Last Updated on December 16, 2020
“Safety first”– It’s a phrase we hear all the time.
It takes on a new meaning when your little one starts to crawl.
If you haven’t already, it’s time to baby-proof the house.
One of the priorities is getting the best baby gate for stairs with banisters.
(Or just baby gates in general whether or not you have steps to worry about.)
But stairs pose a particular risk since they are a place where children are likely to be injured.
Let’s learn about which baby gate is best for stairs.
Contents
If you don’t have time to read the complete article, here are our top picks.
Now that you’re wise about choosing baby gates for stairways, let’s look at the options.
They are manufacturers that carries the JPMA certification on their products. They come highly recommended by Consumer Reports.
Let me point out why this is one of the best baby gates for difficult stairs. It comes with Optional “stop” bracket to keep the gate from swinging open over stairs.
To begin with, it can mount at angles up to 30°. It doesn’t have to be straight across to work.
It’s adjustable in width from 27 to 42.5 inches, and it’s 29.5 inches. These are the perfect gates for top stairs.
Second, the robust aluminum construction consists of vertical bars only. There are no footholds for climbing. And the opening between the bars is too small for little heads to wedge into.
The latch is specifically designed for adults to open with one hand, but it’s too tricky for toddlers with the gate around.
It comes with two side panels and a swing-open door that are 72” wide. Then the gate only opens one way.
You can use this in any doorway, at the top of the stairs, and at the bottom. It’s available in black, white, or brown with a powder-coated finish and features easy one-handed operation. These are designed for top of the stairs.
While we’re on the topic of safety gates for stairs with banisters, here’s another product to consider.
It’s tempting for a child to cram their head into the opening between the spindles.
You can prevent this without making your home look tacky. These Gates offer shatterproof crystal clear plastic in a variety of sizes. It can be locked open at 90 degrees if necessary and features one-handed operation.
It comes with all the hardware you need to mount it discreetly. This type of baby gate is one of the best.
The Toddleroo baby gate by North states supergate is available in matte bronze or white.
The durable steel construction is sleek and elegant and comes with a size of 38.5 inches. The swinging walk-thru door panel features a child-proof, double-locking system which can be operated with one hand by an adult.
The Toddleroo baby gate by North states has a latch that’s easy for adults to open, plus you can easily remove the gate from the hardware mounts if needed, and features one-handed operation.
This hardware-mounted baby gate is an easy to open feature that makes this gate easy for adults to use as well.
Since the gate is hardware-mounteddesign prevents it from swinging out over stairs and is designed to fit perfectly for your little one.
Extra-long with additional extensions available for purchase and also comes with a locking mechanism. This type of gate is easy for opening and closing and it comes with a triple-locking mechanism. We feel this is the best baby gate out there.
This wide gate also comes with a hold-open feature or stay-open feature and have quality safety standards.
Even if you have ample space to cover, it adjusts from 28.8 inches to 47.85 inches in width.
Regalo super wide opening baby gate expands from 29 to 43 inches wide. It’s 30.5 inches wide. But what makes it ideal for stairs with banisters is the mounting hardware.
This gate from regalo is a super wide gate that comes with banister corner protectors and both round and square banister adapters. There are also wall spacers and a leveler. With the included hardware, you don’t need to drill into the railing or the woodwork.
These hardware-mounted baby gates come with a user guide to help you install it.
Put this gate for the top and bottom of stairs or in any doorway. You can always pull the gate off the mounting hardware to move it out of the way. We feel this is one of the best and is really easy to install. This gate is ideal for your little one.
It has a child-proof safety lock that squeezes to open. These heavy-duty gates come with a comfort grip, door stopper,
Moreover, it’s certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Evenflo’s gate latch here is different from the competition. It really is easy to use with one hand, or even an elbow in a pinch.
Furthermore, the Secure Step Gate is made especially for securing the top of a stairway. But feel free to use it in other areas, too.
It opens in both directions and fits openings between 30 to forty-two inches. It’s 30 inches and has no floor bar that you can trip over.
This tall baby gate also has a red/green locking indicator so that you can see at a glance that it is locked into position.
The sturdy metal structure installs in about 15 minutes. To put it up, you’ll need a drill with a 9/64-inch bit, a screwdriver, and something like a pencil to make marks.
The gates that will be used on top do not come with an auto-close feature.
If you prefer a wooden gate, take a look at this one from Evenflo. It fits between 30 and 48 inches.
It has a squeeze latch meaning, It comes with a one-hand operation. Plus, it comes with a swing stop that lets it open in one direction only if you wish.
Parents explain that it is easy to install, and they like the natural wood appearance. But some were concerned about the difficulty of opening the latch. This is also perfect to use at the top.
Evenflo easy walk-thru offers a 90-day warranty on the baby gate and is perfect for your little one.
This Summer infant multi-use baby gate has a thumb latch that parents say is very sturdy and secure.
It also comes with a stopper that prevents it from opening over the top of the stairs.
The only con mentioned in some reviews is the quality of the plastic wall anchors. But it’s simple to replace them with a different wall anchor.
The summer infant deluxe stairway is easy to open and close and can be opened with one hand.
Install it at the bottom of stairs and top of the stairs. It’s 30 inches tall and fits in openings from 29 to 42 inches. The Precision Fit Template will make sure that you don’t have to rely on measuring or guesswork.
Instead of the typical white or black baby gate, you can also enjoy silvery modern aluminum.
This baby gate is designed for blocking access to the stairs. It has a squeezable latch that children are unable to open. Give a gentle Push it shuts, and it automatically locks. It has a squeeze latch meaning, It comes with a one-hand operation.
The 30.5-inch tall gate extends from 26.5 to 40 inches to fit virtually any stairway or entryway. This extra-tall gat swings both ways.
What’s more, it features quick-release wall mounts to pull the gate off the mounts and out of the way.
The installation system has an Integrated Tuning System that compensates for when walls aren’t level.
For easy installation, this metal baby gate comes fully assembled. It’s a top of stairs baby gate – no drill required.
You can install the whole thing in 15 minutes with just a screwdriver. (Yes, you will be making holes with the screws.)
It fits between 29 and 42 inches with no drywall anchors needed. But it requires a flat mounting surface that’s at least 3.5 inches across.
It has a stopper that prevents it from swinging in one direction if you desire.
It’s JPMA-certified, and it meets ASTM standards.
Stairs with banisters aren’t ideal to wall mount a baby gate. But this gate solves the problem with a dual installation kit.
You can secure one side of the gate to square or round banister posts without drilling them. Then the other side can be mounted to the wall.
Moreover, it’s made of antique oak finish to match the banister and we feel this is the best option. Also, the gate installation is an easy one.
Put it at the top and the bottom of your stairs as it fits between 32 inches to 48 inches wide. It’s 33 inches and are perfect for your little ones.
Here’s a kit to adapt a baby gate to fit stairs with railings. It fits posts that are at least 2 and three-quarters inches and not more than 3 and 5 eighths inches wide.
You’ll need one kit for each post, but you won’t have to drill the post if you use it. This extra-wide baby gate can be a permanently-mounted barrier or used as a free-standing play yard (up to 10 square feet).
This extra-wide baby gate consists of sturdy clamps with metal bolts, not cheap plastic straps. The clamps secure the gate to the post in place of screws.
The manufacturer recommends watching the video before purchasing and installing.
At the bottom of the stairs, you can use a pressure-mounted baby gate like this one. The cute design resembles a miniature door.
Fortunately, the miniature “window” openings are high enough that most babies won’t be able to use them for climbing.
At 36 inches tall,These pressure-mount gates are taller than the typical baby gate. But you need to keep in mind that it has a bar at the bottom that you’ll need to step over.
In other words, gate pressure-mounted gates like this one could become a trip hazard on stairs. You never want to put them at the top of the steps as it’s dangerous to do so.
These pressure mounting gates fit openings in spaces measuring 29.5 up to 51.6 inches in width, plus it’s JPMA-certified.
What if you need a baby gate for difficult stairs? Like the gate at the bottom of the stairs with only one wall and a wrought iron railing?
This adaptive kit will simplify installation. It’s compatible with most pressure-mounted baby gate models.
The padded spindle secures one side to thin posts of the banister.
If you have railings on both sides of the stairs, Kidco makes a kit for that situation, too.
You may already know there are two types of baby gates: pressure-mounted and hardware-mounted.
The former uses tension or suction cups, or a combination of these methods, to anchor itself. That’s convenient if you need to move the baby gate from place to place.
Meanwhile, the latter is screwed into the wall or fastened onto the banister. It’s permanent.
Thankfully, there are options for attaching hardware-mounted gates to a railing spindle if you don’t have a wall handy.
If you’re renting, you may be reluctant to drill holes. Have a conversation with your landlord. It’s easier to repair a small screw hole than a broken bone.
Please, never put a pressure-mounted baby gate at the top of the stairs. They just aren’t sturdy enough.
You need a hardware-mounted gate at the top.
And yes, you still need a baby gate for the bottom of the stairs. I know it’s inconvenient, but do you really want your infant to climb up steps and fall back down? Always, select the best one when it comes to baby gates.
At the bottom of the gate, however, you can get away with a pressure-mounted gate.
It’s recommended that you put up baby gates at the top and bottom of the steps before your child is 6 months old.
Once the baby starts pulling herself up, she’s already at risk.
Then, once she’s about two years old, or starting to climb the gate, you may remove it. Some parents opt for a taller gate to prevent climbing.
One of the easiest ways to tell if a baby gate is considered safe is to see if it carries a certification from the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association).
The JPMA checks whether the gate is sturdy and if there are openings that could trap little fingers and toes. They see if the openings are big enough for little bodies to try and wriggle through and whether the gate sits close enough to the floor to prevent passage.
It also only takes a few seconds to check the recalls site to see if that baby gate model was recalled for safety issues.
You can also register with the manufacturer to get notified if there’s a problem after your purchase.
In general, however, there are other guidelines to consider. If you have two walls on either side of your stairway bottom, you may need a regular pressure-mount gate
Look at the baby gate – most have vertical bars to prevent climbing. Make sure the one you want doesn’t have footholds.
Next, see if you can manipulate the latch. You’d be surprised how many adults end up in the emergency room after falling while trying to step over a baby gate.
After you’ve installed it, give it a good every once in a while to ensure it’s still stable.
I’m happy you stopped by today to see reviews of the best baby gates for stairs.
I hope you found the indoor safety gate that best fits your situation.
If so, come back and drop us a comment below.
Sources:
1. http://www.proofed.com/blog/why-buy-a-baby-safety-gate by Mandy Schort,
2. http://www.proofed.com/blog/can-baby-gates-be-unsafe by Mandy Schort
3. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/safety-gates/buying-guide/index.htm
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