Best of
The 10 Best Dog Crates (2026)
The best dog crates of 2026 compared: MidWest iCrate, Diggs Revol, Amazon Basics, and Petmate Sky Kennel. Sizing, safety, and honest tradeoffs.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double DoorPuppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider.
Best premium
Diggs Revol Collapsible CrateOwners who move the crate daily or want furniture-grade looks.
Best budget
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding CrateBudget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house.
The MidWest iCrate is the best dog crate for most owners: double doors, a puppy divider included, and sizes from 18 to 48 inches. If you move the crate every day, the Diggs Revol collapses flat in one motion and looks like furniture. For air travel, the Petmate Sky Kennel meets airline requirements that wire crates do not.
The picks, ranked
Best overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door
The wire-crate standard every trainer recommends.
Strengths
- Divider panel included, so one crate works from puppy to adult
- Double doors (front and side) for flexible room placement
- Folds flat with a carry handle for occasional transport
Limitations
- Wire construction is noisy when an anxious dog paws at it
- Black e-coat finish chips over years of use
- Heavy in the 42 and 48 inch sizes
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Sturdy wire with secure double latches
- Fast fold-flat setup
- Divider panel lets the crate grow with a puppy
Common complaints
- Determined dogs can push or bend the doors
- Plastic trays can crack over time
- Older units may rust if exposed to moisture
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 18" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Double door (front + side) |
| Divider | Included |
| Pan | Composite plastic, slide-out |
| Finish | Black e-coat on steel wire |
Best for: Puppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider.
Skip if: You need a crate that collapses for daily car transport.
Best premium
Diggs Revol Collapsible Crate
The premium crate that collapses in one motion.
Strengths
- Collapses flat in one motion with no disassembly
- Garage-style side door opens without swinging into the room
- Puppy divider and removable tray included
Limitations
- Premium price for the same interior space as wire crates
- Heavier than it looks due to the aluminum frame
- Fewer size options than the iCrate range
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Attractive design that looks like furniture
- Collapses with wheels for easy moving
- Convenient top and side doors
Common complaints
- Heavy, at around 45 pounds
- Assembly can take longer than the instructions suggest
- Support response times draw complaints
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | XS, S, M, L (up to ~32 inch length) |
|---|---|
| Collapse | Single-motion flat fold |
| Frame | Anodized aluminum |
| Door | Garage-style side door |
| Included | Puppy divider, removable tray |
Best for: Owners who move the crate daily or want furniture-grade looks.
Skip if: You want the lowest price per cubic inch of crate.
Best budget
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate
The cheapest wire crate that still does the job.
Strengths
- Lowest price in the wire-crate category
- Divider panel included like pricier rivals
- Folds flat for storage
Limitations
- Single door limits placement options
- Thinner wire gauge than the MidWest iCrate
- Latches feel less secure than premium crates
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Very affordable
- Easy to set up and fold away
- Removable tray is simple to clean
Common complaints
- Panels can bend or bow with strong dogs
- Some arrive with minor fit issues or missing instructions
- Latches are basic
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 22" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Single front door |
| Divider | Included |
| Pan | Composite plastic |
| Fold | Flat fold, no tools |
Best for: Budget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house.
Skip if: You want double doors or the sturdiest wire gauge.
Best for travel
Petmate Sky Kennel
The airline-approved travel crate.
Strengths
- Meets IATA/ATA live-animal transport requirements
- Heavy-duty plastic shell with steel wire door
- Ventilation on all four sides
Limitations
- Dark interior compared to wire crates
- Bulky to store, does not fold flat
- Two-piece assembly with wing nuts for travel
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Meets most airline requirements for travel
- Tough plastic shell with a secure steel door
- Good ventilation on all sides
Common complaints
- The plastic can crack if mishandled or dropped
- Bulky to store when not travelling
- Screws and wing nuts are fiddly to assemble
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 21" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Compliance | IATA/ATA airline requirements |
| Shell | Heavy-duty plastic, two-piece |
| Door | Steel wire with squeeze latch |
| Ventilation | Four-sided vents |
Best for: Air travel and car travel where containment matters more than visibility.
Skip if: You want a daily home crate with easy in-and-out access.
Best Chewy alternative
Frisco Fold & Carry Double-Door Dog Crate
Chewy's house-brand answer to the iCrate.
Chewy's house brand matches the iCrate feature for feature: double doors, divider, and six sizes from 24 to 48 inches. The wire gauge is a touch lighter, but for a second crate or a Chewy loyalist it is the easy pick.
Strengths
- Double doors with slide-bolt latches, like the iCrate
- Divider panel included for puppy-to-adult sizing
- Folds flat with a carry handle for transport
- Six sizes from 24 to 48 inches
Limitations
- Wire gauge is a step below the MidWest iCrate
- Chewy-exclusive, so no in-store inspection before buying
- Plastic pan is thinner than premium rivals
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Easy, tool-free setup that folds flat
- Two doors make placement flexible
- Good value for a wire crate
Common complaints
- Sizes can feel small, so measure the dog first
- Wire crates can rattle when a dog moves
- Determined escape artists may bend or work the latches
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 24" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Double door (front + side) |
| Divider | Included |
| Fold | Flat fold with carry handle |
| Finish | Black e-coat on steel wire |
Best for: Owners who shop Chewy and want iCrate-style features with fast shipping.
Skip if: You want the deepest size range or the heaviest wire gauge.
Best furniture crate
NewAge Pet ecoFLEX Dog Crate End Table
A crate that doubles as living-room furniture.
The ecoFLEX end-table crate hides in plain sight as living-room furniture while the stainless spindles keep airflow honest. Not for chewers or travelers, but unmatched for looks.
Strengths
- Furniture-grade end-table design blends into living rooms
- ecoFLEX composite resists moisture and odor better than wood
- Stainless steel spindles for ventilation and visibility
- No tools needed for assembly
Limitations
- Not suitable for escape artists or aggressive chewers
- Heavier and bulkier than wire crates to move
- Interior dimensions run slightly smaller than the listed size class
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Doubles as an end table that blends with furniture
- Easy to clean, moisture-resistant material
- Attractive alternative to a wire crate
Common complaints
- Not suitable for chewers or anxious dogs
- Some owners report doors failing, and parts are not always sold separately
- Ratings are mixed overall
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Material | ecoFLEX wood-plastic composite |
|---|---|
| Spindles | Stainless steel tubes |
| Sizes | Small to X-Large |
| Assembly | Tool-free |
| Use | Indoor furniture crate |
Best for: Owners who refuse to look at a wire crate in the living room.
Skip if: You need a crate for airline travel or heavy chewers.
Best for car travel
Petsfit Portable Soft Dog Crate
Featherweight soft crate for calm travelers.
At a fraction of the weight of rigid crates, the Petsfit pops up in seconds and folds flat into the trunk. Mesh on three sides keeps calm dogs comfortable on road trips.
Strengths
- Weighs a fraction of wire or plastic crates
- Mesh windows on three sides for airflow and visibility
- Steel frame pops up in seconds, folds flat for the trunk
- Removable washable mat included
Limitations
- Fabric walls cannot contain determined escape artists
- Not airline-cargo approved
- Less chew-resistant than any rigid crate
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Light, foldable crate that is great for travel
- Includes a comfortable mat
- Mesh windows give good airflow
Common complaints
- Not secure for chewers or escape artists
- Zips can be pushed open by strong dogs
- Fabric gets dirty and is hard to wash fully
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Material | 600D oxford fabric, steel frame |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Mesh windows, three sides |
| Sizes | XS to XL |
| Setup | Pop-up, folds flat |
| Included | Washable fleece mat |
Best for: Calm dogs who need a familiar den on road trips and at hotels.
Skip if: Your dog scratches, chews, or pushes through fabric.
Best for escape artists
SmithBuilt Heavy Duty Dog Crate
Aluminum escape-proofing for determined dogs.
When wire crates get bent and latches get popped, the SmithBuilt's aluminum frame and slide-bolt locks end the conversation. Heavy and industrial, but genuinely escape-resistant.
Strengths
- Aluminum and steel construction resists bending and chewing
- Double doors with secure slide-bolt locks
- Removable tray for easy cleaning
- Stackable design suits kennels and multi-dog homes
Limitations
- Heavy: moving it is a two-person job in large sizes
- Industrial look, not living-room friendly
- Premium price for a single-function crate
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Thick steel bars that most dogs cannot bend
- Wheels make it easier to move
- Strong value for a heavy-duty crate
Common complaints
- A minority of strong dogs still find ways to escape
- Paint can arrive with dings or bars not perfectly straight
- Very heavy to assemble and move
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Construction | Aluminum frame, steel wire panels |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 38", 42", 48" lengths |
| Doors | Double door with slide-bolt locks |
| Tray | Removable, slide-out |
| Design | Stackable |
Best for: Powerful chewers and escape artists that destroy wire crates.
Skip if: Your dog is calm in a crate; this is overkill.
Best wire runner-up
MidWest Homes for Pets LifeStages Double Door
The original wire crate, still going strong.
The LifeStages is the iCrate's sibling with five sizes and the same double-door, divider-included formula. Buy whichever MidWest crate is cheaper when you shop.
Strengths
- Five sizes from 24 to 48 inches cover nearly every breed
- Double doors with slide-bolt latches
- Divider panel included
- Folds flat with a plastic carry handle
Limitations
- Very similar to the iCrate, so choose on price and availability
- Wire can be noisy with restless dogs
- E-coat finish wears at friction points over time
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Sturdy wire crate with two doors and a divider for growing puppies
- Folds flat and sets up without tools
- Leak-proof pan is easy to clean
Common complaints
- Some owners report welds or the pan cracking over time
- Wire crates rattle when the dog moves
- Latches can leave small gaps on some sizes
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 24" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Double door (front + side) |
| Divider | Included |
| Fold | Flat fold, no tools |
| Latches | Slide-bolt |
Best for: Buyers who want the classic wire crate with maximum size choice.
Skip if: You want single-motion collapse like the Diggs Revol.
Best soft crate value
EliteField 3-Door Folding Soft Crate
Three doors of soft-sided convenience, plus a carrying bag.
Three doors, a carrying bag, and a fleece bed included at a budget price. For calm, trained dogs it is the most convenient soft crate per dollar.
Strengths
- Three doors (top, front, side) for flexible access
- Free carrying bag and fleece bed included
- Sets up in seconds, folds flat
- One of the lightest crates in its size class
Limitations
- Fabric construction cannot hold escape artists
- Not airline approved for cargo
- Mesh zippers wear with heavy daily use
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Sets up and folds down in seconds
- Three doors and a fleece bed included
- Light and great for travel
Common complaints
- Not secure for chewers or anxious dogs
- Mesh can tear under determined pawing
- Less sturdy than a metal crate
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Material | 600D fabric, steel tube frame |
|---|---|
| Doors | Three (top, front, side) |
| Sizes | XS to XXL |
| Included | Carrying bag, fleece bed |
| Setup | Pop-up fold |
Best for: Travel and indoor use with calm, crate-trained dogs.
Skip if: Your dog is not yet crate trained or is a chewer.
How we chose
We evaluated crates on sizing range (can one purchase cover puppy to adult), door configuration (double doors place anywhere), build gauge (wire thickness and latch security), portability (fold-flat vs collapsible vs rigid), and travel compliance (airline acceptance). Safety features like rounded wire ends and secure latches were requirements, not bonuses.
Questions, answered
What size crate does my dog need?
Measure your dog's adult length (nose to tail base) and height (floor to top of head or ears). Add 2 to 4 inches to each. The dog should stand, turn around, and lie stretched out comfortably, but not have enough extra room to potty in one corner and sleep in another. When in doubt between sizes, buy the larger crate and use the included divider for the puppy stage.
Are wire crates or plastic crates better?
Wire crates suit home use: better ventilation, visibility, and they fold flat. Plastic kennels suit travel: they meet airline requirements and feel more den-like to anxious dogs. Many owners end up with both, a wire crate at home and a Sky Kennel for the car and flights.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
The rule of thumb is one hour per month of age for puppies, up to about 4 hours, and 4 to 6 hours for healthy adults, with a midday break. A crate is a training tool and a safe space, not daytime storage. Dogs crated 8+ hours daily develop anxiety and behavioral problems regardless of crate quality.
Should the crate have a divider for a puppy?
Yes. Buy the adult-size crate and use the divider to keep the puppy's space just big enough to stand, turn, and lie down. Expand the space as the puppy grows. All three wire crates in this guide include a divider; the Sky Kennel does not, which is one reason it is a travel crate rather than a puppy-training crate.