Parents would agree that keeping your toddlers away from places they aren’t supposed to be (such as the stairs or kitchen) is a super difficult task. Here comes the necessity of a very functional product known as baby gates.
Baby gates are useful not only to keep kids away from trouble (and possible accidents) but also to restrict pets from running all over the house.
We were looking for the best baby gate for the bottom of the stairs and found the Munchkin Extending XL Tall and Wide Baby Gate perfect for our needs, especially as it is suitable for wider spaces.
While we were browsing, we realized how confusing choosing the best baby gate for stairs can be. So we thought of making it easier for other parents out there by listing down some of our favorite baby gates.
We have taken care to ensure that we offer a varied selection of products to suit different requirements so that you can find just the right one. Check them out below!
If you are worried that your toddler will be up to some mischief while you are asleep and accidentally fall while trying to go up or down the stairs, this is the solution you need.
The Toddleroo by North States Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate can be installed at the top of the stairs or even at the door of a room as per your requirements. And being a hardware mount baby gate, it is sturdy and more liable to stay in place even if your little one tries to push it off.
The thing we love most about this baby gate is how convenient it is. It comes with an easy to use hardware mounted lock that can be operated with one hand. So you won’t have to struggle with opening the gate while your toddler is in your arms.
It is ideal for a variety of spaces due to its variable width. And with a height of 31 inches, you don’t have to worry about your toddler climbing over it (well, at least until they grow taller)! And the best part is that it doesn’t have any threshold – so no chance of your kid (or you) tripping on it.
The baby gate has a simple yet sophisticated design and has a matte bronze finish that looks great just anywhere.
Pros
The gate can be unlocked one-handed
The width can be adjusted to fit a variety of spaces
Full-metal construction of the gate ensures that it is strong and sturdy
Cons
Installation can be time-consuming
The hinges and locking mechanism that comes with the gate are made of plastic, and hence is not as durable as the gate itself
If you are looking for the best baby gate for the top of the stairs with a banister, here is a product that you must absolutely check out!
The Lemon Tree Baby Gate is pressure-mounted, so you don’t need to worry about damaging the walls during installation. Installation is as simple and less time-consuming as it can be, due to the fact that you won’t have to spend hours drilling holes into the wall to fix the gate securely. And it comes with an extra-wide opening, which makes it very convenient to walk through.
We love the mechanism of the door – it shuts back by itself if opened till up to a 90-degree angle. And if for any reason you want the door to stay open, just push it beyond 90 degrees and it will stay put.
The baby gate is made of ABS material and metal, making it solid and firm enough to withstand your child’s pushing and pulling. The dual locking mechanism is another feature that adds to the safety of the gate, as toddlers won’t be able to open it by themselves.
Pros
The wider opening of the gate is quite convenient for moving around.
Made of tough and high-quality material for safety
Dual-locking mechanism
Cons
There is a chance of tripping on the bottom threshold.
Toddlers are quite brilliant, and often they figure out how to unlock the baby gate installed for their safety. And if you have such a toddler at home who loves their little adventures, an extra tall gate like this one from Regalo can help ensure their safety.
It is 38 inches tall and comes with a safety lock feature. Even if your little one knows the mechanism of opening it, they probably won’t be able to do so due to the height of the gate.
The gate is designed with a full steel body that is both powerful and durable. And it is hardware mounted, so you don’t have to worry about it falling off the wall!
Installing the gate can be a bit tiresome, but we are sure that the final result will be worth it! It can be swung open using only one hand, which is excellent if you need to pass through the area frequently. And this can be installed at the top of the stairs, too, as there’s no bar at the bottom where you might have a chance of tripping on.
Many people prefer pressure-mounted baby gates in comparison to hardware-mounted ones to keep their walls intact. But the issue with the former is that it needs frequent tightening to ensure that it stays securely in place.
But how do you know when the gate has loosened and needs maintenance? Well, the Safety 1st Easy Install Metal Baby Gate makes sure that you do! It comes with an easy read indicator that glows red when the gate needs to be adjusted or tightened. So you can remain stress-free regarding that there won’t be any accidents even if your toddler or pets try to push it.
And it is super easy to install – usually, you won’t need more than a few minutes to set it up. The door opens both ways, making it easier to pass through when you’re carrying something.
We especially liked the magnetic latch mechanism of this baby gate. The door automatically swings closed and locks itself, so you don’t have to worry if it’s securely latched or not. This is a lifesaver when you frequently pass through the gate and forget to close it every time manually.
Pros
Has a super convenient magnetic latch system
Very easy to install
The easy-read indicator toggles between red and green to inform you if the gate is installed correctly.
Cons
The 2-inch threshold bar makes it unsafe to install at the top of the stairs.
If you are looking for a baby gate that will look awesome with your home decor, the Summer Deluxe Stairway Simple to Secure Baby Gate is a product that you should check out. Crafted out of wood, this gate has an antique oak finish that looks great no matter where you install it!
The gate is easy to open and close for adults, but not for the kids. Your little one will need to do a lot of work in figuring out how to open it! And it is hardware mounted, so you can stay worry-free that they won’t be able to push it off the wall.
And maintaining it is just a piece of cake – just wipe the gate with a soft cloth dipped in a mild detergent solution and warm water, and then wipe it dry with a towel. With proper maintenance, the gate will look as good as new even after months of use!
Pros
It comes with a precision fit template that makes installation simpler
Designed from solid wood for sturdiness
The comfort grip handle lets you open and closes it with one hand effortlessly
If you need a wooden baby gate to complement your staircase, then the Summer Wood Banister and Stair Safety Baby Gate is a product worth considering.
Designed especially for staircases and banisters, this is a stable, sturdy, and stylish product that will keep your baby from going where they aren’t meant to. This is among the best baby gates for stairs if you’re willing to splurge a bit.
The installation kit provided with this gate makes it super simple to mount it on handrails. And you don’t even need to drill any holes for fastening the door to a banister! That means you won’t need to spend too much effort if you’re installing it between two railings. But if you are going for a wall-to-banister installation, you would still need to drill a few holes to mount the hardware on the wall side.
The baby gate has an extra-wide door and no raised threshold, making it perfect to pass through without the risk of tripping and having a fall.
Pros
Easy to assemble and sturdy
Does not have a raised threshold
Comes with a convenient installation kit
Cons
The zip tie fasteners do not last very long before needing replacements.
The Munchkin Extending XL Tall and Wide Baby Gate is a great choice if you want to install one in broader spaces. This product extends up to 56 inches in width to act like a kid and pet barrier where you need it.
Designed entirely in white, it matches most interiors to give a stylish and sophisticated look to your stairs or doorways. The door can swing open both ways, but if you are installing it at the top of the stairs, you can only set it to open in one direction. This feature is one of the most crucial when looking for the best baby gate for stairs.
The feature that we liked the most is that the gate can be easily detached and put away when not needed. And no, you do not need to remove the hardware from the walls to do so! This product has a unique design that enables you to separate the gate from the hardware that helps mount it to the wall.
It is easy enough for adults to open with one hand, but kids will find it difficult to operate due to the mechanism involved as well as the weight of the gate. All in all, this is a must-buy product if you have staircases and doorways of larger width.
Pros
It comes with an integrated tilting hinge mechanism that minimizes pressure on the walls.
Difficult for kids to open
It can be customized to open in one or both ways.
Cons
There is no auto-latch mechanism.
The screws included with the gate are rather flimsy.
Here is another excellent choice for wider spaces. The Cumbor Baby Gate comes with extensions that enable it to fit in any width between 29.5 and 51.6 inches.
This is a pressure-mount baby gate made of high-quality steel. It is sturdy and can withstand all ‘attacks’ from kids or pets, although you need to ensure that it is installed tightly against the wall. And if you are purchasing this gate for restricting your pets, you can be sure that they won’t be able to do much damage to the full-steel bars.
The door opens both ways and comes with a unique lock system that shuts the door automatically when it is at an angle less than 90 degrees.
We think it offers immense value at this price for a pressure-mounted baby gate. With three extensions, you can set this up in areas of varying widths as and when required. So no need to buy separate gates for different areas of your house (until you intend to use all of them at the same time)!
Pros
It comes with 3 extensions to fit spaces of differing widths.
Auto-shutting door mechanism
Designed from sturdy and robust steel material
Cons
Installation can be a tedious job.
The gate may fall off with a hard push if not tightened properly.
If you want a lightweight and portable baby gate that you can use for specific hours in a day to keep your kids (or pets) away from certain areas of the house (for example, while you’re cleaning), you will definitely love this one.
The last product on the list, the Regalo 2-in-1 Stairway and Hallway Wall Mounted Baby Gate, weighs light enough for you to easily move it anywhere while also being resolute enough to stop your toddler. It is expandable up to 42 inches to fit the area of your stairs or doorway.
Its impressive Smooth Glide Technology enables the gate to glide from one end to the other to let one pass. The safety lock is simple enough for adults but complicated for kids to figure out, so you can be assured that the gate will do its work well.
We really liked the fact that we can lift this gate off the banister mounts and store it away when it is not needed. And you can simply reattach it to the mount when needed again!
Pros
The Smooth Glide Technology used to slide open the gate is very convenient.
It is portable and lightweight without compromising on sturdiness
Cons
The gate is a bit difficult to open or close with one hand
Toddleroo by North States Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate
31 inches
28.68 to 47.85 inches
Lemon Tree Baby Gate
30 inches
30 to 40.5 inches
Regalo 2-in-1 Extra Tall Easy Swing Stairway and Hallway Walk Through Baby Gate
38 inches
24 to 40.5 inches
Safety 1st Easy Install Metal Baby Gate
28 inches
29 to 38 inches
Summer Deluxe Stairway Simple to Secure Baby Gate
32 inches
30 to 48 inches
Summer Wood Banister and Stair Safety Baby Gate
33 inches
33 to 46 inches
Munchkin Extending XL Tall and Wide Baby Gate
36 inches
33 to 56 inch
Cumbor 51.6-Inch Baby Gate
30.5 inches
29.5 to 51.6 inches
Regalo 2-in-1 Stairway and Hallway Wall Mounted Baby Gate
30.5 inches
29 to 43 inches
How To Choose The Best Baby Gates For Stairs?
Before you go on to a search for the best baby gate for stairs, you need to know exactly what you are looking for. This is extremely important, as a wrong choice puts your baby’s safety at stake.
But nothing to worry about, as we have listed down a few of the factors you need to consider before selecting the perfect baby gate for your house. Read on!
1. Height
The ideal height depends on a variety of factors. All you need to ensure is that the height is enough to restrict your toddler or pet effectively. For example, if you’re getting a gate for a 3-year-old, the height must be enough so that they cannot climb over. Similarly, getting an extra tall baby gate would be a better choice if you have larger pets.
2. Width
The width is crucial when you are choosing the best baby gate for stairs. Make sure to measure the width of the area where you want to install the baby gate and then look for products matching the required figure.
3. Mount Type
Baby gates are generally of two types – hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted. Hardware-mounted gates are safer for stairways as they have lesser chances of falling off due to pressure, but installing them can damage your walls to some extent. These are the more preferred options among parents when looking for the best baby gate for stairs.
Pressure-mounted baby gates use pressure to lock the gate firmly with the wall. While they may be riskier for stairs if not installed properly, they are the go-to option when you want to keep your walls intact. Make sure you choose only after ensuring that all your requirements are met.
Final thoughts on Best Baby Gates for Stairs
We hope you found our list of the best baby gates for stairs useful in helping you make your choice.
In our opinion, the Munchkin Extending XL Tall and Wide Baby Gate is clearly the winner due to its extendable width. Still, we also liked the Toddleroo by the North States Easy Swing & Lock Baby Gate and the Regalo 2-in-1 Extra Tall Easy Swing Stairway, and Hallway Walk Through Baby Gate for their awesome features.
We recommend that you check these out (along with the other products) before deciding the one most appealing to you.
Carly Link, a 33-year old mother of two toddlers. She is a parent and goes through a lot of the usual parenting difficulties herself. Carly shares all her experiences and knowledge about the best baby products through this blog.
