Baby Carriers : Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentFor those in the market for nearly any kind of baby gear, the latest edition of "Baby Bargains" offers excellent research and analysis. The authors offer suggestions on which baby carriers are best and which ones to avoid. Front carriers, slings, hip carriers and backpack carriers are all discussed. While favorites are listed and features of many more brands discussed, they aren't necessarily ranked using a numerical or grading system. The authors also maintain a website where updates are posted, as well as a user forum where owners can rate their own baby carriers and other baby gear, and a blog with information on recalls and other news.

Our AssessmentAustralia's Choice magazine tests a dozen baby carriers by having parents of babies ranging in age from 3 to 6 months wear and rate each carrier for ease of use, comfort and security. In addition, a physiotherapist and a chiropractor provide ratings for comfort, safety and suitability. Only four of the 12 models tested are available in the U.S., but the detailed ratings and comparison make this review useful for consumers.

Our AssessmentAlisa Stoudt examines 15 baby carriers, including slings, soft carriers and backpacks, in this review. Entries are quite detailed and reasonably well balanced. Each review includes parent comments, along with discussion of features they like and dislike. There's no overall favorite, but the comments are helpful if the model you're considering is covered.

Our AssessmentDiapers.com is the official store of parenting website BabyCenter.com. As with other consumer review sites, parents are allowed to rank and review products, including baby carriers. BabyBjorn Original is a favorite among reviewers here, earning an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 280 consumer reviews. Moby Wrap is also well liked, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars on average, based on about 110 parent reviews. A few other brands are rated highly but only have a handful of reviews.

Our AssessmentViewpoints.com has become a good place to look for parent feedback on baby gear. Around 35 baby carriers are reviewed, and many have several dozen entries or more. Highly rated carriers with over 85 reviews include the Ergo Baby Carrier and the Moby Wrap. The BabyBjorn Original has accumulated the most reviews here, but has a slightly lower average rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on nearly 390 reviews. While the Ergo's reviews are mixed among all the Ergo Baby Carrier styles, the majority of reviewers appear to be referring to the original.

Our AssessmentThis site touts itself as a product research guide for parents. Three sling baby carriers are reviewed here: the Moby Wrap, the Monkey Bums Baby Sling and the Maya Wrap. The Maya Wrap edges out the other two with a perfect score. The author of the review says she has worn two Maya Wraps so much that they're now threadbare.

Our AssessmentThis retail site allows customers to review baby carriers. We rate it behind some other user review sites because products -- even popular ones -- get fewer reviews. Navigation is also a little more difficult, since you need to drill down to individual product pages to see the number of reviews on which a rating is based. Still, a visit might be worthwhile, because the site includes a comparison chart for front and back carriers detailing dimensions, weight capacity, adjustability, price and some features. A child carrier FAQ has some basic but useful information on the differences between carrier types and models, appropriate ages for carriers, benefits of carriers, general hints and suggestions.

Our AssessmentLilaGuide.com is part of the group of sites that includes TheKnot.com, TheBump.com and TheNest.com. Designed to be an online resource guide for parents, LilaGuide.com features a clean, modern look, but navigation is tedious. It's difficult to tell how many reviewers have contributed reports, which is important, as some products only get a handful of comments, while others garner lots of feedback. Diaper bags are lumped together with baby carriers in this category. Since some diaper bags are also referred to as backpacks, it can be difficult to determine whether the product you're looking at is a diaper bag or baby carrier. The Moby Wrap gets good comments from most, although one user notes that the extra fabric can be a little warm during the summer months. The BabyBjorn Original gets more than 330 reviews and maintains a high rating, while the Ergo Baby Carrier and the Peanut Shell also maintain an average 4 out of 5 stars based on over 105 and 50 reviews, respectively. The Adjustable Fleece Pouch by Kangaroo Korner also has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5, based on nearly 60 reviews.

Our AssessmentThe author of this blog reviews a variety of baby products, often in exchange for a free product from the manufacturer. Reviews are mostly positive, but negatives are also mentioned.

Our AssessmentWhile there aren't as many reviews as one might expect to find on a popular retail site like Target.com, a few of the more popular baby carriers have accumulated over 40 reviews. BabyBjorn has accumulated over 160 reviews and maintains an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars, although the BabyBjorn City reviews appear to be lumped together with the BabyBjorn Original reviews. The BabyBjorn Active and BabyBjorn Air Carrier, reviewed separately, have accumulated more than 60 and 50 reviews, respectively. The Moby Wrap is also heavily reviewed, with an average rating of 4.5 stars, based on nearly 100 reviews.