UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria | Infant Car Seat Comparison

 

If you have a baby on the way, it's likely that your sister, mother, aunt, best friend, neighbor, coworker and cousin are all singing the praises of UPPAbaby travel systems! As you delve into the world of stroller research, you've probably started noticing UPPAbaby Cruz and UPPAbaby Vista strollers everywhere. The popularity of UPPAbaby strollers in the US can be attributed to various factors, including their high quality and user-friendly designs. However, arguably the most crucial aspect is their direct compatibility with UPPAbaby infant car seats, offering an adapterless connection – a significant advantage for parents.

While UPPAbaby initially offered only one infant car seat, their product line has expanded over the years to now include three options. This leaves parents facing the dilemma of choosing the best UPPAbaby infant car seat for their needs. In this article, we will compare all three options, dispel any confusion, and hopefully make the decision-making process a breeze!

 

Check out our video reviews of the UPPAbaby Aria and UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max:

 

UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria

What UPPAbaby infant car seat is the safest? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

 

While all car seats in the US must pass identical safety tests to be sold in the market, not all car seats are crafted with the same level of safety features. Renowned baby gear brands distinguish themselves by incorporating extra safety measures that surpass the standard US safety requirements. The UPPAbaby infant car seat lineup displays variations in these safety features. In the context of a typical infant car seat, it consists of two primary components: the actual car seat and its accompanying base. The base is where notable safety features are integrated. The Mesa Max and Aria share an identical base design, featuring top-tier safety elements such as a steel stability leg and an anti-rebound panel. Conversely, the Mesa V2 base lacks these advanced safety features.

What is a stability leg?

A stability, or load leg, is a steel bar that connects to the car seat base and extends to the floor of the vehicle. It is designed to prevent upward rotation in the event of an impact. By stabilizing the seat, the stability leg ensures that the spine is evenly supported along the seat back during a collision. This mechanism enhances overall safety during an accident.

What is an anti-rebound panel?

In a crash, a car seat tends to move towards the point of impact. The role of an anti-rebound bar is to arrest this movement, known as the rebound, and assist the seat in coming to a stop sooner than it would if the bar were not in place.

Both the Mesa Max and Aria double up on anti-rebound protection with their integrated stability leg and anti-rebound plate.

 

Despite these differences, all three bases from UPPAbaby offer a user-friendly installation process, effectively minimizing the risks associated with installation errors. It's important for parents to carefully consider these safety features when choosing the best UPPAbaby infant car seat for their baby.

What UPPAbaby infant car seat is the easiest to install? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

True to UPPAbaby's reputation for user-friendly products, their infant car seats are effortlessly and swiftly installed within seconds.

The installation process for all three UPPAbaby infant car seats is uniform. The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria feature SMARTsecure system installation. This system encompasses LATCH installation and a color-coded indicator (red-to-green) that unmistakably indicates when the base is securely installed and has achieved the necessary tension level. The base is equipped with two latches, each independently connected to the vehicle anchor points. Furthermore, a four-position adjustable foot is integrated to guarantee a proper fit in any type of vehicle.

The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria bases can also be installed with a vehicle seat belt when there is an absence of LATCH connectors. 

What UPPAbaby infant car seat can be installed without the base? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria are all furnished with a European belt path. This functionality includes a 3-point seat belt routing system, facilitating the secure installation of the car seat without its accompanying base. The baseless installation feature proves especially beneficial for families depending on public transportation or frequently traveling by airplane. This affords parents the convenience of leaving the base behind during air travel. Both seats are FAA certified, guaranteeing a safe and comfortable flight experience for baby.

What UPPAbaby infant car seat is the lightest weight? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

 

When searching for an infant car seat, parents prioritize safety as the foremost consideration. Following closely is the factor of weight. The advantages of a lightweight car seat are apparent, considering it's a piece of gear parents will carry during the initial phase of their parenting journey. With the additional weight of a growing infant, the overall load can become burdensome. Opting for a lightweight car seat is a wise decision. If you've chosen an UPPAbaby stroller, you're in for a treat! UPPAbaby now offers the lightest infant car seat in the US—the Aria. This distinction also positions the Aria as the lightest in the UPPAbaby infant car seat lineup.

Are all UPPAbaby infant car seats flame retardant free? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria all incorporate naturally flame-resistant materials, eliminating the necessity for chemical flame retardants. Consistent with the prevailing trend observed among top-tier baby gear brands, these infant car seats are entirely free of flame retardants. UPPAbaby goes above and beyond in their material selections and manufacturing procedures. Noteworthy is the fact that all UPPAbaby infant car seats proudly bear the GREENGUARD Gold Certification, emphasizing UPPAbaby's dedication to rigorous standards for both environmental sustainability and indoor air quality.

What UPPAbaby infant car seat has the best features? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria all share distinctive UPPAbaby features and similar characteristics, including a no-rethread harness for ultimate ease of use in accommodating rapidly growing infants, harness holders for simplified loading, and two-piece infant inserts. The Aria introduces some new features such as a ventilation panel at the back of the canopy for optimal airflow and an ergonomic aluminum carry handle with a leather grip. While the Aria claims the title of the lightest among the three UPPAbaby infant car seat options, certain features were adjusted from the initial design to achieve the ultra-lightweight status of the Aria.

Notably, both the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max boast a push button at the top of their handlebars, allowing for a quick and effortless release from UPPAbaby strollers. In contrast, the Aria's release is located at the back and bottom of the car seat, which is not as intuitive as the designs of the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max. Releasing the Aria requires two hands instead of the one-handed release found in the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max designs.

 Refer below for a full list of each infant car seats features.

 

• Lightest infant car seat on the market weighing just under 6 lbs
• Included base with load leg for additional stability and energy absorption
• Adjustable headrest for a more accurate and customized fit as baby grows
• Extra-large UPF 25+ hideaway canopy with top ventilation and pop out extended sunshade
• SmartSecure® System with red-to-green visual indicator accurately installs in seconds
•  GREENGUARD® Gold Certified to support healthier air quality and low chemical emissions
• Direct attachment for Vista and Cruz strollers + convenient adapters available for the Minu and Ridge
• Two-piece robust infant insert ensures proper fit and body positioning for preemies from 4 lbs. with ability to fit babies up to 4 months
• Ergonomic Aluminum Carry-Handle designed for added stability and optimum portability
• Greater head containment to improve side impact protection
• Simple one-crotch buckle position and no-rethread, adjustable harness makes buckling up a breeze
•  5th anti-rebound handle position for increased safety in rebound and rear-impact collisions
• European Routing for a more secure installation when installing without the base
• Back panel ventilation for additional airflow keeping baby cool and comfortable
• Removeable, machine-washable fabrics
• All fashions are Fire Retardant Free through DualTech™ fabrics
• FAA certified for aircraft use with or without base Base:
• Narrow 17” wide footprint to allow three seats across comfortably
• Anti-Rebound + Panel for increased safety in rebound and rear-impact collisions
• Auto-Retracting LATCH for effortless installation
• Built-in lock-off for secure seatbelt installation
• Four-position adjustable foot for easy leveling and to accommodate various seat angles
• Streamlined, low-profile base with finished bottom
• Bubble Level indicators on both sides show when the base is in the correct level position for installation

What UPPAbaby infant car seat can be used the longest? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

Infant car seats are typically designed for use from birth until the baby reaches approximately one year old. These seats come with both height and weight restrictions, and usage is discontinued if either limit is exceeded, not both. In many instances, infants tend to outgrow the height restrictions well before reaching the weight limits.

Both the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max share identical height and weight limits, while the Aria has a slightly lower height limit by two inches and weight limit by five pounds. If your family has a history of tall genes or tends to have bigger babies, opting for the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max may allow you to extend the use of your infant car seat for a bit longer.

What strollers are compatible with UPPAbaby infant car seats? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

 

UPPAbaby distinguishes itself by crafting some of the most sought-after stroller models in the US. With a comprehensive line of strollers, they ensure that parents can find a perfect match for their lifestyle needs. The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria are meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with UPPAbaby strollers, creating harmonious travel systems.

All UPPAbaby infant car seats offer convenience by directly connecting with the UPPAbaby Cruz and UPPAbaby Vista strollers, eliminating the need for parents to manage and keep track of infant car seat adapters. However, when pairing with the UPPAbaby Ridge and UPPAbaby Minu, separate adapters are required and sold separately, resulting in an additional expense for parents.

It's important to note that the Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria have limited compatibility with strollers from other brands. While a few brands may offer adapters to accommodate these UPPAbaby models, such options are relatively scarce.

The Mesa V2, Mesa Max and Aria all share the same stroller compatibility. For a full list of strollers compatible with UPPAbaby infant car seats refer >>>here 

Specs and Dimensions: UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

 

Use:

• UPPAbaby Mesa: 4 to 35 lbs, or up to 32"
• UPPAbaby Mesa Max:  4 to 35 lbs, or up to 32"
• UPPAbaby Aria: 4 to 30 lbs, or up to 30” 

Weight:

• UPPAbaby Mesa: 9.9 lbs
• UPPAbaby Mesa Max: 9.9 lbs
• UPPAbaby Aria: 6 lbs

 

Warranty:

• UPPAbaby provides a lifetime warranty for all car seats (from purchase to expiration)

What is the best UPPAbaby infant car seat? UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria:

Strollers and infant car seats are interconnected decisions for most parents, often finalized simultaneously. These essential pieces of baby gear, relied upon from the day a baby is born, are typically purchased together. The choice of either the stroller or the car seat often influences the decision on the other, creating a seamless pairing.

If you've opted for an UPPAbaby stroller, selecting an UPPAbaby infant car seat becomes the natural choice. While UPPAbaby infant car seats may not offer extensive compatibility beyond UPPAbaby strollers, parents need not feel restricted within the UPPAbaby brand. UPPAbaby provides ample versatility within their stroller lineup to meet the varied needs of a growing family. The Vista offers a single to double option, accommodating expanding families with the capability to hold up to three children. The Cruz serves as their mid-size stroller, a perfect fully-featured option for parents focused on a single stroller. UPPAbaby caters to active families with the Ridge jogging stroller. Completing their lineup is their travel-friendly, compact, tri-fold option, the Minu.

With concerns about UPPAbaby infant car seat stroller compatibility put to rest, let's delve into determining the best choice among UPPAbaby infant car seats! This decision ultimately hinges on the features that hold the utmost importance for parents. For those prioritizing safety, the Mesa Max and Aria, with their advanced safety features in each base, emerge as clear winners. On the other hand, if ease of use within a travel system is the key consideration, the one-button release feature offered by the Mesa V2 and Mesa Max cannot be overlooked.

However, for parents seeking the perfect balance of prioritized safety and lightweight design, the Aria stands in a class of its own. It is guaranteed to be an excellent choice for both parents and babies.

Questions?

Strolleria is dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about the UPPAbaby Mesa V2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Aria, feel free to chat us or email us at customercare@strolleria.com.