We’ve tried to include answers your most persistent questions about our buckle carriers in the charts below. We also welcome your feedback on how to improve! To let us know, please contact us!
Buckle Carriers for Babies up to 2 years of age
This is a two part chart series, comparing our buckle carriers for babies and younger toddlers. If you child is already wearing 2T pants AND is taller than 32″ AND is older than 18 months, check out our Toddler Carrier Comparison Chart.
Part 1 is an overview of the carriers (pros and cons, newborn use, pricing). Part 2 provides more detail, such as exact lengths and measurements.
Download the PDF for Part 1- general overview: 
Download the PDF for Part 2 – measurements and features:
Beco Gemini vs.Beco8.vs.Boba 4G vs Ergobaby Adapt vs.Ergobaby Standard vs.Ergobaby 360 vs.Lillebaby Complete vs.Lillebaby Essentials vs.Pikkolo vs.Tula Standard
To compare the different types of ERGO Baby Carriers, click here.
| Buckle Carrier Comparison Chart | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
| Ease of Use/Learning Curve | Front Carries: Easy Back carries: Moderate | Moderate for both front and back | Front Carries: Easy Back carries: Moderate | Ease of Use/Learning Curve | Front Carries: Easy Back carries: Moderate | Front Carries: Easy Back carries: Moderate | Front Carries: Easy Back carries: Moderate |
| Long Carries | Great | Great | Great | Long Carries | Great | Great | Great |
| Easy On/Off | Great | Great | Great | Easy On/Off | Great | Great | Great |
| Nursing | Ok | Good | Good | Nursing | Ok | Ok | Great |
| Back Carry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Back Carry | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| High Back Carry | No | Yes | No | High Back Carry | No | No | No |
| Hip Carry | Yes | Best | Yes | Hip Carry | Yes | No | No |
| Forward-Facing | No | Yes | Yes | Forward-Facing | No | No | No |
| Newborn Use | Yes but requires separate infant insert | Yes | Yes | Newborn Use | Yes but requires separate infant insert | Yes | Standard Tula requires separate infant insert. Toddler Tula cannot be used with newborn. |
| Toddler Use | Yes | Yes | Yes | Toddler Use | Best | Best | Best |
| Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
| Hot Weather Use | Standard/ Organic: Ok Performance: Best | Good | Ok (padded body makes it warmer than some other carriers) | Hot Weather Use | Good | Best | Good |
| Good for Short and Petite Sizes? | Usually not, especially if you are narrow-shouldered. | Best | Good, although some find the body too long for comfortable back carriers. Some very small people find the waistbelt too big. | Good for Short and Petite Sizes? | Good, although some find the waistbelt too big. | Good. | Okay. Some petite wearers rave about the Tula, others find that the inability to cross straps means it doesn’t fit as well. Some also find the body too long. |
| Good for Tall and Plus-Sizes? | Somewhat. | Yes | Somewhat, but if you are both tall and plus-sized, another carrier will be a better choice | Good for Tall and Plus-Sizes? | Yes | Yes | Yes. The extra strap length in this carrier means it definitely fits taller and plus sizes. Straps adjust at the shoulders and under the arms for a better fit. |
| Sleeping Hood | Hood shaped to hold baby’s head, attached (except on Sport), several levels of height adjustment. | Hood-shaped to hold child’s head, attached | Attached headrest instead of sleeping hood. Snaps down to front of carrier when not in use. | Sleeping Hood | Shaped to hold baby’s head, detachable (snaps) | Hood-shaped to hold baby’s head, detachable (snaps), adjustable. | Hood-shaped to hold baby’s head, detachable (snaps). |
| Can the shoulder straps be crossed? | No | Yes | Yes | Can the shoulder straps be crossed? | Yes | No | No |
| Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
Body Width (measured at base) | 14″ | Adjusts from 8″ to 13″ | 7″ at narrow setting, 13″ at wide setting | Body Width (measured at base) | 16″ | 14.5 | Standard: 14.6″Toddler: 18.9″ |
| Body Height (from top of waistband) | 13 | 15″, 17″ with support belt | 15″, 18.5″ with headrest up | Body Height (from top of waistband) | 17″ | 16.5″ | Standard: 15.4″, Toddler: 17.7″ |
| Shoulder Strap Length | 23″-45″ | Shoulder Strap Length | 23″-42″ | ||||
| Waistbelt length | 26″-55″29″-55″ for Performance32-55″ for Sport | 16″-54″ | 28″-57″ | Waistbelt length | 28″-60″ | 25″-58″ | 27″-59″ |
| Ideal Weight Capacity | 45 lbs | 20 lbs (without support belt), 45 lbs with belt | 35 lbs | Ideal Weight Capacity | 45 lbs | 45 lbs | 45 lbs for the Tula Standard No max specified for the Toddler Size! |
| Weight of Carrier | 1.52 lbs for standard, 1.21 for Performance/ Sport | 1.5 lbs | Weight of Carrier | 1.5 lbs | 1.7 lbs | ||
| Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
| Choose this carrier if: | You want a rugged and comfortable carrier that works well for both parents. You do a lot of hiking or day trips. The extra padding on the ERGO makes it very comfortable for long carries. Your child is already 6 months or older. .You want a carrier with pockets. You are not petite or very narrow-shouldered. Your child hates to have his arms restrained.
| You want one carrier to do it all: from birth to toddlerhood, in a variety of carries. You want the flexibility of a mei tai with the convenience of buckles. You want a carrier that is customizable to your child. You have small baby who wants to be able to see everything. You want your child to be able to face forward. You want to be able to cross the shoulder straps for front carries. You are petite or narrow-shouldered and find that other carriers are too big and bulky for you. | You want one carrier to do it all, in a variety of carries. You want a sleek, trim carrier. You want a carrier that is versatile and customizable to your child: shorter and with a narrower base for little ones, wider and tall as they grow. You want to be able to cross the shoulder straps for front carries. You want your child to be able to face forward. | Choose this carrier if: | You want a carrier that can work for newborns (with insert) but is extra supportive and comfortable as baby grows. You want to be able to cross the shoulder straps for front carries. You want a carrier with built-in storage (pocket, key ring and toy ring)You are petite or narrow-shouldered and find that other carriers are too big and bulky for you. | You want a carrier that is customizable and can be used from newborn through toddlerhood. You want a carrier with a high back to support tall babies and toddlers and even preschoolers.You want a carrier with built-in storage (pockets)You love the concept of footrests with your carrier. Your shoulder bag always falls off when you use a baby carrier – the Boba has a strap to keep your bag in place! | You want a carrier in cute, modern fabrics that are super comfortable. You want a carrier that offers a great seat for both younger babies and older ones.You want a carrier for an older toddler or child. You want a carrier for a big kid (Tula Toddler)You want some storage on the carrier.You want to share the carrier with people of very different sizes.You do a lot of hiking or day trips -this carrier is very comfortable! You want to be able to adjust the room in the top of the carrier, to bring baby in closer, or let them lean back.
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| Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
| Features you will love: | Easy to use. Attached chest strap provides extra support for back carries and never gets lost. Pocket on carrier body can fit a diaper and wipes, plus your wallet and keys. | Customizable for different sizes/ages children and wearers. Can be made shorter or longer, narrower or wider.The only true buckle carrier that can do a high back carry.Versatile.Optional support belt adds extra support for carrying heavier children.Dual Adjustable Straps. | Customizable for different size/age children and wearers. Can be made shorter or longer, narrower or wider.Pocket on the waistband.Very versatile – lots of wearing positions.Slim-fitting design looks great.Dual Adjustable Straps. | Features you will love: | Easy to use. Wide and tall base is very supportive for older babies.Dual Adjustable Straps.Toy ring, key ring and pocket on waistband add extra storage options.Padded headrest and padded leg openings for baby’s comfort and support. | Long carrier body provides great back support as baby gets older.Innovative footstraps support toddlers feet and legs.Dual Adjustable Straps. | Adjustability in the shoulder straps (both on top and under the arm) mean you have lots of room in the top of the carrier, allowing some wiggle room for your baby, while still holding them close!Pocket on the waistband.Beautiful stitching and quality, cute modern fabrics.The Toddler Tula is one of the biggest carriers on the market – perfect for preschool children and even older kids with special needs!Flexible waistband is very comfortable and not as stiff as some other carriers.Tula makes “Room to Grow” extenders to convert the Standard to a Toddler size! |
| Ergo Carrier | Pikkolo Carrier | Beco Gemini | Beco Soleil | Boba Carrier | Tula Carrier | ||
| Possible Downsides | Not ideal for newborns due to need to use infant insert, which is bulky and can feel awkward.The short body isn’t as supportive for kids who are “leaners.”Some wearers find the padding in straps and body overly bulky.Hip carry is less comfortable.No forward facing carry. | The variety of options can be intimidating at first.Slightly greater learning curve compared to ERGO and Beco.No pocket or accessories. | No pocket or storage options.Slightly greater learning curve, due to versatility.Some petite people find the Gemini uncomfortable for back carries.Most people need two hands to unsnap the safety buckles. | Possible Downsides | No forward-facing carry.Infant insert needed for use with newborns up to about 15 lbs. | Some people like a more structured body.Fewer patterns.Pockets are small and there few accessories.No hip carry or forward-facing carry. | Straps cannot be crossed in back.Nor forward facing carry.If your child is a “leaner,” you may not love how much room this carrier has for child to wiggle around. |
4 Responses
Thanks for the comparison table. Very useful. We went for the beco gemini because it could be used in multiple positions, its stylish, and it will last for a few years.
Glad you found it useful, Jez!
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