Sometimes an average height baby gate just isn’t going to cut it.
Do you have a climber on your hands? In that situation, you are a prime candidate for a niche product...an extra tall baby gate!
An average baby gate is usually around 30” - 32” high, but an extra tall gate might be anywhere from 36” to 41” tall!
All those extra inches add up to a whole lot more protection and provide an extra measure of safety that you just can’t expect from a shorter gate.
Disclaimer:
All Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates have potential safety and usage issues that you need to be aware of to reduce risk of failure, accident, or damage:
- Gate could fall, or be pushed over, if not inspected and tightened regularly
- Pressure-mounted gates should never be used at the top of stairs
- There is a metal bar along the floor that could be tripped over
- Pressure-mounted gatess could damage wall/drywall if tightened and left in place too long
- Gate may be difficult to assemble/disassemble or not be easy to move between locations, so should not be considered extremely portable
Curious which extra tall baby gates made the cut for our list of the best? Keep reading to find out our favorites!
Our Pick
Dreambaby Chelsea Extra Tall Auto Close Gate
Loved for its auto-close feature, this pressure-mounted gate also can be opened with one hand and locked open if needed.
Installation is a breeze and the fact that it is extra-tall at 41” high makes it a favorite in this category.
Runner-up:
Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall and Wide Baby Gate
I love that this gate is not only somewhat tall, but also quite wide! It’s a great option when you need “the best of both worlds.
Plus, it is super easy to install and has a special “indicator” to help you know when it is perfectly in place!
In this article:
Things to Consider Before Buying Extra Tall Baby Safety Gates
The first thing you want to do is ask yourself why you need an extra-tall gate?
Do you have a toddler that keeps climbing over your short one?
When you are choosing a baby gate that needs to be taller than average, please keep in mind that not only do you need to compare the various available heights, but many other factors that might be important to you.
Information such as the width of the door in the gate becomes critical, because there is no way that you are going to step over one of these! Also, does the door swing both ways, close automatically, or have a lock-open option or not?
A few other things you will want to consider iares how it is mounted and whether the latch mechanism is easy to use.
When dealing with an extra-tall gate, it may already seem cumbersome because of the height factor, but if the gate is well-built, solid, attractive, and easy to use, then it will become a great asset to your space. There is just nothing quite like a product that fills a real, practical need with grace and dignity!
Here are The Best Extra Tall Baby Gates of 2021
In order to bring you the best all-around options for an extra tall baby gate, I looked over multiple products that are on the market and selected the seven best extra- tall baby gates based on features, ratings, reviews, and price.
These are all pressure-mounted gates, so they are somewhat easily moved or removed, when necessary, but some also have optional permanent hardware mounts.
Though all of these are great solutions, there are two in particular that stand a little above the rest.
The Best Extra Tall Baby Gate
Loved for its auto-close feature, this pressure-mounted gate also can be opened with one hand and locked open if needed.
Installation is a breeze and the fact that it is extra-tall at 39.4" high make it a favorite in this category.
Height: 39.4”
Fits: openings 28-32”
Note: Optional extensions for openings up to 188”
This white 39.4” high baby gate is made of durable steel bars that are spaced 2.5 inches apart. Though it is a pressure-mounted gate, it comes with additional hardware to securely attach it to your door frame.
It features aan 18.5” wide walk-thru door that swings both ways and automatically closes and latches. It also has a Smart Stay-Open feature for when you don’t want it closed.
It has a double-locking feature with a one-handed latch. To operate it, there is a button that you slide open and then you can lift the gate out of the bottom lock.
One of the best things about this gate is that extensions can be purchased that make this gate able to span an opening up to 188 inches.
PROS:
- Automatically closes and latches
- Stay-open feature
- Bi-directional walk-thru door
- Extensions pieces are available to make the gate as wide as 188 inches
CONS:
- Has a trip bar along the floor
- May be somewhat difficult to open due to the double-locking feature
- Fairly expensive
The Bottom Line
This slightly-arched gate is a popular one that has received very high ratings. It has so many great features and most consumers have reported that it is sturdy and strong and that they are very happy with it. Except for being a bit awkward to open, we like this gate and highly recommend it.
Why we chose this gate as the runner-up:
I love that this gate is not only somewhat tall, but also quite wide! It’s a great option when you need “the best of both worlds".
Plus, it is super easy to install and has a special “indicator” to help you know when it is perfectly in place!
Height: 36”
Fits: openings 29-47”
This SecureTech pressure-mounted gate lets you know when it is properly installed with the Pressure Check Indicator.
Though not the tallest gate, it definitely has a great balance of both tall AND wide.
This SecureTech pressure-mounted gate lets you know when it is properly installed with the Pressure Check Indicator. Though not the tallest gate, it definitely has a great balance of both tall AND wide.
The walk-thru gate is 21.5” wide, so it is very comfortable for passing through. It has a stay-open feature, so it only closes when you want it to. Plus the door is bi-directional, so it is simple to pass through from either way.
The two-action handle that can be opened with one hand and is impossible for little kids to maneuver.
PROS:
- Easy and fast to install
- Bi-directional door
- One-handed operation
- Stay-open feature
- Extra-wide
CONS:
- Does not automatically close
- Not extremely tall
- May be difficult to open
- Has a trip bar along floor
The Bottom Line:
If you need a tall gate that isn’t “extremely” tall, but also need a wide gate, then this is a great option! It doesn’t have all the bells & whistles, but it looks great with its white finish and is known for being extremely simple to install due to the red/green indicator that tells you when it is just right where it is supposed to be.
If you love the regular Safety 1st Tall & Wide Baby Gate, but want something a bit more classy-looking, then here is your answer!
Though it is a pressure-mounted gate, it does come with optional permanent-mount hardware.
It will stay open unless you shut it with the simple “push-to-close” feature and has a 22” wide walk-thru bi-directional door with an optional door stop.
Please measure your doorway and compare it to the infographic photo on the listing to see which combination of included or optional extensions will be necessary to fit your opening.
PROS:
- Made of heavy-duty steel
- One-handed latch operation
- Stay open feature
- Wide walk-through door
- Bi-directional door with optional stop
- Spans a wide gap
CONS:
- Does not close automatically
- Instructions for install can be tricky
- To reach widest span possible, must purchase additional extension
- Quite pricey
- Bar along floor, which could be a trip hazard
The Bottom Line:
Though not the tallest gate around, it makes up for it by spanning a wide opening! Overall, this gate is very functional and could be quite useful for a lot of consumers because it is extra-wide. I like that it can be permanently installed and comes with that wide walk-through door! The bronze color seems rather brown to me, but it is a nice-looking gate.
A good solid gate that has a 17” walk-thru door, this is one of my top picks even though it is definitely not the tallest.
It is affordable and attractive and sturdy. If it were a little taller, it would be my favorite.
Some reviewers do not like the bar that runs along the floor, but that is fairly standard for any gate with a walk-thru door. I like that it has an auto-close feature and a dual-locking system.
PROS:
- Cost-Effective
- Beautiful design
- One-handed latch mechanism with dual-locking system
- Automatic closing feature
CONS:
- Bar along floor, which could be a trip hazard
- Door opening width is only 17"
- Not really extra- tall all the way across
- Fairly expensive
The Bottom Line:
It is not my favorite in this particular category only because it really isn’t “that tall” when you consider that the 36” that is stated is only at the highest middle portion of the gate, but it shines in terms of features, design, and usability. If you truly need a tall gate all the way across, I would look at the other options.
It can be permanently-mounted or pressure-mounted and comes with 2 extra 4-inch extensions so that you can adjust for the perfect fit.
The extra-wide (20”) walk-thru door opening is great for giving you lots of room to pass through, plus it has both auto-close and stay-open features that make this door even that much better. Also, the door portion can open in either direction.
Please Note: This gate will appear off-center (crooked) until is fully and properly installed. See instructions.
PROS:
- Extra-Tall AND Extra-Wide
- Can by permanently-mounted or pressure-mounted
- Comes with extra extensions
- Extra-wide walk-thru door
- Auto-close feature
- Stay-open feature
- Bi-directional door
- Lock is not easy for children to figure out
CONS:
- Latch may be difficult to open for some due to the two-part motion (pull and lift)
- May not fit every opening within the advertised range
- Has a trip bar along floor
The Bottom Line:
Overall, this is an excellent gate with fantastic ratings and reviews. We love that it is not only extra-tall, but also extra-wide, making it extra-useful for a lot of families who need both! Plus, it is stylish and has lots of features that make it an all-around great gate!
It definitely rates well in terms of sturdiness and ease of use. It fits spaces between 28" to 38.5" wide, but stands only 36”, which makes it not in the running for the tallest gate. The auto-closing door is 17” wide, which is not considered a lot of space, but it gets the job done.
The triple-locking latching mechanism and one-handed operation are two of its greatest features, with a push-to-close operation. Plus, it has a stay open feature, which comes in super handy as well!
PROS:
- Sleek look
- One-handed latch mechanism
- Very sturdy
- Stay-open feature
CONS:
- 17-inch walk-thru door is rather narrow
- Has trip bar along floor
- Quite expensive
The Bottom Line:
Overall, I really like this gate. It has multiple nice features and looks great, too. It has received a lot of great reviews and doesn’t seem to have any obvious flaws. It is not an extremely tall gate and the walk-thru door is a bit narrow, but those are the only real drawbacks.
The narrow walk-thru door (16 inches) swings in one direction. It has a safety lock feature that requires you to pull back on a lever to release the handle. For this reason, even though it is considered operable with one hand, it may be easier to do with two hands.
Be aware that it will have a gap at the handle and will appear bent before installation. These are not defects and will be eliminated once you have it fully installed with the pressure-mounted spindle rod mounts fully extended into position.
PROS:
- Cost-effective
- Very tall gate at 41 inches high
- Lightweight and portable
CONS:
- Swings open in one direction only
- Fairly narrow door
- Not an extremely sturdy gate
The Bottom Line:
Though it isn’t known as the sturdiest tall gate available, it is still a very decent gate at a rock-bottom price! If you want a good deal on a basic model that has the height you are looking for, you will find it in this gate.
Products Comparison Table
Products | OUR PICK: Dreambaby Chelsea Extra Tall Auto Close Gate | RUNNER UP: Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall and Wide Baby Gate | Safety 1st Décor Easy Install Tall & Wide Baby Gate | Munchkin Easy Close XL Metal Baby Gate | Summer Infant Multi-Use Deco Extra Tall | Summer Extra Tall & Wide Safety Baby Gate | Toddleroo by North States 38.5” Wide Extra Tall Easy Close Baby Gate | Regalo Easy Step Extra Tall Walk Thru Gate |
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Image | ||||||||
Check on Amazon | ||||||||
Instructions manuals | - | - | - | |||||
Height | 39.4" | 36" | 36" | 36" | 36" | 38" | 36" | 41" |
Fits | 28" - 32" | 29" - 47" | 29" - 47" | 29.5" - 51.6" | 28.5-48” | 29.5" - 53" | 28" to 38.5" | 29.5 - 51.6" |
Door Opening | Approximately 19.5" wide | 21.5" Wide | 21.5" | 22" | 18.5" | 19" | 17" | 16" |
Extensions | extended up to 188” Using extension - Sold separately | No Extension | No Extension | Up To 54” if you purchase an additional extension | No extensions | Includes 3 extension frames | Includes 2 Extension | Includes 4 Extension |
Available Colors | White and Black | White | Dark Brown | Bronze & Beige | Black, Grey and White | Grey | Bronze & White | White |
Item Weight | 11.9 pounds | 15.25 pounds | 6.25 pounds | 10.3 pounds | 9.53 pounds | 10.4 pounds | 6.6 pounds | 22 Pounds |
Certified | JPMA | JPMA & ASTM | - | - | - | - | JPMA & ASTM | JPMA & ASTM |
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Tall Should Baby Gates Be and How About Extra Tall?
A baby gate needs to be a minimum of 26-28 inches tall for small children, but most toddlers need an average of 30-34 inches to securely contain them inside. If your child is especially tall or is more inclined to climb, that is when we recommend an extra-tall gate that is a minimum of 36 inches high. The taller your gate, the more success you will have at keeping a larger child secure, so if necessary, look for a gate that is between 38-41 inches, if necessary.
What is The Tallest Baby Gates on The Market?
The tallest gates that we have found range from 38-41 inches. On a few baby gates, these measurements include the top of an arched doorway, but generally, we are most interested in reporting the measurement that indicates the top rail, which most accurately portrays the protection that the gate offers.
Final Words
Whether you need a slightly taller gate or a REALLY tall gate, you now know what the market has to offer.
So remember, our top pick for the best extra-tall baby gate is the:
Dreambaby Chelsea Extra Tall Auto Close Gate
and our runner up choice is the:
Safety 1st Easy Install Extra Tall and Wide Baby Gate
Armed with all this great information, you should be able to find the perfect gate to deal with those great climbers that like to monkey around and go places you want to keep them out of!
Happy Baby-Gate Shopping!
Reference:
https://parent.guide/baby-gates/
Thank you!