The Best Dog Gates

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Dog Gates and hope the blog can help you.

A dog gate can help enforce boundaries and ensure the safety of rambunctious pets. Keep precious pooches out of trouble with the best dog gates ahead.

In homes with dogs, a reliable dog gate is a valuable tool for control and safety. These simple but practical gates are used to block off certain zones, like rooms, stairways, and unsafe areas. A good dog gate is sturdy, durable, and, above all, effective.

Since needs differ from one home to another, the ideal dog gate for each will have various features depending on the pup. Dog gates offer differing levels of protection, from basic low gates for calm pooches to taller, sturdier gates for four-legged escape artists. This list includes a mix of dog gate types to suit a range of pets. Read on for the best dog gates to keep Fido safe and contained.

1. BEST OVERALL: Safety 1st Easy Install Tall & Wide Walk Thru Gate
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate
3. BEST FREESTANDING: Arf Pets Free Standing Wood Dog Gate
4. BEST FOR STAIRS: Regalo Top of Stairs Baby Gate
5. BEST FOLDABLE: Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Dog Gate With Door
6. BEST FOR SMALL DOGS: Unipaws Freestanding Wooden Dog Gate
7. BEST FOR LARGE DOGS: Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate With Door
8. BEST RETRACTABLE: EasyBaby Retractable Baby Gate
9. BEST OUTDOOR: Carlson Pet Products Outdoor Pet Pen and Gate

How We Chose the Best Dog Gates

Since dogs come in all sizes and temperaments, we selected a range of dog gate products in hopes that there’s a gate on this list for any home. Across all the products we looked at, we considered a few key criteria: sturdiness, durability, ease of use, and style.

Sturdiness was the main factor we considered: The dog gate needs to stay solidly in place, or it’s not useful. In some households, dog gates take a beating, so we also kept durability in mind. This list includes several picks made of metal or wood since these options are less likely to break under pressure.

Through extensive product research, we included dog gates that are easy to install and operate, since the best dog gates aren’t a big hassle to use. Lastly, a dog gate doesn’t need to be an eyesore, so we paid attention to aesthetics as well.

Our Top Picks

With options for small dogs, big dogs, and everything in between, these are the best dog gates for keeping four-legged friends in line.

Best Overall

Safety 1st Easy Install Tall & Wide Walk Thru Gate

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A modern design and a range of user-friendly features makes the Safety 1st Easy Install Tall & Wide Walk Thru Gate our top pick. This pressure-mounted gate is easy to install and even easier to use. Measuring 36 inches tall, the gate has a decent height, so it can work in homes with larger dogs. It has an adjustable width that spans from 29 to 47 inches wide to fit different doorways.

A walk-through door means people can bypass the gate when needed. Made with both babies and pets in mind, this gate has a child-resistant handle to keep little fingers (or paws) from opening the latch.

To make sure the gate stays well and truly in place, this gate has Safety 1st’s SecureTech pressure-indicator feature. An indicator on the gate turns red when the gate pressure is lacking to prompt users to adjust the pressure mount and make sure it stays secure.

Product Specs

• Type: Pressure mounted
• Materials: Metal
• Dimensions: 36 inches tall by 47 inches wide by 2 inches deep

Pros

• Attractive look
• Child-resistant latch
• Pressure-indicator feature

Cons

• Dogs could stick paws or noses through spire spaces

Get the Safety 1st Easy Install dog gate at Amazon, The Home Depot, Target, or Wayfair.

Best Bang For The Buck

Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate

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The Safety 1st Eco-Friendly Nature Next Bamboo Gate is an affordable option, plus it’s an eco-friendly pick. This gate is made from durable bamboo and 100 percent recycled-plastic mesh paneling. Besides being more sustainable than some gates, the contrast between the natural bamboo frame and black mesh also looks contemporary and fresh.

This gate is pressure mounted for straightforward and tool-free installation. Nonmarring bumpers prevent damage to wall and door frames. The gate measures 24 inches tall and can extend from 28 to 42 inches wide. When not in use, the lightweight sliding dog gate has panels that fit together to make a compact, easy-to-store package.

Product Specs

• Type: Pressure mounted
• Materials: Bamboo and recycled plastic
• Dimensions: 24 inches tall by 28 to 42 inches wide

Pros

• Affordable
• Eco-friendly materials
• Small mesh gaps ensure pets can’t sneak through

Cons

• Lacks walk-through gate
  Stubborn dogs might try to climb the mesh

Get the Safety 1st bamboo dog gate at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.

Best Freestanding

Arf Pets Free Standing Wood Dog Gate

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With its appealing wood build and large size, the Arf Pets Free Standing Wood Dog Gate is an excellent freestanding dog-gate option. This gate measures 31.5 inches tall and up to 80 inches wide, but since it has four panels on hinges, pet owners can adjust it to fit much smaller doorways. Two wide stabilizing feet keep the gate in place, and users can purchase additional feet as needed.

Unlike some simpler freestanding gates, this one has a walk-through door to make it hassle-free to bypass. It’s a multiuse gate, too; it can be configured into a small four-sided pen, and it includes two extra connector rods to seal the pen closed. Users can even buy extension panels to create a larger gate or enclosure. Bone-shaped cutouts along the top give this gate a bit of charm and double as carrying handles when it’s time to move the gate around.

Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Materials: Wood
• Dimensions: 31.5 inches tall by up to 80 inches wide by 2 inches deep

Pros

• Attractive dark wood look
• Flexible configurations
• Carrying handle

Cons

• Includes only 2 support feet; is studier with 4

Get the Arf Pets dog gate at Amazon or Target.

Best For Stairs

Regalo Top of Stairs Baby Gate

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When it comes to a dog or baby gate for stairs, it’s important to find a very secure gate with no bottom lip that could be a tripping hazard. The Regalo Top of Stairs Baby Gate goes above and beyond this criteria. Suitable for either the top or bottom of stairs, this gate also has a main draw: installation flexibility.

The Regalo gate comes with a universal banister mount kit that should fit most stairways. The banister mount wraps around the stair banister, which negates the need for holes and screws. It also includes wall-mounting hardware for the other side. Made of sturdy metal, this gate is a durable choice.

This gate is expandable from 29 to 43 inches wide to cover even large staircases. Since it’s 30.5 inches tall, it’s suitable for most dogs. Like most stair gates, this one has a walk-through door with a locking latch to prevent it from opening unintentionally.

Product Specs

• Type: Hardware mounted
• Materials: Metal
• Dimensions: 30.5 inches tall by 29 to 43 inches wide by 1 inch deep

Pros

• Hardware mounted for better security
• Includes banister mount kit
• Good adjustable width range

Cons

• The latch can be finicky

Get the Regalo dog gate at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.

Best Foldable

Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Dog Gate With Door

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A freestanding foldable dog gate is ideal for homes that need only a temporary dog gate, like for when family and friends are over. The Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Dog Gate With Door is a practical and attractive choice, both for occasional and everyday use.

This dog gate is made from solid wood and finished in a rich walnut color. The four panels are joined by hinges that move in either direction to allow the gate to fold together or create flexible layouts. Since it’s relatively lightweight for a wooden gate, it’s also an easy one to move around or tuck away.

The gate measures 30 inches tall by 72 inches wide at its maximum span. To take advantage of the full width, shoppers may need to buy extra support feet (not included). Nonslip pads help keep the gate in place, but people can easily enter the walk-through door with its one-handed latching mechanism.

Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Materials: Wood
• Dimensions: 30 inches tall by up to 72 inches wide by 0.8 inches deep

Pros

• Solid wood construction
• One-handed latch operation
• Nonslip padding

Cons

• Support feet for extra stability are a separate purchase

Get the Primetime Petz dog gate at Amazon or Target.

Best For Small Dogs

Unipaws Freestanding Wooden Dog Gate

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Due to their size, small dogs generally need a less imposing gate. A sturdy freestanding gate like the Unipaws Freestanding Wooden Dog Gate is nearly always good enough to stop little dogs. This gate is made of wood, with three panels that together can reach up to 60 inches across. Since it measures 36 inches tall, there’s very little chance of small dogs scaling this gate. The design also doesn’t have any mesh, which prevents pups from climbing.

Support feet keep the gate in place even if small dogs choose to jump or scratch. The panels can fold either way, so users can configure the gate into a U- or Z-shape design. This gate is also foldable for storage. Narrow gaps between the gate spires ensure that small dogs and puppies can’t squeeze their way through.

Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Materials: Wood
• Dimensions: 36 inches tall by up to 60 inches wide by 0.71 inch deep

Pros

• Tall, mesh-free design prevents small dogs from scaling
• Narrow gaps
• Sturdy support feet

Cons

• Lacks walk-through door

Get the Unipaws dog gate at Amazon or Unipaws.

Best For Large Dogs

Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate With Door

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It can be tough to contain large dogs, but the Carlson Extra Tall Walk Through Pet Gate With Door is up to the task. This extra-tall dog gate stands 36 inches high and features a durable all-steel frame that is chew-proof and holds up to big dogs. To fit most doorways and halls, this gate expands to fit openings between 29 and 36.5 inches wide. The gate can be pressure mounted or hardware mounted (and includes the hardware for each option), depending on household needs.

This gate is designed to keep medium to large dogs in check while still letting others through. It has a walk-through design and a small lockable 8-inch-long by 8-inch-wide door for cats and little dogs to roam freely.

Product Specs

• Type: Pressure or hardware mounting
• Materials: Metal
• Dimensions: 36 inches tall by 29 to 36.5 inches wide

Pros

• Includes pressure or hardware mounting
• All-metal construction
• Good for multipet households

Cons

• Lacks a mechanism to keep small door open

Get the Carlson extra tall dog gate at Amazon or Chewy.

Best Retractable

EasyBaby Retractable Baby Gate