Baby wipes tested by CONOR POPE

Lidl Cien Soft and Clean Comfort, €1.19 for 80, 1.5c per wipe

Highs: These wipes were a bit of a revelation, based almost entirely on their price. They are very cheap and very strong and have a scent that is pleasingly reminiscent of the 1970s, when unscented wipes, which are de rigueur today, would have seemed just a bit stupid. They are big and thick and embossed with all sorts of cutie pictures that you probably wouldn't notice were you not reviewing them. Of more importance is the solid resealable flaps which stops these wipes drying out.

Lows: Compared with the more eco-friendly options on the market, the ingredients seem a whole lot more chemical-sounding, although we're pretty confident they'd do absolutely no harm to even the most sensitive skin.

Verdict: Fine value

Star rating: ***

Pampers, €3.49 for 63, 5.5c per wipe

Highs: This is the most instantly recognisable brand on the market and also the most widely available. They are perfume-free, alcohol free and claim to be as mild as cotton wool and water. They are very sturdy and will not let you down, even in the most taxing of baby-related disasters. Unicef will also get a donation for every packet sold.

Lows: Pampers boasts that these have been dermatologically tested and, while it's reassuring that the company goes to the trouble of getting dermatologists to test their product, we detect marketing speak here. They are comparatively small and expensive – although they are frequently on special in the big supermarkets, which makes them much better value for money.

Verdict: Pricey but reliable

Star Rating: ****

Johnson’s Baby Skin Care wipes, €1.55 for 24, 6.5c per wipe

Highs: We opted for the travel pack which contains just 24 wipes; while that makes the individual wipes more expensive (and the company has cheap alternatives on offer), it also makes them ideal for a compact nappy bag. They claim to be as mild as pure water on skin and eyes, which is reassuring, and the fragrance is perfectly pleasant. They are also amongst the biggest wipes on the market and are commendably sturdy

Lows: The residue was just a little bit sticky, which is probably not the end of the world – particularly if you believe all the guff about the sensitive nature of the ingredients. The price is also a little high – although, if you buy the bigger packets, it does fall considerably.

Verdict:Handy on the go

Star rating: ***

Tushies Wipes, €5.25 for 80, 6.5c per wipe

Highs:These interestingly named hypoallergenic wipes from Connecticut were entirely unfamiliar to Pricewatch. Not only are the ingredients listed (and very natural they are too) but an explanation as to what each one does is also provided. They come in a plastic box which helps keep the wipes moist – a great idea if you can get your hands on the refills but something of a disaster if you can't.

Lows:They are on the pricey side and also just a little on the annoying side. They are hard to separate and seem quite insubstantial – an eight-month-old can shred these in a heartbeat. A surprising amount of liquid – probably Aloe and vitamin E – comes out when these are squeezed; because they are so moist, they're not great at soaking up messes.

Verdict:Too much hassle

Star rating: **

Moltex Sensitive Baby Wipes, €4.65 for 72, 6.5c per wipe

Highs:These wipes come from a company which has gone some distance towards cornering the eco-friendly nappy market. They are, the box promises, extra thick, soft and strong, and it's not a lie. While some of the other brands come apart like wet tissue, these are incredibly strong and it takes a lot of effort to tear them.

Lows:We found the packet quite hard to open and we were not sure if that is something we'd like to be dealing with while a cranky and impatient toddler waited for you to attend to them. The individual wipes were quite securely stuck together so you might find you're using more of them than is strictly necessary – at this price, that is probably not the best idea in the world.

Verdict: Strong stuff

Star rating: ****