After breastfeeding three babies and bottle-feeding one, I have gone through my share of burp cloths! Burp cloths are a must from little spillovers to volcanic eruptions. The following burp cloths are the 11 best burp cloths of 2021!
Best Burp Cloths
The Burt’s Bees and KeaBabies burp clothes are made with Organic Cotton unlike the other burp cloths on this list.
Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Organic Burp Cloths
The Burt’s Bees 100% Organic Burp Cloths come in a 5-pack of a variety of prints. You can choose from neutral grey and white designs, pink and floral designs, or blue and nature designs. Either way, they are all adorable!
Size
These burp cloths are a large 16 inches by 11.8 inches. They are two-ply, which makes them thicker and more absorbent. They also have a three-panel design, which not only makes them easy to fold for more over-the-shoulder protection, but also makes storing them a breeze!
Material
These Burt’s Bees burp cloths are made of 100% breathable, organic cotton, which is grown without fertilizer or synthetic pesticides. The 1×1 rib knit fabric is supple, durable, and stretchy. It’s gentle and soft against the baby’s sensitive skin.
Cons
These burp cloths, like most others, have a tag that gets in the way. This is easily remedied, however. Simply cut the tag off!
Plus
You can also place these burp cloths under your baby’s bum when changing his/her diaper. With high absorbency, the cloths catch a lot! The simplicity of throwing a peed-on burp cloth in the washer is so much more preferable than stripping the sheet off a changing table! Of course, you wouldn’t want to confuse the pee cloths with the burp cloths. If you choose to use a few cloths for bums, I suggest choosing a particular print for bums that you don’t use for faces.
Copper Pearl Large Baby Burp Cloths
The Copper Pearl Large Baby Burp Cloths are sold as a 3-pack gift set. However, they made a perfect gift for yourself as well! Choose from 6 different designs: Citrus (pictured), Cusco, Dot, Enchanted, Jo, or Kai.
Size
These burp cloths are sized large at 21 inches long by 10 inches wide, which makes them a great size for over-the-shoulder coverage. Though these do shrink, they don’t seem to shrink very much. After one month of frequent use, washings, and dryings, they seem to have still retained about 95% of their size.
Material
The fronting and backing of these burp cloths are 100% cotton. The front is brightly patterned, and the back is plain white. They also have a third, middle layer, however. This middle layer is made of fleece for extra absorbency.
Cons
The print on the Cotton Pearl burp cloths seems to feel plasticky. This leaves the material not feeling as soft as other burp cloths.
Pros
Because they’re so large, they double as a small blanket for a newborn!
These also go perfectly with the Copper Pear Banana Bibs.
Burp Boss, Doesn’t Fall Off
The Burp Boss is a uniquely designed terry cloth burp cloth that goes around your neck and over both shoulders. It doesn’t fall off and provides coverage and protection without having to shift it up and down or from side to side.
Size
It is in a horseshoe shape, but top to bottom is 19 niches and each of the sides are 7 inches wide. So it covers your shoulders and a little of your back on both sides and then as far down your chest as you need.
Material
The outward absorbing surface terry cloth and the backing is polyester fleece.
Cons
We haven’t seen any red flags in terms of performance. However, this burp cloth is on the expensive side.
Plus
The main advantage is coverage for both shoulders without having to shift it back and forth.
It also stays on without really thinking about it.
It is multi-layer, front surface and backing, so it has some protection from soak-through that other single-material or single-layer burp cloths have to achieve with thickness.
Hudson Baby Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths
The Hudson Baby Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths come in a pack of 4 or 6 depending on what print bundle you choose (and there are seriously a ton of prints to choose from)! They are sewn the same way that cloth diapers are, so they are double-layered on the edges and three layers in the middle.
Size
They are large 14 inches by 20 inches, making them large and broad enough to fit over your shoulder and collect the spit-up from the most polite of burpers to the messiest of spitters.
Material
These flannel burp cloths are made of 100% cotton material. The 100% cotton material tends to be softer against the baby’s skin.
Cons
As with any product on the market, there are some cons to the Hudson Baby Burp Cloths. For one, they tend to get linty after being washed. However, if you wash them on the delicate cycle on cold and dry them on the low tumble delicate dry cycle, you should be able to avoid this.
Another prominent problem is that the serger stitching tends to fray on the edges. Due to this, you may find yourself constantly needing to cut frayed threads from the corners.
Lastly, although the material soaks up spit-up very well, the mucusy spit-up of the reflux baby tends to just sit on the surface of the burp cloth.
Plus
Did you notice how many prints and designs there are to choose from? With such a variety, you’re almost guaranteed to find the perfect design to match any nursery.
Flannel burp cloths seem to be preferred by many people to the standard terry cloth burp cloths for several reasons. One reason is the size. Another is that they tend to be heavier and, thus, stay in place better. Lastly, they tend to be more absorbent, hold more fluid since they have more layers of material.
Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Burp Cloths
These Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Burping Cloths come in a pack of six of either neutral colors, pinks, or light blues. They are double-layered for extra absorbency and softness.
Size
These large burp cloths are 16 inches by 12 inches making them the widest burp cloth featured thus far! The width makes them perfect for catching all those spills that might spray over your shoulder.
Material
Made with 100% cotton, the material is breathable, super gentle, and extremely absorbent when it’s needed most.
Cons
These burp cloths have three seams running down their length to hold the fabric together. Some people do not like this feature. It may compromise the cloth’s ability to wipe the baby’s face well. The tag is also in a bad spot.
Plus
The Comfy Cubs burp cloths can be used in a variety of ways. They make great teethers and wonderful breastfeeding cover-ups, and they’re perfect for wiping down a sticky baby!
KeaBabies Ultra Absorbent Organic Burp Cloths
The KeaBabies Ultra Absorbent Organic Burp Cloths are made of three layers of absorbent material. As such, they catch a lot of spit-ups, keeping your clothes mess-free!
Size
These burp cloths are larger than the others we have covered thus far, bring 21 inches by 10.5 inches! This is the same length as the average newborn.
Material
The three layers of material in these burp cloths differ by the layer. The front and back layer of these are made of 100% organic cotton which is super soft for sensitive skin. The center is a layer of quality fleece. This fleece helps to absorb the maximum amount of moisture.
Cons
The only con that I found on these burp cloths is that the layers are not quilted together. Therefore, when they are washed, the center layer tends to shift and cause bumps in the burp cloth. They still work just as well, but they are lumpy, which can drive a person with OCD batty.
Plus
These reasonably-priced burp cloths are large enough to stay on your shoulder without having the stitching down the center as most long burp cloths do. This means that you get a long burp cloth, yet your baby escapes getting marks on her face!
Luvable Friends Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths
The Luvable Friends Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths come in a variety of packs with over 28 designs to choose from. These cute, brightly colored prints are multi-layered, as the other burp cloths have been, so they’re great for catching drool.
Size
Speaking of catching messes, these cloths are a great size for covering your shoulder and front and back to keep you safe from tummy spills. These burp cloths are a great size at 14 inches by 20 inches.
Material
Being flannel, the material is very absorbent. However, the flannel is made of 100% cotton, making it super soft on the baby’s skin.
Cons
The fact that they are flannel means that the material gets a little fuzzy-looking with washing, meaning the burp cloths don’t stay new-looking for long. This is a common thing for flannel.
You may notice that the Luvable Friends Burp Cloths shrink a little after a few times through the dryer even when following the care instructions explicitly (machine wash warm and tumble dry low). However, this is also to be expected with flannel material. It’s best to hang these to dry.
You may also notice that these burp cloths get a little wrinkled if they are thrown directly into the dryer from the washing machine. Using your fingers to stretch the material flat before throwing them into the dryer (if you plan to dry them this way) will help the burp cloths to not be as wrinkled once dry.
Compared to most of the other sets shown, this set does only include four burp cloths, which can be a little difficult to swallow, but it’s not horrible for the price.
Plus
These burp cloths are very absorbent, unlike some burp cloths.
Another great thing about these burp cloths is that the cute designs are printed on both sides of the cloths. Many burp cloths do not have the print on both sides.
Babebay 100% Combed Cotton Baby Burp Set
The Babebay 100% Combed Cotton Baby Burp Set is a unisex set that’s easy on your pocketbook. It comes in a pack of 5 and you can choose from 3 different designs: Grey (nature), Grey (triangle), or Grey (love).
Size
These burp cloths are large enough to lay across your shoulder and front at 20 by 10 inches. They are designed with three layers of material, so they’re not only wide and long but also thick.
Material
The front and back layers of these burp cloths are made of 100% Combed Cotton, which is hypoallergenic and soft against a baby’s sensitive skin. The middle layer is a thick, absorbent fleece.
Cons
Washing and drying these burp cloths does cause shrinkage. However, they do not shrink much. The shrinkage is in the outer layers only. the inner layer stays the same length, so you end up with some bunching.
The only other con that I found was that the material doesn’t seem to absorb as well where the print is.
Plus
The Babebay cloths easily cover an average man’s shoulder, and nothing seems to leak through.
Gerber Flannel Burp Cloths
The Gerber Flannel Burp Cloths come in a pack of four and offer over 20 designs and prints to choose from.
Size
These burp cloths come in a large 20-inch by 14-inch size. They’re large enough that they won’t have to be washed each time your baby spits on them, so that’s a plus. They fit comfortably over a man’s large shoulder. However, they are so wide that a small woman may find them too wide. Folding them may then make them too thick.
These burp cloths do tend to shrink about 1/2 inch in both directions on the first wash and dry cycle if you wash and dry them on a normal setting. To keep this from happening and to prolong the life of these burp cloths, be sure to wash them on the gentle cycle in cold water and dry them in the lowest setting. Remove them from the dryer when they’re still just a little damp to prevent them from wrinkling.
Material
The Gerber Flannel Burp Cloths are 100% cotton flannel. They are an easy-to-wash material and quite absorbent. However, the absorbency may not kick in fully until they’ve been through a wash or two.
Cons
These burp cloths are pretty thick, which most parents see as a great thing! Some parents, however, may see this as a negative feature since they like to tuck the burp cloth under their infant’s chin to catch bottle spills while feeding. It can be tucked up under, but it’s almost too thick.
Pros
These burp cloths don’t seem to stain very easily from formula or breastmilk.
Some parents like to roll their burp cloths for neat storage. These burp cloths roll up quite nicely. When rolled, they are stout enough to stand on their end for upright storage in a basket.
Best Muslin Burp Cloths
The green sprouts burp cloths are made with Organic Cotton compared to the Comfy Cubs and aden + anais cloths which are made from Non-Organic Cotton. The Comfy Cubs burp cloths offer the best deal as a pack of 6.
Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Muslin Burp Cloths
The Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Muslin Burp Cloths come in a pack of six and are white, pink, or blue, depending on what color you choose. They are designed with six layers of 100% cotton that is soft and extra absorbent. They also double as washcloths!
Size
These burp cloths are 20 inches by 10 inches. At this size, they are quite versatile. They can be used for everything from burp cloths to changing pads to breastfeeding cover-ups!
Material
Because the material is 100% cotton, it’s gentle on sensitive skin while still being top quality and extra absorbent.
Cons
They do sometimes shrink a little when they go through the dryer.
Plus
These Muslin burp cloths make the perfect baby shower gift, as they come with a ribbon and bow!
against the baby’s sensitive skin.
aden & anais 100% Cotton Muslin Burpy Baby Bib
The aden + anais Burpy Bib, is a four-layer multi-use burping cloth. Not only can these be used as burping cloths, but they can be conveniently buttoned and made into bibs!
Size
These pre-washed burp cloths are 22.5 inches by 11 inches. They’re easy to care for. You merely throw them in the washing machine!
Material
These burp cloths are made with four layers of 100% cotton muslin. Absorbent and durable, they stay soft regardless of how many washes they go through.
Cons
These burp cloths don’t have many cons, but there are a few. One is the fact that the snaps are so tiny. If you have large fingers, you may have difficulty snapping them.
Another con is that they are quite expensive. However, many people believe that the aden + anais bibs are worth the extra money they pay for them.
Pros
These are good quality and double as full-coverage bibs. As bibs, these can be used for children up to 4-years-old. Are you giving your 4-year-old a popsicle? Put an aden & anais bib on him to protect his clothes!
Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloths
The green sprouts Muslin Burp Cloths are super soft and machine washable. In fact, they seem to get softer with every wash.
Size
These burp cloths are a great length, at 24 inches long, but the width is lacking. At their widest, they are 9.5 inches, which is fine. However, they are kidney bean-shaped, making them thinner on the shoulder. The thin part is only about 7.5 inches wide. This width does not cover a man’s shoulder very well to protect it from belly spills and spit-up.
Material
The green sprouts burp cloths are designed with four absorbent layers of 100% organic muslin cotton.
Cons
They are pretty absorbent, but the absorbency could be better.
Another con with this brand is that the blue color sometimes has a tendency to bleed on its first wash. I would suggest washing the blue burp cloth with like-colored clothes on the first wash cycle.
One last problem, as I mentioned already, is the kidney bean shape. If these burp cloths only had a cut out for the neck on one side, I think it would be better since the other side would cover the shoulder better. However, as it is, this width doesn’t work well for everyone.
Pros
However, this kidney bean shape can also be a pro. The cut-out shape being close to your neck prevents spit-up from slipping down the side and down your shirt.
The material is fluffy and soft
Baby Burp Cloths Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Green Sprouts Muslin Burp Cloths | 9.8 | 9.8 | 26.99 |
| Burt's Bees Baby 100% Organic Burp Cloths | 9.9 | 9.8 | 24.95 |
| aden & anais 100% Cotton Muslin Burpy Baby Bib | 9.7 | - | 24.95 |
| Gerber Flannel Burp Cloths | 9.0 | 9.4 | 23.50 |
| KeaBabies Ultra Absorbent Organic Burp Cloths | 9.9 | 9.6 | 21.96 |
| Copper Pearl Large Baby Burp Cloths | 9.8 | 9.6 | 21.95 |
| Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Burp Cloths | 9.8 | 9.6 | 16.95 |
| Comfy Cubs 100% Cotton Muslin Burp Cloths | 9.9 | 9.6 | 14.95 |
| Hudson Baby Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths | 9.9 | 9.4 | 10.47 |
| Luvable Friends Cotton Flannel Burp Cloths | 9.8 | 9.2 | 8.33 |
| Babebay 100% Combed Cotton Baby Burp Set | 3.9 | 9.4 | - |
How We Selected the Best Burp Cloths
We spent several hours searching for the best burp cloths with the following criteria in mind.
Size
The size of the burp cloth is vital. If it’s too small, it won’t catch all of your baby’s spit-up. Trust me, a small burp cloth is not the best burp cloth for acid reflux babies! However, you don’t want your burp cloth to be too wide either. When they get too wide, they fall off the shoulder too easily.
Material
The type of material in your burp cloth can be the difference between a burp cloth that absorbs well and one that doesn’t. The best kind of material for a burp cloth, in my opinion, is 100% cotton. I tend to prefer flannel burp cloths, myself, due to the absorbency, but some people don’t like them because of the pilling and fading that’s common with flannel. It’s more of a preferential thing.
Pros & Cons
I listed the downfalls of each burp cloth along with their good sides. If they had too many cons, they weren’t considered for this list.
FAQs – Baby Burp Cloths
Are burp cloths necessary?
Research states that close to 50% of babies have frequent spit-ups. If you try to go without a burp cloth, you may be sorry. I remember one time my first daughter spit up all over me. I was burp cloth-less and in town with a spit-up streak that could have been avoided. Lesson learned.
Burp cloths are so versatile. Besides being used for burp cloths, they can also be used for rags, drool catchers for tummy time, bum resters for changing time, throws for feeding time, and so much more!
Can’t I just use cloth diapers?
Mothers through the centuries have used cloth diapers. Why not you? Cloth diapers are cheap and extremely absorbent, however, they do have some flaws.
First, let’s consider the size. Yes, they start out at 20 inches by 14 inches, which is a great size for a burp cloth, but cloth diapers tend to shrink by about three inches after they’re washed. This brings them down to about 17 inches long. Therefore, they don’t cover as much as the ordinary burp cloths. However, where they fail in length, they make up in width.
Next, they are pretty plain. White is a fashion statement. But if you don’t care about fashion or bling, then by all means, show it off with pride!
Lastly, cloth diapers don’t seem to be as soft as burp cloths to me. Though they are similar to muslin, they have a coarser weave. They are cushy though and get cushier with every wash.
How many burp cloths should I buy?
Babies tend to go through burp cloths pretty quickly. It’s a good idea to have about four-packs, or 10-12 burp cloths available when you bring your baby home from the hospital. Odds are, you’ll need them!
Are burp cloths and receiving blankets the same thing?
While you can use a receiving blanket in the place of a burp cloth, a burp cloth and receiving blanket are not the same. A burp cloth is much smaller than a receiving blanket and cannot be used to swaddle an infant as a receiving blanket can. However, some burp cloths are large enough to be used as a small blanket with which to cover newborns.
Where should I store my burp cloths?
There are several great places to store burp cloths. You can put a nice basket on the baby’s dresser for burp cloths. Another idea is to hang a shoe organizer in the closet for putting burp cloths in. You can store them in a tote under your baby’s crib. If all else fails, you could also keep a drawer in the dresser just for burp cloths.
How long will I need burp cloths?
Burp cloths are not a here and gone thing. They’re very versatile and useful. You’ll use them today to wipe milk dribbles, catch spit-up, and stifle burps. You’ll use them in the future to wipe snotty noses, catch coughs, and stifle sneezes.
What else can burp cloths be used for?
As I said, burp cloths are very versatile. Besides using them for burp cloths, you can use them to apply diaper rash cream or as a changing pad. They also will last through the years and be ready and willing to be used in many other ways after your baby outgrows them.
They can be used for cleaning rags. They make great dust cloths and work great for cleaning windows. Just don’t mix and match without a wash or you’ll end up with streaked glass!
The cute designs on these burp cloths do not need to go to waste! Put them to use as a placemat. Your toddler or preschooler will love the playful design, and you’ll thank yourself for making clean-up so much easier on yourself.
They make great cloths for catching runny noses too. Their sizes mean they don’t fill up fast.
You can also use burp cloths under your pet’s food and water dishes. These “pet placemats” will catch stray spills and keep your pet’s corner looking tidy and cute.
Lastly, burp cloths make great hand towels! They are cute and absorbent.
