Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360: Which One Is the Better Baby Carrier?

The Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 has 13 similarities and 6 differences. Read below to find out more.

If you’re deciding between the Manduca XT vs the Ergobaby Omni 360 then you’ve come to the right place.

Both brands are of superior quality and have lots of praise from parents and even parenting programs. The Manduca XT is a high-quality, sturdy baby carrier made in Germany. The Ergobaby Omni 360 is one of the most popular baby carriers in the US, UK, and Australia.

Related: Tula Baby Carrier Vs Ergo: Which Is Better?

The Manduca brand has won countless awards from various worldwide programs that evaluate baby and family products, making it a superb, top choice baby carrier.

If you’d like to see how the Manduca XT fares against the wildly popular baby carrier, read below to learn more about their differences and similarities.

Personally, my vote goes for the Ergobaby Omni 360 (used it, and loved it) but that’s just me.

I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360: Feature Comparison

This is best viewed on a desktop. Check out the similarities and differences of the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 at a glance.

FeaturesManduca XTErgobaby Omni 360
Age/ Weight Rangenewborns up to toddlers (min. weight of 3.5 kg, max weight of 20 kg)newborns up to toddlers (7-45lbs/ 3.17 kg to 20.4kg).
Infant Insert No needNo need
Fit For All YesYes
Comfort 100% organic cottonAvailable in cotton and mesh 
Hip-Friendly YesYes
Ease of Use Moderately easy to useModerately easy to use
Head Support AvailableAvailable
Shoulder straps Adjustable to “H” style/ rucksack position and in a cross styleAdjustable to “H” style/ rucksack position and in a cross style
Width Seat Adjustment AvailableAvailable
Leg padding AvailableAvailable
Breastfeeding-friendly YesYes
Privacy Hood AvailableAvailable
Maintenance Machine-washableMachine-washable
Height AdjustmentAvailableNone
Carrying Positions3 carrying positions – facing in, hip and back4 – facing in, facing out, back, and hip carry
Lumbar Support NoneAvailable
Storage None, pouch sold separatelyDetachable Pouch
Design LimitedMore Varied
Warranty Depends on the countryLifetime for products manufactured in 2017 and beyond

Below is a more detailed information on the differences and similarities of the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360.

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360: Similarities

Age/ Weight Range

Both the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 can be utilized longer, allowing you to use it from newborn up to toddlerhood.

The Manduca XT is made for babies with min weight of 3.5 kg and up to kids weighing max weight of 20 kg.

Some parents though find the Manduca XT a bit uncomfortable to use for their newborn, opting to wait until their baby is at least a month or older.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 can also be used for newborns up to toddlers (7-45lbs/ 3.17 kg to 20.4kg).

No Infant Insert 

Both the Manduca XT and the Ergobaby Omni 360 doesn’t need an infant insert, which is pretty convenient especially if you’re new to babywearing.

Fit For All 

Both the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 can accommodate all body types – from petite parents to plus-size wearers.

The Manduca XT waist belt goes up to 140 cm circumference and can be adjusted to fit an XS or XXL size. The Ergobaby Omni 360 can accommodate those sizes as well, with a waistband extending up to 52″.

Comfort 

The Manduca XT’s fabric is made from 100% organic cotton that conforms to the shape of your baby easily. It’s also been stringently tested for harmful substances, making it a safe and comfortable baby carrier for even the most delicate skin.

Some parents have complained though that it can get quite hot for both them and their little one while wearing the said baby carrier.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 on the other hand, is also available in cotton and in mesh. The mesh material is lightweight and breathable and is preferred amongst those who live in warm climates.

Some petite moms might find the Ergobaby Omni 360 a little too overwhelming because of its padded shoulder straps and lumbar support.

But other parents love those features, as it enables them to carry their baby for longer periods of time without their shoulder or back suffering.

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Hip-Friendly 

Both baby carriers are certified “hip-friendly” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

They both encourage healthy hip development for your baby, which is important especially during the first 6 months of their life.

Ease of Use 

Both the Manduca XT and Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier have mixed reviews when it comes to ease of use.

Some parents find it easy to use either one of the baby carriers on their own while some find it challenging, even requiring another person to help them wear the baby carrier. Both have also almost similar features when it comes to usage, with some significant differences.

The Manduca XT for example, has also a safety buckle at the waistband, just like the Ergobaby Omni 360.

BUT, it comes with an extra button. So you will really need 2 hands to secure or unclasp the buckle. Manufacturers made it this way for extra safety purposes for your baby, as apparently, some have been absentmindedly removing the buckles while their baby is still in the baby carrier.

Which is a scary thought. I thought some parents only forget their babies in their cars but apparently, that’s not the case? Yikes.

Anyway, another similar yet kinda different thing between the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 is the waistband. Both have very thick and wide waistbands but the Manduca XT doesn’t have a lumbar support unlike the Ergobaby Omni 360

The Manduca has also a so-called “perfect fit adjusters” which enables baby wearers of all types to easily adjust the shoulder straps.

The Ergobaby Omni has also a similar feature, allowing petite moms, plus-size moms and even broad shouldered dads to wear the baby carrier.

Check out the videos in the Omni 360’s link below on how to use it:

https://ergobaby.com/baby-carrier/omni-360/omni-360-baby-carrier-all-in-one-cool-air-mesh-lilac-grey

For the Manduca XT, check out their channel on how to use their baby carriers:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8qGwYq_KQd2n6imxSfb9zw

Head Support 

The Manduca XT baby carrier has an adjustable panel setting that can act as head support. It also has a privacy hood that can be rolled up and be used as an extra support. 

The Ergobaby Omni 360‘s front panel can also be used as a head and neck support for your baby. It’s not as comfortable to use as some parents hoped it would be, as the panel tends to press against their baby’s head.

Shoulder straps 

Both baby carriers have soft padded, adjustable shoulder straps that can be worn in two ways – one in an “H” style/ rucksack position and two, in a cross style at the back.

Most parents love how adaptable the Manduca XT’s shoulder straps are. There are 3 ways to adjust them and they fit parents of all sizes, those with a short torso, broad shouldered, petite, plus-size or in between.

It’s also the same with Ergobaby Omni 360 although there are some mixed reviews about it. Some parents find it hard to wear on their own while others had an easier time and can just quickly put it on without any help.

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Seat Adjustment 

Both have seat adjustment for your baby but adjustments are done differently.

For the Manduca XT, there’s no snaps, buttons or velcro tabs to tinker with. You just need to slide the material across the waistband to adjust the width of the seat. 

Some parents have complained though that there’s no way to secure their preferred seat width and that it sometimes slips and it keeps changing – it never stays put. 

For the Ergobaby Omni 360, you can adjust and secure the seat by moving the velcro tabs on the waistband. Just follow the provided guided lines and adjust them accordingly.

You can also adjust the width of the back panel, especially for a newborn, with the Ergobaby Omni 360. Although adjusting through buttons can be a bit clunky and annoying.

Leg padding 

Both baby carriers have a leg padding to make it comfortable for your little ones. 

The Manduca XT’s is softer though while the Ergobaby Omni 360‘s is more structured and defined. 

Breastfeeding-friendly 

Both the Manduca XT and the Ergobaby Omni 360 can be used for breastfeeding. You just need to adjust and loosen it up a little, to have ample, comfortable space for your baby.

Check out how to breastfeed a toddler in the Manduca XT here:

Privacy Hood 

Both baby carriers have a built-in privacy hood, with the Manduca XT being a bit longer and bigger.

You can also roll it up for neck support and use it for sun/ rain protection or for breastfeeding.

Maintenance 

Both the Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360 are machine-washable. Just don’t iron or dry clean the Manduca and don’t use a fabric softener on the Ergobaby Omni 360 as it might affect the quality of the material.

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

What’s The Difference Between The Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360? 

Height Adjustment

Here’s what’s amazing about the Manduca XT. This German baby carrier has something that I haven’t seen in the other US-made baby carriers – it has a patented back extension with three heights!

It’s a useful feature for parents with a really tall or large baby. It’s helpful if you need more or less coverage and support. You can literally zip it open and make the back longer. It has 3 back height settings, which suits newborns, older babies and toddlers.

It might be a bit uncomfortable for your baby though, especially when their arms grazes the zippers.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 doesn’t have a height adjustment panel.

Carrying Positions 

The Manduca XT has only 3 carrying positions – facing in, hip and back.

While the Ergobaby Omni has 4 carrying positions – facing in, facing out, back, and hip carry.

Lumbar Support 

The Manduca XT doesn’t come with a built-in lumbar support, which can be a bummer, since that helps in alleviating any shoulder or back pains when carrying your baby for longer hours.

However, the Manduca XT’s buckle sits on the hip belt, which is long, wide, and padded. So it won’t dig through your back or waist and it can also give some sufficient support. 

The Ergobaby Omni 360 has that built-in lumbar support which most parents find really useful and comfortable.

Some petite moms find it a bit overwhelming and big though for their back.

Storage 

There’s no built-in pouch for the Manduca XT but you can get its handy hip pouch separately.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 has a detachable pouch that you can use to carry your keys, phone, and small essentials.

Design 

The Ergobaby Omni 360 has obviously more colorful designs and patterns. They even have a Harry Potter theme baby carrier!

The Manduca has simple yet awesome colors which I’m sure parents who prefer baby carriers with subdued colors, will love.

Warranty 

All Ergobaby carriers that are manufactured in 2017 and beyond have the ErgoPromise Lifetime Guarantee, which means if you find the material defective, they can replace it at no charge.

The Manduca warranty varies in the country. For eg., in Australia and Singapore, a 3 year warranty is available, in France it’s 2 years, 

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Manduca XT vs Ergobaby Omni 360: Which One Is Better?

The Manduca XT is quite a competitor against the Ergobaby Omni 360. I see a lot of advantage in Manduca’s adjustable height setting, which Ergo or any other popular US-made baby carriers doesn’t have. Yet.

It has its pros and cons, just like the Ergobaby and the only issue that I have with this brand is, I’m not sure if it’s easy to find in physical stores in the US.

There’s also the lack of lumbar support which I think, should be a requirement for all baby carriers. I think it’s implied that, when you’re buying a baby carrier, that means you’re planning to carry your child for quite some time, which might give you shoulder and back pains.

Other than that, I find the lack of a built-in pouch and fewer carrying positions than the Ergobaby Omni 360 to be very minor issues.

And if you find that lumbar support and the other minor features that Manduca doesn’t have, are not really a dealbreaker, then you got a clear winner with the Manduca XT.

It’s cheaper than the Ergo too!

Manduca XT

Ergobaby OMNI 360

Related:

Tula Explore vs Ergobaby Omni 360: Which is Better?

Ergo Baby Carrier Vs Lillebaby: Which One Is Better?

Julie