Best Baby Carriers of 2024
There are A LOT of baby carrier options out there, and holy cow, do some of them seem complicated (they’re not—we promise!). If you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed by your baby-wearing choices, we’re here to help and offer some guidance on the best baby carriers of 2024.
Albee Baby’s Baby Carrier Picks
Our baby carrier picks are the perfect balance of tried-and-true parent favorites and innovative standouts we love.
Best Soft Structured Carrier for Newborns
BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Mini in 3D Jersey
The Albee’s rundown:
- Designed with newborns in mind
- Quick and intuitive
- Lightweight and not bulky
There are universal newborn parenting truths: no one is getting enough sleep, and any opportunity to make something easier and less complicated is taken (hang in there—it does get better!). The BabyBjorn Mini is an unfussy and intuitive carrier designed with newborns in mind, and easy for sleep deprived parents to use and adjust.
All the fastening and fit adjustments are on the front of the carrier body, so you can feel confident getting your “floppy” newborn in the proper carrying position. It also has a removable panel, so transferring a sleeping baby into a crib or bassinet is a breeze. The Mini is soft—it feels like wearing a tee shirt—and lightweight enough to fold and store in your diaper bag.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Mini will have a shorter lifespan, especially if you have a chunky baby (the BabyBjorn Carrier One offers more carrying positions and can be used through toddlerhood).
Noteworthy specs:
- 2 carry positions, forward-facing in and forward-facing out
- 7-25 lbs.
- Cotton/poly blend
Best All Seasons Baby Carrier
The Albee’s rundown:
- Easy to use magnetic buckles
- Integrated infant booster
- Breathable mesh fabric
The CUDL has all the awesome hallmarks you’d expect of any Nuna product: it’s modern looking, full of smart design details, and has plenty of bells and whistles (a sun hood and 2 organic drool bibs are included with your purchase). It features a wide Velcro waistband—no plastic buckle digging into your side—and padded shoulder straps that evenly distribute weight, giving your back a break during longer wears.
Use its integrated booster with your newborn—it essentially replaces a separate infant insert—and as your baby grows, face her out or wear her on your back so she can explore the world. The CUDL’s breathable mesh fabric will keep you and baby cool(ish), even during hot summer months.
The CUDL is also super convenient to wear: buckle the shoulder straps before putting your baby in, and slide it over your head like a tee shirt. This minimizes the amount of awkward adjusting you’ll have to do once you’re wearing your little one. Self-guiding magnetic buckles mean you can feel confident that your baby is totally secure, even if you’re a baby-wearing noob.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 carry positions, newborn, forward-facing in, forward-facing out, and back
- 8-35 lbs.
- Oeko-Tec 100 certified cotton
Best Stretchy Wrap
The Albee’s rundown:
- Cool and lightweight
- Ideal for the fourth trimester
- Simplifies Kangaroo care
The Solly Baby Wrap is an incredibly versatile carrier that’s a single piece of buttery soft fabric that’s easy for caregivers of varying sizes to share. It’s a lifesaver in the newborn phase—hands free everything ftw—and helps facilitate Kangaroo care (especially good for preemies!). And if you plan to wear your baby frequently or have back issues, there’s nothing more comfortable and supportive than a stretchy wrap.
The Solly, like all wraps, will take a little practice to get the hang of (they have awesome video tutorials on their Instagram). Because wraps do cover your body in multiple layers of fabric, they are comparatively warm compared to other carrier types. So if you live somewhere warm, or have a summer due date, keep that in mind.
Noteworthy specs:
- Forward-facing in
- 8-25 lbs.
- 100% TENCEL modal
Easiest to Use Baby Wrap
The Albee’s rundown:
- Sized for the babywearer
- Easy to get on and off
- Simplified ‘wrap’
We love a stretchy wrap in the newborn stage, but if you’d like all the benefits of a wrap without the learning curve, the Baby K’Tan is the answer. Made from cozy and breathable 100% cotton, the K’tan has a unique “double loop” design that you simply slide over your head like a tee shirt, and you’re good to go—zero actual wrapping involved. The fabric loops spread across your shoulders, evenly distributing your baby’s weight, and there’s no extra fabric to worry with like a traditional wrap.
The Baby K’tan is available in 6 sizes, spanning from 00-24, so finding the right fit for your frame is easy. That does mean, however, that you won’t be able to share the carrier with anyone who isn’t your size.
Noteworthy specs:
- 8-35 lbs., but best suited to babies 20 lbs. and under
- 100% cotton
- Extra-Extra Small: Women’s up to 0, Men’s n/a
- Extra Small: Women’s 2-4, Men’s up to 36
- Small: Women’s 6-8, Men’s 37-38
- Medium: Women’s 10-14, Men’s 39-42
- Large: Women’s 16-20, Men’s 43-46
- Extra Large: Women’s 22-24, Men’s 47-52
Best All Around Soft Structured Carrier
Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier
The Albee’s rundown:
- Every carry position
- Mesh fabric for maximum airflow
- Padded lumbar support
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze is a longtime Albee parent fave, and is jam packed with tons of features that make baby-wearing a breeze (zing!). Designed with a lightweight mesh, the Omni Breeze provides easy airflow so you and your baby stay cool and comfy—even the waist belt and lumbar support have foam cutouts to improve breathability.
The Omni Breeze is an all-position carrier, and can be used from newborn stage (without an additional infant insert) through toddlerhood. One-handed adjustments make transitioning your baby from one carry position to the next quick and convenient, and the included hood affords nursing privacy, if desired.
Hate schlepping a diaper bag or tote with all the baby (and parent) necessities? The waistband has 2 side pockets for smaller items, and a detachable pouch that’s roomy enough to tote your keys and phone.
Noteworthy specs:
- 4 carry positions, forward-facing in, forward-facing out, hip, and back
- 7-45 lbs.
- 100% polyester
Best Soft Structured Carrier for Toddlers
Baby Tula Free-to-Grow Carrier
The Albee’s rundown:
- Size inclusive
- Comfortable wearing from birth through toddlerhood
- Versatile and easy adjusting
Tula’s Tula Free-to-Grow carrier has a no-bulk streamlined design, and features a moldable cotton body that holds your little one snugly and securely, from birth through toddlerhood (and beyond). The innovative body panel adjusts in width and height, and allows for quick repositioning to accommodate breastfeeding. The shoulder pads are extra cushioned, and the wide padded waist belt provides ergonomic support (and has a storage pocket).
The Free-to-Grow is our top pick for plus size wearers: The shoulder straps extend to 50” and the waistband extends to 57”. Multiple points of adjustment provide a comfy fit for all body types, as well.
Noteworthy specs:
- 2 carry positions, forward-facing in and back carry
- 7-45 lbs.
- 100% cotton
Best Frame Carrier
The Albee’s rundown:
- Comfortable carry for wearer and child
- Ventilated to regulate temperature
- Ample built-in storage
When shopping for any carrier intended for hiking and extended outdoor adventures, comfort and fit are the name of the game. The Thule Sapling has an ErgoRide child seat that provides extra bottom and leg support for your little rider, and a ventilated back panel to keep everyone cool. There’s also dual access points for your child—you can load them into the cockpit from either the side or the top.
A fully adjustable torso and hip belt provide a custom and comfy fit for the wearer, and makes transitioning the carrier between caregivers quick and convenient. There’s ample storage for knick-knacks, and a handy “stomp pad” that allows you to remove your kiddo without pulling the carrier along with her.
If you’ve got a bigger than typical kid, or are purchasing the Sapling for an older child, it’s worth mentioning that the child seat is on the petite side, and may mean you outgrow the carrier sooner than expected.
Noteworthy specs:
- Carrier weight 7 lbs.
- 16-40 lbs.
- PFC-free fabrics and recycled polyester
Best Hybrid Newborn Carrier
The Albee’s rundown:
- Combines the benefits of a wrap and structured carrier
- Soft and breathable
- Ergonomic shoulder straps
The Ergobaby Embrace combines the coziness of a stretchy wrap with the simplicity and portability of a soft structured wrap. There’s no complicated wrapping or tying involved, so it’s easy to buckle on and provides ergonomic support in all the right places for you and your baby.
The soft mesh fabric creates a design that’s breathable and cool, and the spreadable cross-shoulder straps are super comfortable for caregivers. And if you’re headed out of the house, it rolls up tightly for storage in a diaper bag or tote.
Noteworthy specs:
- 3 carry positions, newborn, forward-facing in and forward-facing out
- 7-25 lbs.
- Oeko-Tec 100 certified ponte knit (Ponte is a thick, double knit fabric design produced on double jersey [Rib or Interlock] knitting machines. This fabric is heavier and thicker than a regular jersey.).
Best Carrier for Piggybacks
The Albee’s rundown:
- Gives your child a perfect view of the world from the safety of your shoulders, hands-free
- Ergonomic design, suitable and comfortable from 6 months – 4 years old (or up to 40 lbs)
- Ultra-light at 3.5lbs, and easy-to-use compact folding mechanism folds flat for easy storage
The innovative MiniMeis G4 child shoulder carrier is a great alternative to large hiking kid carriers, beach baby carriers, and baby slings. It’s never been easier to go on adventures with your kids.
MiniMeis G4 comprises a seat with a backrest and a system of straps to attach the child securely to the parent. Unlike front or back carriers, it distributes the child’s weight squarely over a parent’s center of balance and kids as old as 5 can ride with an unobstructed view.
Noteworthy specs:
- Back shoulder carry position with waist belt, leg straps, supportive backrest & extendable padded seat – suitable from 6 months up to 40 lbs
- High quality construction: durable fabric, frame & components built to last a lifetime
- Certified for child safety: USA ASTM F2549-14a, EU EN 13209-1:2022
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].