We also tested Lindam's other gate, the Sure Shut Deco. While more expensive, it received a similar score from our tester and has previously passed Which?'s safety testing. This is why we have chosen the Sure Shut Deco as Mumsnet Best. Pros 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? Stair gates can be used at the top of the stairs (to prevent your baby from falling down) and at the bottom (to stop them from climbing up). They can also be used to close off unsafe rooms and to temporarily add additional barriers to your home, whether that’s across a doorway or another narrow opening. When deciding which stair gate is best for you, it helps to work out what’s important to you before you buy. For example: 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 When testing and selecting the best stair gates we considered, safety, ease of installation, suitability, fit and value.

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. Unlike other gates, the handle is designed for single-hand use and isn’t ridiculously stiff, although sometimes our tester found herself using two hands because the squeeze-and-lift motion is a slightly unnatural one.

It’s surprising that the Easy Fit Plus Deluxe is essentially Lindam’s entry-level pressure gate: it’s less expensive than the auto-closing Porte and Orto, and less striking to look at than the Deco – but it performs impressively in every metric tested.

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? Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly. Once baby is on the move and ready to explore, they tend to be pretty much unstoppable! Whether newly crawling or walking, it’s essential that your home is made safe with the right pressure-fit stair gate, or wall-mounted child safety gate. Find the perfect baby gate for your stairs to ensure your little one can explore safely and you can have peace of mind!

The key purpose of a stair gate is to keep your curious toddler away from anything that might cause them harm, including flights of stairs and busy kitchens. However, they are generally not safe for use at the top of a staircase. This is for two main reasons. Screw-fit gates are the best type to use at the top of the stairs because they are the most secure and don’t cause a trip hazard. All of our gates are designed for easy, one-handed opening by adults, in either a squeeze-and-lift or pull-and-lift action. Our pressure-fit gates can be set to open in one or both directions, which can be changed whenever you need.

Retractable stair gates: formed from a flexible material like mesh that rolls or folds up when not in use. We've split our recommendations into the different types of stair gate you can buy, so you can find one that's best suited for your house and needs. When it comes to products like this, safety is of course paramount. While we don't test in a lab, we think testing by real families in real homes provides an invaluable true-to-life insight into the quality of a product. 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.

Screw-fit stair gates, as the name suggests, require some drilling and screwing to securely attach them to the wall, staircase or door frame. 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 While there's no statutory requirement to comply, most commercially sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standards BS EN1930:2011.

Cleanliness: Does the gate show grubby fingerprints? Is it easy to clean? Is there a bar that gets in the way when vacuuming? An opening mechanism that can be operated with one hand, so that you can safely use the gate while carrying a baby or toddlerAlthough 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. Lindam stair gates have been an industry-leader for decades. You may not know this, but in 2010 Lindam Ltd became part of the Munchkin family, so no matter which logo you see on your chosen safety gate, you can rest assured it has come from the same high specification production line, and benefits from all the same care, technology and innovation. Pressure-mounted or pressure-fit gates require no drilling and rely on pressure to stay in place. When you buy a pressure mounted gate from Munchkin, all the tools and fixings you need are included with your gate. The gates must be fitted between two flat, structurally-sound surfaces. Full visual instructions for installation are provided in the instruction manual included with your gate.