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Quick look at the best potty training pants

Depending on who you talk to, potty training is either a breeze that can be completed in as little as a weekend or a stressful prolonged stage that many parents are happy to see end.

Regardless of your experience with toilet training, there’s one question that many parents face: when to transition your growing tot from diapers to potty training pants. So, we took a deep dive into the world of big kid undies to create a guide that outlines some of the best options, depending on your needs.

We specifically chose a range of disposable and reusable potty training pants, as well as focused on those with skin-friendly materials. (Bonus points if the material had some extra absorbency to it!)

We also looked for training pants that are affordable and easy to get on and off. Finally, we considered the design options, and of course, looked at reviews from parents and caregivers just like you!

Pricing guide

Note that training pants come in multipacks — after all, your toddler will go through them quickly while in the training stage! The price ranges listed below are for the total price of the multipack, not for individual potty training pants.

  • $ = under $20
  • $$ = $20–$30
  • $$$ = over $30

Best overall potty training pants

Big Elephant Potty Training Pants

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: 12 months–5T
  • Reusable: yes

The Big Elephant Potty Training Pants are a fan favorite. Parents love how these pants are relatively absorbent but don’t entirely mimic traditional diapers, which could make potty training more challenging.

You’ll get six layers of absorbent cotton that help to contain accidents. But they look exactly like real underwear, which makes the transition to real undies so much easier. These pants are machine washable with a covered elastic band for comfort.

Pros

  • These training pants include six layers of absorbent cotton to help contain accidents.
  • They look like underwear and can be purchased in a range of patterns.
  • The training pants are reusable and machine washable.

Cons

  • Some reviewers complain that these shrink a lot after washing.
  • A number of parents note that the sizing is inconsistent.
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Best overnight potty training pants

Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: XS–XL
  • Reusable: no

You’ll likely want a pair of training pants that can handle any potential overnight accidents if your child is no longer wearing diapers, but also isn’t waking or getting up to potty in the middle of the night yet.

Nighttime accidents can involve more pee than daytime ones, so it’s important to use a potty training paint with a fair amount of absorbency overnight. This pair includes five layers of protection and double leg barriers to keep the liquid inside off the sheets. They also have a stretchy waistband for that underwear-like fit.

While you won’t have to worry about washing these, the cost for this disposable option could add up over time.

Pros

  • These will hold more urine than many other cotton-style reusable training pants.
  • They’re available at many stores, so you can pick them up in a pinch.
  • You won’t have to worry about extra loads of laundry because they’re disposable.

Cons

  • Because they’re disposable, they’re not the most environmentally friendly option.
  • The cost can add up over time.
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Best disposable potty training pants

Huggies Pull-Ups New Leaf Training Pants

  • Price: $$$
  • Sizes: 2T–5T
  • Reusable: no

For parents that prefer the ease of disposable training pants, the Pull-Ups New Leaf Training Pants are a great choice.

These come with cute designs and are available in sizes from 2T to 5T. They’re a pricier option though — especially if it takes time for your tot to get the hang of going to the potty.

Still, these training pants are made from plant-based ingredients and are made to be soft with an adjustable waistband. Huggies says you’ll get up to 12 hours of leak protection, which also makes them ideal for overnight use, or even long car trips.

And even if you want your kiddo to get used to bathroom cues, you’ll appreciate that the design fades when wet so that you or your toddler understands that they’ve gone potty — even by accident.

Pros

  • The design fades when liquid is present, which encourages your child to keep them dry and lets you know when accidents happen.
  • The adjustable sides make it easy to take them on and off.
  • These can hold up to 12 hours of leak protection, so you don’t have to worry about wet sheets and blankets in the morning.

Cons

  • The price of these can add up quickly.
  • Since they’re not reusable, they’re not as sustainable as other options on our list.
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Best cloth potty training pants

MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: 12 months–6T
  • Reusable: yes

While they won’t catch everything, these MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants are absorbent enough to catch small accidents and leaks.

These pants are made with muslin panels and an absorbent interlining. However, the brand recommends that these are better for summer because of the lighter material.

Parents like the stretchy waistband and leg holes as well as the variety of patterns. The sizes even go from 12 months to 6T.

Pros

  • These are reusable and machine washable.
  • There are a wide range of sizes and designs available.
  • The waistband and leg holes have a good amount of stretch.

Cons

  • You may still face some leaks, and these generally won’t contain overnight accidents.
  • Some users feel the designs faded quickly with washing.
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Best eco-friendly potty training pants

Lamaze Organic Cotton Training Pants

  • Price: $
  • Sizes: 9 months–5T
  • Reusable: yes

For families concerned about their impact on the environment and society at large, the Lamaze Organic Cotton Training Pants are a great option. They are made from sustainably-sourced cotton and are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certified so you know they’re ethically produced.

While you only get four pairs of underwear in a pack, you’ll like that these are chemical-free and unlikely to irritate your toddler’s skin. We appreciate that this set of training underwear is available in sizes as small as 9 months up to 5T.

Pros

  • These are available in a wide range of sizes and designs for 9 months up to 5T.
  • They’re made with GOTS certified organic cotton.
  • They’re reusable and machine washable.

Cons

  • These aren’t the most absorbent potty training pants.
  • Some parents say the sizing runs big.
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Best potty training pants for daytime

Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson Training Underwear

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: 2T–5T
  • Reusable: yes

Once they start to get the hang of potty training, most children are better at remembering to go during the day. And in that case, you might not need the thickest pair of training pants.

The Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson training pants are a great solution if you want a slimmer pair of undies during the day. This three-pack is made from cotton which is OEKO-TEX certified to be free from over 100 harmful chemicals.

Parents like the low profile look that mimics traditional underwear. However, many parents noted that these tend to run small. It’s a good idea to size up so little ones won’t struggle to get the waistband down when it’s time to go.

Pros

  • They’re made with GOTS certified organic cotton.
  • The prewashed fabric makes them soft and less likely to shrink.
  • These are machine washable and reusable, which can save you money over time.

Cons

  • Some parents note that these tend to run small, so you may need to size up.
  • They won’t hold as much liquid as some of the other potty training pants on our list.
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Best potty training pant for little hands

Gerber Training Pants

  • Price: $–$$
  • Sizes: 18 months–3T
  • Reusable: yes

If you’re looking for a pair of training underwear that your toddler can master when using the potty at daycare or with a sitter, then these Gerber Training Pants are a great pick. The four-pack features cute and colorful designs while also being an effective transitional choice as you potty train your little tyke.

These pants are made from cotton and have an absorbent interlining. The elastic waistband is covered and is also easy for little hands to pull up or down.

Pros

  • These training pants are easy to pull up and down due to the covered elastic waistband.
  • They’re some of the most affordable training pants on our list.
  • There are plenty of designs to choose from.

Cons

  • You’ll need to keep on top of washing them.
  • There aren’t as many sizing options as the other training pants on our list.
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Best character potty training pant

DC Comics Baby Justice League Potty Training Pants

  • Price: $
  • Sizes: 2T–4T
  • Reusable: yes

Superheroes to the rescue with these DC Comics training pants! If you have a child who’s obsessed with Superman, Batman, the Flash, and the Green Lantern, these undies are a great choice.

These training pants are made from 100% cotton and feature vibrant prints with their favorite superhero’s logo. They are machine washable with an elastic closure.

These pants are available in sizes from 2T to 4T. However, many parents note in their reviews that they tend to run a bit big. They are available in 3, 7, and 10 packs.

Pros

  • The superhero design may motivate your child to want to wear them, and keep them dry!
  • They’re affordable and reusable.
  • They’re machine washable for easy cleaning.

Cons

  • They’re only available in sizes 2T–4T, though parents say they run big.
  • Some reviewers are frustrated that the patterns they received don’t match the product images.
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Best patterns on a potty training pant

Joyo Roy Baby Potty Training Underwear

  • Price: $$
  • Sizes: 1T–5T
  • Reusable: 95% cotton and 5% polyester

Cute whimsical prints help to make the Joyo Roy Toddler Underwear feel real. You’ll appreciate that these are designed to be colorfast so that they won’t fade in the wash.

The durable underwear is made from cotton and features an absorbent multi-layer interior to help catch leaks and accidents. We like that these come in six-packs, which makes them a smart economical choice. While the brand recommends line-drying, some parents noted that they were able to put them in the dryer with no shrinkage issues.

Pros

  • These training pants come in a wide variety of designs and sizes.
  • They’re reusable and washable, so you won’t end up feeling guilty about landfill waste.
  • The high-elastic rib improves their fit.

Cons

  • Though these include several absorption layers, some reviewers feel that these didn’t hold much more liquid than regular underwear.
  • If you buy in a multipack, the patterns you get are predetermined for you.
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Best potty training pant for sensitive skin

The Honest Company Training Pants

  • Price: $$–$$$
  • Sizes: 2T–5T
  • Reusable: no

For the most part, we’ve focused on reusable training pants. But these are a great alternative option for parents that prefer disposable training pants while ensuring that the material is gentle for sensitive skin.

Available in sizes from 2T to 5T, these training pants have a liquid-locking core and a moisture barrier cuff to prevent accidents from escaping. But we also like that these pants are made from plant-based materials and sustainably harvested fluff pulp.

Pros

  • These potty training pants are made from plant-based and eco-friendly materials.
  • They’re available in a wide range of sizes and patterns.
  • You won’t have to worry about extra laundry because they’re disposable.

Cons

  • As these are disposable, their cost can add up over time.
  • These don’t feel or look as much like underwear as some of the other options on our list.
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ProductPriceSizesIntended use Material
Big Elephant Potty Training Pants$$12 months–5Treusablecotton
Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear$$$XS–XLdisposable (overnight)unspecified absorbent material/technology
Huggies Pull-Ups New Leaf Training Pants$$$2T–5Tdisposablehypoallergenic plant-based ingredients
MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants$$12 months–6Treusablecotton
Lamaze Organic Cotton Training Pants$9 months–5TreusableGOTS certified cotton
Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson Training Underwear$$2T–5Treusable GOTS certified cotton
Gerber Training Pants$–$$18 months–3Treusablecotton and polyester
DC Comics Baby Justice League Potty Training Pants$2T–4Treusablecotton and polyester
Joyo Roy Baby Potty Training Underwear$$1T–5Treusablecotton and polyester
The Honest Company Training Pants$$–$$$2T–5Tdisposableplant-based materials and sustainably harvested fluff pulp

Don’t be fooled by the name, potty training pants are essentially underwear, but they’re transitional underwear designed to catch potty accidents.

While cloth versions aren’t as absorbent as a diaper, they still provide a better barrier than traditional underwear if your child doesn’t make it to the potty in time or doesn’t yet understand bodily cues that indicate it’s time to go.

As you shop for potty training pants, there are a few key features to keep in mind.

Material

Of course, you want whatever’s touching your toddler’s body to be soft and gentle so that it won’t encourage a rash or discomfort. Many feel it is best to prioritize natural materials.

For reusable pants made from cotton, keep in mind that they’re not as absorbent, so your child will notice if they’re wet or have poop in the pants. For some kids, that’s a good thing, and for others, it’s just a mess.

Disposable training pants tend to be very similar in absorbency to traditional diapers which can make some children less aware when they’ve wet their pants. But if your child already has some idea of when they need to use the potty, they might not need the same tactile cues.

Disposable vs. reusable

Depending on your preference, there’s a benefit and a risk to each.

Disposable potty training pants give you the same ease of use as a disposable diaper. However, as we mentioned, because they’re nearly identical in sensation to diapers, some children don’t necessarily notice when they’ve wet their pants.

In contrast, reusable cloth training pants can eliminate repetitive expenses since you’re simply washing the pants with the laundry as opposed to buying more training pants when your child soils them.

And many parents note that using washable training pants helps encourage their child to learn bodily cues that it’s time to go potty.

Design

Many training pants are designed with enhanced absorbency in specific locations depending on whether the pants are made for boys or girls. While this isn’t a requirement, it’s a nice feature since it may reduce leakage.

Likewise, if you’re promoting the idea of wearing “big kid” undies, training pants with fun designs on them can be a great transitional step to get them on board before your child graduates to real underwear.

What pants are best for potty training?

When it’s time for your child to potty train, you’ll want to make sure they’re dressed in clothing that is easy to pull up and down so that they can go to the bathroom quickly when they feel the urge.

If your child is having frequent accidents, consider training pants that are disposable and have more absorbency to cut down on your laundry pile.

Of course, the right potty training pants will fit your budget, too. Keep in mind that though disposable options can be cheaper up front, their cost can add up over time. In contrast, a reusable pair can be pricier up front, but pay off over time.

Are potty training pants a good idea?

Potty training pants can be a way to make your little one feel more grown-up. They can also make it easier for your child to know when they have accidents.

However, because they don’t typically absorb as much liquid as diapers or pull-up diapers, they may not be appropriate for long nights, or if your child is having frequent accidents.

When your little one is ready to give up their diapers, there may still be a few accidents on the road ahead. Training pants can offer a little extra protection while also letting your child feel like they’re wearing big kid underwear.

Consider sizing options, the price, the materials, and even the design options available when choosing potty training pants to make sure they’re a great fit for your little one, and your lifestyle.