The Best Dog Crates of 2024

An easy decision, the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate ($89) won best-in-show for our favorite crate during testing. A soft-sided crate with four mesh panels and two openings, the Elitefield exceeded expectations during testing for durability, design, and portability.

This crate has a pop-up frame mechanism, with a spring attachment for two pieces of the frame that fit together easily, where other crates struggled during the assembly process. The crate has two sides for easy entry and exit, and a top door to plop your pup in.

The double-zippered closures include a plastic lock to prevent dogs from pawing their way out of the crate. Reinforced canvas on the corners of the crate prevents damage from chewing, digging, or frame collapse. The mesh zippered entrances can be rolled up and secured when not shut for easy movement, and a fleece bed insert is included for a touch of added comfort over the frame canvas base.

Two zippered pouches attached to the crate are ideal for storing the carrying case or for extra goodies like treats, food, or leashes when you’re on the go. When disassembling, the crate has buckles you can shut securely and an included carrying case with a duffel strap to distribute weight while carrying with ease.

While we crowned the Elitefield with our highest honor, nobody’s perfect. The crate has two major flaws — the zippers and the included bed insert. The double zipper mechanism includes a locking device but requires an extra step, whereas other crates have a simpler single zipper, which is more difficult to paw or nose through.

The included fleece bed insert is a major plus, but our excitement dampened upon further inspection when we realized the bed insert had a piece of styrofoam inside. While the inside styrofoam can be removed through the zippered opening, the styrofoam feels a bit cheap and is not the most comfortable option for your best friend.

If your pup has a mess inside the crate, the styrofoam would immediately absorb the liquid and odor and need replacement. While the fleece side of the pad could be machine washable, the underside feels like a cheaper canvas and might not hold up to a spin cycle in the washer.

Loaded with features that enhance your pups’ crating experience, the Elitefield 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate wins our blue ribbon for the best dog crate we tested. The three panels for entry and exit provide ample options to easily get your pup in and out.

Plus, we assembled and disassembled this crate more easily than any others. Two connected bags that come with the crate mean you can load up any supplies your pup needs on the road or at home. The Elitefield will last you years and you may even want to purchase another as you expand your furry family.

A crowd-pleaser among many new dog owners, the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate ($62) is available in seven different sizes to fit all dogs, from the tiniest Chihuahua to the mightiest Doberman.

The iCrate comes kitted with a metal divider to grow with your pup and a carrying handle for easy transport. Constructed into a metal grid, the iCrate also includes a detachable tray for easy cleaning or replacement if your escape artist decides to get too crafty and shred the tray.

Of all the crates we tested, the iCrate made assembly quick and simple, with minimal steps included in the setup process. The iCrate holds up well to light protests, but if your pup experiences separation anxiety or has not been fully crate-trained, he or she could damage it.

While the latch is intuitive and easy for humans, some pups may find it simple to unlock the latch completely or partially, allowing them to become stuck halfway out the door. While this can become a major safety hazard, it highlights the importance of properly crate training your dog.

As with the other crates, the iCrate has a few drawbacks, some more serious than others. Due to the grid pattern, feisty pups can seriously hurt themselves while trying to chew or claw their way out, getting stuck halfway through the process. Such serious safety concerns cannot be ignored, so this crate is not for dogs who are voracious chewers or escape artists.

Also, because this crate is made of metal, the edges can scrape against the wall and create scuffs or scratches, especially when your dog moves or jostles around while crated.

Ultimately, the MidWest Homes for Pets Double Door iCrate Dog Crate is tailor-made for folks looking for a budget-friendly crate with options to divide the crate to grow with your puppy to adulthood. With options available for dogs up to 110 pounds, the iCrate is a foldable, durable solution for anyone looking to crate train their pup successfully.

A shady spot after a hot day on the trail, the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate ($179) offers the perfect spot for your tired pup to rest. The durable water-resistant (DWR) canvas fabric is rugged enough for rocky or variable surfaces without cutting or poking through, but it’s also extremely portable and easy to set up.

Two mesh window panels roll up for easy in or out access so your dog can comfortably lounge. And, they zipper shut to keep your pup contained when cooking hot dogs by the fire goes haywire. We loved testing this crate — it’s clearly designed with an active lifestyle in mind and is lightweight and portable enough to take from car to campsite with enough ease that you’ll wish your tent assembled as quickly.

The Tough Trail includes metal pipe framing that flips up so you can assemble and disassemble it quickly and easily. The reinforced mesh windows are heavy-duty to ward off strong-willed dogs that may want to chew their way to freedom. Zippers reinforced with canvas siding ensure your pup can’t push through or chew his way through.

In theory, the frame should be easy to put together. However, we had to crawl inside the crate and wrestle with connecting the two support crossbars, leading to a slightly frustrating experience. While the canvas is rugged, the frame appears a bit wobbly when pushed side to side.

If you have a very energetic pup, this might lead to a frame collapse or break under the sideways pressure. While the mesh panels are reinforced canvas, we noticed that the seam sewn on the mesh paneling revealed a weaker spot where the mesh could separate from the canvas after being worked on by a naughty pup.

If you love taking your four-legged friend on outdoor adventures, the Orvis Tough Trail Folding Crate is the paw-fect place for your dog; its portability, rugged canvas, and mesh paneling for easy ventilation make it ideal for spirited dogs that need a spot to rest at the campsite.

Moving cross country or need to take your pup on holiday with you but they’re too big for the airplane cabin? The Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel ($82) is the ultimate companion for air travel, coming in five differing sizes to ensure optimal comfort and safety when transporting your dog across the country or the world.

Most airlines require dogs to be able to sit, stand, and lie down without hunching over or touching the sides of the crate. Essentially, you’ll want your dog to be as comfortable as possible in a high-stress situation.

The Ultra Vari Kennel is designed for dogs up to 90 pounds, with a heavy-duty plastic shell, metal screws for added structure and durability, and a metal latch door with wire siding for ventilation. The plastic shell is easily cleanable but may need a crate pad for extra comfort for long journeys and to provide traction under your dog’s feet. The kennel includes four holes for tying down for additional safety when in cargo and two tamper-resistant holes to zip the door latch shut.

During the assembly process, the three pieces screwed together quickly. Afterward, the sturdiness of the crate truly shined through, showcasing the rough and tumble durability. We always hope airline workers treat our pups as precious cargo, but just in case, the Ultra Vari is rugged enough to make sure your dog stays safe no matter what.

While the Ultra Vari is a great crate, there are a few drawbacks, mostly in terms of differences between the product description and the actual product received. While the pictures showcase a silver metal grid and ventilation panels, the crate that arrived is a brushed black color.

Additionally, some dimensions stated may be incorrect, leading to a major snafu with airlines with specific dimension requirements. To avoid this, we highly recommend measuring your crate upon arrival and triple-check airline requirements to prevent any last-minute travel mistakes.

Another feature we wish the Ultra Vari included is a carrying handle. While this crate is quite large, it is designed for travel. Handles would make carrying it from the car to the airport much easier, even with the crate meant for dogs 25 to 35 pounds, which is the size we tested.

If you’re looking for an airline-compliant crate, look no further than the Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel. While it is pricier for larger dogs, ensuring your best friend’s safety while traveling is priceless.

Cargo airline travel can be a highly stressful experience for both humans and dogs, so make the journey easier with a reliable kennel that has built-in safety features and your dog’s comfort in mind.

The Love’s Cabin Pop-up Dog Kennel ($23) is the most portable crate we tested. The crate folds into thirds for easy storage, making it ideal if you have limited apartment space, for the back of your car, or for on-the-go crating wherever you need it.

Seatbelt straps on the side of the crate ensure your pup is secure on long car rides when safety is paramount. The polyester material of the crate allows for durability on the trail or at the campground but is not plush on the bottom, so we do recommend adding a crate mat or bed for some extra comfort.

While only available in one size, the crate fits pups from small to medium with enough area for them to feel comfortable, though it isn’t ideal for larger animals.

While the crate is sturdy when occupied, it cannot withstand a strong breeze without being staked down. Fortunately, stakes are included. The mesh siding provides supreme ventilation for hot summer days to ensure your pup is cooled off, with a Velcro option to leave the door rolled up for easy in and out. The base of the crate cleans easily for any accidents and doesn’t leak through the base for smaller messes.

While portable and foldable, this crate is not the sturdiest option for escape artists or strong chewers. The polyester fabric is resistant to the elements but is on the thinner side, so determined chewers could break through.

When this dog crate arrived, the zipper was broken. We fixed it but could tell it would not hold up well to repeated pushing or strain against the zipper. Additionally, the mesh ventilation siding could be chewed through without much difficulty.

Our final beef with this crate is entirely our own fault, so don’t make the same mistake we did! The crate is advertised as a pop-up, and it certainly pops open with force, so don’t hold it anywhere close to your face.

Ultimately, the Love’s Cabin Pop-up Dog Kennel is a good choice for long road trips, camping, or long days on the trail when you need a portable, lightweight solution for keeping your pup comfortable wherever your adventures take you. Safety is paramount, and this crate can be buckled in and secured in the car for road trips or staked to the ground at the campground.

The New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table ($76) is a beautiful, multifunctional dog crate that serves as both a durable place to house your pup and a chic decor option for your home.

The ecoFLEX crate hearkens back to the heydays of crating dogs when wood was the primary option, with designs distantly related to today’s more luxe wooden crates. In the 1980s, plastic mold-injected crates rose to popularity, while wooden crates were less favored due to their weight and lack of portability.

This crate showcases a newer trend blending decor and functionality into crates that double as furniture fixings in your home. The crate is constructed with ecoFLEX, a proprietary composite blend of recycled polymers and reclaimed wood fiber by-products.

It is non-toxic and non-porous, unlike some other wood crates, which allows for easier cleaning if your pup makes a mess or is a bit muddy. The stainless steel spindles allow for ventilation and hearty reinforcement against tough chewers.

We found this crate remarkably easy to assemble, taking about 20 minutes from start to finish. While the crate is a bit heavier than others we tested, it has the durability to match. Unlike other models, this crate is only for indoor use but has a sleek design that can double as an end table in your living room or bedroom.

While this crate is a stylish addition to your home, it does have some drawbacks. When assembling, the ecoFLEX shed small flakes, which required a full wipe down.

Additionally, the latch closure to the single entry/exit is a bit flimsy and is questionable at best for large dogs determined to escape. For such a durable crate, we found the simple flip-latch mechanism confusing considering the other heavily reinforced elements of the crate.

While the floor of the crate is non-porous, other wood crates on the market do have a detachable tray for easier cleaning without having to enter the crate to clean its nooks and crannies. The ecoFLEX also comes with plastic screws, which do not hold well up against a headstrong pup and can become undone if they learn how to rock them out of place over time.

The New Age Pet ecoFLEX Single Door Dog Crate & End Table is a solid choice if you want the perfect blend of decor and functionality in your home. We tested the medium crate option, which is still relatively small for dogs bigger than 50 pounds or lankier-legged breeds.

The crate’s surface does not mark easily, but the stain flakes off a bit during assembly. If you’re looking for a sleek design and a stylish way to crate your dog, look no further than the New Age Pet ecoFLEX crate.

The Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Dog Pet Travel Carrier ($26) works best for on-the-go travelers with small pups. The durable plastic carrier includes a spring-loaded door and top for easy access when in the car or on the go with a fussy dog.

While small in size, this crate is incredibly durable, withstanding even the most seasoned escape artist’s attempts to flee. The plastic crate is reinforced with latches and screws to secure it together, with a handle for easy carrying from point A to B. When not in use, the carrier breaks down easily for compact storage.

At a budget-friendly price, this Amazon Basics carrier is incredibly sturdy, secure, and cleans easily with any spills or messes. During testing, the carrier took a beating, coming away without any structural damage. While the carrier is designed for pups or kitties between 12 and 20 pounds, it can hold slightly more weight, so fear not if Fido has put on a few pounds.

The ventilation siding is an integrated design along the sides of the carrier and is small enough that super-chewers can’t break through. Plus, the steel wire door is heavy-duty to prevent any bending or cracking from feisty protests.

When put to the test, the carrier did not handle any weight on top of it well but bent under minimal pressure. The screws and nuts were quite tricky to assemble due to the curved edges where the top and bottom of the crate fit together. If this proves too difficult, the four latches provide quick assembly, but may not be the most sturdy.

The carrier does not include a soft pad, which we would recommend for longer journeys. Additionally, the handle bowed under weight and seemed unreliable over an extended period.

The Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Dog Pet Travel Carrier is a champion carrier for folks with small dogs who need a simple solution for long or short journeys. The crate can transport pups with worry-free durability, and easy cleanup for any messes along the way. We would suggest a small crate bed for extra comfort.