Best Toddler Underwear: Our Top 5 Picks

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The toddler years are some of the most challenging for parents partly because it’s when toddlers transition from diapers to underwear during potty training. You want your tike to be excited to wear new underwear, which means striking the perfect balance between durability, comfort, and design.

It’s a tall order to meet all three requirements, so we put together this complete guide to help you choose the best toddler underwear.

Quick Summary: Best Toddler Underwear

No products found.Boboking Baby Soft Cotton Toddler UndiesCheck on Amazon →
Fruit of the Loom boys Tag Free Cotton Boxer Briefs, Toddler - 10 Pack Traditional Fly Covered Waist, 4-5T USFruit of the Loom Toddler Boys' Boxer BriefsCheck on Amazon →
Hanes Toddler Girls' 6-Pack Hipster, Assorted Colors - 4Hanes Girls' Toddler Hipster UnderwearCheck on Amazon →
Marvel boys Marvel Hero Toddler Boy in 7pk Briefs, Hero 7pk, 2-3T USMarvel Hero Toddler Boy BriefsCheck on Amazon →
Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cotton Training Pants, Forest, 4 ToddlerHudson Baby Unisex Cotton Training PantsCheck on Amazon →

Table of Contents

Our Top 5 Toddler Underwear Picks

All parents know that toddlers can be defiant, and if they don’t want to wear underwear, it can be near impossible to convince them to do so. Luckily, all five of our picks come in vibrant colors, comfy styles, and sturdy materials your child will enjoy wearing. 

Boboking Baby Soft Cotton Toddler Undies

No products found.

This option is our favorite all-around choice. With 100% cotton, these undies emphasize comfort and style. The seams and waistband have fabric coverings to keep the elastic from pinching or tightening your little one’s skin while remaining stretchy enough for easy maneuvering during potty training. 

This underwear is machine washable, which makes cleaning convenient. Its extra absorbency stands up well against wear and accidents, so you can use them for months before needing replacements. This company does not use any harsh chemicals during production, protecting sensitive skin from rashes. You can purchase these in a pack of six.

Things We Like

  • With 28 different patterns, there’s sure to be one your toddler likes
  • A wide range of sizes that can grow with your child
  • This company also offers boys briefs in the same style
  • Breathable cotton for better comfort and airflow

Things We Don’t Like

  • May shrink in the wash
  • Some customers experienced sizing issues

Fruit of the Loom Toddler Boys’ Boxer Briefs

Fruit of the Loom boys Tag Free Cotton Boxer Briefs, Toddler - 10 Pack Traditional Fly Covered Waist, 4-5T US
  • This is an assorted color pack This pack may contain all solids all prints or a conbination
  • 10 Pack Toddler boys' boxer briefs
  • Stay cool and dry

These boxer briefs offer a smart option for toddlers who don’t like the feel of ordinary briefs. The longer leg can be more comfortable than an elastic leg opening and still allows for active play. The legs also don’t stretch out after washing, giving them long-lasting value.

With no closure, your tot can pull them up and down without trouble during potty training.

The solid colors are 100% cotton, while the heather options are 90% cotton and 10% polyester blend. The synthetic material gives extra stretch for flexibility while the cotton lends softness for comfort. Since their machine washable, cleaning them is a breeze even if your child is prone to accidents. 

Things We Like

  • Tag-free for improved comfort
  • Run true to size, making it simple to choose the one you need
  • The longer legs never ride up during playtime
  • The fabric wicks away moisture to keep proper airflow even in case of accidents

Things We Don’t Like

  • May receive different designs than what you see in the preview photo
  • Not as wide a design selection as other options

Hanes Girls’ Toddler Hipster Underwear

This underwear is a smart, low-cost option. As one of the most well-known underwear companies, Hanes offers these toddler briefs made from soft and cozy 100% cotton. The cotton keeps them comfortable and also boosts their durability. While stains may happen, you’ll get quite a few wears out of this product before needing to replace it. 

These undies provide full coverage, which helps control accidents and prevents leaking when it happens. They come in a variety of patterns with bright colors and fun designs to make them more appealing to toddlers. Overall, this option delivers a classic look at a very reasonable price.

Things We Like

  • One of the most affordable options
  • Pre-shrunk so you won’t have to deal with issues during washing
  • Available in other cuts, like bikini for a snugger fit
  • No-tag means no irritating and scratchy label

Things We Don’t Like

  • You cannot choose your own patterns
  • The fabric is a bit thin

Marvel Hero Toddler Boy Briefs

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Marvel boys Marvel Hero Toddler Boy in 7pk Briefs, Hero 7pk, 2-3T US
  • BE A HERO: Your child will love these Avengers underwear with fun prints and designs - multiple pack sizes and silhouettes available. With Your Favorites Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain...
  • NERVOUS ABOUT POTTY TRAINING: Don't be - these packs are great motivation for your little one to be tranisitioning from diapers to underwear.
  • MAKE EVERYDAY FUN: So many great options and pack sizes available for fun daily wear.

What toddler doesn’t love superheroes? This underwear set consists of thick 100% cotton that offers a combination of absorbency and soft comfort. The tagless design also prevents any discomfort against your toddler’s skin. When your little one has an accident, you can easily clean these undies by tossing them in the wash.

The superhero designs are an authorized product that gives your tot excellent incentive to potty train. He’ll be excited to try out these undies, which means you won’t have to argue with him to wear his underwear. You can choose from a seven or 12 pack depending on your needs, although you cannot choose the specific designs you want.

Things We Like

  • Super fun designs your child will love
  • Also comes in a “12 Days” gift box that’s for gift-giving occasions
  • Made from thick fabric for better absorbency
  • Accurate sizing chart

Things We Don’t Like

  • The elastic waist and leg openings can be a tad itchy 
  • Not as durable after washing as other options

Hudson Baby Unisex Cotton Training Pants

Sale
Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cotton Training Pants, Forest, 4 Toddler
  • Set includes four training pants
  • Made with cotton outer layers, polyester filling and PEVA lining
  • Optimal pull-on training pants for potty training

We like these training pants because they offer a gentle conversion from diapers to underwear. They combine the best of both worlds with a pull-up design for potty training and extra absorbency to take care of accidents. You can choose from eight packs of four pairs, each with a combination of solid colors, prints, and patterns for more options.

The outside layers of these undies are 100% cotton with polyester filling and a PEVA lining. This blend gives softness and stretchiness for moving around during playtime, along with absorbency for accidents. With no ordinary diaper closure, your tike can pull this underwear up and down, which is a huge asset for potty training.  

Things We Like

  • High-quality designs and fabric built to last
  • Unisex to suit all toddlers
  • The fabric-wrapped waistband and leg openings for comfort
  • Plenty of size options so you can find the right one for your tot

Things We Don’t Like

  • They make a crinkle sound during movement that can be annoying
  • Occasional leaking outside of the underwear

How to Choose the Best Toddler Underwear

The right underwear will help keep your toddler clean and comfortable without causing potty training stress. Let’s take a closer look at what qualities you should look for in toddler underwear, along with common differences between types of underwear that it can be helpful to keep in mind.

Qualities to Look For in Toddler Underwear

Here are the essential attributes to think about when it comes to toddler underwear.

Material

Most toddler underwear comes from pure cotton, synthetic fibers like spandex, or a blend of natural and synthetic. Cotton is typically softer than synthetics, making it more comfortable and easier to pull up and down. Being able to maneuver the undies makes potty training a little less complicated for your toddler.

Cotton undies also offer better absorption than synthetic ones. As they potty train, toddlers will test the boundaries of how long they can hold their urine before visiting the bathroom, which can lead to leaks that cotton undies prevent from becoming messes. 

Generally, cotton underwear has more breathability, rendering them more comfortable for toddlers, although some synthetic fabrics claim to wick away moisture for better airflow. However, the synthetic fabric seems to hold onto stains, making it harder to reuse them.

On the plus side, synthetic underwear usually costs less than cotton and may provide a bit more stretch in the fit. 

Durability

Toddlers go through piles of underwear because of normal accidents and leaks that occur during potty training. That makes durability a primary consideration when shopping for underwear.

Ideally, toddler undies should hold up well to frequent washings. You need them to keep their shape without becoming baggy and unusable, especially in the leg openings. You also don’t want too much fabric thinning, which can create holes quickly.

Also, while it’s not crucial that the underwear maintains its pattern or color over time, it’s a pleasant benefit that can add value to your purchase.

Comfort

Most toddlers won’t wear anything that causes them discomfort, so finding comfy undies they’re happy to wear is imperative. It can be the difference between getting out the door on time and being late for work because you had to wrestle with your tot to pull up a simple pair of underwear.

The Comfort level usually depends on the material and style or cut of the underwear. For example, cotton underwear provides softness and flexibility that many toddlers find cool and cozy. Or, boys may prefer either boxers or briefs because of the difference in leg design.

Seams around the legs and in the waistband also play a significant role in comfort. Seamless underwear works well for ultra-sensitive children, as do undies with seams sewn into the hem. Toddler underwear usually has comfier elastic waistbands to make pulling them up and down a quick process in comparison to the restrictive cinched waistbands found in diapers.  

Ultimately, comfort comes down to individual preference, even for toddlers, so it may take some trial and error to discover what your tike likes best.

Size

If the underwear doesn’t fit properly, it’s pretty much useless, so size makes up another crucial consideration. If it’s too tight, it can cause irritation, but too loose and it won’t hold any leaks.

Toddler underwear comes in four primary sizes: 2T, 3T, 4T, and 5T. These sizes use height and weight to determine which one will be right for your toddler.

The height and weight may differ depending on the brand, so you should always double-check the company’s size chart to make sure you’re getting the right one. Some brands will also combine sizes for convenience, like 2T/3T. Underwear with combined sizes may have more stretch to meet a wider variety of measurements.

Design

Although not the most critical concern, the design of the undies can make them more appealing to toddlers, making them more likely to wear underwear.

Toddler underwear is available in a variety of designs, from simple striped patterns to vibrant solids to popular cartoon characters. 

When you find just the right design, your toddler will be excited to wear the underwear, making your job that much easier.

Types of Toddler Underwear

Toddler undies may not come in as many styles as adult underwear, but there are still quite a few to choose from.

Training Pants

Training pants combine the absorbency of a diaper with the look and feel of regular underwear. They help keep messes to a minimum while still allowing the child to pull the pants up and down to use the toilet.

Training pants offer a slow transition from diapers to underwear for children who still need some help with accidents or feel uncomfortable jumping to “big kid” underwear too quickly.

Check out this video from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for helpful potty training tips.

Briefs

Briefs are probably the most common option for toddler underwear. This versatile style is available in girls’ and boys’ patterns, offering softness and comfort without being too obstructive in movement. They come in many different materials, patterns, and sizes to help you find the right fit.

Because of the popularity of briefs, they have a wide price range, from very reasonable to high end.

Boxer Briefs

The boxer brief option works for boys who find standard leg openings in briefs too tight or uncomfortable. Since they extend down the leg, boxer briefs also provide a bit more protection from accidents. 

They come in a few different lengths, so you can choose the one your tot prefers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still, have questions about toddler underwear? Check out our answers to these frequently asked questions.

Q: When Should My Toddler Start Wearing Underwear?

A: Once your tike is ready for potty training, it’s time for underwear. Most children will show signs of readiness between 18 and 24 months, while others may not start the process until three years old. 

Q: Should I Use Underwear or Training Pants?

A: Many parents and pediatricians recommend starting with training pants as a go-between when transitioning from diapers to underwear. These undies have better absorbency than regular underwear but are more cloth-like than ordinary diapers.

However, other experts feel training diapers aren’t necessary. Parents can transition directly from diapers to regular underwear, which helps with potty training because the child can feel when they’re wet. This discomfort discourages them from urinating in their underwear in the future.

Every toddler will have a slightly different potty training process, so it’s essential to stick with what works best for that particular child.

Final Thoughts

toddler wearing greatly designed underwear in the beach

The best toddler undies will be the ones your tike enjoys wearing because they’re comfortable and colorful and that you don’t mind using because they offer excellent value. Although all of the options on this list offer great benefits, our top pick is Boboking’s Baby Soft Cotton Toddler Undies for their superior comfort and durability.

Although some customers report sizing issues, the wide range of size options means there’s one there that will fit your little one, and you can keep purchasing the next size up as she grows. You can choose from 28 girl patterns or even check out the boys’ designs to find a print that will make your tot excited to wear this underwear.

With 100% cotton, Boboking’s undies offer exceptional softness, even around the waistband and leg opening, which are covered in fabric to prevent irritation from elastic. They have extra absorbency that takes care of leaks without causing a mess. Thanks to these benefits, both you and your toddler will love these snuggly soft yet long-lasting undies.

Shop Boboking’s best toddler underwear by clicking here.

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Amy Tanathorn

Amy is a mom and the creator of Stroller Envy. Though she's no longer an active part of the team, you'll still find some stroller reviews from her on our blog and YouTube channel