Nuna Rava Review | Is It Worth The Hype?
If you’ve ever searched “What’s the best car seat?”, chances are the Nuna Rava popped up again and again. It’s kind of the “cool girl” car seat that everyone has on their registry. But here’s the real question: does it live up to the hype?
Hi, I’m Sam—a CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician) and mom of four—and today I’m breaking down everything you need to know about the Nuna Rava. From first impressions to installation to everyday use, here’s what makes this convertible car seat a favorite among parents—and why it might be a fit for your family too.
What Kind of Seat Is the Nuna Rava?
The Nuna Rava is a convertible car seat, which means it’s designed to grow with your child. You can use it:
Rear-facing once your child outgrows their infant seat (or from birth if you choose to start with a convertible)
Forward-facing until your child is ready for a booster seat
Convertible car seats like the Rava offer long-term use, making them a great investment for families. And yes—we do have a list of our favorite convertibles (linked here!), and the Rava is absolutely on it.
First Impressions: Aesthetics Meet Practicality
Right out of the box, the Rava feels premium. The fabric is incredibly soft, breathable, and made with naturally flame-resistant materials—so families who prefer to go FR free have that option.
One of my favorite thoughtful features is the tether anchor fabric wrap. This might seem minor, but if you’re rear-facing (which this seat is designed to do as long as possible), that tether would otherwise hang loosely from its storage point. Instead, Nuna wraps it neatly in place. It’s small touches like this that make the Rava feel elevated.
Let’s Talk Installation
As someone who installs a lot of car seats, I use the Rava as a baseline when comparing ease of installation. Along with Britax’s ClickTight line, it's one of the easiest on the market.
Here’s what sets it apart:
True Tension Door: This feature helps you achieve a rock-solid install with minimal effort—no wrestling with straps or guessing if it’s tight enough.
Five Recline Positions Per Mode: Both rear- and forward-facing have multiple recline options, and they’re incredibly simple to adjust. No bubble indicators or confusing angles.
Now, this is a seatbelt tensioner, so you’ll still need to lock the seatbelt afterward, but no muscling is necessary! There’s also LATCH for those who have a need for it, but because of lower LATCH weight limits, I (and Nuna) recommend a belt install.
A note on newborn use and sloped vehicle seats: The Rava is approved for use from 5 pounds and up, so technically it can be used from birth. However, in practice, it tends to sit more upright than many infant seats—even at its most reclined angle. In vehicles with sloped back seats, this can be a challenge. If you have a steeper seat angle and are planning to use a convertible from day one, this might not be the best newborn fit.
Fit & Harness Height
The Nuna Rava is designed to grow with your child, but like all car seats, there are a few things to know about how long it truly fits. Here’s how the Rava measures up when it comes to harness height and everyday fit:
10 Headrest Positions with a no-rethread harness: Easy adjustments as your child grows.
Top Harness Height: ~17 inches: This is on the lower side compared to other convertible seats.
What That Means For Your Kids:
Long-torsoed kids may outgrow the harness earlier in forward-facing mode, even though the Rava is rated up to 49” or 65 lbs.
For average-sized kids, it’ll last until they’re booster-ready.
Rear-Facing Fit:
Extendable leg rest: extra comfort, especially for big kids rear-facing past age 3 or 4.
Excellent for most infants and toddlers.
Lots of recline options.
Is The Nuna Rava Comfortable?
From a comfort standpoint, the Rava is hard to beat. The padding is plush, the fabric is breathable, and the built-in ventilation panels help keep things cool.
There are dual cup holders that flip in and out (a must-have for 100% of toddlers, according to a recent poll in my home), and the seat feels roomy without being overly bulky.
How To Clean The Nuna Rava
As we all know, messes happen. The Rava cover is machine washable and easy to remove, and the fabric is both stain-resistant and durable. Surface stains tend to clean off fairly easily without needing to launder the entire cover.
If you do need to wash it, the downside is that it’s not dryer-safe, and it’s not quite as easy to put back on as it is to remove.
Pro Tip: If you’re using the Rava while potty training, put a Pull-Up on top of your toddler’s clothing to help protect the seat safely, without setting back any potty training progress.
Size & Fit in Vehicles
The Rava has a few quirks when it comes to size, so here’s what you need to know before installing it in your car or taking it on the go:
Wider Side-to-Side: Not the best choice for three-across setups.
Compact Front-to-Back: Great for small cars or when you need to preserve legroom—especially helpful for tall front-seat passengers.
Headrest Compatibility: Many forward-facing seats struggle with angled, non-removable headrests. The Rava usually plays nice here.
Weight: Just over 27 lbs—on the heavier side. Not ideal for air travel unless you’re using a car seat cart or travel wagon.
FAA-Approved: Safe to use on airplanes if you choose to bring it onboard.
Should You Choose The Nuna Rava?
The Nuna Rava is a premium, thoughtfully designed convertible car seat that really shines in rear-facing mode. It’s ideal for parents prioritizing comfort, ease of installation, and materials that are free from chemical flame retardants.
The harness height may be a limiting factor for longer-torsoed kids in forward-facing mode, but for many families, it’s a seat that does its job beautifully for years.
If you’re looking for a safe, stylish, and long-lasting option, especially if extended rear-facing is a priority, the Rava is absolutely worth considering.
Have You Considered The Britax Poplar?
If the Nuna Rava feels just out of budget—or you want something equally high-quality at a more approachable price point—the Britax Poplar is one of my top recommendations.
Both seats are:
Naturally flame-retardant (FR-free)
Compact front-to-back (great for preserving legroom)
Incredibly plush and comfortable
Exceptionally easy to install
What’s the difference?
The Poplar and Rava actually have the same top harness height—about 17 inches—so forward-facing longevity is identical. But the Rava allows for longer use in rear-facing mode, since it doesn’t follow the 1" from the top rule the Poplar does. That extra headroom can make a difference for bigger toddlers or preschoolers. It’s also lighter and easier to move between cars.
You can learn more about the Poplar—plus see how it stacks up against other convertible car seats—in this post here.
Still Not Sure What’s Best for Your Family?
Don’t guess—ask a CPST!
Whether you’re choosing between the Nuna Rava and the Britax Poplar or totally unsure where to start, ChatCPST allows you to chat with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and get real, personalized advice from a real expert.
We’re here to help you find the safest seat for your child—and the easiest fit for your car.
