REASONS TO BUY
Highly adjustable
Removable hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Uncomfortable
Hard to adjust straps
Velcro seat adjustment
Boba X Review
A carrier that offers longevity but isn't the most comfortable
Credit: Boba
RELATED: The Best Baby Carriers
The Skinny
The Boba X works for children weighing 7-45 lbs and comes with toddler extensions to further widen the child's seat to better suit older children. It offers two different carry positions and is highly adjustable, allowing you to tailor the carrier to your child's size and needs. Compared to other baby carriers in the review, it has appealing features, such as a storage pockets on the waist strap and a removable hood for sun protection. However, the Boba X wasn't the most comfortable carrier for parents or children, particularly younger babies. While we like the idea of an all-in-one carrier, it's a big dream to achieve. The complexity and lack of comfort of the Boba X leaves us feeling less excited about this option for getting around with your little one. With higher-ranking contenders in the lineup that cost less, we suggest considering those over the Boba X.
Editor's Note: We created this gear review on October 18, 2022, as a new product tested.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Boba X | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $160 List $139.99 at Amazon | $90 List $69.99 at Amazon | $60 List $59.95 at Amazon | $200 List $187.99 at Amazon | $45 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A higher-priced carrier that misses the comfort mark despite its impressive adjustability | 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 | Comfortable and easy to attach with a cozy place for baby | Economical and comfortable but you need to hold baby when you put it on |
| Rating Categories | Boba X | 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 | Boba X | 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 | Newborn Hold (7 lbs - 15 lbs) Front Carry (15 lbs - 45 lbs) Back Carry (20 lbs - 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 | 1.11 lbs | 0.9 lbs | Sm: 0.89 Lg: 1.04 lbs |
2.26 lbs | 1.41 lbs |
| Packable Size | Large | 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 | Hood pocket, Pockets on waist strap | 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 | Toddler Seat Extenders | None | None | None | Storage Sack |
| Care Instructions | Spot clean using mild detergent and air dry. When absolutely necessary, machine wash cold water, mild detergent, hang dry. | Machine wash cold, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Machine wash warm, hang dry | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Boba is a babywearing brand started in 2007 by Robert and Elizabeth Antunovic. They developed a new baby wrap inspired by the desire to keep their baby close while navigating life and travel. Today, the small business has grown into a global team operation.
Performance Comparison
The Boba X offers a lot but doesn't stand out among the competition of baby carriers.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Baby's Comfort
A selling point of the Boba X is that it works for newborns to toddlers, making it an all-in-one product for your child's baby-wearing journey. It comes with toddler extensions (below left) that easily zip onto the main carrier to widen the child seat, which increases the carrier's longevity.
The carrier has a removable hood (above right) that snaps onto the shoulder straps and offers sun protection. It has straps to shorten the main panel, and you can adjust the width of the child's seat using a Velcro system. The carrier's fabric feels a little thick and heavy with less airflow; this means it could be warmer if you're cruising around on a hot summer day.
We tested this carrier with a 4-month-old baby and toddler weighing 30 lbs and noticed that it was more challenging to find a comfortable position for the baby than the toddler. The carrier offers two different carry positions, front carry facing-in and back carry, but no front carry outward-facing position. Of those two, our toddler tester enjoyed riding in the front carry position the most, and the carrier supported a hip-healthy sitting position.
The Boba X is highly adjustable, with many straps and features.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Parent's Comfort
The Boba X isn't as comfortable as other carriers in the lineup. While testing, those with a more slender body type had an easier time finding a comfortable fit versus plus-size wearers who didn't experience the same support or comfort, particularly with the waist strap. Users also mention that the straps rub under their arms, and if you're not wearing a shirt with long sleeves, it can irritate your skin.
The Boba X's waist strap didn't feel comfortable, particularly for plus-size wearers compared to other body types.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Ease of Use
Other baby carriers in the competition are easier to use than the Boba X. It has several straps and is highly adjustable to tailor the fit for the parent and baby. However, figuring out all the straps and how they impact the fit takes time, and some of the straps and adjustments are stiff and awkward to reach. Also, the straps don't adjust as smoothly as some contenders. So, if you struggle with mobility and flexibility, tightening some of the straps, especially the back strap, will be tricky, and you'll need a helper.
The Velcro adjustment on the child seat of the Boba X is more challenging to adjust.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
The Velcro adjustment design of the Boba X seat is not our favorite system. While testing, we narrowed the seat to fit a younger child, but getting the fabric to cinch into the proper position was challenging and cumbersome. We also noticed (and heard) the Velco release while loading our 4-month-old tester.
For storage, this Boba X offers more than some of the competition. On the waist strap, there is one open pocket and a zippered pocket that can hold smaller, non-bulky items. Also, removing the hood from its zippered storage reduces some bulk from the baby panel and frees up its pocket to hold smaller items, like a baby pacifier.
The snaps on the parent's shoulder straps help hold a bag, purse, or keys.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Ease of Cleaning
There are easier-to-clean options than the Boba X. The manufacturer recommends spot cleaning regularly and washing only when necessary to extend the carrier's life. When machine washing, the manufacturer recommends cold water and a delicate cycle before hanging the Boba X to dry. Since the carrier has padding, it will take some time to dry, leaving you without a baby carrier when you need it, such as running errands around town.
Should You Buy The Boba X?
The Boba X is an all-in-one soft structured carrier with a long life span from newborn to toddlerhood. While it gets the job done, we are not fans of using it for smaller babies and think there are better-scoring contenders in the lineup that offer an all-around more comfortable fit for less money.
What Other Baby Carriers Should You Consider?
If you like the idea of a carrier offering longevity, the Tula Free-to Grow immediately jumps out as a worthy baby-carrying option. It's a higher-ranking contender that's more comfortable for the parent and child. If you think a sling might be a good fit for your goals, check out the Nalakai Ring Sling. It's easy and quick to use, more comfortable, offers longevity, is super easy to clean, and is available at an affordable price.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Review Team
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