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Quick Summary
The best baby gate is the Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate, according to testers on the What to Expect staff and in the What to Expect community. When choosing a baby gate, parents look for ones that are sturdy, easy to open and versatile to best suit their home.
Once your baby is mobile — be it speedy scooting, relentless rolling or curious crawling — it’s time to do some serious baby-proofing around the house to keep your little one safe, including putting up baby gates.
Not all baby gates are created equal, and there are several features to consider when shopping for the best baby gate for your home and family. Of course, safety should be your number one priority, as improperly installed or manufactured gates can hurt kids and parents. Luckily, there are many safe baby gates available for a variety of spaces in your home, whether for the top of the stairs or for blocking off your kitchen.
How we chose the best baby gates
Since there are many types of baby gates on the market — and they all seem quite similar at first — buying the right one can be difficult. To learn what features are more important when it comes to baby gates, we used guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). We also spoke to Laura Purdy, M.D., board-certified family medicine physician to learn what features are most important when it comes to baby gates. Based on their comments, we ensured that all products selected met the following criteria:
Safety features: There are two types of installation methods for baby gates: hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted gate. Although both options are safe, the only safe gate for the top of the stairs is a hardware-mounted gate because it’s screwed into the walls, according to the CPSC. Meanwhile, pressure-mounted gates operate like tension rods and are ideally suited for areas without any steps. You should also make sure openings are small enough that babies can’t get their heads or necks stuck, and that the gate itself is tall enough that baby can’t climb over the top. Dr. Purdy recommends baby gates be at least 22 inches tall, which we made sure was true of all the gates on our list.
Durability: When shopping for baby gates, look for those made of durable materials, such as metal, plastic or wood. “[Avoid] materials that rip and cause an opening or if the gate itself can be bent and pushed in,” says Dr. Purdy. Baby gates must also be able to withstand up to 45 pounds of push force. “Babies should be able to pull themselves up on the gate without it giving in,” says Dr. Purdy.
Ease of use: There are two types of baby gates — swing-through and step-over gates. Swing-through gates have a door that swings open to allow easy access when needed. Step-over gates are low enough for adults to climb over but still keep little ones outside of the designated space. There are also hybrid gates that function as both a swing-through and step-over. Be sure to look at whether or not the gate you choose can be operated with a single hand (both hands may be occupied when you’re ready to use the gate), and consider if you have older children who may need to be able to operate the gate’s opening mechanism easily as well.
Versatility: Some baby gates are more versatile than others. Pressure-mounted gates can be moved around easily because you don’t need to screw them in. Other baby gates are specifically labeled for both indoor and outdoor use, which is another consideration to think about if you know you have an outdoor area where the gate will be used.
Certifications: All gates on our list are certified by either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). ASTM certification means the gate has met the standards set forth by the CPSC. Meanwhile, JPMA certification means a baby gate has not only met CPSC standards but also meets additional rigorous safety standards set forth by JPMA.
Each of the baby gates on this list has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the What to Expect community members for this criteria.
Why Trust Us?
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Width:Fits openings 29 to 34 and 35 to 38.5 inches wide
Weight:10 pounds
Mount type:Pressure mounting with extension kit for optional hardware mounting
Certification: JPMA
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
With over 60,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Regalo Easy Stepis a parent-favorite pick that features just about everything you want in a baby gate — all at a relatively low price point. It’s also Dr. Purdy’s top baby gate pick because of its ease of use, adjustability and multiple safety lock features.
Made of steel, the Regalo Easy Step is sturdy and can conveniently be used as either a pressure- or hardware-mounted safety gate with the included extension kit. Just be sure to measure your hallway or staircase first: The gate can fit openings between 29 to 34 inches wide or 35 to 38.5 inches wide, but it annoyingly won’t fit an opening that measures between 34 and 35 inches, though most parents don’t seem to find this to be much of an issue. With multiple safety lock features, reviewers also note that it’s tough for little ones to break out. And, many say the lock is easy to maneuver with one hand, which means you can safely walk through while holding baby.
“It was easy to install, and my daughter has never come close to being able to open it,” says Karen Sly, What to Expect’s Director of Finance, about her almost 3-year-old. “Even if she knew what to do, I don't think she has the dexterity to open it.”
“I second the Regalo easy step gates. We have a Tri level house and put one at the top and bottom of the stairs for one staircase and at the bottom of the other since it has a door at the top. We install once baby is starting to get mobile.”
To fence off large openings in your home, Summer Infant’s pressure-mounted gate is extra-wide and can reach up to 60 inches wide, which parents say is perfect for open-concept homes with multiple living areas that need to be blocked off. It also includes a large door to walk through, unlike many other gates that tend to have narrow openings. Parents do say this model can be time-consuming to set up, so be sure to pay close attention to the directions and give yourself plenty of time to ensure everything is set up properly. Bonus points go to its two-toned design, which features your choice of New Zealand pine and slate-gray metal.
“I have this one that is steel & wood. Very sturdy parts but it needs a bracket holding it to the floor to keep it from bowing in the middle. Works great for a young child but a full size dog or toddler with more power .... wouldn't hold without small modification. Right now it is a lifesaver and cost a little more than the one you linked.”
If you have awkward spaces or narrow walkways to block off, EasyBaby’s retractable baby gate is a great alternative. It’s hardware-mounted to provide added security and can fit openings up to 55 inches wide, standing at a height of 33 inches. Because there’s no medium width and you won’t have to worry about space to open a door, you can put this gate just about anywhere (except for the top of your stairs because it’s not as sturdy as a traditional hardware-mounted gate).
Operating this gate is simple, although some parents note needing two hands to operate it. To open, push and turn clockwise to unlock, then grasp the handle and hook it onto the catches.
Width: Fits openings between 30 and 48 inches wide
Weight: 6.5 pounds
Mount type: Hardware
Certifications:JPMA
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
As far as basic and affordable baby gates go, this pick from Evenflo checks all the boxes. It stands a full 32 inches tall, providing plenty of height to keep your baby contained. The width can expand to accommodate openings from 30 to 48 inches wide. Parents say they enjoy the one-hand latch design because it’s simple and quick to operate. Since this gate is meant to sit completely flush with the floor, it’s also ideal for preventing trip hazards, unlike some gates that have a bar on the bottom when you step through. The gate’s door opens in both directions, and with hardware mounting, you can feel confident that the gate’s attachment to your walls stays secure anywhere you need to put it.
Width: Fits openings between 32 and 48 inches wide
Weight:12.8 pounds
Mount type:Hardware
Certifications: JPMA
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
Although you can use most hardware-mounted options for your stairs, this versatile option can be used against banisters on one or both sides — making it ideal for lots of different kinds of home setups. Once installed, the gate swings open with one hand by squeezing the lock at the top (but note that it doesn’t automatically close or lock). Parents say they appreciated the aesthetically-pleasing wooden look as well as the lack of a bottom bar so they don’t stub their toes. Many were also surprised by how easy it was to install, but some wish the lock was easier to operate because you have to manually slide the gate in and out from the latch.
Width:Fits openings between 26.5 and 42 inches wide
Weight: 1 pound
Mount type:Pressure
Certification:JPMA
Why We Love It
If you need a gate to bring on vacation or for a sleepover at the grandparents’ house, this North States Toddleroo baby gate can be easily broken down and carried due to its lightweight design. Then, when you’ve reached your destination, parents say it’s quick and straightforward to assemble. What’s more, it includes a quick-fit system that makes it easy to adjust the gate to the open space and remove it when it’s time to go. Though you might be hesitant about the gate’s strength due to how light it is, you can rest assured that this JPMA-certified gate can withstand the force of your baby.
Our Research
We spoke to Laura Purdy, M.D., board-certified family medicine physician in Nashville, Tennessee.
We also spoke to Karen Sly, Director of Finance, and parent of a 6-year-old and 3-year-old.
Finally, we canvassed What to Expect’s community boards to learn which baby gates parents liked best.
FAQs
Do I need a baby gate?
Once your baby is mobile, you’ll need a baby gate to block off any potentially hazardous areas of your home that they could otherwise easily access. Stairwells should be blocked with a hardware-mounted gate at the top and either a hardware-mounted or pressure-mounted gate at the bottom. You should also use gates to block off your kitchen and any rooms with a fireplace.
What baby gate is best for the top of the stairs?
Always use a hardware-mounted gate at the top of the stairs. “In general, pressure-mounted baby gates should not be used to block off the top of stairs because a baby could push up against it causing the gate to push in,” Dr. Purdy says.
What age do babies need a gate until?
Baby gates are typically intended for use when your child is between 6 months and 2 years. Dr. Purdy suggests following your gate manufacturer's age recommendation as listed on the packaging. Once your child is tall enough to climb over or can open the gate, it’s time to take the gate down.