25 products · ranked by Cradle Score
Best Baby Thermometers, Pacifiers & Baby Gates
Thermometers, pacifiers, nasal aspirators and baby gates. We lean on lab tests where they exist, like Consumer Reports' pacifier testing for lead and phthalates, and we flag which gates are safe for the top of stairs.
89
Philips Avent Soothie PacifierThe one-piece hospital pacifier: cheap, easy to sterilize and low on nipple confusion.#1About $2 eachMedium confidence88
Toddleroo by North States Stairs GateA hardware-mounted stair gate with no bottom bar to trip on, one-hand opening and a stop that keeps it from swinging over the stairs.#2About $50Low confidence86
Vicks SpeedRead Digital ThermometerA cheap stick thermometer that's about as accurate as it gets and works rectally, which pediatricians recommend for young infants.#3About $15Low confidence84
MAM Original Matte PacifierSymmetrical silicone nipple with an anti-slip surface and a sterilizer case.#4BudgetMedium confidence84
Itzy Ritzy Sweetie SootherOne-piece food-grade silicone in fun colors, dishwasher safe, and passed Consumer Reports' tests.#5BudgetMedium confidence84
Evenflo Easy Walk-Thru Top of Stairs GateNo bottom rail and a red/green lock indicator.#6About $50Low confidence83
Medela Silicone Orthodontic PacifierSizes from newborn to 18 months, durable, and sold with a sterilizer case.#7BudgetLow confidence83
Toddleroo by North States Deluxe Décor GateWide (38–72") and sturdy with one-hand operation, for doorways and open plans.#8About $90Low confidence82
NUK Orthodontic / Timeless Comfy PacifierNUK's silicone pacifiers were the strongest silicone performers in Consumer Reports' bite tests, and they're cheap.#9Under $2 eachMedium confidence82
Dr. Brown's HappyPaciOne-piece silicone with a butterfly shield that stays off the nose.#10About $2Medium confidence82
Cardinal Gates Stairway Angle GateMounts at angles up to 30° and straps to banisters without drilling them.#11About $70Low confidence81
Braun ThermoScan Ear ThermometerBabyGearLab's Editors' Choice: quick, accurate ear readings with solid build quality.#12About $60Low confidence81
BIBS Natural Rubber PacifierDanish natural rubber pacifiers with excellent bite resistance in Consumer Reports' tests.#13PremiumMedium confidence81
Summer Infant Deluxe Stairway Simple to Secure Wood GateA classic wood gate that's sturdy and expands to 48".#14About $60Low confidence80
Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide GateConfigurable panels that block huge openings or form a play yard.#15About $90Low confidence79
Chicco PhysioForma One-Piece PacifierAn orthodontic one-piece with no crevices that rarely pops out.#16BudgetLow confidence79
Tommee Tippee Breast-Like Nighttime PacifierA breast-like nighttime pacifier that passed every Consumer Reports lab test.#17BudgetLow confidence79
FRIGG Natural Rubber PacifierThe natural rubber version topped Consumer Reports' bite tests.#18Mid-rangeMedium confidence77
Cumbor Extra Tall Baby GateExtra-tall steel gate with auto-close, but it doesn't always latch on its own.#19About $80Low confidence76
Frida Baby Electric NoseFrida Nasal AspiratorOne-handed electric suction with three levels, two tip sizes and a distraction light.#20About $45Low confidence75
WubbaNub PacifierA Soothie-style pacifier attached to a small plush, which makes it easier for babies to keep.#21Mid-rangeMedium confidence74
Qdos Crystal Designer Safety GateA see-through acrylic stair gate that blends into modern homes.#22About $230Low confidence70
iHealth No-Touch Forehead ThermometerFast, contactless readings on a sleeping baby, but accuracy depends on a clean forehead and a 30-minute room acclimation.#23About $60Low confidence70
Goodbaby Forehead & Ear ThermometerA budget dual-mode thermometer that's accurate if you follow every instruction.#24About $20Low confidence64
iProven Forehead & Ear ThermometerOne-button dual-mode readings, but average build quality and strict usage rules.#25About $60Low confidenceDon't see a product? Tell us what to score next. We add new products every week.
Request a productHow we scored health & safety
Each product's score is 40% materials and safety, 40% parent and tester consensus, and 20% value and longevity. Every page lists its sources and when we last checked it. Read the full method.