Updated November 2026 路 Research-based guide 路 We may earn a commission from links on this page.
The best dog gates for stairs do one boring job very well: they stay put. A puppy tumbling down a flight of steps, a senior dog with weak hips trying the stairs at night, or a determined escape artist heading for the upstairs bedrooms are all reasons people shop for a stair gate. The wrong gate, though, can become a hazard of its own, especially at the top of a staircase.
That is why “best” depends on where the gate goes. Gate makers and safety brands agree that the top of the stairs needs a hardware-mounted gate that screws into the wall and never swings out over the steps. The bottom of the stairs is more forgiving, so pressure-mounted, extra-tall and extra-wide gates can work there. We sorted our picks with that split in mind.
Top picks at a glance
Best for the top of the stairs
North States MyPet Wide ClearPath Staircase & Hallway Gate
Hardware-mounted, threshold-free and sold for top-of-stairs use.
Best for angled walls and banisters
Cardinal Gates Stairway Special
Mounts at up to 30 degrees for awkward stair openings.
Best retractable gate
Retract-A-Gate Retractable Safety Gate
Rolls out of the way and is certified for top and bottom of stairs.
Best for wide openings (bottom of stairs)
Cardinal Gates XpandaGate EX100
Steel gate for very wide openings at the bottom of the stairs.
Best for jumpers (bottom of stairs)
Carlson Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate with Pet Door
36 inches tall with a cat door, for the bottom step.
Best budget pick (bottom of stairs)
Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate
Simple, affordable walk-through gate for calm dogs.
Best for the top of the stairs
1. North States MyPet Wide ClearPath Staircase & Hallway Gate
This is the gate we would point most people to first. North States sells it specifically as a hardware-mounted gate for the top of the stairs, hallways and doorways. It adjusts to fit openings from about 28.7 to 47.9 inches wide and stands 31 inches tall. There is no bottom bar to trip over, and a swing-control setting lets you choose which direction the door opens so it can be kept from swinging out over the stairs. The latch works with one hand, which matters when you are carrying laundry or a puppy.
- Good: Built for top-of-stairs use, no threshold to trip on, one-hand latch, adjustable swing direction, wide size range.
- Watch out: It does not close by itself, so you have to shut it every time. North States says it should be screwed into solid wood such as a stud rather than relying on wall anchors.
- Skip it if: You rent and cannot drill into the walls, or your dog can clear a 31-inch gate.
Best for angled walls and banisters
2. Cardinal Gates Stairway Special
Stairs are rarely a neat rectangle. The Stairway Special is a wall-mounted swing gate from Cardinal Gates that can be installed at angles up to 30 degrees, which helps when one side of the opening is a wall and the other is a newel post or an offset banister. The aluminum version fits openings from 27 to 42.5 inches and the wood version from 29 to 49.5 inches, both 29.5 inches tall with bars 2.5 inches apart. An optional one-way stop bracket keeps the gate from opening over the stairs, and the latch is designed for one-hand adult use. It is JPMA certified.
- Good: Handles angled installs, aluminum or wood finishes, optional one-way stop, extensions available for the aluminum model.
- Watch out: Banister clamps are sold separately, and you may need the drywall anchor kit if there is no stud where you need one. At 29.5 inches, it is on the shorter side for big jumpers.
Best retractable gate
3. Retract-A-Gate Retractable Safety Gate
A retractable mesh gate rolls away into a slim housing when you do not need it, so there is no swinging door and nothing left across the landing. Retract-A-Gate comes in 52-inch and 72-inch wide versions that stand 34 inches tall, and it is listed as JPMA certified for use at both the top and bottom of stairs. It suits homes where the gate is only closed at certain times, such as overnight or when guests visit, and where a swing gate would block a narrow hallway.
- Good: Disappears when open, wide openings covered, tall enough for many medium dogs, certified for top and bottom stair use.
- Watch out: Wall anchors and spacers are not included. Mesh is softer than steel, so a large or pushy dog may climb or lean on it.
- Skip it if: Your dog chews fabric or treats barriers as a challenge.
Best for wide openings (bottom of stairs)
4. Cardinal Gates XpandaGate EX100
Open floor plans often put the bottom of the stairs in a wide gap rather than a neat doorway. The XpandaGate is an all-steel, hardware-mounted gate that Cardinal lists for openings up to 90.5 inches wide, with a 23-inch walk-through door and a push-button latch that opens in both directions. Height is 29.5 inches. Cardinal is clear that this one is not recommended for the top of the stairs, because the gate bumper creates a hazard there, so think of it as a bottom-of-stairs and open-space gate.
- Good: Covers very wide openings, sturdy powder-coated steel, wide walk-through door, one-hand latch.
- Watch out: Not for the top of stairs. It is one of the pricier options on this list, and 29.5 inches will not stop a strong jumper.
- Skip it if: You need a gate for the upper landing.
Best for jumpers (bottom of stairs)
5. Carlson Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate with Pet Door
If your dog treats a 30-inch gate like a hurdle, height becomes the priority. This Carlson model is 36 inches tall and fits openings from 29 to 36.5 inches, with an extension kit for slightly wider spaces. A small pet door lets a cat slip through while the dog stays on the other side, which is handy for keeping litter boxes or cat food upstairs. Carlson’s walk-through gates are generally pressure-style designs, so use this one at the bottom of the stairs and check the instructions in the box before you install it.
- Good: Extra height for jumpers, small pet door for cats, walk-through door for people.
- Watch out: Pressure-style gates can loosen over time and need re-tightening. The fit range is narrower than the hardware-mounted picks.
- Skip it if: You need a gate for the top of the stairs.
Best budget pick (bottom of stairs)
6. Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate
For a calm small or medium dog and a standard opening at the bottom of the stairs, a simple walk-through gate from Regalo is often enough. The Easy Step Extra Wide fits roughly 29 to 38.5 inches, stands 30 inches tall and is listed as meeting JPMA and ASTM standards, with an extension kit for a bit more width. It is one of the more affordable ways to block off the stairs without drilling.
- Good: Budget friendly, quick to install, walk-through door, widely available.
- Watch out: Not meant for dogs that jump, and like any pressure-style gate it is not a top-of-stairs gate.
- Skip it if: Your dog is large, strong or a known jumper.
Compare the picks side by side
| Pick | Best for | Why it stands out | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| North States MyPet Wide ClearPath Staircase & Hallway Gate | Best for the top of the stairs | Hardware-mounted, threshold-free and sold for top-of-stairs use. | It does not close by itself, so you have to shut it every time. North States says it should be screwed into solid wood such as a stud rather than relying on wall anchors. |
| Cardinal Gates Stairway Special | Best for angled walls and banisters | Mounts at up to 30 degrees for awkward stair openings. | Banister clamps are sold separately, and you may need the drywall anchor kit if there is no stud where you need one. At 29.5 inches, it is on the shorter side for big jumpers. |
| Retract-A-Gate Retractable Safety Gate | Best retractable gate | Rolls out of the way and is certified for top and bottom of stairs. | Wall anchors and spacers are not included. Mesh is softer than steel, so a large or pushy dog may climb or lean on it. |
| Cardinal Gates XpandaGate EX100 | Best for wide openings (bottom of stairs) | Steel gate for very wide openings at the bottom of the stairs. | Not for the top of stairs. It is one of the pricier options on this list, and 29.5 inches will not stop a strong jumper. |
| Carlson Extra Tall Walk-Thru Gate with Pet Door | Best for jumpers (bottom of stairs) | 36 inches tall with a cat door, for the bottom step. | Pressure-style gates can loosen over time and need re-tightening. The fit range is narrower than the hardware-mounted picks. |
| Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate | Best budget pick (bottom of stairs) | Simple, affordable walk-through gate for calm dogs. | Not meant for dogs that jump, and like any pressure-style gate it is not a top-of-stairs gate. |
Which dog gate for stairs fits your home?
A puppy and an open upper landing
Go hardware-mounted at the top. The North States ClearPath or the Cardinal Stairway Special keep a curious puppy off the steps without a bottom bar to trip over.
A banister instead of two flat walls
Look for angle mounting and banister clamps. The Cardinal Stairway Special can mount at up to 30 degrees, and add-on banister kits avoid drilling into the railing.
A senior dog who should not climb at night
Block the bottom of the stairs so they cannot start the climb. A walk-through gate like the Regalo Easy Step or the Carlson Extra Tall is easy for you to pass through.
A dog that jumps everything
Height matters most. The 36-inch Carlson Extra Tall is the tallest of our bottom-of-stairs picks; for the top of the stairs, choose a hardware-mounted gate and supervise until you know your dog respects it.
A wide, open-plan staircase
The Cardinal XpandaGate covers very wide openings at the bottom. For a wide upper landing, the retractable Retract-A-Gate is certified for top-of-stairs use.
Cats and dogs in the same house
A gate with a small pet door, like the Carlson Extra Tall, lets the cat move freely while the dog stays put. Make sure your dog is too big to fit through the small door.
How to choose a dog gate for stairs
Top or bottom of the stairs
This is the deciding question. North States and Safety 1st both say hardware-mounted gates are the right choice for the top of the stairs, and that pressure-mounted gates should not be used there because they can loosen or be pushed out. At the bottom, pressure-mounted gates are a common, renter-friendly option.
Hardware vs pressure mounting
Hardware-mounted gates screw into the wall or a stud and are the most secure. Pressure-mounted gates wedge between two surfaces with tension, install without tools and leave fewer marks, but the pressure can drop over time, so check and re-tighten them regularly. Never screw a hardware gate into drywall alone; find a stud or use the maker’s recommended anchor kit.
Swing direction and threshold
At the top of the stairs, the gate should swing toward the landing and never out over the steps. Look for a one-way stop or swing-control feature. A gate with no bottom bar removes a trip hazard right where a fall would hurt most.
Height and your dog’s jumping ability
Most stair gates are around 29 to 31 inches tall, which works for many small and medium dogs. If your dog is athletic or large, look at a 36-inch model for the bottom of the stairs and supervise a new gate until you know your dog will not try to climb it.
Measure the opening carefully
Measure the narrowest and widest points where the gate will sit, including baseboards and banisters. Gates list a fit range, and extension kits can add a few inches. If your opening falls between walls and a newel post, check whether the gate supports angle mounting.
Check for safety certification and recalls
Look for gates that state JPMA certification or compliance with ASTM standards for gates and enclosures. Several cheap gates sold online have been recalled by the CPSC for entrapment and fall hazards, so check cpsc.gov before buying an unfamiliar brand, especially if children also live in the home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a pressure-mounted gate at the top of the stairs?
Gate makers and safety brands say no. Pressure-mounted gates can loosen or be pushed out, and a gate that gives way at the top of a staircase can cause a fall. Use a hardware-mounted gate that swings only toward the landing.
How do I install a stair gate on a banister without drilling it?
Many brands sell banister kits or clamps that wrap around the post so the gate hardware screws into the kit instead of the railing. Check that the kit is made for your gate model and follow the maker’s instructions.
How tall should a dog gate for stairs be?
For most small and medium dogs, a gate around 30 inches tall is a reasonable starting point. Large or athletic dogs may need a 36-inch gate. If your dog has ever cleared a baby gate, go taller and supervise at first.
Are baby gates safe for dogs?
Some gates are marketed for both babies and pets, but the two are not interchangeable: the CPSC advises never using a gate sold for pets as a child safety gate, so if you also need to block a toddler, choose a gate certified for children. For your dog, the key checks are: correct mount type for the location, a secure latch, and a size and height that suit your dog.
Should I gate the top or the bottom of the stairs?
Often both. A gate at the top keeps a dog from falling down the steps from upstairs rooms, and a gate at the bottom stops them from starting the climb. For a senior dog or a dog recovering from surgery, ask your vet about stair restrictions; this guide is not veterinary advice.
How we chose
This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on test. We compared manufacturer product pages (North States, Cardinal Gates), installation and safety guidance from North States and Safety 1st, current pet-gate roundups, and CPSC recall notices for gates sold online. We prioritized gates whose makers clearly state the mount type and where the gate can be used, and we only listed specs we could find in those sources. Always follow the instructions that come with your gate. Read our full editorial policy.
Sources and further reading
- Childproofing Your Home (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission): CPSC safety guide stating that only gates that screw into the wall should be used at the top of stairs.
- Child Safety Gates Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Fall Hazards (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission): May 2025 recall notice (No. 25-286) for gates sold online that failed the federal gate standard, creating entrapment and fall risks.
- Stairway Special Safety Gate (Model SS-30) (Cardinal Gates): Manufacturer page listing the gate’s JPMA certification, angled mounting up to 30 degrees and one-way stop bracket for stairs.
