Graco GoMax Review: Baseless on a Budget

The Graco GoMax is the least expensive rigid LATCH baseless infant seat currently available, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on features! It offers a competitive package in the running against the Nuna Pipa urbn and the Joie Mint Latch.

Hi! I’m Carly, a CPST and mom of 3. I’ve worked with my fair share of infant car seats over the years, and I am here for the baseless trend! These seats weren’t a thing when I had my kids, but in a lot of ways, it often feels like there’s almost no reason not to get one.

Browse all of our infant car seat reviews here!

Consider the Graco GoMax If:

• You need a seat that is compact front-to-back. The GoMax is a very compact infant seat, both with and without the base.
• You want the flexibility of baseless installation or use with a base. Click it in with rigid LATCH, or pair it with the optional base if that works better in your vehicle.
• You want a baseless seat on a budget. It’s the least expensive rigid LATCH baseless infant seat currently available.

Keep Looking If:

• Your vehicle seats are very sloped. Even mildly sloped seats tend to need the two most reclined settings, which can be a concern for newborns.
• Your vehicle’s lower anchors are difficult to access. The GoMax doesn’t come with lower anchor guides, so very recessed anchors can take away from the everyday convenience.

Graco GoMax Height, Weight + Key Specs

• Weight limit: 4–30 lbs.
• Height limit: Up to 32”
• Carrier weight: 10.9 pounds
• Width: 16.9”
• Expiration: 7 years
• MSRP: $249.99
• Newborn insert: Can be used up to 12 pounds
• Installation: Baseless with rigid LATCH, baseless with the vehicle seat belt, or with the optional base

Graco GoMax Baseless Installation With Rigid LATCH

The primary feature that sets the GoMax apart from most other infant seats is the rigid lower anchor attachments that make it quick and easy to install without a base.

Like all other currently available infant seats, it can also be installed baseless with the vehicle seat belt, but that’s not generally something most people are interested in doing regularly unless absolutely necessary. With traditional infant seats, many families opt for an additional base for their second vehicle, but the ease of rigid LATCH can eliminate that expense.

[PHOTO 2: rigid LATCH connectors extended. Caption: The GoMax’s rigid lower anchor connectors, with the green indicators that confirm they’re attached.]

[PHOTO 4: side view installed baseless. Caption: Side view of the GoMax installed baseless with rigid LATCH.]

Are Rigid LATCH Baseless Infant Seats Safe?

Yes! A frequent question that comes up regarding this type of seat is whether they are as safe as regular infant seats, and the answer is yes. In fact, rigid LATCH is an enhanced energy management feature. In addition, the ease of use that comes with it can increase the likelihood of a correct installation, which is the most important factor of all!

Does the Graco GoMax Fit Newborns and Small Babies?

Yes. The seat provides a good small baby fit, with an insert that can be used up to 12 pounds.

The harness covers are minimal and optional, which I always appreciate. Although most are optional, many parents feel more comfortable with these covers to prevent the harness from rubbing on the baby’s neck, but large covers can get in the way of a snug harness fit on smaller babies.

How Long Can You Use the Graco GoMax?

The GoMax is rated from 4–30 pounds and up to 32 inches. With many other infant seats maxing out at 30”, this can give the GoMax an edge if you’re hoping to use the infant seat for as long as possible.

How Does the Graco GoMax Fit in Vehicles?

The GoMax is a very compact infant seat, both with and without the base. Its biggest challenge is sloped vehicle seats.

Getting Enough Recline on Sloped Vehicle Seats

Even mildly sloped seats tend to need the two most reclined settings, and this can be a particular concern for newborns.

The recline indicator has two color-coded sections, referred to as “more reclined” and “more upright.” When the seat first came out, the more reclined section specified that it was for 0–3 months, but both parts of the range can now be used regardless of age. Infant seats will often specify a more reclined angle for newborns to help provide more optimal positioning before they have head and neck control, so it is possible that this could be an issue for some babies.

Installing baseless with the seat belt, or with the base, solves this problem, but also negates the convenience of the seat’s claim to fame.

Using the GoMax With the Optional Base

Speaking of the base, it has its own complicated history related to the recline situation. The base has a singular line used to adjust the base parallel to the ground, which is not uncommon. The problem is that this angle still leaves the seat very upright according to the bubble level on the seat itself, again posing a potential concern for newborns.

Shortly after the seat came out, a retroactive change that is now addressed in the FAQs on Graco’s website changed the line on the base to a guideline only. But the very strong language that still exists in the manual can be confusing, and most people would not think to check elsewhere for this information.

The recline foot on the base has 4 positions, which are generally still somewhat limiting, but Graco does permit a rolled towel or a section of a pool noodle under the foot to assist with the recline. While this is just a reality for some vehicle and car seat combinations, that’s potentially a whole lot for a seat that was just supposed to click into your vehicle in 2 seconds!

Lower Anchors That Are Hard to Reach

The GoMax doesn’t come with lower anchor guides like the Pipa urbn and Mint Latch do, so if your vehicle’s lower anchors are very recessed or otherwise difficult to access, this might take away from the intended convenience on a day-to-day basis.

Graco GoMax Fabrics and Canopy

Softer Fabrics Without Added Flame Retardant Chemicals

The GoMax is Graco’s only infant seat with chemical flame retardant-free fabrics, and the soft jersey-like material feels slightly upgraded. The seat comes in a fairly standard dark gray, but also a pretty pink, for those who are so inclined.

[PHOTO 6: fabric close-up. Caption: The GoMax’s soft, jersey-like fabric.]

A Quiet Canopy With Slightly Short Coverage

The canopy is smooth, structured, and silent, though its coverage is a little short. It can be a little annoying to pull up underneath the handle but doesn’t interfere with carrying once extended.

Graco GoMax vs. Nuna Pipa urbn vs. Joie Mint Latch

When compared to the other two rigid LATCH baseless seats, the Nuna Pipa urbn and the Joie Mint Latch, the Graco GoMax has some clear pros and cons, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

What the GoMax Has That the Others Don’t

• Lower anchor attachments that put themselves away: The GoMax is the only one of the three whose lower anchor attachments automatically return to the stored position when you remove the seat from the vehicle.
• It remembers your recline setting: It’s also the only one that “remembers” the last recline position used, and returns to that recline position when the attachments are pulled down.
• More than one recline angle with the bubble indicator: It’s also the only one with a bubble indicator on the seat itself, which allows you a choice of recline angles based on your baby’s preference and space in the vehicle. The other two seats utilize a line on the side, meaning only one recline position is permitted.
• A harness that adjusts with the headrest: The Mint Latch and the Pipa urbn both have manual rethread harnesses. While I often find that a manual rethread harness can be helpful for fit on tiny babies, many people do prefer the convenience of a no-rethread harness.

Like the urbn, it has chemical flame retardant-free fabrics, and it shares the option of use with a base with the Joie Mint Latch.

Graco GoMax vs. Other Graco Infant Seats

Even if a baseless seat isn’t your top priority, the GoMax deserves a good look if you’re shopping amongst the traditional Graco seats. If you’ve already taken a look at the seemingly endless list of options, without really being able to reliably tell the differences, you’re not alone. Even CPSTs have trouble with this!

Two features of the GoMax that stand out:

• The base is easy to install: It has a lockoff on the base for easy installation.
• No giant headrest: It skips the giant headrest found on the Graco SnugRide SnugFit DLX, which can be problematic for fit. On newborns, the headrest can push the head forward and down, rather than provide the support it looks like it is supposed to. As a baby grows, the headrest can become overly snug and restrictive, which can lead to a baby becoming uncomfortable in the seat.

Is the Graco GoMax Worth It?

If you want a baseless infant seat on a budget, the Graco GoMax is the least expensive rigid LATCH option out there, and it brings features the pricier Pipa urbn and Mint Latch don’t have: anchors that put themselves away, a recline that remembers your setting, a choice of recline angles, and a no-rethread harness. The biggest things to watch for are sloped vehicle seats and hard-to-reach lower anchors.

And even if you never plan to use the seat in baseless mode, you can just pretend that feature doesn’t exist and use it just like a traditional infant seat.

Graco GoMax FAQs

What are the Graco GoMax height and weight limits?

The GoMax is rated from 4–30 pounds and up to 32 inches. Many other infant seats max out at 30”, so the extra height can give you more time in the infant seat.

Can you use the Graco GoMax without a base?

Yes. It installs baseless with its built-in rigid LATCH, which is its main feature. Like all current infant seats, it can also be installed baseless with the vehicle seat belt.

Does the Graco GoMax come with a base?

It depends on which version you buy. Graco sells the GoMax on its own at $249.99, with the GoMax stay-in-car base sold separately for $119.99, and a version with the base included for $299.99. Either way, the base isn’t required to install the seat.

Is a baseless infant car seat as safe as one with a base?

Yes. Rigid LATCH is an enhanced energy management feature, and its ease of use can increase the likelihood of a correct installation, which is the most important factor of all.

Is the Graco GoMax good for newborns?

It provides a good small baby fit, with an insert that can be used up to 12 pounds and minimal, optional harness covers. The catch is sloped vehicle seats: the rigid LATCH install may sit more upright than you’d want for a newborn, and installing with the seat belt or the base solves that.

What’s the difference between the Graco GoMax, Nuna Pipa urbn, and Joie Mint Latch?

The GoMax is the least expensive of the three, and it’s the only one with lower anchors that retract on their own, a recline that remembers your last setting, a bubble indicator with a choice of recline angles, and a no-rethread harness. The urbn and Mint Latch both come with lower anchor guides, which the GoMax doesn’t.

How wide is the Graco GoMax?

The GoMax is 16.9” wide.