Entering into the cloth-diapering world can be incredibly overwhelming. Even the briefest glimpse into the world of washable, loveable, colorful “fluff” can leave one reeling under information overload. With countless brands, styles, materials, and diapering systems (not to mention all the tools to go along with them!), a person can be left with more questions than they had when they began.
Our goal here at Your Cloth Diaper is to give you the information you need, in the most-digestible form, to ease your decision-making process and avoid overwhelm. So today, I want to break it down for you and share the 5 best hybrid diapers on the market.
5 Best Hybrid Cloth Diapers
GroVia Hybrid Diapers
GroVia is a popular cloth diaper brand, and for good reason. The quality of their diapers is top-notch, and they’re more affordable than a lot of other brands on the market.
Insert Options:
- GroVia snap-in soaker pads
- Prefold cloth diapers
- GroVia disposable BioSoakers
- more
Pros:
- Fits babies from 8-30 lbs.
- GroVia’s Hook & Loop closures make their diapers easy and familiar to put on baby, since they are similar to the standard disposable diaper closures.
- Competitively priced.
- Lots of adorable prints!
- Eligible for Prime shipping on Amazon.
Cons:
- None at this time
Flip Hybrid Diapers
Flip is a subsidiary of another big-name cloth diaper company, bumGenius. Only slightly more expensive than the GroVia mentioned above, the brand name and reviews on this diaper definitely keep it in the running for the top 5 best hybrid diapers.
Insert Options:
- Flip reusable stay-dry inserts
- Prefold cloth diapers
- Bumkins flushable biodegradable liners
Pros:
- Fits babies from 8-35+ lbs.
- Flip’s adjustable snaps and stretchy tabs create a comfortable fit for baby.
- Patent-pending butterfly closures help keep this diaper firmly in place on older, mobile babies.
- Lots of adorable prints!
- Well-rated on Amazon.com
Cons:
- The liner behind the cover snaps and around the leg gussets is not PUL, so the diaper can retain a slight smell of urine even after the insert is removed.
- Not eligible for Prime shipping on Amazon, requiring a $3.29 shipping fee.
Charlie Banana Hybrid Diapers
Not as familiar as the two previous brands, Charlie Banana diapers are a hidden gem in the cloth world. With a stunning rating accross all cloth diaper selling sites, I’d say these are well worth looking into!
Insert Options:
- Charlie Banana hemp inserts
- Prefold cloth diapers
- Charlie Banana disposable inserts
- more
Pros:
- Fits babies up to 35 lbs.
- Bra-strap adjustment around the leg gusset, for maximum customization and fewer blow-outs.
- Excellent reviews on Amazon.com
- Large color and prints selection
- Can be purchased as a “cloth diaper starter kit.”
- Eligible for Prime shipping on Amazon.
Cons:
- Pricier than previous options
gDiaper Hybrid Diapers
gDiaper is unlike most other cloth diapers available today. They have a unique insert system, and they close in the back instead of the front. The insert system includes a breathable, waterproof pouch- or “hammock”- that snaps into place on the inside of the diaper, creating a pocket in which to place your insert.
Insert Options:
- gDiaper cloth inserts
- Prefold cloth diapers
- gDiaper disposable inserts
- more
Pros:
- The pouch holds the insert firmly in place, and keeps both liquids and solids from touching the actual diaper itself. This creates less laundry than a pocket diaper, since you don’t have to wash the cover every time you change a diaper.
- The waterproof pouch acts as a heavy-duty guard against blowouts, with elastic on both sides that hugs the baby’s skin, preventing leaks.
Cons:
- Some moms report issues with elastic of the snap-in pouch rubbing and creating blisters on their babies’ “panty-line” area, even when properly sized.
- gDiapers don’t come in one-size-fits-all options. Instead, the sizing is as follows:
- Small: 8-14 lbs.
- Medium: 13-28 lbs.
- Large: 22-36 lbs.
- Extra Large: 34+ lbs.
Ecoable Hybrid Diapers
Ecoable is an unknown company compared to the rest of the brands listed above. However, their diapers are distinctive from the previous options, and they’re also cheaper. I’d say they’re worth checking out for yourself.
The closure system used on these diapers is both a pro and a con; therefore, I’ve included it in both sections.
Insert Options:
- Ecoable Charcoal Bamboo liners
- Prefold cloth diapers
- Bumkins flushable biodegradable liners
- more
Pros:
- The unique side-button snap system and stretchy waistband makes it easier for potty training toddlers to pull down their own pants, since they feel and act more like disposable pull-ups than normal daytime cloth diapers.
- These 3-in-1 diapers can be used as regular daytime diapers, swim diapers, and training pants.
- Free shipping, not Prime.
- Cheaper than the other hybrid cloth diapers listed in this article.
Cons:
- The side-button system would be very unfamiliar to parents who are transferring over from disposable diapers, and potentially difficult to get used to.
- Not one-size-fits-all.
- Size 1: 8-25 lbs.
- Size 2: 15-35 lbs.
- Size 3: 35-60 lbs.
Hybrid Cloth Diaper FAQ
What are hybrid diapers?
When used with a cloth liner, hybrid diapers are basically an ordinary cloth diaper. Their magic begins when you pair the diaper cover with their optional, biodegradable disposable liners. In other words, a hybrid is essentially a fabulous mashup of disposable and cloth diapers. You get the ease of disposable, with the low-waste effect of cloth diapering.
This feature is particularly useful when diapering in public, where you might not have the option of rinsing and/or washing a traditional cloth diaper.
What other cloth diaper types are there?
- All-in-One (AIO)
- All-in-Two (AI2)
- Flat
- Pre-fold
- Fitted
- Contour
- Sleeve
Why are hybrid better than other options?
Each style has its pros and cons, but the beauty of a hybrid is that it’s perfect for the mom who wants to be less wasteful but doesn’t have the luxury of always being able to carry a wet bag for soiled diapers.
Hybrids are also fantastic for families who frequently have grandparents/babysitters/friends change the baby’s diaper, since most people aren’t all that thrilled with the idea of dunking a poopy diaper in the toilet and splashing it around to wash the poop off. (Although, if you’re still using the old dunking method, you need one of these bad boys in your life!)
Another great use of the disposable liners is for sticky newborn meconium, or when baby is sick and having less-than-desirable bowel movements.
In other words, hybrid diapers are perfect for the family who wants the option of disposability, while taking advantage of all the benefits of cloth.
~ Updated: June 2, 2022