In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Dyper Bamboo Review

We give kudos for the composting service with this diaper, but the performance is so poor eco-friendliness must be your main concern
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Dyper Bamboo Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $1 List
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Manufacturer:   Dyper
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jun 2, 2023
47
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#15 of 18
  • Absorption - 45% 3.3
  • Leakage - 25% 3.6
  • Comfort - 20% 7.1
  • Durability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

Dyper Bamboo is a one-of-a-kind disposable diaper taking green practices to a new level. This diaper is compostable through the Dyper company, which offers delivery kits or pickup in some locations to get your dirty diapers back where the company can compost them. This process is a unique system you cannot duplicate in your back garden and won't happen in a traditional landfill, so it adds to the overall expense and planning required to take advantage of such a cool Earth-loving feature. However, if your main diapering goal is low impact on the environment or keeping disposable diapers out of the landfill, this might be the diaper for you. On the downside, Dyper did not perform well in our absorption and leak protection tests, failing to keep up with much of the competition. This could lead to leaking, extra laundry, or more frequent changes (which impacts overall cost). Because of this, it isn't a top-ranking disposable diaper, but if your primary goal is eco-friendliness and you have the extra money required to invest in the return system, then maybe, just maybe, it doesn't matter. While this is not the diaper for everyone, we believe it fills a niche in the diaper world that no other disposable is currently doing, and for that, we give them a thumbs up.
REASONS TO BUY
Compostable
Soft
Eco-friendly
Surprisingly durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive to buy and compost
Poor absorption and leak protection
Carbon footprint?
//Editor's Note: This Dyper review was created on May 30, 2023, as a new product to our disposable diaper lineup. This update includes data from 13 newly tested products.

Compare to Similar Products

 
dyper bamboo
This Product
Dyper Bamboo
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Premium Disposable Diaper
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Disposable Diaper
Top Pick Award
Best Disposable Diaper in Stores
Best Value Award
Best Budget-friendly Disposable Diaper
Price $0.60 List
$0.65 at Amazon
$0.56 List$0.27 List
$0.32 at Amazon
$0.35 List
$0.36 at Amazon
$0.31 List
$0.25 each at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line If your goal is singularly stopping diapers from hitting the landfill, this could be the diaper for you if you accept poor absorption and more leaksImpressive absorption and leak protection make this high-end diaper a real contender if you can afford the price of admissionImpressive performance and better health nods than you'd expect make this a budget-friendly diaper parents will loveWith great absorption and leak protection, this durable and comfy diaper is a reasonably priced option for most familiesGood absorption and few leaks with a budget price that are easy to find, but no nods for eco-health
Rating Categories Dyper Bamboo Parasol Clear and Dry Kirkland Signature Hello Bello Premium Huggies Snug & Dry
Absorption (45%)
3.3
10.0
10.0
8.7
8.0
Leakage (25%)
3.6
9.4
9.0
8.4
7.8
Comfort (20%)
7.1
8.0
8.6
7.4
7.5
Durability (10%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Dyper Bamboo Parasol Clear and Dry Kirkland Signature Hello Bello Premium Huggies Snug & Dry
Type of Diaper Green/Traditional Green Green Traditional Green Traditional
Chlorine-Free ECF/TCF TCF TCF ECF TFC Not Listed
Fragrance-Free Yes Yes Yes Yes No - Strong baby powder scent
Biodegradable No, but there is a "REDYPER" program to send back used diapers for composting (costs additional $) Not listed Not listed No Not listed
Contains SAP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Miscellaneous Materials Details Cellulose, Non-Woven Fabrics, PLA, Super Absorbent Polymer, Thermoplastic Adhesive, Elastics Made with "Drylock" technology, which means less wood pulp is used for core of diaper Made with Plant Based Materials (At least 23%+ by weight) TCF fluff pulp from sustainably managed forests, a high-performance Super Absorbent Polymer, polypropylene/polyethylene/polyester nonwoven fibers, plant-derived PLA nonwoven fiber, spandex strands, and an elastomeric fill Wood Pulp
Sodium Polyacrylate
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Adhesives
Polyester
Polyrurethane elastics
Wetness Indicator Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Stretchable side wings No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stretchable Back of Diaper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Eco-Awards & Certifications "B" Certified Corporation Nordic Swan Eco Label, PEFC Forest Sustainability, PETA Cruelty-Free and Vegan, Original Excellent Dermatest , FSC, ROHS compliant Good Housekeeping ~ "2022 Parenting Awards"
New York Magazine ~ "Best Diaper Subscription"
ptpa.com ~ "winner"
Dye-Free Not listed, does not have a print Uses water-based inks Not listed, does have a print No "Printing inks are used to provide a decorative design. The colorants and pigments we use are evaluated to ensure they are safe and non-sensitizing."
Lotion-Free Yes Yes Yes Yes Not Listed
Latex-Free Yes Yes Not listed Yes Not listed

Our Analysis and Test Results

Dyper is a unique diapering brand trying to change the face of how we diaper little ones. With a goal of preventing diapers from ending up in the landfill and using renewable resources like bamboo, this company is leading the way in creating a more eco-friendly disposable diaper.

Performance Comparison



dyper bamboo - dyper bamboo diapers are soft and durable with a comfortable design...
Dyper Bamboo diapers are soft and durable with a comfortable design that lasts.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Likes


The Dyber Bamboo diapers are super soft and comfortable and almost feel like the softest pillow. They are also shockingly durable, given their softness. We rarely see a diaper that can pull off both comfort and durability together, as you typically sacrifice one over the other.

dyper bamboo - dyper diapers have soft and stretchy tabs that feel good to the...
Dyper diapers have soft and stretchy tabs that feel good to the touch and are skin friendly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

These diapers are also compostable by sending them back to the manufacturer. To be clear, while you can return them at a cost to prevent them from ending up in a landfill, they cannot be tossed in your compost pile out back or at your neighborhood composting station.

dyper bamboo - dyper bambo had some of the worst absorption test results we've ever...
Dyper Bambo had some of the worst absorption test results we've ever seen, with little to no ability to lock in moisture. More green liquid on the filter paper indicates less absorption.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Dislikes


This diaper has one of the worst absorption test results in the group.

Each diaper experiences multiple absorbency tests to check for variability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Given that absorption is really the critical aspect of a diaper, it is hugely disappointing, and we suspect you might end up using 2-3 times more diapers with this brand than others. It also doesn't seem to offer the best leak protection, and users report more leaks than most of the competition.

dyper bamboo - while soft and durable, dypers are not the best at containing or...
While soft and durable, Dypers are not the best at containing or locking in moisture.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Last, while these diapers are compostable, we aren't sure about the carbon footprint required to accomplish this. Whether you live in an area where a vehicle will drive to your house to pick up your soiled diapers, or you have to order the special return box, there is likely an environmental impact in your choice. Also, the processing of diapers in the compost plant raises questions about the process and its environmental impact. While we love the idea of diapers going somewhere other than the landfill, we wonder if it balances out or is just a wash in the environmental concerns landscape.

Cost


We traditionally don't say much about the cost as a like or dislike as everyone has a different budget and what they think is expensive or cost prohibitive. For Dyper, however, their structure and function are somewhat different than any other product, disposable or cloth. Dyper offers a composting service, which is the big plus and draw of this diaper. Using this service is why you choose Dyper over competitors, which makes them potentially better for the environment. If you buy Dyper Bambo diapers and toss them into a plastic bag and your traditional trash, they aren't much different than other green diapers, and they will not break down in a landfill. If you live in one of their included pickup zones, this process is relatively painless; you pay a monthly fee to pick your diapers up from your door. The price varies, so you'll need to check their website for details on your area. If you don't live in one of the cities where they offer this service, you'll be paying for a shipping kit from Dyper that, at the time of print, was close to $150. So, in essence, you could be paying for each diaper twice. This is a significant bump in the price of diapering, and we want to make sure our readers know this so it isn't a surprise later. If you don't plan to use this composting service, there really is no reason to choose Dyper over higher-ranking, better-absorbing options. If you plan to use it, we recommend factoring it into the lifetime cost of diapering to determine if your budget allows this added expense. It's also a good idea to factor in the time you need to expend preparing these diapers for transport and what that “costs” you translated into a dollar value.

dyper bamboo - dyper bamboo is a compostable diaper that might appeal to those...
Dyper Bamboo is a compostable diaper that might appeal to those worried about their landfill impact.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Dyper Bamboo?


We like Dyper Bamboo, but less for its effectiveness and more for the ability to prevent your diapers from hitting the landfill without using cloth diapers. This diaper is unique, with a composting process of home pickup or delivery back to the company to stop your diaper contribution to the landfill. We love this idea and the convenience of a disposable diaper that has less impact on the environment. If your goals include eco-friendliness at the top, and your budget is bigger than average, Dyper might be a great option for you. If you can't afford the price of sending diapers back to Dyper or your goal is effective absorption with few leaks, it won't be the best fit for your needs.

What Other Disposable Diaper Should You Consider?


Dyper is not the most effective diaper in this lineup, so it isn't our favorite or the one that meets a diaper's primary goals. While it's great to consider the environment and what you put into the landfill, this diaper might be out of your budget or result in leaks and added laundry or cleanup duty to prep for shipping. For those folks, you might consider Eco by Naty. Eco is also eco-friendly, compostable under the right circumstances, and is a B corporation using renewable resources. This diaper is a good option for those who want good absorption without forgetting the impact on the Earth. Parasol Clear and Dry is also a potential option for green-loving diaper enthusiasts, with one of the highest absorption scores in the group. While it is also expensive, the composting process has no secondary cost.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz