5 stars

I extensively researched gates for the top of our stairs. I was a little hesitant about purchasing this one because so many reviews said that it was hard to open and close. We have now been using the gate for about a year and have been extremely happy with it. It did take a couple of days to get used to the latch, but it is much easier than others have said. There are two keys that make this an outstanding gate. One: there is no way our creative little monkey can climb over this gate. He has tried, but it is impossible for him to stick his feet in any little crevice to climb over. Two: I also love the fact that it retracts. I hate to see the regular old plastic baby gates because I think they make a room look junky. When we are not upstairs, I can retract it and you do not even notice that we have a gate. Also, others have said that it is loud when you close it or release it. If you hold down on the lock and keep it engaged while sliding, it does not make any noise. Our son is an extremely light sleeper and I have never had a problem where he has heard the gate. I would definitely recommend this gate to anyone. It is safe, easy to use and is invisible in the room.

2 stars

This gate is loud when it is winding up to close and you have to hold it with two hands to both open & close so it stays aligned or else it gets all bunched up and does not operate well. This gate would be ok for pets and in an area where it doesn't have to be used much. I got this gate with a newborn and a 4yr old. I cannot operate holding my newborn (must use two hands), and my 4yr old wiggles underneath it since it's mesh.

3 stars

This gate is the only one we could install with our bannisters on each side of the top of the stairs and it works.... but it's impossible to operate with one had and the clicking noise it makes when retracting is very scary to our daughter. Don't get it unless you need it because of installation requirements.

5 stars

Bought and installed in Sept. Pretty easy to install-purchased the banister installment kit as we have wrought iron on both sides of the gate. (banister kit super easy for wrought iron installment) Have had no problems at all with the gate. You can open it silently but not silently with one hand-you have to hold the button down while disengaging the gate from the hooks. If opening with one hand, yes you will get the retraction/recoil noise which will wake a baby. I also need 2 hands attaching the gate to the hooks too. But I am a [...]...
Having the peace of mind though is well worth a little noise for us. My 36" tall 2 year old has hung on the gate and pulled, and it didn't budge. (I do check it periodically to make sure it hasn't loosened with use) I would purchase again.

2 stars

I loved the idea of this gate and really wanted it to work. Once we got the hang of it, the spring broke. We are going to exchange it for a new one and hope it was just a defective one.

5 stars

We searched online for a long time reading everyone's reviews. We needed a top of the stair gate and this one has been certified for that because you don't have to step over anything when you pass through. We received ours after debating whether or not to purchase this one because of the price. (a little spendy - but when compared to ER visits...)
I don't think you can operate this w/ just one hand all the time. You definitely can when 'unrolling' it to close the gate. There is a trick to it but you need patience to learn it first. The audible locking mechanism is pretty loud, but if you hold the button down you can bypass that when rolling it back up.
We like this one because our daughter can't climb over it but she can see through it which is nice, so now it's become a toy for her to play w/ us.
I would say it's definitely worth it.

2 stars

I love the idea of a retractable gate, but when we received ours, I found it to be only so-so as far as quality. For over $100 it should have more substance.

5 stars

We have had this gate for 6 years. We have 4 very active boys, and we also had a home day care for 4 of those years and it is still working as good as the first day we got it. I have also not found a child who can climb over it. Great buy, definately worth the money!

2 stars

We recently received this gate as a gift. I was pleased to receive it, but I have found it to be very tedious to open--it stops in the middle and you have to keep going back to the button to push to continue in the opening process. I'm not lazy, but it does get tiresome--just stops opening.