Need to corral your furry friend? While most baby or safety gates double as pet gates, it's nice to have extra features like the built-in cat door in our top pick, the Carlson Extra Tall. We’ve looked at pet gates for different circumstances, narrowing the market down to the top eight.
7 min readMarch 28, 2023
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Best pet gates
- : Best for dogs and cats
- : Best for stairs
- : Budget pick
- : Best for open floor plans
- : Best for renters
- : Best for front doors
- : Best step-over gate
- : Stylish pick
Compare the best pet gates
Product | Best for | Price | Type | Walk-through | Learn more | Read review |
| Best for dogs and cats | $74.99 | Pressure-mounted |  Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best for stairs | $69.99 | Wall-mounted | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Budget pick | $29.99 | Pressure-mounted |  No | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best for open floor plans | $109.99 | Wall-mounted | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best for renters | $180.00 | Freestanding | No | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
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Best pet gate reviews
1. Carlson Extra Tall Pet Gate: Best for dogs and cats
Best for dogs and cats
Carlson’s Extra Tall Pet Gate spans 29 to 37 inches wide and stands 36 inches tall, making it one of the tallest on our list.
The extra height makes it the best option for medium to large dogs, but a 10-by-7-inch pet door provides a way for cats or smaller dogs to pass through while keeping your larger pup out.
A one-touch safety release lock lets you easily pass through the door using only one hand to unlatch it.
Pros
Tall
Two doors for pets and people
One-touch lock 
Cons
Narrow door
Pet door size While it may prove a challenge to keep any large dog contained, with 36 inches of height, this model will give your dog a challenge. (If you want the dual function of a gate with a small pet door but don’t need a full 36 inches, Carlson also offers a 30-inch model).
The swing door is a bit on the narrow side (16 inches), so it may not be the most comfortable gate to walk through.
Though it may seem small, medium to large dogs have been said to regularly shimmy their way through the little pet door—though this seems to be a problem across the board for gates with this function.
2. Toddleroo by North States: Best for stairs
Best for stairs
Many pet gates are pressure mounted. This means there's a bar that runs across the floor, applying pressure on both walls to keep the gate in place. This bar can be a trip hazard, especially on stairs.
The Toddleroo by North States attaches to a wall stud on one side and latches securely on the other side, eliminating that bottom bar altogether. Despite its name, it works great as a pet gate. Jumpers might just hop over it, though, since it's not available in "extra tall."
Pros
Walk-through function
One-handed opening
Push closed to latch
Looks nice Cons
Puts holes in your wall
Can be tricky to install level
Some pets might jump over it Rather than using a traditional latch, the door on this gate features a one-touch safety release lock. It can be easily manipulated with one hand but locks tightly to keep pets (or children) from opening it.
Tip: if you want your cat to move freely up and down the stairs while your dog stays put, mount this gate high enough for the cat to slip underneath but low enough to block the dog.
3. Carlson Easy Fit Plastic Adjustable Pet Gate: Budget pick
Budget pick
This pressure-mounted gate by Carlson stands 23 inches tall and expands from 26 to 42 inches wide. The plastic honeycomb design is perfect for small pets who will slip through any opening they can.
Easy-to-clean, weather resistant plastic makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor use without the worry of rust.
What's more, the pressure-mounted rubber bumpers make it easier to transport than models that use adjustable spindles.
Pros
Prevents escape
Versatile
Easy to move Cons
Short
Sides aren’t adjustable At 23 inches tall, it is on the shorter side, so it's not good for large pets. Puppies and cats might try climbing on the honeycombs.
As with any pressure-mounted gate, take care not to jam this gate too tightly to the wall or you'll dent the drywall.
4. Regalo Super Wide: Best for open floor plans
Best for open floor plans
Every other pet gate on this list assumes you have a standard-size doorway to work with. But how do you corral a puppy in the kitchen (and off the carpet) when you have an open floor plan?
Try the Regalo Super Wide. It's a whopping 192 inches long and can easily be adjusted to fit a smaller space. It folds for easy storage, and the accordion folds add extra stability to the gate.
Pros
Sturdy
Adjustable
Easy to store Cons
Screws into wall The Regalo Super Wide must be screwed into the wall at either end, so it's not ideal for renters. It features a step-through gate with a one-handed latch and can be used as a corral or play pen by connecting all panels in a circle.
Tip: Set this up around your tree for Puppy's First Christmas.
5. Richell Freestanding Pet Gate: Best for renters
Best for renters
This 20-inch-high freestanding gate by Richell adjusts from 26.4 to 40.2 inches wide. It’s sturdy, stylish, and easily moveable, but it’s best for small pets.
No wall installation is required for this one, so it can be easily picked up and moved.
And, unlike many freestanding pet gates, the Richell gate has stabilizing feet with rubber bottoms to keep it in place on hard flooring.
Pros
Easily moveable
Stays in place
Narrow gaps
Pivot side panels Cons
Awkward feet
Difficult to adjust The bars are close together on this gate, preventing small animals like cats from slipping through.
The side panels pivot to allow you to customize the angle of your gate in different locations.
While useful, the support feet of this gate do stick out from the wall, creating a potential tripping hazard, and they don’t entirely fold in, making it awkward to store.
You can adjust the width of this gate—but it is manual—requiring you to unscrew the support screws, move the gate, and then re-screw it back together.
6. Bow Wow Barrier: Best for front doors
Best for front doors
The Bow Wow Barrier stops door-dashing dogs and cats in their tracks. Specifically designed for doors, not necessarily doorways, the Bow Wow Barrier lets you open the door for packages, pizza, or trick-or-treaters without having to hold your dog's collar or do an awkward shimmy out the door.
You only attach it to the door when you need it, so it won't stop you from entering or exiting your home. You can open the door up to 28 inches with the Bow Wow Barrier attached.
Pros
Easy to use
Versatile
Unobtrusive Cons
Not chew-proof 7. Carlson Lil’ Tuffy Expandable Gate: Best step-over gate
Best step-over gate
Lightweight and portable, the Carlson Lil Tuffy step-over pressure-mounted model is a great budget buy.
It expands from 26 to 42 inches wide, but at only 18 inches tall, it’s best for those with small pets who can't step over it.
This pressure-mounted gate uses rubber bumpers rather than adjustable spindles. As a result, it’s not suitable for areas with baseboards or other features that require variable adjustment between top and bottom.
Pros
Affordable
Easily moveable
Easy for humans to step over Cons
Sides aren’t adjustable
Curved corners
Larger animals can step over The rounded corners of this gate can pose a hazard if your pup props their paws on top of the gate. It’s uncommon, but it is possible for paws to slide over the rounded edges and get stuck between the gate and wall.
8. Regalo Home Accents: Stylish pick
Stylish pick
With a steel design and hardwood accents, this attractive pressure-mounted model offers style without sacrificing toughness and functionality. The Regalo Home Accents gate expands from 29 to 44 inches wide and stands 38 inches high, and it’s suitable for small to large pets.
Setting it apart from the “one-touch lock” competitors, this walk-through gate features an easy-to-use, slide-through automatic locking handle.
Pros
Sturdy
Tall
Slide handle Cons
Inconsistent quality We do have concerns about inconsitent quality, though. While the majority of reviewers seem happy with this gate, several have complained that the product they received was bent or had gaps in welding.
Final word
The Carlson Extra Tall earns our vote as the best overall pet gate thanks to its tall design, optional cat door, and walk-through easy-latch gate. But it's not the best for stairs, extra-wide doorways, or rentals. Fortunately, there are plenty of other pet gates on the market that tick those boxes, helping you keep your pet safely contained when needed.
Pet gate FAQ
The right height for your pet gate depends on the size and ambition of your pets, as well as how you plan to move around your house. Some owners prefer short models that are easily stepped over. Others view this as a tripping hazard and would prefer a taller gate with a swinging door to walk through.
Bear in mind that if they are truly determined, many pets will find a way to clear a pet gate. Only you know what your pet is capable of. Many dogs, in particular, have to be trained to respect the boundary. Ideally, install the gate when your dog is a puppy, since it will be more difficult for them to jump over it.
There are pros and cons for each type of gate.
- Many people prefer freestanding gates because they don’t run the risk of damaging your walls. They’re also easier to move—but this is a pro and a con in itself. Depending on the heft of the gate, your pet might be able to move it too.
- Wall-mounted (or hardware-mounted) gates are fastened to your wall with screws, which is not ideal for renters or others trying to avoid wall damage. But because they won’t give with pressure, they are a safer option for particularly dangerous areas, like at the top of a stairwell.
- Pressure-mounted gates are a compromise between the two. They are easily taken down and moved, but they also offer plenty of stability. These gates will either have rubber pieces on the sides touching the walls or adjustable spindles with a rubber stopper. These bumpers won’t make holes in your walls, but they have been known to slide and occasionally lead to discoloration on the wall. We recommend purchasing mounting cups, which will both keep the gate more firmly in place and protect your walls.
Baby gates and pet gates are very similar. In fact, they are often marketed under the umbrella term “safety gate.” It can be tempting to continue using a pet gate as a baby gate, or vice versa. Many do. But for safety’s sake, you should use gates as advertised.
While we wouldn’t advise using either model contrary to its design, generally speaking, it is more dangerous to use a pet gate as a baby gate than the reverse.
Pet gates may not have taken into consideration elements that may prove dangerous or ineffective for children—parts that can be easily swallowed (knobs, for example), gaps between slats that are wide enough for a baby’s head to get stuck between, etc.
Pet gates are also not safety-certified the way many baby products are.
If you want a dual-use gate, there are some models that are designed for both purposes and are marketed as such, like the Regalo Walk-Through Safety Gate and the Gaterol Retractable Safety Gate.
How we reviewed the best pet gates
For our best pet gate review, we considered user comments and expert opinions. We also relied on our own experiences as pet owners to determine what features are most useful in a pet gate.
Learn more on our methodology page.
Related articles on SafeWise
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