BabyDan
Guard Me, Auto Retractable Stair Gate
7.9/10 overallAround £44.99
A screw-fit auto-closing gate designed specifically for the top of stairs, where pressure-fit gates aren't recommended.
The verdict
The BabyDan Guard Me is a screw-fit, auto-close and auto-lock gate specifically designed for the top of stairs, where pressure-fit gates aren't recommended. It's the more permanent, most secure option in this category, best for parents prioritising top-of-stairs safety over easy removal — it requires drilling and isn't ideal for rented properties.
This is a screw-fit gate, meaning it's bolted into the wall or banister rather than held by pressure alone — the type manufacturers and safety guidance recommend specifically for the top of a staircase, where a dislodged gate is most dangerous. The auto-close, auto-lock mechanism means it can't accidentally be left open, which matters most at exactly this location.
Against Lindam's pressure-fit Easy Fit Plus, the Guard Me trades easy removal for genuine top-of-stairs security — it's a more permanent fixture, leaving small screw holes if ever removed, but it's the safer choice for the one location in the house where gate failure carries the highest risk.
Is the Guard Me, Auto Retractable Stair Gate worth it?
- Recommended fit type for the top of stairs specifically
- Auto-close and auto-lock removes the chance of leaving it open
- Very secure once installed
What are the downsides of the Guard Me, Auto Retractable Stair Gate?
- Requires drilling, not ideal for rented properties
- Harder to fully remove and reposition than pressure-fit
- Leaves screw holes if taken down later
Specs
- Opening
- Auto-close, auto-lock
- Fit type
- Screw-fit, wall-mounted
- Opening width
- 73-80cm, extensions available
- Recommended use
- Top of stairs and other high-risk locations
How we scored it
Installation Security
How secure the fit is once installed, and whether it needs drilling into walls or banisters.
Screw-fit is the safest option for top-of-stairs use.
Ease of Operation
How easy it is for an adult to open one-handed while carrying a baby, without being easy for a toddler to open.
Auto-lock is very secure, slightly fiddlier to open one-handed.
Fit Flexibility
Range of opening widths it covers, and whether extension packs are available for wide stairwells.
Fewer extension options than pressure-fit rivals.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How this review was done
We haven't used the Guard Me, Auto Retractable Stair Gate ourselves yet. This review is built from BabyDan's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Around £44.99 | Around £44.99 | £44.99 | Around £49.99 |
| Overall score | 7.9/10 | 5.7/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 |
| Opening | Auto-close, auto-lock | Manual latch, adult-operated | Manual walk-through, lever handle | Auto-close |
| Fit type | Screw-fit, wall-mounted | Pressure-fit, no drilling | — | Pressure-fit, no drilling |
| Opening width | 73-80cm, extensions available | 73-80cm, limited extensions | — | 74-89cm, wide extensions available |
Frequently asked questions
Is this gate suitable for the top of stairs?+
Yes — it's a screw-fit gate bolted into the wall or banister, which is the type recommended specifically for the top of a staircase, where a dislodged gate is most dangerous.
Does it auto-close?+
Yes — its auto-close, auto-lock mechanism means it can't accidentally be left open, which matters most at the top of a staircase.
Is it good for a rented property?+
Not ideally — it requires drilling, is harder to fully remove and reposition than a pressure-fit gate, and leaves screw holes if ever taken down.
How does it compare with pressure-fit gates like Lindam's Easy Fit Plus?+
It trades easy removal for genuine top-of-stairs security — it's a more permanent fixture, but safer for the one location in the house where gate failure carries the highest risk.
Guides that mention this
Pressure-Fit vs Screw-Fit Stair Gates: Which Do You Need?
Getting this wrong at the top of the stairs is a genuine safety issue, not just a convenience trade-off.
Do You Need a Stair Gate? When and Where to Fit One
Stairs are the obvious place, but not the only one. Here's where gates make the biggest safety difference, and how to pick the right type.
Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.