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The best stair gates and safety gates to babyproof your home
Stair gates are a must in any home with a baby or toddler. We rigorously tested the best stair gates currently on the market to reveal the nine top stair gates to suit most families.
By Becca Heyes | Last updated Jun 5, 2023
When it’s time for babies to start crawling and/or walking, a handy stair gate can help prevent calamity. 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 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 essential safety purchases to make once your child is walking. That's why we asked our parent-test Katja and her three children to put the UK's top stair gates through their paces, to help you decide which is the right stair gate for your home.
Babies don’t always know their own limitations and are often more than happy to attempt stairs on their own, with no idea of the potential consequences. If your baby likes to explore, then a stair gate will be a childproofing necessity. 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.
Here are the best stair gates in the UK for 2023.
Best stair gates - at a glance:
- Best stair gate overall: BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Safety Guard
- Best budget stair gate: Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate
- Best stair gate for top of the stairs: Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate
- Best screw-fit stair gate: Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate
- Best pressure-fit stair gate: Lindam Sure Shut Axis Safety Gate
- Best easy-to-fit stair gate: Fred Pressure-Fit Clear-View Safety Gate
- Best no trip stair gate: BabyDan No Trip Beechwood Safety Gate
- Best stair gate for awkward spaces: Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate
- Best mesh stair gate: YOOFOR Retractable Gate for Babies and Pets
1. Best overall stair gate: BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Safety Guard
Price on writing: £69.99 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: 55 – 89cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 113.5cm
What we love
- 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
What to know
- 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
What Mumsnet users say
"[We have] the Babydan retractable stair gate. It retracts completely when not in use so no tripping over a bit at the bottom." (Recommended by Mumsnet user flothatchicken)
Our verdict
The BabyDan Guard Me is a retractable gate with a unique folding function, and the best retractable stair gate we tested. With the press of a button, the gate automatically retracts, folding up neatly to leave your path clear. It also has a straightforward opening mechanism (once you get used to the slide-and-push technique) that can easily be tackled by older siblings.
This is a versatile plastic gate that can be used at the top and bottom of the stairs, or on the inside or outside of a door frame. This means that it can fit a fairly wide range of spaces – anything from 55cm to 89cm wide. Or, if you have a wider gap to cover, up to 113.5cm, you can also purchase additional Extend-A-Guard panels that slot into the existing gate. While slightly more expensive than many of the other gates we tested, its features and versatility means it offers great value for money for most families.
2. Best budget stair gate: Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate
Price on writing: £17 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: 76 – 81cm
What we love
- Competitive price
- No ground bar, so can be used anywhere in the home
- One-handed opening in either direction
- Child-proof double-locking system
What to know
- 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
Our verdict
The Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate is a fuss-free, wall-mounted gate, so it’s suitable for use at the top and bottom of a staircase as well as in 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 price tag to match its simplicity.
Costing just £21 it’s the cheapest of all the gates we tested, but it still scored well. We 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 easy to install, taking our tester just 45 minutes to fit.
3. Best stair gate for top of the stairs: Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate
Price on writing: £39.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 73 – 80cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 101cm
What we love
- Can be used at the top of stairs, unlike other pressure-fit stair gates
- Visual colour indicator shows correct locking
- Double-locking feature
- You can vacuum over the flat step
What to know
- Not useful for wider doorways
- 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
What Mumsnet users say
"We have a pressure fit gate at the top of the stairs with the minimum bottom bar, think it's called the flat step. We also bought rubber cups for the wall and the gate is totally solid, you could never shake it loose. The flat step is great too, not totally flat but flat enough you wouldn't trip on it." (Recommended by Mumsnet user GD12)
Our verdict
The flat step makes this pressure-fit stair gate a good alternative to screw-fit stair gates if you're not able to drill into walls.
Plus, it’s suitable for the top of the stairs as it has a specially designed flat bar, which greatly reduces the risk of tripping. Aside from the selling point of the flat step, this gate looks very similar to most standard stair gates, with the same easy-to-clean white bars as the Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate and the Lindam Sure Shut Axis, among others. It also has many of the features we’ve seen before, such as two-direction opening and a visual indicator to help you see that the gate is securely locked. However, if you do need a pressure-fit gate for the top of your stairs, the Flat Step is our recommended choice over any other pressure-fit gate.
4. Best screw-fit stair gate: Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate
Price on writing: £24.99 | Buy now from Very
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: 62 – 102cm
What we love
- Fits a wide variety of spaces
- One-handed opening
- Can be used at top or bottom of the stairs as no trip hazard
What to know
- 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
Our verdict
The Safety 1st Extending Metal Gate is super versatile. It can fit a variety of widths, extending from 62cm to 102cm, with no need to purchase any additional parts. The hinges also swing in either direction, so you can position the gate wherever you need to in your home without worrying about which way it will open.
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 when not in use. Our tester found the gate simple to open (after a day or two to get the hang of it!) and also liked that it could be opened with one hand. All in all, the Safety 1st Extending Metal Gate is a great all-rounder. It looks good, is easy to use and it comes in at a budget-friendly price point that many parents will appreciate.
5. Best pressure-fit stair gate: Lindam Sure Shut Axis Safety Gate
Price on writing: From £30.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 76 – 82cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 117cm
What we love
- One-handed opening
- Can open in either direction
- Easy to install with pressure indicator
- Additional lock at the base
What to know
- 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
What Mumsnet users say
"Ours is a Lindam branded one. The gates are really sturdy and secure, but they do have a bar at the bottom on the floor, which some people don't like in case it's a trip hazard - but we've had no problems." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user muddaofsuburbia)
Our verdict
The Lindam Sure Shut Axis is a pressure-fit gate, rather than a screw-fit, which means you don’t need to drill any holes in your wall 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. Installation is quick and easy since there’s no drilling required. Spanning widths of only 76cm to 82cm, this stair gate doesn’t fit a huge range of doorways. However, there are several extensions available which, when used in various combinations, can extend the gate to fit gaps of up to 117cm.
6. Best easy-to-fit stair gate: Fred Pressure-Fit Clear-View Safety Gate
Price on writing: £180 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 76 – 96cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 124cm
What we love
- Transparent acrylic window
- Straightforward installation
- One-handed opening and slam-shut closing
- Useful safety features, including visual alerts
- Easily adjustable to fit around skirting boards
What to know
- Can’t be used at the top of a staircase
- Pricey
- Screws are needed if mounting to any surface other than wood
- Window shows sticky fingerprints (but easy to wipe clean)
Our verdict
The Fred Clear-View is made from an acrylic panel, which creates the see-through window. This means that you could use the gate to segment off your child’s play area in your home and still be able to see them playing through the gate.
As well as looking attractive, this stair gate is sturdy and places an obvious emphasis on safety. Like all pressure-fit stair gates, there’s a bar across the bottom which could pose a trip hazard. However, this stair gate has a glow-in-the-dark strip that illuminates the bar to help prevent tripping. There’s also a visual colour indicator that alerts you if the gate is left unlocked, and indicators to show you that the gate has been correctly installed. With a price tag of £150, it’s significantly more expensive than all of the other stair gates we tested. But it scored well, achieving 40 points out of 48.
7. Best no trip stair gate: BabyDan No Trip Beechwood Safety Gate
Price on writing: £39.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: 71.5 - 78,5 cm
What we love
- One-handed opening
- No-trip design.
- Features a double lock system
- Gate opens in either direction
What to know
- Doesn’t fit wide staircases or doorways
- Some say installation guide is hard to read and follow
What Mumsnet users say
“We have the Baby Dan no trip gates on the stairs. My concern with stairs isn't that they may come close but that it's easy to trip over the bottom bar when carrying my baby and other stuff down. No trip ones don’t have the bar and are screwed in. They also come in wood rather than metal so look better!” (Brand recommended by Mumsnet user PeachesandPie)
Our verdict
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 this model from BabyDan won’t disappoint. Other favourite features? The beechwood design is more contemporary (and less noisy) than the traditional metal bar frames, and we like that this stair gate is simple to install and open with one hand. Plus, it can be opened from both sides and has a double safety lock system.
The width of the BabyDan No Trip Gate is fairly limited, only fitting gaps ranging from 71cm to 78cm, so it’s ideally suited to smaller staircases and doorways.
8. Best stair gate for awkward spaces: Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate
Price on writing: £20 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: 60 – 97cm
What we love
- One-handed opening
- Easy to clean
- Can be used at the top of a staircase
What to know
- Very fiddly to install – took our tester two hours
What Mumsnet users say
"We have a Cuggl extending one as we have a larger than usual gap between the wall and last banister of the stairs (the only place to attach it). It's also an unequal shape (think like a vase) and it's worked perfectly." (Vetted by Mumsnetter SnowdropFox)
Our verdict
Like many of the other gates we tested, the Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate also offers features such as two-way opening, a double-locking mechanism and one-handed opening. But what sets it apart is the value for money it offers, retailing at just £25. It’s also versatile, fitting 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. So, if you do have very narrow doorways to gate off, the Cuggl Wall Fix Extending Gate may be a better fit.
9. Best mesh stair gate: YOOFOR Retractable Gate for Babies and Pets
Price on writing: £49.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Type: Screw-fit | Width: Extends up to 140cm
What we love
- Simple to lock and unlock with one hand
- Fits wide spaces
- Easy to clean
- Quick to install
What to know
- Only suitable for flat, hard walls or solid wood
- Not ideal for the top of the stairs
What Mumsnet users say
“The mesh ones that you just need one hand for are better, some gates are ridiculous, we accidentally bought one that takes 2 hands to open so impossible when holding a baby.” (Stair gate design recommended by Mumsnetter, SnuggyBuggy)
Our verdict
While most stair gates average around 75cm in height, the YOOFOR retractable mesh gate reaches 85cm, making it more suitable for dogs or adventurous children who might try to jump over. Plus, this gate is made from sturdy, yet soft mesh making it a little more forgiving for little ones who may accidently trip or bump into the gate.
Other features we like? The stylish metal handle makes opening and closing with just one hand a breeze, the double lock safety feature, and the fact that the gate comes with two sets of mounting hardware to use in more than one place in the house.
When should I buy a stair gate?
Stair gates are typically used when a child is around six months old. Of course, there’s no harm in buying a stair gate earlier than this, but until your baby is beginning to move around on their own, there’s generally no real need for one. 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 into your wall or bannister. This has the major advantage of ensuring the gate is secure and won’t move around once it’s installed, but the screws will cause minor damage to your walls. 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 are great 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.
The bottom bar of the frame can pose a trip hazard, so pressure-fit gates are generally not suitable for use at the top of a staircase. But, all pressure-fit gates can be used at the bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow opening.
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 the better option.
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 was to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved, then they could 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. If it has moved, you'll need to tighten it.
What safety features should I look out for when buying a stair gate?
Most commercially-sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standard BS EN1930:2011. There’s no statutory requirement to comply with this safety standard, but most gates claim to conform.
To ensure your stair gate is as safe as possible, there are a few things to 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. 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 a glowing recommendation from 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.
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.
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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.