By standard, baby gates must be at least 22-inches tall. To reduce the risk of your baby climbing over the gate, you’ll want to buy one at least your child’s height. Once your child is about two years old or three feet tall, you’ll likely no longer need a baby gate. But, in the meantime, you’ll want to make sure the gate isn’t easy for your child to hop over and risk falling.
Best Baby Gate for Stairways
- Locks securely using the double-locking feature at the top and bottom of the baby gate
- Approved to be used at the top of stairways
- Includes a light indicator to know if the baby gate door is closed securely
Best Walk Thru Baby Gate
- Gate door swings open in both directions
- Includes plastic telescopic rail to prevent accidental pinches
- Easily retractable to fit in small spaces
Best Converting Baby Gate
- 4-in-1 baby gate that can be assembled as a play yard, fireplace barrier, a stairway barrier or a standard baby gate
- Extends up to 16 feet
- 90-day warranty
5 Best Baby Gates of 2019
- Dreambaby Auto Close Gate – Best Baby Gate for Stairways
- Evenflo Expansion Baby Gate – Best Walk Thru Gate
- Regalo Adjustable Baby Gate – Best Converting Baby Gate
- North States Easy-Close Baby Gate – Best Locking System
- North States Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate – Best Gate for Large Spaces
Compare Top Baby Gates
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 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 Regalo baby gate is designed for babies between 6 and 24 months old. It’s a 4-in-1 baby gate that can be used as a play yard, fireplace barrier, a stairway barrier or a standard baby gate. It’s compact and easy to install anywhere to protect your baby, even when traveling. It’s designed without toxic chemicals and powders to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials’ standards.
Stand-out features include
- 32-inches tall and can be extended up to 192-inches wide
- Made with sturdy steel and is PVC-free
- 90-day warranty
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
4. North States Easy-Close Baby Gate
Our take
The North State’s baby gate is easy to install and extend to fit many home spaces. It includes tension pads to avoid the baby gate damaging your wall and tension knobs to hold it in place. The baby gate is easy to open and close with one hand. It includes a Hold Open feature to keep the gate open and easily walk through without always opening and closing.
Stand-out features include
- 29-inches tall and includes 2 extensions between 28 and 38.5-inches wide
- Made with high-quality steel to be sturdy
- Includes a double-locking system to securely close the baby gate
- Pressure-mounted baby gate
5. North States Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate
Our take
This North States baby gate is an Easy Swing & Lock Gate is a safe baby gate for stairs. It can be easily opened and closed securely with one hand. The gate automatically locks once closing so you’ll never have to wonder if you left it open. It’s designed with a bronze finish to be decorative and safe. This gate is wider than most standard baby gates to fit wider spaces such as the kitchen. It’s also easy to install at the top of the stairs with all included tools and materials.
Stand-out features include
- 31-inches tall and can be extended up to 47.85-inches wide
- Made with steel metal
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
6. Evenflo Soft and Wide Baby Gate
Our take
This Evenflo baby gate is the perfect traveling, lightweight baby gate. It’s made with cloth and sturdy metal to keep your baby safe from potential home dangers. The gate is also designed to withstand your baby pulling or pushing on the baby gate. It’s easy to install without tools and includes rubber bumpers to avoid the baby gate damaging walls over time.
Stand-out features include
- 27-inches tall and can be extended between 38 and 60-inches wide
- Made with metal and cloth
- 90-day warranty
- Pressure-mounted baby gate
7. Munchkin Auto Close Baby Gate
Our take
The Munchkin Auto-Close Modern Baby Gate is a safe baby gate for stairs. It’s designed for babies between 6 and 24 months old. The gate automatically closes firmly so you’ll never have to wonder if you left it open. It includes a double-locking handle to securely close the baby gate. It can easily be installed with wall-cup mounts to secure the baby gate to your wall or by applying pressure.
Stand-out features include
- 29.5-inches tall and can be extended up to 54-inches wide
- Made with sturdy metal and wood
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Pressure-mounted baby gate with included hardware mounting kit
8. North States 3-in-1 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
- Made with wood
- Designed to easily use on carpet, tile, or hardwood flooring
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
9. Cumbor Auto Close Safety Baby Gate
Our take
This Cumbor baby gate is made with a childproof safety lock that’s easy for parents to open. The gate door automatically closes firmly so you’ll never have to wonder if you left it open. It includes a 23.6-inch gate door opening to easily walk through. It’s easy to install with pressure mounting or using hardware. The baby gate stays in place firmly with four wall cups.
Stand-out features include
- 30.5-inches tall and can be extended between 29.5 and 38.5-inches wide
- Made with steel
- Includes a two-press release safety lock to securely close the baby gate
- Pressure-mounted baby gate and includes hardware mounting kit
10. Summer Infant Wood Baby Gate
Our take
This Summer Infant baby gate is designed for babies between 6 and 24 months old. It’s a safe baby gate for stairs and includes a door stopper to prevent the door from swinging open over the stairs. The baby gate can easily be opened with one hand. It’s hardware mounted to secure the gate anywhere in the home for your baby’s protection. This baby gate meets ASTM standards.
Stand-out features include
- 32-inches tall and can be extended between 30 and 48-inches wide
- Made with wood
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Hardware-mounted baby gate
11. Munchkin Easy Close Metal Baby Gate
Our take
This Munchkin baby gate is designed for babies between 6 and 24 months old. It’s a safe baby gate for stairs with a dual-locking system to allow the door to open in both directions freely. It includes an extension for the baby gate to fit larger openings securely. It’s easy to install with pressure mounting or hardware with wall-cup mounts to attach the baby gate to the wall safely and securely.
Stand-out features include
- 29.5-inches tall and can be extended between 29.5 and 37.75-inches wide with an extension
- Made with steel
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Pressure-mounted baby gate and includes hardware mounting kit
12. Regalo Easy Extra Wide Baby Gate
Our take
This Regalo baby gate is compact and lightweight, making it great for traveling or using in multiple places around the house. It includes one 6-inch extension and accommodates more extensions up to 60-inches per baby gate. It includes a one-touch release lock to easily secure the baby gate door closed. Regalo’s baby gate can be installed using hardware mounting or pressure mounting. This baby gate meets the JPMA and ASTM standards.
Stand-out features include
- 30-inches tall and can be extended between 29 and 38.5-inches wide
- Made with steel
- Includes one 6-inch extension and accommodates more extensions up to 60-inches per baby gate
- Pressure-mounted baby gate and includes hardware mounting kit
13. Safety 1st Metal Baby Gate
Our take
This Safety 1st baby gate uses red and green light indicators to signal whether or not the gate is securely locked. It’s a safe baby gate for stairs when hardware mounted. Use pressure mounting when placing the baby gate between doors, walls or at the bottom of the stairs. It’s also easy to clean with a damp cloth to wipe small accidents or dirt away. This baby gate meets JPMA and ASTM standards.
Stand-out features include
- 28-inches tall and can be extended between 29 and 38-inches wide
- Includes a baby gate door that swings 180-degrees in both directions
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely when hardware mounted
- Pressure-mounted baby gate and includes hardware mounting kit
14. QDOS Crystal Baby Safety Gate
Our take
This QDOS Crystal baby gate is a safe baby gate for stairs. It’s a crystal baby gate with a clear silhouette to clearly see your baby while keeping them away from hazardous areas using the gate. It includes QDOS FastMount Rails to quickly install the gate using hardware mounting. It meets all European, United States and Canadian Safety Standards.
Stand-out features include
- 30-inches tall and can be extended between 29.2 and 39.4-inches wide
- Includes a magnetic lock with a green light indication to show when the gate is locked securely
- Designed to be used at the top of the staircase safely
- Pressure-mounted baby gate and includes hardware mounting kit
15. Summer Infant Wood & Metal Baby Gate
Our take
This Summer Infant decorative baby gate is designed for babies between 6 and 24 months old. It includes a gate that swings in both directions to easily walk through. It can be pressure mounted for easy installation between doors and walls. The baby gate includes pressure mounted tension bolts to avoid scratching your home’s floors and walls. This baby gate meets JPMA and ASTM standards.
Stand-out features include
- 30-inches tall and can be extended between 36 and 60-inches wide
- Made with wood and metal
- Built with a wide-hinged door to swing in either direction to easily cross between rooms
- Pressure-mounted baby gate
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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. 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.
Baby Gate FAQs
When should I install 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.
What are baby gates used for?
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 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.
Which are the best baby gates for stairs?
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.
How should I measure for a baby gate?
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 at both the top and bottom of the stairway to make sure it fits on both ends. For doorways or walls, measure from wall to wall for the perfect fit.
