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Best Baby Gates
Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys, but it’s no secret that this incredible experience comes with its fair share of stress. Of course, the biggest priority for any parent is keeping their child safe, but as your baby begins to crawl and walk after the age of 6 months, this can be easier said than done.
Even within the home, structures like stairs, as well as rooms containing dangerous appliances, such as the kitchen, can pose a risk to your child’s safety. This can be a scary thought. Thankfully, there’s a simple and relatively inexpensive solution: a baby gate.
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A baby gate is essentially a barrier that you can install in your home to fence off dangerous areas. It’s an easy and practical way to ensure your child’s safety and grant yourself a little extra peace of mind. If a baby gate sounds like the solution to your worries, look no further!
We’ve put together a list of the 5 best baby gates on the market, including a buyers guide and FAQ section to help you make the best choice for both yourself and your child.
In a rush? We understand that there’s no time to waste when it comes to ensuring your child’s safety. To get the best baby gate as quickly as possible, have a look at our top pick:
In a hurry? This is our winner!
Our rating:
Sale
Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate, Includes 6-Inch Extension Kit, Pressure Mount Kit, Wall Cups
- EXTRA WIDE: Expands to fit openings between 29-34 and 35-38.5 inches wide. Stands 30 inches tall. Please be sure measure your opening prior to purchase to ensure proper fit. Note: This gate will not fit an opening between 34-35 Inch - An additional 4” extension is needed.
- SET UP: Install according to manufacturer’s instructions. You must use wall cups to keep gate in place. To prevent falls, never use at top of stairs.
- ADJUSTABLE: Includes a 6-inch wide extension kit and 4 pressure mount spindle rods. Perfect for doorway, hallway and bottom of stair use. Gate can quickly be removed out of the opening for easy storage. Additional extensions sold separately
- DURABLE AND CONVENIENT: The all steel design is durable and convenient with a walk-through door. Certified to both JPMA and ASTM standards
- SAFETY: Includes multiple safety-lock features, four wall cups for added security and mounting hardware. Please note, gate frame is design to be assembled at all times. Perfect for children 6-24 months. Great for PETS TOO
$34.99
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Best Baby Gates – Comparison Table
Best Baby Gates – Reviews
Our Pick
Our rating:
This is one of the most popular and well-reviewed baby gates out there. If you’re looking for a durable, affordable baby gate to fit most standard doorways and openings in your home, this may be the ideal product for you.
The Regalo Easy Step baby gate stands 30 inches tall, making it a full 8 inches taller than the minimum height requirement, so you can rest assured that your child will not easily be able to climb over the barrier.
The gate includes a 6-inch extension kit, enabling use in doorways and openings between 29 and 34 inches, or 35 and 38.5 inches. Whilst this means that the gate will not fit openings between 34 and 35 inches, it is suitable for use in most standard-size doorways and stairways. The gate also includes 4 mount spindle rods for ease of assembly and installation.
In terms of safety and security, this baby gate goes above and beyond, including multiple safety lock features, plus 4 wall cups for added security. The steel structure is sturdy and durable. It is perfect for infants aged between 6 and 24 months, and can also be used as a pet gate should the need arise.
Pros
- Multiple safety lock features
- Fits most standard doorways, hallways, and stairways
- Includes mounting hardware and wall cups
Cons
- Does not fit openings between 34 and 35 inches
Our rating:
For a mix of adaptability and style, consider this Summer Multi-Use Decorative Baby Gate. This gate is 36 inches tall, effectively eliminating any concerns about your child climbing over.
Fitting openings measuring between 28.5 and 48 inches, it is suitable for in the vast majority of doorways, stairways, and hallways. The gate includes an installation kit plus a no-drill doorway mount, enabling installation both within and between doorways for extra flexibility in placement.
The auto-close feature means you can operate this gate hands-free. As parents of toddlers often have their hands full, this is an extremely practical feature. Additionally, the removable door stopper provides extra security for your child.
With a metal frame with classic bronze finish, this baby gate will also look beautiful in your home. Please note that the other color options for this product vary in terms of size, design, and included features.
Pros
- Fits wide openings (up to 48 inches)
- Extra tall (36 inches)
- Stylish
Cons
- Some reported issues with latch durability
Our rating:
If you have extra-wide doorways or hallways in your home, this gate is for you. 30 inches tall and expanding to fit openings between 29 and 56 inches, this is a versatile and functional product. Complete with a 4-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch extension kit, plus 4 pressure mounts and 4 wall cups, this gate functions much like the Regalo Easy Step with the added capacity for fitting wider openings.
Multiple safety lock features plus an all-steel frame make this a sturdy, durable, and safe choice for children between the ages of 6 to 24 months.
Pros
- Fits extra-wide openings (up to 56 inches)
- Multiple safety lock features
- Sturdy all-steel frame
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
Our rating:
Simple and easy to use, the Toddleroo baby gate by North States is both durable and affordable. Standing at 31 inches tall and adaptable for use in spaces measuring 28.68 to 47.85 inches wide, this gate will fit a variety of openings.
Built out of durable metal and finished in an attractive bronze color, this product combines security and style for an affordable price.
The gate is designed with maximum safety and security in mind. It is hardware-mounted, ensuring stability, and is designed to swing one way only, eliminating the risk of swinging over stairs. There is no threshold to navigate, so no need to worry about tripping.
Additionally, the one-hand operation system allows you to open and close the gate whilst holding your child. The gate locks automatically as it closes.
Pros
- Adaptable
- Durable
- One-hand operation
- No threshold
Cons
- Difficult installation
Our rating:
If you’re after a super-versatile baby gate, Regalo’s 192-Inch Adjustable Baby Gate should meet your needs. This gate is 28 inches tall and configurable to fit the vast majority of spaces in your home, with 8 24-inch panels that measure a length of 192 inches when fitted together.
When used in this way, you could potentially segment off an entire section of a room from wall to wall.
You can also fit the panels together into a playpen of up to 19 square feet, so you can keep your child safe and entertained wherever you are inside or outside your home.
Even awkward, angled openings are no problem for this gate, as the panels can be angled in a variety of different ways to adapt to the available space in your home.
The gate comes with a 4-pack of wall mounts for stability. The all-steel design and one-touch, double-lock safety feature keep the gate secure. It is also easy to set up with no tools required for installation. When not in use, the gate can be folded flat into a storable and portable size.
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Foldable and portable
- No tools required for assembly
Cons
- Plastic joints not very strong
Best Baby Gates – Buyers Guide
As you can see from the above reviews, a lot goes into choosing the perfect baby gate for both your own and your child’s requirements.
If you’re still not sure which baby gate is right for you, don’t worry – this buyers guide will break down everything you need to consider and help you make the right choice.
Measurements
First and foremost, you’ll need to consider the measurements of your baby gate. Baby gates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know that the one you’re purchasing will fit perfectly in your home.
The first step is to work out where you will be positioning your baby gate. You’ll then need to measure the width of this area so you know what size gate you’re looking for.
Height measurements are also important. The US safe height requirement for baby gates is a minimum of 22 inches, so you shouldn’t find any baby gates on the market under this height. All the same, you may wish to consider a taller gate if you feel this will protect your child more effectively and give you greater peace of mind.
Additionally, if you are using a baby gate for a slightly older child, a taller gate may be required.
Safety Features
Because the primary purpose of any baby gate is safety, it’s important to consider the safety features included in a gate before you purchase it. The most important safety feature you will need is a lock. It is standard for baby gates to be fitted with at least one child-safe lock, but for added security and peace of mind, you may wish to consider a baby gate with multiple safety locking features.
This way, if your child does somehow manage to open one lock themselves, they still won’t be able to exit the enclosed area.
If the idea of your baby gate swinging open over the stairs is a concern for you, a one-way opening door will alleviate your worries. Additionally, if you’re worried about the gate posing a tripping hazard, consider a gate with no threshold to reduce this risk.
The structure and material of a baby gate also contribute to its overall safety and stability. All-steel designs tend to be best for durability and sturdiness, reducing the risk of bending or breakages.
Adaptability
An adaptable gate can be useful if you have a variety of different sized openings in your home. Extendability also means you don’t have to scour the internet for a baby gate that matches the exact measurements of your doorway.
Many baby gates also offer the option of wall cups or hardware mounting, giving you greater flexibility in where you position your gate.
Some baby gates are even configurable into playpens, providing a safe space for your child to play in. Whatever your individual requirements, you should be able to find an adaptable gate that meets them.
Remember, if you’re choosing an adaptable gate because you want it to fit multiple openings in your home, make sure that it comes with wall cups rather than hardware mounting for easy removal and installation.
Portability
If you travel between houses a lot or plan to take your baby gate with you on vacation, you’ll need to ensure that your chosen baby gate is portable. Your best option for portability will be a free-standing baby gate that turns into a pen.
Not only do these gates offer the greatest flexibility in terms of placement, but they are also most likely to be foldable due to the segmented way in which they are designed. A free-standing gate has the added benefit of being suitable for use outside.
Assembly and Mounting
Before you purchase your baby gate, it’s worth checking the assembly procedure so you can ensure you have everything you need to assemble and install it (eg. tools) before it arrives.
Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry to get your baby gate set up, or don’t feel comfortable with a complex assembly procedure, you might want to consider opting for a baby gate advertised as no-tools-required or which can be installed using wall cups.
It is also important to weigh up the pros and cons of pressure mounting versus hardware mounting. Whilst hardware mounting may be the more difficult and time-consuming option when it comes to installing your baby gate, it is also often the most durable.
Pressure mounting may save time during the initial installation, but may also require adjusting occasionally, especially if your child likes to pull on or hang off the gate, causing it to shift slightly.
However, good-quality pressure mounts should not be easily dislodged, so as long as you purchase your baby gate from a reputable company, assemble carefully according to the instructions and combine your baby gate with appropriate supervision, you should not need to worry too about the gate coming away under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a baby gate?
If your child is between the ages of 6 and 24 months, purchasing a baby gate is advisable. This is because these are the ages at which infants typically learn to crawl and walk. The toddler years are also when an infant’s curiosity begins to develop in earnest, leading them to start trying to figure out how things work and manipulate objects around them.
These are wonderful developments to watch happen in your child, but they can also lead to dangerous situations. Accidents can and do happen to anyone. A baby gate will provide you with the added peace of mind of knowing that your child’s movements can easily be restricted to a safe area when needed.
Between what ages is a baby gate needed?
As stated above, most baby gates tend to be designed for infants between the ages of 6 and 24 months. However, it is important to remember that every child is unique, and the decision of when to install or remove a baby gate is ultimately yours to make.
If you think you may need to use your baby gate for a longer period of time, though, you should consider purchasing a taller gate, as once your child’s chin becomes level with the top of the gate, it ceases to be an effective method of protection.
Where should I put my baby gate?
You know your own home better than anyone, including where the most potentially dangerous areas are.
That being said, the most dangerous areas for young children within the home tend to be stairways, kitchens, and bathrooms, so these are the most likely areas to consider positioning your baby gate.
Are baby gates safe?
The primary function of a baby gate is the safety of children, so these gates tend to be designed specifically with safety in mind, and therefore, are generally safe for use. However, it is natural to be concerned about the safety of any piece of equipment your child will come into contact with, including baby gates.
In order to ensure that the baby gate you are purchasing is as safe as possible, make sure to only purchase from reputable manufacturers, such as those featured in this article. Once you’ve made your purchase, be sure to follow the assembly instructions carefully and test the strength of the locks and structure before giving your child access to it.
Can I use a baby gate for my pet?
Whilst baby gates are primarily designed for toddlers, many people also use them to keep their pets away from certain areas of the home. Whether or not this will be suitable for you will depend on what kind of pet you own.
All except extra-tall baby gates tend to be unsuitable for larger dogs, for example, as they can easily jump over. Baby gates may also be ineffective for particularly small pets, as they may be able to slip through bars and escape.
The best way to determine whether you can use a baby gate for your pet is to consider the size and capabilities of your pet and check the measurements of the gate before purchase.
