Overview
If you have little ones, you can expect plenty of diaper changes throughout the day. But using a garbage can and some plastic bags might make your house smell like stinky diapers.
Thankfully, popular diaper pails like Ubbi and Diaper Genie may solve that problem. But do they really work as advertised? Can they keep the diaper smell inside the pail so your home can stay fresh?
What’s our top pick between Ubbi vs. Diaper Genie? Find out below.
Ubbi vs. Diaper Genie: Main Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- May be used for disposable or cloth diapers
- Different colors available
Differences
Pros
- Stainless steel body
- Child safety lock
- Doesn’t require special bags
Cons
- Doesn’t have a foot pedal
Pros
- Hands-free diaper disposal system with a foot pedal
- Double Air-Tite clamp and 7-layer diaper refill bags can create an odor-free environment
- Built-in antimicrobial system can inhibit bacteria growth in the diaper pail and refills
- Front-tilt bin with a built-in cutter
- Diaper genie refill bags can hold up to 270 newborn diapers
Cons
- Doesn’t have a childproof lock
- Only works with Diaper Genie bag refills
Playtex Diaper Genie Essentials
Pros
- Plastic pail for used diapers
- Push-N-Lock trap door
- Push-button, one-handed design
Cons
- Doesn’t have a childproof lock
- Doesn’t have a foot pedal
- Only works with Diaper Genie bag refills
Learn more about each diaper pail below.
Ubbi Diaper Pail
Best Features & Safety
- Stainless steel body
- Child safety lock
- Made of powder-coated steel that may not absorb smell like plastic
- Rubber seals can lock in odors to keep the smell inside the diaper pail
- Disposable diaper pail plastic bags are available
- Doesn’t require special bags
- You can use standard kitchen trash bags to save money and time
- May also work with reusable cloth liners or regular garbage bags
- Can hold up to 55 newborn diapers or 20 large ones
- May be easy to use (loading and cleaning)
- Eco-friendly
- Trendy colors and design
- Varied colors and patterns that can match your nursery
- Dimensions: 8.4 x 19.5 x 11.4 inches
Colors can include:
- White
- Gray
- Chevron
- Chrome
- Ivory
- Marble
- Woodgrain
- Slate
- Blush pink
- Cloudy blue
- Sage
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Lots of complaints about the smell
- Doesn’t have a foot pedal
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“We used this diaper pail when I worked at a daycare.This thing was AWESOME.We’d have at least 10-15 poopie diapers in a morning so you’d think that it would smell really really bad in the classroom.I can honestly say it didn’t although to minimize the smell (considering we had so many diapers at one time) we’d put the poopie diaper in a plastic grocery bag then put it in the diaper pail.You do have to make sure to lock it after putting the dirty diaper in the pail.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“This trash can really is amazing!!! My baby had a big blow out one night…& I mean like “Whooooaaaa! That’s impressive” blow out! I tossed the full diaper in the Ubbi & thought to my self I need to take that bag outside as soon as I can because we were leaving for the weekend. Well I totally forgot (new Mom brain). After getting back home, I went into my baby’s room to put away her things & to change her diaper. I thought to myself, “Oh it smells so good & clean in here!” I go to open the Ubbi to toss a dirty diaper & got SLAPPED in the face with the stench of the award winning diaper blow out from a few days before! Wow was it bad! But I must give big props to Ubbi!!! This trash can concealed the nostril burning stench perfectly! I didn’t smell a hint of it when I walked into the room. I’m so happy I purchased this trash can!” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“Love this product! Does exactly what it claims. Locks in odor great. LOVE that you can use regular trash bags if you want. The lid lock is super nice. I like the lid opening. A couple of things that are NOT deal breakers but I dont love. Even though it’s metal, it’s kinda light and the lid is a little bit difficult to operate “one-handed” when the can is empty. A good seal keeps in the smell though so I feel like it’s a fair exchange. Also, (full disclosure) I have not used the can with the liners that Ubbi sells, only regular trash bags and it works fine. However, the inner arm that hold the bag in place for the top lid will rip the can liner (at the back of the can) when removing a full bag if you are not careful. Maybe an engineer could come up with an arm that rounded at the hinge to prevent the corners from tearing the bag.. Overall, a great product that’s much easier to use than others we’ve tried. 10/10 would buy again.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Negative Reviews
“It was great for about the first month but then it really started to stink. I tried adding baking soda to the bag. I tried using two bags each with baking soda in them. I tried spraying the can with Lysol when I threw out the trash. I tried using plastic shopping bags and changing the bags every other day. I even washed it thoroughly with dish soap and baking soda and let it completely dry out in our very dry climate. All to no avail. It just stinks! Pun intended. Even after I had just washed it, it still stunk. I finally tried using the left over bags I had from my Diaper Genie by simply tying a knot at the bottom and cutting off the appropriate length. And voila! It worked. So all along it was the pricey Diaper Genie bags that hold the smell in.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“The problem that I have experienced slowly overtime is the smell and mold growth in the can. The problem occurs because of the trapped moisture. If you have ever paid attention to a bag of diapers, due to the contents of the bag, moisture will develop, and that is not sealed off to the top portion of the can (area where the door opens to deposit diapers). There are some difficult to clean areas there, and over time rust and mold have developed…and the smell is awful.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
“Not sure how this diaper pail has received so many awards nor high ratings. We used to have the Munchkin Pail and Diaper Genie and they kept the stink in much better with their twist and lock design. THIS pail does not lock any odor in once you open it to dispose a diaper and the smell repulsively escapes the room and down the hall. It’s as though the pail creates a stranger odor with the disposed diaper, so it smells worse than the soiled diaper itself. Don’t even get me started on changing the bags out – you will gag. Even with deodorizer – the smell is BEYOND horrific. And we change the bags out more frequently than what it can hold because of the smell. It smells bad even with a new empty bag in the pail and has been deodorized. Wish I could send back to the manufacturer.” – Reviewer on Amazon.
Playtex Diaper Genie Complete
Best Features & Safety
- Carbon filter at the top of the bin may help keep odors inside the diaper pail
- Diaper disposal system with a foot pedal
- Hands-free disposal
- Diaper Genie Complete Pail and refills have a built-in antimicrobial system that can inhibit bacterial growth
- Double Air-Tite Clamps that work together with the 7-layer diaper refill bags and carbon filter to keep the diaper smell
- Diaper genie refill bags can hold up to 270 newborn diapers
- Changing out the bags can be hassle-free with the front-tilt bin with a built-in cutter
- Dimensions: 9.38 x 12.06 x 27 inches
Colors can include:
- Blue
- Gray
- Pink
- White
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Works only with special Diaper Genie disposal bags, not with standard trash bags
- Though the diaper pail costs less than Ubbi, the Diaper Genie plastic bags can be expensive.
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“I love our Diaper Genie! It keeps all the nasty smells in without us having to deal with them. I accidentally broke the lid to ours. I messaged them about how to purchase a new lid and they replaced the lid at no cost to me. I was super surprised and so thankful that I didn’t have to buy a new one. They definitely went above and beyond.” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
“Fits nicely next to the changing table. Simple but effective mechanism to seal the bag.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“I am a 1st time mom and I received a Playtex Diaper Genie Complete at my baby shower, it is one of the best products. It’s small and doesnt take up much room. It’s easy to change and its amazing how well it doesnt stink up my house. It works so well I bought another one for upstairs. Now I have one on every floor.” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
Negative Reviews
“I just don’t understand the hype behind diaper genie… It is the only product I have regretted buying with my baby and it keeps eating my money. I wish I hadn’t thrown the box away (I was so sure I would love the product that I threw it away, what a fail) or I would have returned this money eating thing long back. I had another one with my son which uses regular trash bags and holds a lot of diaper, this one hardly holds 10? I have two under two… If I had to empty the trash every day I would have used a regular trash can with lid. What is the purpose of a diaper pail? To hold in smell? My old one did great with that.” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
“Horrible,my second time trying the genie out,works for 2 weeks then breaks or gets stuck.would recommend buying a step trash can instead!” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“This Diaper Genie is the most flimsy, poorly designed baby product I own. I have had Diaper Genies in the past for all my kids and I don’t remember having this much trouble before. It literally falls apart with the slightest pressure. There’s no hardware that keeps it together. There’s a plastic piece in back that very easily becomes dislodged and when it does the pedal in front doesn’t work…I could go on but I don’t have time right now. Just know that quality control is non existent at this company apparently.” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
Playtex Diaper Genie Expressions
Best Features & Safety
- Plastic pail for used diapers
- Odor-lock diaper disposal system with a Push-N-Lock trap door that can help with odor control
- Push-button, one-handed design can make throwing out dirty diapers easy
- High-quality diaper pail refill bags with seven layers that can lock in odors, germs, and messes
- Can hold up to 50 newborn diapers
- Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 21.5
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Doesn’t have a childproof lock
- Doesn’t have a foot pedal
- Difficulty in determining the number of diapers already in the pail
- Lots of complaints about difficulty pushing stinky diapers in
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“With a potty training toddler and a little one it holds SO many diapers! And leaves NO smell! I don’t even have one of those air freshener clips inside the pail and I litterly smell no nasty diapers.” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
“I love this item! It does it’s job perfectly. No smell. Don’t have to consistently go outside to throw it away. Perfect for aa mom who is expecting, and moms of toddlers!” – Reviewer on Playtex Baby’s website.
“My baby’s diapers have been on the funky side now that she’s loving her solids, so I’ve had to revisit using a diaper pail. We had the opportunity to test the Diaper Genie Expressions pail with sleeves and the pail has been peeerfect for our needs. Aside from keeping the stink out, it looks awesome in baby girl’s nursery space.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
Negative Reviews
“This thing is so gross! First off, it only holds the smell in for a day or two before the whole room is just filled with the smell of baby blowouts. Second, and most importantly, there’s no foot pedal! So you’re literally forced to smoosh poop diapers down the little hole and it resists so the poop starts to come out of the sides of the diaper onto the pail and all over your hands. It’s inevitable. It’s disgusting. It’s pointless. Don’t waste your money. Spend a little more and get the other design, or a different brand.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“The most disgusting design of a diaper genie imaginable. Having to force dirty diapers through the resistance of a spring down into the bag results in poop smushing out of the sides of full diapers quite often.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
“I bought this diaper genie after loving the complete so much. This is a horrible design. You have to shove the diaper in there and risk getting what’s in the diaper everywhere, especially on your hand. And then you can’t tell how full the pail is either. It was starting to feel full (after a very short time) but previous diapers were just on the one side so it just seemed that way.”
Summary & Recommendation
Diaper pails are meant to keep your baby’s used diapers, while also helping to keep your space smell-free.
Ubbi and Diaper Genie are two of the most popular diaper pail brands, but which one should you choose? Here are our recommendations:
Choose Ubbi Diaper Pail if you:
- Don’t mind paying a higher price upfront for the diaper pail
- Prefer one with a stainless steel body
- Prefer having a child safety lock
- Want one that doesn’t require special bags, which can be more cost-effective in the long run
- Don’t mind not having a foot pedal
Choose Playtex Diaper Genie Complete if you:
- Prefer a diaper pail that costs less upfront
- Want one with a hands-free diaper disposal system and a foot pedal
- Like the double Air-Tite clamp and 7-layer diaper refill bags that can create an odor-free environment in your home
- Prefer one with a built-in antimicrobial system that can inhibit bacteria growth in the diaper pail and refills
- Like having a front-tilt bin with a built-in cutter
- Prefer a diaper pail that can hold up to 270 newborn diapers (according to Diaper Genie)
- Don’t mind that it doesn’t have a childproof lock
- Don’t mind that it only works with Diaper Genie bag refills, which can later cost you more than using ordinary garbage bags
Choose Playtex Diaper GenieEssentials if you:
- Prefer a less expensive Diaper Genie pail
- Like having a plastic pail for used diapers
- Want one with a push-button, one-handed trap door design
- Don’t mind that it isn’t childproof
- Don’t mind that it doesn’t have a foot pedal
- Prefer the Diaper Genie bag refills even if they can be expensive because they can better trap odors in
These diaper pails have different pros and cons, but Playtex Diaper Genie Complete is our top pick. The double Air-Tite clamp and 7-layer diaper refill bags with antimicrobial systems can help keep your house smelling fresh. But its foot pedal can be the deal-breaker.
FAQs
Does The Ubbi Diaper Pail Smell?
Because it’s a product that stores stinky diapers, these diaper pails are expected to smell. Ubbi diaper pails may be used with ordinary trash bags, but these aren’t designed to keep diaper odors in.
How Do I Get My Ubbi To Stop Smelling?
You can put an odor-absorbing gel at the bottom of the pail. Baking soda might also work.
Other parents also suggest taking out the trash bags more often, even if they aren’t full yet. But others might find that a hassle. It can also defeat the purpose of having a diaper pail.
What Is Better Than A Diaper Genie?
Here are other diaper pail brands you can try:
- Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer
- Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe
- Safety 1st Easy Saver
- Diaper Dékor Plus
Can I Use Diaper Genie Bags in Ubbi?
Yes. Diaper Genie bags may also be used with Ubbi. Some parents even found that as a hack to keeping their Ubie diaper pails smelling fresh.