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The best stair gates and safety gates for babyproofing your home
Stair gates are a must in any home with a baby or toddler. We rigorously tested the best products on the market to bring you the nine top stair gates to suit most families.
By Becca Heyes | Last updated Feb 2, 2024
It’s recommended that you invest in a high-quality stair gate as soon as your baby starts crawling and/or walking, but when it comes to something as important as your child’s safety, how do you know which is the best stair gate to buy?
While toddlers are often lots of fun to shop for - who doesn't love finding the best toys for 2-year-olds or the best doll for their 3-year-old? - there are also many essential safety purchases to consider once your child starts walking. Babies don’t always know their own limitations - more than happy to explore and attempt stairs on their own, with no idea of the potential dangers or consequences.
Stair gates can be used at the top of the stairs (to prevent your baby from falling down) and at the bottom (to stop them from climbing up). They can also be used to close off unsafe rooms and to temporarily add additional barriers to your home, whether that’s across a doorway or another narrow opening. When deciding which stair gate is best for you, it helps to work out what’s important to you before you buy. For example:
Will it fit your space?
How easy is it to install?
What safety features does it offer?
How easy is it to open one-handed?
To bring you our list of the best stair gates you can buy today, we first tapped into the wealth of knowledge in the Mumsnet forums, seeking tried and tested recommendations on the stair gates they’ve used and would happily recommend to others. Where possible, our parent-test Katja and her three children then put each stair gate through its paces, learning more about the key features and benefits of each product via everyday use.
Best stair gates: at a glance
Best stair gate overall: BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Safety Guard | £70
Best budget stair gate: Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate | £20
Best stair gate for top of the stairs: Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate | £40
Best screw-fit stair gate: Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate | £25
Best pressure-fit stair gate: Lindam Sure Shut Axis Safety Gate | £31
Best stair gate for wide spaces: BabyDan Flexi Fit | £42
Best no-trip stair gate: BabyDan No Trip Beechwood Safety Gate | £40
Best stair gate for awkward spaces: Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate | £25
Best mesh stair gate: YOOFOR Retractable Gate for Babies and Pets | £53
BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Safety Guard
One-handed opening
Folds back neatly when not in use
Fits a wide variety of spaces, including very narrow openings
Can be installed at the top and bottom of the stairs
Needs to be at least 9 cm from the top of the stairs – might not work in all houses
Lengthy installation despite clear instructions
Skirting boards may make installation awkward
Pricey
Price on writing: £80 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: 55 – 89cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 113.5cm
It may come with a high price tag, but unlike some stair gates which have a trip hazard bar at the bottom, the BabyDan Guard Me has a unique folding and fully retractable design. At the touch of a button, the gate automatically retracts, leaving your path completely clear and you free to navigate the stairs. With a straightforward opening mechanism (once you get used to the slide-and-push technique) it can be operated one-handed and easily tackled by older siblings.
The BabyDan Guard Me is a versatile plastic gate that can be used at both the top and bottom of the stairs or on the inside or outside of your door frame. It can fit a fairly wide range of spaces - anything from 55cm to 89cm wide, but if you have a wider gap to cover, Extend-A-Guard panels extension panels are available to purchase separately. These slot into the existing gate to fit areas of up to 113.5cm in width.
Overall, while it’s slightly more expensive than some of the other gates we tested, its features and versatility offer great value for money for the majority of families.
Related: How to babyproof your home
Competitive price
No ground bar, so can be used anywhere in the home
One-handed opening in either direction
Child-proof double-locking system
Can’t be extended beyond the initial range of widths
Less straightforward to fit on uneven walls or bannisters
Can’t easily be removed from its hinges if needed
Price on writing: £20 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: 76 – 81cm
The Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate is a fuss-free, wall-mounted gate that is suitable for use at the top and bottom of a staircase as well as across doorways. While it may not have the handy features of a retractable or pressure-fit stair gate, it’s a good, sturdy option with a budget-friendly price tag that matches its simplicity.
Costing just £20, it’s the cheapest of all the gates we tested, but still performed well when tested inside Katja’s home. She awarded this gate 41 points out of 48, coming in only two points shy of our top scorers. Its width is less adaptable than other stair gates (particularly the extendable ones), but if your gap measures between 76cm and 81cm, this gate will fit perfectly. It’s also easy to install, taking our tester just 45 minutes to fit. We love the child-proof double locking system, that’s easy for adults to operate but smart enough to keep out even the most curious of toddlers.
Read next: The best child safety locks for babyproofing your home
Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate
Can be used at the top of stairs, unlike other pressure-fit stair gates
The visual colour indicator shows correct locking
Double-locking feature
You can vacuum over the flat step
Not useful for wider doorways
The opening mechanism can take a bit of getting used to – our tester often needed to use two hands despite the claim of a one-handed opening
Will need to be checked (and potentially tightened) regularly
Took an hour to install – longer than any other pressure-fit gates we tested
Price on writing: £40 | Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 73 – 80cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 101cm
If you’re renting, or unable to drill into the walls, you may be concerned about how to install a stair gate in your home. This Safety 1st pressure-fit stair gate with a flat step makes a great alternative to screw-fit options, although as a result, it may take a little longer to install.
Suitable for the top and bottom of the stairs, it has a specially designed flat bar across the base, which can greatly reduce the risk of tripping.
It has a similar easy-to-clean design to the Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate and the Lindam Sure Shut Axis and offers a two-directional opening with a handy visual indicator to reassure you when the gate is securely locked. The downside? Despite being described as a one-handed release, our tester found the opening mechanism took some practice to master, often resorting to two hands to release it more efficiently.
Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate
Fits a wide variety of spaces
One-handed opening
Can be used at the top or bottom of the stairs as no trip hazard
Might get in the way if left open in narrow corridors
Tricky to install (took two adults approximately 90 minutes)
No additional extensions available past the initial 102cm
Price on writing: £30 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: 62 – 102cm
Tested by MNHQ: Read our review of the Safety 1st Extending Metal Gate
The Safety 1st Extending Metal Gate is a super versatile choice, extending to fit a variety of widths from 62cm to 102cm, without needing to purchase any additional parts. Despite taking significant time to install, you can position the gate wherever you need to in your home thanks to the hinges that swing in either direction. It’s also got no trip hazard at the base, making it suitable to use at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
Our tester awarded this gate the same score as the BabyDan Guard Me (43 points out of 48). Although it doesn’t retract like the BabyDan Guard Me, it can easily be lifted off its hinges to remove it when not in use. Our tester found the gate simple to open (after a day or two to get the hang of it!) and enjoyed the convenience of operating one-handed.
All in all, the Safety 1st Extending Metal Gate is a great all-rounder. It has a simple non-offensive design, is easy to use and comes in at a budget-friendly price point.
Read next: The best toddler toys, as recommended by Mumsnetters
One-handed opening
Can open in either direction
Easy to install with pressure indicator
Additional lock at the base
Has a bar to step over, so mustn’t be used at the top of the stairs
When used with extenders, only the main gate opens rather than the full-width
Recommended to check and tighten the gate daily
Price on writing: From £31 | Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 76 – 82cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 117cm
Tested by MNHQ: Read our review of the Lindam Sure Shut Axis safety gate
The Lindam Sure Shut Axis is a pressure-fit gate, so unlike screw-fit designs, installation is quick and easy, without the need to drill holes into your walls to secure it. The U-shaped frame simply squeezes against your walls, holding itself in place through pressure – although you do need to attach some wall cups to your wall using the sticky pads provided.
Some pressure-fit gates can shift slightly over time, which may be worrisome if your child is in the habit of grabbing onto things, but our tester found that the Lindam Sure Shut Axis stayed firmly in place and didn’t wobble when pulled.
Spanning relatively small widths of just 76cm to 82cm, this stair gate doesn’t fit a huge range of doorways. However, there are several extensions available (sold separately) that, when used in various combinations, can extend the gate to fit wider gaps of up to 117cm.
Suitable for spaces up to 105.5cm in width
Multi-directional opening
One-handed operation
Requires screw-fit assembly
Price on writing: £42 | Type: Screw-fit| Width: 67 - 105.5cm
If your doors and stairways are substantial in size, some traditional stair gates simply just won’t cut it. As such, you’re often left having to spend more money on extension pieces or additional extras to completely secure your space, This versatile choice from trusted Mumsnet brand Babydan however is well suited to wider spaces, suitable for use across stairs, doors and hallways and cover areas between 67 and 105.5cm.
With swivelling brackets offering multi-directional opening, it can be used on both the inside or outside of a door frame and fitted at pretty much any angle. While it’ll keep even the most savvy of small people away from the stairs, it's really easy to operate for us grown-ups, with a simple press and pull handle that can even be triggered with one hand.
Read next: The best changing bags, stylish bags and backpacks Mumsnetters swear by
One-handed opening
No-trip design.
Features a double lock system
The gate opens in either direction
Doesn’t fit wide staircases or doorways
Some say the installation guide is hard to read and follow
Price on writing: £40 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: 71.5 - 78.5 cm
If you’re looking for a no-trip stair gate that can be used for the top of the stairs or busy doorways in the house, then the BabyDan No Trip Gate certainly won’t disappoint. It is relatively easy to secure (although the installation guide could be clearer) but due to its fairly limited range of between 71cm to 78cm, it’s best suited to smaller staircases and doorways.
A stylish beechwood design. it’s more contemporary (and less noisy) than the traditional metal bar frames. We love the option to open from both sides, while the double safety lock system is easy for parents to open with one hand.
One-handed opening
Easy to clean
Can be used at the top of a staircase
Very fiddly to install – took our tester two hours
Price on writing: £25 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: 60 – 97cm
Tested by MNHQ: Read our review of the Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate
Like many of the other gates we tested, the Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate offers features such as multi-directional use, a double-locking mechanism and one-handed opening. What sets it apart from others however is its value for money. Retailing at just £25, this versatile stair gate fits a wide range of doorway widths without the need for additional extensions.
With a similar design and price point to the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, the Cuggl received a lower score (40 out of 48, versus the Safety 1st gate’s 43) due in part to its more fiddly installation. Despite not scoring as highly, this stair gate fits slightly narrower openings – anything from 60cm wide compared to the Safety 1st’s 62cm.
Related: The best mattresses for kids, tried and tested by Mumsnetters
Simple to lock and unlock with one hand
Fits wide spaces
Easy to clean
Quick to install
Only suitable for flat, hard walls or solid wood
Not ideal for the top of the stairs
Price on writing: £53 | Type: Screw-fit | Width: Extends up to 140cm
While most stair gates average around 75cm in height, the YOOFOR retractable mesh gate reaches a far more significant 85cm, making it more suitable for dogs or adventurous children who might try to jump over standard designs. The gate comes with two sets of mounting hardware, allowing it can be installed in a variety of places around the house as required.
We love the sturdy, yet soft mesh of this stair gate, which is a little more forgiving if your little one accidently trips or bumps into the gate. With a double lock safety feature and stylish metal handle, opening and closing with one hand is a breeze.
Read next: The best nappy bins for a hygenic, pong-free bathroom
When should I buy a stair gate?
Stair gates are typically used when a child is around six months old. While there’s no harm in buying a stair gate earlier than this, you generally don’t need one until your baby is beginning to move around on their own, whether that's crawling, cruising or walking. Most experts recommend you purchase a safety gate to put at the top and bottom of your stairs as soon as your baby learns to crawl – whatever age that may be
When can you stop using a stair gate?
You can stop using a stair gate when you’re confident that your child can go up and down the stairs safely on their own (which includes the middle of the night). This will depend on the individual child, but this usually happens at around two or three years of age. If your child doesn’t pull or push on the gate, which could cause it to shift or break, and doesn’t attempt to climb over it, you can keep it in place until you feel comfortable removing it.
What are the different types of stair gate?
All stair gates fit one of two main categories: pressure-fit or screw-fit.
Screw-fit (wall-mounted) stair gates
Screw-fit stair gates are mounted onto your walls, screwing into your wall or bannister. The major advantage of this style is that the gate is secure and won’t move around once it’s installed, but the screws will cause minor damage to your walls that will need filling when the gate is removed. Screw-fit gates can be used in a variety of ways: at the top or bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow opening.
Pressure-fit stair gates
Pressure-fit stair gates are ideal for use in rented accommodation as installation requires absolutely no drilling. This type of stair gate comprises a U-shaped metal frame, which squeezes against your wall or bannister, holding the gate in place through pressure alone. It often requires a small cup to be applied to your wall with an adhesive, which the bolts of the gate then sit in.
While pressure-fit gates can be used at the bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow openings, they’re not suitable for the top of a staircase, as the bottom bar of the frame can pose a trip hazard.
Within these two categories, there are a few other features that can form part of the identity of a stair gate. For example:
Retractable stair gates: formed from a flexible material like mesh that rolls or folds up when not in use.
Door-style stair gates: these open and close just like a normal door.
Extending stair gates: These can be adjusted to fit a range of doorway widths without the need for any additional extension pieces
Which type of stair gate you choose will depend on your home and your needs. Generally, screw-fit gates are more reliable, so if you’re planning to have a stair gate in place for a relatively long time, and you’re able to drill into your walls or bannister, then a screw-fit gate will be the best choice. You’ll be left with a few small holes to fill when you eventually remove the gate, but nothing that a bit of filler can’t fix.
If you’re only planning to have a stair gate in position for a short time, or if you're unable to drill into your walls or bannister, a pressure-fit gate will be an easier option, but will need to be checked regularly to ensure a good fit.
Is it better to put a stair gate at the top or the bottom of the stairs?
Both, if possible. Stair gates should be used to close off dangerous spaces. It’s best to use screw-fit stair gates at the top of the stairs where possible.
Are pressure-fit stair gates safe?
Pressure-fit gates are very safe for use at the bottom of a staircase or in a doorway, as long as they’re installed correctly and regularly tightened as necessary.
However, they are generally not safe for use at the top of a staircase. This is for two main reasons.
Firstly, pressure-fit gates can shift and move around over time. If a child were to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved or gave way, they could potentially fall down the stairs.
Secondly, the bar at the bottom of a pressure-fit gate poses a trip hazard for both you and your child. The Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate claims to have eradicated this risk with its flat metal bar, but you must still check the gate daily to ensure that it hasn’t begun to move and tighten it if required.
What safety features should I look out for when buying a stair gate?
While there's no statutory requirement to comply, most commercially sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standards BS EN1930:2011.
To ensure your stair gate is as safe as possible, here are a few things you should consider:
Pressure-fit gates should not be used at the top of a staircase
Gates at the top of a staircase should always open towards the landing, not out across the staircase
Pressure-fit gates must be checked and tightened regularly
All gates must be mounted between two strong, solid surfaces, using all the fittings provided
Make sure your gate is tall enough to stop children from climbing over it
Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way.
Here are a few features you might like to look out for:
Indicators that tell you when the gate has been properly installed
Indicators that tell you when the gate has been properly locked
An opening mechanism that can be operated with one hand, so that you can safely use the gate while carrying a baby or toddler
Additional child-proof double locks at the base of the gate
Self-closing gates, which close themselves behind you after you’ve gone through
Slam-shut gates, which you can just slam shut behind you
What type of safety gate is best for the top of the stairs?
Although the Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate is the only pressure-fit gate that claims to be able to be used at the top of a staircase, we still think it’s preferable to use a screw-fit, wall-mounted gate wherever possible. This leaves far less room for error and, once the gate is installed correctly, it won’t shift even if your child pulls on it. There’s also no ground bar to cause a trip hazard.
The BabyDan Guard Me is the best stair gate to buy overall, but the retractable screen does have a bit of give to it, and it needs to be installed at least 9cm from the top of the staircase.
Although the BabyDan Guard Me is safe for use anywhere in your home, the best stair gate for use at the top of the stairs is the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, which is also the best screw-fit stair gate we tested.
The Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate is easy to adjust to fit securely at the top of any staircase, and because you don’t need to use any additional extenders, the full width of the gate will open, leaving no obstruction that could cause you to trip.
Which is the best safety gate to buy?
We think the BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Satefy Guard gate is the best stair gate available to buy right now. It scored the highest in our product testing and has received many glowing recommendations in the Mumsnet Talk forums. The retractable feature offers a neat option for leaving the gate folded away when not in use and it has a simple opening mechanism.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a Mum and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
While her baby-proofing days are now behind her, Lucy used (and reviewed) several stair gates with her two children when they were young, including both metal and retractable designs.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
How we choose our recommendations
We tested the 14 most popular stair gates on the market, scoring them on six key areas before whittling them down to a final list the nine best stair gates, all of which scored a minimum of 40 points out of a possible 48.
We also collated expert opinions and scoured the Mumsnet forums - the biggest online network of parents in the UK - to find the best stair gates UK according to the families who use them every day. You can read more about how we selected and tested the best stair gates below.
How we chose which stair gates to test
Our researcher, Becca Heyes, a mum of two girls, spent five hours researching hundreds of different stair gates to compile a list of the 14 most popular stair gates on the market. These included lists on major review websites and our very own Mumsnet forums.
She also looked at Amazon consumer reviews from real parents, and Which? Best Buy stair gates. Which? conducts thorough safety experiments to determine which stair gates meet the safety standard BS EN1930:2011, so this was an important resource for our research. We didn’t test any gates that failed any of Which?’s rigorous safety tests.
The most popular recommendations were pulled together to include in a longlist of approximately 30 stair gates, then whittled down to form our final shortlist.
How we tested the stair gates
Once we’d selected the 14 best stair gates for our shortlist, our tester, Katja Lakha, installed them one at a time in her home. Katja is a busy mum with three children (girls aged one and four, and a seven-year-old boy), so each gate was put through its paces. The gates were tested for at least one to two weeks each in busy areas of Katja’s home.
Katja gave each stair gate a score in six key categories:
Safety and stability: Did the gate shift once installed? Were there any sharp corners or edges? Were there any small gaps that might trap a child’s fingers? Is the gate well made?
Assembly: How easy was the gate to install? Were the instructions clear? Were any additional tools or fixings required?
Day-to-day use: Does the gate do the job it’s supposed to? Does it withstand a toddler’s weight? Is it easy to open and close with one hand?
Cleanliness: Does the gate show grubby fingerprints? Is it easy to clean? Is there a bar that gets in the way when vacuuming?
Aesthetics: Does the gate look good and fit most interiors?
Value for money: Does the price match the product? Would you pay this amount for the gate?
Each category was scored out of eight, giving each gate a total possible score of 48. All the gates that scored 40+ points were included in our final list, with five of these being awarded coveted Mumsnet Best awards.
Why you should trust us
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We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful and independent review pieces like this one. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.
Our recommendations are always made entirely by our journalists without input from our commercial team, and our writers are never made aware of any business relationships.
Each category was scored out of eight, giving each gate a total possible score of 48. All the gates that scored 40+ points were included in our final list, with five of these being awarded coveted Mumsnet Best awards.