These Stylish Baby Carriers Won’t Kill Your Back

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There are so many benefits to wearing your baby in a baby carrier, the most obvious being the ability to carry your little one hands-free wherever you go. Whether you’re doing laundry, making dinner, going for a walk, or having lunch with a friend, a baby carrier supports the baby so your hands can be free to do other things. Will you inevitably drop crumbs on your baby’s head? Likely, but they’ll never know.

Babywearing can also promote attachment and help your bond, make it easier to breastfeed in public, give them a place to nap while you’re on the go, and allow babies to socialize with others at eye level.

It says a lot that mothers around the world have been carrying their babies in some form of baby carrier for thousands of years — it’s literally the oldest parenting hack in the book.

But holy cow — there are a lot of carriers on the market. How are you supposed to decide which one is best for you and your partner? Read on to see our best baby carriers list to learn everything you need to know before you invest.

The Best Baby Carriers

• Best Overall: Colugo Baby Carrier in Wild Child

• Best Budget: Baby K’Tan Hybrid Wrap

• Best for Posture: WildBird Willow Aerial Carrier

• Best for Hot Days: Ergobaby Ergo Omni Breeze Baby Carrier

• Best Seat: Lillebaby All-Seasons Carrier

Types of Baby Carriers

Choosing a baby carrier is all about deciding on a style, and finding one that best fits your needs and is the most comfortable to wear. There are five main styles of carriers: front carriers, hybrid, wrap carriers, hip carriers, and hiking or backpack carriers. The latter two are more niche and serve specific needs. As for sizing, you want a carrier that will fit the wearer’s build. Fortunately, all baby carriers are adjustable.

Front Carriers

Front carriers such as the ever-popular BabyBjörn are worn on the carrier’s front, and the baby can either face in or face out. These are a great option as many can be used from the first day the baby is born until they’re about a year old. They’re comfortable and often come in many sizes, making them especially comfy for taller parents or parents of size.

Hybrid Carriers

Hybrid styles, such as the Ergo and Lillebaby, are designed to be worn on the front, the back, or even the hip. These are by far the most popular carriers available. They are easy to get on and easy to take off, and because there is often an extendable hood that snaps onto the shoulder pieces, babies can nurse right in the carrier, too. Some hybrid carriers require an insert for infants that needs to be purchased separately.

Wrap Carriers

Wraps are a close second in popularity to hybrids. They are essentially either a very long piece of fabric that wraps around the carrier and baby, or some combination of hybrid carrier and ties. They are breathable and parents swear by them, noting how flexible and comfortable they are. However, if the wearer has mobility issues in the hands or wrists, you may want to avoid this type of carrier as it can be challenging to put on independently.

Hip Carriers

This style looks like a fanny pack and is mostly designed for carrying toddlers. It isn’t a hands-free carrier; rather it gives parents a little assistance when lugging a baby on their hip. They’re pretty new on the market, but people who love them really love them.

Hiking Carriers

Backpack or hiking carriers are awesome carriers designed for rugged trips on the mountain or other outdoor activities. They have features like support bars, sun shields, oodles of pockets, and rain tents. These are designed to keep your baby well-balanced and comfortable on a long hike while being a safer way to keep yourself balanced since it’s easier to watch your step with your baby on your back. Many parents prefer a hiking carrier over a hybrid carrier because there’s room to store more things like snacks and water.

A Note on Safety

Baby carriers are wonderful, and we at Best Products love them and want everyone to use them safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions that preemies or babies with respiratory issues should not be in a carrier. To ensure they are breathing easily, avoid a C-curve to their back that could impede their airway. Also, follow all manufacturer instructions to the letter to make sure your carrier is on properly and your baby is sitting correctly. Pay close attention to the weight recommendations; while many don’t require an infant insert, some do.

How We Chose

All of these carriers have been chosen by me or by other parents with children the right size for the sling.

Now onto the best baby carriers.

Baby Carrier in Wild Child

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would like the carrier from the direct-to-consumer brand Colugo. Their products simply aren’t as well-known to me as others.

Right off the bat, however, I noticed that getting it on was super easy. It looks complicated because, unlike many carriers, there’s a padded barrier between baby and the person carrying it. It makes the carrier a more breathable experience for everyone.

It slides on like a backpack, and baby can be worn forwards, outwards, or on the back. The shoulder strap isn’t that difficult to adjust and the padded hip belt sits comfortably just above the hip, evenly distributing the weight of the baby across the hips and shoulders.

I also loved the added storage provided by the little pack at the waist. It’s just the right size for a wallet, phone, and travel wipes, and it’s easy to access even while you’re wearing it. I wore it, my 11-year-old daughter wore it, and my husband wore it, and all of us could adjust it comfortably to our frames.

I put my tiny testing partner in all of the positions, and he seemed quite content in all of them, though I did notice that he got far sleepier facing me, whether he was on my chest or my back, and he was more excited and engaged facing out. (A good tip if you’re trying to encourage them to stay awake until nap time.)

A thing I want to note is that it comes in all sorts of fun colors and patterns. All of the options are the perfect mix between practical and cute. I have a leopard-print model, and it’s just aces. Best of all? No insert needed.

Original Baby Carrier

If you want the comfort of a wrap without the hassle of rings or ties. the K’tan is for you. It works much like a regular wrap, but it’s actually a combination of a hybrid carrier and a traditional wrap. It has a bit of a learning curve to figure out the configurations, but it’s absurdly comfortable and breathable once you do.

It’s incredibly snuggly and suitable for babies over 8 pounds. However, the design’s limits mean that petite or taller parents may find it uncomfortable. I was a big fan of how easy it is to clean. I washed it with all of my other laundry and dried it, too, and it came out fresh and smelling nice. (Not at all like the unfortunate incident that made it dirty to begin with.)

Willow Aerial Carrier

If you enjoy a neutral, desert, mid-century modern type of vibe, you’ll really appreciate the aesthetics of the WildBird Willow Aerial Carrier.

The beauty in the design of this carrier is that it fits so many bodies thanks to its sizing. It’s not a one-size-fits-all. You choose which size fits the best by looking at their chart.

When I tested this carrier, the criss-cross straps helped my posture big time. One of the problems with wearing a baby carrier is that you tend to slouch when you wear it because it’s a strange weight distribution. Having straps criss-crossed behind me felt like it helped pull my shoulders into a better posture, making it a comfortable carrier to wear. It’s a simple design without extra storage, but what it lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in quality and comfort.

Since I walked around for 3 hours with my tiny tester, he needed to eat a snack. And while babies manage to get some food in their mouths while snacking, most of it ends up all over the carrier — which is what happened in this case. When I got home, I threw it in the gentle cycle with a Tide pod, hung it to dry, and it was like new, only softer and dreamier. And there’s no infant insert required.

Ergo Omni Breeze Baby Carrier

This was the first carrier I owned with my firstborn, and I don’t regret the purchase. It was a little annoying that I had to buy an infant insert separately, which I didn’t realize was a thing as a new parent, but that was easy enough.

I was able to carry my baby for hours at a time without my back hurting thanks to the ergonomic design and the easy way the baby sits in this carrier.

Suitable from birth to age 3, the Omni Breeze carrier is meant to keep parent and baby cool with space-age fabrics that breathe and optimal ventilation areas. It has three carry positions; front, back, and hip, a privacy hood, extra lumbar support, and adjusts to fit a wide range of carrier sizes. It’s the coolest (temperature and attitude) carrier on the market.

One caveat that was a little tricky at times was that if I didn’t get my daughter into the right position, her legs would get red from pressure and rubbing. It was, of course, adjustable, but there were times when I didn’t realize it was happening. She never complained, however, so I don’t think she noticed. This is a pretty common issue with many hybrid carriers.

Complete All Seasons Baby Carrier

You can bounce about town with ease and comfort with this carrier from Lillebaby. It’s designed for children from 7 to 45 pounds, and babies can be worn in an astonishing six positions. The X-strap design of the straps sets your baby’s weight evenly across your shoulders, back, and hips and the easy-open clasps are a cinch to operate.

The adjustable bucket seat for your baby means that you can adjust how your baby is sitting, alleviating discomfort and pressure from your baby’s legs. The breathable fabric is easy to clean and comes in a ton of colors.

I was given this carrier as a hand-me-down with baby number two, and I’m a big fan of how comfortable it was to wear. The breathability of the mesh fabric makes it feel cooler than other carriers, even in the height of summer with a sweaty, sleeping baby on your chest for hours.

The Lillebaby comes in several color options and has an optional positioning pillow that you can purchase.

8 Hybrid Newborn to Toddler Carrier

It makes sense to have a baby carrier that works for all seasons, which is exactly what you get with the Beco Baby Carrier 8 Hybrid. Thanks to its interior mesh, the carrier is a solid choice for the warmer months so you can have some airflow, and in the cooler months, you can enclose the mesh panel by zipping up an outer layer of fabric.

The carrier has a built-in hood, which doubles as a headrest when rolled up. An infant insert is included, which needs to be used until your baby is 15 pounds.

There are four carry positions you can choose from: inward- or front-facing, or on either hips or your back. An easily accessible pocket gives you a spot to store your phone, keys, and snacks. Because the carrier is on the bulkier side, it’s not the best for fitting inside a bag or suitcase, but if you plan to use it while traveling, it works swimmingly.

Zeitgeist Tweed BW Baby Carrier

You may have seen the Artipoppe Zeitgeist Monogamy Baby Carrier on celebrity parents over the past several years, and that may sway you in one direction or the other, but one thing’s for sure — this carrier can hold its own with or without marketing help from influencers.

The lightweight carrier isn’t just good-looking, it’s really efficient when you’re by yourself and need to quickly slide your baby in a carrier as the shape of the seat fits perfectly with a baby’s tush. The design also allows for breastfeeding, which can be a huge time saver.

It has an adjustable neck cushion, which is helpful for hands-free carrying, and while the company doesn’t list the waistline measurements, it does have an adjustable waist and claims to be one size fits all.

There are several fun designs to choose from, and while this one is machine washable, not all of them are. So, if you go with a different one like the tweed carrier, make sure you note if it requires handwashing.

Mini Baby Carrier

Your new baby will be comfortable and secure in this soft structured front carrier from BabyBjörn. Made with a soft jersey material with plenty of stretch and breathability, your baby can face forward or face you, all snuggled up, whichever way they feel most comfortable.

The carrier is made for babies 7 pounds to 24 pounds, so it’s ideal for babies and early toddlerhood, but is probably too small for anything beyond that. It’s lightweight, easy to work with, and it feels secure when the baby is inside. The head support for newborns is impressive and will make you feel comfortable using it hands-free without adding any swaddles or inserts to keep their head from wobbling around.

This is a great carrier and extremely popular, but it is not the most adjustable carrier on our list. And it’s important to note that if you’re taller than 6 feet, this isn’t the carrier for you.

Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier

If it isn’t in your budget to buy an expensive carrier, don’t stress. Some great carriers under $40 aren’t fancy but perform really well, like the Flip Advanced carrier from Infantino.

One of the beauties of this carrier is its ease of use. It’s especially easy to adjust the seat from narrow to wide depending on whether you want your baby facing towards you or outwards. The seat has two different places for adjustment, and the ergonomic design keeps the carrier’s back straight and comfortable. Plus, babies can be carried in four different front or back positions. Bonus? No infant insert needed.

The carrier is suitable for babies 8 to 32 pounds. Size actually isn’t a huge concern with this one, having extra-long straps and waist, but like the Ergo, you have to get your baby in the seat properly, or their legs will hurt. I liked this carrier and thought it was pretty comfortable overall. However, it doesn’t feel as sturdy or substantial as the more expensive carriers on this list.

Explore Baby Carrier

What sets the Tula Explore apart from the other baby carriers is that it’s designed with baby’s legs in mind. Do you see those notches on the side? Baby doesn’t need to have their legs splayed eight ways from Sunday when facing out anymore.

This was clutch when I was carrying a different tiny tester who has gloriously robust toddler thighs. Other carriers can be uncomfy for him to face outwards in because his mighty legs get a wee pinched in other carriers, and that’s no fun for anyone involved.

The many buttons on this carrier might feel overwhelming when all you want to do is get your baby locked in and be on your way, but I can tell you that they are all crucial to the design. They’re also sewn on in a way that baby can’t just pop them off and chuck them in their mouths. If you see, there’s a little strap sewing those bad boys in place.

There is an additional insert that you can purchase for infant wear, and that makes this carrier truly a birth-to-toddler carrier.

All of Tula’s carriers are size-inclusive, so people of all body types can use the carriers without an issue.

Evolution Baby Carrier

The Moby wrap is, without a doubt, the most popular baby wrap carrier. It’s made of stretchy bamboo jersey material and comes in tons of colors. It’s suitable for babies from newborn through toddlerhood and has spawned an entire community of devotees on social media.

It’s essentially one long piece of fabric that you wrap around your baby and yourself, making it truly the most adjustable carrier on the market. The fabric is incredibly soft — kind of like how you’d imagine the world’s best T-shirt to feel. And if the inevitable spit-up or blow out happens, you can throw this carrier in the wash.

I used the Moby with my youngest when I was putzing around the house, doing laundry, making lunch for my oldest, and just hanging around. Full disclosure: It took me several tries before figuring out the best way to wrap it, which was a bit frustrating, but once I got it, I was good to go.

Hip Seat Baby Carrier

If you want to be hip while carrying your toddler, give this TushBaby Hip Seat Carrier a go. Get it? Hip? Anyway, strapping on a hip carrier is ideal for places like amusement parks, festivals, and ball games when you need to take the baby up and down often and need a little help when they want to hang out on your hip.

The carrier is extremely lightweight at less than 1 pound, and it’s made for newborns to kids up to 44 pounds. There are four positions your kiddo can sit in: side carrying, front facing, face to face, and feeding. The ergonomic seat has your baby sitting in a position that isn’t harmful to their hips, and the carrier’s design shouldn’t be the cause of any back pain.

This is the best model on the market, and I can tell you from personal experience that it’s extremely comfortable to wear. I tested it with my toddler nephew and elementary-aged niece, and it really works. Plus, it has large pockets, so it doubles as a fanny pack and diaper bag.

Poco Child Carrier

The Osprey Poco is a beast of a hiking carrier. This model, designed for children who can sit unassisted, is rugged, durable, and comfortable to wear thanks to ultra-padded shoulders, an ergonomic design, and the resting bar on the back. It’s basically a tiny, portable apartment for kids. Your child will love being carried around in their personal chariot.

The Osprey Poco hiking baby carrier has adjustable child seat heights with safety leg loops and adjustable stirrups that can be removed. It has a double-halo harness that’s designed with front-facing arm loops to keep your baby buckled in and safe. But it is definitely not for newborns.

Due to its weight and size, this carrier is meant for families serious about hiking or camping, not as an everyday carrier. Two of my favorite features are the mesh cup holders on the sides. While it isn’t exactly easy to reach with your kiddo in tow, if your child is old enough, they can grab it for you so you can stay hydrated, or even grab it for themselves.

SmartSupport Backpack Carrier

Hiking backpack carriers can get really pricey. Enter Chicco: It managed to make a comfortable, affordable, hiking backpack carrier with SPF 50+ hood, all for under $115.

This carrier is lightweight, which your back will definitely appreciate after hiking for a couple of hours. Anything longer might start to feel uncomfortable as the straps aren’t cushioned enough to remain truly easy on the shoulders. But for two or three hours on a strenuous hike? It’s perfect and offers the support needed to support a kiddo.

The carrier has a two-height adjustable seat, so as your toddler grows, the seat can as well. Another great feature? It has a built-in kickstand, so you can load and unload your child without the thing toppling over.

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