Families seeking a quality, affordable All-in-Two (AI2) cloth diaper option will find one with Buttons Cloth Diapers. These economical covers come with many of the bells and whistles of their competitors, including double gussets and waist elastics, at a competitive price. Buttons sent us an adorable multi-color button print cover to try, along with a large insert, for our Buttons Cloth Diaper Review.
Design
Buttons diapers are one-sized and fit babies from approximately 9 to 35 lbs. The snap-in inserts come in two sizes and two fabric options; hemp and cotton or microfiber. Buttons water-proof covers can be wiped down and used multiple times between washes as long as they don’t get soiled. The clever design includes double leg gussets to hold in messes and elastic at the back and tummy for a more comfortable fit.
You can also find fun and unique colors and prints in Buttons covers to suit many tastes. Our buttons print is a seasonal offering and only available until supplies run out. This is perfect for any cloth diaper collector!
Cover Fit
When I reviewed Buttons Cloth Diapers on Kai in 2013, I remember falling in love with the covers, but struggling with the inserts a bit. I found once again that the Buttons covers fit comfortably and snugly on Sebastian at around 24 lbs. These covers have three rise settings and he is still at the middle setting, so I can definitely see this diaper system fitting up to 35 lbs. Our babies tend to grow long and lean, so it will most likely be awhile before he’ll need the third setting.
The waist has a single row of snaps, with two spots to anchor for a secure fit. I actually prefer a double row of snaps at the top for the closest fit. The elastic at the back and tummy help get the right fit, though, and I would love to see this feature on all cloth diaper brands.
Insert Fit
Buttons Cloth Diaper inserts come in two sizes, small and large. The small fits babies 9 to 20 lbs and the large fits babies 20 to 35 lbs. Two sizes should be sufficient for most babies, but there could be an awkward in-between inserts time. You could solve this by using a small insert with a booster, I imagine.
We received a large daytime microfiber Buttons insert for our review. The insert has four layers of microfiber and soft fleece on top to lay against baby’s skin. The insert is the same width on both ends, with a tapered middle, and has dual snaps. As Sebastian is in the middle snaps, I did find the insert a tad bulky. The top and leg elastics help to tuck the insert in and a good, snug fit should keep the insert from peeking out.
Absorbency
The cover and one daytime microfiber insert offered plenty of absorbency for daytime and naps. As Sebastian sleeps through the night, I like to add a thin doubler on top for extra comfort. Buttons offers their own doublers in the same fabrics as their daytime inserts, but I have yet to try them. I do like how their doublers snap between the insert and the cover, so they stay in place. We were able to reuse the cover (using older Buttons inserts and Best Bottoms) two to three times, wiping down in between.
As with most AI2s, I had no luck using the diaper again after a poop because the mess inevitably went between the insert and the gussets. The diaper did it’s job and kept in the mess without any leaks, but you definitely want a good diaper sprayer for those gussets!
Value
The Buttons Cloth Diaper is a great option for the value-conscious family. Diaper covers are $11 for solids and $12.50 for prints, making them very competitively priced. While the company is based in the US, manufacturing is done overseas. The main price difference in your system will come with your inserts, as hemp/cotton inserts are about double the cost of microfiber.
If you decide to purchase 2 to 3 days worth of Buttons cloth diapers, you will need:
8 to 10 one-size covers
18 to 24 daytime inserts (in each size)
2 to 3 nighttime inserts (in each size)
This means you could diaper your baby from just after newborn to potty training for as little as $225. In my experience, it is best to have the higher number of covers and inserts, plus you’ll probably want some prints, so I think an average estimate might look more like $500. If the average cost of disposable diapers through potty training is $2400, then that is a huge savings. Use it for multiple babies and you can pay off your house sooner!
Win One!
Be sure to visit my Buttons Cloth Diaper Giveaway to win a cover and insert of your choice!
Disclosure: I received product in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included in this post. Proceeds go to support my blog. To learn more about sponsoring reviews and giveaways with The Inquisitive Mom, contact Mindy at theinquisitivemom@gmail.com.
I’m new to cloth diapering. I was gifted some prefolds and I bought a few covers. This would great addition to my stash! I really don’t have much variety.
I was just looking at the Buttons website, and I find your review very helpful! I am new to cloth diapering, and I’m not loving the first diapers that I purchased. I like that these Buttons covers have the double gussets, and the gussets around the waist also. I am also interested in the snap-in inserts, rather than the pocket style that I currently have.
I really like the new bright button pattern! So cute!
I really want to add one of these to my stash! Thank you for the review!
Buttons are my favorite brand! I love ai2s because you don’t need so many different diapers each day! Buttons are also affordable, which is great!
I’m about to try my first buttons cover! It’s been shipped but not arrived yet. I also prefer a double row of snaps, but I’ve never tried a diap with elastic in the front (I don’t think). I think the front elastics will hopefully help keep it in place and make up for the fact it only has one row of snaps. Thanks for the input that one insert held up for you, we will start with that when ours arrives 🙂
This is a very useful review. The features that these covers offer directly compare to some of the much higher end covers, in particular the double gussets and elasticized back. Yes, I agree, I also prefer a double row of snaps at the waist closures, but they seem pretty good with the one row, since there are tandem snaps. Definitely worth picking up a few of these.
I haven’t tried a Buttons diaper, but they look to be a good, affordable stash builder
We are still new to cloth and trying to figure out what works best for us. This looks like a great diaper. I’d love to try it.
It would be interesting to try these. The style is a bit different then what we have tried before (AIOs, pockets, AI2s). Inserts are a bit different- might work well for us. Would love to win!
Great review. Love the elastic front & back. That would definitely help with fit. Also love the double gusset. And the price point is fantastic! We will definitely be looking to add a couple of these to our stash to try out. Thank you for all the information.
I have just started cloth diapering 🙂
I have bought a few and had one made for me .
This would be great addition to my lovely stash 🙂
I don’t know much about your brand but I am definitely interested in learning more
I’m really excited to try my new buttons diaper covers out! I’ve only used pockets so far and I love the idea of being able to wipe out the covers and reusing them! I feel like it will be so much easier than stuffing my pockets
I love seeing cute gender neutral patterns like these buttons.
Very nice, thorough review! It is great to see such reviews on the value-priced diapers- more realistic option for so many wanting to cloth diaper to save money. 🙂
I’m new to cloth diapering. Thank you for this article! Very informative.
I am looking to try some new covers. I haven’t had any with the double leg gussets before, so this one looks like it would be a good one to try!
I actually prefer Buttons AI2 to Grovia. I know shocker. They have a great price. I love their fit. And the covers are super easy to wipe out so you can reuse it.
I didn’t think these were double gusseted, it didn’t look like they were, but that makes me like them even better. Their prints are cute, inexpensive, and I like that the insert snaps in. I’ve often thought about using my KAM pliers to put snaps for soakers on my other covers, but I don’t want to affect their resale potential…
I have a long lean baby too so these sound perfect!!! We definitely need a double row of snaps, and double gussets. The waist elastic sounds excellent too!! I’d love to try these!
Buttons was the first cloth diaper I bought and tried and I loved them. Unfortunately I always got leaks around the gussets. 🙁 So I switched but I still use the inserts, I like them better than any others. But I’d like to try again, maybe it’ll be different!
I love that you can wipe them down and reuse them!
I’d love to win so I can help my friend build her cloth diaper stash! Thanks!
I love the idea of ai2’s! So cute! And the cost!
I love these they’re so cute and not terribly expensive! Ai2’s are used a lot in my house along with pockets they’re just so easy to customize and quick to wash. I have some best bottoms but I’ve been looking at trying Buttons diapers for a while
I’ve always been curious about their diapers,thanks for the review. I’ll have to grab me one now.