Nuna Pipa vs Pipa RX vs Pipa Lite RX - This or That
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding Nuna’s Pipa car seat line. Despite being some of the most innovative, intuitive, and safe car seats on the market, the essential details about each seat get lost in translation due to having similar names. Which is the best for your lifestyle? Which is the most convenient, and in what ways? Which weighs the least, and which weighs the most? How should you go about choosing between the three? We’re avid supporters of all things Nuna, and love to use our experience with these products from our own personal lives to help educate and ease the decision-making process that can easily grow tedious. As always, we’ll be diving headfirst into the specific features that set each seat apart, without all the fluff and sponsored mumbo-jumbo – From our families to yours!
Nuna Pipa Weight & Dimensions
Nuna Pipa
Product Weight (Nuna Pipa):
• Car Seat Carrier: 7.9 lbs.
• Car Seat Carrier: 7.9 lbs.
• Total Car Seat Weight: 14 lbs.
• Child Weight Range: 4 - 32 lbs.
Product Dimensions (Nuna Pipa):
• Car Seat Dimensions: 21” x 17” x 2”
• Child Height Limit: 32”
Nuna Pipa RX
Product Weight (Nuna Pipa Rx):
• Car Seat: 7.6lbs
• Car Seat: 7.6lbs
• Base: 16.8lbs
• Child Weight Range: 4 - 32 lbs.
Product Dimensions (Nuna Pipa Rx):
• Car Seat Dimensions: 23” x 17.5” x 25.2”
• Child Height Limit: 32”
Nuna Pipa Lite RX
Product Weight (Nuna Pipa Lite Rx):
Car Seat Weight: 6.9 lbs.
Car Seat Weight: 6.9 lbs.
Child Weight Range: 4 - 32 lbs.
Product Dimensions (Nuna Pipa Lite Rx):
Car Seat Dimensions: 27.25” x 17.5” x 23”
Car Seat Dimensions: 27.25” x 17.5” x 23”
Child Height Limit: 32”
Nuna Pipa Pros and Cons
All of the Nuna Pipa car seats sport a sunshade. While all Pipa car seats also have a European belt path so you can secure them with only the seatbelt in your vehicle in a pinch, only the original Pipa and the Pipa Lite RX come with optional bases for extra convenience and security in their stationary vehicle. This gives you the ability to easily drop your seat in its base within the stationary vehicle, or use the European belt path in grandma or grandpa’s car when needed. That versatility certainly is a perk, but if you don’t plan to move your seat often or at all, it may be unnecessary.
Yes, they both boast a base – But each base has different features, as well. The load legs, for example, are vastly different. In the original Pipa’s base, the load leg is a non-ratcheted Isofix system. You’ll need to hold it into the placement necessary to prevent it from falling further and secure it into the proper spot to install it properly. The Pipa Lite RX comes with a premium RELX Base which has a locking load leg, making the installation one-handed.
The Pipa Lite RX stands apart with its no-rethread harness. By simply pressing the button on the top of the headrest and pulling it up, you can effortlessly adjust the height of your child's straps. Both the Pipa and the Pipa RX require you to remove the fabrics and manually rethread the harness as your child grows. Another ease of use only the Lite RX provides as far as harnesses go is the magnetic buckle holders. By dropping the buckles on either side, you can secure your child into their seat without the worry of flailing baby arms getting tangled in straps.
As far as the recline and adjustability for comfort, both the Pipa RX and Pipa Lite RX allow for four recline position options, the original Pipa grants you one, and only the Pipa Lite RX gives you adjustable head support. The RX and Lite RX also provide you the ability to adjust the recline on-the-go, no need to remove the seat or base to keep your baby comfortable.
Weight is always something to consider, especially as your little infant begins to grow heavier. The lightest of these three seats is certainly the Pipa Lite RX, weighing only 6.9lbs. The other two Pipa’s are a bit heavier, with the Pipa RX weighing 7.6lbs and the original Pipa weighing 7.9lbs.
Which Nuna Pipa Car Seat is Best For Me?
With so many pros and few cons to each seat, the choice may still be mildly difficult for you. The question you need to ask yourself is this: Based on the information provided, which seat best suits my family’s needs? Let’s quickly summarize the facts to make your choice that much easier.
Nuna Pipa
Nuna Pipa Infant Seat & Pipa Series Base in Caviar
$319.95
Costing $319.95, it is the cheapest option of the three. If budget is your primary concern, this may heavily affect your decision. However, being the heaviest at 7.9lbs and having a rethread harness makes it more inconvenient if you plan to carry your child around in their seat frequently. Its base provides a load leg, but it’s non-ratcheting, making installation a bit more difficult – But if you don’t plan on moving the base from one vehicle to another, don’t plan to carry the seat very often, and have budget as a primary qualifier – This may be your ideal choice
Nuna Pipa RX
Nuna Pipa RX Infant Seat & Pipa Relx Base in Caviar
$379.95
At $399.95, it is the second most budget-friendly option for those who have that concern. It weighs slightly less than the original Pipa at 7.6lbs but doesn’t have the ease of access other Pipa’s provide with the optional base. This means any time you want to carry your baby in tow, attach it to a stroller, or put it back in your car – You’ll need to re-install it using the European belt path and your seatbelt. Like the original Pipa, it also has a rethread harness. It does boast an on-the-go four-position recline for your child’s comfort as a bonus towards convenience, though. If you plan to install and leave this seat in your car until a growth spurt, the Pipa RX is likely perfect for you.
Nuna Pipa Lite RX
Nuna Pipa Lite RX Infant Seat w/ Base & 2nd Insert in Caviar
$499.95
With the price point of $499.95, this is the least budget-friendly option of the three, but offers arguably the most perks. The Pipa Lite RX is the lightest at only 6.9 lbs., and sports a premium RELX base with a one-handed locking load leg installation. It’s also the only one with magnetic buckle holders and a no-rethread harness. If you plan to carry your car seat, regularly remove it to attach to strollers, or put it into other vehicles often – This is certainly your best nuna car seat comparison choice.
