Pampers Swaddlers Vs Cruisers

Trying to decide which diapers are best for you and your baby: Pampers Swaddlers Vs Cruisers?

Then let us help you decide in this Cruisers vs Swaddlers comparison guide.

Trying to find the right diaper can be tough! They need to be absorbent, with minimal leaks, and safe ingredients.

But you also need diapers that keep up with the needs of your baby. Whether that’s extra softness for delicate skin, or improved stretch for little explorers, the diaper has to do more than just absorb!

Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers Cruisers are two popular diapers that claim an impressive performance.

But what can you expect from these diapers? And how do they live up to their reputation? 

Take a look at our guide to find out what you can expect from Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each diaper, and see how they compare so you can decide which is the best diaper for you and your baby.

And if you love this guide on the difference between Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers, then make sure to check out these guides on the Pampers Baby Dry Vs Cruisers, Pampers Baby Dry vs Swaddlers, Huggies vs Pampers, and Huggies Little Movers vs Pampers Cruisers.

This post contains affiliate links. See our full disclosure here

Pampers Swaddlers Vs Cruisers

Let’s begin by taking a look at Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers to see what makes these diapers stand out.

All About Pampers Swaddlers

Designed specifically for softness, Pampers Swaddlers are diapers for the sensitive skin of newborn babies.

Pampers Swaddlers are primarily aimed at newborns and babies up to 3 months old, but they come in an impressive range of sizes.

Swaddlers are available from Newborn to Size 7, which means they can fit babies from under 10 pounds, to over 41 pounds.

This is a good range, and babies who dislike change will like that they can keep using the Swaddlers.

However, most parents will find the Swaddlers are suitable for newborns, and want to change when their baby can start to move.

The reason for this is that Pampers Swaddlers are designed to be as gentle as possible. These are the softest diapers made by Pampers, intended for use against the delicate skin of newborns.

They feature an umbilical cord cutout, which prevents the diaper from rubbing against a healing belly button. Not only is this more hygienic, but it’s also more comfortable for the baby.

Swaddlers are created using a super soft material. In fact, Pampers describe it as blankie soft!

We might not go quite that far, but it is very gentle against the skin. The diapers are also built with soft and stretchy sides.

These can help improve fit as they can be folded to your baby’s body, while the stretch gives your little one some freedom of movement. 

Parents can feel happy using these diapers on their newborn, as the Swaddlers are hypoallergenic, and approved by the Skin Health Alliance. They contain no parabens or natural rubber latex. 

But comfort isn’t the only factor, and parents will want to know that these diapers are just as absorbent as they are soft.

Pampers Swaddlers have excellent absorbency, using a BreatheFree Liner that wicks moisture from the skin quickly.

This is combined with LockAway channels, which hold wetness in, offering excellent leak protection.

Finally, Pampers Swaddlers use Dual Leak-Guard Barriers around the leg cuffs, preventing leaks where they’re most likely to happen. 

For newborns, there’s a lot to love about the Pampers Swaddlers. The softness is a key factor, and the gentle touch of the Swaddlers is hard to beat.

However, as your baby starts to get older and move around, we’re not sure the Swaddlers have the durability to keep up.

The stretch and flexibility are good for early movements, which, combined with the gentle fit, makes these diapers excellent for newborns.

Pros

• BreatheFree liner wicks moisture and feels gentle.
• Wetness indicator can help with quick changes.
• Stretchy sides improve fit.
• Umbilical cord notch adds comfort for healing belly buttons. 
• Impressive size range.

Cons

• Soft materials lack durability when kids start moving.
• Potential fit issues.

All About Pampers Cruisers

Pampers Cruisers are diapers designed for older babies who are moving and exploring, and need a diaper that won’t fall apart in the middle of an adventure.

Pampers Cruisers are sold in a slightly limited size range, from size 3 to size 7. This makes them suitable for babies from 16 pounds to 41 pounds.

Most babies reach 16 pounds at around the 6-month mark, so for those early months, you’ll need to use a different diaper.

For some parents, this limited size range might be off-putting. However, the Pampers Cruisers are designed to accommodate movement, and before 6 months, babies really don’t move about much!

Many of the features of the Cruisers wouldn’t benefit a baby under 6 months, and parents are better off using a diaper specialized to meet newborn needs.

To accommodate movement, Pampers Cruisers come with a flexible but secure fit. This is thanks to the 3-way fit system.

Adapting to the legs, waist, and bottom, the 3-way fit wraps to a snug fit while still leaving room for your baby to move freely.

Keeping the Cruisers diapers in place is the stay-put waist. This has a strong and sturdy grip that shouldn’t slip or move through rolling, crawling, walking, and climbing.

Cruisers diapers also have super stretchy sides, which combine with the grips for a long-lasting fit. 

Cruisers diapers are absorbent, with LockAway channels drawing moisture in and keeping it there.

Combined with the Dual Leak-Guard Barriers, which protect around the legs, leaks can be prevented even during movement.

The snug fit at the waist also reduces the risk of leaks. Cruisers absorb quickly, leaving less time for moisture to sit against the skin (and potentially leak). 

Cruisers are hypoallergenic, and tested by dermatologists. They’re also free from parabens and latex.

Cruisers feel soft, and they shouldn’t cause irritation on delicate skin. However, they aren’t quite as soft as the Swaddlers.

The Cruisers diapers need to be sturdy, to withstand movement. Because of this, there’s a small sacrifice in softness.

Pros

• The 3-way fit system creates a snug comfort.
• LockAway channels prevent leaks.
• Super stretchy sides give a long-lasting fit.
• Wetness Indicator to remove the guesswork from changes.
• Made with cotton-soft materials.

Cons

• Fewer sizes means the diapers aren’t suitable for use from birth.
• Waist fit can be tight on some babies.

Pampers Cruisers vs swaddlers

Having considered the diapers on their own merits, we hope you can see why the Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers lines have become so popular among parents.

Next, we’ll compare the similarities and differences between the diapers, so you can make the right choice.

What Are The Similarities Between pamers swaddlers and cruisers?

Cruisers and Swaddlers are both made by Pampers, so you can expect some similarities between the ranges. Let’s dive right in.

Absorbency

Parents should be happy with the level of absorbency in both the Swaddlers and Cruisers.

We found both designs were able to absorb similar amounts of liquid, comparable to the best diapers around. 

Pampers Swaddlers use a BreatheFree liner to wick moisture away, keeping the skin dry. Cruisers use a cloth rather than mesh-based liner, which works quickly to absorb moisture into the LockAway channels.

The LockAway channels are another feature that can be found in both the Swaddlers and the Cruisers.

These ridged channels improve absorbency and reduce leaks, drawing in moisture and locking it in.

We were really pleased with the performance of the LockAway channels in both the Cruisers and Swaddlers.

Dual Leak-Guard Barriers

The leak protection in both the Swaddlers and the Cruisers was impressive, and a common feature they share is the Leak-Guard barriers.

These are found around the leg cuffs, which is an area prone to leaking. We found these worked both with newborns wearing Swaddlers, and older children wearing Cruisers.

Although we were impressed with the overall leak protection of both diapers, they used some different methods to achieve results.

We’ll cover that in more detail below, as the leak protection will influence which diaper is right for you!

Wetness Indicator

Wetness indicators are colored strips on the front of diapers that change color when the diaper is wet.

Pampers use the wetness indicator on both the Swaddlers and the Cruisers, helping to remove some of the mess and guesswork of diaper changes.

We found the wetness indicator to be useful on both the Swaddlers and Cruisers.

Overall, we thought it was more useful on Cruisers, as we didn’t have to interrupt playtime for checks.

But it’s a useful addition to the Swaddlers, and helped during particularly busy moments.

Hypoallergenic

Diapers spend a lot of time next to the sensitive skin of your baby, so you want to make sure they’re safe.

Pampers have had both the Swaddlers and Cruisers line tested by dermatologists, and they’re both hypoallergenic. Both ranges are also free from parabens and latex. 

The Swaddlers line has also been reviewed independently and accredited as skin safe by the Skin Health Alliance. 

Recognized Brand

Cruisers and Swaddlers are both made by Pampers, who are one of the biggest names in diapers.

Parents have been using and loving Pampers for decades, so you can expect some degree of quality in your purchase.

For new parents struggling to decide between the massive range of diapers for sale, a recognizable brand can be very reassuring.

Pampers Cruisers and Swaddlers are also widely available both online and in store. They’re also sold in large multipacks, allowing parents to stock up, so there are always diapers nearby. 

Price

Although there were some small price differences between Swaddlers and Cruisers, we found that overall, the cost was similar.

Both were available in bulk packs for a slight discount, and both were sold by a variety of retailers.

Some sizes were more expensive than others, and the individual costs of the diapers varied, but we felt that the prices in general were what we expected from Pampers. 

If you’re looking to save on your diapers, we recommend joining Amazon Family for 20% off your favorite diapers when you sign up for their diaper subscription (you can cancel at anytime).

What Are The Difference Between pampers swaddlers and cruisers?

Despite both diapers being manufactured by Pampers, there were several key differences that affect which babies would most benefit from the diapers.

Size

A crucial difference between Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers is the size range. Swaddlers are available in a large range, from Newborn to size 7.

Cruisers are only available from size 3 to 7. Parents can potentially use the Swaddlers from birth almost to potty training. 

The Cruisers have a smaller size range, but many of the features are designed for babies that can crawl and walk. Before 6 months, parents won’t find the Cruisers offer what they need.

Swaddlers might be suitable for older babies, but many parents will want to switch designs when their little one starts moving around.

Swaddlers are intended to be soft against newborn skin, and lack some flexibility needed for exploring.

Fit

Similar to size, fit is a deciding factor between the two brands. Pampers Swaddlers are designed to best fit newborns, with a stretchy side that secures the diaper.

This gives the Swaddlers a flexible fit, and accommodates some movement. Although the diapers can bunch at the crotch, we were impressed overall with Swaddlers.

Cruisers approach fit differently. These have a 3-way fit that adapts around your baby’s body at the waist, legs, and bottom.

Sides with even more stretch help to anchor the diaper in place without hampering your child’s movement. 

Both diapers have a good fit, offering comfort and protection. However, the fits are intended to work best with different ages.

The fit of the Swaddlers is designed for newborns, while the Cruisers adapt to older children.

Leak Protection

Differences in leak protection between Swaddlers and Cruisers are related to the fit and sizing.

As mentioned above, both diapers use the Dual Leak-Guard Barriers to create a seal around your baby’s legs. 

Swaddlers have soft Flexi-Sides, which can form a snug barrier and prevent leaks at the side. Swaddlers also have a BreatheFree Liner to wick away moisture.

Cruisers use their 3-way fit system to prevent leaks as your baby starts to move and explore.

By adapting the fit in three key areas – bottom, legs, and waist – the diapers allow for free movement from the baby, and not the moisture! 

Both diaper designs have good leak protection, but they work best for different age ranges.

Softness

Swaddlers are designed to be the softest diapers offered by Pampers. You can feel the difference. The absorbent layers are ultra-soft, and will feel gentle on the delicate skin of a newborn baby. 

Cruisers are also soft, but these have a cotton softness, and it’s a little firmer. Which brings us to the next difference.

Durability

Swaddlers win on softness, but Cruisers have better durability. The stretch fit system combined with the absorbent materials make a diaper that can withstand the rough and tumble of a growing child.

The diaper moves as your child moves, and it doesn’t sag, even as it gets heavy. 

The durability of the Swaddlers range is good, but they won’t hold up to adventure as well as the Cruisers. 

Umbilical Cord Cutout

One final feature to mention is the umbilical cord cutout. This is available on the smaller sizes of the Pampers Swaddlers, and it keeps the edge of the diaper away from a healing belly button.

This is more comfortable for babies, and more hygienic. Unsurprisingly, none of the Cruisers come with an umbilical cord cutout.

By the time your baby is big enough to fit Cruisers, the umbilical stump should have healed.

Which Diapers Are Better: Pampers Swaddlers Or Cruisers?

We hope the information we’ve covered will help you to see the similarities and differences between Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers. It’s hard to pick an overall winner, as these diapers both excel in different ways.

For newborns and babies up to 6 months, Pampers Swaddlers are the better choice. These diapers are softer and more comfortable than the Cruisers line, and will feel delicate against the skin.

Approved by the Skin Health Alliance, and with an umbilical cord cutout, these diapers are perfect for those vulnerable early days.

However, Swaddlers lack some flexibility, and this can lead to leaks when older babies start to move.

At this point, the Pampers Cruisers become the better choice. Built with an adaptable 3-way fit, these diapers are designed for little adventurers, who need a diaper that can keep up with moving and exploring. 

Pampers Cruisers come in a limited size range, which means parents can’t use them with newborns and babies under 6 months old.

We think if you’ve liked the performance of the Pampers Swaddlers, you’ll be happy to switch to the Cruisers when the time comes!

Both diapers include wetness indicators, Dual Leak-Guard Barriers, and hypoallergenic materials. We recommend starting with Swaddlers, and moving to Cruisers.

Final Thoughts on pampers swaddlers vs pampers cruisers

Both Pampers Swaddlers and Pampers Cruisers are diapers that provide excellent absorbency and limited leaks. 

We prefer the Pampers Swaddlers for newborn babies, as these diapers are incredibly soft and have a delicate feel.

The BreatheFree liner wicks and absorbs moisture for extra comfort and fewer leaks.

But as your baby gets older, we recommend switching to Pampers Cruisers. Flexible and durable, they’re ideal for big adventures. 

We hope our guide has helped you to choose between Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers!

And if you’re looking for more great guides, then check out these diapering guides on buying diapers for baby shower, best overnight diapers, must have diaper caddy essentials, and best diapers to prevent blowouts.