How many times did you speak to your friends, and they all raved about the Nuna Pipa car seat?
But, you think to yourself, "That kind of price for only average crash test results, is it even worth the money?".
I was in your skin a few months ago!
After days of debating and numerous "should I or should I not," I purchased the Nuna Pipa infant car seat.
My choice was the original Nuna Pipa infant car seat, but today, I will go over with you all six models the Nuna Pipa line offers.
It can be overwhelming sometimes because this line offers exceptional infant car seats, but they vary from one another with loads of features.
So let's see what they are and if you can pick your best Nuna Pipa car seat!
Table of Contents
The Nuna Pipa is among the lightest car seats on the market, with the high-end price and exceptional features.
The entire line presents a combination of modern design and an ultimate safety system that eases every parent's mind.
Parents should be who want a lightweight car seat with a straightforward installation and a large sun canopy!
1. Ease of Use: 4.5/5
Extremely easy to install thanks to the latch system and a bubble level indicator.
It's one of the lightest infant car seat models on the market; however, it includes a manual thread harness.
2. Maintenance: 5/5
The seat pad on the car seat can be machine washed, so it makes the process of cleaning spit-ups and diaper leaks incredibly easier.
Other seat parts, such as the harness strap covers, buckles, and crotch strap, have to be spot cleaned.
3. Travel System: 5/5
The Nuna Pipa seat is compatible with loads of strollers on the market.
Although many of them will require an adapter, it's great that you can create a jogging stroller or even fit in some of the double strollers!
4. Overall Quality: 5/5
It's built from high-quality materials.
Thanks to the base, rigid connectors, and metal load leg, the quality is incredible when installed, and the car seat stays put.
Price: Under $350
- Dream Drape
- Travel system compatibility
- Incredibly lightweight
- Peek-a-boo window
- Flame retardant free materials
- Faulty zipper
- Manual harness
The Nuna Pipa infant seat is a prestigious model on the market as it's made from quality fabric that includes a Dream Drape cover for maximum coverage.
It's lightweight, so it's fantastic if you are traveling or carpooling, plus the compact size will allow for more car seats to fit in the back seat.
The PIPA line offers six models you can choose from, and each of them is easy to use with high safety ratings.
Nuna Pipa Specifications
Source: Youtube
Before I get started, let's look at these basic specifications regarding weight and height limits.
This is the very first thing you need to check when picking out a car seat so you can determine whether the Nuna Pipa is the right type of car seat for your little one.
The Extensive Nuna Pipa Family Line
I know what you're thinking, "I typed in the Nuna Pipa infant car seat, and there were a whole bunch of them with different titles. How do I know which one is the best?".
Yeah, this happened to me until I did my research and found out that the Pipa was the original infant car seat created.
As the years passed, the company decided to introduce a few more car seats in the Pipa lineup.
Now, there are a total of six infant car seats.
From that, your options could be the
- Nuna Pipa RX
- Nuna Pipa Lite
- Nuna Pipa Lite R
- Nuna Pipa Lite LX
- Nuna Pipa Lite RX
- and the original called simply Nuna Pipa.
Their main differences are with the bases and installations and some with the design.
Nuna Pipa is known for being a super lightweight car seat that is easily installed in all vehicles! But, some of the models vary in weight, so let's check out their basic differences.
Nuna Pipa Model | Included With the Purchase | Installation | Weight | Dream Drape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nuna Pipa | Nuna Pipa base | With/without the base | 8 lbs | Yes |
Nuna Pipa RX | RELIX base | With/ without the base | 7.5 lbs | Yes |
Nuna Pipa Lite | Nuna Pipa base & inserts | With base | 5.3 lbs | No |
Nuna Pipa Lite R | RELIX Base | With base | 5.3 lbs | No |
Nuna Pipa Lite LX | Nuna Pipa base & inserts | With base | 5.7 lbs | Yes |
Nuna Pipa Lite RX | RELIX Base & inserts | With/without the base | 6.9 lbs | Yes |
Nuna Pipa Car Seat Base
Nuna takes big pride in offering two car seat bases for easy installation.
One is the traditional Pipa base, while the other one is a RELIX car seat base. The latter is known to be more adjustable and, therefore, better for new parents.
However, both can be installed in any of the Nuna Pipa car seats, no matter the model.
Both of the bases include a marvelous feature which is the steel load leg.
It acts as a stability leg in the installation process and keeps the entire car seat much sturdier on the vehicle seat.
However, here is where they differ.
The RELIX base is much easier to install and includes up to four recline positions, whereas the Pipa includes only one.
Also, it has up to 17 load leg positions instead of the Pipa, which has 12 of them load leg positions. It also has an anti-rebound panel, but it's significantly heavier than the Pipa base.
As they offer easy compatibility, you can purchase both of them and see which one works better. It's great if you often switch vehicles with your partner or carpool.
Installation
Source: albeebaby.com
1. Installation With the LATCH System
The Pipa car seat base on the original model includes the rigid latch system, which connects to your vehicle's lower rigid LATCH connectors.
In addition, you'll find a bubble indicator that tells to which extent you installed the base correctly.
As I mentioned, the base on the Nuna Pipa infant car seat includes a steel load leg that works as a stabilizer during crash forces.
This is the best feature Nuna has come up with. It prevents the car seat from rotating downward and prevents rebound, which I'm all here for!
What's great is that the load leg is foldable, so you can always hide it underneath the base when you don't want to or can't use it.
2. Installations With the Seat Belt
Although Nuna does offer a quick and effortless installation, I will take you a couple of tries before getting it right.
Honestly, I struggled on my first take, but after that, the process got only easier over time. You can install the Nuna Pipa with the vehicle seat belt or with the standard car's anchors.
The installation with the shoulder belt and the lap belt can require more force. But then again, this is an individual thing. Just because I had trouble with it does not mean you will too.
I found that it's best to install the Nuna Pipa infant car seat without the base when you're taking an Uber or a taxi.
Then, all you need to do is thread the lap portion through the lap belt path before fully installing and buckling in the seat.
If you want to install the car seat in the middle seat to get it away from the passenger doors, I strongly advise you to go with the RELIX base!
Middle seat installations in most car seats will require a seatbelt installation, and this is where this car seat base shines the most!
Thanks to the belt lock-off feature, it's super easy to open the belt path, adjust it properly and provide a secure installation.
In addition, you can tell the difference between the shoulder belt and lap belt as they are labeled to avoid any mix-ups.
Nuna Stroller Compatibility
Would you like to create your very own travel system with your new car seat by Nuna Pipa? Great, you can do so because this car seat has superb compatibility!
The car seat can be paired with the Nuna Mixx, Triv, Tavo, Mixx 2, Mixx Next, and Demi Grow strollers.
But if you want to connect the car seat to a different stroller brand, you'll likely need to buy car seat adapters.
Some of the strollers that are compatible with the Nuna Pipa line (with adapter) include:
- Baby Jogger City Select; Lux; Premier, and City Select 2
- Bugaboo Ant; Fox, Fox2; Donkey (2 & 3); Cameleon 3; Bee (3, 5 & 6)
- UPPAbaby Minu
- UPPAbaby Vista, Vista V2; Cruz; Cruz V2
- BOB Revolution Flex
Fabrics & Materials
When I was first introduced to the Nuna, I was stoked by its design! There is something about the simplicity of the design that screams luxurious to me.
However, when I took the car seat for its first stroller ride, I found out that I was not the only one drawn to the appeal of its sleek fabric and fashionable color.
I was getting all these looks from moms, and a few of them even showed admiration for the car seat and stroller.
I get that some of you may prefer a more upgraded design considering the high-end price.
But trust me, nothing beats the simple and quality fabric of this Nuna car seat. I mean, come on, even Kourtney Kardashian was seen strolling this bad boy around!
The fabric is made free from flame retardant chemicals, and some of the infant car seats include the well-known Dream Drape.
So now, what's the deal with this drape?
Four models from the Nuna Pipa line have it and those are the Nuna Pipa RX; Nuna Pipa; Nuna Pipa Lite RX, and Nuna Pipa Lite LX.
Source: Youtube
The Dream Drape is a well-ventilated fabric that attaches from the canopy to the bottom of the seat. On some of the car seats, there is even a peek-a-boo window!
So it serves not just for sun protection but for privacy as well. I get why so many celebs go for the Nuna Pipa now!
Nuna Is All About the Infant Insert
All of the infant car seats by Nuna Pipa include the infant insert.
The great thing about it is that it's removable, so as soon as your baby grows out of it, you can take it off so the baby can enjoy the spacious seat.
The infant insert supports the baby's head, neck, and back. It's fantastic for smaller babies as it surrounds the entire body and keeps them tucked in.
However, I found that with most infant car seats in this line, the quality of the infant insert differed.
For instance, the infant insert in the Nuna Pipa Lite RX and Nuna Pipa Lite LX have the Merino wool layer that acts as natural thermoregulation.
Other car seats such as Nuna Pipa RX and Nuna Pipa Lite R are made with organic jersey fabric. The particular seat I chose, the original Nuna, has an insert made from plain polyester.
It's not that bad, but if you have more budget, I would suggest you go for the Nuna Pipa Lite RX or Pipa Lite LX and benefit from the Merino wool TENCEL lyocell fiber blend.
Safety Features
Did a certain word catch your attention at the beginning of the article? Was it the "average crash results"?
So I thought. Well, let's make it clear.
All car seats that are being sold are obliged to pass and follow the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard guidelines.
Although the Nuna Pipa has passed all the crash test results, they are not as impressive as some think.
For instance, when it comes to the chest sensor results, you can find a lot better infant seats with better results, such as the Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat.
But don't think that the Nuna is not a safe option for your baby. Not at all!
Nuna offers excellent crash protection as it includes safety features such as a steel load leg and the reinforced steel frame that make it one of the best sturdy states on the market.
The bases include the rigid lower anchor connectors, which are 50% more durable and stronger than the rest of the plastic latch connectors on the market.
Nuna Pipa vs. UPPAbaby Mesa
Source: strolleria.com
Both of these car seats have high ratings for ease of use, comfort, and safety. As they are similar qualities to them, let's see what sets them apart.
For starters, the UPPAbaby Mesa has no-rethread harness straps, which are far more user-friendly than the Nuna one.
Plus, it's known to create one of the best travel systems with the UPPAbaby Vista or Cruz models that do not require adapters.
It does not even come close to the extensive sun coverage Nuna offers.
On the other hand, the Nuna car seat is a lightweight carrier that offers more models, allows for easier installation with the rigid lower anchor connectors, and includes a stability leg.
Nuna Pipa vs. Chicco KeyFit 30
Source: babybottles.com
These are some of the most compared seats on the market!
When it comes to outstanding crash results, the Chicco takes a winning round.
But, the most considerable difference between these two car seats is the weight. Nuna is lighter and suitable for traveling than Chicco is.
But, on the other hand, Chicco is bulky and heavy and probably won't fit in smaller vehicles that well.
Chicco also offers the advantage of no-rethread harness straps, which most parents love!
What Does the Nuna Pipa Lack?
As much as my heart is with the Nuna Pipa infant car seat, I have to specify its few but noticeable flaws.
Let's start with the minor one - the zipper. Unfortunately, the zipper in the canopy is somewhat faulty and gets stuck all the time!
I personally love the Dream Drape, but I found that many parents do not. For instance, some users would prefer longer coverage, especially for taller babies.
In addition, it often does not fully cover the legs, which can become a bigger problem once the little one grows.
The harness strap! I hated manually threaded harnesses, and I ended up with one. It's a challenge tightening it completely and reaching the fully adjusted.
But, I have to give it the benefit of the doubt. The process does get easier with time.
However, if you prefer a no-rethread harness, I would suggest the Chicco Key Fit 30 infant car seat. It also has premium features like Nuna, and the price is a tad bit affordable.
Other than that, I had no issues with this infant car seat. It's incredibly reliable for quick installations and fits well in my car.
FAQs
Is the Nuna Pipa car seat worth it?
Given the extremely easy installation that gives you the option to install the seat with or without the base, incredibly built design, and comfortable infant inserts, the Nuna Pipa car seat is worth it!
Currently, it ranks as one of the most expensive car seats but as soon as you see all the incredible safety and comfort features, you will not regret a penny!
Is the Nuna Pipa a safe car seat?
The Nuna Pipa is a safe car seat like all of the other seats from their manufactory line.
Nuna Pipa car seats are ranked as one of the safest on the market by Consumer Reports that rate it as "best."
Thanks to the unique features such as bubble level indicator for proper installation and steel metal frame, the car seat sits sturdy on every vehicle seat.
When should I stop using Nuna Pipa?
Source: albeebaby.com
The weight and height limit for the Nuna Pipa is between 4-32 pounds and 32" in height.
As soon as your baby reaches these limits (whichever comes first), you should stop using the seat. It's not designed to support babies beyond these limits.
Also, if you notice any defects in design or installation, stop using the Nuna Pipa car seat.
The car seat lasts for seven years, so it's no longer fit for safe use as soon as it expires.
How long does Nuna Pipa last?
Nuna PIPA infant car seats are built to last for seven years. You can find all the information you need on the expiration date on the bottom of the seat shell or the car seat base.
Car seats are not safe for use after the expiration date.
Be careful of this, as the components wear off due to daily use and are not safe to support your baby in transportation.
Does Nuna Pipa fit in a small car?
The Nuna Pipa measures out at 26.1 H x 25.2 L x 17.5 W to fit most smaller vehicles.
Always double-check the dimensions to make sure it fits in your vehicle. It's sure to fit in SUVs as none of the parents who used it did not have trouble with the fit.
Bottom Line
There you have it. You've heard all there is to know in my Nuna Pipa review, and I hope you have enjoyed it.
I covered as many details as I could so you can see my first impressions and how this car seat tested out for me.
Honestly, if you don't like cumbersome car seats and want to install the seat as quickly as possible, you will love the Nuna Pipa!
I choose the original version, but it's up to you to see what other car seats are in the line and whether there is a better choice for your needs.
