The Best Dog Crates for Your Canine Companion

With so many options on the market, from materials to specialized uses, choosing a crate suited to your unique needs and requirements can be a daunting task. There are many similarities across the board, but some have additional features that turn a standard crate into something truly special. To help you decide, we have cut through all the hoopla and compiled an unbiased list of the nine best dog crates on the market today, complete with the pros and cons of each. Whichever crate you choose, you can be confident that the following information contains everything you need to make an informed decision.

Best Wire Dog Crate: MidWest Ultima Pro Folding Crate

Key features

• Folds for storage and travel
• Durable metal construction
• Thick and strong wire
• Includes plastic pan and divider panel

Pros

• Rubber rolling feet for floor protection
• Carries easily with a strong, plastic handle
• 5 different sizes
• Easy clean up with leak-proof, pull out plastic pan
• 2 access doors with secure sliding latches

Cons

• Maximum pet weight is 110 pounds
• Crate is heavier than others at 40 pounds
• Price is higher than some others

Best Plastic Dog Crate: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog & Cat Kennel

Key features

• Comfortable interior
• Highly suited for travel
• Wire vents for strength as opposed to plastic
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Easy assembly

Pros

• Tool-free assembly
• 6 available sizes
• Inexpensive
• Sturdy and durable
• Easy to clean and eco-friendly
• Suitable for airline travel

Cons

• No warranty
• Difficulty adhering “Live Animal” stickers for travel
• Older models do not have 360 degree ventilation
• Only for dogs up to 90 pounds

Best Fabric/Soft-Sided Dog Crate: Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Series 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate

Key Features

• Excellent design with steel frame
• Durable fabric
• Quick and easy set up and dismantling
• Light, yet sturdy

Pros

• Extremely comfortable and well-ventilated
• Fabric is machine washable
• Inexpensive and lightweight at 19 pounds
• Mesh doors with side and front entry
• 5 sizes available

Cons

• Only good up to 70 pounds
• Comes with no extras
• Strong chewers may damage the material
• Fabric has an intense odor when first purchased

Best Heavy-Duty Dog Crate: ProSelect Empire Single Door Steel Dog Crate

Key features

• Unbelievably strong steel construction
• Slide-out catch tray under grated floor
• Removable, locking casters
• Sized for medium and large dogs

Pros

• Sliding latches are sturdy and out of pet’s reach
• Reinforced welds on stress points
• Constructed from 20-gauge steel coated with epoxy
• Tight bar spacing
• Can easily be rolled around the house
• Escape proof

Cons

• Assembly takes about 25 minutes with two people
• Not practical to disassemble for traveling
• Only available in two sizes
• Very costly

Best for puppies: MidWest Life Stages Pet Crate

Key features

• Folds quickly for portability and storage
• Solidly constructed frame and body
• 2 sliding latches on each door
• Divider to grow with your pup

Pros

• 6 sizes available for various sizes of puppies
• Inexpensive, sturdy steel alloy construction
• Dual doors for easy access
• Easy to clean, slide out tray easily catches messes and spilled food
• No sharp interior edges

Cons

• Exceptionally large dogs or aggressive chewers may damage the bars
• Slightly pricier than other similar options

Best for Small Dogs: Frisco Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate

Key features

• No tools needed for assembly
• Handles are adjustable to make carrying easier
• Easy and convenient to fold down for travel or storage
• Divider panel allows you to choose the interior dimensions
• Durable and strong

Pros

• Perfect for any age of dog thanks to the divider
• Available in 6 different sizes
• Plastic tray is easy to clean and durable
• Lightweight and portable
• Very economically priced

Cons

• Wires can bend if crate is folded incorrectly
• The metal bars can be noisy if your dog is overly active
• Only 1 door latch on smaller size models

Best for Large Dogs: MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Single Door Dog Crate

Key features

• Roomy and sturdy metal construction
• Divider panel to accommodate dog growth from all stages
• Epoxy coating on wire to keep crate corrosion free
• Easy assembly with no tools required

Pros

• Handles on each side for easy transport
• Available in 7 sizes to accommodate almost any breed
• Rounded corners to prevent injury
• Built to last
• The easy to clean pan is both durable and replaceable
• Roller feet to protect surfaces

Cons

• Pricier compared to other similar models
• May not contain extremely aggressive dogs
• The hard bottom may require a blanket or cushion for comfort

Best Furniture Style Crate: Merry Products 2-in-1 Configurable Furniture Style Dog Crate

Key features

• Multi-functional design works as a gate or crate
• Stylish and fits in with any décor
• Easy assembly in minutes
• Solid wood with walnut finish

Pros

• Very roomy for smaller dogs up to 60 pounds
• Easy to clean with a removable tray
• Endless configurations due to pin hinges

Cons

• The top is not secured and only sits on the sides
• Not appropriate for dogs larger than 60 pounds
• Fairly expensive for the quality
• Hinges are weak and can break easily

Best Travel Dog Crate: EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate

Key features

• Easy assembly and take down in seconds
• 3 mesh doors for premium circulation
• Fleece bed and carrying case included
• Hex mesh and polyester fabric
• Durable, yet lightweight steel construction

Pros

• Available in 5 sizes and 11 colors
• Spacious interior that allows most dogs to stand easily
• Excellent breathability and ventilation
• Has both a handle and carrying straps
• Both mat and cover are removable and washable
• Top door makes crating nervous dogs easy
• Sturdy frame constructed from steel tubing
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Higher cost than other soft-sided crates
• Clean up can be tedious for dogs not housetrained
• Can be chewed easily by most dogs, potentially allowing escape
• Needs to be washed often to reduce odors and bacteria

As you can see, there are many different types of crates to choose from. While each one has its own pros and cons, our overall choice for the best dog crate is the MidWest Ultima Pro Folding Crate, and the reasons for this choice are simple.

The variety of sizes makes it appropriate for almost every dog, and it is super simple to move around and transport. It also gets top marks for being so easy to assemble and to clean. Additionally, the durable steel construction ensures that this crate will have an exceptional life expectancy. In short, it has everything a dog owner could want or need to keep their precious pooch safe whether at home, or during travel.