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Best Baby Carriers

Updated May 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Ergobaby Omni 360-degree Front-facing Carrier for Babies and Newborns.
Ergobaby
Omni 360-degree Front-facing Carrier for Babies and Newborns.
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This carrier holds children up to 4 years old and 45 pounds with an adjustable range of carrying positions and earns our baby expert's approval.

Pros

The cool-air mesh helps keep sweat and moisture to a minimum when hiking. It keeps you safe and comfortable, too, with padded straps and lumbar support. The ergonomic design fits your growing child. This carrier's 1-handed slider control makes adjusting it a breeze, too.

Cons

Some believe it to be too bulky, while others find the shoulder straps uncomfortable.

Best Bang for the Buck
Boba Boba Wrap Stretchy Baby Carrier
Boba
Boba Wrap Stretchy Baby Carrier
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Comfortable & Flexible
Bottom Line

Don't let the simple design on this carrier undersell it, it securely holds children up to 35 pounds.

Pros

Available in several colors that match your outfit. Weight distributes in a way that doesn't throw off the baby or the parent. The ergonomic carrier comes from a durable cotton and spandex blend that's machine-washable when you're done.

Cons

The wrap is pretty long which can make it difficult to tie.

Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier
Infantino
Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier
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Budget-friendly Pick
Bottom Line

Ensure your baby's safety with a carrier that's strong and offers a ventilated design for warmer months.

Pros

The 4-in-1 carrier with an adjustable seat lets you adjust to your growing child's needs. It holds newborns and babies from 8-32 pounds. The backpack-style design adjusts to your unique body's build. It's easy to store away when you're not using it.

Cons

Fit tends to be tight on some babies' legs, resulting in marks. Minimal shoulder padding.

LÍLLÉbaby Complete Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier
LÍLLÉbaby
Complete Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier
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Most Support
Bottom Line

This model keeps your child well-covered with holes for their head and legs and room for their arms.

Pros

You can hold choose between 6 positions and 360 degrees of possibilities. It supports your child without excessive bounces and jumps. The breathable mesh keeps the child warm with extra airflow. Buyers love its impressive range of wearing options.

Cons

Although it offers 6 positions, several cause rubbing on baby's legs. Design is somewhat bulky.

BABYBJORN Baby Carrier Mini
BABYBJORN
Baby Carrier Mini
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Secure and Comfortable
Bottom Line

An adjustable seat with ergonomic head support makes this the ideal carrier for small babies up to a year old.

Pros

It's designed specifically for newborns in the early stages of growth. It's soft, lightweight, and machine-washable. The flexible fabrics keep your baby safe. It's incredibly easy to carry in a bag or backpack when you don't need it.

Cons

It's not as long-lasting as more comprehensive baby carriers are.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best baby carriers

While buggies or strollers are still the default mode of transportation for a baby, using a baby carrier — or "babywearing" as it's often referred to — is becoming increasingly popular. Like many products for babies, however, you can find a huge range of options and varieties, so selecting the right carrier for you and your little one can seem like a challenge.

If you're struggling, you're in luck — we at BestReviews are here to demystify the world of baby carriers and help you make an informed purchase.

When choosing a baby carrier, you'll want to keep in mind that The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends that infants' hips are always positioned in the M position in baby carriers to protect their hips. This is also called the Spread-Squat, or Jockey Position. Doctors recommend this as a healthy habit with the baby’s thighs spread around the adult's torso and the baby’s hips bent so their knees are slightly higher than their bottom with the thighs supported.

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Many baby carriers have a position for nursing, so you can feed your baby more easily on the go.

Why buy a baby carrier?

Here we examine some of the reasons why you might like using a baby carrier.

  • Unlike using a stroller, babywearing leaves your hands free, which can be useful if you're walking the dog, out and about with older children to look after, or simply trying to get some chores done around the house.

  • Many babies — especially newborns — enjoy the closeness to a parent when in a baby carrier, and may be easier to soothe.

  • Strollers can be a nightmare to push over uneven terrain, but that's not an issue with a baby carrier.

  • It's easier to maneuver around crowded places when wearing your baby, as opposed to using a stroller.

  • While they might seem boring to us, most babies are deeply entertained by watching everyday tasks, so putting your little one in a carrier while you get on with your day can keep them happily occupied.

  • Some babies nap better in a carrier than in a crib or cot.

"Some parents find using a baby carrier helps them to bond with their infant."
STAFF
BestReviews

Types of baby carriers

Soft structured carriers

Soft structured baby carriers are made from soft, often padded, material sewn into the correct shape, with straps and buckles for fastening. So, you just put it on, fasten it, and pop the baby in.

  • Pros: Easy to use and quick to put on, many models can be worn on the front or back. Some have a minimum weight or require an extra insert for carrying newborns.

  • Cons: Not as adjustable as wraps or slings, so shorter parents may find some models uncomfortable. They can be relatively costly.

  • Price: Generic models start at about $40 but may not be hugely durable; expect to pay $100 to $200 for a highly-rated carrier from a trusted brand.

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Expert tip
Ensure that the baby’s hips are in the M position to protect them from hip dysplasia.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Wraps

A baby carrying wrap is essentially a long length of slightly stretchy fabric, which can be arranged and tied in a number of ways to carry your baby in various positions.

  • Pros: Distributes baby's weight evenly, so it's not all on your back and shoulders. A wrap is one of the most inexpensive baby carrying options, highly adjustable to suit any height, and can be tied in a huge number of ways to best suit you and your baby.

  • Cons: Not as quick or easy to put on as other carriers, may have a lower maximum weight limit than structured carriers or baby backpacks.

  • Price: $20 to $50. You pay more for name brand models, but all wraps are very similar.

Slings

Slings are made from woven, non-stretch material, and are worn over one shoulder.

  • Pros: Fairly inexpensive, easier to put on than a wrap, good for discretely nursing your baby.

  • Cons: Can be uncomfortable once your baby gets too heavy, less supportive than other types of carriers.

  • Price: Around $15 to $60.

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Expert tip
Check the size recommendations to ensure that your baby is the proper weight.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Baby backpacks

Baby backpacks are designed to be worn on the back. and may be framed or unframed.

  • Pros: Good for older children, who might be uncomfortable to carry on the front as they get heavier, tend to be rugged and durable, ideal for hiking and carrying for longer periods.

  • Cons: Can be bulky — especially framed models. Even lower-end models are expensive.

  • Price: $90 to $300.

Considerations for selecting a baby carrier

Front-carrying or back-carrying

Consider whether you want to wear your baby on your front or on your back.

Many parents prefer front-carrying at first, as this allows you to keep a closer eye on your baby, plus nursing parents can feed in most front carriers. Some people also feel emotionally closer to their child in a front-carrying position, which can help with bonding.

However, you may find carrying your baby on your back less uncomfortable, especially as they get older and heavier. What's more, some babies simply prefer being carried on the back, so you just have to find what works for you and your little one.

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For your safety
Consider the weight of any baby carriers you're considering. Most are fairly lightweight, but even a couple of pounds can make a difference when you also have to support the weight of your child.
STAFF
BestReviews

Inward-facing or outward-facing

Once your baby can hold his head up independently — usually at about four to six months old — you can choose to position them facing outward in a baby carrier that sits on your front.

Not all carriers support the outward-facing position, so if you want to have the option, choose your carrier appropriately.

The only issue is that some baby carriers just let baby's legs hang down when in the outward-facing position, which can cause hip problems. So, only opt for an outward-facing baby carrier if it allows the proper M-shaped leg position.

Comfort

Think about the comfort of both the wearer of the carrier and passenger inside. For the person wearing the carrier, even weight distribution is key. Thick straps and padding can help on structured carriers and baby backpacks.

The nature of the baby wrap means that the part of the wrap that acts as the straps is very wide, so the weight is evenly distributed — as such, many users find baby wraps extremely comfortable.

For your baby, a well-padded structured carrier or a soft, stretchy wrap will increase their comfort.

Ease of use

Structured carriers are the easiest variety of baby carriers to use, since you simply put them on like a backpack (or a front-pack, as the case may be), fasten a strap around your waist, and slip your baby inside.

Wraps are arguably the hardest to use, since you have to learn how to tie them, and this varies, depending on how you want to carry your baby.

That said, although there's a bit of a learning curve involved with wraps, once you get the hang of them, it should only take you a couple of minutes to put yours on.

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For your safety
Generally, newborns should be carried on your front only, so pay attention to any minimum age or minimum weight for back carriers.
STAFF
BestReviews

Adjustability

Parents come in all shapes and sizes, so realistically, you can't expect one baby carrier to fit everyone, unless it's adjustable.

Wrap-style baby carriers are the most adjustable, since you tie them on yourself, and you’re completely in control of where they sit on your body.

Soft structured carriers and baby backpacks usually have adjustable straps to suit people of a range of heights.

"Parents under about 5'2" sometimes report soft structured carriers have straps that are too long, thus holding their baby too low, and making it uncomfortable. Some models are better suited to shorter users, however, so it's worth looking into if you have your heart set on a structured carried, rather than a wrap."
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • To avoid improper hip development, and issues such as hip dysplasia, babies should always be carried with their legs in the "M" position — that is, with knees bent up and legs spread wide. Ensure your chosen carrier allows your baby to sit in this position.

  • Some towns have baby carrier "libraries" that allow you to try on different baby carriers, and sometimes even borrow them for a short trial, which can help you find one that's right for you and your baby.

  • Be careful your baby doesn't overheat while in their carrier. Treat it as an extra layer of clothing and dress your child accordingly.

  • If your baby can't yet hold up his own head independently, make sure your chosen carrier will offer appropriate support, as it's a pain to have to use one hand to hold up your baby's head at all times.

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Consider how often you'll use your carrier — if it'll be your main mode of transporting your baby, it's worth spending more than you would if you're only planning to use it occasionally.

FAQ

Q. Are baby carriers safe to use?

A. Baby carriers are safe to use, but you should still take some precautions, especially when wearing a newborn. Always make sure the baby carrier is tight, holding your baby close to you so that he doesn't slump back, which could affect his breathing. Young babies should be in your sight while wearing them — on your front, rather than back — and with the face turned upward, not tucked down into the carrier or in a chin-to-chest position. Also, ensure your child is as high up in their carrier as is comfortable — their head should be close enough for you to kiss.

Expert tip
Protect the caregiver's back by making sure the carrier is snug and adjusted properly. Remove the baby when the adult's back starts to fatigue.
BestReviews Baby and Child Expert

Q. Are all baby carriers suitable for newborns?

A. Most baby carriers are suitable for most newborns — though they do have a minimum weight limit, so check this out before using, especially if you have a small or premature baby. Some soft structured carriers have a special insert to be used with newborns or babies under a certain weight.

Q. Is there a maximum weight limit for baby carriers?

A. Yes, all baby carriers have a maximum weight limit. Be sure to pay attention to it, particularly if you intend to wear your baby well into toddlerhood. You may, however, find that using a baby carrier becomes uncomfortable for either you or your child (or both) before they reach the maximum weight limit.

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