Best Puppy Pads: Disposable vs. Washable
A 50-pack of disposable pads for zero-maintenance potty training, and a washable pad that costs less over time if you're willing to do the laundry. Here's how the two compare, and which one fits your routine.
By Alex Rivera · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read
Written by a pet owner, not a content mill. For each pick I check the real product listing, materials and size, and recurring complaints in customer reviews where available, then name who it is not for. No brand pays me to rank picks. How I choose.
Quick answer
The best puppy pad comes down to whether you'd rather do laundry or take out the trash. A washable pad here costs less than the disposable 50-pack up front, and since it's reused wash after wash instead of thrown away, it costs less over time too, as long as you're actually willing to wash it on a routine. A disposable pad costs more per pack, but it's zero maintenance: use it, toss it, no washing machine involved, which matters if you don't want laundry added to potty training or you're not sure yet how long you'll need pads at all.
- A washable pad costs less upfront than the disposable 50-pack here, and less over time since it's reused instead of thrown away.
- A disposable pad's advantage is zero maintenance, no washing, no drying, just toss and replace, which is worth paying more for if you don't want laundry in the mix.
- Both are a mechanical fix for where the mess lands, neither one teaches a puppy where to go, that's still on consistent training.
- Check pad size against your actual space, a crate liner needs a different fit than a floor spot by the door.
This guide features products from our own shop, sold and shipped directly by Essential Pet Gear. No Amazon affiliate links here. See our disclosure.
A puppy pad only solves where the mess lands, not whether your puppy goes there on purpose. That part is training and repetition. What the pad itself needs to do is hold the mess, not leak through to the floor, and fit wherever you're actually placing it, a crate, a pen, or a spot by the door.
We carry two, built around a real tradeoff: money versus maintenance. A washable pad costs less, both upfront and over time, since it goes through the wash instead of the trash, but that means actually doing the wash. A disposable 50-pack costs more, but it's zero effort, use it and toss it, no laundry involved. If you're also setting up a crate or pen around where the pad goes, see our dog crates guide.
Disposable Puppy Pads, 50-Pack, 5-Layer Super Absorbent, 24x18in
50-pack, 5-layer super absorbent, 24x18in. Toss and replace.
Buy Direct · $43.99
Washable Puppy Pads, Reusable Waterproof Dog Pee Pad
Machine washable, waterproof backing, 27.5x19.7in. Wash and reuse.
Buy Direct · $23.99From our own shop
Every product in this guide is sold and shipped by Essential Pet Gear, not Amazon. No affiliate link, no third-party markup, it ships direct from our supplier to your door.
Disposable vs. washable: money versus maintenance
A washable pad costs less than the disposable 50-pack here, both to buy and over time, since it's reused wash after wash instead of thrown away after one use. The tradeoff is effort: it only stays useful if you're actually washing it on a routine, and a puppy going through several accidents a day means several washes.
A disposable pad costs more for the pack, but it asks nothing of you after that. Use it, toss it, put down a new one, no washing machine, no drying rack, no keeping a spare on hand. That's worth paying for if you don't want laundry added to potty training, or you're not sure yet how long you'll actually need pads.
- Measure the space you're actually placing the pad in, a crate liner and a floor spot by the door often need different sizes
- If you're willing to wash a pad regularly, the washable pick costs less both upfront and over time
- If you'd rather not add laundry to potty training, the disposable pack costs more but asks nothing of you after use
- Either pad is a mechanical fix for where the mess lands, not a substitute for consistent potty training
A pad that gets used but never gets picked up fast doesn't do its job. Whichever type you pick, check on it regularly, a disposable pad left too long overflows, and a washable pad left too long transfers odor into its backing.
Best disposable: 50-Pack Puppy Pads
This is who it's for: potty training a puppy over a training window that's going to end, or anyone who'd rather toss a pad than wash one. No laundry, no drying rack, just replace and go.
Who should skip it: anyone who doesn't mind doing laundry, the washable pick below costs less overall, both upfront and per use, the disposable pack is worth the extra money specifically for skipping the wash.
Disposable Puppy Pads, 50-Pack, 5-Layer Super Absorbent, 24x18in
A 50-pack of disposable puppy pads, 5-layer construction with a quick-dry top and waterproof bottom, standard 24x18in size. Ships free from a US warehouse.
- 5-layer construction, quick-dry top, waterproof bottom
- 50 pads per pack, 24x18in, ships free from a US warehouse
Best washable: Reusable Puppy Pad
This is who it's for: anyone willing to wash a pad regularly. It costs less than the disposable pack here, both to buy and over time, since it's reused wash after wash instead of thrown away.
Who should skip it: anyone who doesn't want laundry involved at all, even for a stretch. The disposable pack above costs more, but it's genuinely zero maintenance, no washing required.
Washable Puppy Pads, Reusable Waterproof Dog Pee Pad
A machine washable puppy pad with a waterproof backing, quilted top layer, 27.5in x 19.7in. Ships direct, no Amazon markup.
- Machine washable, waterproof backing
- 27.5in x 19.7in, quilted top layer wicks and holds liquid
Compare the two at a glance
The short version: washable costs less overall if you're willing to do the laundry, disposable costs more for zero maintenance.
| Puppy pad | Best for | Cost pattern | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable 50-pack | Zero maintenance, no laundry | Higher cost, no washing required | 24x18in | $43.99 |
| Washable pad | Willing to wash it regularly | Lower cost upfront and over time | 27.5x19.7in | $23.99 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best puppy pads?
It comes down to laundry versus cost. A washable pad costs less both upfront and over time, since it's reused instead of thrown away, but only if you're willing to wash it regularly. A disposable 50-pack costs more for the pack, but it's zero maintenance, no washing required at all.
Are washable puppy pads worth it?
Yes, if you're willing to wash one regularly. A washable pad costs less than a disposable pack both upfront and over time, since it's reused wash after wash instead of thrown away. The tradeoff isn't cost, it's whether you want laundry added to the routine at all.
How many puppy pads do I need per day?
It varies by age and how consistently your puppy is using the pad versus having accidents elsewhere, but expect to go through several a day early in training. That's part of why a 50-pack lasts through a real training window rather than running out in days.
Do puppy pads actually train a puppy where to go?
The pad only manages where the mess lands, it doesn't teach placement by itself. Consistent, repeated placement in the same spot combined with routine and supervision is what actually trains a puppy, the pad is the mechanical part of the setup, not the training method.
Can I use puppy pads for an adult or older dog?
Yes, plenty of adult and older dogs use pads long-term, not just puppies in training. That kind of standing, ongoing use is exactly where a washable pad's lower per-use cost matters most compared to buying disposables indefinitely.