BabyBjorn One Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
BabyBjorn One | |||||
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Awards | Best Traditional Carrier | Best Overall Baby Carrier | Easy to Use Wrap | Lifetime Carrier for Infants to Toddlers | Great Wrap on a Budget |
Price | $200 List $196.72 at Amazon | $90 List $59.20 at Amazon | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $179 List $175.00 at Amazon | $45 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | Comfortable and easy to attach with a cozy place for baby | Comfy sling to wear and sit in with an easy to use design | Budget-friendly wrap style that is easy to use and comfy enough | Comfy to wear and cozy for baby but it's spendy and harder to adjust | Economical and comfortable but you need to hold baby when you put it on |
Rating Categories | BabyBjorn One | Nalakai Ring Sling | Baby K'tan Original | Tula Free-to-Grow | Boba Wrap |
Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
Specs | BabyBjorn One | Nalakai Ring Sling | Baby K'tan Original | Tula Free-to-Grow | Boba Wrap |
Min/Max Weight | 8 - 33 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 7 - 45 lbs | 7 - 35 lbs |
Carry Positions | Facing In (0 - 36 mo./33 lbs) Facing Out (5 - 15 mo./26 lbs) Back Carry (12 - 36 mo./33 lbs) |
Facing In (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (8 - 35 lbs *BGL recommends Head/Neck/Torso Control) |
Kangaroo Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hug Position (8 - 35 lbs) Adventure Position (8 - 35 lbs) Explore Position (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Position (8 - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (7 - 45 lbs) Back Carry (Head/Neck/Torso Control - 45 lbs) |
Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) |
Weight | 2.26 lbs | 0.9 lbs | Sm: 0.89 Lg: 1.04 lbs |
1.25 lbs | 1.41 lbs |
Packable Size | Large | Small | Small | Medium | Small (5.5 yards in length) |
Fabric | Cotton, Polyester, PU Foam | 58% Bamboo 42% Linen |
100% Cotton | 100% Cotton | 95% Cotton 5% Spandex |
Hood | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Storage Options | None | Pocket on the tail | Pouch on the belt. | Velcro pouch on waist belt | Storage Pouch |
Other Features & Notable | Adjustable Seat Width, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class 1 |
None | Azo Dye-free | Adjustable Seat Width, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class 1 | None |
Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | Storage Sack |
Care Instructions | Machine wash warm, hang dry | Machine wash cold, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low |
Our Analysis and Test Results
BabyBjorn is a family-owned Swedish company created by Björn and Lillemor Jakobson. In 1961, BabyBjorn sold its first product, a baby bouncer. Shortly after, travel cribs, baby carriers, some parents favorite high chairs, and changing tables joined the lineup. The Original carrier launched in 1973, and BabyBjorn encouraged dads to participate in babywearing with advertising and gender-neutral colors that are good for both parents. More than 30 million babies have since been carried in BabyBjorn carriers.
Performance Comparison
Baby's Comfort
The One has various adjustment points to accommodate little ones of different sizes as they grow.
The fabric is soft enough with a slick mesh that we think most little ones will find comfortable. The head support is somewhat adjustable and higher than most of the competition.
The seat bottom is adjustable for width and height, so you don't need an infant insert to use the One for newborns. The seat width helps keep little legs at the right angle to avoid hip dysplasia-related concerns or for comfort for older babies.
Parent's Comfort
The One is hands down the most comfortable carrier in the group.
This carrier is highly adjustable to fit parents of different sizes well. It has padded shoulder pads and waistband, and soft straps. The waistband supports the baby's weight well, and the chest clip helps keep the shoulder straps in place wherever they feel most comfortable. The waistbelt doesn't get in the way as it does on other soft structured carriers, and the straps tighten by pulling forward, which is far easier than those that pull back. This carrier is definitely one you can wear for the long haul for all kinds of adventures.
Ease of Use
A couple of carriers in this review are easier to use than the One.
The One functions a lot like a backpack and is moderately intuitive right out of the box. You will need to read the manufacturer's instructions to properly set up the carrier based on your child's age and size. But, once set up, you won't need to make additional adjustments until they grow. We appreciate that you can attach the One completely before you put the baby inside, which makes it much easier to accomplish, especially if you have no help. This includes the back carry, where you sort of swivel your baby and carrier around to your back. The One has special safety buckles that may take some practice, but once you figure it out, they feel like second nature and work well. We think most parents will find the convenience and ease of adjustment on this carrier a step above the other soft structured options we tested.
Ease of Cleaning
The One is somewhat challenging to keep clean due to the length of downtime involved in the process.
The One is machine washable in warm water, but you must hang it to dry. Drying a carrier with this much padding, thick fabric, and structure can take a few days or longer to fully dry, depending on where you hang it and the ambient climate. This means significant downtime where you will have no carrier, and we worry parents will avoid cleaning the carrier as often as they should.
Should You Buy the BabyBjorn One?
This carrier isn't a good choice for families on a budget because it is one of the most expensive top-ranked baby carriers we tested. However, it will last most of your baby's babywearing years, and we think its high quality has the potential to be used with multiple children should your family grow in the future.
What Other Baby Carries Should You Consider?
The Nalakai Ring Sling is a high-ranking, affordable contender that may fit your needs while you're toting your child around. It's a comfortable sling-style carrier that works for newborns to toddlers, and its design offers a customized fit for parents of different sizes. Plus, it's easier to clean than the One. You might also consider the Tula Free-to-Grow, another soft structured carrier that has similar longevity as the One, but some feel is more comfortable.