Whether you’re changing nappies, or your toddler is wearing their dinner again, baby wipes are an absolute essential for those early years.
You’ll probably find that you’re going through wipes like there’s no tomorrow, so it’s a good idea to buy in bulk. It’s also handy to have a few packs dotted around, whether they’re stashed in the bottom of the pushchair, or in a nice, neat pile next to the bedside crib – anywhere mess can strike.
But what brands can you can rely on to clean up mess, fast? And which are gentle on your baby’s skin and kinder to the environment? To help you buy the best for your baby, we tried and tested a wide range of wipes in the GHI lab, assessing them on design, ease of use and performance.
Here are our best baby wipes at a glance but read on for all full reviews and what you need to consider before you buy.
Best baby wipes
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Best for soothing ingredients
Sainsbury’s Little Ones Wipes
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Want more expert-tested parenting products? Check out the results of the GHI's first ever Parenting Awards including the best pushchairs, cots and more.
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Why do I need baby wipes?
Babies make a lot of mess (explosive poos included!), so whether it’s for nappy changing or cleaning up little faces and sticky hands during mealtimes, baby wipes can be a lifesaver.
Available to buy in bulk and able to mop up spills quickly, they can take the stress out of life’s messier moments. They’re handy to keep at home and carry in your changing bag when you’re out with your baby. Trust us, you don’t want to leave home without them!
What to look for in a baby wipe
These are some of the factors to consider when shopping for baby wipes.
- Can they be used from birth? Midwives recommend using just water and cotton wool to clean newborn skin, so if you choose to use a baby wipe from birth, make sure it's suitable. Look for non-scented and alcohol-free options that are gentle on delicate skin.
- Are they thick and stretchy? A decent thickness and a good amount of ‘give’ makes wipes easier to use and more effective.
- Are they kind to skin? Look for a wipe that has minimal ingredients with a very high water content, or ones that have skin-soothing additions such as aloe vera.
- Are they easy to use? You want packets that are easy to open and can be closed securely to keep the remaining wipes wet. Also, look for wipes that are interleaved in their packs, so the next one is easy to grab.
- Are they fragranced? This will come down to personal preference, but when your little one is older, you may want to try a scented option.
- Do they offer any eco credentials? Wet wipes aren’t known for their environmentally friendly properties – many contain micro-plastic fibres that don’t disintegrate, making them a big polluter. However, brands are making efforts to create wipes that are kinder to the environment. Look for options made with plant-based fibres, using minimal or no plastic and no artificial colours, fragrances and ingredients. We've highlighted any eco claims in our reviews below.
- Are they value for money? Going through baby wipes can be expensive, so it’s worth considering your options. Once you’ve found a wipe that works for your child, it’s worth checking if you’re able to buy in bulk.
How we test baby wet wipes
In the GHI lab, our parenting tester starts by assessing the packaging to see how easy the wipes are to remove one-handed and whether the packet closes properly to stop the wipes drying out.
They then check their cleaning abilities by seeing how well they wipe up spilled baby food, whether they’re wet enough to clean effectively, and if they leave any residue behind. Wipes that can be flushed scored extra points (the Pura Flushable wipes are the only ones you can flush in our list below).
While it isn’t included in our scores, our tester also assessed any scent (is it pleasant or overly strong?) and we have also included any eco claims in our write-ups below.
We sent each set of wipes out to our panel of parent testers too, to see how they fared with real-life baby mess! Panellists gave us feedback on how easy the wipes were to remove from the packaging, how many wipes it took per nappy change, and whether they effectively cleaned up spillages and the rest... We’ve included their thoughts below.
Score: 92/100
If you’re going through wipes like there’s no tomorrow, then this buy-in-bulk option from Amazon is a great choice. The wipes are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making them suitable for newborns, and they can be used all over, even on the face. They’re also pH-balanced, approved by dermatologists and include soothing chamomile and aloe vera extracts. “They're a strong enough to not rip during use, but soft enough to not irritate the skin”, said one tester. The perfect combination.
The interleaved wipes mean it's easy to pull out a bunch in one go for those heavy-duty changes. And they’re made from FSC-approved fibres (the Forest Stewardship Council manages production to strict economic, social and environmental standards), so they score some points for sustainability efforts. However, note that they do include some plastic and aren’t flushable, so if this is important to you, keep scrolling.
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Score: 92/100
Unlike any other wipes on our list, these come dry. Made from bamboo, the brand claims they are completely biodegradable, and chemical- and plastic-free. You can use them dry or dip them into warm water for nappy changes and quick clean-ups.
They are the wipe equivalent of the cotton-wool-and-water method recommended by midwives for newborns, so a good option if you want to be as gentle as possible on your baby’s skin.
The box opens easily and looks like a box of tissues, with the wipes interleaved and easy to pull out. Although the cost may seem high, you're getting 12 boxes with 100 wipes in each one, which is about double the size of normal packets.
Score: 88/100
You know that classic baby smell we all want to bottle? This is exactly what you get in these wipes, which have a flowery, talcum powder scent. They feature camomile and aloe vera, ingredients that soothe the skin and help to prevent nappy rash, and they're dermatologist-approved and pH-balanced. Plus, they’re made from 100% plant-based fibres and are biodegradable, too.
Though we found it a little tricky to find the opening of the pack at first, the wipes come out easily and are interleaved for ease. They have good levels of stretch and wetness and a decent thickness, making them great for cleaning up mess easily – at a bargain price. “Strong enough. Big enough. Wet enough”, was one panellist’s catchy summary. One to add to your supermarket shop.
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Score: 88/100
These wipes can be flushed down the toilet for ease and are approved by Water UK as ‘fine-to-flush'. They’re 100% biodegradable and made from plant fibres, making them plastic-free, too. And as well as being kinder to the environment, they contain 99% water along with natural aloe vera, making them gentle on your baby’s skin.
As for performance, they’re a good size and have a decent amount of stretch, plus they are interleaved in the pack, which makes them easy to grab. They’re also fragrance-free, which means they're good for sensitive skin, and they scored full marks for their cleaning ability.
Score: 88/100
Pampers’ wipes are developed to protect your baby’s natural skin pH, with no artificial perfumes or alcohol. Instead, they’re made from a soft, thick OEKO TEX-certified material (this means it’s free from toxic substances) that cleans up mess quickly and helps care for sensitive skin. But don’t just take our word for it, as they’ve been approved by the Skin Health Alliance.
One at-home panellist liked that they’re wet enough for cleaning up mess, without drenching surfaces. Another said they did a “good job of cleaning baby’s bottom half”, which is exactly what you want! The pack opens easily, allowing you to pull out wipe-after-interleaved wipe. However, note that they are non-flushable as they contain plastic.
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Score: 88/100
These wipes are made from 99% water, and leave out any nasties including parabens, alcohols, and most common allergens. They’re also plastic free and come in packaging that’s 50% recycled. Plus, with every pack bought, the brand donates money to the Kit and Kin foundation, which works to protect rainforests and helps women and children living there to gain access to healthcare, family planning and education. That’s a lot for a small wipe!
They come out of the pack easily and are interleaved, so nighttime nappy changes with one hand are a breeze. Our tester found them soft, thick and stretchy, and they’re approved by dermatologists too.
All our panellists agreed that they cleaned well, while also being gentle on the skin.
Score: 88/100
It’s impressive how such small humans can go through so many wipes, which inevitably comes with a cost. However, this affordable bulk buy from Aldi should help soften the blow. Our at-home testers praised the performance and price, with one saying they were both “good value and kind to skin.”
Suitable to use from birth, these wipes made of 94% water claim to be “as mild as cotton wool and water” and are unscented. They’re also midwife-approved, endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance, and plastic-free – a triple win. Though a little on the thin side, we found them simple to take out of the pack and stretchy.
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Score: 84/100
These wipes are made with 99% water and contain no perfume or alcohol (although our tester noted that they do contain a fairly long list of ingredients, including preservatives). They are also dermatologically tested and paediatrician approved for newborn and eczema prone skin.
They’ve got the right amount of wetness for effective cleaning, but our tester found they didn't have much of a stretch, and some residue was left behind after cleaning spilt baby food.
These wipes also include chamomile and aloe vera extracts, which are good for soothing nappy rash. Note that they can't be flushed, though.
Score: 84/100
Endorsed by the British Skin Foundation and Allergy UK, these biodegradable, plastic-free wipes boast both eco- and skin-friendly credentials. They’re also approved by midwives and paediatricians, making them a good choice for sensitive skin.
Made entirely in Britain from plant fibres, they're also suitable for vegans. The pack opens easily, and the tab is fused on, so you can’t accidentally pull it off. The wipes are interleaved, so you can get them out easily, which helps when you're cleaning up particularly messy nappies.
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Score: 84/100
Mama Bamboo was founded by parents concerned for the future of the planet and their children. It's a certified B Corp with a mission to help parents while reducing their impact on the environment.
The wipes come in a recyclable pack that’s easy to open and are interleaved, making them easy to pull out. They have a good amount of stretch, are soft yet robust, and are made from bamboo viscose. They’re also moistened with 99.4% purified water, and feature aloe vera and coconut extract to soothe little bottoms. Plus, they're hypoallergenic, naturally anti-bacterial and vegan-friendly.
Score: 84/100
It’s hard to beat these Lidl wipes on price, and they also put in a good performance on test, scoring full marks for leaving behind no residue during a nappy change. They’re pH neutral, so won’t dry your baby’s skin, and include no alcohol or scent either. In fact, with a 99.4% water content, they include little else.
The pack opens easily and there’s a handy arrow to remind you which way to pull, which is invaluable when you’re sleep-deprived. The wipes are small but quite stretchy, combining a pocket-friendly price with biodegradability – making them both economical and more environmentally-friendly. One of our testers liked how they didn’t bunch up and come out in one huge lump when running low, which avoids any waste. Just be sure that the pack is fastened properly to avoid any drying out.
Available in-store only.
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Score: 84/100
These smaller wipes are easy to open but are quite fragile, so take care not to tear them when pulling them out of the packet. Our panellists found you need a few for a full clean-up; some used as many as five per nappy change.
They’re interleaved for ease of use, made from natural fibres, and moistened with 99% water. They’re also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and approved by the British Skin Foundation, with one of our testers telling us they left their skin “soft and refreshed.”
Score: 84/100
ASDA recently made these wipes plastic-free, a switch it claims removed 2.5 billion pieces of plastic each year. They are also paediatrician-approved, dermatologically tested and made from sustainable viscose, a semi-synthetic fibre that is biodegradable. All our at-home home testers said they’d recommend them to a friend too. Tick, tick, tick.
The pack is easy to open, and the wipes are interweaved, though the aperture is a little on the small side. Our tester found they had a good amount of wetness to help with cleaning, too.
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Score: 80/100
Boots is another company that’s working to improve its environmental footprint, making its standard baby wipes not only thicker than they were before, but biodegradable, too. They’re also suitable for newborns and sensitive skin, containing 98% water and no artificial fragrance.
It’s a little hard to see where the pack opens at first, as the tab is transparent, but it’s easy once you know how. The wipes are interleaved and stretchy but a little on the small side, so you’d probably need a few per change. But that’s not too much of an issue thanks to the pocket-friendly price tag. They’re “great for all kind of wipe clean moments,” confirmed one at-home tester.
Score: 78/100
These robust and generously-sized wipes have a whole slew of accreditations from Allergy UK, The Vegan Society and the National Eczema Association. They’re designed to be very gentle on your baby’s skin, making them a good choice for skin concerns such as sensitivity and eczema. They also contain fruit extract, which has antibacterial properties.
The wipes, which are simple to pull out, are completely plastic-free and developed to biodegrade in 12 weeks. The pack opens easily but the tab tends to come off if you’re not careful. They're pricey, but a good investment for your baby’s skin.
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Score: 76/100
Cheeky Panda's hypoallergenic wet wipes contain 99% water, plus 1% fruit extract and aloe juice for their skin-soothing properties, and a trace of anti-bacterial food preservatives.
Soft and delicate, they’re wet and stretchy enough for good clean-ups, yet gentle enough even for your baby’s face. The pack opens easily but the wipes are not interleaved, so they can be a little tricky to get out one-handed.
Madeleine Evans
Lifestyle Writer
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Tested bySally J. Hall
Sally J. Hall is a parenting tester for the GHI, reviewing everything from bedside cribs and pushchairs to nappies. She has written extensively on pregnancy, birth and the health and development of both pregnant mums and their babies. She has in-depth knowledge of the parenting world, has tested thousands of products and is passionate about finding those that make parents’ lives easier.
Sally has worked on many major UK parenting titles and was previously editor of both Emma’s Diary and Bounty. With extensive contacts across the parenting industry, she published B Baby Magazine for eight years, which covered the private maternity market across the UK and is the author of books Plant Based Baby and Eco Baby.