Why are there so many different types of diapers? Every inventor describes ‘easy’ a little different, and over the past few decades, the industry as diversified as it is. For some, this diversity of diaper choices is amazing, but for others it can be incredibly overwhelming. I have a cloth diaper quiz at the bottom of the page that can help guide you to an answer for your family.

Every cloth diaper has a fan group, every cloth diaper is designed to support you in diapering, but not every diaper is the best choice for you. It’s okay to just buy the pretty diapers, or the diapers that make you happy. 

The All In One Diaper (AIO)

Typically touted as “the simple cloth diaper” or “most like a disposable” the All In One Cloth Diaper features a waterproof exterior with sewn in absorbency. It’s everything in one little package, or one step cloth diaper. There are a lot of All In One Diapers on the market that meet a wide variety of needs, including tackling some of the most common misconceptions. This is a more expensive product, and can be more difficult to wash because of it’s multiple layers of absorbency. 

Pocket Diaper

This a two step diaper consisting of a diaper shell with a pocket and inner liner (most often micro fleece for stay dry) and inserts that needed to be added to the pocket. The Pocket Cloth Diaper is one of the most popular diapers because of easy they are to source. Pocket diapers tend to be a cheaper product and people like them because once assembled it’s a simple-easy-to-use diaper package. 

Big disadvantages for many families is stuffing the pocket cloth diaper and subpar inserts – whether that’s microfibre or poor performing bamboo. Many families upgrade their pocket diaper inserts with better quality materials.

Cloth Diaper Covers

Covers are another two part cloth diaper. A cloth diaper cover is just the water resistant exterior shell of the diaper. You use a cloth diaper cover with inserts or prefolds, or place them over a fitted diaper. Cloth diaper covers are made from PUL/TPU or wool/fleece.

They are loved because one cloth diaper cover can be reused 3+ times during the day, and can be a way to create a more budget friendly diapering experience. 

Different cover variations exist including internal snaps that allow you to snap in an insert. When an insert is snapped in this can be more functional for  external childcare providers as it begins to function like a pseudo AIO diaper 

All In Two or Hybrid

And in some parts of the world, this is called a Snap In One diaper.

These are either pocket diapers or cloth diaper covers, sold under the disguise of multi-function. They have snaps or natural fibre inserts that allow you to use the product in untraditional ways.

These are great products because of the high quality design and you can use them in many different ways. You’ll find reviews for them lumped under the diaper they are most like: pocket or cover.

Fitted Cloth Diaper

A fitted diaper is one step in a two step diapering system. You will need a cover to make it waterproof. The entire body of the diaper is absorbent and typically features a fastener and inserts. Fitted diapers are one of the more expensive diapering systems because of the textiles and materials used.

Fitted diapers are often used for nights and naps because it offers all over absorbency for maximum absorbency.