WayB Pico Car Seat Review: Perfectly Portable but with Some Trade-Offs

If there’s one travel item I’ve grown to be picky about, it’s car seats. You’re essentially bringing along a bulky, toddler-sized safety cocoon for every leg of the journey, and if it’s difficult to install, uncomfortable for the kiddo, or an issue in any way, it becomes a huge stressor. Safety is the most important part of any journey, right?

Enter the WayB Pico: a car seat that promises portability, ease of use, and a lightweight design. It sounds dreamy, right? And mostly, it is. But after using it for a recent trip to California, I’ve got a few thoughts on where it shines and where it might not be the perfect fit for every travel situation.

TLDR: It’s a great tool for short flights and quick taxi installs, Get it, but the Cosco Scenera may be better for longer road trips.

Compact, Lightweight, and Made for Quick Installs

The WayB Pico’s biggest selling point is its size and weight. This thing folds up so small, it could even fit into the overhead bin on a larger, international airplane, and that’s exactly what I wanted it for, a travel car seat when we wanted one, and one that could be stashed for sleeping.

For those of us who are used to dragging a full-sized car seat through airport terminals, this is a game-changer. At just over 8 pounds, it’s not a shoulder workout to haul it around, and when folded, it tucks right into a backpack or carry-on, which, trust me, feels like a minor miracle.

This seat’s ease of use goes beyond its portability. Need to catch a quick taxi or hop on an airplane? The Pico is designed to install quickly and easily, with a simple harness system that doesn’t require any wrestling or sweat. I had it up and secure within minutes, which, if you’ve ever tried installing a CARES Harness on an airplane, is nothing short of miraculous. And let’s talk about the peace of mind that comes with knowing I can have it set up wherever we are in record time.

A Great Option for Flights (Mostly)

If you get your infant their own seat, traveling with a car seat like the UPPAbaby Mesa or Nuna Pipa is pretty easy, but once you graduate to the next size, do you try just the lap belt on an airplane, or bring a car seat onboard? I’ve done both, and both work, but car seats are the most effective.

For a recent California trip, my son and I were sitting across the aisle from each other on the JSX airlines plane, which added a bit of a new challenge. The Pico was a great solution for keeping him safely contained and being something I could physically carry along with a diaper bag and stroller, myself. It’s FAA-approved, which takes the guesswork out of whether or not it’ll work on your flight, and because it’s forward-facing, he was able to watch all the plane activity (a major plus in his book).

I loved not having to haul a full-sized car seat up and down the aisle, especially since this seat folds right up fits in the overhead bin when we aren’t using it. This thing was made for easy, on-the-go flights.

Downsides: Not Great for Naps or Long Trips

For shorter jaunts and everyday transport, the Pico really shines. But for naps? Not so much. The seat keeps kids super upright, which isn’t exactly nap-friendly. If you compare the images between the two blog sections, you’ll see how much more upright the WayB sits the kid. My son’s head would drop forward, and it was just plain uncomfortable for him to get into a good snooze. Because it’s only forward-facing, there’s also no option to recline, which makes it a less ideal choice for longer rides or road trips where he might need more comfort for sleeping.

This is why, for our recent road trip in the Dolomites, we went with the Cosco Scenera instead. The Scenera is also lightweight and is a great travel car seat, but it is bulkier and tougher to use onboard a plane. However, it has that little bit of extra recline that makes all the difference for nap time and long drives, and it just feels more comfortable for him on extended outings. We also greatly prefer to keep my 2-year-old rear-facing for as long as possible, so I only see the WayB as a quick taxi or plane option for now.

So, if you’re looking for something for flights or quick taxi hops, the Pico is fantastic. But if you’re in it for the long haul or plan on logging some serious car hours, a traditional car seat might still be a better bet.

Pricey, but Deals Are Out There

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. The Pico isn’t cheap. For such a compact little seat, it’s a bit surprising to see the price tag it carries, and I totally get that it might be out of budget for some families. However, I managed to snag it at a discount on GoodBuy Gear, so there are deals out there if you’re patient (and a bit of a deal-hunter). Considering how portable and easy it is for flights and city-hopping, the price feels justified, but if you’re only planning to use it occasionally, it’s something to weigh.

Final Verdict: A Great Addition to the Travel Toolkit

The WayB Pico is a smart investment for traveling families who need a lightweight, compact car seat for short trips and flights. The ease of installation, size, and weight make it a dream for parents who want something that doesn’t add to their travel load, and it’s a clear winner for situations where you’re just zipping around town or on short flights.

That said, it’s not the ultimate all-in-one solution. For road trips or situations where naps and comfort are a priority, the Cosco Scenera or another traditional seat with a recline feature is still a better choice. But as part of a travel toolkit, the WayB Pico is a lifesaver. It’s been great to have it for those moments when I need a quick, easy, and secure option, especially when wrangling a toddler on the go.

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