.
Pros
- Comfortable contoured design
- Soft but sturdy
- Reasonably priced
- 100% waterproof
- Easy to keep clean
Cons
- Very grainy texture
What Is Your Favorite Changing Pad?
We would like to thank you for reading this article, and we hope that you have managed to find the ideal changing pad for you and your baby.
In terms of recommendation, we have gone for the Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad. This pad is the cheapest, and many parents, including me, also love it. The pad does its job perfectly without costing you an arm or a leg.
We would like to encourage you to share your thoughts on our selection and let us know in the comment section of you think we might have missed any of your favorite changing pads.
