Are you looking for the best portable baby gates? You are in the right place!
When your little angel finally achieves suppleness like that of a cat, they can move across the room with the speed of light. And while this stage is crucial in their development, the curiosity during this adventure opens them up to more dangers than good. The kitchen and stairs are the most dangerous spots of all in your house where your kid can get injuries.
According to a post by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on safety pitfalls, stairways are said to be the primary cause of injury for small children. As such, they advise parents and caregivers to be vigilant in order to protect kids from such in every means possible. And if positioned strategically, baby gates restrict your child from going to places he should not be in.
Baby gates come in several different types including hardware-mounted gates, pressure-mounted gates, freestanding gates, and retractable gates. All have their advantages and drawbacks, but my main focus is on portable baby gates. Pressure mounted, freestanding, and retractable are excellent examples of portable gates as they can be moved around with ease.
Portable baby gates are handy when at home or you plan to visit your folks or friends during the weekend. So, what are the best baby gates for stairs? Because picking the best portable baby gates needs a lot of research, I dedicated my time to sort through the many available options to make it easy for you. But before I continue with the reviews, see what I looked for in portable baby gates below.
Best Portable Baby Gates
Reviews of the Best Portable Baby Gates 2022
Do you need baby gates for stairs? Of course, you do and it is the only way to keep your baby safe when you cannot have them in your arms.
YOOFOR Retractable Baby Gate
$54.99 in stock
Size: 33” x 55”
Gate Design: Retractable Design
Material: Mesh & Metal
If you want to liberate your arms and undertake your house chores knowing your baby is safe from hazards, the YOOFOR Retractable Baby Gate is a fantastic choice. This portable baby gate stands 33” tall and fits an opening that is up to 55” wide and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is a perfect pick if you have a baby who is 6 – 24 months old.
What I love most about this portable baby gate for stairs is its double locking mechanism that keeps your child safe and pets contained. The robust, soft mesh protects your kid from injuries in case they bump into the door accidentally. The baby gate is a one-hand operation which makes it convenient if you are carrying baby essentials with you. This easy-to-install baby gate is suitable for the stairs, hallways, and doorways and comes in black, grey, and white colors.
Toddleroo by North States 42.6” Wide Portable Traveler Baby Gate
Size: 25.2” to 42.6”
Gate Design: Pressure Mounted
Material: Fabric
My best budget portable baby gate on the list today is the Toddleroo Portable Traveler Baby Gate from the North States. Designed to block all the places you have in mind including doorways and hallways, this portable baby gate helps keep your 6 – 24-month-old baby safe wherever you are. The gate is packed with convenient features and fits spaces that are 25.2”-42.6” wide and stand 28” tall.
What I love about the design of this baby gate are the superior materials used to build it, the versatility, and the functionality. Unlike some baby gates that require drilling the wall for installation, this one includes adjusting the extendable bars and inserting them into the fabric sleeves. In fact, this baby gate from the North States won the CrossLister-Marketplaces Award twice.
Pros:
- Lightweight & portable
- Pressure-mount installation
- Folds up making it great for travel
- Easy & secure to install
Cons:
- Material can bunch in smaller doorways
Safety 1st Wide Doorways Fabric Gate with Pressure Mounted Fastening
Size: 27” x 60”
Gate Design: Pressure Mounted
Material: Fabric
Are you looking for a portable baby gate that will give you peace of mind by providing safe play spaces for your child? You will love this extra-wide Safety 1st baby gate. This adjustable baby gate is designed to block doorways and openings that measure 38”-60” wide and stand 27”high. I like the pressure-mounted installation set-up because it causes no damage to the house walls.
I love the fabric material used to make this baby gate because it is machine-washable and can match up with your home décor. There is also a soft translucent panel that allows you to keep an eye on your baby from the other side. For ease of portability, these portable child stair gates are lightweight and come with a drawstring bag for convenient storage.
Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Gate and Play Yard
$92.76 in stock
Size: 50” to 192”
Gate Design: Pressure Mounted
Material: Steel
If you are looking for a portable baby gate that will fit that gigantic space and play yard you have in mind, Regalo is your saving grace. This 4-in-1 baby gate expands into a 192” wall-mounted gate and stands 28” tall to keep your baby safe. Also, it can be converted into an 8-panel play yard that is safe and spacious for your kid to play in.
Though super-wide, it is easy to install via mounting to the wall and features a handy gate with a walk-through door that allows you to pass through effortlessly. This door has a safety locking feature. I love the versatility of this product that can also be converted into a fireplace barrier and the panels can block stair landings perfectly. The steel design makes this baby gate sturdy and durable.
If you have a tall baby, the brand’s Regalo Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate is a fantastic choice.
Baby Delight Go with Me Span Expendable Folding Gate
Size: Small, Medium & Large
Gate Design: Pressure Mounted
Material: Polyester (60%), Metal (30%) & Plastic (10%)
Baby Delight understands that you need to keep your baby safe when at home and while on the go. Their Go with Me Span series comes in three different sizes so you can choose which baby gate fits your specific space needs. The small baby gate expands 30”-48” wide (27” tall), medium 36”-60” wide (34” tall), and large 42”-72” wide (39” tall)
I love the hassle-free installation process of this baby gate that does not require drilling, as well as the carry bag included for ease of portability during travel. This baby gate is recommended for 6-24-month-old kids and this Charcoal Tweed fashion will complement easily with your home décor.
How to Pick the Best Portable Gates
As mentioned above, picking the best portable baby gate is not like buying your favorite gate that complements your home décor. And while aesthetics play a significant role for fashion-sensitive people, there are more important things to consider.
- Type of Gate
You need to know which type of gate fits the needs you have since they all work differently. From freestanding/expandable gates to pressure-mounted baby gates, and hardware-mounted baby gates, one strong suit is another’s weakness. See below.
- Where to Use it
Different places require unique baby gates to ensure maximum safety. For instance, a baby gate for protecting your baby from falling down the stairs must be sturdy to prevent it from moving. Similarly, a baby gate that is perfect for the kitchen is different.
- Baby Size
Although most baby gates come with a height of approx. 30” which can be hard for kids to climb over, not all kids grow at the same rate. Some will grow taller faster than others. So, the higher the growth rate your baby has, the taller the gate you need.
- Spaces
From narrow to wide and extra-side, baby gates are available in many widths. As such, you need to measure the spaces you intend to install the gates carefully to make sure it fits properly. Some spaces might even need additional panels. You must consider this to get value for your money.
- Portability
Baby gates are meant to keep your baby safe from the hazards he is exposed to in the house, yes, but it is inconvenient and cumbersome to install them everywhere you see possible risks. It is wise to buy a baby gate that is portable and foldable so you can use it in different places.
- Budget
The mantra you get what you pay for is applicable in all scenarios but this does not mean that you have to overspend to get quality baby gates. Take your time to research as there are brands that offer products at considerable prices.
- Safety Certification
Look for the baby gate’s safety standards and certifications for features such as durability, height, and sturdy locks. One of the bodies that ensure these safety measures are met is the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA).
That being said, you should also check that the baby gate opens and closes easily. Look at the customer reviews of the product. Is the product operated hands-free (using a foot pedal), one-handed, sliding, or swinging? Also, check how secure the lock is and whether it has an auto-close or manual function.
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Sandra W. Bullock is a grand-mom to two boys and is part of the review board here at Motherhoodhq.com. She is responsible for the quality control of content and is among our most experienced moms. She has over 20 years of writing parenting content online focussing on baby safety indoors and outdoors. She has written widely on babyproofing nurseries and homes for infants and toddlers and published work on privacy and the safety of baby monitors. She is a renowned advocate for non-wifi baby monitors that cannot be hacked and spends a lot of time educating parents on how to secure their homes – including ways to secure the baby from harm in and around homes. Sandra is a native of Atlanta where she also works. She can be reached using her email, Sandra.w(at)motherhoodhq.com
