Yahoo Finance 13 best baby carriers to transport your little one safely and in style
So, you’ve been blessed with your little bundle of joy, and you’ll likely be spending a lot of time over the next few months doing daily tasks one-handed. You’ll become quite the pro! However, there is a way to reclaim both paws while staying close – a baby carrier.
Babywearing gives your little one a safe, secure and comfortable way of staying close to their caregiver, especially in the early days. It can help their digestion, regulates their heart rate and temperature, and can reduce crying. For parents, carrying helps with bonding and is a great way to get out and about without a pram. And of course, having both hands back to do things, while still enjoying cuddles!
Ruth Grint is a babywearing consultant (aka trained, insured and experienced in all things sling) and mum of two. She says: “You probably want the ‘best’ sling – and I am afraid to say there is no single best sling or carrier, but there are many options that will work best for you and your baby.”
“There are lots of things to consider, including whether your baby is due in the spring or summer – you may want to consider sling options with mesh, single layers of fabric, or lighter fabric. For the quickest way to learn and use a carrier, most people choose a buckle type. Stretchy wraps and ring slings take a little more getting used to, but you will quickly build up your skills and confidence. Woven wraps have a longer learning curve, but are very adaptable as your baby grows.”
Most important, though, is choosing “something you love”. As Grint says: “You are so much more likely to use it, and be able to enjoy all of the benefits.”
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From stretchy slings to full-on hiking backpacks, we’ve tested a range of the best baby carriers out there to buy in 2022.
How we tested
We tested these carriers with a five-month-old, 5kg baby who is generally happy to be put in a carrier and carted about. We tested all carriers on a 5ft 4in, size 10 female as well as a 6ft, M/L male. All carriers were tested for affordability, style, durability, comfort (for passenger and wearer), adjustability, how clear the instructions were, how easy it was to get on and off and, of course, safety.
The best baby carriers for 2022 are:
Best overall – BabyBjörn harmony: £190, BabyBjörn.co.uk
Best value buckle carrier – Infantino flip advanced 4-in-1 carrier: £30, Amazon.co.uk
Best for hiking – LittleLife adventurer s2 child carrier: £139.99, Littlelife.com
Best for DIY wearing – BabyBjörn mini: £95, Babybjorn.co.uk
Best for airflow – Ergobaby 360 omni breeze: £174.90, Johnlewis.com
Best for getting things done – Caboo + Organic baby carrier: £77, Closeparent.com
Best for newborns – Joy & Joe organic stretchy wrap carrier, black: £25, Joyandjoebaby.com
Best budget wrap – Izmi essential wrap: £34.99, Izmibaby.co.uk
Best for making a statement – Artipoppe zeitgeist baby carrier: £327, Artipoppe.com
Best for an easy sling carry – Studio Romeo duo baby carrier: £72, Jemandbea.com
Best for warm weather – Integrababy linen: £100, Integrababy.co.uk
Best for style – Baby Tula explore baby carrier: £154.90, Babytula.co.uk
Best for a traditional sling carry – Oscha ring sling: from £102, Oschaslings.com
BabyBjörn harmony
Best: Overall
Rating: 10/10
The BabyBjörn Harmony can support babies from birth to three-years-old. Soft-structured and ergonomic, our male wearer enjoyed carrying our baby around in this carrier the most, due to the pressure-relieving waist belt and padded back support and shoulder straps. Our baby’s legs were in a safe, wide apart position, while her back was rounded. She enjoyed being carried in the BabyBjörn harmony and fell asleep several times. We loved the flexible head support, offered in three different positions that we could easily adjust using the poppers to provide the best head and neck support, allowing us to easily supervise our baby. Breathable and cool thanks to the mesh material, this is a great carrier to have from birth and beyond. We couldn’t fault how comfortable we felt wearing this carrier, and our little tester showed willingness each time we used it by promptly falling asleep!
Buy now £190.00, Babybjorn.co.uk
Infantino flip advanced 4-in-1 carrier
Best: Value buckle carrier
Rating: 8/10
We found this carrier to be a great choice for those who want to try a buckle and clasp carrier and not fork out a fortune without knowing if baby and wearer will get on with one. Suitable from birth and designed to fit a wide range of body types and lifestyles, the “four-in-one” refers to its four carrying positions: facing in for smaller babies, facing in for older babies, front-facing and back carry. When being carried, our baby had a nice rounded spine and ‘M’ shaped legs for hip health, and we found it comfortable and easy to put on and wear. The carrier also comes with a free dribble guard to lay across the top – perfect for teething babies! Our baby was able to look out over the top of the carrier easily and appeared to enjoy the ride. The brand also offers a “light and airy” version of this carrier for the summer months, with breathable mesh fabric that offers maximum airflow.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon.co.uk
LittleLife adventurer s2 child carrier
Best: For hiking
Rating: 9/10
Not your average carrier, this model probably isn’t one you’d use every day, but it’s great for long walks and travel. It’s a pick-up-and-go carrier that arrives in one piece and weighs only 1.9kg. We found the kick-out leg was useful, offering stability when setting on the ground. It can also be collapsed for storage, making it ideal for travel. It’s for ages six months to three years, so our baby was slightly outside the age range for it, however, we used the carrier on a sunny spring day and she found the new angle an absolute novelty. It’s lightweight and padded – no trouble at all to wear. We can’t wait to use it for years to come on blustery walks in Cornwall with the family.
Buy now £139.99, Littlelife.com
BabyBjörn mini
Best: For DIY wearing
Rating: 9/10
You’ll likely have seen this carrier out and about or splashed across Instagram. The BabyBjörn carrier mini range offers a swathe of colourways and funky, eye-catching prints. While being easy on the eye, we found that this carrier was the easiest one to plug and play directly from the box. With an easily adjustable criss-cross back, the baby is secured into the carrier with one-touch clip buttons, meaning we could place them inside and lift back out on our own, without any help. Suitable and recommended for newborns, this carrier can support our baby until she is 11kg – so it’s likely we can get decent wear out of it. Available in three super soft materials: 3D jersey, 3D mesh and satin-woven cotton, our baby can be held in both facing in and facing out positions. For smaller babies, we were able to adjust the size of the leg holes for extra support, which provided a snug fit and gave us peace of mind.
Buy now £95.00, Babybjorn.co.uk
Ergobaby 360 omni breeze
Best: For airflow
Rating: 9/10
The Ergobaby omni breeze uses “softflex” mesh fabric to maximise airflow, to keep the wearer and baby comfortable and dry all day. We took this carrier to Dubai and were really impressed with how much we could wear it and keep our baby happy, even with the mercury rising. Easily adjustable between parents, we found that it was a comfortable wear, even after an hour or so, thanks to some clever padded lumbar support. There are four carry positions on offer – front-facing, back-carry, hip and outward-facing, so our baby was able to see the world but also easily switched to provide close comfort for an on-the-go nap. It’s safety tested as suitable from 7lbs all the way to 45lbs (20kg), so it’s a good choice for longevity.
Buy now £174.90, Johnlewis.com
Caboo + Organic baby carrier
Best: For getting things done
Rating: 9/10
Aimed at supporting both parents and babies through the fourth trimester, this aims to carry babies in the best physiological position for their developing hips and spine. It went on over the head like a T-shirt out of the box, giving us all the great positioning, support and flexibility of a stretchy wrap but without the headache of tying. We found that we were able to switch between parents really easily, thanks to the ring tightenings that can be pulled closer to the body or loosened as needed. Our baby loved being close to us and carried around the house, while we were able to get on with household tasks feeling our baby was cosy and secure. We enjoyed the back support and the feeling we were really connecting with our baby, even while free. A really lovely carrier.
Buy now £77.00, Closeparent.com
Joy & Joe organic stretchy wrap carrier black
Best: For newborns
Rating: 9/10
We were at first intimidated by how to tie a traditional wrap. But Joy & Joe make it easy to learn with simple instructions in a colourful booklet (or YouTube videos) that, once you know, become second nature. It’s a long piece of soft fabric, and we were at ease knowing that we were not going to catch baby or ourselves on any buckles or straps. The stretchy material kept our baby close throughout the early days, giving us the opportunity to give the “kangaroo care” so needed by tiny new babies. A one-size-fits-all model, suitable from birth to 16kg, we felt our newborn was safe and secure while being carried and also while trialling hands-free nursing. We also received a matching baby hat, which was a nice touch.
Buy now £25.00, Joyandjoebaby.com
Izmi essential wrap
Best: Budget wrap
Rating: 7/10
Made from 95 per cent cotton, this wrap is the more affordable version of the popular original Izmi baby wrap (which is made from bamboo). We found it to be comfortable and simple to wear after checking the easy-to-follow instructions in the manual. When walking around using it, our baby fell asleep quickly. The cotton material feels lovely and soft, without losing any stretch or support when we were doing things around the house. With two carrying positions on offer – front and hip – this is a good budget choice for any baby weighing 2.3-9kg (5-20lbs), but you may want to invest in something a little more sturdy as they grow.
Buy now £34.99, Izmibaby.co.uk
Artipoppe zeitgeist baby carrier
Best: For making a statement
Rating: 8/10
If you follow celebrity and influencer parents, chances are you’ve seen this coveted carrier.: it’s favoured by Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes, Laura Whitmore and Gigi Hadid. Machine washable but also vegan friendly, the carrier looks seriously sophisticated when worn. We found that we had to look at the instructions a few times to ensure that we were putting it on correctly, but this became second nature after a few goes. The buckles have elastic loops attached to roll up any unsightly extra strap material. The cross-back buckles still felt comfortable on our shoulders after an hour or so of wear and our little tester fell asleep quickly, possibly due to the nicely padded leg holes. The back support does come up quite high, which is great for keeping baby close, but may cause frustration for nosy babies who like to see what is going on, especially if they’re on the smaller side. There’s no front-carry option, but once baby is bigger you can back-carry. It’s a pricey choice, but a fashionable and worthwhile option.
Read the full Artipoppe zeitgeist baby carrier review
Buy now £327.00, Artipoppe.com
Studio Romeo duo baby carrier
Best: For an easy sling carry
Rating: 7/10
If you love the idea of a sling, but the thought of the knots and twists makes you dizzy, the Duo, made of two loops of super soft 10 per cent organic fabric could be the answer. To put on, we simply crisscrossed each loop like a sash on each side, then slid the baby in, securing each loop underneath the behind and back. At first glance, we were unsure how the two loops of fabric would hold our baby inside, having visions of them flinging themselves out in the middle of Tesco. Once in though, baby felt firmly secured to our body, with enough fabric to support the body. Baby was in the correct position and although we weren’t confident to use the carrier outside, it was perfect for getting on with household tasks when we needed two hands. The secret to a good fit is choosing the right size – we are size 10 and chose small / medium.
Our baby enjoyed having free movement of her head and could look about easily, however after a while she got frustrated at having her arms stuck inside the carrier and wanted to get out. It’s worth noting that this carrier is not adjustable at all and is only suitable for a traditional front-carry. We think this carrier would be well-suited to younger babies who need to be close, and for parents who want something quick and simple to throw on for pottering around the house without worrying about loosening knots. It’s recommended from 2 months (depending on the natural spread of the hips) up to 12 kg. Parents may be slightly shocked at the steep price for the Duo, however.
Buy now £72.00, Jemandbea.com
Integrababy linen
Best: For warm weather
Rating: 8/10
Suitable from birth to toddler, the Integra range is available in many colourways, prints and materials. We tried both the Integra solar and Integra linen, and found that the linen version was light and airy but very sturdy – great for adding to our changing bag, as it folds up nice and compact. It offered a soft place for our baby to rest while feeling structured enough to go out and about, and we enjoyed the flexible webbing and straps, while our baby had a nice deep seat to relax into. A nice addition is a hood for our baby’s head, which is useful for neck support, a little darkness while napping, or protection from the sun.
Buy now £100.00, Integrababy.co.uk
Baby Tula explore baby carrier
Best: For style
Rating: 8/10
Marketed as an “all positions” carrier, the Baby Tula explore is suitable for newborns to toddlers, from 3.2-20.4 kg, (7-45lb). Available in so many colourways and prints you’ll be spoilt for choice, we found this carrier really easy to use and it got us the most compliments about the aesthetics. With its adjustable waistband and simple two buckle system, we were able to switch between parents easily, although we needed a bit of support to buckle our baby inside. The thick straps and soft design meant that we were able to take baby on a long walk without any niggles, while the newborn support ensured they didn’t get lost inside the carrier. We thought that the pocket on the hip belt that allowed us to store our phone, keys and essentials while on the go was a great touch, too.
Buy now £154.90, Babytula.co.uk
Oscha ring sling
Best: For a traditional sling carry
Rating: 9/10
Not your average “throw it on” carrier (perhaps at first), ring slings are worn on one shoulder, secured through a set of rings. We were a little intimidated by it initially in terms of usability and safety, but after watching a few YouTube videos, practising first with a doll as the brand suggests, then baby while the other partner supervised, it became easier and easier to throw on around the house. Our baby loves the feeling of being held closely and this type of sling helped us to achieve just that. What we loved was that when our baby fell asleep, we could remove her gently from the bottom of the sling and transition her to a safe surface, rather than lifting her from the top as per other wraps and carriers, risking an early wake-up.
For those who like buying items made close to home, the slings, which come in a range of stunning designs, are made from BCI organic cotton in the UK – woven in Lancashire in a historic weaving mill and then stitched in Scotland in a solar-powered workshop. Finally, we liked that we could also use the sling as a breastfeeding cover and also as a blanket while in the car or pram. Once you’ve learned how to tie a ring sling, this is a great option if you’re looking for something that provides the closeness of a wrap without actually having to do the wrapping.
Buy now £102.00, Oschaslings.com
Baby carrier FAQs
Types of baby carrier
Ruth Grint shares her knowledge of the different types of carrier available for every baby and caregiver need.
Stretchy wrap: A long piece of stretchy fabric. You wrap it around yourself, then can pop the baby in and out over the course of the day without having to re-tie. Perfect from newborn and most people use these until around 6 months.
Woven wrap: A long piece of non-stretchy fabric. It’s wrapped around the wearer and baby. They’re suitable from newborn to toddlerhood to even pre-schooler, and for front, hip and back carries.
Ring sling: A piece of fabric with two rings sewn into one end. The fabric is threaded through the rings to create a pouch, sized for your baby. Ideal for front and hip carries, and a great choice for those wishing to feed in a sling.
Buckle carriers: Also known as soft-structured carriers. They consist of a waistband, shoulder straps and a panel of fabric the baby sits in. There is a huge variation in terms of padding and fabrics and most will offer front-facing and back carrying. Some will be adjustable to accommodate a growing baby, while some are a fixed size.
Hiking/framed carrier: Exclusively for back carrying, these often have built-in storage and weather protection, i.e. sunshade. Some can be used as a standalone seat when the child isn’t on the back.
What to consider when buying a baby carrier
Grint says that the two most important things to consider are:
Is my baby able to breathe? This means that you can see baby’s face, their airways are clear of any obstructions, their chin is off their chest, and they are not slumped in the carrier.
Is my baby secure? Are they at any risk of falling? You can check that your baby is snug to your body if you gently lean forward, and not pulling away. A top tip here - if you feel like you need to hold on to your little one, chances are they don’t feel secure!
“Newborn babies are held in a chest to chest position,” she continues. “Once babies are older they can also be carried on the hip and on the back.
“Many parents are concerned about their baby’s hips in a carrier. In a good carrier or sling, the baby is held in a way which is good for the developing hip joints. This involves the baby being supported from knee to knee, and in a pelvic tuck position, with the knees higher than the baby’s bum.
“These safety points apply to all types of slings, wraps and carriers. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines and instructions, for example with regards to minimum and maximum weight limits.
“Seek advice and support if you are at all unsure - your local sling library or babywearing consultant is a great point of contact for this, especially if your baby is small or premature, or you or your child has any particular health concerns.”
The verdict: Baby carriers
The BabyBjörn harmony had everything we wanted in a baby carrier: structured, but comfortable for both wearer and passenger, style, adaptability and while pricey, a good investment when you consider how long you could use the carrier for. We really enjoyed the Oscha ring sling as a way to carry our baby which felt natural and comfortable to all of us and, okay, we did feel a little smug about learning and nailing how to tie it. For those who want a structured carrier with the softness and compactness of a wrap, the Integra linen is for you.
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