STAIR gates won’t be on a parents must-buy list from birth, but once baby is on the move (and you realise how quickly they can reach the top of the stairs before you) stair gates become important purchases for many parents.
The best stair gates provide a sense of security as baby moves around the house, and can be used well into the toddler years (it takes a while for little ones to be secure on stairs, unaided). We’ve selected the best stair gates based on the top-reviewed and rated models across all styles and budgets.
There are different kinds of stair gates you can invest in.
Travel gates, typically made from mesh, can provide a temporary closure to a room you want to keep baby out of or act as a barrier for stairs.
Ideal for holidays, these stair gates typically don’t screw into anything and need to be moved every time you enter or leave the room – they’re more barrier than actual gate.
Pressure-fit gates, usually made of wood or metal, typically don’t need to be drilled into the wall and won’t leave any marks on the wall or doors. These are usually easier to install than screw-fit stair gates.
Screw-fit stair gates are strong and sturdy and are usually recommended for use at the top of the stairs since they don’t have a rail to step over that could cause a tripping hazard. These require a bit of DIY to install (as well as careful measuring beforehand to ensure the right fit).
The best stair gates can start from as little as £17.99 to over £100 for more sleek, high-end options. Here are the best stair gates to suit every style and budget.
1. Best budget stair gate
- BabyDan No Trip Metal Safety Gate, £22.99 at Argos – buy here
A bargain at under-£20, this stair gate is brilliant. It's from reputable baby gate brand BabyDan, is a no-trip, screw-fit design and can open in either direction.
It can be safely installed at the top of the stairs, has a double-locking mechanism, and can be opened one-handed (crucial if you're toting another baby).
"Great fixed gate without the trip hazard of the bar across the bottom. Easy to open with one hand," raves one fan.
2. Best design stair gate
- Fred Screw Fit Clear-View Safety Stair Gate, £150 at John Lewis – buy here
This screw-fit gate proves that you don't need to compromise on style to make safety a priority.
This clear-design acrylic gate works well at the top of staircases: it features a two-way child-proof magnetic locking system which is incredibly resilient and durable – important for when baby starts chucking things at it, which they inevitably will.
The gate swings in either direction, and a visual colour cue alerts parents to whether it hasn't locked properly. The perfect finish to a modern, sleek home.
3. Best retractable stair gate
- Lascal Kiddyguard Avant, £114.95 at Amazon – buy here
This roller-blind style stair gate from Lascal fits stylishly with any home decor scheme and is made from a hard-wearing, retractable safety mesh.
Fans say not to be put off by the expensive price tag: "As it does not swing out like a door it saves loads of room as we have a small landing – the lack of bars makes it look more like a wall to the child and stops them wanting to put their arms through it," writes one reviewer who has used this gate for years.
4. Best easy-to-install stair gate
- Lindam Sure Shut Deco Pressure Fit Safety Gate, £47.02 at Amazon – buy here
This popular and well-rated stair gate is crafted from birch wood and metal in a drill-free, pressure-fit design for easy assembly with a double-locking mechanism and one or two-way opening.
Parents say it takes all of five minutes to install – use at the bottom of the stairs.
Parents like its smart design, sturdiness and how it can be opened with one hand.
5. Best extra-large stair gate
6- Dreambaby Broadway Xtra-Wide & Xtra-Tall Gro-Gate, £39.99 at Argos – buy here
Not all stairs are created equal, so it's rather handy to find a stair gate that can accommodate a wide space (it fits openings up to 134.5cm), with plenty of height (91.4 cm) so that children can't climb over it.
This adjustable metal design has no trip hazard, swings in either direction and is screw-fit, making it suitable for use at the top of the stairs.
Satisfied parents like that it's great value for money and works well in wide spaces.
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Need some more parenting supplies? We've got a whole parenting section for you to browse.
Looking for something a bit more affordable? Check out our selection of the best value stair gates, here.
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