10 Best Changing Pads

Any new or expectant mother should have a changing pad at the ready at any time while at home. Most modern pads are usually made of a double layer of vinyl or other waterproof material, which prevents liquids from soaking through while you are changing your child.

The best baby changing pad should come with raised sides as an extra safety measure and a non-skid back which will make changing your baby on any surface a breeze. You can find these baby changing pads online or in brick-and-mortar stores, and our article will go over the top ten best changing pads including the best portable changing pad this year.

10. Dream On Me Contour Changing Pad

This soft yet firm changing pad by Dream on Me has contoured edges and a safety strap for additional security that prevent your baby from rolling off of it – however, we do recommend constant supervision with any pad.

The pad also has 2 attachment straps to secure it onto any surface but be wary that the straps should be screwed down onto the changing table for extra grip.

At 32 inches long, 16 wide, and 5 inhces tall, this product is rather large. So you won’t have to worry about buying a new pad or disposable changing pads as your little angel grows. Another big plus is the bamboo-derived rayon used in its construction to make it 100% waterproof and hypoallergenic.

The included quilted pad cover is comfortable a very easy to clean. Many parents stated they liked the easy-clean design and the open ends for a comfortable changing experience every time. They listed their top two pros and cons below:

Yass

• Great value for the price
• Easy to clean
• Waterproof and hypoallergenic

Nopes

• Plastic base a bit slippery
• Rather big for small places

9. Sealy Soybean Comfort

The innovative soybean formula from Sealy inhibits indoor air emissions and enhances the durability of the foam material. As with most of the best diaper changing pads, this one too is waterproof and contoured so that the baby snuggly fits tightly onto it.

The Sealy Soybean Comfort meets ASTM guidelines offering a sleek and easy to clean cover, enhanced with soybean oil. The diaper changing pad also comes with two quilted fleece pads so that overwhelmed moms can have one less thing to worry about.

Yass

• Air emission inhibiting soybean oil formula
• Two fleece pads included in the pack
• Waterproof, easy to clean

Nopes

• May develop creases after continuous use
• Seams are wrapped into what seems like poor quality plastic

8. Munchkin Secure Grip Changing Pad

The fourth pick for the best changing pad is the Munchkin Secure Grip changing pad. This pad features two high walls with openings on both ends so there is room for your baby to grow and you don’t have to reach over anything to change them.

The Muchkin pad comes with durable, non-slip strips and a safety strap with a quick release system for easy, secure use. You can easily put it on the dresser top or on a standard changing table!

The pad itself is durable and has an easy to clean surface that you simply wipe down after each use. The parents have listed the top two pros and cons for this pad below:

Yass

• Dual security straps to attach the pad to the back of the dresser or table
• Very easy to install the mounting hardware

Nopes

• Comes out of the box with a strong plastic smell
• This pad isn’t portable

Recommended read: You might also be interested in our articles on the best cloth diapers of the year and the best overnight diapers for your baby!

7. LA Baby Waterproof Contour Changing Pad

The LA Baby waterproof contour changing pad’s greatest feature is that it’s non-skid. So as you would imagine it’s ideal for typically fussing babies that don’t seem to stay put. And it also features a safety harness with a quick release buckle so you can make sure there’ll be no mess with this changing pad.

The cover is made of quilted vinyl and, as expected, it’s waterproof, features entirely non-toxic and allergen-free materials.

Yass

• Non-skid, includes harness and strap
• Quilted vinyl cover is very easy to clean
• Waterproof and stain-resistant

Nopes

• Some owners reported their product wasn’t waterproof enough
• The stitching isn’t waterproof

6. Bumbo Changing Pad

This changing pad by Bumbo features contouring and support to fit your child perfectly. The product comes with a safety strap to secure your baby in place, as well as non-skid protection to stop them from sliding anywhere.

This is a smaller design that will fit almost any table or surface beautifully and make changing time an easy task. Parents have given their opinions and listed their top two strongest pros and cons below:

Yass

• There is extra support and it’s contoured to the baby perfectly
• Durable, easy to clean design

Nopes

• Small changing pad design, only suited for infants and very young kids
• A little too firm to be comfortable

You’re going to also need some good baby wipes made of safe materials. We’ve got the most practical choices for baby wipes put together in a list.

5. PooPoose Wiggle Free Diaper Changing Pad

With a name like PooPoose, you know the Wiggle Free diaper changing pad will keep the mess contained when you’re changing your little one! This pad features a very secure and swaddle-like harness to keep the baby in place with a gentler touch than most other changing pads.

Owing to its simple design with a removable hook and loop strap, the changing pad works pretty well both for newborn babies and toddlers. According to the product description, no extra covers are necessary.

Yass

• Completely hinders wiggles and makes baby feel safe
• Durable barrier fabric and the strap can be machine washed
• Sustainable, made of 100% recyclable materials

Nopes

• The strap doesn’t work for very fussy babies
• Might be too large for some changing tables

4. LA Baby Waterproof 4-Sided Cocoon Style Changing Pad

This 4th best baby changing table pad on our list is the LA Baby Waterproof changing pad. It consists of a waterproof, soft, removable cover with high walls to keep your baby safe.

The pad measures 30 in. by 16 in. by 4 in. for maximum comfort and ease when you use it. The non-skid back and safety straps ensure your little one will be safe, and the plush build and backing provide extra support.

This pad is hypoallergenic and comes with an easy to clean guarantee. The parents have sounded off and listed the top two pros and cons of this pad:

Yass

• Four high sides to prevent your child from falling
• Fits the IKEA changing table perfectly

Nopes

• The seams are flimsy.
• The cover is not the best quality.

Recommended read: If you’re looking for high-quality baby gear, we also recommend going through our articles on the best diaper pails for your home and the best diaper bags for when you’re on the run!

3. Summer Infant Contoured Changing Pad

This baby changing pad by Summer Infant is a bestseller on Amazon because it is so versatile and easy to maintain. This pad features a safety strap with a quick release buckle for added security and is 100% waterproof. This pad is double-layered, so your baby will be extra comfortable, and features a non-skid bottom.

It measures 32 inches long by 16 inches wide, so you have plenty of room to change your baby, and is also lightweight so it’s probably the best portable baby changing pad.

You can buy a pad cover or two and simply switch them out when one gets dirty. To wash the pad itself, simply wipe it down with a mild disinfectant. This pad is, according to ratings and reviews from hundreds of verified customers, the best changing pad to buy in 2019.

Yass

• Durable, this baby changing pad can easily last years!
• The non-skid bottom makes changing on any surface easy

Nopes

• The textured surface makes it tricky to clean
• The pad comes out of the box with a strong chemical smell

2. Skip Hop Nursery Style Wipe-Clean Changing Pad

The Skip Hop Nursery style changing pad is very basic but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good. It’s actually one of the most efficient and ergonomic changing pads we’ve reviewed so far. The small size might deter some parents, but it should fit any kind of changing table.

Furthermore, the baby safety harness reaches around the pad and doesn’t protrude it. One major disadvantage with other pads was that they had holes in the pad for the harness, which promoted liquid retention through the seams and into the holes. There’s no issue with that here!

Yass

• Intelligent safety belt design
• Tuck-away toy bar
• Easy to clean and non-skid
• Free of BPA and phthalates

Nopes

• Rubbery feel may disagree with some babies
• Particularly heavy

1. Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Changing Pad

Twenty-first-century mommies are always out and about because not everyone can afford to stay at home and just care for the little one(s) – and not many people like that. For the working moms, the moms who are leading active lives besides parenthood,  Comfy Cubs comes with the absolute best solution – a very portable but highly efficient changing pad.

While this pad has it all – it is waterproof, extremely durable, lightweight, compact, and most of all – inexpensive, Comfy Cubs does not seem to sacrifice quality over affordability, as many other brands seem to do. This pad is large enough, it’s 100% waterproof, and it comforts your kid well enough for any situation – at home or on the go!

Yass

• Extremely portable, comes with diaper bag and travel kit
• Waterproof and very hygienic
• Cute and comfortable

Nopes

• Not really good for accidents
• Not for toddlers

Conclusion

Every changing pad on our list hits the mark for being durable and a great pick for both new and expectant mothers. They could all win in the best changing pad category for various reasons. But in the end, it all comes down to personal taste and which option best suits your unique needs.

Nevertheless, we believe that the models from Skip Hop and Comfy Cubs are some of the best choices you could make based on the opinions of countless parents who have purchased and actually used them. Do you have other suggestions that were not listed in this top?

Editor's note: this post was first uploaded in February 2018
and has received multiple updates, including
the most recent one in Ocotber 2019. We've added
more changing pads to pick from and rearranged them
according to the most recent user reviews.