Joie Mint Latch
Pros
- LATCH scored 9: rigid lower anchors are built into the carrier itself, so there is no base to buy or store
- Weight scored 8
- FAA-certified for aircraft with a seatbelt install
Cons
- Belt and baseless belt installs both scored 6
- 30 in height limit, so taller babies outgrow it sooner than the 32 in seats here
Our Verdict: Joie Mint Latch
The Joie Mint Latch scored 70 out of 100 across the seven criteria we score every infant car seat on, and took Best Baseless Infant Seat in our infant car seat guide.
The rigid anchors are built into the carrier itself, so LATCH scored 9 with no base to buy or store, and it's FAA-certified for aircraft with a seatbelt install.
Belt and baseless belt installs both scored 6, and the 30 in height limit means taller babies outgrow it sooner than the 32 in seats.
Our Analysis, Comparisons and Test Results
Crash test
Seven. Sound rather than outstanding, on a seat whose case rests elsewhere.
Ease of install (LATCH)
Nine. Rigid lower anchors are built into the carrier itself, so there is no base to buy, store or fit. For a second car or a household without space, that is a genuine structural advantage rather than a convenience.
Ease of install (belt)
Six. Workable but unremarkable, and the weaker of its two routes.
Ease of install (no base)
Six. Without lower anchors the carrier goes in on a vehicle belt alone, and that route is modest, which matters more because there is no base to fall back on. With anchors it clicks on (LATCH 9). Practise the belt route before the first taxi.
Ease of use
Six. Simple to live with, though the harness and canopy are basic.
Comfort & durability
Seven. Reasonable padding and fabrics for the tier.
Weight
Eight. Light, and lighter still for having no base to carry. FAA-certified for aircraft use, which follows naturally from the baseless design.
Should You Buy the Joie Mint Latch?
Buy it for one car, one carrier and no base.
At a manufacturer-listed 9.3 lb it's light, and its score rests on published specs and owner reports.
The same seven criteria applied to every infant car seat in this guide. That makes the comparison fair, and it makes the choice yours: pick for the use you cannot avoid, not the one you aspire to.
What Other Car Seats Should You Consider?
We scored the Joie Mint Latch against 12 other infant car seats on the same criteria. The three closest on score:
| Compare | Score | Award | Tested in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joie Mint Latch (this review) | 70 | Best Baseless Infant Seat | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
| Evenflo Shyft DualRide | 71 | Best Travel System | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
| Joie Rue | 69 | Lightest Mid-Price Seat With A Base | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
| Britax Willow S | 72 | Best For Multiple Cars | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
| Clek Liing | 74 | Best Metal Base | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
| UPPAbaby Aria V2 | 75 | Lightest Carrier | Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared |
Specifications
| Price tier | Mid-price |
|---|---|
| Real carry weight | 9.3 lb (manufacturer figure) |
| Child limits | 4–30 lb, up to 30 in |
| Harness | Manual rethread |
Conclusion: Joie Mint Latch
The Mint Latch took the baseless-seat award with 70. Belt install, baseless install and ease of use at 6 are its lowest marks.
Read the full comparison in our infant car seat guide, where it sits against every infant car seat we scored.
Tested against 14 other car seats in Best Infant Car Seat 2026: 15 Seats Compared. See all car seats guides and reviews.