The best changing bags
The bag that goes everywhere for the next few years: changing bags new parents actually get on with, from light everyday backpacks to cleverly organised ones.
A changing bag is one of the most useful baby shower presents: nappies, wipes, a spare outfit, bottles and snacks, plus the parents' own keys and phone, all in one place and reachable with one hand. A backpack leaves both hands free for the pram and the baby, which is why every bag here can be worn on the back.
Look for a wipe-clean or washable fabric, insulated pockets to keep bottles warm or cool, a fold-out changing mat and pram straps to hang it from the handlebar. Plain, unisex colours mean either parent will happily carry it.
What matters
- Room for a day out: nappies, wipes, spare clothes and bottles.
- A changing mat and insulated bottle pockets.
- Pram straps to hang it from the buggy.
- Easy to clean, inside and out.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Dikaslon Changing Bag Backpack with Changing Mat
£30–£50 Price range
Two big compartments and 18 pockets swallow a full day's kit, and it comes with a fold-out changing mat and a little pouch for dummies. The wide opening and smooth zips work one-handed, with the baby on the other arm.
What owners say: Owners find it well made and spacious, with lots of pockets to keep nappies and wipes organised, like the changing mat, and think it's worth the money.
A closer look: Give each pocket a job (nappies in one, wipes in another, spare clothes in the big compartment) and packing becomes automatic. The plain colours suit either parent.
- 2 compartments, 18 pockets
- Changing mat and dummy pouch
- Fits a 15in laptop
- Waterproof fabric, leakproof lining
- Pram straps
Best for: Everything for a full day out
- Size (H × W × D)
- 42 × 30 × 20cm
- Weight
- 1.12kg
- Cleaning
- Hand wash
- Changing mat
- Yes
- Insulated bottle pockets
- 5 pockets
- Pram straps
- Yes
#2 of 5
Best budget
LORADI Lightweight Changing Bag Backpack
£20–£30 Price range
The light one: about 590g empty, with padded straps that owners say don't strain the shoulders, and ten pockets, including two insulated ones for bottles and a padded sleeve for a 14in laptop.
What owners say: Owners rate the quality highly, find plenty of room in every pocket, and say it's comfortable to wear with no strain on the shoulders; they like the look and the value too.
A closer look: The anti-theft pocket sits against your back, a safe spot for a phone and keys on busy days out. It doesn't come with a changing mat, so tuck a fold-up one in if it's a present.
- Lightweight, about 590g
- 10 pockets, 2 insulated
- Padded 14in laptop pocket
- Anti-theft back pocket
- Pram straps
Best for: Light and comfortable
- Size (H × W × D)
- 38 × 32 × 15cm
- Weight
- 590g
- Cleaning
- Wipe clean
- Changing mat
- No
- Insulated bottle pockets
- 2 pockets
- Pram straps
- Yes
#3 of 5
Best premium
Skip Hop Forma Changing Backpack
£75–£100 Price range
Skip Hop began with a changing bag, after Ellen Diamant couldn't find one that was both good-looking and practical and designed her own with her husband, Michael. The Forma keeps things tidy with two packing cubes, an insulated one for bottles and a mesh one for clothes and snacks, reached from the front, and its changing-pad pocket takes a laptop up to 15in.
What owners say: Owners find it spacious, practical and light, love the separate pouches for food and toiletries, and like its smart, stylish look.
Heads up: Skip Hop now also makes the Forma Next, which adds a luggage sleeve and a bottle pocket for bigger flasks; worth a look if you fly a lot.
A closer look: Give each cube a job, bottles and snacks in the insulated one and a spare outfit in the mesh one, and restocking before a day out takes a minute. Spot clean it with a damp cloth and mild detergent, as Skip Hop advises.
- Insulated bottle cube
- Mesh cube for clothes and snacks
- Front access to the cubes
- Pad pocket fits a 15in laptop
- Cushioned changing pad
Best for: Organised parents
- Size (H × W × D)
- 36 × 41 × 20cm
- Weight
- 630g
- Cleaning
- Spot clean
- Changing mat
- Yes
- Insulated bottle pockets
- Bottle cube and side pockets
- Pram straps
- Yes
#4 of 5
Best for travel
RUVALINO Changing Bag Backpack with Changing Mat
£30–£50 Price range
Built for travelling with a baby: insulated pockets keep bottles warm or cool, there's a padded laptop pocket, and it switches from backpack to handbag or hangs off the pram, so it doubles as hand luggage.
What owners say: Owners find it spacious and well made, with room for plenty of bottles, and like the changing mat, the look and the value; it's handy for travelling with a baby.
A closer look: The parent pocket keeps keys and wallet apart from the baby kit, and the mesh nappy organiser makes a clean nappy a one-handed grab. Spot clean it, or hand wash cold and lay it flat to dry.
- 2 compartments, 18 pockets
- Insulated bottle pockets
- Changing mat and dummy holder
- Padded laptop pocket
- Backpack, handbag or pram bag
Best for: Travelling with a baby
- Size (H × W × D)
- 43 × 32 × 22cm
- Weight
- 807g
- Cleaning
- Spot clean or hand wash
- Changing mat
- Yes
- Insulated bottle pockets
- Yes
- Pram straps
- Yes
#5 of 5
Easiest to wash
Pomelo Best Changing Backpack with Changing Mat
£30–£50 Price range
Cheerful colours and a fabric that goes in the washing machine, which is exactly what a changing bag needs after a leaky nappy or a spilt bottle. Insulated pockets on the front keep milk warm or cool for hours.
What owners say: Owners find it roomy and well organised, easy to carry as a rucksack and good value, and like the colours; one found a 260ml bottle fits the insulated pocket perfectly.
Heads up: Ease the top zip round the corners rather than tugging it, especially when the bag is packed full.
A closer look: Wash it cold or warm and air-dry or tumble on low, as the maker suggests. The bright colours make it easy to spot among the bags at baby group.
- Machine washable
- Insulated front bottle pockets
- Changing mat and pram straps
- Backpack or handbag
- Stain- and fade-resistant fabric
Best for: Easy washing
- Size (H × W × D)
- 40 × 25 × 16cm
- Weight
- About 590g
- Cleaning
- Machine washable
- Changing mat
- Yes
- Insulated bottle pockets
- Yes
- Pram straps
- Yes
How they compare
| Feature | #1Dikaslon | #2LORADI | #3Skip Hop Forma | #4RUVALINO | #5Pomelo Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best budget | Best premium | Best for travel | Easiest to wash | |
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Price | £30–£50 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £75–£100 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £30–£50 Price range |
| Size (H × W × D) | 42 × 30 × 20cm | 38 × 32 × 15cm | 36 × 41 × 20cm | 43 × 32 × 22cm | 40 × 25 × 16cm |
| Weight | 1.12kg | 590g | 630g | 807g | About 590g |
| Cleaning | Hand wash | Wipe clean | Spot clean | Spot clean or hand wash | Machine washable |
| Changing mat | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Insulated bottle pockets | 5 pockets | 2 pockets | Bottle cube and side pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Pram straps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Everything for a full day out | Light and comfortable | Organised parents | Travelling with a baby | Easy washing |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.
