Searching for an infant car seat can be overwhelming, especially if you're a new mom with so many other things to think about. At PishPosh Baby, we've made shopping for a car seat super easy, like you want it to be!
We’ve simplified your shopping experience by presenting you with a carefully curated selection of infant car seats. Save time, and know you’re choosing from the best when you decide between our most highly recommended options!
In this Nuna car seat comparison, we'll be talking about the differences between the PIPA infant car seats. PIPA car seats are luxury car seats that were all designed by Nuna, an upscale European brand that is renowned for safety, practicality, and attention to detail in every product they put forward. Plenty of our customers ask us which is the best PIPA car seat, and once you read through this, you'll be able to decide which is the best PIPA car seat for your needs!
PIPA Car Seats
Nuna has two regular infant car seat options; the PIPA and the PIPA RX, and four lightweight choices; the PIPA Lite, PIPA Lite LX, PIPA Lite R and PIPA Lite RX. They also just introduced the PIPA Urbn, a super cool infant car seat that doesn't need to be used with a base at all, and is sold exclusively in tandem with either the Mixx Next, Triv Next or Trvl.
Each Nuna PIPA infant car seat comes with a leather handlebar that’s stylish and easy to grasp, and a spacious UPF 50+ canopy. All of these car seats are flame resistant, free of any flame retardants, and they’re considered to be some of the safest car seats available today!
And just so you know, these car seats are aircraft certified, so they’re the perfect choice to take with you on all your travel adventures!
PIPA Car Seat Bases
PIPA car seats can be used without the base, but besides the PIPA Lite RX, the newest of the bunch which does feature a European belt path, all PIPA Lite car seats can only be used with the base. So as irony has it, in the long run, other than the PIPA Lite RX (which we happen to love), a PIPA Lite car seat may turn out to be a heavier car seat than the other PIPA car seats because it requires a base at all times.
Any PIPA car seat with a capital R in the name comes with a RELX base. Otherwise, the car seat will come with a PIPA base. The PIPA, PIPA Lite & PIPA Lite LX come with a PIPA base, and the PIPA RX, PIPA Lite R and PIPA Lite RX come with a RELX base. Both bases can be used interchangeably. The PIPA Urbn does not come with a base, and cannot be used with either base.
If you're wondering what the difference is between the two bases, you're not the only one! The PIPA RELX base has a load leg with four recline positions, so that you can adjust the base to the safest angle for your car seat. The PIPA RELX base is much more adjustable than the original PIPA base, but it's also heavier.
Rigid LATCH system |
Yes |
Yes |
Anti-Rebound Panel |
No |
Yes |
Adjustable Load Leg |
2-section locking load leg adjustable between almost 12 positions |
3-section locking load leg adjustable between 17 positions |
Red-to-green safety indicators |
on the front of the leg |
to the sides of the RELX load leg for easier visibility |
5-second installation |
Yes |
Yes |
Recline |
recline foot |
four recline positions |
Weight |
14 pounds |
18.6 pounds |
Dimensions |
8.3" H x 22.8" L x 12.2" W |
12" H x 23.75" L x 13" W |
Price |
$159.95 |
$199.95 |
PIPA Car Seat Comparison
Check out the chart below where we compare all PIPA infant car seats side by side, and find out more about each of these car seats!
Product Weight |
8 lb |
7.5 lb |
5.3 lb |
5.3 lb |
5.7 lb |
6.9 lb |
4 – 32 lbs capacity Up to 32 inches |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
5-Second True Lock Installation |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Can be installed without base |
✓ |
✓ |
x |
x |
x |
✓ |
Included base |
PIPA series base |
RELX base |
PIPA series base |
RELX base |
PIPA series base |
RELX base |
Installation |
Carrier or base install |
Carrier or Base install |
Base only install |
Base only install |
Base only install |
Carrier or base install |
Flame retardant free |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Insert fabric |
Polyester |
Organic Jersey |
Polyester |
Organic Jersey |
Merino Wool |
Merino Wool |
Foam |
EPO |
EPO |
Aeroflex Foam |
Aeroflex Foam |
Aeroflex Foam |
Aeroflex Foam |
Aerospace Aluminum Handle |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Vegan Leather Handle |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Infant insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Head insert & body insert |
Additional infant insert included |
x |
x |
✓ |
x |
✓ |
✓ |
Buckle Holders |
x |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Removable UPF 50+ canopy with flip out eyeshade |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Sky Drape |
✓ |
✓ |
x |
x |
✓ |
✓ |
Crotch belt positions |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
TBA |
Compatible with all Nuna and select premium strollers |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Price |
$319.95 |
$379.95 |
$280.00 |
$399.95 |
$399.95 |
$499.95 - $519.95 |
Nuna PIPA Infant Car Seat
The PIPA infant car seat is the original car seat from this collection, and you can tell how awesome it is by how many popular car seats Nuna developed since, after this basic model!
Now let’s talk about the fabulous features on this amazing Nuna car seat.
There’s a UPF50+ canopy with a peekaboo window so you can keep an eye on your baby, and a sky drape, which is really cool - it’s a stretchy fabric that attaches with magnets, that you can pull down for naptime or to keep your baby out of the sun. Models without the sky drape; the PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite R, are a bit more lightweight.
This car seat features an ultra plush seat, made from indulgently soft fabrics. Aside from keeping your little one nestled in comfort, this infant car seat also provides the highest level of safety, with side impact protection and a heavy duty (yet not too heavy!) shell. The lightweight carry handle has an ergonomic shape so that it’s easy to grasp.
You can use this car seat beginning from day one, because there’s a removable infant insert for head support for your newborn!
Check out the details on this car seat! We love the leatherette handle and sleek design, and that the seat cover is washable and removable, which is so important.
Unlike the PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX, this car seat can be used safely without the base, since it features seat belt guides! This makes it an excellent option if you’re in and out of cabs often, or even if you sometimes take family vacations.
This car seat is $319.95, which is $30.00 cheaper than the Nuna PIPA Lite. It currently comes in one color, Caviar.
The PIPA base is super easy to install, and comes with a steel rod that extends to the floor, which is designed to help prevent forward rotation in the case of an accident.
Shop the Nuna PIPA now!
Nuna PIPA Lite
The biggest advantage to the Nuna Pipa Lite is that it’s so lightweight, at just 5.3 pounds. Instead of straining yourself, choose a lightweight car seat that’s easy to carry! The Lite isn’t made from the same foam as the original PIPA; it’s made from featherlight Aeroflex foam. This car seat is officially certified for aircraft use, but only if used together with the base, so it can get a little complicated… If you’re a frequent traveler or you take taxis often, you’ll want to keep in mind that this cannot be used without the car seat base. Because of this, we recommend this car seat for families with one or two cars that they always use.
The Lite is sleek and modern, like the rest of the Nuna infant car seats, with the signature sleek leatherette handlebar you’ve come to expect and love about the Nuna car seats!
There’s a removable headrest with memory foam incorporated for a custom fit that’s perfect for your baby! For safety, this car seat comes with top level side impact protection, and a 5-point harness. The car seat comes in two colors, Caviar & Granite. The PIPA Lite is priced at $280.00.
Shop Nuna PIPA Lite now!
Nuna PIPA Lite LX
The Nuna PIPA Lite LX is really cool! It's kind of an upgraded model of the Pipa Lite, with a soft Merino wool + Tencel blend knit that has temperature regulating properties to keep baby comfortable. This material is also antimicrobial and moisture wicking.
This car seat is just a bit heavier than the Lite car seat, since unlike the Lite, it comes with the sky drape, a canopy extension that will make naptime a breeze. However, it is lighter than the original Nuna PIPA. The PIPA Lite LX needs to be used with the base. There’s a UPF50+ canopy that will shield your baby from the sun. The Pipa Lite LX is priced at $399.95.
The PIPA Lite LX now features a luggage leatherette handle for a sleek, updated look! It is available in Granite, Caviar & Frost.
Shop PIPA Lite LX now!
Nuna Pipa Lite R
The Nuna PIPA Lite R doesn’t have a sky drape, and therefore is a bit lighter than some of the other choices. Something else that makes it a more lightweight choice is that the foam cushioning is made from Aeroflex, which is a really awesome material that’s super light, yet terrifically strong. This car seat comes with a RELX base that has 4 recline options, increased adjustability to customize the fit for baby and vehicle. It needs to be used with the base. This car seat is $399.95, and is available in 3 color options, Caviar, Granite, and Timber.
Shop PIPA Lite R now!
PIPA RX
The PIPA RX is lighter than the original PIPA. This car seat, at 7.5 pounds, is actually an awesome choice for lots of people -- even though it’s not as light as the PIPA Lite car seats! -- since, unlike those car seats, it can be used without the base. That means that you're getting a very lightweight car seat, and you don't need to lug along an extra 15 or so pounds because of the base. So if you’re a frequent traveler or you’re hailing cabs often, this would be a great option! The insert fabric is a soft organic jersey that’ll keep your baby nestled in blissful comfort. This car seat comes with the sky drape, so your baby can enjoy a peaceful sleep, undisturbed. There are 6 color options for the PIPA RX! Color options are as follows: Birch, Caviar, Granite, Lagoon, Camel, & Hazelwood. If you’re looking for a lightweight car seat that doesn’t need to be used with a base, try the PIPA RX! It costs just $349.95.
Shop PIPA RX now!
PIPA Lite RX
The PIPA Lite RX is super light, and it doesn't need to be used with the base! Yes, you have the option of installing the car seat with or without the base. This is a first for PIPA Lite car seats. Because the PIPA Lite RX comes with seat belt guides for baseless installs, its about a pound or so heavier than the other PIPA Lite car seats. It comes with a RELX base, and features a Sky drape and washable Merino wool / TENCEL insert. Like the PIPA RX, this car seat comes in 6 color options: Caviar, Frost, Granite, Lagoon, Camel, and Riveted.
PIPA Urbn
The PIPA Urbn is a gamechanger - this car seat does not need to be used with a base. It weighs just 7 pounds, so its lighter than the regular Pipa and the PIPA RX. However the PIPA Lite infant car seats are all lighter than the Urbn. For right now you can only purchase this car seat together with a Nuna stroller (the Mixx Next, Triv Next or Trvl). The PIPA Urbn doesn't come with a base and can't be used with the PIPA series or PIPA relx base. The PIPA urbn is the only baseless infant car seat, with pipaFIX™ rigid latch that can install in 2 seconds. This is what makes the Urbn so cool! Its designed to be extremely safe and secure, with side impact protection and all, and simple to use with no base ever needed. The Urbn offers all the features you'll get on your favorite classic PIPA car seats, including a Sky drape, merino wool insert, mesh extra-large peekaboo window and more. The PIPA Urbn + Triv Next is $1100, the PIPA Urbn + Mixx Next is $1,200, and the PIPA Urbn + Trvl is $900. Shop now!
PIPA infant car seats aren’t just luxurious with a sleek design; they’ll also keep your baby cradled in sumptuous comfort. Were you wondering which Nuna car seat is the best? Now that you've seen the options, you can choose the infant car seat from this selection that works best for your needs! Shop now!