When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This keeps it 100% reader supported and free of ads or sponsorships. Thanks for your support!

Get our Survival Guides

Nuna Pipa Lite Rx Review 2023

Price $400

Echelon$$$$

BUY NOW Nordstrom Albee Baby Bloomingdales

Big news: the OG Nuna Pipa, Nuna PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX models have been discontinued! The only model that’s available now and going forward is the Nuna Pipa Lite Rx with the RELX base – and that’s it!

Nuna made a splash when it entered the US market 8 years ago – and recently, they’ve climbed to the top of the luxury infant car seat niche. The Nuna Pipa is the Tesla of infant car seats: sleek, high tech, expensive. No joke, parents, this seat is tight!

Two big reasons why it’s the top seat for those who can afford it: it’s super duper lightweight and super easy to use. That’s what it boils down to.

Here is a demo of the fabulous Pipa infant seat from a past ABC Baby Show. This is a good way to learn the basics of the Pipa:

The Nuna Pipa infant seat is VERY similar to the Cybex Aton M, but with a nicer/larger sun canopy that includes the “dream drape” for total darkness (I LOVE the dream drape!!). See also: Best Infant Car Seats

Dream Drape

The Pipa also has what’s called “rigid LATCH connectors,” which click right into your LATCH hooks without needing any force to jam them into place. If you think of LATCH connectors like human arms, regular connectors are floppy, while rigid connectors are stiff arms.

Rigid LATCH connectors: I come to eat you!! NOM NOM

In addition, the Pipa has an anti-rebound stability leg, which helps prevent the seat from rebounding, or flipping up into the seat back, in the case of an accident.

What Happened to the Nuna Pipa OG?

It used to be so simple: it was just the Pipa!

In 2017, they introduced the Pipa Lite and further complicated things from there… But we have news! Seems that they are trying to uncomplicate the stuff they complicated back in 2017.

This just in: the OG Nuna Pipa, Nuna PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX models are saying their goodbyes. Yep, you heard it right. These models are being discontinued, including the original model! Crazy. Don’t worry, there might still be a few left in stock, but they’re making their exit by the end of 2023.

Why are they doing this? It looks like it’s all about keeping up with the times. The discontinued models use the original base, and while it’s been a trusty companion, it’s time to make way for the much-preferred and highly versatile RELX base, which will be the new standard base. If you’ve had your eye on the Nuna PIPA Lite or PIPA Lite LX, my advice is to act fast and snatch one up while you still can. But don’t fret too much because the Nuna PIPA Lite RX with the RELX base is the jam.

The price tag flew up to $400+. If this seat weren’t so damn amazing, I would be very critical of this pricing, but I will tell you something…. I talk to a lot of people about car seats. This seat is simply the favorite among parents, especially among parents who have used alllll the seats. Yes, it’s pricey as hell, but if you are looking for THE favorite… this is it.

Nuna Pipa Lite Rx: a Reader Favorite

More about the Nina Pipa RELX Base

The differences in the two bases can be seen here:

Essentially, this RELX base solves the previous big complaint that people had about the previous Pipa: it couldn’t be installed in most middle seats due to the rigid LATCH connectors and tight connections.

You see, the non-family cars (sports cars and whatnot) tend to be more difficult when it comes to car seat installation. The load leg on the RELX base has more positions, which helps in cars with a center “hump” in the backseat floor area (if you know, you know…).

Since the RELX base is the one they’re running with, here the gist of it:

Suffice it to say that the RELX base is like the superstar of compatibility. It plays nice with all previous PIPA infant car seat models.

Now, let’s dive into the good stuff – the upgrades that make this RELX base so special.

  1. The Load Leg: The RELX base takes load legs to a whole new level. It’s super adjustable and fits snugly in the middle seat, giving you rock-solid stability for your car seat. No more fiddling around with occasional adjustments. Again, those of you with fancy sports cars with the hump in the middle floor area… take note.
  2. Adjustable Rigid Latches: It’s got adjustable rigid latches with four positions, so you can get that perfect fit in your car. Say goodbye to the struggles of fitting the PIPA’s rigid latches in certain cars.
  3. Enhanced Level Indicators: It’s got these super clear colored indicators that make it a breeze to check if your car seat is level during installation. No guesswork here – it’s all about keeping your child safe.
  4. On-the-Go Recline: Need to make your little one extra comfy on the road? You can adjust the recline angle of the car seat, even with the base installed in the car.
  5. Improved Seat-Belt Lockoff: For those cars that don’t play nice with rigid latches, the RELX base has a trick up its sleeve. It comes with an improved seat-belt lockoff mechanism, giving you a rock-solid alternative to latches.
  6. Flatter and Lower Profile Base: The flatter base design means it won’t leave pesky indentations on your car’s seats. And that lower profile? It makes attaching and detaching the PIPA seat a breeze and saves your back from any unnecessary strain.

So there you have it, the Nuna RELX base, taking infant car seat safety and convenience to a whole new level.

*The Nuna Pipa Lite Rx still has a European-style belt path, so it’s very easy and stable with baseless installations.

European Belt Path

Stroller Compatibility

Nuna’s got an impressive lineup of strollers, and they’re all like the perfect dance partners for Nuna Pipa infant car seats. We’re talking about the Nuna Mixx Next, Nuna Triv Next, the double convertile NUNA Demi Grow, Nuna TRVL, Nuna Pepp, and Nuna TAVO Next. These strollers are like the besties that were born to be BFFs with Nuna Pipa car seats.

So, if you’re all about keeping things in the same family, Nuna’s got you covered. They offer a bunch of options to choose from, making it easy-peasy to match up your car seat and stroller without any fuss.

For compatibility with other strollers, it seems anecdotally that the Nuna Pipa and the Cybex Aton(s) all fit well with the Maxi-Cosi car seat adapter for any given stroller.

Nuna also makes their own adapters for UPPAbaby Vista and Cruz, the Babyzen Yoyo, the Bugaboo Donkey, Fox and Dragonfly, the Bumbleride Indie and VEER Cruiser.

Ughhh, ok that was exhausting. Are you happy? Yes?

If not, go back to start, do not collect $200… Best Infant Car Seats

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Exit mobile version