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Baby & child.

6 October 2021

Top five stair gates for 2021

We've tested a range of stair gates to see whether they're sturdy, simple to install, and not fiddly to open and close. Here are five of the best - and some to avoid

Hannah Fox

In this article

Best stair gates to buy
Stair gates to avoid buying
Unbiased stair gate reviews from Which?
Why you can trust Which?

The key purpose of a stair gate is to keep your curious toddler away from anything that might cause them harm, including flights of stairs and busy kitchens with hot pots and pans.

All the stair gates have to meet the requirements of the relevant safety standard to pass our testing, which ensures they're sturdy, and can withstand the various shakes and rattles of a determined child.

However, the very best stair gates won't just be secure and safe. They'll have simple instructions for a straightforward installation, and they'll be easy to open and close.

These five stair gates got the highest scores in our tests, and are all Best Buys, so you can be sure they're a good option when it's time to pick out your safety gate. We've also included three stair gates to avoid. These gates failed a key safety test, which could put your child at risk, so we've made them Don't Buys.

To take a look at all our tested stair gates, read our stair gate reviews.

Best stair gates to buy

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you're not yet a member, sign up to get instant access.

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83%
£139.45
This unique pressure-fit stair gate aims to provide a safety barrier that's less of an eyesore. It's got some really useful features to make it easier for parents to use, and it survived our tough impact and pressure tests. Read the full review to find out which safety gate this is.
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82%
£29.95
This unique pressure-fit stair gate claims to be fast and simple to install, with a one-handed operation for parents. Read our full review to find out if it lives up to expectations.
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82%
£47.99
This stair gate is mounted to doorways using screws, and the manufacturer claims it can fit openings from 69 to 106.5cm. We've sent it to the lab to be checked and tested, including whether the gate can withstand the tough shakes and rattles of a determined toddler, making it safe to use. Read the full review to find out how it coped.
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81%
£17.00
This stair gate is a pretty basic screw-fit safety gate that's made from one panel. While it may lack some of the extra features you get with other stair gates, it's still got one-handed opening and locking, and a wide walk-through section. Read the full review to find out what this gate is like to install, and how it help up during our strength and durability testing.
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80%
£25.00
This beech stair gate is fitted using screws. This means there's no bar along the bottom of the gate to trip over, but will you be scratching your head when reading the instructions and setting it up? Read the full review to find out.
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Stair gates to avoid buying

Our testing has also uncovered a number of stair gates that have failed key tests that form part of the EU safety standard. Below is just a selection but read our Don't Buy stair gate reviews to find out the others.

Lindam
Sure Shut Orto
£29.00
The Lindam Sure Shut Orto stair gate has a gravity-fed hinge, which ensures the gate will close behind you. According to the manufacturer, it will close automatically when shut from any position. However, we've given this stair gate a Don't Buy warning after the sample we tested failed a test in the EU safety standard. Read the full safety alert with this review for more information.
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Safetots
Self-closing Gate
£35.00
The SafeTots Self-Closing stair gate is a pressure-fit gate that will close behind you once you've walked through it, giving you reassurance that the gate will stay closed when it needs to. However, we've made this stair gate a Don't Buy because it failed a test in a key safety standard, which could mean it puts your child at risk of hurting themselves. Read our full safety alert attached to this review for more information.
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Baby Dan
Avantgarde with extensions
£58.00
The Baby Dan Avantgarde is a wooden and metal stair gate that, according to the manufacturer, can be fitted without the use of wall cups, drilling or screws, as it’s a ‘True Pressure Fit’ gate. However, we’ve given this stair gate a Don’t Buy warning after the sample we tested failed an EU safety standard test. Read the full safety alert with this review for more information.
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(Tables last updated in September 2021.)

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check out all of our stair gates reviews.

Unbiased stair gate reviews from Which?

We have a range of the best stair gates for different budgets. They've all passed our independent, rigorous safety checks and been scrutinised by our lab experts.

Our stair gate tests will help you sort a sturdy, safe and easy-to-use stair gate from one that is fiddly, rickety and has the potential to come loose, possibly making it unsafe for your child.

We look at all the key features of a stair gate, including how easy each one is to assemble and install, open and close. We also subject stair gates to tough stability and impact tests so you can find out whether the product you're considering will stand up to the rattles and shakes of a determined toddler (or dog, if that's what you're using it for).

Find out more about how we test stair gates.

Why you can trust Which?

We review thousands of products and services every year, shedding light on the best and worst to help you with your everyday decisions. With advice and reviews on everything from energy suppliers and high street shops, to laptops, cars and coffee machines, we can help you save money.

Which? is independent – we work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our product recommendations are influenced only by our test results. We're not influenced by third parties and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We buy all the products that we test ourselves, so our advice helps you to make the right choice first time and avoid costly mistakes.

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