Cloth diapers change the pail brief. They are bulkier, wetter and heavier than disposables, and they stay in the pail until wash day, so odor has longer to build. This ranking therefore starts with opening width and liner freedom, not with disposable refill length, because a pail that cannot take a stuffed cloth diaper, or that forces a disposable refill, is the wrong pail for cloth.
The Best Diaper Pails for Cloth Diapers (2027)
Diaper pails for cloth diapers in 2027: wide openings, washable liners and ordinary-bag options ranked on cloth fit and odor handling.
The short answer
Buy the Dekor EKO Plus first for cloth: the maker highlights cloth use and the opening is the widest in the Dekor range. The Ubbi and Diaper Champ are the ordinary-bag alternatives, because you can swap in any bag or a washable liner without buying a refill. The Diaper Genie Signature suits cloth households that already use Genie refills, thanks to its wide opening, and the Dekor Classic is the smaller Dekor for cloth in a tighter room.
Our top picks at a glance
- Diaper Dekor EKO Plus Diaper Pail, GrayThe largest Dekor: a step, drop, done pedal pail in 70 percent recycled ABS, with the widest opening in the Dekor range.Best for cloth overall
- Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, WhiteThe steel pail that takes ordinary bags: a sliding lid, rubber seals and a childproof lock, with no proprietary refill to buy.Best steel cloth pail
- Baby Trend Diaper Champ Diaper PailThe ordinary-bag classic: a flip-handle pail that takes regular kitchen bags and seals them behind a weighted cylinder.Best ordinary-bag cloth pail
- Diaper Genie Signature Diaper Pail, WhiteThe tear-off-bag Genie: perforated Easy Roll bags on a roll, a wide opening and a foot pedal, with no cutting and tying.Best Genie for cloth
- Diaper Dekor EKO Classic Diaper Pail, WhiteThe middle Dekor: the same step, drop, done system in a 15 litre body that suits an ordinary nursery corner.Best smaller cloth pail
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Capacity | Opening | Material | Model | Refill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diaper Dekor EKO Plus Diaper Pail, Gray | Best for cloth overall | 26 litres | Step-on pedal, spring-loaded trap door | ABS, 70 percent recycled materials, per maker | 2-12226 | Dekor Plus refill, pre-installed |
| 2 | Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, White | Best steel cloth pail | Holds up to 55 newborn diapers, per maker | Sliding top, 5 in diameter | Powder-coated alloy steel | - | - |
| 3 | Baby Trend Diaper Champ Diaper Pail | Best ordinary-bag cloth pail | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | Diaper Genie Signature Diaper Pail, White | Best Genie for cloth | - | Step-on foot pedal, wide opening | - | I000379 | Easy Roll refill, 18 tear-off bags, up to 846 newborn diapers |
| 5 | Diaper Dekor EKO Classic Diaper Pail, White | Best smaller cloth pail | 15 litres | Step-on pedal, spring-loaded trap door | ABS, 70 percent recycled materials, per maker | 2-11221 | Dekor Classic refill, up to 495 newborn diapers, per maker |
Best for cloth overall
Diaper Dekor EKO Plus Diaper Pail, Gray
The largest Dekor: a step, drop, done pedal pail in 70 percent recycled ABS, with the widest opening in the Dekor range.
Strengths
- Step, drop, done operation: pedal opens the lid, the diaper drops through a spring trap door, and it closes itself
- ABS body made from 70 percent recycled materials, per the maker, with a closed-cell surface that resists absorbing odor
- Arrives fully assembled with a full-size refill already installed
- Maker describes the Plus as having the largest opening of any diaper pail, which suits cloth diapers
Limitations
- Plus refills fit Plus pails only, so buying the wrong Dekor size wastes a refill box
- The trap door that seals odor also narrows the drop path for very bulky items
- At 26 litres it is large to empty, and a full bag is heavy to lift out of the access door
What owners report
Most praised
- Cloth-diaper parents say the wide opening is the first pail mouth that takes a stuffed cloth diaper without a shove
- Parents like the true hands-free routine, since the pedal and trap door mean no hand touches the lid
- Owners say bag changes feel quick once learned, because the access door and cutter are in one place
Common complaints
- Some owners buy Classic refills by mistake and discover they do not fit the Plus pail
- A few report the trap door catching on a bulky diaper and needing a second pedal press
- Owners note the large body is hard to hide in a small nursery, even though the colour is neutral
| Capacity | 26 litres |
|---|---|
| Opening | Step-on pedal, spring-loaded trap door |
| Material | ABS, 70 percent recycled materials, per maker |
| Model | 2-12226 |
| Refill | Dekor Plus refill, pre-installed |
| Colour | Gray |
Best for: Parents with cloth diapers or bulky toddler diapers who need the biggest mouth and a fully hands-free drop.
Skip if: You have a tight nursery corner; this is Dekor's largest pail and it needs floor space to match.
Best steel cloth pail
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, White
The steel pail that takes ordinary bags: a sliding lid, rubber seals and a childproof lock, with no proprietary refill to buy.
Strengths
- Powder-coated steel body, which does not absorb odor the way plastic can over months of use
- Sliding lid with rubber seals, designed to disturb less air on opening than a lift lid
- Works with any standard trash bag, so bag cost and availability stop being a nursery problem
- Childproof lock keeps small hands out of the pail, and the slim 8.4 inch width fits beside a changer
Limitations
- The 5 inch diameter opening is tight for bulky toddler diapers and cloth inserts
- Steel needs dry-cloth cleaning only, per the maker, since water and abrasives risk rust
- At 5.15 lb and 19.5 inches tall it is a solid, heavy-feeling object to move for emptying
What owners report
Most praised
- Parents say the nursery stops smelling like a nursery once the steel pail replaces a plastic one that had soaked up odor
- The sliding lid gets praise from night changers who can open and close it with one hand in the dark
- Families like never having to check a refill brand before a shop, because ordinary kitchen bags fit
Common complaints
- Some owners find the opening too narrow for larger diapers and have to fold or push them through
- A few report rust spots after wiping the pail with a damp cloth against the maker's dry-cloth advice
- Owners note the pail shows fingerprints and scuffs on the powder coating in a busy nursery
| Material | Powder-coated alloy steel |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.4 x 8.4 x 19.5 in |
| Opening | Sliding top, 5 in diameter |
| Capacity | Holds up to 55 newborn diapers, per maker |
| Bags | Any standard trash bag, no special bag required |
| Lock | Childproof lock |
Best for: Parents who want to stop buying branded refills and want a pail that will not absorb odor into plastic over time.
Skip if: You want a foot pedal; this pail opens with a sliding lid that needs a hand, and the opening is only 5 inches across.
Best ordinary-bag cloth pail
Baby Trend Diaper Champ Diaper Pail
The ordinary-bag classic: a flip-handle pail that takes regular kitchen bags and seals them behind a weighted cylinder.
Strengths
- Uses regular kitchen trash bags, so there is no proprietary refill to stock or run out of
- Flip-handle and weighted cylinder system drops the diaper into the bag and seals the opening behind it
- Long-running design with a handle and a sturdy body that suits a second changing spot or a childminder's room
- No refill subscription or special bag size to remember, which keeps lifetime cost low
Limitations
- The handle must be flipped over and back, per the maker guidance, or the seal does not work as designed
- A hand is needed for every drop, unlike a foot-pedal pail, which matters with a baby in arms
- Odor control depends on technique and bag-change frequency more than on a filter or clamp system
What owners report
Most praised
- Parents say the best thing about the Champ is never buying a special bag again, just using the kitchen bags already in the house
- Owners like that the pail is sturdy enough to survive a move, a second child and a childminder's daily use
- Families say odor stays low when the handle is flipped properly and bags are changed regularly
Common complaints
- Some owners admit they skipped flipping the handle back, and then wondered why odor escaped
- A few report a puff of stale air on opening, which foot-pedal and trap-door pails handle better
- Owners note the design looks dated next to steel and foot-pedal pails, even though it works
| Bags | Regular kitchen trash bags, no proprietary refill |
|---|---|
| Operation | Flip handle with weighted cylinder |
| Seal | Cylinder closes the opening after each drop |
| Use | Baby diaper disposal, including second changing spots |
| Colour shown | White with blue trim in the listing photo |
| Cost model | Pail plus ordinary bags only |
Best for: Parents who want the lowest lifetime refill cost and already buy kitchen trash bags in bulk.
Skip if: You want hands-free use; the flip handle needs a hand, and the drop must be flipped back to seal properly.
Best Genie for cloth
Diaper Genie Signature Diaper Pail, White
The tear-off-bag Genie: perforated Easy Roll bags on a roll, a wide opening and a foot pedal, with no cutting and tying.
Strengths
- Easy Roll refill gives 18 perforated, opaque, tear-off bags, so bag changes need no cutting or tying
- One Easy Roll refill holds up to 846 newborn diapers across its bags, per the maker, so refills last months
- Wide disposal opening and foot-pedal operation suit bulky diapers and one-handed use
- Odor-locking clamps carry over from the Complete, so the sealing idea is familiar to Genie owners
Limitations
- The pail itself holds up to 47 newborn diapers, so the big refill figure is storage, not pail capacity
- At 14.31 inches wide it is the widest pail here and needs a genuinely clear nursery corner
- Easy Roll bags only fit this refill line, so a shop that stocks round refills will not help this pail
What owners report
Most praised
- Parents say tear-off bags remove the fiddliest step of the older Genie system, which was cutting film to length
- The wide opening gets praise from parents of toddlers whose diapers no longer fit narrow pail mouths
- Owners like buying refills rarely, since one roll covers a long stretch of changes
Common complaints
- Some owners find the wide body dominates a small nursery and blocks a drawer or door swing
- A few report a bag tearing at the perforation when pulled too fast, spilling the refill roll
- Owners note the pail still needs emptying often, because the refill total is not the pail total
| Dimensions | 14.31 x 10.25 x 27.63 in |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.7 lb |
| Opening | Step-on foot pedal, wide opening |
| Pail capacity | Up to 47 newborn diapers, per maker |
| Refill | Easy Roll refill, 18 tear-off bags, up to 846 newborn diapers |
| Model | I000379 |
Best for: Parents who like the Genie clamp system but want pre-cut bags they can tear off instead of continuous film to cut.
Skip if: You want the cheapest refill route; Easy Roll refills are a Genie-only purchase, and the pail itself is wide.
Best smaller cloth pail
Diaper Dekor EKO Classic Diaper Pail, White
The middle Dekor: the same step, drop, done system in a 15 litre body that suits an ordinary nursery corner.
Strengths
- Same step, drop, done pedal and trap-door system as the Plus, in a smaller body
- 15 litre capacity with a Classic refill that holds up to 495 newborn diapers, per the maker
- 70 percent recycled ABS body, per the maker, that resists absorbing odor over time
- Arrives fully assembled with a full-size refill already installed
Limitations
- Classic refills fit Classic pails only, and the size label sits inside the access door, easy to miss
- The mid-size body fills faster than the Plus, so bag changes come more often in a heavy-change household
- The trap door needs a clean drop; a diaper left half in the door can prop it open
What owners report
Most praised
- Parents say the Classic is the Dekor that actually fits the space beside the changer without rearranging the room
- The pedal routine gets praise from parents holding a baby, since no hand is needed to open the pail
- Owners like that the pail arrives ready, with the refill already inside and no assembly at newborn time
Common complaints
- Some owners find the opening snug for larger toddler diapers after months of easy newborn use
- A few report the refill running out sooner than the newborn figure suggests, once diapers grow
- Owners note the white body shows scuffs from the pedal and access door over time
| Capacity | 15 litres |
|---|---|
| Opening | Step-on pedal, spring-loaded trap door |
| Material | ABS, 70 percent recycled materials, per maker |
| Model | 2-11221 |
| Refill | Dekor Classic refill, up to 495 newborn diapers, per maker |
| Colour | White |
Best for: Parents who want Dekor's hands-free system without giving up the floor space the Plus demands.
Skip if: You need the widest mouth for cloth; the Classic opening is smaller than the Plus, and refills are size-specific.
Questions, answered
Can I put cloth diapers in a disposable diaper pail?
Yes, if the opening is wide enough and the liner suits cloth. Avoid pails whose refill system forces a disposable film for every load, and prefer a pail that takes any bag or a washable liner. Empty and rinse the liner on wash day, and wipe the pail body, because cloth odor builds with time in the pail.
Do cloth diapers smell worse in a pail?
They can, because they sit longer before washing than a disposable that goes out with the trash. A steel or closed-cell body, a tight seal, and a shorter gap between wash days help more than any filter. Rinsing soiled cloth before pailing, where your wash routine allows it, also helps.
What liner should I use for cloth in a diaper pail?
A washable pail liner that fits your pail, or an ordinary bag in an ordinary-bag pail like the Ubbi or Diaper Champ. Check the liner size against your pail before buying, because a liner that is too small will not stay on the rim, and one that is too large will bunch in the trap door.
Every guide on Diaper Pails16 pages
- Topic hubDiaper Pails
- Best ofThe Best Diaper Pails (2027)
- A small nursery punishes a wide pail. This ranking starts with footprint, not odor technology, because a pail that blocks a drawer or a door swing will be moved, and a moved pail gets used badly. Width, weight and emptying frequency decide the order, with the seal system as the tie-breaker.The Best Diaper Pails for Small Nurseries (2027)
- Hands-free is a spectrum, not a label. A foot pedal that opens a lid is hands-free. A pedal plus a trap door that closes itself is more hands-free still, because no hand touches the lid at all. This ranking separates pails that only free one hand from pails that free both, and it penalises any pail whose seal needs a second touch to close.The Best Hands-Free Diaper Pails (2027)
- ReviewUbbi Steel Diaper Pail Review (2027)
- ReviewDiaper Genie Complete Diaper Pail Review (2027)
- ReviewDekor EKO Plus Diaper Pail Review (2027)
- ReviewMunchkin STEP Diaper Pail Review (2027)
- ReviewDiaper Genie Signature Diaper Pail Review (2027)
- ReviewBaby Trend Diaper Champ Review (2027)
- Head to headUbbi Steel vs Diaper Genie Complete (2027)
- Head to headDekor EKO Plus vs Classic (2027)
- Buying guideDiaper Pail Buying Guide (2027)
- Fix itDiaper Pail Smells? Fixes (2027)
- Fix itDiaper Pail Lid or Pedal Not Closing? Fixes (2027)