ContentsComparison Table of the Top 10 Best Baby Gates of 2017Reviews of Top 10 Best Baby Gates of 20171. Easy Close Gate2. Munchkin Luna Gate With LED Light3. Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Gate4. Kidco Safeway Top of Stair Gate5. Regalo Super Wide Gate & Play Yard6. Regalo Easy Open 50-Inch Super-Wide Gate7. Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate8. Retract A Gate9. Carlson Wide Gate with Pet Door10. Regalo Extra Tall Widespan Gate11. Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall GateYour Guide to the Perfect Baby Gates 101 Children are always susceptible to injuries if left unattended both indoor and outdoor. At a young age, children will not be conscious of danger or know how to save themselves when faced with a dangerous situation. To ensure that your child remains safe at all times, you will have to start from your own home. Perhaps, the first step towards that would be installing a baby gate. It will not only give your child the safest play area but also prevent them from reaching dangerous areas like staircases or fireplaces. Our team at BabyGateReviews.net has made it even easier for you to choose the best baby gates for your home. Our reviews highlight the features of each product including the specifications. This will aid you to make the most suitable choice that will fit perfectly in the space you have in mind. So what are you waiting for? Read our reviews and pick the best one for your home. Comparison Table of the Top 10 Best Baby Gates of 2017 Reviews of Top 10 Best Baby Gates of 2017 1. Easy Close Gate Easy Close Gate is yet another safety gate from North States Supergate that’s sure to give you peace of mind and get the job done. The Easy Close Gate is made of heavy-duty metal, and it doesn’t require any assembly — it literally fits into your doorway! The tension gate is super safe for your baby as it comes with wall cups that hold the tension arms in place. For the most part, the gate uses an intelligent locking mechanism — you can choose to lift the gate to open or twist the lock for extra security. The good thing is, the locking mechanism is straightforward to use with just one hand. It’s also good to point out that the gate fits doorways that are 28 inches to 31.5 inches wide. Moreover, the Easy Close Gate measures 29 inches high when installed — this makes it easy for taller adults to step over it instead of opening it. All in all, this is a recommended purchase that’s sure to give you the best value for money. 2. Munchkin Luna Gate With LED Light 30 to 40.5 inches wide, 29 inch tall, TurnKey Mounting System, sleek design, Dual Lock, one 2.75″ extension & one 5.5″ extension, Motion activated LEDs Munchkin Luna Gate is a class by itself and the master of all the child safety gates. This walk thru gate is a real example of modernism and innovation. This new Munchkin Luna features a breakthrough mounting technology known as Turnkey Mounting System which makes you install it in a blink of an eye. All you have to do is insert the Turnkey tool that comes with it and then twist, and voila you are done! The door can be opened either one way or both ways, depending on how you want it. For instance, if you are installing it on the stairs then you will choose one-way opening. Stairways are the most unsafe area of your home. It is crucial to install the best stair gate at this location. Not only that, this revolutionizing award winning baby gate features motion activated LED lights that make your night time walks inside the house super convenient. The sensors will detect your motion from as far as 6 feet and illuminate the LEDs for 15 secs so that you can easily walk through it without tripping. Although it’s on the pricier side, it is worth every penny! This beast can fit the openings from 30 inches to 40.5 inches, which is not bad at all! With just one push you can close the door behind you without any hassle. This dual lock gate has very slim and sleek design that will enhance the beauty of your house. Pros Cons Super-fast and easy installation Pricey Motion activated LEDs Have to change 2 AAA Batteries for LED once they exhaust Includes 2 extension kits Award winning design 1 way and double way opening Turnkey Mounting System Tall and wide enough 3. Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Gate 28 to 48 inches wide, 36 inches tall, pressure mounting system, two 4.5 inch & one 9 inch extensions, easy auto-lock walk through gate Summer Infant Multi-Use Tall Gate is an all-rounder gate provides versatility, ease of use and sturdiness. It is best for almost any area; stairways, hallways or doorways, you name it. It can fit your extra wide spaces and prevent your climbers from jumping over it because of its reasonable height. This bronze colored attractive gate blends well with your home interior. It is made up of steel and fits an opening from 28 to 48 inches wide and stands 36 inches tall. You will also get two extension kits (one 9 inches & two 4.5 inches) with it. The pressure mounting system is mostly used. However, Hardware mounts are also included that makes it also usable at the stairs. Thanks to its easy locking feature, it can be operated with just one hand and auto-locks itself immediately after you pass through it. Pros Cons Good looking metal bronze finish Only comes in Bronze color Both pressure & hardware mounts are included Comes with 2 extension kits Auto-lock walk thru gate One hand operation 4. Kidco Safeway Top of Stair Gate 24.75 to 43.5 inch wide, 30.5-inch-tall, hardware mount gate Next up is one of the top Kidco Safeway Gate which is specifically designed for dangerous areas like the stairs. It can be installed at uneven areas. It comes with two color options to choose from; white and black. This Hardware mounted gate doesn’t come with any extensions, but it has an adjustable width that can fit your area up to 43.5 inches. It features a directional stop, which prevents the gate from swinging to another side. This feature is essential to install it at the top of the stairs. You can even uninstall it very easily with the help of its quick release equipment so that whenever it’s not needed, you can always take it down with ease. Pros Cons Quick release equipment Hardware mount leaves drilling marks on the wall Can be mounted on irregular or uneven surface Extensions are sold separately Can be mounted on top of stairs Directional stop Comes with 2 color options One hand operation Adjustable width 5. Regalo Super Wide Gate & Play Yard 29 to 192 inch wide, 28 inch tall, Hardware mount or free standing gate, play pen If you are looking for a gate that can fit your super wide space or it can be used as a play yard, then Regalo Super Wide Gate is for you. It comes with eight configurable panels made of metal. Each metal penal will add the width of 24 inches. You can mount it on your wall (hardware mount) or can even free stand it, whatever suits you. It can be used in different ways depending on how you want to use it. Each configuration is quick and easy to setup and takes down. If you are using it as a play area, it will give you 19 sq ft enclosed area. Enough for your child to play smoothly. The door also features safety locking system so that you don’t have to worry about any accidents. It is made up of sturdy steel which is very easy to install and take down. You can easily fold it so that you can store it for later use. Pros Cons Extra wide gate Not very tall Wall Mounted or freestanding indoor gate Can be flimsy Steel construction for extra strength and durability Comes with 8 configurable panels Safety lock Can be used as a play yard Folds down very easily 6. Regalo Easy Open 50-Inch Super-Wide Gate 29-50 inches wide, 30-inch tall, one 6 & one 12 inch extension kits, Pressure Mounting System Next gate in our list is a Regalo 50 Inch Super Wide Gate. It is made up of 100% steel that provides security and sturdiness. Because it features pressuring mounting system, we will not recommend you to use it on top of stairs. You can use it on your doorways, hallways, etc. This super wide gate comes with safety locking feature that is operated with the one-touch release which allows adults to go through the passageway just by pulling back the lever handle. The extremely light weight design makes its installation a piece of cake. Because of its extra ordinary width, you can use it on your extra wide areas where a common gate won’t fix. Pros Cons Wide gate Cannot be used as stairs gate as hardware mounting is not there Pressure Mounting Not very tall 100% steel construction Lightweight & portable One touch release lock feature Includes 2 extension kits 90 days warranty 7. Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate 29 to 40 inches wide, 31-inch tall, Expandable, Pressure mounting system If you are looking for an affordable inexpensive baby gate with good quality, then Regalo Easy Step is best for you. It has a pressure mounting system which is ideal for hallways & doorways, etc. However, you can also place it at the stairs with the help of the included wall cups. The wall cups are drilled in the wall or banister. Like other Regalo gates, it also boasts single touch release safety lock that opens just by lifting the lever. This makes it very easy if your hands are occupied, you can operate it without much hassle. Some people complain that the opening to pass through it is quite narrow. If you have a larger person at home, then you should consider this point before making a purchase. Pros Cons Affordable gate Extension kits are sold separately Expandable Narrow opening Pressure mount gate with optional hardware Lever style handle, one touch release 100% steel construction 8. Retract A Gate 72 inches wide, 34 inches tall, mesh, Retractable, Bracket Mounting Retract-A-Gate is one of the best Retractable baby gate in the market that customers swear by. It is on the pricier side but gives very promising results. If you want to spend on a high-quality gate once and for all, then we will highly recommend this gate to you. It is retracted and folded as easily as a piece of cake when not in use, without creating any annoying noise like other retractable gates. Not only that, it features sturdy, washable mesh barrier that you can see through. Because of its material, you can even use it outdoors without worrying anymore. It is scratch and claw resistant which is ideal if you own a pet. For your ease and your child’s safety, it has one hand operation system with child proof lock. This way you can quickly open and close it while your inquisitive child cannot. If you want to install it at more than one place and use it alternatively, then this can be done with the help of an Additional Universal Mounting Bracket Kit. This Retract-a-gate can be easily installed on top of the stairs, hallways, doorways, etc. Thanks to its Stair Banister Adapter kit, it can be fitted stair spindles or posts without the need to drill any holes. Pros Cons Retractable gate Expensive Noise free retraction Very small pets can pass under it No drilling required Can be used outdoors Washable Scratch and claw resistant Mesh Child proof Lock Single hand operation Additional Universal Mounting Bracket Kit Stair Banister Adapter kit 9. Carlson Wide Gate with Pet Door 29 to 44 inches wide, 31 inches tall, 2 extensions, Pressure mounting system with optional hardware mount. Carlson Wide gate with Cat Door is a wide gate with a small pet door to allow your small pets to pass through it while holding your toddlers and large pets. It comes with one 6 inch and one 4 inch extensions. It is ideal if you want your kids away from all the pet litter and pet food while allowing your pet to pass through the ten by 7 inches pet door and make all the mess. This door features pressure mounting system for easy setup and also includes optional hardware to install on top of the stairs. Thanks to its one touch release handle, opening and closing the gate is not a hassle anymore, and you can pass through it even with full hands. It is chew proof and made up of 100% steel which makes it very durable and sturdy. Pros Cons Pet door Pet door can act as a ladder for big ones to climb over Easy latch Pressure mounting with optional hardware mount 2 extensions All-steel construction Chew proof 10. Regalo Extra Tall Widespan Gate 29.5 to 52 inches wide, 36 inches tall, pressure mount system, 2 extension kits, single-touch hand release system Next in our list is Regalo Widespan Extra Tall gate which is an ideal choice if you are looking for a gate with added height. This 36-inch tall gate helps keep toddlers and climbing pets out of the way. Its robust metal construction will ensure extra security. You will find installing and uninstalling it is easy and doesn’t take much time. You can adjust this gate to fit your wider openings with the help of it 6 & 12-inch extension kits. It will not leave any marks as it features pressure mounting system instead of hardware mounting system. Opening and closing it is also pretty easy because of the lift lever style handle which you can open with a single-touch hand release. This feature is convenient for adults with occupied hands. Pros Cons Extra tall and reasonably wide gate No hardware mounting option is available, it is not ideal for stairs Pressure mounting for easy installation Can become flimsy if extensions are used One hand operation to ensure added safety 90 days warranty Steel construction for extra strength and durability Comes with 2 extension kits Lift lever style handle 11. Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Gate 28 to 48 inches wide, 36 inches tall, dual lock system, hardware & pressure mounting The reason we chose Summer Infant Extra Tall gate is that it is not only tall enough to prevent your naughty pets and toddlers from jumping over but also has reasonable width. With 18 inches wide opening, this attractive beige tall gate with the door can fit spaces from 28” to 48” wide and stands 36-inch tall. This gate can be either used on stairways through hardware mounting system or can be used at other places with its pressure mounting system. If you opt to install it on top of your stairs, you can use the removable stoppers which will prevent it from swinging the other side. To avoid any unexpected accidents, this summer infant gate also features dual lock and auto-close systems. This adds added security in case you forget to shut the door; it will automatically close off after a certain amount of time. Pros Cons One hand operation Narrow opening Auto close feature Tough to install Door opens in both directions Auto-close feature sometimes doesn’t work well 2 extensions included Pressure mounting system with optional hardware mounting Attractive beige metal gate Removable door stoppers Your Guide to the Perfect Baby Gates 101 You need to understand the basics of babyproofing gates before purchasing as you don’t want to invest into something that doesn’t fit your criteria. Kids gates come in various widths, heights, materials and mounting systems targeted to serve different purposes. Our experts at BabyGateReviews.net will make sure that your money is spent on the right product that meets your needs. Firsts things first. Let’s find out the types of baby gates available in the market: Metal Gates Metal gates are most widely available in the market today. Keeping in mind how important the safety of a child is, these metal gates are made with sturdy steel which ensures security for your child or even pet. They are ideal for use at the top of the stairs to minimize the risk of tripping or falling. The metal used in it is non-toxic, PVC free and safe for your child. Make sure you pick one of the best gates for babies that are certified by Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and meets the American Section of the International Association for Testing Materials safety standards. Wooden Gates Wooden gates are widely sold in the market. People who are conscious about their home décor and want to match the child gate with their wooden furniture often go with this type of gates. These gates are not ideal to use outdoors (like a gate for a front porch, deck, etc.) as wood can get wet in the rain. They are also not recommended for top of stairs as they don’t provide as much support as metal gates. However, they are best for hallways and other places indoor from where you want to keep your child or pet away. If your pet loves to chew, then we warn you to stay away from wooden gates as your pet will love to munch on it for breakfast! Plastic or Fabric Gates The third type that you will find on the market is either plastic or fabric barrier. They are not as sturdy as metal or wooden gates and are mostly retractable. People who are conscious about the interior décor of their homes opt for such gates Now that you know the materials available for the baby gate let’s move on to the types of systems that attach the gate to your walls or banisters. This method is called mounting system and is very important to consider before picking a babygate; you will know why soon! Hardware Mounting System Hardware mounting system is the safest of all systems and is best for risky places like stairways. This system requires drilling in your wall, banister or door frame, which makes it very sturdy and almost impossible to fall over. But one drawback of using this system is that it leaves drilling marks after you remove it. Pros Cons Hold child/pet weight without the chance of slipping Leaves drilling marks Strong Difficult to install Recommended for usage on stairs Cannot be uninstalled if you are in hurry Best for long term use Leaves drilling marks Can be mounted on irregular surfaces such as bannisters & baseboards Pressure Mounting System A pressure mounting system helps to install the baby proofing gate securely without the need to drill or any other tools. This means you don’t have to worry about spoiling your walls or woodwork. But if you want to install the gate on any high-risk area like staircase or fireplace then you must go for gates that use hardware mounting. Pros Cons Easy and fast installation Not safe for usage on stairs No drilling required Can get loose or slip because of child/pet weight Best for temporary installation Not good for angular walls Less pricy than hardware mount gates Okay, we assume that by now you would have decided with material and mounting system that would fulfill your needs. Let’s talk about the width and length of a gate and how important is it to consider these things before buying a safety gate Width of the Child Gate How easy would it be if all the door openings and spaces were of standard width? It would have been super easy, and you could choose a gate in just a few simple steps. But the reality is far from that, and it is compulsory that you consider the width of the before buying the gate. If it doesn’t fit the width of the opening then it won’t be more than a piece of crap for you. Child gates come in a variety of widths to choose from according to your requirements. An ordinary gate would be around 34 inches wide. But if the space you want to cover is larger than that then you can go for the extra wide gate. These extra wide baby gates also come in different widths; some are wider than others. You will find the range from approximately 50 inches to 192 inches. Height of the Child Gate Height is another important thing to consider before deciding which babygate to pick. An ordinary gate has around 30-inch of height. But if you are looking for a gate for your toddler who loves to climb or a pet that can jump like a monkey then you need to consider investing in tall baby gates which are around 5 inches taller than regular ones. The additional height of these barriers will prevent your curious climbers to jump over the gate and also keep them secure. Additional Tip: Measure the height of your child if you are buying a baby proof gate for your child. These gates will only serve the purpose if it’s three-quarters of the height of your child. Are you still reading? Congratulations! You are now more knowledgeable in baby gates than your friends unless they have read this guide before you. Just kidding! If you are buying a gate for the stairway, then please pay attention! Gates at the top of the stairs should be very sturdy and safe to avoid any unforeseen accident, Do you want a gate that you can hide whenever you don’t need it? Keep Reading, please Retractable Safety Gate Do you want a temporary solution to the baby proofing problem? Then a retractable gates is for you. Although these gates are expensive than their metal & wooden counterparts, they provide a natural and modern perspective to your need. They usually have pressure mounting system which allows you to install and uninstall it in no time. You can even install the retractable gate at different locations of the house since they don’t require any hardware work. Stair Gates Baby Safety gate at the top or bottom of stairs, should be very secure and sturdy. Top of the stairs are particularly very risky as in a case of an accidental fall there could be severe injuries. So the stair gates that you put on the staircase should be extremely sturdy so that it can easily bear your child or pet’s weight without any trouble. To take this safety measure, you should pick a gate that has strong metal construction and incorporates hardware mounting system. Conclusion Well, this was the review of the top 10 best baby gates in the market in different categories. Before you leave, just remember to always use hardware mounted gates for stair tops. If you are confused about ruining your home décor, try stylish retractable or wooden gates. If you want to cover a big area, look for wide baby gates. For babies who love to climb, go for tall gates.