Babies Gear and Products The 9 Best Baby Carriers That Are Built for Comfort Take baby on-the-go in the Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 07, 2022 Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Baby carriers are an extremely useful piece of baby gear. They allow parents to carry their child hands-free without the bulk of a stroller. Perfect for travel, walking around, or even wearing in the house, your baby will love being held closely. Reviewed & Approved The Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier allows parents to carry the baby on their front (inward and outward), side, and on their back. For a budget-friendly option, we recommend the Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier. There are lots of styles of baby carriers on the market, like wraps or backpack carriers. Consider how long you plan on using your carrier as the weight limits and specifications are an essential part of purchasing the right one. We carefully reviewed age, height, and weight recommendations, along with design, material, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby carriers for you and your little one. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review Best Support: LÍLLÉbaby Airflow Six-Position Baby Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review Best Hybrid: Boppy ComfyFit Hybrid Baby Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review Best Organic: Helina Vines Baby Carrier at Helinababy.com Jump to Review Best for Newborns: BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Mini at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Hiking: ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack Hiking Child Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Dad: Minimeis G4 Shoulder Carrier at Minimeis.com Jump to Review Best Waterproof: Vlokup Baby Wrap Sling Carrier at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall: Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier 5 Courtesy of BuyBuyBaby View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Extended weight and age limits Multi-positions Cons Pricey Who else recommends it? Healthline and What to Expect both selected the Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier. What do buyers say? 92% of 4,100+ Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or above. The Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier is our top pick because it grows with your child. This carrier is suitable for 7 to 45-pound kiddos, so it can be used for years. The 360 carrier allows parents to carry the baby on their front (inward and outward), side, and on their back. Made to work for all body types, the adjustable straps work for petite, plus size, and tall parents. Thoughtfully designed, there’s a storage pouch for all your on-the-go needs and a tuck-away UPF 50+ hood for sun/wind protection or discreet breastfeeding. Weight limit: 7 to 45 pounds | Style: Structured | Positions: Four Best Budget: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Four wearing positions Affordable Cons Limited padding It’s hard to believe this budget-friendly choice offers so much versatility at such an affordable price point. Safe for babies from 8 to 32 pounds, this carrier can be used in four ways: facing in with a narrow seat, facing in with a wide seat, facing out, and backpack. Some reviewers say this carrier has less padding than others, but it’s a great choice to test out baby carrier life or use occasionally. Weight limit: 8 to 32 pounds | Style: Structured | Positions: Four Best Support: LÍLLÉbaby Complete Airflow Six-Position Baby Carrier Courtesy of LÃLLÃbaby View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Lillebaby.com Pros Six wearing positions Large storage pockets Comfortable for wearer and infant Cons Difficult to put on Hard to adjust for petite wearers Functional and stylish, parents will appreciate the added lumbar support, generous padding, and adjustable straps. Your baby will feel supported with a special back and neck headrest along with adjustments for proper hip support. Quite versatile, there are six ways to carry your baby and this choice is appropriate for babies from 7 to 45 pounds. There’s no insert required for infants and parents on the go will appreciate the front pocket that’s big enough to hold a phone, keys, and other small items. Weight limit: 7 to 45 pounds | Style: Soft Structured | Positions: Six The 10 Best Baby Wraps and Slings of 2022 | by Verywell Family Best Hybrid: Boppy ComfyFit Hybrid Baby Carrier Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Hybrid fit Forward and outward facing Head support Cons Non-adjustable shoulder straps May be uncomfortable for plus-sized wearers The best of both worlds, try out a unique hybrid baby carrier that provides parents with the ease and support of a structured baby carrier and the flexibility and close comfort of a wrap. Users just have to click the belt, secure the shoulder straps, and then wrap and tie the straps for a comfy fit. Safe for 8 to 35-pound babes, this can be used forward-facing or outward-facing. Parent reviewers love how easy it is to put on, appreciate the small zippered pocket, and note how it doesn’t sag or unwrap like some more complicated wrap carriers. Weight limit: 8 to 35 pounds | Style: Hybrid | Positions: Three Best Organic: Helina Vines Baby Carrier Courtesy of Helina Baby View On Helinababy.com Pros Organic, gentle materials Comfortable for a range of body types Cons Limited wearing positions Designed to fit a wide array of body types, this carrier can be worn as a front carrier as well as a back carrier. With a weight capacity to accommodate your little one from newborn to toddler age, you can use this single carrier for years to come. Made of a blend of undyed and vegetable-dyed organic cotton and buttons made of repurposed coconut shells, this Black-owned carrier is gentle on your sweetie's skin and the environment. Weight limit: 8 to 40 pounds | Style: Soft | Positions: Two Best for Newborns: BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Mini Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Babybjorn.com Pros Easy to wear Ideal for newborns Cons Age limit of 12 months Safe for babies 7 pounds up to 24 pounds, this option is a perfect first carrier for new babies. The soft carrier holds the baby up high on your chest, so you’ll both feel the closeness during the special newborn phase. Since it’s likely your little one will be snoozing in the carrier, new parents will appreciate that it’s easy to unfasten the entire front section of the carrier and lift your sleeping newborn out. Weight limit: 7 to 24 pounds | Style: Soft Structured | Positions: Two Best for Hiking: ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack Hiking Child Carrier Courtesy of ClevrPlus View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Clevrcarriers.com Pros Lightweight frame High maximum weight limit Easy storage Cons Limited use Less comfortable for long hikes Outdoorsy families with little ones can benefit from investing in a hiking backpack. Lightweight and comfortable, this 5.5-pound carrier is made to be worn for hours on end. Quite versatile, it’s able to hold kids 9 to 48 months with a maximum weight of 33 pounds. With padded straps and a hip belt, there’s also specially crafted lumbar padding to keep hikers cool and well-supported. Parents appreciate that this carrier folds flat for easy storage. While it’s an investment, the hiking backpack will leave you free to roam with your little one. Weight limit: Up to 33 pounds | Style: Backpack | Positions: One Best for Dad: Minimeis G4 Shoulder Carrier Courtesy of Minimeis View On Minimeis.com Pros Folds flat Extended age limit Cons One way to wear Developed by dads, this unique carrier makes it fun, easy, and safe to carry your kiddo on dad’s shoulders for extended periods of time. Easy to put on, the carrier distributes your kid’s weight evenly through the carrier, taking the load off dad’s neck and shoulders. Safe for kids from 6 months to 5 years, the small but mighty carrier weighs just 3.3 pounds and folds flat to the size of a laptop bag. Weight limit: 6 months to 5 years (up to 48 pounds) | Style: Shoulder | Positions: One The 6 Best Baby Carriers for Dad of 2022 Best Waterproof: Vlokup Baby Wrap Sling Carrier Courtesy of Vlokup View On Amazon View On Vlokup.com Pros Ideal for the water Breathable Cons Less supportive than traditional slings Difficult to adjust Excellent for warm weather, this sling helps parents hold their little one close in any water-related situation like the pool, beach, shower, or even a hot summer day. Made of light and airy mesh fabric, the wrap can hold newborns and babies up to 35 pounds. The mesh dries quickly and is machine washable. Parents appreciate that it fits into the matching drawstring bag, so it’s easy to keep this wrap in a pool or beach bag. Weight limit: Up to 35 pounds | Style: Wrap | Positions: Two The 11 Best Baby Beach Gear of 2022 Final Verdict If you’re just deciding whether a baby carrier is right, the budget-friendly Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier (view on Amazon) is an affordable option to test out life with a carrier. If you know a carrier is a piece of gear you’ll use, the LilleBaby Complete Airflow Baby Carrier (view on Amazon) provides lots of support for both parents and baby, wearable versatility, and can be used for babies of all ages. What to Look for in a Baby Carrier Types of Baby Carriers There are a few types of baby carriers on the market and knowing the styles available will help you choose the right one for your needs. Sling or Wraps: These are usually unstructured fabric carriers that create a pouch to hold your baby. Some have rings, some are padded, and some have neither. Soft Structured Carriers: This is a secure carrier that often can be worn a few ways, so you can hold the baby facing front, backward, sideways, or more. The structured carrier is easy to put on and can be adjusted. Backpack Carriers: The heaviest and most structure of the options. These are worn on the back and hold the baby high up on the adult’s back. Weight Requirements Depending on how long you plan on using your carrier, the weight limits and specifications are an essential part of purchasing the right one. A snug carrier that brings your baby close to you, therefore making skin-to-skin contact and discreet nursing easier, might be better for a smaller baby. If you plan on using your carrier beyond a year, you'll want to choose a carrier that has an extended weight and age limit that can accommodate up to 45 pounds like the Ergo Baby Omni 360 (view on Amazon) How to Use the Carrier Depending on your lifestyle and goals, there are several ways that you can use a baby carrier. If you plan to use a carrier from newborn through toddler, you can choose an option that can accommodate extended weight limits and use in lieu of a stroller. If using a carrier for discreet breastfeeding is your goal, you may opt for a sling or wrap and pack it in your diaper bag for outings For families that love to spend time outdoors, investing in a hiking carrier is could be useful. Frequently Asked Questions How long can a baby face forward in a carrier? Use the weight guidelines for your particular baby carrier to ensure you are using it safely. Once your toddler begins to crawl and walk, it’s important to encourage those developmental phases and avoid carrying too much. When can a baby forward face in a carrier? Your baby can safely face forward in a carrier when their neck muscles are strong enough to securely hold their own head up. This usually happens between four and six months, but each child is different. Why Trust Verywell Family Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. Maya loved using baby carriers for all three kids. She remembers the first time she used a baby carrier with her newborn son and feeling the joy of having two hands free! 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 13 Best Baby Carriers of 2022. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/best-baby-carrier Best Baby Carriers. What to Expect. https://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-products/baby-carriers/best-baby-carriers/ See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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