Do you need a high-quality car seat for your growing family? Both the Nuna Rava and the Diono Radian 3RXT have the advanced comfort and safety features parents want, with convenient and easy installation and a long usable life. Comparing the Diono Radian 3RXT vs Nuna Rava side by side, the Radian will be the better option for many parents and is the best long-term value, usable for up to 10 years as a booster seat (>>> Check on Amazon). Having said that, though, the Nuna Rava certainly has its strengths. Let’s take a closer look at where each of these models excels before getting into the full product details.
Diono Radian 3RXT vs Nuna Rava Side by Side:
| Diono Radian 3RXT | Nuna Rava | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
| Child weight | 4-120lbs | 5-65lbs |
| Installation method | LATCH, seat belt | LATCH, seat belt |
| Dimensions | 28.5”H X 17”W X 16”D | 25”H X 19”W X 16”D |
| Headrest positions | 12 | 10 |
| Weight | 30.6lbs | 27.2lbs |
| Price | Pishposhbaby.com BabyCubby.com Find on Amazon | Pishposhbaby.com BabyCubby.com |
Installation Ease
Both the Nuna Rava and the Diono Radian 3RXT can be installed using either the LATCH system or with the vehicle seat belts, and they both are relatively quick and straightforward to install using either method.
This is one area where the Nuna Rava takes a slight edge. The True Tension door and seat belt path guarantees a secure fit without any struggle. Its angle guides are also far clearer than the bubble system on most car seats, so you can be confident the seat is installed correctly.
Easier to install: Nuna Rava
Child Age Range
The Nuna Rava has a relatively wide usable age range. This starts with its newborn inserts, which ensure a snug fit for babies as small as 5 pounds. The seat can be used as a rear-facing car seat up to around 50 pounds, and as a front-facing seat up to 65 pounds, or around 2 years old for most children.
The Diono Radian 3RXT includes even better inserts for newborns, with a wedge that helps flatten the angle to make the seat ideal for infants. Once these are removed, the seat can be used rear-facing up to 50 pounds, and used as a front-facing seat either with the harness or with a seatbelt pass-through. This extends the usable life of the 3RXT up to around age 10 as a booster seat, far longer than you’ll get from most car seats.
Wider age range: Diono Radian 3RXT
Impact Protection
Both of these car seats perform well in this area. Each includes a solid steel core for durability, with additional safety protections in the shell. On the Nuna Rava, that takes the form of side impact protection pods that help to absorb forces in the case of an accident.
While the Nuna Rava performs well here, the Diono Radian 3RXT goes a step further. Along with 6-layer side impact protection built into the shell, it has a removable anti-rebound bar on the front that cuts down on rebound rotation by 50%.
Better impact protection: Diono Radian 3RXT
Convenience
While the Diono Radian 3RXT is on the heavy side for a car seat, much of this weight comes from its steel core and other safety features. The seat itself is quite compact, especially in the side-to-side dimension. This doesn’t just help you fit more seats in a single vehicle, it also makes it more versatile for different sizes and types of vehicles. The fold-up design is helpful here, too, allowing it to fold completely flat and stay that way so you can store it easily when you’re not using it, or take it with you on other forms of transportation like airplanes.
While the Nuna Rava is a bit lighter than the Diono Radian 3RXT, it’s also a couple of inches wider and doesn’t have the folding option. This isn’t to say it’s inconvenient to use for most parents, simply that the Radian edges it out, especially for frequent travelers.
More convenient: Diono Radian 3RXT
Diono Radian 3RXT
The Diono Radian 3RXT is one of the most versatile car seats you’ll find, with an incredibly long usable lifespan. For newborns, it includes a newborn wedge and a removable padding insert, which can be combined to provide an ideal flat position and snug fit for babies as small as 4 pounds. As your child grows, it can be used as a rear- or forward-facing car seat, or converted into a booster seat that can work for children up to around age 10 (120 pounds). The high seat back and adjustable headrest keep the seat comfy as your child grows.
All of these customization options are packed into a remarkably compact seat. It’s only 17 inches across, allowing 3 seats to fit side-by-side in most vehicle rear seats. When you’re traveling other ways, like in an airplane, the seat folds flat to meet FAA guidelines. It can also be installed through either the LATCH system or the vehicle’s seat belts, so it’s easy to use in any type of vehicle.
The Diono Radian 3RXT has a steel core for strength and durability. The shell has 6 separate layers of side impact protection, pairing with the adjustable headrest and 5-point harness to keep your child safe in the case of an accident. The anti-rebound bar is another helpful safety feature, reducing rebound rotation by 50% and the forces that will be placed on your child if there is an accident. Click her for our more in-depth Diono Radian 3RXT review.
Pros
- 6-layer side impact protection and anti-rebound bar
- Rear-facing up to 50 pounds
- Booster seat mode suitable up to age 10
- Fits 3 across in most vehicle rear seats
- Tall back with adjustable headrest
- Automotive-grade steel core
- Infant wedge and insert for newborns
- Folds flat for air travel and storage
Cons
- Higher weight
- Not flame retardant
Nuna Rava
The Nuna Rava is designed to give parents a hassle-free installation. It’s one of the easiest car seats to install using vehicle seat belts thanks to the True Tension doors, which quickly provide a secure fit at the perfect angle for your child’s comfort. It also has a LATCH system, giving parents multiple ways to fit the seat into their vehicle.
There are plenty of other safety features on the Nuna Rava, as well. It uses bamboo fabrics that are naturally flame-retardant, with no added chemicals that will bother your baby’s sensitive skin. The steel frame is enhanced by side impact protection pods that reduce forces exerted on your child if there’s an accident.
The customizability of the Nuna Rava is another strength from both a safety and a comfort perspective. It has 10 recline positions and 10 head support and harness adjustment options, in addition to the no-rethread 2-position buckle. It can be in a rear-facing position up to around 50 pounds, as well, letting parents use this safer option longer than most car seats.
Pros
- Rear-facing up to 50 pounds
- Steel frame with Side Impact Protection pods
- One True Tension door for easy seatbelt installation
- Naturally flame-resistant with no added chemicals
- 10 recline positions and 10 headrest positions
- Comfortable, machine-washable fabrics
- Includes infant head and body inserts
Cons
- Doesn’t convert to a booster seat for older kids
- No folding option
Diono Radian 3RXT vs Nuna Rava: The Verdict
For most parents, the expanded age range and convenience features of the Diono Radian 3RXT make it the better choice (>>> Find on Pishposhbaby). That said, the easy seat belt installation and wide array of seat customization options on the Nuna Rava could make it the better fit for your family. We hope this side-by-side has helped you make your decision!
