Ubbi Steel Odour Locking Nappy Bin review: just how odour-proof is it?

Price on writing: £80 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

The Ubbi Steel Odour Locking Nappy Bin is a smart, well-built option that stands out for its sleek design and solid construction. It was easy to use straight out of the box, liked that it didn't require specialist bin liners and looks far more discreet than many traditional nappy bins, making it a good choice for parents who want something practical but unobtrusive in their home.

Our tester Ally said that in everyday use, the odour control was fine but not perfect. Smells were mostly contain in testing while the lid was closed, but she said the bin did need emptying every few days, particularly when her baby was younger and pooping more often. While this means it doesn’t completely eliminate nappy smells, it does keep everything securely closed away and tidy.

Ultimately, the Ubbi feels like a premium product in terms of quality and design, but its high price means it won’t suit everyone. Parents who already empty nappies daily may not feel it’s essential, while others - especially those with older babies or toddlers - may appreciate its durability, capacity and polished look enough to justify the investment.

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How we tested the Ubbi nappy bin

Our parent-tester Ally tested out the Ubbi over a period of approximately three months, during which time she used it around three to four times a day.

Did the Ubbi require any set up for initial use?

According to Ally, set up was minimal. "We just needed to add a bin liner and read the box to see how to use the lid and child lock," she explained.

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The Ubbi bin claims to banish all odours - does it?

Yes, but only to an extent. While closed, Ally reported that the bin does keep smells contained most of the time. However, when opened, particularly if it hasn't been emptied for a couple of days, the smell can be quite strong. When her baby was younger and requiring more frequent changes, Ally found that the odour control wasn't as effective as hoped.

-Parent-tester Ally

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How often does the bin need to be emptied?

While the Ubbi claims to take up to 55 newborn-sized nappies and 20 larger ones, Ally said that she found she needed to empty the bin every two to three days to keep smells at bay. More if there were several poo nappies.

How childproof is the Ubbi bin?

The bin includes a child lock on the sliding lid and feels secure, although Ally couldn't fully test this yet. "It seems childproof with the child lock for the sliding lid, but our baby isn't getting into things just yet so it's hard to tell."

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How does the Ubbi bin look?

Undeniably, the look of the Ubbi bin is what makes it stand out and this is where it scored highly in testing. Available in a choice of designs, the bin has a sleek, modern look and blends beautifully with most interiors - no easy feat for a nappy bin!

What are the best features of this bin?

Ally said that the sliding bin lid was a standout feature of the Ubbi, saying: "it's a nice touch and it is good to have the nappies locked away." She also said the overall design and build quality of the bin stood out as a real positive.

Does the Ubbi represent good value for money?

While it's well-built and looks good, there's no getting round the hefty price tag for what is essentially a nice-to-have but not need-to-have baby item. While some of the features were useful, Ally did not feel that the Ubbi bin offered enough benefit over a standard bin to justify its price tag, particularly as they needed to empty it frequently.

She also pointed out that sometimes the bin liner slipped out of the internal ring, which could be frustrating.

Overall, the Ubbi is a well-designed, durable nappy bin which does do many things well, though if you tend to take smelly nappies straight outside, we're not convinced it's an essential baby buy.

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About the author

Jenny Wonnacott has been working as a Content Editor for Mumsnet since 2022, with a particular focus on pregnancy, child and baby care product guides, articles and reviews. As a mum of three, Jenny has extensive hands-on experience in all the Mumsnet content she writes about.

As Mumsnet's feeding and changing editor, Jenny has spent many hours researching the best nappy bins and liaising with parent testers, changing experts and nappy bin manufacturers to determine which products live up to their branding and which aren't worth the cost.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet baby and child product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing - this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication