When baby starts crawling, you know it's time to baby proof your home. Nothing is worse than hearing the sound of your baby's head bumping into that sharp corner of the coffee table, or baby unknowingly sticking his hand into the wood fire place (the screaming and crying that come after ... let's not get into that). We don't even want to think about the consequences of a crawling baby accidentally tumbling down the stairs (*shudders*).
One of the most common baby proofing tool you need for your home is - the Baby Gate. Even if you live in a single-storey house, don't think you are exempted from it. Aside from stairs, there are other areas in the house that should be kept barred from a curious baby - think kitchen, bathroom and of course, the fire mantelpiece if you've got one.
1. The Different Types of Baby Gates
Even though they seem like a simple gate structure, do you know that baby gates can generally be categorised into two types?
Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate
Have you ever used shower rod curtains? Pressure-mounted baby gates use the same tension concept - the pressure force keeps the gate in place between two walls or door frames. This is the type of baby gates for stairs without drilling - all you need to do is just
extend the size of the gate to each side of the wall/frame and the pressure will keep it in place. Because of this, you can easily move it from place to place.
Pressure-mounted is the type of baby gate for bottom of stairs and in between rooms, but they are not recommended for places like the top of the staircase, or basically, anywhere that baby can fall down. For these, you will need the hardware-mounted type.
Hardware-Mounted Baby Gate
This is another type of baby gate whereby drilling of holes into your wall is required. Mostly secured by screws and brackets, they are comparatively more secured than pressure-mounted ones and are therefore
excellent choices for places like the top of staircases or where there are uneven floors that baby may fall from. The downside of these top of stairs baby gate is obviously the permanent mark that it will leave at your home once baby outgrows the gate - when you remove the gate, the holes will be seen but then again, they can be covered up if you pay a trip to your local hardware store.
Others
And then there are two other different types of opening for these gates - swing through or step over. There isn't much difference in terms of functionality or safety reasons for this, so how you want the gate to open is entirely up to your preference.
2. Top 5 Best Rated Baby Gates
We will start by looking at baby gates for stairs first because they are the most popular use of this baby-proofing tool (and also probably the reason why you're here) before moving on to other recommendations for different places.
The award-winning Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate is the best stair gate for top stairs without a doubt. Actually, it is the best child safety gate for practically anywhere else in the house.
Made from sturdy metal and standing at 36" tall, this is not just the best baby fence to keep crawling infants away from danger but is also one of the best stair gates for toddlers, and pets. Thanks to the extensions provided which allow for multiple size combinations, it is also one of the best baby gates for wide opening.
What we really like about this baby gate is that it is both a hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted baby gate in one. If you decide to use it at the bottom of the stairs or just between any doorway, you can have the option of using the tension bolts so that there is no marks, dents or holes left behind. Otherwise, just utilise the hardware provided for extra security if used for the top of the stairs and voila, you have the best gate for top of stairs!
Because of such flexibility, we think the Summer Infant Multi-Use Walk-Thru Gate is the baby gate for bottom of stairs with only one wall or for those that are looking for baby gate for stairs with banister and wall on each side, this is definitely one of your best choice.
Another thing that we love is the dual-locking system. This means you can use the door-stopper provided to stop the door from swinging open over the stairs for added security, otherwise, you get to swing it open in either direction if placed between rooms.
Best of all, it can be operated with just one hand so that your other hand is free to carry baby. And, it auto closes behind you meaning you can have peace of mind that your gate is securely locked every time. If this is not the best walk through baby gate, what is?
If you're in the hunt for a baby gate for top of stairs with banister and wall, the Summer Infant Multi-Use Walk-Thru Gate is the best stair gate for you.
In terms of pressure mounted baby gates for stairs, the Supergate Easy-Close Gate from North States is the best pressure fit stair gate that we'd recommend.
Like the Summer Infant Multi-Use Walk-Thru Gate, this is a walk through gate which comes with a door that opens both ways to suit your convenience. Likewise, it offers a dual-locking system for peace of mind, and even has a hold-open feature to prevent the gate from closing if there is ever a need to pass through several times. Just be careful of the step at the bottom when you walk through, otherwise, it may send you flying!
This baby gate is also constructed by steel so it is strong and sturdy to block doorways, hallways and other spaces. It makes for the best baby gate for bottom of stairs because it is heavy duty enough yet the tension knobs make it easy to install and they are extendable to find the right tight fit between walls. If you ever need further extension, you can get them separately here.
Although the North States Supergate Easy-Close Gate is not as tall (29") as Summer Infant's, it is still one of the best stair gates for toddlers. Just know that they are not the best safety gates for top of stairs because no matter how sturdy and heavy duty a pressure-mounted gate is, it is still not enough for the security needed for top staircase. But if we're talking about best gate for bottom of stairs, you won't go wrong with this one.
More and more parents are leaning towards retractable baby gate for stairs and we don't blame them - you get to enjoy the full walk-through space of your entrances without worrying about being sent flying over if you accidentally trip over the bottom bar that most baby gates for sale come in. Out of all, the Summer Infant Retractable Gate is the best retractable stair gate that we'd recommend.
Slide it close only when needed, this retractable baby gate allows you to eliminate the hassle of always having a closed barrier between rooms and unlike traditional gates design, this one uses a durable mesh fabric with decorative pattern to keep your little one safe from dangerous areas.
This is another one of the best safety gate for top of stairs because it is hardware mounted meaning it is secured enough to protect your little one. Of course, you can use it for any other spaces, including those wide openings (it is one of the best wide baby gate!).
The Summer Infant Retractable Gate is the best hardware mounted baby gate for parent who do not wish to have too much of their interior design affected, yet want peace of mind that adequate baby proofing is done to keep their little one safe. And if you pay a little extra for this kit, you get the best baby gate for top of stairs with banister!
Besides the stairs, sometimes you need to bar your little one from other areas as well and some common places are the kitchen and fire mantelpiece. If you have an open plan kitchen like the one shown in the picture above, you know you need those really wide baby gates to keep your little one out of it. Out of all the baby gates for wide openings that are available in the market, there is none wider than the Regalo Super Wide Gate and Play Yard.
Expandable to 192 inch with 8 removable and configurable panels, this is one wide baby gate that will fit into any space in your home including the doorway, hallway, transition spaces and stairways. You can configure it in any way you want, including a stand-alone play yard and even a free-standing barrier for hard-to-secure structures like the bottom of the stairs i.e baby gate for bottom of stairs with only one wall, baby gate for stairs with no wall and baby gate for open stairs.
The steel construction and wall-mounting hardware kit provided make it one of the best choice for top of stairs gate. In fact, the Regalo top of stairs gate is one of the most searched item in its category. Otherwise, it makes for one best freestanding baby gate that is easy to take down and it folds compactly for portability.
All in all, if you are looking for an extra wide top of stairs baby gate or just a baby gate for large opening, your best deal will be the Regalo Super Wide Gate and Play Yard, no doubt!
For those that fancy wooden baby gates for stairs over metal or plastic ones, the Evenflo Position and Lock Tall Pressure Mount Wood Gate is the best safety gate for stairs.
This is one of the best pressure baby gate that is easy to install with no tools required. It also fits the requirement of those looking for tall baby gates for stairs because this one here stands at 32" tall. And expendable from 31" to 50" wide, this is definitely one of those extra wide baby gates for stairs, or any other wide openings in the house.
Parents mostly like to use this baby gate to temporarily block off baby or pets from certain areas in the house because it is very easy to be moved around and install. Do note that it may not be the best baby gates for stairs with banisters because it uses rubber bumps, curved banisters may not provide sufficient surface for it to suck on.
Nonetheless, the Evenflo Position and Lock Tall Pressure Mount Wood Gate is ideal for most uses (except top of stairs) and is one of the best toddler gate because of its height. It is also comparatively cheaper than most baby gates so this is a great choice for those on a budget.
3. Tips For Choosing The Best Child Gates
Now that you know what are the best baby gates for stairs, let's look at what are the features to look for in order to choose which among the best baby safety gates is suitable for you.
1. Determine where do you need your baby gates
This is the first thing you should decide because it determines whether you need hardware-mounted or pressure-mounted baby gates. Places that you cannot miss include the top and bottom of stairs, the kitchen, the fireplace and the bathroom. Also, you will need to check if there's walls on both sides, or if you will need baby gates for stairs with banisters (like this best baby gate for banister here) because these will all determine the type of baby gates you get.
2. Measure Your Space
Next is to measure your space. It will dictate whether you need to look for child gates for wide openings or if a standard-sized one will do. Although most baby gates are extendable, you should not rely on it so measure the widest space you need and start from there.
3. Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) Certification
Always look for the JPMA logo because this ensures your baby gate is 100% safe. JPMA certified baby gates will be at least 22" tall and the gaps of the bars and between the floor and bottom of the gate are not too wide to that baby will get their hands stuck in between.
Have you gotten other safety gears as that of the following to ensure your baby's safety and security around the house?
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