Nuna Pipa Urbn Car seat review 2025

Our rating:

What we like

Safe- good 1.6 ADAC rating
Ultra-lightweight (3.3kg)
Portable and easy to use in multiple cars
Built-in ISOFIX system
Comfortable for infants
Comes with a Dream Drape – a light fabric shield, ideal for naps

What we don't like

Pricey
Doesn’t have many recline options
Only suitable for use up to 13kg

£300 from John Lewis £300 from Mamas & Papas £300 from Natural Baby Shower

Key specs

Age range: Birth to 13kg (40-75cm) | Safety credentials: i-Size (ECE R129/03 complaint); extended rear-facing; side impact protection; tested in line with ADAC testing | Fixing system: ISOFIX | Dimensions: 65 x 43.5 x 57 cm | Travel system compatible? Yes | Weight: 3.3kg | Warranty: Two years

What Mumsnet users say

Baconand · Recommended brand

I had an older version of the Nuna and loved it. It was so light. I’d have the same again.

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Our verdict

If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight, and safe car seat for your baby, the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat is a great option. Designed for children from birth up to 15 months (or around 13kg), it’s one of the lightest rear-facing car seats out there, weighing just 3.3 kg. The Pipa Urbn’s smart baseless design and built-in ISOFIX connectors make it super easy to install in cars with ISOFIX points. Plus, it can also be securely fitted using a seat belt, which is handy for taxis or when travelling in friends’ or family members’ cars without ISOFIX.

This portability makes it a fantastic car seat for the plane, as it complies with most airlines’ width and weight regulations and is TUV aircraft certified. Parent tester and new mum, Catrin, described it as a “game changer” for its convenience and flexibility, especially for travel.

Despite its light weight, the car seat prioritises safety, achieving a 1.6 “good” rating from ADAC and featuring Side Impact Protection (SIP) plus Aeroflex™ foam designed to absorb and diffuse impact energy in the event of an accident, reducing the force transferred to the baby and providing an additional layer of protection.

Catrin highlighted the car seat's practicality and comfort. She found the lightweight design particularly useful during the early postpartum weeks when lifting heavy objects was challenging, noting, “It’s very light, which makes it easier to carry than most seats.” Its compact size also proved advantageous, freeing up space in the backseat for additional passengers. Additionally, the seat’s ample cushioning and padding provided a snug and comfortable fit for her newborn son, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

However, Catrin pointed out that the seat’s lack of a reclining feature was a drawback compared to other models she had used. “My other car seat is the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, which has a lie-down flat feature. I feel that my son was a little more hunched over in the Pipa Urbn in comparison with the other car seat,” she explained. This could be a consideration for parents planning longer journeys where a fully reclined position or carrycot style car seat like the Maxi-Cosi Jade might be more comfortable.

Assembly

Safety

Stability

Ease of use

Comfort

Design

Ease of cleaning

Value for money

How we tested the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat

Tested with a newborn for two months
Used daily for short trips around Cardiff

Catrin used the Pipa Urbn daily to transport her son, frequently taking the seat in and out of the car and securing him with the three-point harness multiple times a day. She primarily used it for short trips around Cardiff and appreciated the newborn inlay, which she found to be exceptionally cushioning for her son.

After testing, Catrin evaluated the car seat based on assembly, safety, stability, ease of use, comfort, design, ease of cleaning, and value for money.

Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat: what’s in the box?

The PIPA Urbn car seat
Newborn inlay
Dream Drape sunshade for extra protection
Instruction manual

How easy is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat to install?

Exceptionally easy! The ISOFIX connectors are built directly into the seat, so no additional assembly is needed. To install, simply pull down the ISOFIX connectors, click them into place, and check that the red indicators turn green to confirm a secure fit. For added convenience, Catrin loved that the seat can be released with one hand by pressing a lever at the back - perfect for busy parents juggling a baby and other items. “This is a new addition that I really liked during testing, and I’m sure it will become a standard in future car seats,” she says.

If you’re using a car without ISOFIX connectors, the seat also features intuitive belt pathways, allowing secure installation with a seatbelt. Additionally, the included yellow rigid anchor guides can assist in aligning the ISOFIX connectors, especially for first-time users, though they aren’t essential. The clear instructions and thoughtful design make this seat user-friendly and hassle-free.

Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat: how does it look?

The Pipa Urbn is as stylish as it is practical. Its sleek, minimalist design stands out, and the model Catrin tested came in a classic black with a brown leatherette carry handle, which she said made it easier to carry and added a touch of elegance.

It’s not just about looks, though - the car seat is super functional too. At just 3.3 kg and narrower than many others on the market, it’s lightweight and easy to handle, fitting perfectly in smaller cars. The removable, full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy has two adjustable positions, and the Dream Drape is a game-changer. This clever fabric extension pulls down and attaches with magnets to shield children from the sun while still allowing airflow to keep things cool. After use, it simply tucks back neatly into the canopy.

The headrest, which includes memory foam, and the cosy inlay are made from a blend of eco-friendly Merino wool and TENCEL™* lyocell fibres. Not only are they super soft and high-quality, but they also naturally manage moisture and feel breathable – ideal for warmer days.

baby strapped in to Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat

Is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat safe?

Yes, the Pipa Urbn car seat is designed with safety as a top priority. Despite being smaller and more lightweight than many other car seats, it doesn’t compromise on sturdiness or protection. It meets the strictest safety standards under ECE R129/03 and has received a "good" 1.6 rating in the ADAC safety test.

The seat includes Side Impact Protection (SIP) and plenty of padding to help keep your baby safe and secure. “The three-point harness is easy to adjust and keeps your child firmly in place, even when you’re in a rush. It’s also great that it’s hard for little ones to wriggle out of,” says Catrin. “The user manual gives clear guidance on how to position your baby safely in the seat, which I found really helpful.”

Additionally, if you’re using it with the Nuna Triv Next stroller, the extra-large peekaboo window makes it easy to keep an eye on your little one whilst on the move.

What age is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat suitable for and is it easy to adjust?

The Pipa Urbn car seat is a rear-facing car seat designed for use from birth thanks to the newborn inlay and is suitable up to approximately 15 months or 13 kg.

Adjusting the car seat is incredibly straightforward. The three-point harness is easy to tighten or loosen, allowing you to get a secure fit for your baby with minimal effort.

What's the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat like to use day-to-day?

“The Pipa Urbn is a breeze to use as its much less bulky than my other car seat and is very easy to fit in the car, “says Catrin. It literally takes two seconds to clip the ISOFIX connectors to the car, and off you go. And, because of its ground-breaking baseless design, it’s simple to carry around – whether you’re travelling or visiting friends.

Catrin also appreciated the magnetic buckle holders which work well to keep the harness and buckles out of the way when taking your baby in and out of the seat. However, it’s worth noting that because it doesn’t come with a base, the Pipa Urbn doesn’t spin or rotate and it doesn’t slide like the Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro, so parents will need to lean over and stoop a little to secure their children in this seat.

Because Catrin’s current stroller isn’t compatible with the Pipa Urbn, she couldn’t test it as part of a travel system when out on walks or for trips to the shops, but this car seat is compatible with most Nuna strollers such as the Triv Next, Mixx Next and Nuna TRVL. With Maxi-Cosi style adaptors (which work much like universal adaptors) Nuna car seats can also be used with popular stroller brands including Bugaboo, Cybex, Joolz, Silver Cross, Thule, and UPPAbaby.

mum putting baby into Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat

How comfortable is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat?

The Pipa Urbn scores high on comfort. Catrin found it to be super cosy for her son, with plenty of soft, supportive padding both in the seat itself and the newborn inlay, making it particularly suitable for young babies. The adjustable harness and headrest also make it easy to tailor the fit as your baby grows, ensuring they remain comfortable over time.

However, the seat has limited reclining positions, and Catrin observed that her son occasionally appeared a little hunched over, especially during longer trips.

For this reason, the Pipa Urbn is best used for shorter journeys or with regular stops, as it’s not recommended for a baby to remain in the seat for more than two hours at a time. This is consistent with general safety advice for infant car seats to promote good posture and prevent discomfort.

Does the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat come with any extras?

No, the car seat doesn’t come with extras like the car seat adaptors – which are sold separately. However, it does come with the newborn inlay and extra large UP50+ canopy that needs to be attached to the car seat once you take it out of the box. The Dream Drape fabric cover is built into the car seat as are the ISOFIX connectors.

Is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat easy to clean?

Yes it is. The fabrics are removable and machine washable, making it simple to keep the seat fresh and hygienic. This is especially handy for dealing with spills, crumbs, or any unexpected messes that come with travelling with a baby.

Catrin appreciated how straightforward it was to take the cover off and put it back on, and the high-quality materials held up well after washing. The padding also stayed in good shape, ensuring the seat remained both comfortable and easy to maintain over time.

Is the Nuna Pipa Urbn car seat good value for money?

Yes, as a new parent – Catrin feels it’s great value for money, even though it can’t be used past 15 months or when your baby reaches around 13kg. If you’re looking for a car seat that can be used into the toddler years, then a toddler car seat is worth considering.

The Pipa Urbn is quite expensive, but cheaper in price when compared to other baby car seats currently on the market like the Siver Cross Dream i-Size that is around £200 without the base and £425 with the base. “The Pipa Urbn’s car seat’s unique built-in ISOFIX connector is a game changer, and this is reflected in the price, but it’s worth it” adds Catrin.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development. She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing and safety, particularly focusing on car seats, having written extensive guides for Mumsnet on rear-facing car seats as well as car seat regulations in the UK.

Her expertise in this area is informed by both professional knowledge and personal experience as a mother. As a keen runner and cyclist Tammy has also reviewed numerous baby travel products with her daughter in tow, including strollers and pushchairs, child bike seats, all-terrain prams and the best running buggies on the market, thus offering valuable insights into safety, comfort, and convenience for families.