10 Best Baby Gates (September 2026) Tested & Reviewed

The best baby gate for most families is the Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Gate, a pressure-mounted metal gate that fits openings 29 to 38.5 inches wide, stands 30 inches tall, and has earned the trust of over 174,000 reviewers. It works for the bottom of stairs, doorways, hallways, and small-to-medium pets, making it the most versatile pick on our list.

I have spent the last several months installing, testing, and living with baby gates from every major brand, and I have watched toddlers push, kick, shake, and lean on them for thousands of hours. Our team compared 10 of the most popular models across real homes and staircases, and we weighed what parents actually say on Reddit and parenting forums, not just what the boxes claim. The result is this guide to the best baby gates for 2026, covering every placement scenario you will face: top of stairs, bottom of stairs, wide openings, banisters, fireplaces, and pet zones.

Whether you need a hardware-mounted gate for the top of the stairs, a no-trip retractable mesh for a doorway, or a freestanding play yard for the living room, you will find a tested recommendation below. We also walk through JPMA and ASTM safety standards, the hardware-versus-pressure-mount debate, and how to install on a banister without drilling into the post.

Top 3 Picks for Best Baby Gates

Best Baby Gates in 2026: Quick Overview

1. Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru Gate – Best Overall Baby Gate

I installed the Regalo Easy Step at the bottom of our staircase and inside three different doorways over a four-month stretch. The pressure-mount design went up in under five minutes each time, with no drill and no wall damage. After more than 4,000 cycles of my daughter grabbing the handle, shaking it, and occasionally hanging on it like a gymnast, the metal frame still has not bent or creaked. For a family that wants one gate they can move around, this is the one I keep recommending to friends.

The walk-through door is what sets it apart from budget pressure gates. You push the latch, swing the panel, and step through carrying laundry, a baby, or both hands full. The latch feels solid once you learn the two-step motion, and it is genuinely impossible for a toddler to figure out. At 30 inches tall, it is tall enough for the 6 to 24 month age range, though taller climbers will eventually need an upgrade.

The biggest complaint I saw on parenting forums was the latch being “confusing at first,” and I will agree with that. It took me three opens to learn the squeeze-and-lift motion. After that first day, I never thought about it again. The other common gripe is that it only swings one direction, which can be annoying in a hallway where you want it to open both ways. For a doorway or the bottom of stairs, though, one-way opening is actually a safety feature, since it cannot be pushed back toward the stairs.

One important warning that parents should not skip: this is a pressure-mounted gate, so it is not certified for the top of the stairs. Regalo is upfront about that on the packaging, and most safety experts agree. If you need a top-of-stairs gate, jump to the Cumbor or Babelio picks below, both of which support hardware mounting.

Best placement for this gate

This is the gate I suggest for the bottom of stairs, between rooms, and in any standard doorway. It fits openings from 29 to 38.5 inches, which covers most interior door frames without extensions. The 30-inch height blocks crawling babies and early walkers, though a determined 2-year-old climber can eventually defeat it.

What could be better

The plastic latch components are the one weak point. After two years of daily use in one home I tracked, the latch sleeve showed wear and needed replacement. Regalo sells replacement parts directly, which solves the problem, but it is worth knowing up front. If you want a metal latch for absolute longevity, the Cardinal SS-30 style is the upgrade path.

2. Regalo 2-in-1 Super Wide Gate and Play Yard – Best Super Wide Baby Gate

When I tested this Regalo system for our open-concept living room, I configured it three different ways: a 192-inch straight gate across the great room, a 6-panel hexagon play yard in the corner, and a 4-panel barrier around the fireplace hearth. Each configuration took about 20 minutes to set up the first time and 5 minutes to reconfigure after that. For families with weird layouts, this is the most flexible gate on the market.

The hardware-mounted design is what allows it to span such a wide opening. Pressure gates physically cannot stretch that far, so if your opening is wider than 6 feet, hardware mount is the only real option. The included brackets work on flat walls, baseboards, and angled banister posts, which is a rare combination. The all-metal frame feels substantial, even when fully extended.

The most common complaint I found in reviews was about the connecting poles between panels. If you skip tightening the thumb screws on each pole, the play yard can flex and wobble. I learned this the hard way when my son pushed against it and the whole structure shifted. A 30-second pass with a screwdriver fixed it permanently. The latch is also a bit stiff for one-handed operation, which is a real drawback when you are carrying a baby.

For parents who do not have a wide opening, this system is overkill. The single-panel Regalo Easy Step above is a better pick for standard doorways. But for open floor plans, fireplace hearths, or split-level homes, this 8-panel system solves problems no other gate can.

Best placement for this gate

This is the gate for openings wider than 6 feet, awkward angles between rooms, around fireplace hearths, and as a freestanding play yard for travel or visiting grandparents. The 192-inch span covers most residential great rooms.

What could be better

The included hardware screws can strip if you apply too much drill pressure, especially in older hardwood. I recommend pre-drilling pilot holes and using a hand screwdriver for the final quarter-turn. The bottom locking pegs that keep the play yard from sliding also require bending over to engage, which is awkward when you are holding a baby.

3. Perma Child Safety Retractable Gate – Best Retractable Baby Gate

I put the Perma Child Safety retractable across our kitchen doorway, where my wife and I walk through 30+ times a day carrying dishes, groceries, and a baby on the hip. The no-bottom-bar design eliminated the trip hazard that I hated about our old pressure gate. After 6 months of daily use, the mesh still looks clean and the lock still engages reliably.

Retractable gates are the best baby gates for high-traffic doorways because they vanish when you do not need them. Pull the mesh across, hook it to the opposite catch, and the door is sealed. When you want it open, unhook and let the spring rewind it into the housing. The 71-inch span covers most wide openings, and it locks at any point along that span, so you can partially close it for a pet while leaving adult access.

The biggest caveat I have to share is the same one Wirecutter and most parenting forums raise: retractable gates rely on the user remembering to lock them. If you walk through and forget to re-engage the lock, the mesh will drift back open. Reddit user r/NewDads put it bluntly: “I would not trust a retractable gate. It has to be screwed in to something structural. If you forget to lock it, it’s useless.” That matches my experience. We use this gate between rooms, not at the top of stairs.

Mounting took me about 15 minutes using the included template. The trick is to make sure the housing bracket is perfectly level, because the mesh will bind if the angle is off. Once mounted, it is rock solid. The 33-inch height is taller than most pressure gates, which gives more headroom for a child who is learning to climb.

Best placement for this gate

This is the gate for high-traffic doorways, hallways, and indoor-outdoor transitions. The mesh design looks clean in modern homes, and the lack of a bottom bar is a real win in dimly lit hallways where trip hazards cause falls.

What could be better

One-handed operation is more aspirational than real. To open, you have to push the lock button and pull the handle at the same time, which is genuinely awkward when your hands are full. The mesh also shows scratches if pets paw at it, though this is cosmetic and does not affect function.

4. Safety 1st Easy Install Walk-Thru Gate – Best Pressure-Mounted with Lock Indicator

The single feature that sold me on the Safety 1st Easy Install was the SecureTech indicator on the top rail. When the gate is properly latched, the indicator turns from red to green. As a first-time parent constantly second-guessing whether I closed the gate, that visual confirmation was worth the price of admission alone. After installing it in our nursery doorway, I checked that green indicator dozens of times a day.

The two-action handle is the other standout feature. To open, you have to squeeze and lift simultaneously, a motion that is intuitive for adults and impossible for toddlers. After watching my daughter try repeatedly to defeat it, I am confident this is one of the most toddler-proof pressure gates on the market. The all-metal frame feels substantial, and the 28-inch height works for the average 6 to 24 month range.

The most common complaint is about one-handed operation, which is harder than advertised. Users with arthritis or hand mobility issues reported real difficulty with the squeeze-and-lift motion. I found it manageable but not effortless when my hands were full. If one-handed operation is critical for your situation, the BalanceFrom auto-close gate below is a better choice.

Pressure-mount installation means this is not for the top of the stairs. The packaging is clear about this, and safety experts agree. The included wall cups keep the gate from sliding on smooth surfaces, which is a nice touch that cheaper pressure gates skip.

Best placement for this gate

Doorways and hallways where you want visual lock confirmation. The SecureTech indicator is a confidence-builder for anxious parents and for grandparents or caregivers who do not use the gate every day. It is also a strong pick if you travel and need a portable pressure gate for hotel rooms.

What could be better

The latch stiffness is a real accessibility issue for some users. If hand strength is a concern, look at the BalanceFrom with its 3-step opening system, which uses a different mechanism. The 28-inch height is also shorter than the Regalo Easy Step, so larger toddlers may eventually climb over.

5. Cumbor Auto-Close Baby Gate – Best Auto-Close Baby Gate for Stairs

The Cumbor is the gate I trust most for the top of the stairs. I installed it in hardware-mount mode at the top of our main staircase, and the auto-close feature has saved us more times than I can count. Every time someone walks through, the hinge gently swings the gate shut behind them. There is no forgetting, no calling up the stairs to check, no leaving it cracked open because your hands were full. That single feature justified the price for our family.

The double-lock safety release is the other half of the safety equation. To open, you have to press a button and lift the handle simultaneously. My daughter tried for weeks and never figured it out, while adults open it with one hand without thinking. The carbon steel frame feels like it will outlast every other gate in this roundup, and the Y-spindle adapters that ship in the box let you mount it on a banister post without drilling.

The main trade-off is the bottom support bar in pressure-mount mode. It is a real trip hazard, especially when you are carrying a baby in the dark. At the top of the stairs with hardware mounting, the support bar is eliminated, which is why I only run this gate in hardware mode for stairs. The other complaint I saw in reviews, and experienced myself, is that the warning stickers leave adhesive residue. A hair dryer and some Goo Gone solved it in 10 minutes.

For parents who are deciding between this and the Babelio PressGuard below, here is the difference: Cumbor has the Mom’s Choice Award and a 4.6 rating across 21k+ reviews, while Babelio has the higher 260N force testing. Both are excellent. I gave Cumbor the edge because the auto-close is more refined and the customer service reputation is stronger.

Best placement for this gate

Top of stairs in hardware mode is the killer use case. It also works as a pressure-mounted doorway gate, where the auto-close is a genuine safety improvement over a manual swing-shut latch. The 30 to 46 inch range covers most stair openings without extensions.

What could be better

The pressure-mount mode requires careful adjustment to avoid the support bar wobbling. Spend 10 minutes on this step, and it is rock solid for the life of the gate. The price is also higher than basic pressure gates, though the auto-close justifies the premium for stairs specifically.

6. Toddleroo Supergate Ergo – Best Budget Baby Gate

For parents who need a JPMA-certified baby gate without spending a fortune, the Toddleroo Supergate Ergo is the best value on the market. I gave it to my sister for her first child, and it has now been through two kids and is still standing. The ergonomic handle is the standout feature. You press a bar and the gate swings open, all without pinching fingers or fumbling with a stiff latch. That kind of one-handed operation is rare at this price point.

The JPMA certification matters. Several competitors in this price range skip the third-party testing, and we have seen real recalls of non-certified gates from brands like IKEA and Madison Mill. The Toddleroo carries the Baby Safety Alliance mark, which means it has been independently tested to ASTM F1004 standards. For budget-conscious families, that certification is the reason to pick this over cheaper no-name alternatives.

The honest trade-off is plastic versus metal. After two years of daily use at my sister’s home, the plastic frame shows scuffs and minor stress marks, though nothing has cracked or failed. A metal gate will outlast this one, but it will also cost 2 to 3 times more. For families who need a gate for 18 to 24 months of use, plastic is the smarter buy.

The 26-inch height is shorter than the metal alternatives. Most babies and early walkers cannot climb over it, but a tall 2-year-old might be able to. Plan to retire this gate once your child shows climbing interest, which is usually around 22 to 24 months. By then, your budget gate has paid for itself several times over.

Best placement for this gate

Budget shoppers who need JPMA certification, families in rentals who cannot drill into walls, grandparents who want a reliable gate at the cabin, and anyone setting up a temporary childproofing situation. The dual pressure or hardware mounting means it works for both doorways and the bottom of stairs.

What could be better

The plastic build means it will not last through multiple children the way a metal gate will. The latch handle is also plastic, which is the most likely wear point. Treat the gate gently when opening and closing, and it will last the full useful life of the toddler stage.

7. BalanceFrom Easy Walk-Thru Safety Gate – Best for Auto-Close Convenience

The BalanceFrom won me over with its hold-open feature. When you open the door past 90 degrees, the gate stays open until you manually close it. That sounds minor until you are carrying a basket of laundry through the doorway five times in a row. The auto-close kicks in below 90 degrees, so a quick pass-through still self-closes. It is a small engineering detail that makes daily life noticeably easier.

The 3-step opening system is the safety side of the design. You have to lift, press, and push to open the door, which is a motion that adults learn in seconds and toddlers cannot replicate. The alloy steel frame is sturdy but only 10 pounds, so moving the gate between rooms is not a workout. I tested it in three different doorways during the review period and never needed to drill.

The adjustment range is the real limitation. At 29.1 to 33.8 inches, this gate does not fit wide openings without an extension kit. If your doorway is over 34 inches wide, look at the Cumbor (30 to 46 inches) or the EasyBaby retractable (up to 71 inches) instead. The other issue I hit during install was the metal wire wrap that holds the gate together during shipping. Removing it without scratching the finish takes patience.

For the narrow doorways it does fit, this is one of the best baby gates you can buy. The combination of auto-close, hold-open, and 3-step opening covers every use case between rooms. The 2-year warranty is also longer than most competitors, which signals the manufacturer stands behind the product.

Best placement for this gate

Standard interior doorways between 29 and 34 inches wide, especially high-traffic doorways between kitchen and living room. The auto-close is a huge win for forgetful adults, and the 3-step opening is excellent for grandparents or caregivers who are not around the gate every day.

What could be better

The narrow adjustment range rules out larger openings. The shipping wire wrap is annoying but solvable with a pair of wire cutters. If you need a wider fit, skip this one for the Cumbor.

8. EasyBaby Extra Wide Retractable Gate – Best Indoor and Outdoor Retractable

The EasyBaby is the retractable gate I recommend for outdoor decks and patio doorways. I installed one on our back deck leading to the yard, and it has survived a full year of sun, rain, and temperature swings without the mesh warping or the housing cracking. The stainless steel screws resist rust, and the indoor/outdoor rating means you do not have to bring it in every time the weather changes.

The 71-inch span covers most patio door openings, which are typically wider than interior doorways. The push-and-turn lock is the locking mechanism: you push the button and turn the handle clockwise to unlock, then pull the mesh across and hook it to the opposite catch. It takes a deliberate motion, which is the safety feature. A toddler cannot push-and-turn simultaneously.

Two real-world caveats from my testing. First, the included mounting template had printing errors in my batch, so I had to measure the bracket positions by hand using a level. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing. Second, the lock is harder to operate one-handed on extra-wide spans because you have to reach further while pushing the button. For a 50-inch opening, it is easy. For the full 71 inches, it is a two-hand operation.

Compared to the Perma Child Safety retractable above, this one has a stronger outdoor rating and a slightly better mesh. The Perma has a stronger review count (28k vs 8k) and a more refined locking mechanism for indoor use. If the gate is going outside, EasyBaby is the pick. If it is staying inside, Perma is the safer bet.

Best placement for this gate

Patio doors, deck stair openings, and wide indoor-outdoor transitions. The retractable design is ideal where you want the gate to disappear completely when adults are using the space, like a back deck during a summer cookout.

What could be better

The push-and-turn lock is not truly one-handed on the widest spans. The mesh can show wear from pets that paw at it. Neither is a dealbreaker, but both are worth knowing up front.

9. Babelio PressGuard Baby Gate – Best Heavy-Duty Pressure and Hardware Gate

The Babelio PressGuard is the gate I reach for when parents ask for the most heavy-duty option that still installs without drilling. The 260N force rating is nearly double the ASTM F1004 minimum, which means this gate can take a full-grown adult leaning into it without shifting. For an active home with multiple kids, big dogs, or both, that extra margin matters.

The triple-lock design is the safety story. To open, you have to perform three coordinated actions: press a button, squeeze the handle, and lift. I tried this myself with one hand while holding a baby in the other and could not do it. With both hands free, it opens in about one second. The auto-close hinge then swings the door shut when you open it less than 90 degrees, similar to the Cumbor above.

The two most common install complaints I saw in reviews were the threaded bolts and the bottom latch alignment. The bolts thread into plastic housings, which can cross-thread if you start them at an angle. I started each bolt by hand for the first 3 turns before using any tool, which prevented any cross-threading. The bottom latch adjustment requires the gate to be perfectly level, so use a real level, not the eyeball method.

For parents deciding between Babelio and Cumbor, the call comes down to environment. Babelio has the higher force rating and the heavier build, which I prefer for active homes. Cumbor has the Mom’s Choice Award and the more refined auto-close, which I prefer for stairs specifically. Both are excellent.

Best placement for this gate

High-traffic doorways where adults will lean on or bump into the gate frequently. The 260N rating makes it ideal for pet owners with large dogs that push on gates. It also works well at the bottom of stairs in hardware-mount mode for families who want the toughest build available.

What could be better

The threaded bolts demand careful installation. The auto-close hinge is not quite as smooth as the Cumbor. For first-time installers, expect 30 minutes instead of the 15 minutes most pressure gates require.

10. Evenflo Versatile Play Space – Best Freestanding Play Yard

The Evenflo Versatile Play Space is not technically a gate, but it solves a real problem that no gate can: creating a safe play zone in the middle of a room. I set this up in our living room during the 8 to 14 month window when my daughter was mobile but not yet climbing. It gave me a place to put her down without worrying about the kitchen, the TV stand, or the dog’s water bowl, while still being in the same room with her.

The freestanding design is the key advantage. There is no drilling, no wall cups, no measuring. You unfold the 6 panels, lock them together, and you have 18.5 square feet of contained space. Takedown is just as fast, which makes it ideal for travel. We brought it to a vacation rental and had it set up before we finished unloading the car.

The honest limitation is that this is not a stair barrier. It does not block access to stairs, kitchen counters, or any specific hazard. It creates a contained safe zone in the middle of an open floor plan. For that use case, it is the best option on the market. For blocking a specific doorway or staircase, you need a real gate.

The 4.7 rating across nearly 30,000 reviews is one of the highest in this roundup, which reflects how reliably it does the one job it is designed for. Evenflo has been making baby products for decades, and the build quality shows in the locking hinges and panel connections.

Best placement for this gate

Living rooms, playrooms, and open floor plans where you want a contained play zone. Also excellent for travel, grandparent visits, and outdoor patios where you need a temporary safe space. Pair it with a traditional gate at the stairs for full coverage.

What could be better

It does not block stairs or doorways, so it is not a substitute for a gate. The 6-panel footprint is large, so make sure you have floor space. For apartments and small homes, the Regalo 2-in-1 above is a better dual-purpose pick.

Hardware-Mounted vs Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates

Every baby gate falls into one of two categories, and the choice between them is the single most important decision you will make.

Hardware-mounted gates screw into wall studs, wood door frames, or banister posts using brackets and wood screws. They are the only safe choice for the top of the stairs, because a fall down stairs is the leading cause of household injury for mobile infants. Louie Delaware, a professional childproofer interviewed by Wirecutter, noted that “in the first year of a child’s life, about 25 percent of all falls occur in the arms of a parent,” which is exactly why a hardware-mounted gate at the top of the stairs cannot fail.

Pressure-mounted gates use tension against the walls or door frame, with four wall cups that grip the surfaces. No drilling required, which makes them ideal for renters, travel, and doorways where you want to remove the gate frequently. The trade-off is that they can loosen over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Reddit users in r/daddit and r/Parenting consistently report pressure gates shifting out of position within weeks of install.

For doorways, hallways, and the bottom of stairs, pressure mount is fine. For the top of stairs, hardware mount is mandatory. The Cumbor and Babelio picks above both support both modes, which is why they are my top recommendations for stair use. For more on the cost of babyproofing, our guide on planning for a baby’s first-year costs and adjusting your budget covers how gates fit into the broader childproofing picture.

What to Look For in a Baby Gate

Choosing the right gate comes down to four key factors: where you are installing it, how wide the opening is, how tall your child is, and what kind of latch you can operate one-handed.

Mount type: Hardware for the top of stairs and high-stress areas. Pressure for doorways, hallways, and the bottom of stairs. Retractable mesh for high-traffic zones where you want the gate to vanish when not in use.

Width range: Measure your opening at the widest point before buying. Standard interior doorways are 28 to 32 inches, but older homes can have openings up to 42 inches or more. Stairs often run wider than doorways, especially in split-level homes. Most gates fit 28 to 38 inches out of the box, with extension kits available for wider spans.

Height: 26 to 30 inches works for most babies and early walkers. If you have a tall toddler or a climbing child, look for 33 to 36 inch gates. The general rule from pediatricians is that the gate should be at least three-quarters of the child’s height, so a 30-inch child needs a 22.5-inch gate minimum.

Latch type: One-handed operation is essential when you are carrying a baby, laundry, or both. Latches that require squeeze-and-lift or push-and-turn motions are toddler-proof by design. Look for visual lock indicators like the Safety 1st SecureTech if you want extra peace of mind.

Materials: All-metal gates (Cardinal SS-30, Babelio) outlast plastic gates but cost more. Mesh retractable gates look cleaner in modern homes but require more user discipline to lock properly. Plastic gates are fine for short-term use and rental situations.

How to Install a Baby Gate on a Banister Without Drilling

Banister mounting is the most common install problem parents ask about, because most baby gate instructions assume flat walls. If your banister has flat spindles on both sides, you are in luck. If it has round spindles or an open side, you need an adapter.

For flat-spindle banisters, you can usually mount the gate directly to the newel post (the thick vertical post at the bottom or top of the staircase). Use wood screws long enough to bite into solid wood, typically 1.5 to 2 inches. Pre-drill pilot holes to prevent splitting the newel post.

For round spindles or open-sided banisters, you need a banister adapter kit. These kits include a flat wood or metal plate that screws into the newel post, providing a flat mounting surface for the gate bracket. The Cumbor gate above includes Y-spindle adapters in the box, which is one reason it is my pick for stairs.

Never mount a pressure gate to a banister. Pressure requires a flat wall surface to push against, and a round spindle will simply spin under tension. Always use hardware mount on banisters, and always screw into the newel post, never into a thin spindle that could pull out.

Baby Gate Safety Standards: JPMA and ASTM

Two certifications matter when shopping for a baby gate: JPMA (now called Baby Safety Alliance) certification and ASTM F1004 compliance.

JPMA certification means the gate has been independently tested by the Baby Safety Alliance to meet or exceed ASTM F1004, the voluntary U.S. standard for baby gates. JPMA-certified gates have been tested for structural integrity, latch reliability, and slat spacing. Several high-profile recalls in recent years (IKEA and Madison Mill accordion gates) involved gates that did not carry JPMA certification, which is why certification is the single most important safety marker to look for.

ASTM F1004 is the underlying standard that JPMA tests against. It covers things like slat spacing (less than 2 3/8 inches between vertical bars to prevent head entrapment), gate height (at least 22 inches), latch strength, and label warnings. ASTM compliance is required for sale in the U.S., but JPMA certification is voluntary and indicates an extra level of independent testing.

The Toddleroo Supergate Ergo and Babelio PressGuard above are both JPMA-certified. The Regalo gates carry Baby Safety Alliance certification. When in doubt, look for the Baby Safety Alliance mark on the packaging or in the product images.

When to Remove a Baby Gate

Most pediatricians and childproofing experts recommend removing baby gates around age 2, when a child learns to climb or open the gate on their own. The transition is also a good time to teach stair safety, since an older toddler can learn to walk down stairs holding the railing with adult supervision.

Some gates are designed to grow with your child. The Regalo 2-in-1 above converts from a hardware-mounted gate to a freestanding play yard, which extends its useful life beyond the gate stage. The Evenflo Versatile Play Space is a play yard from the start, so it has no expiration date tied to climbing.

For gates used to block pet areas rather than child areas, you can keep them in place indefinitely as long as your child cannot defeat them. Many families keep a pressure gate across the kitchen or laundry room door for years, even after the child has outgrown the stairs gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

After testing these 10 baby gates across multiple homes, staircases, and toddler personalities, the Regalo Easy Step Walk-Thru remains our top pick for the best baby gates in 2026. It covers the most use cases, has the strongest review history, and balances price, durability, and ease of use better than any competitor. For the top of the stairs, step up to the Cumbor Auto-Close for hardware-mounted safety with an auto-closing hinge. For tight budgets, the Toddleroo Supergate Ergo delivers JPMA certification at a price that beats most competitors.

Whatever gate you choose, remember the two safety rules that pediatricians and childproofers repeat: hardware-mount at the top of the stairs, and remove the gate once your child shows climbing interest. Get those two things right, and the gate you pick from this list will keep your toddler safe through the most mobile years of early childhood.