Ergobaby Omni VS Moby Move – Choosing the best baby carrier!
I’d like to start by saying I think I am uniquely qualified to compare and review the Ergobaby Omni 360 and the Moby Move. I also feel like I need to explain this first, in the spirit of full disclosure.
For those of you who don’t know, I used to work for the Australian distributor of Ergobaby. You can actually find my smiling face featured in some of the Ergobaby Austalia & New Zealand Youtube channel.
And for the last year I have worked for the Australian distributor of Moby. I’ve been less active in their content (so far) but check me out demonstrating the Moby Move at Melbourne Pregnancy, Baby and Child Show on the Moby Au instagram page.
So when I say I’m uniquely qualified to compare these two products I really mean it.
And people do often ask me – If I didn’t work for Moby right now which would I prefer?
So this is going to be my best attempt to review these two carriers in a non-biased way.
What do they have in common?
Both the Moby Move and Ergobaby Omni 360 are buckle carriers with overall the same shape and structure. They work and go on practically the same way. In fact, when teaching people how to use these carriers I go through practically the same routine.
They are also both suitable for newborns from 3.2kgs onward, they have a weight limit of 20kgs (technically Moby Move weight capacity is 20.4kgs – but let’s just call it 20kgs, okay?). They both offer all four carry positions – inward-facing, forward-facing, back and hip carry.
Also they are both comfortable, easy to use, suitable for new parents, well designed, great quality, and trusted brands.
How are they different?
There’s really not a not a lot of difference in their overall design. The Ergobaby Omni 360 comes in two fabric options – 100% cotton which is thicker and warmer, and then a more premium “Air Mesh” version that is lighter and more breathable. Whereas the Moby Move is just mesh – so only has a light and breathable version. The Ergobaby Omni 360 comes in a broader range of colours whereas the Moby Move just comes in Twilight Black and Glacier Grey.
The biggest difference between the two carriers is the price point.
The recommended retail price of the Ergobaby Omni 360 RRP $329-3349 (market value approximately $249).
Whereas the Moby Move RRP $199 (it often on sale around $179.)
So the price difference is significant.
Why Choose The Ergobaby Omni?
Ergobaby has been an incredibly popular brand of baby carriers for many years. I would say for the last decade Ergobaby has been the market leader in Australia. And for good reasons. As a brand, they are always innovating. In the last ten years, they’ve brought out multiple new designs in an effort to make babywearing more comfortable and more achievable for new parents.
Many parents have an Ergobaby Omni so there’s a wealth of knowledge about how to use it in the parenting community. If you ask your friends how to use the Ergobaby Omni, odds are someone can help you out. Having someone with experience with your carrier show you how to use it is a great advantage. Even though the Moby Move works the same way – confidence counts.
Another reason to choose the Ergobaby Omni 360 is – in my opinion – it is the best forward-facing baby carrier on the market IF you use it correctly. I feel like no other baby carrier has achieved optimal leg and hip positioning in the forward-facing position like the Ergobaby Omni. The forward-facing position actually adjusts to change the tilt of the pelvis to support the baby’s legs in an optimal M positioning, whereas other forward-facing carriers just don’t seem to be able to achieve this positioning. The Moby Move forward-facing is still good and it’s easy to use, but there’s just nothing like the Ergobaby Omni for forward-facing.
HOWEVER, I would say about 80% of parents (or more) using the Ergobaby Omni 360 in the forward facing position don’t actually position the carrier or the baby CORRECTLY. It hurts my soul that this is the biggest feature of this carrier and it isn’t properly utelised. (If you have an Ergobaby Omni and you’re not sure if you’re forward facing properly, please feel free to message the page and I can check your carrier and give you some tips to get the most out of this feature.)
Why Choose The Moby Move?
I know I already mentioned this, but the price point of the Moby Move makes it more accessible for many parents looking for a baby carrier that does everything, but isn’t wanting to spend $250+ on a baby carrier. If the Moby Move essentially offers all the same features of the Ergobaby Omni, why not save a little money? There is a perception that because the Moby Move is cheaper that it’s “cheap”, but in my opinion the overall quality of material and finish is comparable.
The Moby Move will accommodate a larger toddler than the Ergobaby Omni. And not because of the slightly higher weight capacity. The actual carrier at its widest setting is physically bigger by about 5cms. This doesn’t sound like a lot, but it means you will be able to achieve knee to knee support with your toddler for longer. Which not only is more comfortable for your toddler but having their knees tucked tightly into your body actually makes carrying your bigger toddler more comfortable for you.
The shoulder straps on the Moby Move can be adjusted from the front or the back. When the Ergobaby Omni and Moby Move are SO similar, it is hard to pick up differences to actually highlight individual features, so this is a pretty subtle difference – and probably easier to show than tell. But with the Ergobaby Omni you tighten the shoulder straps from the front, whereas the Moby Move can be adjusted from the front or from the back. I personally feel more comfortable pulling the straps from the back, whereas I’ve noticed most people prefer pulling from the front. So most people will be perfectly comfortable with either the Ergobaby Omni or Moby Move – but for myself personally having that option on the Moby Move is beneficial.
This feature is probably easier to show than tell so check out this video (and skip to 7:14 if you just want to see this feature)
Final Thoughts
If I have to tell you which one I prefer (if it’s not already super obvious) – I do like the Moby Move more than the Ergobaby Omni.
That said, they are both amazing carriers. I cannot stress that enough. This is like asking me to choose which of my children I love more. I love them both so much!
The reasons I like the Moby Move that little bit more are the price, the size and also that adjustable strap thing.
I also personally didn’t use forward-facing with baby carriers, so having that optimal forward-facing position to me isn’t worth paying the extra $70+ for. I personally was putting my babies on my back (in an Ergobaby carrier) from around 6 months old, so I never felt like I needed to use forward-facing.
So, if forward-facing is the most important feature in a baby carrier then the Ergobaby Omni might be the better choice for you. (And seriously, please message me for a position check to make sure you’re getting the most value out of that feature.)