Best Baby Gates in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 5, 2024
Parents always have tons of baby-related questions, especially when it comes to baby safety and comfort. What is the best way to ...Read more
PROS

These large baby gates can be easily configured for different shapes to suit your needs. They can be attached to a wall or used as a free-standing barrier.

CONS

Children can move a playpen if it's not secured with wall mounts. 

OUR VERDICT

The Dreambaby Royal Converta 3-in-1 Play-Pen Gate has numerous uses around the home. Parents can set it up as a playpen, safety gate, fireguard, and a room divider.

detailed parameters
BEST FOR

Indoor play space, Between rooms and hallways, Blocking unsafe areas, Gate enclosure for extra wide openings

FIXATION

6 modular panels with a convenient gate section, Free-standing and Hard-mounted 

HEIGHT

74 cm

WIDTH / PLAYPEN

3.8 m

DOOR

Swing door with handy stay-open feature

Warranty

14-day return policy

PROS

The package includes 3 spare panels so that you can extend the gate up to 89 cm. Also, you can buy a 24-cm extension kit additionally.

CONS

The assembly instruction is not very clear. 

OUR VERDICT

The BabyDan elegant barrier made of PVC plastic can perfectly fit into the interior of your house. When not in use, it folds neatly to the side, so nothing will spoil the look of your room.

detailed parameters
BEST FOR

Suitable for stairs, hallways, and corridors

FIXATION

Retractable panels made of PVC-free plastic, Hard-mounted 

HEIGHT

72.5 cm

WIDTH / PLAYPEN

55-89 cm

DOOR

One-touch release lever

Warranty

12 months

PROS

The swing door has a double lock, so even the most adventurous and curious children will not be able to open it. Plus, it boasts auto-closing feature.

CONS

It's not recommended for installation at top of stairs.

OUR VERDICT

These are versatile door gates for babies that can be opened in one way for use at the bottom of stairs or two way for use in doorways. The model is offered in two colour options (White and Brown/Silver).

detailed parameters
BEST FOR

Suitable for stairs (bottom), hallways and corridors

FIXATION

Steel construction, Pressure-mounted 

HEIGHT

75 cm

WIDTH / PLAYPEN

76-82 cm

DOOR

Swing door with one-touch release lever

Warranty

Lifetime warranty after registration

PROS

Due to the fully-retractable design, these security gates for babies fit perfectly into narrow and wide openings (from 0 to 120 cm) without additional adjustments.

CONS

The locking mechanism is a bit noisy. 

OUR VERDICT

It's lightweight yet sturdy mesh barrier that is very easy to use. You won't need to fully retract it each time you walk through. The gate is available in classic Black and White colours.

detailed parameters
BEST FOR

Suitable for stairs, hallways, and corridors; Can be used inside and outside

FIXATION

Retractable net, Hard-mounted

HEIGHT

90 cm

WIDTH / PLAYPEN

0-120 cm

DOOR

Retractable net with an automatic lock

Warranty

365-day return (if unused)

PROS

Made from pure European Beechwood, this gate is completely eco-friendly and non-hazardous. It can be opened in either direction.

CONS

The bolts might become loose over time. 

OUR VERDICT

These environmentally-friendly wooden baby gates look brilliantly, feel solid and are very simple to operate with one hand. They will definitely blend into any classic interior.

detailed parameters
BEST FOR

Suitable for stairs, hallways, and corridors

FIXATION

Wood construction, Hard-mounted

HEIGHT

74.5 cm

WIDTH / PLAYPEN

72.5 - 78.5 cm

DOOR

Swing door with one-touch release lever

Warranty

12 months

Multi-use Gate

The Dreambaby 3-in-1 baby gate can really make your home safer and your life easier. It's a versatile product that has many uses around the house - it can serve as a safety gate, sturdy play area, fireguard, pet barrier, and a room divider. Made of durable metal, the gate is extremely solid and you can safely use it in any combination you like. It consists of 6 panels with a gate section. The modular panels can be set up in different shapes to suit your purpose. For example, you can open them (up to 3.8 m) to create an extra-long protective guard around a fireplace or convert them into a play-pen for your little one. You can even bend the gate in a U-Shape or an L-shape to restrict access to the TV set or Christmas tree, top or bottom of the stairs. Being 74 cm tall, the panels are impossible to jump over by curious toddlers. The gate is easy to open/close and the door features a stay-open feature, which is convenient if you need to have a quick access.

The gate is pretty easy to assemble. It comes with clear instructions and wall mounting brackets. If you need to use it as a barrier or guard, you can secure it to the wall with included mounts. Also, you can buy panel extensions separately (you can use up to 4 additional panels for play-pen). The gate can be easily folded up for storage and transportation.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £94.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00KWAQ3RC

So Discreet!

The Guard Me safety guard by BabyDan is an innovative product in the industry of child safety equipment. It's auto-foldable gate that can be mounted on the inside as well as outside of the door frame. It can also be installed at top and bottom of stairs. Guard Me is perfect for tight spaces as it can fit narrow openings from 55 cm and wider. This safety guard comes pre-assembled and includes step-by-step instructions. Moreover, you can even watch an installation video at www.babydan.com. The package includes three spare extensions which allow you to extend the gate up to 89 cm. Plus, you can additionally get a 24-cm extension kit that will let you further extend the gate up to 103.5 cm. Guard Me is made of PVC-free plastic and meets ASTM and EN1930:2011 safety standards.

These extendable baby gates are sturdy and easy to open and close just with one hand. The model is retractable, and once you press the release button, the gate will fold back automatically. When not in use, it folds neatly to the side and becomes almost invisible. So, if there's no need for a gate at all, you won't even need to demount it. Guard Me looks nice and has no bar to trip over. It's great to keep children (from birth to 24 months) off the stairs.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £57.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00DNK23Y0

No Drilling Required

Lindam is an award-winning company creating practical and stylish home safety solutions, and the Sure Shut Axis barrier is no exception. It looks smart and does exactly what you might require from a safety gate. The barrier comes already pre-assembled, and all you need to install it is put it central to your openings and secure it by tightening the locking nuts. The Sure Shut Axis has a pressure indicator which disappears once the gate has been installed correctly. It's supplied with special wall cups and sticking pads which make the fixation more reliable. No drilling in the walls required!

This pressure-mounted gate can be used at the bottom of the stairs or in doorways. It fits openings from 76 to 82 cm. Plus, it can be extended to up to 117 cm with additional extensions (should be purchased separately). The latch is easy to open with one hand for parents but too tricky for children to master - you need to pull the button and lift the gate up simultaneously. The door opens both ways and closes behind you, which is pretty handy. This portable baby gate is available in White and Brown/Silver colours to suit your interior best.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £24.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B001KC05PM

For Extremely Tight Openings

If you don't want your house look like a prison with all those metal bulky gates, the Safetots Advanced Retractable safety barrier is your choice. It's a great retractable gate that hides away nicely and blends in with the interior beautifully. This baby stair gate is extremely compact and much more practical on steps than a fixed metal gate. Since it has a wall-mounted design, you can install it both at top and bottom of the stairs without a fear that your baby can break it and fall. You can open the gate with one hand, and it will neatly roll up to one side. The best part is that you don't need to fully recess it each time you walk through. The retracting mechanism is smooth and responsive.

This slim baby gate is quite easy to set up, as it's supplied with all fittings and useful templates for screw holes. The fixings are also pretty discreet. This safety gate can be installed in doorways, walls, outside frames, near the stairs, or even diagonally. As it's retractable from 0 to 120 cm, it works wonderfully in small openings and very narrow places. The gate is sturdy and high enough (90 cm) to stop kids or pets from accessing unsafe areas.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £49.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B01AG50X8W

Looks Luxurious

The BabyDan protective gate will be a beautiful permanent addition to any home. With a lovely wood finish and high-quality components, it looks brilliant. The gate is produced from pure European Beechwood, thus it's very sturdy and strong. It's well-made and can go lovely with wooden flooring. The gate works smoothly and can be easily opened/closed with one hand. It opens both ways, and if you wish, you can set it open only one way. The closing mechanism is simple and operates almost silently.

This wood barrier has quick-release wall fittings and can be easily taken off when not required. It is fairly easy to fix and comes with everything you need to screw it directly to a door frame. The package even includes a spanner for adjusting the hinges to the right length. The safety gate fits openings from 72.5 to 78.5 cm. It can be installed both inside and on the outside of a door frame. The gate has "no trip" design, meaning it has no hazardous trip bar. Overall, the BabyDan barrier is safe, solid, and beautiful.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £39.35
Stock In stock
ASIN B00INIU52O

Infographics


What Is a Baby Gate?

Just imagine how dangerous our houses are! Stairs, exterior doors, fireplaces, fragile decorations, glass furniture, etc. Once your baby starts crawling, it’s high time to baby-proof your home. And the best solution is to use baby gates! They are the first line of defence for keeping your curious baby out of places that aren’t baby-safe, preventing your little one from hurting him/herself. That's why more and more parents are installing baby safety gates at various areas around the house or apartment. For example, at the top/bottom of stairs, in front of a fireplace, or just in the middle of a room as a play area. Baby gates are also perfect for keeping your toy-gobbling dog away from a baby. Today, the market offers a great variety of safety gates that are better or worse suited for different purposes. It's crucial to get the right gate and that's why we've come with our review of best baby gates! Now making a choice is as easy as pie.

One more must-have purchase for parents whose children are just starting to crawl is baby walkers. They will help your child make his/her first steps joyfully!

A baby bouncer is a lifesaver for all young mothers. You can put your little baby to sleep in it and have some time for yourself!

What Features to Compare

Before you rush out and buy a safety baby gate, there are several important features you need to take into consideration.

Best for

First of all, you should decide where you plan to use baby gates, and therefore, choose the appropriate type.

Depending on the mounting, there are 3 main types of gates: hardware mounted, pressure-mounted and freestanding models.

  • Hardware-mounted gates. As the name suggests, these baby gates screw directly into the door frame, wall or banister/balustrade. Hardware-mounted gates are the safest option as they’re the most reliable and sturdy, although they require screwing. This type of gates is perfect for installation at the top and bottom of stairs, between any doorway or entryway, as well as other places of the gravest threats.
  • Pressure-mounted gates are the most widespread baby gates. They use the force of pressure that helps keep the safety gate in place. Such gates eliminate the need to drill all those ugly holes for hardware, and their installation is very simple and fast. However, a pressure-mounted gate is not recommended for installation at the top of the stairs. They are ideal for use in many other places such as doorways in halls, kitchens, living rooms, etc.
  • Freestanding models are those that stand upright on its own. They mostly look like playards with six or eight panels. Such barriers require no tools for installation and, as a rule, can be used both indoors and outdoors. Some customers use such gates to temporarily block access to dangerous areas, such as fireplaces, Christmas trees, etc.

Safety

It is vitally important to take the parameters that influence the safety of use into account. Here we include the height, the design, and the material of panels.

The height of the gates should be at least three-quarters of child's height. The distance above the floor must be above 3" so that the child isn't able to slip under it. If the construction includes vertical bars, a space between them needs to be 2"-3" to prevent the kid's head from getting stuck. Choosing a gate with diamond-shaped panels or a square mesh, be careful! The older the child is, the easier he/she climbs it. As for mesh barriers, they are really comfortable, safe and fit perfectly into any interiors.

Note that baby gates should be made of high-quality durable materials. Metal gates are considered to be the most reliable and durable, whereas the wood models are the most environmentally friendly. Concerning plastic gates, they also cope with their task well. In any case, the materials must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of babies and not break under their weight if they suddenly try to climb the gates. At the same time, when choosing a baby gate, you should keep in mind that gates are intended for children aged from 6 to 24 months.

Conveniences

The size of the gates or playpens, as well as the presence of a swing door, influence the convenience of use. Also, when choosing a gate, pay particular attention to the possibility of its expansion since the gates must be snugly fixed, especially at the top and bottom of stairs. If you are looking for a playpen, consider its size in the first term; it needs to fit the size of a nursery (or other room where you plan to place it), being comfortable and spacious for your baby.

Another important feature is the presence of a swing door that can be easily opened by parents but no way by a child. Avoid gates with a simple lift-open mechanism or a simple button lock. The best option is a child-proof door with a special Safety Lock, which ensures that the child just will not be able to open a door. Remember that kids learn very quickly, and if it is difficult for your baby to open the door today, it will be a snap tomorrow. We would like to emphasize that most Safety Locks provide a one-hand release and, what's more, some doors are even equipped with a foot pedal which adds to the extra convenience. Carrying the baby? A pie? Talking on your phone? No problem anymore! And, finally, some gates are fitted with swing doors that can be opened in both directions.

We hope that this information will help you find the ideal gate to suit your situation.

FAQ:

Q: How to install a baby gate at bottom of stairs?
A: Most baby gates are supplied with a hardware in the kit, allowing you to install it to the banister without drilling into it, which is handy if you don’t want the gate to spoil the decor interior of your stairs. So, before you buy the gate, make sure to check its supply package.

Q: How to mount a baby get between a doorway?
A: To fix it permanently between a doorway, first thing first you’ll need to secure the installation by driving screws into the studs on walls. This way the gate will stay sturdy in place without wobbling.

Q: Is there a baby gate that can be easily moved when I don’t want to use it?
A: For those consumers who don’t need a permanent barrier, retractable baby gates can become a great solution. Becoming more and more popular in modern houses, they offer greater flexibility and versatility of use. Usually, they are also more expensive and visually appealing than metalwork baby gates. What makes them so popular is that they can be folded neatly and moved to any place where you’d like to block off some dangerous spaces.

Q: How to open/close baby gates?
A: All baby gates have lock latching systems that allow for immediate opening and closing the gate after you pull or shut it closed. Some of the gates come equipped with foot pedals that open only after you step on it. These pedals aren’t fixed permanently at the bottom of the gate and when your baby becomes more active and mobile, can be re-installed higher to the top.

Q: How to install freestanding baby gates?
A: Freestanding gates are as popular as the retractable ones and suit those consumers who don’t want to mount the thing permanently to walls or mounting equipment. Designed to be portable and mobile, freestanding gates consists of several segments attached to one another that stand upright. Freestanding baby gates can be placed not only indoors but also outdoors while being on travel trips, picnics, in the park, etc. Please note, freestanding gates cannot be installed at the top of the stairs as they aren’t hardware-mounted models.

Q: What doorways do baby gates work with?
A: Most of the models fit standard 30 inches hallways. If your doorway is wider than that, you can always look for an extra large gate. This is the thing about baby gates, they can be found in many different sizes and most of them can be expanded. You only need to measure the exact distance between your walls so that it fits it well.

Sources:

1. Susan M. Kelly, MD Choosing Safe Baby Products: gates, KidsHealth. September 2013.

2. How to buy safety gates, BabyCenter. April 2016.

3. Safety Gate Buying Guide, Consumer Reports. May 2016.

4. Olivia Howes How to buy the best stair gate, Which?

5. Jennifer Taylor Mom’s Guide 2016: The Safest & Best Baby Gates, MomTricks.

6. Buyer’s guide to safety gates, MadeForMums.

7. Mums' picks 2015: best safety gates and guards, BabyCenter.

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