For parents with babies, diaper disposal is a crucial (and frequent!) part of their daily routine. Disposing of dirty diapers can be a smelly, messy, and time-consuming task. Fortunately, there are diaper pails that can help make this chore easier and more hygienic. Two of the most popular diaper pails in the market are the Ubbi and Diaper Genie. Both pails claim to be the best at containing odors and minimizing the number of trips to the trash. However, with different features, designs, and price points, it might be hard to determine which pail is the “best”. In this blog post, we’ll do a comparison of Ubbi vs Diaper Genie and help parents determine which diaper pail is the right fit for their needs.
What Is A Diaper Genie Or Diaper Pail?
A diaper pail (commonly called diaper genie since it is a popular brand) is a specialized trash can designed to contain and control odors from used diapers. It is a popular household item for parents with babies and young children, as it provides a convenient and hygienic way to dispose of dirty diapers. Most diaper pails are made with a tightly sealed lid and a specialized mechanism that helps to minimize odors and prevent the spread of germs. Some models also offer additional features such as foot pedals for hands-free operation, easy bag-changing systems, and adjustable capacities to accommodate different sizes of diapers. Overall, a diaper pail is an essential tool for any parent who wants to keep their home smelling fresh and clean, even with a baby in the house.
Do You Need A Diaper Pail?
While it is not absolutely necessary to have a diaper pail, many parents find it to be a convenient and hygienic solution for disposing of dirty diapers. A diaper pail can help contain unpleasant odors and prevent the spread of germs, making it a valuable tool for maintaining a clean and comfortable living space for both the baby and the family.
Without a diaper pail, parents may need to make frequent trips to the outdoor trash can, which can be inconvenient, especially during rough weather. Disposing of diapers in a regular trash can might cause unpleasant odors to linger in the home, and it may attract insects or rodents.
The decision to purchase a diaper pail will depend on the individual needs and preferences of each family. Some families may find that using a regular trash can with a lid or disposable diaper bags provides a suitable solution for diaper disposal. However, for those who prioritize convenience and odor control, a diaper pail can be a worthwhile investment.
Ubbi vs. Diaper Genie: Side-by-Side Comparison
We will go over a side-by-side comparison of the Ubbi vs. Diaper Genie covering the below categories:
- Models
- Material and colors options
- Size and Capacity
- How to Use (Ease of Use)
- Empty and Change Refill Bag Method
- Features
- Price (and Long-Term Costs)
1. Models
Ubbi only has 1 model, which is the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail.
The Diaper Genie has 3 models, they are:
- Diaper Genie Complete – the most popular model and the 2nd largest pail with a convenient foot pedal for opening, comes in different colors
- Diaper Genie Expressions – the smallest pail with a push button lid opening but has the highest diaper capacity
- Diaper Genie Signature – the newest and largest (slightly) model with a more modern design of the Diaper Genie Complete
For the sake of a 1-to-1 comparison, I will be only comparing the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail to the most popular Diaper Genie Complete model.
2. Material and Color Options
Ubbi
The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is made of powder-coated steel, which is a durable and long-lasting material that helps to contain odors. The powder coating provides a protective layer that helps to prevent rust and corrosion, ensuring that the pail stays looking and functioning like new for years to come.
The steel material of the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail is also eco-friendly and recyclable, which makes it a great choice for parents who are concerned about the environmental impact of their baby products. Additionally, the pail’s steel construction means that it is less likely to absorb odors or stains than plastic diaper pails, which can make it a more hygienic option for diaper disposal.
In terms of color options, the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail comes in a variety of colors including white, gray, navy blue, light blue, pink, purple, and black. This allows you to choose a color that best matches your nursery decor or personal preference.
Diaper Genie Complete
The Diaper Genie Complete is primarily made of plastic, with some metal components. The plastic material used in the pail is a durable and easy-to-clean plastic that is designed to contain odors and prevent leaks. The metal components are typically used for the foot pedal mechanism and other internal components that help to control the opening and closing of the pail.
The plastic material used in the Diaper Genie Complete is generally lightweight and easy to handle, making it a convenient choice for parents who need to move the pail from room to room. The pail also includes features like a double-lock design to help contain odors, a carbon filter to help control odors, and a foot pedal for hands-free use.
The combination of plastic and metal materials used in the Diaper Genie Complete is designed to be functional, durable, and easy to use, while also providing a hygienic and odor-free way to dispose of dirty diapers.
In terms of color options, the Diaper Genie Complete comes in just 4 different colors including white, gray, blue, and pink.
3. Size and Capacity
The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail has a capacity of approximately 50 newborn diapers. As for its size, the pail measures 21.5″ H x 8.75″ W x 12.5″ D.
The Diaper Genie Complete has a capacity of up to 36 newborn diapers. As for its size, the pail measures 27″ H x 12.5″ W x 9.5″ D.
4. How To Use (Ease of Use)
Ubbi
The Ubbi Steel Diaper pail is easy to use. First, turn the child safety lock to unlock the pail door. Then push down on the handle slightly and slide back the lid to open the pail. Wrap up the soiled diaper and drop it into the pail and close the lid by sliding the handle back down. Turn the child safety lock back to the lock position.
Diaper Genie Complete
The Diaper Genie Complete is as simple to use as it gets! Just step on the foot pedal to open the lid. Wrap up the soiled diaper and drop it into the pail. Bonus points for handsfree option!
5. Empty and Change Refill Bag Method (Ubbi Diaper Pail Bags vs Diaper Genie Bags)
Ubbi
Emptying the Ubbi Steel Diaper pail is as easy as emptying a normal trash can! Simply lift the pail lid and the bag holder rack, grab the bag that contains the used diapers, and pull it out of the pail. Dispose the bag of stinky diapers, replace the pail with a new bag, and close the lid.
Diaper Genie Complete
Emptying the Diaper Genie is also very easy. Simply push the open button in front and pull open the pail door cover. Pull down the diaper bag, cut the top of the bag with the bag cutter in front of the pail, and tie a knot to secure the bag of used diapers. Pull down for a new bag and tie a knot at the bottom to start a new bag of used diapers for the next use.
Ubbi Diaper Pail Bags vs Diaper Genie Bags
The refill bags used by the diaper pail is the biggest differentiator between the Ubbi and Diaper Genie and is commonly the deciding point for most new parents when deciding on which diaper pail to go for.
The Ubbi diaper pail doesn’t require using a specific bag for storing dirty diapers. Instead, you can use any regular trash bags for the diaper pail. We personally have the Ubbi, and we use regular standard kitchen trash bags from Costco and the size is perfect for the Ubbi. However, Ubbi does sell plastic bags that are eco-friendly, containing 20% recycled material but are not a must for the diaper pail.
Meanwhile, the Diaper Genie pail is designed for use with only the Diaper Genie refill bags. The Diaper Genie refill bags come in a pack with 1 long plastic bag that can hold up to 270 diapers. The Diaper Genie cannot be used with regular trash bags.
6. Features
The Ubbi is a popular option for parents looking for a convenient and odor-free way to dispose of dirty and poopy diapers. Some of the features of the Ubbi include:
- Odor control: The Ubbi diaper pail has a steel body with rubber seals to prevent leaks and nasty smells from escaping. It also has a sliding lid with a childproof lock to keep the odors contained.
- Large capacity: The Ubbi diaper pail can hold up to 55 newborn diapers, so you won’t have to empty it as often.
- Easy to clean: The Ubbi diaper pail has a powder-coated finish that resists stains and odors, and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth.
- Child lock: The Ubbi diaper pail has a child lock that prevents children from opening it and accessing the dirty diapers inside.
- Compatibility: The Ubbi diaper pail is compatible with regular kitchen trash bags, so you don’t have to buy special bags.
- Flexibility: The Ubbi diaper pail is designed to hold from the smallest newborn diapers all the way to the toddler’s “Pull-up” diaper size. The Ubbi diaper pail can also be used with reusable cloth diapers.
The Diaper Genie is another popular option for parents looking for an easy and odor-free way to take out disposable diapers. Some of the features of the Diaper Genie include:
- Odor control: The Diaper Genie has a multi-layer film and carbon filter to trap and contain stinky diaper smell, preventing it from escaping.
- Hands-free operation: The Diaper Genie has a foot pedal that allows you to open the lid without using your hands, making it convenient and hygienic to use.
- Large capacity: The Diaper Genie can hold up to 36 newborn diapers, so you won’t have to empty it as often.
- Compatibility: The Diaper Genie is designed to work with its own proprietary refill bags, which are specially designed to fit the unit and ensure maximum odor control.
In summary, the biggest differences between the Ubbi and the Diaper Genie are:
- The Ubbi has a slightly larger capacity (50 vs 36 newborn diapers)
- The Ubbi features a childproof lock mechanism
- The Diaper Genie offers hands-free diaper disposal with a convenient foot pedal
- The Ubbi can be used with any regular trash bags, whereas the Diaper Genie requires the usage of proprietary refill bags
- The Ubbi can be used with cloth diapers as the pail functions with a regular trash bag whereas the Diaper Genie would not work well with cloth diapers since the bag has to be pulled downwards and cut to retrieve the diapers and replaced with a new bag
7. Price (and Long-Term Costs)
Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail: $69.99
Diaper Genie Complete: $47.99
But wait, we need to also consider the refill bags cost as that is the biggest difference between the diaper pails. Here’s a price breakdown in refill bags for 1-month use and 6-month use of the Ubbi vs Diaper Genie diaper pail, averaging 280 newborn diapers a month:
| Factor | Ubbi Diaper Pail | Diaper Genie Complete |
| Diaper Pail | $69.99 | $47.99 |
| Cost Per Bag | Costco standard trash bags = $22/200 bags = $0.11/bag | $48/8 packs of bags= $6/pack |
| Number of Diapers Per Bag/Pack | 50 Diapers | 270 Diapers |
| Number of Bags Needed for 1 Month of Use | 280 Diapers/50 Diapers = 5.6 -> 6 Bags | 1 Bag (270 vs 280 is pretty close so I’ll round down) |
| Cost of Bags for 1 Month of Use | 6 Bags x $0.11 = $0.66 | $6 |
| Total Cost for 1st Month | $70.65 | $53.99 |
| Total Cost for 6 Months (assuming still averaging 280 diapers/month) | $70.65 + ($0.66 x 6) = $74.61 | $53.99 + ($6 x 6) = $89.99 |
As you can see, once you break down the lifetime costs accounting for the cost of diaper refill bags, the total cost of using the Diaper Genie diaper pail is more than the Ubbi diaper pail despite the Ubbi pail being more expensive upfront.
If you want a cost-effective option in the long run, the Ubbi diaper pail would be the better choice.
Is a Diaper Genie Worth It?
If you are considering an effective diaper pail, the Diaper Genie Complete can be worth it as it provides the convenience of containing the unpleasant odors of dirty diapers and reducing the number of trips needed to the garbage can.
Ultimately, whether a diaper pail is worth it depends on personal preferences and needs. For the Diaper Genie, I’d consider the ongoing costs of purchasing their proprietary refill bags as it’s necessary to use the diaper pail. In my opinion, between the Diaper Genie and the Ubbi, the Diaper Genie would be more worth it if you somehow have access to discounted Diaper Genie bags or have lots of extra proprietary Diaper Genie bags you’d like to use so it doesn’t go to waste.
Is the Ubbi Diaper Pail Worth It?
The Ubbi diaper pail is also a great option if you’re considering an effective way to store disposable diapers and contain the nasty smells of dirty diapers, reducing the number of times you need to empty the diaper trash.
Whether a diaper pail is worth it depends on personal preferences and needs. If a diaper pail is a must on your baby list, I would consider the Ubbi diaper pail a worthy investment as you can use your 13-gallon standard trash bags with the pail, making the Ubbi a cost-effective option.
Personally, the low price and flexibility of being able to use regular garbage bags were the main reasons we went with purchasing the Ubbi diaper pail over the Diaper Genie.
Final Thoughts: Ubbi vs. Diaper Genie – Which Is The Best Diaper Pail?
The winner (and I personally own!): Ubbi Diaper Pail
When we were researching diaper pails, the Ubbi and the Diaper Genie were the 2 most popular options. Upon reading the reviews and calculating the lifetime costs of buying refill bags, we decided to purchase the Ubbi diaper pail and we love it! The sleek steel design and superior odor control make the pail an effective and pleasant-looking device in the nursery, despite its unpleasant content! It’s amazing how it controls odor so well because sometimes when we accidentally leave the lid open, we noticed the room smells so bad!
Ultimately, a diaper pail is an amazing product to dispose of dirty diapers and seal the diapers tightly to contain the odor. It can be a convenient and efficient way to dispose of dirty diapers, particularly if they live in a small space or in a location where trash is not collected frequently. However, the cost of a diaper pail can also be expensive, and some parents find that they are not necessary.
So, if you are someone who values convenience and wants to have an easy way to dispose of dirty diapers without having to go outside or deal with unpleasant odors, a diaper pail may be a worthy investment and I highly recommend the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail as a great option!
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Sources
https://ubbiworld.com/pages/faq
https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/diapering/article/how-many-newborn-diapers-do-you-need