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The best dog crates give your dog a safe, den-like spot at home, in the car and on trips, and the right one depends on your dog’s size, temperament and where the crate will live. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews to pick wire, plastic, soft, heavy-duty and furniture-style dog crates for puppies, escape artists and big breeds alike.
Part of our Outdoor, Kitchen & Pet Buying Guides.
Quick picks
Price tiers: $ under $100, $$ $100-$300, $$$ $300-$600, $$$$ $600+ (varies by size; approximate at time of writing).
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate Single Door Dog Crate | Best overall | $ | See price |
| Diggs Revol Dog Crate | Easy folding and puppies | $$-$$$ | See price |
| Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel | Air travel | $-$$ | See price |
| Gunner G1 Kennel | Car travel safety | $$$-$$$$ | See price |
| Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate | Escape artists | $$$$ | See price |
| Snuowu Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels | Budget heavy-duty | $$ | See price |
| MidWest Ginormous 54-Inch Dog Crate | Giant breeds | $$ | See price |
| EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate | Calm dogs and road trips | $ | See price |
| Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate End Table | Small dogs in living spaces | $$ | See price |
| EasyCom 78-Inch Dog Cage Furniture | Two dogs or large furniture crate | $$ | See price |
1. MidWest iCrate Single Door Dog Crate: Best Overall
The MidWest iCrate is the classic folding wire crate for good reason. It comes in sizes from extra-small to extra-large, includes a divider panel so you can grow the space with a puppy, and has a leak-proof plastic pan that pulls out for cleaning. It folds flat for storage or travel and costs far less than specialty crates.
Key specs
- Steel wire, folds flat
- Sizes for extra-small to extra-large breeds
- Divider panel and leak-proof pan included
- Slide-bolt latch, rounded corners
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners like the easy setup, divider and value. The most common complaints are rattling and the occasional bent wire from strong or anxious dogs.
2. Diggs Revol Dog Crate: Best for Easy Folding and Puppies
The Diggs Revol rethinks the wire crate with an aluminum frame, reinforced plastic and a garage-style door that slides up out of the way. It collapses quickly without pinching fingers, and it looks tidier in a living room than a standard wire crate. It costs several times more than an iCrate, so it suits owners who will set it up and fold it often.
Key specs
- Aluminum frame with reinforced plastic
- Collapsible design
- Garage-style sliding door plus side door
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners love how quickly it folds and how it looks. The price is the main drawback.
3. Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel: Best for Air Travel
Petmate’s Ultra Vari is a go-to plastic kennel for flying, with a steel wire door, squeeze latch and enclosed sides that many dogs find calming. Petmate makes it largely from recycled plastic, and it comes in sizes for small through extra-large dogs. Always confirm your airline’s current kennel rules before you book.
Key specs
- Plastic shell with steel wire door
- Squeeze latch
- Sizes for small to extra-large dogs
- Designed to meet many airline cargo requirements
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners trust it for flights and car rides. Bulk when stored is the most common gripe.
4. Gunner G1 Kennel: Best for Car Travel Safety
If your dog rides in the car often, the Gunner G1 is in a class of its own. It uses double-wall rotomolded construction and, per Canine Bible, is the only crate to earn a 5-star crash test rating from the Center for Pet Safety. It is heavy, does not fold and costs a lot, but it is built for protection first.
Key specs
- Double-wall rotomolded shell with stainless hardware
- Sizes for small to large dogs
- 5-star Center for Pet Safety crash rating
- Many color options
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners who travel with dogs say the peace of mind is worth it. Weight and price are the common complaints.
5. Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate: Best for Escape Artists
For dogs that bend wire or chew through plastic, Impact’s powder-coated aluminum High Anxiety crate is one of the toughest options. The company backs it with a dog damage guarantee. A crate is not a cure for separation anxiety, so pair it with training and, if needed, advice from your vet or a certified trainer.
Key specs
- Powder-coated aluminum construction
- Sizes for medium to extra-extra-large dogs
- Dog damage guarantee from the maker
- Collapsible version available
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners of determined escapees often call it the first crate that held their dog. The price is the usual sticking point.
6. Snuowu Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels: Best Budget Heavy-Duty
Snuowu’s metal crate offers a heavy-duty frame, two doors and locking wheels at a fraction of the price of premium escape-proof crates. It comes in 38-, 42- and 48-inch sizes and folds down, and the wheels make it easy to move around the house.
Key specs
- Heavy-duty metal frame, collapsible
- 2 doors, 360-degree locking wheels
- 38-, 42- and 48-inch sizes
- 1-year warranty
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers like the sturdiness for the money and the wheels. Some mention assembly takes time and a second person.
7. MidWest Ginormous 54-Inch Dog Crate: Best for Giant Breeds
Great Danes, Mastiffs and other giant breeds need more room than most crates offer. MidWest’s Ginormous 54-inch crate is sized for extra-extra-large dogs and uses heavier wire than the iCrate. It uses drop-pin assembly that is best done with two people, and a divider is not included.
Key specs
- 54-inch heavy-duty wire crate
- Collapsible, single door
- Drop-pin assembly
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Giant-breed owners say it is one of few crates that actually fits. Its size and weight make moving it a chore.
8. EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate: Best Soft Crate
Soft crates are light, fold small and work well for calm, crate-trained dogs at hotels, camp or a relative’s house. EliteField’s 3-door model uses 600D fabric over a steel tube frame, includes a washable fleece bed and has mesh windows for airflow.
Key specs
- 600D fabric on a steel tube frame
- 3 doors, mesh windows, folds flat
- Machine-washable fleece bed included
- 2-year warranty
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like it for travel and calm dogs. Most warn it will not hold a dog that wants out.
9. Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate End Table: Best Furniture Crate for Small Dogs
A furniture-style crate doubles as an end table, so it blends into a living room instead of looking like a kennel. Casual Home’s wooden crate has a lockable door and a flat top for a lamp or books. It is sized for small dogs and is not meant for chewers.
Key specs
- Wooden end-table design
- About 27.5 x 20 x 24 inches
- Single lockable door
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like how it fits their decor. Some mention assembly and fit-and-finish could be better.
10. EasyCom 78-Inch Dog Cage Furniture: Best Large Furniture Crate
For larger dogs or two dogs, EasyCom’s 78-inch wood-and-metal crate works like a long TV console. It has three doors, an adjustable divider and a base raised about 4 inches so a robot vacuum can clean underneath.
Key specs
- 78-inch wood and metal console design
- 3 doors, adjustable divider
- Raised base (about 3.9 inches)
👍 Pros
|
👎 Cons
|
What owners say: Owners like that it looks like furniture and fits two dogs. Assembly time and size are the common complaints.
How to choose the best dog crate
- Size it right: Your dog should be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Measure nose to tail base and floor to top of head, then add a few inches.
- Plan for growth: For puppies, buy the adult size and use a divider so the space grows with them.
- Match the type to the dog: Wire suits most dogs, plastic suits flying and dogs that like an enclosed den, soft crates suit calm travelers, and aluminum or heavy-duty crates suit chewers and escape artists.
- Car travel: If the crate rides in a vehicle, look for crash-test results and secure it with tie-downs.
- Where it lives: Furniture-style crates look better in living areas but are not for destructive dogs.
- Cleaning and portability: Removable pans, folding frames and wheels make daily life easier.
FAQ
What size dog crate do I need?
Choose a crate a few inches longer and taller than your dog when standing. Most makers publish size charts by weight and breed, but measuring your dog is more reliable.
Is crate training cruel?
When introduced gradually and used for reasonable periods, many trainers and vets consider crate training a helpful tool that gives dogs a safe space. Avoid using it as punishment, and ask your vet or a certified trainer if your dog shows distress.
Wire or plastic crate: which is better?
Wire crates fold, ventilate well and let dogs see out. Plastic crates feel more enclosed and are usually required for air travel. Many owners use wire at home and plastic for trips.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
It depends on age, health and training. Puppies need frequent breaks. Follow guidance from your vet, and make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and time out of the crate.
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Sources
Canine Bible: The 15 Best Dog Crates of 2026; Center for Pet Safety; manufacturer product pages for MidWest, Diggs, Petmate, Gunner and Impact. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.