We have a pressure fit gate at the top of the stairs with the minimum bottom bar, think it's called the flat step. We also bought rubber cups for the wall and the gate is totally solid, you could never shake it loose. The flat step is great too, not totally flat but flat enough you wouldn't trip on it." (Recommended by Mumsnet user GD12) Our verdict Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way. Here are a few features you might like to look out for: Once we’d selected the 14 best stair gates for our shortlist, our tester, Katja Lakha, installed them one at a time in her home. Katja is a busy mum with three children (girls aged one and four, and a seven-year-old boy), so each gate was put through its paces. The gates were tested for at least one to two weeks each in busy areas of Katja’s home. Type: Screw-fit | Width: 55 – 89cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 113.5cm What we love 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. Is it better to put a stair gate at the top or the bottom of the stairs?

Safety 1st 7 cm Gate Extension, Compatible with Safety 1st Safety 1st 7 cm Gate Extension, Compatible with Safety 1st

We have a Cuggl extending one as we have a larger than usual gap between the wall and last banister of the stairs (the only place to attach it). It's also an unequal shape (think like a vase) and it's worked perfectly." (Vetted by Mumsnetter SnowdropFox) Our verdict Which? combines safety and ease-of-use testing to ensure the stair gate you choose helps keep your baby safe from hazards at home. When your baby starts exploring the world by himself, it's the right time to get a few safety gates. You'll need them for the top and the bottom of the stairs, and to stop him from getting into other risky places.The Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate is easy to adjust to fit securely at the top of any staircase, and because you don’t need to use any additional extenders, the full width of the gate will open, leaving no obstruction that could cause you to trip. Which is the best safety gate to buy? While most stair gates average around 75cm in height, the YOOFOR retractable mesh gate reaches 85cm, making it more suitable for dogs or adventurous children who might try to jump over. Plus, this gate is made from sturdy, yet soft mesh making it a little more forgiving for little ones who may accidently trip or bump into the gate. An opening mechanism that can be operated with one hand, so that you can safely use the gate while carrying a baby or toddler Most commercially-sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standard BS EN1930:2011. There’s no statutory requirement to comply with this safety standard, but most gates claim to conform.

Safety 1st Easy Close Metal Gate, Pressure Fit Safety Gate

Stair gates are a must in any home with a baby or toddler. We rigorously tested the best stair gates currently on the market to reveal the nine top stair gates to suit most families. Convenient: One-handed opening. ”True” auto-closing whatever the opening amplitude. Extra-wide walk through section. Our recommendations are always made entirely by our journalists without input from our commercial team, and our writers are never made aware of any business relationships. Easy installation with no drilling necessary. The U-shaped frame provides extreme strength when in position.Safety and stability: Did the gate shift once installed? Were there any sharp corners or edges? Were there any small gaps that might trap a child’s fingers? Is the gate well made? Extending stair gates: These can be adjusted to fit a range of doorway widths without the need for any additional extension pieces The Safety 1st SecurTech Auto Close Metal Gate offers a smart and easy-to-use automatic closing mechanism. Simply squeeze the buttons on the handle to open it and let it close automatically when shutting. You can see that the gate is safely closed by looking at the Secure Tech indicator. Pressure-fit gates are very safe for use at the bottom of a staircase or in a doorway, as long as they’re installed correctly and regularly tightened as necessary. We have the Baby Dan no trip gates on the stairs. My concern with stairs isn't that they may come close but that it's easy to trip over the bottom bar when carrying my baby and other stuff down. No trip ones don’t have the bar and are screwed in. They also come in wood rather than metal so look better!” (Brand recommended by Mumsnet user PeachesandPie) Our verdict

Safety 1st Y Spindle Brackets for Stair Railings, Adapter for Safety 1st Y Spindle Brackets for Stair Railings, Adapter for

The most popular recommendations were pulled together to include in a longlist of approximately 30 stair gates, then whittled down to form our final shortlist. How we tested the stair gates The BabyDan Guard Me is the best stair gate to buy overall, but the retractable screen does have a bit of give to it, and it needs to be installed at least 9cm from the top of the staircase. Gates at the top of a staircase should always open towards the landing, not out across the staircaseWe 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. The bottom bar of the frame can pose a trip hazard, so pressure-fit gates are generally not suitable for use at the top of a staircase. But, all pressure-fit gates can be used at the bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow opening. Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 76 – 82cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 117cm What we love However, they are generally not safe for use at the top of a staircase. This is for two main reasons. The Fred Clear-View is made from an acrylic panel, which creates the see-through window. 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.