This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick List: Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat
We pick up the winner from the comparison between Nuna versus UPPAbaby car seats for the comparison between Nuna vs UPPAbaby car seats in these types: infant, convertible, all-in-one, and booster:
1. Nuna vs UPPAbaby infant car seat: NunaUPPAbaby MESA V2-$329.99, get it on Amazon.
2. Nuna vs UPPAbaby convertible car seat: Nuna Rava – $399.99, get in on Nuna Official Website.
3. Nuna vs UPPAbaby all-in-one car seat: Nuna Exec – $750, get in on Nuna Official Website.
4. Nuna vs UPPAbaby booster seat: UPPAbaby ALTA – $179.99, get in on Amazon.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby, which is better? Well, that depends very much on your needs. Both are good car seat brands and on the pricey side. They don’t have as many years of experience as traditional manufacturers like Graco, Britax, and Chicco. They don’t have a complete product line with one car seat in each type, making it easier for us to compare Nuna vs UPPAbaby car seat.
Still, we’ll compare the two brands on each car seat type and pick up the best recommendation according to the safety features, comfort, and ease of use. We also consider the customers’ feedback when comparing Nuna versus UPPAbaby car seats. Price is also a consideration, but both brands are on the pricey side and suitable for families who have a good budget. If you want a more affordable option, Graco car seats would be cheaper.
To help you easily pick up the best one from Nuna or UPPAbaby, I’ve compared Nuna versus UPPAbaby car seats by type – infant, convertible, all-in-one, booster, etc. Under each type, we’ll compile a complete list of all the car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby, and pick the most mentioned model for comparison.
You can click the below icon to have a quick view of Nuna vs UPPAbaby infant car seats, Nuna vs UPPAbaby convertible car seats, Nuna vs UPPAbaby all-in-one car seats, and Nuna vs UPPAbaby booster seats.
As I said above, both brands probably don’t have a complete product line covering all car seat types, for example, UPPAbaby does not have an all-in-one car seat, making the Exec automatically the winner between Nuna vs UPPAbaby all-in-one car seat. Both brands don’t have a harnessed booster.
Below is the table of winners between Nuna versus UPPAbaby car seat for a quick view. You can click the icon to view the detailed reviews and comparisons.
Winners from the Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comparison
Winners from Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat
Winners from the comparisons on infant car seats, convertible, all-in-one, and booster seats.
Infant
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat
Convertible
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat
All-in-one
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat
Booster
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Booster Seat
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Safety
There are some websites giving a rating from 5-0 for the child safety seat based on their own crash tests. However, you should not completely believe that because their crash tests on the car seat are still special cases under certain conditions. If they do this to prove the car seat has the advertised safety features or not, that’s much more persuasive.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Safety Similarity
Car seats from both brands have a 5-point harness (except booster seats) and multiple layers of side impact protection. The most common case is two layers.
All Nuna car seats and UPPAbaby car seats are made of a metal frame, which is thought stronger for protection. Some Nuna car seats, like the Nuna EXEC, have an anti-rebound panel that can be used for safety as well as comfort.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Safety Difference
Both brands are new to the market, enrolling in this industry in 2007 (Nuna) and 2006 (UPPAbaby). But it seems the UPPAbaby gets used to the car seat industry rules and finally develops its own unique safety features, better than the Nuna, which does not yet have any special innovation in this aspect.
The UPPAbaby at least has several words like the Koroyd used in KNOX, which refers to safety. But it’s not easy for a brand to create a new technology for safety. Most just follow the rule to ensure basic safety and include energy-absorbing foam for improving safety performance.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Installation
Proper installation is also important and even more important than the safety features. Only with proper installation, the safety features can work as expected. So it’s strongly recommended to read and follow the instructions in the car seat manual to install a car seat from Nuna and UPPAbaby, and any other car seat brands (We always emphasize this sentence in most of our articles.).
There are resemblances and distinctions between the Nuna vs UPPAbaby car seat installation.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Installation Similarity
Most car seats from both brands support LATCH and seat belt installation. Okay, I have to admit that’s the same for all car seat brands.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Installation Difference
I just find that brands like to give a unique name for their own techniques in this field.
The Nuna car seats have Simple Secure installation, while the UPPAbaby car seats are equipped with the SMARTSecure System. They are very like to Graco’s SnugLock and Chicco’s SuperCinch. These are actually guides and indicators that help minimize the risk of user error.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comfort
The car seats for the kids are as important as the cars for parents. They spend a lot of time in this specially designed place from birth to the day when they can stop using the car seat, typically on their eighth birthday. But it’s a common rule that you can keep the little passenger in a car seat (even a booster) for as long as possible.
So comfort is also a critical factor to consider for choosing a child safety seat.
The good news is that Nuna and UPPAbaby car seats are among the most comfortable car seat lists.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comfort Similarities
All car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby are thickly padded and are cozy for daily pickups and long trips.
These car seats are made of high-end and machine-washable fabric and include at least one cup holder in the package (except for infant car seats).
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comfort Difference
The difference in comfort between Chicco and Britax car seats is that they have different positions for the headrest and recline.
The Nuna car seats have more positions for adjustment to achieve the best fit. Of course, the UPPAbaby car seats have enough positions to fit your child’s growth.
It’s a pity that both brands do not have an easy-to-remove cover. But this is a tie for both Nuna and UPPAbaby.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Price
Comes to the biggest down point for both brands – the price. The Nuna and UPPAbaby car seats are absolutely on the pricey side. The car seat in the same category is far more expensive than the Britax car seat, which is considered the most expensive among Graco vs Chicco vs Britax.
Since both Nuna and UPPAbaby have only several car seats, we would like to list the price comparison here:
- Nuna Pipa infant car seats start from $280 vs UPPAbaby infant car seats start at $320. (The prices have the base included.)
- Nuna convertible car seats start from $550 ($550 for RAVA and $650 for REVV) and vs UPPAbaby KNOX at $349.99-$399.99
- Nuna all-in-one car seat $750 vs No (UPPAbaby does not have an all-in-one car seat)
- Nuna AACE booster seat ($249.95) vs UPPAbaby ALTA booster seat ($179.99)
Car seats from both brands are on the same level. They are the most expensive (far more than Britax and Chicco car seats anyway) as far as in our database. So you’ll see the UPPAbaby car seats are not as popular as other cheaper car seats on Amazon.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comparison - Infant
There are six Nuna infant car seats on sale on the market till the post was published. Check our post on the full comparison of Nuna Pipa infant car seats to find what are the similarities and differences.
Below is the Nuna Pipa infant car seat vs UPPAbaby Mesa specs.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seats Specs
| 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 Seats | Pipa Lite | Pipa Lite R | Pipa Lite LX | Pipa Lite RX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $299.95 | $400 (Full review) | $415 (Full review) |
| 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 | - | - | - | ✓ |
UPPAbaby Infant Car Seats Specs
| UPPAbaby Infant Car Seats | MESA | MESA V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.99~$349.99 (Full review) | $329.99 (Full review) |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 4-35 lb/ 32" | 4-35 lb/ 32" |
| Weight | 9.9 pounds | 9.9 pounds |
| Infant Insert Use | 4-8 pounds | 4-11 pounds |
| Hideaway Canopy with UPF 25+ | Large | 20% Larger |
| Connects with UPPAbaby Strollers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connects with Other Strollers | with adapter | with adapter |
| Color | 4 | 3 |
| Installation | ✓ | European belt path |
| Side impact protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMARTSecure | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-handed Release | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dimensions | 27.5"L x 17"W x 24"H | 26.4" x 17"W x 23"H |
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat: Pipa Lite RX vs MESA V2 (winner)
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Size Limit
From the data, the UPPAbaby MESA V2 has a slightly higher weight limit (35 lbs vs 32 lbs), while the height limit remains the same at 32 inches. The 3-lb difference is not a biggie as both are good infant car seats for 1 year old babies. It’s likely that they reach the maximum 32-inch height first before approaching the weight limit.
From this point, the MESA V2 is slightly winning over Pipa infant car seat in the Nuna vs UPPAbaby car seat comparison.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Safety
We generally give an equal safety rating for the compared car seats, because they all pass the crash tests under the government safety standards. Of course, both Nuna and UPPAbaby develop their own technique to enhance their car seats’ safety performance.
First, both infant car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby have a 5-point harness. That’s the best protection for newborns and small toddlers. They have memory foam around that can help absorb crash energy.
The UPPAbaby MESA V2 makes full use of its handle and turns it into an anti-rebound by placing the handle in the 4th position. This increases protection in case of rear-impact collisions. The large headrest not only provides support for the baby’s head but also delivers additional side impact protection.
Nuna has a lot to say about its Pipa infant car seats. On the safety aspect, the Nuna Pipa Lite RX has a heavy-duty shell, giving an impression that it’s sturdy to be protective, even though it’s one of the lightest infant car seats (only 5.3 pounds). It has side impact protection as well.
Different from the UPPAbaby MESA V2, the Nuna Pipa Lite RX has an anti-rebound panel, not using the handle. It also boasts of its Aeroflex foam that minimizes force transferred to the baby by absorbing & diffusing the crash energy when the collisions happen.
Plus, the Nuna Pipa Lite RX has a crumple zone that will enhance the protection by doing the same job as the foam – absorbing impact and minimizing force transferred to the baby.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Installation
Both Nuna Pipa Lite RX and UPPAbaby MESA V2 are easy to install. They have different car seat installation techniques.
The MESA V2 has a SMARTSecure system that enables installation with LATCH connectors in seconds. It has a visual indicator that has red and green colors. If you have installed the MESA V2 correctly, it turns from red to green. There is a built-in lock-off that is used to achieve a tight and secure installation if using the seat belt.
This UPPAbaby infant car seat can be installed without the base, beating Nuna Pipa Lite RX, which needs the base for installation. The good point is that it is equipped with a European Routing belt guide for an easier and more secure installation if you choose to install it without the base.
The biggest down point of Nuna Pipa Lite RX is that it does not support a car seat installation without the base. Among the six Nuna Pipa infant car seats, three of them must be installed with the included base (RELX or PIPA series base), including the Pipa Lite LX, Pipa Lite R, and Pipa Lite; other three Nuna Pipa infant car seats (Pipa Lite RX, Pipa RX, and Pipa) can be installed without a base.
But why do we give it a tie for the Nuna vs UPPAbaby infant car seat installation? Thanks to the locking 3-piece steel stability leg. It allows various adjustments to enable the Nuna Pipa Lite RX to fit in the middle seats of most vehicles. As we know, the middle car seat is the hardest spot for a car seat installation.
Also, it has a few great installation features. The True Lock™ LATCH connectors make it easy to set up swiftly, simply, and safely in 5 seconds. The open belt path is friendly for both LATCH and seat belt installation. Same as the UPPAbaby MESA V2, the Nuna Pipa Lite RX has a lock-off for seat belt installation and colored indicators to reduce the guess. Plus, the rigid LATCH system of Nuna infant car seats provides a 4-position adjustment to remove or reduce the gap between the base and vehicle seat, ensuring a tight installation.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Comfort
Both infant car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby look high-end. They have plenty of padding that is made of high-quality fabric. The MESA V2 boasts of its fabric free from flame-retardant chemicals. The fabric is machine washable and removable.
The Pipa Lite RX seems better. The Nuna boasts that this infant car seat is made of carefully curated high-performance materials including aerospace aluminum (the reason why it’s so lightweight) and featherweight fabrics. The headrest is made of Tailor Tech™ memory foam that will provide a cozy fit to grow with your baby. The fabric and foam are both flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals.
Both Nuna and UPPAbaby infant car seats include an infant insert for newborns and small babies. The MESA V2 makes it clear that the infant insert is used for babies approximately 4-8 lbs. In the Nuna Pipa Lite RX car seat manual, the manufacturer also states that the infant inserts should be removed before the baby reaches 11 pounds.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Convenience
Both Nuna Pipa Lite RX and UPPAbaby MESA V2 are parent-friendly. They are convenient. The UPPAbaby MESA V2 features a no-rethread harness that allows parents to adjust the headrest simply. It has storage pockets to hold the harness buckles and keep them out of the way when you put the baby in and out of the car seat. There is a stroller release button in the carry handle that you can release with one-hand.
The Nuna Pipa Lite RX also has an easy-to-use carry handle. It’s ergonomically designed to tote with ease. Thanks to the super resilient top-of-the-line plastics, the Pipa Lite RX is ultra lightweight to carry. But it’s not easy to carry if you have a 10-20 pound baby in it as well. The base is low profile, making it easy to load the infant carrier.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Canopy
Both infant car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby have a large canopy. But the Nuna Pipa Lite RX seems even better for its sun protection (UPF 50+ vs UPF 25+). Also, the canopy of Nuna Pipa Lite RX is removable. It has two positions for adjustment and a flip-out eyeshade to extend the coverage of the sunshade.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Stroller Compatibility
Both infant carriers are compatible with their own strollers. The UPPAbaby MESA V2 has a direct attachment to VISTA and CRUZ strollers; and the Nuna Pipa Lite R connects only with Nuna strollers, including trvl, triv, triv next, demi grow, mixx next, ivvi totl, tavo, tavo next, pepp next, and more.
If you want to expand the stroller compatibility for both infant car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby, you may need an adapter. UPPAbaby provides various adapters, even including one that will connect Nuna Pipa infant car seats to UPPAbaby stroller.
Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat vs UPPAbaby MESA Specs: Price
Both Nuna Pipa Lite RX and UPPAbaby MESA V2 are more expensive than infant car seats from traditional manufacturers. The MSRP of MESA V2 is $329.99 while Pipa Lite RX costs over $400. From this point, UPPAbaby wins over Nuna Pipa Lite R.
The cheapest Nuna Pipa infant car seat is the Pipa, which is $330, very nearly to MESA V2’s $329.99.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Convertible Car Seat Comparison
Nuna Convertible Car Seats Specs
| Nuna Convertible Car Seats | RAVA | REVV |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 (Full review) | $650 (Full review) |
| 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 |
UPPAbaby Convertible Car Seat Specs
| UPPAbaby Convertible Car Seat | KNOX |
|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 (Full review)/Get it on Amazon |
| Rear-Facing Harness | 14-45 lb / 49" |
| Forward-Facing Harness | 25-65 lb/ 49" |
| 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 vs UPPAbaby Convertible Car Seat: RAVA (Winner) vs KNOX
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Size Limit
The RAVA is absolutely the winner compared to the KNOX in the Nuna vs UPPAbaby convertible car seat comparison. The height limit is the same – 49 inches, for both rear-facing and forward-facing, having the same features as the best car seats for tall babies. The weight range for front-facing is also the same from 25 to 65 pounds. The difference is decided by the rear-facing weight limit.
The Nuna RAVA is able to accommodate a newborn as light as 5 pounds and can be used rear-facing until they reach 50 pounds. The 50-lb capacity makes RAVA one of the best rear-facing car seats 50 lbs. (The EXEC is also one of them.) It’s obviously a good car seat for a newborn as well, thanks to the minimum 5-lb weight requirement.
The UPPAbaby KNOX has a narrower weight range, from 14 pounds to 45 pounds. It last good years, but not as long as Nuna RAVA. The former’s 14-lb is probably good for infants at 3 or 4 months old. Both are good car seats with extended rear-facing; the Nuna RAVA has a 50-lb weight limit and the UPPAbaby KNOX has a 45-lb weight limit.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Safety
Both convertible car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby have passed the crash tests under the federal safety standards.
The Nuna does not say much about the RAVA on safety but emphasizes on the all-steel frame, energy-absorbing foam, and the side impact protection.
All these are included in the UPPAbaby KNOX as well. But the latter seems good at marketing. It boasts of its Side Impact Pods that will do the crash energy absorption. The KNOX has EPP foam built-in to the inner and outer shell and the Active Support Headrest, minimizing the crash forces to the child’s body and head because the crash is absorbed by the seat.
The only unique feature is about the Koroyd. It’s a technology built into the base to provide more advanced impact protection. There are welded tubes in the base that will crumple instantly and consistently on impact, helping absorb crash force and reduce crash energy transferred to the kid.
This is very similar to the SafeCell tech in some Britax car seats. Both make full use of a crumple zone to absorb and minimize the crash force.
The UPPAbaby KNOX is slightly winning for its additional safety features and also marketing skills.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Installation
Both Nuna RAVA and UPPAbaby KNOX support car seat installation with LATCH and a seat belt. The Nuna recommends using the seat belt because this will reduce one installation.
LATCH installation has a weight limit, the RAVA is 45 lbs and the KNOX is 35 lbs. That means you’ll need to switch from LATCH to a seat belt if your kid reaches that limitation.
It’s a pity that the RAVA does not have a rigid LATCH system or technology like Britax’s ClickTight for easier car seat installation. The only patented Simple Secure includes indicators and reminders to eliminate confusion. It boasts this tech to be Bubble-free, Hassle-free, and Muscle-free.
The UPPAbaby KNOX is much more clear and more specific in its installation technologies. It has a SMARTSecure System including a red-to-green tightness indicator that provides a visual confirmation that the car seat is installed properly or not. If the installation is ok, the indicator is green.
It’s also equipped with a multi-directional tether to keep the car seat stable, no matter if you’re installing it for rear or forward-facing travel. There are color-coded belt paths with robust tensioning clips, making it easy to install following the car seat manual.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Comfort
The Nuna RAVA and UPPAbaby KNOX look high-end with very thick padding that delivers max comfort for the little ones. The high-performance materials in both car seats are flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals.
The Nuna RAVA is made of breathable knit fabric, along with the ventilation panels within the shell, providing a comfy place for your little one, good for long trips. Also, the RAVA has a laid-back design. This offers 2-inch extra legroom for your kids in rear-facing and extra support in forward-facing. The Nuna RAVA has removable head and body inserts, making it as friendly for newborns as the best infant car seats.
The UPPAbaby KNOX has a two-piece fit inlay that is used to properly fit small kids and can be removed as your little one grows. The Merino wool material is the best-selling point the UPPAbaby boasts of. It’s fire-resistant and good for keeping kids cool even in hot weather and warm on cold days.
Parents can always find a perfect and cozy fitting for growing children with the Nuna RAVA, which allows 10 positions for headrest and reclines adjustment. The 10-position reclines are unbeatable, even one more than Britax One4Life (9 positions). What’s better is that there are 5 positions reclines for rear-facing (in the blue region) and 5 positions for front-facing (in the red area).
The UPPAbaby KNOX has only an 8-position headrest and a 4-position recline. That’s good as well, but less competitive than the Nuna RAVA.
Both Nuna and UPPAbaby convertible car seats have two removable cup holders on the side. This is good to hold your kid’s drinks and snacks. But they’re a bit far from small kids’ reach.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Convenience
Both convertible car seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby are made of machine-washable fabrics. This helps save time and lets parents have more time with their kids.
The Nuna RAVA and UPPAbaby KNOX are bulky and heavy (27.2 lbs vs 32 lbs). They are not ideal for switching from car to car. For multi-car households who want to install a second car seat in dad’s or grandparent’s vehicle for occasional rides with the baby, cheap car seats are good enough.
Purchasing two Nuna RAVA or UPPAbaby KNOX car seats won’t break the bank, but not the most affordable option.
Both car seats have a relatively narrow profile, Nuna RAVA at 19″ vs UPPAbaby KNOX at 18.8″, very nearly to each other. According to the 20-inch width rule, they are good narrow car seats, but not as slim as those car seats to fit 3 across, which are at most 17 inches wide.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Price
The Nuna RAVA is more expensive than the UPPAbaby KNOX ($550 vs $399.99). The latter wins in the price comparison apparently.
But that’s not the all facts when you really choose a convertible car seat between Nuna RAVA and UPPAbaby KNOX. You’ll also need to consider the size limit.
For example, the UPPAbaby KNOX has a minimum weight requirement of as high as 14 pounds. The 14-pound is obviously not for newborns. That means you must purchase an infant car seat before turning to the UPPAbaby KNOX. The price of an infant car seat definitely increases the cost of using the KNOX convertible car seat.
So if you’re planning to get a UPPAbaby KNOX, just think twice.
UPPAbaby Knox vs Nuna Rava: Amazon Reviews
Nuna RAVA is not available for sale on Amazon but the UPPAbaby KNOX is. The UPPAbaby KNOX convertible car seat receives 200+ reviews from thousand of parents at a rating of 4.5. That’s good for this expensive car seat, but not as well as other more affordable car seats like the Graco Extend2Fit.
If you have a good budget for a convertible car seat, the Nuna RAVA is worth trying. And its rotatable car seat – Nuna Revv is also a good convertible car seat, but really expensive.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Car Seat Comparison - All-in-one
Nuna All-in-one Car Seat Specs
| Nuna All-in-one Car Seat | EXEC |
|---|---|
| Price | $750 (Full review) |
| 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 |
UPPAbaby All-in-one Car Seat
It’s a pity that UPPAbaby does not have an all-in-one car seat till this post is published. We’ll follow up on this car seat brand’s updates on new car seats to find out if there is anyone.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby All-in-one Car Seat: EXEC vs No
The UPPAbaby starts with infant car seats and strollers, not yet have a complete line for all types of car seats. So in this Nuna vs UPPAbaby all-in-one car seat comparison. We’ll focus on reviewing the Nuna EXEC’s features and let you know if it’s worth it or not to get this expensive all-in-one car seat ($750).
The review includes the same parts as the car seats comparison between Nuna and UPPAbaby.
Nuna EXEC Review
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
Nuna EXEC Size Limit
The Nuna EXEC performs well in the size limit, as well as the Britax One4Life, but just with a lower height limit in the booster mode (57″ vs 63″). However, the 57-inch upper height is good enough to allow parents not to break the local laws in most US states – children can stop using a car seat at 57 inches (4’9″).
The Nuna EXEC is a great all-in-one car seat with the two highest weight limits stands out, 50 lb for the rear-facing stage and 120 lb for the booster stage.
Like the Nuna RAVA, the EXEC is one of the best rear-facing car seats 50 lbs. Along with the 49-inch height limit for both rear-facing and forward-facing, it’s as good as those rear-facing toddler car seats.
It’s also as good as any of the best five-point harness car seats with up to 120 pounds weight limit.
Nuna EXEC Safety
The Nuna EXEC is a safe car seat to use. First, it meets or exceed the federal safety standards. That’s very basic for all car seats sold in the US.
It has a solid build with an all-steel frame and very thick padding around the shell. The Nuna boasts of its Aeroflex side impact protection system, which includes energy-absorbing foam and SIP (side impact protection) Pods. This enhances the side impact security.
Plus, there is an anti-rebound panel that can deliver extra protection when rear-facing.
Nuna EXEC Installation
The Nuna EXEC supports both LATCH and seat belt installation. But the manufacturer recommends installing its car seats using the vehicle seat belt, including the EXEC all-in-one car seat. They think this way can make full use of the weight limit without another installation.
Hope you’ll have known that there is a weight limit for the LATCH installation. If not, check our post on this topic. The LATCH weight limit is lower than the car seat’s weight limit. No such issue happens if using the seat belt. That’s the same for all car seats if choosing the LATCH system for installation.
It’s a pity that the Nuna does not provide an easier way, just like Britax’s ClickTight. Luckily, it provides another technique called Simply secure installation (not as unique as the ClickTight for Britax and ProtectPlus for Graco).
The manufacturer claims that it’s bubble-free to find the perfect fitting angle, hassle-free with a set of simple instructions, and muscle-free to use the True tension doors for an ultra-secure fit. Considering it goes ahead in the rotating car seats, we believe the Nuna will have its promise.
Nuna EXEC Comfort
It’s obviously the Nuna EXEC is among the most comfortable car seats. It’s thickly padded around the metal frame, including in the anti-rebound panel and leg rest. The fabric and foam are flame resistant and contain no added fire-retardant chemicals.
To provide the little one a comfy place for everyday pickups, the Nuna EXEC has high performance materials. The infant inserts (yes, it also includes this for keep small babies comfortable and safe.) are made of Merino wool while the fabric and accessories like the dye insert, harness covers and crotch cover are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton.
There are also ventilation panels built within the shell, and along with the breathable knit fabric, the EXEC is also cozy for long trips. The anti-rebound panel and leg rest give more leg room for both rear-facing and forward-facing, providing extra comfort for a growing kid to ease the legs.
That might be the most tired body parts, especially in long trips of more than one hour.
Nuna EXEC Convenience
The fabric used in the Nuna EXEC is machine washable. So you don’t need to hand wash it. The cover is easy to remove, even though it does not feature a zip-off design like some of the Chicco car seats and Rapid Remove like some of the Graco car seats.
The Nuna EXEC all-in-one car seat has a narrower profile, measuring 18.5 inches in width, as good as the best narrow car seats. The manufacturer boasts that it can fit three across most vehicles. If you have a large-size SUV or minivan, you may have it for a try.
Make sure you have known the car seat size (L 22.5 x W 18.5 x H 26-33 in) and the spaces in the back row. Or you can find a narrower car seat to fit 3 across if you need to install multiple car seats in the same row.
Nuna EXEC Price
Without any doubt, the Nuna EXEC is a very expensive car seat, with a MSRP at $750. It’s not designed for families who have limited budget on a car seat, even though it can last good years for your kids from the day of birth to the day they can stop using a car seat.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Booster Seat Comparison
Nuna AACE Specs
| Nuna Booster Seat | AACE |
|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 (Full review) |
| 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 |
UPPAbaby Alta Specs
| UPPAbaby Booster Seat | ALTA |
|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 on Amazon (Full review) / Get it on Amazon |
| High-back Booster Capacity | 40–100 lbs /38–57 in |
| Backless Booster Capacity | Can't be used in backless mode |
| Headrest Positions | 7 |
| Recline | 0 |
| Color | 4 |
| Installation | SecureFit™ belt routing system |
| Side impact protection | ✓ |
| Dimensions | 20” L x 19” W x 25.5–33” H |
| Weight | 16.6 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 years |
Nuna vs UPPAbaby Booster Seat: AACE vs ALTA (Winner)
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Size Limit
The AACE is the winner among the Nuna vs UPPAbaby booster seat comparison. It has a higher size limit (120 lbs/ 60″ vs 100 lbs/ 57″).
The minimum weight and height requirements for both booster seats are the same – a kid must be at least 40 pounds or 38 inches tall. That’s the same requirement as other booster seats. So do the age requirements; both Nuna AACE and UPPAbaby ALTA are car seats for kids 4 years or older.
That’s the same for both high-back and backless modes for UPPAbaby ALTA. The Nuna AACE is a bit different. The backless mode has a higher requirement. The kids should be 50 pounds or more or at least 5 years old when switching the Nuna AACE from a high-back booster to a backless booster.
They can be used for a couple of years until the kid hit the upper height limit or weight limit. For Nuna AACE, it’s 120-pound and 60-inch. This combination makes the AACE suitable for big kids around 10 years old. So it’s also a good car seat for 7 years old. Even though most kids would like to get out of a car seat when they’re large enough and ready enough to use the seat belt, typically happens around 8 years old. That’s the minimum legal age requirement for a child to stop using a car seat in most US states.
It seems the Nuna AACE is better for taller kids, almost the same as the 120 lbs/ 63″ for some Britax car seats like the Grow with You ClickTight. (It’s a harnessed booster but both Nuna nor UPPAbaby does not have this type of car seat.)
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Safety
Both booster seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby have side impact protection as well as the performance passing the crash test under the federal safety standards. The Nuna AACE boasts of energy-absorbing foam while the UPPAbaby ALTA does not specify this.
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Installation
The two booster seats from Nuna and UPPAbaby are easy to install. The Nuna AACE has colored belt path indicators and belt positioners to help parents achieve a correct installation.
The UPPAbaby ALTA does as well as the Nuna AACE. It boasts a SecureFit belt routing system with a unique lap belt positioner to decrease the risk of user error. This positioner can work as an additional point for stability to grip small kids at 4 or 5 years old who can’t sit upright. Also, it is equipped with two rigid LATCH connectors.
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Comfort
The Nuna AACE and UPPAbaby ALTA are comfortable for both daily pickups and long trips. They have decent padding and are made of high-end materials.
The Nuna AACE inherits the style of its convertible and all-in-one car seats. It has high-performance fabric and foam that are flame resistant and contains no added fire-retardant chemicals. Making use of the ventilation panels within the shell and the breathable knit fabric, the Nuna AACE provides max comfort for kids in it.
Also, it features an exclusive 3D growth system (a very unique but still weird saying). Keep on reading the manufacturer’s explanation: Grow-up with a one-hand 9-position height adjustable headrest and 8-position recline; Grow out with a wide shoulder system for more space; Grow-on by sporting 3 depths positions giving extra leg room.
The UPPAbaby ALTA has a spacious design as well. Both Nuna and UPPAbaby booster seats are suitable for growing kids.
The latter has fewer headrest positions – only 7, while no recline options. (Actually few booster seats have this). As a result, the Nuna AACE wins.
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Convenience
Both car seats are made of machine-washable fabric and have cup holders and armrests for comfort. However, both are not that low-profile for kids to climb in and out.
Nuna Aace vs UPPAbaby Alta: Price
The UPPAbaby ALTA is cheaper than Nuna AACE ($179.99 vs $249.95). But both are expensive car seats.
Nuna vs UPPAbaby: Brand
About Nuna Brand
The Nuna is also a new brand, as young as the UPPAbaby. It was launched in 2007. The NunaBaby gives a position as a premium brand for baby and toddler products. So you’ll see that the Nuna car seats are very expensive, even more expensive than the UPPAbaby car seats.
The first Nuna baby gear is the ZAAZ high chair. It has a simple but practical design and can be pushed right to the table.
The clean design carried on in future Nuna products. Some of them win the Red Dot Award. The design of Nuna car seats is really brilliant among the car seats, especially the REVV, which is one of the best rotating car seats on the market.
You won’t believe it. The Nuna is a China brand that belongs to a Taiwanese company Wonderland Nurserygoods. Right now, you can get the Nuna car seats only from its official website and its certified partners. The Nuna car seats are not available on Amazon till now, but this is not a biggie. The UPPAbaby car seats are not for sale on Amazon at first, but now you can buy a UPPAbaby product on this platform as well.
About UPPAbaby Brand
UPPAbaby is a very new car seat brand. It was born in 2006 and created by the Monahans pair. They started this brand first to satisfy their own needs because they couldn’t find the right baby gear for their second baby.
The UPPAbaby is very similar to an internet company, with innovative techniques, high-end materials, and customer service to fit a few parents’ needs. And most of all, they provide a very simple but practical solution. The UPPAbaby car seats are expensive. That’s the result.
The UPPAbaby starts to be a popular baby gear brand for its stroller. Mr. and Mrs. Monahans made a high-performance stroller that has wide compatibility to meet and exceed the needs of most parents, who were willing to pay the cost for the convenience and style.
At first, the UPPAbaby had just several strollers and infant car seats. Later within over 10 years of development, the product line expanded and now it sells strollers, car seats, accessories, and juvenile gear.
The UPPAbaby is a US brand, headquartered in 276 Weymouth St. Rockland, MA 02370.