Pampers and Huggies Pull-Ups are age-old rivals. For decades, they’ve dominated the disposable diaper market, producing a wide range of diapers and pull-ups suitable for all stages of the diapering journey, including older babies and toddlers.
But the question remains: which is better, Huggies Pull-Ups or Pampers Easy Ups?
The internet is awash with information about the similarities and differences between Easy Ups and Pull-Ups. Confusing to say the least…
So let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups – their materials, their features and, ultimately, which diaper is better.
Types of different varieties
All parents and carers know how confusing the diaper world can be. Pampers and Huggies offer multiple varieties of toddler pants and diapers:
| Huggies | Pampers |
| Pull-Ups Potty Training Pants | Easy Ups |
| Pull-Ups New Leaf Training Underwear | Cruisers 360 Fit |
| Night Time Training Pants |
In this article, we’re focusing purely on Pull-Ups and Easy Ups, looking at the similarities, differences, and which diaper’s better.
Disclaimer: Huggies and Pampers Diapers have not sponsored or endorsed this article in any way. As a mom who’s passionate about buying the best for babies, I try really hard to include accurate information in all of my posts. If there are any inaccuracies present, please let me know; I’m more than happy to amend any errors. For more information about Huggies Diapers, head over to their main sites: huggies.com. For more information about Pampers Diapers, head over to their main sites: pampers.com. This review has affiliate links. 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.
What are Easy Ups?
Easy Ups by Pampers are diapers for older babies and toddlers. Rather than using sticky side tabs, they fit more like underwear, and are great to use when your little ones are hopping, skipping and jumping around and when they’re starting to potty train.
Pampers Easy Ups feature what they call ‘easy tear’ sides. This makes changing easy, but it means that, once they’re torn, they have to be thrown away. Huggies, on the other hand, feature refastenable sides.
What Are Pull-Ups?
Pull-Ups are the Huggies version of Easy Ups. Like Easy Ups, they fit like underwear and don’t have sticky side tabs like regular disposable diapers.
They do have velcro sides for easy checking and changing, though. This is great because the sides can be refastened. If I had a dollar for every time I thought my little ones would need to be changed and didn’t… well, I’d be rich.
Pull-Ups and Easy Ups Size Chart
| Huggies Pull-Ups | Pampers Easy Ups | |
| Sizes | 2T-3T, 3T-4T and 4T-5T | 2T-3T, 3T-4T, 4T-5T, 5T-6T |
| Price (3T-4T on Amazon)* | 40 cents each | 35 cents each |
| Reviews (on Amazon) | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 |
| Free of | Fragrance | Parabens, latex |
*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Comparing Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Features
Huggies Pull-Ups
Huggies Pull-Ups feature ‘fun designs’ that fade when they’re wet. Huggies says that this design helps your little one to learn potty training, and encourages them to stay dry.
They also feature refastenable sides for a comfortable fit. These nifty velcro sides make it easy for parents and carers to change little ones, without having to battle with their shoes and pants first! It means you can customize the waistband, and they’re super handy for quick checks.
Read Next: Which Pull-Ups Have Refastenable Sides? The Best Pull-Ups With Velcro Sides
They’re designed so that your little one can push them down and pull them up easily, supporting independence. They even have voice assistant for smart speakers that feature reminders and Disney character calls.
Pampers Easy Ups
Like pull-ups, Pampers Easy Ups feature colorful cartoon designs. They’re soft and comfy and have easy tear sides, to make changing easy – especially when you’re dealing with poop! Unlike Huggies Pull-Ups’ velcro sides, the sides on Easy Up diapers can be refastened.
Again, like pull-ups, they’re easy for little ones to pull-up and down, and they’re great at preventing leaks with their dual leak-guard barriers.
Parents and carers can download free sticker charts and activity pages from the Pampers website to support toddlers on their potty training journey.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Ease of use
Huggies pull-ups
Pull-ups have a stretchy waistband that makes it easy for little ones to use them whilst potty training. Reviews seem to back this up, with parents saying they’ve helped their little ones on their potty training journey.
They also feature super-handy velcro sides to make it easy for parents and carers to check when little ones need changing, and refasten them if it’s not quite time for a change!
Pampers Easy Ups
Like pull-ups, Easy Ups feature easy tear sides and are designed to make pulling them up and down easy.
They can’t be refastened like Huggies Pull-Ups can though, so once they’re torn, they need to be thrown away.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Sizing
Huggies pull-ups are available in sizes 2T-3T (16-34lbs), 3T-4T (32-40lbs) and 4T-5T (38-50lbs). So they’re suitable for older babies right through to older toddlers.
Pampers Easy Ups are available in sizes 2T-3T (16-34lbs), 3T-4T (30-40lbs), 4T-5T (37lbs+) and 5T-6T (41lbs+). Again, Easy Ups are suitable for older babies, if you find pull-ups easier than regular disposable diapers, all the way through to older toddlers.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Wetness indicator
Huggies pull-ups
Unlike typical wetness indicators on disposable diapers, Huggies pull-ups feature colorful cartoon designs that fade when wet. It’s not only easy for parents and carers to know when the pull-up needs changing, but it’s supposed to encourage little ones to stay dry.
Pampers Easy Ups
Pampers Easy Ups don’t feature any kind of wetness indicator.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Imagery
Huggies pull-ups feature cartoon designs that little ones will love. The only issue with prints like this is that they’re often made with heavy metal dyes. Heavy metals can irritate the skin, just like fragrances and lotions.
Like pull-ups, Pampers Easy Ups feature cartoon designs that appeal to toddlers. Again, Pampers doesn’t mention whether their dyes are made with heavy metals. They assure us that their diaper range is hypoallergenic, but the use of this term isn’t regulated by the FDA.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Absorbency
Huggies pull-ups
Huggies pull-ups do the job when it comes to keeping older babies and toddlers dry. They’re not quite as absorbent as some regular disposables, but they’re designed to be more discreet, so they’re naturally thinner.
When it comes to leak protection, reviews are pretty great, with parents and carers rarely reporting issues with leaks and absorbency. Huggies doesn’t say that its regular pull-ups are suitable for up to 12 hours, so they might not be the best for overnights. Their New Leaf pull-up variety promises to keep your little one dry for up to 12 hours though. Plus, this variety uses some plant-based materials.
Pampers Easy Ups
A few parents and carers report issues with leak protection with Pampers Easy Ups, but on the whole, it’s safe to say they’re effective. Like Huggies, Pampers doesn’t say that Easy Ups offer up to 12 hours of protection. But, they do offer pull-ups specifically for overnights – Ninjamas.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Price
Because you’ll find both Easy Ups and pull-ups in a variety of stores across the country, and online, the price will vary. Let’s take a look at Amazon, and compare the prices of Easy Ups and pull-ups.
| Easy Ups Size | Easy Ups Price (per diaper) | pull-ups Size | pull-ups Price (per diaper) |
| 2T-3T | 33 cents | 2T-3T | 36 cents |
| 3T-4T | 35 cents | 3T-4T | 40 cents |
| 4T-5T | 42 cents | 4T-5T | 46 cents |
| 5T-6T | 51 cents | – | – |
*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Reviews
Huggies pull-ups
Unsurprisingly, reviews for both Huggies pull-ups and Pampers Easy Ups are glowing, to say the least. In fact, Huggies pull-ups average 4.8 out of 5 in over 7700 reviews on Amazon. Parents and carers say that pull-ups are super absorbent and great at preventing leaks.
One of Huggies Pull-Ups’ features seems to be dividing parents all over the internet. Their velcro sides are both loved and hated, with some saying they’re a game-changer as they can be refastened, and others saying they nick and irritate their little ones’ skin.
Some love that you don’t have to take your little ones’ pants and shoes off for changing, thanks to the velcro sides, but the material is perhaps more likely to irritate toddlers’ delicate skin than Pampers Easy Ups.
Pampers Easy Ups
Pampers Easy Ups nearly equal Huggies’ great reviews, with an average 4.7 out of 5 in over 20600 reviews on Amazon. Parents and carers say that Easy Ups are – as the name suggests – easy to use, soft on their little ones’ skin and good for supporting with potty training.
Some reviewers, though, say they’re not as good as other pull-ups for absorbency and leak protection.
Again, reviews regarding their easy tear sides are divided. Some parents and carers seem to prefer the velcro sides featured on Huggies, but others love that it’s simple to take the pull up off without having to remove pants and shoes first. It might not be refastanable, but then it doesn’t feature velcro of Huggies, which some say is irritating to the skin.
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Ingredients
It used to be near-impossible to find an ingredients list for baby diapers. And you’d be forgiven for wondering why it’s so important. With our little ones living in diapers 24/7 for the first few years of their life, it’s crucial we know what’s inside the disposable diapers we choose for our babies, and their sensitive skin.
Huggies Pull-Ups
Huggies does make their Pull-Ups ingredients list clear, and they tell us that they use the following:
- Sodium Polyacrylate – an absorbent material that keeps babies dry
- Wood Pulp – helps wick away moisture
- Polypropylene – used for durability and softness
- Polyethylene – for softness, protection and breathability
- Adhesives – to hold parts of the diaper together
- Inks – for the designs
- Polyethylene derived from sugar cane – for softness
- Polyurethane elastics – for a great fit and to prevent leaks
- Colorants – for color in the designs
Anything beginning with poly– is some description of oil-based plastic, so it’s clear that a lot of plastics and non-plant-based materials are used to make Huggies Pull Ups. And what about Pampers?
Pampers Easy Ups
It’s also pretty easy to get your hands on a list of Pampers ingredients. Here’s what Easy Ups are made of:
- Polypropylene nonwoven – transports wetness to the diaper core
- Super absorbent polymer (SAP) – non-toxic polymer keeps baby dry
- Absorbent fluff pulp – derived from wood to absorb wetness
- Polyester acquisition layer – absorbs wetness
- Polypropylene nonwoven – separates layers
- Polypropylene nonwoven and latex-free spandex – helps to offer a good fit and prevent leaks
- Polyethylene – waterproof film helps prevent leaks
- Thermoplastic polymers – keeps material in place
- Colors – non-sensitizing pigments used for the design
- Lotion – stearyl alcohol, aloe barbadensis leaf extract and petrolatum
- Fragrance – ‘light fragrance added in small amounts’
It might seem like fragrances and lotions are a good thing, but, in reality, they’re anything but. They can irritate our little ones’ delicate skin, and should be avoided as much as possible.
More on this topic: Disposable Diapers: What Are They Made From, And Are They Safe?
Pull-Ups vs Easy Ups: Are they Hypoallergenic
Huggies pull-ups
Huggies doesn’t say anything about their pull-ups being hypoallergenic. To be hypoallergenic, in theory, a diaper should steer clear of all potential skin irritants, like fragrances, phthalates, lotions and dyes. But if a company doesn’t tell you explicitly that these chemicals are avoided, it’s much safer to assume they’re used.
Huggies does tell us that their diapers are free of fragrances, lotions, parabens and elemental chlorine. This is really positive. But they don’t say anything about dyes made with heavy metals or phthalates, which can irritate the skin and have been linked to asthma and eczema in little ones. (Source)
So, I have to assume that Huggies diapers aren’t truly hypoallergenic. The use of the term ‘hypoallergenic’ isn’t regulated by the FDA, so it’s easy for companies to claim it.
Pampers Easy Ups
Pampers Easy Ups, on the other hand, appear to be hypoallergenic. That’s what Pampers tells us, at least. They say that their Easy Ups are free of parabens and latex, which is great. But they clearly state that they use both fragrances and lotions. And the lack of information around phthalates is concerning.
The real issue is that the term ‘hypoallergenic’ isn’t regulated by the FDA. In fact, brands can use it however they want, and there’s no benchmark for it at all.
So despite Pampers telling us that their Easy Ups are hypoallergenic, I’m not so sure that’s true, especially if you consider that they add fragrances and lotions to the diaper.
Read more about what’s really in disposable diapers here.
Pampers Easy Ups FAQ
1. How to use Pampers pull-ups
Pampers Easy Ups are designed to make it easy for both toddlers and parents to use. While toddlers can easily pull them up and down, they feature easy-tear sides to make checking and changing easy for parents too.
2. Can Pampers Easy ups be worn overnight?
Pampers doesn’t say explicitly that their Easy Ups are suitable for overnights. But, they do offer a training pant specifically for overnights – Ninjamas. These pull-ups offer all night protection, with odor mask technology, breathable materials and great absorbency.
3. What is the difference between pull-ups and Pampers 360?
Pampers 360, or Pampers Cruisers 360, are diapers without the sticky tabs. They work like pull-ups, but are much more absorbent than Easy Ups. They’re available in sizes 3-7.
Ultimately, if your little one is a long way off potty training, Easy Ups might be the better option. If they’re ready for the potty, Easy Ups are probably more suitable.
4. Are Pampers Easy Ups good for overnight?
Pampers doesn’t say that their Easy Ups are suitable for overnight, but their Ninjamas variety certainly are. These pull-ups are specifically made for nighttime, and offer great leak protection.
5. Are easy ups as absorbent as diapers?
Easy Ups are thinner and less absorbent than some regular disposable diapers. They’re designed for potty training toddlers, who are starting to use the potty. So they’re not quite as absorbent as some regular disposables, but they’ll still do the job, provided you change them regularly.
6. What is the difference between Huggies pull-ups New Leaf Training Underwear and regular pull-ups Potty Training Pants?
Huggies pull-ups are the OG pull-up. But parents and carers are demanding more from their diapers now, and rightly so.
Regular Huggies pull-ups don’t contain a significant percentage of plant-based materials. And when you think that we throw away more than 20 billion disposable diapers every year in the US alone, it’s easy to see why moving to plant-based is crucial.
So, in comes Huggies New Leaf Training Pants.
Made with 28% plant-based materials, Huggies says their New Leaf variety is the softest ever. They claim that this variety is hypoallergenic, but it doesn’t say which chemicals and toxins are avoided.
These training pants offer up to 12 hours of protection, so they’re good for overnights, and come in the same sizes as regular pull-ups: 2T-3T, 3T-4T and 4T-5T.
Price-wise, they’re certainly a little more expensive, with a pack of 4T-5T New Leaf pull-ups setting you back 62 cents per diaper, compared with 40 cents per diaper for regular pull-ups. Of course, if your budget can stretch to it, buying diapers and training pants with plant-based materials is heaps better for your baby, and for the planet.
While it’s great that Huggies are introducing this variety, it just doesn’t go far enough. When you have brands like Ecoriginals offering diapers with 90% biodegradable materials and completely free of toxins, there’s no excuse for Huggies – a billion dollar brand – to do the same.
FAQ about training pants diapers and pull-ups
1. Are pull-ups bigger than diapers?
Pull-ups are available in larger sizes than regular diapers. That’s because they’re made for older babies and toddlers who are on the move, and who are ready for potty training. They make it easier for little ones to be able to pull their own diapers up and down, and act more like underwear than regular disposables.
As a rule, you’ll find pull-ups that suit babies from about 16 pounds to toddlers of 50 pounds – so the range is pretty big!
Of course, a baby who’s 16 pounds is unlikely to be ready for potty training, but as our little ones learn to move and groove, some parents and carers find pull-ups easier to use than typical side tab diapers.
2. Are pull-ups true to size?
Every baby and toddler is unique. While the weight and size guides are handy, it doesn’t mean to say that a particular brand will always suit your little one. Some reviewers have said that Huggies pull-ups run a little small, so it’s best to go a size up if your toddler is in-between sizes.
And it’s the same with Pampers Easy Up. Some reviewers have said that they run a little small compared to some other brands, so it’s best to go up if you’re not sure, or if you’re experiencing lots of leaks.
3. When should I switch to pull-ups?
Pull-ups of all brands tend to be available for babies over 16-20 pounds, right through to potty training success. While they’re mainly great for older babies and toddlers who are potty training, or ready for potty training, some parents find pull-ups easier to use than regular disposable diapers with stick tabs.
Many find that pull-ups, with their stretchy waistbands, offer their little ones a more comfortable fit, especially as they start to explore the world.
There’s no magic time to move to pull-ups – just whenever suits you and your little one.
4. Can you pee in pull-ups?
Pull-ups are certainly suitable for peeing in! They’re mainly aimed at little ones who are ready to potty train, as they’re not quite as absorbent as regular diapers. But they’re well-equipped to deal with pees and poops. You just might find that they need changing a little more regularly than some standard disposable diapers.
Some pull-ups are made specifically for overnight, so they’re more absorbent. Pampers Ninjamas promise overnight leak protection, and Huggies New Leaf pull-ups offer up to 12 hours of protection too, so they’re suitable for nighttime.
5. Is there a difference between boy and girl pull-ups?
One of the immediate differences between pull-ups for little boys and little girls is their absorbency, and where this is concentrated. For obvious reasons, boy pull-ups are more absorbent at the front, and pull-ups for girls concentrate their absorbency in the middle.
The other obvious difference is the prints used. More often than not, you’ll find pull-ups for girls feature very different characters and designs to pull-ups for boys.
6. Can I use swim diapers as pull-ups?
Swim diapers are made for swimming. Yes, they often feature the same pull-up design, but they’re not made to be absorbent. Unfortunately, swim diapers ain’t keeping the pee in. They’re designed to stop poops floating into the pool and scaring other pool-goers into evacuating the area, not to be absorbent.
Read Next: The Best Disposable Swim Diapers: Is It Time To Ditch Huggies And Pampers?
If your little one isn’t swimming, it’s best to stick to a regular diaper or pull-up, which are made to keep both pee and poop at bay.
7. What size pull-ups do I need?
Pull-up sizes can be tricky. Whereas regular disposable diapers tend to stick to sizes newborn through 6 or 7, pull-ups often come in sizes 2T-6T. The best thing to do is check what this means in weight.
Here’s the weight guide that Pampers offers for their Easy Ups, which come in sizes 2T-3T through 5T-6T.
| Size | Weight |
| 2T-3T | 16-34lbs |
| 3T-4T | 30-40lbs |
| 4T-5T | 37lbs+ |
| 5T-6T | 41lbs+ |
If your little one is in-between, it’s probably best to go a size up. And always check the size guide of the particular brand you’re buying, as the guides may vary.
8. Are Costco pull-ups any good?
While Costco offers a range of own brand (Kirkland) diapers, they don’t currently offer a range of pull-ups or training pants. They do, however, offer both Goodnights Training Pants and Huggies pull-ups Plus. Huggies Pull-Ups Plus are completely exclusive to Costco, and are, according to Huggies, their most absorbent training pants yet.
9. What is the difference between Huggies Pull-Ups and Huggies Pull-Ups Plus?
While you’ll find Huggies Pull-Ups in stores up and down the country, Huggies Pull-Ups Plus are exclusive to Costco, both in-store and online. Huggies says this variety is their most absorbent ever, with packs made specifically for both little boys and little girls.
These pull-ups also feature exclusive-to-Costco designs – Spiderman on the pull-ups for boys and Disney Princess designs on the pull-ups for girls.
Read Next: Huggies Plus Diapers: What’s The Difference Between Regular Huggies And Huggies Plus?
Apart from being more absorbent, there isn’t much that separates Huggies pull-ups Plus from regular Huggies pull-ups. They have great reviews, just like the original. And you might expect pull-ups Plus to be more expensive. But actually, a pack of size 2T-3T pull-ups Plus at Costco will set you back 33 cents per diaper. This is a little cheaper than regular pull-ups on Amazon, where a pack of the same size will cost you between 34 and 36 cents, depending on the size of the pack.
Of course, you have to factor in a Costco membership in order to buy pull-ups Plus. This is about 60 bucks a year, so unless you’re already a member, it’s not worth joining purely for pull-ups Plus!
10. Are Easy Ups the same as pull-ups?
Pampers Easy Ups are Huggies pull-ups’ rivals. The main difference between them is their sides. Huggies Pull-Ups feature refastenable, velcro sides, but Pampers Easy Ups don’t. Easy Ups feature ‘easy tear’ sides, but they can’t be refastened once they’ve been opened. Given that many daycares in the States ask parents to bring refastenable pull ups for easy changing, it’s not a surprise that Huggies Pull-Ups are so popular.
Another significant difference between Pull-Ups and Easy Ups is their use of fragrances. While Pampers tells us that Easy Ups contain both fragrances and lotions, Huggies steer clear of these potentially-harmful toxins, which is great news for toddlers’ skin. But neither offer phthalate-free pull-ups, which is concerning.
They both offer similar features, are a similar price and are available in most major grocery stores and online.
Pull-ups have slightly better reviews, but neither brand offers much in the way of eco-friendliness or completely toxin-free materials.
Easy Ups and pull-ups alternatives
If your little one is ready for pull-ups, but you want to buy totally healthy diapers, never fear. With more diapers and pull-ups than ever on the market, it’s easy to find pull-ups which use healthy, plant-based materials and steer clear of nasty chemicals, like phthalates, fragrances and lotions.
Hello Bello was founded by none other than Anna from Frozen – or Kristen Bell, as she’s otherwise known. This diaper company offers toxin-free baby products, including pull-ups for older babies and toddlers. These pull-ups, unlike Huggies and Pampers, stay away from lotions, fragrances, chlorine and phthalates.
They feature a plant-based core liner, sustainable fluff pulp and premium leak guards to keep your little one dry. Available for toddlers from 16-38lbs+, they’re a brilliant alternative to Pampers Easy Ups and Huggies pull-ups.
Eco by Naty is another one of my favorite alternatives. These vegan-certified diapers use plant-based materials, are stretchy and comfortable and are completely free of toxins like fragrances, lotions and phthalates.
It’s great that these companies are taking the initiative to make eco-conscious changes that we as parents – and the world – desperately need.
Related Post: What Are The Best Organic Diapers On The Market, And Why You Should Look For The Most Natural Ingredients
Conclusion. pull-ups vs easy ups: which are better?
For decades, Huggies and Pampers have dominated the diaper – and pull-up – market. With so much experience, and an eye-watering amount of profit, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing when it comes to keeping our little ones dry, no matter where they are in their diapering journey.
Comparing Huggies pull-ups vs Pampers Easy Ups, there’s not much between them. They share many similarities: the price, sizing, and absorbency.
But one of the biggest differences between them is their side fastening. Pampers Easy Ups feature ‘easy tear’ sides. This makes taking them off easy, but the pull ups can’t be put on a toddler without taking shoes and pants off. That’s why daycares often require pull-ups with detachable sides. Huggies Pull-Ups, on the other hand, feature velcro sides, which can be refastened. This can be game changing for busy parents, especially when it comes to potty training.
Another issue to consider is toxins. While Pampers tells us their Easy Ups are free of parabens and latex, they do use fragrances and lotions. Plus, they don’t mention phthalates, so I assume they’re used.
And it’s great that Huggies steer clear of fragrances and lotions – Pampers evidently uses these unecessary chemicals – but they don’t mention phthalates either. Again, it’s much safer to assume, then, that they are used.
Huggies pull-ups have slightly superior reviews, but they’re also more expensive than Pampers Easy Ups. You can buy both in most grocery stores and online, so they’re easy to get hold of.
Ultimately, if your budget can stretch to it, my advice is to either go for Huggies pull-ups New Leaf – which use 28% plant-based materials – or choose another brand entirely. Hello Bello and Eco by Naty have got your back.
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