I’ve reviewed grab bars, shower mats, and toilet seat risers for Wirecutter, as well as a variety of gear for older and disabled people for USA Today’s Reviewed. I also spent years as a caregiver for my mother while she went through cancer treatments, and I remained her caregiver through the end of her life.

I’ve helped multiple family members navigate bladder and bowel issues, including researching incontinence underwear, colostomy bags (and related accessories), and toilet seat risers. And I’ve seen firsthand how much embarrassment and misinformation there is around buying products for these needs.

For this guide:

• I read various incontinence resources—including academic studies, articles, blogs, and chat forums—created by and for those who live with all types of bladder incontinence.
• I interviewed two occupational therapists who specialize in pelvic health to find out what makes a good diaper (as well as the dealbreakers), and I spoke with representatives for adult-diaper manufacturers.
• I talked with friends and family with bladder incontinence and read online conversations. I also interviewed a man in his late 20s with full bladder and bowel incontinence who helped us test diapers, to get a sense of which ones really work (and which fall far too short).

Incontinence can refer to bladder incontinence (peeing) or bowel incontinence (pooping). Though we focused on the needs of those with bladder incontinence for this guide, our picks will work for bowel incontinence as well.

Bladder incontinence can range from leaking a few drops throughout the day to a complete loss of bladder control. And it can be an issue for everyone from athletes who do high-impact sports to those who just gave birth to people who need full-time care.

Although the recommendations for diaper-style briefs in this guide are geared toward folks with high levels of bladder incontinence up to full bladder incontinence, we also kept in mind the needs of those with moderate bladder incontinence. That said, if you have mild or moderate incontinence, or you’re looking for options that are closer to standard underwear to make the transition, you may want to consider pull-up style briefs or reusable incontinence underwear. We’re currently testing both and will have a new guide out soon with our picks.

There is a common misconception that bladder incontinence is tied to aging, yet anyone at any age can be (or become) incontinent.

In testing, we made sure that our picks would work for the whole spectrum of people with heavy incontinence—from those who are living independent, active lifestyles to those who receive help from a caregiver for their incontinence needs.

The InControl BeDry Premium Incontinence Briefs are some of the highest-quality, most-durable adult diapers on the market. Our tester, a 27-year-old farmer with full bladder incontinence, said he “feels the most secure” in these briefs. “I can live my best life because I’m not chained to my home,” he said. Although full absorbency is not quite as fast with these briefs as it is for the NorthShore MegaMax briefs, the BeDry briefs still offer leak-free, quick absorbency in the same large amounts, at a lower price per diaper.

This brief is extremely absorbent. During testing, this diaper easily held 67 ounces of liquid (the most the average person pees in a day). We were actually able to add up to around 80 ounces before the diaper’s absorbency slowed, and it was able to absorb up to 100 ounces without leaks. So even though you’ll still probably want to change this diaper at least once or twice throughout the day (for hygienic and comfort reasons), it can technically last for a very long time before it becomes ineffective.

The wetness indicator is easy to see and works well. For caregivers, a wetness indicator can be a huge help when they’re taking care of someone who can’t reliably communicate discomfort. The strip on these diapers turns from a pale yellow to a dark black, making it easy to see at a glance when it’s time for a change.

The tabs are strong and easily refastenable. This diaper’s tabs have a strong adhesive, with blue strips on the edges that make them easy to see against the white diaper. In addition, the plastic-coated fastening areas make it a cinch to put on the diaper, take it off, or reposition it throughout the day. Our tester especially liked the labeled fastening areas because they allowed him to get the fit right the first time without needing to redo the tabs.

The quality is (almost) unmatched. Ultimately, adult diapers still have a long way to go before most are as reliable and durable as they need to be for active users. InControl BeDry and the NorthShore MegaMax stand out well and above the competition; their durability, sturdier materials, and smart designs help prevent leaks and seepage, and they held up to our tester’s active lifestyle and high level of incontinence. This diaper’s Whiff-X core, the specialized absorbency area, helps this brief feel dry and comfortable, even with large amounts of liquid. And the leak guards keep any liquid that isn’t immediately absorbed from ending up on clothing.

The overall price is lower than comparable diapers. Incontinence products add up fast, particularly for those who need to use them 24/7. When calculating cost, it’s important to factor in what you’re paying per diaper and how many diapers you typically need in a day. With the InControl BeDry diapers, our tester with full bladder incontinence needed to use only three over a 24-hour period (he noted that he could have probably gotten by with two, but he prefers a change before bed). This puts the current price per day for a pack of 48 at $5.55 over 24 hours. (Note that shipping from the company is free if you buy the case of 48 diapers, but for the smaller bag, it can add more than $10.)

The sizing is clear and makes reordering easy. Each diaper is labeled with the brand name and size, so reordering is easy. This saves you from trying to guess or dig through past orders (and from having to decipher vague descriptions like “I like the gray ones” if you’re ordering for someone else).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• We find InControl’s advertised capacity for these diapers confusing. It lists the “theoretical capacity” (this is a measure used in quality control but one that’s not really applicable to real-world use). We wish the company would just list the absorbency before leakage.
• We found that the plastic in the diaper made some noise, but it wasn’t enough to bother our tester throughout the day.
• For people with limited dexterity, the thin sticker tabs could be difficult to use.
• InControl’s diapers are available from fewer online retailers than our other picks. You can buy the smaller packs (two briefs and 16 briefs) on Amazon, but buying the 48-diaper pack directly from the company’s website is a better deal.
• Whereas shipping is free if you buy the largest offered pack of 48 diapers, the smaller packs can come with some fairly hefty shipping costs. And, if you order from InControl’s website, it can take more than a week for the diapers to arrive.
• Unlike NorthShore MegaMax diapers, InControl BeDry diapers come in one color only.

Key specs

• Price per diaper: $1.85 at the time of publication
• Sizes: S (from 27-inch waist/hip) to XL (up to 47-inch waist/hip)
• Colors: white
• Wetness indicator: yes
• Claimed absorbency: 12 hours

If you need petite or larger sizes, or if you tend to release a full bladder all at once, the NorthShore MegaMax Tab-Style Briefs are the best choice. They work just as well as the InControl BeDry diapers, but they cost quite a bit more and don’t come with a wetness strip. Our tester described them as “by far one of the best adult diapers I have ever worn. I can go about my day confidently because I don’t have to be paranoid about this diaper falling off, tearing, or leaking unexpectedly.”

They can absorb a lot of pee very quickly. NorthShore’s MegaMax diapers absorbed even large volumes of liquid faster than every other diaper we tested—beating out the also-fast InControl BeDry diapers. For those who tend to pee a lot at once, this is crucial for avoiding leaks. The diapers advertise an absorbency of 30 to 49 ounces (depending on the size you wear), but our tests found that they could easily hold the full 67 ounces an average person pees in a day. We also like that NorthShore clearly lists the “absorbency before leakage” of its diapers, rather than a theoretical max capacity or other confusing claims.

The tabs are strong and easily refastenable. The tabs on NorthShore MegaMax diapers are made of thick, sturdy tape that can be easily refastened, and they have blue edges, so they’re easy to see and find against the diaper. The landing area isn’t quite as cleverly designed as the one on the InControl diapers, however, because it doesn’t have a printed-on reference indicating where to fasten the tabs for the best fit.

The color options are fun. Just because you’re wearing a diaper doesn’t mean it has to be boring. NorthShore MegaMax diapers come in five different colors, including a tie-dye pattern (though all the colors aren’t available for every size).

The quality and durability are impressive. Much like the quality of the InControl diapers, NorthShore’s diapers are top of the line. The MegaMax diapers are sturdy enough to work for even very active users (like our tester) while staying comfortable and leak-free. They’re made of highly durable material, which is on a par with the InControl diapers in keeping moisture away from the skin. And they’re reinforced with double leak guards and plastic backing to prevent any moisture breaking through.

They come in a wide range of sizes. NorthShore MegaMax offers the greatest range of sizes of all of our picks, with its XS starting at an 18-inch waist/hip measurement and its 2XL going up to 76 inches.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Because they lack a wetness indicator, NorthShore MegaMax diapers aren’t as ideal for caregivers of folks who can’t communicate when a diaper needs to be changed.
• MegaMax is one of the most expensive adult diapers we saw. Due to this diaper’s high quality, it will still be cheaper overall than low-quality diapers that you’ll need to change more often, but ultimately the MegaMax didn’t have enough advantages over InControl’s BeDry to justify the increase in the cost per diaper. As with the BeDry diapers, with the MegaMax briefs you’ll get the best deal on cost per diaper and shipping by ordering directly from NorthShore’s website.
• MegaMax didn’t have enough advantages over InControl’s BeDry to justify the increase in the cost per diaper. As with the BeDry diapers, with the MegaMax briefs you’ll get the best deal on cost per diaper and shipping by ordering directly from NorthShore’s website.
• Unlike InControl, NorthShore doesn’t have the brand or size listed on its diaper. While this isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, it does make reordering more challenging for those who have tossed the packaging already.
• As with the InControl BeDry diapers, with the NorthShore MegaMax diapers, the plastic backing creates some noise during wear. But the noise was minimal and wasn’t noticeable under most clothing.

Key specs

• Price per diaper: $2.87 for size M at the time of publication
• Sizes: XS (from 18-inch waist/hip) to 2XL (up to 76-inch waist/hip)
• Colors: five options (black, blue, pink, white, tie-dye)
• Wetness indicator: no
• Claimed absorbency: 30 to 49 ounces

Although the Beyond XP5000 Plastic-Backed Adult Briefs don’t offer the same absorbency or comfort as our top two picks, they do use hook-and-loop fasteners (rather than thin adhesive tabs). So they’re a lot easier for those with limited dexterity to use independently.

We don’t necessarily recommend this diaper for active people, however, because the hook-and-loop fasteners can more easily loosen throughout the day, compared with sticker tabs.

The hook-and-loop tabs work well and are easy to use. The hook-and-loop tabs on this diaper are easy to grab, fasten, and refasten. They require less hand strength and dexterity than sticker tabs (though they’re also less secure). So many folks who have arthritis or other conditions will be able to use these independently for longer.

The absorbency is good. Though the absorbency isn’t as fast as with the InControl BeDry or NorthShore MegaMax diapers, it’s nonetheless very solid. This diaper absorbed 30 ounces of liquid plenty quickly while still feeling very dry to the touch. However, as it neared the 67-ounce mark, the diaper was noticeably more damp than our other two top picks. Those who tend to release a lot of urine all at once may find this diaper leaks, but for those who release smaller amounts over time (even those with full bladder incontinence), this brief is more than up to the task.

Reordering is simple. The brand and size are both listed on the diaper, so it’s easy to reorder the product online yourself or get help from a loved one.

The materials are durable and will keep you mostly dry. The Beyond XP5000 diaper is made of high-quality materials; for small to moderate amounts of liquid, these diapers stay feeling nearly as dry and comfortable as the InControl BeDry and NorthShore MegaMax (and much more than Assurance). With larger volumes, this diaper still doesn’t leak, but it will feel damper to the touch, and it won’t be as comfortable for as long as InControl or NorthShore diapers.

It has a wetness indicator. Like our InControl and Assurance picks, this diaper comes with a wetness strip that changes color when it needs to be changed—an especially useful feature for caregivers.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• This diaper was a little louder to put on and take off than our top two picks because of the hook-and-loop strips. While our tester found the noise comparable to our other picks when he was walking around, quietly changing it in a public bathroom was more difficult.
• Because the tabs fasten with hook and loop, they tend to loosen and stretch over time. This can also cause chafing for especially active wearers.
• The cost per diaper is around the same price as those of the InControl BeDry and NorthShore MegaMax diapers. However, if you experience full bladder incontinence, there’s a real possibility you’ll be paying more overall because you’ll need to change this diaper more often. (Our tester ended up using five over the course of the day, rather than three.)
• Like the InControl BeDry diapers, these briefs aren’t available at many online retailers.
• The diaper packaging lists the absorbency capacity in vague and confusing terms. This isn’t helpful for understanding how much urine the diaper will hold for the average person or comparing across brands.
• This diaper is available in one only color.

Key specs

• Price per diaper: $1.79 for size M at the time of publication
• Sizes: M (from 31-inch waist) to XL (up to 64-inch waist)
• Colors: white
• Wetness Indicator: no
• Claimed absorbency: unclear

We generally found the diapers available in chain stores like Walgreens or CVS to be nowhere near the quality of the options available online. But if you need diapers last minute and can’t wait for shipping, or shopping online is too much of a hassle, Walmart’s Assurance Unisex Stretch Briefs with Tabs are the best of the worst.

If you’re dealing only with leaks or smaller amounts of urine, and you can change the diapers regularly, these’ll work in a pinch.

The upfront cost is hard to beat. Assurance Stretch Briefs are the cheapest ones we tested, and they’re one of the cheapest that are widely available at just 53¢ a pair. Due to their lower absorbency, in the long run you could spend the same or more as you would for a higher-quality diaper, since you’ll need to change it more often. However, for those on a tight budget, the lower price can be a huge help.

You can buy these diapers at a physical store. Though they’re also available online, these diapers are the only ones among our picks that you can easily purchase by driving to a nearby store. Because they’re from Walmart’s brand, these diapers can be found at most Walmart stores across the country. When you need a diaper immediately, this is one of the best that you can reliably find fast.

It has a wetness strip. If you’re a caregiver who needs to be able to tell when the diaper needs to be changed, a wetness strip can be crucial. While you’ll want to watch this diaper a little more closely than our other picks to make sure it’s not leaking, the wetness strip was easy to see and use.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Compared with our other picks, the Assurance diaper has significantly worse absorbency, durability, and overall quality. If you have the time and budget to trade up for one of our other picks, we recommend doing so every time. But we know that’s not always possible, and for those situations, the Assurance diaper is your best bet.
• This diaper’s absorbency isn’t high enough or fast enough for those with total loss of bladder control or those who tend to pee a lot at once. Compared with our other picks, this diaper stayed damper during our tests, even with just 8 ounces of fluid (a fraction of what InControl’s or NorthShore’s diapers could hold without feeling damp). So the Assurance diaper should ideally be changed after every use, to avoid health issues and discomfort.
• Like the Beyond XP5000 diaper’s packaging, this diaper’s packaging doesn’t clearly list its absorbency capacity.
• This diaper comes in white only.

Key specs

• Price per diaper: 53¢ (for all sizes) at the time of publication
• Sizes: S/M (from 22-inch waist) to L/XL (up to 64-inch waist)
• Colors: white
• Wetness indicator: yes
• Claimed absorbency: unclear

An individual’s physical needs and lifestyle will factor into figuring out which diaper works best for them. A diaper that doesn’t leak or seep through is always the top priority, but we also focused on the following criteria:

• Absorbency volume: We took into consideration the heaviest use cases. And we eliminated diapers that wouldn’t work for those with full bladder incontinence or those who need to wear a diaper for longer stretches of time. We preferred diapers with packaging that explained absorbency in real-world terms, rather than in a theoretical capacity (which is intended as a standard for quality control, not a guidance on how much a diaper will hold).
• Absorbency speed: We focused on products that could quickly and reliably absorb the liquid as fast as possible, to help avoid leaks and contain smells.
• Leak-free design: A good diaper will keep even a full bladder’s contents contained—no matter your anatomy—while avoiding dreaded leaks out of the leg holes.
• Durable construction: We searched for diapers that were durable enough to hold up, whether you’re working outside in your garden or relaxing inside.
• Fit and comfort: Diapers cover a highly sensitive part of the body. Therefore it’s vital to find a pair that fits correctly, so you remain comfortable and confident throughout your day. A bad fit can lead to chafing, sores, leaks, and worse. To help us decide which models to try, we looked closely at user reviews, online forums, and information from people who use adult diapers.
• Keeping skin dry: A good diaper is the one you forget you’re wearing. We looked for diapers that wouldn’t feel sopping wet hours after they had been used.
• Refastenable tabs: One of the huge benefits of a diaper-style brief is being able to adjust the fit; this helps prevent leaks and increase comfort. We examined how each diaper’s refastening method worked, and we checked whether the tabs were easy to use, felt secure, and refastened without damaging the surface beneath.
• The right price: At a minimum, someone with full bladder incontinence will need to change a good-quality diaper at least three times a day. But with lower-quality and lower-absorbency diapers, you may need to change them as often as 12 times a day. No matter the diaper, the price adds up quickly, so we looked for diapers that cost the least over time.
• Low noise level: Plastic is essential for many of the highest-absorbency diapers to work well, but it can also be conspicuously loud. We focused on products that didn’t make a lot of noise when the wearer was moving around.
• Wetness indicator: A wetness indicator is most useful for those who get assistance with changing their diapers, such as from nurses or caregivers. For those changing their own diapers, this may not be a factor, but we kept this feature in mind to find the best option for those who need it.
• Size range: Though the adjustable nature of diapers means a single size can fit a wider range of bodies, we considered only those diapers that came in a wide range of sizes.

For this guide, we considered only tab-style diapers (commonly called adult diapers). They are more absorbent and leak-proof than pull-up style briefs. They also tend to fit better, since the tab fastener allows you to tighten or loosen the diaper, whereas a pull-up can easily droop, sag, or slide off.

Although we originally considered adding washable, cloth diapers to our testing, we quickly decided against it because they’re less absorbent, more prone to leaking, and difficult to clean.

We selected the highest-absorbency diapers from 15 different brands, including those that are household names to less-well-known brands you can only buy online. We first tried on each diaper, to evaluate how easy it was to use the tabs and follow the instructions for putting it on and fastening it correctly. We then tried out different movements and positions, to determine a diaper’s noise level and comfort.

Next, we put each diaper through a series of absorbency tests, to determine how much water it could hold without it leaking or seeping through and how quickly the absorption occurred. We started by pouring 8 ounces (the average single-urination amount) onto the absorbent part of the diaper while it was lying flat. We then progressively increased the amount to 30 ounces and then 67 ounces (about the most an average person urinates in a day), and then up to the listed maximum capacity for each diaper (or up to 100 ounces, for those that didn’t list the information explicitly).

During these tests, I kept an eye on how well the wetness indicator worked (if the diaper had one), and I took note of any problem areas in the design that left open the possibility of leakage with movement.

From there, we hung each diaper up overnight by its tabs, to see whether it would leak, seep through, or come undone from the weight of the liquid it had absorbed. Realistically, no matter how good a diaper is, it shouldn’t be worn for 24 hours, but we wanted to stress test each product for a worst-case scenario.

We then had a tester—a 27-year-old man who has full bladder and bowel incontinence—use the top four performers that we identified in our testing for 48 hours. (He didn’t test the Assurance Unisex Stretch Briefs because they didn’t work for his needs.)

A livestock farmer by profession, he wore the diapers while going about his work day, which involves constantly bending over, lifting heavy objects, using a chainsaw, and occasionally running to corral an animal who has found a weak spot in the fence. He evaluated each diaper’s absorbency, and he noted whether it leaked or contained odors, as well as how often he needed to change it.

It can be tempting to compare the cost of common incontinence diapers with that of premium diapers and buy the cheaper option. But because premium diapers absorb more, you can use fewer of them, and thus the total cost per day can be less.

Here’s the breakdown of what our tester used over 24 hours while testing premium InControl and MegaMax diapers, compared with the number of less-absorbent Depend Fresh Protection with Tabs we estimate he would have used, based on our own testing. (To be clear, he didn’t test the Depend briefs, because they don’t meet his needs as someone with full incontinence):

To determine the cost of the diaper itself, divide the total cost of the package by how many diapers it holds. In most cases, larger packages will provide a better value (and they often come with free shipping).

Beyond the cost savings, by choosing a high-quality diaper, you’ll spend less time worrying about leaks or finding a place to change. Our tester said that when low-quality diapers were his only option, for financial reasons, “I had anxiety because of the fear of being embarrassed, and I was depressed because the poor-quality diapers available to me limited my ability to be in public.”

An easy-on option for moderate incontinence: The McKesson Extended Wear Stretch Briefs have a single long strip of hook-and-loop fasteners on each side. So for those who have limited dexterity in their hands, this brief is one of the easiest to put on and take off. While the McKesson brief did not hold up well for our active tester with full bladder incontinence, it’s still worth considering for those with moderate bladder incontinence or those who can change a diaper more frequently.

If you want a subtler option: The Tena Proskin Stretch Fully Breathable Briefs leaked a little at 67 ounces, and they absorbed more slowly than some of our other picks. Yet we found them to be the closest to “regular” underwear, due to their quiet, clothlike material. For those who have moderate incontinence or who are still getting used to the idea of wearing a diaper, this is a good one for making the transition.

The solid, mid-priced Tranquility ATN Disposable Briefs provide impressive absorbency without any leaks. And though the company claims they hold up to 34 ounces, when we tested them with 67 ounces, they easily held the full amount. However, we dismissed these briefs because they were noisy when our tester moved around, and they had a less comfortable fit.

The Attends Advanced Briefs have a great price, but their slow absorbency, moderate noise level, and less-comfortable feel led us to dismiss them. Yet in a pinch, this product is still a fine choice.

The Abena Abri-Form Comfort M4 and BetterDry Adult Diapers w/ Plastic Backing were both strong options for high-absorbency diapers made from quality materials. However, both had a noticeable leaking issue, so we ultimately dismissed them. The Abena brief’s lack of an elastic waistband around the back led to gapping and leaks for some wearers, and the adhesive tabs tore the plastic during repositioning. And the BetterDry brief’s leak guards were too small for larger volumes of liquid.

We had high hopes for the Depend Fresh Protection with Tabs briefs, given how ubiquitous they were. But we found that the quality didn’t hold up. This brief was less absorbent, durable, and harder to use than others we tested. Whereas some of our briefs could absorb 67 ounces easily, the Depend brief began leaking at only 8 ounces.

We loved the low price of the FitRight OptiFit Briefs and the Walgreens Certainty Unisex Briefs, but we found that both had major leak issues.

Although the Unique Wellness Briefs did hold a lot compared with other briefs we tested, they could not hold the advertised 87 ounces. This product’s packaging was also the least discreet by far.

Prevail Air Plus Daily Briefs had hundreds of good user reviews, but ultimately they couldn’t compete with the other briefs we tested. The mid-range price is decent, but the repositionable tabs consistently tore the diaper during testing. Overall, the quality did not match the price.

This article was edited by Claire Perlman and Christine Cyr Clisset.