It’s time to trade in your cute clutch or mini messenger for a full-sized diaper bag. With baby on the way, you’re ready to buy this on-the-go organizer/carry-all – and you’re not sure if cost should factor into the decision-making process.

While there are plenty of diaper bags at the lower end of the cost spectrum, you’ll also find that others are in the $150-plus range. Does this mean that pricey bags aren’t worth the money? Even though you may pay more for the initial investment, these bags often last longer and have more features than some of the least expensive options.

What type of diaper bag is best?

Tote? Backpack? Crossbody? Leather? Canvas? You’re not sure which style, material, or type of diaper bag is the best bet. When it comes to pricier bags, you have options galore. If you’re not sure which way to go, begin with the basics. Think about the style or design of the bag and how it impacts our ability to easily carry your kiddo’s gear almost everywhere.

There is no one “best” bag for every parent. Instead, it all comes down to your personal preference and your family’s needs. Even though some parents find the two straps of a backpack more comfortable, you might like the look of a tote or a messenger-style option. Before buying a bag, consider the size you need to store anything you might bring on your daily outings or a trip, how large a bag you’re willing to carry, what type of design appeals to your sense of style, and what features you may want or need.

What to consider when buying a diaper bag

Backpack-style diaper bags have gained popularity. And, there’s a good reason for that! Not only are packs stylish, but they’re fully functional and may decrease the risk of neck and back or body soreness – compared to other styles.

According to a research review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, packs with shorter, stiffer straps and a higher load placement are preferred for adult hikers. Even though you’re not always hiking with your tot, the double-strap combo may help to reduce the everyday load you carry around town.

If you do go with a non-backpack style bag, consider how easy/hard it is to carry and whether it will put too much strain on your body.

The space, design, and pockets will matter in a diaper bag

Along with physical comfort, you will also need to think about the number and placement of pockets, whether the bag has an insulated area to carry bottles/sippy cups, extra features such as a paci case, how the bag attaches to the handles of a stroller, and the material makeup.

The material is an important factor for a few reasons. Higher-end bags are often made from high-quality fabrics or materials. This adds to the bag's durability, decreasing the risk of premature damage and increasing your investment.

Its convenience plays a role too

Along with the material's durability, you will also want to consider the convenience factor. A material that isn't wipeable or washable will make it hard to keep the bag clean. Your pricey pick could quickly go from fresh and fashionable to sad and spit-up-covered. If you’re still not sure which higher-priced diaper bag is the best option, we've got some suggestions.

Here are the best pricey diaper bags worth the money:

You’ll get plenty of style with the Freshly Picked Classic Leather Diaper Bag. This three-in-one is more than just functional. It has the fashion-forward look of your non-baby bag. But, it combines the outstanding aesthetics with plenty of performance. Made from durable vegan leather, this bag will give you years of use – making it well worth the higher price tag.

With three different ways to wear the bag, you can choose your preferred look and comfort style – backpack, cross-body, or top handle carry. The backpack straps measure 24-inches and the detachable crossbody shoulder strap comes is 47-inches.

If you’re looking for organization options, this bag has 10 storage pockets to keep everything from diapers and wipes to your credit cards and phone safe. Use the interior electronics sleeve to protect your tablet and keep it away from the changing pad or feeding items. And, here’s an IRL idea for what to store and where to store it from one praise-giving parent, “I keep my wallet, hand sanitizer, chapstick, keys in the front zipper pocket. Bottle of water and my sunglasses case in the two outer side pockets. The inside bottle pockets are insulated and I will sometimes put an ice pack in it and a bottle and it will keep it cold for a while.”

The playful polka style of the JuJuBe BFF Convertible Diaper Bag Backpack, the Duchess makes this top pick stand out from the “pack.” Even though this backpack doesn’t look like a diaper bag from the outside, it has all the features you’ll need to tote your tot’s stuff around town. This includes plenty of pockets, an insulated pouch, and a memory foam changing pad!

Don’t worry about messes with the JuJuBe BFF. This bag has a corner opening crumb drain to easily remove debris, is stain-resistant, and is machine washable. Along with easy maintenance and care, parents find the durability of this bag a major bonus, “My BFF bag is 4 years old, and has been my primary day to day bag. I previously tried half a dozen other bags (from designer to other trendy brands, and have more recently received another trendy bag as a gift for my second baby), and this bag is still my favorite. This bag has been on numerous trips, thrown around, and still looks great.”

The Mia + Sophia Leather Diaper Bag is more than just a backpack. This bag for the tech-savvy parent can charge your phone (with an additional portable battery purchase) and comes with built-in UB and power cables.

While the tech-friendliness of the bag is a plus, this top pick is no slouch when it comes to style. The sleek, modern design makes the backpack look less like a diaper bag and more like an everyday option.

Along with the charging capabilities and design, this bag includes sought-after features such as an insulated bottle holder, stroller straps, 10 internal pockets, five external pockets, an internal compartment large enough to hold a laptop, and even a key leash! If you’re wondering just how big this bag is and what you can fit into it, here’s what one reviewer had to say, “The main compartment is so spacious and best of all, my 17-inch laptop fits in the laptop compartment! But keep in mind that my laptop, despite being long, is also thin and light.”

An integrated changing station puts the diaper in the Paperclip Willow Diaper Bag Backpack! Instead of just a small-sized changing pad – like many other bags have – this top pick has a full roll-out mat that is part of the backpack. Along with a comfy pad to keep baby clean, the station features privacy sidewalls and a large mesh pocket for added convenience. To clean the pad, simply detach it from the bag and toss it into the washing machine.

Other features that make this bag a must-have include a padded laptop sleeve, a luggage slide, and plenty of internal and external pockets for storage. Add these to the integrated changer and, as this real-life Willow owner puts it, “Our family lives a busy, on-the-go lifestyle so we needed to find a bag that would cater to all our needs. The storage compartments are perfectly placed to keep all items organized and I love how easy the change station folds out.”

Do you dread the splash of your water bottle or a spill from a sippy cup? Even though the Motherly Evergreen Muse Diaper Bag is at the higher end of the price spectrum, the waterproof material it’s made from may just make the cost worth it. This durable bag won’t let water soak through and is easy to clean. Just hand wipe the exterior with a damp cloth!

Not only is this bag a top choice because of its waterproof inner and outer layers, it’s also a storage winner. With 14 pockets, this convertible pack has space for everything you’ll need to bring with you. Storage features include two insulated bottle pockets, an anti-theft pocket, spoon pockets, and a spacious main compartment. Don’t stress about sifting through the bag just to find what you need. Parents appreciate that it comes with, “A separate zip opening for accessing items in the bottom of the bag that is very useful.”

Star Wars fans rejoice! The Petunia Pickle Bottom Meta Disney Star Wars Diaper Bag Backpack is an adult-ish character bag that scores high mabgt5fv4rks for cuteness and convenience. This popular pick is a three piece set that includes the bag, a wipes case, and a changing pad. Along with the extra pieces, this bag comes with plenty of pockets for different styles of storage. A PEVA pocket makes it easy to carry snacks, an insulated bottle pocket keeps baby’s meals cool, and a padded pocket is perfect for tech gadgets. Along with these compartments, the bag also has a felt-lined phone pocket! Parents applaud the storage aspects of this bag, noting, “It’s so spacious and I can fit so much, without it having to look or feel bulky. I fit two MAM bottles inside the insulated zipper, two more inside the backpack, two tall formula dispensers, a thermo, 6 diapers and a wipe dispenser along with the diaper changing pad.”

Use this bag as a traditional backpack or change it up and carry it with the top handles. The pack also comes equipped with D-rings that easily attach to your stroller for hands-free use.

With two storage cubes inside, the Skip Hop Weekender Travel Diaper Bag is ideal for parents who are always on-the-go or need an extra-large option for their next family getaway. Not only does this bag have plenty of storage space, it comes with a travel-ready luggage sleeve for easy use! The number of compartments makes this choice a favorite, “It has so many perfect bottle carrying pockets. It seems the more I look, the more places I find to put things.”

Either carry the 10.5-inch handles from the top or sling them over your shoulder for another option. If you’d rather go the hands-free route, use the stroller strips instead. It’s just as easy to open, access, and find things in this bag as it is to store them. And, the drawbridge opening makes packing and unpacking convenient.

Parents searching for a bag that will transition from diaper duty to everyday use will love the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack. This diaper bag doesn’t look…well, like a diaper bag. Instead, it has a fashion-forward design with a modern aesthetic.

Not only is this bag stylish, it’s fully functional. While you can store your gear in a regular backpack, this bag goes well beyond what your everyday work or other pack could do. It has a zip-out changing station, a five-pocket interior, and exterior bottle pockets!

The versatility of the bag makes it a favorite among parents. Use it as a traditional backpack or as a crossbody bag. When it comes to the size, parents find it roomy, “It is a perfect size, not too bulky, but holds so much, easily and with great storage options throughout!”

Can you modify a typical bag to work?

You could modify your regular bag and turn it into a diaper bag. Parents may decide to DIY their purse, beach tote, backpack, or any other bag into the baby-friendly version as a way to save money. But before you take this approach, make sure that the original non-diaper bag has enough features to help you organize and carry everything you need.

If your everyday bag doesn’t have multiple compartments or pockets, you may need to add an organizer or a smaller bag to the mix. Unless your regular bag is a hiking-style backpack, it’s not likely that it has an insulated pocket. This means you may need to purchase an insulated bag – such as an insulated lunch pack – to safely carry bottles or formula or breast milk. Other extras that you may need to buy separately include a portable changing pad, a waterproof bag to use as an inner lining, a pacifier case, or a travel wipes container.

If your everyday bag doesn’t have multiple compartments or pockets, you may need to add an organizer or a smaller bag to the mix. Unless your regular bag is a hiking-style backpack, it’s not likely that it has an insulated pocket. This means you may need to purchase an insulated bag – such as an insulated lunch pack – to safely carry bottles or formula or breast milk. Other extras that you may need to buy separately include a portable changing pad, a waterproof bag to use as an inner lining, a pacifier case, or a travel wipes container.