Nuna Pipa vs. UPPAbaby Knox: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Nuna Pipa and the UPPAbaby Knox.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Our Thoughts

When it comes to purchasing a car seat, safety, size, easiness to clean, and the amount of time you can use the seat before your child outgrows it are among the crucial factors to consider. That's where both the Nuna Pipa and the UPPAbaby Knox come into play.

The Nuna Pipa, a sleek yet highly functional infant car seat, is revered for its safety features. Its distinct construction, featuring a sturdy base reinforced with a load leg and a five-point harness system, ensures top-notch stability and safety. However, what sets Pipa apart is its considerate design for newborns and infants, allowing its use from birth up to approximately 32 pounds. This means parents can use this car seat up to a weight limit of 32 pounds in rear-facing mode. As many parents know, keeping the little ones in the preferred — and safer — rear-facing configuration as long as possible is what we all aim for.

On the other hand, we have the UPPAbaby Knox. The Knox, which is a convertible car seat, is designed for a more prolonged use — from birth up to 65 pounds — and can be used both in rear-facing and forward-facing modes. Its weight limits for the rear-facing and forward-facing modes are 45 pounds and 65 pounds, respectively. This gives your baby the option to grow with the seat, providing value for money. Moreover, Knox boasts of having advanced safety features such as integrated Koroyd technology and Side Impact Pods designed to absorb and deflect crash forces, providing additional protection beyond standard requirements. It also comes with machine-washable fabric, making cleaning a lot easier.

Contrarily, when size matters, Pipa scores better. Although it's not the lightest option available, its compact dimensions make it fit well in most cars, unlike Knox, that due to its premium build, comes with added bulk, making it less suitable for smaller vehicles or families needing to fit multiple seats. Another factor to consider is ease of installation. While many parents find the Pipa easy to install, installation challenges with the Knox occur frequently, a significant deterrent if you need to move the seat between vehicles regularly.

With all these factors in mind, we would recommend the Nuna Pipa for families with newborns and small babies who prioritize child safety and are on the go since the Pipa is easy to install and versatile with stroller compatibility. However, if your budget is tight, or you have a larger child or prefer to have a convertible seat that will grow with your child, then the UPPAbaby Knox would be an appropriate choice. While the Knox may be challenging to install, its higher weight limits may allow for more extended use. Both car seats are FAA approved for travel, an essential criterion for families who regularly fly.