How To Select The Best Retractable Baby Gates?
Parents can feel overwhelmed by the selection of baby gates, and finding the best retractable baby gate is critical for your baby’s safety.
We empathize.
We’ve examined each product highlighted in the table in greater detail below, along with answers for a couple of common questions about these devices.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Good Retractable Baby Gate
Today’s market is flooded with design features, some important and others are not. Our research into the construction and design of baby gates has allowed us to come up with some aspects that are absolutely crucial before your next purchase. Besides a product’s design, other considerations include:
- Height
- Sturdiness
- Slat Spacing
- Latch Indicators
- Installation and Flexibility
Types of baby Gates:
These devices largely consist of two categories, hardware-mounted and pressure mounted which we detail below.. Check any potential purchase to verify it is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Such certifications indicate your product meets established safety features.
Hardware-Mounted – Are gates you bolt to structures inside your home or on outdoor balconies and decks. These are great when used as kid gates for stairs, especially along higher areas where there’s a falling hazard. .
Pressure-Mounted – Are not permanently mounted, pressing between doorways. These are not intended to be used as a staircase safety gate along the top of stairs. A kiddyguard retractable baby gate can be used when blocking the bottom of your staircase or as an obstacle to prevent little ones from climbing past them.
Height
New parents are often surprised by how quickly their baby learns to climb. To keep little explorers out of trouble, make sure your wall mounted baby gates are at least three-quarters of their height.
Most products will be 22-inches at minimum. Keep in mind, once your active toddler reaches 36-inches or weighs 30-pounds, other security options are needed.
Sturdy Construction
Wall mounted baby gates are often constructed with metal or wood. Wooden construction should provide smooth surfaces without splinters as well as rounded edges along its frame. Metal frames are typically more durable than wooden products.
Besides JPMA certification, look for products which include a warning label and s contact information in the event it malfunctions.
Slat Spacing
Stopping your infant from entering restricted areas requires vertical bars or slats that prevent their heads from becoming stuck. These should be spaced no more than three inches apart.
It’s critical when placing a baby gate for the top of the stairs, be sure there aren’t any banisters or rails to reduce the possibility of offering footholds that can be used for climbing.
Latch Indicators
Many products, including those used to block your baby from the stairs should have an indicator that the device is latched. This can include audible clicks, electric alarms, or colored components used as a visual aid.
Parents should not rely solely on these features and always remember to verify lock latching physically.
Installation Flexibility
Manufacturers provide consumers with products that fit specific needs in areas with awkward mounting surfaces, including those needing a gate for stairs with balusters or angled banisters.
Some companies also offer installation kits that help secure their products in tough-to-fit areas. This might include wider openings or sliding designs that allow you to tuck it away when necessary.
Review of TOP 10 Products That You May Want To Consider
During our research into designs and features, we came up with a list of potential products that could work ideally for you. Not only do these products offer customers designs that match the features touched above, but each also provides customers with unique specifications that should match your needs.
Our reviews cover ten of the best the industry has to offer to keep your infant safe.
| Height | Ideal Location | Hardware Mount Included |
Sturdy Construction | Slate Spacing | Latch Indicators | Installation Flexibility | |
| Cumbor Auto Close Safety Baby Gate | 31” | Doorways | No | Medium | 2” | Click | Adjustable Width |
| Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide | 28” | Wide Openings | Yes | High | 2.5” | Latch | Open Spaces |
| Evenflo Easy Walk | 30” | Top of Stairs | Yes | High | 4” | Color Tab | Stairways |
| Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall | 36” | Doorways | No | High | 4” | Color Tab | Adjustable width |
| Safety 1st Décor | 36” | Doorways | No | High | 4” | Color Tab | Adjustable width |
| Munchkin Loft Aluminum | 30.5” | Top of Stairs | Yes | High | 3” | Click | Non-Level Walls |
| Cardinal Gates Outdoor Safety Gate | 29.5” | Top of Stairs | Yes | High | 2.5” | Click | Adjustable Width |
| Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate | 20” | Doorways/Walls | No | Medium | 1.25” | None | Adjustable width |
| Portable Traveler Gate | 28” | Doorways | No | Low | None | Click | Adjustable Width |
| 3-in-1 Metal Superyard | 30” | Various | Yes | High | 2.5” | Click | Various |
Top 10 of stairs baby gate. Reviews
One of the first things you’ll want to do as a new parent will be to find the best baby gate you can afford.
Their safety and your peace of mind demand nothing less.
Each review below not only covers their features, strengths, and weaknesses. We also recommend their best uses and offer some detail about the company that makes them.
1. Cumbor Auto Close Safety Baby Gate – best safety gate for stairs
Designed for families with two and four-legged babies.
Cumbor brand offers a variety of home products online.
Useful for parents with smaller pets.
Key Features
- Stands 31-inches high.
- Best for doorways and stair-bottom locations.
- No hardware included.
- Metal frame has squared bars.
- Slats spaced two-inches apart.
- Provides audible latch-click.
- Adjusts from 29.5 to 38.5-inches.
Pros
- One-handed opening
- Three-step installation
- Opening for pets
Cons
- Pet opening head-hazard
- Opening present climbing point
- JPMA certification unknown
Verdict: An option if you’re offering room access for pets that can’t fit between slats.
2. Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide – best baby gates for play area
This is a two-in-one design.
Regalo is a U.S. family-owned business specializing in baby containment/safety devices.
Great for parents needing a variety of containment options.
Key Features
- Is 21-inches high.
- Usable in openings, rooms, and stand alone.
- Hardware included.
- Metal frame is JPMA and ASTM rated.
- 2.5-inch slat space.
- Offers audible click when locked.
- Usable on wide-spaces, along walls, and stand-alone.
Pros
- Converts to play-pen
- Folds up easily
- Blocks up to 192-inches
Cons
- Bars are square
- Flexible when opened
- Play-pen set-up movable by toddlers
Verdict: Good for blocking and holding little ones.
3. Evenflo Easy Walk – good baby gate for stairs
Built to provide top of stairs safety.
Evenflo began with baby-feeding products in 1920.
An option for users needing to secure their infant on upper levels.
Key Features
- 30-inch maximum height.
- Good for top of stairs.
- Hardware included.
- Taupe-colored metal has rounded bars.
- Slates spaced four-inches.
- Green/Red latch-indicator.
- Offers limited installation flexibility.
Pros
- Colored visual lock alert
- Operate with single hand
- Swing stop
Cons
- Lock-pin may wear out
- Challenging color match
- Screws low quality
Verdict: A solid frame with visual indicators.
4. Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall – best children safety gates for stairs
Designed for wider openings like kitchen walkways.
This company became famous for their “Baby on Board” vehicle signs.
Those with taller toddlers may be interested.
Key Features
- Height
- Stair-bottoms and doorways.
- No hardware
- ASTM and JPMA certified durability.
- Approximately four-inches between bars.
- Green/Red latch indicator.
- Limited to openings between rooms.
Pros
- Three-foot high
- Adjusts from 29 to 4-inches
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Latch lower-grade materials
- Door hinges may be stiff
- Pressure mount design
Verdict: Good for older babies requiring extra-height in gates.
5. Safety 1st Décor – safety stairway baby gates
Designed for looks and safety.
Safety 1st has been in business for over 30-years.
A possible selection for those wanting something different visually.
Key Features
- 36-inches high when installed.
- Good placements include living-rooms and bottom of stairs.
- No hardware included.
- Unique design is ASTM and JPMA certified.
- About four-inches between bars.
- Latch indicator includes Green/Red visual display.
- Installation
Pros
- It is tall
- Design offers fancy look
- Colored latch lock
Cons
- Design offers hand-holds
- Color isn’t neutral
- Latch material can wear
Verdict: Good for specific areas like living rooms.
6. Munchkin Loft Aluminum – best baby gates for stairs
Made for placement on uneven surfaces.
Since the early 1990s, Munchkin has received over 200 patents.
Parents living in older apartments/homes might consider this.
Key Features
- Stands 30.5-inches tall.
- Can be placed at top of stairs.
- Hardware included.
- Metal frame is JPMA-certified.
- Offers three-inches between slates.
- Latch clicks when secure.
- Can be mounted on non-leveled walls.
Pros
- Adjustable between 26.5 and 40-inches
- Indexing installation system
- Integrated tuning system
Cons
- Lacking additional lock indicators
- Slates provide easier foot-holds
- Mounting points can damage larger area
Verdict: Good for installations at aged locations.
7. Cardinal Gates Outdoor Safety Gate – good baby gate for stairs with railing
It is made for the outdoors.
Cardinal Gates makes products for children and pets.
Parents who spend time in the yard will appreciate this.
Key Features
- 29.5-inches high.
- Outdoors, including at top of deck stairs.
- Hardware in box.
- Weather-resistant Aluminum and stainless steel used.
- 2.5-inches of space between bars.
- Latch sounds click.
- Installation for outdoor access points.
Pros
- Adjusts from 27 to 42.5-inches wide
- Very durable
- Made to handle elements
Cons
- Latch easier to manipulate
- Mounting strips are long
- Extensions sold separately
Verdict: Great for decks and patios.
8. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate – good child safety gate for stairs
This product is intended for your pets.
Richell USA has been providing pet containment since 2001.
Marketed for pet-loving parents.
Key Features
- 20.1-inches when assembled.
- Used to block entrances or contain along walls.
- Hardware unnecessary
- Wire and wood frame is semi-durable.
- 1.25-inches between wire bars.
- No latch used.
- Can be moved to various locations.
Pros
- Keeps pets away from infants
- Includes rubber pads on bottom
- Provides limited space between bars
Cons
- Very short
- Can be pushed or pulled
- Provides foot-holds.
Verdict: Meant for your dogs, not your children.
9. Portable Traveler Gate – best child proof gates for stairs
This item is intended for occasional use.
NorthStates is an employee-owned company.
Parents on the road would appreciate the travel-friendly design.
Key Features
- 28-inches tall.
- Usable in doorways only.
- Hardware unnecessary.
- Fabrics are used for blocking.
- No bars or slats.
- Latch clicks when closed.
- Opens from 25.2 to 42.6-inches.
Pros
- Easy to fold and carry
- Sets up quickly
- No openings to reach through
Cons
- Not for stairways
- Fabrics may rip
- Not meant for daily use
Verdict: A reasonable consideration if your family is away from home.
10. 3-in-1 Metal Superyard – best wide baby gate
Designed to block and contain infants.
Since 1953, NorthStates has manufactured baby and pet safety-products.
Parents wanting minimal equipment should consider this.
Key Features
- Height is 30-inches.
- Can be used in doorways, wide openings, or as a play-pen.
- Hardware is included.
- Connection points on metal frame are solid.
- 2.5-inches between bars.
- Latch clicks.
- Provides up to 144-inches of blocking/containment.
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Smooth surfaces
- Can be used on most flooring
Cons
- Can be pulled/pushed in wider spaces
- Play-pen may tip
- Door hinges might need lubrication
Verdict: Good as a multi-tasking device.
Parent’s Common Questions
Two popular questions arise when parents are trying to determine what their product needs really are. We’ve answered them below.
They are included here to help you better understand when it is time for this type of product and addresses a major safety concern.
When should I install baby gates?
Expecting or new parents often wonder when they need to purchase or install these devices. Experts agree that sooner is better than later. You should install these products before your infant begins to crawl.
That puts the time for needing this safety device around six months of age. That is due to the fact that, on average, your child will begin to crawl when they reach 7 to 10-months old.
Once an infant begins to understand these movements, you might be surprised at how fast they develop speed in their movement. It is necessary to have barriers in place before you are caught off-guard and an accident happens.
How high does a baby gate have to be?
Newborns grow quickly, so it is important to determine the proper height these safety devices should be. Any product should be at least 22-inches in height.
A safe rule to follow: Many experts will state that your selected product should measure three-quarters of your child’s height. At this range, they will find it difficult to use upper body strength to pull themselves up and over the top.
When these devices are no longer effective: Near age two, many toddlers become heavier than 30-pounds and/or taller than 36-inches. At these sizes, standard safety products will no longer block them.
What is the best baby gate?
Of those examined, we recommend Evenflo Easy Walk as the best baby gate. It is hardware-mounted, offering a secure hold. A colored-latch indicator adds visual verification when you latch it closed.
These design features make it a great fit for doorways and stairwells, including along the top. You might, however, be interested in something different. Most of the other products could fit your needs, based on:
- Cumbor Auto Close Safety Baby Gate – A standard suggestion.
- Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide – Recommended for kitchen entrances.
- Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall – For older toddlers.
- Safety 1st Décor – Suggested for modern looks.
- Munchkin Loft Aluminum – Fine for standard uses.
- Cardinal Gates Outdoor Safety Gate – Ideal for outdoors.
- Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate – Not recommended, for pets.
- Portable Traveler Gate – Suggested for travel.
- 3-in-1 Metal Superyard – Recommended for larger spaces.