Diaper Genie vs cheap Target can with lid (0-2 week-old perspective)
In this corner, weighing in at eight pounds three ounces is the cheap-o Target silver can with foot-pedal lid going up against the heavyweight champ the Diaper Genie Elite weighing in at 7.8 pounds.
The supply
The diaper supply for each of these is made by The IT Baby staff editor Maggie King, and we’re dealing with poop and pee from a newborn to two week old.
The contenders (Diaper Genie and cheap trash can)
The Diaper Genie and the can both have foot operated controls to expose the smelly contents to the air. Both, while closed leak no discernible smell to the surrounding areas.
Both when pressed with the foot pop the top open. The cheap-o Target can I found abandoned at an apartment feels significantly sturdier than the Diaper Genie, and within the first load of the Genie the top had popped off its hinge and required re-setting it. Clear jab against the Diaper Genie.
When nearing full, the free (to me,) can I found is quite visibly full. The Diaper Genie just stops being able to accept new dirty diapers while you’re trying to push a poop-filled nightmare down its gullet.
While Staff Editor Maggie is not at the age that diaper stink really occurs, it should be noted that that Diaper Genie has an airlock and a special style of bag that prevent odor from escaping when the lid is opened. The cheap-o can does not. However from age o-2 weeks, this is not much of a concern.
The Diaper Genie will require refill cartridges that run $16.98 to handle 810 dirty diapers. The trash can can handle that for about $0.30 if you get your bags at Costco.
Cleanup, for either was about the same level of mess. The main difference is the Diaper Genie ended up with some diaper residue on the lid, whereas the big ass junk can did not. The Diaper Genie also had to be re-assembled a couple of times due to over-filling. Whether that’s my problem or theirs I’m not sure.
In the end, after cleaning their ends…
For a 0-2 week old, I’d suggest the can. You may need the Diaper Genie later, but if you’ve got something you think will work, their diapers are not going to smell horrible for the first bit.
The Diaper Genie Elite is available from Amazon for $29.99. The junky can I’ve been using to compare against was found at an abandoned apartment, but similar ones seem to range from $30-90. You can also use a normal trash can and invest in a lid.
