The Best Baby Wipe Warmers for More Comfortable Diaper Changing, According to a New Mom

Imagine: It's a cold winter night, and your brand-new baby wakes up crying in desperate need of a diaper change. You go to soothe him and his wailing subsides for a minute, only to pick back up exponentially the second the ice-cold baby wipe touches his bare bum. As your whole household wakes up and the illusion of anyone getting a good night's sleep drifts away, you realize that this all could have been avoided with one simple purchase: a baby wipe warmer.

If you aren't familiar with this magical appliance, a wipe warmer looks like a regular wipe dispenser, with the addition of a heating element that heats the wipes from within. Some models have a sponge to keep the wipes from drying out, while others have a reservoir. Either way, you have to add water to keep your wipes moist. The end result is a nice, warm baby wipe that won't shock your baby once it makes contact. Many parents swear by wipe warmers to make diaper changes go more smoothly. Some manufacturers also claim that the warmth of the wipe also makes it easier to clean bacteria and debris off your baby's skin more effectively and creates a more hygienic environment.

Does My Baby Need a Wipe Warmer?

You might be wondering if a wipe warmer is something you really need. After all, haven't babies been changed with cold wipes for decades with no discernable negative side-effects? It's true that a wipe warmer isn't a complete necessity. That doesn't mean, however, that it might not improve your baby's quality of life a little (and, therefore, yours). Being wiped with a chilly, wet cloth is not always the most positive experience for a little one, especially in colder climates. As every parent knows, all babies are different, so if you don't want to commit to putting a wipe warmer on your registry before your due date, wait until your baby is born. If diaper changes aren't going well at that point, consider getting a wipe warmer just to have another tool in your soothing arsenal.

The Best Baby Wipe Warmers

• Best Overall: Prince Lionheart Premium Wipes Warmer
• Best With Night-Light: Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer
• Best Rated: Hiccapop Baby Wipe Warmer
• Best Portable: Prince Lionheart Compact Wipes Warmer
• Most Durable: NCVI Wipe Warmer
• Best Affordable: Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer
• Best Splurge Wipe Warmer: Prince Lionheart EVO Wipe Warmer

What to Look for in a Wipe Warmer

When it comes to choosing the right wipe warmer for your nursery, there are a few factors to consider:

Size: How big is the overall unit, and will it fit into your changing station?

Top or Bottom Warming: Some units warm wipes from the top of the dispenser, while others warm from the bottom. Warming from the top will usually only warm the first few wipes in a pack, which is fine for most diaper changes. If you go through a lot of wipes per session, though, you might want to consider a model that warms from bottom up and, therefore, heats the whole stack at once.

Wipe Capacity: It's important to consider how many wipes the warmer can hold. Too few and you will have to refill the holder an annoying number of times (and risk being without a wipe in the midst of a poop blowout). Too many and you might end up with dried out or discolored wipes by the end.

Integrated Night-Light: Many models come with a built-in night-light, which can be great for nighttime diaper changes, but it's not necessary if you only plan to use the warmer during the day or have another light source that you prefer for evenings. It's also important to note what color the night-light is, as some sensitive babies can be overstimulated by harsh lights in the middle of the night.

Temperature Control: While all wipe warmers will heat your wipes, there is a nuance to the warming you should keep in mind. Can you choose the temperature of the warmer? If not, how warm do the wipes get? It's also good to know how long it takes to heat up the stack of wipes once the device is turned on.

Price: Of course, price is always a consideration. When looking at the cost of a wipe warmer, use the other factors listed here to help you determine what is most important to you and your baby, and what you can live without. This will help justify a higher cost or help you realize that a more basic model is perfectly fine for your needs.

While I didn't test out all of the wipe warmers below on my baby, I did comb through all the reviews of these devices online and came up with this list based on the top-rated products with the features parents need most.