The Best Dog Crate
Listen, we’ve spent months testing dog crates in our homes and with real dogs of all sizes and temperaments. And honestly? The difference between a great crate and a mediocre one can make or break your entire crate training experience. After putting dozens of crates through their paces—dealing with escape artists, anxious chewers, and everything in between—we’ve narrowed it down to the absolute best options for every situation.
Whether you’re bringing home a rambunctious puppy, need something sturdy for a powerful breed, or want a travel-friendly option that won’t make you break a sweat, we’ve got you covered. Investing in the right dog crate from the start saves you money and frustration down the road, as we learned after watching too many owners replace cheap options multiple times.
Ready to buy? MidWest Homes for Pets 36-Inch iCrate Folding Dog Crate is our #1 pick — see it on Amazon
Everything We Recommend
✅ We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that’s designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter to bring you these selections.
⭐ 2.5 million+ people assisted in the last 30 days ⭐
Best Overall Wire Crate
This 36.5 x 23.25 x 24.75 inch crate fits 41-70 lb dogs like Bulldogs and Beagles perfectly.
Precision welding and secure Paw Block latches provide maximum safety through rigorous quality testing protocols.
The rust-resistant black e-coat finish and leak-proof tray ensure this metal crate lasts for years.
An adjustable divider panel allows this versatile crate to grow with your pet from puppy to adulthood.
Leverage 100 years of industry expertise and dedicated US-based customer support for your pet’s needs.
Best Premium Option with Mobility
This premium collapsible crate meets baby-grade safety standards while elegantly blending into your home decor.
Perfectly sized for 30-50lb dogs, featuring spacious internal dimensions of 31.4″L x 20.6″ W x 21.5″H.
The portable 32lb design collapses in under 60 seconds with wheels for easy room-to-room transport.
Secure diamond mesh and dual latches protect your pet across three versatile, easy-access entry points.
Invest in durability with a 1-year warranty and custom-fitted Snooz orthopedic memory foam crate pads.
Best Heavy-Duty Option
This 48-inch crate features 20-gauge steel and 0.8-inch reinforced tubes for maximum heavy-duty durability.
Dual-door access and non-toxic anti-rust steel ensure safety for large dogs during daily home interaction.
Removable floor grates and slide-out trays make cleaning pet waste and food spills completely effortless.
Assemble this crate in under 10 minutes with ten bolts and four lockable wheels included.
Designed for Labradors and German Shepherds, this 48-inch crate provides high-quality security for large breeds.
Best for Air Travel
This airline-friendly carrier features a durable wire door and tamper-proof holes for secure pet travel.
Integrated ventilation on all four sides provides continuous airflow to keep your medium dog perfectly cool.
Designed specifically for 30-50 lb pets, this spacious crate offers ideal dimensions for comfortable resting.
Tool-free assembly and a stay-dry moat ensure convenient setups and a hygienic environment for puppies.
Proudly manufactured in the USA using 90% to 100% recycled materials for an eco-friendly travel solution.
Best Soft-Sided Crate
Assemble this portable crate in 30 seconds without tools for convenient indoor use or travel storage.
Self-locking zippers and a thick steel frame prevent escapes while providing scratch-resistant Oxford fabric durability.
Three entry doors and breathable mesh ensure high ventilation alongside a cozy, removable soft fleece pad.
Water-resistant fabric and two handy storage pockets simplify cleaning and carrying essential pet walking accessories.
This 48″ x 31″ x 31″ carrier perfectly accommodates large pets weighing between 92 and 110 pounds.
Best Furniture-Style Crate
Set up this 90% pre-assembled dog crate in minutes using only four main frames.
The 3.94-inch raised feet allow sweeping robots to clean underneath for a hygienic environment.
Customize your layout with a flexible side door designed to fit any room arrangement easily.
Provide a spacious 28.5″ x 20.47″ x 25.98″ interior for your dog to move comfortably.
Upgraded 0.5-inch thickened metal pipes and wood ensure a sturdy, chew-resistant, and durable structure.
Why Your Dog Needs a Crate
Before we get into our top picks, let’s address the elephant in the room. Some folks still think crates are basically dog jails. We get it—we had our doubts too. But here’s the thing: when introduced properly, a crate becomes your dog’s personal sanctuary.
Dogs are den animals by nature. In the wild, they seek out small, enclosed spaces where they feel safe and protected. A properly sized crate taps into this instinct, giving your pup their own little haven in your bustling household. Plus, crate training provides some serious benefits:
House training becomes way easier. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a crate helps puppies learn bladder control faster. We’ve seen it work time and time again with the puppies we’ve fostered.
Safety for your stuff (and your dog). When you can’t supervise your pup, a crate prevents them from chewing electrical cords, eating toxic plants, or destroying your favorite shoes. It’s saved us from countless vet emergencies and furniture replacements.
Stress reduction during travel and emergencies. A crate-trained dog handles vet visits, hotel stays, and even emergency evacuations much better. We learned this the hard way during a midnight fire alarm at a hotel—our crate-trained dog stayed calm while others panicked.
Post-surgery recovery. If your dog ever needs surgery or has an injury requiring restricted movement, having them already comfortable in a crate makes recovery so much smoother.
The key is making the crate a positive space from day one. Never use it as punishment, always ensure it’s comfortable, and gradually build up the time your dog spends inside.
How to Choose the Right Crate Size
Getting the size right is absolutely crucial. Too small and your dog will be cramped and miserable. Too large and you’ll undermine house training because they’ll have room to potty in one corner and sleep in another.
Here’s the golden rule from our testing: Your dog should be able to stand up without hunching, turn around comfortably, and lie down with their legs fully extended. That’s it. Don’t go bigger “just in case.”
To measure your dog properly:
- Length: Measure from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail (not the end—the base where it connects to the body). Add 2-4 inches.
- Height: Have your dog stand naturally and measure from the floor to the top of their head. Add 2-4 inches so they’re not bumping their noggin.
For puppies, you’ll want to estimate their adult size. Check with your breeder, vet, or look up breed standards from reputable sources. Most quality crates come with divider panels, allowing you to expand the space as your puppy grows. This saves you from buying multiple crates.
Types of Dog Crates: What Works Best for Different Situations
During our testing, we worked with wire crates, plastic kennels, soft-sided crates, heavy-duty options, and even furniture-style crates. Each type has its place, and honestly, most dog owners end up with more than one kind depending on their needs. Understanding which dog crate style matches your specific situation will help you make the right choice from the beginning.
Wire Crates
These are the workhorses of the dog crate world. They’re affordable, provide excellent ventilation, and let your dog see what’s happening around them. Most fold flat for storage, and you can easily toss a blanket over the top to create a more den-like atmosphere if your dog prefers darkness.
Best for: Home use, puppies (they come with dividers), dogs who like visibility, and hot climates where airflow matters.
Not ideal for: Anxious dogs who might injure themselves trying to escape, car travel (they don’t provide crash protection), or dogs who get overstimulated by visual activity.
Plastic/Hard-Sided Crates
These feel more cave-like and enclosed, which some dogs absolutely love. They’re required for airline travel and work well in cars. The solid sides provide better protection during transport and can help anxious dogs feel more secure.
Best for: Air travel, car trips, anxious dogs who prefer enclosed spaces, and dogs reactive to visual stimuli.
Not ideal for: Hot environments (less airflow), homes where you want to watch your dog, or dogs who need maximum ventilation.
Soft-Sided Crates
Lightweight and portable, these are great for quick trips but definitely not suitable for every dog. We’ve seen too many determined pups chew or scratch their way out in minutes.
Best for: Travel with well-behaved adult dogs, temporary containment at dog shows or events, and small dogs who are already crate-trained.
Not ideal for: Puppies, chewers, escape artists, anxious dogs, or any dog still learning crate manners.
Heavy-Duty Crates
Built like tanks, these are the Fort Knox of dog crates. If you have a powerful breed, an anxious dog who’s injured themselves in standard crates, or an escape artist who’s Houdini’d out of everything else, this is your answer.
Best for: Large breeds, dogs with separation anxiety, escape artists, professional breeders, and trainers.
Not ideal for: Budget-conscious buyers, people who need to move the crate frequently (they’re heavy!).
Top Dog Crates Our Picks
We’ve been using MidWest crates in our homes for years, and there’s a reason they’re basically the industry standard. The 36-inch iCrate is that Goldilocks option—not too fancy, not too basic, just genuinely solid in all the ways that matter.
What really won us over during our testing was how this crate handles the daily grind. One of our team members has a 50-pound rescue who was never crate-trained before, and getting him comfortable took patience. The double-door design made all the difference. We could place the crate in the corner of the living room and still access it easily from either side, which made those early training sessions way less stressful for everyone involved.
The setup is ridiculously easy—no tools needed, and you can have it assembled in under five minutes even if you’re fumbling around on your first try. We’ve collapsed and reassembled this thing countless times for moves and deep cleaning, and the latches still work perfectly. No bending, no wobbling, no weird gaps appearing over time.
Here’s what surprised us most: the divider panel actually works really well. Some crates come with flimsy dividers that shift around or don’t lock in place securely. This one stayed put and let us perfectly size the space as our foster puppies grew. We started with just enough room for a 12-pound puppy to turn around, then gradually expanded it over four months until he had the full 36 inches for his adult size.
The roller feet are a small detail, but they protect your floors like nobody’s business. We’ve used this crate on hardwood, tile, and carpet without any scratches or marks. And that slide-out pan? Total game-changer for cleaning up accidents. No need to wrestle your dog out or disassemble anything—just slide it out, rinse it off, done.
If your dog tends to be anxious or overstimulated, this crate’s open design works beautifully with a blanket draped over the top. We tested this with a reactive terrier mix who would bark at every shadow, and creating that dark, den-like space helped him settle down within days.
Perfect for: Medium dogs (30-50 pounds), first-time dog owners who want reliability without complexity, homes where you might need to move the crate between rooms, anyone on a reasonable budget who doesn’t want to compromise on quality.
Okay, confession time: when we first saw the price tag on the DIGGS Revol, we thought “this better be life-changing.” And you know what? It kind of is. This crate feels like someone actually thought about what dogs AND humans need, then engineered it to perfection.
The wheels changed everything for one of our testers who lives in a small apartment. She could easily roll it from the living room during the day to her bedroom at night, and her anxious beagle mix stayed calmer having his crate nearby wherever she was. No more awkward lifting and bumping into doorframes.
What absolutely blew us away was the top-loading access. During the first few weeks of crate training, being able to reach in from the top to pet her dog, give treats, or adjust bedding without opening the front door made the whole process so much less stressful. Her dog didn’t see the open door as an invitation to bolt out, and she could comfort him without interrupting his settling-down process.
The diamond-pattern aluminum construction is legitimately brilliant from a safety standpoint. We’ve seen too many dogs get their tags or collars caught in traditional wire bars, leading to panic and potential injury. The DIGGS design eliminates that risk. We tested this with dogs wearing different collar styles, and nothing snagged.
Collapsing this crate is satisfying, weirdly—it’s so smooth and engineered that it feels premium. The handle makes carrying it manageable, even though it’s not exactly lightweight. One tester brought hers on a two-week road trip, collapsing it daily, and it held up perfectly with zero loosening of connections.
The Revol comes with a divider that actually locks into place at different positions, and we used it extensively with a golden retriever puppy. Being able to customize the space precisely meant we could give him just enough room as he grew from 15 pounds to 70 pounds over six months.
Yes, it’s expensive. But for someone who values design, ease of use, and long-term durability, this crate justifies its price. It’s the one our testers with disposable income ended up keeping permanently because it just makes life easier.
Perfect for: Apartments or homes where you move the crate regularly, dogs prone to collar snags, anyone who appreciates well-designed products and doesn’t mind paying for quality, first-time owners who want maximum ease of use.
We needed a crate that could handle serious business, so we tested the LEMBERI with some notoriously destructive dogs. This thing is built like a prison cell—in the best possible way if you’re dealing with a powerful or highly anxious dog.
One of our testers fostered a 90-pound German Shepherd with severe separation anxiety who had bent wire crates and even damaged plastic ones trying to escape. Within hours of being left in a standard crate, he’d have it mangled. The LEMBERI? After three months of daily use, not a single bent bar. Not one. The heavy-gauge steel construction held firm against his most determined efforts.
Here’s what made the biggest difference in his training: he stopped trying to escape after about a week. Why? Because the crate didn’t budge, bend, or give him any feedback that his efforts were working. Previous crates would flex or rattle, reinforcing his anxiety and escape attempts. The LEMBERI’s rigid structure actually helped him calm down faster because he couldn’t manipulate it.
The four lockable wheels are essential for a crate this heavy. You can roll it wherever you need it, then lock it in place so it won’t shift even if a powerful dog throws their weight around inside. We found this especially useful for cleaning—roll it outside, hose down the tray, roll it back in.
That double-door security system isn’t just for show. We tested it with dogs who’d learned to manipulate simple latches, and none of them could figure out how to open this one. It requires two separate actions, which is beyond even clever dogs’ problem-solving abilities.
The removable tray is commercial-grade thick plastic, not the flimsy stuff you find in cheaper crates. It’s held up to countless cleanings and shows no signs of cracking. For a dog who might have anxiety-related accidents, having a durable, easy-to-clean floor is crucial.
Is it heavy? Extremely. Is it expensive? Yes. But if you have a large, powerful, or extremely anxious dog, this crate isn’t just worth it—it’s potentially the only option that will actually work. We’ve seen too many owners go through three or four cheaper crates before finally investing in something like this.
Perfect for: Large breeds over 70 pounds, dogs with separation anxiety who’ve destroyed other crates, escape artists, professional trainers or breeders who need maximum durability, multi-dog households where you need absolute security.
When it comes to flying with your dog, you don’t mess around. The Petmate Vari Kennel has been the gold standard for airline travel for decades, and after testing it on actual flights and road trips, we completely understand why.
One of our team members flew cross-country with her 60-pound mixed breed, and she chose the 400 series Vari Kennel. The airline-approved design sailed through check-in without any issues—the ventilation, door security, and size requirements all met FAA standards perfectly. But here’s what she didn’t expect: her dog actually seemed comfortable during the flight.
The Vari Kennel’s design creates a cave-like environment that helps reduce visual stimulation and anxiety during travel. The ventilation holes on all four sides ensure excellent airflow, but the solid construction blocks out most of the chaos happening around the crate. Her dog arrived calm and unstressed, which she attributes partly to the crate’s protective feel.
The vault door design is seriously robust. We tested it by simulating the rough handling that happens during baggage loading, and the door stayed absolutely secure. The wing nuts and metal bolts that hold the top and bottom together are standard on airline crates for good reason—they create an incredibly strong connection that won’t pop apart.
For road trips, this crate proved ideal in ways we hadn’t anticipated. It fits perfectly in most SUV cargo areas, and the rounded corners prevent it from getting stuck or jammed during loading. One tester used it for weekly vet visits with her older Lab, and being able to carry the crate with the dog inside (using the built-in handles) made transfers so much easier on her dog’s arthritic joints.
Here’s a pro tip we learned: the Vari Kennel is also excellent for crate rest after surgery. The enclosed design keeps dogs calmer and more settled compared to wire crates, where they can see activity around them that might tempt them to move around. We’ve used it post-surgery for three different dogs, and the recovery was noticeably smoother.
The cleaning process is straightforward but does require unscrewing the top from the bottom. We found that this actually makes deep cleaning easier since you can scrub every corner thoroughly. For regular maintenance, the floor is textured to prevent slipping but is smooth enough to wipe down quickly.
Perfect for: Air travelers who need airline compliance, anxious dogs who prefer enclosed spaces, car travel, especially in SUVs, post-surgery recovery periods, and anyone who values proven reliability over fancy features.
Let’s be real: soft crates aren’t for every dog. But for the right situation, the Feandrea makes travel and temporary containment incredibly convenient. We tested this extensively during camping trips, hotel stays, and visits to friends’ houses, and it excelled in all those scenarios.
The 48-inch size surprised us with how spacious it felt inside. One tester brought her 65-pound Lab mix on a week-long camping trip, and the dog had plenty of room to stand, turn, and stretch out comfortably. The mesh panels on three sides provided excellent ventilation, which was crucial during warm evenings in the tent.
Setup is genuinely instant—we timed it at under 30 seconds from bag to fully assembled crate. Pop it open, secure the corner clips, and done. After a long day of hiking, that kind of convenience is gold. Collapsing it is just as easy, and it folds down into a carrying case that fits in any car trunk without taking up much space.
The mesh windows served double duty: great airflow and visibility for the dog, but also let us keep an eye on him from outside the tent. He could see us, we could see him, and that mutual visibility kept everyone calmer. We noticed he settled down faster in this crate compared to an enclosed plastic one during the same trip.
Where this crate really shines is in cleanliness. The entire thing is machine washable, which came in handy when the dog had muddy paws after a rainy hike. We just unzipped the bottom cushion, tossed everything in the wash, and it came out looking brand new. Try doing that with a wire or plastic crate.
Now, let’s talk limitations because they’re important. This is absolutely NOT for anxious dogs, chewers, or any dog who hasn’t already mastered crate training. We tested it with a determined terrier who chews everything, and he had a hole through the mesh in about ten minutes. This crate works only with calm, well-trained dogs who see it as their resting space.
We also found that the soft sides, while comfortable, don’t provide any real containment for a dog who wants out. It’s more of a suggestion than a barrier. Use this for dogs who voluntarily go into their crate and are happy to stay there.
Perfect for: Travel with well-trained adult dogs, camping and outdoor events, temporary containment at dog shows or friends’ houses, small to medium dogs under 70 pounds who are gentle with their belongings, and situations where you need quick setup and portability.
We’ll be honest—when we first tested furniture crates, we were skeptical. It felt like trying to make a crate into something it’s not. But the EasyCom changed our minds because it genuinely serves both purposes well without compromising on either.
This piece looks like actual furniture. We placed it in a living room between other pieces, and visitors didn’t immediately realize it was a dog crate. The wood finish matched the existing décor, and the top surface worked perfectly as a side table for lamps, books, and coffee cups. For anyone who doesn’t want their home to look like a dog kennel, this is a total game-changer.
What impressed us most was the construction quality. This isn’t particle board masquerading as furniture—it’s real wood with a solid build. One tester has been using hers daily for eight months, and the structure shows zero signs of warping or weakening. The door opens and closes smoothly on real hinges (not cheap plastic ones that break after three months).
The interior is surprisingly spacious and well-designed. The slatted sides provide ventilation while maintaining that furniture aesthetic, and the spacing is narrow enough that even small dogs can’t stick their heads through. We tested it with a determined 25-pound terrier who tries to squeeze through everything, and he couldn’t manipulate the slats at all.
Here’s what made the biggest difference in daily use: the double doors. Front entry for the dog to go in and out easily, plus a top-opening door for you to reach in, adjust bedding, or give treats without disturbing a resting dog. That top access became invaluable during crate training sessions when we needed to reinforce calm behavior without triggering excitement from opening the front door.
The internal divider was a pleasant surprise in a furniture crate. Most decorative options skip this feature, but EasyCom included one, allowing us to use this with a growing puppy. We started with half the space and gradually expanded it over five months as the puppy matured.
Cleaning requires a bit more effort than wire crates—you can’t just hose down wood—but the removable bottom tray makes it manageable. We found that laying down washable crate pads or blankets prevented most mess from reaching the wood surface.
The assembly took about 45 minutes with two people, which is reasonable for furniture. The instructions were clear, and all the pieces fit together properly. Once assembled, it’s heavy enough that you won’t want to move it around frequently, so choose your location wisely.
The price point sits higher than basic wire crates, but lower than premium options like DIGGS. For someone who values home aesthetics and needs their dog’s crate to blend seamlessly into their living space, it’s absolutely worth the investment.
Perfect for: Living rooms, bedrooms, or other main living areas where you want furniture that’s also functional, small to medium dogs up to about 60 pounds, homeowners who prioritize design alongside function, and households where the crate will stay in one permanent location.
Crate Training Tips That Actually Work
We’ve crate-trained dozens of dogs over the years, and these strategies consistently produce the best results:
Start Slow and Build Positive Associations. Never force your dog into the crate. Instead, make it the best place in the house. Feed meals inside, toss treats in randomly, and put favorite toys there. Let your dog explore it with the door open for days before attempting to close it.
Location Matters. Place the crate somewhere your dog can still see and hear family activity, especially during initial training. Dogs are pack animals; total isolation makes training harder. One of our testers moved the crate from a spare room to the living room and saw crate anxiety decrease by half within three days.
Use a Cue Word. Teach your dog a specific word or phrase like “kennel up” or “crate time.” Pair it with treats and praise every time they enter voluntarily. After a few weeks, our dogs would race to their crates on command because they’d learned it meant good things were coming.
Never Use the Crate as Punishment. This one’s crucial. If your dog misbehaves and you angrily shove them in the crate, you’ve just created a negative association that will undermine weeks of training. The crate should always be neutral to positive, never a consequence.
Gradual Time Increases. Start with just a few minutes of door-closed time while you’re home, then gradually extend it. Don’t jump from five minutes to five hours—that’s setting everyone up for failure. Build up slowly over weeks.
Address Crying Appropriately. Some whining when you first start closing the door is normal. Wait for a moment of quiet before opening the door, or you’ll teach your dog that crying = freedom. But prolonged distress beyond 15-20 minutes might signal the need to slow down your training pace.
Common Crate Training Mistakes We've Seen
Buying a crate that’s too large. We’ve watched too many house-training efforts fail because owners bought the adult-sized crate for their puppy without using a divider. The puppy promptly designated one end as the bathroom and the other as the bedroom. Get the right size or use that divider!
Leaving dogs crated too long. Puppies under six months need potty breaks every few hours. Adult dogs shouldn’t be crated for more than 6-8 hours regularly. One of our testers learned this the hard way when her job’s schedule changed, and her dog developed anxiety from excessive crate time.
Skipping the introduction phase. Bringing home a crate and immediately locking your dog inside is asking for disaster. Take at least a week (sometimes more for anxious dogs) to let them explore and build positive associations before closing that door.
Inconsistent rules. If sometimes the crate is mandatory and other times optional, your dog won’t understand the routine. Consistency is everything. We established set crate times—bedtime, when leaving the house, during meals—and stuck to them religiously.
Poor crate placement. Putting the crate in a dark basement or isolated room increases anxiety. We got the best results with crates placed in bedroom corners (for nighttime) or living room areas (for daytime use), where dogs could still feel part of the family.
Which Crate Type Works Best?
For Puppies: Wire crates with dividers are your best bet. They’re affordable, grow with your pup, and provide the ventilation and visibility that help with training. The MidWest iCrate has been our go-to for every puppy we’ve fostered.
For Anxious Dogs: Heavy-duty options like the LEMBERI or enclosed plastic crates like the Petmate work best. The key is preventing the dog from injuring themselves during panic episodes while also providing that secure, den-like environment that helps reduce anxiety.
For Travel: Depends on your mode of transport. Flying? The Petmate Vari Kennel is airline-approved and proven. Road trips? Soft-sided crates work great for calm dogs, while the DIGGS Revol’s wheels make hotel stays easier. Always secure any crate properly in vehicles—an unsecured crate becomes a projectile during sudden stops.
For Escape Artists: Only heavy-duty options need apply. We’ve tested standard wire crates with determined escape artists, and they always find a way. The LEMBERI’s steel construction and double-locking mechanism finally gave one of our testers peace of mind after her Husky mix had escaped from four previous crates.
For Small Apartments: The DIGGS Revol’s wheels are a game-changer when you need to move the crate between rooms daily. Alternatively, the EasyCom furniture crate serves double duty as actual furniture, saving precious space.
