The Best Dog Crates

When my wife and I went camping with our dog for the first time, we needed to find a safe and comfortable dog crate that we could use on the road. We were surprised to see more than a dozen options on sale, and like every first-time buyer, we were overwhelmed. We had to go back to the drawing board and think about the things we truly wanted in our dog crate.

When we finally bought one, we couldn’t be happier. Our dog loved the crate so much and still sleeps in it at home. Read our unbiased review and our handy guide for buying the best dog crates today.

7 Best Dog Crates in 2022

The MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate checked all the right boxes for us. It has proper ventilation, a convenient fold, and a lightweight build that makes it easy to carry around. The adjustable divider also makes it versatile for big dogs as well as puppies.

MidWest’s iCrate single and double door folding metal dog crate is a beautiful dog crate for your large breed dogs and puppies. It has a durable metallic build with sliding rollers to help keep your floors safe.

Key Features:

• Rounded corners
• Fold-and-carry design
• Metal
• 44 by 30 by 45 inches
• 1-year warranty

What we like:

The MidWest Crate single- and double-door folding dog crate has a remarkable folding mechanism that makes it super easy to carry around or store when you’re not using it. It also has an ingenious divider panel for your puppies.

What we don’t like:

Smaller puppies can get injured when they nick the unrounded edges of this cage. It’s also highly likely they can get out as the cage door keeps opening on its own.

Pros

• Easily folded for travel and storage
• Robust lock
• Adjustable divider

Cons

• Easily folded for travel and storage
• Robust lock
• Adjustable divider

It is a beautiful dog cage for both big dogs as well as growing puppies. Thanks to its easy-to-fold design, MidWest iCrate is a handy and hassle-free cage for traveling or home use.

With a double-door setup, Frisco Fold & Carry Double Dog Crate is an excellent addition to your household, especially if you have large dogs or growing puppies. Its neat design makes it convenient for use at home or when you hit the road.

Key Features:

• Multiple size options
• Easily inserted divider for pups
• Fold-and-carry design
• Splash-proof and water-resistant plastic pan

What we like:

What we like about Frisco Fold and Carry double-door crate is the ease of use. It has a no-tools assembly, and big wide doors for your dogs to quickly get in and out.

What we don’t like:

We are not pleased with its overall build quality. It looks like a big dog could tear through the cage or cause severe damage.

Pros

• No hassle cleaning
• Long-lasting pan
• Dual door system with secure locks
• No-tools assembly

Cons

• Only works well with calm dogs
• Not the strongest crate design
• Can be challenging to assemble

If you have a dog with a quiet demeanor, this is the perfect dog cage for you. It comes with two large doors that make it easy to take your dog out for a walk in the park.

The AmazonBasics is a simple single door folding metal dog crate that suits both puppies as well as large dogs. It can serve as a traveling cage, a resting place, or a training aid for your dogs and puppies.

Key Features:

• Front-entry single-door design or double-door
• Double slide-latch locks
• Highly foldable design
• Divider plus plastic composite pan
• Metal design

What we like:

The AmazonBasics has a double latch that adds a layer of safety to the cage. With a single entry point at the front, your dogs will not get weak points to destroy.

What we don’t like:

One of the things we don’t particularly like about the AmazonBasics is the size of the wires. We found them rather thin. An energetic dog can quickly destroy them in minutes.
Pros

• Versatile divider
• Dual-latch lock system
• Highly portable

Cons

• Sharp edges

If you have a crate-trained dog, the AmazonBasics is the best crate for the money. However, strong and smart dogs or those not trained for crates will have an easy time breaking out.

Petmate’s two-door top load dog kennel has a brilliant top-loading door that takes the hassle out of getting your dog into the crate. The sturdy plastic design is also reliable when it comes to keeping your pets locked away safely.

Key Features:

• Approved for air travel
• Assorted colors
• Top-load door
• Wing-nut plus bolt design
• Heavy-duty plastic

What we like:

We love the number of ventilation holes on this crate. These holes provide increased visibility and keep the conditions in there fresh. Because of this, your dog or puppy will remain calm during travel.

What we don’t like:

Dog safety is a big concern for me. The Petmate two-door top-loading dog kennel has rough and sharp edges that can easily inflict injuries to dogs.

Pros

• Robust and reliable build

Cons

• Rough edges can cause injuries to puppies
• Not the best crate for bigger dogs

All in all, this is a functional and sturdy dog crate with a top-load door for easy and fast pet retrieval. It is nicely ventilated and offers maximum visibility.

If you have been looking for a secure cage for your big dogs, the strength of 20-gauge steel in this cage makes it worth considering. It has an incredible door design and lock that’s both robust and reliable.

Key Features:

• 20-gauge steel construction
• Floor crate comes with a tray
• Large crate
• Easily added casters

What we like:

The Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Cage has a sturdy 20-gauge steel body that’s also durable. It is spacious and works well with big dogs. This cage also comes with removable casters so you can quickly move your dog cage.

What we don’t like:

We are concerned that the Guardian Gear ProSelect Empire Dog Crate isn’t a foldable crate. Storing and transporting the cage can be a nightmare. The other thing is that welds on the pen aren’t the best.
Pros

• Strong and robust design
• Removable casters for added mobility
• Suits even the largest dogs
• Easy-to-clean floor tray

Cons

• Some of the welds are not the best
• Heavy and not foldable

Guardian Gear ProSelect is a fantastic cage for the big guys. It is both durable and secure. Cleaning the pen is super simple as it comes with removable trays and plastic pan at the bottom.

Since it consists of metal, the New World Folding crate offers exceptional storage for all your big dogs. It’s also versatile and spacious, so you can use it to carry multiple puppies. You won’t need to buy several crates.

Key Features:

• Single-bolt double-door latches
• Folding metal cage design
• 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Long-lasting protective black finish

What we like:

The New World Folding Metal Dog Crate comes with generous space inside to hold your puppies and excellent ventilation to ensure they get fresh air supply. It also offers excellent visibility so your dogs will remain calm. Thanks to its sturdy metal build and long-lasting black finish, it will serve you for years.

What we don’t like:

Although the New World folding Dog Crate has a double latch system with a single bolt for both single and double doors, smart dogs will figure out a way of opening the door. The cage doesn’t seem to hold up well against energetic and agitated dogs.

Pros

• Superb visibility and ventilation
• Easy to assemble
• Nice rounded corners
• Easy-to-clean plastic pan

Cons

• Not sturdy enough for energetic dogs
• Smart dogs can open latches

The New World folding crate has a considerable space even for a large dog and a relatively stable build with a long-lasting black finish. However, it’s no match for a big energetic dog.

Crown Pet Products Wood Pet Crate is made from high-quality, sustainable hardwood. It has an excellent swing-door design and beautiful mahogany or espresso finish with a waterproof MDF floor.

Key Features:

• Strong hardwood construction
• MDF floor coated with melamine for easy cleaning
• Mortise and tenon construction
• Choice of two finishes
• Comes in two sizes

What we like:

The Crown Pet crate has an easy-to-assemble design with minimal tools required that we love. The crate’s wooden finish looks very beautiful with all the furniture in the house. The swing door gives a much bigger loading space for your dog to just lazy around in the house.

What we don’t like:

One of the critical issues We have with the Crown Pet wooden crate is portability. It is not one of the best containers for traveling. Although the wood is solid, some dogs love to chew it.
Pros

• Has a waterproof door
• Has a swing-through door
• Made from sustainable hardwood
• Easily assembled

Cons

• Puppies love to chew the wood
• Not the most stable

The Crown Pet Products wooden furniture is both beautiful and functional. It has a lovely exterior finish and an easy-to-assemble design.

What to Look for in a Dog Crate

ome dog owners have reservations about dog crates because they resemble cages. It’s not true that they are cages per se. Crates are handy as they make it easy for you to travel with your dogs. With a bit of training, your dogs can get used to these crates.

If you are a dog owner or planning to get a pup, you will find it necessary to get a proper crate for your trips. Some of the things you keep in mind when shopping for a dog crate include:

Size – Dog crates come in different sizes. Make sure you get the right size for your dog. A small box will cause problems for your big dogs. A general rule of thumb when buying a dog crate is that the dog should be able to stand and lie down without getting cramped or ducking its head.

The flipside of getting a bigger crate is that your dog will convert one of the ends to a pee station and the other to a chill-out lounge. If your crate is too big or you have some puppies, use a divider to create a space that fits your dog size.

Materials – Manufacturers usually make dog crates from three primary materials; wood, metal, and plastic. Wooden crates are more suitable for homes with minimal movement but are expensive. In some cases, dogs will chew the wood.

Plastic crates, on the other hand, are more versatile. You can use them at home or travel with them. Since they are air-travel-approved, you can easily take your dogs on long trips without worrying about airport security. They are also the hardest to break out from and cozier than metal crates.

Metal crates are the most common types of crates. They are not only cheap but also provide maximum ventilation and visibility. These crates are easily foldable, highly portable, and easy to store. On the flip side, they’re made from thin wires so they may not be able to withstand a battering from larger dogs.

Safety – When shopping for a dog crate, your dog’s safety should be your top consideration. The right box not only protects your home from an overly curious dog or puppy but also keeps your dogs safe from harm. Look out for protruding wires, rugged and sharp ventilation holes, and sharp edges. Don’t forget to remove your dog’s collar before keeping him inside the crate to avoid choking.

Types of Dog Crates

Dog crates come in different shapes, designs, and sizes. Let’s look at the five main types.

#1 Folding Wire – Wire crates are the most common dog crates on the market. They’re popular because they provide dogs with an unrestricted view of their surroundings. The major downside is they’re large. Because of this, dogs tend to create peeing and curling sections inside these crates. A divider quickly solves this problem. Most wire crates are foldable, so you can easily pack them in your trunk when you travel.

#2 Plastic Crates – They are made from sturdy plastics and have robust front swing doors. These crates are suitable for medium and small dogs always on the move. You can pack them in the back of a car or a plane without any problems. Plastic crates come with convenient handles, so they’re easy to carry around airports and public places.

#3 Furniture Crates – Also known as fashion crates, they are the most expensive dog crates on the market. The good thing is that they come with a cabinet so they can double as furniture. Your dog can take a nap inside. We don’t usually recommend them for crate training. Because they’re quite heavy, they won’t be of much use when traveling with a dog. It’s best to use them indoors.

#4 Heavy-gauge dog crates – Specially designed for large-breed dogs, these crates are robust and extremely reliable. This type of box is suitable for holding energetic dogs that tend to destroy wired crates or for escape artists. On the flip side, they’re usually heavy and cumbersome to load to a truck.

#5 Soft-sided Crates – These are crates with nylon or canvas sides. They are lightweight and easy to clean or carry around. It is also one of the coziest dog crates out there. One thing to watch out for is the highly-destructible nature of these crates. We wouldn’t recommend this for hyper dogs or during crate training.

How Big Should a Dog Crate Be?

Dog crates should have enough space for the dog and a little room for wiggling. Your dog should be able to sit and stand inside the crate without hitting the roof. If sleeping, it should be able to lie down flat without hitting either end. Your crate shouldn’t be so big as to encourage your dog to defecate inside.

Typical sizes for small dogs are 24 inches, 36-42 inches for medium dogs, and 48-54 inches for giant breeds.

How to Crate Train a Dog

Getting a dog to stay in a crate is a daunting task for any dog and owner.

The first step is to make sure you get the right crate for your dog. The crate should be the right size and have proper ventilation. With that out of the way, you can try getting your dog inside by leaving treats or their favorite toys. The key is not to force the dog inside.

Once your dog starts getting inside the crate, you’ll need to get him used to staying there. You can do this by feeding him right in the crate or placing it in the family room whenever you are around. He can curl up in his crate.

The next step is to ensure he stays in the crate longer. You can sit with him beside the crate for extended periods while leaving him alone for a while as he gets used to staying alone in the crate. In no time, he will get used to staying in there.

How Long Can a Dog Stay in a Crate ?

Crate time varies between dogs, depending on age. Younger dogs have a shorter bladder time. You can only leave your puppies in their crates for up to four hours before their bladder gets loose. Adult dogs can stay a whole day inside their boxes if they are well trained. Ensure they have time to exercise.