Own-brand nappies: what to check before you switch
Money Quick check
Switching can save a lot, but only if you compare the price per nappy rather than the price per pack.
Compare per nappy, not per pack
Pack sizes are deliberately awkward. One brand sells 52, another 44, another 60, and the shelf price tells you almost nothing. Divide the price by the number in the pack and compare that figure. The difference between the cheapest and the dearest is often more than half.
Supermarket shelf labels usually show a unit price in small print. It is worth learning where to find it.
Test one size at a time
Buy a single small pack before committing to a bulk box. Fit varies between brands far more than absorbency does, and a nappy that leaks on your child is not a saving whatever it costs.
Where own-brand tends to fall short
- Overnight, where the premium brands still hold more.
- The very smallest newborn sizes, where fit matters most.
- Waistband stretch on very active toddlers.
Many families end up mixing: own-brand through the day, a premium nappy at night. That alone can cut the weekly cost noticeably without any broken sleep.
Frequently asked questions
Are own-brand nappies as good?
For daytime use, usually yes. Independent testing regularly puts supermarket own-brands near the top. Overnight is where the gap still shows.
Is bulk buying cheaper?
Often, but only if the size lasts. Babies move up a size quickly, so a huge box can end up half unused.
What is a good price per nappy?
It moves with the size, but comparing the per nappy figure across three shops on the same day will show you quickly what counts as cheap that week.
Related on the Hub
Real Mums’ Hub
Useful ideas, family finds and honest stories. Made to be easy to use when you’ve got about thirty seconds spare.