
The Best Baby Gates to Keep Your Little Cruiser Contained
Block off danger zones and keep your little explorer safe with these top-rated baby gates for every home and budget.


In This Article
Once babies get mobile, any area in your home is fair game—stairs are especially hazardous, and the kitchen, bathrooms and other rooms can be too. When it comes to child proofing your home, baby gates are an important part of safety that pediatricians strongly recommend, especially for staircases and those rooms you need to keep baby away from.
No matter what you’re trying to block off, there are baby gates to fit your needs—including hardware-mounted versus pressure-mounted (if you can’t drill into the walls), tall versus short, self-closing and even corral-style. Here are the best in each category, plus advice on how to use them safely from Dr. Seran Kim, an emergency physician.
- Best Hardware-MountDreambaby Glide 'N Hide Extra Tall Retractable Baby Gate - BlackFrom $59.99
- Best Pressure-MountSafety 1st Easy Install Modern Farmhouse Gate - Grey Stain FinishFrom $109.99
- Best FreestandingToddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimate Baby GateFrom $69.99
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Firsthand and professional experience. As a Babylist editor and mom of two young boys, I’ve used a lot of baby gates. My kids and I have lived in several different two-story homes over the years, and I also have a special interest in baby safety, so I understand firsthand the importance of baby gates that keep little ones safe and contained. I’ve even personally tested many of the gates on this list.
Expert POV. I got advice on baby gate safety and general baby proofing from Dr. Seran Kim, an emergency physician who specializes in first aid.
Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from thousands of Babylist customers to get a deeper sense of what today’s parents are looking for in their baby gates.
Best Baby Gate Overall
Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate - White
From $34.99Sturdy, expandable, versatile—this gate checks all the boxes of a baby gate’s most important safety features. It’s constructed from durable steel and can expand from 29 inches up to 60 inches with expansion panels. Depending on your installation needs (like if you’re not allowed to drill holes into your walls), it can be installed via hardware mount or pressure mount. This gate is also on the more affordable end, in case you’re baby proofing on a budget or need to buy multiple gates for your home.
Additional Specs
Height: 30”
Width: 29”–34” or 35”–38.5” (will fit 34”–35” with additional 4” panel); max 60” with additional panels
Installation method: Hardware-mounted or pressure-mounted
Best Hardware-Mounted Baby Gate
Dreambaby Glide 'N Hide Extra Tall Retractable Baby Gate - Black
From $59.99This innovative gate is a parent favorite for a reason. Unlike traditional hardware-mounted gates that swing open, the Glide ‘N Hide fully retracts when not in use, so you’re not stuck navigating around a bulky frame (or looking at a permanent eyesore). The one-handed operation makes it great for high-traffic areas, not to mention easy to open and close even when you’re holding baby. And we love that this one is taller than most baby gates by about five to seven inches—at 35 inches high, it’s tougher for climbing toddlers to scale.
Additional Specs
Height: 35”
Width: Up to 55”
Installation method: Hardware-mounted
Best Pressure-Mounted Baby Gate
Safety 1st Easy Install Modern Farmhouse Gate - Grey Stain Finish
From $109.99Want a sturdy gate without drilling into your walls? A pressure-mounted gate can be a great option if you rent your home or if you’re traveling, but most pressure-mounted baby gates can look pretty utilitarian. That’s why so many parents love this farmhouse-style gate from Safety 1st—it combines function and style with a sleek wood-and-metal design that still has key safety and convenience features, including a visual indicator that lets you know whether the gate is installed correctly.
Additional Specs
Height: 28”
Width: 29”–37”
Installation method: Pressure-mounted
Best Affordable Baby Gate
This budget-friendly gate doesn’t skimp on safety or convenience. It installs via hardware directly into the wall (while most lower-priced gates are pressure-mounted), so you can be sure you’re getting the most secure fit. And the retractable panel is a feature that normally has a higher-end price, but this gate gives you that convenient functionality without breaking the bank.
Additional Specs
Height: 30”
Width: Up to 52”
Installation method: Hardware-mounted
Best Tall Baby Gate
If you’ve got a climber on your hands, a taller baby gate offers an extra layer of safety. At 36 inches high, this tall version of our best overall gate gives you six extra inches of height to keep your little one contained. And just like our best overall pick, this one also has the option to be either pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted, so you can install it in whatever way makes the most sense for your home.
And if you’re looking for something a little more aesthetic and decor-friendly, we also love this tall gate by Summer Infant.
Additional Specs
Height: 36”
Width: 29”–36.5”
Installation method: Hardware-mounted or pressure-mounted
Best Travel Baby Gate
If you’re headed on vacation, a trip to the grandparents’ house or anywhere else where you know there won’t be much childproofing in place, this portable gate is a good addition to your packing list. There are multiple size options that all expand or shrink to cover a wide range of spaces (30 to 48 inches for the small size, 36 to 60 inches for the medium size and 42 to 72 inches for the large size), and it folds up into a compact tube shape with its own travel bag. It sets up in under a minute (no tools needed) and doesn’t leave any holes in the doorframe or walls.
Additional Specs
Height: 27”
Width: 30”–48"
Installation method: Pressure-mounted
Best Freestanding Baby Gate
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimate Baby Gate
From $69.99Sometimes it’s not about blocking off one hazardous area—it’s about keeping a curious baby fully contained. That’s where a freestanding corral-like gate comes in handy. These bright, cheerful panels snap together in seconds to form a six-panel play yard that covers up to 18.5 square feet, creating plenty of space for a baby or toddler to play in safely. It’s great for indoors or outdoors, and it folds up flat when you're done for easy storage. You can even add extra panels to expand the area as your baby grows.
Additional Specs
Height: 26”
Width: Each panel is 32” wide; gate encloses up to 18.5 sqft or 16’ unfolded without additional panels.
Installation method: Freestanding (not mountable)
Do You Need a Baby Gate?
Unless you live in a one-story home and you’ve baby proofed every room from ceiling to floor, then yes, you’ll probably need a baby gate. Most babies start to get mobile between seven and ten months old, and if you live in a home with stairs, then pediatricians and safety experts say a baby gate is an absolute non-negotiable for safety.
And you can bet your baby is going to get curious about cupboards, drawers and anything they can get their hands on (like taste testing the dog food)—so you’ll want to make sure your living space is child proofed and all unsafe areas are blocked off well before all of that unfolds.
How to Use Baby Gates Safely
Baby gates are intended to keep your baby safe, but they’ll only do their job if you understand how to use them correctly and safely.
First, there are two types of installation methods for baby gates:
Hardware- or wall-mounted: Both sides of this type of gate need to be screwed into a door frame, wall or a banister. These gates are safer and more secure than pressure-mounted gates, says emergency physician Dr. Seran Kim, making them the better choice for places like the top of stairs and other precarious spots throughout your home.
Pressure-mounted baby gates: These gates use tension rods to secure to walls and doorframes, so they don’t require any screws or other hardware that can put holes in your walls. They’re a good choice for renters with strict leases, and since they’re portable, they also work for travel and temporary situations. Just keep in mind that the tension can loosen over time, Dr. Kim says, so these gates need to be checked often to make sure they’re as secure as possible.
Next, many gates (especially pressure-mounted ones) have threshold bars on the bottom. While this can be a safety feature to keep the gate stable and prevent small limbs from getting trapped between the bottom of the gate and the floor, Dr. Kim says that it can also be a tripping hazard. It’s something to consider, especially if you have limited lower-body mobility or other young children in the house.
Finally, look for the Baby Safety Alliance verification seal (formerly JPMA). This safety certification ensures that the baby gate meets all safety standards set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, including:
The gate is at least 22 inches tall
The spacing between the bottom of the gate and floor isn’t big enough for a child’s head or neck to get stuck
The gate can withstand the correct amount of force if a child attempts to push through it