For a long time, the only soft structured carrier (SSC) I’d used (not counting the Bjorn!) was my original Boba. When I got an ErgoBaby carrier to review, I immediately took a bunch of pictures comparing it to my Boba. Then, I received the 3G for review and started over! This has left me with a mish-mash mess of pictures of all 3, but hopefully it’s helpful anyway.
I don’t personally think there is a “best” carrier. It all depends on your body type and size, your baby’s size, how you want to use it, and just your preferences. If you live near a store that sells several brands, I highly recommend trying a few, or buying from a store with a “test drive” on carriers.
In these photos, the Ergo is all brown, the original Boba is brown & natural and the Boba 3G is gray!
The Ergo’s waist band is very tall. It’s not uncomfortable, but since I am petite, it ends up hitting me well below the hips, rubbing my upper thighs at times. Both the 3G and the Ergo have a patch pocket on the waist (business card size) and the 3G also has a small zippered pocket. The original Boba did not have a pocket at all.
Both the original Boba and the 3G have foot straps, though the adjust & detach differently. The Ergo doesn’t have foot straps, but since the seat of the carrier is a bit wider, I don’t really think they are necessary on the Ergo.
I really like how the waist buckle of the Ergo sits against padding, not my back. It also has just 1 strap to adjust the waist, which I find easier. On the other hand, it buckles on the side, which should be easier, but I find it awkward for some reason. Probably just because I’m not used to it!
The waist buckle (and shoulder strap buckle) of the Ergo has an additional safety feature of the buckle threading through an elastic strap. I do like this, but it does make it a bit more of an ordeal to put the carrier on/take it off.
The body of the Ergo is more generously lined, particularly where the carrier hits the wearer’s arms/baby’s legs.
The Ergo has buckles at the arm straps (with the elastic safety feature like the waist buckle) so you can reattach them for a hip carry. It has just one strap to adjust the tightness vs. Boba’s two. This could be a plus or minus depending on whether you value simplicity or additional adjustment!
The original Boba and Ergo’s hood snap and buckle slide are very much the same, although the Boba 3G’s buckle slide has been changed. There is just one strap on the Ergo to tug and tighten, and the excess webbing rolls up.
The 3G now has a slight unpadded area where the strap meets the body just like the Ergo. This offers a bit more flexibility. As I mentioned earlier, the straps of the Ergo unbuckle, but only have one adjustment vs. Boba’s two.
The Ergo has a large zippered pocket, separate hood pouch, waist patch pocket and also a loop to attach accessories at the waist.
The Boba hood is actually detachable, and the 3G still has the elastic to roll the hood up and/or you can tuck it in the zippered pocket.
The old version had the elastic only. The Ergo has a dedicated pouch.
The Ergo and Boba hoods snap to the shoulder straps the same way (the Boba 3G has the purse straps too.) The Ergo has an additional adjustment where the hood meets the carrier, to make it larger or smaller. When I received the 3G I saw that it now has the same feature. I think the 3G’s hood is improved, but the Ergo’s hood seems large, well fitted, and soft.
Original Boba with my little guy when he was about 9ish months old:
Boba 3G shortly after:
My 3 year old in the Ergo:
My little guy in the Ergo:
Another difference is that the Ergo carrier has a separate newborn insert for little babies. The Boba 3G has a newborn snap to fold the waist belt up, as well as head support straps. Again, this is a plus or minus depending on what you prefer.
The Ergo insert is really nice and keeps little babies nice and snuggly, but you have to purchase it in a bundle or separately. The Boba 3G can be used with a little baby without purchasing anything else, but it’s not quite as snuggly/versatile as the Ergo insert, and you have to deal with reversing the waist buckle…so not really good for using with two size kids on the fly.
Ergo Baby Carriers are available in original, organic, designer, performance, sport and more. Carriers start at $115, and an infant insert adds $38 (less when purchased in a bundle with the carrier.) Boba 3G carriers start at $120 with no infant insert needed. An organic Ergo carrier starts around $135, while Boba Organic carriers are $160.
The Ergo carrier/insert bundle is $130 (original) to $163 (organic) so there may not be much price difference depending on what you want. The Boba doesn’t have as many choices/types as the Ergo, though it is now available as a Boba Air Carrier, which is light weight and compact. I have not tried it, but from what I hear, it is great for travel/keeping in a bag or the car, but not the most comfortable for extended wear.
Have you tried both?
I received the pictured products at no cost for review purposes. I was not asked to write, nor was I compensated for this post. This comparison isn’t endorsed by either company, and all opinions are my own. Babywearing preference is quite personal, this post is solely intended to highlight the differences in the two carriers.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
Do you think you could use the Ergo infant insert with the boba carrier? After looking at reviews, I think that I would like the Boba carrier better but do like the Ergo infant insert. Thanks!
Jessica, Boba *just* introduced their 4G carrier which has an integrated infant insert. I haven’t reviewed one yet but am hoping to photograph it soon!
Wow, I love the breakdown with all the pictures, very informative. I personally have done quite a bit of research on these particular soft structured carriers, and you pretty much nailed it all. One thing I would like to mention, for toddler use, the Ergo doesn’t have quite as much support as the Boba 3G. Half the time it feels like your kid is falling out. On the same page, I’m not particularly fond of the Boba 3G infant support. So, if it were me, and I was more interested in a toddler carrier rather than an infant carrier, I’d probably go with the Boba 3G. Thanks!
Sorry, my link was incorrect…Hey there! I have an Ergo but was thinking about returning it for a 3G. I was wondering, do you think the Ergo infant insert would be too hot in the summer? Do you feel that the Ergo is a bit short in the back for a curious, wild toddler? Which did you prefer out of the Ergo and the Boba 3G? Thanks!!
Hey there! I have an Ergo but was thinking about returning it for a 3G. I was wondering, do you think the Ergo infant insert would be too hot in the summer? Do you feel that the Ergo is a bit short in the back for a curious, wild toddler? Which did you prefer out of the Ergo and the Boba 3G? Thanks!!
It’s really hard to say, since each person is different! I like the Ergo a lot for my frame/shape, and I like the infant insert. It would probably be a bit warm in the dead of summer though!
I have the older Boba before it became “young baby” friendly. I’ve been wishing I had the Ergo ever since. Although, I noticed just recently they added the feature for young babies on the Boba.
I still wish for an Ergo. I think the side carry would be nice to try.
It’s nice to get them all next to each other and get the break down of each, thanks for the review! 🙂
Enjoyed the post! Glad I have an ergo…. have an insert I bought slightly used from a friend to try for a future little one 🙂