Peg Perego Nido Review

In 1949, Peg Perego launched a baby carriage created by Giuseppe Perego. The founder continued the company's growth through the 1960s with various strollers and an adjustable high chair. The creation of ride-on toys and umbrella strollers followed began in the 1970s, with the 1980s bringing the first Pilko strollers and ride-on toys with a 12-volt two-cell battery. Peg Perego strives to design and creates innovative and stylish gear that makes life easier, including options in our best high chairs review and a variety of car seats across categories.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Nido is slightly above average in our crash testing, indicating a potential additional margin of protection. It is on par with the Chicco Fit2.

With the use of the load leg, the Nido earned a better head sensor (HIC) score with a crash sensor result of 430 HIC. The Nido has a HIC of 573 (without load leg) where the maximum allowed is 1000, and the lower the result, the better. Without using the load leg, the result is higher than the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, which has a result of 491. The comparison chart above shows the results for the Nido (in black) utilizing the load leg in comparison to the Chicco Keyfit 30 (in green), which has the lowest (best) results with a 330.

The Nido chest clip sensor (g clip) result is 46 sans load leg where the maximum allowed is 60, and a lower result is better. Unfortunately, using the load leg resulted in a worse chest sensor result of 51 g clip. Details of this comparison are in the chart above.

The Nido has an elongated anti-rebound bar (above left). This feature helps prevent rotation in the event of an accident. The Nido also comes standard with a load leg (above right) that helps prevent the car seat from flopping back and forth during a crash. Both features theoretically increase potential safety though it is difficult to calculate their exact contribution. Our test results, both using and not using the load leg, indicate that the load leg is beneficial to the head sensor in the crash test dummy. Given that the chest sensor result is similar, and the HIC result is better when using the load leg, it seems logical that parents should use the load leg when possible.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Nido is hardest to install using the LATCH system, though still relatively straightforward. The difficulty we experienced is a bummer because it is supposed to make installation straightforward and more foolproof. The connectors are easy enough to attach to the anchors, but tightening the strap is more challenging, and releasing the connectors is very difficult. It feels stable once installed, but the process is more convoluted than it needs to be.

The Nido has push-button LATCH connectors (above left) that are easier to attach and release than clip-style connectors. The Nido has a single strap (above right) to tighten the base to the vehicle, which is more challenging than those with center pulls or a self-ratcheting system.

The LATCH strap is across the back of the base and slides under the belt lock-off for additional stability.

This base has a liquid level with a bubble (above left) similar to a construction level. The level helps parents determine if the installation angle of the base is correct. If the angle is incorrect, you can adjust it with a turn of the knob on the base (above right). This feature works well and turns readily.

Ease of Install - Belt

Installation using the vehicle belt and the Nido base is easier than using the LATCH method. If you want to install a car seat without LATCH anchors, you'll need to use the vehicle belt. Luckily, with the Nido, this method is easy peasy to accomplish.

This process is most straightforward with the lap-only belt, but you can also accomplish it by using the lap-shoulder belt combo. The vehicle belt threads through the color-coded sides and belt lock-off (above left) to secure it to the car. The lock-off is super easy to use and not overly tight like some competition. Once the strap is in place, the lock-off is closed (above right) with the press of your palm. Once installed, the base is stable with little wiggle or shift along the strap.

Ease of Install - Without the Base

The easiest method of installation for the Nido is without the base. It earned one of the top scores in this metric and is only rivaled by the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. The Nido can be installed minus the base using the European (above left) or American belt path (above right). Both provide a stable final result, and the belt lock-off makes getting the carrier tucked in tight enough a breeze.

The European path includes the lap belt across the carrier's foot and the shoulder strap around the back (above left) tucked under the clip (above right) to hold it in place.

Ease of Use

The Nido is one of the easiest options to use. Ease of use testing encompasses the features and functionality of the Nido during everyday use.

Harness

The Nido has a 5-point harness that can be held back with the harness retainer system. While helpful in theory, we suspect most parents will stop using it over time. The buckle on the harness is easy to use, but the chest clip is stiff and takes some serious strength to operate.

The harness has significant padding on the shoulder straps and the crotch strap (above left). The Nido has a non-rethread height adjustment (above right) with six positions and a crotch strap with two. The height adjusts from the back with a squeeze that slides the entire assembly up and down.

The harness tightens quickly with a pull of the strap at the carrier foot, and the release button is under the fabric and easy to depress.

Handle

The handle on the Nido rubs front and a little on the sides when the canopy is up. The handle release buttons must be pressed at an awkward and are not as user-friendly as they could be. The handle rotates when you press on both sides simultaneously. For driving, there is only one safe position for the handle, and this depends on if you are using the base or not, so parents need to make sure the handle is in the right place before the vehicle is in motion.

The Nido has a new extendable canopy that offers more protection for little ones than most infant car seat canopies. The canopy is UPF 50+, has mesh sides that zip open for ventilation, and looks good. Unfortunately, this large hood comes with a handle/hood interference problem.

Carrier and Base Connection

The carrier attaches to the Nido base without much effort, but we often were able to install it with only one side connected, but it is better than some of the competition. Because it lacks a visual indicator like the one found on the Cybex Aton 2 to ensure correct installation, we recommend parents tug the handle to ensure the connection is secure. Releasing the carrier is a breeze with the handle on the backside.

LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage

The Nido LATCH connectors stow in the base and do not automatically retract. It keeps the connectors contained, so there is no interference when connecting the carrier to the base. The manual tucks into a pocket on the back of the carrier. This location is better than those that store in the base because if you use the carrier without the base, you won't have your manual should you need it.

Comfort/Quality

Peg Perego has a tradition of creating higher quality products with attention to manufacturing detail, and the Nido is no exception. The Nido has firm padding for good support and soft fabric for comfort. The material isn't as soft as the other Pegs, but it isn't rough and is comparable to the likes of the Chicco Fit2 and Cybex Aton 2. The shell feels solid and doesn't have any rough plastic edges. The fabric fits the frame nicely with a smooth self-contained look. The canopy is the largest one in the review offering significantly more coverage than the standard infant car seat. The size is especially convenient if you plan to use your carrier with a stroller, as the stroller canopies often are not useable with a car seat in place.

Weight

The Nido carrier is heavy, with a weight of 10.6 lbs. It isn't the heaviest option in the group, but every pound counts if you need to tote your little one for very far in a car seat carrier. If you don't need to travel very far with the carrier in a suburban environment, then weight may not be something you give much "weight" to, but if you need to cart baby from your apartment five floors up and around the city streets, then it is something to keep in mind.

Stroller Compatiblity

This Peg seat is compatible with Peg Perego strollers without the need for adapters. This ability is a nice feature that cuts down on the loose items you can potentially lose while strolling with your baby. Given the newness of this seat, it is hard to say which stroller brands offer compatibility. We encourage parents to consider using a baby carrier for infants instead of a stroller. We find it is an excellent way to bond, keep your hands free, and prevent crying while out and about; plus, you don't have to worry about a stroller.

Should You Buy the Peg Perego Nido?

The Peg Perego Nido is a top-notch infant seat with a top-tier price. It has many added features like a load leg, anti-rebound bar, and European belt path that increase safety and convenience, but all of these extras come at a high price. The Nido is one of the most expensive carriers in our review, and while it has one of the largest canopies you will find on an infant car seat, we do not recommend basing your decision solely on canopy size. It is one of the best scoring products in our tests, and we think it is a great choice for most families. However, a few seats perform better and have a more wallet-friendly price tag.

What Other Infant Car Seats Should You Consider?

The Nido is a high-quality seat with many features that are useful for parents and increase safety and comfort for little ones. However, it is beat out by its sister product, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, which scores better overall. It scored slightly higher in crash testing and is a couple of pounds lighter, and if these things matter to you, we think you will be happier with the Primo Viaggio. As a bonus, the Viaggio is also less expensive, making it a good choice for families trying to stick to a budget.

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