The 7 Best Baby Gates To Keep Active Babies And Toddlers Safe
The best baby gates are sturdy enough to help keep little ones safe. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
Even if your baby isn't quite mobile yet, you'll need a baby gate before you know it. 'Install baby gates before your child becomes mobile, typically around six months or when they start crawling,' says pediatrician Daniel Ganjian. 'This allows you and your child to get accustomed to their presence and use.' To help you find the right option that fits seamlessly in your home, I selected the top seven baby gates, including options that are safe for the top of the stairs and picks that will blend into your home's decor.
Amazon Cardinal Gates SS30 Stairway Special Baby Gate
In my experience testing various baby gates in my home, hardware-mounted gates are the best option whenever they're feasible as they're the most sturdy, this also makes them easier to install on stairs. The Cardinal Gates SS30 Stairway Special Baby Gate is a versatile option that can expand from 27 to 42.5 inches, can be installed at a 30-degree angle and can open from either side. It also has a stop bracket to prevent it from swinging over the stairs, which is handy if want to install it at the top of a staircase.
The gate is made of aluminum and available in black or white. Ganjian recommends this model for its solid build and the fact that it can be installed on stairs. As an added convenience, the entire gate swings open, meaning you won't have to step over a bar to get through the gate.
Amazon Regalo 2-In-1 Extra Tall Baby Gate
Regalo is one of my favorite baby gate brands—I have several of their gates in my home. They've proven to be incredibly durable and reliable, and the latch has held up after years of use (unlike some other brands). Ganjian also recommends this brand.
The 2-in-1 Extra Tall Baby Gate is hardware-mounted, making it especially secure and ideal for stairways. Its extra height offers added peace of mind, particularly if you're using it to keep larger pets separated from your child who may be able to jump high. Made from alloy steel, the gate comes in white or black and fits doorways between 24 and 40.5 inches wide. It also features a no-step-over design, eliminating the bottom bar. I've found the latch easy to operate one-handed, and it's held up well under heavy use.
Amazon Cumbor Retractable Baby Gate
Though not quite as sturdy as a hardware-mounted gate, retractable gates are ideal when you frequently need to have the area fully open, like when you're only occasionally using the gate to contain your baby in the living room. The mesh gate secures at the top and bottom, making it difficult for a baby to squeeze past it.
Many retractable gates aren't designed for installation with a baseboard, but this option takes baseboards into account so you can install the gate into the wall while still keeping the bottom of the gate close enough to the ground to prevent your child from slipping under it. It fits doorways up to 55 inches wide, and it's available in black, gray or white.
Amazon Munchkin Loft Baby Gate
When shopping for a stair gate, you definitely want a hardware-mounted gate that doesn't have a bar across the bottom, which could present a major tripping hazard. 'If the gate swings, ensure that at the top of stairs, it swings away from the stairs (towards the landing), not out over the stairs, to prevent falls,' says Ganjian. The Munchkin Loft Baby Gate can swing open in both directions, so you can ensure a safe installation. It also has a sleek modern design that many people might prefer over the typical white or black baby gate.
It's designed for doorways between 26.5 and 40 inches nad the handle is easy for adults to open with one hand. Another great feature is a quick-release wall mount, which allows you to remove the gate if you need the space to be completely clear. Many other hardware-mounted gates can only be removed by completely un-installing the gate with tools.
Amazon Regalo 194-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate
Your options are somewhat limited when you need to gate off a wide doorway or area, but luckily, the Regalo 194-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate can expand up to 194 inches. It can also be configured to use as a playpen for your baby. Since the metal gate is so wide and versatile, it can also be used for angled openings or odd configurations.
Even though this gate can be installed as a hardware or pressure-mounted gate, it's best not to use it at the top of the stairs due to the lower bar. You should note there's a bar that goes across the opening, which can present a tripping hazard when adults walk through it and although the gate is easier to open with two hands, it is possible to open it with one hand. You can choose between two color options: black or white.
Amazon Toddleroo By North States Deluxe Décor Safety Gate
As someone with uneven walls at the top of my staircase, I know how difficult it can be to find a good baby gate that works for awkward spaces. The Toddleroo by North States Deluxe Décor Safety Gate is extra wide, covering openings of up to 72 inches, and it doesn't have to be installed straight across like many other baby gates do. The gate can be mounted to both straight or angled walls, making it ideal for covering fireplaces and other oddly shaped areas.
The Toddleroo brand is also recommended by Ganjain. This specific gate is hardware-mounted, so you can be sure it's sturdy, and it's easy for adults to open it with one hand. However, it does have a bar across the opening, so you'll need to be careful not to trip when you walk through it. The metal gate is available in matte bronze or warm white, and if you need it slightly wider, you can purchase a 15-inch extender.
Amazon Summer Infant Multi-Use Decorative Extra Tall Baby Gate
Summer Infant is another brand recommended by Dr. Ganjian. This particular gate is not only extra tall but also more decorative than many of the more utilitarian options, and it's available in black, bronze, espresso, and white. It fits doorways from 28.5 to 48 inches wide and stands 36 inches tall.
The gate can be pressure- or hardware-mounted. However, it includes a bottom bar when the door is open, making it not the best fit to use at the top of stairs. Once installed, the door swings in both directions. It features a one-handed latch that's easy for parents to operate but difficult for children to open. The brand notes that while the gate fits a wide range of openings, it cannot accommodate widths of 32 to 32.5 inches, 36 to 36.5 inches, and 40 to 40.5 inches.
At Forbes Vetted, the baby and kids gear team regularly tests and researches the best baby and toddler products. We frequently publish a wide range of guides, including the best toys for 1-year-olds and the best toddler car seats . Alicia Betz , the author of this article, is a mom to three and experienced product tester and parenting journalist. She recently tested nearly a dozen baby gates.
, the author of this article, is a mom to three and experienced product tester and parenting journalist. She recently tested nearly a dozen baby gates. Esther Carlstone , the editor of this article, is also a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist and editor. She frequently tests and reports on the best baby gear and has personally used several of the baby gates on this list.
, the editor of this article, is also a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist and editor. She frequently tests and reports on the best baby gear and has personally used several of the baby gates on this list. I interviewed Daniel Ganjian , a board certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
To select the best baby gates, I considered my experience testing nearly a dozen baby gates, interviewing experts and conducting extensive product research. I've used a variety of baby gates and baby gate brands over the years, which has helped me see which brands tend to be more sturdy than others. I've used some of the gates on this list and purposely left off others that haven't performed well.
Baby gates can be difficult to install, so I considered the ease of installation and paid close attention to any reviews that consistently mentioned a difficult installation. Every gate on our list has earned at least four out of five stars on Amazon.
Ganjian provided information on what helps make a baby gate safe, and he also recommended a number of baby gate brands. I used this information to help inform my picks.
I aimed to include a variety of types of gates to appeal to a wide audience, including more decorative options, various installation options and picks at various prices.
I compared the features and specs of various gates, including the latch styles, the mount style and the color options.
One of the most important things to consider is where you'll be placing your baby gate. Gates that aren't sturdy enough, particularly at the top of the stairs, can be a major safety concern. 'Hardware-mounted gates are essential for the top of stairs as they are securely bolted to the wall or door frame and cannot be pushed over,' says Ganjian.
In other locations, pressure-mounted and retractable gates can work, but be aware that kids or pets can knock these types of gates over if they push hard enough. Make sure the gate is wide enough to fit across the desired opening. Additionally, Ganjian recommends choosing sturdy materials like wood, metal or durable plastic. Age Recommendation
Surprisingly, most baby gates are only designed for children under two. Once kids reach that age, kids may begin to be able to climb over the gate, and they may also be strong enough to push through the gate. At this point, the gate itself might become more dangerous than what you are gating off. 'Once a child can open the gate or climb over it, it's time to remove it to prevent injury,' says Ganjian. Appropriate Slat Spacing
'For gates with vertical slats or rods, ensure the gaps are no more than 2⅜ inches (6 centimeters) apart to prevent a child's head from getting trapped,' says Ganjian. He also recommends avoiding the older "accordion style' gates with diamond or v-shaped openings because these are a strangulation hazard. Height
The gate should be high enough to prevent your child from getting over the top. 'The gate should be at least three-quarters of your child's height, and a minimum of 23 inches high, to prevent them from climbing over,' says Ganjian. If you have a dog that you are trying to keep separated from your child, consider an extra tall gate.
Additionally, when installing the gate, leave no more than one to two inches between the bottom of the gate and the floor. This prevents your child from being able to slide underneath the gate. Ease Of Use
Often, when you're opening and closing a baby gate, you're doing it with one hand. Look for a latch that's easy enough for adults to use while still being too difficult for toddlers to figure out. Also consider the bottom of the gate—some have bars at the bottom that you'll need to step over every time you walk through. If you're concerned about tripping over this bar, look for a hardware-mounted gate that swings completely open.
What Is The Best Baby Gate Brand?
Our top pick for the best baby gate is the Cardinal Gates SS30 Stairway Special Baby Gate. The brand is known for its sturdy gates that are suitable for the top of the stairs. Other reputable baby gate brands include Regalo, Cumbor, Toddleroo and more.
Which Type Of Baby Gate Is best?
The best type of baby gate is safe and solid, so I prefer a hardware-mounted gate without a bottom bar that parents could trip over. This provides the most secure fit and minimizes the risk of tripping and falling over the gate.
Do You Really Need A Baby Gate?
Most people need a baby gate to protect their baby or toddler. Typically, parents use them to keep kids off of stairs, fireplaces and other dangerous areas. They're also useful to keep kids out of rooms with antiques, collectibles or other items that you don't want them to play with or accidentally break.
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