Which Cloth Diaper is the Best? -.-. bumGenius vs. Thirsties -.-. Pros and Cons

In the wonderfully growing world of cloth diapers, I learned there are lots of different options. That can be a good thing, as it makes it easier to customize diapers to your needs and life. Yet, it does make it quite overwhelming when it comes to choosing what brand and what styles of cloth diapers you should get.

When it came to the two brands of cloth diapers I went with – bumGenius vs. Thirsties – for me, one reigned supreme. (Even though both have the cutest names!) But that doesn’t mean I don’t still like the other and use them all the time. I also have a couple styles of cloth diapers from each brand and prefer some styles over others. But disclaimer: I have not tried other styles, so I am hoping some of my friends can tell me their review of their cloth diaper brands and styles and I can share those with you as well – woo!

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My Rapid Fire Answers:

bumGenius or Thirsites? bumGenius

Pocket or All-In-One? Pocket

One-Size Fit or Different Sizes for Different Ages (like disposables)? One-Size Fit

Snaps (Buttons) or Hook and Loop (Velcro)? Snaps

Microfiber or Hemp/Cotton? Microfiber

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If you came seaching for the answers to these questions:

Do cloth diapers leak more than disposable?

Do babies have more blowouts in cloth diapers or disposable diapers?

I brought you here because, while a cloth diaper is a cloth diaper and lots of them probably do the job, I think the quality and design of some cloth diaper brands really do make a difference. With my #1, I experienced no blowouts ever in 0-16 months and the only time it leaks is after many hours (~5+) when I probably should have already changed by poor babe or it was overnight. For #2 through #6, I experienced more leaking, but never a blowout, while I did experience some blowouts in disposables.

My overall answer: cloth diapers prevent blowouts and a quality cloth diaper rarely leaks more than a disposable in my experience.

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Want all the details now?

I know I wanted them all so I’m going to give you all of them that I can think of below.

ULTIMATELY: There are reasons why I love some of my cloth diapers over others – mainly for their durability and their leakproof ranking – but in essence, a cloth diaper is a cloth diaper. It’s a pretty simple concept and that means any cloth diaper will do the job. At the bottom I will link lots of different brands of diapers so you can have a chance to explore them on your own, read reviews and see prices if you want.

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bumGenius vs. Thirsties

IMHO from Best to Worst

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#1. bumGenius Original One-Size Cloth Diaper 5.0 – Snap (aka: button) Score: 10/10

If I could go back and just get 24 of these magical wonders, I would! For me, these really outrank all the following diapers. So, if you are already overwhelmed and don’t want to read one more stinking word about cloth diapers, just go get 24 of these and you’re set. Trust me.

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Pros:

• Best Leakproof Design
  • These babies absorb SO MUCH. This diaper rarely leaks even with heavy wetting because of the absorbency of the inserts, the pocket design (more right below) and the thicker elastic around the thighs and at the waist.
• Easily Adjustable Absorbency That Actually Works
  • As you may read as my ranking go lower, I found that with other cloth diapers and even Thirsites’ counterpart pocket diaper, the absorbency of these inserts just don’t compare. And even though at first I thought I was going to go with more All-In_One style cloth diapers before I was just gifted more of this pocket style, I am so glad I have mostly pocket style because the pocket design allows me to add an extra insert(s) inside the pocket and adjust absorbency to a greater degree than non-pocket diapers AND the pocket is helpful because it keeps the inserts from bulging out around the thighs and then leaking out as easily as those without the pocket design. So, even though pockets can add one extra step of needing to stuff inserts in them and can have a bit more of a learning curve, I love them through and through.
• Durable
  • The materials feel more durable than other diapers and after a year and a half of washing and poo, they almost feel like new. Still soft and absorbent and no fading.
• Soft and Light
  • The interior is lined with this wonderfully soft material that wicks moisture away into the insert and away from baby’s bottom. And I mean really, I have touched it after a lot of pee and still been impressed with how it feels. The inserts are made of microfiber terry cloth and are very absorbent and soft and light.
• Adjustable Size
  • This is a pro of all of my diapers because I chose One-Size diapers that fit baby from 8-35 lbs. as opposed to different diapers for different sizes/ages. There are multiple rows of snaps that adjust the size of the diaper in length and width to fit baby as they grow!
• Strong Snaps = Hard to Get Off for Baby
  • Wow is this coming in handy now as Little Wonder is starting to love taking her clothes off…and her diaper! I already liked the strong and durable snaps and how they kept the diaper snug in place but now I love seeing her try and try to snap this diaper off and not be able to. However, as potty training comes, I could still adjust the waist to be looser and allow her to be able to pull the diaper up and down.
• Maintains value
  • Because this brand is highly loved, if you are thinking of reselling your cloth diapers in the future, they keep more value over time. Perhaps also because they seem to be durable and last.

Cons:

• Extra Step of Stuffing Inserts into the Pocket
  • As opposed to All-in-One diapers that have the two pads sewn in, see below.
• Bit of a Learning Curve
  • Though I think pocket diapers are also easy now that I understand them (which a video really helps in that!), for some caretakers and grandparents at first – and possibly for months after, haha! – it is less of a learning curve. The buttons also can be a small learning curve and perhaps not as easy to understand as velcro, since most people are now used to velcro-type disposable diapers.
  • If you pre-stuff your inserts into your pocket diapers before baby goes to daycare or a caretaker, that helps solve this problem and perhaps makes it even easier than #2!
• Bulkier
  • This is my bulkiest diaper but I also think that’s why it does so well. However, all cloth diapers are bulkier than disposable and the difference is not that much with this cloth diaper vs. others.
• Few Prints to Choose From.
  • Right now there are only a few different prints available and perhaps I would even say not the cutest prints. While I know picking adorable prints is one of the fun things about cloth diapers and I cared more at first, now I don’t as much and even prefer the solid neutral colors because they don’t show through some dresses and pants and it’s easier to match tops with he diapers if I want her to rock her cloth diaper as a bottoms style!
• Higher Price Range ($20-$22 each)

But let me repeat, I ADORE THESE DIAPERS and while wanting to be honest about some cons so it can help you decide, for me none of the cons hinder me in cloth diapering and the pros far outweigh them!

And this is not even an Ad for them… yet.

Hey @bumGenius ….. 😉

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#2. bumGenius Freetime All-in-One One-Size Snap Closure Cloth Diaper – Snap (aka: button) Score: 9/10

Pros:

• Second-Best Leakproof Design
  • While this one also rarely leaks for me, it still does from time to time making it second-best.
• All-In-One = No Extra Step of Stuffing Inserts
  • All-In-One means the two inserts are semi-sewn in and therefore you do not have that extra step of stuffing inserts into the pocket and that does make it quicker
• All-In-One = Easier for Caretakers
  • Similarly the semi-sewn in inserts just fold over each other and therefore, make it easier than #1 to set up. Though I think pocket diapers are also easy now that I understand them, for some caretakers and grandparents at first…and for months after – haha!, it is less of a learning curve.
• Less Bulky than #1
• Soft and Light (Same as #1)
• Durable (Same as #1)
• Adjustable Size (Same as #1)
• Strong Snaps = Hard to Get Off for Baby (Same as #1)
• Maintains Value (Same as #1)

Cons:

• Slightly More Leaks than #1
  • This one’s inserts are not quite as absorbent as #1 and it is a bit harder to add an additional insert for more absorption because of the lack of a pocket to keep them from bulging out at the thigh area. Still pretty absorbent though, as I said above.
• Few Prints to Choose From (Same as #1)
• Higher Price Range ($19-$22 each)

Overall, bumGenius has done it again in making a really good cloth diaper!

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#3. Thirsties Reusable Cloth Diaper, One Size Pocket Diaper, Snap – Snap (aka: button) Score: 7/10

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Pros:

• Many Adorable Patterns to Choose From
  • They do offer the cutest patterns and are often coming out with new ones that are fun. i.e. We have a cat astronauts in space pattern!
• Extra Gusset Around Thigh
  • While I am much more disappointed in the inserts this diaper came with and often use thicker bumGenius inserts with this Thirsties cover, the extra gusset at the thigh adds an extra height and barrier to keep leaks inside and is smart.
• Less Bulky*
  • *Yes, a pro but this comes to bite you in the booty with the cons
• Adjustable Size
• Strong Snaps
• Maintains Value

Cons:

• Semi-Often Leaks
  • I wish it wasn’t true because their designs are so cute, but with the inserts this diaper comes with and even an extra insert, I have gotten more leaks than with either of my bumGenius diapers. I usually end up putting bumGenius inserts into these covers and then they do pretty well.
• Not Very Absorbent Inserts
  • I think the leaks mainly come down to the insert not being able to absorb as much as I am used to with bumGenius, and after even a couple hours sometimes, the inserts are waterlogged and pee is leaking out. One of the two inserts is a microfiber terry, but not as large or thick as bumGenius. The other insert is hemp/organic cotton and while those natural materials may be a pro for you and it’s very cool that hemp can absorb so much, they still leak on me and:
• Hemp Insert Takes Significantly Longer to Dry
• Durability: Lacking
  • Though a similar cover material as bumGenius, you can tell it is not as thick and as I am stuffing inserts into these covers I sometimes feel like they are going to tear. I also have had tearing near my snaps with one of these diapers. Also the inner material that has stayed fairly soft after many washes, is starting to get pilling, or little tiny balls of fabric, which make it rougher on baby’s skin now.

• Waistline Fit: Lacking
  • Because it is a One-Size diaper, there are needs to adjust the snaps to make the fit snug, but I have a harder time overall with the fit of this one at the wasit. I don’t think the elastic is as thick or strong and therefor I get leaks out of the waistline more, which I rarely get with bumGenius.
• Extra Step of Stuffing Inserts into the Pocket (Same as #1)
• Bit of a Learning Curve (Same as #1)
• Higher Price Range ($21-$23 each)

#4. Thirsties Reusable Cloth Diaper, One Size Pocket Diaper, Hook & Loop (aka: Velcro) Score: 6/10

***This diaper is exactly the same at #3 except that instead of snaps (buttons) to put on and take off the diaper, you have hooks and loops (velcro). So see #3 for all my same pros and cons. And I am torn about this additional pro or con:

Pro or Con:

• I rate this one below its snaps twin (#3) only because at this stage with Little Wonder (16 mo.) I am experiencing her wanting to take her diapers off a lot, and the velcro ones are easy peasy for her to do so, as opposed to the snaps which are a lot harder to unbutton.
• However, velcro is obviously a brilliant inventions and fast and less of a learning curve. It can be great to leave with grandparents or caretakers that are not as familiar with cloth diapers. But if you are looking for the cloth diaper that is the most similar to a disposable and probably the easiest to learn to use, see #6.

#5. Thirsties One Size All in One Cloth Diaper, Snap (aka: button) Score: 5/10

Pros:

• Closer in Design to a Disposable Diaper
  • With just one insert semi-sewn into the diaper it is more similar to a disposable diaper design.
• Waistline Fit
  • Better than the previous Thirsites diapers but not outstanding enough to outweigh its major con of leaking.
• Many adorable patterns to choose from (same as other Thirsties)
• Less Bulky than bumGenius (same as other Thirsties)
• Adjustable Size
• Strong Snaps
• Maintains Value

Cons:

• No Extra Gusset Around Thigh
  • Unlike the previous Thirsties diapers, this one does not have that extra thigh gusset and therefore its own insert and, most definitely, any insert added often bulge or shift out of the diaper around the thighs and seep and leak. Which means they:

• Often Leak
  • I avoid putting this diaper on for long periods. Way too little absorbency. I usually only put them on her if I am anticipating a poo and know I’ll be changing her soon after.
• Hard to Add Inserts to Increase Absorbency
  • Because around the thigh there’s not enough of a gusset or height to keep the inserts fully in and therefore, leaks occur.
• Durability: Lacking
  • Though I feel like the cover durability is stronger than the other Thirsties #3 and #4 (still lacking compared to bumGenius), the semi-sewn in insert very quickly started to pill a lot, or have many little balls of fabric, making it rougher to the skin and I anticipate it getting worse over the months/years.
• Higher Price Range ($21-$23 each)

#6. Thirsties Natural One Size All in One Cloth Diaper, Hook & Loop (aka: Velcro) Score: 5/10

***This diaper is exactly the same at #5 except that instead of snaps (buttons) to put on and take off the diaper, you have hooks and loops (velcro). So see #5 for all my same pros and cons. Again the pros and cons between snap style and velcro style may greatly depend on your caretaking plans as I mentioned up in #3.

One Outstanding Pro to this diaper:

• Closest in Design to a Disposable Diaper
  • With just one insert semi-sewn into the diaper AND the velcro closures, it is very similar to a disposable diaper design. This diaper perhaps has the least amount of learning curve and can be nice to have on hand for grandparents and caretakers not as familiar with cloth diapers.

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The Outstanding Winner:

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bumGenius Original One-Size Cloth Diaper 5.0 – Snap. Woo!!! But overall some wonderfully designed diapers. Cloth diapers have really come a long way over the years haven’t they?!

As I said, scroll down and explore the these brands as well as different brands of cloth diapers for yourself. Namely, there are some other budget brands that can be a bit cheaper than both bumGenius and Thirsties. However, as you can read here, you’re going to be saving a ton of money either way and maybe this review has convinced you that the investment is worth it or to just put them on that baby registry!

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Explore More of the World of Cloth Diapering Through My Other Posts:

• Your Top Questions About Cloth Diapering Answered

• Does Cloth Diapering Take Too Much Time?
• Cloth Diapering 101: Where to Begin and How to Cloth Diaper in Ten Easy Steps

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Want to Explore Cloth Diapers I Have Not Tried? Go For It!

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