Video: See This New Infant Car Seat Turn into an Under-$400 Travel System

Shopping for affordable baby gear doesn’t have to mean sacrificing those nice-to-have extras to stick to your family’s budget. Take the new Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat—it’s a rear-facing infant car seat that gives you two simple install options (with or without a base) and thoughtful conveniences like easy, one-hand adjustment for both the headrest and harness.

With the Graco GoMax Compact Stroller Frame, it also becomes an under-$400 travel system that’s a smart and thrifty pick for parents looking to get an all-on-one infant system that can go from baby’s first car rides to strolls in the park with one click.

Watch the video above to see Julie, a Manhattan mom of two, test out the seat and travel system, or read below to learn more before adding to your cart or Babylist registry. 

Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat ft. Insta-Install Rigid LATCH - Ace

$279.99

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What sets the Graco GoMax apart from other infant car seats

From easy installation to thoughtful details, here’s what makes it stand out:

• Easy setup, with or without a base: Installing the GoMax without a base is as simple as clicking it directly into your car’s LATCH connectors (see what those are at the 1:04 mark), which is handy if you need to quickly install the seat into different caregiver vehicles or rideshares. Bonus: color indicators will let you know when the seat’s in correctly. If you prefer a base, you get a secure install with SnugLock technology that installs in under a minute (see that at 1:43). 

• Parent-trusted safety: Graco’s been a trusted brand for years, and that’s because their car seats are tested against rear-facing infants in frontal, side, rear and rollover crashes—whether or not you’re using the base. Their fabrics are made to be fire-resistant without any added chemicals while still being soft for your baby’s comfort, and there’s an included infant insert to help ensure newborns are securely positioned (2:35).

• Caregiver-friendly design: Save some time with the seat’s memory recline feature that automatically remembers the seat’s previous position and keeps it in place for its next use (1:59). Another nice-to-have detail? The GoMax headrest and harness simultaneously adjusts, making it easier to get just the right fit in one motion—hello sudden growth spurts (2:25).

• Optional travel system integration: For parents looking for an all-in-one travel system, the Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat can be used with the GoMax Compact Stroller Frame, which is sold separately for $149 or bundled at $399 for the Infant Car Seat, Infant Car Seat Base, Stroller frame and carry bag. Alternatively, the GoMax Infant Car seat is compatible with most Graco strollers if you prefer a full-size pick. You can see which ones here.

Graco GoMax Compact Stroller Frame - Ace

$149.99

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149.99

Why you may want a car seat and travel system combo

Do you need to get a travel system? No. Are they popular for a reason? Yes. Travel systems are designed so your baby’s car seat fits safely and seamlessly into a corresponding stroller, making it easier for you to move your baby from the car into the stroller and then back into the car—all without taking your baby out of their car seat. Having a car seat that’s compatible with a ready-to-go stroller could be helpful if you plan on bringing your baby along for errands and outings or if you’re traveling with your baby.

Why the Graco GoMax Infant travel system stands out

If you want to see how you can turn the Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat into a travel system with the Graco GoMax Compact Stroller Frame, jump to 2:48 in Julie’s review and read on for some extras that make this infant travel system top wallet-friendly pick: 

• A lightweight foldable frame: Weighing in at a very manageable 8.3 pounds (most others fall in the 10-20 pound range), the Graco GoMax stroller has a sleek frame that can be folded down with one hand (3:29). The folded frame is self-standing, so it’ll stay put while you’re focused on securing your baby in your car. 

• Easy-to-stow design: The slim design can be easily stored in the trunk of most cars or even in the overhead bin of an aircraft. For moments when you’ll need to carry the stroller with you (like onto a plane or to a caregiver’s home), the frame comes with a handy backpack-style carrying bag (3:34).

• Front-wheel suspension for a smooth ride: Worried about bumpy sidewalks and uneven paths interrupting baby’s ride? With front-wheel suspension, the Graco GoMax Stroller Frame absorbs bumps to stroll along almost every terrain. 

• Smart conveniences for caregivers: This stroller frame has a generously sized basket to hold all your essentials, a height-adjustable leatherette handle for comfortable strolling and an all-important cup holder to keep your drink within reach (3:06). 

Who we recommend the Graco GoMax Infant Car Seat for

If you appreciate convenience, reliability and value, the Graco GoMax Infant car seat is a great piece of gear to add to your Babylist registry. The $229 option without the base is handy for rideshare users or folks who need to switch the seat from one car to the next, and the $279 option with the base is just as user-friendly. And because you can turn it into a travel system with the stroller frame for $149 (or $399 for the full system upfront), you’ll be set for the infant stage with a reliable setup that’ll take you from quick errands to baby’s first flight. 

This article is sponsored by Graco. Babylist’s free site, apps and emails are made possible by our sponsors. We limit our sponsored content to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.