REASONS TO BUY
Easy to clean
Sturdy fabric
Multiple positions
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Poor instructions
Not as comfortable
Ergobaby Omni 360 Review
Expensive and uncomfortable for parents and passengers
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $180 List
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team ⋅ Feb 19, 2018
RELATED: The Best Baby Carriers
The Skinny
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is a soft structured baby carrier that works for children weighing 7-45 lbs. It offers four carry positions so you can cater to your baby's needs and preferences while you're out adventuring. It features padded shoulder straps, a waistband zippered pocket, and an adjustable seat width. However, the Omni 360 is expensive, and neither parents nor passengers felt it was very comfortable. The padding in the shoulders is so thick it can chafe, and the seat sides also rub little legs. Given the price, we wish this carrier's overall comfort and ease of use performance were better. We feel parents can save money and have a better experience with a top-ranked baby carrier that costs less.
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on October 18, 2022, to include new sections to help you compare options and select your final decision.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Ergobaby Omni 360 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $180 List $179.00 at Amazon | $90 List $69.99 at Amazon | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $200 List $189.99 at Amazon | $45 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Easy to clean, sturdy fabric, multiple positions | Easy to use, comfortable to wear, cozy for baby, affordable | Budget-friendly, easy wrap, machine wash and dry | Easy to put on, super comfortable to wear, cozy for kids | Machine wash and dry, comfy for baby and parents, economical |
| Cons | Expensive, poor instructions, not as comfortable | Hang to dry | Size specific, no adjustability | Long drying time, lots of buckles and straps, expensive | Harder to use, lots of fabric |
| Bottom Line | Expensive and uncomfortable for parents and passengers | Easy to use, comfortable sling to wear and sit in | Inexpensive, easy to use, wrap style without the wrap hassle | Most comfortable to wear with a cozy seat and easy attachment | Budget-friendly wrap that is comfortable but harder to use |
| Rating Categories | Ergobaby Omni 360 | Nalakai Ring Sling | Baby K'tan Original | BabyBjorn One | Boba Wrap |
| Child Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Parent Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Ergobaby Omni 360 | Nalakai Ring Sling | Baby K'tan Original | BabyBjorn One | Boba Wrap |
| Min/Max Weight | 7 - 45 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 35 lbs | 8 - 33 lbs | 7 - 35 lbs |
| Carry Positions | Facing In (7 & 20" - 45 lbs) Facing Out (14 - 30 lbs) Hip Carry (17.2 - 45 lbs) Back Carry (17.2 - 45 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 (0 - 36 mo./33 lbs) Facing Out (5 - 15 mo./26 lbs) Back Carry (12 - 36 mo./33 lbs) |
Facing In (Newborn - 35 lbs) |
| Weight | 1.83 lbs | 0.9 lbs | Sm: 0.89 Lg: 1.04 lbs |
2.26 lbs | 1.41 lbs |
| Packable Size | Medium | Small | Small | Large | Small (5.5 yards in length) |
| Fabric | 100% Cotton | 58% Bamboo 42% Linen |
100% Cotton | Cotton, Polyester, PU Foam | 95% Cotton 5% Spandex |
| Hood | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Storage Options | Storage pouch below headrest, Zippered pouch on the waist belt |
Pocket on the tail | Pouch on the belt. | None | Storage Pouch |
| Other Features & Notable | None | 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 cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash cold, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash warm, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
ErgoBaby was started by a mother, Karin Frost, in 2002 when she couldn't find a great baby carrier she liked. Wanting to keep her little one close, she tried several different baby carriers but couldn't find one that was both comfortable and ergonomic. The soft structured carrier provides freedom to enjoy all of life's adventures while keeping your baby close. Ergobaby now produces 30 different carriers in 5 different categories, including Swaddlers for newborns. Ergobaby is located in Los Angeles and sells in more than 700 retailers in the US and over 50 countries.
Performance Comparison
Little ones had varied responses to the Ergobaby with older children disliking the padding on the seat sides.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Baby's Comfort
Little testers weren't thrilled with the Omni 360's seat. While the seat and sides are padded, the sides seem to irritate little legs, and the larger a child is, the worse it is. Carriers without padded sides were cozier overall, which is somewhat counter-intuitive.
Parent's Comfort
The Ergobaby was not the most comfortable carrier for parents from our hands-on testing. The Ergobaby has padded shoulder straps that are almost too padded, making it feel somewhat bulky and uncomfortable. Depending on how wide or narrow your shoulders are (above left), the straps can chafe your arms or armpits in the back carry position. The padding in the front carry position is better, but the waistband can rub on the upper part of your derriere depending on how long your torso is (above right).
Adjusting the seat width of the Ergobaby is relatively easy with the color coded velcro panels. Unfortunately, you need to do this before you put the baby inside which means you may need to guess the first few times you use the carrier.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Ergobaby has multiple features and adjustments that increase the complexity of use. With seat width adjustment and moveable head support, there is a steeper learning curve, and the manual is not the best. The instructions are more complicated than necessary, given that much of it is intuitive.
The Ergobaby has safety buckles (above left) that require a little practice to use quickly and without hassle. The carrier also has a waistband pocket under the seat bottom with one zippered pocket and one quick-access open pocket, allowing you to stash small items, like our favorite baby pacifier, keys, etc.
The Ergobaby is machine washable and can be thrown in the dryer which is rare for this kind of product. However, it isn't the best for spot cleaning unexpected accidents when in use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
The Ergobaby is one of a few carries you can machine wash on cold and tumble dry on low, making it easier to launder than other structured carries with thick padding that require air drying. However, the only downside is it isn't the easiest to spot clean for on-the-go messes. While you can scrub away spit up, it takes longer to air dry than some of the competition, leaving you with a wet carrier or no carrier at all. For an additional cost, Ergobaby offers a drool bib that attaches to the Omni 360 and is machine washable. Those who desire a line of defense to help protect the carrier from their baby's drool and chewing may be interested in this accessory, but it's not required.
Should You Buy the Ergobaby Omni 360?
The Ergobaby Omni 360 is expensive, and its overall performance isn't outstanding among the best baby carrier competition. However, those who want a baby carrier with longevity and several carry positions may enjoy this carrier for hands-free snuggles and closeness at home or while adventuring outdoors.
What Other Baby Carriers Should You Consider?
We suggest considering the Tula Free-to-Grow, another soft structured carrier that provides similar longevity as the Ergobaby Omni 360, working from newborn to toddlerhood. If a sling is more your style, the Nalakai Ring Sling is a high-ranking contender that's super easy to use, comfortable, and less money.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD and BabyGearLab Review Team
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