In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Boba X Review

A carrier that offers longevity but isn't the most comfortable
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Boba X Review
Credit: Boba
Price:  $160 List
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Manufacturer:   Boba
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Oct 26, 2022
49
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 16
  • Child Comfort - 25% 5.0
  • Parent Comfort - 35% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 5.0
  • Ease Of Cleaning - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

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 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.
REASONS TO BUY
Highly adjustable
Removable hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Uncomfortable
Hard to adjust straps
Velcro seat adjustment

Compare to Similar Products

 
boba x
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Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Baby Carrier
Best Value Award
Easy to Use Wrap
Editors' Choice Award
Best Traditional Carrier
Best Value Award
Great Wrap on a Budget
Price $160 List
$137.39 at Amazon
$90 List
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$200 List
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Check Price at Amazon
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Bottom Line A higher-priced carrier that misses the comfort mark despite its impressive adjustabilityComfy sling to wear and sit in with an easy to use designBudget-friendly wrap style that is easy to use and comfy enoughComfortable and easy to attach with a cozy place for babyEconomical 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%)
5.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
Parent Comfort (35%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
Ease of Use (30%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
Ease Of Cleaning (10%)
4.0
8.0
10.0
3.0
10.0
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

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



boba x - the boba x offers a lot but doesn't stand out among the competition...
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 Boba X includes two toddler extensions that you zip onto the...
The Boba X includes two toddler extensions that you zip onto the carrier to widen the seat.
The Boba X has a removable hood that attaches to the parent shoulder...
The Boba X has a removable hood that attaches to the parent shoulder straps.

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.

boba x - the boba x is highly adjustable, with many straps and features.
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.

boba x - the boba x's waist strap didn't feel comfortable, particularly for...
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.

boba x - the velcro adjustment on the child seat of the boba x is more...
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.

The Boba X has two pockets on the waist strap.
The Boba X has two pockets on the waist strap.
One of the pockets includes a zipper.
One of the pockets includes a zipper.

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.

boba x - the snaps on the parent's shoulder straps help hold a bag, purse, or...
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