WaterWipes are excellent but expensive. We compare five cheaper baby wipes available in the UK, with price per wipe, so you can decide where to save and where to stick with the original.
Ask any group of UK parents which baby wipes they trust and WaterWipes will come up within seconds. They have earned that reputation: 99.9% purified water, a drop of fruit extract, nothing else, and a track record with newborns and sensitive skin. The catch is the price. A standard 60-pack typically sells for £2.50 to £3.00, which works out at 4p to 5p per wipe. For a baby going through 8 to 10 wipes a day, that is £120 to £180 a year on wipes alone.
So it is no surprise that "WaterWipes alternative" is one of the most common searches among parents. This guide compares five cheaper options available in the UK, looks honestly at what you give up, and explains when WaterWipes are still the right call.
What Makes WaterWipes Different?
- Minimal ingredients: water plus a trace of grapefruit seed extract. No fragrance, no alcohol, no preservatives beyond that.
- Dermatologist and allergy association approval: widely recommended for newborns and eczema-prone skin.
- Very wet texture: cleans well but some parents find them too wet and slippery for messy changes.
If your newborn is in the first few weeks, or your baby has diagnosed eczema or a history of reacting to wipes, WaterWipes remain a sensible choice. For everyone else, there are good alternatives at a fraction of the price.
5 Cheaper Alternatives to WaterWipes
1. Deep Fresh Extra Soft Baby Wipes
Thick, soft wipes with a gentle, lightly fragranced formula, sold in a case of 24 packs of 72 wipes. At £10.99 a case that is 1,728 wipes for around 0.64p per wipe, roughly an eighth of the price of WaterWipes. The thicker sheet means you often use fewer wipes per change. Best for everyday nappy changes, hands and faces once your baby is past the newborn stage. See Extra Soft Blue, Pink or Green.
2. Deep Fresh Lovely Baby Wipes
The same 24 x 72 case format with a slightly softer, more cushioned sheet and playful character packs (Leon the lion, Giraffe, Little Lamb). £14.00 a case, around 0.81p per wipe. A good middle ground for parents who want extra softness without the WaterWipes price tag. See Lovely Baby Leon.
3. Deep Fresh Biodegradable Probiotic Wipes
If the appeal of WaterWipes is partly environmental, these are worth a look. A plastic-conscious biodegradable fabric with a probiotic formula, sold as 18 packs of 40. Not a dedicated newborn wipe, but a strong choice for toddlers, hands and faces, and families who want to cut plastic. See Biodegradable Probiotic Wipes.
4. Aldi Mamia Sensitive Wipes
Aldi's own-brand sensitive wipes are a long-standing parent favourite, typically under £1 a pack and around 1.2p to 1.5p per wipe. Fragrance-free and reliably available in store. The downside is you have to go to Aldi, and buying in real bulk means a lot of individual packs.
5. Tesco Fred & Flo Sensitive Wipes
Another solid supermarket option, usually around 1p to 1.5p per wipe with multibuy offers. Fragrance-free and 99% water. Good if you shop at Tesco anyway, less convenient if you want a case delivered to the door.
Price Per Wipe at a Glance
| Wipes | Typical price | Approx. per wipe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WaterWipes 60-pack | £2.50–£3.00 | 4p–5p | Newborns, eczema, very sensitive skin |
| Deep Fresh Extra Soft (24 x 72) | £10.99 per case | 0.64p | Everyday value, bulk buyers |
| Deep Fresh Lovely Baby (24 x 72) | £14.00 per case | 0.81p | Softer sheet, everyday use |
| Aldi Mamia Sensitive | ~£0.79–£0.99 per pack | 1.2p–1.5p | Fragrance-free supermarket option |
| Tesco Fred & Flo Sensitive | ~£0.80–£1.00 per pack | 1p–1.5p | Fragrance-free supermarket option |
Supermarket prices are typical shelf prices at the time of writing and change often. Deep Fresh prices are our current case prices.
How to Switch Without Upsetting Your Baby's Skin
- Try the new wipes on hands and face for a few days before using them for nappy changes.
- Switch one change at a time rather than all at once.
- Watch for redness over 48 hours. A little pink that fades quickly is normal; persistent redness means go back to your old wipes.
- Pat dry after wiping and let skin air for a minute before the fresh nappy. This matters more than the brand of wipe. See our guide to nappy rash causes, treatment and prevention.
When to Stay with WaterWipes
- Premature babies and the first two to four weeks of life
- Diagnosed eczema or a known reaction to fragranced wipes
- During a bad bout of nappy rash, until the skin has healed
Many families use WaterWipes for those situations and a cheaper wipe for everything else. That alone can halve the yearly wipes bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheaper baby wipes safe?
Yes. All baby wipes sold in the UK must meet cosmetics safety regulations. The differences are in fragrance, thickness, wetness and price, not safety.
Is it worth buying baby wipes in bulk?
If you use wipes daily, a 24-pack case is the single biggest saving you can make. One case lasts a typical family two to three months.
Can I use Deep Fresh baby wipes on a newborn?
Many parents do, but for the first few weeks we suggest the gentlest unfragranced option you can find, and introducing any new wipe gradually as described above.
Shop Baby Wipes in Bulk
Browse the full Deep Fresh baby wipes collection, all sold in cases of 24 x 72 with fast UK delivery. For a wider comparison, read our guide to the best baby wipes in the UK: Pampers vs WaterWipes vs Huggies vs Deep Fresh.