Safety Gate Buying Guide
Types of Child Safety Gates
Hardware-Mounted Safety Gates
Hardware-mounted gates are the most secure type of safety gate. They’re bolted or screwed to a doorframe or to the framing inside the walls of your home with included brackets. They should not be screwed into drywall or plaster alone.
Hardware-mounted gates are the best gate to use where there’s a chance of your child falling, such as at the top of a stairway, because they’re designed to withstand more force.
These gates are typically made of wood, enamel-coated steel, or aluminum tubing. They usually feature a gate or panel that swings free from the mounting hardware when you want to open a passageway. If you’re placing a hardware-mounted gate at the top of the stairs, be sure to choose one that doesn’t have a threshold, or a bar you have to step over when opening the gate, because it could be a tripping hazard, says Joan Muratore, the engineer and safety expert who oversees CR’s testing of baby gates.
Pressure-Mounted Safety Gates
Pressure-mounted gates primarily use tension to stay in place on opposing walls, supported by circular brackets known as wall cups that come with adhesives and/or screws used to keep the gate firmly installed. That means they do require some hardware installation, though it’s pretty minimal. Pressure-mounted gates typically fit openings between 26 and 38 inches, but there are wider models available up to 62 inches.
Even with installed wall cups, a pressure-mounted gate is not as sturdy as a traditional hardware-installed gate. If possible, use the screws instead of adhesive to install the wall cups. “In our testing, not surprisingly, we found that wall cups attached with adhesive to the doorframe or surface are less secure than wall cups attached with screws,” Muratore says. And if you need to move the gate, that adhesive gets even less secure over time.
That’s why pressure-mounted gates, regardless of their installation method, should be used only where falling isn’t a hazard, such as in a passageway between two rooms, or at the bottom of stairs to discourage your little explorer from climbing up. They are definitely not secure enough to use at the top of the stairs. Our experts recommend checking the security of this type of gate frequently. “We found that there’s continuous maintenance involved in ensuring that the pressure gate is still tight and secure in the opening. Using a pressure-mounted gate is definitely not a ‘set it and forget it’ endeavor,” Muratore says.
One benefit of pressure-mounted safety gates is that they’re often more portable and lightweight than other types of safety gates, which can make them a simple way to make a relative’s home or rental house safer for your young child while you’re visiting or vacationing.
Retractable Safety Gates
Retractable gates feature a retractable mesh panel that can be extended out to the opposite bracket to form a barrier, though it’s not very strong. “Retractable gates should be used in noncritical areas, for example, to block off a hallway or doorway,” Muratore says. They’re not a safe option for places where you want a gate to help prevent a fall, like at the top of stairs.
Play Yards or Freestanding Enclosures
Think of a freestanding gate like a playpen for your little one. “Freestanding enclosures consist of panels that you connect to create an enclosure [usually with a doorway] so that your child can play safely within its confines,” Muratore says. They’re a good option for making a safe zone within a larger room. The panels can sometimes be installed as a traditional safety gate, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions for this because not all freestanding enclosures are designed for use as a barrier gate.
How to Choose a Baby Safety Gate
Wondering which type of gate will best suit your space? Here’s what to consider.
Location: The place where you’re going to use your gate may determine which type of gate or installation method you should use.
- Top of stairs: The ideal choice for the top of a stairway is a hardware-mounted swing gate with one-handed open, no threshold or bar at the bottom to step over, and an auto-close feature. Choose a gate that can open out onto the landing (not back toward the stairs) and that lets you safely carry a basket of laundry or your baby without having to use two hands to open the gate or close and lock it. “Do not use a pressure-mounted gate for the top of stairs, even with wall cups that are screwed into the wall, and do not use a retractable gate for this location,” Muratore says. Neither will be a safe way to protect your child.
- Bottom of stairs: Your best bet for the bottom of stairs is a hardware-mounted swing gate or pressure-mounted gate with included wall cups for a more secure installation. You could use a retractable mesh gate at this location, placed directly in front of the bottom step. Ideally, look for a gate that doesn’t have a threshold, so you won’t have a tripping hazard when you’re going up and down the bottom step. “Make sure to install the gate on the floor in front of the bottom stair. Do not place a gate across a higher stair,” Muratore says.
- Passageway or between rooms: CR’s testers recommend a traditional hardware-mounted swing gate, pressure-mounted gate with wall cups, or a retractable gate for hallways or passages between rooms. A hardware-mounted gate will be able to withstand the most pressure (for when your toddler decides to run full speed ahead, straight into the gate—ouch!).
- Freestanding or uncommon openings: Blocking off a fireplace, an open-plan kitchen, or looking for more of a playpen? A freestanding enclosure is your safest choice. Some models can convert from a freestanding enclosure to a hardware-installed barrier gate (they’re often listed as 2-in-1 models), which gives you more flexibility if you need to use the gate differently down the line.
Materials and construction: Choose a gate with a straight top edge and closely spaced (less than 3 inches apart), rigid vertical slats made of wood, plastic, or metal, or a fine mesh screen. If you choose a model with mesh panels, look for a fine weave, because wider holes could provide a foothold for climbing or could trap fingers. Wood gates should have a sturdy construction and an even finish with surfaces that are smooth and splinter-free, and with rounded rather than squared edges. Metal might be more durable than wood or plastic. Some gates have a support bar known as a threshold that crosses the floor beneath the gate, which could cause tripping when the gate is open.
Type of latch: In our lab tests, we rated safety gates higher for having a one-handed latch function, which reflects real-world use: You’re probably carrying toys, kids, laundry, or other items as you enter and exit the gate, and won’t always have your hands free. Some gates may have a dual-action latch that requires pushing down on a button while lifting the gate doorway, but this can still be accomplished with one hand. Others may have a foot pedal that you can use to easily open the gate. But the best option is a latch that’s easy for an adult to use and difficult for a child to defeat.
It should also be easy to tell when the gate is fully latched. Many gates click to signal that they’re latched. Others offer a color indicator showing when the gate is latched, while still others may sound an alarm if the gate is left open (adults can deactivate these). But priority No. 1 is to make sure any gate is latched after you close it. We appreciate when gates have an auto-close feature: It will automatically shut behind you, giving you one less thing to worry about.
How Consumer Reports Tests Baby Safety Gates
We spent several weeks testing different types of baby gates in Consumer Reports’ labs. Here are the factors our testing team assessed.
Convenience: How easy is it to use the gate? We look for features such as one-handed operation, swinging in two directions, auto-closure, and others.
Security: How well can a gate resist being dislodged when pulled horizontally with a force of up to 100 pounds? We scored gates on the estimated level of security they can provide.
Installation: How easy is the gate to install? We look at the number of steps, the amount of hardware, and the number of tools required, plus whether it can be completed by one person or needs more hands.
Safety: All safety gates sold in the U.S. must adhere to mandatory federal safety standards, which include safety and performance factors like strength, latch integrity, and the size of openings (to prevent head, finger, or toe entrapment), along with gate height and the distance from the floor to the bottom of the gate. When testing baby gates for safety, we use these federal standards as a blueprint and look for products that provide an additional layer of protection beyond the federal standard.
Safety Gate Tips and Best Practices
Buy from reputable manufacturers: Check that the product you’re looking to purchase has met or exceeded the ASTM F1004-23 standard. This information typically listed on the package or on the retailer’s website.
Measure, then shop: Have width measurements of doors or openings handy when you shop. Try to avoid gates that will need to be extended to their maximum width to fit; they might not provide enough security for an ambitious toddler.
Follow the installation instructions: Regardless of what type of safety gate you choose, it’s critically important to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions to ensure the gate performs as designed. While installing, be especially aware of the surfaces to which you’re attaching the gate. Is the surface uneven or unsecured? This can affect a gate’s effectiveness.
Install at the right height: When installing any gate in any location, make sure that the bottom of the gate is less than 3 inches from the floor. This helps prevent a child from wriggling their way underneath the gate.
Know how to close it: Consult the manual to be sure you know how to tell when a gate is fully latched or locked. And don’t forget to show your child’s caretakers how it works, too.
Avoid old-fashioned accordion-style gates: Accordion gates with diamond-shaped spaces between the slats and V-shaped openings at the top pose an entrapment hazard. Newer gates with a similar V-shaped structure will have a horizontal rail or filler bar across the top for safety. You might see open V-shape gates in a secondhand store or flea market, but we do not recommend them.
Know when your child has outgrown a gate: A safety gate should be at least three-quarters of your child’s height. Some gates are tall, but generally, when a child is taller than 36 inches or heavier than 30 pounds (usually around 2 years of age), parents and caregivers should no longer rely on a typical safety gate.
Stay aware: Remember, no gate is a substitute for careful supervision of your baby or toddler. It’s not safe to leave your child unattended.
