Cloth diapering is an affordable diaper system. But if you’re only starting, building your cloth diaper stash can amount to high startup costs.
Don’t be discouraged.
I was able to save a lot of money by carefully choosing the MOST affordable ones for me. You can do the same!
I have the best cheap cloth diapers to help you get by and other important things you need to know about cloth diapering.
Best Overall
Best Value
Budget Option
7 Best Affordable Cloth Diapers on the Market
Let’s get straight to what you’re here for so you can build your cloth diaper stash soon. Here are the best affordable cloth diapers you can look into:
1) Imagine Baby Bamboo All-in-One 2.0
BEST OVERALL
Features:
- What you get: 1 AIO cloth diaper
- Available Sizes: 1
- Best Fit: 8 to 35+ pounds
Of all the inexpensive cloth diapers I’ve tried, I love this all-in-one diaper for its VERSATILITY.
The absorbency of the first version of this product amazed me, so as soon as I heard that the brand had come up with an upgraded version, I knew I had to get one.
Its 100% bamboo viscose lining complements its waterproof shell perfectly.
As if this isn’t enough, it comes with an additional bamboo soaker pad, which greatly helped me and my baby get no-fuss nighttime sleep.
Aside from the versatility of its use, it also features sizing versatility with its 3-row snaps that match your baby’s weight as they grow.
Since I got this diaper during the latter years of my firstborn’s potty training, I used it again for my second born, which speaks to its durability and sustainability!
2) OsoCozy Thirsties Flat Cloth Diapers
BEST VALUE
Features:
- What you get: 48 infant prefolds, 36 premium prefolds, 12 diaper covers, 3 fasteners, 1 roll liner
- Available Sizes: 2
- Best Fit: 6 to 35 pounds
As a mom, I know what it’s like to think of many things to give the best care to your baby.
If you’re here to go straight to the point, this purchase can jump-start your cloth diapering journey.
This bundle has EVERYTHING you need to have enough cheap diapers and the time to wash them every two to three days.
You don’t have to worry about your baby’s sizing; this bundle includes adjustable diaper covers. You can use the same covers throughout your baby’s growing stages.
Even Snappi fasteners are included here! That’s something I rarely see in bundle deals for flat diapers.
3) Nicki’s Diapers One Size Snap Pocket Cloth Diaper
BUDGET PICK
Features:
- What you get: 1 pocket diaper
- Available Sizes: 1
- Best Fit: 8 to 35 pounds
Nicki’s is one of the best cheap cloth diaper brands I’ve tried, and their pocket diapers don’t make an exception to their good quality products.
They feature multifunctional snaps that secure the diaper’s fit and provide adjustability from infancy to potty training.
Their cheap pocket diapers also feature flexibility, especially with their removable microfiber insert.
This product has a soft fleece lining that ensures your baby’s skin doesn’t dry out or get irritated.
It also provides additional moisture-wicking properties to keep your baby dry.
Despite the product’s promise, its included microfiber insert poses a concern for me.
Microfiber inserts may be light and fast-drying but can act like sponges. Whenever they’re soaked and compressed, microfiber inserts can result in leaks.
It’s a good thing you can replace them with other cheap cloth diaper inserts.
4) Buttons One-Size Cloth Diaper Cover
Features:
- What you get: 1 cloth diaper cover
- Available Sizes: 1
- Best Fit: 9 to 35 pounds
Some moms may be skeptical about cloth diapering because of the messy possibilities.
I once was one of these moms, but the Buttons cover changed my mind. This was one of the first cloth diaper products I used, and it didn’t disappoint.
Its double-layer PUL makes it so special for me to consider it one of the best budget cloth diapers.
The insert you use with it would have minimal impact on its leak prevention. It has an adjustable fit, which you can benefit from for years until your baby is potty trained.
On top of this, it has a trim fit that ensures your baby isn’t inconvenienced by its additional layers, which is also beneficial in aesthetics as baby clothes can easily mask it.
This diaper cover is priced higher than other diaper covers like the one of Diaper Rite, but I promise you, it’s worth the extra money.
5) Thirsties Newborn All-in-One Cloth Diaper
Features:
- What you get: 1 AIO cloth diaper
- Available Sizes: 1
- Best Fit: 6 to 14 pounds
Many diapers feature universal sizing with an adjustable fit. But this Thirsties newborn cloth diaper is an exception.
If you prefer specially designed products, this one’s for you. Its use is specifically intended for the newborn stage of babies.
It has EIGHT layers of organic cotton to keep your newborn dry and ensure gentleness on their skin.
Aside from its smaller sizing, this AIO diaper has a snap closure with an umbilical cord snap-down.
This feature is best for babies whose cord stump is still present and those with healing belly buttons.
This diaper is priced higher than other budget-friendly cloth diapers, but its specialized design makes it a great addition to any newborn stash.
6) OsoCozy Newborn Cloth Diapers
Features:
- What you get: 2 covers + 12 prefolds
- Available Sizes: 1
- Best Fit: 6 to 12 pounds
If you’re into bundle deals like me, this is another affordable cloth diaper option you can look into.
One purchase will give you 2 cloth diaper covers and 12 newborn prefolds. This should be enough to give your cloth diapering journey a kickstart.
You can replace the inners with every diaper change without worrying about the outer layer.
The one-size diapers have a wipe-down surface to ensure you can reuse them several times. They also feature double-leg gussets that contain your baby’s mess.
When I used this product during the infancy stage of my secondborn, I didn’t have to worry much about his mess spilling onto the sheets of his crib.
However, you’ll have to be keen during the first few uses of the prefolds included. They are made of cotton flats, requiring a few more washes to absorb fully.
7) Nicki’s Diapers Bamboo All-in-One Cloth Diaper
Features:
- What you get: 1 AIO cloth diaper
- Available Sizes: 2
- Best Fit: 5 to 35 pounds
These Nicki’s AIO diapers are the obvious winner in terms of VARIETY. This product line has various colors, patterns, and designs.
Whenever I have a baby shower to go to, this is often my default gift. Aside from its designs, this product also offers two sizing options.
You can choose either the newborn size, which fits babies 5 to 13 pounds, or the one size, which fits babies 8 to 35 pounds.
As a bonus, it has a bamboo terry liner and rolled-leg elastics that are sure to be gentle on your baby’s skin.
If you’re happy with this product, you can easily get different designs to help with your stash rotation.
Types of Cheap Cloth Diapers
When you hear cloth diapers, it’s easy to imagine the disposable diaper in cloth form. However, this isn’t how it is.
Cloth diaper products come in different forms, each with specific uses. They are the following:
Diaper Covers
When discussing diapers, the first thing that comes to mind is usually wetness. Diaper covers solve this issue!
They are made of breathable yet waterproof fabric, an outer layer for many cloth diapers.
Most covers are PUL covers made of polyurethane laminate, but another alternative you can look into are wool covers.
Wool covers usually cost more, but they can last more diaper changes. You can get a wool cover if your baby is allergic to PUL.
Flat Diapers and Prefold Diapers
Aside from wetness, we’ll have to deal with absorbency, which is where these diapers come in.
Think old-fashioned diapers here.
A flat diaper is a single layer of fabric that requires folding, while a prefold is folded beforehand. Essentially, they are similar.
To secure fit, you must fasten flat diapers and prefolds with a diaper clip. They are also not waterproof, so you’ll need a cover to use them more effectively.
Once the diaper is soiled, you can replace the flat or prefold only and reuse the cover until it’s dirty.
To learn more, I put together a buying guide of the best prefold diapers to choose from!
Fitted Cloth Diapers
From its name, fitted diapers are made to fit snugly on your baby. As such, they have different sizing options.
Aside from an absorbent fabric, they come with leg and back elastics but don’t have a waterproof lining, meaning that you’ll also need a diaper cover for their use.
Contour Diapers
Imagine a cross between fitted diapers and prefolds. You’ll get contours.
They are shaped to fit your baby, but you’ll still need a waterproof cover. On the contrary, you won’t need pins or clips to secure them.
Pocket Diapers
Among modern cloth diapers, pocket diapers are one of the first designs.
They come with a waterproof layer already, so purchasing a separate cover won’t be necessary. Their characteristic pocket is designed for you to stuff inserts into.
Here’s the twist.
Your pocket diaper isn’t like your separate cove, meaning you can only use it ONCE. You must get an entirely new one to replace it as soon as it gets soiled.
Of course, you can wash your pocket diaper as many times as possible.
All-in-One Diapers
This is now where you can imagine disposable diapers in cloth form. You’ll get all-in-ones (AIOs).
They are pretty much like pocket diapers with a waterproof outer, but they are designed with absorbent layers already.
Hybrids or All-in-Twos
You’ll get hybrids diapers or all-in-twos (AI2s) when one becomes two in diapers. It’s not as confusing as it sounds.
They are similar to AIOs, but your absorbent inserts are detachable, which allows you to customize absorbency and reuse the outer layer of your diaper.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Cloth Diapers
It’s best to know what type of cloth diaper you’re looking for first.
Once you’ve decided on that type, try different packs from different brands. Don’t commit to one brand from the get-go!
I always go for ORGANIC cloth diapers made with safe materials.
See first what works for you and your baby.
Consider when you’ll store dirty diapers in your laundry room and how often you can wash cloth diapers.
Doing so will help determine how many cloth diapers you’ll need for your stash.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you still have other related questions on the costs of cloth diapers, I’ve answered common questions here.
I hope these help you decide better on your new diapers.
Is the Cloth Diaper System Actually Cheaper?
Cloth diapers come with high startup costs, but they allow you to save money over time than disposable diaper systems.
Expenses on one-time-use diapers can amount to around $800 a year. On the other hand, expenses on reusable cloth diapers will only cost you around $600.
Even more amusing is that your savings from reusables grow higher in the succeeding years as your child grows!
Where Can I Buy Cheap Cloth Diapering?
Many cloth diaper brands, such as Walmart and Target, are unavailable in your go-to stores.
Instead, you can buy them online directly from their brands or retailers like Amazon and eBay.
Are Cheap Cloth Diapers Just as Effective as More Expensive Options?
Price often dictates the quality of many diapers.
However, if you know what you’re looking for, you can still end up with quality diapers similar to those of more expensive options.
Can You Make Your Own Cloth Diapers?
You can make your own cloth diapers with a sewing machine and the right materials.
Common materials include burp cloths, old t-shirts, dishcloths, flour sack towels, and fleece blankets.
Flour sack towels make great flat diapers, while fleece makes great overnight covers and liners.
Is It Okay to Buy Used Cloth Diapers?
Buying used diapers or borrowing from your local cloth diaper bank is okay, but there are things that you should be CAREFUL of, such as the following:
- Cracked or bubbly waterproof linings – These used diapers may be leaky.
- Holes, stains, and smells may still be useable, but you can negotiate a discount.
- Relaxed elastics – These used diapers may be loose or leaky, but you can easily replace elastic bands.
- Not sticky Velcro – Used Velcro diapers should have sticky Velcro, but you can also easily replace worn-out Velcro straps.
- Cracked snaps – One or two of these may still be useable, but this can also be a cause for a discount.
That being said, I personally DO NOT recommend buying used diapers as their freshness is long gone by then. It is always better to just buy brand-new ones for the best results!
EXTRA TIP: If you need a place to store your dirty diapers, look no further than these diaper pails for cloth diapers to keep smells out!
Recap of Winner Picks
I’ve tested several diapers to come up with my top picks for you to base from. Here’s their quick rundown to help refresh you.
Budget Pick: Nicki’s Diapers One Size Snap Pocket Cloth Diaper
This is where you can start with budget cloth diapers, especially if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to cloth diapering.
Purchasing this product won’t be too heavy on your pocket!
You’ll get a waterproof cover and a removable insert, already equivalent to one exclusive use for your baby.
With this product, you can continue to get the feel of the cloth diapering system as you can change its insert with those of other brands.
Best Value: OsoCozy Thirsties Flat Cloth Diapers
If you want value for your money and effort in making a purchase, get this product.
Its startup cost is undeniably higher than your per-piece diapers, but if you compute for its overall cost, this product comes out cheaper.
It takes only one purchase, unlike other cloth diapers, individually. This bundle is enough to last you for years until your baby is potty trained.
Best Overall: Imagine Baby Bamboo All-in-One 2.0
I never looked back after trying this product.
This AIO will make you realize that cloth diapers can be more effective than disposable diapers.
Combining its bamboo viscose lining and additional soaker pad will let you experience superior absorbency like no other.
Furthermore, it offers sizing versatility that many disposable diapers can’t offer. You’ll be able to use the same diapers from your firstborn to your youngest baby, just like I did.
Check out my recommendations for the best bamboo diapers for a more sustainable and eco-friendly diaper!
Conclusion
Cheap cloth diapers come in different shapes, types, and brands. They are for you as much as your baby because this diapering system requires your involvement.
They are not like disposables that you can throw away after one use. You’ll need to consider their washing and drying as well.
Get a budget-friendly cloth diaper that suits your baby and your parenting style.
