This article about the Best Travel Changing Pads was written by baby travel expert Celine Brewer and may contain affiliate links.
I don’t need to tell you that babies are messy! It doesn’t matter where you are, daily life with a baby is full of unexpected and challenging situations, including spilled food, spit-ups, vomit, and full diapers. My years of traveling with children has taught me that this dynamic doesn’t change when you are traveling with a baby. Given you are searching for the best travel changing mats for babies, you’ve figured this out too.
Over my years of traveling with babies, I got a ton of use out of my baby change mats, and I can tell you from experience, they are an indispensable travel gear. Baby travel change mats enable us to put our baby down nearly anywhere to get those diaper changes done! While many of the best diaper bag backpacks for travel come with a portable change mat, they are usually pretty small like the one in the picture below.
My Top Picks for Travel Changing Mats for Babies
I know firsthand that you’re a busy new parent, and don’t have time to read! So here’s my top picks for the best travel baby changing mats:
Best Travel Changing Mat Overall:
Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat – The Skip Hop Pronto portable change mat is the best all around plus it’s perfect for flying. It folds into a clutch that keeps everything you need to grab and go for diaper changes. No need to carry your entire diaper bag into the cramped airplane bathroom!
Best Portable Change Mat for Budgets:
Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Baby Change Mat – If you are on a strict budget, just want a low cost item to add on to a baby shower gift or looking for an extra change mat, you can’t go wrong with the Comfy Cubs portable change mat.
Best Travel Change Mat for Toddlers
BABY LOOVI Store Baby Portable Changing Pad – For toddlers and babies that are on the move, having an extra large size is well worth it!
Best for a Baby Shower Gift:
Skip Hop Pronto Baby Travel Change Mat or Gimars Large Capacity 6 Pockets Baby Portable Changing Pads – Both of these travel change mats have it all and make excellent baby shower gifts for parents who love to travel!
Based on my real-life experiences, I’ll share all you need to know for finding a baby change mat for travel. I’m certain you’ll find the perfect portable baby change mat for you, so keep reading!
What You’ll Find in this Article on the Best Baby Travel Change Mats:
10 Best Baby Travel Changing Mats
Functionality is key when choosing a baby travel change mat! However, based on your specific requirements, modes of transport, vacation destination, and budget constraints, your choice may vary. Here is a list of my top portable baby change mats recommendations that will help make picking one easier!
Skip Hop Pronto Portable Change Pad
This travel changing pad has mesh pockets inside that hold up to 4 diapers, a flap outside to hold some essentials for parents, and a translucent, easy-to-replenish baby wipe case.
Whether you fold it into a stylish clutch and wear it around your wrist, attach it to a diaper bag, or stow it away under your stroller, this compact & portable changing pad is sure to become your newest travel companion in no time.
A soft, laminated material is used on both the inside and the outside of the mat, ensuring that it can be wiped clean as well as machine washed (dryer usage is not advisable).
And while it is one of the more expensive portable mats on this list, just know that a good portable waterproof travel change mat is worth it.
Top Features: clutch, pocket for wipes and diapers PLUS highly rated / reviewed
Size: unfolded 23.5" x 21.75" / folded 8.25" x 11.75"
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Clutch keeps everything together
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Expensive
BABY LOOVI Store Baby Portable Changing Pad
This super-cute and brightly colored travel change mat feels like a breath of fresh air! The generous size of the mat gives your little one the space they need to move around, while its ample padding provides them with the snug comfort that makes for a happy diaper change. It's made from a waterproof, skin-friendly material that helps keep it dry and odorless, avoiding irritation and allergies.
It is the most affordable on this list and one of the best choices. Just fold it or roll it up before throwing it into your go-bag or placing it under your airplane travel stroller.
Top Features: budget friendly, extra large size
Size: unfolded: 31.5" x 25.5" folded: 6" x 8"
Pros:- Generous size
- Less expensive
- Waterproof
- No other features like pockets to hold diapers
Gimars Large Capacity 6 Pockets Baby Travel Changing Mat
This product by Gimars has the potential to be crowned "The Beast" of the changing pads because of how much it can hold!
And with 6 additional pockets to hold anything you may need and more, there will be no wondering why. With that much storage means is that there is no need for a diaper bag on those daily outings.
It's everything you need in one place in a convenient-to-carry clutch. While it is more expensive than average, its durability and functionality make up for it.
Top Features: clutch, head pillow, pocket for wipes plus 8 diapers
Size: unfolded: 27.5" x 14" / folded: 8.6" x 13.7"
Pros:- Pockets to hold wipes & diapers
- Head pillow for comfort
- Expensive
J.L. Childress Full Body Portable Baby Changing Pad
No bells and whistles with this one! If you're looking for a full-body, foldable baby changing pad that understands the assignment and delivers on it to a T, then you need the J.L Childress Portable Baby Changing Pad. Extra-large, fully padded for comfort, and complete with a germ-free surface, it's perfect for changing diapers on-the-go.
The wipe-clean changing surface uses a lead and phthalate free waterproof material to ensure maximum safety and hygiene for babies and toddlers. It is solid, lightweight, and above all, gets the job done - and well!
Top Features: most compact fold, padded, and extra large size
Size: unfolded: 30" x 19" / folded: 6.5" x 10"
Pros:- Extra large size
- Waterproof
- No extra pockets
Comfy Cubs Baby Portable Change Mat
This lightweight, compact, and affordable travel changing mat is one of the most popular products out there for the job! Made from durable polyester, this waterproof changing mat makes cleaning up a less fussy affair. The padded headrest provides comfort for baby's head and neck while changing.
Modern and well-crafted, this wipeable travel changing mat is a great choice to fold up and throw it in your diaper bag. Comfy Cubs also offers a no-questions-asked return policy if you find you are dissatisfied with the product. It's the kind of confidence only a fine product could instill!
Top Features: simple and lowest price
Size: unfolded: 25" x 11.5" / folded: 8" x 11.5"
Pros:- Lightweight
- Compact
- Better for small babies who aren't moving around too much
Kopi Baby Portable Diaper Changing Pad
If you’re looking for a swiss army knife equivalent of a baby portable changing mat, then your search ends here. This chic, foldable changing mat clutch comes with two mesh pockets inside, a flap outside, and an extra detachable storage space. Whether open or folded up, this portable change mat grants easy access to wipes with its smart wipes pocket making it a full-service solution during baby changing emergencies.
Additionally, this mat is waterproof, wipeable, and easy to disinfect for the safety of your baby. While all these extra features make this one of the more luxuriously-priced products out there, many agree that it is well worth the extra money. If nothing else, the product's 30-day guarantee is sure to convince you to try it.
Top Features: clutch, head pillow, pocket for wipes & more
Size: unfolded: 22" x 21.5" / folded: 7.5" x 11.5"
Pros:- Detachable storage space
- Pockets for essentials
- More expensive than others
Babebay Store Portable Changing Pad for Baby
The Babebay Store Portable Changing Pad is one of the most popular products on this list due to its lightweight, compact size, and affordability. The baby changing mat is made of a waterproof Oxford fabric and a PEVA fabric, which makes it easy to clean and safe to use on delicate baby bottoms.
It also has a head-rest pillow for your little one's comfort. One of the sleekest and most durable mats on the market, it fits easily into a diaper backpack without adding much bulk, making it perfect for throwing in your hiking backpack carrier when hiking with your baby.
Top Features: clutch, head pillow, budget friendly
Size: unfolded: 27" x 22" / folded: 9" x 12"
Pros:- Head pillow
- Waterproof
- Budget friendly
Lil Fox Baby Travel Change Mat
Designed with a rapid-open hook and loop fastener to make handling easy, this stylish arrow print changing pad will make single-handed changes easy as can be! Lil Fox Portable Diaper Changing Pad comes with a wipes compartment that holds a hundred wipes, a diaper pocket with space for 5 diapers, as well as a zippered sleeve.
And with a 300D PU outer shell and a PEVA interior that is easy to wipe clean, you'll see that this waterproof travel change mat really has thought of everything.
Although slightly higher in price, this pad comes with a lifetime guarantee and a full refund policy that makes trying it out a no-brainer.
Top Features: clutch, head pillow, pocket for wipes and 5 diapers
Size: unfolded: 23.5" x 13.5" / folded: 8.4" x 13.4"
Pros:- Lifetime guarantee
- Waterproof
- More expensive
Toolik Portable Diaper Changing Mat
This waterproof travel changing mat is the perfect size for a changing table when open, for a diaper bag when folded, and is large enough to use until your toddler is potty trained!
Designed to fit any diaper bag, it comes with a loop to make grabbing it and slinging it on your wrist. A quirky, yet simple addition to this mat is the printed ruler on the inner surface that helps you monitor the growth of your little one. It's the mat that's designed just for you and your little one!
Top Features: waterproof, easy to clean, big enough for toddlers
Size: unfolded: 27.5" x 19".7 / folded: 7" x 10"
Pros:- Large size is perfect for toddlers
- Compact
- No extra pockets for wipes and other diaper changing essentials
Altino Portable Diaper Changing Pad for Baby
Keeping your baby's head cushioned is easy with the ½ inch memory foam pillow that is built into the Alatino Portable Changing Pad. The generous size makes this diaper changing pad large enough for use with both newborns and toddlers, all without affecting its portability. Compact and light as it is, it fits into any diaper bag with ease and attaches conveniently onto strollers, diaper bags, and headrests.
The changing pad comes with a built-in smart wipes case that is large enough to fit both small and large wipe packages, allowing access to them when the pad is folded up and in use. Its rapid-open buckle only adds to the ease of using it with one hand, really highlighting its functionality for the busy parent on the go!
Top Features: clutch, head pillow, pocket for wipes & more
Size: unfolded: 25" x 21" / folded: 8" x 11"
Pros:- Easy to use buckles
- Pockets for wipes
- Large size
What is a Portable Changing Mat?
A portable change mat is a diaper changing mat that can be folded and carried in your diaper bag or stroller. Some are simple and disposable changing pads, where others have features like pockets or come as a clutch.
Do you need a travel changing mat?
If you are wondering if a travel changing mat is necessary, we are here to say that it is! This is the single most used baby travel item. You’ll still be changing plenty of diapers and having a portable change mat makes it easier to day anywhere!
What to Look for in a Portable Baby Changing Pad
A travel changing mat has the same uses as a regular changing table, except that it is compact and folds up to easily fit into your diaper bag or under your travel stroller, making it an must-have travel stroller accessory!
Perfect for when you’re on the go, there are plenty of great portable changing mats for both babies and toddlers on the market today. What choosing your ideal baby changing mat depends on, however, is the key features you’re looking for.
This can be anything from the size of the foldable changing pad when folded up, the amount of extra storage it has, or how much padding and head support it offers.
Here’s what to look for to find the best travel change mat for your family:
Size/Compactness
An ideal portable baby change mat should be large enough for both babies and toddlers, yet slim enough to carry or fit into your diaper bag. A clasp or a buckle helps to keep the fold/roll securely fastened without adding bulk to the bag or backpack diaper bag.
Portability
Baby travel changing mats are usually carried in a diaper bag, under a stroller, or around the wrist. Most of the higher-end travel change mats out there come with a loop or a wrist band that makes it easy to carry and hassle-free to store while on the go.
Material
Waterproof, wet-wipe friendly, and soft on the skin are the most important features to look for when purchasing a changing mat. This ensures it stays dry, relatively germ-free, and free of nasty odors. A waterproof travel changing mat is the best for travel.
Comfort
Ensuring that your baby feels comfortable in an otherwise uncomfortable situation is one of the benefits of owning an excellent travel diaper changing mat. There are options for this purpose, with built-in head support or general padding. Moreover, it’s crucial to get a travel changing mat with a good head cushion if you have a newborn, and even more so if they’ve been through a tough delivery.
Price
The best travel changing mat, despite being a baby travel essential, should not burn a hold in your pocket. You can get an adequate travel changing mat for less than $10, and a fully loaded travel changing mat with pockets for a maximum of $30. Whatever your budget, it can’t be denied that pricing is an important factor when deciding on the best travel change mat for your little one.
Cheap portable changing pads, although fundamental, will still provide everything you’ll need to change a baby on the go. The more luxurious mats, on the other hand, usually have top-quality details and extra features such as extra storage and wrist loops.
Storage capacity and Functionality
The best portable changing pads come with additional pockets and sleeves which make it easier to carry extra diapers, creams, and even toys. A number of them also come equipped with a separate baby wipes case which comes in handy when in a pinch. Some others even come with complete organization from side pockets to hidden zips to fully foldable changing bags.
Ultimately, the option to carry extra baby essentials with your mat means you will always have everything you need, especially when you need it the most!
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.