Compare Toddler Gear
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
Feature-by-feature breakdown across 2 products
Cardinal Gates
North States
Strengths
Strengths
Safety Score
9.5
BetterSafety Score
9.0
Why it matters: Safety carries 50% of the overall score in our V4.2 rubric. We evaluate materials, certifications, and compliance across multiple criteria. Cardinal Gates scored 9.5/10 vs North States's 9.0/10.
Safety Score
9.5/10
BetterSafety Score
9.0/10
Cardinal Gates
North States
Strengths
Strengths
Efficacy Score
9.5
BetterEfficacy Score
9.0
Why it matters: Our efficacy pillar (20% weight) measures real-world performance - how well the product delivers on its core function. Cardinal Gates scored 9.5/10 vs North States's 9.0/10.
Overall Score
8.7
Overall Score
8.6
Why it matters: Weighted average of all scoring dimensions.
Cardinal Gates
North States
Strengths
Strengths
Usability Score
8.6
BetterUsability Score
8.1
Why it matters: Usability (20% weight) covers daily convenience - ease of use, maintenance, and practical considerations. Cardinal Gates scored 8.6/10 vs North States's 8.1/10.
Cardinal Gates
North States
Strengths
Strengths
Price
N/A
Price
N/A
Why it matters: Lower price is better when quality is comparable.
Value Score
9.0
BetterValue Score
8.5
Why it matters: Value (10% weight) calculates quality per dollar. Lower cost-per-point means better value.
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Everything you need to make the call — who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
Safety is your top priority — this product scores highest on material safety.
You want the best value for money in this category.
Performance is what matters most to you.
Safety is your top priority — this product scores highest on material safety.
You want the best value for money in this category.
Performance is what matters most to you.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Toddler Gear options at every price pointEvery Toddler Gear in our database is scored using R3's V4.2 deterministic rubric — the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Cardinal Gates and North States across 0 independent criteria: . No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers — no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 8.7/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. Safety carries 50% of our scoring weight, followed by performance (20%), usability (20%), and value (10%). Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
We use our V4.2 deterministic rubric with four weighted pillars: Safety (50%), Efficacy (20%), Usability (20%), and Value (10%). Every score is reproducible - the same product data produces the same score. Each product is evaluated across multiple criteria within each pillar.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the value scores and prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
