Making the transition from nappies to potty training pants is a huge milestone that’s also a little scary (for you and them!). Soon, you'll be waving goodbye to the nappies and looking for the best potties for potty training to start the journey to pants. Your little one will be using the big toilet before you know it, even if there are a few little accidents, along the way.
Other parents who have conquered this stage will probably have told you a few horror stories about having to buy new carpets or about the time when their little one had an accident in the shops, on the bus, or at a friend's house, but it’s honestly not that bad. Every child is different, and if you go into potty training expecting a few accidents most days, it makes those surprises a little easier to handle. While you are potty training, as well as considering which potty training pants to buy, it's also worthwhile buying a travel potty like the My Carry Potty training system, which will help prevent your little one from getting caught short in public or on a long journey, where there might not be easy access to public toilets.
There's more choice than ever now for potty training pants, from disposable pull-ups to reusable, absorbent pants. It doesn't matter if you have been using disposable nappies since birth or are a fan of cloth nappies, finding the right fit for you and your little one as you embark on this next stage will be even easier.
Best potty training pants at a glance:
We've found the best training pants to make potty training that little bit simpler for not only you but your little one, too! We'd recommend getting your child involved with every stage, including choosing a potty and pants, and even getting a reward chart for encouragement. It will make the transition smoother and a lot more fun. There are even potty training books you can read with your little one, or why not look through the list of potty training pants together and let them pick their favourite?
Best overall
AmazonThese won Bronze in the 2018 Mother&Baby Awards in the Best Potty Training Product category.
These training pants from Bambino are the perfect middleman between nappies and pants. We love the child-friendly designs that make ‘big kid’ pants more fun and the fact that the material can be washed easily and reused without any lingering smell.
Our mum tester, Shannon Finch, found these training pants much cheaper than disposable ones in the long run. This is also true because they can be washed and reused multiple times, saving parents from constant repurchasing.
Read our full Bambino Mio Potty Training Pants Review
Pros
- Bambino Mio offer a variety of different designs and colours.
- They are made from soft cotton with a water-resistant layer.
- These training pants are reusable, making them better for the environment.
- They are machine washable and can be tumble-dried.
- These training pants have an elastic waistband, allowing children to take them on and off easily themselves.
Cons
- These may not provide sufficient protection overnight, as they didn't absorb as much as first expected.
| Material | Cotton blend |
| Washing instructions | Machine washable |
| Pack size | 5 |
| Age | 18-24 months |
- Reusable
- Unisex
- Concealed water resistant layer
Best for fun designs
AmazonBronze winners at the Mother&Baby Awards 2021 in theBest Potty Training Product category, these pants allow you to train your child with confidence.
The Paw Patrol pants are super easy to pull up and support your child in their potty training journey while making your life easier. You can feel rest assured, as these pants have been created to catch any dribbles, so your child's clothes need changing less. The fabric is soft and easy to wash, with a stretch waistband that fits snugly around your child.
More than the comfort, our mum tester Nadia and her son loved the design. She said, 'My son enjoyed the fun design and felt like a ‘big boy’ wearing these.'
Read our full Paw patrol training pants Review
Pros
- Features a Paw Patrol characters design.
- Designed to catch dribbles, reducing the frequency of changing clothes.
- These training pants are reusable, making them better for the environment.
- They are made from 100% cotton.
- They are machine washable and come with a reusable bag for travel.
Cons
- Some have said these run small.
- There also is a limited size range.
| Material | 100 per cent cotton |
| Washing instructions | Machine washable |
| Pack size | 2 |
| Age | 18 months - 3 years |
- Reusable
- Easy to pull up
- Come with a travel bag
Best for long journeys
AmazonThese training pants were shortlisted in the Mother&Baby Awards 2019 in the Best Potty Training Product category.
HUGGIES pull-ups are specially designed to make potty training easier. They have a unique learning layer that briefly mimics the feeling of wet underwear to help your little one learn the difference between damp and dry, soft, stretchy sides.
Toddlers can effortlessly pull up and down these pants. Kids love to wear them because of their Disney design, which fades when wet. They also have re-sealable easy-open sides, making it easier to remove them in case of accidents.
Unlike some of the other training pants on the market, our mum tester Shreya found these are also good for long car journeys if you are worried about accidents due to naps. She found that they have good absorbency compared with other similar brands on the market.
Read our full HUGGIES Pull-Ups Review
Pros
- These feature a learning layer that mimics the feeling of wet underwear, helping them learn the difference.
- The Huggies Pull-Ups are highly absorbent, ensuring overnight protection.
- They have soft stretchy sides, allowing your toddler to easily pull them up.
- These feature fun Disney designs, which also fade when they are wet to recognise when accidents have happened.
Cons
- As these are disposable, they will contribute to landfill waste.
- Over time, the cost of purchasing them will add up.
| Pack size | 20 |
| Age | 2-4 years |
- Disposable
- Wetness indicator
- 360 degree waistband
- Learning layer
Best disposable potty training pants
Amazon
Featuring in the Mother&Baby Awards 2017, these baby-dry pants won gold for the Best Potty Training Products.
Our panel of mum testers was so impressed by Pampers and the liquid retention of the nappies, especially at night, that they reported no leaks whatsoever. The material is thick, high-quality, and soft on sensitive skin. We love the sticky tab at the back, sealing the nappy and mess inside.
Pampers stated that these training pants offer up to 12 hours of protection, and our mum testers agreed. They found that these couldn't be beaten on absorbency.
Read our full Pampers Baby-Dry Review
Pros
- They offer up to 12 hours of protection.
- The pants are made out of breathable materials, allowing air to circulate, reducing the risk of irritation.
- Wetness is disturbed evenly with their three absorbing channels.
- They offer a flexible fit with stretchy sides which accommodates your toddlers movements.
Cons
- As these are disposable, they will contribute to landfill waste.
- Over time, the cost of purchasing them will add up.
| Pack size | 174 |
| Weight range | 9 - 14kg |
- Disposable
- 12 hours leakage protection
- Stretchy sides
Best durable potty training pants
AmazonWith over a thousand four-star reviews on Amazon, these cotton toddler training pants are known for their durability and softness. Skhls training pants are carefully sewn to prevent baby rash and are fully reusable, making them a reliable option throughout the entire potty training phase.
Online parents rave about the reusability of these pants, and we love that extra washable inserts can be added for even greater absorbency. These breathable nappies are gentle on your child’s skin and far more eco-friendly than disposable ones, making them a great choice for environmentally conscious families. But one thing to remember is these training pants will need to be washed by hand.
Pros
- Skhls off a variety of different designs and colours.
- They are made from soft, breathable cotton.
- These pants are reusable, making them better for the environment.
- They are fast drying, after being washed.
- There is room for washable inserts to add additional absorbency.
Cons
- They can only be hand-washed.
| Material | 60 per cent polyester, 40 per cent cotton |
| Washing instructions | Hand wash only |
| Pack size | 8 |
| Age range | 2-4 years |
- Reusable
- Good absorbency
- Quick drying
Best for small accidents
AmazonThese seven-pack toddler training pants are designed to resemble comfortable underwear, making them ideal for the potty training transition. When fitted snugly around the waist and thighs, they can hold up to 30ml of urine, and they provide partial waterproof protection to catch small accidents.
These eco-friendly training pants are washable, durable, and reusable. They offer a practical solution for parents looking to reduce their reliance on disposable nappies while helping their children move toward regular underwear. Perfect for minor accidents, they offer just enough protection to get your little one to the bathroom without the mess. However, it is important to note that these training pants won't hold large amounts of urine, rather small accidents, so they may not be the best training pants to wear when you're just starting your potty training journey.
Pros
- Made from 100% soft and breathable cotton, reducing the risk of rashes.
- They are tested to hold at least 30ml, when the waist and thigh bands fit snugly.
- They are machine washable.
- These pants are reusable, making them better for the environment.
Cons
- They are not suitable for larger accidents, as it may result in leaks.
| Material | 100 per cent cotton |
| Washing instructions | Machine washable |
| Pack size | 7 |
| Age range | 2 - 4 years |
- Reusable
- Machine washable
- Leak-proof structure
Best eco-friendly potty training pants
AmazonThese eco-friendly toddler training pants are designed with stretchy leg holes for a better fit, helping to prevent side leakage. The flexible, on-and-off waistband makes quick changes easy, especially when your child needs to go urgently. We like that the design makes it easier for little ones to pull their underwear up and down independently, which is an important step in the toilet training journey.
Made from natural cotton, these pants are comfortable and gentle on sensitive skin. Thankfully, they can be washed in the washing machine or by hand if you prefer. Like the previous training pants, these also offer reliable protection during potty training by holding small amounts of urine but are not suitable overnight or for long periods.
Pros
- They offer a stretchy waistband making it easier for toddlers to pull the pants up and down, promoting independence.
- These are machine washable.
- Flyish offers a variety of different colours, designs and sizes.
- These pants are reusable, making them better for the environment.
Cons
- There is a potential for leaks, so not as suitable for overnight.
| Material | 100 per cent cotton |
| Washing instructions | Machine washable |
| Pack size | 8 |
| Size range | 2 - 7 years |
- Reusable
- 6 layer absorbent structure
- Machine washable
What are potty training pants?
"Potty training pants are a key potty training product that enables toddlers to make the transition away from nappies towards big-kid pants and are a great first step in your potty-training journey," says Bambino Mio's Product Coordinator and Technician, Alex Nicholls. "Training pants mimic the feeling of wet underwear to allow toddlers to recognise the feeling of needing to use the potty, and the underwear-like fit and pull-up style makes it super easy for changing in-between any accidents."
Why use potty training pants?
Rather than a replacement for nappies, potty training pants should be used as a step towards wearing normal underwear as your tot learns to potty train. Because they do not soak up wee as much as disposable nappies, your toddler will find it easier to tell when they are wet and will start to understand that they need to keep them dry, encouraging them to use the potty instead - and acting as an early warning for you too. If you are hoping to get rid of nappies from day one, with plans to potty train quickly, then potty training pants, especially cloth ones, will just add a little bit of reassurance in case of accidents; especially when out and about, but they will also let you ditch nappies sooner rather than later.
Benefits of potty training pants
"There are so many benefits to both parents and toddlers when transitioning to reusable potty-training pants. They help promote independence for your toddler with their pull-up style design and help children to feel like they’re wearing real pants," says Alex. "Potty-training pants such as Bambino Mio's usually come in a range of super cute designs and contain a concealed water-resistant layer and absorbent inner pad that minimises the need for any clothing changes. Many are also super easy to wash so that when little accidents happen, they can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. They’re great for the environment too, allowing you to move away from single-use plastic products like disposable training pants and towards more sustainable, reusable options."
Types of Potty training pants
Cloth potty training pants: The good thing about potty training is that you won’t have to spend a fortune on nappies every week, but you can reduce the cost even further by using reusable training pants. Not only are these better for the environment, but they help promote independence for your toddler as they look and feel like big-kid pants. Cloth training pants usually have a water-resistant layer and inner pad, which will contain little accidents. You can simply pop them in the washing machine as and when you need to. In fact, if you want to start with cloth nappies before potty training, there are lots of options for reusable nappies on the market, which are great for the environment and save buying nappies every week.
Disposable potty training pants: For many parents, it's straightforward for their little ones to move onto disposable potty training pants because they feel and work the same as regular nappies, making it an easier transition. You can buy pull-ups, which, although they are as absorbent as a regular nappy, give your little one independence because they can pull them up and down like regular pants. You might want to transition to nappy pants once your little one is moving because they are ideal for older babies who can be quite wriggly to put a nappy on.
How to introduce potty training pants
Bambino Mio shares their expert tips for introducing your baby to toddler training pants.
Make sure they’re ready
One of the best tips we recommend is to make sure your child is ready. Potty training isn’t something you can or should force on your little one. While both girls and boys are often ready to potty train around the same time (between 18 months and 30 months), it’s different for every child. Potty training boys might have different challenges for girls. However, potty training girls will also raise questions, and all children will have accidents as they learn this new skill. Pushing your child to potty train before they are ready might actually delay the process and can create unnecessary stress for both you and your child. If your toddler can stay dry for 2 hours or during a nap then they might be ready to say goodbye to the nappies.
A recent YouGov survey provides evidence that using reusable nappies is associated with early potty training by 18 months or younger because reusable nappies allow for an increased sense of independence for children and parents.
Just because your little one is dry during the day, it doesn't necessarily mean they are ready to be dry at night. Nighttime potty traininghappens at different ages for all children; however, if when they wake up, they consistently have dry nappies, then it might be worth seeing how they go without nappies at night. You can always use a pair of reusable potty training pants for reassurance for the first few nights. Once they are dry at night, they may need to get up occasionally to use the toilet, so a toilet nightlightis a lovely idea. Don't worry about bedwetting, lots of children have night time accidents, especially those under the age of five.
Make sure you’re ready
Investing in potty-training essentials is important to make the transition as smooth as possible. Pull-up-style training pants are the perfect step away from nappies towards big-kid pants! Potty training should be a fun and enjoyable experience for toddlers, so we recommend stocking up on eye-catching designs and letting your child choose which style they want to wear; this will encourage them to love wearing training pants.
Praise them
It’s important to be your child’s biggest cheerleader and use words of encouragement to keep them motivated and get them excited about using potty-training pants. Some kids might need more motivation, so rewards might be the way to go. A great idea would be to use a potty training reward chart, and each time they use the potty, they get a sticker; this is a simple but great way to encourage them to continue to use the potty and understand the journey. But you know your child, so use whatever method works best for them, some parents opt for stickers, small toys or a little lolly as a reward.
Keep it consistent
Routine is key in this process, so once you start potty training to keep the momentum going, stay on a schedule. To prevent your child from having accidents and to help them understand the feeling of needing to go, you could try to sit your toddler on the potty at regular intervals during the day and especially after meal times to get them used to the idea. Even though it can be a bit of a repetitive process, it will help familiarise your little one with the routine. You can even introduce some potty training gamesto keep it fun. Yes, sometimes they’ll have accidents and meltdowns, and they’ll probably refuse to go, but at the end of it, all your children will understand the process and will start to be more independent and take themselves to the potty. It will be hard sometimes, but remember to give some extra patience as this is all new to them.
How we test and choose recommended products
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.
For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.