Before our twins were born, I began researching diaper pails. Before I had finished my research I received a Playtex Diaper Genie II Elite pail from a friend as a gift. When our sons were 18 months or so, an important piece broke on it which made it difficult to use. We were also sick of buying expensive refills, and our next pail was a Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe, which had some features we liked better such as being adaptable to any trash bag. This, however, did not seem to hold the smell in very well. We then purchased a Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Disposal System. Few people get a chance to try multiple pails, so I wanted to share our thoughts on each one.
Playtex Diaper Genie II Elite
Price: Currently available at Target online for $34.39
Refills: $13.09 for a 2 pack. Each refill claims to hold 270 diapers, but I doubt that number is accurate. With 2 babies, one refill lasted about 5-7 days typically. Only certain stores carried them, and sometimes a store would carry them one week and not the next. My husband had to go to three different stores once to find them when we ran out. Very inconvenient! In order to change bags you had to open it up and cut the refill then tie it off. This is hard to do with two toddlers running around, and the cutter is sharp and could be dangerous if they got it open.
Size: Medium It seemed like this pail would fill up quickly. Because of the way the bags work, sometimes it would seem full, but the diapers just weren’t stuffed down properly so space in the bag was wasted.
Odor control: Fair. Their room always smelled vaguely of diaper odor when we used this.
Design: This is by far the easiest to get into with the handy foot pedal. When you are holding a smelly diaper and want to get rid of it fast all while holding onto a squirming baby, this diaper pail gets the job done!
Other issues: This pail is lacking in durability. When it starts to fill up, it’s very difficult to push diapers in, and the piece that closes the diaper odor off from the room broke while I was putting a diaper in. Because the whole mechanism is pretty flimsy, there was no way to repair it. Once that piece broke it was basically worthless.
Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe
Price: Currently available at Target online for $29.99
Refills: None needed, works with any trash bag!
Size: Large. This seems to hold more than other systems, which is great for twins! It’s very easy to take the top off and change the bag. This is also the only pail where it is possible to store extra bags in the bottom of the pail for added convenience.
Odor Control: Poor. This just did not cut if for us with the poopy diapers. The babies’ room smelled so bad that my mom, who babysits for us, said we had to replace it because she couldn’t take the smell.
Design: This pail has a circular system that is different from other pails as you spin the top over and push the diaper through from the other side.
Other issues: While it is easy to use, I am concerned about the hygiene factor. With other pails the diaper only touches the bag, while on this pail, the diaper touches parts of the lid that cannot be removed for easy cleaning. And the boys sometimes want to play with it and put their hands right where the diaper goes. Gross!
Munchkin Arm and Hammer Diaper Disposal System
Price: Currently available at Target online for $24.89
Refills: $5.54 for a box of 10 bags. Each bag holds 25 diapers. I would say this is an accurate estimate. Because the bags are changed more frequently than the Diaper Genie refills there is less of a chance that space in the bags are wasted, which makes them not only cheaper but more efficient. They are also much easier to change out than having to tie off a new bag each time the Diaper Genie is full. They are also easier to put back in than getting a new trash bag fitted Diaper Champ because they just drop right in.
Size: Smaller than other pails. I wish it was twice the size! Though less diapers between refills means less odor I guess.
Odor Control: Best. We have decided to keep the Diaper champ for wet diapers and just use this one for poopy diapers, and the added baking soda sprinkle every time you open the lid makes this a winner in the odor category!
Design: Though you have to bend down and pull the lid up with your hand, it’s really not difficult to get diapers in. It doesn’t seem to bunch up around the lid like the other pails do. A very efficient system.
Other issues: My only complaint is the small size, but I would say this pail is the winner in my book! If only it was a little bigger with a foot pedal instead of the hand-operated lid this would be perfect.
