Top 5 Best Baby Gates of 2019
Safety is one of the major issues new parents have to deal with on a regular basis. However, it’s not until the time a baby starts learning how to crawl or walk and injures himself that the seriousness of this matter really sinks in.
A great way to keep your child safe is baby-proofing your home, and one way to do that is by installing a safety gate inside the house. Fortunately, we have here five of the best baby gates you can choose from.
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Carlson Extra Wide Walk... | 6255 Reviews | from $46.42 | Buy on Amazon |
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Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco... | 6937 Reviews | from $68.46 | Buy on Amazon |
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Evenflo Soft N Wide Gate | 1204 Reviews | from $46.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Toddleroo by North States 72"... | 3040 Reviews | from $32.22 | Buy on Amazon |
The 5 Safest And Best Baby Gates
To help you find the best baby gate out there that will keep your child safe, we’ve compiled the top 5 models on today’s market.
**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
#5: Carlson Extra Wide Walk Through Gate With Pet Door
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Carlson Extra Wide Walk... | 6255 Reviews | from $46.42 | Buy on Amazon |
Let’s start with this walk-through gate by Carlson. This model is mainly designed for families with pets. It’s one of the best safety gates if you’re trying to keep a child safe in a baby-proof area while making sure your furry friends can freely wander around the house.
It boasts a 100% steel construction and can easily be installed using four adjustable pressure mounts. It features 4-inch and 6-inch extension kits and can fit between openings 29 to 44 inches in width. Standing 30 inches high, it can prevent pets from jumping over whenever you want them confined in their designated room.
PROS
- It lets you walk through the gate easily; just lift the latch, and you can go through without a hitch.
- It’s very convenient if you keep dogs and cats at home.
- The steel construction makes sure you can use it for a long time.
CONS
- It’s a pressure-mounted type baby gate, so it has a tendency to tip over when too much force is applied to it.
- The gate doesn’t swing shut, so you have to close it manually every single time.
#4: Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate
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Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco... | 6937 Reviews | from $68.46 | Buy on Amazon |
If you’re looking for a baby gate that’s both functional and stylish, you might find this multi-use safety gate from Summer Infant impressive. It stands 36 inches tall and can accommodate openings between 28 and 48 inches wide.
It’s both a pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted safety gate and can be used on stairways. Made of metal with a bronze finish and an art deco design, this gate will keep your child safe while adding style to your home at the same time.
PROS
- The gate features a dual locking system that increases security.
- It comes with a removable door stopper that prevents the gate from opening towards the staircase.
- It swings shut and locks on its own.
CONS
- The openings square openings are wide enough for small pets to get their heads stuck.
#3: Evenflo Soft and Wide Gate
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Evenflo Soft N Wide Gate | 1204 Reviews | from $46.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Some parents are wary of gates made of metal and come with blunt edges that could do more harm to their kids than good.
If you’re such a parent, the Evenflo Soft and Wide Gate may be an excellent choice for you. It’s made of a soft mesh material that can prevent your child from leaving a room unsupervised without putting him at risk of hurting himself. It uses pressure mounts and can be easily moved from room to room.
PROS
- The gate is lightweight and portable.
- It can be used in openings as small as 38 inches and as wide as 60 inches.
- The fabric is washable.
CONS
- The gate is secure and has no door, so adults need to step over it to pass.
- It’s not the best choice if you also have pets at home.
- The pressure mounts limit this gate to being used only on the ground and not on top of stairs.
#2: North States Deluxe Decor Gate
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Toddleroo by North States 72"... | 3040 Reviews | from $32.22 | Buy on Amazon |
Some openings simply need larger gates, and that’s where this baby gate from North States come in. It’s a hardware-mounted gate that’s designed to accommodate entrances up to 72 inches wide. It features gate panels with pivot points that let you move the gate for the best fit.
The wide 25.5-inch door can be easily opened with one hand and can be left open when needed, perfect for parents who are always on the move. If you want to add an extra 15 inches to the height of the gate, you can purchase a 6-bar extension for it separately.
PROS
- The gate can be easily detached from the hardware bracket when it’s not in use or when you want to relocate it.
- The pivot points on each gate panel let you mount the gate even on angled walls.
- It’s hardware mounted and is made of steel and does its job well of securing a child in a safe space.
CONS
- The bottom bracket of the gate is too low, and moldings may get in its way during installation.
- May be a bit more expensive than other models in its category.
#1: Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate
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For parents who don’t want to go about the process of drilling through walls, this walk thru gate from Regalo might be an excellent option. It’s pressure mounted, so all you have to do is tighten the bolts, and you’re ready to go.
It’s designed for openings 29 to 39 inches wide, but it can be extended to accommodate openings up to 60 inches in width (Additional extensions are sold separately). Its door can be opened with one hand and comes with a safety locking feature.
PROS
- The gate is lightweight and is easy to install and uninstall, perfect if you need to move it from room to room all the time.
- The safety locking feature will give you peace of mind.
- It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a baby gate that costs $40 and below.
CONS
- The gate doesn’t swing shut and has to be closed manually.
- It’s great when used on flat surfaces, but since it’s pressure mounted, it’s not so great to use on top of stairs.
- It’s not pet-friendly at all.
Our Number One Pick
As usual, we had a hard time deciding which model to pick as the winner. However, after several considerations, we’ve decided to go for #4, the Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate.
A couple of the models on our top 5 list are actually bestsellers, but what made the Summer Infant baby gate our top choice is the fact that it can either be pressure mounted or hardware mounted, which means it is safe to use both on flat surfaces and on the stairs. Its bronze finish also makes it easy to match to your home’s interior.
Most importantly, it’s easy to use, it swings shuts on its own, and is very sturdy and clearly can keep a child contained within the space you’ve designated for him.
If you want to see this safety gate in action, here’s a video showing a parent installing the gate and trying it for the first time.
Top Uses Of A Baby Gate
A baby gate or a child safety gate is designed to serve as a protective barrier that keeps your little one safe from possible threats inside the home. It can either be removable or fixed in nature. It’s usually installed in a particular area to keep baby from either reaching for hazardous objects or falling off of a high place. Here are certain areas in the home where you can install a baby gate.
In The Kitchen
The kitchen can be a compelling place for toddlers as it’s filled with objects that can arouse a child’s curiosity that may also be harmful or hazardous to his health. It’s one of the places where a safety gate should be installed to keep children away from sharp objects such as knives, as well as toxic chemicals and fire.
In The Bedroom
Some toddlers wake up very early in the morning and won’t hesitate to leave the bedroom without you if they think of something interesting to do outside. Installing a safety gate by the bedroom door will make sure your child won’t wander off alone while you’re still asleep.
In The Bathroom
The bathroom is another room in the house a toddler shouldn’t be left alone. A safety gate will help prevent your child from entering and putting himself at risk of slipping on the floor.
At The Stairs
A study done in 2012 found that a young child in the United States was treated for a stair-related injury every six minutes. Although the study also showed that the number has been declining since the study was done, it still should be a warning to parents to install safety gates both at the top and bottom of the stair case.
In The Balcony
The balcony is one area you wouldn’t want your little child to wander off into by himself. Installing a balcony railing such as a baby gate is a simple strategy that will prevent accidents.
Top Considerations When Buying And Using Baby Gates
Falling is a natural part of the growing up process of every child, and I wouldn’t mind if it’s as funny as the ones shown in the compilation video above. Nevertheless, unnecessary injuries can be prevented by parents being more vigilant. Knowing how to choose and use a baby gate for your home is one way you can protect your child.
- Decide which type of baby gate you will need. The three basic types of child safety gates today are pressure-fit, hardware-mounted, and gates for irregular areas.
- There are pros and cons to each type of baby gate. Study them and decide from there what you think will work best for your family.
- Pick a gate with an opening that’s easy enough for an adult to walk through, but secure enough for a child to unlock.
- If you’re opting for a pressure fit gate, look for one that can retain strength and pressure for an extended period.
- Some models of baby gates feature an alarm system that is triggered as soon as the door opens. This may work best for you if you don’t have someone to look after your child all the time.
- Child safety gates are designed to fit a variety of door sizes. Measure the area where you intend to install the gate before purchasing one.
- Consider the width of the gap between slats. If your gate has vertical slats, they should be no more than 2.375 inches apart. Larger distances between slats may put your child at risk of trapping his head and getting strangled.
- Use hardware-mounted gates only at the top of stairs. Pressure-mounted gates are not recommended because they may give way under too much force such as when a child runs and falls against it.
- Don’t use gates with mounts that your child can use as a foothold for climbing over.
- Accordion-style baby gates have long been considered as old-fashioned. Avoid them as much as possible as they usually have gaps that are large enough for your child’s head to get stuck.
- Look for a baby gate that has a Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) certification seal. Only such products have been tested and were able to meet voluntary safety standards. Even if it’s made by a well-known manufacturer, never go for it unless it has the JPMA seal.
- Baby gates aren’t always safe. Keep yourself informed on how to prevent injuries when using such products.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Carlson Extra Wide Walk... | 6255 Reviews | from $46.42 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco... | 6937 Reviews | from $68.46 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Evenflo Soft N Wide Gate | 1204 Reviews | from $46.99 | Buy on Amazon |
|
|
Toddleroo by North States 72"... | 3040 Reviews | from $32.22 | Buy on Amazon |
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