Best stair gates

Buying a Don't Buy stair gate versus one that's a Best Buy could mean the difference between keeping your child safe or not. Our testing weights safety – the key aim of a stair gate – highest. This means that any stair gates or barriers that have safety failures are penalised and, depending on the failure, could become a 0% Don't Buy.

We've reviewed stair gates and safety barriers from big-name brands, including BabyDan, Cuggl, Munchkin and Safety 1st, and our tests have uncovered some stair gates that won't withstand repeated attempts to force it open. With our help and advice, you can spend your money wisely on a robust and easy-to-use option with the right attachment method for your walls.

Keep reading to see which screw-fix and pressure-fit stair gates we recommend, and take a look at our advice on the different types and key features to consider.

The best stair gates from our tests

Only logged-in Which? members can view the stair gate test results below. 

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The stair gates we tested

All the stair gates we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best stair gates from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Baby Dan Flexifit Wood Baby Safety Gate

Available from: John Lewis (£59.99)

Most recently tested May 2019

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Wooden

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 65cm to 106.5cm

Baby Dan MultiDan Metal Extendable Safety Gate

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 62.5cm and 106.8cm

Baby Dan Guard Me Retractable Safety Gate

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Plastic

Need to know Retractable, adjustable width between 55cm and 89cm

Baby Dan No Trip Metal Safety Gate

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 72cm and 78.5cm

Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate

Available from: Argos (£20.00)

Most recently tested May 2019

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 76cm and 81cm

Cuggl Slim Fit Safety Gate

Available from: Argos (£20.00)

Most recently tested March 2024

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 61cm to 68cm

Dreambaby Ava Baby Safety Gate

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 75cm and 81cm, additional gate extension increases it to 100cm

Fred Safety Pressure Fit Clear View Safety Gate

Attachment method Pressure fit

Material Plastic

Need to know Gate, Adjustable width between 76cm and 82cm, additional gate extension increases it 124cm

Munchkin Extending Metal Stair Gate

Most recently tested August 2015

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 64.5cm and 102cm

Ensure weaning is fun, safe and not too stressful for you with one of the best high chairs from our tests

Munchkin Sure Shut Axis Stair Gate

Most recently tested May 2019 

Attachment method Pressure fit 

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 76cm to 82cm, possible to purchase additional extensions (7cm, 14cm and 28cm), so the gate will fit the following measurements: 82-89cm, 89-96cm, 96-103cm, 103-110cm, 110-117cm

Munchkin Wall Fix Extending Wooden Safety Gate

Available from: Amazon (£46.99), Munchkin (£46.99)

Most recently tested May 2020

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Wooden

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 63.5cm and 106cm

Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Stair Gate

Most recently tested October 2018

Attachment method Pressure fit

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 73cm and 80cm, but you can also purchase additional extensions to extend the gate by either 7cm or 14cm

Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Stair Gate

Attachment method Screw fix

Material Metal

Need to know Gate, adjustable width between 62cm and 102cm 

How we test stair gates

• How simple is it to install? Our experts look at the instructions, what tools you need and whether they're included, as well as recording the total amount of time it took to put together in our test lab.
• Is it easy to use every day? We check the latch mechanism, whether it can be opened and shut with one hand, how easy it is to clean and whether it poses a trip hazard.
• Will the gate withstand repeated attempts to force it open? We test stair gates according to the EU standard (BS EN 1930:2011), which includes checks and tests to find out how sturdy it is and if it can withstand repeated shaking and rattling over time by a determined child. We also test beyond the safety standard by applying an impact of 25kg to see if there's any movement or weakening of the gate. 
• Will the stair gate damage my walls? If you rent your home, then this may be a particular concern. Screw-fix gates will, by their nature, leave a mark on the walls, but so too will some pressure-fit gates as you might need to use adhesives. We make sure you know if the damage is something you need to seriously consider.

We regularly revisit the stair gates on sale to see if there are any more popular brands that need testing, and when we find them, we do. 

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Don’t Buy stair gates

Our safety tests replicate those in the current stair gates safety standard (BS EN 1930:2011). 

If a product performs so poorly that we think you should avoid it, we name it a Don't Buy. We've tested seven stair gates that are Don't Buys based on their performance under our independent safety tests.

There are three serious safety issues we commonly see:

1. Durability issues

We put every stair gate through a fatigue test, which forms part of the safety standard (EN1930:2011). This is where we clamp the stair gate to a motorised arm that pulls it back and forth 10,000 times while applying a 140N horizontal force. This is designed to replicate a toddler or child shaking the gate repeatedly. A failure in this test means that the gate could come loose, allowing the child to get through and potentially put themselves in danger.

2. Entrapment risk 

If there is a gap between the bottom of the gate and the floor that our lab experts can fit a hip probe through, then this means a child could squeeze under the gate. If there’s a gap big enough for their leg and hip to get through, there’s a chance a child could get stuck with their head trapped, which in the worst-case scenario could pose a potential strangulation risk.

3. Choking hazard 

We occasionally find that the slider on the top of the stair gate, which is used to open it, could be pulled off too easily and this creates a small part that a child could choke on if they put it in their mouth.

Go to our Don't Buy stair gates to see which ones failed our tests. 

Cheap stair gates

We've tested dozens of stair gates over the years, and we can confirm that you don't have to spend a fortune to get your hand on a safe and sturdy one. 

If you're on a budget, take a look at our Great Value options. These perform well, scoring 60% or more, and are at least 20% cheaper than the average price of those we've tested.

Sign up to Which? to unlock the results and find out which of the stair gates we tested are worthy of our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations.

Key things to consider when buying a stair gate 

• Material A wooden or metal side-opening stair gate will need plenty of room to swing open, so you need to think about potential obstructions and whether it will be awkward to navigate around.
• Space A retracting or concertina stair gate is ideal for areas with restricted space or if you want the gate out of sight when it’s not in use. You can buy wide gates or extensions if the opening you want to cover is particularly wide.
• Location Gates at the top of the stairs should open towards the landing, not towards the flight, to avoid falling forwards while opening the gate. You should only use screw-fix gates at the top of the stairs.
• How easy is it to open and close? You don’t want your toddler to be able to flick the mechanism open but, at the same time, you may also need to be able to open and close the gate with a wriggling child under one arm. Some gates close automatically.

Types of stair gates: what are your options

Pressure-fit stair gates

These sit within a fixed U-shaped frame that's held in place by pressure at four points. They're generally easy to install and no drills or screws are needed, so it won't damage the walls.

Extensions are often available if your doorway or stairway is wider than average. If the pressure is insufficient, then wall cups can be used to increase the security of the fixing. The downside is that the bottom of U-shaped frame can be a trip hazard, so they shouldn't be used at the top of the stairs.

Screw-fix stair gates

This type are fixed to the wall with metal screws. They're very strong and have a sturdy fitting, plus there's no rail at the bottom so no trip hazard. It's recommended that screw-fix gates are used for the top of the stairs. 

You need to measure up carefully before buying as you may need extensions. This type can be harder to assemble and will leave holes when they're removed.

Retractable stair gates

These gates can be retracted when not in use so they're less obvious, but they can be twice the price of pressure-fit and screw-fix gates.

They're usually either made of heavy-duty mesh, which rolls up like a window blind, or hard plastic that folds in on itself like a concertina fan. They need to be screwed into the wall, so they're sometimes tricky to install. Some also lack structural strength.

What's the safest stair gate for the top of the stairs?

We always advise installing a screw-fix gate or screwing in a pressure-fit gate at the top of the stairs. This is because pressure-fit gates usually have a U-bar frame that runs along the floor, which can pose a trip hazard. 

This can be particularly dangerous if you're at the top going down through the gate and you trip over it and fall. Screw-fix gates tend to be a more secure fit than pure pressure-fit gates because they're fixed with screws.