Best baby carriers

Best Overall Baby Carrier 2019

Boba X

Verdict in 10 seconds

• Comfortable to wear for long periods of time
• Quick to learn with little room for error
• Adjustable and will grow with your baby
• Highly supportive for baby and parent – offers reassurance while you get on with your daily routine

The Boba X is an easy-to-use soft-structured carrier with the softness of a baby wrap.

It offers great value for money as it is comfortable for newborns and toddlers and can be shared between wearers of different builds.

This could well be the only carrier you'll need if you're carrying your little one into toddlerhood.

Pros

• Seat and body panel micro-adjust to fit your baby perfectly
• Has dual pull shoulder straps
• The structured padded waistband and wide straps distribute baby's weight well
• Can be personalised to fit a wide range of body types
• Breastfeeding-friendly
• Contains three pockets under the main seat
• Good value for money as it lasts into the preschool years – can be swapped between newborn and toddler settings if you're using it with more than one child
• Suitable from 7 lbs – and no newborn insert needed either
• Simple design will compliment any wardrobe

Cons

• Thick material can make this carrier warm to use
• Cannot be washed at high temperatures – spot cleaning and cold washing recommended
• No outward-facing option

What Mumsnetters say

“Just got a Boba X from the local sling library and really like it.”

“I have a Boba and I love it!”

How real-life comparative testing makes Mumsnet Reviews unique

In our mission to find the best baby carriers out there, we spoke to real-life parents and babywearing experts, and looked for recommendations on the Mumsnet forums and beyond.

From a longlist of 39, we chose 19 carriers to put to the test, which included soft-structured carriers, stretchy and hybrid wraps and twin baby carriers.

At Mumsnet, we believe that consistent scoring and like-for-like comparisons are crucial.

Our single carrier testers, Becky and Claire, wore each product for a minimum of 20 minutes each day for a week, but often exceeded this time frame. Sam, our twin carrier tester, did the same.

They carried their children – three newborns and an 11-month-old – in a variety of conditions and scenarios to find the products that stood up to the challenges of everyday family life.

Following 50+ hours of testing, five carriers were awarded a Mumsnet Best badge, an accolade given to the products we think are the best on the market.

How we tested

With fewer variables in the testing process than other sites, we are absolutely confident in our recommendations.

Each product was put through a series of specific tests to help us find the five carriers most likely to suit parents new to ‘wearing’ their little ones.

Safety and stability

• We asked each tester to comment on how secure she felt while wearing the carrier
• Was it easy to follow safety guidelines? Did the baby feel well supported and comfortable?
• We also noted how our testers felt during and after use – did they experience any aches or pains?

Assembly

• We checked that instructions were clear and detailed enough so that there was little room for error and checked to see whether video demonstrations were available
• We looked at how easy each carrier was to use for the first time and how quickly a parent could use it without looking at the instructions
• And how easy was each carrier to put on and take off without help?

Day-to-day usage

• Was the carrier easy to use while doing other tasks and did it allow for breastfeeding on the go?
• We looked for convenient features like pockets, head covers and supports
• Our testers put each carrier to the test in a range of locations and situations – could they be truly hands-free or did they feel the need to support their babies with one hand for peace of mind?

Cleanliness

• Could each carrier be machine washed?
• Was the carrier prone to showing up dirt?
• Did it trail the ground when being put on or taken off?

Aesthetics

• We asked our testers how they felt the products fit with their wardrobes – did they match or clash with most outfits? Were they minimalist or a feature in their own right? Would you need more than one carrier for variety?

Value for money

• We asked our testers to rate how satisfied they were with each product overall
• A standardised scoring system was used to help us determine whether performance (including longevity) justified the price tag

Having scored each product on the above criteria, we then added into the equation the resale value to work out which carrier was the best of the best and which deserved honourable mentions.

All prices correct at time of publication

Read full review » £112.50 using the code MUMSNET-10 at checkout