Here are the 10 best baby gates in 2021 that not only guarantee safety but are also visually pleasing.
Best overall baby gate: Evenflo Barn Door Walk-thru Baby Gate
Best rated baby gate: Regalo Baby Easy Step Walk Through Safety Gate
Best gate for versatility: North States Superyard 3 In 1 Arched Decor Metal
Best baby gate for Stairways: Summer Deluxe Stairway Wood Gate
Best baby gate for extra height: Summer Infant Extra Tall Gate
Table of Contents
Things to consider before buying a baby gate
Type of gate
A gate can either be hardware or pressure mounted. The location of installation influences the type of gate you should get. Here is what you need to know before choosing the right type of baby gate for you.
Hardware mounted baby gates
Hardware-mounted gates are drilled on the walls of your house. Therefore they are the most appropriate for places that pose a higher risk to your child, such as the top of stairs. This is because they provide extra safety due to the bolts fastened on the walls compared to the pressure mounted baby gates. This is important, especially at the top of the stairs, if your baby tends to lean on the baby gate.
Most of the hardware-mounted gates are fairly permanent such that you will have to undo the screws before removing this gate to open the passageway. However, this has been solved by modern baby gate companies by a unique design where you only drill a sidebar.
Therefore, you only need to slide out the gate in case of the opening shifts to a high traffic passage due to parties, events, etc.
In addition, some gates on our list can be used as a pressure-mounted gate or hardware-mounted gate. This is the best option as long as you keep in mind that pressure mounted gates are never to be used on top of stairs.
Pressure mounted baby gates
Unlike hardware-mounted gates, pressure mounted gates do not require you to drill walls. They are held to the wall by pressure. This type of gate is the best option if you are looking to avoid drilling holes into your walls. For this reason, they are easy to remove when you no longer need it without going through the process of unscrewing the screws from the wall.
The only downside is that they are discouraged for use on top of the stairs.
Height
The height of a baby gate is important since it discourages your little one from climbing over. Therefore, you should go for gates that are at least three-quarters of your child’s height. If your child is tall, do not hesitate to go for a taller gate.
Some gates are as tall as 39 inches. Though you should note that if your child is taller than 36 inches, then you cannot rely on a gate to keep him/her constrained.
Slat spacing
The spacing between vertical bars is an important requirement that may be ignored. The spaces need to be less than 3 inches to prevent your curious little one from getting his/her head trapped in between the bars,
However, 3 inches maybe still enough for your baby to fit his/her legs to try to climb or swing on the door. Swinging on the door may be dangerous for the baby, and the gate may be dislodged. This may be unsafe, especially for stairs gates. A stop bracket may come in handy so that the gate only swings one way just in case of anything.
All in all, you should note that your child should always be monitored whether a baby gate has these safety features or not.
Construction
You should look for a baby gate with sturdy construction and a fine finish. You could either go for wooden or metal gates. If you choose a wooden one, go for a splinter-free gate to avoid injuries. However, metal gates tend to be more durable than wooden gates.
A gate can come with or without a trip bar. A trip bar is found at the bottom of the gate. It has various functions, such as preventing your child or pet from passing below the gate. It is also used to fit locks for gates with a double locking mechanism.
Latches
Choosing a latch is based on preference. Just make sure that it is designed in such a way that it is easy for you to use but hard for your child to use. You should also opt for latches that require a one-handed operation to lock and unlock. Simply put, the latch should be user-friendly.
It is also great to go for gates that come with a latch fitted with an indicator to act as a signal to tell you whether the door is locked or not. Some manufactures go as far as integrating a sound alarm system that alerts the user when the gate door is properly locked.
