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byAshley Jones
Fact-Checked by Erin Cavoto
| January 4, 2024
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Quick Summary
The best potty training pants are the Gerber Baby Training Underwear because they're soft, absorbent and easy to clean, according to parents in the What to Expect community.
Best Training Underwear
Photo: Gerber
Best Overall Training Underwear
Gerber Baby Unisex Training Underwear
$11 for 3-pack
See Review
Amazon
Photo: Amazon
Most Absorbent Training Underwear
MooMoo Baby Potty Training Pants
$33 for 8-pack
See Review
Photo: Kanga Care
Best Training Underwear with Side Snaps
Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Reusable Training Pants
$28 for 2-pack
See Review
Amazon
Photo: Huggies
Best Disposable Training Underwear
Pull-Ups Learning Designs Potty Training Pants
$35 for 74-pack
See Review
Amazon
Photo: Gerber Childrenswear
Best Underwear Covers
Gerber Waterproof Training Pant
$9 for 2-pack
See Review
Amazon
Photo: Goodnites
Best Overnight Training Underwear
Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear
$29 for 44-pack
See Review
Amazon
When your child is ready to ditch the diapers and start potty training, finding the best potty training underwear will likely be at the top of your to-do list.
Typically introduced between 18 and 24 months, training underwear is a tool that can help bridge the gap between diapers and regular “big kid” underwear. They’re designed to mimic the look and feel of real underwear but have the “protection” of diapers, making them helpful when your child is learning to use the bathroom independently but is still having small accidents. They’re often made with multiple layers of absorbent fabrics and often are pull-up style to encourage toddlers to learn to go to the bathroom or use their potty chair on their own.
Essentially, potty training underwear can give your tot the comfort and support they need to adjust to life without a diaper. They can also give you, the parent, a little piece of mind. Potty training is taxing on both the child and their parent; potty training pants can help prevent accidents, meaning less clothes for you to wash at the end of the day,
How we chose the best potty training underwear
In order to help you find the best training underwear for your child’s needs, your daily routine and your budget, I leaned on my own first-hand experience with potty training. I used training underwear to help potty train my two sons, and utilized that experience to guide the selection process. I also used feedback from parents in the What to Expect Community who have tested out different types of training underwear. Finally, I used guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about potty training to understand more about what types of training underwear would be most effective and helpful to you and your child.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
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Best Overall Training Underwear
Gerber Baby Unisex Training Underwear
Photo credit: Gerber
Buying Options
Amazon
Target
Gerber Childrenswear
Pros
- Made of soft cotton
- Looks like real underwear
- Three pairs in a pack
Cons
- No fun patterns or designs to excite toddlers
Type: Reusable
Material: 50% cotton, 50% polyester
Size range: 18MO to 3T
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Sometimes, the classic choice is the best choice, as so many parents say is the case with Gerber training underwear. My own boys wore these training pants during the daytime, and they were a lifesaver to keep accidents at preschool from hindering their progress (and avoiding any potential embarrassment). They fit similar to regular underwear, so much so that many parents, including myself, say that it’s hard for little ones to tell the difference. Plus, they’re made from soft cotton that’s designed to be gentle on your tot’s skin. They also have stretchy waistbands that make it easy for little ones to pull the pants up and down independently.
Although these feature multiple layers for absorbency, they’re designed only for catching leaks so your child will still feel that they’re wet and need to go to the potty. And, if your child does have an accident, they’re machine washable for easy cleaning.
Community Reviews
cruciger
“I love the Gerber training undies. It just gives me peace of mind because they are absorbent and prevent leaks on other people's carpets and my car seat. They won't catch everything from a large pee, but if lo just gets excited and leaks a bit before getting to the potty, you probably won't even need to change pants.”
linsim07
“I bought the Gerber training pants and thought they worked fine. I really liked the extra absorbency and the training pants didn't feel like a diaper to them.”
Most Absorbent Training Underwear
MooMoo Baby Potty Training Pants
Photo credit: Amazon
Pros
- Multiple layers prevent leaks
- Snug fit
- Eight patterns in each pack
Cons
- May shrink when washed
Type: Reusable
Material: 100% cotton
Size range: 2T to 6T
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
What sets MooMoo Baby Potty Training Pants apart from other options is the absorbent six-layer structure, which helps prevent leaks, giving both parents and toddlers much-needed confidence during the potty training process. Although they definitely don't absorb as much as diapers, they’ll stop most accidental leaks with ease. The outer layer is made of 100% cotton so it’ll be extra soft on your child’s skin, while the inner layers contain cotton, muslin, and TPU, maximizing softness and absorbency.
In addition to the multiple layers, these training pants are comfortable and easy for your tot to put on and take off, thanks to a stretchy waistband and leg holes. They come in fun designs with unicorns, spaceships, dinosaurs and more to entice your little one to get excited about their new undies. Parents particularly love how well they hold up in the wash so you can use them constantly.
Some parents did notice shrinkage after the first wash, due to the 100% cotton material, so you may want to size up.
Community Reviews
etgetc
“We have been happy with these and just regular Carter’s 2T undies. The extra leak protection with a training undie is nice but we haven’t really had trouble with a lot of dribbles and accidents with regular ones in the 8 weeks since we began the potty training process.”
Best Training Underwear with Side Snaps
Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Reusable Training Pants
Photo credit: Kanga Care
Buying Options
Pros
- Wide range of sizes and patterns available
- Sizes for younger babies have side snaps for easy changes
Cons
- Some say the sizes aren’t accurate
Type: Reusable
Material: Waterproof TPU outer layer with a microchamois interior
Size range: XS to XL
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
Featuring a waterproof outer layer and a soft absorbent microfiber inner lining, Kanga Care Lil Learnerz are especially great for little ones just starting their potty training. Not only does the waterproof exterior and multi-layered absorbent interior prevent major messes, but these training pants come with side snapping release panels for easy removal in case of accidents with the littlest learners. The side snaps, however, are only featured on the extra-small and small sizes; the larger sizes are pull-up style.
Even with the snaps, the wide waistbands are easy for little ones to pull up on their own, too. They come in various playful prints and vibrant colors that look a lot like big kid underwear, so your toddler will feel confident wearing them. They’re washable and available in a range of sizes from extra-small to extra-large, accommodating children weighing up to 70 pounds.
Community Reviews
Tammybeans
“I have a two year old we have been using lil learnerz for daytime and the motherease overnight pull-up for bed time. It's hard to find a pull up that will absorb a full bladder and isn't bulky.”
Best Disposable Training Underwear
Pull-Ups Learning Designs Potty Training Pants
Photo credit: Huggies
Buying Options
Amazon
Target
Walmart
Pros
- Comfortable and absorbent
- Wide size range
Cons
- Some children may confuse them with diapers if used during the day
Type: Disposable
Material: Polyethylene
Size range: 2T to 6T
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
For the early days of potty training, Pull-Ups are about as cost-effective as you can get for disposable training pants. The soft material fits like super-comfy underwear. The sides are extra stretchy so they’re not hard for little hands to pull on and off, while the easy-open and refastenable sides are ideal for quick changes during those early days. The Disney design fades when wet, a neat feature that parents say helps to teach their little one when it’s time to head to the bathroom. Even if you’re not keen on using training underwear, having some Pull-Ups on hand for traveling and nighttime use can help your little one get through potty training with less mess.
Community Reviews
Person100
“Both our kids like the Pull-Ups better than diapers because like some others have said they are more like 'nighttime underwear.' Oldest just turned 4 and she still wears pull-ups at night. Even with her, I am content with waiting a while longer just to see how her body progresses.”
bluebird153
“We do pull ups at night for my son but he rarely goes in them. I just call them his ;nighttime undies' and treat them like underwear. Not sure when I plan to give that up but I feel like it doesn’t hurt to continue as is for a while. They’re still so young.”
thedingo
“My son is in a very similar situation. I have him wear pull-ups at home but encourage going to the potty when he feels it it his tummy. I also have him clean up the messes with me so he understands why we don’t pee on the floor. Even if he pees on the floor I still have him sit on the potty to increase his awareness of the connection between going pee and going to the potty.”
Best Underwear Covers
Gerber Waterproof Training Pant
Photo credit: Gerber Childrenswear
Buying Options
Amazon
Gerber Childrenswear
Pros
- Waterproof to prevent external leaks
- Can be worn with regular underwear
Cons
- Crinkly noise and feel may bother some toddlers
Type: Reusable
Material: 100% peva material
Size range: Newborn to 3T
Why We Love It
When your toddler is nearly done potty training and has started wearing regular underwear, thesewaterproof Gerber underwear covers are great to have on hand for extra protection from accidental leaks. I used these once on a long road trip a few months after my youngest was fully potty trained just in case, so we wouldn’t have to deep clean a car seat mid-trip. They have an elastic waistband so that they’re easy for little ones to pull up or down along with their training or big kid underwear.
Best Overnight Training Underwear
Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear
Photo credit: Goodnites
Buying Options
Amazon
Target
Walmart
Pros
- Variety of sizes
- Different designs to choose from
- Specific boy and girl sizes
Cons
- Expensive over time
Type: Disposable
Material: Polypropylene, Polyethylene
Size range: XS to XL
Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It
I used Goodnites with both of my potty-training sons until they were accident-free overnight. They offer five layers of protection with reinforced double leg barriers and are highly absorbent, comfortable and hypoallergenic, suitable for a range of body shapes and sizes. Both of my sons were stomach sleepers, and Goodnites were amazing at keeping the sheets dry. Yes, my boys would feel their pee and wake up — which is what you want to happen — but the wetness they felt inside of these disposable training pants didn’t typically leak out onto the sheet. They were easy to find everywhere, which is really helpful if you’re out of town or need to quickly grab a last-minute pack at a grocery or drugstore store nearby. What’s more is that they have boy and girl styles which each come with “zoned protection” so they’re designed to best avoid leaks.
Community Reviews
Mbleathers005
“We use Goodnites and absolutely love them for my son! He has a massive amount of urine at night and these don’t leak! He sleeps on his stomach in a butt in the air position so all the urine goes to the front!”
JerseyBoyMom19
“We like the Goodnites because they’re unscented and work well. My son only pees during the night about once every 2 weeks, but I’m not ready to give them up.”
monsterstuffies
“My little girl uses the Goodnights but the boys print Spiderman. The absorbent in the front actually work better for my lo as she sleeps on her tummy.”
What to look for in potty training underwear
Based on my experience, advice from parents in the What to Expect Community, and recommendations from the AAP, you should look for training underwear with the following features:
Absorbent: There are many different options for training underwear, but generally, you'll choose between cloth or fabric underwear that’s washable (similar to cloth diapers) or disposable training underwear that you can toss after use. The best training underwear is made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo, which is comfortable and soft on the skin but not super absorbent; you want your little one to feel it if they soil a pair. Disposable training pants shouldn’t be so absorbent that they mimic a diaper but should provide adequate protection from major leaks.
Comfortable: Training underwear should fit just like regular underwear without any gaping around the leg holes or near the abdomen that could allow for leaks. Check the manufacturers' guidelines to ensure that you’re choosing the right size for your toddler’s height and weight.
Easy to pull up and down: Independence is key with a pair of training underwear, so your child should be able to maneuver the pair you choose without assistance. Every child is different, but generally, training underwear should be stretchy enough that a toddler can easily pull the sides out and down and then up again after using the potty.
FAQs
How many pairs of potty training underwear should I buy?
A common recommendation is to have at least six to 10 pairs of potty training underwear on hand to start with. This number allows for daily changes and extras in case of accidents, but the amount can vary depending on your laundry routine, your child’s accident frequency and your budget. It's also a good idea to have a mix of disposable and reusable training pants, especially for when you're on the go or during the early stages of potty training when accidents are more frequent.
Does potty training underwear hold pee?
Training underwear is designed to hold small amounts of pee, though not as much as a diaper. Because their primary purpose is to assist in the transition from diapers to regular underwear, they provide some absorbency but also allow your child to feel wet so they can better recognize when it’s time to use the potty.
When should I start using potty training underwear?
Start using potty training underwear once your child starts showing signs they’re ready to potty train. According to the AAP, most children are developmentally ready to begin this process between 18 and 24 months of age and show signs such as staying dry for two hours at a time or they start asking to use the potty and wear big kid underwear. Keep in mind, the average age toilet training is between 2 and 3 years of age: There’s no need to rush the process.
View Sources
- WhatToExpect.com,Tips on Starting Potty Training, September 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics,The Right Age to Potty Train, May 2022.
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