Between six and nine months, your baby will start crawling and their natural curiosity will lead them to go on a little journey all over your home. Babies, though adorable, do not yet understand the dangers that lurk at every corner of even the most humble home. Their intrepid little spirits will be fully set on exploring every nook and cranny, like tiny Magellans on a mission to circumnavigate the globe. This round-up of the best baby gates will help keep your little explorer safe no matter where their travels take them.
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What to look for when buying baby gates
Overall design, ease of use and assembly, and adherence to industry safety standards should be top of mind when looking for the best baby gates. Measure the space where you plan to put the baby gate(s) before making a purchase. Mounting blocks include uneven surfaces or molding, which may require more tools or installation pieces. Walk-through gates are also recommended over climb-over gates to prevent adults from tripping over the top of the gate. With walk-through gates, you can simply open the little door and pass through.
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Locking mechanisms are another thing to consider when shopping for the best baby gate. A self-locking mechanism is your best bet because it allows the baby gate to automatically lock. You might think you’ll never forget to lock a baby gate with a two-step, non-automatic locking mechanism, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Finally, make sure to look for JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) certification, which guarantees that the gate has gone through rigorous third-party testing for height and safety spacing. Of course, none of these things will matter if you’re not sure how to correctly set up the baby gate, so consider getting an expert to help.
Best baby gates for stairs
Kidco Safeway Baby Gate, $69.99, Target
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Specifically made for use at the top of stairs, this Kidco baby gate is ideal for stairs with banisters. However, it can also be used at the bottom of stairs thanks to having both hardware-mount and pressure-mount capabilities.
Evenflo Walk-thru Top of Stairs Baby Gate, $54.99, Walmart
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The Evenflo baby gate for stairs can be installed in minutes, slides easily to expand, and boasts a unique one-hand latch. The gate also opens in both directions and doesn’t have a floor-bar to allow for easy walk-throughs without tripping. It is JPMA certified too.
Qdos Extending Safegate 29”, $54.95, Babylist
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This great baby gate for stairs meets US, European, and Canadian safety standards. Made of sturdy metal, it can be mounted inside or outside a door frame or at an angle up to 180 degrees. It’s also safe for either the top or the bottom of a stairway.
Cardinal Gates White Stairway Special Safety Gate, was $89.95 now $75.05, Wayfair
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Available in white and black, this safety gate is designed for maximum safety, with a latch system that confuses tots but is easy enough for adults to operate. It can close openings from 27 to 42.5 inches and comes with a one-way stop bracket that prevents it from opening over a stairway.
Loft Baby Gate, $208.99, Munchkin
This baby gate swings open in both directions and has a double-locking system that's a breeze to manage. Its indexed sizing system features pre-set index positions for quick and easy width adjustments, but it's also designed with an integrated tuning system that finds the perfect fit even when the walls aren't level.
Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall & Wide Walk-Through Gate, $74.99, Target
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Great for use in between rooms, doorways, and on the top or bottom of the stairs, this walk-through gate makes it a breeze to get around the house. It doesn’t need any reinstallation each time you pass by, and clocking in at 36 inches, it offers additional height protection.
Best retractable baby gates
Jool Baby Retractable Baby Safety Gate, $94.99, Buy Buy Baby
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Featuring a double locking system, this retractable baby gate is secure and tamper-resistant for children and has a swivel function that enables three positioning options. It’s also compact and easily collapsible for storing away when not in use.
Regalo Home Accents Super Wide Safety Gate, $59.99, Buy Buy Baby
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A safe and convenient option for both babies and dogs, this attractive steel gate is fully adjustable so you can use it on doors ranging between 29" and 58" wide.
Stork Retractable Safety Gate, $69.99, Wayfair
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With two sets of fittings, you can quickly move this retractable baby gate from point A to point B. Its clip-on and clip-off system makes it easy to remove and reposition and its lack of bottom bases or bars minimizes tripping hazards. It can fit inside doorframes, hallways, and other spaces up to 55 inches wide.
Toddleroo Supergate Ergo Ivory Baby Safety Gate, $30.50, Wayfair
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No tools are required in putting together this safety gate. All you have to do is expand it at the opening and lock the handle. It works with doorways, stairways, and other spaces, and can even be used as a swing gate if needed.
Best baby gates with doors
Qdos Crystal Clear Pressure Mount Acrylic Baby Gate, was $189.95 now $179.95, Babylist
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You don’t have to compromise safety or style with this modern baby gate from Qdos. This pressure-mounted baby gate meets the toughest European standards (more stringent than US or Canadian standards) as well as US and Canadian safety standards. Its At-A-glance Indicator shows green when the gate is locked and red when it’s unlocked. Note: Pressure-mounted gates should not be used at the top of stairs.
Summer Infant Main Street Extra Tall Baby Gate, $89.99, Target
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With a door that swings in both directions, this extra tall baby gate from Summer Infant is great for extra-wide spaces and is tall enough to keep toddlers safe too. Easy to install and featuring an auto-lock mechanism, it’s also got some stylish flair for the modern home.
Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Baby Gate, $39.99, Walmart
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One of the most highly reviewed and recommended baby gates, the Regalo Walk-Thru Baby Gate is extra wide, easy to install with a pressure mount design, certified to JPMA standards, and includes multiple safety-lock features.
Regalo Super Wide Baby Gate and Playard, $109.99, Babylist
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Ideal for living rooms, this wall-mounted gate is flexible enough to be configured in various ways. It comes with eight removable 24-inch panels that move and fold in an accordion system, so you can either assemble it as a playard, fireplace barrier, stairs gate, or just a massive sidewall gate.
Barn Door Walk-Through Gate, $114.99, Evenflo
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A baby gate that would bode well with your home aesthetic, this rustic gate is both simple to install and use. It fits spaces from 29 to 43 inches wide and features an auto-close hinge that won’t startle your little one. With red and green color indicators, you’ll know immediately whether the gate is locked properly or not.
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