Choosing the right baby gate for your child can be a daunting task with so many options available on the market. It is essential to choose a gate that can keep your child safe and secure in the areas you want them to be in, while also being easy to install and use.
Safety is a top priority, so we made sure to evaluate the gates based on industry safety standards, such as appropriate height and locking mechanism, and durability. Whether you need a gate for the top or bottom of the stairs or to block off a room, we have compiled a list of the best baby gates with various features and functionalities to fit your needs.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Baby Gate: Evenflo Barn Door Walk-Thru Gate
- Best Baby Gate For Stairs: Summer Infant Deluxe Stairway
- Best Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate: Regalo Walk Through Baby Gate
- Best Baby Gate For Top Of Stairs: Cardinal Gates Stairway
- Best Baby Gate For Doorway: Toddleroo by North States Auto-Close Gate
- Best Baby Gate That Don’t Damage Walls: Safety 1st Auto-Close Pressure-Mounted Magnetic Latch Gate
- Best Baby Gate With Cat Door: Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Baby Gate
- Best Baby Gate For Stairs With Spindles: Regalo 2-in-1 Mounted Baby Gate
- Best Baby Gate For Banister: Summer Metal Banister and Stair Safety Baby Gate
- Best Baby Gate For Fireplaces: Qdos Construct-A-SafeGate
- Best Retractable Baby Gate: Skip Hop Retractable Mesh Baby Gate
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Gates Picks
Evenflo Barn Door Walk-Thru Gate – Best Overall Baby Gate
- Easy to install
- Easy to open and shut
- Nice stylish design & quality looking material
- Swing guard so it only goes one way. It won’t go onto the stairs – only outwards.
- The color isn’t as dark as pictured
If you’re looking for a gate that offers style and security, the Barn Door Walk-Thru Safety Gate could be a great option for you. With its rustic or modern design, it will fit right in with your home’s decor. Plus, it’s a breeze to install, thanks to its pressure-mount or hardware-mount options that work for larger openings.
This gate not only looks good but also has features that prioritize your child’s safety. For instance, it has a one-handed latch that makes it easy for grown-ups to open but keeps little ones out. Additionally, it comes with an auto-close hinge and color indicators (green and red) to make sure that the gate is always locked properly.
- Fits: Fits openings 29″ – 43″ wide
Summer Infant Deluxe Stairway – Best Baby Gate For Stairs
- Relatively easy to install
- Easy to open and close for adult (child def couldn’t open it)
- When the gate is open, it will swing in both directions and telescope in to make the opening more passable
- The design takes up little space vertically
- The only indicator that the gate is secure when you close it is a clicking sound
This gate’s beautiful wooden finish in golden cherry complements any home decor. With hardware-mounted installation, this gate provides added security in entryways, hallways, and staircases.
Furthermore, the exclusive Precision Fit Template eliminates the need for measuring and ensures accurate installation. You can effortlessly open and close the door with one hand, thanks to the comfortable grip handle. Plus, this gate’s height of 32 inches and its ability to fit openings from 30 to 48 inches wide make it an ideal option for both children and small pets.
- Fits: Fits openings 30″ – 48″ wide
Regalo Walk Through Baby Gate – Best Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate
- The walk-through latch is not that hard to open
- There is no need to use any permanent installation (No drilling, no screws, easy to move)
- Made of metal, so it is nice and sturdy
- The handle is too complicated for a baby to figure out as it requires two hands
- Cannot be mounted between walls that sit at angles
The Regalo 56-Inch Wide Span Baby Gate is a versatile and adjustable gate that can be mounted to the wall or door. It fits openings between 29 and 56 inches wide and is 30 inches tall. The gate has a simple lever handle with a one-touch release safety lock and a walkthrough design that is perfect for infants between 6 and 24 months old.
It comes with a kit of extensions that can be used for medium to large dogs. Before installation, the gate may appear twisted and have a gap in the handle, but these concerns disappear once it is properly installed.
- Fits: Fits openings 29″ – 56″ wide
Cardinal Gates Stairway – Best Baby Gate For Top Of Stairs
- Simple straight forward instructions
- Lightweight enough that it can span the 60-inch space without any difficulty
- The gate itself is sturdy enough for regular use
- Able to mount at an angle for hard-to-gate areas
- The latch is counterintuitive and not easily operated- a con when not using it with children
The Cardinal Gates Stairway Special Baby Gate can be used at the top of the stairs and in any setting. With its latch design, adults can easily operate it with one hand while making it difficult for children to open. The gate comes with an optional one-way stop bracket for added safety, preventing the gate from opening over a stairwell.
It can be installed at angles of up to 30 degrees and fits openings from 27″ to 42.5″ out of the box. With optional extensions, it can expand up to a maximum of 64.25″. Made of high-quality metal, this gate is lightweight and almost rustproof and has a durable, hygienic powder-coated finish.
- Fits: Fits openings 27″ – 42.5″ wide
Toddleroo by North States Auto-Close Gate – Best Baby Gate For Doorway
- They’re solid
- It’s unlikely a toddler could breach
- Easiest to open
- Gate opens both ways
- The latch is counterintuitive and not easily operated- a con when not using it with children
The Toddleroo by North States is a versatile and innovative child safety gate with unique features. Its glow-in-the-dark function illuminates the handle at night for easy opening. The gate is easy to install and has an extra-wide 22″ door with a gravity-fed hinge that closes behind you effortlessly.
It also features a hold-open feature that keeps the gate open when needed. The gate is made of sturdy steel and has a white finish that complements any home decor. It’s perfect for use in various room entrances or at the bottom of stairs, making it the ultimate safety gate for both day and night.
- Fits: Fits openings 29.75″ – 40.5″ wide
Safety 1st Auto-Close Pressure-Mounted Magnetic Latch Gate – Best Baby Gate That Don’t Damage Walls
- It is short enough that you have to stoop down to push the button to open the gate
- Easy to install
- The lock system is nice and easy
- The gate makes a noise when opening and closing
- The latch can be a bit hard to open
This baby gate can fit doorways and openings from 29 to 38 inches wide and can be easily opened with one hand. It uses pressure-mounted installation which is simple to install without tools, drilling, or hardware.
The magnetic latch automatically closes and locks, and the SecureTech indicator lets you know if the gate is secure. This 28-inch-high adjustable baby gate is versatile and can be used in various areas of the house. It comes with a one-year warranty and meets ASTM safety standards.
- Fits: Fits openings 29″ – 38″ wide
Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Baby Gate – Best Baby Gate With Cat Door
- The gate is coated steel & solid construction
- The gate handle is easy to use, and easy to lock & the red part on the gate in the picture is a child lock
- The instructions that come with the gate are clear and easy to read
- The small pet gate on this gate is made of the same construction & has a little spring bolt that you can use to lock it shut
- Gate opening is a little on the narrow side
The Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Thru Baby Gate is made entirely of steel and designed to withstand chewing and provide safety to both pets and children. Installing the gate is easy with the pressure-mount solution, and there is no need to drill holes in the walls.
The gate is adjustable to fit openings between 29 and 36.5 inches and stands 30 inches tall to accommodate different opening sizes. Plus, the gate also has an 8″ x 8″ door for small pets to pass through.
- Fits: Fits openings 29″ – 36.5″ wide
Regalo 2-in-1 Mounted Baby Gate – Best Baby Gate For Stairs With Spindles
- It’s sturdy, has a good height, and is wide enough
- Easy assembly
- Attaches really well to the stairs
- This gate attaches to banisters very easily and snugly
- Getting the little rubber corners underneath the straps was a bit tricky, but other than that, super simple
The Regalo Top of Stair Gate is simple to install without drilling or marking up your banister or woodwork. The gate can expand inward and outward with the help of Simple Glide Technology, and it can accommodate stairways with a width of 28″ to 42″.
The gate is banister-mounted and made of sturdy all-steel construction, making it perfect for top or bottom step openings. Plus, the squeeze latch is easy for adults to operate but difficult for kids, providing an added layer of safety.
- Fits: Fits openings 29″ – 43″ wide
Summer Metal Banister and Stair Safety Baby Gate – Best Baby Gate For Banister
- Installation isn’t too difficult
- Very easy to attach to banisters
- There are two modes of installation – you can either screw the hinge plate and striker plate into the wall with mollies or use the included ratchet system to mount to the banisters
- The straps around the railings are sturdy
- The locking mechanism is cheap
The Summer Banister to Banister Universal Gate Mounting Kit is a versatile solution for installing hardware and pressure-mount baby gates up to 37″ high. It’s designed to work with both round and square banisters and allows for easy installation between banisters and walls, without the need for drilling.
The kit includes two installation posts, six round and square banister brackets, four security straps, and optional wood screws for added stability. Plus, Summer offers a range of stylish baby gates that will complement your home decor. The natural wood accent of this mounting kit will blend seamlessly into your home, ensuring both safety and style.
- Fits: Fits openings 31″ – 46″ wide
Qdos Construct-A-SafeGate – Best Baby Gate For Fireplaces
- Great quality
- Color is awesome
- Simple to assemble
- Glow in the dark strip at bottom of the door is a nice touch
- Not the best paint quality
The Qdos Construct-A-SafeGate is a versatile and safe gate that complies with US, Canadian, and European safety regulations. This gate can fit large openings from 35.4″ to 82.7″ and extra extensions are available for even larger openings or to create an independent play yard.
Additionally, the gate is constructed with reliable and durable materials and comes with mounting hardware for added safety. Plus, the anti-skid silicone cushions on the bottom of the gate help reduce floor movement and scratching.
- Fits: Fits openings 35.4″ – 82.7″ wide
Skip Hop Retractable Mesh Baby Gate – Best Retractable Baby Gate
- It definitely feels sturdy
- The directions are easy to follow for baseboard or no baseboard
- There is an easy to use pull up gate which turns red when unlocked
- The panels actually come with two sets of wall-mounting brackets
- Not easy to open/close without two hands
This retractable mesh baby gate is a convenient and practical way to keep your little ones safe and within your line of sight. Its retractable design and one-handed operation make it easy to open and close while holding your child.
The transparent mesh is durable and blends seamlessly with modern decor, while the adaptable wall mounts ensure a perfect fit regardless of the presence of baseboards. With its strong, transparent mesh, you can keep an eye on your child at all times while still providing a safe barrier.
- Fits: Fits openings 32.7″ – 52″ wide
How To Choose The Best Baby Gate?
- Size: Take measurements of the area before installing the baby gate. You should make sure the gate is large and tall enough to safely fit the area, whether it is the entrance at the top of the stairs or the doorway leading into the kitchen.
- Materials: For reasons of stability, metal gates are among the most common, but be cautious of gates that are primarily made of metal with some less expensive plastic pieces. Additionally, gates constructed of wood or plastic may be available.
- Installation: The installation technique for a baby gate is important for both the safety and convenience of usage. Pressure-mounted gates that are simple to install should not be used at the top of a staircase because they might be knocked out of position and cause a child to fall down the stairs.
- Locking: Avoid gates with easy lift-open mechanisms or button locks (1). Give your child a year, and even if they can’t figure out how to open the gate now, you’ll be blaming yourself for not getting a gate with a better, more child-proof latch.
- Safety: If the baby gate you’re employing isn’t a safe product, babyproofing is useless. When purchasing baby gates, look for Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) accreditation, which guarantees that the gate satisfies the highest safety requirements (such as a minimum height of 22″ and the capacity to withstand 30 pounds of push-out force). Plus this makes sure the gate meets CSPC standards.
Types Of Baby Gates
- Hardware-Mounted Baby Gates: These gates must be fastened into a door frame, wall, or banister on both sides. Hardware-mounted gates are the safest option, making them a fantastic option for locations like the top of your staircase and other risky sites throughout your home, even if it is not ideal to drill permanent holes into your house.
- Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates: These gates don’t need any screws since they act like tension rods. As long as each end is firmly pressed up against a wall or door frame, a gate with the proper specifications should be able to support itself. Pressure-mounted gates are portable and simple to erect.
- Step-Over or Walk-Through Baby Gates: Walk-through gates are generally preferable and safer than step-over gates because they eliminate the risk of tripping or falling. When traveling or in need of a quick fix, step-over gates can be a wonderful alternative, but walk-through gates are generally preferable and safer.
What Age Are Baby Gates Good For?
Install gates in families with kids between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. If at all possible, take down the gates after the child reaches the age of two or when they have mastered climbing over or opening them. Use a gate without notches or holes that might be utilized for climbing if removing a gate is not an option due to other kids living in the house.
Should You Put Baby Gate At Top Or Bottom Of Stairs?
You should have a gate at the top and bottom of the stairs (2). Placing a gate at the bottom of the stairs can prevent your child from crawling up the stairs and potentially falling, while a gate at the top can prevent them from falling down the stairs. Additionally, the top of the stairwell is the only secure option for stair sites. Despite having the option to choose, most gates will only swing open in one direction. For best safety, the top gate should swing away from the steps (not over them).
What Is The Difference Between A Pet Gate And A Baby Gate?
In general, pet gates are made of the same kinds of metal, plastic, and other materials as baby gates. The overall robustness of the two designs is where the biggest distinction lies. For instance, materials used in baby gates are often significantly lighter than those used in puppy gates.
