7 Best Baby Carriers 2021

Looking for the perfect baby carrier to suit your needs, your baby, and your budget? We have so many great suggestions to help make your baby carrier shopping easier!

Ergobaby Omni 360

Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Khaki Green Lifestyle 01 1200x800 1

Ergobaby as a brand is innovative and are always looking for ways to make babywearing easier and more comfortable for parents and babies. They produce high quality products, which is why Ergobaby has been the market leader in Australia for the last decade.

At a Glance

  • Weight Range – 3.2kgs to 20kgs
  • Positions Offered – 4 positions: parent facing, forward facing, hip, and back carry.
  • Material Used – 100% Cotton (Cotton version) or 100% Polyester (Cool Mesh version)

Who is the Ergobaby Omni 360 For?

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is for parents who only plan to purchase one carrier that can do everything – because the Ergobaby Omni offers all carry positions and is suitable from birth until toddlerhood it will meet most parent’s baby wearing needs.

Also in my opinion the Ergobaby Omni 360 has the best forward-facing position, IF you know how to correctly set up and position your baby for forward-facing (please feel free to reach out to me if you’re not sure. I used to work for the Australian distributor of Ergobaby and nothing would make me happier than making sure you get the full benefit of your Ergobaby carrier!)

The only consideration with the Ergobaby Omni is it’s not the biggest carrier – so I would say you can comfortably use it up to 1-2 years with optimal knee to knee support. Which really is all most parents need. However if you’re looking to last 2+ years this may not be the ideal choice for you.

Check out our full Ergobaby Omni 360 Review here.

Ergobaby Embrace

ergobaby embrace carrier review

I am completely in love with the fabric on the Ergobaby Embrace. It is the softest fabric I have ever felt on any baby carrier ever. The feel of this fabric is just divine.

At A Glance

  • Weight Range – 3.2kgs to 11.3kgs
  • Positions Offered – 2 positions: parent facing, forward facing
  • Material Used – 100% cotton

Who The Ergobaby Embrace For

The Ergobaby Embrace is perfectly designed for newborns up to around 6-12 months old and in my opinion is “new parent proof”. So I would recommend the Ergobaby Embrace to inexperienced parents looking for a simple and easy way to keep their new baby close for the first few months.
The Ergobaby Embrace is also a very affordable carrier so it’s a good choice for parents who either plan to only use a baby carrier for the first several months, or if they’re prepared to purchase a follow-on carrier for their bigger baby or toddler.

If you’re looking for a carrier that offers affordable luxury and that has been specifically designed with newborns in mind then the Ergobaby Embrace is a great option for you.

Check out our full Ergobaby Embrace review here.

Moby Move

moby move featured

The Moby as a brand offers excellent value for money, making quality carriers more affordable and accessible for parents.

At A Glance

  • Weight Range – 3.2kgs to 20.4kgs
  • Positions Offered – 4 positions: parent facing, forward facing, hip, and back carry.
  • Material Used – 25% cotton 75% polyester

Who The Moby Move Is For

The Moby Move, like Ergobaby Omni 360, suits parents looking for one carrier to meet all their babywearing needs. It is suitable for newborns, has a weight limit of 20.4kgs and offers all carry positions.

However, the Moby Move does this at a more affordable price point, so this is a great carrier for parents on a budget who still want to get the most out of their baby carrier.

The Moby Move also has a very large adjustable panel (seat) so it can easily accommodate taller toddlers. So I would recommend the Moby Move not just to parents looking to use their carrier from birth, but also a great follow on carrier for babies that have outgrown a newborn carrier.

Check out our full Moby Move review here.

Moby Easy Wrap

moby easy wrap 2

The Moby Easy Wrap is exactly what it sounds like – a wrap made easy. The Moby Easy Wrap looks and feels like a stretchy wrap when it is on, but it goes on like a T-shirt.

Moby Easy Wrap At A Glance

  • Weight Range – 3.2kgs to 15kgs
  • Positions Offered – 2 positions: parent facing, forward facing
  • Material Used – 100% cotton

Who The Moby Easy Wrap Is For

I feel like this goes without saying, but the Moby Easy Wrap is for parents who love the idea of using a regular stretchy wrap, but can’t get the hang of the actual wrapping. I hear parents say all the time that they like the look of a wrap, but they’re scared they’ll do it wrong. (Please feel free to reach out to me if you have a wrap and need any help putting it on!)

The Easy Wrap has the same super soft stretchy jersey knit fabric as a regular stretchy wrap, so it’s comfortable for both baby and parent, but with buckles on the waist and the “wrap” portion is essentially pre-tied.

The other benefit of the Moby Easy Wrap is it does offer parents the option of forward facing, so they may find they can use the carrier with an older baby than a regular stretchy wrap.

Check out our full review of the Moby Easy Wrap here.

Moby Wraps

Moby Classic Wrap Midnight

There are actually three different styles of Moby Wrap and I couldn’t decide which to include, because they are all the same length and size, but with three fabric options for parents to choose the fabric, feel or price point that suits them. And while having options might be a little confusing sometimes, I love that Moby offers parents three different fabrics, feels and price points for parents to find the right stretchy wrap to suit their needs and budget.

Moby Wraps At A Glance

  • Weight Range – 3.2kgs to 15kgs
  • Positions Offered – 1 positions: parent facing
  • Material –
    • Evolution Wrap – Cotton/Viscose
    • Classic Wrap – 100% cotton
    • Essentials Wrap – Cotton/Polyester

Who The Moby Wraps Are For

Moby wraps are for parents who are looking for a stretchy wrap that offers great value for money. All stretchy wraps are essentially the same thing – approximately 5 meters of stretchy fabric that has been weight tested for carrying babies. All stretchy wraps work the same way, wrap the same, tie the same – so why not choose the one that is the most affordable while still being good quality?

Check out our full Moby Wrap Review here.

Lillebaby Complete Carriers

lillebaby

Another brand that I’ve selected for its price point is LILLEbaby. Because I am all about affordable Babywearing! The LILLEbaby Complete carrier range is suitable from newborns to 20.4kgs, offers all carry positions, overall they are a comfortable, classic style of carrier with a similar structure to the Moby Move and Ergobaby Omni. And the range in price from $160 to $240 depending on the exact colour/fabric/style you choose. The most popular style in this range being the LILLEbaby All Seasons.

LILLEBaby Carriers At A Glance

  • Weight Range 3.2kgs – 20.4kgs
  • Positions offered – 4 positions: parent facing, forward-facing, hip, and back carry.
  • Material – varies between models. 100% Cotton/ 100% Poly Fabrics.

Who The Lillebaby All Seasons Are For

I think the LilleBaby All Seasons is a great carrier for parents who are looking for an inexpensive carrier for travel and exercise, or if you’re looking for follow on a carrier for a baby that has outgrown a newborn carrier (like a stretchy wrap or smaller carrier). Because of its approachable price point and the fact it will accommodate quite a large toddler.

The overall structure of the Lillebaby All Seasons reminds me of the original Ergobaby carrier (which is what I used for my own babies), with the key difference of a removable panel for extra airflow. Making this a perfect carrier for exercise, travelling between different climates, or as the name suggests – a great all year round carrier.

I will say that the Lillebaby All Seasons is not necessarily my favourite carrier for a newborn – the set-up for a newborn is a little bit fiddly and I’m not in love with the positioning – but I think it’s a simple, quick, easy carrier from about 4+ months.

Mumma etc Ring Slings

mumma etc

I have used so many different carriers between my two children and I have never had more comments, questions and compliments than when I was carrying my daughter in a ring sling. Mumma ETC is an Australian owned brand and their Ring Slings are made from hand dyed, handwoven linen

Mumma Ring Slings At A Glance

  • Weight Range 3.2kgs – 15kgs
  • Material – Linen

Who The Mumma Etc Ring Slings Are For

The reason so many parents talked to me when I was wearing a ring sling is they’d watch me get out of the car, throw the sling over my head, and pop my daughter on my hip in a supported hands free carry. Making it the perfect carrier for the school run. I’d have a toddler on my hip, while holding my son’s hand to cross the road and carrying his school bag – all at the same time.

So the Mumma ETC Ring Sling is for parents who are looking for a quick and easy solution for when you need to be hands free in a hurry. Whether it’s busy running errands, or at home with a fractious baby that you need to get up and in a carrier fast.

I will say ring slings are absolutely lovely to use with a newborn, however I would strongly recommend if you are a new parent wanting to use a ring sling with a newborn as your first baby carrier it’s a good idea to reach out to a local “babywearing” group or find someone who can help show you how to position your newborn correctly in a ring sling. There are some subtle tricks and tips to making sure your little baby is supported and safe in a ring sling that can be easier to show than tell.

Though Mumma ETC do have some of the best Ring Sling tutorials I’ve seen online – which you can see following this link – which includes setting up, using for a newborn and also breastfeeding in a ring sling.

Rachel Stewart

Rachel is the founder of Parenting Central. She is raising two children, boy and girl, with her partner. Rachel is obsessed prams, car seats, carriers and all things baby. She has worked in the baby industry for several years, for both suppliers and also in a retail setting and has developed a passion for connecting parents with the right products to make their lives easier. When Rachel isn't playing with prams she's enjoys crocheting, drinking coffee (sometimes wine) and spending a little too much time on Facebook.

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