The Best Pet Gates

The best pet gates you can buy to keep your dog safe from indoor hazards

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The Insider Pick:

Whether you are trying to keep your new puppy out of trouble or block off a room or staircase, a high-quality pet gate is a must-have. The Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Gate is our top pick because it's sturdy enough to keep your dog or any other pets you have away from hazards or no-go zones in your home.

Do you have trouble with your puppy getting into things he shouldn’t be? Perhaps there's a room or staircase in your house that you want to block off. No matter what the case may be, a quality indoor pet gate is a must-have for pet owners.

Pet gates come in all sizes and configurations, but they are not all created equal. When shopping for a pet gate, you should be concerned about the strength and durability of the construction, the quality of the materials, and the ease of the setup and takedown process.

Because there are so many different pet gates out there, choosing just one can quickly become overwhelming. Lucky for you, we’ve scoured the reviews to find the best indoor pet gates out there. Read on in the following slides to see why you'll love our top picks.

Our top pick for the best pet gate is the Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Gate, but we also recommend the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate, the Regalo Super Wide Gate, the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate, and the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate.

The best dog gate overall

Why you'll love it: The Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Wood Gate is affordable, sturdy, and tall enough to keep your pets away from certain spaces and obstacles.

Whether you need to keep your new puppy out of trouble or prevent your adult dog from accessing certain parts of the house, a basic pet gate is a great idea. You don’t have to spend a small fortune for a pet gate when something constructed from wood with a simple, easy-to-use design will do just fine. Our top pick for the best budget pet gate is the Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Wood Gate.

With a simple construction and pressure-mounted design, the Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Wood Gate is an affordable option that gets the job done. This pet gate has a non-toxic finish for safety, and it expands from 31 to 50 inches. Compared to make budget pet gates, this gate offers a generous height of 32 inches, and it can be used in doorways, hallways, and at the top or bottom of stairs. Easy to install and remove, this wooden pet gate is also great for babies and small children.

Pet bloggers and buyers alike praise the gate for its affordability and good construction. Rover describes the Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Wood Gate as a “great option if you’re looking for something simple and affordable.” Pet Life Today also likes its height and how easy it is to fold up and store when not in use.

The gate has more than 1,600 customer reviews on Amazon and a 4-star rating. Pet owners and parents love the price, simplicity, and size. However, there are some negative comments on the durability of the gate and some say that the locking mechanism doesn’t always work well when the gate is fully extended.

Pros: Simple but durable construction, pressure-mount design, easy to install and remove, nontoxic finish for safety, generous 32-inch height, expands from 31 to 50 inches, very affordable

Cons: May not be tall enough for very large dogs, locking mechanism may not work right when fully extended, not as durable as other models

Buy the Evenflow Position and Lock Tall Wood Gate on Amazon for $22.99 (originally $29.99)

Buy the Evenflow Position and lock Tall Wood Gate at Walmart for $22.99

The best walk-through dog gate

Why you'll love it: The Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate has a sturdy construction and a lever-style handle for easy operation.

If you plan to use your pet gate as a semi-permanent installation in your home, you should consider buying a walk-through model. Walk-through pet gates typically feature a hinged door that you can latch to keep your dog confined and unlatch if you want to step through the gate instead of over it. Walk-through pet gates come in all sizes, but we like the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate for its height, durability, and added features.

This metal pet gate is made with a sturdy, lead-free metal frame and has a pressure-mount system for simple installation. The gate measures 30 inches tall so it can be used for small to medium-sized dogs, and it expands from 29 to 37 inches with the included extension kit.

Not only does the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate feature a lever-style handle for easy operation, but it has a smaller door at the bottom for cats to walk through.

Dog owners and pet bloggers rate this pet gate highly. K9 of Mine describes this gate as sturdy, easy to install, and a great choice for multi-pet homes. Breeding Business said that it is a robust gate that's perfect for doorways and hall entrances.

Not only is the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate affordably priced, but it has more than 5,000 reviews on Amazon, a 4.3-star rating, and it carries an Amazon’s Choice award. Buyers love how easy it is to install and modify, though some say it is not wide enough for large doorways.

Pros: Sturdy chew-proof metal construction, pressure-mount system for easy installation, expandable to 37 inches, high enough to deter jumpers, 1-touch release handle, small pet door at bottom, non-toxic

Cons: May not be large enough for wide doorways, very small dogs may fit through the cat door, small dogs could get their head caught between vertical bars

Buy the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate on Amazon for $36.99(originally $69.99)

Buy the Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate at Walmart for $36.99

The best super wide dog gate

Why you'll love it: Wide enough to cover even the largest spaces, the Regalo Super Wide Gate can even be used as a playpen.

If you have a doorway that is abnormally large or you need to cover a space that is very wide, a traditional pet gate might not cut it – you might need a super-wide pet gate. These pet gates usually consist of hinged panels that can be manipulated to cover wide spaces, and some can even be used as playpens. Our top pick for the best super-wide pet gate is the Regalo Super-Wide Gate.

With an all-steel frame for strength and support, the Regalo Super Wide Gate doubles as a pet gate and a playpen. It can stretch to a full 192-inch width. The steel gate is non-toxic and chew-proof as well, so you can count on this gate for a long time.

It features eight panels that fold flat for storage or transport as well as a convenient walk-through design with a safety lock. By maneuvering the panels, you can use this gate freestanding or use the included wall mounts for permanent installation.

Top Dog Tips says the Regalo Super-Wide Gate is one of the best indoor dog gates due to the attractive design and versatility. Woof Whiskers also reviews this gate favorably, stating that it can be mounted to the wall for security or even used as a circular playpen for dogs and puppies.

In addition to carrying an Amazon’s Choice award, the Regalo Super Wide Gate has a solid 4.3-star rating and over 3,000 reviews. Buyers love the versatility and simple design, though there are some comments that the gate could be sturdier.

Pros: Lightweight but durable all-steel construction, 8 panels for versatility, expands up to 192 inches, features a walk-through gate, rubber feet to protect floors, can be wall-mounted

Cons: May not stand up to rough treatment, eight-panel length takes time to assemble and move

Buy the Regalo Super-Wide Gate at Walmart for $79.98

The best free-standing dog gate

Why you'll love it: For a freestanding pet gate that looks great and works well, we recommend the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate.

If you only need a pet gate for a little while, or you prefer not to have to deal with the hassle of mounting a gate, a freestanding pet gate might be your best option. A freestanding pet gate can be used in a variety of locations from doorways to hallways, and many of them are adjustable in width like a traditional mounted gate. Our top pick for the best freestanding pet gate is the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate.

Functional and attractive, the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate features a rubberwood construction with wire slats. The gate is expandable from 40 to 71 inches but still folds up for easy storage and transport. It features a simple step-over design with rubber feet to keep the gate in place while also protecting your floors. Though this particular gate stands only 20 inches tall, there is also a larger version of the gate for households with medium to large-breed dogs.

Top Dog Tips describes the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate as beautiful and functional, though the reviewer does confirm that it is best for small dogs. K9 of Mine offers a review of the larger version, commenting that the gate fits larger than normal doorways and its attractive finish works well with most home décor schemes. Thoroughly Reviewed also gives the pet gate a positive review.

In addition to having more than 1,700 reviews, the gate carries an Amazon’s Choice award and has a 4.4-star rating. Buyers love the attractive design and how easy it is to set up and take down, though there are some comments that it won’t hold up to heavy chewing.

Pros: Durable and attractive rubberwood construction, wire slats, expandable to 71 inches, stands 20 inches tall, larger version available, rubber feet to prevent movement and protect flooring

Cons: May not stay in place if pushed, only recommended for small dogs, not chew-proof, large dogs may step or jump over the gate

Buy the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate on Amazon for $80.99

Buy the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate at Walmart for $62.28

The best pet gate for large dogs

Why you'll love it: The Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk-Through Gate is the best pet gate for large dogs because of its height, superior construction, and convenient design.

If you have a large-breed dog or a dog who likes to jump, a standard pet gate might not be tall enough. Larger dogs are also more likely to push through a smaller pet gate that isn’t designed for strength and sturdiness. Our top pick for the best pet gate for large dogs is the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate. It is sturdy, strong, and easy to use.

Standing several inches taller than other indoor pet gates for large dogs, the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate measures 41 inches tall and expands to 39 inches wide. With pressure mounts for easy setup and takedown, this gate is versatile as well as convenient.

It is constructed from sturdy steel for durability and strength with a convenient walk-through design and a simple one-touch safety lock release. It is also lightweight and easy to transport.

A review from Rover comments on the sturdy steel construction and no-tools assembly for the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate. The reviewer also notes that the latch opens and secures easily with the touch of a button. Woof Whiskers and The Dog Clinic also recommend this pet gate.

Not only does the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate carry an Amazon’s Choice award, but it has roughly 3,000 reviews and a 4-star rating. Buyers love how easy it is to setup, take down, and store, though there are some comments that the walkthrough is a bit narrow.

Pros: Sturdy steel construction, stands 41 inches tall, expands to 39 inches wide, easy one-touch latch, no tools for assembly, simple to install, lightweight and portable, walk-through gate

Cons: Walk-through may be somewhat narrow, may not withstand heavy chewing, door only swings one way (good for top of the stairs)

Buy the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate on Amazon for $34.99

Buy the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate at Walmart for $40.62 (free shipping/pick-up in store)

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The best dog shampoo

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The best dog beds

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The best dog toys

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The best dog leashes

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The best cat litter

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The best cat treats

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The best flea prevention for cats

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