Best Baby Carriers, According to Parents Who Love Them

Few baby carriers get name-dropped by parents in the What to Expect Community as often as the Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier does. This ultra popular baby carrier — which also won a 2023 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award — is supportive and comfortable. Ergobaby offers many varieties of carriers to choose from, but our community is especially partial to the Omni 360.

When it comes to a quality day-to-day carrier, the Ergobaby Omni 360 ticks all the boxes. It has four carry positions (front-parent facing, front-forward facing, back and side holds) and is strong enough to carry little ones (and not-so-little ones) from 7 to 45 pounds. You simply can’t go wrong giving this baby carrier a try.

"Omni 360 felt really great when wearing," says Olivia DeLong, Senior Editor and mom of a 3-year-old. "I felt like my back was supported and we continued to use it into toddlerhood because it supported my daughter's weight. She loved being in it, and I felt like it was super easy to put on compared to other options out there."

Parents love that the Ergobaby Omni 360 was designed to keep baby in a comfortable, ergonomic position that protects his 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 — a handy feature that many parents use as a place to stash their keys or phone.

This best-selling carrier also features a hidden baby hood for sun protection and a pillow to support your baby;s neck. But the Ergobaby carrier isn’t just concerned with the baby's comfort. It also has a thick lumbar back pad and extra padded shoulder straps to help reduce any added strain. Out of all of the baby carriers on the market, the Omni 360 is frequently cited as one that’s surprisingly comfortable to wear.

Material: Cotton

Weight range: 7 to 45 lbs.

Waistband range: Not listed

Carrier weight: 1.7 lbs.

Carrier positions: 4

While soft-structured carriers like the Ergobaby Omni 360 have adjustable waistbands and straps, baby wraps are made of soft, lightweight fabric. They’re a great choice for use around the house or for any caregiver who doesn’t want to feel like they’re wearing a bulky carrier. And when it comes to wrap-style carriers, the Boba Baby Wrap Carrier is easily our What to Expect Community’s top pick.

The Boba is a popular choice (it has more than 18,000 five-star reviews on Amazon) not only for its ultra soft, stretchy fabric — which is large, available in a nice range of colors and can work on a range of body sizes — but also its comfortable fit. Caregivers say their backs feel well supported with this wrap on, and the material is cozy and calming for newborns to snuggle up in. The design also allows nursing moms to easily breastfeed their little ones without taking the carrier off or unwrapping it. On its own, it works well as a nursing cover, too.

Like most baby wraps, the Boba has a bit of a learning curve as you figure out how to get on. But parents say it’s easier once you get the hang of it (many recommend looking up tutorials on YouTube). The center marker in the wrap makes it easy to remember where you need to tie the material, and instructions are sewn right into the wrap’s fabric in case you need a reminder, too. Just note that the fabric, while very soft, is not the most lightweight; if you think you’ll use this wrap mostly in hot weather, you might want to choose a lighter option.

The Boba’s upper weight limit is 35 pounds, though many parents find that wrap-style carriers are best suited for the first six months of baby’s life. As your little one gets older and more wriggly, the buckles and straps on a soft-structured carrier make it easier to tote them around. 

Material: 95 percent cotton, 5 percent Spandex

Weight range: 7 to 35 lbs.

Waistband range: Universal fit

Carrier weight: 1.76 lbs.

Carrier positions: 1

If a softer, less-structured carrier like the Boba appeals but you’d prefer something with lightweight fabric, consider the Wildbird Ring Sling. Similar to baby carrier wraps, ring slings are made from a long piece of fabric, but they have a large ring at the shoulder that makes it a little easier to snuggle your baby into place. 

What to Expect parents rave about the Wildbird Ring Sling’s Tencel modal fabric, which is soft and lightweight — ideal for warm weather. The fabric is available in a number of stylish color options, two lengths (standard and long) and three ring colors (rose gold, bronze and black).

As with wrap-style carriers, ring slings usually require some trial and error as you learn how to correctly put them on, and that’s the case with the Wildbird Ring Sling, too. But parents say it’s not overly complicated to figure out, especially if you spend some time watching how-to videos first. Once you have it on, the carrier is easy to adjust, too, reviewers say.

Newborns can use Wildbird’s Ring Sling once they reach 8 pounds, and the sling has an upper weight limit of 35 pounds. As with baby wraps, though, the less-structured design of ring slings make them best for newborns and younger babies.

Material: 100 percent linen

Weight range: 8 to 35 lbs.

Waistband range: Universal fit

Carrier weight: 1 lb.

Carrier positions: 1

You’ve probably heard of the Artipoppe or seen social media posts about this high-end baby carrier. And while it’s certainly not necessary to invest in “luxury” baby gear of any kind, many What to Expect parents say that the Artipoppe Zeitgeist Baby Carrier is worth the higher cost.

There’s the fabric, for one — made of cotton and linen/flax, this carrier is superbly soft and very breathable. You spend a lot of time touching baby carriers while wearing one, and parents say it simply feels wonderful to brush up against Artipoppe’s high-end fabrics. The fit is also excellent: There are wide, adjustable straps with plush shoulder pads, as well as an adjustable neck cushion for your baby. Parents say it feels supportive to walk significant distances while wearing this carrier and that they don’t experience back strain.

If you’re looking for a carrier that fits newborns and bigger babies equally well, the Artipoppe is a great choice. The minimum weight limit is 7 pounds and it’s supportive enough to be used until your little one is 45 pounds. There are four adjustable modes, including a back-carrying position. (This is a notable feature, as you don’t always find carriers this soft that also offer a back-carry option.) The carrier is acknowledged “hip-healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, too.

"It’s the easiest carrier to put on myself that I’ve tried, the easiest to resize, it’s not bulky, and you can carry baby facing forward and on your back," says Tika Fender, Senior Art Director, mom of a 9-month-old. "It’s also the only one that won’t give me a sore back."

Last but not least, there are the aesthetics. With gold-finished buttons and luxe-looking jacquard fabric, the Artipoppe delivers more style points than most other carriers on the market, if that’s something that’s important to you. But you do pay a premium for these features.

Material: 60 percent cotton, 40 percent linen/flax

Weight range: 7 to 45 lbs.

Waistband range: Not listed

Carrier weight: Not listed

Carrier positions: 3 (front carry facing in, front carry facing out, back carry)

While the Artipoppe and Ergobaby Omni 360 are both excellent soft-structured carriers with a basic back-carry position, some parents require a more structured baby carrier backpack.If you’re planning on taking your older baby or toddler hiking or on similar big adventures, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite offers the support and added features you need.

The Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is about as supportive and comfortable for caregivers as a baby carrier can get. Load lifters, a waist belt and sternum straps evenly distribute your little one’s weight to prevent muscle strain. It’s also supportive enough to hold your child for longer stretches, thanks to a five-point harness, wide seat base and built-in sunshade for added sun protection.

Although the backpack is on the heavy side compared to other carriers (it weighs 7 pounds) many parents say the added weight is worth it for the added features. There are seven exterior pockets, including side mesh pockets, hip belt pockets and a “dirty” compartment for diapers, as well as a hydration pocket and a kickstand. 

This carrier is designed for children between 16 and 40 pounds, so you won’t be able to use it with newborns. Parents should also keep in mind that this is a very bulky piece of baby gear — if you’re going on a longer hike or trip where you’ll be doing lots of walking and want to skip a stroller, the Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite is perfect. But for minor errands and short walks, you’d probably prefer one of the other baby carriers on this list.

Material: Backpack: Polyester, nylon; Frame: Metal

Weight range: 16 to 40 lbs.

Torso range: 15.5 to 21 inches

Carrier weight: 7 lbs.

Carrier positions: 1 

For a carrier that marries the best features of a baby wrap with a soft-structured carrier, look no further than the Ergobaby Embrace. This baby carrier is lightly structured with a supportive waist belt and adjustable straps, but still feels soft and cocoon-like for the youngest babies to sit in.

Reviews say the Ergobaby Embrace is easy to get on — crucial for sleep-deprived newborn parents! — and the ponte knit fabric is comfortable for caregivers to wear and babies to snuggle in. Parents appreciate how easy it is to get a perfect fit with this carrier, thanks to the waist belt (it can fit waists ranging from 22 to 54 inches) and straps that adjust depending on your height. Another nice feature is that the entire carrier is light enough to roll up, so you can stash it in a diaper back when you’re not using it.

As ideal as the Ergobaby Embrace is for newborns, know that it’s not as well-suited for older babies and toddlers. It has a maximum weight that’s lower than other carriers on this list, just 25 pounds. Some parents may not want to pay $100 for the Embrace only to have to upgrade to the Omni 360 once their baby reaches the weight limit. If you envision yourself baby-wearing into year 2 or beyond, your best bet may be to invest in a longer-use carrier such as the Omni 360.

Material: Ponte knit (79 percent polyester, 17 percent rayon, 4 percent spandex)

Weight range: 7 to 25 lbs.

Waistband range: 22 to 54 inches

Carrier weight: 1.48 lbs.

Carrier positions: 2 

The Baby Tula Explore is a top-rated soft-structured carrier with a long list of worthy features. It boasts multiple carry positions (front-facing facing out, facing in and back carry), a high weight limit (it can accommodate tots up to 45 pounds) and an ergonomic design. The brand’s Coast style is especially popular; with mesh panels and breathable 100 percent cotton fabric, it keeps you and baby cool on hot days. Parents also appreciate the large waistband pocket.

But the Baby Tula Explore really stands out for how simple it is to adjust and achieve a perfect, supportive fit. The body panel, chest clip and waistband can all be easily adjusted, and the waistband range (up to 57 inches) is the roomiest on this list. As a result, parents in What to Expect’s Plus-Size Moms and Moms-to-Be group frequently rave about this carrier, saying it’s one of the best on the market to comfortably fit a range of body types.

Material: 100 percent cotton

Weight range: 7 to 45 lbs.

Waistband range: Up to 57 inches

Carrier weight: 2.79 lbs.

Carrier positions: 3 

Ultrasoft baby wraps or ring slings are ideal for the early newborn days. But if you’re hoping to babywear into toddlerhood, most parents find that they need a little extra support. Soft-structured carriers like the Egobaby Omni 360, Baby Tula Explore and Artipoppe all have higher weight limits and designs that let parents comfortably babywear in the outward front-facing or back-carrying positions. However, many What to Expect parents who continue babywearing their toddlers say the Tushbaby Hipseat Baby Carrier is also worth considering.

Unlike the traditional baby carriers on this list, the Tushbaby is just a seat carrier. Your child sits on the memory foam-lined seat, which wraps around your waist with secure Velcro straps. You can position the seat on your hip (the most popular mode), forward-facing, face-to-face or cradle-carrying. And although the Tushbaby is often recommended for 2- and 3-year-olds, the design also works perfectly as a portable nursing pillow to breast- or bottle-feed little ones on the go.

It also doubles as a diaper bag, thanks to large built-in storage pockets, so you don’t need to bring a separate purse or backpack.The entire thing weighs just 1 pound, so it won’t weigh you down.

Because there are no straps, you’ll need to hold your child with at least one arm the entire time you’re wearing the Tushbaby, which makes this more limiting than other carriers. But toddler parents say this is actually perfect for indecisive tots who want to be carried one minute, walk the next, then be carried again. 

Material: Not listed

Weight range: 8 to 45 lbs.

Waistband range: Up to 46 inches (or 70 inches with the waistband extender)

Carrier weight: 1 lb.

Carrier positions: 5