Nuna Lumn Review

Crash Test

Nuna continues to impress with its car seat crash test results. The Lumn earned one of our highest analysis results, almost matching other Nuna boosters.

The shining part of the crash test results that helped boost the analysis score of the lumn is the chest clip result. It is one of the lowest recorded g-forces in the group (lower is better).

The Lumn HIC result isn't as impressive as its booster brother, the Nuna aace, but it's nothing to sneeze at either.   Credit: GearLab and MGA Research

For the chest clip sensor result, the Lumn performed similarly to the Nuna Aace.   Credit: GearLab and MGA Research

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The head sensor or HIC result isn't as impressive, but it comes in with a reading below the average (still, less is more here).

We run our crash tests a little faster than the federal guidelines, looking for seats that stand out from the competition with the lowest g-forces recorded at each center. While all of the safety seats should be considered safe, some are better than average and could offer an additional margin of protection. The Lumn is one of these boosters.

This booster also includes side impact protection “pop-outs” on the side of the shell. While we appreciate any additional nods to safety, it is difficult to assess the true efficacy of these features, and we believe it is better to prioritize safety based on crash test results over added features.

Ease of Use

While the Lumn has flashy looks for days, it suffers in practicality and ease of use. We can't say for sure how it might apply to humans, but at least for the Lumn, the old saying is true, its rare to be beautiful and smart.

The headrest assembly on the Lumn moves easily with the squeeze lever.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The belt shoulder strap slides into the Lumn's containment clip so easily that even toddlers can do it by themselves once you show them.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Most boosters are simple, but the 5-point harness increases the complexity of the Lumn. This feature is largely intended for use during the convertible car seat phase of the Lumn, and kiddos will need to switch to the vehicle seat belt by 65 lbs (the harness's limit). The harness works as expected and is similar to other Nuna 5-point harnesses. The release button is oddly placed, and we had trouble pressing it, but it can be done.

The belt strap on our test vehicle did not lock up once in the Lumn containment clip, which means it might be able to live there, reducing the steps kids need to do on their own.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Younger children might struggle to reach around the Lumn to buckle up on their own.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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Using this booster with the vehicle belt presents some challenges. The distance a child needs to stretch to reach the vehicle belt and then buckle it in is pretty far. It might be something parents need to help with for longer than most boosters. While not a deal-breaker (you've been buckling them into a car seat for years now), it could be a non-starter for those who were hoping to end that part of parenthood.

In convertible seat mode, the Lumn has a handy and easy-to-use lockoff. The pocket behind the lockoff holds the LATCH components when not in use.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Lumn includes LATCH installation capabilities.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The Lumn offers LATCH installation for both the convertible seat mode and to prevent the seat from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident. While the installation process is easy enough, the seat is bulky and hard to move around, in part due to its size but also to the leg rest. If you hoped moving to a booster would make life easier, it doesn't with this option that more closely mimics a convertible seat than an ordinary booster.

The 5-point harness is only useful in convertible car seat mode, which lasts until passengers are at least 2 years old and have reached the harness limit of 65 lbs or 49 inches.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

After 65 lbs and 49 inches, the Lumn is a traditional booster that you use with the vehicle seatbelt instead of the harness.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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In booster mode, you need to store the harness; it is more convoluted than it needs to be, but you only need to do it once, so we can live with it. Any inserts you used when your children were smaller also need to be removed. It includes LATCH connectors and a tether strap.

While none of the steps is difficult, there are more steps than most boosters, and it pales in comparison. However, this is arguably why many parents are curious about this seat and its similarities to a convertible car seat.

The Lumn cup holder pulls out from the side and is collapsible.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Lumn's cup holder is small, and many kids' water bottles didn't fit well or didn't reach the bottom, making the design less useful than it could be with a little more space.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The cup holders fold in when not in use and feel a little flimsy. While ours didn't break during testing, we can imagine more gregarious kids accidentally breaking one or both. They are removable for cleaning, which is a bonus, but the 3-inch diameter size and shallow depth of only 2.3 inches mean some cups and bottles won't fit or might fall out.

Weight and Size

Booster sees a lot of action and often chooses a lightweight, easy-to-carry option as the right choice. If that is what you want, you won't find that in the Lumn. It is one of the heaviest options in the group, making it a poor choice for those who carpool or plan to frequently switch between parent cars.

The average high-backed booster is closer to 13 lbs, with some backless options weighing under a pound. If you've already fallen in love with the Lumn, we recommend pairing it with a lighterweight option for carpooling or traveling. Trust us, lugging this beast through an airport would be hell.

We would not want to carry or move the Lumn regularly or for longer distances.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The seat bottom on the Lumn is narrower than the seatback, and it could still be hard to fit multiple seats in the same row.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The Lumn is relatively narrow and could be a potential contender if space is at a minimum or you need to fit multiple seats in a single car row. At its narrowest point near the seat belt area, it measures 16.8 inches, and across the backrest, it is 19 inches.

Comfort

The Lumn performed well in our comfort tests, earning a higher-than-average score but failing to meet the tippy top in this stiff competition.

The padding is supportive and dense where it needs to be and fluffier in areas with less pressure. The back has a sort of double-padded design until little ones get tall enough to extend the back upwards, where it evens out to a single layer.

The Lumn armrests are lovely and useful, but the design could make bigger children uncomfortable as it cuts into the seat space.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Lumn armrest height is not suitable for all children, as you can see, our tester is too tall to easily rest on them.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The armrests are tucked somewhat inset from the shell, which could be comfy for leaner kids but could give bigger children trouble if they need more side-to-side space. It isn't as cushiony as some competitors, but it is better than most.

The fabric isn't as soft as that of other Nunas we've tested, but it feels both breathable and durable. The smooth suppleness of the leatherette initially feels good against the skin, but we worry that the lack of breathability could create sweaty hot spots on longer drives in the sun. While we like the armrests, we worry the placement and leatherette wrap will make them less appealing to some kids over time.

The headrest is on the smaller side, but this could make it suitable for better napping, when heads tend to loll to the side. The back of the space has ample padding, and we think most kids will find it comfortable even over the long haul. The Lumn aslo has a leg rest that helps alleviate some of the pressure from dangling legs (a common complaint in our kids during the booster years).

Quality

One look at this bad boy and you know you've seen the Cadillac of booster seats. The Lumn is so nice to look at, you almost don't want to put a child in it. The quality is apparent, earning it one of the top scores in our tests.

The shoulder-strap containment clip on the Lumn is color-coded and accompanied by an instruction sticker.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Lumn's leatherette detailing has hidden stitching, and the tether containment includes a fabric wrap.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Lumn manual slides into the leg rest, which keeps it handy for use but out of the way.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The overall fit and finish are among the best we've ever seen, with leatherette accents, inset armrests, removable cup holders, and an adjustable legrest. The shell is contained, and everything fits on it or in it well. There are some gaps around the edges where gunk might collect, since the fabric doesn't roll over the top the way it does on other boosters.

The seat padding feels good, better than most, and is supportive and dense, more like memory foam than filler fluff. The backpad isn't as dense and feels thinner, but older kids aren't likely to complain. The fabric is soft to the touch, machine washable, and feels durable. The stitching is perfect, and we like the extra mile Nuna went to with hidden stitching for the leatherette accents. We do worry the leatherette could create sweaty spots, but this is likely climate and air conditioning-dependent.

Should You Buy the Nuna Lumn?

Probably not. We admit this seat is a looker with leather accents, a sleek design, and a narrow fit. But unless you plan to use it as your convertible car seat as well, the price is absurdly high compared to the other boosters we've tested. While it earned impressive results in our crash testing and is very high quality, it is hard to justify this high price tag, given the struggles kids had buckling in and the heavier-than-average weight, which makes it a burden to move. However, if you have extra money, love fancier things that stand out in a crowd, and plan to set it and forget it, then the Lumn might be a good fit.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?

If you want the best crash-test analysis, high-quality, ultra-comfort, and an easy-to-use design, the Nuna aace is the better bet. This seat costs less than half the price of the Lumn, and no seat outperforms it. If you want an easy-to-use seat with good crash-test results and accents that make it look high-end, the Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 should be on your shortlist. With the most adjustable design in the group, making it suitable for kiddos of all sizes, it is one of the easiest to use, though still heavy like the aace and Lumn.

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