The 4 Best Puppy Crates, Tested and Reviewed
The Spruce Pets
Crate training your new puppy is beneficial for both house training and their overall well-being. Since most dogs naturally like to keep their sleeping area clean, they typically won’t urinate or defecate while in the crate, making it a valuable potty training tool. Beyond potty training, a crate can help ensure your puppy gets enough rest and protect your home from destructive puppy behaviors when you can’t supervise them.
A crate should never be used for punishment, but rather as a way to cue your dog to their designated spot for sleeping and resting. A suitable dog crate provides your furry friend with a den-like space of their own where they can feel safe and secure.
“A good crate for crate training should be sturdy, well-ventilated, and have a secure door,” states Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, Director of Primary Care at Bond Vet. Various types of dog crates are available, with many households opting for a wire crate that can be easily moved, folds down for travel, and gives the dog full visibility of their surroundings.
After testing over 20 dog crates in our New York testing lab, our favorite puppy crate is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate, which is available in a wide range of sizes, has two access points, a leak-proof “pan” style base, and comes with a divider you can use to expand your puppy’s space as they grow.
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Divider panel allows the crate to “grow” with your puppy
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Secure latches
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Low threshold for easy entry and exit
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Wire coating can chip
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Rattles when driving in a vehicle
The MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate is our top pick for puppies due to its ease of use, security, and portability. It’s available in seven sizes to accommodate puppies from tiny to giant, and every size in between. The crate can be assembled by one person in seconds, without tools, and folding it down for storage or transport is just as easy.
This crate includes a divider panel that allows you to expand the space as your puppy grows. With the divider panel installed, a crate can be sized appropriately. This gives your puppy enough room to be comfortable, but not so much space that they’ll eliminate at one end and sleep at the other.
The plastic pan at the base of the crate perfectly fits a comfortable bed and is easy to clean in case of messes, thanks to its raised lip to contain liquids. The low threshold makes it easy for puppies to enter and exit the crate. Rubber feet on the bottom protect your floors from scratches.
Our tester has used this crate for over a decade, in various sizes and with diverse breeds. We’ve used it at home, in vehicles, on vacation, at friends’ houses, camping, and at dog sporting events, and we appreciate its adaptability to daily life, both at home and on the go.
We’ve noticed that the wire coating can chip over time; however, the crate remains sturdy and usable. Our biggest dislike about this crate is that it rattles while driving, but you can minimize the noise by covering it with a blanket or towel.
Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 16 in (XS), 24 x 18 x 19 in (S), 30 x 19 x 21 in (M), 36 x 23 x 25 in (M/L), 42 x 28 x 31 in (L), 48 x 30 x 33 in (XL) | Materials: ABS-coated metal wire, plastic, rubber | Features: Dual-door access, divider panel, protective rubber feet, leak-proof pan
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Front, side, and ceiling access points with safety locks and a divider panel
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Wheels for transport
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More aesthetically pleasing than other crates
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Heavy
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Expensive
The Diggs Revol Dog Crate is an excellent choice for those looking for a sturdy crate for home use. With its robust construction and modern design, this crate is a useful puppy-raising tool that complements your home’s aesthetic.
Similar to our top pick, this dog crate features a divider so you can expand the space as your puppy grows, plus front and side doors for easy access. It also has a plastic tray at the bottom that is easy to remove and clean. A unique feature of the Revol is the ceiling hatch, which makes it easy to deliver food, water, toys, or chews.
Initial assembly takes a few minutes and includes all necessary tools. Depending on the size of the crate and your physical capabilities, you might need extra help to assemble it. However, once built, disassembling and reassembling the crate is quick.
Designed with safety and durability in mind, the dog crate is made from a solid one-piece aluminum frame, heavy-gauge corrosion-resistant steel wire, and reinforced plastic to withstand daily use at home. Its sturdy design makes these crates heavier than any of our other favorite options, weighing between 25 and 53 pounds. Some people may find them too heavy for travel or carrying up and down stairs, although the wheels make it easy to move them around the room or house.
Diggs offers a variety of other accessories to enhance the comfort of this stylish and functional crate, including a bowl attachment, a bed, and the Groov training aid.
Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 19 inches (S); 32 x 20 x 22 inches (M); 39 x 25 x 28 inches (I); 44 x 28 x 30 inches (L) | Materials: Aluminum, steel wire mesh, reinforced plastic | Features: Ceiling hatch, wheels, handle, adjustable divider
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One-piece rotomolded construction designed for high impact resistance
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Three double-door configurations
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Tie-down accessories for extra security during travel
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No certified crash-test rating
To keep your puppy safe during car rides, our top choice is Ruff Land Kennels. They are made from a single piece of rotomolded plastic, designed to remain intact and absorb impact in the event of an accident.
This kennel has several unique features that make it ideal for car travel. Ruff Land Kennels come with three double-door configurations, making it easy for a puppy to enter and exit, regardless of how you orient it inside the vehicle. The tapered walls prevent ventilation holes from being blocked, even if the kennel is against a wall or other object, which keeps your puppy’s temperature regulated while driving.
Ruff Land also offers an SUV-friendly design with a sloped back that fits snugly in the rear of vehicles. Its anti-rattle design significantly reduces noise while driving, which is a huge improvement for those familiar with the annoying rattle of other types of crates. This kennel can also be secured with tie-downs for added stability.
There are no industry standards for crash testing or rating kennels in vehicles. While various companies and organizations specialize in crash testing, no single body oversees car crate safety, and there’s no consensus on how tests should be conducted. The Ruff Land Kennel has not been crash-tested by an independent agency; however, its design, particularly the one-piece rotomolded plastic construction, is intended to offer greater structural integrity during an impact compared to many standard wire or thinner plastic crates. Additionally, there are numerous documented stories of how Ruff Land has kept dogs safe in real car accidents.
Ruff Land Kennels are not cheap, but they are more affordable than other kennels designed for car travel. The company also makes a variety of practical kennel accessories, such as a divider panel to expand the kennel as the puppy grows and trays for storing your supplies.
Dimensions: 22 ¼ x 16 x 15 inches (S); 24 ½ x 16 ½ x 18 inches (Medium); 27 ⅝, 18, 20 ¾ inches (M); 27 ⅞ x 20 x 23 ¼ inches (Backseat); 30 ½ x 20 x 23 ¼ inches (I); 35 x 22 x 26 ¾ inches (L); 40 ⅜ x 22 x 29 ⅞ inches (XL) | Materials: LDPE plastic, composite door | Features: Handles, leak-proof design, stackable, two-way door, color options
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Lightweight yet sturdy
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Good ventilation and visibility
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Four zippered doors
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Not as secure as other crate styles
If you’re looking for a highly portable option, the Lesure Soft Collapsible Dog Crate is ideal for traveling with a puppy. Whether for a road trip, a camping adventure, or visiting a friend, this collapsible fabric crate is very easy to set up and take down. Its lightweight construction and handles make it easy to carry and store.
Made with a sturdy iron frame and fabric cover, the crate features four zippered mesh doors that serve as access points and windows for excellent visibility and ventilation. The doors can also be opened and rolled up, so your puppy can come and go as they please. We were surprised by how quickly it assembled and folded, and the mesh suffered no damage despite our puppy’s scratching.
The back of the crate features a large storage pocket, ideal for stashing treats, toys, leashes, or other puppy items. The zippered door on the roof allows you to give your puppy food or water. We liked using it to give ear scratches and belly rubs without our puppy leaving the crate.
Soft crates are not as secure as our other top options, and a determined puppy could escape by chewing or pawing at them. It’s best to use this crate for puppies who are comfortable in it or under supervision.
Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 15 inches (XS); 26 x 18 x 18 inches (S); 30 x 21 x 21 inches (M); 36 x 25 x 25 inches (L); 42 x 28 x 31 inches (XL) | Materials: Polyester, metal, PVC | Features: Handles, storage pocket, interior leash clip, four doors including front, sides, and top.
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Final Verdict: Our Top Puppy Crate Picks
Our top pick for puppy crates is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate, which combines an affordable price with a functional and adaptable design, ideal for most puppies. If you’re looking for a sturdy collapsible crate with a more elegant look for your home, consider the Diggs Revol Dog Crate.
How We Tested Puppy Crates for This Review
After consulting with dog training experts and evaluating the most popular and best-selling dog crates, we tested 20 different models in our New York testing lab and sent our favorites to homes with dogs for long-term testing. Our methodology focused on the ease of assembly, folding, and use of each crate. We looked for sturdiness, durability, and ease of cleaning.
To test the strength and durability of individual dog crates, we dropped 20-pound sandbags on them and pulled on the crate doors ourselves, noting when we could or could not bend the frame or other components.
The Spruce Pets
What to Look For in a Puppy Crate: A Buyer’s Guide
Size and Fit
Your puppy’s crate should be long enough for them to lie down comfortably and large enough for them to stand up and turn around. But not too large, as some puppies might use the extra space as a bathroom.
“A crate that is too large can make it difficult for the puppy to develop good potty training habits, as they are more likely to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another,” says Fadl.
If you buy a crate larger than your puppy (to grow into), consider dividers. Many dog crates, including our favorite, come with a divider or sell them separately.
Accessibility and Door Placement
Before purchasing, consider where you will place the crate and whether you will need one or two doors for easy access to your puppy. Depending on the location, a front or side door (or both) might be the best option.
Durability and Materials
Although the goal of crate training is for your puppy to relax in it, choose one that will withstand chewing or pawing while they learn to be calm. Wire crates, like the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate and the Diggs Revol Dog Crate, are sturdy options. We recommend waiting to purchase a wooden furniture-style crate until you feel confident with your puppy’s training and they have outgrown the chewing phase.
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How to Prevent Your Puppy from Pooping or Peeing in Their Crate?
“To prevent accidents in the crate, it’s crucial to establish a consistent and effective potty training routine,” says Fadl. “Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime, and reward them for eliminating in the appropriate spot. Avoid leaving your puppy in the crate for extended periods, as they should have regular potty breaks.”
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Is Crate Training a Puppy Necessary?
While it’s not absolutely necessary to crate train a puppy, it offers an excellent tool for managing their behavior when you can’t supervise them. It provides them with a comfortable space that keeps them safe and promotes rest.
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How Long Can a Puppy Stay in a Crate?
Puppies under 6 months old should not stay in a crate for more than three to four hours at a time. The younger the puppy, the shorter the period to prevent accidents. However, every puppy is unique, and depending on their crate training level, they may not tolerate that long in it.
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How to Determine the Right Crate Size for a Puppy?
The crate should be long enough for your puppy to lie down and stretch out, and large enough for them to stand up and turn around. A crate that is too small will make your puppy feel cramped and uncomfortable, while a larger one may encourage them to sleep in one corner and eliminate in another. If you don’t want to invest in a puppy-sized crate that your dog will outgrow, you can purchase removable dividers to use in a larger crate.
Why Trust Petpals Care for Your Puppy Crate Advice?
Alisa Healy is a writer for Petpals Care and a certified professional dog trainer with over a decade of experience. She has tested numerous crates with hundreds of puppy training clients, as well as with five of her own puppies. Additionally, The Spruce Pets’ panel of product testers evaluated the crates to determine the best options. The selected crates have been used by puppies of different sizes and breeds, as well as by owners with various lifestyles. The functionality, durability, ease of cleaning, and price of the crates were considered.