Richell Convertible Elite 6 Panel Pet Gate Black

Why it's worth it

Six hinged panels lock at 90 and 180 degrees, so you can run this straight across a wide opening, bend it around a corner, or close it into a pen. It's the most expensive and by far the heaviest thing in this guide.

Think of this less as a gate and more as a set of walls you rearrange. The panels lock at 90 and 180 degrees, so a straight run becomes an L around the fireplace, or a rectangle in the middle of the family room. Stretched out, it covers up to 197.5 inches. That's more opening than most houses have anywhere.

The pen configuration is what separates this from a plain barrier. Closed into a rectangle, it makes a space roughly 69 by 31.5 inches, big enough for a small or medium dog to turn around and nap in. Good Housekeeping called out that versatility as its strongest quality. If you're crate-training and want something that feels less like a cage, this is the closest option here.

From our review of 7 dog gates

What we like

• +Think of this less as a gate and more as a set of walls you rearrange
• +The pen configuration is what separates this from a plain barrier
• +At 31.5 inches it stands taller than most freestanding gates and shorter than our top pick, which puts it in range for a medium…

What to know

• –It weighs about 59 pounds
• –Owner feedback splits on long-term stability