Parents understand that a baby’s safety is paramount.
Finding one of the best baby gates for stairs is a crucial choice, especially when our little ones start to move around independently after a few very short months! When they hit that age where they can’t seem to stop moving, a baby gate is one of the best options to make sure they’re safe at all times.
With so many options, it’s hard to decide which baby gate to choose for our home. Do we need extra height? A wall-mounted or pressure mounted gate? Or a baby gate that doubles as a pet gate for our furry friends?
In this article, we’ll walk through the best gates that can meet all of your needs, including the best baby gates on the market, what features to look for, how to buy one, and essential questions with answers.
For in-depth details and guidance to find the best baby gate that ensures your child’s safety while fitting your home’s requirements, read on.
8 Best Baby Gates for Stairs – Reviews & Buying Guide
1: Evenflo Secure Step Gate
Features:
- Standard width that fits 29″ to 42″ openings
- Standard height of 30″
- Hardware mounted
- One-handed operation
- Efficient and easy setup
What We Love:
- Without a floor bar, older children won’t be able to try to climb over the top
- Opens in both directions
- Sleek, less bulky design
Ease of Use
The Evenflo Secure Step Gate has easy one-hand opening and closure. It’s not bulky, looks aesthetically pleasing, and is safe for children of all ages. This baby gate is functional, without being too simple for older children of up to 4 or 5 years to try to open themselves.
Safety
Being made specifically for the top of stairs, the Evenflo Gate is one of the top choices to keep children safe on any given floor of your home. The long-lasting and durable design will further ensure safety for years to come while your children are growing up.
Setup
After installation into your walls, this baby gate can be hooked and unhooked when not in use. It simply pops back into the brackets left on the wall when needed again.
If you’re a parent who frequently has guests over to their home, this feature can be the most functional and efficient to use.
If you’re a parent who doesn’t want to break the bank and enjoys simple design and functionality, the Evenflo Secure Step Gate is for you.
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2: Cardinal Gates Auto-Lock Gate
Features:
- Made for high traffic areas
- Latch and auto-lock feature allow for easy passing
- Adjustable width to fit more openings
What We Love:
- Easy to clean!
- One-handed operation
Efficient Use
The patented lock design allows this gate to swing in either direction when passing through. The easy-twist and pull feature is simple and understandable for adults while still being too tricky for a child to operate.
This gate also comes without a floor bar, so there is no fear of tripping or having to step over anything while accessing your stairs.
The patented lock feature also makes it much easier to hold your baby with one arm while quickly getting the gate open with your free hand. The gate will then simply swing, and lock shut behind you.
Easy Cleaning
The aluminum powder-coated finish makes cleaning a synch! It also makes the gate more resistant to scratches and fading over time.
For parents who want a stress-free baby gate with extra convenience, the Cardinal Gates Auto-Lock Gate is for you!
3: Regalo 2-in-1 Stairway and Hallway Wall Mounted Baby Gate
Features:
- Bonus Kit includes Banister and Wall Mounting Kit
- Smooth Glide technology for easy passing
What We Love:
- Extra-wide expansion can adapt to any size stairway opening
- Lightweight and portable
Customized Fit
The versatile Regalo2-in-1 Stairway baby gate can fit spaces between 29 and 43 inches wide and stands 30.5 inches tall. This gate will suit almost every size opening at the top of the stairs to keep your baby safe.
Easy Installation
With the included banister and wall mounting kit, installing the Regalo 2-in-1 Stairwaybaby gate is a breeze. It comes with everything you need, including mounted level poles, banister corner protectors, banister adapters, wall spacers, and mounting hardware.
The Regalo 2-in-1 Stairway and Hallway Wall Mounted Baby Gate are perfect for busy parents who’re looking for effortless installation with no need to reach for your extra tools in the garage.
4: Toddleroo by North States 72″ wide Deluxe Décor Baby Gate
Features:
- Sturdy and extra wide
- One-handed operation
- Mounting hardware included
What We Love:
- Modern look and design fits in excellently with your home décor
- Easy to retract when not in use and simple to snap back in place again
Up-to-Date Design
The Toddleroo Deluxe Décor Baby Gate is the perfect addition to any home looking for additional style and a hint of luxury. The steel with a decorative matte bronze finish complements your home design while offering further durability and sturdiness with high-quality materials.
Easy Operation
One-handed operation makes passing through the gate an effortless task, especially while carrying your baby in your other arm. It also offers a stay-open feature when not in use and the ability to retract from one side of the wall mounts. It can then swing out of the way when guests are visiting, for instance.
No-Hassle Installation
Installation of the gate is unchallenging and versatile, designed to match spaces between 38.3 and 72 inches wide, and can be secured to parallel and angled walls alike.
For parents who want a decorative and elegant addition that adapts to wide or angled walls, the Toddleroo Deluxe Décor Baby Gate is an optimal choice.
5: Qdos Crystal Designer Baby Safety Gate
Features:
- Meets tougher European standards
- Simple installation
- Pressure mounted
What We Love:
- Ultra-modern and beautiful design
Designer Style
The QdosCrystal Designerbaby gate comes with a crystal-clear acrylic face to add ultimate luxury and style to your home without compromising safety and durability.
Extra Features
The ‘At-A-Glance Indicator’ displays a green screen to let you know that the lock is secure, and a red screen appears to let you know it’s unlocked. The additional NiteSafe Glow Strip lights up the bottom rail of the gate to ensure visibility at night and to prevent tripping.
While only for use at the bottom of the stairs, the Qdos Crystal Designer Baby Safety Gate is a fantastic option for those parents who don’t mind spending a bit more money for extra style, elegance, and advanced safety features.
6: Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate
Features:
- Retractable gate the rolls in and out of one secure wall mount
- Effortless one-handed operation
- Certified for use at the top and bottom of stairs
- Included wall bracket kit
What We Love:
- Super quiet when opening and closing
- Strong and durable mesh screen that protects babies from falling through
Easy to Install
With included hardware, busy parents will love the straightforward installation process. An additional stair banister adapter kit is also available with everything you need to keep the gate secure at the top of your steps, including a heavy-duty weatherproof adapter, mounting straps, screws, nuts, and finishing washers.
Smooth Rolling
After mounting the brackets and snapping the gate into place, the mesh screen quietly and easily glides in and out. With a childproof lock, the gate can be locked either open or closed quickly by any adult.
For a unique gate that works just as well with children as it does pets, the Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate is for you!
7: Summer Multi-Use Decorative Extra Tall Walk-Thru Baby Gate
Features:
- 36″ tall
- Fits openings of up to 48″ wide
- Auto close
- One-handed operation
- Pressure mounted
What We Love:
- Elegant metal and bronze finish
- Doubles as an excellent pet gate
Stairways
Additional hardware comes with the Multi-Use Decorative baby gate to efficiently install at the top or bottom of stairways.
No Trouble Use
On top of one-handed operation, the auto-close feature allows you to walk through without worrying about locking the gate behind you. The hold-open feature can keep the door ajar easily as well.
High-quality
The metal that makes up the gate is sturdy, durable, and high-quality material. This gate will stay in place while blending in stylishly with the decor of your home.
For parents who want a gate that has a notable style, high-quality metal construction, and easy functionality, the Summer Multi-Use Decorative Extra Tall Walk-Thru Baby Gate is the way to go.
8: Munchkin Easy Close XL Pressure Mounted Baby Gate for Stairs
Features:
- Fits openings 29.5″ to 51.6″ wide
- Pressure mounted
- Push to lock
What We Love:
- Modern metal in a dark grey finish
- Additional extensions to purchase if necessary
- Extra safety with three separate lock options
Added Safety
The Munchkin Easy Close XL baby gate comes with three different locks to secure your little one. A simple push-to-close lock will lock the gate immediately.
A second lock on the handle makes it more childproof while still being accessible for adults. A third lock is available at the base of the gate to make it functional in only one opening direction.
Style
Made from steel with a dark grey finish, the Munchkin Easy Close XL looks modern in your home while also providing extra strength and durability.
The Munchkin Easy Close XL Pressure Mounted Baby Gate for Stairs is a great and stylish option for parents looking for more functionality and added security with three locking mechanisms.
Buyers Guide: How to Buy the Best Baby Gates for stairs
When looking for a baby gate for your stairs, there are a few crucial steps that you should take before doing so.
First, make sure that you measure the width of the openings at the top and bottom of your stairs, or whichever end you decide to place the gate. Knowing your measurements first will help you choose the best baby gate that fits perfectly in your home.
Next, make sure that when browsing for baby gates, you note that the manufacturer includes mounting hardware for stairs or provides an option to purchase the additional hardware.
This is critical, as you’d hate to have your gate delivered without the proper tools to mount it to your stairs or wall.
On the other hand, you can look for a pressure-mounted gate that requires no tools, screws, or hardware setup. Pressure mounted gates fit perfectly to the width of your walls or stair banisters, with a constant tension keeping the gate tightly in place.
Third, keep in mind the features you want to prioritize. For example, one-handed operation, auto closure, a double feature as a pet gate, adjustable widths, or a door that swings in both directions are features you want to consider before buying and installing in your home.
Fourth, always look for a safety certification from the manufacturer of the baby gate. JPMA, or the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, certifies numerous products to ensure they meet the highest safety standards for children.
Keep an eye out for the JPMA badge when looking for a new baby gate or check their website to see if the product is safety certified. The JPMA website further offers safety tips and tricks and other resources for parents.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Which are the best baby gates for stairs?
A. The best baby gates for stairs come with included hardware that makes them functional and easy to install to stair banisters. The best baby gates are also either hardware or pressure mounted, safety certified, and are practical and efficient to use.
Q. When should I install baby gates?
A. Baby gates should be installed as soon as your little one starts moving or crawling on their own. If you have a multi-level home, the best way to ensure their safety is to invest in a baby gate for stairs.
Q. What Type of Baby Gate is Best?
A. With many available options on the market, the best baby gate will be a gate that fits your lifestyle and preferences. For instance, your best baby gate may be one that doubles as a pet gate, has a door that swings in both directions, and is retractable. It all depends on your liking and what best suits your household needs.
Q. Do I need baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs?
A. Baby gates are available that can be easily moved from the top to the bottom of the stairs when necessary. You can fix brackets on both floor landings and quickly move the gate to either floor as you please. For households with multiple children, it may be beneficial to have gates at the top and bottom of the stairs when more than one child is on different floors of your home at the same time.
Q. How should I measure for a baby gate?
A. To measure for a baby gate, you can use a tape measure to determine the width of the opening where the gate will be placed. For example, at the top of the stairs, measure straight across from the banister to the wall to establish the stair opening’s width. Then, you can determine the baby gate that is best suited to your home’s steps.
Q. What locking mechanism is right for you and your baby?
A. There are several different locking mechanisms you can choose from, with some of the best being one-handed locks or push-to-lock mechanisms that require minimal effort.
Q. How long do you need baby gates?
A. Baby gates are considered a necessary safety option for children under the age of 2. However, as each child has different needs, the parent should assess what age is best to discontinue the use of the baby gate.
Q. Are mesh baby gates safe?
A. Mesh baby gates are safe from the right manufacturer. Before purchasing a mesh baby gate, make sure that the manufacturer has a safety certification.
Conclusion
When your little one is on the move and full of energy, the best way to find peace of mind is to find the best baby gate. In a multi-story home with stairs, this becomes an even more necessary purchase.
With so many varying options, finding the best baby gate for stairs can seem like a daunting challenge, as we all want to make sure we get the best for our budget.
However, after measuring the width of your stair opening, understanding the best safety features to look for, and knowing what styles appeal to you the most, you can make an effortless and sound decision.
The best baby gate for stairs will be a user-friendly, natural element that fits into your home and lifestyle. With the added safety of a baby gate, you can relax and be comforted throughout the day and night, knowing your child is secure and protected.
The post 8 Best Baby Gates for Stairs of 2022 – Recommended Toddler Safety gates appeared first on Playground Dad.
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