We Tried ALL the Baby Wipes (So You Don’t Have To)

Pros:

• Top performer across all wipes tested
• Thick, strong and large
• Affordable
• No fragrance

Cons:

• Costco membership required for best price
• Not biodegradable or compostable

As a longtime fan of all things Costco, I’m embarrassed to admit how long it took me to give their in-house brand Kirkland’s baby wipes a try. When I finally did, I was immediately impressed by how awesome they were, and they became my go-to for all of my baby wipe needs. But how would they stack up when I officially put them to the test? Amazingly, that’s how.

Kirkland wipes topped my list for performance after weeks of testing, with a cumulative performance score of 19 out of a possible 20 points. These wipes truly have (and do) it all. The wipes are water-based and fragrance-free and never irritated my little one’s skin. Thickness-wise, they’re some of the strongest and thickest on our list. I never tore one, even when I really tugged.

Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes

Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Wipes

They’re also some of the largest wipes that I tried, with a huge surface area that comes in handy when it’s time to tackle a mess. They’re wet but not too wet and feature a slightly patterned texture that, combined with the wipes’ thickness, makes them extremely “grippy” and absorbent. They were no match for any number of (really) dirty diapers, and I used fewer wipes per diaper change than I did with any other wipe on my list. That means I’m saving money by buying fewer wipes and putting less trash into landfills, two big positives in my book.

A Kirkland wipe next to a wipe by Eco by Naty, one of the smallest wipes I tested, with an iPhone 14 Pro tossed in for scale.

Last but definitely not least is cost. Like many warehouse products, cost savings is a key feature of these wipes. At the time of writing, Kirkland’s wipes came in at $21.99 for 900 wipes—a unit price of a little over two cents per wipe. Top performance + incredible affordability equals a wipe that’s tough to top in my book.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to be a member of the warehouse club Costco to get the best price on these wipes or to stock up in person, which means paying a membership fee. (At the time of this writing, a basic membership costs $60 annually.) You can purchase them online as a non-member, but you’ll need to create a (free) online account and you’ll pay a five percent surcharge for each order. While this isn’t ideal, the wipes are still quite affordable even considering the surcharge, so I don’t see this as too big of a detractor. And environmentally speaking, Kirkland’s wipes aren’t biodegradable or compostable, so they’re not at all eco-friendly.

Editor’s Note:

You may have heard of the recent class action lawsuit against Costco that claims the brand’s Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes contain unsafe levels of PFAS, according to independent research conducted by the plaintiffs. (Polyfluoroalkyl substances, also called PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are long-lasting chemicals that may be linked to harmful health effects.)

We spoke with Mark Jones, Ph.D., a chemistry consultant with over 30 years of experience, for his take on this issue. Because we don’t know the specifics of the suit, such as the levels of PFAS in the baby wipes, it’s tough to determine exactly how worried parents should or shouldn’t be about using Kirkland wipes. However, he didn’t see a huge cause for concern at this time and noted that if he were currently using the wipes with his child, he’d continue doing so until he knew more. “PFAS are everywhere—if you look hard enough, you’ll find them,” he said. “You have to focus on the hazard versus the risk. Even if I know something is hazardous, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used within your risk tolerance,” he explained.

He also said it’s important to note the lack of evidence around the level of exposure something like a baby wipe would cause. “Using a baby wipe is a topical exposure. We know ingesting PFAS is concerning, but the data is just not out there on a topical application,” he said.

Emily Oster also weighed in on the suit and advised parents not to panic. We’ll continue to update this guide as we learn more.

Real Parent Reviews

“Without a doubt our favorite wipes. Thick and sturdy, best quality wipes we have used so far! Also you get a ton in the pack so it lasts forever. With another baby on the way we’ll be using these for the years to come.” — Will (Kirkland reviewer)

“These are the best baby wipes in the world. Literally in the world. I consider myself to be a baby wipe connoisseur, and NOTHING compares to Kirkland baby wipes.” — Jackie (Kirkland reviewer)

“They tend to stick together which makes it hard to use with our wipe warmer. Otherwise they work well. The packages are larger than standard so less portable for on-the-go needs.” — Christine

(Almost) Just As Good: Honorable Mention Picks

Pros:

• Affordable
• Large + textured for easy wiping
• No fragrance

Cons:

• Thinner than our other best-of picks
• Not biodegradable or compostable

I’ll be completely honest: I didn’t have high hopes for these wipes right out of the package. I’d heard from other parents that they tear, and a baby wipe that tears is generally not one I’d put on any best-of list. They also looked a little thin to me. But I’m always up to be proven wrong…and here we are.

Yes, when I pulled on these wipes really hard from either side, they did tear. But they didn’t tear once as I used them many, many times over several weeks—so it didn’t impact their performance one bit. (They scored a 16 on my overall rating scale.) They’re fragrance-free, made from 99% purified water and pH balanced. And they did an excellent job of wiping everything from poop-filled diapers to sticky fingers. They’re large (not quite as large as Kirkland’s wipes, but really close), but don’t lose their wetness and feature a texture that helps them grip onto and remove whatever they’re wiping.

A close-up view of the texture pattern on Huggies Natural Care wipes.

The best part? Huggies Natural Care wipes tie for the cheapest on our list, and they’re fast and easy to order from major online retailers. At the current time of writing, the unit cost per wipe works out to about two cents each. If you go through a ton of wipes, have multiple kids or simply don’t want to spend a lot on wipes, these make a great pick.

In terms of cons, I wouldn’t call these wipes flimsy, but they are a bit flimsier than some of the other top picks on our list. I found myself reaching for an extra wipe here or there at especially messy diaper changes, but overall, it didn’t seem to have a huge impact on their performance. They’re also not very eco-friendly, as they are not biodegradable or compostable.

Real Parent Reviews

“Huggies wipes have quickly become a must-have in our household! They’re soft and gentle, which is perfect for my baby’s sensitive skin, but they’re also durable enough to handle any mess. The thickness is just right—not too thin, so they don’t tear, but also not too thick, making them easy to maneuver for quick clean-ups.” — TM (Amazon review)

“We prefer these wipes over all others for our wipe warmer. They actually stay connected enough to pull the next wipe through, but easily pull apart too. All other wipes we’ve tried pull apart too easily and get lost in the bottom of our wipe warmer so we always come back to these ones! Love that they are unscented too.” — Amazon Customer

“Best price for the amount and clean the best from what I’ve tried. I Don’t have to use an excessive amount to clean due to the thickness and softness. Really are my go-to baby wipes for my kids.” — Jaclyn (Amazon review)

“I love the Huggies Natural Care Sensitive Baby Wipes! They’re unscented and hypoallergenic, perfect for my baby’s delicate skin. The pack of 12 flip-top packs is convenient, and the wipes are thick and effective. The only issue is that they sometimes tear when pulling them out of the pack. Despite that, these wipes are gentle and reliable for my baby’s needs, and I would recommend them to other parents.” — Jorge (Amazon review)

Pros:

• Large, thick
• Textured for tough messes but still gentle on sensitive skin
• No fragrance

Cons:

• More expensive than other top picks
• Dry out faster than other top picks
• Not biodegradable or compostable

With over 222,000 reviews on Amazon (almost 90% five-star) and nearly 20,000 five-star Target customer reviews, these bestselling wipes from Pampers caught my eye as soon as I began researching baby wipes. They performed well during testing (15 out of 20 points) and I agree with the overwhelmingly positive reviews from so many users; they’re thick, moist and absorbent.

Just about the same size as Huggies Natural, these wipes are able to cover a lot of real estate. I used an average of four at each diaper poopy diaper change, fewer than most other brands on our list. There’s no fragrance, and the wipes are really soft and gentle on the skin, just as advertised. (They were some of the best baby wipes for sensitive skin that I tried; I felt comfortable using them both on my toddler’s bottom and his face.) I also really liked the thickness and the overall absorbency. The wipes easily handled even the yuckiest of diapers.

__Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes are large, thick and absorbent. __

Cost-wise, Pampers Sensitive is the most expensive of my favorite picks, with a unit cost of between 3.2 and 3.4 cents depending on how many wipes you buy and where you purchase them. But that’s still very much in line with a lot of the high-performing, more affordable wipes on the market, so I don’t see cost as a huge negative here. And unfortunately also just like my other top picks, they’re not environmentally friendly.

These wipes are textured, but if I had to find a knock against them, it’s that the texture isn’t quite as good as in Kirkland wipes, my top pick. It didn’t have a huge impact on how well the wipes performed on a really poopy diaper, but it did have a minor one. I also found that in some instances, the wipes started out pretty wet and then dried out faster than other brands. Again, it wasn’t all that big of a deal and Pampers Sensitive still did a great job of cleaning, but it was noticeable when I compared these wipes against others head-to-head.

Real Parent Reviews

“These are my new favorite. They are not overly wet like some wipes… I like the size & that they are mostly water. One of my MOST FAVORITE FEATURES, besides the ones already mentioned, is that you don’t end up pulling out the entire package when you pull out a wipe…Overall, the wetness, size & fact that I don’t pull out the entire package when I want a single wipe is why I will be purchasing these Pampers wipes again…Highly recommend even though I am rarely a name-brand type of person.” — DZ (Amazon review)

“I’ve been using Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes for my little one, and I couldn’t be happier. These wipes are incredibly gentle on my baby’s sensitive skin, making them perfect for newborns up to almost 2 years old. They’re thick and durable, so they don’t tear easily, which is a huge plus during messy diaper changes. The wipes are also moistened just right—not too wet, but enough to clean effectively without causing irritation. I love that they’re fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, giving me peace of mind. Overall, Pampers Sensitive Wipes are a must-have in our diaper bag, and I highly recommend them to other parents!” — Serg (Amazon review)

“Like this product, but could be more moist and pieces could separate more easily. Sometimes frustrating when I don’t have both hands readily available because one is holding the person I’m working with.” — Pat D. (Amazon review)

Pros:

• Compostable and biodegradable
• High-performing across all testing categories, especially thickness and absorbency
• No fragrance

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Limited retailers

If you’re in the market for a baby wipe with fewer ingredients and a less harmful impact on the environment—and are willing to pay for it—Kudos Premium Wet Wipes are an excellent choice. Ingredients-wise, these wipes are plant-based and made from 99% purified water along with a few other simple ingredients. But unlike some other popular water-based wipes, this doesn’t impact their performance. Kudos were part of the highest-performing group of wipes on my list and were no match for a poopy diaper. Their quilted surface and slightly raised edges easily wiped up messes and never ripped or tore.

Environmentally speaking, I think that’s where these wipes really shine. They’re made from a special type of fiber made from sustainably managed trees and are completely compostable and biodegradable. (I spoke with the brand’s founder just to make sure.) They biodegrade in multiple environments including home and industrial composting, soil and marine. (Kudos recommends composting over landfill, but the wipes will degrade in a landfill—it will just take a bit more time. The brand also recommends tossing a wipe with poop on it into the trash or disposing of it via industrial composting as opposed to at-home composting.) The thought of them degrading in a landfill rather than sitting around for years made me feel a lot better every time I tossed one in my diaper pail. (They’re also EWG-certified, if that’s something that matters to you.)

Keep in mind that Kudos wipes are 100% an upgrade pick. With a unit cost of 10 cents per wipe, they’re almost five times as expensive as some of the other highly performing wipes on our list such as Kirkland and Huggies. You can only order them via the brand’s website and you’ll need to pay shipping at an additional cost. (There is an option to add the wipes on either to a one-time or monthly diaper bundle, though, which does bring the cost down a bit.) They’re also on the thinner side, although I didn’t find that this affected performance much.

Real Parent Reviews

“Pricey but worth it. My baby never has leaks, he seems very comfortable and I like knowing he’s not coming in contact with a bunch of harmful chemicals 24/7.” — Heidi M. (Kudos reviewer)

“These are my new favorite wipes!! I just wish they weren’t quite so pricey. They are top quality. I love that they are textured, making it easier to clean baby.” — Aubrey S. (Kudos reviewer)

“These wipes are great and actually good for sensitive skin. I have eczema on my hands, and have an allergy to an ingredient (propylene glycol) found in most baby wipes, including many “sensitive skin” options and marketed 99%water wipe options. Kudos brand wipes does NOT have that ingredient so my hands don’t burn when I wipe my baby, nor do they flare up my eczema! I love them.” — Gina S. (Kudos reviewer)