Pets are as valuable as children. But, like children, if you leave them to roam the house, especially if they are left unattended, they run the risk of destroying anything in their way. Fortunately, the best pet gates offer a solution: you can block off certain areas or keep your pets in certain rooms so you know exactly where they are at all times.
There are many pet gates, so the best one for you will depend on several factors. Of course, you want it to be durable so your pet can’t rush straight through it, but you should also think about how it looks. Some pet gates are made of plastic, while others are finished with wood and will blend in seamlessly with your interior. It’s also a good idea to take care of the assembly. Pressure-mounted pet grids can pop open in minutes and don’t require holes in your walls, but those that use hardware may be more of a project to prepare for.
Whether you have a large dog, pets that appear to be taking lessons from Houdini, or need something that can act as a playpen when you hang out with your pups, these are the best pet crates for the job.
Best overall pet gate: Cardinal Gates Auto-Lock Gate
Height: 30 inches | Material: aluminum | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Easy
- Made of durable aluminum
- Has an automatic locking function
What we don’t like
- Height adjustment requires additional extensions (sold separately)
- Not recommended for the top of the stairs
The Cardinal Gates Auto-Lock Gate certainly isn’t the fanciest pet gate out there, but it’s easy to use, durable, and works well in many areas including doors and the bottom of the stairs. The hardware-mounted gate adjusts from 26 “to 40” wide by nearly 30 “high, with the option to add an additional 20 to 16” with separately sold extenders.
It also has an automatic locking system that uses a deadbolt to allow quick passage in both directions – just swing open and shut and the gate will lock automatically. Instead of thinner plastic, Cardinal Gates uses aluminum, which is light and durable and therefore likely to last longer than other gates on the market.
Best budget pet gate: Regalo Easy Step Extra Wide Walk Thru Baby Gate
Height: 30 inches | Material: steel | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Has several security lock functions
- Pressure mount design makes it easy to install
What we don’t like
- Will not fit in openings between 34-35 inches
Although marketed as a baby gate, this extra-wide passage gate from Regalo doubles as a budget-friendly pet gate. It is made from durable steel and has a pressure mount design that makes it easy to set up and use. It contains several security lock functions and four wall cups for additional stability.
Perfect for doors, hallways, or the bottom of the stairs, it expands to openings between 29 and 34 inches or 35 and 38.5 inches wide and is 30 inches high. If you need to block off a wider opening, you can add two extension kits (sold separately).
Best pet gate for active pets: Cumbor Auto-Close Pet Gate
Height: 30.5 inches | Material: steel | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Available in five colors
- Can be opened from both sides
- Closes and locks automatically
What we don’t like
- Not easy to move
- Will not work for 36-inch openings
When you have a sturdy pet gate you often have to forego the convenience of being able to move around your house easily, but the Cumber Auto-Close pet gate allows you to have the best of both worlds. It has an ergonomically shaped lock and a lock that can be easily opened from both sides.
After you go through, the pet gate swings shut behind you and locks automatically, so you don’t have to worry about locking it again when you have your hands full. It is equipped with a pressure assembly system that installs in less than 20 minutes, making it easy to move when you need to cordon off different areas at different times. The gate adjusts from 29.5 “to 46” and is 30.5 “high.
Best Expandable Pet Gate: Cardinal Gates Extra Wide Expandable White Pet Gate
Material: aluminum | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Blocks off a large area
- Hardware-mounted for added security
What we don’t like
- Expensive
- No height extensions are available
Many pet gates are expandable or at least offer the option to purchase extensions separately, but this extra-wide expandable gate from Cardinal Gates (the largest it offers) comes with everything you need to accommodate areas up to 90 inches wide shut off. Each panel – it comes with three – is 30 inches, so you can use one or all three at the same time. The door fitted with fittings has an automatically closing and locking door, which enables quick and easy one-handed operation. The gate itself is 29.5 inches, but the height-adjustable brackets allow you to move it up or down as needed.
Best Indoor / Outdoor Pet Gate: You & Me Convertible Pet Gate and Play Yard
Height: 30 inches | Material: plastic | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Can be used in multiple configurations
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to move
What we don’t like
- Plastic can be less durable
- Larger dogs can potentially knock it over if not mounted
If you want to bring your pet gate outside, the Convertible Pet Gate and Play Yard from You & Me is the ideal solution. It comes with six 26 x 30 “panels that can be built into a gate that extends up to 192” or arranged in a variety of different configurations if you have an outdoor (or indoor) playpen want to create. The plastic construction makes it light and easy to carry around, but it’s strong enough to keep your pets exactly where you want them to be. All panels snap together, or you can use the included fasteners to mount it on the wall.
Best pet gate for large dogs: MyPet Extra Tall Petgate walk-through gate with a small pet door
Height: 42 inches | Material: steel | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Extra-large for large dogs and escape artists
- Door swings in both directions
- Built-in small pet door for cats
What we don’t like
- Small dogs fit through the door
- Time-consuming to assemble
Standard-sized pet rails may not be enough to keep really large – or really smart – dogs at bay, but even the largest dog can’t get around this 42-inch pet gate from MyPet. It has sturdy steel construction and a lockable Grip-n-Twist closure that keeps the door secure when you want it to.
When the pet gate is unlocked, the gate swings in both directions, making it easy for you to move around the house no matter which direction you are coming from. It also has a small pet door built in so that cats that are free to roam can easily pass through. This pressure mount gate adjusts from 29.75 “to 38” with extensions that are included.
Best Freestanding pet gate: Carlson Pet Products Design Studio Freestanding Extra Wide Pet Grille
Height: 20 or 28 inches | Material: wood with steel bars | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Easy to put
- Available in two height options
- High-quality wood finish
What we don’t like
- It may not be big enough for large dogs
- No door
Freestanding pet guards offer more versatility than mounted ones because you can put them anywhere and not necessarily limited to a side walled area. This extra-wide freestanding gate from Carlson Pet Products is especially great because it has an adjustable width – it fits in areas 40 to 70 inches wide – and a step-over design that makes it easy for you to pass but keeps your pooch right where you want it to be.
You also have two height options – 20 and 28 inches – so you can choose the one that works best for you. With its wooden surface and steel bars, it also looks high quality, so it becomes an intentional part of your interior and not an afterthought.
Best looking pet gate: Primetime Petz 360 configurable gate with door
Height: 24, 30 or 36 inches | Material: wood | Expandable: yes
What we like
- Freestanding for easy movement
- High-quality wood finish
- Available in three height options
What we don’t like
- Might be knocked over if a larger dog jumps on it
- No option for additional reinforcement
If you want to house your pets but don’t want too much of a noticeable pet rail, this wood option from Primetime Petz looks like it was made for that. Available in two wood versions – white and walnut – it blends in with your home decor and looks intentional. It can serve as a freestanding pet trellis, or you can arrange it in a square pattern that acts as a small wooden pin. This pet gate is easy to walk into and has 360-degree hinges and feet with rubber pads that hold the gate in place and protect your floors.
This pet gate is also available in three heights – 24, 30, and 36 inches – so if you have a large dog that can pass through standard pet gates, you have the option to go a little taller.
Final verdict: The best pet gate
Our top choice for a pet gate is the Cardinal Gates Auto-Lock Gate because of its rugged design. If you’re looking for a great budget, consider the Cumbor Auto Close Safety Baby Gate.
What to look for in pet gates
Durability of the pet gate
Longevity is high on the list of things to look out for when purchasing a pet trellis. After all, if your big dog can plow him through, it won’t be of much use to you. Steel pet grids are usually considered to be the most durable, but they can be heavy and bulky. Aluminum is another durable option that offers a lot of strength in a lighter design. Other options are wood and plastic. Plastic is considered the least durable, but if you have a pet that won’t try to jump on the gate, it’s still a great option.
Pet gate materials
Not only are materials important for durability, they also play a huge role in the aesthetics of your pet trellis. If you’re cordoning off a secluded area, you might not care what the gate looks like, but if the pet gate goes into a main area of your home, you might want it to blend in with your decor a little more. Wooden and steel gates have a higher quality appearance, while plastic and aluminum can stand out a little more.
Pet gate installation
Another important point is the assembly. Pressure mount pet gates are keyed by applying pressure on the door frame or the walls around them. They don’t require drilling or drilling holes in your walls. These pet gates are best for the bottom of stairs or in doors, but they can’t block a space without something to hold on to.
Hardware-mounted pet gates are similar to pressure-mounted ones in that they require walls or a door frame to attach, but they are installed with screws and are generally considered to be more sturdy than pressure-mounted. We recommend hardware-mounted gates for use at the top of stairs.
Another option is freestanding gates that come with feet that allow them to stand up in any room without the need to mount a door frame or walls. Freestanding gates are not as secure as pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted gates, but they give you more flexibility as they allow you to cordon off any room, with or without a door frame.