UPPAbaby Mesa

Last updated: October 12, 2021


The UPPAbaby by Mesa gets high marks for easy installation, featuring a red to green indicator window, self-retracting straps and a no-thread harness. We especially like that the merino wool fabric is safe and comfy for little ones, plus it's naturally fire retardant.

UPPAbaby Mesa

We looked at the top Infant Car Seats and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Infant Car Seat you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: A tightness indicator and self-retracting LATCH connectors make installation a breeze with the UPPAbaby Mesa.

In our analysis of 102 expert reviews, the UPPAbaby Mesa placed 12th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The MESA is designed with intuitive innovations you can see and features that remove the guesswork. Its SMART Secure System combines auto-retracting LATCH connectors and a visual indicator that turns from red to green, providing an installation that is both simple and accurate. Front adjust no-rethread harness with integrated side impact protection as well as a one handed release from both the VISTA and the CRUZ deliver a seat that effectively pairs safety with simplicity. Four position adjustable foot for easy leveling.

Our Expert Consultant

Dr. Niket Sonpal   
Gastroenterologist and adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dr. Niket Sonpal is an adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, who specializes in gastroenterology.

He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia-Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal completed his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical-student and resident-test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.

He is also the co‐author of several medical test prep books and serves as the chief operating officer for Medquest Test Prep and director of medical education for Picmonic Test Prep.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

The UPPAaby Mesa passed our commissioned side-impact test without incident and scored the best of the four seats we tested for seat angle in our commissioned front-impact test.
There’s an indicator window that changes from red to green to let you know the base is correctly installed and an auto-retracting LATCH system that makes it easy to tighten. The reclining base has a finished bottom that helps protect your car’s upholstery.
It's one of the easiest to install and use infant car seat we've tested. This is for three primary reasons. First, it uses a great automatically tightening LATCH system with a convenient indicator to tell you when the base is fully secured to the seat.
At its core, the Henry MESA has all the right parts that make it easy to use: recline positions that are easily adjusted with the press of one button, a no-rethread harness to find the safest fit for your baby with the pull of a strap, and built-in lock-offs that enable the most secure install possible with minimal hassle.
The Mesa has easy to use, unique, self-retracting LATCH straps with color-coded guides that make installation as foolproof as it can get. With new, upgraded, naturally flame retardant wool fabric, this new model is a step up from the previous Mesa that had rougher material.
Push-on LATCH connectors with automatic retractors that improve installation Tightness indicator to tell you when the base is installed securely Harness adjustment does not require rethreading harness Handle can be in any locked position during travel Excellent labels and instructions
The schtick with the Mesa is ease of installation with a self-ratcheting base. Just clip the LATCH connectors into your car, push the base down with your body weight and BAM! He’s done.
UPPAbaby claims that the LATCH installation on this seat only takes about 10 seconds and I will say that is accurate. As you can see in the video above, there’s not much to it and it’s as easy as they claim. Lower the recline foot until the recline indicator shows green, then push the LATCH release buttons to remove the LATCH connectors, clip them onto your lower anchors, and press down on the base.
The installation is so easy! I love being able to visually check with every click in that the base is still tight enough and level. Even taking the seat cover off to wash has been easy with this seat
Parents love how easy it is to install with or without a base, and also appreciated the easy strap adjustments with the no-rethread harness as their child grew. They also loved how well it fit onto UPPAbaby strollers and how easy the seat cover was to remove and wash.

What reviewers didn't like

Usually about $300. This is a slightly more expensive option than most other infant car seats
Testers noticed that the fabric on the KeyFit isn’t as plush as the Henry MESA — if the MESA is a living room recliner, the KeyFit feels more like a sleeping bag. The canopy is also a little on the short side
With a list price around $300, the Mesa may not be the top choice for all families.
Can be difficult to hold the needed tension on seat belt while closing the lock off
At almost 10 pounds, the Mesa is heavy.
While some parents thought the MESA was lightweight, many felt it was too heavy and bulky. Some had difficulty fitting it into the back seat and had to push the front passenger seat too far forward to be comfortable.
View our Infant Car Seat buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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