best Crates for dogs
Updated November 2020
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
- As Good As It Gets
- Best On A Budget
Bottom Line
A simple and durable dog crate from a trusted brand. Safe, secure, and great for crate training
A safe and secure wire crate that comes with a reasonable price tag.
Portable and available in 6 different sizes, it’s best for small or medium-sized breeds.
This versatile heavy-duty crate can be adjusted to any life stage of your dog. It comes in 6 different sizes with a 1-year warranty.
A regular metal crate that’s lightweight but durable, and easy to transport.
A metal wire made for crate training puppies or crate trained adult dogs. Easily folds and has a handle for portability.
Available in S, M, L, XL.
Pros
Easy to assemble.
Sturdy.
Dividers make it suitable for all life stages.
Easy to clean.
Has rounded corners.
1-year quality warranty.
Escape proof locks.
Comes with a removable pan.
Easy to set up and fold.
Very affordable.
Comes with a 1-year warranty.
Heavy-duty build.
Easy to fold and keep.
Has rounded corners for safety.
Inexpensive.
Easy set-up.
Portable.
Quality metal finish.
Spacious.
Affordable.
Roomy.
Comes in different sizes for different breeds.
Pan locks in.
Affordable price.
Cons
Poor quality tray.
Some dogs might be able to open the latch.
Inconsistent latch alignment.
Not for strong large breeds that aren’t crate-trained.
Big dogs not crate-trained may find a way to bend wires.
Some concerns on the quality of the product upon delivery.
No extra small size for toy breeds.
Inconsistent latch security.
Low-quality pan.
Doesn’t come with dividers.
No dividers – not for crate training.
Not as durable as advertised.
The Latch system needs improvement.
- As Good As It Gets
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
Bottom Line
A simple and durable dog crate from a trusted brand. Safe, secure, and great for crate training
Pros
Easy to assemble.
Sturdy.
Dividers make it suitable for all life stages.
Easy to clean.
Has rounded corners.
1-year quality warranty.
Cons
Poor quality tray.
Some dogs might be able to open the latch.
- Best On A Budget
AmazonBasics Single-Door Folding Metal Dog or Pet Crate
Bottom Line
A safe and secure wire crate that comes with a reasonable price tag.
Portable and available in 6 different sizes, it’s best for small or medium-sized breeds.
Pros
Escape proof locks.
Comes with a removable pan.
Easy to set up and fold.
Very affordable.
Cons
Inconsistent latch alignment.
Not for strong large breeds that aren’t crate-trained.
Life Stages LS-1648 Single Door Folding Crate
Bottom Line
This versatile heavy-duty crate can be adjusted to any life stage of your dog. It comes in 6 different sizes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
Comes with a 1-year warranty.
Heavy-duty build.
Easy to fold and keep.
Has rounded corners for safety.
Inexpensive.
Cons
Big dogs not crate-trained may find a way to bend wires.
Some concerns on the quality of the product upon delivery.
New World Folding Metal Dog Crate; Single Door & Double Door Dog Crates
Bottom Line
A regular metal crate that’s lightweight but durable, and easy to transport.
Pros
Easy set-up.
Portable.
Quality metal finish.
Spacious.
Affordable.
Cons
No extra small size for toy breeds.
Inconsistent latch security.
Low-quality pan.
Doesn’t come with dividers.
Carlson Pet Products Secure and Foldable Single Door Metal Dog Crate
Bottom Line
A metal wire made for crate training puppies or crate trained adult dogs. Easily folds and has a handle for portability.
Available in S, M, L, XL.
Pros
Roomy.
Comes in different sizes for different breeds.
Pan locks in.
Affordable price.
Cons
No dividers – not for crate training.
Not as durable as advertised.
The Latch system needs improvement.
How We Decided
Metal crates are widely available and almost all come with the same basic features, but looks can be deceiving! So we did a deep dive into the world of dog crates so you don’t have to: here’s how we decided on our top picks.
23
Models Considered
8
Hours Researched
1
Experts Interviewed
5
Consumer Consulted
Buying Guide For The Best Dog Crates
Dog crates are not cages. They’re meant to be a dog’s home and place of refuge. In fact, crate training dogs come with a lot of benefits.
As mentioned, crates serve as your dog’s home. If they feel stressed or anxious, staying inside their crate can provide comfort and security. Also, crate training puppies is a way to housebreak your puppies because they learn how to keep their sleeping area clean. These are just a few benefits of using crates.
Thus, if it needs to be a safe place, crates need to be able to secure your dog especially when you’re not able to supervise them. It should be durable so you can use it for a long time, possibly even for your dog’s entire life.
Because they function as their bedroom, crates should be easy to clean. This is important if you have puppies because accidents tend to happen at the start of crate training.
Crates should also be convenient to use and portable in case you’re bringing your dog on a vacation!.
But above all else, your dog’s crate must be appropriate for its size. The amount of space they have in their crate can impact their behavior and even their physical growth.
Buying Guide For The Best Dog Crates
Dog crates are not cages. They’re meant to be a dog’s home and place of refuge. In fact, crate training dogs come with a lot of benefits.
As mentioned, crates serve as your dog’s home. If they feel stressed or anxious, staying inside their crate can provide comfort and security. Also, crate training puppies is a way to housebreak your puppies because they learn how to keep their sleeping area clean. These are just a few benefits of using crates.
Thus, if it needs to be a safe place, crates need to be able to secure your dog especially when you’re not able to supervise them. It should be durable so you can use it for a long time, possibly even for your dog’s entire life.
Because they function as their bedroom, crates should be easy to clean. This is important if you have puppies because accidents tend to happen at the start of crate training.
Crates should also be convenient to use and portable in case you’re bringing your dog on a vacation!.
But above all else, your dog’s crate must be appropriate for its size. The amount of space they have in their crate can impact their behavior and even their physical growth.
Key Considerations
Caution
If you need to leave your dog in their crate for several hours, make sure they have water to keep them hydrated and toys to stave off boredom.
Dog Crates Features
Most dog crates look the same and have similar features. They’re usually foldable, easy to set up, portable enough for traveling, and have single or double doors. But they also differ in many ways.
Some crates have pans to catch any solid or liquid accidents and prevent them from spilling to the floor. Some have dividers for different life stages. These are great investments since you only need to buy one crate to be used for the rest of your dog’s life.
The materials used are also another feature to look at. Some metal crates have different finishes, either painted or rubber-coated. Then some products have rounded corners to avoid any cuts or potential injuries. Then there are also plastic molded crates which provide less visibility, a feature that anxious dogs will appreciate.
Of course, quality is another distinguishing feature. You can easily tell if some crates are built well or they’re too flimsy to last.
Expert Tip
If your crate is past its prime condition and has started to rust, you can still refurbish it to look brand new. First, take off the rust by using a wire brush. Second, paint it using non-toxic paint that’s safe for your dog. Let it dry completely before use.
Dog Crates Prices
The dog crate products we’ve reviewed here are all inexpensive, with the prices increasing the larger the crate size gets. Choosing a crate that provides great value depends on the quality and your dog’s training and behavior.
Some crates are very cheaply made and have inconsistent locking mechanisms. They can break down fast and provide a way for your dogs to escape, defeating its purpose.
All these metal crates on our list are strong enough to keep well-behaved and crate trained dogs safe. They’re not meant to house overly aggressive dogs that haven’t been crate-trained.
So if you want to get great value, make sure you get good quality crates and crate train your dog.
Tips
- Your dog’s safety inside a crate is of paramount importance. Make sure the crate is free from any objects that can harm your dog, has enough ventilation, and that you can secure your dog inside without risk of getting out especially when you’re not around.
- The size of your dog and the crate matters. Getting too big of a crate will negate any training progress you’ve made while getting one too small can cause anxiety.
- Crates shouldn’t be used for punishment. Dogs will associate negative experiences with their crate and will no longer consider it their safe haven.
- Don’t use portable fabric crates for crate training. Pups will continue to chew while learning their boundaries with a crate, so the fabric crate will be all but destroyed in no time.
other products we Considered
We think our top five picks are great recommendations, but if you’re still looking for other options, here are a couple of products that almost made our list.
Paws & Pals Dog Crate: This crate has excellent durability and strength. Made of high-tensile wires, it’s still portable and ergonomic.
Noz2Noz Crate for Pets: Designed for ultimate comfort, this crate is made of strong, heavy-duty mesh fabric. Perfect for family vacations.
FAQ's
What’s the best material for a dog crate?
The best material for your crate is one that fits your dog’s needs. If it’s for traveling, a foldable crate made of light materials is necessary for transportation purposes. If you have a big and strong breed, heavy-duty crates made of more durable materials are better. Indoor crates are made of wood or plastic, some with more stylish designs to match the interiors of your home. At the end of the day, choose the material that’s appropriate for its purpose, your dog’s size, and breed.
What’s the ideal crate size for my dog?
If you’re getting a crate for a puppy, make sure you get a crate that has dividers so you can adjust the interiors.
To measure the ideal size, the crate should give 1-2 inches of height clearance, 4-6 inches of length clearance. There should be enough room to stand up, lie down and stretch and turn around.
The Team That WOrked on This Review
Nitin Gupta
Chief Content Officer
JJ Resnick
Director of Growth
Erik Adler
Editorial Director