Joie Mint Latch Review | Ask A CPST

Nuna changed the game for rear-facing car seats by introducing the PIPA urbn – a seat without a base attachment! This innovation sparked a wave of interest, and now many top car seat manufacturers have joined the trend, offering baseless options with integrated lower anchors. 

With three infant car seats now offering rigid LATCH installation without a base, how do you choose between them? The Joie Mint Latch, Graco GoMax, and Nuna PIPA urbn all connect directly to the vehicle’s lower anchors, making it much faster and easier to install the carrier without bringing along a base.

At $299.99, the Joie Mint Latch falls right in the middle of the three. It offers some compelling advantages for families who frequently switch vehicles, use rideshares, travel, or need more flexibility in a full vehicle. However, its small-baby fit and width may rule it out for some families.

If you’re new here, hi – I’m Sam! I’m a CPST and mom of many kids in car seats! My passion is to demystify the car seat selection overwhelm and help you select the right car seat for your family, budget, and car.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Joie Mint Latch so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your family.

Consider the Joie Mint Latch if:

• You regularly move your infant seat between multiple vehicles.
• You frequently use rideshares or travel without a car seat base.
• You need easier access to your vehicle’s third row.
• You want a baseless infant seat with several stroller options.

Keep looking if:

• You’re expecting a very small baby.
• You need a particularly narrow infant seat for a tight three-across setup.
• You want a seat made with fabrics that are confirmed to be free of added chemical flame retardants.

‍

‍

Joie Mint Latch Height and Weight Limits

The Joie Mint Latch can be used rear-facing from 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches tall. Your baby must stop using the seat once they reach either limit, whichever comes first.

The carrier itself weighs approximately 9.3 pounds, so it is fairly lightweight for moving between vehicles or carrying while traveling. However, although the seat is rated from 4 pounds, its harness may not provide an ideal fit for every small newborn. We’ll look more closely at the newborn fit below.

What Is A Baseless Car Seat?

A standard rear-facing infant car seat (sometimes called a "pumpkin seat") typically comes in two parts: the car seat itself and a base. The base stays installed in your car, and the seat clicks in and out of it, making it easy to carry your baby around. While it’s possible to install most infant car seats without the base using a seatbelt, many parents prefer the simplicity and security of a LATCH installation.

This is where baseless car seats come into play because they eliminate the need for a separate base entirely. Instead, they allow you to install the car seat directly using LATCH connectors that are built into the seat itself. The Joie Mint Latch takes this concept further with rigid lower anchor connectors that flip out from the seat. These connectors click directly onto your car’s lower anchors, making installation incredibly fast and hassle-free.

With no bulky base to deal with, baseless car seats like the Joie Mint Latch are perfect for families who frequently switch between cars or need to maximize space in tight areas, like third-row seating. It’s a practical and innovative solution for car seats and haven’t seen a price on the market this great yet!

Why Would I Want A Baseless Seat Over A Standard Rear-Facing Seat?

While it may seem counterintuitive to buy a baseless car seat over a standard rear-facing car seat, there are specific scenarios where this option can be great.

Here are some reasons why a baseless car seat might make your life easier:

• Convenience: No need to buy multiple bases for different cars or struggle with complicated installations.
• Ease of Use: The Joie Mint Latch installs in seconds with its click-on lower anchors.
• Space-Saving: Without a bulky base, it’s easier to access third-row seating or fold-down seats when needed.
• Travel-Friendly: A baseless seat is lighter and more portable, making it ideal for travel, ride shares, or taxis where you can’t rely on having a base available.

‍

Let’s Talk Safety. Are Baseless Car Seats As Safe As Other Car Seats On The Market?

Yes, absolutely! Every car seat sold in the United States, including baseless ones, must meet strict federal safety standards. In fact, safety standards are becoming even tougher with new side-impact testing requirements (FMVSS213a) rolling out this year.

The Joie Mint Latch already meets these updated standards ahead of schedule, so you can feel confident about its safety in the event of a collision.

What Makes the Joie Mint Latch Special?

There are several impressive features that make the  Joie Mint Latch stand out. Here’s what make it a practical and reliable choice for parents:

Higher Weight And Height Limits

First, it offers higher weight and height limits, accommodating babies up to 30 pounds or 30 inches tall. This is significantly more than many competitors, like the Nuna Pipa Urbn, which maxes out at 22 pounds and 29 inches. The extended capacity means you can use this seat longer, delaying the need to transition to a convertible car seat. 

For families looking to maximize the lifespan of their infant car seat, this added flexibility is a major advantage. It’s especially helpful for babies who grow taller before they reach the weight limit, as both height and weight are important factors in determining when to move to the next stage.

Great Fit Customization For Newborns

For newborns, the Joie Mint Latch provides an excellent fit because of its adjustable padding and thoughtful design. It includes a low birth weight insert that ensures even small or premature babies are secure in the seat. Additionally, the seat’s padding is soft yet supportive, making it comfortable for your child during longer trips. 

Smart Features Great For Everyday

The seat also includes several smart features that enhance convenience and comfort. Its UPF 50+ canopy provides excellent protection from the sun and weather, with an extendable zipper section that allows full coverage when needed. This feature is perfect for shielding your baby during walks or when transferring them in and out of the car on sunny or rainy days. 

The leatherette handle adds a touch of style while also being ergonomic and easy to grip, making carrying the seat less of a hassle. Another standout feature is the one-button recline adjustment, which lets you change the angle of the seat effortlessly without having to adjust each lower anchor connector individually. This streamlined design saves time and reduces frustration during installation.

Installing the Joie Mint Latch Without a Base

The rigid LATCH installation is the main reason to choose the Joie Mint Latch. To install it, squeeze the button on either side of the rigid lower anchor connectors and rotate them to the appropriate recline position. Then line the connectors up with the vehicle’s lower anchors and push until both sides are securely attached.

The built-in connectors offer three recline positions to help you achieve the correct angle in different vehicle seats. Once it is installed, always check the indicator on each connector and confirm that the seat moves less than one inch at the belt path.

The entire process takes only a few seconds once you’re familiar with it, making this seat especially practical when you regularly move it between vehicles.

Installing the Joie Mint Latch With a Seat Belt

The Joie Mint Latch can also be installed without a base using the vehicle seat belt. This gives you another installation option when lower anchors are unavailable, difficult to access, or positioned in a way that does not work well for your setup.

A seat belt installation can also be helpful in a tight three-across arrangement because it may allow you to position the car seat slightly off-center while still achieving a secure installation. You lose some of the quick-install convenience of rigid LATCH, but you may gain valuable space.

As with any baseless infant seat installation, follow the routing and recline instructions in the Mint Latch manual and confirm that the seat moves less than one inch at the belt path.

Joie Mint Latch Cons: What to Consider Before Buying

The Joie Mint Latch May Not Be Ideal for Three Across

A baseless infant seat can sometimes help you gain precious space in a three-across setup, but that advantage primarily applies when installing the seat with the vehicle seat belt. A seat belt installation may allow you to position the car seat slightly off-center while still achieving a secure installation.

The Joie Mint Latch can be installed this way, but you lose the speed and convenience of its rigid LATCH connectors. For a tight three-across setup, an infant seat base with a tensioner or lock-off, such as the compatible Base AR, may be easier to position and install securely.

The Joie Mint Latch May Not Fit Very Small Babies Well

The Joie Mint Latch is rated for babies starting at 4 pounds, but it may not provide an ideal fit for every small newborn. The lowest harness slot may sit too high for a baby with a shorter torso, and the harness may still have some slack even when adjusted to its tightest setting.

If you’re expecting a premature or particularly small baby, I would consider a seat known for offering a better newborn fit.

Joie Mint Latch Stroller Compatibility

Limited stroller compatibility was one of the biggest drawbacks of the Mint Latch when it first came out, but families now have considerably more options.

Joie has expanded its own stroller lineup to include several models that work with the Mint Latch, including the Chive double stroller with one infant seat. The Mint Latch is also compatible with several strollers from other brands, giving families options across single, single-to-double, and double stroller categories.

The biggest limitation is for twins. Strollers that accommodate two Joie Mint Latch seats at once remain difficult to find. If you need a travel system for two infant seats, check out our Nuna Pipa Urbn review for details about the Nuna DEMI next and two Pipa Urbn infant seats.

Is The Joie Mint Latch Compatible With Strollers?

Currently, the Joie Mint Latch is designed to work with exclusively Joie strollers using the included adapters. 

This compatibility allows parents to switch effortlessly between driving and walking without disturbing their baby. Joie offers a variety of stroller options, including compact travel strollers, pramette designs, and models with mom-facing and outward-facing configurations. For example, the Joie Nutmeg stroller pairs perfectly with the Mint Latch and offers features like a lightweight frame, flat recline for newborns, and an adjustable handle for added convenience.

At this time, the Mint Latch has not been tested with strollers from other brands, so it’s recommended to stick with Joie’s lineup for guaranteed compatibility. However, Joie has announced plans to release more detailed compatibility findings in the coming months, which could expand its usability with other stroller brands. For now, if you’re considering this car seat, pairing it with a Joie stroller ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience. 

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

The Joie Mint Latch, Graco GoMax, and Nuna Pipa Urbn all offer rigid LATCH installation without a base, but their harnesses, fabrics, stroller compatibility, and purchasing options differ.

Here are some of the most important differences to consider.

‍

‍

Harness Adjustment

The Joie Mint Latch and Nuna Pipa Urbn have rethread harnesses. To adjust the harness height, you manually detach the straps from the back of the seat, move them to the appropriate slot, and reattach them.

The process should take less than a minute and only needs to be completed a few times while your baby uses the seat. Because the head support adjusts separately, a rethread harness can also allow for more customized positioning.

Flame-Retardant-Free Fabrics

The Graco GoMax and Nuna Pipa Urbn are both available with fabrics described by their manufacturers as being free of added chemical flame retardants. Joie does not currently make the same claim about the Mint Latch fabrics.

Stroller and Travel System Compatibility

The Joie Mint Latch is available in several Joie travel systems and can also be used with select strollers from other brands.

The Nuna Pipa Urbn must be purchased as part of a travel system, although it can be used with several other stroller brands when paired with the appropriate adapters.

The Graco GoMax has one travel system purchasing option. It is also compatible with several Graco strollers and the Mockingbird stroller.

‍

The Joie Mint Latch Is One Of The Best Baseless Seats Out There!

The Joie Mint Latch is one of the best baseless car seats available right now, offering a combination of safety, convenience, and thoughtful design.

If you’re considering switching to a baseless car seat, this model is an excellent choice for its ease of use, extended weight and height limits, and innovative features like built-in rigid lower anchor connectors. It’s a game-changer for parents who frequently switch cars or need a space-saving solution for third-row seating.

‍

‍

Would you use a baseless car seat over the standard rear-facing car seat? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest tips for families when it comes to safety on the road, check out my recent posts: