Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

We have 2 kids and over the last three years have owned or used at least 6 diaper pails including this one (ranked in order of preference): Diaper Genie II Elite Pail System Diaper Dekor Plus Diaper Disposal System Baby Trend Diaper Champ Deluxe, Blue Diaper Genie II Pail System Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Playtex Diaper Genie Twist- Away Pail System Topline: - It's an OK diaper pail, but I wouldn't buy another. Pros: - The baking soda is an interesting concept for odor control - It is great that the baking soda cartridge is refillable vs. having to purchase another one. Cons: - ** The lower compartment is maddeningly easy for babies/toddlers to open (and apparently fascinating) which allows them access to the plastic film bag underneath. This seems like a serious safety issue. ** (see note below) - Despite the baking soda, there is no real difference in odor control (plus since the bags are a set size so you can't do a "short bag" if you drop in something really stinky) - Pail is very short (just above knee level on someone 5' 3") and when you have to push the diaper through you have to bend even farther - Top hatch is difficult to open with one hand that is also holding a diaper (since the other hand should be holding the baby on the changing table) - The "squish" factor involved with pushing a wet (or poopy) diaper through the chute is pretty gross and you can't get a diaper in without touching it. - Base is wider than most (so it takes up more floor space in apartments and/or small nurseries) - you go through the baking soda very quickly Aside from my concern with the safety of the accessibility of the lower compartment to small children (maybe I just have a dud pail), I would say this pail is OK. It does the job, but it would not be my first choice. If the baking soda really works I wish Arm & Hammer (or Munchkin) would just sell the refillable dispenser to stick in the top of my regular diaper pails. UPDATES - 12/21/09 - Munchkin was very quick to respond to my concern regarding the door and said that they had improved the design to make a truly child-proof lock. 10/20/11 - I have received comments from other parents that this door issue is still not resolved.