What is the best Nuna car seat? How many Nuna car seats are there to choose from? If you’re interested in this new car seat brand and want to know what Nuna car seat is a good option, check out this ultimate guide.
The Nuna does not have as many car seats as other traditional brands but covers the full product group, including Nuna infant car seats (mainly Pipa lines), convertible car seats, all-in-one car seats, and booster seats. We’ll list all Nuna car seats in this post and pick up the best 4 car seats for these four car seat types for a short review.
Best Nuna Car Seat in Categories
Best Nuna Car Seat List
Infant
Nuna Infant Car Seats
Convertible
Nuna Convertible Car Seat
All-in-one
Nuna All-in-one Car Seat
Booster
Nuna Booster Seat
Nuna Pipa Lite LX - Best Nuna Infant Car Seat
Nuna Pipa Lite LX / Lite R - 5.3 pounds
Key Features
- Weight Range: 4-32 lbs.
- Height Limit: 32 inches
- Lifespan: 7 years
- Type: Infant
- Stage: 1st
- Suitable for: Birth to 1 year old
The Good
- Lightweight and portable for travel
- Connect to many strollers
- Easy installation
The Bad
- Very pricey
- Not fit well in small cars
$350
Don’t let the price of the Nuna Pipa Lite LX car seat make you think you think you’re missing out. This Nuna infant car seat is easy to install, packed with safety features, and can be used for 7 years—and is slightly less expensive (when it’s on sale) than other Nuna infant car seats on the market.
With a size limit of 32 lbs/ 32″, the Nuna Pipa Lite LX is a great infant car seat for babies around 12 months or 18 months. The minimum weight requirement is as low as 4 pounds, making it a good option for preemies. Don’t worry about the fitting problem, the Nuna Pipa Lite LX and other Nuna infant car seats include an infant insert and are well-padded. You should keep in mind that the infant insert can be only used for small babies under 11 pounds. As your baby grows over, it’s removable.
The Nuna Pipa Lite LX ensures comfort as well as safety, thanks to the fabric that is made of Merino wool and TENCEL™ * branded lyocell fiber blend and the padding that is made of Aeroflex™ foam for helping absorb the crash energy to minimum force transferred to the baby in case of any crash. All the materials are lightweight. As a result, you get an ultra-light infant car seat. The Nuna Pipa Lite LX weighs only 5.7 lbs (without the canopy or insert). It’s one of the lightest infant car seats.
The installation is easy with the True lock base. You must know that the base is necessary to install the Nuna Pipa Lite LX. You can’t install the carrier only. That’s one of the biggest down points for the Nuna Pipa Lite LX. Actually, among the six Nuna infant car seats, three of them (Pipa Lite LX, Pipa Lite R, Pipa Lite) must be installed with the base.
This is not as convenient as those infant car seats that can be installed without a base, especially for travel, because you need to take the base along with you. Luckily, the base is sold separately and you can get another Pipa series base or Relx base to install the Nuna Pipa infant car seat in the second vehicle if your family has multiple cars.
What most parents like about the Nuna Pipa Lite LX is the large canopy. I know that most manufacturers boast their infant car seats featuring a large canopy, but the canopy used in Nuna infant car seats is really a bit larger. It has a flip-out eyeshade that can provide extra sunshade area.
The Nuna Pipa is positioned high-end so it’s not surprising for its high price. All Nuna infant car seats have an MSRP of over $300. That’s even more expensive than some all-in-one car seats. Of course, the Nuna all-in-one car seats are more expensive.
The Nuna Pipa Lite LX seems very spacious, but it features a narrow profile, only 17.5 inches wide. That’s as good as the car seats to fit 3 across.
Nuna REVV - Best Nuna Rotating Car Seat
Nuna REVV
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 4-40 (RF): 25-40 (FF)
- Height limits: 43"(RF & FF)
- Stage: 1st, 2nd
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Suitable: Birth to 3-4 years old
- Rotating: 360 degrees
- Base: Built-in Base
The Good
- High-end fabrics and stylish design
- 360-degree rotation
- Narrow profile (18.5”)
- Anti-rebound bar
The Bad
- Very expensive
- Lower weight and height limit
$650
The Revv is a Nuna convertible car seat that supports 360 degrees of rotation. The manufacturer released this car seat to catch up with the trend of rotating car seats. It is a high-end seat that parents are already raving about and is loaded with smart features and lots of safety extras.
Like other swivel car seats, the Nuna Revv has two pieces – one car seat and one base. The best thing about the Revv is that the 360-degree rotation can be done one-handed and is pretty simple. Even better, the 360-degree rotation is available for both rear-facing and forward-facing. That’s very convenient for parents to take their kids in and out.
What else is there to love about Nuna Revv? Plenty. Like other Nuna car seats, the Revv is made of soft materials that provide comfortable rides for growing kids from 4 pounds to 40 pounds until they are 43 inches tall. This Nuna convertible car seat is also equipped with a no-rethread harness (a feature we always appreciate), an anti-rebound bar, a steel frame, and energy-absorbing foam.
There are also lots of well-thought-out features like magnetic buckle holders to keep straps out of the way when they aren’t in use and a 10-position recline. This provides the parents most convenience while considering the kid’s max comfort as well.
Measuring 18.5 inches in width, the Nuna Revv is as slim as the best narrow car seats on the market. That’s a good thing to note if you’re tight on space in your back seat or need to install multiple car seats. The EXEC has a narrow profile as well, the same as the REVV at 18.5 inches.
The biggest down points? Well, the price is one and the other is the size limit. We understand that swivel car seats are more expensive than traditional convertible ones. And the Nuna REVV is the most expensive, up to $650. That’s $100-$200 more than other rotating car seats.
On the other hand, the weight limits on the Revv, 40 lbs/ 43″ for both in the rear- and forward-facing positions, are the lowest of all convertible car seats. It’s also a shorter seat. (It has a low top harness height.) It’s likely that many children will grow out of it before they’re ready to move to a booster seat, meaning you’ll need to buy another convertible car seat. (Especially disappointing considering how expensive the Revv is.)
The Nuna REVV is very heavy, weighing in at 32 pounds, so moving it between cars isn’t easy. Car seat techs also note that while installing the seat using your vehicle’s lower anchors (LATCH) is fairly easy, the seat belt installation can be quite challenging to get right.
Nuna has two convertible car seats. The other is the RAVA with weight limits the same as other traditional convertible car seats. Even better, it has a higher rear-facing weight limit of up to 50 pounds, making it one of the best 25 rear-facing car seats 50 lbs. Check the comparison of REVV vs RAVA in the Nuna convertible car seat parts.
Nuna EXEC - Best Nuna All-in-one Car Seat
Nuna EXEC
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 5-50 (RF): 25-65 (FF); 40-120 (Booster)
- Height limits: ~49"(RF&FF); 57"(Booster)
- Stage: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Suitable: Birth to 7-8 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Multiple headrest positions for best fit
- Anti-rebound panel and leg rest for extending use
- Ventilation panels and breathable knit fabric
- Narrow profile to fit 3 across in most vehicles
- FR-free materials
The Bad
- Very pricey
- Heavy and bulky
$750
The EXEC is the only all-in-one car seat from the Nuna. With an already hugely popular line of infant and convertible car seats under their belt, it’s exciting to see parent-favorite brand Nuna jump into the world of all-in-one car seats. The EXEC inherits the Nuna style. It is also a high-end seat that parents are already raving about and is loaded with intelligent features and lots of safety extras.
The all-in-one design means it can be used in three different modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, and as a booster seat. It’s starting to be obvious here, but the best thing about the EXEC is the high weight limit for both rear-facing and booster.
Thanks to the 50-pound weight limit for rear-facing, the EXEC is one of the best rear-facing car seats 50 lbs. The booster weight limit is set to 120 pounds, making the EXEC as good as the best car seats with a 5-point harness up to 120 pounds. This Nuna all-in-one seems the hybrid of Graco Extend2Fit (50-lb RF weight limit) and Graco 4Ever DLX (120-lb booster weight limit).
A few other features that are worth highlighting about this seat include a no-rethread harness with 12 different positions, eight recline options, an anti-rebound bar, and several easy-to-use features to ensure you’re getting a safe, secure install, and machine washable fabrics. Like other Nuna car seats, the EXEC is soft, comfortable, and made from high-quality materials and energy-absorbing foam.
The EXEC is also one of the market’s narrower all-in-one car seats, measuring 18.5-inch in width. That’s really a good thing to note if you’re tight on space in your back seat or need to install multiple car seats. This 18.5-inch width makes the EXEC as good as those great narrow car seats within 20 inches wide. However, it might be slightly difficult to fit three across in small cars. It is not as slim as the best car seats to fit 3 across.
The EXEC is not as heavy as the REVV (26.6 lbs vs 32 lbs), but it’s not easy to move it from car to car. You also need to pay attention to the seat belt installation, which is a bit harder than other all-in-one car seats with special techniques, like ClickTight for Britax One4Life, even though it boasts of a Simply™ secure tech for a foolproof installation.
Nuna AACE
Nuna AACE
Key Features
- Weight range (lb): 40-110 (high-back): 50-120 (Backless)
- Height limits: 38-60"(Booster)
- Age requirements: 4+ yr (high-back); 5+ yr (backless)
- Stage: 3rd
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Suitable: 4 to 10 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Multiple headrest positions for best fit
- Ventilation panels and breathable knit fabric
- FR-free materials
The Bad
- Very pricey
- Heavy and bulky
$249.95
The AACE is the only booster seat from Nuna till now. This new car seat brand is trying to cover the full categories, lacking only the harnessed booster seat. Like other Nuna car seats, the AACE is highly-priced, up to $249.95. That’s not good for families with a limited budget on a car seat, especially a booster seat. But if you have a taller/ bigger kid and also have a good budget for a 2-in-1 booster seat, the AACE is still worth consideration.
It has a higher size limit than the majority of booster seats on the market, up to 120 lbs/ 60″, making the AACE last good years until the kid is ready to stop using a car seat. It’s absolutely a good car seat for 7-year-old big kids. However, you should note that the AACE has minimum weight and age requirements as a booster seat – the kid should be at least 40-pound or 4 years or older in the high-back booster mode or 50 pounds or more and at least 5 years old in the backless booster mode. Yes, the AACE is a 2-in-1 belt-positioning booster.
The installation is quite simple, thanks to the colored belt path guide. A few other highlights of this Nuna booster seat include a belt positioner and a load leg for extra safety and stability, 8 recline positions, side impact protection, and a pretty straightforward installation process.
You’ll get a lot of features with the Nuna AACE booster seat, but it’s on the expensive side, even more expensive than some all-in-one car seats like the Diono Radian 3R and Safety 1st Grow and Go. There are a few cheap car seats on the market for alternatives. You can always find one that suits your needs and car seat budget.
Nuna Infant Car Seat List
There are six infant car seats from Nuna. Two in the Pipa series and four in the Lite series. Check our post on the Nuna Pipa car seat comparison.
Nuna Pipa Car Seat
| Nuna Pipa Car Seats | Pipa | Pipa RX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $400 |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 4-32 lb/ 32" | 4-32 lb/ 32" |
| Weight | 7.9 pounds | 7.6 pounds |
| True lock™ Base Installation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Installation without Base | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connects with all Nuna Strollers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full Coverage UPF 50+ canopy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sky drape | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Harness Holders | - | ✓ |
| Side impact protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rigid LATCH | - | 4 position adjustable |
| Recline | - | 4 position |
| Merino wool | - | - |
| No-rethread harness | - | - |
Nuna Pipa Lite Car Seat Comparison
| Nuna Pipa Lite Car Seats | Pipa Lite | Pipa Lite R | Pipa Lite LX | Pipa Lite RX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $299.95 | $400 | $415 |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 4-32 lb/ 32" | 4-32 lb/ 32" | 4-32 lb/ 32" | 4-32 lb/ 32" |
| Weight | 5.3 pounds | 5.3 pounds | 5.7 pounds | 6.9 pounds |
| True lock™ Base Installation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Installation without Base | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Connects with all Nuna Strollers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full Coverage UPF 50+ canopy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sky drape | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Harness Holders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Side impact protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rigid LATCH | - | 4 position adjustable | - | 4 position adjustable |
| Recline | - | 4 position | - | 4 position |
| Merino wool | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| No-rethread harness | - | - | - | ✓ |
Nuna Convertible Car Seat List
| Nuna Convertible Car Seats | RAVA | REVV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $650 |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 5-50 lb (5-35 lb with LATCH) / 49" | 5-40 lb (5-30 lb with LATCH)/ 43" |
| Forward-Facing Harness | 25-65 lb (25-40 lb with LATCH)/ 49" | 25-40 lb (25-30 lb with LATCH)/ 43" |
| Headrest Positions | 10 | 10 |
| Recline | 10 | 5 |
| Color | 9 | 4 |
| Installation | Simply™ Secure | 360-degree |
| Side impact protection | ✓ | ✓, Aeroflex™ SIP system |
| No-rethread 5-point harness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laidback legroom | ✓ | - |
| Integrated rebound bar | - | ✓ |
| Dimensions | L 16 x W 19 x H 25.2-31 in | 21.5 to 22.5” L x 18.5” W x 22.5 to 29.5“H |
| Weight | 27.2 pounds | 32 pounds |
Nuna All-in-one Car Seat List
| Nuna All-in-one Car Seat | EXEC |
|---|---|
| Price | $750 |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 5-50 lb (5-35 lb with LATCH) / 49" |
| Forward-Facing Harness | 25-65 lb (25-40 lb with LATCH)/ 49" |
| Booster Capacity | 40-120 lb/ 38-57 in. |
| Headrest Positions | 8 |
| Recline | 4 |
| Color | 3 |
| Installation | SmartSecure |
| Side impact protection | Side Impact Pods |
| No-rethread 5-point harness | ✓ |
| Multi-Directional Tether | ✓ |
| Koroyd welded tube structure | ✓ |
| Dimensions | 23.8” L x 18.8” W x 27.4–32.5” H |
| Weight | 32.5 pounds |
Nuna Booster Seat List
| Nuna Booster Seat | AACE |
|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 |
| High-back Booster Capacity | 40 to 110 lbs /38 to 60 in/ 4 years or older |
| Backless Booster Capacity | 50 to 120 lbs /38 to 60 in/ at least 5 years old |
| Headrest Positions | 9 |
| Recline | 8 |
| Color | 6 |
| Installation | Lower anchor and colored belt path |
| Side impact protection | ✓ |
| Dimensions | L 15 x W 22.5 X H 33 in. |
| Weight | 16.5 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
When do Nuna Car Seats Expire
How long Nuna car seats are good mainly depends on the type.
Nuna infant car seats expire 7 years after the date of manufacture.
The other types of Nuna car seats, including convertible, all-in-one, and booster expire 10 years after the date of manufacture.
The expiration date is not directly shown on the white label on the car seat. Only the date of manufacture can be found on that label, and you need to calculate the Nuna car seat expiration date with the below equation:
Date of Manufacture + Car Seat’s Useful Time = Expiry Date
For example, you have purchased a Nuna RAVA car seat with its manufacture date written:
2018 /11/23 (year/month/day)
We know that the Nuna convertible car seat features a 10-year lifespan (useful time), then you’ll know the expiry date of the Nuna RAVA car seat is:
2028/11/23
That means the Nuna RAVA car seat is safe to use until November 2028 if it does not experience any crashes. (Car seats should be discontinued if they have been used in a crash.) See also car seat expiration date.
Buyer’s Guide - Why Parents Love Nuna Car Seat
Nuna is a new brand, but this does not affect its ever-growing popularity among parents, especially those young parents who are willing to try new things. This manufacturer positions itself as a high-end brand with a very expensive price.
The Nuna car seats look high-end as well. It’s a pity that it’s not that easy to get a Nuna car seat because they are not available on the third e-commerce platform like Amazon. Sometimes, there is no stock available on the official website. Then you can only get a Nuna car seat from the offline dealers.
But this does not stop lots of parents from searching for a Nuna car seat online. So we make this buying guide to summarize the common features you should pay attention to when picking up a Nuna car seat.
Safety
Safety is the top priority. However, you should know that all car seats are safe to use because they are required to pass the crash tests under the federal safety standards – FMVSS 213. That stands for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213, which also often appears in the state laws on child restraint systems.
All the Nuna car seats meet this safety standard as well.
Also, the Nuna car seats (except the booster) have a 5-point harness that is good for side impact protection. The metal frame as well as thick energy-absorbing foam helps to minimize the crash force on the kids. (Each Nuna car seat has thicker padding and seems more than the car seats from other brands.)
Install
Proper installation is the deciding factor to make sure the little passenger will get 100% protection or not. It’s the first step for a car seat to perform its safety features.
Every Nuna car seat provides both LATCH and seat belt installation. The manufacturer boasts of its Simple Secure tech that is used in some Nuna car seats like the RAVA and EXEC. It also recommends seat belt installation for every Nuna car seat because this can make full use of its weight limit. (It’s true that the LATCH installation has a lower weight limit than the given weight limit for a car seat.) However, some car seat experts find that it’s not as easy to install a Nuna car seat as other brands like the Graco or Britax.
According to my friend Lucy’s experience, the Nuna car seat (she got the RAVA) performs better in the installation than Safety 1st car seats anyway.
Size Limits
Size limit is also an important factor because it decides how long you’ll be able to use a Nuna car seat (within the expiration date).
The only Nuna all-in-one car seat – EXEC, has a bigger size limit of 120 lbs/ 57″. It can be used for good years, from a kid’s birth to the day when he or she stops using a car seat.
However, the Nuna EXEC has two major down points as other all-in-one car seats. First, it is more expensive than non-all-in-one car seats. (but absolutely cheaper than buying two or three, especially when Nuna car seats are far more expensive than other brands.)
The second issue is that It is heavier and bulkier (not for all models, the Nuna REVV is heavier at up to 32 pounds). It’s not an easy thing to switch from car to car.
The only Nuna booster seat – AACE, has the biggest size limit of 120 lbs/ 60″. It’s more suitable for taller kids.
There are two Nuna convertible car seats. One is the RAVA and it’s quite similar to other traditional convertible car seats in the size limit: 65 lbs/ 49″, making it a good car seat for 5-6 years old kids. The other is the REVV, one of the best rotating car seats. It does not have a great weight/height range as a common convertible car seat, only 40 lbs/ 43″ for both rear-facing and forward-facing. That’s much lower than the RAVA. The swivel feature might be compensation for its size limit.
The Nuna infant car seats, actually the Pipa series, have the same size limit: 32 lbs/ 32″, making them a good car seat for 1-year-old infants in a rear-facing position.
Fabric
What kind of fabric a Nuna car seat is made from determines how comfort the kid will feel in it. There will be a hundred times of friction to take your kids in and out of the car seat. So soft and high-quality fabrics not only keep your child comfortable but also durable for a long last to match its usable life. After all, the padding or fabric is not repairable.
For all parents, a car seat made from machine washable fabric is more preferable than those with non-machine washable fabric. That saves time.
The fabrics for each Nuna car seat is high-performance and machine washable. That’s friendly for both kids and parents. The Nuna car seats might be the most comfortable car seats.
The most important reason why so many parents love a Nuna car seat might be the eco-friendly. All the materials used in Nuna car seats are “RF-free”.
Color Options (Bonus)
Every Nuna car seat provides at least two color options. Some even more. That’s good for both boys and girls. As a parent, you can always pick up one for the baby girls or boys. It’s a pity that the Nuna Pipa infant car seats do not have a pink or purple color. See our lists on pink car seats and purple car seats.
FAQs on Nuna Car Seat
Is the Nuna PIPA worth it?
Nuna PIPA infant car seats are pricey. But it’s still popular among lots of parents because they feel the lightweight, durable Nuna PIPA is worth it given the quality, ease of installation and use, comfort for little ones, and more.
How long can a baby stay in a Nuna?
That depends on the specific models. The Nuna Pipa infant car seats are suitable for a child 4 to 32 lbs and up to 32 in. Good car seats for 1 year old infants.
The Nuna REVV is a convertible car seat but is just able to accommodate a child 4 to 40 lbs and up to 43 in., until approximately 2-3 years old. This size limit is very near to the car seats with extended rear-facing. Some of them are even better, up to 50 lbs rear-facing weight limit.
The Nuna RAVV has a size limit of 65 lbs/ 49″ and is good for kids 5 or 6 years old. The Nuna EXEC belongs to the all-in-one car seat type and it’s suitable for children 5 to 120 lbs and up to 57 in, until approximately 10 years old when a kid can stop using a car seat.
Is Nuna a luxury brand?
Yes, the Nuna is a luxury car seat brand. The Nuna car seats are among the higher-priced options with high-quality materials. So many parents love it and think it’s well worth the investment.
Is Nuna Australian?
The Nuna declares itself a global brand with roots in Amsterdam. It’s actually belongs to a China company based in Taiwan.
Why do people like Nuna?
There are two major reasons. First, all of Nuna’s car seats are free of flame-retardant chemicals (the only brand in the US to do that); Second, they are made of a variety of high-quality, soft, breathable fabrics like cotton, jersey, and merino wool. So in this analogy, riding in a Nuna car seat is like getting upgraded to first class.
There are several additions for each Nuna car seat. For example, the Nuna REVV’s 360 degrees rotation, and the Nuna RAVA’s extended legroom panel.
Why is the Nuna Rava so popular?
Nuna RAVA offers a super easy to use seat belt installation feature and all the convenience features parents want. It has a 50-lb weight limit with an extended leg room feature, which makes it an ideal car seat for extended rear facing. It’s eco-friendly “FR-free” and simply beautiful.
Is Nuna made in China?
Yes, all of Nuna products are manufactured in China in an ISO 14001 certified factory, which stays current with the latest eco-friendly equipment and processes!
Are UPPAbaby and Nuna the same?
Not really. UPPAbaby offers more accessory options than Nuna, including a ride-along board for an older sibling, two types of parent bags, and two weights for the footmuff. While Nuna has a more complete list of car seats covering four types, including an infant (Pipa series), convertible (REVV and RAVA), all-in-one (EXEC), and booster (AACE). Check our comparison on Nuna vs UPPAbaby to find the best suits your needs.
Is the Nuna RAVA airline approved?
Yes, the Nuna RAVA has been tested and certified to meet FAA requirements for air travel. If you want to use it on a plane, follow the instructions in the car seat manual (see “Aircraft Installation” part). The FAA-certified sticker is located on the bottom of the RAVA. Look for the label with the airplane.
However, you probably do not want to take it on an airplane because it’s heavy and bulky. Taking it through the airports is not as easy as for those lightweight convertible car seats. Also, the 18.5-inch width might not fit well in a narrow window seat on the plane.
Is Nuna baby a US brand?
Not really. The Nuna is a baby gear brand located in Amsterdam but belongs to a China company.
But it has a lot of US dealers located in different states.
What age is the Nuna RAVA for?
The Nuna RAVA is designed to accommodate newborns as low as 5 pounds until they are 50 pounds in rear-facing. This 50-lb weight limit makes RAVA a good car seat for 2 years or older for extending rear-facing.
The forward-facing weight range with seat belt is 25-65 lbs, with lower anchor belt: 25-40 lbs., 49 in or less, suggested usage 2 years of age or older.
Does Nuna use leather?
No. The Nuna boasts of featuring an environmentally friendly merino wool TENCEL™* lyocell blend that is soft and naturally controls moisture.
Which is better Nuna or UPPAbaby?
That’s very dependable. Check our detailed comparison of these two brands: Nuna vs UPPAbaby car seats.