Stephanie Sokol
As parents, we all want to keep our little ones safe, especially when it comes to stairs.
One of the best ways to do this is by installing a baby gate. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the right one.
That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a comprehensive guide to help you find the safest baby gates for stairs. From top-rated brands to essential features, we’ve got you covered!
Safety Standards for Baby Gates
Babyproofing and childproofing are some of the most important things new parents can do to keep their little ones safe. There’s a lot to think about in regard to reducing risk when they become mobile and start exploring.
Fall risk increases when little ones are up and about, so it’s good to have a barrier in certain entryways, including areas near staircases. The best baby gates for stairs (which can also double as pet gates) will meet current Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety standards and block off areas that aren’t safe for your child to venture into just yet.
When you live in a house with stairs, it’s important to choose a baby safety gate for the top of the stairs, as well as one on the bottom. But a standard pressure-mounted baby gate is not safe for this area of a home. Since you have to step over these gates, they create a tripping hazard.
At the same time, they must easily unlock to give older kids and parents access without having to go over it.
The Best Types of Baby Gates for Stairs
Your baby gate should open with one hand when you need to go through but keep the area off-limits for little ones who are just finding their footing. Choosing a hardware-mounted, retractable gate that will be drilled into your drywall is important.
Whether you need an extra wide baby gate or one that can accommodate molding or unconventional stair situations, there are many types to choose from.
When considering the type of baby gate that works best for areas with stairs, seek out gates that open to allow access through, rather than over. These include hardware mounted or some pressure-mounted swinging gates with locking mechanisms, or retractable gates.
Finding the right gate for your stairs also brings in variables like baseboards, banister size, style or quantity, and whether part of your staircase is open and away from a wall. To help with child safety in your home, we’ve compiled a list of baby gate top picks for staircase areas.
If your child shows signs of trying to climb, it may be time to stop using a gate. But when they are first walking these added layers of safety can give you peace of mind to make your home a little safer for your child.
Cumbor Auto-Close Baby Gate for Stairs
Price: $99, Amazon
This hardware-mounted baby gate is a former Mom’s Choice Award winner as a bottom or top-of-stairs gate. The metal gate opens away from the stairs and acts as a door. The autoclose feature ensures that it will not be left open, and the one-handed operation makes it easy to use with your hands full.
Evenflo Walk-Thru Baby Gate
Price: $44.99, Evenflo
Walk-thru baby gates, like this one from Evenflo, are a great choice to safely block off stairs so babies can’t get through, but adults can easily open and close them. This gate slides to expand between 30 to 48 inches. It comes in the shades natural wood and farmhouse collection.
Munchkin Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate for Stairs
Price: $78.70, Amazon
This dual-locking gate has a 4.5-star rating, with more than 3,000 reviews. It fits openings 29.5-35 inches wide, with an extender available for wider door frames. It has a push-locking system. The gate’s latch system allows it to swing in both directions, making it a good choice for the top or bottom of a staircase.
Munchkin Loft Hardware Mounted Baby Gate For Stairs
Price: $208, Amazon
At 26.5 to 40 inches in width, this hardware-mounted gate for walls and large, flat wood banisters works well around staircases and in hallways. It has a special tuning system to align even with uneven walls. The mount is quick-release, so installation and removal can be done fast when needed.
Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Baby Gate
Price: $39.99, Amazon
If you’re seeking a budget-friendly, pressure-mounted safety gate for the stairs, Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru may be the right fit for your home. This gate is extra wide to accommodate spaces up to 35 inches wide.
Extensions are available, though only three can be used at most. There is also a 56-inch width version available, for $59.99.
Regalo Super Wide Baby Gate and Play Yard
Price: $89.99, Amazon
At 130 inches, this 2-in-1 walk-thru gate is a great way to babyproof the bottom of a staircase when one side is open and away from a wall. If you need to have your little ones confined to a specific area, this gate converts into a play yard as well.
Retract-A-Gate
Price: $149, Amazon
This retractable hardware-mounted gate is one of the first of its kind, and the only one made in the united states. It can be installed at a variety of angles.
This baby gate can be installed near stairways inside as well as on decks or patios, or hallways, blocking up to 200 pounds from going through. Retract-A-Gate measures 52 inches by 34 inches and has an overall Amazon rating of 1.5 stars, with more than one thousand reviews.
Safety 1st Ready to Install Everywhere Gate
Price: $84.99, Amazon
If you need to work around tall baseboards, at the top or bottom of your staircase, check out Safety 1st’s Everywhere Steel Baby Gate. This walk-through gate extends to fill spaces from 29 to 42 inches wide. This hardware-mounted gate is one piece and requires no additional hardware to install.
Stair Barrier BB (Banister to Banister)
Price: $179.99, The Stair Barrier
4.5 star rating with 200 reviews. This deluxe retractable baby gate goes all the way across two banister staircases, shielding entry for your children and pets. It is also aesthetically pleasing, with 15 versatile colors and patterns to choose from.
Stairway Special Safety Gate
Price: $89.95, Wayfair
Cardinal Gates’ all-aluminum gate is designed specifically to block off stairs. This hardware-mounted baby gate has a toddler-proof latch that adults can open with one hand. It measures 29.5” tall and is adjustable from 27 inches to 42.9 inches in width depending on the space you need to be blocked off.
Summer Infant Two Banister Baby Gate
Price: $100, Amazon
Designed with an extra wide door in mind, Summer Infant’s two-banister baby gate is easy to install with no drilling involved. It comes with special mounting tools that will not damage banisters but can also be hardware mounted to a wall for single banister areas. Available in the shades birch or golden cherry.
Toddleroo by North States Deluxe Decor Gate
Price: $119.99, Amazon
Extending from 38.3 to up to 72 inches, this extra wide double-locking gate works great in stair tops or stair bottoms where there is only one side with a wall or banister. It is made of heavy-duty metal, and up to six additional 15-inch extensions can be added to further expand.
Wall Nanny
Price: $14.95, Amazon
If you are renting or just looking to keep wall mount damage to a minimum, a barrier like the Wall Nanny provides a barrier to keep hardware-mounted baby gates in place without drilling into drywall. These work with hardware-mounted or pressure-mounted baby gates.
Finding the safest baby gate for stairs requires careful consideration of various factors. With our guide, you can be confident in your decision and trust that you have chosen a gate that will provide your little one with the necessary protection.
