Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

For those of you who want to know what the difference is between the Easy-Close and the Auto-Close gate, here is a review. I own both gates and have used them both on the top of the stairs. I bought them both for different reasons and they each serve their purpose wonderfully. I highly recommend both but there are some differences between the two that you may need to research before settling on one that will work for you. EASY-CLOSE GATE: -To OPEN the Easy-Close gate, your thumb pushes the top button and the other fingers squeeze. - Very easy to open. My 5 year old can open the Easy-Close gate so it actually is pretty "easy". -To CLOSE the gate you must do the exact same thing as when you open it or else the gate will bounce back open. Even if you swing it closed it does not click into the fully locked position without you squeezing the handle and setting it into place again. (If you have an older child who can open the gate then they will also need to make sure to close it behind them or it'll just stay open). -This gate will stay wide open in whatever position you leave it which is great if you want it to (e.g. grandparent's house when the kids aren't around full-time, when you have a party, etc). The auto-close gate will not stay open. -Weight, style and overall bulk of both gates are similar. - Works well tension mounted on the top of the stairs. I was concerned about not hardware mounting this, especially at the top of the stairs but the tension is strong and both my husband and I can kick and pull the gate and it doesn't budge. The gate also includes hardware for mounting if you want to. - I have used the "KidCo Y-Spindles" for top of stair bannisters on one side and a wall on the other and it works just as well tension mounted. AUTO-CLOSE GATE: -To open the Auto-Close gate, your thumb slides a button on top of the gate, and unlike the easy-close gate, you must lift the entire door up and over a small plastic stopper on the bottom of the gate in order for it to open. - This is relatively easy to do and doesn't require much strength and more challenging for kids to maneuver. - I can easily lift the gate with a baby ora load of laundry in my arms on the top of the stairs without any trouble (I'm only 5'0'). - My 5 year old can slide the button but isn't tall enough or strong enough to do it while lifting the gate and probably won't be able to to until he's taller.) - If you want a gate that will keep both your big and little ones from going through then this will be a better/longer lasting choice for you than the Easy-Close gate. - No need to close this gate, it will swing closed behind you automatically. - When it slams shut it does make a loud bang noise but you can avoid this if you don't slam it or stop it just before it hits and close it quietly yourself. The Easy-Close gate is much quieter on its own but this one can be if you pay attention to it. -The auto-close feature is great for those of you who are concerned that you may forget to close the gate behind you. Convenient 1 step to open and close the gate. - If you want to keep the gate open more full time (e.g. house party, carrying things between rooms multiple times, etc) this may not be the gate for you. You'd have to prop it open somehow or tie it off with string to keep it from shutting on it's own. - Tension mounted on the top of the stairs works well and I'm paranoid about safety. Also comes with hardware mounting if you want. -Weight, style and overall bulk of both gates are similar.