Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies Diapers 2022: Let’s settle it

Intro: Are Huggies and Kirkland diapers the same?

Many parents and carers have noticed the similarities between Kirkland diapers and Huggies diapers, Little Snugglers specifically. And considering they’re both made by the global corporation Kimberly-Clark, that’s not too surprising.

There are undoubtedly features that both diaper varieties share, but are they really the same? Does one variety have better absorbency, or a better price?

Let’s take a closer look at Kirkland diapers and Huggies Little Snugglers diapers and settle this once and for all – which diaper is best?

Note: Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my affiliate link. Please read my disclosure for more info. All prices and availability are accurate at the time of publishing.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies comparison table 

So what are the similarities and differences between Kirkland diapers and Huggies Little Snugglers diapers? Let’s take a quick look before diving in…

	Kirkland diapers (made by Costco)	Huggies Little Snugglers diapers
Special Features	Cushion liner, next size up indicator	Breathable waistband, pillowed liner
Available at	Costco, Amazon	Amazon, all major grocery stores and online
Any plant-based materials?	At least 20%	No mention
Free of	Fragrances, lotions, latex, elemental chlorine	Rubber latex, fragrances, lotions
Price per diaper (size 3)	32 cents	33 cents
Sizing	1-6	P-6
Reviews on Amazon	4.7 out of 5	4.8 out of 5

What company makes Kirkland Diapers and Huggies?

Both Costco diapers and Huggies Little Snugglers diapers are made by the global corporation Kimberly-Clark: the same company that produces household brands like Andrex, Kleenex and Kotex. 

It’s not surprising that the diapers appear to share similar features, although they’re technically not the same diaper.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Absorbency

Both Kirkland diapers and Huggies Little Snugglers are highly-rated for their absorbency and effectiveness. Costco tells us that their own brand diapers are ‘super absorbent’, but reviews do seem to back this up. 

Little Snugglers’ main selling point is their softness, but if there’s one brand that covers all bases when it comes to effectiveness, it’s Huggies. Shame about the lack of plant-based materials, though…

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Fit

Again, Kirkland diapers seem to have no issues when it comes to fit and comfort. They have a stretchy pocketed waistband that adapts with your baby, and reviews don’t appear to suggest that they run small or big.

Little Snugglers feature a very fancy double grip strip to keep the diaper in place, and have a back pocketed waistband that safeguards against blowouts and leaks. Some say that Huggies diapers in general seem to run small, but there’s nothing to suggest that Little Snugglers have a big issue with this.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Softness

Kirkland diapers use at least 20% plant-based materials, so it’s no wonder parents and carers say they’re super soft. Little Snugglers, despite not making an effort to use plant-based materials in their diapers, are known for their softness. Although it’s Huggies Special Delivery diapers that take the crown for the softest diaper made by the brand.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Breathability 

The breathable outer cover offered by Kirkland diapers promises to keep our little ones comfortable.

Without breathability, a diaper would be very uncomfortable for our little ones; we don’t want their delicate skin to be irritated by a diaper that’s too thick.

Huggies tells us that Little Snugglers diapers offer premium breathability, to keep skin healthy and clean. 

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Umbilical Cord Notch

Some diapers feature an umbilical cord notch on their diapers in the smallest sizes. This is thought to help protect the belly button and umbilical cord in the first few days and weeks of a baby’s life, although it’s not vital. 

Kirkland diapers don’t have an umbilical cord notch. But Huggies Little Snugglers diapers do feature an umbilical cord notch – on their preemie and newborn sizes only.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Wetness Indicator

Both Kirkland diapers and Little Snugglers diapers feature a wetness indicator on their diapers, to let you know when your little one needs to be changed. Some parents and carers really value a wetness indicator, especially in the early stages. 

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: When to use

Both Kirkland diapers and Huggies diapers can be used at most stages of the diapering journey. Kirkland diapers are only available in sizes 1 through 6, while Little Snugglers are available in preemie-6. 

Little Snugglers, then, are suitable for babies from under 6lbs, all the way up to more than 35lbs. 

Kirkland diapers are suitable for little ones from ‘up to 14lbs’ to more than 35lbs.

You might find that size 1 Kirkland diapers are too big for newborn babies, and they’ll certainly be too big for preemie babies. Little Snugglers offer P and N sizes, though.

And when your little one comes to the potty-training stage, you might find that pull-ups are a better option.

Read Next: What Are The Best Pull-Up Diapers For Potty Training?

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Are they hypoallergenic?

You’ve probably seen the term ‘hypoallergenic’ used a lot by brands, especially when it comes to baby products. But what does it mean?

In theory, if a diaper is labeled hypoallergenic, it’s free from chemicals that can irritate the skin. But the reality is quite different…

The problem with the term ‘hypoallergenic’ is that it isn’t regulated by the FDA. Brands can therefore claim that their products are hypoallergenic, when they’re anything but.

Related Post: Best Hypoallergenic Diapers For Babies With Sensitive Skin on the Market

And it’s also worth remembering that the term means the product ‘isn’t likely’ to cause a reaction. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible. 

So what about Kirkland and Little Snugglers diapers?

Neither diaper variety claims to be hypoallergenic. This is good (and kinda bad) news, because they’re definitely not. While they’re free of fragrances and lotions, neither brand mentions phthalates. 

We know that these hidden chemicals can irritate the skin and have even been linked to asthma and eczema (source), so there’s no way a diaper that uses them can claim to be suitable for sensitive skin, non-toxic or hypoallergenic. 

More on this topic: Disposable Diapers: What Are They Made From, And Are They Safe?

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Ingredients 

It’s always nice to find an easily-accessible ingredients list. After all, we put our little ones in diapers nearly 24/7 for the first years of their lives, so we kinda need to know what’s in them.

Unfortunately, Costco doesn’t make an ingredients list readily available, despite lots (and lots) of searching! 

Fortunately, Huggies does offer an ingredients list for their Little Snugglers diapers. 

Topsheet – Polypropylene
Backsheet – Polypropylene, polyethylene,
The Absorbent Core – Wood Pulp and SAP
Colorants – Huggies state that these are ‘safe’ and ‘non-sensitizing’, but they don’t state whether they’re free of heavy metals

The long list of ingredients beginning with poly- isn’t surprising, but does mean that the main components of Huggies Little Snugglers diapers are plastic. While this is common, more and more brands are using more and more plant-based materials… which is brilliant news for our little ones’ skin. Brands like Healthybaby, Ecoriginals and Andy Pandy are leading the way when it comes to plant-based and non-toxic diapers for our little ones.

Read Next: Ecoriginals Diapers Review, 2023: The Greenest Diaper On The Market?

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Safe or Toxic?

What’s not in baby diapers is just as important as what’s in them…

Not only should diapers use as many plant-based materials as possible, but they should make sure they’re avoiding unnecessary chemicals that could irritate the skin, or worse.

You might be surprised that the typical disposable baby diaper contains toxins that are no good for the environment or for our babies’ health. 

Potential irritants like phthalates, fragrances, lotions, chlorine and dyes make their way into lots of baby products, including the ones we put on our babies’ skin every day: diapers.

If you’ve never heard of phthalates before, you’re not alone. But phthalates have been linked to increased asthma and eczema rates in young children, as well as abnormal genital development. Suffice to say, they should be avoided wherever possible. 

But fragrances and lotions can’t be that bad, right?

While they might sound like positive additions, these terms can be used to cover up a whole heap of different chemicals, including phthalates. The fact that the term ‘fragrances’ isn’t regulated by the FDA doesn’t help matters. 

And finally, chlorine isn’t necessarily harmful to your little one’s skin or general health, but it’s terrible for the environment. It can contaminate water and wildlife. Want to know more? Check out my round-up of the best non-toxic diapers!

So how do Kirkland and Huggies diapers shape up?

Costco tells us that Kirkland diapers are free of fragrances, lotions, latex and elemental chlorine. It’s great that they avoid these, but what about phthalates?

If a brand doesn’t explicitly state that phthalates are avoided, I always assume they’re used.

If they are avoided, it’s a great selling point, so why wouldn’t they boast about it?

Huggies Little Snugglers are also free of lotions, fragrance and latex. But, again, there’s no mention of phthalates.

It’s so important to avoid these toxins wherever possible, and that’s made easy by the heaps of brands on the market that do, like Amazon’s budget-friendly Mama Bear Gentle Touch, all the way up to the gold standard of non-toxic diapers, Healthybaby.

And the more we shun brands who don’t take care of our babies’ skin, the more they’re likely to listen…

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Sizing

Kirkland diapers and Little Snugglers diapers offer similar sizes, but there are some differences.

Whilst Kirkland diapers are available in sizes 1-6, Little Snugglers are available from preemie-6. 

Kirkland diapers sizing:

Size	Weight
Size 1	Up to 14lbs
Size 2	12-18lbs
Size 3	16-28lbs
Size 4	22-37lbs
Size 5	27lbs+
Size 6	35lbs+

Little Snugglers diapers sizing

Size	Weight
P	<6lbs
N	<10lbs
1	8-14lbs
2	12-18lbs
3	16-28lbs
4	22-37lbs
5	>27lbs
6	>35lbs

It’s great that Little Snugglers offer a preemie size, as not many diaper varieties do.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Pricing

The price of diapers will vary depending on where you shop. But we can compare the price of Kirkland diapers vs Huggies Little Snugglers over on Amazon, where both varieties are available. 

Let’s see them side by side.

Kirkland size	Price per diaper	Little Snugglers size	Price per diaper
1	24	1	26
3	32	3	33
5	39	5	44

*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

It’s clear that prices are very similar. The larger sizes of Little Snugglers seem to be a little more, but not by much. Both are relatively budget-friendly, although there are cheaper diapers on the market right now: Amazon’s Mama Bear Gentle Touch, for one.

Kirkland Diapers vs Huggies: Reviews

Reviews of both Kirkland diapers and Huggies Little Snugglers diapers are glowing. Kirkland diapers average 4.7 out of 5 in over 2800 reviews on Costco’s site, with parents and carers loving how absorbent they are, plus the fact that they make some effort to use plant-based materials. A few reviews do discuss rashes though. You can only rely on truly hypoallergenic diapers to keep your baby’s skin safe – check out my favorites here! 

Reviews of Little Snugglers diapers on Amazon are similarly positive. In fact, they average 4.8 out of 5 in over 52,000 reviews. 90% of these reviews give the diapers 5 stars, with reviewers loving their softness and absorbency.

Again, some reviews talk of rashes, which isn’t too surprising as Little Snugglers aren’t completely non-toxic. Look for diapers which are completely free fragrances, lotions and phthalates to ensure the best for your little one’s delicate skin.

Alternatives to Kirkland Diapers and Huggies

Both Kirkland and Little Snugglers diapers are soft, absorbent and good value for money. But they fall down when it comes to being completely safe for the sensitive, delicate skin of our babies. So what are the best, non-toxic alternatives?

Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers are a great alternative. They work, they’re very budget-friendly, and they steer clear of fragrances, lotions and the dreaded phthalates. They even use some sustainably-sourced wood pulp. While they’re not going to save the world any time soon, they’re a great alternative if you’re on a tight budget.

Other budget-friendly diapers that do their bit include Abby & Finn and Hello Bello. Both offer toxin-free diapers that are very unlikely to cause rashes and skin irritation. Both brands also offer a subscription service, with diapers delivered when you need them, straight to your door. While these soft and effective diapers use some plant-based materials, they’re not quite the gold standard of healthy eco diapers.

That medal would go to brands like Ecoriginals and Healthybaby.  Ecoriginals diapers buck the plastic trend, and are made with a whopping 90% biodegradable materials. They offer 40% greater absorbency than some other disposable diapers and are truly hypoallergenic.  

Healthybaby diapers are the first to be certified by the Environmental Working Group. This group is a not-for-profit who shine a light on harmful industry practices. An endorsement from them, therefore, means they’re on top for skin safety.

Read More: Healthynest Diapers Reviewed: The New (And Super Healthy) Kid On The Block

Read Next: Ecoriginals Diapers Review, 2023: The Greenest Diaper On The Market?

What is the difference between Kirkland vs Huggies Plus diapers?

	Little Snugglers Plus	Kirkland
Sizes	N-2	1-6
Wetness indicator	yes	yes
Reviews	4.7 out of 5 (on the Huggies site)	4.7 out of 5 (on Amazon)
Price	About 24 cents per diaper	24-39 cents per diaper, depending on the size
Widely available?	Exclusively at Costco – in-store and online	Costco and Amazon
Contains lotions?	No	No
Contains fragrances?	No	No
Contains phthalates?	Possibly	Possibly

Huggies recently launched a couple of new varieties: Huggies Little Snugglers Plus and Little Movers Plus. But what’s the difference?

Available exclusively at Costco, Little Snugglers Plus offer the same softness with superior absorbency. They’re not available in sizes P-6 like regular Little Snugglers, and are only available in sizes N-2.

It’s hard to measure absorbency side by side, but both Kirkland diapers and Little Snugglers Plus diapers have great reviews, and neither seem to cause big issues with leaks.

Like regular Little Snugglers, Little Snugglers Plus are free of fragrances and lotions, but they don’t mention phthalates, so I assume they’re used.

So, ultimately, because there aren’t huge differences between regular Little Snugglers and Little Snugglers Plus – apart from the sizing – there’s not much between Snugglers Plus and Kirkland. 

Snugglers Plus are only available in sizes N-2 though, which really limits how long you can use them!

Read Next: Huggies Plus Diapers: What’s The Difference Between Regular Huggies And Huggies Plus?

Conclusion: How do Kirkland diapers compare to Huggies?

Ultimately, the fact that Kirkland diapers are ever so slightly cheaper and use 20% plant-based materials sways me towards them. The problem is, though, that both probably contain phthalates, which have been linked to asthma and eczema in young children, as well as abnormal genital development in boys. 

Suffice to say, there are heaps of diaper brands out there offering the same softness, absorbency and value for money, but without the unnecessary chemicals. 

Just because a diaper is budget-friendly, doesn’t mean it’s packed with toxins. Mama Bear Gentle Touch diapers are one of the cheapest on the market, but make it clear that they avoid phthalates, fragrances and lotions. 

Or, if your budget can stretch a little further, head straight for Ecoriginals and Healthybaby. These non-toxic, hypoallergenic, plant-based diapers are saving the world, one bum change at a time.

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