The Peg Perego Nido infant car seat is a high-quality seat with additional features for safety, including an anti-rebound bar and load leg. This seat sports above-average crash test results, comfortable padding and fabric, and a giant canopy with zip-open ventilation. The Nido is super easy to install using the vehicle belt with or without a base and better than average for ease of installation using the LATCH method. The Nido is on the pricer side, and for the money, we think some of the features could be easier to use. It is also somewhat more cumbersome, which means it may not be the best choice for those who plan to carry the carrier for a distance longer than the house to the car. We like the look and feel of this seat and think it is a potential choice for families who want a Peg seat or who are specifically looking for a load leg or anti-rebound bar as its overall performance is impressive. Still, given the lower crash test results using the load leg, we think the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 is the better Peg choice.
Peg Perego Nido Review
Pros: Load leg, easy belt install with and without base
Cons: Price, heavy carrier
Manufacturer: Peg Perego
The Skinny
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Our Analysis and Test Results
In 1949, Peg Perego launched with a baby carriage created by Giuseppe Perego. The founder continued the company's growth through the 1960s with a variety of strollers and an adjustable high chair. The creation of ride-on toys and umbrella strollers followed 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 create innovative and stylish gear that makes life easier.
Performance Comparison
Crash Test
This Nido is slightly above average in our crash testing, indicating a potential additional margin of protection.
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 the use of 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) utilii=zing 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 harder, 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 the 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 not correct, you can adjust it with a turn of the knob on the base (above right). This feature works well and turns easily.
Ease of Install - Belt
Installation using the vehicle belt and the Nido base is easier than using the LATCH method. In the event you want to install the car seat where there are no 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) in the center of the base to secure the base to the car. The lock-off is super easy to use and not overly tight like some of the competition. Once the strap is in place, the lock-off is closed (above right) with the press of your palm. The base is stable once installed 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. 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 foot of the carrier 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 easily 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 on the front and a little on the sides when the canopy is up. The handle release buttons are awkward and 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 easily, 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 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 back of the carrier.
LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage
The Nido LATCH connectors stow in the base and are not automatic. It keeps the connectors contained, so there is no interference connecting the carrier to the base. The manual stores in 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 fabric isn't as soft as the other Pegs, but it isn't rough. The shell feels solid and doesn't have any rough plastic edges. The fabric fits the shell 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 cool if you plan to use your carrier with a stroller, and 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, however, 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 a great way to bond, keep your hands free, and prevent crying while out and about, plus you don't have to worry about a stroller.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz