2018, Best Baby Gates
Babies quickly turn into turbo explorers who find the most dangerous places in the house. Here are the safety gates to protect them from themselves. Best Baby Gates of 2018
We have got news for you: cuddly babies turn into turbo explorers finding their way to the most dangerous places in the house. This moth-to-light phenomenon will happen, and when it does you will be so, so happy you installed a baby gate.
Do you need a baby gate?
Unless you live in a one-story home, and you have baby proofed the heck out of every room, you will probably need one. Usually around seven-months old, your little one will become mobile whether through rapid-fire rolling or crawling like a champ, and then it’s time to baby proof your abode. Tiny fingers love to tamper with cupboards, snatch ornaments off the Christmas tree, and taste test the dog food.
What type of baby gate is best?
There are two types of gates: hardware mounted and pressure mounted. Hardware-mounted gates need both sides of the gate to be screwed into a door frame, walls, or a banister. Although it is kind of a bummer to put permanent holes into your home, hardware-mounted gates are the most secure. That makes them a must for the top of the stairs and other precarious spots.
Pressure-mounted gates are like tension rods, and they do not require screwing in. As long as you have a gate with the correct measurements, it should stand up with the force of being squeezed by the walls or door frame on either side. Pressure-mounted gates are easy to setup (no tools necessary) and can be moved from place to place.
In addition to hardware- or pressure-mounted options, baby gates also come in three other categories: swing through (a gate door that swings open), step over (no gate door, have to climb over), and those built specifically to be used on stairs.
When shopping around look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification on baby gates. This ensures the gate is at least 22 inches tall, and the spacing between the bottom of the gate and floor is not big enough for your child’s head or neck to get stuck.
How we choose our best picks
We asked thousands of BabyList families about the baby products they love the most. We took the most popular gates they shared with us and added our own research and insight. We think at least one of these gates will work for your family too.
Low-Cost Leader: Evenflo Position & Lock Gate
WHY WE LOVE IT
If you need a gate you can easily move and use in multiple doorways, or take with you to visit family, this tension gate is your go-to. It expands to fit varying widths and you can quickly set it in place.
If you don’t want to have to keep opening the gate up to get by and then setting it back up again, you’ll have to do some monkey-bar moves to step over it.
Stairway Security: Kidco Safeway Top of Stair Baby Safety Gate Safety Gate
WHY WE LOVE IT
The hardware-mounted Kidco eliminates any treacherous tripping at the top of the stairs with a one-piece gate (no bottom bar to step over) that swings in toward the upper level. Moreover, if you need to remove the gate (if you are moving furniture up and down the stairs) the Kidco has a quick-release design so you can take it off without having to unscrew everything. You can also use it in doorways and hallways.
Do not forget to firmly the close gate behind you. It is not self-closing like most others.
One-Handed Wonder: Munchkin Easy-Close Metal Gate
WHY WE LOVE IT
Great for doorways, this Munchkin gate is a breeze to open with one hand while holding your baby or a basket of laundry in the other. You can set whether you want it to open in both directions (pulled in toward you or pushed out away from you) or just one way. The bonus? It comes in six widths.
Since this is a pressure-mounted gate, you will have to watch out for the two-inch bar at the bottom . It also does not have a self-closing mechanism.
Versatile Choice: North States Easy Close
WHY WE LOVE IT
It is all about options with this North States gate. First, it comes with a set of extensions in case you need to widen it beyond the standard 28 inches. Push it open to a full 90 degrees and it clicks into place to stay that way (ideal when lugging in groceries). Otherwise it auto closes. Best of all, there are two ways you can unlock the gate. The simplest lets you pass if you grab the handle and pull up. To outwit older kids, there is an additional step of twisting the lock first and then lifting up.
As with other pressure mounts, beware the bottom bar. Therefore, the gate swings both ways which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your preference.
Good Looks: Summer Infant Multi-Use Decorative Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate
WHY WE LOVE IT
With a bronze arch and detailed bars, this fancy gate almost looks like it was meant to be there all along. Would-be climbers are deterred by its extra height (three feet tall), and there is less bending over for you. It also swings both ways and has an auto-close feature.
When the door closes automatically it can be loud enough to startle a sleeping baby, depending on how light a sleeper your child is and where the gate is positioned.
CHOOSING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Your space is going to make a lot of decisions for you. First measure the area where you need to install a baby gate. Then determine whether you want a pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted system. They both have their pros, it is just up to you what matters most in the space that you are filling. Always keep safety top of mind, and know that nothing can beat a watchful parent.