A dog crate is a ‘den’ for your furry friend that lets them have their own space in your house, providing a cozy corner for your pet to lie after a long hiking day or that tiring daily trail. The best dog crate serves these purposes while keeping your pooch protected from potential risks and accidents.
Not only does it act as a great carrier on the way to the vet, but it can also be a safe place when going for that much-awaited road trip with your dog. Suitable for all dog breeds, a dog crate deserves a place in every household.
Fortunately, there are multiple options for today that are designed with your four-legged friend’s safety, size, and comfort needs kept in mind. We have made an effort to make your pet family feel comfortable by bringing you the best impact dog crates. Keep scrolling to know more.
How to Choose the Best Dog Crate?
Amongst multiple crate options, finding the best dog crate can be a life-changing decision for you and your pet. This makes the process of choosing one even more critical. To make it simpler for you, we have a few pointers that you can follow:
Material
Your dog’s safety is the first and foremost thing to consider. A dog crate that can deliver comfort and keep your pet safe is worth purchasing. The level of safety of the crate depends on the nature of your pet and the material of the crate. Generally, plastic ones are considered safer than metal and wooden ones, as strong materials can raise safety concerns for chewers. Additionally, rust-free and corrosion-free materials will likely keep your furry mate happy and safe.
If you have long and tall furry friends who need special protection, crates made of steel or aluminum are more suitable. For those small breeds who like it super cozy, crates made of fabric, accompanied by cushions, are the best.
Size
When choosing a pet crate, examine its shape and size. A good crate should have enough room for your dog to move, sit, stand, or stretch their body. The best dog crates for high-anxiety dogs are usually spacious and provide proper ventilation. Check out the size charts properly before investing in a dog crate.
Design
Practical design is everything. Along with that, the overall appearance of the crate matters. Designs like mesh wires or metal tubings can easily blend with your surroundings. Options in neutral color palettes are also great when it comes to complementing your furniture. The following are some other features that must be considered before investing in a dog crate:
- Trays: Crates that come with a removable or slide-out tray are quite helpful, as these can help you clean messes easily. Also, placing a cushion or bottom padding can enhance the feel of the crate, making it more comfortable for the dog.
- Double Doors: Double doors can come in handy for interaction with your puppy as well as for providing the essentials more efficiently. Try looking for crates that have a front door and a top door for easier access.
What Types of Dog Crates Are There?
There are a variety of dog crates to choose from-
Foldable Crate
As the name suggests, these crates are easy to fold, assemble, and store. Being foldable, they occupy less space and are easy to carry while traveling.
Side Table Crate
These are versatile crates that come with a functional top external surface. One can use it as a side or end table, making it blend easily into a room.
Carrier Crate
Such crates come with a handle and are way easier to carry in comparison to other crates.
Wireframe Crate
These crates often come with a divider that helps create enough room for your pet. This style is collapsible and is very easy to clean. Such crates are mostly suitable for dogs with high anxiety issues because they usually have a lot of space, and dogs can see everything properly. Also, these provide good ventilation.
Aluminum Crate
Made from aluminum, these are sturdy and heavy-duty, structured dens that offer great protection and are suitable for carrying your dog on high-speed travels.
Plastic Crate
These are lightweight plastic crates that are sturdy and great for your pet, especially if they are chewers.
Mesh Crates
Made out of fabric or mesh, these are super-light dog crates and are suitable for small-breed dogs. Being easily foldable, they take up less storage space but are very comfortable for your furry companion.
Best Dog Crates You Can Buy in 2025
We know how important functionality, durability, and quality are for your canine friends, which is why we have done our research and curated the best dog crates for your pets. Take a look at these sturdy options and choose one according to your four-legged companion’s needs!
BEST OVERALL
MidWest Homes Single Door iCrate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Simple to clean
Affordable price
Easy to assemble
Available in 7 sizes
Wide opening design
Comes with round corners
But…
Slightly heavy
The MidWest Homes Single Door iCrate is ideal for pets who need a sturdy den. Made of metal, the crate can be a long-lasting home for your pooch. It has a single door with a slide bolt latch — the patented Paw Block keeps your dog safe and secure. The size is perfect for small dog breeds weighing up to 12 pounds. It also features a divider panel, protective rubber feet, and a leak-proof plastic pan, making it one of the best well-ventilated and cozy dog crates.
It is also reviewed as a very spacious dog crate on Amazon. As a well-built, heavy-duty metal crate, it offers quality assurance. The bottom plastic pan is removable and can be cleaned when desired.
Best Heavy-Metal
New World Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Secure latches
Available in 5 sizes
Offers enough visibility
Easy to assemble
Comes with a durable dustpan
Compatible with multiple brand accessories
But…
Slightly flimsy bottom tray
New World’s crate is designed to provide a secure environment for your dog. It is suitable for small and large breeds, and it comes with a leak-proof plastic pan, making it easy to clean. The crate checks all the boxes of a good crate, be it ease of assembling, durability, or portability. It also features rounded corners, coated with a long-lasting black E-coat finish that keeps it protected. Your pet will get proper ventilation while the convenient fold-down design makes it easy to store.
With a Paw Block latch, this crate serves as a secure home for your pet. If you want to housetrain your pet, it can be really useful with its comfy den-like space. Place a soft mat at the bottom, and your furry mate is good to go!
Best Metal Wire
Amazon Basics Metal Wire Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Portable
Available in 7 sizes
Easy to clean
Removable tray
No tool is required for assembling
Smooth lock mechanism
But…
Slightly weak plastic latch
Amazon Basics presents this 22-inch dog crate with a solid metal wire construction. It comes with a manual door-locking mechanism that keeps your pet secure. Not only is it easy to set up, but it also folds down easily for compact storage. The crate has a divider for adjusting the internal space. An interesting feature of the crate is the metal hook at the bottom that keeps the tray from moving, providing better comfort to your pet.
Best With Two Doors
BestPet Dog Crates
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Well-built
Easy to set up
Has a lot of room
Fold-and-carry design
But…
Slightly thin metal
When looking for a large pet den for your furry friend, this crate from BestPet Store should be your top choice. It has not one but two large doors that make the functioning of the crate simple. With two heavy-duty slide bolt latches on these doors, the crate serves as a secure and safe place for your pet when on adventure trips.
It also has rounded corners to keep your pet from scratching or hurting himself. Unlike other crates, it has a leak-proof and corrosion-resistant ABS composite tray at the bottom. Another great feature of this tray is the integrated lip that helps keep the mess inside the crate for easy cleaning.
Best Alloy Steel
LEMBERI Heavy Duty Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Convenient design
Heavy-duty material
Welded to the base
Comes in 3 colors
Great for both indoor and outdoor use
But…
The wire bottom might feel uncomfortable
The LMEBERI dog crate comes in three different sizes and thus, can be suitable for both small and large breeds. It is a 20-gauge steel crate with steel tubes of 0.5-inch diameter. Since the crate is large, it can be a good fit for dogs suffering from anxiety. Made from steel, you can rest assured that it won’t corrode easily.
There are two doors — the front and the top — that make access and interaction with your pet quite easy. The doors have two locks to ensure your pet’s top-tier safety. It also has a slide-out tray at the bottom to make the cleaning process smooth. Since most of its parts are pre-assembled, it is quite easy to set up, too.
Best Manual-Latch
Sweetcrispy Small Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Rounded edges
Stain-resistant tray
Corrosion-resistant material
Reinforced metal wiring
Easy to assemble
Easy to use
But…
Doors may not be large enough
Available in more than four sizes, this sturdy dog crate from Sweetcrispy is designed for almost all dog breeds. It is a well-built cage that resists wear and tear and can be used long-term. It comes with two doors for easy accessibility and two slide-bolt locks. The open design, breathability, and dividers make the crate a great option for your pets. Moreover, it is foldable, which makes it perfect for traveling and storage.
The durable and leak-proof ABS composite tray makes cleaning the crate easy, and the spacious, breathable design helps create a comfortable environment for your furry mate.
Best Polyester
Amazon Basics 2-Door Travel Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Folds flat
Has soft sides
Robust stitching
Wipeable surface
Good quality canvas
Comes with a carrying handle
But…
Chewable plastic
When looking for a soft, comfortable dog crate that has no rough edges or corners for your furry friend, this one from AmazonBasics is a perfect fit. It has a unique appearance with tan polyester fabric along with a sturdy PVC frame. Despite being lightweight, it is quite durable. You can expect it to be set up in seconds with no hardware tools needed. The crate can be folded easily, which is great for storage and portability.
Furthermore, it features 2 doors that make loading and unloading easy for the user. The doors are secured with zipper closures and fastening straps, and the mesh windows and doors provide appropriate ventilation for all dog breeds.
Best Colored Dog Crate
MidWest Homes Pink Metal Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Leak-proof pan
Has round corners
Comes with a pan-stop
Has patented side clips
Has an easy-to-clean plastic pan
Folds flat for convenient storage
But…
Color may not be long-lasting
If you wish to get a cute and cozy crate for your furry friend, this one from MidWest Homes is one that we’d recommend. The Pink iCrate comes with added security features like a slide-bolt door latch, a Paw Block, and locking tips to keep your pet safe. It is also crafted with great quality material, along with large door openings that ensure proper ventilation.
Its quality construction and beautiful pink shade help you provide a comfy yet cute place for your dog. The crate is easy to assemble and takes just a few seconds to make your crate dog-ready. It can help keep your dog comfortable even when traveling. The highlight of this crate is its divider panel, which adjusts the crate’s length as your puppy grows.
Best Wooden
Dwanton Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Easy to clean
Great appearance
Comes in 4 sizes
Simple to assemble
3 colors to choose from
Sustainably constructed
But…
Not scratch resistant
When looking for multi-functional pet furniture, the Dwanton dog crate is appropriate. It does the job of a pet crate along with serving as a side table, nightstand, or end table. Its wide top can be used for decorative purposes. The crate is crafted with a double-door design and adjustable feet, which keep the floor of the crate stable.
Unlike other crates, it comes with a comfy matching cushion that enhances your pet’s comfort. The particleboard and wire construction make it chew-resistant and pet-friendly.
Best Lightweight
Love’s Cabin Portable Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Easy to clean
Great ventilation
Simple to assemble
Waterproof material
Long-lasting material
Available in multiple colors
But…
Not very sturdy
Love’s Cabin brings you this pop-up kennel that can be easily folded down according to your dogs’ needs. It has mesh ventilation, side panels, and a zipper door for better breathability, optimum comfort, and great ease of access. It’s also collapsible and accommodates blankets and beds, making your pet feel safe and secure. It comes with seatbelt straps that make it a perfect fit for vehicles.
A customer on Amazon states all its features in just a few lines — “I purchased this to replace a larger one we had for our two dogs. We only have one dog now, and I needed something smaller. This worked great! No assembly, unfold, and it pops open. My dog, a chihuahua, was comfortable and really liked it. It’s easy to move because it weighs nothing and is easy to store. I just folded mine in half and slid it under the table. If you have a dog that does not like to be crated, this one will not work for you”.
Best Airline-Friendly
Petmate Vari Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Meets most airline cargo requirements
Secure and tamper-proof
Four-sided ventilation
Ideal size for small dogs (up to 10 lbs)
Made from sturdy plastic
Easy to clean
But…
No built-in handle
Finding the perfect travel solution for your furry friend can be a challenge, but the Petmate Vari Dog Crate makes it a breeze. Crafted with your pet’s safety and comfort in mind, this USA-made plastic crate is designed to meet most airline cargo specifications, ensuring a smooth journey for both of you.
Its sturdy wire door and tamper-proof zip tie holes provide essential security for air travel, while four-sided ventilation keeps your small dog (up to 10 lbs) comfortable and visible. It’s also easy to clean and has a stay-dry moat, which makes it a truly humane choice for travel and beyond.
We Also Recommend
New Age Pet ECOFLEX Dog Crate
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Not heavy
Easy to build
Lasting color
Attractive appearance
Solid crate walls
Comes with a warranty
But…
May not be suitable for large dogs
The New Age Pet ECOFLEX Dog Crate is a sturdy option as it is made of wood with a stainless steel latch and tubing. The size is quite small, but its durability is remarkable. Not only is the crate easy to assemble, but it is super easy to clean. Available in four classy colors, this dog crate complements your home perfectly.
Ideal for small breeds weighing up to 20 lbs, the highlight of this crate is its eco-friendly and pet-friendly material. Being made of ECOFLEX material, the crate repels moisture, making cleaning simpler and easier.
How We Chose the Best Dog Crate?
Our experts at Dogtime have compiled this list of the best dog crates, considering factors such as comfort, size, durability, ease of use, and pet safety. This list was put together after consulting industry professionals who provided valuable insights into the top-selling products that are best suited to pets. One can make the best purchase by choosing any of our recommended products.
FAQ
What crate size is best?
The best crate size depends on your dog’s size. If you have a large breed, a large or XL dog crate would be best. For small breeds, a small or medium crate would be better.
Are Amazon dog crates good?
Yes, Amazon dog crates are of good quality and can be trusted.
Do vets recommend dog crates?
Generally, vets recommend dog crate training as it gives them their space. Also, carrying them to the vet becomes easier and safer in crates.
Who makes the best dog crate?
Brands like MidWest Home and New World make the best dog crates. They design a variety of dog crates, keeping in mind all dog sizes and their requirements.
