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'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.

Katy: The flat step gate is really robust despite being a pressure point fitted safety gate. My younger toddler pulls to stand against it and my older toddler has even swung off the gate (before being told off!) without it moving from the position it was fitted to. I have previously only fitted screw attached gates because I didn't realise a pressure fitted gate could be so sturdy. The flat step really is flat against the floor despite living in an old house and having wonky walls, and probably floors! Installation with individually adjusted pressure points compensates for this, a really handy feature. It's great not to have to step over a bar at the bottom, no trips whilst carrying laundry or babies! Would you choose this product to win? CHILD SAFETY GATE: this 73 cm tall child gate can be used to childproof widths from 73 to 80 cm and can be extended up to 101 cm by combining one or more gate extensions (sold separately) 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. While her baby-proofing days are now behind her, Lucy used (and reviewed) several stair gates with her two children when they were young, including both metal and retractable designs. 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 testHowever, 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. While there's no statutory requirement to comply, most commercially sold stair gates will have been tested to meet safety standards BS EN1930:2011. We tested the 14 most popular stair gates on the market, scoring them on six key areas before whittling them down to a final list the nine best stair gates, all of which scored a minimum of 40 points out of a possible 48.

EASY TO USE: this baby gate opens with one hand and features an extra-thin practicable bar to prevent tripping, especially at the top of the stairs 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 Some stair gates boast specific safety features, which can help to ensure your gate is installed and used in the safest possible way. 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.

How we choose our recommendations

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.

While pressure-fit gates can be used at the bottom of a staircase, or in a doorway or other narrow openings, they’re not suitable for the top of a staircase, as the bottom bar of the frame can pose a trip hazard. 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. Katy: Yes. The flat step U-shaped design is great, I always trip over other gates at least once. The design of the pressure points allows to it be fitted to a wide range of openings and still remain flush to the carpeted floor. The handle is easy to use and the gate remains in an opened position easily. It also doesn't bang shut which is great. The only downside is that it took a while to fit. The instructions are ok but it still took two of us some time to adjust the pads on the door frame to ensure the step was flush to the carpet. What changes would you make to this product? You don't need to break the bank to get a reliable product either - one of our top models was among the cheapest we tested.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. Screw-fit stair gates are mounted onto your walls, screwing into your wall or bannister. The major advantage of this style is that the gate is secure and won’t move around once it’s installed, but the screws will cause minor damage to your walls that will need filling when the gate is removed. 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. Pressure-fit stair gates 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. We think the BabyDan Guard Me Auto Retractable Satefy Guard gate is the best stair gate available to buy right now. It scored the highest in our product testing and has received many glowing recommendations in the Mumsnet Talk forums. The retractable feature offers a neat option for leaving the gate folded away when not in use and it has a simple opening mechanism. About the author Keeping your little one safe whilst managing day-to-day tasks can be a challenge. Our screw-fit stair gates provide an answer to this challenge. Safe and sturdy, they’re sure to keep your little ones safe as they waddle about the house. And for their rooms, a toddler bed is just the thing to keep them safe and sound as they doze off. Don’t forget to kit it out with a trusty bed rail to prevent any night-time tumbles as they adjust to their new surroundings.