Adult diapers are a necessity for millions of individuals. We've selected options that are comfortable, easy to use and help keep you dry. (Molicare)
My search for the best adult diapers began about two years ago, when my 96-year-old mom had increasing difficulty with nighttime bathroom visits and using her bedside commode. It's a familiar journey for many of us who are caring for aging parents. While bladder control issues affect nearly half of all adults, older women are especially vulnerable. "Incontinence is the most common pelvic floor disorder, impacting 63% of adult women," says urogynecologist Samantha Pulliam, chief medical officer at Axena Health. In fact, the risk rises with age, with up to 75% of women over 65 experiencing urine leakage.
While the loss of bladder control is common, it isn't normal, according to Pulliam. It's a medical condition whose cause is important to understand. Typical triggers include stress, being postpartum and changes to the body that are part of the aging process, but it's best to hace a urologist or urogynecologist provide a proper diagnosis. "Because incontinence is a progressive disorder that can get worse over time, it's often easier to take care of before it worsens," says Pulliam.
Most treatments begin with targeted pelvic floor exercises, sometimes combined with medication. However, when it comes to management options, adult diapers — designed to absorb and lock in urine or bowel leaks, keep you dry and eliminate odors — are often part of the plan. Available styles include diapers, tabbed briefs and pull-ups, with options varying in size, absorbency level and materials.
Though millions rely on adult diapers, Pulliam cautions against considering them your only solution. Doing so without a diagnosis and guidance can create a false sense of security, keeping you from addressing the underlying issue. Proper use is also crucial. For example, if not changed regularly, they can lead to dermatitis and increased risk of urinary tract infections.
If you've decided absorbent products are right for your situation, choosing from the many available options can feel overwhelming. Our list of the best adult diapers of 2025 can help simplify your choice.
Sizing: S-XL | Materials: Cloth-like backing, polymer top sheet | Absorbency level: Heavy | Leak protection features: 3-layer absorbency, elasticized side panels and leg cuffs | Additional features: Unisex and hypoallergenic
MoliCare Premium Elastic Briefs sit atop our best adult diapers list for good reason: Their signature three layers of absorbency quickly draw liquid to the center, keeping skin dry and comfortable. They're also designed to maintain a skin-friendly pH of 5.5 — matching the natural pH of healthy skin, which reduces the risk of irritation.
Our testers also appreciated thoughtful features, like elasticized side panels and leg cuffs that provide a snug, leak-proof fit, plus extra-wide, resealable tabs that make adjustments easy and hassle-free.
While some report sizing and fit issues, the positive reviews far outnumber the concerns. "These are extremely comfortable. The side panels are stretchy, and feel more like underwear on your hips" wrote one Amazon reviewer, who gave MoliCare Premium Elastic Briefs 5 stars, noting that these adult diapers are "one of the best medical diaper I've used."
Sizing: S-XL | Materials: Soft, smooth water-proof plastic outer layer, reinforced front panel | Absorbency level: Heavy | Leak protection features: Tall leak guards, front and back elastic waistbands, reinforced front panel | Other features: Hypoallergenic Whiff-X technology
InControl BeDry Night Premium briefs offer triple-action core with patented technology that kills bacteria, neutralizes odors and locks in liquid for up to 12 hours, making them perfect for overnight use. Plus, BeDry's hook-and-loop style fasteners allow for easy adjustments, ensuring a secure fit without the inconvenience of tape, a feature that caregivers say they appreciate.
"The design makes it so easy for me to change a patient, and the tabs open and reseal well," says Ursilla Gray, a licensed home health aide in New York City. "And most importantly, my patients stay dry."
Sizing: X-Small-2XL | Materials: Latex-free, poly-plastic exterior, elastic front and back waistband | Absorbency level: Up to 12 hours; maximum absorbency, including for bowel incontinence | Leak protection features: Leak guard, extra-wide and extra-long absorbent core in front and rear, water-proof | Other features: Unisex, anti-odor, quick-wicking
Thanks to an extra-long core in the front and rear, Northshore MegaMax Overnight Briefs provides full urinary and bowel incontinence protection — even among restless sleepers.
MegaMax Briefs use strong, wide adhesive tabs that attach securely to the front panel, helping prevent leaks and keep the brief in place. As an added bonus, the plastic outer layer helps prevent sagging and contains odors.
One Amazon reviewer wrote: "This product is AMAZING!!! Super absorbent, locks in odor, super strong sticky tabs, nice smooth plastic backing AND it comes in several colors!" (You can choose between black, blue, pink and tie-dye.)
In addition to the MegaMax Overnight Briefs, we also tested Northshore's GoSupreme Underwear and Megamax AirLock Briefs — both kept users securely protected and dry.
Sizing: S-3XL | Materials: Latex-free, cloth-like fabric | Absorbency level: Ultimate absorbency of 90 fluid ounces for moderate to heavy incontinence | Leak protection features: Absorbent gel core, barrier leg cuffs | Other features: Cloth-like stretch panels, odor elimination, tear-away sides, colored indicator-stitching
LivDry Ultimate Protective Underwear stands out for its thoughtful design — a highly effective gel core that locks in moisture and odors, paired with soft, body-conforming stretch panels. The fabric moves naturally with you, making these pull-ups ideal for active people who need reliable all-day protection without sacrificing comfort.
Adding to the must-have features: LivDry's tear-away sides make changes quick and easy. Plus, the color-coded stitching helps users easily distinguish front from back.
While some reviewers bristle at the cost, the vast majority of reviewers believe it's worth it. One happy 5-star Amazon reviewer calls LivDry Ultimate Protective Underwear "the best pull-up around," praising the excellent absorption, comfort and leak protection without the bulk of tabbed diapers. "In my experience, when properly sized and partnered with a decent underwear/brief, the LivDry Ultimate Adult Pull Ups will easily hold three complete large bladder voids as well as holding and retaining substantial bowel movements."
Sizing: S-2XL | Materials: Enhanced cotton top sheet, latex-free | Absorbency level: Maximum absorbency up to 8 hours | Leak protection features: Dri-Fit technology controls moisture | Other features: Cotton enhanced top sheet
When choosing the best adult diaper, a discreet fit is a top priority. Amazon's Basics Women's Protective Underwear delivers with a highly absorbent yet streamlined design at an excellent price point.
Testers shared that these felt just like regular underwear — so comfortable, they often forgot they were wearing protection. They also loved the color: The feminine lavender was a welcome change from institutional white, adding a thoughtful touch to everyday wear.
"You can’t even notice that you’re wearing them and they are at a good affordable price," wrote one Amazon reviewer. This sentiment was echoed by our tester Gail Conklin, 80, from Staten Island, N.Y., who was so pleased with the switch from her previous brands that her niece immediately ordered more.
One note of caution: Some users report that the rear coverage could be more generous, as the current design tends to ride up.
Sizing: S-2XL | Materials: Breathable side panels, cloth-like back sheet | Absorbency level: Heavy | Leak protection features: Soft anti-leak guards, ultra-absorbent core | Other features: Unisex, patented 4D Core to wick away fluid, skin-safe closures, wetness indicator
FitRight Optifit Ultimate Briefs are our top budget pick at $19 for a 20-pack. Designed for both men and women, these briefs feature breathable side panels and an ultra-soft, cloth-like back sheet that offers a natural feel without sacrificing quality. Testers praised the leak guards and absorbent core for consistent dryness, while the wetness indicator helps prevent overflow leakage, especially during nighttime use.
Many reviewers noted that they were first made aware of these hospital-quality diapers while actually in the hospital.
We also tested — and liked — the pricier FitRight Fresh Start Underwear (up to $1.43 a brief) that offers additional features. This daytime pull-up holds up to 5 cups of water and is infused with vitamin E and Arm & Hammer baking soda for an odor-free, soft feel and comes available in beige, black and blue.
When choosing protection, it's important to understand the different options available, each designed to meet specific needs. Here's a quick overview of the most common types:
Overnight diapers: Designed for extended wear, overnight diapers offer higher absorbency and leak protection and are easier to change because of their resealable tabs.
Pull-ups: Less bulky than diapers, pull-ups resemble regular underwear, promoting independence and discretion.
Sex-specific adult diapers: Adult diapers marketed to men often have extra absorbency in the front, while the absorbency in those designed for women is usually distributed evenly.
Bariatric diapers: Specifically designed for larger individuals, offering a wider fit and greater capacity.
We know choosing the best adult diapers is a personal decision that affects your daily comfort and confidence. That's why we took time to thoroughly test 11 different products, while gathering insights from the medical professionals who understand these needs best — ob-gyns, urogynecologists, urologists and home health aides who work with these products every day.
Having helped family members navigate these choices ourselves, we focused on the practical details that make a real difference: how products feel during daily activities, how well they protect and whether they truly deliver on their promises. We're sharing what we learned to make your decision easier.
In our search for the best adult diapers, we evaluated several products that fell short in key areas and didn't make our top-picks list:
Attends Underwear: While popular with care facilities due to their low cost, our testers found that they quickly fell apart when wet.
Cardinal Health Sure Care Plus Protective Underwear: Another favorite in many professional settings, these pull-ups offer better comfort and absorption than basic options, but our testers found two key drawbacks: they run warm and the material is prone to tearing, even when dry.
Prevail Per-Fit 360-Degree Daily Briefs: Some online reviewers rave about the thinner, more comfortable profile and stretchable wings. However, our testers were disappointed with weak absorption and unreliable tabs that tear easily and won't reseal.
Depend Night Defense and Depend Fresh Protection: The blush color and slim profile scored well among testers and caregivers and both versions offer good absorption for 5 to 8 hours. The problem? Depends Night Defense is supposed to work for up to 12 hours. These widely available pull-ups are a decent choice, though they don't match our top picks' performance.
To help you figure out your right size, measure your waist (just below your belly button) and hips (at their widest). Some brands recommend measuring your thighs, too, so be sure to follow your diaper-of-choice's directions. "Finding products that fit snug enough to provide a leak-proof fit is essential," says Aleece Fosnight, a board-certified physician assistant. But even careful measuring doesn't guarantee a perfect fit. "People have different wardrobes and severity of leakage, so the best method to finding the right fit is to test them out," says Sara Brescia, DO, an OB-GYN in Englewood, NJ. You can do this by purchasing a small variety of two or three different styles and/or asking your healthcare team for free samples to see which is best. In the end, the right size adult diaper should be snug, but not too tight, allowing for easy movement.
Adult diapers need regular attention throughout the day to ensure comfort and prevent skin issues. A good general rule is to change them every 4 to 6 hours, checking every 2 hours to make sure everything is okay. Some people, like those who are bedridden in nursing homes, need more frequent changes — about every 2 to 3 hours. And of course, anytime a diaper becomes wet, soiled or feels heavy, it's important to change it right away.
How do I prevent diaper rash and skin irritation?
A key factor in preventing skin issues is changing adult diapers frequently — at least every 4 to 6 hours and as soon as possible when wet or soiled. Beyond this essential practice, choose adult diapers with breathable materials, like cotton or cloth-like backsheets. This'll help reduce skin breakdown and improve comfort. "Reusable products often provide better breathability than disposables," says Fosnight. At the same time, look for products with antimicrobial features, which can help reduce bacteria that cause urinary tract and skin infections.
For additional protection, consider applying a protective barrier cream. Moisture barrier creams made specifically for incontinence (like Baza) or skin protectants like A&D cream work well. Apply after cleaning and drying the area thoroughly. Always consult your healthcare provider before applying any cream.
Major online retailers like Amazon, CVS and Walmart can deliver adult diapers in standard shipping boxes with no indication of the contents. Other options include incontinence product suppliers and distributors like NorthShore, HDIS, WellBefore, Carewell and LL Medico. Some of these sites offer monthly subscriptions and can also alert you to products that can be purchased through FSA/HSA accounts.
Yes! Companies like Wellness, Threaded Armor and InControl offer organic cloth and eco-friendly adult diapers. Many of these are reusable.
Samantha Pulliam, MD, board-certified ob-gyn, urogynecologist and chief medical officer at Axena Health
Sara Brescia, DO, ob-gyn at Brescia and Migliaccio Women’s Health, Englewood, N.J.
Aleece Fosnight, board-certified physician assistant and medical adviser at Aeroflow Urology
Ursilla Gray, Shorena Mrevlishvili, Brismeidy Rosario and Fatou Diaw, certified home health aides with a combined experience of more than 30 years
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
