Day-to-day use: Does the gate do the job it’s supposed to? Does it withstand a toddler’s weight? Is it easy to open and close with one hand? Pros: Made from FSC-certified wood, stylish, no trip hazard bar at the bottom, sturdy, secure, one-handed opening, affordable

Lindam Flexi Gate - Safety gates - Home | MadeForMums Lindam Flexi Gate - Safety gates - Home | MadeForMums

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. There’s also no ground bar to cause a trip hazard. Within these two categories, there are a few other features that can form part of the identity of a stair gate. For example:Although the BabyDan Guard Me is safe for use anywhere in your home, the best stair gate for use at the top of the stairs is the Safety 1st Wall Fix Extending Metal Gate, which is also the best screw-fit stair gate we tested. 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

Wooden Safety Gate | Baby Gate | Munchkin Wall Fix Extending Wooden Safety Gate | Baby Gate | Munchkin

Opening mechanism can take a bit of getting used to – our tester often needed to use two hands despite the claim of a one-handed opening Extending stair gates: These can be adjusted to fit a range of doorway widths without the need for any additional extension pieces The Cuggl Wall Fix Safety Gate is a fuss-free, wall-mounted gate, so it’s suitable for use at the top and bottom of a staircase as well as in doorways. While it may not have the handy features of a retractable or pressure-fit stair gate, it’s a good, sturdy option with a price tag to match its simplicity.

Best stair gates: at a glance

Screw-fit (wall-mounted) stair gates screw into your wall or bannister. This has the major advantage of ensuring the gate is secure and won’t move around once it’s installed, but the screws will cause minor damage to your walls. Screw-fit gates can be used in a variety of ways: at the top or bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow opening. The flat step makes this pressure-fit stair gate a good alternative to screw-fit stair gates if you're not able to drill into walls. Pros: Great for awkward spaces, no bar across the bottom, can be installed at the top and bottom of stairs, one-handed opening Type: Pressure-fit | Width: 76 – 82cm, with additional extensions available to fit up to 117cm What we love