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Bugaboo, the original luxury stroller brand, is finally getting into the car seat business—with help from neighbors in the Netherlands.
The new Bugaboo Turtle infant car seat, now available for pre-order from Strolleria, is manufactured by Nuna, a fellow Dutch maker of high-quality baby gear.
The Turtle shares many characteristics of Nuna's best-selling PIPA series of car seats, like a steel stability leg in the base, fire-retardant-free fabrics, and a magnetic cover for sun protection.
But while you'll need to purchase an adapter to fit a Nuna car seat on a Bugaboo stroller, no adapter is required to attach the Turtle to the Bugaboo Fox stroller.
In this comparison, we'll review the differences between the Bugaboo Turtle and the Nuna PIPA series of car seats, which includes the original PIPA and its lightweight siblings, the PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX.
Assuming you want your car seat to fit your stroller—a convenient feature most parents are looking for—this comparison only applies if you're purchasing the Fox. If you're looking at any other stroller (including other Bugaboo models), the Nuna PIPA series is your best bet, as the Turtle does not connect to any other strollers.
Debuting in early June 2019, the Bugaboo Turtle by Nuna is the only infant car seat specifically designed to fit the Bugaboo Fox stroller without adapters.
The Bugaboo Turtle offers the same design and safety features as the Nuna PIPA series. That includes the load leg, the metal anchor that extends from the base of the car seat to the floor of your car for added stability—a feature that can reduce the risk of head injury in a crash by almost 50 percent.
Unique to the Bugaboo car seat, the Turtle offers a full-width mesh peek-a-boo window in the canopy, as well as a different take on Nuna's "Dream Drape" magnetic cover. On the Turtle, the "Snooze Shade" is a ventilated cover that still provides UPF 50+ protection but adds more breathability and visibility. Plus, the Turtle comes with a breathable merino wool infant insert, a fabric only seen on the Nuna PIPA Lite LX.
The PIPA is so popular that Nuna offers three versions of it: the PIPA, PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX.
All three are compatible with Bugaboo strollers, and each has its selling points. The PIPA can be installed without a base for taxis and travel, while the PIPA Lite is the lightest car seat in the world. The Lite LX adds luxury with the Dream Drape cover and merino wool fabric that helps regulate baby's body temperature.
See Nuna PIPA vs. PIPA Lite vs. PIPA Lite LX for a full comparison, and meet the trio in the video below.
The Bugaboo Turtle is designed only for the Bugaboo Fox. It does not fit other Bugaboo models (like the Donkey, Cameleon or Bee), and it does not fit any other stroller brands. No car seat adapters are available for the Turtle.
Car seat adapters are widely available for the Nuna PIPA, PIPA Lite and PIPA Lite LX, making the Nuna car seats compatible with numerous stroller brands and types, including single strollers, double strollers, jogging strollers and travel strollers.
Priced at $349, the Bugaboo Turtle is an equivalent price to the Nuna PIPA—considering that the PIPA costs $50 less but would require a $50 adapter for use with a Bugaboo stroller.
The Turtle is the same price as the Nuna PIPA Lite but includes two features seen on the higher-priced PIPA Lite LX: the magnetic cover and merino wool infant insert.
The Bugaboo Turtle is about 1 pound heavier than the Nuna PIPA because the adapters needed to attach it to the stroller are integrated into the design of the seat. The PIPA Lite and Lite LX—the lightest car seats on the market—are at least 2.6 pounds lighter than the PIPA or Turtle.
Here are the weights for each car seat (measured without the canopy or infant inserts attached):
Like most infant car seats, the Bugaboo Turtle and the original Nuna PIPA can be installed with or without the base. While the base adds safety and convenience, a seatbelt-only install comes in handy if you travel or take taxis frequently.
If you're frequent fliers or city dwellers, the PIPA Lite and Lite LX may not be an ideal choice. There are no seatbelt paths on the Lite versions, which reduces their weight but requires the use of the base at all times.
The Bugaboo Turtle is available in a single color, Black, while many color choices are available for the Nuna car seats.
The Nuna PIPA comes in these colors:
The Nuna PIPA Lite is currently available in these colors, with new colors coming later in 2019 at an undetermined date:
The Nuna PIPA Lite LX comes in:
So which car seat is better: the Bugaboo Turtle or the Nuna PIPA, Nuna PIPA Lite or Nuna PIPA Lite LX? Here are the pros and cons we see.
What are the differences between the Bugaboo Turtle and the Nuna PIPA?
While there are a few, the main difference comes down to using the car seat on the Bugaboo Fox: The Turtle connects directly to the stroller, while the Nuna PIPA car seats require car seat adapters.
Using a car seat adapter is hardly the biggest inconvenience you'll face as a new parent, but it does add a bit of expense and a bit of hassle. While the Fox can fold with adapters attached, you'll have to remove them whenever you use the Fox seat or bassinet—and if you misplace an adapter while on the go, you'll be carrying the car seat home.
But choosing a Nuna car seat for your Bugaboo Fox keeps your options open, as the Turtle is made only for the Fox. If you acquire another type of stroller in the future, like a double or travel stroller, it's likely your Nuna PIPA can come along for the ride.
Strolleria is a family-owned and operated retailer dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about the Nuna PIPA vs. Bugaboo Turtle by Nuna, feel free to contact us at 480-442-9433 or customercare@strolleria.com.
Shop Nuna and Bugaboo infant car seats below!
