Firstly, pressure-fit gates can shift and move around over time. If a child were to push on a gate at the top of a staircase and the gate moved or gave way, they could potentially fall down the stairs. Which type of stair gate you choose will depend on your home and your needs. Generally, screw-fit gates are more reliable, so if you’re planning to have a stair gate in place for a relatively long time, and you’re able to drill into your walls or bannister, then a screw-fit gate will be the best choice. You’ll be left with a few small holes to fill when you eventually remove the gate, but nothing that a bit of filler can’t fix. This is a no-trip stair gate - ideal for use at the top of staircases; the advantage of fitting to your wall with screws! Reassuringly child-proof

This is a no-trip stair gate - ideal for use at the top of staircases: the advantage of fitting to your wall with screws! Reassuringly child-proof 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 big. Combining contemporary modern stylewith uncompromising levels of safety, Fred has created a range of gates that are unparalleled in their elegance and effectiveness. Made from the highest possible quality materials throughout, the sculpted Poplar wood taken from sustainable forests provides warm, elegantly finished protection in your home. 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. There’s nothing quite as exciting as watching your baby strike forward independently for the first time. Whether they’re commando creeping, crawling on all fours, or cruising the furniture like a pro, it's a moment that has many parents reaching for their cameras, desperate to capture those precious first moments. And then, as your baby inches closer and closer to the stairs which, previously, had been safely unattainable, reality hits: it’s time to baby proof.However, the very best stair gates won't just be secure and safe. They'll have simple instructions for a straightforward installation, and will be easy to open and close.

Ideally, you want your stair gate to be at least 75cm (30 inches) in height. Extra-tall models are available, and range in sizes from 1m (39 inches) and beyond. Where to buy a stair gate They come in a number of heights and widths; can fit across stairs, in doorways, or even across entire rooms; and are easy for adults to open one handed (useful when you have a baby on your hip!) while also being secure enough to withstand small, curious hands. Pressure-fit and retractable stair gates are not a good option for the top of stairs because their design incurs a trip hazard and they are not as sturdy.Lots of people use safety gates as dog gates for stairs and to keep pets in or out of certain rooms. Fits openings 76-96cm wide using the 2 Gate Extensions included, or 124cm wide by adding up to 4 more We also collated expert opinions and scoured the Mumsnet forums - the biggest online network of parents in the UK - to find the best stair gates UK according to the families who use them every day. You can read more about how we selected and tested the best stair gates below. How we chose which stair gates to test

Keep scrolling to see the top five stair gates we recommend. If you're keen to learn more before investing in a stair gate, we also weigh up the pros and cons of different types, and answer common queries such as where and when to buy a stair gate, how tall it should be, and how to dispose of an old one.Although the Safety 1st SecureTech Flat Step Safety Gate is the only pressure-fit gate that claims to be able to be used at the top of a staircase, we still think it’s preferable to use a screw-fit, wall-mounted gate wherever possible. This leaves far less room for error and, once the gate is installed correctly, it won’t shift even if your child pulls on it. There’s also no ground bar to cause a trip hazard. 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.

The downside to a stair gate is that they can be bulky and look cluttered, however the safety benefits of them outweigh this massively. There are even stair gates that can divide a large or open plan room, or fit around a fireplace.A stair gate helps prevent unintended access to your little one, for example, when your baby is crawling, it can stop them from being able to climb the stairs without you around to keep an eye on them. Stair gates are most commonly used at the top of stairs, meaning your child has to wait for you to take them down - great for when they can't do stairs or they're still a bit wobbly. A stair gate is also useful to have in place for older children at night, preventing an accidental turn down the stairs when your child gets up to go to the bathroom or comes into your room. You can also use them in doorways to allow or restrict access, say for example, for keeping dogs in a different room to your child. They're simple to fit, easy to use and provide great peace of mind." says Hayley.