Beco Gemini Review
Pros: Comfortable for parents, machine washable
Cons: Hang to dry, not as cozy for little ones with limited adjustability
Manufacturer: Beco
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Beco Gemini | |||||
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| Awards |  | | |  | |
| Price | $140.00 List $94.03 at Amazon - 33% off | $65.00 List $61.95 at Amazon - 5% off | $95.00 List | $190.00 List $189.99 at Amazon | $50.00 List $49.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable for parents, machine washable | Easy to use, comfortable to wear, cozy for baby, lower price | Comfortable, easy to adjust, useful pocket | Easy to put on, super comfortable to wear, cozy for kids | Budget-friendly, easy wrap, machine wash and dry |
| Cons | Hang to dry, not as cozy for little ones with limited adjustability | Hang to dry | Hang to dry, rough fabric | Long drying time, lots of buckles and straps, expensive | Size specific, no adjustability |
| Bottom Line | Below average carrier but there are easier more comfortably options with lower prices | Easy to use, comfortable sling to wear and sit in | Easy to wear and adjust with comfort for baby but the fabric could be softer | Most comfortable to wear with a cozy seat and easy attachment | Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassle |
| Rating Categories | Beco Gemini | Nalakai Ring Sling | Maya Wrap ComfortFi... | BabyBjorn One | Baby K'tan Original |
| Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Beco Gemini | Nalakai Ring Sling | Maya Wrap ComfortFi... | BabyBjorn One | Baby K'tan Original |
| Min/Max Weight | 7 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 33 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs |
| Carry Positions | Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) Facing Out (4 mo. - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (4 mo. - 35 lbs) Back Carry (4 mo. - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (8 - 35 lbs) Hip Carry (8 - 35 lbs *BGL recommends Head/Neck/Torso Control) |
Facing In (0 - 3 mo) Facing Out (3 - 6 mo) Hip Carry (6 mo - 35 lbs) |
Facing In (0 - 36 mo./33 lbs) Facing Out (5 - 15 mo./26 lbs) Back Carry (12 - 36 mo./33 lbs) |
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) |
| Weight | 1.21 lbs | 0.9 lbs | sm 0.92 lg 1.16 lbs |
2.26 lbs | sm 0.89 lg 1.04 lbs |
| Packable Size | Medium | Small | Small | Large | Small |
| Fabric | 100% Cotton | 58% Bamboo 42% Linen |
Cotton, Polyester | Cotton, Polyester, PU Foam | 100% Cotton |
| Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
| Storage Options | Pocket on waist belt | Pocket on the tail | Zippered pocket on tail | None | Pouch on the belt. |
| Other Features & Notable | None | None | None | Adjustable Seat Width, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class 1 |
Azo Dye-free |
| Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | None |
| Care Instructions | Machine wash cold, hang dry. | Machine wash cold, hang dry. | Machine wash cold, hang dry. | Machine wash warm, hang dry. | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low. |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Beco was started in 2005 by Gabby Caperon. Gabby built a base of admirers thanks to her carrier designs that modern parents feel are functional and stylish. Beco makes four different kinds of soft structured carriers.
Performance Comparison
Baby's Comfort
The Beco isn't the most comfortable option for a baby. Earning one of the lowest scores for baby comfort in the group. Child seat adjustment happens by changing the parent straps so it is limited in how much adjustment you can do to increase comfort or change positions. This change also impacts the headrest position making it hard to fit larger children in the seat. Our older test passengers verbally said being in the Gemini hurt, which is easy to believe given how tight it feels in the carrier.
The seat width is adjustable based on the carry position and somewhat on your baby's size. Adjustments need to happen before you put your baby in the carry, so if you get it wrong, you'll likely need to start over.
Parent's Comfort
The Beco is comfortable enough compared to the competition. Its parent comfort score is just above the average with nicely padded shoulder straps and waistbelt. However, the shoulder strap padding stops short of being useful for larger wears (most dads) so you still end up with a simple strap supporting baby's weight in some positions. Some testers also felt it has a more restrictive feel than other soft structured carriers, and the feeling increased as the size of the passengers did.
Ease of Use
The Beco is harder to use than the similar competition. The Beco is relatively intuitive, but you will probably need the manual for the seat width adjustment. The manual is okay but has a lot of pictures that interestingly take away from understanding how to use it. Putting it on is okay, but there are easier soft structured carriers to put on, adjust and put a baby into like the BabyBjorn One. However, in fairness, the sling carriers are by far simpler and, therefore, much easier to use than the soft structure style.
The Beco has a waistband pocket with Velcro closure (above left). It isn't a very big pocket, but it will hold some smartphones and possibly your keys. The buckles have a safety feature mechanism (above right) that will take some getting used to and may require two hands until you do. They aren't necessarily hard to use, but there is a learning curve.
Ease of Cleaning
The Beco isn't the easiest to keep clean. Four is the lowest score in the group. While the Gemini is machine washable, you can only use cold water, and you'll need to hang it to dry. This drying method could take more time than you have before your next adventure, leaving you without a carrier. Worse than the hang drying, however, is the poor spot cleaning capabilities. If you need to do a quick cleanup on the go, it can be harder to get the material clean, and the spot will take longer to dry.
Manufacturer Video
Front Carry Position
Hip Carry
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team