UPPAbaby Aria 2 vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V3

So you’ve settled on an UPPAbaby stroller like the Vista, Cruz, Ridge or Minu, and you want to keep things easy and seamless. That brings you to your current conundrum: Aria 2 vs. Mesa V3. We’ve found some clear differences between the two that hopefully will make your decision a bit easier.  

In a nutshell, for us it comes to a few key factors - most everything else is the same or at least similar enough to not make much of a difference. These factors are weight, maximum height of the child, the car seat base, comfort, and price. 

And even more direct: we’d say it truly comes down to one trade off that is key for us in the city. Do you have a car? If you do, the Mesa lacks a safety feature that we like to see all car seats have: a load leg. If you don’t then you’re a city person who will want to use the portable, easy infant car seat as long as possible and won’t be using the base of the car seat anyway, so in our minds, the ideal situation is to pick the larger seat that your child can use for longer (and can attach to your stroller base).

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Weight & Portability

Now, let me start by saying that for us at Babesta, the lightness of a car seat is nice, but since your infant seat normally can pop into the frame of your stroller (a.k.a. A travel system), it’s not totally necessary, as you are just lifting it from the car to the stroller. 

This being said, a little less weight is very nice!

The Aria 2 is a feather light option, weighing in at just shy of 6lbs. This means it’s easy if you’re carrying your baby in the bucket seat up the stairs of your walkup, up and down subway stairs. It’s also great if you’re on the go, taking planes (it’s FAA approved) and the like. 

The other thing we love about the Aria 2 is the fact that it has a load leg on its base. This to us is an essential safety feature. If you don’t have a car and are installing with the seatbelt, it doesn’t matter, but if you do have a car and will be using the base, this is a big deal.

The Mesa V3, on the other hand is a bit heavier but more substantial. It’s a good choice for a taller baby who might outgrow their infant seat quickly, as it allows 2 more inches of growth before transitioning to the convertible seat. 

In NYC, especially for families without their own car, this is crucial, as once baby grows out of the infant seat, you have to move them to the convertible seat that is so big and heavy you’re not practically carrying it around. When you get to that point, use the subway. 

Verdict: Aria 2 if you have a car and/or need to carry the seat up and down stairs quite a bit. Mesa 3 if you don’t have a car and you need as much growing room as possible to stave off the transition to the convertible seat a bit longer. 

Comfort & Fit for Baby

When it comes to comfort, both the Aria 2 and Mesa V3 are going to do the job, but the Mesa V3 noses ahead thanks to its extra level of plush, premium fabrics. This being said, it isn’t a factor that we’d base a decision upon as we’re really splitting hairs! 

Everyday Convenience

As for the convenience of the two car seats, the Aria 2 is undeniably convenient for its light weight. That means it’s easy to snap it in and out of your stroller. But, for anyone who knows the struggle of clicking your baby into the seat, especially if they’re a squirmer, the magnetic buckle of the Mesa V3 is a big plus!

Stroller Compatibility

It’s a tie! Both infant car seats pair seamlessly with the UPPAbaby line of strollers. The Vista and Cruz are direct fits, while the Ridge and Minu require adapters. 

Price & Value

The Aria 2 ($449.99) is the pricier of the two seats, clocking in at $100 more than the Mesa V3 ($349.99).  

Who Each Seat Is Best For

So which seat should you get? Well, if you don’t have a car and you live in the city, you’re not going to use the stroller base, and you’ll want your baby to use the infant seat as long as possible. This leads us to recommending the Mesa V3.

If, however, you have a car and will use the base, then the Aria 2 is the way to go. It comes down to the load leg for us, with the lightness of the seat a wonderful perk.

Other Choices

If you decide you’re not happy about this trade off, there is yet another option. This one requires a car seat adapter, but you could opt for the Liing car seat by Clek. It works with the UPPAbaby car seats, has a load leg on the base, and can accommodate kids up to 32” tall. 

It also has zip off fabrics for easy washing.

The Babesta Difference

We hope that this article has helped you to make a decision between UPPAbaby Aria 2 vs. Mesa V3, or whatever car seat suits your needs best. At Babesta we’re always studying the models on the market and trying to put them up to the New York City test. 

Whether it’s car seats or strollers, high chairs, or carriers, the city lifestyle is different than anywhere else in the world. We have raised kids in the city and have been here in Tribeca for over 20 years, and we know what matters to city parents. 

Be sure to read our blogs, and better yet, come into the shop, so we can help you figure out the right gear for you. The goal, no matter what, is to make it easy and safe (and hopefully stylish too) for your family to live their best life with their brand-new New Yorker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Mesa V3 or Aria 2 offer an anti-rebound bar?

Yes, both car seats offer anti-rebound protection in different ways. The Aria 2 has an anti-rebound panel while the Mesa V3 offers a fourth position of the carry handle that serves as an anti-rebound bar.

What are the basic specs of each car seat, Aria 2 vs Mesa V3

What is the two hour car seat rule? 

This guideline refers to the fact that newborns shouldn’t be in a car seat for over two hours in a 24 hour period. This is because newborns don’t have head and neck control yet and if sitting in that position for too long, their head may fall forward and restrict their airway leading to suffocation.