Nuna Pipa Rx vs. Pipa Aire Rx Infant Car Seats: Which One Is Right For You?
Compare Nuna’s two most popular infant seats in one quick guide.
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Nuna’s car seats are some of the most popular on the market. Parents rave about the brand’s commitment to safety and thoughtfully designed infant and convertible car seats, and one in five Babylist parents named Nuna as their favorite car seat brand in our annual Most Loved Baby Products survey.
Two infant seats, the Pipa Rx and the Pipa Aire Rx, look almost identical at first glance. They share many of the same standout features, like premium materials, advanced safety extras and compatibility with Nuna strollers. They’re so similar that you may be wondering which is right for you—but there are a few differences between them. We’re breaking down what’s the same, what’s different and how to decide between these two fan favorites.
🚘 The Car Seats at a Glance
Nuna Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat with RELX Base
The Pipa Rx is Nuna’s well-loved classic: sturdy, premium and easy to use. It includes the RELX base (with rigid LATCH and a stability leg for added stability), a no-rethread harness for simple adjustments, and plush chemical-free fabrics that feel luxe and supportive.
Nuna Pipa Aire Rx Infant Car Seat with RELX Base
The Aire Rx takes everything Nuna fans love about the Pipa line and elevates it to the next level. It’s slightly lighter than the Pipa Rx but still includes the RELX base and key safety features like a stability leg and anti-rebound panel. It levels up the comfort with memory foam and a Merino wool insert. And it comes with an extra infant insert made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Quick Look: Pipa Rx vs. Pipa Aire Rx
| Feature | Nuna PIPA rx with RELX Base | Nuna PIPA aire rx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 | $650 |
| Weight | 8.6 lbs (7.6 lbs without canopy + inserts) |
8.4 lbs (6.2 lbs without canopy + inserts) |
| Recommended Use | 4-30 lbs, 16-30" | 4-30 lbs, 16-30" |
| Base Type | RELX base with rigid LATCH + stability leg | RELX base with rigid LATCH + stability leg |
| Harness | Rethread | Rethread |
| Fabric | Flame retardant-free knit + organic jersey | Flame retardant-free knit, organic jersey, Merino wool |
| Canopy | Full-coverage Sky drape | Full-coverage Sky drape |
| Compatibility | All Nuna strollers + select additional brands | All Nuna strollers + select additional brands |
⚖️ What’s the Same: Pipa Rx vs. Pipa Aire Rx
The Pipa Rx and the Pipa Aire Rx are very similar seats.
Same safety standards: both meet US safety requirements.
Both include the RELX base, which features rigid LATCH, a stability leg and an anti-rebound panel.
Same height and weight limits: 4-30 pounds, 16-30 inches.
Both feature a rethread harness, so you’ll have to manually adjust the harness height as your child grows.
High-quality, chemical-free fabrics: both seats are flame retardant-free and GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Full-coverage canopies: both seats feature the Sky drape canopies.
Travel-system ready, connecting easily to all Nuna strollers and a variety of other select stroller brands.
🔍 What’s Different: Pipa Rx vs. Pipa Aire Rx
Weight: The Aire Rx is slightly lighter than the Pipa, but not by much. The Aire Rx weighs 6.2 pounds without the canopy or inserts; adding them tacks on an additional 2.2 pounds, taking the total seat weight to 8.4 pounds. (Inserts can be removed once your baby hits 11 pounds, but most families never remove their seat’s canopy.) The Pipa Rx weighs 7.6 pounds without the canopy or inserts and 8.6 pounds with them in use.
Materials: The fabrics on the Aire Rx are lighter and more breathable than on the Pipa Rx. The Aire also features upgraded cushioning and memory foam, and includes an extra infant Merino wool insert.
Buckle holders: The Aire Rx features magnetic buckle holders to keep straps out of the way, while the Pipa Rx features pockets on either side to tuck in the buckles.
Price: The Aire Rx is about $100 more than the Pipa Rx.
💡 Bottom Line
Both the Pipa Rx and the Pipa Aire are premium, safety-focused car seats with the convenience and quality Nuna is known for. For most families, the differences between them are pretty subtle.
Choose the Pipa Rx if you want a high-end infant car seat that combines top-tier safety features with plush, flame retardant-free GREENGUARD Gold Certified fabrics—at a slightly lower price point.
Choose the Pipa Aire Rx if you love the Pipa Rx but want an even lighter, more streamlined version and don’t mind spending a bit more for extra convenience and style.
