We enlisted the help of our canine companions to test the best dog crates available this year. They’re sure to keep your pup safe and comfortable when you’re away from home or need to keep your dog out of bed at night.
These days, dog crates have been designed with just about every activity in mind, so choosing the best one can be daunting. Our tester, Katie Davis, and her pup, Mason, tested nine crates to cut through the confusion and highlight the best of the best. Katie and Mason tested these crates inside, outside, in the car, and everywhere in between to put each kennel through its paces.
From our best overall choice, the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Crate, to the budget-friendly pick, the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate, we’ve tested it all.
Out of the thousands of options available, we tested crates designed for travel and vet visits and chic designs to blend in with your living room decor. We’ve cut through the noise to help you figure out which crate will best meet your needs.
Scroll through our list to find the best dog crates available at the moment. Still not sold? We have a comparison chart, a buyer’s guide, and a price & value section to help you make your decision.
Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on October 10, 2024, by adding two new products, the Diggs Revol Dog Crate and the KindTail’s PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate, and a price & value section.
The Best Dog Crates of 2024
- Best Overall Dog Crate: Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate
- Best Budget Dog Crate: MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate
- Best Premium Dog Crate: Diggs Revol Dog Crate
- Best Dog Crate for Camping: Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate
- Best Dog Crate for Airline Travel: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel
- Most Portable Dog Crate: Love’s Cabin Pop-Up Dog Kennel
Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate
Specs
- Weight 12.4 lbs. (Medium)
- Sizes XS-XL
- Material Steel tubing for frame, 600D fabric and hex mesh siding for ventilation
- Closure Zipper
- Number of entry/exit points 3
Pros
- Multiple storage options for carrying bags, treats, food and water
- Easy assembly
- Included crate pad with fleece base for added comfort
- Carrying bag included with duffel strap
Cons
- Double zippers lead to easier escapes
- Fleece bed insert is not washable after accidents
MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate
Specs
- Weight 22 lbs. (Medium)
- Sizes XXS-XL
- Material Metal, removable plastic tray
- Closure Metal latch
- Number of entry/exit points 2
Pros
- Incredibly easy assembly
- Includes detachable divider and carrying handle
- Removable tray for cleaning
Cons
- Possible choking/strangulation hazard
- Not the most aesthetically pleasing
- Wires can be bent in some circumstances
Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate
Specs
- Weight 9.8 lbs.
- Size S-L
- Material DWR 100% recycled polyester, reinforced mesh ventilation windows
- Closure Zipper
- Number of entry/exit points 2
Pros
- Removable pad for added comfort and ease of cleaning
- Zippered mesh windows on side and front for easy entry/exit
- Lightweight and carrying handle included
Cons
- Challenging assembly
- Slightly unstable
- Canvas is slightly harder to clean than metal or plastic
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel
Specs
- Weight 10.8 lbs. (Small)
- Size XS-L
- Material Plastic siding, metal ventilation siding and door
- Closure Spring-loaded latch
- Number of entry/exit points 1
Pros
- Includes tie-down holes and tamper-resistant zip tie holes at the top of the door
- Meets cargo requirements of most major airlines
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Only one size option comes with a handle
- Less open ventilation than other crates
- Door is difficult to assemble
Love’s Cabin Pop-Up Dog Kennel
Specs
- Weight 3.6 lbs.
- Size One size: 36 inches
- Material Polyester lining, mesh ‘windows’
- Closure Zipper
- Number of entry/exit points 1
Pros
- Folds down to be packable anywhere
- Material cleans up incredibly well
- Can be taken anywhere on your adventures
Cons
- A bit flimsy if your dog is a true escape artist
- Only one entry point
- Zipper does not hold up well
New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table
Specs
- Weight 33 lbs. (Medium)
- Size S-XL
- Material ecoFLEX (recycled polymers and reclaimed wood fiber by-product blend), stainless steel spindles
- Closure Stainless steel latch
- Number of entry/exit points 1
Pros
- Multifunctional design as a furniture end table
- Does not absorb stains or odors
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Door latch is a bit flimsy
- No detachable floor for easy cleaning
- Heavier than other crates tested
Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard Sided Dog Pet Travel Carrier
Specs
- Weight 4.51 lbs.
- Size One size: 23 inch
- Material Body: Plastic, Door: Steel wire
- Closure Spring-loaded steel latch
- Number of entry/exit points 2
Pros
- Includes a carrying handle
- Multiple points of entry
- Snap latched closures for added reinforcement
Cons
- The screws proved tricky during assembly
- Minimal size options for bigger dogs
KindTails PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate
Specs
- Weight 14 lbs. (Medium)
- Sizes S + M
- Material Polypropylene (Medium), ABS Plastic without BPAs (Small)
- Closure Three plastic snap locks
- Number of entry/exit points 1
Pros
- Easily packable
- Wide range of colors
- Den-like construction
Cons
- Plastic ventilation holes are sharp
- Only one entry/exit point
- Weak under stress testing
Dog Crates Comparison Chart
Dog Crate | Price | Weight | Material | Closure | Entry/Exit Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate | $110-210 | 12.4 lbs. (Medium) | Steel tubing for frame, 600D fabric and hex mesh siding for ventilation | Zipper | 3 |
MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate | $62 | 22 lbs. (Medium) | Metal, removable plastic tray | Metal latch | 2 |
Diggs Revol Dog Crate | $475 | 32 lbs. (Medium) | High-grade aluminum, reinforced plastic, steel mesh wire | Revol Latching System | 2 |
Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate | $179 | 9.8 lbs. | DWR 100% recycled polyester, reinforced mesh ventilation windows | Zipper | 2 |
Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel | $82 | 10.8 lbs. (Small) | Plastic siding, metal ventilation siding and door | Spring-loaded latch | 1 |
Love’s Cabin Pop-Up Dog Kennel | $23 | 3.6 lbs. | Polyester lining, mesh ‘windows’ | Zipper | 1 |
New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table | $76 | 33 lbs. (Medium) | ecoFLEX (recycled polymers and reclaimed wood fiber by-product blend), stainless steel spindles | Stainless steel latch | 1 |
Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard Sided Dog Pet Travel Carrier | $26 | 4.51 lbs. | Body: Plastic, Door: Steel wire | Spring-loaded steel latch | 2 |
KindTail PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate | $190 | 14 lbs. (Medium) | Polypropylene (Medium), ABS Plastic without BPAs (Small) | Three plastic snap locks | 1 |
How We Tested the Best Dog Crates
Any good crate is an investment in your dog’s safety and comfort, which is why we put each crate through its paces over our 2-month testing period. Katie tested each crate with her 9-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, Mason, who is a gentle guy. He isn’t much of an escape artist or a big chewer.
To put the pedal to the metal and put each crate through more rigorous testing, we relied on other pups to show us what more feisty dogs would do while in each crate.
With Mason’s approval stamp on his favorite crates (four paws up!), we tested each crate in situations and environments for which they were designed. We went camping in Colorado, took long car trips to the ski hill, set them up in our apartment, and took adventures to the park.
We carried them up and down stairs, from car to house and back again, and even assembled and disassembled them a few times. Katie admits, she even took a nap in a crate a time or two herself to see what her favorite little man would think.
While testing each crate, we simulated conditions that would push each to their limits to test strength, safety, ventilation, comfort, ease of setup, durability, ease of cleaning, multiple entrances, and portability. If you’re looking for other dog gear for your adventure pup, be sure to check out our guides to the Best Dog Life Jackets and the Best Dog Harnesses.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Crates
A crucial part of crate training your dog is the crate itself. It’s important to ensure that going into their crate is a positive experience, rather than feeling like a punishment. Start slowly. Make sure they get used to having a crate in their space and then build up the time they spend in their safe space.
Dogs spend most of their time during the day lounging or resting, so finding a comfortable and most importantly, safe place to rest is paramount.
Finding the best crate depends on your dog’s style. It’s important to address conditions like separation anxiety, excessive barking, or howling. It’s also important to find a crate that protects and comforts your dog when you are away from home or at night.
This list is not exhaustive but meant as a helpful guide to educate you on what a crate can offer and how to tailor a crate to your pup.
Once you’ve found the crate of your best friend’s dreams, check out our Best Dog Beds of 2024 guide for the perfect pair for your new crate.
Types of Crates
The type of crate your dog will need depends entirely on its disposition and reaction to being crated. Here are a few different types of dog crates and what type of dog may benefit from each type.
- Metal/wire crate: This is a heavier-duty option for headstrong dogs and chewers. Metal crates include plenty of ventilation and are collapsible for strong portability. The MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate is a classic example of a metal grid crate.
- Plastic crate: This crate is ideal for travel or dogs who are more feisty or resistant to crating. The reinforced plastic and metal latch doors are heavier-duty than a soft-sided crate.
- Canvas or soft-sided crate: Soft-sided crates with mesh ventilation panels and zippered closures are ideal for more docile dogs or outdoor adventures requiring shorter-term or supervised crating.
- Wood crate: An ideal combination of function and decor, wood crates are a chic option within your home to seamlessly style your crate to your interior design, much like the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table.
Safety
Safety is one of the most crucial elements when choosing a crate that’s right for your dog. Ensuring that your dog is safe while crated for longer periods of time or just a short trip to the store includes making sure your dog can’t cut themselves trying to escape or in some cases, even worse.
Consider your dog’s temperament and ability to escape. For dogs who are strong-willed, we do not recommend wire mesh or canvas since escape is easier than a reinforced metal or durable plastic crate like the Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel. Experts also recommend removing any collars or harnesses prior to crating to prevent any snags leading to compression or strangulation.
Inspecting your crate when it initially arrives is crucial for finding any weak points or flaws your pup can overcome. At first, supervise your dog to see if they start any destructive behaviors after being crated. Prevention is the best way to deter your dog from becoming injured or destroying your new crate.
Ventilation
Ventilation is an important factor to consider while choosing your next crate. Certain breeds of dogs struggle more to get airflow due to their genetics. So, ventilation panels are paramount to ensure your dog gets enough air, especially if they have separation anxiety and may feel stress while crated.
Choose canvas or wire crates with ample ventilation, like the Diggs Revol Dog Crate and the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate. Compared to plastic or wood crates, canvas and wire versions offer plentiful panels for fresh air to circulate.
Comfort
We all want our pups to be as comfortable as possible, so choosing a crate they’ll spend hours in is important. Be sure to choose the correct size and make sure they can sit, stand, and lie down with ample room to spare.
Seeking a crate with an integrated crate pad like the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate is an excellent option for added comfort. Or, purchase a separate crate pad so your pup’s joints are supported.
Ease of Setup
While this factor is more important to consider on behalf of owners, having a crate that is more difficult to set up than a Lego set is every owner’s worst nightmare. Crates should not take more than 10 minutes to assemble and should be simple to disassemble when not in use.
Our favorite crate to set up was the Love’s Cabin Pop-up Dog Kennel. Its simple pop-up framing mechanism (rather than screws and bolts) made it the easiest crate to assemble and disassemble, but it lacked durable elements for strong chewers or escape artists.
While some crates included nuts and bolts, assembly can still be relatively simple. Wood crates like the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table require a more complex assembly process but are akin to a furniture piece in the home rather than a simple crate. Even though it is a more decor-adjacent piece than the other crates we tested, assembly took under 30 minutes.
Ease of Cleaning
As pet owners, we know that pets can make messes, nearly always when we’re running out the door or late to an event. Mason, our tester’s dog, is an enthusiastic puker and throws up about once every 3 months, so she’s well-versed in the joys of cleaning crates, carpets, and other fabrics he deigns acceptable to be sick on. The last thing we, as pet owners, want is a crate that is difficult to clean. Thus, durable fabrics or wipeable surfaces are a must.
Crates like the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate include a removable tray that is simple to hose down after sickness or accidents, making this crate incredibly simple to clean, sanitize, and reuse over and over. Other crates, like the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate, are designed with durable canvas to wash down or easily wipe out any muck or messes.
Portability
Portability is the last crucial factor to consider. It’s important to easily carry around your crate while in transit and fold it down while not in use. Crates like the Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Dog Pet Travel Carrier include a carrying handle for ease of use while your dog is crated or for storage.
While some crates are meant as permanent fixtures in your home, crates like the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate and the KindTail’s PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate fold up and include a carrying case with a duffel strap for simple portability, regardless of weight.
Consider how much weight you can comfortably lift and available space to store your crate when not in use. Choosing foldable crates if you’re in a studio apartment, or popup frames is an ideal choice when you’re tight on space.
Price & Value
Dog crates are incredibly important to keep our dogs safe when we are away from home, and their safety is worth every penny. Outside of safety, a comfortable crate that doesn’t cause headaches when we have to assemble or clean up messes doesn’t hurt either. Ranging from just over $20 to just under $800, the crates in this buyer’s guide offer a wide range of options for every price point.
Keep in mind that many are offered in different sizes, and prices go up if you go up in size, so the category each crate falls in below isn’t always as black and white as some other products. While a higher price does not equate to higher quality, investing in the right quality product can buy you peace of mind that your pup is safe and comfortable while you’re at work or out on a mountaintop.
Budget
While budget options can be seen as cheap or easily breakable, we’ve cut through the noise to find the two best budget options in their respective crate categories. Safety, ease of setup, and cleanability are all three crucial categories we clued into when deciding among these highly-rated budget crates. With fewer frills and design qualities, these crates get the job done.
Our budget pick was the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate ($62), coming in just over $60 for a rugged metal crate that can withstand years of wear and tear. While it may not be the prettiest or have the most design features of the rest, this crate has two entry and exit points, a removable tray for easy cleaning, and an included divider for puppies that are still growing into their crate.
The Love’s Cabin Pop-up Dog Kennel comes in cheaper at $23, but sacrifices durability and longevity for it. For travel and quick uses, the Love’s Cabin crate is an excellent choice for pups on the go.
Mid-Tier
As price increases, features and style follow. The mid-tier crates we tested typically included more than one entry and exit, more expensive materials, thoughtful and functional design choices, and a wide array of colorways. Ranging from $75 to $160, these crates still contain plenty of the important factors we looked at while testing, just at higher durability levels.
Winning our top prize of best overall crate of 2024, the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate ($80 or more depending on size) is available in a whopping 13 colorways, includes a crate pad for added comfort, two pouches for treats and leashes, and a carrying case when disassembled. A fashionable choice, the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table mimics a piece of furniture, so it looks more like an end table than a crate.
Premium
Priced from $160 to $800, the premium category includes a massive price disparity between the two prior categories. As the buyer, you’ll have to decide for yourself what budget fits you best, but in this guide we’ve cut to the chase on the quality of each crate we tested. In this category, we found that the quality varied the most from crate to crate, with premium pricing not often relating to the quality of the product.
Rest assured, we believe the Diggs Revol Dog Crate ($475) is well worth the steep price tag. The Revol is loaded with thoughtful additions and functions we did not see on other crates we tested, like the sliding garage door function, carrying wheels, or top treat window. The crate also has one of the easiest set-up processes of any crate, which assembled tool-free in seconds.
For air travel, the Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel ($73) is highly affordable in the small size but increases in price significantly as size increases, topping out at $200 for the largest. The Ultra Vari is an industry standard for air travel and can keep your pup comfortable in an incredibly uncomfortable and scary environment.
The Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate ($179) is a canvas-sided companion for outdoor adventures. Including a carrying handle, rollable mesh windows, and a removable crate pad, the Orvis crate is an excellent companion to provide your pup some shade at the trailhead after a strenuous hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
The right crate will always depend on your dog and their needs. For more headstrong dogs, reinforced or sturdy plastic crates are better over metal grid crates that dogs can bend or chew through. A light canvas option like the Love’s Cabin Pop-up Dog Kennel is perfect for more docile pups. Budget, safety, ventilation, portability, ease of cleaning and comfort are crucial factors to assess when deciding what crate is best for your dog.
Your chosen materials depend fully on your dog’s temperament. Heavy-duty plastic or steel wire best ensures your dog’s safety while crated. Canvas or mesh is an ideal short-term crating solution for monitoring your pup or a longer-term solution if your dog is more laid-back. Wood is a tried and true classic option for blended style and functions as a cornerstone of interior design in your home while safely housing your pup when needed.
A crate should include enough space for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down with ample space. Measuring your dog and adding extra inches to accommodate for a comfortable crating experience is crucial.
Additionally, a crate should not be too big to prevent any opportunities for rough play or extra leverage to escape. You can add divider panels to ensure a puppy is safely crated. This also allows a crate to grow with them into adulthood.
After properly crate training your dog, the time of crating depends on their age. For puppies under 6 months old, 2-3 hours is the max due to their bowel size and ability to stay safely restrained. Young dogs should not exceed 4-5 hours during the day. For mature dogs, crating should not exceed 8 hours daily, with a walk for relief every 4 hours.
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