Some pressure-mounted stair gates require the suction cups to be screwed into the wall, for example. When your baby becomes a fully mobile crawler or toddler, you need to know they're safe to explore the world around them.

Stair Gates for 2023 UK | MadeForMums Top 10 Stair Gates for 2023 UK | MadeForMums

Pets: If you are trying to keep your little one safe but also have a dog or cat running around, then you need to think about a stair gate that will still allow your furry friend to have their freedom. Check the gate often: Once your gate is in place, perform regular checks and maintenance to ensure the gate is still fitted securely. Parent tester Emma uses the stair gate for that reason, "I love it because there's no bottom bar, meaning you don't trip or stub your toes," she says. Don't be tempted to fit your gate a few inches higher up the wall to allow a pet to squeeze underneath: this could be unsafe for the child.Unlike any of the other stair gates in our list, this chic style from Fred features a clear acrylic panel, allowing unrestricted visibility and a contemporary finish. Fitting the gate above a skirting board can be unsafe if there's space for your baby or toddler to become trapped underneath.

Lindam Safety gates | Argos

They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations. The extra wide walk through section and no step over bar makes it the perfect option for use at the top or bottom of the stairs. 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. Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way.

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.

Stair gate Reviews | Compare Stair gates - Which? Stair gate Reviews | Compare Stair gates - Which?

Despite not scoring as highly, this stair gate fits slightly narrower openings – anything from 60cm wide compared to the Safety 1st’s 62cm. The Munchkin Extending Natural Wooden Stair Gate/ Wall fixed Safety Gate is constructed from strong natural hardwood and features a one or two way opening for maximum flexibility and safety. 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.We especially like that the gate comes with a pressure indicator, which lets you know that it is installed properly.

Lindam Flexi Gate - Safety gates - Home | MadeForMums Lindam Flexi Gate - Safety gates - Home | MadeForMums

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. It features a colour indicator that alerts you if the gate is left unlocked, and additional indicators to show you that the gate has been installed correctly. Parent tester Ruth loved this feature, saying she chose a BabyDan gate for that exact reason: "I didn't want the floor bar as a trip hazard, so I wanted a gate without that feature. 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. 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 will depend on the individual child, but this usually happens at around two or three years of age. 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. Parent tester Ann said, "We have the Lindam ones throughout our house, including some extensions, and they have been great. Pressure gates and travel barriers can be easily moved around, without the need for tools or fixtures. Although it doesn’t retract like the BabyDan Guard Me, it can easily be lifted off its hinges when not in use.