No dog owner wants to come home to overturned trash cans or a pile of poo on the floor. A good dog crate is an essential to allay such mishaps&#;and help your pet thrive. This crate is a cozy and safe resting place that keeps even the most curious pooches contained while their humans are out of the house. Enlisting area rescue pooches and our own escape-artist dogs, we put 17 crates to the test. And we found the MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Folding Dog Crate to be the best all-around crate. It&#;s sturdy and secure, and it comes in five sizes, each designed to last a lifetime: This crate adapts with your puppy as they grow, thanks to removable dividers.
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With its sturdy plastic shell and secure door latch, this model is great for use at home or on a plane. But its smaller windows provide less of a view for your pup.
This dog crate, often available at half the price of our main pick, is sturdy and secure. But the larger design makes it more awkward to carry.
This crate often costs 30% less than our top pick, but it&#;s made with slightly thinner wire. It&#;s lighter, but it might not last as long.
This crate is the sturdiest and most escape-resistant, and it folds up and transports easily. Also, it will last for the lifetime of your pet.
The MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate has a tight grid of thick wire that makes it resistant to escape and damage. Its bottom pan won&#;t give in to claws and can&#;t be pushed out by paws, unlike the flimsier pans included with cheaper models. It folds up securely into a briefcase-style rectangle with solid clip-on handles, and it won&#;t come undone in a cacophonous crash if you grab the wrong part. Even if you are certain your dog doesn&#;t suffer from separation anxiety and won&#;t work to escape a crate, the Ultima Pro represents a sound investment in a safe space for your dog&#;and for future dogs as well.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate is designed with a slightly looser grid and thinner wire than other crates we tested, so it&#;s lighter and easier to carry. This crate is often 30% cheaper than the Ultima Pro. So if money is tight and you&#;re fairly certain your dog will stay calm in a crate, the LifeStages will do. However, that lighter design makes the LifeStages crate less likely to withstand long-term wear from a more-destructive dog.
The Frisco Heavy Duty Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate features thick wire that&#;s just as durable as that of our main pick, but this crate often costs half the price. The locking mechanism keeps dogs securely inside, and the removable tray doesn&#;t warp or slide out of the base after a dog has used it. But this wire crate is sold in slightly larger dimensions across sizes than other crates we tested. Overall, the Frisco dog crates are about 2 inches bigger, making them slightly heavier and more cumbersome to carry when folded up than the MidWest models we recommend.
If you need a crate that you can use to occasionally fly with a dog, or you want something that a tenacious dog is less likely to escape from at home, a solid plastic crate (sometimes called a &#;sky kennel&#;) is a good bet. Petmate&#;s Ultra Vari Kennel is the go-to among the dog trainers we interviewed, and it&#;s the best travel-friendly pick for most dogs. This crate is easy to assemble and simple to latch shut, and it has proper tie-downs for safer airline travel in a plane&#;s belly. (This model is not specifically designed for in-car use, though, so consider a restraint harness instead). The Ultra Vari&#;s secure design features only one door, rather than two on adjacent sides like on our other picks. That leaves fewer ways for your pup to escape. But if you&#;re using this crate at home, in a crowded room it may be harder to find a spot for it where your dog gets a good view. The crate&#;s narrow windows also restrict the view, which might be a concern if you&#;ve got a particularly curious pup&#;or one with FOMO.
Our overall favorite is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door and Double Door Dog Crate , which is large enough to support a growing puppy and includes a crate cover, dog bed, and two detachable food bowls.
We conducted hands-on testing of 20 dog crates in our New York lab to find the best options, evaluating different styles of crates, including traditional wireframes, foldable soft-sided models, and hybrid crates that serve as functional side tables.
The right dog crate offers a comfortable den-like space where a dog can go to feel safe. It should also be easy for you to clean and make it easy for you to access your dog. If you have a puppy, a crate is a valuable tool for potty training because dogs instinctually do not want to soil their home.
Best Overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door & Double Door Dog Crates
PHOTO: The Spruce / Tamara Staples
$46 at Chewy
Orig.
$50
$43 at Amazon
Orig.
$46
$43 at Walmart
What We Like
Thoughtful, simple design
Easy to clean
Useful double doors
What We Don't Like
Door bent a little under pressure
Our best overall pick is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door and Double Door Dog Crate because of its easy assembly, thorough features, and easy-to-clean tray. While many of the other crates that we tested also scored well for their easy-to-clean surfaces, the additional divider in this crate kit set it apart from the rest. Plus, this crate&#;s plastic tray slides out easily, making it simple to clean if any major accidents happen. We also love that this crate has rubberized rolling buffers to protect hardwood, vinyl, or tile flooring.
This crate from MidWest Homes for Pets passed our lab tests with perfect scores in ease of setup, use, and cleaning. Its basic aesthetic may not win any beauty contests, but it's certainly functional. We especially love the double door model, which makes it a cinch to access the crate from the front or side, adding significantly to the iCrate's flexibility.
The practicality of this crate coupled with its easy-to-collapse and easy-to-clean design can't be beat. The setup is as simple as pulling the top of the crate up and snapping the hooks into place. Removing the plastic tray is also easy, as there is a slot for it to slide out from the bottom of the crate. A security hook also ensures that the tray stays in its place when your pup is on top of it.
The only downside we found is the door does bend slightly when it&#;s pulled on, not significant enough for a dog to bust through the door, but it&#;s still a worthy concern for any owners with especially strong, excitable or high-strung pooches. Despite this one design concern, we&#;d still recommend this crate as a reliable and basic option that's durable enough to withstand pet wear and tear over time.
Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 16 inches (extra-small), 24 x 18 x 19 inches (small), 30 x 19 x 21 inches (medium), 36 x 23 x 25 inches (medium/large), 42 x 28 x 31 inches (large), 48 x 30 x 33 inches (extra-large) | Material: Metal, plastic | Attributes: Collapsible, divider included, double door, removable pan, carry handle, water-resistant
The Spruce Pets / Tamara Staples
The Spruce Pets / Jessica Juliao
The Spruce Pets / Jessica Juliao
The Spruce Pets / Jessica Juliao
The Spruce Pets / Jessica Juliao
The Spruce Pets / Jessica Juliao
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Best Budget
Amazon Basics Soft Dog Travel Crate
PHOTO: The Spruce Pets / Tamara Staples
$56 at Amazon
What We Like
Durable construction
Foldable, streamlined design
Four sizes
Mesh windows
What We Don't Like
Some nooks and crannies might be difficult to clean
Finding a dog crate that doesn&#;t break the bank but still does its job well can be challenging, but we were very impressed with this crate from Amazon Basics, which has a PVC frame with polyester and mesh fabric cover, all for a very affordable price.
This crate has three openings (one at either end of the crate and one on the top) that are secured by zippers. They can also be rolled up and fastened to the top of the crate. This crate is super lightweight, making it a great option for travel, but it doesn&#;t have a carrying handle.
Overall the crate is very durable and designed to endure&#;it didn&#;t budge or break when a sandbag was thrown on top of it and at the front of it. Long term maintenance and cleaning will likely require the use of a handheld vacuum to target the smaller nooks and crannies within the crate&#;s frame.
Dimensions: 25.98 x 18.11 x 18.11 inches (small), 21.3 x 29.9 x 21.3 (medium), 36 x 24 x 24 (large), 42 x 31 x 31 inches (extra-large) | Material: PVC frame, polyester, mesh | Attributes: Folds flat, mesh windows, zippered entry
"We threw a sandbag at the front of it and on the top, and it was totally fine! Nothing broke or scratched."&#;Maria Bouselli, product tester
Best Upgrade
Diggs Revol Dog Crate
PHOTO: The Spruce Pets / Tamara Staples
$475 at Chewy
$309 at Amazon
View on Diggs.pet
What We Like
User-friendly design and durable construction
Removable tray included
Easy to clean and set up
What We Don't Like
Not very compact when collapsed
If you&#;re looking for a luxurious and incredibly durable dog crate, we recommend the Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate. This crate collapses when you twist the top handle, and the sides lift up, offering multiple access points for your pet.
We like the intuitive design and the heavy-duty crate is hard to budge once in place, even with 45 pounds of force directed at the door in our lab testing environment. Throwing multiple sandbags at the crate also did not impact its structure or appearance.
This crate&#;s tray is removable so that you can easily clean it, and it has a raised edge to prevent any leakage if accidents do happen while your pet is inside the crate. The crate&#;s door is secured by a latch that's released by pressing a button, so it&#;s much more secure than other crates that only have a sliding bolt. But the crate is not very compact, even when it&#;s collapsed, so it may not be easily stored under certain pieces of furniture or in small closets. While the price point on this crate is certainly a splurge in anyone&#;s budget, we do believe the price fairly reflects this crate&#;s high quality and unique design.
Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 19 (small), 32 x 20 x 22 inches (medium), 39 x 25 x 28 (intermediate), 44 x 28 x 30 (large) | Material: High grade aluminum, steel mesh wire, reinforced plastic | Attributes: Collapsible, removable tray
Best for Small Dogs
Fable Pets Crate
PHOTO: The Spruce Pets / Tamara Staples
$395 at Fablepets.com
What We Like
Doubles as side table
Durable
Metal or acrylic door option
Two wood finishes to choose from
What We Don't Like
No removable tray
Door jiggles when closed
The overall design of the Fable Pets Crate easily double as a bedside table or end table in a family room. The dual function crate is relatively easy to put together out of the box, similar to the labor intensity of Ikea furniture.
The crate is made out of bentwood and comes in two wood finishes, signature (lighter) or walnut (darker), with the choice of a clear acrylic door or white metal door. Both door options have square-shaped cut-outs for visibility and airflow. If your dog tends to paw at the door of their crate, you might find the metal door option to be more durable.
This crate has rubber pads that prevent it from scratching hardwood and vinyl floors, but there is no carrying handle, which could make it difficult to move from room to room. That said, we recommend finding a designated spot and sticking with it to make it feel more den-like for your dog. This crate also does not have a removable tray, so you must crouch down to reach inside for any cleaning needs.
Overall, this crate is a great option for anyone looking for lockable crate blends into decor while still being very functional.
Dimensions: 26 x 20 x 23 inches (extra-small/small), 34 x 24 x 25 inches (medium), 42 x 29.5 x 34.4 inches (large) | Material: Bent wood, metal or acrylic door | Attributes: Windows, side table
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Best for Travel
Petmate Pet Kennel
PHOTO: Amazon
$35 at Chewy
Orig.
$67
$50 at Amazon
$50 at Walmart
What We Like
Goto Tian Yilong to know more.
Lightweight
Secure latch
Easy to assemble and use
What We Don't Like
Does not support dogs over 15 pounds
If you like to take your dog on road trips, you should check out the Petmate Two Door Pet Kennel. It&#;s easy to attach the top and bottom pieces together, and the door is incredibly secure. Plus, the front and top openings allow for easy cleaning and access to your pet. In our lab testing, this crate&#;s door did not budge when pulled with 33 pounds of force and was not affected by the impact of a sandbag.
The top carrying handle also makes this crate a great option for city dwellers who commute to their vet's office or groomers. While we love how convenient this crate would be for extra-small to small dog breeds, we wish it was just slightly bigger to accommodate dogs within the 20-pound range. Nonetheless, this crate is a great, lightweight option for any travel situation for owners of small dogs.
Dimensions: 24.05 x 16.8 x 14.5 inches | Material: Recycled plastic | Attributes: Top handle, two doors with secure latches
"The crate is super simple to use! The door opens easily, and it even has a top part that comes off as well to check in on your dog. The latches definitely lock in but open easily by squeezing. And it's very easy to pick up and carry! I think a 15-pound dog would be very happy in this crate!"&#;Maria Bouselli, product tester
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Best for Flights
Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel
PHOTO: Petmate
Orig.
$105
$96 at Amazon
$140 at Cabelas.com
View on Petmate.com
What We Like
ID tags and detachable bowls included
Secure door latch
Meets most airline standards
What We Don't Like
Not portable with large dogs
If your dog is a frequent flier with you, then you&#;ll want a crate with a reliable closure and durable frame. The Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier offers crate sizes for all dogs up to 120 pounds, and it comes with two &#;live animal stickers,&#; ID tags, and detachable food bowls.
The intuitively designed crate has a secure latch that's virtually impossible for a dog to open, even if you have a Houdini-like pup in your home. This kennel also meets most airlines&#; standards for pet carriers, but be sure to consult with your preferred airline before making any flight plans with your pup.
If you have an especially reactive pup, keep in mind that the door to this crate may bend slightly with excessive force. While testing with roughly 68 pounds of force pulled against it, the door showed a slight bend, but overall we were impressed by the door&#;s durability and latch strength. This crate does not have a removable tray, but its plastic interior still make it relatively easy to clean, except for a few tight corners.
While Petmate does offer carriers with handles for their two smallest sizes (21-inch and 28-inch crates), the larger kennels may be more difficult to carry and maneuver through an airport, especially with a larger dog inside.
Dimensions: 24.5 x 18.25 x 19.5 inches; 32 x 22.5 x 24 inches; 36 x 25 x 27 inches; 40 x 27 x 30 inches | Material: Plastic, steel wire | Attributes: Side vents, wire door with latch, top handle (small sizes only)
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If your dog is too large to fly in-cabin, you will need a crate that meets your airline's requirements. In general, the crate should be lockable from the outside (escape-proof), structured, ventilated, and sized appropriately for your dog.
Best for Road Trips
Rock Creek Crates Stationary Dog Crate
PHOTO: Rock Creek
View on Rockcreekcrates.com
What We Like
Crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety
Appropriate for daily crate use and airline travel
Soft, removable pad included
10-year guarantee from manufacturer
What We Don't Like
Does not fit in all cars
The Stationary Dog Crate from Rock Creek Crates is designed to keep a dog secure and calm, even while in motion. The aluminum dog crate earned a five-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a non-profit organization based in the United States that conducts automobile crash tests on travel products designed for dogs. We also tested this crate with a real dog in a real life setting, and our participating canine quickly felt at ease using the crate as their main den. The crate was also used to transport our participant dog more safely in an SUV.
The crate arrives fully assembled with a removable pad inside. It's easy to wipe clean inside and out, and has non-slip feet. The front door has a lock and key and butterfly latches to securely lock your dog safely inside for roadtrips and flights. It comes in a variety of colors and four sizes: medium (30), large (36), x-large (42), and xx-large (48). To find the right size for your dog, you should measure your dog's height and length while standing on all four paws. The medium size (30) is recommended for dogs up to 22 inches tall, and the xx-large (48) is recommended for dogs under 32 inches in height.
Depending on which crate size works for your dog, you should also double check that it will fit in your car. We found the crate to be too large to fit in a smaller hatchback, but it was easy to fit in a standard sized SUV. In addition to size, the crate on its own is heavy, so you'll need at least two adults to lift and carry. It's also more expensive than other crates on our list, but it comes with a 10-year guarantee from the manufacturer.
Dimensions: 30.5 x 20 x 22.5 inches (30/medium); 36.5 x 23.5 x 27.75 inches (36/large); 42.5 x 28.5 x 32.5 inches (42/x-large); 48 x 32.25 x 35 inches (48/xx-large) | Material: Aluminum | Attributes: Lockable door, windows
The Spruce Pets / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
The Spruce Pets / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
The Spruce Pets / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
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Best Soft Crate
EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate
PHOTO: Amazon
$55 at Chewy
$55 at Amazon
$55 at Walmart
What We Like
Dual zipper flaps on sides and top
Removable, machine washable bed included
Easy to carry with side pockets for storage of small accessories
What We Don't Like
Fabric is not chew proof
For overnight stays outside of your home, the EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate is lightweight and easy to fold.
The alloy steel frame is covered in breathable nylon that is available in various colors. Three dual zipper flaps, one on top and two on each side, enable flexibility and convenience for checking on your dog and getting them safely inside. There are also two storage pockets on the exterior for small accessories, like a leash and a collapsible bowl. Inside you'll find a removable, machine-washable bed. The crate is durable, but not chew-proof so we do not recommend it for a teething puppy. Spills and accidents can be spot cleaned as needed.
Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 14 inches (extra-small), 24 x 18 x 21 inches (small), 30 x 21 x 24 inches (medium), 36 x 24 x 28 inches (medium/large), 42 x 28 x 32 inches (large) | Material: Alloy steel, nylon | Attributes: Mesh windows, top handles, carrying bag, three zippered doors
Best Hybrid
Casual Home Pet Crate End Table
PHOTO: Amazon
$95 at Chewy
$90 at Amazon
Orig.
$148
$90 at Walmart
What We Like
Four wood finishes: white, espresso, black, and walnut
Space to place a padded mat
Latch on door keeps it securely shut
Top surface used as end table can support up to 120 pounds
What We Don't Like
Not chew proof
Latch can be tricky to maneuver and secure
Crate pan and dog bed sold separately
The Casual Home Pet Crate End Table is available in four wood finishes to complement your home decor while providing a cozy den for your dog. The smallest size of this crate can accommodate dogs up to 18 pounds inside and the top surface, used as an end table, can support up to 120 pounds. The extra-large version can fit dogs up to 90 pounds and support 200 pounds on top.
To secure the door shut, the latch has a three-step process: pull out, move up, and then push down into place. We found it a little difficult to maneuver which then made it easier for our dog to get out. If you have a dog that is determined to get out, this crate is not the right choice, but if you have a dog that enjoys their den space, then this is a suitable option.
The crate pan and dog bed designed for the crate are sold separately, but you can also put a blanket or mat that your dog already loves inside to help them feel comfortable in their new space. Assembly is required, but it comes together easily with clear instructions provided.
Dimensions: 20 x 27.5 x 24 inches (small), 36.5 x 24 x 29.25 inches (medium) | Material: Wood | Attributes: Lockable door, windows
Best Budget, Metal Wire
Amazon Basics Metal Wire Dog Crate
PHOTO: Amazon
Orig.
$90
$85 at Amazon
What We Like
The crate maintained shape when picked up via handle on top with a 70-pound dog inside
Durable plastic tray is easy to remove for cleaning
Two doors and an optional divider
What We Don't Like
Door latches can be difficult to maneuver
The Amazon Basics Foldable Crate Metal Wire Dog Crate is sturdy and low maintenance. We tested the two-door style with one door on the short side of the rectangular shape and the other on the long side. The door latches are difficult to maneuver at first but loosen over time with use. If you are buying this crate for a puppy, a dividing gate is provided which gives you the option to expand the interior space they have access to as they grow. A durable plastic tray sized proportionally for each crate is easy to remove for cleaning with soap and water and dries quickly.
We placed our 70-pound dog inside the largest size of this crate (48 inches) and they had sufficient space to lay down. Using the handle on top, we were able to pick up the crate for a moment. The structure remained intact and supported our dog's weight.
Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 16 inches; 24 x 18 x 20 inches; 30 x 19 x 21 inches; 36 x 23 x 25 inches; 42 x 28 x 30 inches; 48 x 30 x 32.5 inches | Material: Metal, plastic | Attributes: Double door, foldable, removable tray
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