# Diaper pails that don't smell

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/baby/diaper-pail/doesnt-smell/
Category: Baby > Diaper pail. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 108 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, Jul 2017 to Sep 2026.

**Question:** Which diaper pail keeps smells in?

**Short answer:** Munchkin Step Diaper Pail has the best record for keeping smells in: 24 of 27 reviewers said the smell stayed put. Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Pail is next at 23 of 35, and Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail has the weakest record here at 18 of 35. Parents tend to write about smell when a pail fails, so treat the lower shares as a warning sign rather than the final word.

**What stands out:** Smell complaints split the field: 44% of Ubbi reviews and 36% of Dekor reviews say it smells, against 10% of Munchkin reviews. Bags matter too, with 41% of Ubbi reviews liking that it takes regular bags and 5% of Dekor reviews mentioning pricey refills.

## Ranking (parents who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Holds in smells | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munchkin Step Diaper Pail | 24 of 27 | 89% | yes |
| 2 | Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Pail | 23 of 35 | 66% | yes |
| 3 | Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail | 18 of 35 | 51% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Munchkin Step Diaper Pail

80% of reviews say it holds in smells and 33% like using it one-handed, while smell complaints are rare at 10%. The brand's own site agrees at 6 of 6, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Easy to use one-handed (33%), Durable (17%), Holds a lot (13%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 2. Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Pail

Parents are split: 23 of 35 said it held in the smell, but 36% of reviews say it smells. It is easy to use one-handed (36%) and holds a lot (18%), though 8% say it fills fast and 5% mention pricey refills.

- Praised for: Easy to use one-handed (36%), Holds a lot (18%)
- Complaints: Hard to use (8%), Fills fast (8%), Needs pricey refills (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 3. Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail

Close to an even split: 18 of 35 said it held in the smell, while 44% of reviews say it smells. The draw is regular bags, liked in 41% of reviews, and the brand's own site is more positive at 8 of 8, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Takes regular bags (41%), Holds a lot (10%), Good value (8%)
- Complaints: Hard to use (8%), Fills fast (8%), Jams (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

## Questions

**Which diaper pail doesn't smell?**

Munchkin Step Diaper Pail has the best record (24 of 27). Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Pail follows at 23 of 35 and Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail at 18 of 35.

**Does the Ubbi diaper pail smell?**

It can. 44% of its reviews say it smells, and it has the weakest record here at 18 of 35.

**Do diaper pails need special refill bags?**

Not always. 41% of Ubbi reviews like that it takes regular bags, while 5% of Dekor reviews mention needing pricey refills.

**Is the Munchkin Step diaper pail good?**

Reviewers like it: 24 of 27 said it held in smells, 33% praise one-handed use and 17% call it durable. 7% say it is too expensive.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/