The 5 best dog gates of 2021

February 11, 2021

Quality pet gates come in various styles, but functionality and durability are a must to keep dogs safe.
Some gates are designed for large dogs, while others make it easy for smaller ones to walk through.
Our favorite is the Evenflo Gate because it’s safe, practical, and minimal to match your home.

Whether you want to block off a room in your home or distinguish a private zone for your dog to play or relax, a quality dog gate is a must-have for pet owners.

When shopping for a pet gate, you should be concerned with the strength and durability of the construction, the quality of the materials, and the ease of the setup and takedown process.

We rounded up gates of all different shapes and sizes, some even serving a dual purpose to keep both your dog and children safely separated. Whether you’re cordoning off a large play area or keeping pets on one level of your home, the gates we’ve chosen will hold up to the task. Be sure to introduce your dog gate slowly and observe your dog to ensure that it’s a safe solution.

Here are the best dog gates of 2021

The best dog gate overall: Evenflo Position and Lock Tall Pressure-Mounted Farmhouse Gate
The best walk-through dog gate: Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate
The best dog gate for large areas: Regalo Widespan Dog Gate
The best free-standing dog gate: Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate
The best gate for large dogs: Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk-Through Gate

Updated on 02/10/2021 by Victoria Giardina: We added more buying options and streamlined the copy of this guide. We also created a product showcase so you can easily shop our picks, and also changed our “best super-wide dog gate” category to “best dog gate for large spaces” to clarify best uses of our picks.

The best dog gate overall

The Evenflo Position and Lock Tall Pressure-Mounted Farmhouse Gate is a budget-friendly, tenacious option that’s tall enough to keep your pets away from certain spaces and obstacles.

Pros: Affordable, durable pressure-mount design, easy to install and remove with lift and lock system, nontoxic finish for safety, scratch-free rubber padding, generous 32-inch height, expands from 31 to 50 inches, great for babies and small children as well

Cons: The locking mechanism may not work right when fully extended

With a simple construction and pressure-mounted design, the Evenflo Position and Lock Tall Pressure-Mounted Farmhouse Gate safely divides rooms to keep your dog out of trouble. It has a non-toxic finish for safety and expands from 31 to 50 inches. Compared to other affordable gates, Evenflo offers a generous height of 32 inches, ideal for a doorway, hallway, and bottom- or top-of-staircase use.

The gate’s simple lift and lock system makes installation hassle-free, and its rubber padding keeps doorways scratch-free, too. The durable wood construction ensures this gate will be in tip-top shape for years and is extendable if you want to reposition it. It’s also a practical option for babies and small children with nontoxic, plastic mesh sides that serve as a comfortable buffer when installed.

The best walk-through dog gate

The Carlson Extra-Wide Walk-Through Pet Gate is a versatile option that allows small pets to freely walk and tall enough to serve as an efficient room divider.

Pros: Sturdy metal construction, pressure-mount system for easy installation, expandable to 37 inches, high enough to deter jumpers, small pet door at the bottom

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

For a temporary room divider, a walk-through model is one to consider. They typically feature a latchable, hinged door to keep your dog confined. And, you can always 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 durability and versatility. Its lead-free metal frame has a pressure-mount system for simple installation, measuring 30 inches tall for small to medium-sized dogs. Like our Everflo pick, it’s also expandable up to 37 inches with the included extension kit.

Not only did Carlson design its tall gate with a lever-style handle for easy operation, but it also has a smaller door at the bottom for cats to walk through, great for quick access to their beds.

The best dog gate for large areas

Functional even as a playpen, the Regalo Widespan Dog Gate is fit for the largest of spaces.

Pros: Durable all-steel construction, 8 panels for versatility, expands up to 192 inches, features a walk-through gate, can be wall-mounted, nontoxic and chew-proof, can also be used as a playpen for babies and small children

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

A traditional pet gate might not cut it for more spacious sections of your home. Super-wide pet gates are a simple fix as they usually consist of hinged panels easy to manipulate for covering wide spaces. Some, like the Regalo Widespan Dog Gate, can even be used as playpens. With an all-steel frame for strength and support, this gate can stretch to a full 192-inch width. The steel gate is nontoxic and chew-proof as well, so you can count on this gate for a long time. Regalo’s ultra-large gate has a convenient walk-through design, too, secured with a safety lock.

It features eight panels that fold flat for storage or transport. They can even be maneuvered for use as a free-standing gate or installed with the included wall mounts as a permanent barricade.

The best free-standing dog gate

If you want to avoid installation and want a practical and efficient partition, the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate is a solid choice.

Pros: Durable rubberwood construction, wire slats, rubber feet to protect flooring, expandable to 71 inches, stands 20 inches tall

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

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, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate are adjustable in width like a traditional mounted gate. It features a rubberwood, step-over design with wire slats, and affixed rubber feet to protect your floors. Though the feet may not stay in place if your dog pushes it, the gate is expandable from 40 to 71 inches and folds up for easy storage and transport.

Though this particular gate stands only 20 inches tall, there is also a larger version of the gate if you’re an owner of medium to large-breed dogs. Be sure to note inventory may take a bit longer to ship than its smaller counterpart.

The best pet gate for large dogs

The Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk-Through Gate boasts sufficient height, sturdy steel construction, and a convenient design.

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

Cons: Walk-through feature may be somewhat narrow, the door only swings one way (good for the top of the stairs, though)

If you have a large-breed dog or a dog who likes to jump, a standard pet gate might not be tall enough. The strong steel construction of the Regalo Easy Step Extra-Tall Walk Through Gate is fitting for big dogs, ensuring they can’t enter past enclosed boundaries.

Measuring 41 inches tall and expanding to 39 inches wide, the gate is clad with pressure mounts for easy setup and takedown. The Regalo gate also features a walk-through feature, making it versatile and convenient. It’s easy to transport, too, especially with a built-in, one-touch safety lock release that’s simple to use.

Check out our other guides for dog owners

The best dog collars
The best dog shampoo
The best pooper scooper for dogs
The best flea prevention and treatments for dogs
The best dog beds
The best dog food
The best dog food bowls
The best dog toys
The best dog treats
The best dog leashes
The best dog crates

Check out our other guides for cat owners

The 6 best cat litter boxes
The best cat carriers
The best hairball medicine for your cat
The best cat litter
The best cat scratching posts
The best cat toys
The best cat beds
The best cat fountains
The best cat food
The best cat collars
The best cat treats
The best cat litter scoops

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