The best stair gates for babies and children in the UK 2023

As your baby grows, he or she will want to explore their environment. You'll need to be extra vigilant to protect him from burns, bumps and falls when he tries to venture out alone into dangerous areas of the house, such as the stairs or kitchen. Install a safety gate in your home. But which one to choose? Check out our comparison guide.

Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate 1
9/10

Best value for money

Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate

The best baby and child stair gate in 2021

This barrier is perfect for small rooms and openings where there is not enough room for a traditional security barrier. It can also be installed on doors or stairs.

49,20 £ on Amazon

The Guard me meets the European safety standard EN 1930:2011, so it's hard-wearing and ensures that little ones won't get their fingers caught in its locking mechanisms. The Guard me is super practical: it's thick, sturdy, easy to install and discreet when not in use. Best of all, it has no threshold bar.

No risk of tripping! An adult can open it easily with one hand. Just pull it out and push it in. At first, it's normal to have a little trouble closing the gate, but once you get the hang of it, it's just a matter of getting used to it. With its 70 cm height, the gate cannot be stepped over by your child. All in all, this gate is a great way to secure dangerous areas of your home, and its self-propelled, space-saving design is really interesting.

Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure 2
7/10

Best value for money

Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure

The best entry-level baby and child stair gate

This barrier with its no-drill system is simply top notch considering its price. No DIY skills are required and the barrier is expandable and easy to use. However, we regret that the instructions are not very clear.

26,16 £ on Amazon
Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm) 3
9/10

Best value for money

Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm)

The best high-end baby and child stair gate

Ideal to ensure your child's safety at all times, this multi-functional barrier can be used as a protection, a separation wall and a firewall. It's expensive, but it's a great value that will more than satisfy you.

94,40 £ on Amazon

This safety gate can fit openings from 90 to 278 cm. It has been designed according to the EN1930:2011 safety standard, so your little ones won't get their hands or fingers caught in its locking mechanism. It's also large enough to do its job of protecting your little ones in an optimal way. Easy to install, the Baby Dan Flex allows you to choose the location of the gate according to the interior design of your home. Its metal structure is solid and its hinges are made of PVC-free plastic.

The product comes with a wall mounting system and is easy to open with one hand by an adult. In addition, the Baby Dan Flex has a handle with a double security lock. So there's no risk of your child opening it by himself. Big, strong and expandable, the Baby Dan Flex is

Momcozy Gate-035 4
8/10

A great choice

Momcozy Gate-035

The best retractable child safety gate

The Momcozy Gate-035 roll-up gate system offers an interesting alternative to keep babies and children away from stairs. A great deal.

60,79 £ on Amazon

The use of this retractable baby and child gate offers interesting ergonomic options: the one-handed opening and closing allows you to pass by holding your child. The lock is activated as soon as the handle is released. Perfect for home protection use, the Momcozy Gate-035 is suitable for all openings inside and outside. Its standard width could fit any installation location.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best stair gate for babies and children

Any specific needs?

The best baby and child stair gate in 2021

The best entry-level baby and child stair gate

The best high-end baby and child stair gate

The best retractable child safety gate

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best stair gates for babies and children

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate 5
9/10
Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure 6
7/10
Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm) 7
9/10
Momcozy Gate-035 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate
Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure
Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm)
Momcozy Gate-035
This barrier is perfect for small rooms and openings where there is not enough room for a traditional security barrier. It can also be installed on doors or stairs.
This barrier with its no-drill system is simply top notch considering its price. No DIY skills are required and the barrier is expandable and easy to use. However, we regret that the instructions are not very clear.
Ideal to ensure your child's safety at all times, this multi-functional barrier can be used as a protection, a separation wall and a firewall. It's expensive, but it's a great value that will more than satisfy you.
The Momcozy Gate-035 roll-up gate system offers an interesting alternative to keep babies and children away from stairs. A great deal.
Width
64.5 to 89 cm (inside door frame) and 55 to 79.5 cm (outside door frame)
76 to 82 cm (with 3 extension options (7, 14 and 18 cm)
90 to 278 cm
0 to 180 cm
Material
Plastic
Metal
Metal
Rigid plastic canvas
Installation
With drilling
Drillless
Drillless
With drill hole
Access
Two-way mechanism
Opens and closes in one or both directions
Closes and opens in both directions
With handleAutomatic closing
Efficiency

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Buying guide - stair gate for babies and children

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How to choose your stair gate for babies and children

To ensure the safety of your child, the choice of a stair gate should not be made lightly. Here are the essential criteria to take into account before any purchase.

#1 - The safety standard

Keeping your child safe means above all complying with the standards set by experts. As far as the baby and child stair gate is concerned, its characteristics must submit to the requirements of the NF EN 1930 standard of February 2012, which insists on the following points:

  • it is used until the 24th month of the child;
  • the minimum height must be 75 cm;
  • the distance between the bars must not exceed 6.5 cm;
  • the material must be strong enough to withstand the child's agitation;
  • the manufacturer's logo must appear on the gate;
  • the gate must be suitable for the opening where it is installed.

#2 - The material of manufacture

If your child stair gate has the manufacturer's logo, it means that it is approved meeting the safety standards, regardless of its manufacturing material. However, you should know that there are multiple models and you can choose them according to your interior decoration: opt for wood if your frame incites a more natural and classic touch and metal if you are in a more modern style. You should also know that there are versions of stair gates for children made of Plexiglas, discreet and more sophisticated, which prevent the child from getting stuck between the bars. Net barriers are less recommended for the stairs. In any case, check that the material you will have chosen is not without danger for the child (intoxications, cuts, allergies...).

#3 - The installation process

Prefer a stair gate for baby and child easy to install, which does not require the intervention of a specialist. Normally, when you buy it, you will have a brochure or manual that contains the steps of the assembly and the usefulness of each part delivered with the baby and child stair gate. This way, you should be able to do the installation yourself. Be sure to tighten the fasteners together.

#4 - The means of access

If

you are of a very vigilant nature, opt for a manual closure, which you will always take care to close every time you pass by. Otherwise, if you are often in a hurry, the automatic closing child stair gate remains the best alternative for you: this way you remain calm about the baby's safety, even if the reflex to close is not instinctive to you.

#5 - Aesthetics and ease of installation

It's just a matter of knowing how to match the child stair gate to your interior style. However, even with this criterion in mind, carefully evaluate the reliability of the product, since there's no point in having a nice gate whose functionality doesn't meet the standards. Above all, take into account the fastening system that suits your staircase, in order to keep the elegance of your hallway. If drilling seems difficult or you are afraid of not succeeding, don't take the risk to avoid ending up with a big unwanted hole in the corner of your staircase.

Choose an easy-to-install baby and child stair gate that doesn't require a specialist to install.

The different types of stair gates for babies and children

Regardless of color, material and design, baby and child gates fall into 4 categories: swing, roll-up, center gate and removable. Here's what differentiates each type:

The pivoting stair gate

Its system consists of two pivots and two supports so that the barrier can be opened in both directions: you can also choose to block one direction of the opening, according to your convenience. The access on this device is therefore automatic. On some models, the gate can be pulled out completely, a rather colossal move when a child is present.

The roll-up stair gate

It

is the most discreet version of baby and child stair gates. When it's closed, you'll only see the brackets on either side. The opening and closing mechanism is like a blind, and the standard size fits all your openings. In general, the roll-up baby and child stair gate is made of compact rigid fabric or light mesh. It exists in several colors. However, it remains less resistant compared to other models.

The stair gate with central gate

The

particularity of this type lies in the fact that it contains a threshold and is easily adjustable. With the gate frame fixed on either side of the opening, the gate swings freely in both directions. Easy to handle, its installation is best done at the bottom of the stairs, not the top.

The removable stair gate

A

possible alternative but not widely adopted because of its somewhat complicated mechanism: the removable baby and child stair gate. Here a one-handed control button allows you to remove the gate entirely and then put it back in place with a click. Depending on the size of your opening, you can adjust the width of the gate or not.

Stair gate for babies and children or baby park?

Stair gate for babies and children

Stairs and children remain a problematic combination for all parents. You prefer to live in a multi-storey house, but your baby must also go through the discovery stage during his or her existence. So nothing beats taking solid precautions.

As soon as you notice that your little one is groping around, crawling or learning to take his first steps, secure the stairs immediately to avoid any accidents. As the name suggests, this is the main function of the baby and child stair gate. In different versions, it prevents your baby from falling down the stairs if you are busy elsewhere.

Playpen for babies

The playpen, a small play area, is also a possible protection alternative. You can put your baby in it as soon as he can sit up. He will then have a little territory all to himself, where he can find all his toys or try to stand up when he wants: it is an opportunity for the little one to progressively acquire a certain autonomy, always under the watchful eye of the adults of course.

The playpen for babies and children can only be used for entertainment: it all depends on the child's willingness to stay there or not. Of course, if he feels safe and well entertained, he might forget the desire to go elsewhere, but this remains random. As your child grows up, he will always want to try new things, and the park will not be able to hold him back.

Verdict

For your child, if you have to choose between a stair gate and a playpen to keep him safe, first evaluate the practicality of the product in relation to your baby's age. It's true that the playpen holds him between four facades, which protects him from the risks outside, but sooner or later he might give up staying there and at that point you need to think about more drastic options such as the stair gate.

Why use a stair gate for babies and children?

Your child's growth is going so well that he or she is reaching the stage of recognizing his or her environment: observing, wanting to grab what he or she sees, trying to touch everything, and even trying to move around.

At this stage, there are many things and places in the house that are potential hazards for baby: electrical outlets at the bottom of walls, glass coffee tables, knickknacks on your shelves, especially stairs. Even if you stay at home with your child, you can't keep a close eye on him or her between your other household chores and their various agitations.

With this in mind, the stair gate has begun to invade the market as a childcare accessory to keep your baby safe. With a properly installed and locked stair gate, your child won't try to access the stairs and end up free-falling to the bottom. He will also realize that he won't be able to climb up and down on his own.

The stair gate for babies and children comes in several versions depending on its material and its mechanism. The safest and most popular is the wooden stair gate, which is easy to handle. But like any product, the stair gate for babies and children has evolved over time to include metal, canvas and even PVC models. The choice is wide on the one that suits your tastes and your interior.

Tips

Check the reliability of the installation

In order for the baby and child stair gate to guarantee the best safety, it is strictly recommended to install it in such a way that the little one has no access to even one step of the stairs. The ideal installation is 3 cm from the first step at the top.

Revisit the bindings often

With a

very inquisitive nature, your child may not back down from a stair gate, in fact the opposite is true. He will want to approach it, hold on to it, shake it, try to get through it. So, every time you go back and forth, have the reflex to make sure that the fasteners and any form of locking are in place.

Test it yourself

Put yourself in

your child's shoes and try to open or move your gate. If you find that it gives way at the slightest movement, be alert, detect the problem right away, and fix it before it's too late.

Monitor the child's growth

As

the baby and child stair gate meets specific size standards, also keep in mind that your child won't stay small forever. Besides, after a certain age, you will have to find new solutions. Each child has his own rhythm, so always check that yours is not yet able to pass the barrier. If they do, change the system.

A barrier at the top and bottom

Your child's safety is not just at the top of the stairs: the risk is at the bottom as well since if he is with you on the first floor, once you are distracted he might try to sneak up the stairs without you noticing. So, you need to install a stair gate both at the top and at the bottom.

FAQ

What is the best stair gate for babies and children?

The best baby and child stair gate depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products available.

Are there any baby and child stair gates that don't cut through walls?

Yes, you can choose types with a simple screwing system if you prefer not to drill holes in your walls.

How do you attach a baby and child stair gate?

In principle, there are only two fixing systems. The screw-on system, where you have to drill the brackets, is stronger. The pressure system, without holes, is operated by means of rubber studs on the sash and inserts or cups on the support.

What are the dimensions of a stair gate for babies and children?

Normally, the baby and child stair gate is simply connected to the standard opening dimensions: between 75 and 150 cm.

When should the baby and child stair gate be removed?

According to the standard, the use of the barrier should not exceed 24 months of age. By this time, your child will have learned to walk and recognize danger, but you should always keep a watchful eye on your child.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , allobebe.fr
  2. , leroy-merlin.fr
  3. , parents.fr
  4. , int.safety1st.com
  5. , kidshealth.org
  6. , babylist.com
  7. , which.co.uk
  8. , verywellfamily.com
  9. , emmasdiary.co.uk
  10. , consumerreports.org
  11. , bebe9.com
  12. , mamadvisor.magicmaman.com
  13. , cdiscount.com
  14. , leroymerlin.fr
  15. , amazon.co.uk
  16. , aubert.com
  17. , dreambaby.be
  18. , amazon.co.uk
  19. , leroymerlin.fr
  20. , roseoubleu.fr
  21. , conforama.fr
  22. , autourdebebe.com
  23. , bricobistro.com
  24. , baby-walz.ch
  25. , bforbaby.fr
  26. , babiesrus.ca
  27. , darty.com
  28. , canadiantire.ca
  29. , barriereescalier.com
  30. , walmart.ca
  31. , laredoute.fr
  32. , allobebe.fr
  33. , garalabosse.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate 9
Guard me Baby Dan self-folding safety gate
Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure 10
Barrière de sécurité Munchkin Maxi-secure
Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm) 11
Baby Dan Flex multifunctional safety gate (278 x 3 x 71 cm)
Momcozy Gate-035 12
Momcozy Gate-035

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