Diaper Genie Vs Munchkin

Trying to choose between Diaper Genie vs Munchkin for disposing of your baby’s dirty diapers?

Then let us help you decide which is the best diaper pail for you: Munchkin diaper pail vs Diaper Genie!

Both diaper pails promise the end to bad smells in the nursery, but which performs best?

Throw a dirty diaper in a normal trash can, and you might find the smell sticks around for a while.

Definitely not what you want in the nursery!

The diaper pail promises to prevent lingering odors by locking the diaper, and its smell, away.

So, which is the right diaper pail for you?

Parents love the Diaper Genie for convenience, and the Munchkin Step for excellent odor control.

In this Diaper Genie vs Munchkin Step review, we have compared both diaper pails compare, focusing on usability, odor prevention, price, and more so you can find the perfect diaper pail for you and your little one!

And if you love this guide on what’s the difference between Diaper Genie and Munchkin diaper pails, then check out these guides on effective diaper pail deodorizer ideas and best diaper pail alternatives. Or even our reviews on Ubbi vs Munchkin diaper pail, Dekor vs Diaper Genie, and Ubbi vs Diaper Genie.

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Diaper Genie Vs Munchkin

Let’s start by taking a look at both the Diaper Genie and the Munchkin Step, to see what they have to offer. 

All About Diaper Genie

Diaper Genie is one of the best known names in diaper pails, and many moms have relied on their Diaper Genie to make the nursery a more pleasant place to play. 

Created by Playtex, the Diaper Genie is an easy-to-use pail with an excellent locking mechanism and a convenient foot pedal.

The Diaper Genie liners are also fantastic, particularly with the built-in antimicrobial finish, but it is frustrating that non-branded trash bags don’t fit in the pail.

Pros

• The convenient foot pedal makes the Diaper Genie very easy to use.
• A carbon filter traps excess odor.
• The front tilt bin makes it easy to change the bag.
• No need to bend over, as the foot pedal opening does all the work.

Cons

• Works best with Diaper Genie bags, which are expensive.
• A heavier odor release when the lid is opened.

All About Munchkin

The Munchkin Step is a foot pedal operated diaper pail with a clever twist and seal method used to keep odors in.

When you push a diaper into the Munchkin Step, the opening stays tight, twisting and sealing when the lid closes.

There’s minimal opportunity for bad smells to leak.

While the odor locking properties are excellent, the tight opening can make diaper disposal a little tricky.

However, the foot pedal is great for hands-free disposal.

And with a baking soda puck trapping excess smells, your nursery can stay fresher for longer.

Pros

• A twist and seal opening keeps dirty diaper smells at bay.
• The foot pedal opening mechanism is easy to use.
• An “out-of-reach” lock prevents little children from causing big disasters.
• The puck deodorizer can be refilled with standard baking soda.

Cons

• Getting diapers through the opening requires some pushing.
• It works best with costly Munchkin branded liners.

Similarities And Differences Between Diaper Genie And Munchkin

The Diaper Genie and the Munchkin were both created to do the same job: provide a smell-free place to throw away dirty diapers.

There are quite a few similarities between the Munchkin Step and the Diaper Genie. They even look pretty similar!

However, there are some key differences when it comes to performance.

Let’s take a look at how the Diaper Genie and Munchkin Step compare, and the features that set the two apart. 

Foot Pedal Opening

The Diaper Genie and the Munchkin Step both use a foot pedal opening mechanism for easy operation of the diaper pail.

We love this design feature, because you can hold a wriggly baby in one arm and still use the diaper pail with ease.

Sealed Lid Mechanism

We’ve all experienced the moment of opening the trash can and getting a sudden whiff of bad air

No one wants this to happen when you open a diaper pail, which is why Diaper Genie and Munchkin Step have both taken steps to eliminate the issue.

Diaper Genie uses a drop through mechanism.

Essentially, when you open the lid, the pail itself stays sealed.

You drop the diaper, and when the lid closes, it falls through.

This system works very well, keeping smells away with minimal effort.

It can be a little confusing when you first start using the Diaper Genie, but you’ll get used to it in no time.

The Munchkin Step uses a twist and seal method. Essentially, when you close the lid, the liner bag twists, sealing in smells.

In terms of odor prevention, this system is best, but it has a noticeable downside.

As the opening is small, sometimes you have to really push the diaper through.

Most of the time, this won’t be a problem. But a particularly full diaper can cause a real issue.

Filters

Both the Diaper Genie and the Munchkin Step use a filter to capture the smells that will inevitably leak through the bag.

Diaper Genie features a carbon filter in the lid.

This deodorizer works well, but it does need to be replaced roughly every 30 days.

They are inexpensive, and bulk buying can reduce the cost even further, but it is something extra for busy moms to think about.

The Munchkin Step uses an Arm & Hammer puck baking soda cartridge.

The Arm & Hammer branded option releases a pleasant lavender smell, and lasts for roughly 90 days.

Then, you can either buy a refill, or save money and use standard baking soda. 

Capacity

The Munchkin Step is slightly bigger than the Diaper Genie, but both have roughly the same capacity.

Realistically, you’ll need to empty the diaper pail every few days (at least).

So, a little extra space really doesn’t make that much difference.

Liner Bags

Both the Diaper Genie and the Munchkin Step recommend using their own branded liners with the diaper pail.

Diaper Genie, owned by Playtex, should be used with the Diaper Genie refill bags.

These consist of seven smell fighting layers, complete with a built-in microbial finish to inhibit germ growth.

Simply pull the bag through the pail, and slice and seal when you’re ready to toss it away.

Munchkin Step, owned by Arm & Hammer, can be used with either the Munchkin refill rings, or the Munchkin Snap, Seal, and Toss refill bags.

These are made with 7-layer of film, and have a pleasant lavender scent.

While both brands make excellent liners, not being able to use generic trash bags is a drawback.

The branded bags are expensive, and over time, this cost can really add up. 

Overall Odor Control

Looking at all the features together, which brand does the better job controlling odor?

Honestly, it’s a tough call. The sealed ring on the Munchkin Step is better at keeping odors locked away, but the Diaper Genie still performs incredibly well. 

There’s no way to avoid the smell of dirt diapers altogether (if only!), but the Munchkin Step is likely to leave your home smelling better for longer. 

Cleaning And Materials

Although your diaper pail should remain clean, there can be the occasional accident.

Both the Diaper Genie and the Munchkin Step are made of plastic, and can be easily wiped down should the need arise.

Plastic is generally a good material for a diaper pail, but it can hold on to odors.

From time to time, it will be necessary to give the pail a good clean with an antibacterial spray.

If you really start to notice a smell build up, you can clean a plastic diaper pail with baking soda. 

Usability

You shouldn’t have any major problems using either diaper pail, as they’re both intuitively designed.

However, when it comes to overall user-friendliness, we think the Diaper Genie comes out on top.

First, the Diaper Genie has a drop through lid, so you don’t have to bend down to dispose of a dirty diaper.

While the tall build of the Munchkin Step means you don’t have to bend far, pushing the diaper through the lid might put some strain on a new mom’s back!

Second, the Diaper Genie has a front tilt bin.

Simply pull the front of the pail forward, cut the liner with the built-in blade, and tie the end.

The bag should slip right out! There’s no mess, and no fuss. 

Price

The Diaper Genie is a cheaper system overall than the Munchkin Step.

Both the Diaper Genie and the Munchkin work best with their own branded liners, but the initial cost of the Diaper Genie is typically less.

However, the difference is small, and as you can expect to get several years of use out of both options, we think the Munchkin Step price is fair. 

Final Thoughts On Munchkin Vs Diaper Genie Diaper Pail

Many parents will attest to the high quality performance of both the Munchkin Step and the Diaper Genie.

These are two of the most popular diaper pails on the market.

Our top choice is the Diaper Genie, due to it’s convenience and price.

Whilst the Munchkin Step wins on odor control, the Diaper Genie is more than effective at controlling odors.

We prefer it over the Munchkin Step as you can easily dispose of diapers. You don’t have to try squeeze and extra full diaper into the pail and you can easily keep hold of your little one, without having to bend down.

We hope this guide will help you banish bad smells with either the Munchkin Step or the Diaper Genie!

And if you like this guide on Diaper Genie vs Munchkin Step, then you’ll love our other diapering guides on Huggies Snug And Dry vs Little Movers, how long can I leave a wet diaper on, Hello Bello vs Pampers, and best diapers to prevent blowouts.