The Best Pet Gates

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
May 6th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

Finding the right pet gate for your home can be challenging. However, these gates are helpful for pets you want to keep close by. We have put together a list of some of the best products on the market to make it easier for you to choose a pet gate for your needs based on a few select criteria.

Testing Categories

Among the criteria we have chosen when it comes to pet gates are safety, durability, ease of use, and style. Safety is an important concern when it comes to pet gates, as pet owners want to know that the gate they use will keep their pet protected. Gates must be durable as well, as they need to be able to withstand being picked up and moved throughout the home, or to handle being in high traffic areas, such as at the top of stairs. Ease of use, such as having one hand access, is important as well. Finally, while not the most important factor, style can be a good quality to look for, as it can help a pet gate blend more easily into the home.

Top Pick

North States 72"
Wide Deluxe Décor
Baby Gate

Attractive details in a matte bronze finish, the ability to fit in extra-wide spaces of a maximum 72”, & one hand functionality do much to recommend this product to those seeking a safe pet gate.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This baby gate features an extra-wide door at 25.5”, making it easy to use for the entire family. The gate can easily transition to be used for both straight and angled wall surfaces. A stay-open feature offers a convenient option for use and prevents trips and falls. In addition to its width, the gate is also taller than other systems, offering additional security.

Biggest downsides: Some of the included hardware, such as screws and latches, can be a bit inefficient for installation. The gate can have difficulty fitting in smaller doorways.

Honorable Mention

Summer Infant Multi-Use
Deco Extra Tall Walk-
Thru Baby Gate

With a beautiful bronze finish, this pet gate provides plenty of height at 36”, with features such as an auto-close door and dual locks, which makes for a safe choice for pet owners.

Price Check

Most notable upside: All hardware is included, such as door stoppers and secure mounting, to safely mount this gate at the top of stairs. Both beige and bronze color options are available, making it easy to find an option that suits their decor. The additional height allows the pet gate to accommodate pets of many sizes. The gate includes one 8.75” extension and two 4.25” extensions for additional width to the gate, if necessary. The gate can be operated with one hand and swings in both directions for ease of access.

Biggest downsides: Installation of the gate can be difficult, especially when using extensions. While one-handed, it can still require some effort to lift the latch and open the gate.

Green Pick

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch
Extra Wide Walk
Thru Baby Gate

This extra-wide pet gate expands out to 38.5” inches and stands up at 30” tall. No tools are required for set-up, making it a simple gate for parents on the go who need a mobile safety gate.

Price Check

Most notable upside: Includes a 6-inch extension kit for adding width onto the pet gate. Extensions can extend the gate to a maximum of 60 inches. The all-steel design makes this an especially durable gate. Safety locks, as well as wall mounts, make this gate especially safe around pets. Its easy to use construction includes a lever handle and one-touch release safety lock.

Biggest downsides: Though durable, this pet gate is not as stylish as some other picks. The plastic molding can make it feel cheaper than other models of safety gates.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Child Gates

If your pet is very mobile, it is time to start putting pet gates in your home. You want to be sure that yourpet gates are an effective tool in keeping your pet safe. There are many things that can be done to make this possible:

First and foremost is to consider where in your home you will need to place the gates, as there are many obvious spots. For example, it is important to place pet gates at the top of stairs to ensure that your pets are not able to fall from a flight of stairs. However, some spots might not be as obvious. You may want to place pet gates in the entrance to your kitchen, to ensure that they are not able to enter this area of the home unattended, as there are many dangers in this part of the home.

After you have decided where you will need to place pet gates, you next need to consider the type of mounting you will need for your safety gate. Most modern gates come with multiple types of mountings. The two most common types of mounting are hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted.

Hardware-mounted safety gates are mounted directly into the wall. These gates are typically best for those areas that need to be most secure – for example, the tops of stairs. It is also a good idea to use hardware-mounted safety gates for areas that have an irregular shape, which will allow you to be sure that the gate will stay in place without shifting.

Meanwhile, pressure-mounted safety gates are a good option for pet gates that you would like to be able to move around. For example, if you need a gate with mobility to move from room to room, then finding a gate with pressure mounting is a great idea.

A Note About Safety and Storage

The safety of your pet is paramount when it comes to purchasing a pet gate. When buying a pet gate, be sure to search for one that is of the appropriate width for the space you have in mind, but also be sure that it is tall enough for your pet.

When it comes to the storage of your pet gate, remember that you may need to store it in several parts, especially if it is a pet gate that comes with extensions. Check the dimensions of the pet gate prior to purchase to be sure that you have enough space to store it. It may be a good idea to purchase a smaller gate with extensions, rather than a larger gate, in order to fit the space you need.

The Best Pet Gates

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

North States 72"
Wide Deluxe Décor
Baby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use
Deco Extra Tall Walk-
Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch
Extra Wide Walk
Thru Baby Gate

All Our Picks

North States 72"
Wide Deluxe Décor
Baby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use
Deco Extra Tall Walk-
Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch
Extra Wide Walk
Thru Baby Gate

Tips for Effective Child Gates

A Note About Safety and Storage

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The Best Pet Gates

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

North States 72" Wide Deluxe DécorBaby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Walk-Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-InchExtra Wide WalkThru Baby Gate

All Our Picks

North States 72" Wide Deluxe DécorBaby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall Walk-Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-InchExtra Wide WalkThru Baby Gate

Tips for Effective Child Gates

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

North States 72"
Wide Deluxe Décor
Baby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use
Deco Extra Tall Walk-
Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch
Extra Wide Walk
Thru Baby Gate

North States 72"
Wide Deluxe Décor
Baby Gate

Summer Infant Multi-Use
Deco Extra Tall Walk-
Thru Baby Gate

Regalo Easy Step 38.5-Inch
Extra Wide Walk
Thru Baby Gate