Best baby carriers 2026: we review the best carriers, slings and wraps for babies

Tested by two mums: Read our full Ergobaby Omni 360 review

The Ergobaby Omni 360 is an ergonomic and versatile baby carrier and a great all-rounder - ideal for long periods of use. Suitable for babies from birth to 20kg, it offers a choice of four different wearing positions depending on the age of your child.

An upgrade from our parent-tested Ergobaby All Position 360, the Omni 360 is suitable from birth without requiring a newborn insert. The updated design also has improved lumbar support, providing additional comfort for parents across the base of their back. Made from cool mesh fabric, it allows good breathability and enhanced airflow, even on warmer days.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 offers a comfortable and secure hold, with Velcro straps that can easily be adjusted to adapt to your baby as they grow. Winner of an AGR healthy back award and declared hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, it ensures your baby’s legs stay in the healthy ‘M position’ at all times, with good hip alignment and a natural curve in their spine. It also follows the TICKS guidelines - ensuring a tight fit with your baby in full view, close enough to kiss, chin off their chest and with adequate support for their back.

For young babies, the integrated head support will help keep them safe and secure, even when sleeping, while the UPF privacy hood allows discreet breastfeeding and can protect them from the elements on warm or windy days.

From around five months (or when your baby can confidently hold their own head), you can switch the Ergobaby Omni 360 to the ergonomic forward-facing mode, folding down the support cushion so your baby can clearly take in their surroundings. Finally, from six months onwards, you may wish to carry your baby on your hip or use the Ergobaby as a back carrier for increased freedom during longer journeys.

Whilst it can be a little tricky to reach the strap at the back, getting your baby in and out of the Ergobaby is relatively straightforward. While some of the buckles require you to squeeze and lift simultaneously for safety reasons, the majority of the adjustments can be done quickly and easily, even one-handed. The instructions are also easy to follow, with detailed videos on the Ergobaby website.

With excellent weight distribution, the cushioned shoulder straps can be worn ‘rucksack style’ or crossed across the back, allowing a snug and secure fit even on more petite parents. With wide lumbar support and a chest strap for use in back carrying mode, the Ergobaby Omni 360 is also easy to adjust for multiple users. We love the inclusion of a detachable storage pouch, which ensures you always have easy access to your keys or phone without needing a separate bag.

On the flip side, it’s worth noting that unlike sling carriers such as the Izmi Essential Wrap or Boba Wrap, the Ergobaby Omni 360 doesn’t fold down flat, so it’s not the easiest to stash away into your changing bag or pushchair storage basket. Accessories such as the drool bib, teething pads, rain cover and winter weather cover are also all sold separately and considering the price of the carrier itself, we feel they’re a little on the costly side.

Read next: Newborn essentials: your complete new baby checklist

While the Izmi Essential Baby Wrap may look overwhelming at first, this long, soft and stretchy strip of fabric can quickly become a comforting carrier for your newborn, providing a safe and snug hold against your chest in a natural foetal position. Whether you’re petite or plus-sized, this one-size design is suitable for all sizes and body shapes, making the Izmi a practical choice for parents who want to share in the babywearing.

Suitable from birth until your baby is approximately nine months old, the Izmi is an ideal introduction to babywearing during the so-called fourth trimester. Being held in close proximity to your heartbeat is incredibly calming for your newborn, providing familiarity and reassurance to help them gently drift off to sleep. For parents, the close proximity to your baby can also provide a healthy dose of the oxytocin ‘feel good’ hormone, providing a welcome boost to your well-being and postnatal mental health.

Practice definitely makes perfect with this carrier and while the visual instructions are helpful, you may want to watch the online videos to ensure you’re getting the correct fit. As a five-metre-long piece of fabric, it’s also recommended you fit this wrap indoors to prevent it from touching the floor, before adjusting it to ensure the correct amount of tension and support across your shoulders and back.

Once secured, you can easily place your baby inside, gently manipulating the fit until their back is curved and their legs are hanging in the healthy ‘M’ position. The three layers of material provide a secure and firm hold against their back, however, you may need to increase the tension as your baby gets bigger.

Overall, the Izmi Essential Baby Wrap offers natural hands-free carrying and surprisingly good support when fitted correctly, but you may find yourself placing your palm on their back for additional peace of mind. With a practical carry pouch for travel, it’s easy to whip out as and when required, but you may want to switch to a more structured baby carrier for prolonged use.

Read next: The best lie-flat car seats for newborns

Tested by two mums: Read our full Boba X review

The Boba X is an easy-to-use hybrid carrier, offering the support and reassurance of a structured carrier with the softness and comfort of a baby wrap. Offering excellent value for money and good longevity, it’s suitable to use from birth through to 20kg (around three to four years of age).

With a choice of front, hip and back carrying modes, the Boba X easily adapts to your baby’s size and needs, providing inward-facing reassurance and comfort for your newborn, as well as a high vantage point on your back so your toddler and preschooler can interact with the world around them. It’s also a convenient choice for breastfeeding, with the option to unclip and create some slack before moving your baby into an upright nursing position.

While fitting the back strap and clip can be a bit tricky (with some minor contortionist skills required) it’s relatively easy to adjust once secured into place, with dual pull shoulder straps and a sliding chest strap for additional support. Alternatively,  If you’ve got someone around to help you, it’s far easier to have them clip it up from behind. The adjustable seat width and extension pieces for larger babies ensure that your child will always be well-aligned and seated in a healthy ‘M’ position as they grow.

Unlike the Ergobaby Omni 360, there’s no built-in lumbar support on the Boba X, so whilst the padded straps can be crossed for additional comfort, it may be better suited to short-term trips than all-day rural or urban adventures, particularly with heavier babies.

Our testers loved the built-in loops for toys or teethers and the integrated storage for stashing your keys and phone, but it’s not as easy to clean as some carriers - with spot-clean-only fabric that could become stained over time.

Read next: The best toddler car seats

If you want the support of a structured baby carrier but are worried about the thicker cotton or mesh fabrics feeling warm or uncomfortable against your newborn’s delicate skin, the Ergobaby Embrace could be the perfect solution. Made from a soft jersey knit fabric in a small and compact design, it’s a convenient choice for taking on family adventures, keeping your hands free to care for older children or simply multi-task on your travels.

Providing the ideal combination of a structured carrier with the closeness of a baby wrap or sling, the Ergobaby Embrace is designed specifically for the fourth trimester but is suitable from birth until around 12 months of age. The gently padded straps on the Ergobaby Embrace can be crossed across the back to help distribute weight evenly across your shoulders, while the strap around the waist offers additional support and can be adjusted to suit various body sizes.

While it’s perhaps a costly choice for the relatively short period of use and less adjustable than the Ergobaby Omni 360, it’s far more portable, with the option to stash in a changing bag or pushchair basket when not in use.

Reviewers say it’s easy to get on and secure with easy-to-fasten clips, before moving your baby into the hip-healthy and ergonomic ‘M’ seating position. It’s also been certified as ‘back-friendly’ by experts at the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs), allowing newborns to stay close and well supported, with a reassuring snug hold against your chest so that they can hear your heartbeat.

Read next: The best breast pumps, tried and tested

Tested by mum of one, Holly: Read our Björn Baby Carrier Harmony review

If you want a carrier that prioritises comfort, the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Harmony is a solid pick for everyday babywearing.

Parent tester Holly used it for four weeks with her five-month-old and found the weight distribution made a real difference once her baby started feeling heavier. She’d noticed the strain in other carriers, but felt this one did a much better job of spreading the load, staying comfortable even on longer walks.

The Harmony feels supportive, secure and breathable once it’s on, with a wide waist belt and padded straps helping to take the pressure off your shoulders. Holly also rated this carrier for the comfort it provided for her baby. She says, “[My baby's] body always feels relaxed in [this carrier] even when he is not sleeping, which is a noticeable difference to how it felt in our previous carrier that wasn’t as ergonomic.”

Where it loses a few marks is ease of adjusting. There are plenty of adjustment points, but they’re not always quick or intuitive – especially if you’re swapping between wearers.

It’s also a premium-priced carrier, so it makes most sense if you’ll use it regularly rather than as an occasional back-up. If you’re on the fence, it’s worth weighing up whether the extra comfort and support will genuinely get used enough to justify the spend - and if you’re choosing a light colour, accept now that it won’t stay pristine for long.

With lightweight, yet durable fabrics and mesh lining for breathability, the Joie Savvy Air 4-in-1 baby carrier is a popular multi-position carrier suitable from birth until approximately three years of age (or around 15kg). Offering complete flexibility to suit your lifestyle, it has a choice of four different carrying positions that you can switch between depending on your baby’s age and size.

As a newborn, your baby can be positioned inward facing, sitting in a curved foetal position on your chest, with an optional head support that can be raised to protect their neck should they nod off during your travels.

Certified ‘hip healthy’ by The International Hip Dysplasia Institute, the wide and supportive ergonomic seating position can be lowered as your baby grows, ensuring your baby’s spine maintains a natural curve and good hip alignment, with your baby’s legs in a healthy ‘M’ position.

By around six months of age, your curious baby will love switching to forward-facing, allowing them to interact, engage and gain full visibility of their surroundings. From nine months and above, you can also switch to back carry mode, providing extra stability for longer walks and hikes.

With padded shoulder straps and a waist strap that offers good lumbar support for parents, this carrier can also be put on quickly and easily without assistance. Although some of the straps may require some wriggling to reach, the Joie Savvy Air has impressive magnetic clips which are far easier to operate than traditional clips or buckles as seen on the likes of the Ergobaby Omni 360.

Although some parents may prefer the super soft fabric of a wrap or sling, we love the lightweight and breathable fabric of the Joie Savvy Air, which ensures good airflow when the temperatures rise. The built-in sunshade (also called the privacy shield) is also a real blessing on hot summer days, protecting your little one's head from those harmful UV rays.

Read next: The best baby bouncers for newborns

Tested by a dad of two: Read our full Phil & Teds Parade review

As your baby grows, switching to a back carrier can be a great way to maintain your freedom, travel hands-free and achieve good weight distribution when carrying a heavier child. Unlike front-facing carriers, baby backpack carriers are well suited to longer carrying durations, making a great alternative to a pushchair or stroller in crowded city streets and rural off-road surroundings.

With excellent Mumsnet reviews and recently rated Mumsnet’s top pick for the best baby carrier backpack, the Phil & Teds Parade is a popular choice with parents thanks to its compact, lightweight design. It weighs just 2kg and folds down flat for simple storage. Unlike some of the more bulky hiking carriers like the Thule Sapling, it comes with a relatively affordable price tag too.

Suitable for babies aged six months and above, the Phil & Teds Parade has a robust internal aluminium frame that allows a secure and comfortable back hold. With a safe and secure four-point safety harness and ergonomic seat design, your baby will be content and comfortable as they experience the world from your eye level.

With adjustable harness height, padded shoulders and a secure, comfortable hip belt, this carrier can be adjusted to suit parent preferences, with a ventilated back panel to ensure you don’t overheat even on warmer days.

We love the handy support anchor which provides a sturdy base, allowing you to pop the carrier down on the floor during comfort breaks without toppling. There’s a wide range of storage too, with the 12.5-litre internal capacity offering plenty of space for drinks and snacks. The smaller detachable backpack is sure to appeal to toddlers, with plenty of room to stash the pinecones they pick up during their travels.

It’s worth noting that there’s no in-built weather protection on the Parade, so for warmer days you may also want to purchase the Phil & Teds sunshade, which is sold as an optional extra. If you’re planning to take your baby on lots of outdoor adventures, particularly during the summer months, you may need to factor this into the overall price.

Related: The best travel cots, as recommended by Mumsnetters

Tested by two mums: Read our full Tula Explore review

If you’re looking for a supportive baby carrier that can be shared between parents, the Tula Explore is a good solution, with a generously sized waistband that can easily be adjusted to accommodate both petite and plus-sized parents.

A popular choice with sling libraries and babywearing experts, the stylish Tula Explore Baby Carrier is also a great choice for those who like to stand out from the crowd. Unlike the more traditional muted greys, blacks and blues, Tula Explore comes with a choice of bold and patterned prints including florals, leopard skin and polka dot.

Suitable from birth (3.2kg) up to 20.4kg (around four years old), the Tula Explore has three carrying positions: front inward-facing (used for newborns), front outward-facing and back carrying.

Certified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, it ensures a natural, ergonomic position for your baby with healthy hip and spine alignment. It also adjusts to your child as they grow, with different seat settings, padded leg openings and an adjustable neck pillow that can offer extra height support as and when required.

Tula Explore is made from 100% thick cotton that is super soft against your baby’s skin and breathable with excellent airflow - a real plus for active parents. With a well-padded waistband and cushioned straps, it offers excellent weight distribution, allowing you to wear it for longer without experiencing any aches or discomfort.

Like most carriers, perfecting the installation of the buckles and back connector on the Tula Explore becomes much easier over time, with the clips and adjustment settings that can be a little overwhelming at first.

If you’re often breastfeeding on the go, a standout feature of the Tula Explore is that it’s one of the only baby carriers that allows you to feed discreetly thanks to the large Explore Hood that comes with the carrier. (Replacement hoods are also available to buy separately). To use the hood, simply thread it through the straps on either side of the carrier and secure in place with the clip-on buttons.

The lightweight, stretchy fabric is large enough to cover your baby’s head, whilst still offering plenty of breathing room on either side. It’s also great for shielding your little one from the sun. Once you’re ready to feed, just lower the waistband and loosen the arm straps - no need to unbuckle. While it might take a little practice, it’s a great option for mums who need to feed on the go.

Despite having a higher price tag than the Ergobaby Omni 360, the Tula Explore doesn’t come with a hip carry option. But for many, the super soft fabric and varied design choices make it worth the additional cost.

Tested by toddler mum, Catherine: Read our full LittleLife Pathseeker review  

The LittleLife Pathseeker child carrier is a durable and well-crafted baby carrier backpack, built with a sturdy aluminium frame and easy-to-clean polyester fabric. Its rugged construction makes it ideal for outdoor adventures while offering plenty of practical features for parents on the go.

Parent-tester Catherine appreciated the carrier’s spacious design, noting that the stretch mesh pockets and roomy base compartment easily held essentials like keys, a phone, and even a small purse. “It’s so handy - you don’t need to carry anything extra on walks,” she shared.

The Pathseeker’s adjustable hip belt, shoulder straps and seat-height adjustment ensure a secure fit for parents of various heights. The child’s seat can also be adjusted, helping little ones sit comfortably while enjoying the surrounding views.

Unlike other carriers, slings, or wraps on our list that offer multiple wearing positions, the Pathseeker is designed exclusively as a backpack-style carrier, sitting high on the back for better weight distribution. Catherine mentioned that her daughter initially needed time to adjust but eventually felt safe and secure in the carrier. “Once she got used to it, she seemed really comfortable and happy,” she said.

Thoughtful extras like a soft face pad, sunshade, foot stirrups, and a rear-view mirror add convenience and comfort. However, Catherine did note that carrying a heavier toddler required frequent breaks. She also found balancing a challenge when lifting her daughter into the carrier alone: “I needed someone to help me stand up sometimes, but this might be easier for those more experienced or with lighter children.”

Overall, the Pathseeker is a good choice for parents eager to leave the stroller at home and head out on longer walks or hikes. If you prefer using a sturdy baby carrier backpack like this one over a soft-structured carrier, sling or wrap, you’ll find plenty more options in our best baby carrier backpack buyer’s guide.

Tested by new mum, Catrin: Read our full Nuna CUDL Clik baby carrier review  

The Nuna CUDL Clik baby carrier features a sturdy, adjustable waistband that provides excellent back support, making it an ideal choice for parents with lower back pain or those seeking extra support around the waist and hips. Magnetic buckles are both secure and simple to attach and detach, and the integrated breeze cover hood offers practical protection from sun and rain.

After a month of testing with her four-week-old son and six-month-old niece, parent-tester and new mum Catrin found the Nuna CUDL Clik carrier to be comfortable, easy to use, and of excellent quality.

The carrier offers four ergonomic carrying positions - newborn mode (with a built-in infant booster), facing in, facing out, and back carry, making it highly versatile as babies grow. It’s also available in a variety of colours, from classic plain black to more vibrant, patterned designs. Thanks to a collaboration between Nuna and Liberty, the Fantasy Land Collection, exclusive to John Lewis, offers a stylish option for parents seeking something unique.

Catrin particularly appreciated how easy it was to get her son in and out of the carrier, stating, “The waistband offers good back support and is easy to adjust. I also like the magnetic buckles, which are secure and easy to attach and detach.”

While the carrier comes with clear instructions for securing your baby and even for transitioning to back carry, Catrin found it easier said than done, especially when she was on her own. Adjusting the back straps independently was also tricky without assistance. However, once adjusted, the fit remained consistent for future use.

Although the CUDL Clik is on the pricier side, it justifies the cost with its high-quality breathable fabric, easy-to-clean design, and overall comfort and support. For parents looking for long-term value and thoughtful features, this carrier is a standout choice.

Tested by mum Tamsin: Read our full Carifit Core baby carrier review

The Carifit Core builds on the success of the Carifit+ baby carrier, refining what parents already loved about the original. Designed with active parents in mind, it offers a flexible, supportive fit that feels more like activewear than traditional baby gear. Lightweight and breathable, it’s great for everyday use, from school runs and shopping trips to gentle exercise or walks without feeling bulky or restrictive.

One of the biggest improvements is the new self-locating buckles, which make fastening quicker and more intuitive, even when you’re on your own. The adaptive fit has also been upgraded, offering better neck support and more even weight distribution across your back and shoulders. Parent tester Tamsin tried the Carifit Core with her eight-month-old son, who weighs just over 9kg, and was impressed by how comfortable it felt:

“I’m extremely pleased with this carrier for its comfort and secureness. My son likes to face forward now that he’s a bit older. I’ve tried three different carriers from other brands, but this is by far the best in terms of comfort for both of us. I don’t get a backache and my son loves being in the carrier. The ease of putting it on doesn’t compromise on safety either.”

The Fly knit four-way stretch fabric moves with you, offering both breathability and structure. The fixed back panel helps support your posture, while the waistband takes pressure off your shoulders, key for longer walks or busy days out. The Carifit Core still features handy extras, like the small integrated waistband pocket for keys or cards.

As with all Carifit carriers, the Core has been designed in line with T.I.C.K.S. babywearing safety guidelines, ensuring your baby stays secure and well-supported in both inward- and outward-facing positions (up to 20kg).

You also get six months of free access to the Carifit app, which offers on-demand workouts, postnatal recovery plans, and expert-led advice from physios, fitness coaches and parenting specialists. After the trial, access costs £19/month or £119/year.

After two weeks of testing, Tamsin scored the Carifit Core 95 out of 100 for its comfort, design and practicality particularly praising how easy it was to put on and how supported her back felt. What’s great about the Carifit Core is how it mixes the soft, stretchy feel of a wrap with the sturdiness of a proper carrier.

Honestly, there’s not much to fault, but it’s worth noting that the Carifit Core sits at the more premium end of the price scale, it’s usually over £150, so it’s an investment piece rather than a budget buy. Also, the first few times you use it, getting the supportive back panel over your head can feel a bit awkward. The opening is quite snug, so it takes a little practice to master the movement smoothly. Once you’ve got the hang of it though, it becomes second nature.