If you’re looking for the safest and best-rated convertible car seat for your soon-to-be toddler, you’ve probably come across Nuna and Britax on almost every list.
The Nuna RAVA Next and the Britax Poplar / Poplar S offer similar safety and ease of use features, thanks to their steel construction and an installation method that’s practically as simple as buckling a seatbelt.
We’ll look at the specifications, features, and pros and cons of the Nuna RAVA Next and the Britax Poplar in this comparison to help you make a decision.
Nuna RAVA Next
Introduced in 2016, the Nuna RAVA quickly became a favorite in the convertible car seat category, building on the brand’s success with the popular PIPA infant car seat. Over the years, it has earned a strong reputation among parents and child passenger safety professionals for its comfort, intuitive installation, and premium materials. Through 2025, the RAVA’s design remained largely the same, with updates focused on fabrics, color options, and the addition of GREENGUARD Gold Certification.
For 2026, Nuna introduces its first major redesign with the Nuna RAVA Next. This updated model brings meaningful improvements in safety, comfort, and everyday usability while preserving everything families already love about the RAVA. Designed to meet upcoming FMVSS 213a and 213b safety standards, the RAVA Next reflects Nuna’s forward-thinking approach to child safety. New features include a larger cup holder, redesigned infant insert, magnetic buckle holders, enhanced side impact protection pods, and an improved leg rest for added comfort. With these thoughtful upgrades, the RAVA Next continues Nuna’s tradition of delivering safe, stylish, and parent-friendly car seats trusted by families worldwide.
Britax Poplar / Poplar S
The Britax Poplar convertible car seat is stress-free with its patented ClickTight installation and slim SpaceSaver design. No more wrestling with seat belts – ClickTight’s got fully open paths and a nifty automatic tensioner for a snug fit. Plus, it’s a breeze to switch from rear-facing (up to 50 lbs) to forward-facing as your little one grows. Need the perfect fit? The 14-position no-rethread harness and headrest are your go-to. And for the tiniest ones, there’s a removable infant insert that does the job right.
The ReboundReduce stability bar on the Poplar S minimizes movement when the seat’s rear-facing. Even though it’s slim on the outside, inside is a 17-inch SpaceSaver tech, letting you potentially fit 3-across without skimping on Britax safety. Carbon steel frame and belt paths mean it’s solid as a rock. The fabrics are naturally flame-retardant, and you can toss them in the wash stress-free.
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Price
While the Britax Poplar and Poplar S are priced slightly different due to the added stability bar on the S model, all Nuna RAVA Next models are priced the same. The Britax Poplar models are priced significantly lower than the RAVA Next.
For pricing, please visit the product pages:
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Height and Weight Limit
Both the Britax Poplar / Poplar S and Nuna RAVA Next grow with your child, starting as a rear-facing seat for a baby and transitioning to a forward-facing seat for an older child.
When used rear-facing, the Poplar and RAVA Next can support a child up to 50 pounds. Your child will likely outgrow these car seats around age 5 or 6, when they reach 49″ in height or 65 pounds in weight.
Nuna RAVA Next
- Rear-Facing: 5 to 50 pounds; 18-49″
- Forward Facing: 30 to 65 pounds; 34-49″
Britax Poplar / Poplar S
- Rear-Facing: 5 to 50 pounds, 49″ or less
- Forward-Facing: 22 to 65 pounds, 28″ minimum to 49″ maximum
Weight Limits for Installation with LATCH
Car seats like the RAVA Next and Poplar actually recommend seatbelt install and they make it easy to get a tight install! However, they can also be installed using the vehicle LATCH instead of the seat belt. It’s important to note, all convertible car seats must eventually be installed with the vehicle seatbelt as your child grows because the combined weight of the car seat and your child will exceed the weight limits of the vehicle LATCH system.
- RAVA Next: 5-35 pounds rear-facing; 30-40 pounds forward-facing
- Poplar / Poplar S: 5-35 pounds rear-facing; 22-35 pounds forward-facing
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Specifications
The Britax Poplar / Poplar S is narrower than the Nuna RAVA Next by 2 inches and is a great candidate for achieving three across! The RAVA Next is one of the slimmest front to back car seats on the market though and fits well in most cars!
The three seats are basically the same weight, and all offer customization with multiple recline and headrest positions.
Product Weight
- RAVA Next: 26.5 pounds
- Poplar: 27.2 pounds
- Poplar S: 28 pounds
Dimensions
- RAVA Next: 26-32″ tall, 21.5-23″ deep, 19-21″ wide
- Poplar: Height: 23.5 inches | Product Length/Depth: 20.5 inches | Product Width: 17 inches
- Poplar S: Height: 23.5 inches | Product Length/Depth: 20.5 inches | Product Width: 17 inches
Recline Positions
- RAVA Next: 10 positions
- Poplar: 6 positions
- Poplar S: 6 positions
Headrest Positions
- RAVA Next: 10 positions
- Poplar: 14 positions
- Poplar S: 14 positions
Crotch Strap Positions
- RAVA Next: 2 positions
- Poplar: 3 positions
- Poplar S: 3 positions
Expiration
- RAVA Next: 10 years
- Poplar: 10 years
- Poplar S: 10 years
Warranty
- RAVA Next: 2 years
- Poplar: 1 year
- Poplar S: 1 year
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Safety Features
The Nuna RAVA Next and Britax Poplar / Poplar S are some of the safest car seats on the market due to their design and ease of use (a safety feature in itself!). Both car seats are made of steel and are lined with energy-absorbing foam throughout the seat and headrest.
Both the Britax Poplar S and Nuna RAVA Next are excellent convertible car seats designed with safety at the forefront, supporting extended rear-facing up to 50 pounds and long-term use through the forward-facing stage. Each brand takes a slightly different approach to protection and installation, giving parents strong but distinct safety options.
Installation is a major strength for both seats. The Poplar S uses Britax’s ClickTight system, which relies on the vehicle seat belt for a secure, nearly foolproof install. The RAVA Next uses Nuna’s belt-based installation with integrated lock-offs, also designed to minimize user error. In terms of crash protection, Britax includes SafeCell crumple zone technology and reinforced side-impact protection, while Nuna enhances safety with upgraded side-impact protection pods and a structure designed to meet upcoming FMVSS 213a and 213b standards.
One notable difference is rear-facing stability. The Poplar S includes an anti-rebound bar for added protection in rear-facing crashes, while the RAVA Next does not. On the other hand, the RAVA Next brings a redesigned infant insert and improved leg rest for enhanced fit and comfort, especially for younger riders. Both seats deliver top-tier safety, with the Poplar S emphasizing built-in crash management features and the RAVA Next focusing on future-ready compliance and refined side-impact protection.
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Installation
While both seats can be installed using either the LATCH system or vehicle seatbelt, the Nuna RAVA Next and Britax Poplar / Poplar S were designed to make seatbelt installation as easy as possible, and is the preferred method.
Once your child reaches 35 pounds when rear-facing, you’ll have to switch to the seatbelt, anyway, as the combined weight of the car seat and child will exceed your car’s LATCH weight limits.
Installing either seat involves the same general concept. Many convertible car seats require parents to push on the seat and pull on the seatbelt to achieve a tight installation. With Britax and Nuna, closing a door in the bottom of the seat does the work for you—shortening the installation experience to a matter of seconds!
Make sure to read through your manual, and refer to it while installing and throughout the duration of use as you’ll have to make adjustments as your child grows.
How to Install Nuna RAVA Next
To install the Nuna RAVA Next, open the TrueTension door in the bottom of the seat. Thread the seatbelt through the base of the seat and buckle it on the other side. Lock the seatbelt by extending the shoulder belt to its maximum length before feeding it back in. Remove all slack from the belt, then close the TrueTension door.
The RAVA Next has color-coded recline positions on both sides to ensure you’ve installed the seat at an angle that’s safe for rear-facing or forward-facing.
How to Install Britax Poplar / Poplar S
Place the car seat in the car, and make sure to check the bubble indicator on the side to ensure the seat is at a proper angle. To install the Poplar open the ClickTight by lifting the front cover flap. Then squeeze the release buttons. Slide the lap and shoulder belt thru the rear-facing belt path. Buckle the seatbelt ensuring the belt is not twisted. Remove any slack from the seatbelt, and close the ClickTight over the vehicle seatbelt for a secure installation. That’s it!
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Ease of Use Features
Even small features, like a cup holder or a recline lever, can help make your life easier as you’re using your car seat daily. Let’s take a look at the ease-of-use features on the Britax Poplar / Poplar S and
Nuna RAVA Next.
Harness and Crotch Strap Adjustments
Both the Nuna RAVA Next and Britax Poplar seats include a no-rethread harness that allow you to make height adjustments without unfastening the harness. When you raise the headrest, the harness grows taller, too.
Both seats also offer more than one crotch strap position, providing more comfort options as your child grows. The Poplar has three and the RAVA Next has two.
Recline Positions
The RAVA Next offers 10 recline positions to allow you to find a comfortable position for your child (and your vehicle), while the Poplar models have six positions.
Push-to-recline buttons on the RAVA Next are color-coded to show parents which recline angles are safe for rear-facing and forward-facing positions, no bubble indicators required. Plus, the buttons are located on both sides of the seat, making it easy to recline the seat no matter where the seat is installed in your vehicle.
To recline the Poplar seats, you’ll need to pull a handle on the front of the car seat and check for a safe angle using the bubble indicator on the side of the seat.
The recline of the RAVA Next and Poplar must be adjusted prior to installation.
Cup Holders
Dual rubber cup holders are integrated into both sides of the RAVA Next and can be stowed against the seat when not in use.
The Poplar seats also comes with two dishwasher safe cup holders.
Buckle Holders
Only the Nuna RAVA Next includes magnetic buckle holders for ease of loading and unloading. You simply connect the harness buckle to the side of the car seat so they’re out of the way. This is a game changer for wiggly toddlers!
Cleaning
The fabrics for both the Britax Poplar models and Nuna RAVA Next can be easily removed and machine-washed on the delicate cycle. Air-drying is recommended for the RAVA Next, but the Poplar fabrics are dryer friendly!
The seat cover and head support cover for the RAVA Next unsnap from the seat. Take a look at cleaning the Nuna RAVA Next in the video below.
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Colors and Fabrics
All colors of the Nuna RAVA Next are fire-resistant without the addition of flame-retardant chemicals, using bamboo/polyester blend fabrics that are temperature-regulating, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial. Nuna tends to offer mostly neutral colors for the RAVA Next.
The fabrics on the Britax Poplar models are also naturally flame-retardant fabrics with no added FR chemicals. Britax offers netural colors as well as some bolder and fun prints.
Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar / Poplar S Benefits and Drawbacks
So which car seat is better: the
Nuna RAVA Next or Britax Poplar / Poplar S?
Only you can decide which seat is best for your family, but here are the benefits and drawbacks we see.
Nuna RAVA Next
Benefits
- Easy recline – no bubble indicators required, using easy-to-reach, color-coded buttons
- Bamboo-blend fabrics are more premium and are naturally fire-resistant
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Has 4 more recline positions and is slightly more compact front to back than the Poplar models, potentially allowing for better fit behind taller drivers or passengers
- Ventilation panels within shell of seat allow for better breathability
- Adjustable calf support extends seat by two inches for added comfort
Drawbacks
- Costs more than the Poplar models
- Does not have anti-rebound bar feature to prevent rotation
- Does not have SafeCell system with compressing base and energy-absorbing tether strap and harness
Britax Poplar / Poplar S
Benefits
- Costs significantly less than RAVA Next
- With SafeCell system, base works alongside energy-absorbing tether and harness straps, compressing to absorb energy in a crash
- Patented V-shaped top tether – helps slow and reduce forward movement in a crash
- Optional anti-rebound bar (comes with the Poplar S model) can reduce rotation in a collision by 40 percent
- Seat fabrics are machine washable and safe for the dryer
- Only 17″ wide – great for achieving three across in most vehicles
Drawbacks
- Only 6 recline positions
- Not as compact front to back as the RAVA Next
- Less leg room than the RAVA Next
- Not GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Less premium comfort features
- No option for a travel bag that comes with insurance when checking your car seat while traveling
Why Trust Strolleria?
Strolleria is a family-owned and operated business, and helping families is truly in our DNA. For decades, we’ve been guiding parents through the ever-evolving world of baby gear—from nursery furniture and strollers to car seats designed for both city sidewalks and suburban streets. No two families are the same, which is why our expert recommendations are thoughtfully curated to match your unique lifestyle and parenting journey.
Because we work with parents through every stage of parenthood, we stay closely in tune with the needs of today’s modern families and the innovations shaping the industry. We believe in relationships over transactions, taking the time to listen, educate, and support you every step of the way. Strolleria has been offering honest, unbiased product reviews and comparisons for years, and our goal is simple: to provide informative, educational guidance that helps you confidently choose the perfect products for your growing family.
Still Have Questions?
Strolleria is dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about the Nuna RAVA Next vs. Britax Poplar debate, feel free to contact us by emailing us at cs@strolleria.com or chat with us today!
