When you have a baby, his/her safety is your No.1 Priority. No arguments about that, period.
And when it comes to safeguarding baby, the one thing that comes into play is - the Baby Gate.
It is essential, there's no escaping from getting one when it comes to baby proofing your home. You may live in a single-storey house but nope, that does not mean you're exempted from getting it.
You see, there are other areas in the house that should be kept barred from a curious baby besides the stairs. The kitchen and bathroom are two examples, of course, the fire mantelpiece too if you've got one.
Types of Baby Gates
Baby gates come in different materials. To name a few, plastic, metal and wooden baby gates are some of the most common ones you'd see.
Having said that, we can categorise baby gates into 2 different types - wall / hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted.
Hardware-Mounted Baby Gate
These are securely attached into the framing of the walls and yes, they do require drilling of holes. Mostly secured by screws and brackets, they are comparatively the more secure option.
Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate
Using a tension concept where pressure is created between the two walls/frames where the gate is squeezed into, this type does not require any drilling. Rather, rubber pieces are present on both sides to help secure the gate in place.
The Best Baby Gates for Different Purposes
Whichever type you go for, finding the best baby gate for doorways and stairs are not that simple.
The following are some of the best we can find on the market - they are of different materials and type so should fit the different purposes you're after.
Best Top of Stairs Baby Gate
While any hardware-mounted baby gates are suitable, we found two particular excellent choices that we want to recommend. In no particular order, they are:
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 33"
Width: 32" - 48"
First of all, it is the solid hardwood (in honey oak finish) that makes the Summer Banister and Stairs stood out to us. It has this very sturdy quality that gives one plenty of assurance in terms of security and stability. In particular, we like how it comes with a dual installation kit that accommodates banister-to-banister installation, single banister installation as well as doorways. Standing 33" tall, it makes for the best safety gates for top of stairs for toddlers. We have no qualms recommending this as the best gate for top of stairs!
Munchkin Loft Hardware Mounted Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 30.5"
Width: 26.5" - 40"
If wood is not one for you, this Munchkin here will be the best stair gate option for top of the stairs. It is in this sleek, modern aluminium styling and while it is not as wide and tall as the Summer above, it fits standard-sized stairways no problem. We especially like how it has this Integrated Tuning System that adjusts for a perfect vertical fit even when the walls are not level, so that is one major plus point. Adding to that is an Indexed Sizing System, where pre-set index positions are provided so it allows for quick and easy width adjustments. Very helpful and we cannot recommend it enough!
Best Baby Gate for Bottom of Stairs
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 29.5"
Width: 26.5" - 40.5"
Family-owned with close to 30 years of experience in the industry, this is the only aluminium gates manufacturer on the market. The reason we chose the Cardinal Gate as the best baby gate for bottom of stairs is because it has this auto-lock feature that has a patented latch allowing rapid pass through in either direction. Given the bottom of stairs is an enticing prospect for any new crawler/walker, having the door close automatically simply by swinging the gate shut is a comforting thought.
Best Baby Gate for Stairs with Banisters
Regalo 2-in-1 Stairway & Hallway Wall Mounted Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mounted
Height: 30.5"
Width: 29" - 43"
For those with banisters, this is the best baby gates for stairs with banisters. It comes with both square and round banister adapters as well as corner protectors and wall spacers so it will fit banister stairs of all kinds. Hardware-mounted, it makes for the best baby gate for top of stairs with banister. Extra wide and with such height, it is the best stair gates for toddlers to keep them away.
The Stair Barrier Banister to Wall Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mounted, Retractable
Height: tbc
Width: 43" - 52"
What about if you need a baby gate for stairs with banister and wall on each side? We highly recommend this one from The Stair Barrier. Made in the USA, it is a custom wall to banister gate that requires minimal drilling on the wall side. Not just a baby gate for top of stairs with banister and wall, it is suitable if you're after a baby gate for bottom of stairs with only one wall as well. Best gate for bottom of stairs in fact if you want something aesthetically pleasing and flexible.
Best Hardware-Mounted Baby Gate for Doorways
Toddleroo by North States Wide Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 31"
Width: 28.68" - 47.85"
There are many reasons why we think this is the best hardware mounted baby gate for doorways. For firsts, it is wider than the standard so even if you have a wider opening, this will fit without needing extensions. Secondly, it is equipped with one-hand operation where it swings closed and locks with a gentle push. We especially like how there is no threshold so there is no risk of tripping. Given how it is hardware-mounted, it is also a good baby gate for stairs if need - the gate will not swing over stairs.
[Also available in taller (36") version here]
Best Pressure Mounted Baby Gate
North States Toddleroo Wide Easy Close Baby Gate
Type: Pressure mount
Height: 29"
Width: 28" - 38.5"
It is not the best gate for top of stairs, as a matter of fact, it is a no-go for stairs. Nevertheless, pressure mounted baby gates are suitable for anywhere else in the house basically. These ones from North States is one of the best pressure baby gate we'd highly recommend. Easy to install with no tools required, we like how it shuts firmly yet easily with one simple push and has a triple locking system for peace of mind.
[Also a big fan of this - automatic closing door, readjustment indicator]
Best Baby Gate for Irregular Spaces
Summer Infant Custom Fit Walk-Thru Extra Wide Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 30"
Width: 65" - 87" (141" with 3 panels)
Now this baby gate will make for a great option for the extra wide doorways and spaces too besides the above. What we LOVE about the Summer Custom Fit though, is that it is 100% configurable to odd shaped spaces and wide openings. However you decide to customize it, the simple, one-handed walk-thru door allows you to move easily from room to room for ultimate convenience. Designed with a stylish grey mesh, you can create a free standing playard with these too.
Best Baby Gate for Fireplace
Toddleroo by North States 3 in 1 Metal Superyard
Type: Hardware mount; Freestanding
Height: 30"
Width: 144"
For those with a fireplace at home, while any baby gate will do, you'd want a pretty wide option under usual circumstances. This one here is the perfect fireplace baby gate with its multi-panel option. You can set it up either as a freestanding barrier or a hardware-mounted metal gate. There is a built-in self-closing door panel and you can add or remove panels as needed when the space calls for it. A close to perfect rating score with over 4,000 reviews, you can't go wrong with this one.
[Also available in Wooden version here]
Best Rectractable Baby Gate
EasyBaby Retractable Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 33"
Width: 55"
Looking for the best retractable stair gate that fully retracts and gets out of the way when you don't need it? To be honest, there are plenty of great options out there but we feel this one here takes the cake. It is one of the cheapest (under $50!) and extends the widest so if you have a wide opening, know that this is another best wide baby gate options for you. Suitable anywhere both inside and outside the house, it is secured enough to be the best safety gate for top of stairs too.
Best Tall Baby Gate
Summer Multi-Use Decorative Extra-Tall Walk-Thru Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount AND Pressure mount (optional)
Height: 36"
Width: 28.5" - 48"
When most baby gates stand at 30", this one here stands tall and proud at 36". The perfect height to make as one best stair gates for toddlers, the dream for parents who do not want to bend down as much when opening and closing. We love how you get to choose between pressure or hardware mounting, which means you get both the best stair gate for top stairs as well as the best baby fence for doorways, whichever way you like.
Best Extra Wide Baby Gate for Wide Opening
Regalo 56-inch Extra WideSpan Walk Through Baby Gate
Type: Pressure mount or Hardware mount (optional)
Height: 30"
Width: 29" - 56"
We have got the extra tall gate covered, let's now look at the extra wide options. For those who have a particular wide opening/doorway or are looking for extra wide baby gates for stairs, this one from Regalo is the best wide baby gate for you. Expandable up to 56", that's a lot of doorway coverage. Just like the Summer Multi-Use above, this one here is also both pressure mount and hardware mount compatible. Because of that, you can easily use it either an extra wide top of stairs baby gate or just a baby gate for large opening.
Best Tall and Wide Baby Gate
Munchkin Extending XL Tall and Wide Baby Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 36"
Width: 33" - 56"
So we've got the extra tall and extra wide - what about a tall AND wide baby gate? This Munchkin baby gate is it - the perfect combination of Summer Multi-Use's 36" height, and Regalo's 56" width. Great for use at the top or bottom of stairs, hallways and doorways, we especially love how its integrated tilting hinge mechanism has this unique structure which places less stress on walls. It's still very secure don't worry, just that your wall is better protected this way (scroll down to see our tips on how to truly protect your walls and posts).
Best 2-in-1 Super Wide Baby Gate
Regalo Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate & Play Yard
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 28"
Width: 192"
We need to mention this 2-in-1 extra wide baby gate 2-in-1 model from Regalo. At 192", they are probably the widest baby gates for wide openings you can find on the market. In fact, "Regalo top of stairs gate" is one of the most searched term for "really wide baby gates". It's not just a gate, you can configure it into a stand-alone play yard or even a free-standing barrier for hard-to-secure structures. I.e baby gate for bottom of stairs with only one wall, baby gate for stairs with no wall or baby gate for open stairs. One best freestanding baby gate, it is easy to take down and folds compactly for portability.
Best Wooden Baby Gate
Summer Infant Deluxe Stairway Wood Gate
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 32"
Width: 30" - 48"
For those that fancy wooden baby gates for stairs over their metal/plastic counterparts, this one here will be perfect. Made of solid oak with a golden cherry finish, it is slightly taller than the standard ones so it makes for one best toddler gate that goes beyond the baby years. Featuring a removable swing stop mechanism that stops it from swinging over stairs, we'd say this is one of the best safety gate for stairs.
Best Mesh Baby Gate
Retract-A-Gate by Smart Retract
Type: Hardware mount
Height: 72"
Width: 34"
The market is not short of mesh baby gates. When it comes to the very best (and original) though, it has to be these award-winning, patented Retract-A-Gate by Smart Retract. 100% made in USA composed of environmentally friendly and safe materials, it tucks away when you don't need it and lets you see through the other side when it's up. Certified for both indoors and outdoors use, it sustains up to 200 pounds of push out force and can be installed at any angle. Staircase, hallway, patio... you name it.
Best Transparent Baby Gate
Qdos Crystal Designer Baby Safety Gate
Type: Pressure mount
Height: 30.3"
Width: 29.9" - 37.8" (48.8" with extensions)
If mesh is still not quite that aesthetically-pleasing for you, the Qdos is your answer. Taking baby safety gate design to a whole new level, the contemporary look of this clear, see-through acrylic baby gate will complement (instead of take away) the aesthetics of your home decor. Rest assured safety is not compromised by beauty - this gate meets even the more stringent and tougher European Safety Standards besides the usual US and Canadian standards.
When Should You Install A Baby Gate?
So, baby gates are designed to section off spaces/rooms that are deemed too dangerous for babies and toddlers to get into.
If statistics are anything to go by, know that there are at least 3 million of children unintentional household injury every year (burns, falls, poisonings etc.).
Naturally, one should start installing gates when baby becomes mobile i.e. when s/he starts crawling. Which is around the 6-month benchmark, as that is when baby will soon be on the move and ready to explore.
Of course, every baby is different thus developing at different rate. If yours is on the go sooner, you will want to start looking for the best baby gates earlier.
Keep in mind that some children may be able to open and close baby gates at the age of 2, so a gate will pretty much be redundant by then. Most parents go gate-less at this point anyway, so all is good.
Protecting Your Walls and Doorways from Baby Gates
While your child's protection is your first priority, it doesn't mean your walls/doorways (the aesthetics of them) have to be sacrificed along the way.
If you have used a pressure gate before, you will know the extent of damage these pressure-mounted spindles cause on the walls/baseboards .
It no doubt causes an eyesore (that is saying it mildly) and we're sure nobody wants that on their walls or doorways, if given a choice.
Which is why we highly recommend getting wall protectors as well when you're buying your baby gates. Not only do they prevent damage to the walls/doorways, they help stabilize your baby gate and prevent it from slipping and falling down.
Do you know that wall protectors increase a gate's withholding pressure up to 3-4x more than without?
Here are a few of our favourites:
Why We Love It:
- Only one in the market that works on bottom spindles
- Sit flush to the ground - no gap between floor and gate
- Extremely versatile
- Easy to install without any tools/accessories
- Made in USA
Why We Love It:
- Smallest low-profile protector on the market
- Only one in the market that works on bottom spindles
- No gap
- Extremely versatile
- No tools required
- Made in USA
Why We Love It:
- Fits for all pressure gates
- No tools required for installation
- Fills the little space that cannot be done with extensions
- Fits baseboard, doorways, bottom of stairs
Certain wall protectors double as an extension kit for your baby gate. If your baby gate is not quite at the right length, a wall protector like the following will give you that extra few inches in length for a secure instalment:
Why We Love It:
- Adds 4 inches in length to baby gates
- Can fit almost anywhere
- Keep walls damage free
- Stabilize gate
- Easy to install
- Made in USA
If you have banisters instead of walls on both sides, you can protect them too by getting one of these:
Similarly, they require no drilling whatsoever so you won't have to put screws into your post. The difference is that Safety Innovations employ solid clamps with metal bolts, whereas Summer Banister uses plastic straps.
The former is used by professional childproofers everywhere so rest assured the quality is guaranteed. For a cheaper option, the latter is ideal. Both are suitable for posts either square or round at the top.
So there you have it, some very useful accessories/tools to have to protect your walls and banister posts. No drilling, no unsightly holes to fill up after removing your baby gates.
Tips For Choosing The Best Child Gates
Now that you know what are the best baby gates for stairs, doorways and the rest, let's look at what are some very important features to look out for so that you can choose the best baby safety gates for yourself.
1. Determine where you need your baby gates
This is the very first thing you should think about. It will direct your selection to 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 are walls on both sides or if you are dealing with baby gates for stairs with banisters. Al these will determine the type of baby gates you get.
2. Measure Your Space
Next up, don't forget 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.
FYI, the average door height is 6'8" while doorways are around 32" wide. Although most baby gates are extendable, you should not rely on it. So measure away.
One tip: start from the widest space you need.
3. Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) Certification
Last but not least, 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 has gaps of bars between the floor and bottom of the gate that are not too wide. This ensures baby will not get their hands stuck in between.
Conclusion
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 ... 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*). So baby proof away, and get the best child safety gate for your home here.
