The Best Pet & Baby Gates For Your Home
Having two toddlers and three dogs means it has been more important than ever for us to know the best pet and baby gates to keep our family safe and sound.
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Pet gates and baby gates are part of all of our lives at some point or another! For many people those times may even coincide.
The problem with many pet and baby gates is that although they may solve one problem, they seem to cause others.
They can become a tripping hazard, be unstable or insecure, and often are unattractive and don’t match the home decor.
Keeping all these things in mind, we set out to give you a list of the top pet and baby gates to solve these problems and give you the best options.
In no particular order, here is our list of the current best pet and baby gates:
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 72”
Height: 30”
Installation: Hardware Mounted
This attractive gate is made from heavy-duty steel and comes in two finishes, brown and linen. One excellent feature of this gate is the large 25.5” walk-through door that can be easily opened with one hand. The panels can be angled to allow this gate to fit into openings as small as 38.3”. For added stability, the gate is installed with hardware brackets.
Material: Wood
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 144”
Height: 30”
Installation: Hardware Mount or Freestanding
This gate is made from wood and has a stained finish. The 3-in-1 feature of this gate means that it can be used for three different purposes: to create a small play area, to divide rooms, or to be a barrier to areas like fireplaces. Depending on the desired use, additional panels can be purchased and added on to create a larger gate. When used as a play area, the gate can be freestanding. For added security it can also be hardware mounted. The customization of this gate is definitely a big selling feature!
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 29.75” to 40.5”
Height: 30”
Installation: Pressure Mount
This gate is ideal for doorways or other openings between 29.75” to 40.5” wide. It is made of heavy-duty steel and comes in two finishes (depending on size and height); white or graphite. Pressure mount installation means there is no permanent hardware installed to reduce damage to walls and doorways. The door swings both ways and can be kept open if necessary.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: No
Width: 26”
Height: 18”
Installation: Pressure Mount
This pet gate offers an excellent solution for small animals. At just 18” tall, it is an easier option to step over than many other gates. It is for use on openings or doorways between 26”-42” which is an ideal option for different size areas. The pet door is a cool feature as well because it allows the pet through without having to remove the entire gate.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 29”
Height: 37”
Installation: Pressure or Hardware Mount
Extra tall gates are important for households with pets that might be a bit larger than others! This gate has flexibility in that it can fit openings from 29” all the way up to 43”. Pressure mount means this gate needs zero tools to install which can hopefully minimize damage to doorways and walls where installed. If you want more stability with installation, don’t worry, there is an option to do a hardware mount as well!
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 38”
Height: 39.5”
Installation: Pressure Mounted
If you have been looking for a extra wide and tall gate- look no further! This gate is made for larger openings between 38”-53”, although they do offer similar models in narrower widths. This gate is pressure mounted and has a EZY-Check indicator that helps you know that your gate is locked and if it has been installed properly with just a glance!
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 28.5”
Height: 36”
Installation: Pressure or Hardware Mount
This adorable arched door gate has some unique features to go along with it’s two color options; beige or bronze. It is extra tall at 36” and has the ability to fit openings between 28.5” and 45” wide. It can be mounted with hardware if more stability is needed, like for the top of a stairway. It also can be pressure mounted if that is preferred. In addition, the door can be made to only open one direction, which is especially helpful when located at the top of stairs.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 28.68”
Height: 36”
Installation: Hardware Mount
This gate is special in that the whole piece swings open to allow easy access at the top of stairs with no trip hazards and even locks itself behind you. The gate comes in two finishes to match any home decor; linen and matte bronze. The width is adjustable, ranging from 28.68” to 47.85” wide depending on the opening. The hardware mount can help put your mind at ease that the gate will stay in place securely.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 26.5”
Height: 30.5”
Installation: Hardware Mount
The modern aesthetic of this gate is just the start of the great features! This hardware mounted gate can be easily removed if necessary when needing the walkway open. The width is adjustable from 26.5” to 40” depending on the opening, stairway, or hallway. In addition, the door swings both directions and has an locking system designed to be easy for adults while being difficult for children to use.
Material: Metal and Fabric
Walk-Through: No
Width: 27.5” - 50”
Height: 28”
Installation: Pressure Mounted
This baby gate is perfect for extra wide openings and ranges in width from 27.5” to 50”. It is lightweight and portable which makes it a great option when traveling or as a guest at other’s homes. The pressure mounting means it is less likely to damage walls or surfaces where installed. Due to this installation, it should be noted that the one place this should not be used is at the top of the stairs.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 29” - 47”
Height: 36”
Installation: Pressure Mounted
This decorative door on the Safety 1st pet and baby gate makes it both functional and design forward. There is a lot to love, including the taller height of 36” and an adjustable width from 29” to 47”. The pressure mounted feature makes installation a little easier and they even include a feature to let you know at a glance if the pressure needs adjusting to keep the gate secure.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 192”
Height: 28”
Installation: Freestanding Play Yard or Hardware Mounted Gate
Lots to love about the versatility of this gate! This large baby and pet gate can be used to create a freestanding play area, as a barrier for openings up to 192”, in angled spaces or other unique configurations. There is an option for hardware mounting if desired for increased stability. The walk-through gate has a locking feature to keep the area secure for both pets and children under 24 months.
Material: Wood
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 24”
Height: 32”
Installation: Hardware Mounted
This gate has been noted as a perfect fit for a farmhouse style interior! This gate comes in two finishes; dark wood and tan wood. Along the top there is a plastic rail to protect fingers from being pinched and this gate also has the ability to swing open in either direction. The gate is mounted with four point hardware and with this installation style, it can be mounted slightly higher off the floor to avoid scratching.
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 29” to 42”
Height: 30”
Installation: Pressure Mounted
This great looking and easy to install pressure mounted pet gate fits openings between 29” and 42” wide. It features cherry wood accents to accent the walk-through door and has the bonus of a small pet door to allow pets through with ease. There is the option of adding extension pieces to allow the gate to fit a larger opening as well!
Material: Metal
Walk-Through: Yes
Width: 29.5" - 43.3"
Height: 57”
Installation: Pressure Mounted
This pet and baby gate has extra tall 57” height in order to prevent even the highest jumpers from being able to escape. It has super narrow space between bars as an added layer of protection to prevent anyone from slipping through. The gate fits doorways between 29.5" - 43.3" wide. The tall door has one-handed operation and can swing in either direction. The pressure mounted installation helps prevent damage to openings.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Your Pet or Baby Gate:
Decide whether or not you want to install the gate with hardware or by pressure mounting. Keep in mind, if you plan to install at the top of the stairs, secure hardware mounting is important.
Consider whether or not you prefer to have a door in the gate or you are comfortable stepping over the gate. Doors seem to be a necessity when using a taller gate as it can otherwise cause a tripping hazard if you catch your foot on the way over. If you are only using the gate temporarily and it is not too tall, stepping over may be an acceptable option for your family.
Make sure to measure the opening where the gate will be placed and compare it to the measurements of your chosen product. Make sure to check and see if additional pieces are offered to extend the length as that could make more options available.
Questions about pet and baby gates? Or do you have a favorite gate you would add to the list? Tell us about it below!
