We scored 10 carriers on what they're made of, what parents and testers report, and value. Our top pick is Baby Tula Linen Toddler Carrier, with a Cradle Score of 80.
Highest Cradle Score of the 10 we scored. A bigger structured carrier for 25-60 lb kids (about 2 to 6 years) with extra padding…
Materials & safety score of 80. A soft, slim newborn carrier with a wrap feel and buckle ease, and a 52-inch waist strap…
Parent consensus score of 82. BabyGearLab's top carrier: easy to put on, well padded, with three carrying positions.
Value & longevity score of 92. A very cheap carrier with four positions and an adjustable seat.
| # | Product and Cradle Score | Materials & safety | Parents | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80Baby Tula Linen Toddler CarrierAbout $179 | 82 | 84 | 70 | Low |
| 2 | 80Ergobaby Embrace Newborn CarrierAbout $99 | 80 | 82 | 76 | Low |
| 3 | 78Tula Free-to-Grow Baby CarrierAbout $179 | 76 | 80 | 76 | Low |
| 4 | 76BabyBjörn Baby Carrier OneAbout $200 | 72 | 82 | 72 | Low |
| 5 | 75Momcozy Baby CarrierAbout $70 | 70 | 74 | 88 | Low |
| 6 | 74WildBird Aerial Buckle CarrierAbout $178 | 78 | 74 | 68 | Low |
| 7 | 74Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible CarrierAbout $30 | 70 | 70 | 92 | Low |
| 8 | 71Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby CarrierAbout $180 | 74 | 70 | 66 | Low |
| 9 | 67LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons CarrierAbout $100 | 70 | 62 | 72 | Low |
| 10 | 67Beco Gemini Baby CarrierAbout $80 | 70 | 60 | 74 | Low |
Scores out of 100. Materials & safety and Parents each count 40%, Value 20%.
Must-have Hands-free carrying helps with fussy babies and errands. Fit varies a lot by body, so try before you buy if you can.
Secondhand: Fine secondhand. Fine secondhand. Check the buckles, straps and stitching, and search for recalls.
Typical use: about 24 months.
Tip: Many towns have babywearing groups or stores where you can try carriers on with a weighted doll.
A good carrier keeps your baby's airway clear and supports their hips in a spread-squat (M) position. Compare comfort for the wearer, weight range and how many carry positions it offers.
10 have a safety or materials point to know about, noted in the reviews below.
A bigger structured carrier for 25-60 lb kids (about 2 to 6 years) with extra padding, for when a toddler is too tired to walk. Back carry is tricky to put on alone.
A soft, slim newborn carrier with a wrap feel and buckle ease, and a 52-inch waist strap that fits many bodies. It tops out at 25 lb, so most babies outgrow it within the first year.
Fits 7-45 lb, so it lasts well into toddlerhood, and it's comfortable for parents. Only two positions and harder to adjust.
BabyGearLab's top carrier: easy to put on, well padded, with three carrying positions. Synthetic fabric dries slowly.
Best value: simple and comfy, and it softens with use. Stiff at first, with one front position.
Stylish and softens with use, up to 45 lb. Expensive, air-dry only, and the thick straps can dig in.
A very cheap carrier with four positions and an adjustable seat. Fine for occasional use, but less supportive for newborns and uncomfortable once babies pass about 20 lb.
Four carry positions and a sturdy build, but testers found the fit uncomfortable and the instructions poor.
Four positions with breathable mesh, but testers found it uncomfortable, bulky and hard to clean.
Comfortable for parents and machine washable, but less adjustable and less cozy for baby.
Baby Tula Linen Toddler Carrier has the highest Cradle Score of the 10 carriers we scored, at 80 out of 100 (Good). A bigger structured carrier for 25-60 lb kids (about 2 to 6 years) with extra padding, for when a toddler is too tired to walk.
Ergobaby Embrace Newborn Carrier scores highest on materials and safety among the carriers we scored.
Baby Tula Linen Toddler Carrier has the strongest parent and tester consensus, based on the praise and complaints that keep coming up in hands-on reviews and parent communities.
Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier (About $30) scores highest on value and longevity among carriers with a Good or Excellent score.
None of the 10 carriers on this page has an open recall in our latest check. Always check the CPSC recall database (or NHTSA for car seats) before you buy or use a product.
Each score is 40% materials and safety, 40% parent and tester consensus, and 20% value and longevity. Every product page lists its sources and when we last checked it, and brands cannot pay for placement.
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