There’s something really special about wearing your baby in a baby carrier. They allow you to carry your baby hands-free wherever you go, and they’re also an intimate way to hold your baby close to your body in various positions. Not only are baby carriers super-convenient, but babies absolutely love being held in them, too.
It says something that mothers around the world have been carrying their babies in some form of baby carrier for thousands of years — it’s literally the oldest parenting hack in the book. It calms your baby and allows you to get stuff done, and that has been the case since time immemorial. I don’t think I would have made a single dinner in the first few months of my kids’ lives if it hadn’t been for my Ergo baby carrier. (No, I didn’t wear my baby around splashing oil or anything dangerous.) It’s truly one of the best items on any baby registry.
But holy wow — there are a lot of carriers on the market. How are you supposed to decide on which one is best for you and your partner? Read on to see our best baby carriers list to learn everything you need to know before you make the investment.
Best Baby Carriers
Types of Baby Carriers
Choosing a baby carrier is all about deciding on a style and finding one that best fits you. There are five main styles of carrier: front carrier, hybrid, wrap carriers, hip carriers, and hiking or backpack carriers. The latter two are more niche and serve very specific needs. As for sizing, you want a carrier that will fit your build. Honestly, for parents on either end of the size spectrum, this can be pretty challenging. But thankfully, carrier manufacturers are getting much better about this, and wrap carriers are infinitely adjustable.
Front Carriers
Front carriers like the ever-popular baby Bjorn are worn on the carrier's front, and the baby can either face in or face out. These are a great option as many can be used from the first day that the baby is born until they're about a year old. They're comfortable to wear and often come in a variety of sizes, making them especially comfortable for taller parents or parents of size. You can find front carriers at every price point and in every possible fabric. I like a front carrier that has a decent amount of cushion at the shoulder and easy-to-open clasps for comfort and convenience.
Hybrid Carriers
Hybrid styles, like the Ergo and Lillebaby, are designed to be worn on the front, the back, or even the hip. These are by far the most popular carriers available. They are easy to get on, easy to take off, and because there is often an extendable hood that snaps onto the shoulder pieces, babies can nurse right in the carrier, too.
Wrap Carriers
Wraps are a close second in popularity to hybrids. They are essentially either a very long piece of fabric that wraps around the carrier and baby or some combination of hybrid carrier and ties. They are breathable, and parents swear by them, noting how flexible and comfortable they are. However, if you have mobility issues in your hands or wrists, I would caution against this style, as tying them can be a real pain.
Hip Carriers
This style is pretty much only for toddlers, and they just give parents a little assistance when lugging a baby on their hip. They're pretty new on the market, but people who love them, really love them.
Hiking Carriers
Hiking or backpack carriers are awesome carriers that are designed for rugged trips on the mountain or other outdoor activities. They have features like support bars, sun shields, oodles of pockets, and rain tents. These are designed to keep your baby's head near yours during a long hike and keep them well-balanced and comfortable.
1
Best Overall
Ergo Omni Breeze Baby Carrier
You can carry your baby all day and all night with this carrier, and your back won't feel like it's breaking, thanks to the ergonomic design and the easy way your baby sits in this carrier.
Suitable from birth to age 3, the Omni Breeze carrier is meant to keep parent and baby cool with space-age fabrics that breathe and optimal ventilation areas. It has three carry positions; front, back, and hip, a privacy hood, extra lumbar support, and it adjusts to fit a wide range of carrier sizes. It's the coolest (temperature and attitude) carrier on the market.
One caveat that our tester found was that if you don't get your child in the right position, their legs can get red from pressure and rubbing. Make sure to seat them in the carrier in a way that alleviates that problem. This is a pretty common issue with many hybrid carriers.
More: These Double Strollers Make Life Easier for Growing Families
2
Best Hybrid Wrap
Baby K'tan Print Baby Wrap Carrier
If you want the comfort of a wrap without the hassle of rings or ties. the K’tan is for you. It works much like a regular wrap, but it’s actually a combination of a hybrid carrier and a traditional wrap. It has a bit of a learning curve to figure out the configurations, but it’s absurdly comfortable and breathable once you do.
It's incredibly snugly and suitable for babies over 8 pounds. However, the limits of the design mean that petite or taller parents may find it uncomfortable.
3
Best Hip Carrier
Tushbaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier
A hip carrier is really just designed to give you a leg up when you need one. They're great for places like amusement parks, festivals, and ball games when you need to take the baby up and down often and need a little help when they want to hang out on your hip.
This is the best model on the market, and I can tell you from personal experience that it's extremely comfortable to wear. I tested it with my toddler nephew and my elementary-aged niece, and it really does work. Plus, it doubles as a fanny pack.
4
Best Infant Front Carrier
BABYBJÖRN Multi-Position Mini Baby Carrier
Your new baby will be comfortable and secure in this soft structured front carrier from Baby Bjorn. Made with a soft jersey material with plenty of stretch and breathability, your baby can face forward or face you, all snuggled up. It's suitable for babies seven pounds and above.
This is a great carrier and extremely popular, but it is not the most adjustable carrier on our list. And it's important to note that if you're taller than 6 feet, this isn't the carrier for you.
5
Best Seat
LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier
You can bounce about town with ease and comfort with this carrier from Lillebaby. It's designed for children from 7 to 45 pounds, and babies can be worn in an astonishing six positions. The X strap design of the straps sets your baby's weight evenly across your shoulders, back, and hips and the easy-open clasps are a cinch to operate.
The adjustable bucket seat for your baby means that you can adjust how your baby is sitting, alleviating discomfort and pressure from your baby's legs. The breathable fabric is easy to clean and comes in a ton of colors.
6
Most Adjustable Carrier
Moby Wrap Evolution Baby Carrier
The Moby wrap is, without a doubt, the most popular baby wrap carrier. It's made of stretchy bamboo jersey material and comes in tons of colors. It's suitable for babies from newborn through toddlerhood, and it's spawned an entire community of devotees on social media.
It's essentially one long piece of fabric that you wrap around your baby and yourself, making it truly the most adjustable carrier on the market.
7
Best Budget Carrier
Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier
We get it — these carriers can be prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, there are some great carriers that are under $50 and perform really well. This model by Infantino has tens of thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon. Reviewers say of the Infantino:
“I was worried about the quality of this infant carrier because of how cheap it is, but I’m very impressed! It’s super comfortable & it holds my 2-week old newborn without feeling like he is going to slip or fall out. It feels very safe & secure, and he loves to be up against me! 100% would recommend!”
Suitable for babies 8 to 32 pounds, and babies can be carried in four different front or back positions. The seat has two different places for adjustment, and the ergonomic design keeps the carrier's back straight and comfortable.
Size actually isn't a huge concern with this one, having extra-long straps and waist, but like the Ergo, you have to get your baby in the seat properly, or their legs will hurt.
8
Easiest to Put On
BABYBJÖRN 2019 Multi-Position Baby Carrier One Air
All people who wear bras know the amazing feeling of taking off your bra at the end of the night. That satisfying snap of the bra? Imagine that every time you take your baby off. That's honestly the only thing I can compare it to.
The BabyBjorn multiposition baby carrier has snaps on the front that make settling your baby into the carrier an absolute breeze. It has all the comfort and versatility of the Ergo, but it's 100% easier to get your baby in and out. It's suitable for babies 8-33 pounds and has four positions of the front and back seating.
The main difference between the Ergo and the Bjorn is that reviewers note that this one does feel a bit hot once you've been wearing it a while. Not all reviewers, but enough to make the note.
9
Best Hiking Carrier
Poco Child Carrier
The Osprey Poco is a beast of a hiking carrier. This model, designed for children who can sit unassisted, is rugged, durable, and comfortable to wear thanks to ultra padded shoulders, an ergonomic design, and the resting bar on the back.
The Osprey Poco hiking baby carrier has adjustable child seat heights with safety leg loops and adjustable stirrups that can be removed. It has a double halo harness that's designed with front-facing arm loops to keep your baby buckled in and safe.
But it's a beast. It's heavy and obviously not meant for every day. This is what you want if you're a serious hiker or camper.
Cat Bowen
Parenting Editor
Cat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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