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A good dog gate lets you keep a puppy out of the kitchen, stop a senior dog tackling the stairs, or give the cat a dog-free zone, without shutting doors all day. The best gates are easy for you to walk through, hard for your dog to jump or push, and the right width and mounting type for where you need them. We compared four popular gates on Amazon using manufacturer specs and owner reviews. The best dog gate for you depends on the width of the opening, your dog’s size and whether it’s for stairs.
Best Dog Gates Compared
| Gate | Best For | Width | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Through | Best overall, standard doorways | 29–36.5 in | Pressure (wall cups included on some kits) |
| Carlson 36″ Extra Tall Walk-Through | Jumpers and large dogs | 29.5–36.5 in | Pressure |
| Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide | Wide openings | 29–49 in | Pressure |
| Carlson Freestanding Pet Gate | Open-plan spaces, renters | 40–70 in | No mounting |
1. Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate — Best Overall
Carlson is one of the best-known pet gate brands, and this metal walk-through gate is its everyday workhorse. It fits openings from about 29 to 36.5 inches, has a full-size door you can open one-handed, and includes a small pet door so a cat or small dog can pass through while larger dogs stay out. It installs with pressure, so there’s no drilling for most doorways.
- Walk-through door, one-handed operation
- Small pet door for cats or small dogs
- Pressure mounted, no drilling needed
- Sturdy metal construction
Worth knowing: pressure-mounted gates must not be used at the top of stairs. Also, a small pet door is only useful if your larger dog can’t squeeze through it.
2. Carlson 36″ Extra Tall Walk-Through Gate — Best for Jumpers
Standard gates are around 30 inches tall, which many medium and large dogs can clear with ease. This Carlson model stands 36 inches tall, which stops most jumpers and climbers, and keeps the walk-through door and small pet door of the standard version. It fits openings from 29.5 to 36.5 inches.
- 36 inches tall to stop jumpers
- Walk-through door and small pet door
- Fits standard doorways
- Metal frame
Worth knowing: a taller gate means a higher step-over bar at the bottom of the frame, which can be a trip hazard. Watch your footing, especially carrying laundry or in the dark.
3. Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide Gate — Best for Wide Openings
Wide hallways and open doorways need a wider gate than most. This Regalo gate adjusts from 29 up to 49 inches with included extensions and still offers a walk-through door. It’s marketed as a baby gate but is widely used for pets.
- Fits openings up to 49 inches
- Walk-through door
- Pressure mounted with included extensions
- Good value for wide spaces
Worth knowing: the wider a pressure gate gets, the easier it is for a strong dog to push. For big, pushy dogs, use the wall cups for extra security.
4. Carlson Freestanding Pet Gate — Best Freestanding
In open-plan homes, there’s often no doorway to mount a gate in. A freestanding gate uses hinged panels that fold into a zigzag and stand on their own, so you can block off a section of a room or the base of the stairs without any hardware. This Carlson model stands 28 inches tall and adjusts from 40 to 70 inches wide. It’s a favorite of renters.
- No mounting or drilling
- Folds for storage and moving
- Works in open-plan spaces
- Quick to set up
Worth knowing: freestanding gates are for calm dogs and small puppies. A determined or large dog can push or knock one over, and they must never be used at the top of stairs.
How We Chose These Gates
We compared height, width range, mounting method, door design and pet-door options, and checked owner reviews for gates that loosened, dogs that learned to push or jump them, and doors that were hard to open. We included one pick for each common problem: a standard doorway, a jumper, a wide opening and an open-plan space.
Pressure-Mounted vs Hardware-Mounted Gates
| Pressure-Mounted | Hardware-Mounted | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Tension against the walls, no drilling | Screws into the wall or banister |
| Moving it | Easy to move between rooms | Stays in one place |
| Security | Good for doorways and bottom of stairs | Strongest option |
| Top of stairs | Not safe | The only safe choice |
| Floor bar | Usually has a bar at the bottom | Often no bar, less trip hazard |
The most important rule: only use a hardware-mounted gate at the top of stairs. A pressure gate can be pushed out and fall, taking your dog, or you, down the stairs with it.
How to Measure for a Dog Gate
- Measure the narrowest point of the opening, from wall to wall or wall to banister.
- Check the height of any baseboards or trim where the gate will press, as they can change the fit.
- Note obstacles like door frames, radiators or angled banisters, which may need a mounting kit.
- Choose a gate whose width range covers your measurement without maxing out its extensions.
How Tall Should a Dog Gate Be?
For small dogs and puppies, a standard 30-inch gate is usually enough. For medium and large dogs, and for any dog that has shown it can jump, go for 36 inches or taller. A good rule of thumb is that the gate should be taller than your dog can reach standing on its hind legs, since dogs often scramble over by hooking their front paws on the top.
Training Your Dog to Respect a Gate
- Reward your dog for staying calm on its side of the gate, especially when you walk through.
- Don’t reward jumping or whining at the gate with attention.
- Give your dog something to do on its side, like a stuffed chew toy. Our tough chew toy guide has ideas.
- For puppies, combine gates with a playpen to create a safe, puppy-proofed zone.
Our Verdict
For most doorways, the Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Through Gate is the one to get. Choose the Carlson 36″ Extra Tall if your dog jumps, the Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide for openings up to 49 inches, and the Carlson Freestanding Gate for open-plan spaces and calm dogs. For the top of any staircase, buy a hardware-mounted gate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a baby gate for my dog?
Yes. Many baby gates work well for dogs, and several of the best-selling pet gates are marketed for both. Choose a height and strength suited to your dog’s size.
Are pressure-mounted gates safe?
Yes, in doorways and at the bottom of stairs. They are not safe at the top of stairs, where you should always use a hardware-mounted gate.
How do I stop my dog jumping over the gate?
Use a taller gate (36 inches or more), remove anything nearby it could use as a step, and reward calm behavior behind the gate.
Will a gate with a pet door keep my dog out?
Only if your dog is too big for the pet door. Measure your dog against the pet door opening before relying on it to keep a smaller dog out.
Can a dog gate damage my walls?
Pressure gates can leave marks. Use the included wall cups or protective pads, and check the fit so you’re not over-tightening.