A full security system may be the peace of mind you and your loved ones need
Compare Baby Gates
Installation | Hardware mount | Hardware mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount | Hardware mount | Hardware mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount | Pressure or hardware mount | Hardware mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount | Pressure mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gate height | 32 in. | 30 in. | 29.5 in. | 36 in. | 32 in. | 28 in. | 29 in. | 27 in. | 29.5 in. | 31 in. | 32 in. | 29.5 in. | 30 in. | 28 in. | 32 in. |
Gate width | 24 in. -60 in. | 144 in. | 28 in. - 32 in. | 29 in. - 47 in. | 30 in. - 48 in. | 192 in. | 28 in. - 38.5 in. | 38 in. - 60 in. | 29.5 in - 40.5 in. | 29.5 in. - 40.6 in. | 40 in. - 48 in. | 29.5 in. - 35 in. | 29 in. - 34 in. or 35 in. - 38.5 in. | 29 in. - 38 in. | 36 in. - 60 in. |
Lock type | One-hand latch | Double lock | Double lock | One-hand with safety indicator | One-hand grip handle | One-touch release lever | One-hand triple lock | No lock | Dual-locking, optional base lock | Double lock with safety release | Single hand | Dual locking handle | One-touch release | Magnetic latch | One-hand lock |
Auto close | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Material | Plastic, wood | Metal | Steel | Metal | Wood | Steel | Metal | Metal, cloth | Wood, metal | Steel | Wood, metal | Metal | Steel | Metal | Wood, metal |
Placement | Living rooms, widea reas | In between rooms, wide areas | Top of stairs, wide openings | Doorways, hallways, staircases | Doorways, hallways, staircases | Doorways, hallways, staircases | In-between rooms, bottom of stairs | Wide openings | Doorways, staircases | Doorways, hallways, staircases | Doorways, staircases | In-between rooms, staircases | Doorways, hallways, staircases | Doorways, hallways, staircases | Doorways |
Top 15 Baby Gates
Our take
The Evenflo baby gate is designed for babies between 6 and 12 months old. It includes a gate door that swings in both directions to easily walk through. The baby gate is made with a latch that opens and secures the gate closed with one hand. It can be extended to a range of widths to fit almost anywhere in your home. This baby gate is not recommended for use at the top of the stairs.
Stand-out features include
- 32-inches tall and can be extended between 24 and 60-inches wide
- Made with strong plastic and wood
- Includes a plastic telescopic rail to prevent accidental pinches
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
Our take
The North States 3-in-1 wooden baby gate can be used as a play yard, baby gate or fireplace barrier. It includes a childproof double-locking system to prevent your baby from easily opening. The baby gate is easy to install, even on angled walls. It includes rubber bases on each panel for a sturdy baby gate without slipping or scratching floors.
Stand-out features include
- 30-inches tall and can be extended up to 12-feet wide
- Designed to easily use on carpet, tile, or hardwood flooring
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
Our Take
The Dreambaby Chelsea is a safe baby gate for stairs. It includes an EZY Check Indicator that will automatically show a red light if the gate is not properly closed. The baby gate also includes a double locking feature that locks at the top and bottom of the gate to protect your baby. It also includes a Stay-Open feature to keep the gate open for easy pass through when cleaning or using two rooms. It’s easy to open using a one-hand latch button to slide the gate door open.
Stand-out features include
- 29-inches tall and can be extended up to 188-inches wide
- Made with steel
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Pressure-mounted baby gate
Our take
The Safety 1st Decor Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate is JPMA certified, making it a trusted product for parents to use. One of the notable features of this baby gate is the modern design and neutral color, making it easier to blend in your home. An extra wide and tall design also allows for this gate to be installed in wider passageways of your home.
Stand-out features include
- Certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
- Has a SecureTech pressure indicator for baby’s safety
- Extra wide and tall design
Our take
The Summer Deluxe Wooden Baby Gate has a stylish design and oak finish. Made for your doorway, hallway, or stairway, this baby gate has a swing-stop mechanism so that the gate won’t open to swing over if used in your stairwell. The Summer Deluxe Wooden Baby Gate is made to be hard-mounted in your home.
Stand-out features include
- Swing-stop mechanism for stairwells
- Versatile to be used in hallways and doorways
- Can fit openings between 30 inches and 48 inches wide
Baby Gate Safety Tips
- Never climb over the baby gate. Although it may seem easier to climb over the gate, you run the risk of falling or your foot getting stuck in one of the gate’s slats. And remember that your baby watches every move you make. Climbing over the gate may encourage them to try to do the same.
- Always keep your baby gate closed securely. Your baby gate is designed to keep your little one out of harm’s way. Leaving the gate’s door propped open increases the risk of your baby reaching dangerous items and household items. According to a 2017 CDC report, “unintentional injuries are a leading” cause of death in children ages 1-4. To reduce the risk of leaving the door open, consider a baby gate that closes automatically after each use.
- Assemble the baby gate correctly. Remember to refer to your manufacturer’s manual to properly install the baby gate. All baby gates are not made the same. If it includes a mount, remember to use the included tools and brackets for a safe set-up. Lastly, always know where you should and should install the baby gate for your baby’s safety.
- Use two baby gates with stairways. If you have stairs, remember to put a baby gate at both the top and bottom of the stairs. Any baby gate at the top of the stairs should be hardware mounted for secure placement. Pressure mounted baby gates can be installed at the bottom of the staircase.
Installing a baby gate is the first step to baby proofing your home so it’s safe for your little one. Remember to always keep your home’s design in mind before buying a baby gate. You’ll want to install the right one in the right place to keep your baby safe. Start by browsing our top picks, then check out a full list of Amazon’s best selling baby gates to see which ones parents recommend most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Gates
Parents should install baby gates once their babies reach six months, or before your little one starts crawling. They should stay installed until the child is at least two years old to keep your baby away from hazardous areas and items in your home. If you have stairs in your home, you may want to consider installing gates at the top of the staircase even earlier.
Baby gates are used to keep your baby away from hazardous items and areas in your home. They’re often placed in front of fireplaces, the bottom and top of stairways and in between rooms. The best baby gates are designed for multi-use to be structured as a play yard or barrier. Baby gates are made of sturdy materials such as wood or metal to avoid your toddler easily opening the gate or moving it.
If you’re installing a baby gate at the top of your staircase, you’ll want to make sure it’s installed securely. The best baby gates for stairs are hardware mounted using brackets and screws to install into the wall. You’ll also want to make sure the baby gate door does not extend to the steps for your safety. Some of the best baby gates include a door stopper to stop the gate from swinging open over the stairs.
Start by measuring the width of where the baby gate will be installed. If you’re looking to buy a baby gate for stairs, you’ll want to measure from wall to wall to make sure it fits. The same goes for doorways or walls – measure from wall to wall for the right fit.