Whether you need to keep your dog out of the kitchen, away from the stairs, or separated from other animals, the best dog gates can be your (other) best friend. A properly installed dog gate can keep both you and your pet safe, so think about which type you prefer: an easily moveable freestanding gate, a convenient pressure-mounted gate, or a more sturdy hardware-installed gate.
I assembled, installed, and tested 13 well-reviewed gates in my home to find the best dog gates. In addition to testing these specific gates, I've also been using gates in my house for seven years as both a dog owner and parent. Not only that, but I also interviewed a pet safety expert and a board-certified veterinary behaviorist to discuss dog behaviors and how they impact choosing the right gate. That led me to my choice for the overall best dog gate, the Cumbor Baby Gate, because it is very sturdy, shuts automatically, and has a ramp to go over the bottom rail. While this is an excellent choice for many homes, you may find my other picks more suitable, like a top-of-stairs gate.
Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.
Our top picks for the best dog gates
Best overall: Cumbor Safety Gate - See at Amazon
Best for stairs: Regalo Pet Products Extra Tall Top of Stairs Gate - See at Chewy
Best freestanding: Richell Deluxe Freestanding Pet Gate - See at Chewy
Best extra tall: Midwest Steel Pet Gate 39-inch - See at Chewy
Best retractable: Regalo Retractable Baby Gate - See at Amazon
Best overall
The Cumbor Safety Gate is not only secure but it also automatically latches and includes a ramp to prevent trips and falls.
- Holds strong against 50 pounds of force
- Has a ramp to cover the bottom rail
- Swings shut automatically
- Easy to clean
- Pressure mount may not be as sturdy as hardware mount
I tested the 30.5-inch-tall Cumbor Safety Gate and can confirm that it holds firm even though it's pressure mounted. There's also the option to screw the wall cups into the wall or door frame for extra security. I mounted it in a doorway by screwing in the wall cups, and installation took about 25 minutes. This offers more stability, though the gate must still be pressure-mounted into the cups.
The gate has two of my favorite features: an automatic shut and a bottom ramp. After you open the gate and walk through, the door swings shut and latches on its own, making it less likely that a dog (or kid, in my case) will slip through behind you. I installed it in an area frequently used by the whole family, including our dog. I really appreciated that it always closed behind me and never came loose, even when my kids piled toys against it.
Many pressure-mounted gates with a bottom bar lack a ramp, posing a major tripping hazard. However, the Cumbor Safety Gate has a small ramp around the bottom bar that prevents tripping. This makes it ideal for people using a walker or older dogs who might be more likely to catch their legs on the bar. Compared to other gates I tested, there weren't too many nooks and crannies for dirt and hair to collect, and I found it easy to clean with a cloth and regular household cleaner.
Best for stairs
This durable gate has the key features we look for when installing around stairs: a hardware-mount and a clear opening without a bottom bar to obstruct your path.
- Hardware mounted
- Walkthrough design without bottom bar
- Easy to open and close one-handed
- Doesn’t close automatically
- Installation is a bit time-consuming
- Basic design with only two color options
When looking for the best dog gates for the top or bottom of stairs, you'll want a model without a bottom bar to prevent trips and falls up and down the stairs. You'll also need a hardware-mounted gate rather than one that's pressure-mounted. Hardware-mounted gates are less likely to come loose, which can lead to falls down the stairs.
I've been using a shorter version of this Regalo gate in my kids' playroom for two years and have been very pleased with this extra-tall version for stairs, which I've used for a year. Both gates have stood the test of time. The door of the extra-tall gate held in place when I applied 50 pounds of pressure with a luggage scale, which is very important if you'll be using it at the top of the stairs. My 6-year-old can open the gate, but my two 3-year-olds cannot, and my 110-pound dog has never been able to break through it. It holds firm even when he gets antsy and paws at the gate.
The gate has a simple design, and I can easily open it with one hand. It doesn't close automatically, so you can choose to shut it or leave it open. This could be a downside if you install it at the top of the stairs and tend to forget to close it. Still, it's important to double-check that automatically closing gates are secure after you pass through.
This gate was a bit tricky to install, taking longer than most others I tested — about 35 minutes. However, this is par for the course with a hardware-mounted gate.
Best freestanding
The Richell Deluxe Freestanding Pet Gate is an excellent option for smaller dogs and blocking off large openings.
- Extends up to 90.2 inches wide
- Has a door
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Easy to put together
- Door can be tricky to open and close
- Large and motivated dogs may be able to knock it over
The best freestanding dog gate I tested is the Richell Deluxe Freestanding Pet Gate, which has multiple wood-framed panels and rubber feet. I tested the large size, spanning 90.2 inches wide and standing 36.2 inches high, to divide a room into two sections to separate my dog from my children.
The gate also has a door to pass through, a feature uncommon in freestanding gates. While a large dog could knock over the gate, it is heavier and sturdier than the other freestanding gate I tested, which tipped over more easily when I applied force. Neither my dog nor my kids knocked this gate over during testing.
If you want something aesthetically pleasing, the wood frame may be an attractive alternative to all-metal gates. It was also very easy to put together, taking less than 15 minutes. Plus, it's very portable, so you can easily pick it up and move it to a different spot in your home. The door is a nice feature, but it was sometimes tricky to open and close. I often just step over the gate, but it could be frustrating for someone with limited mobility or who needs to open and close the door frequently to allow their dog through.
Best extra tall
The Midwest Steel Pet Gate is a tall and sturdy option for homes with big dogs or those who can jump high. We like how quick and easy it is to install securely.
- 39 inches tall
- Strong pressure
- Easy to install
- Easy to clean
- Lacks automatic latch
The Midwest Steel Pet Gate is a tall, sturdy option for big dogs or those who can jump high. It's 39 inches high compared to standard gates that range from 30 to 36 inches tall. The installation process was quick and easy: It only took 15 minutes, one of the fastest installations of all the gates I tested. Like other pressure-mounted gates, I chose to screw the cups into the wall for extra security before mounting the gate in them.
The latch stood up to my 50-pound pressure test and held up to pressure from my kids and 110-pound dog. I placed it in an opening between two rooms where it saw a lot of traffic. After passing through, I found that the gate almost swings shut on its own, but it doesn't completely latch. This is the biggest downside; it's less convenient and could be an issue if you tend to forget to latch it.
The gate was easy to clean using a cloth and multipurpose household cleaner. It has minimal nooks and crannies, an advantage for those with heavily shedding dogs or those who track a lot of dirt.
Best retractable
Although less durable than metal gates, the Regalo Retractable Baby Gate rolls up for a tidy appearance when not in use.
- Retracts completely when not in use
- Can be locked in place
- Quick installation
- Difficult to use with one hand
- Only available in one color
A retractable mesh gate isn't quite as sturdy as a traditional wood or metal gate, but it's still a viable option to keep dogs at bay. Of the two retractable gates I tested, the Regalo Retractable Baby Gate was the most sturdy; the other one popped open when I applied 50 pounds of force. My dog is much too large to squeeze through the gate once it's locked in place, but an extremely small dog or puppy might be able to get through the 2-inch gap on the side of the mesh panel where you secure the hooks.
You can roll up the mesh panel completely when you're not using the gate, making it a good choice if you want something more discreet. Simply gently pull on the gate and it coils up. The mesh is made of PVC, so it's easy to wipe clean.
If you often juggle multiple things in your hands or have to hold your dog back while securing the locks, this might not be the gate for you. It was tricky to lock this with only one hand because the mesh panel is quite flexible until you've pulled it taut and attached both the top and bottom hooks. You'll also need to drill mounting hardware into the wall or door frame to install it, which took me about 20 minutes.
What to look for in a dog gate
There are several factors to consider when choosing one of the best dog gates for your home. Think about your home's layout, your dog's size and behaviors, and the criteria below.
Gate type: Dog gates are available as pressure-mounted, hardware-mounted, retractable, and freestanding models. For dogs who might try to get past the gate, a pressure-mounted option is good, but a hardware-mounted one is even better. If your dog is pretty docile and likely won't try to bypass the gate, a retractable or freestanding gate will likely work unless you need a barrier at the top or bottom of the stairs. Wolko says smaller dogs tend to do better with freestanding gates because they're less likely to be able to jump over or force them down.
Installation method: Most gates are either pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted. A hardware-installed gate will generally be more sturdy, as it connects to the wall via mounting brackets. However, I found through my testing that a quality pressure-mounted gate is by no means unstable when installed correctly.
Spindle spacing: Pay close attention to the spacing to ensure your dog — especially if they're small — can't get their head stuck in between the spindles.
Door type: Many gates have a door that allows you to pass through easily, which is the most convenient design. Freestanding gates sometimes require you to move the gate entirely or step over it, and retractable gates retract to the side to create an opening. The type of door is particularly important if you plan to place the gate at the top or bottom of the stairs or if you have mobility limitations — in those cases, you'll want to avoid a bottom bar or look for one with a ramp.
Gate width and height: Most of the best dog gates can be adjusted width-wise, but measure the doorway or opening where you plan to install it before ordering. If you have a large dog or one that can jump very high, look for an extra-tall gate.
Material: Most dog gates are made of metal, plastic, or wood. Metal gates that are pressure- or hardware-mounted are typically the most sturdy.
How we tested the best dog gates
To pick the best dog gates, I tested 13 different gates across various categories. I live in a two-story home with two toddlers, a 5-year-old, and a 110-pound dog. I used the gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and in doorways. Here's a breakdown of the tests I put them through.
Safety: I checked for any loose or sharp pieces and measured the widest space between spindles to evaluate safety. The distance between spindles is important because smaller dogs may be able to squeeze through or become caught in wider spaces. "If you purchase a gate that has wider spindles and you fear your puppy may breach it until they get a little larger, use the baby-proofing mesh across the spindles," Wolko says. I also considered whether a dog might be able to open the gate. I tried to open it with light pressure and a hand on the latch.
I applied 50 pounds of force to each gate to see if a freestanding gate could easily be tipped over or if a mounted gate could be knocked down. I used the gates in my home for a few months, so they saw plenty of use (and abuse) from my children and German shepherd. I disqualified any gates that didn't stay secure. Dr. Kate Anderson, a veterinarian and assistant clinical professor at the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, says some dogs can develop anxiety due to gates that fall down, so this is a concern regarding not only physical safety but also mental well-being.
For stairs, I only considered hardware-mounted gates. Though pressure-mounted gates are often very secure, there is more of a risk that they could come loose and cause falls down the stairs. Additionally, pressure-mounted gates usually have a bar at the bottom, which could be a tripping hazard on stairs.
Ease of use: I opened and closed each gate's doors at least 30 times, evaluating how intuitive they were to use and how easy they were to maneuver one-handed. I also noted how easily each gate closed and latched after I passed through and whether it did so on its own without assistance from me. For freestanding gates without a door, I focused on how easy it was to get around or step over the gate.
Ease of assembly and installation: I assembled each gate according to the included instructions, noting any confusing directions or installation difficulties, and kept track of how much time each gate took to install, which ranged from 15 to 35 minutes.
Durability: I used a luggage scale to exert 50 pounds of pressure on each gate and observed whether it held firm. Most of the gates stood up well to this test, with only a couple breaking open. I immediately disqualified those gates.
I also scratched each gate with a fork to simulate a dog's nails. In general, this test left some scratches regardless of the surface. For example, the fork tines scraped off some paint, left indentations in the wood, or left some wear on the mesh.
Ease of cleaning: After using each gate for at least two weeks, I cleaned them with a multi-surface household cleaner and soft cloth. I noted any areas that were particularly difficult to clean. Some gates had more nooks and crannies where dust and hair accumulated, and these areas were notoriously hard to clean. Some also had adjusters and pockets that could collect dirt and debris and get pretty dirty over time. For the retractable mesh gates, I smeared mud on the mesh and cleaned it according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Versatility: I considered whether the gates could adjust to fit different doorway and walkway sizes, whether there were multiple installation options, and whether the gate could be installed in various locations. These factors are important because a gate can be a significant investment, and you want to make sure it can last if you move houses or need to install it in a new location in your home. Versatility also ensures you can get the safest installation in the location you place it.
Additional features: Most gates are pretty straightforward, but I noted whether the gates included a built-in cat door, automatic latching, accessibility ramps, or any other special features. Wolko says a spring-closure door on gates, especially for older owners as this can help ensure the door closes.
Appearance: I observed the general appearance of each gate and whether it is available in multiple color options.
Dog gates FAQs
Which dog gates are best?
The best dog gates are sturdy and meet your specific needs. For example, Wolko recommends freestanding gates if you're trying to secure a larger opening between rooms, hardware-mounted gates if you value ease of use and gates with spring-closure doors for older pet owners. My favorite dog gate is the Cumbor Baby Gate because it is sturdy and latches quickly and easily.
What dog gate does not damage walls?
Freestanding and some pressure-mounted gates do not damage walls. However, some pressure-mounted gates still require you to screw wall cups into the wall. Hardware-mounted gates will create some damage since you need to screw them into the wall to secure them.
Are freestanding dog gates good?
Freestanding gates are handy for wide openings and dogs who won't try to push past the gate. If your dog will likely try to get on the other side of the gate, a freestanding model isn't the best option, as the gate could fall and the dog could get hurt. "I have had some patients develop anxiety around gates that have failed due to the loud noise this makes," says Anderson.
Do pressure-mounted gates work?
Pressure-mounted gates work, but they can vary in sturdiness. If you want a sturdy one, look for one with a swing door opening and wall cups. However, never use a pressure-mounted gate at the top or bottom of the stairs to prevent falls.
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