REASONS TO BUY
Impressive crash test analysis
Reasonable price
Easy to use
High quality
Comfy
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier
Nuna aace Review
Impressive all-around seat with the best crash test analysis and easy-to-use features
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ August 7, 2026
Contributions From: Juliet Spurrier, MD
RELATED: Best Booster Seats | Crash Tested
Our Verdict
The Nuna AACE is a high-scoring, high-quality, high-backed booster we absolutely love. This booster has the best crash test results in the review, earning the highest crash test analysis score. It offers the ability to go backless for travel and includes a shoulder belt positioner for the backless mode. We love the smooth-moving headrest, soft fabric, and rigid LATCH to secure it to the car. The Nuna is super comfortable, with more padding than some competitors, and the fabric feels durable without sacrificing softness. The headrest has ample padding our test model enjoyed. The seat is not the easiest to buckle as a result of the shape and the armrests, but it is doable and a small price to pay for impressive crash test analysis results. This seat is also a little spendy compared to other boosters, but it isn't the most expensive and we think its performance justifies the price. Overall, it is hard to beat this seat, and we think most families will love it if it fits within their budget.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Nuna aace | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Booster Car Seat |  Easiest to Use Booster Seat |  Best Budget High Back Booster Car Seat | Best Booster on the Tightest Budget | Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling |
| Price | $300 List | $300 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $187 List Check Price at Amazon | $110 List Check Price at Amazon | $45 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Impressive all-around seat with the best crash test analysis and easy-to-use features | This good-looking seat offers better crash test results, LATCH installation, lots of adjustability, and impressive performance across metrics | A great overall option with better crash testing, tester-preferred comfort, and simple installation make it a favorite | A good all-around option with few flaws but some seats are better | The perfect choice for travel and carpooling, but its lower quality and average crash test result make it less ideal for everyday use |
| Rating Categories | Nuna aace | Peg Perego Viaggio F... | Chicco KidFit Zip Ai... | Chicco KidFit ClearT... | BubbleBum |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Nuna aace | Peg Perego Viaggio F... | Chicco KidFit Zip Ai... | Chicco KidFit ClearT... | BubbleBum |
| Modes | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-110 lb | 40-120 lb | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 38-60 in | 39-63 in | 38-57 in | 38-57 in | N/A |
| Width | 16.0 in | 16.3 in | 18.2 in | 18.4 in | 11.3 in |
| Weight | 15.9 lb | 15.7 lb | 11.8 lb | 10.3 lb | 0.9 lb |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | 50-120 lb | N/A | 40-110 lb | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | 38-60 in | N/A | 38-58 in | 38-57 in | 40-57 in |
| 5 Point Harness Weight Range | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Point Height Range | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| LATCH Equipped | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recline Positions | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | N/A |
| Flame Retardant (FR) | 100% FR-Free | 100% FR-Free | Not Disclosed | 100% FR-Free (ClearTex version only) | Not Disclosed |
| Foam Type | EPS | EPS | EPS | EPS | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 10 Years | 12 Years | 8 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date |
| Aircraft Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Nuna aace earned one of the best crash test analysis scores in the group. Credit: MGA Research
Crash Test
The Nuna earned the highest crash test analysis score thanks to some of the lowest sensor data from crash tests that we've ever seen in booster seat tests.
All of the boosters in our review have passed federal guidelines to be sold in the US and, therefore, should be considered safe. We ran crash tests on sleds that better mimic modern car seats and go a bit faster than the federal guidelines require. Our goal is to identify seats that exceed the average test results.
The Nuna HIC sensor results were the lowest in the group, where fewer forces are better. Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
The Nuna AACE had the lowest chest clip sensor g-forces in the group. Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
The Nuna is definitely a standout seat in this way. As a result, we believe it has the potential to offer an additional margin of protection over those with more average sensor data and crash test analysis results.
The AACE has side impact pop-outs on the wings that you can deploy following the manufacturer's instructions. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The AACE has a pop-out side-impact protection feature. How this impacts the seat's response during an actual crash is not something we can comment on, but we do appreciate safety considerations, and, theoretically, it could absorb forces from an impact under the right circumstances.
The back of the AACE is removable for transport or to use the bottom as a backless booster. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The Nuna earned an impressive score for ease of use. While it isn't the highest score, it is high enough to ensure a smooth-operating seat. We think it is easier to use than most.
The rigid LATCH connectors on the Nuna are a breeze to attach. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Nuna has rigid LATCH connectors that press onto the car anchors with ease. They are stored folded under and slide on easily without much effort or pressure. We love a booster that attaches to the car so it isn't moving around loose in the vehicle when not in use. It comes with LATCH guides, but we don't think they are necessary in most cars.
The Nuna headrest adjusts up and down, moving the side wings out at the higher levels. This helps ensure the shoulder belt is properly aligned across the child's body. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Nuna's headrest is easy to extend to the height you prefer. The lever is easy to squeeze, and the headrest moves up and down smoothly.
Threading the shoulder belt on the Nuna requires first sliding the belt between the headrest and the wing if the headrest is in a lower position. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The headrest includes the shoulder belt positioner, which we had to raise to thread the belt and then lower for shorter passengers.
The back of the Nuna headrest has a slight lip to help make carrying easier. Credit: Matt Lighthart
It also includes a lip on the back for carrying, which makes it easier to hold and carry when switching cars.
The Nuna AACE allows children to buckle themselves in easily. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Buckling the seatbelt is easy for the passenger, but it isn't as easy as some competitors. We had to push the seat to the opposite side to get a clear shot.
The larger armrests also add an obstacle, but this wouldn't stop us from choosing or recommending the seat; given the better crash test results, it feels like a small price to pay.
The Nuna cup holder is on the smaller side, and it did not fit our Thermos Foogo kid's water bottle. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The cup holder isn't the best on the Nuna. It has a minimalist design with not much going on, but it is too narrow for our test kids' water bottles. You can purchase additional cup holders from Nuna, but in our experience, most kids get by without a cup holder just fine.
We measured each booster, so you know if it will fit for your circumstance. The Nuna is relatively narrow compared to others. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Weight and Size
The Nuna is a beast, in good and bad ways. It weighed 15.9 lbs in our tests, which put it on the higher end of the scale. While the average is somewhat high, it was skewed by one competitor that weighed more than 25 lbs.
The Nuna is much lighter and smaller as a backless booster. While we prefer high-back options for regular use, there are times when a smaller booster is required. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Going backless with the Nuna can be useful for travel or carpooling. Credit: Matt Lighthart
It is also skewed by an inflatable booster that weighs under a pound. While heavier, it can be converted to a backless booster for travel or carpooling, making it lighter for occasional use.
The Nuna width is 16 inches, which is neither super narrow or wide. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Nuna is 15.9 lbs, which is a lot compared to the inflatable boosters, but nowhere near as heavy as at least one booster that weighs over 25 lbs. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Nuna measures 16 inches on the seat at its widest point. This is fairly narrow for the group, with smaller options largely being inflatable backless boosters.
While the fabric on the Nuna is soft, the padding is almost non-existent on the seat area. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Comfort
The Nuna performed well in our comfort tests, ranking among the highest in the group.
The padding is lighter than that of some other Nuna-brand car seats we've tested, but it is still better than most other boosters.
The Nuna has more seat padding than many competitors. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our child tester felt there wasn't enough padding, but the design is typical for this kind of seat, and while it isn't the thickest in the group, it is thicker than some competitors.
The seat bottom on the Nuna can extend outward for older kids or those with longer legs to help relieve some of the dreaded leg dangle that can happen in car seats. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The seat has two different fabrics, both of which feel soft. They appear to strike a good balance between durability and comfort.
The side panel fabric is softer than the back fabric on the Nuna. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The side panel fabric is softer and somewhat silky, which is probably a choice made because it will see less direct and constant contact.
The Nuna headrest has thick padding and soft fabric to help support the passenger's head during napping. Credit: Matt Lighthart
The headrest is substantial, with soft fabric and thick padding in all the right places for passenger comfort and napping. Our tester child liked it more than most competitors.
Deploying the LATCH connectors on the Nuna includes a squeeze button on the front. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The AACE is a high-quality option that performed well in our quality tests. It earned one of the highest scores in the group and even outperformed some options that cost more, which is always cool.
The Nuna has firm and supportive padding throughout. The fabric and padding both feel durable and look well-made with no stray threads or poor stitching. The shell feels sturdy and includes substantial EPS foam in the side and head area.
The Nuna attaches to the car's LATCH anchors with rigid LATCH connectors, so the seat does not free-float in the car when unoccupied. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Nuna AACE?
Yes. Without question, if your budget allows it, we think you can't go wrong with the Nuna. This booster offers one of the best crash test analysis results in the booster lineup. It is easy to use, has a LATCH connection to keep it in place, and is of higher quality than many competitors. This option has a reasonable price tag compared to many and compared to convertible car seats we've tested. Given the potential years of use, we think it is a good use of your dollar if you can afford it. The Nuna is not ideal for those who need a travel or carpool option, and it might be too far of a budget stretch for those who need to make every dollar count.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
If you need something for travel or carpool fun, the BubbleBum is an excellent, inexpensive choice that gets the job done. This compact, lightweight, inflatable backless booster is easy to carry and fits nicely in a backpack. It is easy to use and delivers results better than the average crash test analysis. If you want a primary seat that costs less than the Nuna but still has good crash test results, we like the Chicco KidFit Air Plus 2-in-1 and the UPPAbaby Alta v2. Both boosters have similar prices, saving you money compared to the Nuna, but still offer better-than-average crash analysis and impressive ease of use.
—Wendy Schmitz and Juliet Spurrier, MD
You Might Also Like
