Best baby gate for stairs with banister

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It can be really exciting once your baby is on the move. Unfortunately, it also opens up a whole new set of ways they can get into trouble. After putting them down, you can’t trust they’ll be there even a moment later. Which means it’s time for baby safety gates.

When it comes to child safety, you need to get it right. We recommend the Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate as it will be the best option for the top of the stairs in most homes. It has one-handed opening for usability and auto close for safety.

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Dreambaby Chelsea Auto-Close Security Baby Safety Gate -...

OUR TOP PICK

Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate

  • This pressure-mounted safety gate will fit most staircases. It features one-handed open and auto close.

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Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate (61cm - 66.5cm) - Pressure...

Best For Narrow Staircases

Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate

  • This gate will fit gaps of 61 – 66.5cm. It has auto close and a double locking system.

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Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate

Best Budget Option

Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate

  • This gate comes with extensions to fit gaps from 73 – 94cm, featuring auto close and two-way opening.

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Table of Contents

  • Best Baby Gate for Top of Stairs Australia
    • Our Top Pick — Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate
    • Best for Narrow Staircases — Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate
    • Best Budget Option — Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate
    • Best Extra Tall Gate — Dreambaby Liberty Xtra-Tall Security Gate
    • Best for Wide Hallways — Dreambaby Chelsea Xtra-Wide Hallway Security Gate
    • Best No-Trip Gate — Regalo Metal Safety Gate
    • Best Mesh Gate — Dreambaby Retractable Gate
  • What to Consider When Buying a Baby Gate For Your Stairs
    • Gap Size
    • Fitting System
    • One-Handed Open
    • Auto-Close/Stay Open
    • Two-Way Open
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Best Baby Gate for Top of Stairs Australia

Our Top Pick — Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate

Our Top Pick

Dreambaby Chelsea Auto-Close Security Baby Safety Gate -...

Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate

This pressure-mounted safety gate will fit most staircases. It features one-handed open and auto close.

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This Dreambaby Chelsea Safety Gate is the version that comes with two extensions in the box. You can use it without the extensions for openings between 71-80cm. With the extensions, it can fit extra-wide gaps from 89 – 100cm. This means this set will work for most homes. 

Even if you don’t need the extensions, this may work out to be the best value option to get a Dreambaby Chelsea gate.

This gate is pressure mounted. The manufacturers recommend that you use the enclosed hardware to secure the gate to the wall. This means you will need to either stick or screw it to the wall for security.

The gate is secured at two points. There is a locking mechanism on the top of the gate. This is opened by sliding the button on top. The second mechanism is at the bottom of the gate. You open this by lifting the gate. Even with these two mechanisms, you can still open this gate with a single hand.

The gate has an auto-close mechanism. It should shut no matter the angle you leave it open. If it hasn’t fully closed, you will be able to see a red line on the gate. Sometimes the gate won’t fully shut if something slowed it down or got in the way, so this is a nice easy way to check that the gate is fully shut.

For most homes, this is the best choice for keeping your little ones safe.

Best for Narrow Staircases — Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate

Best for Narrow Staircases

Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate (61cm - 66.5cm) - Pressure...

Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate

This gate will fit gaps of 61 – 66.5cm. It has auto close and a double locking system.

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The Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate is a good option if your home has a narrow staircase. It will fit in gaps 61-66.5cm. When the gate is open, you have 44cm of width to pass through. Which for a narrow pressure mounted safety gate is a good result.

The gate is easy to install. You do have to take the time to fully extend the arms so that the gate is secured correctly when it shuts.

This gate can be opened one-handed. This is done by sliding the button in the handle and then lifting the whole gate to swing it open. It’s necessary to lift the gate because it has a two-point locking mechanism. 

The gate comes with a good auto close system. So, it will swing shut behind you if left open.

There is an optional magnetic lock. This can be fitted so that the gate will only swing open in one direction and offers some extra security.

Best Budget Option — Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate

Best Budget Option

Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate

Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate

This gate comes with extensions to fit gaps from 73 – 94cm, featuring auto close and two-way opening.

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The Childcare Assisted Auto Close Gate is a good option for most homes. It’s easy to install. You are provided with everything you need to fit it. There’s no need for any extra tools.

If you fit this gate to the top of your stairs, it is recommended that you screw the wall cups to your wall. The gate comes with the necessary screws.

This gate has both an auto-close and a hold-open feature. If the gate is opened to anything less than 90 degrees, it will automatically swing shut. If it is opened beyond 90 degrees, it will remain open until pushed shut.

Opening the gate can be done one-handed. You pull back the release button on the top of the gate and then lift it. It will then swing open. 

The gate can open in either direction.

Best Extra Tall Gate — Dreambaby Liberty Xtra-Tall Security Gate

Best Extra Tall Gate

Dreambaby Liberty Xtra-Tall Security Gate with Smart...

Dreambaby Liberty Security Gate

This gate is extra tall; it stands at 97cm high and fits 75 – 81 cm gaps.

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The Dreambaby Liberty Xtra-Tall Security Gate is an extra tall baby gate. It’s a great option if you need to separate your dogs from your little ones.

This is a pressure-mounted gate. However, the manufacturers recommend that the wall cups are screwed in, no matter where you use it. 

The gate can be opened with one hand. You do this by sliding the catch on top of the gate while also lifting the whole thing up. Once that’s done, it swings open and when you let go, the gate will automatically swing shut behind you.

The gate can open in both ways. This gives you maximum flexibility when you’re hanging it in your home.

Best for Wide Hallways — Dreambaby Chelsea Xtra-Wide Hallway Security Gate

Best for Wide Hallways

Dreambaby Chelsea Extra-Wide Hallway Baby Security Gate Set...

Dreambaby Chelsea Security Gate

This extra wide baby gate ban fit gaps of up to 133cm.

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The Dreambaby Chelsea Xtra-Wide Hallway Security Gate is essentially the same as our top pick. The only difference is that this gate comes with a larger extension piece. This allows it to fit in extra wide hallways. This can be a good alternative if you can’t fit a gate directly at the top of your stairs.

The baby gate can be opened one-handed. You slide the catch on top and lift the gate. This allows you to open both the locking mechanisms. Once the gate is released, it will swing shut from any angle.

There is a red line on the gate’s lock, which can only be seen if the gate hasn’t shut properly. This is eye-catching and will draw your attention if the gate isn’t fully shut. 

While this is a pressure fitted gate, the manufacturers recommend that you use the provided screws to fit the wall cups for added child safety when in use.

Best No-Trip Gate — Regalo Metal Safety Gate

Best No-Trip Gate

Regalo Top of Stairs Metal Safety Gate, White, 8 pounds

Regalo Metal Safety Gate

A screw-mounted gate that can fit between 60 – 103 cm gaps.

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The Regalo Metal Safety Gate is a screw mounted gate, so doesn’t have any metal along the ground for you to trip on. It makes walking through the gate easy and safe.

Because this gate was specifically designed for use next to the stairs, it has a very well thought out latch. It is in the middle of the gate and can be opened with one hand. You just give it a twist and push the gate open.

This gate does not come with auto close, so you need to remember to shut the gate behind you every time you pass through.

This baby gate needs to be fitted with care for proper function. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, but you should take the time to read them carefully.

Best Mesh Gate — Dreambaby Retractable Gate

Best Mesh Gate

Dreambaby Retractable Baby Safety Gate - Extra Wide & Tall...

Product Name

This retractable gate is made from a durable see-through mesh and can fit any size opening up to 140cm.

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The Dreambaby Retractable Gate is a fabric safety barrier. It comes with two sets of wall mountings so you can move it to different locations in your home as you need it. 

Because the gate is made from a retractable mesh, it can fit any size, opening up to a maximum of 140cm. This makes it a very flexible baby gate. You can also remove it entirely when you don’t want it in use. This can save space and improve the aesthetic of the room.

Shutting the gate is easily done since you just have to use the handle to pull the mesh over, and it clicks into place. To open the gate is more difficult. It’s a little like the safety cap on a medicine bottle. You have to press down and twist the lock at the same time. It can take a little practice to get the hang of it.

The mesh of this baby gate is see-through. This means that even when the gate is shut, your baby doesn’t feel like they’re separated from you.

If you are planning to fit this gate in a location with skirting boards, you will need to get the spacer kit. This aligns the top mounting points with the ones on the skirting. Without this, the gate will not be secure. So this is an extra cost you need to be aware of if you are considering this gate.

What to Consider When Buying a Baby Gate For Your Stairs

Laughing baby holding on baby gate

Gap Size

Most baby safety gates will fit a gap between 75cm and 82cm. Finding a wider baby safety gate is generally quite easy. You can often get extensions for standard gates. If your gap is narrower than 75cm, you will need to get a specific narrow gate. These are a little harder to come by.

The Bettacare Extra Narrow Stair Gate is a good option; it can fit gaps between 61-66cm. However, the delivery cost does make it a slightly more expensive option. But you can’t make a gate fit in a gap it’s not designed for. 

Fitting System

There are two main ways to fit baby gates. Your choices are pressure mounted or screw mounted.

Pressure Mounted Gates

Pressure mounted gates are held in position with adjustable rubber feet. The pressure of the feet on the wall holds the gate in position. You can usually mount these without the need for screws. However, they often come with cups. You can choose to stick or screw these to the wall for a more secure fit. 

If you go with pressure fitted, you need to test that the gate is firmly attached. If the fit is not right, your baby may be able to shift the gate by shaking on it.

These gates have railing posts. What that means is that the gate is not as wide as the whole gap.

Screw Mounted Gates

Screw mounted gates are screwed to the wall. These are often a single piece gate, so they open the whole width of the gap. The latch mechanism is usually located on the wall.

One-Handed Open

One handed open baby gate

Child safety gates are, by design, a little difficult to open. However, if you need to open your baby gate with one hand, you should bear this in mind when choosing your gate. Pressure mounted gates have their latch mechanism on the top of the gate, so they are often easier to open with one hand.

Screw mounted gates will often require two hands to open. One to press the latch and the other to lift and open the gate.

Material

Most child safety gates are made from metal. You can often choose to get them in black or white. If you really don’t like the look of metal in your home, you can find some fabric or mesh baby gates. These are retractable pieces that you pull across the gap to block your baby from passing, by forming a safety barrier.

Trip Hazard

Pressure mounted child safety gates will have a piece of metal that runs along the floor. Even when you open the gate, this will be there. This is something to be aware of because it can be easy to trip on or stub your toes with. Trust me, there is nothing worse than waking your sleeping baby because you walked into the baby gate, except when it’s not the first time.

Screw mounted gates don’t have this. Once they’re open, there is no obstruction and nothing to trip on.

Auto-Close/Stay Open

It’s all in the name here. Some gates are spring-loaded, so they swing shut once you’re through. Others will stay open unless you actively shut them. Both have advantages; it depends on where the gate will be and how you will use them. 

For the top of a stair gate, it can be a good idea to opt for auto-close. This means your child will remain safe, even if it is a bit of a hassle to carry the laundry downstairs.

Two-Way Open

Two way open baby gate

Most gates are two-way opening. So you can hang them whichever way round you want, and open them in both directions. Many of these gates do provide you with ways to limit their opening in a single direction. It can be more convenient to have the option, though.

A few baby gates will only open in a single direction. No matter what. You need to place and hang these with a lot of thought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I put baby gates?

The location of baby gates is going to depend on the layout of your home. They are most useful in places where there is no door to protect your child from a dangerous area, or where you want to leave the door open.

Some of the most common places for baby gates are at the top and bottom of stairs, in the hallways near outer doors, in front of laundry rooms and pantries.

How long will I need baby gates?

How long you keep your baby gates is a bit of a personal decision. It is usually advised that you keep baby gates in place until your child is two years of age, or until their chin is at the height of the top of the gate.

If you are using the gates to keep your child from having accidents on the stairs, then age is not the most important consideration when deciding to remove the gate. It would be best if you instead thought about how steady your child is on the stairs. If you don’t trust them to be safe on the stairs without your supervision, then you need to keep the gate.

Babies on top of stairs

At what age can babies climb the stairs?

As with all questions on babies, it depends on the child. It’s usually not long after they’re crawling that they’re able to climb the stairs. Once they can pull themselves up on things, they will probably be able to get upstairs. Around the one year mark is a good estimate. 

It’s worth being aware that climbing the stairs can come before walking. As soon as they are on the move, you need to start thinking about keeping them off the stairs.

What type of baby gate is best for stairs?

Hardware-mounted styles are recommended as the best baby gates for stairs, because when installed properly the risk of them toppling over is much lower than with pressure-mounted ones. Pressure-mounted baby gate.

What is the safest baby gate for top of stairs?

Here's our pick of the best baby gates for stairs..
Lindam by Munchkin: Sure Shut Safety Gate..
Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Stair Gate..
YOOFOR Retractable Safety Gate – Extra Wide..
BabyDan Auto Retractable Folding Safety Gate..
Safetots Extra Tall Screw Fitted Baby Stair Gate..