The 10 Best Baby Gates to Keep Your Little Explorer Safe (and You Sane)

A parent-favorite for good reason, the Regalo Easy Step combines affordability, durability, and adjustability. It’s also Dr. Purdy’s top pick because of its ease of use and multiple safety lock features. 

This baby gate is sturdy and can conveniently be used as either a pressure- or hardware-mounted safety gate with the included extension kit. Just be sure to measure your hallway or staircase first: The gate can fit openings between 29 to 34 inches wide or 35 to 38.5 inches wide, but it won’t fit an opening that measures between 34 and 35 inches, though most parents don’t seem to find this to be much of an issue. With multiple safety lock features, reviewers also note that it’s tough for little ones to break out. And, many say the lock is easy to maneuver with one hand, which means you can safely walk through while holding baby. 

“It was easy to install, and my daughter has never come close to being able to open it,” says Karen Sly, What to Expect’s Director of Finance, about her almost 3-year-old. “Even if she knew what to do, I don't think she has the dexterity to open it.”

Keep in mind: This isn’t a great option for the top of the stairs due to the bar at the bottom (it can be a tripping hazard) but it’s excellent nearly everywhere else. It’s also incredibly durable. This is at the bottom of one of my staircases, and my toddler (and dog) has not been able to break through it.

For open-concept homes or large openings, Summer Infant’s pressure-mounted gate extends up to 60 inches. The large door swings both ways and feels sturdy once in place. Setup is time-consuming (I can co-sign that) and takes patience — so plan ahead and read the directions carefully — but the look and functionality are worth it. Bonus points go to its two-toned design, which features your choice of New Zealand pine and slate-gray metal, dark walnut, honey oak and metal, and oak wood and metal.

Perfect for awkward or narrow areas, EasyBaby’s retractable baby gate pulls out to cover up to 55 inches and retracts when not in use. Because there’s no medium width and you won’t have to worry about space to open a door, you can put this gate just about anywhere (except for the top of your stairs, because it’s not as sturdy as a traditional hardware-mounted gate). I use this to block off a play area for my older kids that contains toys that aren’t baby-friendly, like Legos. 

Operating this gate is simple: Push and turn clockwise to unlock, then grasp the handle and hook it onto the catches. Some parents noted that they have to use two hands to get the gate open, but that hasn’t been my experience. The gate comes in three different shades to coordinate with your decor.

As far as being affordable and perfect for the top of the stairs, this pick from Evenflo checks all the boxes. It stands a full 32 inches tall, providing plenty of height to keep your baby contained. The width can expand to accommodate openings from 30 to 48 inches wide.

I like the one-hand latch design because it’s simple and quick to operate — many other parents note that as a major perk, too. Since this gate is meant to sit completely flush with the floor, it’s also ideal for preventing trip hazards, unlike some gates that have a bar on the bottom when you step through. The gate’s door opens in both directions, and with hardware mounting, you can feel confident that it’s attached to your walls and stays put anywhere you need it. It doesn’t hurt that this gate looks stylish, too!

Although you can use most hardware-mounted options for your stairs, this baby gate's adaptable mounting options can be used against banisters on one or both sides — making it ideal for lots of different kinds of home setups. Once installed, the gate swings open with one hand by squeezing the lock at the top (but note that it doesn’t automatically close or lock). Parents love its warm wood finish and the fact that there’s no bottom bar to stub toes on. Many were also surprised by how easy it was to install, but some wished the lock was easier to operate because you have to manually slide the gate in and out from the latch.

While I wouldn’t recommend a portable gate for your everyday needs, it can be a game-changer when you’re on the road. If you need a gate to bring on vacation or for a sleepover at the grandparents’ house, this North States Toddleroo baby gate can be easily broken down and carried due to its lightweight design. Then, when you’ve reached your destination, parents say it’s quick and straightforward to assemble. What’s more, it includes a quick-fit system that makes it easy to adjust the gate to the open space and remove it when it’s time to go. I regularly use this at my parents’ house, and like that it’s small enough to fit into the truck of my car, too. Though you might be hesitant about the gate’s strength due to how light it is, you can rest assured that this JPMA-certified gate can withstand the force of your baby. 

Having a hardware-mounted baby gate usually means your gate is a permanent wall fixture until you decide to finally take it down. But the Munchkin Loft Baby Gate has a unique quick-release wall mount that allows you to remove the gate if you need to clear the area. (It goes up again easily, too.) It's perfect for occasional open spaces, and its no-bar base makes it safe for top-of-stairs use.

This baby gate is a beast thanks to its wide aluminum slas that can hold back excitable toddlers and dogs alike. It also doesn’t have a bar across the bottom, making it a good choice for the top of your stairs or nearly anywhere in your home. The handle is easy to open one-handed, and you can swing this gate either way. The modern design is an added perk, too. The only downside of this gate is the high price tag. At $209, however, it’s the most expensive gate on our list.

Parents love the smooth one-handed latch that’s truly easy to use (a rare find) — it feels like magic when you’re toting a baby or loaded laundry basket around. While many baby gates claim to have one-handed opening features, not all of them actually live up to this level of hype. The Cardinal Gates SS30 Stairway Special Baby Gate is a hardware-mounted option with a special latch system that’s easy for adults to work, but not little ones. I like that it can open in both directions, with a stop bracket you can put in place to keep the gate from opening over stairs.

This gate has a wide expansion area from 27 to 42.5 inches, making it compatible with a wide variety of spaces. There’s no bar at the bottom, so you can use this at the top of the stairs, too. While the aluminum frame is sturdy, it’s admittedly not the most stylish baby gate you’ll find. But the white exterior blends in relatively well with most decor. 

Sometimes you need to block off an area bigger than a doorway, the Regalo 194-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate and Play Yard helps parents achieve just that I installed this to block off an area in my living room, which is wider than most standard baby gates can go, to create a playpen for my little one.  

But there are a few things to keep in mind with this gate. A big one is that the longer you make it, the less structural integrity it has. So, if you have a climber, you’ll want to make sure you use this in a smaller area, versus using it to create a mini wall. It also comes in just one color — white — giving you limited options in terms of decor. Still, the gate does an excellent job creating a designated space for little ones. It also has a one-handed opening feature, which I appreciate when I’m going in and out with toys. 

Some baby gates are only designed to be used in certain areas of your home. But the Safety First Ready to Install Everywhere Baby Gate has features that make it versatile enough to use nearly anywhere. I have this in several areas of my house, including at the top of the stairs. (The lack of a bottom bar makes it perfect for that spot.)

It’s relatively easy to install and has a trigger-style one-handed latch that’s simple to use. The door can swing both ways, although there’s a special latch you flip up to keep it from opening over a staircase. One caveat: I found that the tension on this gate needed to be adjusted over time, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. The only potential downside is that this gate only comes in white, limiting your decor options. Still, it’s worked just fine in my home.