First Impressions is a series that introduces and reviews new brands to My Subscription Addiction, drawing from readers’ requests for an insider’s first look. Interested in seeing more reviews from this brand, or have another box in mind that you’d like to see reviewed? Let us know in the comments.
Diapers! Babies! Can't have one without the other. My seven-month-old daughter Una wears cloth diapers at home during the day, but when we step out of the house or settle in for bedtime, we reach for disposables. We love the cloth diapering experience, and by contrast, a lot of mainstream diapers are filled with dyes and alcohol and other stuff you simply don't want up against your baby's soft skin. Plus, they're just so terrible for the planet. So I thought I'd check out what clean diaper brand Coterie has to offer, and see if the claims of softness and mega absorbency were true.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
What's the Deal With Coterie?
Coterie is a sustainable diaper company with a direct-to-consumer model. They sell plain white diapers that are made with clean materials and ingredients, are super absorbent, and incredibly soft. They also sell plant-based water wipes. And that's it! The offerings are simple but the thought behind them is immense.
- Diapers:
- 6 packs for $94.50 when you buy once.
- 6 packs for $85/month when you subscribe.
- Wipes:
- 4 packs for $26
- 8 packs for $52
Coterie Review
Coterie targeted ads have been after me since my older daughter (now three years old) was a baby. And through her entire diaper-wearing days I honestly thought, "those diapers look too classy for us." Which now, in retrospect, was a ridiculous notion because diapers are meant for every baby's bum. Also because choosing a more sustainable version of the products we use every day is a choice that should be made by everyone who is able. I wish I could go back and coax myself into giving Coterie a try back then... and you know, ask myself what I thought it was I had to prove. Heh.
Coterie Diapers Unboxing
Since Coterie diapers are only sold in six-pack quantities, the packaging is super efficient. My order arrived with the six diaper packs fit neatly into one large box. That's a dark horse sustainability win; with this streamlined quantity offering, there is less need for the company's warehouse to stock various box sizes, which not only simplifies production but also leaves no room for an awkward mismatch between order size and box size. This isn't something they market, just an observation of my own.
They say that six packs should last you approximately four weeks.
Coterie Diapers
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Here's Coterie's elevator pitch about their diapers:
Our diaper will keep your baby drier, longer — both during the day and overnight. We combine super-soft, fragrance-free materials with a proprietary wicking system and superior absorbency to maximize comfort and limit leaks and blowouts. In short, it will make your whole family happier. Plus, no need for separate overnight diapers. (Hooray!)
In their "certifications" section they indicate that these diapers are:
Hypoallergenic, Fragrance free, Chlorine free, Alcohol free, Paraben free, Dermatologist tested and recommended.
What I Love About Coterie Diapers
Honestly, I could go on and on about the merits of these diapers, and crafting paragraph after paragraph would be my delight but make you work for the answers you want. So, here's a list of my favorite things about Coterie:
- They're soft and they're absorbent. Oh, and we haven't had any overnight leaks! I mean, this is the stuff that really counts day-to-day. Two thumbs up for the feel and functionality.
- They're a "clean" diapering option. I just have to include a screenshot here so you can gawk at this beautiful list with me.
- They make sustainable choices as much as possible. Coterie diapers are made with 25% plant-based materials (namely wood pulp from sustainably managed forests), and their wipes are made with compostable fibers.
- They have a third-party lab test their product for safety and link you to their safety report. This brings me such joy. It's so thorough and stand-up and rad.
- They have the blue wetness indicator line. Every size of Coterie diaper has a faint yellow line that turns to a muted blue when your baby has wet the diaper.
- They're honest about their limitations. In Coterie's About section, they have a little paragraph at the bottom that starts with this: "When it comes to disposable diapers, no diaper is 100% biodegradable or 100% organic. The reality is that they all require synthetic materials to function properly." Thank you! It's so misleading when brands fail to disclose the realities of their product.
Here's a peek at what the diapers actually look like:
1 of 5 | Front of Coterie diaper.
What I Don't Love About Coterie Diapers
You know, I really don't have a single bad thing to say about diapering with Coterie diapers. Like I've said above, they're soft, they're secure, they're clean, they're sustainable, they're straightforward. I like that their brand has some self-awareness and humor. I suppose if I'm hunting for feedback, I could say this:
- There's no indication of diaper size on the individual diapers. To use my editor's term, those "renegade diapers" that find their way into the bottom of the diaper bag or the car glove box (I highly recommend a car diaper for those who don't have one stored in there yet!) are most useful when they fit your baby. It's nice when you have a reference.
- Coterie doesn't allow you to purchase less than 6 packs of diapers at a time. Above, I sang the praises of how this equals a more eco-friendly shipping experience. But if you wanted to give them a try before investing in 108+ diapers (depending on the size), there's no way to do that. Or, if your baby is close to needing the next size up and you want to just buy a pack or two to get them through the next week, same thing.
- These diapers are pricey. They cost $94.50 per month or $85 when you subscribe, which is $20+ more expensive than some of its competitors. I think they're worth the cost, because of the good the company is doing and the quality of the product. It is, however, unfortunate that in order to partake in this lesser-impact approach to disposable diapering, you have to have a budget for it that just isn't feasible for every family.
Verdict
Coterie diapers are working really well for my family. We have a cloth-and-disposable combo diapering situation in our house, meaning diapers aren't as big of a monthly expense for us as they are for some, leaving a little extra budget for higher-cost diapers. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you might find Coterie to make sense for you. Or, perhaps you simply want the best of the best for your baby. These diapers are ridiculously soft, they function well, they're clean, and they're as sustainable as a disposable diaper can be. I'd say there's nothing that compares!
Have you tried Coterie diapers for your baby? What do you think of this diaper subscription?
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