Best Baby Gates For Stairs

Baby-proofing your home is a top priority. Along with outlet covers, cabinet latches, table corners, and door knob covers, you also need safe, secure, stable baby gates to keep your kiddo away from the stairs. But with all the choices out there, you’re not sure which one is the perfect pick for your home.

Choosing the best gates for stairs starts with your family’s needs. Do you need a gate that seamlessly blends with the surrounding decor? Do you want a gate that fits an extra-wide doorway or extends to a taller size? Do you prefer the performance and stability of a hardware-mounted gate vs. a pressure-mounted model? If these, and plenty of other, questions are on your mind, here are our picks to get you started.

What are baby gates for?

The more mobile your child is, the more you need baby-proofing products such as gates. Baby gates won’t prevent 100 percent of falls or accidental stair-related injuries. But they will reduce some of the risks.

While these safety gates are deterrents that can keep crawling babies and toddling toddlers away from potential danger, they aren’t substitutes for supervision. Parents and caregivers should always continue to supervise their young children – even when using baby gates on stairs, in doorways, or anywhere else inside or outside of the house.

Regalo Easy Step Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate

Best Wide Baby Gate

$55 $63 Save $8

The Regalo baby gate expands to a whooping max size of 56 inches wide to fit a larger than the norm space. Ideal for doorways or the bottom of the stairs, this gate also stands 30 inches tall.

Dimensions

56″W x 30″H

Features

Expands for 29-56-inch openings, includes a four-inch, eight-inch, and 12-inch extension piece, made from metal, uses a pressure-mount design

Do you have an extra-wide doorway or bottom-of-the stairway space? The Regalo Easy Step Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate is a top option for homes that aren’t exactly standard size. The durable steel design and extendable feature makes this baby gate ideal for doorways between 29 and 56 inches wide.

The pressure mount gate is quick to install, convenient, and easy to remove when needed. Without wall-mounted hardware, parents should not use this gate at the top of the stairs, and, according to one reviewer, this gate “hasn’t budged even with our little one shaking it vigorously,” and bonus points because “the gate was easy to put up and it looks to be just as easy to take down as well.”

Cumbor Safety Baby Gate

Best Easy Install Gate

The Cumbor white metal gate is wide and tall! If you need a gate that goes over the typical 30-inch height, this is the option to explore. The gate adjusts to a 29.7-46-inch width and is 36 inches tall.

Features

Adjustable width, quick pressure-mount installation, added hardware included for extra installation stability if needed, gapless design

Installation of a baby gate shouldn’t take all day. If you’re on the hunt for a gate that won’t require hours of training time to master, this is the one for you. The Cumbor Baby Gate for Stairs is a pressure-mounted design that parents can install quickly. But if you want added stability, you can use hardware to make the gate more secure.

This top pick also features a 90-degree open, a double-lock safety release, reinforced carbon steel structure, and reaches a taller-than-the-norm height of 36 inches. The adjustable frame fits doorway widths ranging from 29.7 inches up to 46 inches.

Munchkin Loft

Best Style

The Toddleroo features a stylish matte bronze finish option, has a one-hand open operation feature, and has a no-threshold design.

Features

Hardware mount, extends to fit 26.5-40-inch widths and is 30.5 inches tall, aluminum construction

Convenience is crucial. And this means you shouldn’t have to sacrifice ease of use for safety’s sake. You need a baby gate that combines both of these sought-after features – and this is where the Munchkin Loft comes in!

The Munchkin Loft has a door that swings in both directions and a double-locking system to make opening/closing that gate just as safe as it is easy. It also has a quick-release wall mount that allows you to remove the gate in less time. While function is a primary reason to pick this gate, you’ll also appreciate the Munchkin Loft’s form. The modern styling gives this winner an aesthetic that separates this aluminum gate from the pack.

Safety 1st Baby Gate

Best One-Hand Open Gate

This Safety 1st top seller comes assembled and ready to install – minus the need for measuring, marking, or a drill. The special drywall screws (included) make this sturdy wall-mount design stable and a breeze to set up. The no threshold style eliminates tripping hazards.

Features

Requires 3.5-inch wide flat mounting surface, offers convenient one-hand swing-open operation, comes with drywall screws, weighs 11 pounds, made from alloy steel

As a new parent, it seems like you’re always on-the-go and your hands are constantly full. The Safety 1st Ready To Install Everywhere Gate is a hardware-mounted option that doesn’t require a drill for installation! Simply use the included drywall screws – and that’s it. With a no-threshold design, and the ability to open with one hand, you won’t need to worry about navigating this gate.

The 30-inch high gate fits spaces 29 to 42 inches wide and is adjustable.

Summer Infant Baby Gate

Best Wooden Gate

The Summer Infant gate fits banister-to-banister, creating a snug setting at the top or bottom of your stairs.

Features

No-threshold design, includes mounting hardware, fits openings 32 to 48-inches wide, 33-inches tall

The sleek, contemporary design of a steel gate goes well with a modern home aesthetic. But not every house has this type of design. If you have more wood than any other material inside of your home, the Summer Infant Wood Banister Gate is a top choice to explore.

Like some of the other winners, this gate has a no-threshold design that makes tripping less likely. It has a slightly taller than norm height of 33 inches and adjusts to fit openings 32 to 48 inches. And bonus – the banister-to-banister wooden design will blend seamlessly with your existing decor. One reviewer wrote, “THIS is a great sturdy gate , matches the wood banister. Really great quality. So pleased!”

Cardinal Gates Stairway Special

Best One-Hand Open Gate

$85 $90 Save $5

This Cardinal gate is designed for a top-of-the-stairway mount. But this doesn’t mean you can’t install it in other places. The gate features a lightweight, yet sturdy, aluminum design and has a stylish powder-coated finish.

Features

Adjustable width fits 27 to 42.5-inch spaces, 29.5-inch height, mounts at up to a 30-degree angle, pairs with extensions to fit wider doorways

Not every baby gate will fit snuggly and safely in a top-of-the-stairway space. The Cardinal Gates Stairway Special is one adjustable, wall-mounted option that can pull double duty – stairs and door/hallways. The lightweight aluminum is easy to handle, but sturdy enough to stand up to toddling kiddos and the double-direction door makes opening and closing the Cardinal Gate a breeze.

While this adjustable gate fits doorways sizes 27 to 42.5 inches wide, a 10.5 and 21.75 inch extension is available separately.

Evenflo Top of the Stairs Extra Tall Gate

Best Value

The Evenflo baby gate features a light tan wood construction. The sturdy four point mounting hardware installation keeps this gate put and the removable swing stop stops it from opening over the stairs.

Features

One-hand release, wall mounted design, fits spaces 30 to 48 inches wide

Value is at the top of just about every parent’s mind. You don’t want to dig deep into your kiddo’s college fund just to babyproof your home. The Evenflo Top of the Stairs Extra Tall Gate is a top value that gets high marks on form and function. The taller than average size of 32 inches and the 30 to 48 inch adjustable width make this pick perfect for many different areas of the home.

With a one-hand opening latch and a no-floor bar setup, this Evenflo product is easy to use and decreases the trip and fall risks. Use the hardware mount for a more stable top-of-the-stair installation option.

Toddleroo Baby Gate

Best Style

$65 $70 Save $5

The Toddleroo features a stylish matte bronze finish option, has a one-hand open operation feature, and has a no-threshold design.

Features

Fits spaces 28.68 to 47.85 inches, wall mounts with included hardware, top-of-the-stair design, metal construction

Safety? Yes. Style? The answer to this question isn’t always yes when it comes to baby gates. But the Toddleroo By North States Baby Gate for Stairs is an exception. Instead of a plain white, black, or tan wood color, this gate comes in a matte bronze option. Parents who want to complement their home’s contemporary aesthetic or add to an existing modern interior design will love this top pick.

Along with style, this gate has plenty of safety features – including a one-handed opening upper latch mechanism and heavy-duty vertical bars. Use this gate on the stairway or in between rooms, provided the doorway measures 28.68 to 47.85 inches.

The ABCs of baby proofing

Product choice is crucial when baby-proofing. A one-size or one-model approach to selecting a gate, or any other safety item, won’t necessarily significantly reduce risks. Start the baby-proofing process with an assessment. What are the most dangerous areas of your home and what could potentially cause your baby harm?

Don’t wait until your child is walking to install the gates. You never know when your baby could suddenly make a motor milestone jump and spring into action. This makes it important to baby-proof your home early on. When it comes to gates, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital recommends using hardware-mounted gates (instead of pressure-mounted models) at the tops of stairs to provide added security. Never use an older accordion-style gate or a gate that has been recalled. If your toddler can climb up or over the gate, it’s time to take it down.

Safety gates won’t only reduce top-of-the-stairway risks. Install a gate at the bottom of the stairs to prevent your little one from climbing up the steps, in doorways that lead to rooms with potentially hazardous items (such as the stove or a fireplace) inside of them, or in hallways.

Along with installing safety gates, other baby-proofing steps to take include using non-choking hazard safety plugs in electrical outlets, choosing cordless window treatments, anchoring heavy furniture or pieces that pose tipping risks, and locking cabinets that contain poisonous or harmful cleaners and other similar items, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Always lock windows and, if possible, open them from the top down. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent a fall. Keep your kiddo away from open windows – regardless of whether they have a screen inside or not. Moving furniture away from windows is one way to discourage your child from climbing up to the opening.

Keep in mind, windows are not the only way out of your house. Install covers or safety locks on doors before your little one can toddle up to the knobs. And if you’re still not sure whether you have done enough to keep your kiddo safe, talk to the pediatrician about expert-recommended safety products or hire a reputable baby-proofing company to assess your home.