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We love the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat. It's easy to install, has a unique design, and is lightweight.
Table of Contents
Main Differences Between Nuna Pipa vs UPPAbaby Mesa
The main differences between Nuna Pipa vs UPPAbaby Mesa are:- Nuna Pipa car seat weighs 7.9 lbs, whereas UPPAbaby Mesa weighs 9 lbs.
- Nuna Pipa is heavier at 14 lbs with attachments, whereas UPPAbaby Mesa weighs 9.9 lbs with attachments.
- Nuna Pipa needs rethreading each time the harness is removed, whereas UPPAbaby Mesa features a no-rethread harness.
- Nuna Pipa features fold-down leg support, whereas UPPAbaby Mesa doesn’t.
Nuna Pipa vs UPPAbaby Mesa – Which is Better for your Child?
At this point in our guide, we’ll be reviewing both the Nuna Pipa and UPPAbaby Mesa in greater detail so you can understand what they offer. This is to save you time — with your own children to look after, we bet you don’t have a moment to spare. But don’t worry, as we’ve done the hard work for you.Nuna Pipa

I'll admit to not knowing too much about the Nuna brand before testing this car seat. I have to say, I was pleasantly suprised at the elegant, ergonomic design. Simple to install, no recalls or safety issues. I'm a believer!
Features:
- Five-point harness to ensure children are fully secured.
- Heavy-duty base shell.
- Secure and simple 5-second install.
- Dream drape canopy to provide shade.
- Premium micro knit fabric.
- Mesh peek-a-boo window so the child can look outside.
- Side impact protection on the seat and headrest.
- Fold-down leg rest to provide stability whilst the car is moving.
- It comes with an insert for smaller children to be comfortable.
- Pairs perfectly with Nuna car seat adapters.
- Greenguard Gold Certified.
- Car seat weight: 7.9 lbs (14 lbs with canopy & attachments).
- Child height limit: up to 32”.
- Size: 25.2″L x 17.5″W x 26.1″H.
Nuna Pipa Weight Limit:
- The Nuna Pipa comfortably seats children between 4 and 32 lbs
Pros:
- It comes with a carry handle for easy transportation to and from the car.
- The car seat is really lightweight, again making it easy to move.
- It’s compatible with many major stroller brands, like Mamas & Papas.
- The car seat fabric is removable and machine washable.
Cons:
- There have been reported compatibility issues with major car brands, like Range Rover and BMW.
- When you remove the fabric, you need to rethread the harness each time.
UPPAbaby Mesa

We love the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat. It's easy to install, has a unique design, and is lightweight.
Features:
- Made from a breathable and moisture-wicking fabric.
- SMART Secure system installs in seconds.
- Adjustable no-rethread headrest with integrated Side Impact Protection.
- Storage pockets for harness buckles.
- Attaches to VISTA and CRUZ strollers without adapters.
- SPF hideaway canopy; carry handle with stroller release button.
- It comes with a folding canopy to provide shade.
- Adjustable, foam-padded headrest.
- Car seat weight: 9 lbs (9.9 lbs with canopy & attachments).
- Child height limit: up to 32”.
- Size: 25.8”L x 17”W x 23”H.
Uppababy Mesa Weight Limit:
- The Uppababy Mesa comfortably seats children between 4 and 35 lbs.
Pros:
- The headrest has side impact protection in case of emergencies or accidents. It also offers everyday comfort.
- The seat’s side protection passed NHTSA’s proposed safety standard tests with 5 stars. It’s also one of the first car seats to do so.
- The seat is removable and washable without the need to rethread the harness.
Cons:
- It’s a little heavier than the UPPAbaby Mesa without the attachments.
- The canopy can stain in the rain.
The Verdict

We love the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat. It's easy to install, has a unique design, and is lightweight.
FAQs
Answer: The Nuna Pipa is an infant car seat designed for your baby’s first year. This means the car seat is suitable for use for around 12 months. To give you a better idea of suitability, the child weight limit is up to 32 lbs and the height limit is up to 32”.
Answer: No – the Pipa is a rear-facing-only seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that toddlers should be kept in rear-facing car seats until they are 2 years old, or until they reach the maximum height or weight for their seat. If in doubt, always check with your local authority for your state’s car seat laws.
Answer: We’d strongly advise against this. This is because infants shouldn’t be in the car seat for extended periods of time and the UPPAbaby Mesa isn’t actually approved for sleep. Experts say that 2 hours is the maximum amount of time a child should sleep in an infant car seat, so pop them in a bassinet when they’re tired.
Answer: Follow these simple steps: Firstly, position the head restraint so that the headrest is level with or slightly below the child’s shoulders. This will stop the child from sliding upwards should there be an accident. Position the chest clip at armpit level. It’s important that the shoulder pads don’t interfere in any way with the chest clip. If necessary, you can remove the shoulder pads for a better fit. At this point, conduct the ‘pinch test’. The harness should be so snug that you cannot pull the strap from the body and pinch the excess fabric together. The straps should be flat and untwisted.
Answer: The Mesa infant insert is recommended for infants weighing between 4-8 lbs. When your child begins to sit on top of the crotch buckle, or if you notice the harness cutting into their thighs, it’s time to remove the infant strap.
Answer: A child should transition out of the UPPABaby Mesa when they reach the car seat’s upper weight limit of 35 pounds. Parents should also monitor their children’s height and transition out of the UPPABaby Mesa when the child grows to 32 inches tall.
Answer: Once your child has grown out of the UPPABaby Mesa they can move onto the UPPABaby Knox, or any other larger car seat.
Nuna Pipa vs UPPAbaby Mesa: Final thoughts
Now that we’ve reached the end of our review, we hope we’ve offered you enough detail about both Nuna Pipa vs UPPAbaby to help you make your decision. Both are worthy options but ultimately, it’s up to you. If you want to do a bit more digging on the right car seat, why not check out our review of the Evenflo SureRide DLX? We’ve also reviewed the Graco Snugride Click Connect 35, which is well worth a closer look. If you have any questions then feel free to pop them in the comment section below – our expert moms and dads are more than happy to help! And if you have anything else you’d like us to review, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.We love the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat. It's easy to install, has a unique design, and is lightweight.