You’re viewing our 2022 ratings for Baby Carriers. We don’t currently plan to update this rating in the future.
Ergobaby was rated best for baby carriers for the EIGHTH year in a row, earning five-star reviews in ALL categories. These include comfort & support, flexibility, durability & quality, ease of use, design & style, value for money, and overall satisfaction.
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.
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.
Canstar Blue surveyed 420 Australians for their feedback on the baby carrier(s) they’ve purchased and used for their child/children in the last three years. Note: this includes baby slings and wraps.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their baby carrier(s) from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Ergobaby was a clear winner in our baby carrier ratings, scoring five stars across the board. This includes for categories like comfort and support, flexibility, durability and quality, ease of use, design and style, value for money, and overall satisfaction.
BabyBjörn proved itself a close second, scoring five stars for value for money, and four stars in every other category. Kmart finished up the ratings with four stars for value for money, and solid three stars everywhere else.
Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.
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.
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| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
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4 | $13.99 |
Get Deal |
|
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4 | $139.99 |
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^^View important information | |||
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:
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/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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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