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According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, at least half of older adults experience adult incontinence, which can include involuntarily leaking urine from the bladder and/or eliminating fecal matter from the bowel. Especially common in women, the condition is often caused by life events like pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Wearing adult diapers or briefs can help those who are struggling with the condition navigate everyday life more simply.
“Protection is paramount in this space,” says Steven G. Gregg, Ph.D., the executive director of the National Association for Continence. “And protection means that you are protected from leaks and accidents.” He’s a strong champion for protective products, such as pull-up briefs. “We love the freedom that they give people.”
Though there’s a “massive stigma” around incontinence, Gregg notes, there shouldn’t be. Incontinence is a natural and common experience among adults. Still, picking the right product to help can make life with incontinence more enjoyable.
To find the best adult diapers, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on more than 90 products, factoring in price, sizes available, absorbency, adjustability and more. Discover which adult diapers received our recommendations.
Note: All product prices are accurate as of publication.
These pull-on briefs are designed for comfort and movement throughout the day. Attends specifically notes this product’s snug-fit elastic waistband and breathable cloth material, as well as how it fits discreetly under clothing. Removal is simple, too—users can simply pull them down or tear both sides.
Free samples of Attends products are available to try by calling the company’s expert phone consultants directly.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
This discreet pull-up promises to keep wetness at bay while reducing the pH of urine, which helps control odor and prevent skin irritation. Plus, it’s made of a soft, breathable cloth fabric for added comfort.
These briefs are manufactured in the U.S., according to the company, and are available in a pack of 18.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
This product’s ultra-absorbent core is designed for active users in need of heavy leak protection. What’s more, the additional absorption capacity facilitates skin dryness and neutralizes odors, according to the company. Tranquility’s Daytime Disposable Absorbent Underwear is designed with discreet comfort and movement in mind. And thanks to the tear-away side seams, they’re easy to remove.
This product comes in packs of 16, though two-pack samples are available to try for $2.99.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
These briefs are made from a cloth-like material designed to prevent chafing or any bulky feeling. They also feature a stretchy waist to ensure a snug fit and a “premium acquisition layer” that filters liquid into the secure, absorbent core, according to the company.
This product’s double XL size accommodates up to an 80-inch waist.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
This unisex, disposable swimwear can be worn discreetly underneath a swimsuit. Its design is meant to minimize swelling and prevent the brief from breaking apart or dissolving when it becomes wet.
A sample two-pack is available for $2.99 via the company’s website for interested customers.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
These disposable briefs can hold up to 34 ounces of liquid and offer breathability and moisture control to keep skin dry. They can also accommodate waist sizes up to 108 inches with stretchable side panels.
A two-pack sample is available for $2.99 via the company website, so users can try these briefs before making a larger purchase.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
TENA focuses on sleek design for these briefs, which use “DuoLock” technology to ensure an even distribution of liquid into the core. Despite their heavy absorbency, Complete + Care briefs aren’t bulky or cumbersome. In fact, one pleased customer writes in a review that it’s “amazing how well it works for as thin as it is.”
According to the company website, TENA offers free shipping on orders over $50.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
Attends’ Stretch Briefs feature flexible, breathable side panels that expand to accommodate a wearer’s waist. Meanwhile, an extremely absorbent core and snug leg cuffs help prevent uncomfortable leakage.
Customers interested in a free sample can call the company directly for details and to try the briefs.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
MoliCare highlights this brief’s three-layer core, which facilitates rapid absorbency and dryness. The design also features highly elastic side panels, as well as refastenable hook tabs, offering a comfortable, secure fit.
The extra large size of this brief can accommodate waist sizes up to 69 inches. A sample is also available for $5.99 via the company website.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
These disposable, breathable briefs come in packs of 20. They feature flexible side panels and odor-blocking technology, along with a “super absorbent core” that quickly locks away fluids.
The company charges a $5 flat rate on all shipping orders.
Have you considered Because Overnight Underwear?
Are you tired of products that leak? Because Market’s super-absorbent Overnight Underwear holds up to 6 cups of liquid to keep you dry day and night. Here’s why we chose it:
Holds 37% more liquid than the leading brand
Soft, fabric-like material feels like real underwear
Sensitive skin-friendly: Latex free, chlorine-free, no harsh chemicals
To find the best adult diapers of 2023, the Forbes Health editorial team researched over 90 adult diaper products, analyzing and ranking them based on factors such as:
There are numerous types of adult diapers, including pull-ups, adult briefs and reusable diapers. Here’s what to know about the most popular options.
Pull-ups are very similar to regular underwear, says Steven Z. Zeldes, CEO of AvaCare Medical in New Jersey. They’re pulled up onto your body and fit like any other pair of underwear. Pull-ups are usually more discreet and less bulky than adult briefs and come with multiple absorbency levels, often ranging from light to severe.
“An adult brief is the same thing as a diaper,” says Zeldes, noting that the two terms are interchangeable. Briefs can be a good option for people with limited mobility who need help from a caregiver, since they’re easier to put on than pull-ups, which require taking the wearer’s pants off completely. Adult briefs typically have tab fasteners on the sides that can be undone or come with tear-away sides. They also tend to have higher absorbency levels than pull-up diapers, he notes.
If you’re worried about the environment, you might prefer reusable adult diapers, which can be easily washed (instead of wearing and disposing of numerous diapers a day). Since you won’t need to refill your supply as often, reusable diapers can be a cost-effective option as well.
Reusable diapers are often made out of a soft fabric that can be tossed into the washing machine, says Zeldes. However, because you’ll need to ensure you have a washed supply at the ready, this type of diaper can be less convenient.
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There are numerous factors to consider when choosing adult diapers, including the following.
Some adult diapers have tabs that are fastened at the sides, says Zeldes. A caregiver can place a tabbed diaper directly underneath the person who’s wearing it, then fasten the tabs. This style often works well for people who aren’t very mobile, he says, since putting them on doesn’t require removing the wearer’s pants.
Meanwhile, pull-ups are—as their name suggests—pulled up like normal underwear. They’re usually best for more mobile patients, says Zeldes, since putting them on requires taking off pants.
Finding adult diapers that are the right size and fit is crucial, says Zeldes. Otherwise, “it’s almost worthless” and will cause leakage, he adds. Diapers with tabs are a bit easier to fit because you can loosen or tighten them to fit a person. Pull-ups are slightly more difficult to size correctly, as they can’t be adjusted, he says.
When it comes to absorption level, some diapers are more absorbent than others, says Zeldes. There are generally four levels of absorbency:
There are two main types of backing material: cloth and plastic. Plastic-backed diapers are typically more absorbent, says Zeldes, but they may be less comfortable than cloth diapers.
Some adult diapers have built-in odor control. Check the brand’s packaging to see what it offers. Many products utilize odor-control technology that neutralizes the pH of urine, adds Zeldes, which can help prevent a strong scent.
Some diapers are intended for day use while others are absorbent enough to work well overnight. “The nighttime ones are obviously more absorbent because during the night, there’s less control,” says Zeldes. He notes that the more absorbent an adult diaper is, the more expensive the product tends to be.
If you or a loved one uses adult diapers, there are a number of additional products you should consider keeping on hand, says Zeldes, including:
Adult diaper rash, also known as adult diaper dermatitis, happens when urine or feces irritate and inflame the skin due to incontinence and adult diaper use.
“I typically recommend that patients start with a good barrier cream as prevention,” says Daniel Grabell, M.D., a dermatologist at Princeton Dermatology Associates in New Jersey. “If there’s itching, seeing a dermatologist can help determine if there’s a fungal component,” which might necessitate prescription medication.
In many cases, diaper rash can be treated successfully at home. Try applying a zinc oxide diaper cream, especially if the skin remains red throughout the day. Frequent changing of diapers and changing diapers quickly after incontinence can also help prevent adult diaper rash[1]Bonifaz A, Saldaña M, Escandón-Pérez S et al. Diaper Dermatitis in Elderly. The Journal of Dermatology. 2017. . If a diaper rash worsens or becomes infected, speak to a doctor immediately.
First, measure around the waist at the fullest part. Then stand with heels together and measure the fullest part of the hips. The larger number indicates the correct product size—check the packaging to see what measurement corresponds to which size.
Some (but not all) brands of adult diapers are waterproof. Check the label of the product you’re considering to see if they offer waterproof protection before buying.
Adult diapers are more frequently being made with biodegradable materials, in which case they can be recycled, says Gregg. But for the most part, you dispose of them in a trash can. Some people buy an adult diaper pail, a receptacle designated for disposing of adult diapers that typically offers built-in odor control.
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Angela Haupt has been a health writer and editor for more than a decade. She was previously the managing editor of health at U.S. News & World Report, where she spent 11 years covering and editing wellness and conditions topics. She helped launch the popular Best Diets rankings and continued to oversee the franchise throughout her time there. Angela has also written about health and wellness for publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Everyday Health and Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about helping people make healthier decisions through accurate journalism that delivers the facts and puts them in context.
Jessica is a writer, editor and media professional who has spent her career working with some of the most influential names in media. Prior to joining Forbes Health, Jessica was the manager of creative communications at Hearst, where she specialized in high-level production and project management. As a freelance writer, Jessica has written across a range of topics, including entertainment, travel and career. Her work can be found in Variety, Paste Magazine, The Muse and on her personal website (jessicamlester.com).