Baby gates come in different designs and types and not all of them can fit in small spaces or narrow doorways in the house. In respect of this, buying a versatile gate to provide maximum safety for your child becomes the most important thing to consider and the idea of retractable baby gate comes to mind. The importance of this baby gate is that it retracts – for this reason, it can completely be tucked away or some parts of it can be pulled back or in.

A retractable gate has a mechanism to fasten the lock of the barrier and to enable it fits well with the door frame. It doesn’t require a swing or threshold but provides convenient for children. They come in different colors and designs to suit everyone’s needs and the interior of homes. These types of baby gates are easy to use and have effective mechanism that makes them safe enough for every home.

In addition to its neat and flexible designs that will allow you to put them into a safe or convenient place when not in use, retractable baby gate can be used at the top or bottom of the stairs. Moreover, they’re built to last longer and more importantly, to provide maximum safety for every child in the house.

They are best for hallways or stairs and other spaces of not more than 50 inches wide. Though a retractable gate may not be the cheapest baby gate in the market but has proven to be reliable and durable – after all, they’re worth the price.

We are reviewing Top 10 Best Retractable Baby Gate

Gaterol Active Lite White – Retractable Safety Gate
Dreambaby Retractable Gate
Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate
Animals Favorite Pet Retractable Safety Gate
Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate
Evenflo Soft and Wide Gate
Lascal KiddyGuard Avant Retractable Baby Safety Gate
The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Banister-to-Banister – Retractable Fabric Safety Gate
The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Wall-to-Banister
Dreambaby – Retractable Gate with Spacer

How to select the best retractable baby gate?

 

There are many factors before buying retractable baby gate and it is versatile when it comes for small space. Retractable safety gate comes in two mounting type like hardware and pressure mount type. The retractable gate should be easy to use where you can manually rewind them as well as there are gates that rewinds automatically. Firstly, measure what is the actual requirement that works for narrow opening and it should also suit variety of width. secondly, choose the style where there are many models available with one handed operation and very robust. Thirdly it depends on safety, the few gates are certified and tested for use at the top and bottom of the stair that keeps your children in safe zone. The retractable gate has a simple childproof locking operation and it is JPMA certified. Finally, it depends on durability where it can be used for indoor and outdoor use as well as it should be strong and simple to install.

The retractable baby gate keeps your child in safe zone and it works well in any area. It is also light weight and the open/ close can be done in one hand operation. You can install the retractable safety gate in minutes and the mesh panel is flexible and strong. It can be used anywhere in the home including stairs and there various models available in the market. You can consider all these suggestion before buying a retractable baby gate.

Safety Feature

The retractable baby gate comes with child safety lock and it is JPMA certified. It also meets the safety standard and there is lock indicator in the gate. You can get the safety gate in wood and metal without any toxic material in the gate. Retractable baby gate is sturdy and has double locking feature. The gate also retracts out of the way for quick and easy pass through. There is also locking indicator in some of the safety gate which shows the sign whether it is opened or closed.

Can Be Installed at Top and Bottom of the Stairs

This gate can be installed at top of the stair as well as bottom of the stair to keep the little one safe from dangerous zone. The unit is sturdy with simple locking mechanism. Retractable safety gate for stairs is certified to use at the top and bottom of the stairs. You can also use the gate for hallways, and doorways or anywhere in the home.

Suitable for Indoor and Outdoor Use

The indoor safety gate keeps the child in a safe zone as well as keeps the pet at a particular area. All the indoor gate extends up to particular length there is no drilling required for installation. Whereas the outdoor baby gate is easy to use and can be installed at any angle and it is weather resistant. Most of the outdoor retractable baby gate is UV treated mesh to prevent from fading sun and it lasts long without any issues. The outdoor retractable gate is light weight and it can be taken anywhere for usage.

Retractable Baby Gates Comparison

Gaterol Active Lite White – Retractable Safety Gate

It is 36.6″ taller and also fits narrow and wide opening from 18″ to 55″. You can install at top and bottom of stairways like doorways, patios, hallways, indoor and outdoor use. There is also no threshold when opens risk of tripping has been installed. It comes with two sets of mounting bracket allowing the alternate usage at two different location which keeps the child and pet safe. The baby gate can operated with one hand or it can be rolled up with minimal space requirement. There is no metal bars which prevents injuries and a warning sound will alert you if the gate opens unintentionally. This safety gate mechanism is very simple and works at any angle. Even the mesh is scratch resistant and it is ideal for children from crawling period to 24 months where child’s finger cannot be jammed or pinched.

Downside

This gate is difficult to open and close as well as does not have the lock to secure. Sometimes you don’t get exact fit and it is loud when it rolls back in.

Dreambaby Retractable Gate

The dreambaby retractable gate is easy to install which can be used for indoor and outdoor purpose. It comes with material type of metal and plastic with two sets of hardware for mounting in two location. This baby gate fits narrow to wider opening up to 140 cm and it light weight, sturdy and durable mesh. It is a hardware mount gate that have ability to mount it to a wall and not the underside of the cabinet. You can also open the gate with one hand and turn the knob to unlock and to unlatch the gate. Safety gate comes with a one handed operation and has double locking feature where you must press the button down and turn to unlock the gate. It is ideal for top and bottom of the stairways, hallways and more. You can also get spacer kit which is used build up wall areas to the equivalent of baseboard or skirting board.

Downside

It is difficult to close the screen gate and very difficult to install. The materials are thin and not very strong or durable. This product makes a loud noise when it opens and retracts.

Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate

Use the best Retract-A-Gate safety gate with 52″ wide and it is certified for use at the top and bottom of the stairs. This mesh is scratch resistant and it can be used for cats and dog. You can do one hand operation when opening and closing and the material is tough, washable and see through fabric that has child proof lock that prevents it from opening. It also has the ability to quickly and easily relocate with an additional wall bracket kit. This baby gate retracts automatically with no manual winding required and you can also purchase spacer separately that allows installation over baseboard. safety gate can be connected to an angle where you will attach it to one side of the opening and then angle towards the other side. This gate can be used in outdoor and it is certified by JPMA.

Downside

The mesh is not that good and pets go under it even in locked position.

Animals Favorite Pet Retractable Safety Gate

Get the Animals Favorite Pet Retractable Safety Gate, Indoor and Outdoor Protection (Safety Gate) which is easy to use and assemble. It is the best pet safety enclosure for doorways, between walls, or stairwells, indoors and outdoors. The safety gate comes with size of 45.3″ W x 32.5″ H and has unique woven barrier that easily extracts to fully or partially for pass through. The material extends to any opening up to 45″ inches. The barrier design allows great functionality by not ruining your interior design. This gate is exclusively used as a barrier for pet and small dogs may escape easily if it not installed properly.

Downside

It is difficult to open and it does not retract after 3 or 4 uses. This product is noisy and it does not latch properly.

Evenflo Expansion Walk Thru Room Divider Gate

It is a combination of plastic and wood that has four point hardware mounting that makes installation a cinch and the gate swings in both the direction. It comes with telescoping safety rail that prevents from pinching and the gate freely retracts which allows fro easy maneuverability in tight spaces. The safety gate accommodates a wide range of opening from 24″ to 60″ as well as the hardware mount is easy to use and installs in minutes. You can use it for high traffic areas and the gate opens in both the direction. The latch easily works in one hand and special telescoping safety rail keeps fingers safe from pinching during the expand and contracts during use. This product is best for pets and you can the gate in an angle.

Downside

It has loose overall supports and it is poorly built.

Evenflo Soft and Wide Gate

It is a extra wide that fits variety of opening and no tools are required for the installation. The gate is constructed of metal and cloth with non-marring rubber bumper that helps to prevent damage to damage to your floor. This safety baby gate is 27″ inches tall and expands to 38″ to 60″ inches wide. It comes with extra fit for variety of opening and it is machine washable. You can get a custom fit and the product is not for top of the stair. This gate is light weight and portable and it can be used for regular size door. You can use it in doorways, hallways, bottom of stairs, kitchens, laundry rooms, bedrooms and playroom. This is a ideal portable gate and it can be used for pet that depends according to the size.

Downside
It is very unstable and the tension bar becomes after 2 to 3 months.

Lascal KiddyGuard Avant Retractable Baby Safety Gate

Lascal KiddyGuard Avant is fully retractable which disappears when not in use and leaves no trip hazard. It is of swedish design with elegant brushed aluminum housing and comes with a high quality mesh panel. There is unique timing system that gives one handed operation easier than ever and it is also safe to use at the top of stairs. The installation is easy and has opening up to 48 inch where some of the installation require kiddyguard installation kits. This safety gate meets or surpasses the ASTM as administered by the JMPA. When you want to mount the gate where there is decorative trim or where there is wall on one side and banister in the other side. The gate height is of 32″ inch and there is red indicator which warns when the gate is unlocked. During the installation on baseboard, there is often a baseboard where you need to install your Avant and mount the housing or locking strip there is baseboard and you need a wall installation kit.

Downside

It is difficult to open with one hand and it does not install properly. The height of the gate conflicted with the hand rail and the gate is little difficult to unlatch.

The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Banister-to-Banister – Retractable Fabric Safety Gate

Stair Barrier is easy to install with no drilling and assembly required. It rolls to the side when not in use and it is a reliable safety gate with internal plastic structs and heavy duty webbing prevent the stair barrier from being pulled down or lifted up. The stair barrier attach to any banister type and has easy to use strap and buckle system that attaches to any shape of banister. This safety can be used for indoor and outdoor with water resistant and the stair barrier installs on an angle. It is mainly designed for bottom of the stair and meet the general and performance requirement. There is various installation method and has regular fit opening of 36″ to 42″ and wide fit opening from 43″ to 52″ inch. The product is made with high quality class 1 upholstery grade fabric with heavy duty polypropylene webbing, dual sided release buckles and internal rigid plastic struts.

Downside

It requires banister or spindle for a specific size and you can cut the fabric with sharp toy or material.

The Stair Barrier Baby and Pet Gate – Wall-to-Banister

Stair barrier retractable fabric safety gate wide and regular size where you can do easy installation and there is some drilling required. It is designed for bottom of the stair and fits opening from 36″ to 43″ and the other feature is that it easily rolls to the side and out of the way when you don’t need it. The product is available in two sizes with all stair barrier are 32″ inch tall and it is a useful safety gate for baby, toddler as well as pets. This stair barrier can work with any banister type and has a easy to use strap and buckle system that attaches to any type of banister. Each stair barrier is made with Repreve keeps 34 plastic water bottles out of landfills. The product is made in USA with quality US sourced material and it is ideal for indoor and outdoor use. It keeps your child and pet safe leaving peace of mind.

Downside

It is not completely retractable and you have to literally roll it up. While holding the child it is difficult to open and close the gate.

Dreambaby – Retractable Gate with Spacer

Get the retractable gate with spacer from Dreambaby that can be used in indoor and outdoor as it comes with UV treated durable mesh to keep away from fading sun. It is space efficient and retracts out of the way when not in use and comes with one handed opening system. This safety gate protects your child from dangerous areas and fits narrow to wider opening up to 140 cm. It is hardware mounted and comes with two sets of mounting brackets for easy use in more than one place. It also be unclipped from one set of bracket and easily relocated to other set of bracket. This product is easy to install and there is no tools required during installation. It also has quick grab feature of the locking mechanism and also move it forward motion that is very consistent. This retractable mesh gate is safer than metal gate and spacer are required for any door or area with baseboard.

Downside

There is a slight difficulty when you open and close the gate as well as it makes loud noise when it retracts.

Conclusion

The retractable bay gate is easy to use and it is the best way to secure your child as well as to keep the pet at particular place. It is not so durable like the steel gate where retractable gate is light weight and it is certified by JPMA.