Best-Rated Baby Carriers

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Ergobaby hugs onto first place in baby carrier ratings for 8^th year in a row

Being a parent – especially of newborns – usually means little sleep and tired bodies, so mums and dads naturally appreciate any extra help they can get. A baby carrier is certainly one way to keep your hands free while keeping a close eye (and tie) between you and your little one. Canstar Blue’s guide to baby carriers makes it easier to find a snug fit for your family.

How we rate baby carrier brands

Research from Canstar Blue’s baby carrier ratings highlights some interesting purchase habits from Aussie consumers. One in ten parents we surveyed (10%) are happy to take home the cheapest carrier, which compared to the 25% who went off a recommendation, and the 31% who vetted with online reviews, shows that parents are more likely to pay for a carrier they really want.

Finally, with a number of parents owning more than one carrier (20%), it seems the baby carrier market can be a tricky one to navigate, and does not guarantee you a winner the first time around. To take the weight off your shoulders, Canstar Blue has compared the top baby carrier brands, so you can be safe in the knowledge your bub is snoozing with the best.

Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.

Top Baby Carrier Brand – Ergobaby

Ergobaby offers a huge range of baby carriers, with most being front carrier-centric. There are several lines available, including Aerloom, Embrace, Omni, and Cool Air Mesh, just to name a few. Prices start from $99 for the Aura Wrap and reach up to $399 for the Aerloom Baby Carrier, available in natural colours named ‘seagrass’, ‘sea cliff’, and ‘ocean blue’.

The Ergobaby Aerloom is described as the brand’s limited-edition lifestyle range and is designed to suit all seating positions. They’re stated to be ultra-lightweight with built-in airflow and constructed from FormaKnit fabric and post-consumer recycled polyester.

Products are stated to suit babies weighing anywhere between 3.2-20kg, which accommodate babies and small toddlers (up to 36-months old). For a mid-price baby carrier range, most items from the Embrace collection sell for about $179. They’re said to contain easy buckling to avoid wrapping or excessive fabric, and are compact enough to roll up and put in some nappy bags.

• Ergobaby wrapped up the ratings with five stars in every category, including comfort and support, flexibility, durability and quality, ease of use, design and style, value for money, and overall satisfaction.

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Disney+ has arrived in Australia with all your favourite shows and movies. There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time. This table includes links to a referral partner.

Brand	Subscription Type	No. of Screens/same time viewing	Advertised Cost^^/month or year
	Disney+ Monthly Subscription Stream the Disney+ library, including Disney+ Originals, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic & Star Watch on 4 screens at the same time Add up to 7 profiles Unlimited downloads of shows and movies on up to 10 devices min. cost $13.99 over one month	4No. of Screens /same time viewing	$13.99 Advertised Cost/month	Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ *
	Disney+ Yearly Subscription Stream the Disney+ library, including Disney+ Originals, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, National Geographic & Star Watch on 4 screens at the same time Add up to 7 profiles Unlimited downloads of shows and movies on up to 10 devices Prepay for a yearly subscription and save on the monthly cost min. cost $139.99 over one year	4No. of Screens /same time viewing	$139.99 Advertised Cost/year	Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ *
			^^View important information

Things to consider when buying a baby carrier

Did you know Australians spend an average of $148 on a new baby carrier? A quarter of parents we surveyed (25%) find baby carriers more convenient to use than prams and strollers, but not all baby carriers are made equal. Fortunately, a large number of parents are doing their homework and checking online reviews before picking out the best baby carrier for them (31%).

There are a few concerns parents need to think about when it comes to wearing a carrier. A number of people we surveyed said they often get a sore back from using a baby carrier (21%), while 12% worry about their bub falling. It doesn’t help that a similar amount of survey respondents admitted to having previously tried a different baby carrier that didn’t work for them (23%). This all might suggest why the majority of Aussies (46%) prefer to have their baby sit at the front, rather than carry them on their back.

Other key findings from our 2022 survey include:

What type of baby carrier should you buy?

There are two main types – carriers (or ‘pouches’) and backpack carriers. Sling carriers are also popular and worthy of your consideration. One isn’t necessarily better than the other but it does come down to how old your child is and your personal preferences.

Carriers or pouches

Carriers/pouches are the most common type of carriers; best-suited for newborns and babies younger than 18 months. They are usually worn off the chest, with the baby facing inwards, but customisable carriers also now allow older children to face outwards.

• Benefits: Keep baby snug and close, facing inwards for more one-on-one time, allow parents to keep an eye on baby at all times.
• Drawbacks: Kids can get heavy fast and the chest position can cause back pain when your child starts growing. Older babies could also get more restless, and facing out may be a solution, when front-facing carriers can feel too snug.

Of the parents surveyed, 46% reported a preference for having their baby at the front instead of their back. One in four (21%) reported they often get a sore back from using a baby carrier – no doubt this starts setting in when the little munchkin starts growing up! When your baby starts growing, it may be time to consider a backpack carrier.

Backpack carriers

Backpack baby carriers sit against your back like a regular backpack, but are built with more structure, like a hiking pack. These sorts of baby carriers often feature rigid frames, but some front-facing carriers are also able to be customised to fit on the back. Those with rigid frames are best suited to older kids who aren’t exactly babies, but can’t walk long distances yet. If you’ve ever walked a popular hiking trail, there’s probably no doubt you’ve seen these backpack carriers in action.

• Benefits: Best-suited to older infants and toddlers, suitable for longer walks, let baby see out, the weight of baby is able to be distributed across shoulders and back, rather than chest.
• Drawbacks: Provide less ‘intimacy’ between parent and child, not so suitable for young babies and newborns, and the high position can be awkward at first.

To the 21% of those surveyed who reported back pain, a backpack carrier might be more suited than a pouch-type. It might also give some relief to parents worried about their baby falling out of the carrier – a pouch evidently lets you keep a better eye on your baby.

Sling carriers

Sling types are a variation of the two carriers listed above. Like sling bags, sling baby carriers are worn across the shoulder and the baby sits across your body. They can be made of stretchy supportive fabric, but can also be made with rigid materials as seen in backpack carriers.

• Benefits: Provide arguably the most ‘intimate’ feel for newborns and parents, are extremely cosseting, provide a ‘cot like’ feel for newborns.
• Drawbacks: Tend to not offer as much padding or support, leave one arm occupied, unsuitable for older babies or toddlers.

Sling carriers are generally the most basic styles of carrier designs, and most brands now tend to exclude this design from their product ranges. Still, if you have a newborn and want an intimate feeling, a sling carrier may still be the best bet.

Are baby carriers and baby slings bad for your back?

Carrying your baby can sometimes be the most convenient option when you’re out and about, but it can also be putting the most strain on your body, particularly if you have to carry your bundle of joy for long periods of time. It’s no surprise that back pain comes with the territory of being a parent, as carrying your child can alter your posture, changing how your body responds to the extra weight, and potentially putting pressure on places that shouldn’t feel pressure.

While your priority may be the comfort of your child, you shouldn’t overlook your own comfort when it comes to choosing a baby carrier or sling. In addition to being comfortable, it should help take the weight off your lower back and shoulders, allowing you to relax muscles and prevent them from straining. Some brands and models offer additional straps, belts and supports to make sure you’re not carrying all of the weight in your lower back, meaning looking at the weight distribution of each model available is a good place to start. Ultimately though, baby carriers and slings are made to help you safely carry the weight of your child, but your own posture and strength will determine whether or not they are the best option for you.

The bottom line on baby carriers

It’s important to take time in finding the right fit for you and your baby. As your baby grows, the heavier it will get and the more back support you may need. Most baby carriers are ‘one size fits most’, being easily adjustable for your bub and allowing for sharing between parents. Plus, if you want to make it a fashion statement, the wide array of designs and fabrics can also come into play. However, it would be wise to keep in mind the price as well as the ergonomics behind it.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.

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