Best Baby Carriers
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
- Best Baby Carrier Overall : Ergobaby Omni 360
- Best Baby Carrier Wrap : Moby Fit Hybrid
- Best Ring Sling Carrier : Sakura Bloom Ring Sling
- Easiest Wrap Baby Carrier : Baby K’tan Original Carrier
- Best Backpack Baby Carrier : ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack
- Best Soft-Structured Baby Carrier : Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier
- Best Baby Carrier for Back Support : Lillebaby Complete All Seasons Carrier
- Best Baby Carrier for Newborns : BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini
- Best Baby Carrier for Toddlers : Tula Explore Mesh Baby Carrier
- Best Lightweight Wrap Carrier : Solly Baby Wrap Carrier
For centuries, new moms have relied on papooses, wraps, mei-tais and other contraptions to keep baby close. And with good reason. If you’re toting baby along on an outing in those first few months (and beyond), there’s no better way to take some of the load off than with a well-chosen baby carrier. But they can be handy at home, too — especially if your little one prefers snuggling to pretty much anything else and you want to cuddle while keeping your hands free.
Deciding to use a baby carrier is the easy part. Deciding which type of carrier you’ll be wearing baby in can take a little more research.
Types of baby carriers
There are many types of baby carriers, so it's important to find the one that works best for you and your lifestyle. “The type used depends on the age of the baby, the instructions that come with the carrier and the ease of use and comfort for the parents,” says Lauren Crosby, M.D., a California-based pediatrician. She recommends parents try out the carrier before welcoming baby and says, “It's a good idea to practice using it without the baby to get used to putting it on and taking it off. You can even put a stuffed animal in it to practice.” Here are your main options:
- Baby carrier wraps: Essentially, wrap baby carriers are long swaths of fabric that are wrapped around your body and tied in place to hold your baby close. Perfect for puttering with baby at home while you get things done.
- Soft-structured baby carriers: With a more defined feel and plenty of straps, these feats of construction tend to distribute baby's weight to your hips while offering your little one plenty of support, creating a snug, comfortable fit for both of you. Many soft-structured baby carriers have multiple carrying positions so you can continue to use them as your tiny baby grows into a bigger toddler.
- Baby carrier backpacks: For parents who plan to introduce their baby to the great outdoors, these heavier, backpack-style carriers offer additional padding and boning to keep your little one in place while out on adventures. They offer more structure and security, but they’re a little heavier than the other two options. They also are often only for back-carrying, so you usually have to wait until your baby is a little older and can sit up on her own.
How to choose a baby carrier
With so many baby carriers on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide which one is right for you. When looking for a baby carrier, Dr. Crosby says to make sure that the carrier supports baby's back and that the leg holes are small enough that he can’t possibly slip through. (Although you’ll want to keep in mind that many parents say their babies needed some time to get used to the carrier — so a bit of crying in the beginning is normal.) Here are some other of the key features you should look for.
- A seat that places baby close: If you choose a front-facing baby carrier, you should be able to plant a peck on the top of baby’s head without leaning too far down.
- A clear, comfortable space for baby: Make sure there’s no fabric blocking his airways or buckles poking him. “Check frequently to ensure that your baby’s mouth and nose are not blocked by fabric or your body and that airflow is not restricted,” says Dr. Crosby.
- Plenty of support: If you're using a soft-structured carrier or a backpack, look for sturdy, padded straps and strong buckles that click firmly in place.
- A wide, supportive seat for baby: You'll want to make sure that his legs are appropriately separated to prevent hip dysplasia. “If you buy a backpack, the aluminum frame should be padded, so your baby won’t be hurt if he bumps against it,” says Dr. Crosby.
- A comfortable base strap: This takes pressure off your back and distributes weight evenly around your hips as you carry your little one.
- Washable fabric: Blowouts, spit up, the occasional iced coffee spill from above (no judgement!) — it’s the golden rule that almost anything you put near baby should be washing machine-friendly.
How we made our picks for the best baby carrier
To create this list of the best baby carriers, we tried out various brands to determine, firsthand, which carriers were the most user-friendly, convenient and effective at calming and soothing a young baby. We also factored in customer ratings as well as the reviews from our What to Expect community members.
Ready to start baby-wearing? Below, you can see why we love these slings, wraps, soft-structured carriers and backpack carriers.
Best Baby Carrier Overall
Ergobaby Omni 360
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When it comes to a quality day-to-day carrier, the Ergobaby Omni 360 ticks all the boxes. A What to Expect Award winner, this baby carrier offers four carry positions (front-parent facing, front-forward facing, back and side holds) and is strong enough to hold your little one from 7 to 45 pounds. You simply can’t go wrong giving this baby carrier a try. Parents love that the Ergobaby Omni 360 was designed with baby’s hip development in mind, keeping baby in a comfortable, ergonomic position that protects her hips. The carrier is also adjustable — if you and your partner wear vastly different sizes, you can easily switch back and forth. Plus, it comes with a detachable accessory pouch that can worn on the carrier.
Weight limit: 7 to 45 pounds
Weight: 1.7 pounds
Dimensions: 6.18 x 9.13 x 10.43 inches
"We went with the Ergo Omni 360. Doesn't need an infant insert and [baby] can face forward as well."
Best Baby Carrier Wrap
Moby Fit Hybrid
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The Moby combines the comfort and versatility of a wrap carrier, the adjustable features of a ring sling and the security of a soft-structured carrier into one. It’s made from a machine-washable, super soft material that’s as comfortable for you as it is for baby. While this baby carrier wrap doesn’t have the same versatility as some others (there are only two carry positions: front inward and front outward), it makes up for that by being simple to put on and flexible enough for a variety of caretakers to use. The Moby is meant to be used for babies weighing 8 to 33 pounds.
Weight limit: 8 to 33 pounds
Weight: 2 pounds
Dimensions: 5.5 x 11.5 x 5.5 inches
“We had the Moby Hybrid Wrap. I loved it cause there was no tying and it is adjustable!”
Best Ring Sling Carrier
Sakura Bloom Ring Sling
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If your main carrier concern is keeping it as simple as possible, a ring sling is a good choice. Sakura Bloom’s slings are made of soft linen that keeps you comfortable in all seasons. All you need to do is thread the material through the rings, then tuck baby into the little hammock you’ve created, making sure she's close enough for you to kiss the top of her head without stretching. The ring sling is intended for babies between 7 and 35 pounds, and there are a ton of different ways you can carry baby in the sling as she grows from infant to toddler.
Weight limit: 7 to 35 pounds
Weight: 11 ounces
Dimensions: 75 x 24 inches
“I have the ring sling and I find it very easy to use. I go for walks in it but I probably couldn’t do anything more strenuous than about a mile. My shoulders do tend to hurt a little if I wear her too long. I’m likely going to get a meh dai which is a 2 shoulder carried for when she gets bigger. I highly recommend the ring sling though.”
Easiest Wrap Baby Carrier
Baby K’tan Original Carrier
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Yes, the Baby K’tan is a wrap, but there’s very little actual wrapping involved. The handy two-piece wrap, which comes with a double looped main section and a security sash, takes the hardest parts of the wrapping process out of the equation, so you can get your baby in and out in a flash. The Baby K’Tan carrier does come in a few different sizes, so unless you and your partner are of similar height and weight, you might need to buy more than one for a perfect fit. It can be used for preemies and newborns all the way up to 35 pounds.
Weight limit: 8 to 35 pounds
Weight: 1.28 pounds
Dimensions: 9 x 4 x 12 inches
“I have it and love it - currently my child is 9 weeks and 12.5 lbs, works great and easy to put on when you are alone. I've only tried the one carrying style (baby facing in) but on the website there are many ways to use it so I'm hoping I'll be using it for at least a year.”
Best Backpack Baby Carrier
ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack
This sturdy backpack carrier ensures that you and baby stay comfortable throughout the day. It features thick shoulder straps, a padded hip belt and lumbar padding so your muscles and joints don’t feel the effects of carrying your little one. Multiple pockets offer plenty of room for two water bottles, diapers and other necessities. This carrier can be used once baby is old enough to sit up on her own and until she reaches 33 pounds. Also good: It includes a retractable canopy to keep baby cool and dry. It weighs 5.5 pounds, which is fairly lightweight for this type of carrier.
Age range: 6 months to 4 years
Weight limit: 33 pounds (child seat); 40 pounds (total)
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Dimensions: 10 x 30 x 16 inches
Best Soft-Structured Baby Carrier
Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier
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Parents love this Infantino carrier from birth (it works for babies as little as 8 pounds) up until baby reaches 32 pounds in her toddler years. Baby can be carried front-facing either inwards or outwards or on your back. The seat, straps and waist belt are all adjustable for a more comfortable fit. If you want a carrier for occasional use or for short trips, the Infantino is a great and more affordable option.
Weight limit: 8 to 32 pounds
Weight: 1.3 pounds
Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 4.3 inches
“I use this carrier! baby loves it! he loves it when SO uses it too. ( we also use a baby wrap but baby HATES when SO carries him in the wrap).”
Best Baby Carrier for Back Support
Lillebaby Complete All Seasons Carrier
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The lumbar support on this baby carrier is top-notch. It comes with a wide, adjustable belt that helps distribute baby’s weight evenly. You can customize the back support to suit your needs (such as with an "H" or "X" style). This powerhouse can carry your child in six positions: front inward (fetal, infant or toddler settings), front outward, hip and back. Many parents like that this baby carrier has an air panel to keep you and baby cool (a valid complaint for a lot of parents — for something so small, babies give off a lot of heat). The Lillebaby can be used without an additional insert starting at 7 pounds, with a maximum weight of 45 pounds.
Weight limit: 7 to 45 pounds
Weight: 1.6 pounds
Dimensions: 11 x 4 x 14 inches
“I love it! I’ve had mine for 3 years, it’s still in perfect shape. I have pelvic and hip and back issues and it’s been very supportive when carrying my larger than average children. I can breastfeed in it too. I love it.”
Best Baby Carrier for Newborns
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini
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Some baby carriers require a certain expertise that can only be perfected over time, but the BabyBjörn is easy to use from day one. All you need to do to get yourself and baby in and out is unbuckle one side buckle, and you’re good to go. The carrier doesn’t have a waist support band, so baby’s weight is distributed across your back and shoulders with X-shaped straps.
This carrier can be used without an infant insert from 7 pounds up to 24 — so it doesn't have as long a lifespan as some of the more complicated carriers, but it should last through baby's first year. There’s also no back carry option, so this option works for parents looking for a front carrier only.
Age range: Newborn to approximately 12 months
Weight limit: 7 to 24 pounds
Weight: 0.5 pounds
Dimensions: 17.13 x 22.44 x 0.39 inches
“I did some research and ended up buying the BabyBjorn Mini Carrier and omg it’s great! It’s SUPER simple to put on, has minimal buckles and no buckles in the back, and is also attractive as far as carriers go.”
Best Baby Carrier for Toddlers
Tula Explore Mesh Baby Carrier
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Want to baby carry well into toddlerhood? The Tula Explore lets you do just that. Baby Tula’s carrier can be used without an insert with babies as small as 7 pounds and up to 45 pounds. The seat area adjusts to stay ergonomic throughout that entire lifespan, and you can also put baby in a back-carrying position once they have control over their head and neck muscles. Parents who love the Tula rave about how comfortable it is for a variety of caretakers, as well as for their kiddos.
Weight limit: 7 to 45 pounds
Weight: 1.7 pounds
“Tula is amazing. I have way too many to count but just bought the explore breathable mesh (we’re in GA) and it’s perfect!! They are incredibly comfy and although I’m not aware of the other one I can say I have the Lille and it’s itchy and I ended up having to switch my son to the Tula in the middle of the trip because he wasn’t comfortable!”
Best Lightweight Wrap Carrier
Solly Baby Wrap Carrier
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The Solly Baby Wrap is the most traditional wrap carrier on this list. Made of a single piece of fabric, you wrap, tie and tuck baby into this adjustable baby carrier. While there is a learning curve to get baby safely into the wrap, once she's in there, parents absolutely love it. For one, it’s made of lightweight, soft modal — an absolute blessing in the summer. Parents also love that this carrier allows some cozy skin-to-skin contact with even the tiniest babies, since it can be used from birth until baby reaches 25 pounds. As with other wrap carriers, Solly is only intended for front carrying facing in.
Weight limit: Up to 25 pounds
Dimensions: 16.5 feet in length
“I have a Solly and loved it with my last baby. I got it bc I wanted something lighter weight for the hotter months. Structured carriers can get pretty hot. But I didn't really use it once she got past 4 months. I prefer something with more support after that, like an ergo. But I also make big babies.”
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