A car seat is essential for any parent when you have an infant in your family. From rocky roads to sudden stops, car seats will be able to keep your child safe when you are on the move. Even though they can take up space in your cars, they are always worth bringing.
There are two top products in the market for car seats. These are the UPPAbaby MESA Car Seat and the Doona Car Seat and Stroller. They both provide soft and breathable fabrics for your infant. These items also have excellent security systems to keep your child safe and sound. Both products are also easy to use and install, so you can smoothly use them in your travels.
Even though both products are unique, you may only have the budget for one. In this case, you must buy the best one for you. This article will examine the differences and similarities between the two cars. You will also get to see which is better. Read on to see which product will be perfect for you.
Our Pick
The main difference between Doona and UPPAbaby MESA is their primary inclusions. Although both products come with a car seat, only Doona comes with a stroller and seat protector. If you do not have a stroller yet, you can get more by buying Doona. However, if you already have one, you can save more space and money by choosing UPPAbaby MESA.
Doona vs. UPPAbaby MESA Comparison Table
Functions | Doona | UPPAbaby MESA |
Adjustable Canopy | No | Yes |
5-Point Harness | Yes | Yes |
Washable Fabric | Yes | Yes |
Airplane-Safe | Yes | Yes |
Side Impact Protection | Yes | Yes |
Infant Insert | Yes | Yes |
Storage Pockets | No | Yes |
Seat Protector | Yes | No |
Stroller Inclusion | Yes | No |
Canopy UPF | UPF 50 | UPF 25 |
Weight Limit | 35 lbs | 35 lbs |
About Doona
Doona Car Seat and Stroller is the perfect purchase for parents who do not have both. You can get both a car seat and a stroller in a single purchase by purchasing this. But that is not all. You will also receive a LATCH base, an infant insert, a head support product, and a car seat protector.
Aside from being a complete package, its ease of use is another advantage to Doona. Whether you take it out of your car or place it inside, you only need a few seconds. You can easily remove and insert the car seat into the stroller. The stroller’s handlebar is also adjustable so that you can walk your baby quickly.
With Doona’s Car Seat and Stroller, you can enjoy numerous safety features. The first one would be its anti-rebound protection. This feature places the handle against the back, so your child will not rebound in any car collision. It also comes with numerous fail-safe mechanisms. From sudden extensions and mode changes to accidental folding, this product will help alleviate them.
Features
- Airplane-safe
- 5-point harness
- Multiple color choices
- Anti-rebound system
- Water-repellant and stretchable canopy
- Washable fabrics
- Car seat and stroller package
- Vehicle seat protector inclusion
- Infant insert inclusion
- Head support inclusion
- Side-impact protection
Pros
- Has many inclusions like a vehicle seat protector and an infant insert
- Complete package of a car seat and a stroller
- Multiple safety features
Cons
- Car seat only faces rear the rear direction
About UPPAbaby MESA
As a car seat, UPPAbaby MESA is one of the best in the market. First, it comes with the SMARTSecure system. This technology ensures no hiccups when you move your car seat to your vehicle or your stroller.
Secondly, a small dashboard on the seat shows you if you installed your car seat correctly or not. It also comes with self-retracting connectors so that you will not have a hard time during installations.
Another advantage to UPPAbaby MESA is its outstanding security and reliability. The material of this product is not only machine-washable but is also fire-resistant. Again, this car seat’s 5-point harness also ensures that you can adjust the headrest properly even if your child grows up. It also comes with side-impact protection to keep your baby safe when your car experiences minor collisions.
Furthermore, you can also bring UPPAbaby MESA anywhere with you. It is safe for airplane travel so that you can get it in the air with you. This item also comes with a hideaway canopy, protecting your child, especially when the sun is shining bright. It is also compatible with many strollers, though you might need to purchase adapters depending on the stroller.
Features
- Airplane-safe
- SMARTSecure System
- Built-in lock-off system
- No-rethread and 5-point harness
- Stroller release button
- Fire-resistant material
- Adjustable canopy
- Storage pockets
- Side-impact protection
- Tightness indicator
- Level indicator
- Machine-washable fabric
Pros
- Adapts easily with different strollers
- Made of fire-resistant material
- Comes with a reliable safety system
Cons
- Does not come with a stroller
Similarities Between Doona and UPPAbaby MESA
As two of the best car seats in the market, you can expect several similarities between Doona and UPPAbaby MESA. Aside from learning their differences, it is also essential to consider their similarities. This way, you will not overlook any feature you might be interested in. In this section, you can find the similar features of these two top products.
- Side Impact Protection
One of the main reasons you should buy a car seat is that it can protect your child. One of the best safety mechanisms of a car seat is its side impact protection. When you buy a product with this feature, you can rest easy knowing your baby will be safe even during minor accidents. Meanwhile, both Doona and UPPAbaby MESA share this feature. Also, these products both come with firm EPP foam to always protect your baby.
- 5-Point Harness
Another essential feature you should keep an eye out for is the 5-point harness. When your car seat has this feature, you would not need to reinstall it every time. Since you have a growing child, you can expect them to grow bigger in months. Also, with this feature, your car seat’s headrest can adjust no matter how much they grow.
- Baby-Friendly Material
When you buy a car seat, it should be comfortable for your baby.
One way to ensure this comfortability is by buying products with child-friendly textiles. Doona and UPPAbaby MESA both come with breathable foams and soft fabrics. Aside from being baby-friendly, both also have washable fabrics that you can easily wash and dry.
Differences Between Doona and UPPAbaby MESA
While Doona and UPPAbaby MESA share some features, they also have significant differences. Yet, you should learn these different features to identify which one you should buy. Both products are the best on the market. However, there may be features that you can enjoy better.
- Canopy
Canopies are one of the main parts of car seats. Consequently, they are essential parts that can protect your child from strong sunlight. If water-resistant, they can even help keep your child safe from the rain. While most car seat canopies share the same structures, others come with different designs.
With Doona, you can enjoy a water-resistant and stretchable car seat. It also comes with UPF 50 to protect your child even with intense sunlight. On the other hand, UPPAbaby MESA comes with weaker UPF at UPF 25. However, it is also adjustable, so you can easily fold or expand it.
Furthermore, you can save space by tucking it in when you don’t use the car seat with its extendable property.
- Stroller Inclusion,
Another significant difference between the two products, is the stroller inclusion. If you already have a stroller at home, you may not want to buy another one. However, it is a good deal to buy a car seat and stroller package if you do not have one. With UPPAbaby MESA, you will only get the car seat and an infant insert. Also, you can get a car seat and stroller package at a higher price with Doona.
Should You Buy Doona or UPPAbaby MESA?
Both Doona and UPPAbaby MESA come with incredible features. These two products are safe and convenient options when you want to bring your baby on your travels. Both products also come with beautiful styles and robust security measures. Sometimes, it might be hard to choose between these two unique products.
However, the best product between these two options depends on you and your preference. As they both share an excellent list of features, you can only choose based on your needs. But then, if you have yet to purchase other baby products, you can get a lot out of the Doona Car Seat and Stroller. Aside from the car seat and stroller, it also comes with other inclusions. However, if you only need a car seat, then the UPPAbaby MESA car seat will be perfect.
Paulo is a passionate dad who founded Wumblers to share his parenting journey with other new parents. He graduated from Concordia University and worked as a test engineer for over a decade. Paulo loves dad jokes and craft beer.
Learn more about Paulo and Wumblers here.