The 12 Best Cat Carriers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall, Hard-Sided

Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel

4.8

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The best cat carrier for most is one with a rigid design because it provides a cat with a defined interior space. Our top choice among the hard-sided options we tested is the Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel, which has a traditional front door plus a top-loading door, both with gates that securely shut with a dual-spring-loaded latch.

The unwavering structure provided by this carrier will help your cat feel secure—a top priority—but only if you can first get your cat inside. The top door simplifies the obstacle of getting a cat into a carrier by limiting their opportunity to wriggle out before the door is fully shut. And from our experience, we've learned that most vets prefer a cat carrier with a top door because it makes their job easier. Here are more ways you can reduce stress on your cat while traveling.

Like any hard-sided cat carrier, the Petmate Two-Door is big and boxy, making it cumbersome to lug around, but it's also surprisingly light, thanks to thin plastic—though it never feels flimsy—and lots of ventilation holes, which keep it airy inside. The larger 24-inch model weighs 6.4 pounds and the 19-inch version weighs 3.8 pounds, without cats inside. And even with an adult cat inside, we found it relatively easy to take in and out of cars or walk short distances.

Our only structural concern is the handle, which is attached to the top door, meaning the weight of the carrier puts pressure on the hinges and steel latch. But while we noted it as a potential design flaw, the door has been reliably secure through more than a year of use. The steel wire latch to the top door is sometimes a little hard to align, but it's also easy to tell when you've securely closed it.

The Petmate Two-Door is made from recycled materials, with surfaces that are easy to wipe clean. The larger option is designed to carry cats up to 20 pounds, making it appropriate for use with most adult cats. Though it's not recommended, in a pinch we were able to safely use the carrier with two adult cats for a quick trip to the vet. Another of our testers used the Petmate carrier as a temporary den for a foster cat.

Price at time of publish: $86

_{Dimensions: 24.1 x 16.8 x 14.5 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 20 pounds | Weight of Carrier: 3.8 pounds}

Best Overall, Soft-Sided

Petseek Extra Large Cat Carrier

5

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If you have a large cat, like a Maine Coon or a Ragamuffin, or more than one adult cat in your care, the Petseek Extra Large Cat Carrier will help you keep your kitty comfortable while in transit. The interior is big enough to hold and support up to 55 pounds, and then easily fold up and put away until the next time you need to move your cat. We found the carrier easy to carry using the included shoulder strap.

Similar to a traditional hard-sided kennel, this carrier has a rectangular shape, but unlike the traditional cat carrier, this one can be collapsed and folded almost completely flat. The soft-sided carrier has a steel frame, with two cross beams that come apart in the middle for folding.

There are three doors, one on top, one on the side, and another on the front, which has a mesh screen that can be rolled up so that the carrier can be used as a little cat house. The double zippers at each entrance are accompanied by an additional little clip that lets you lock the zippers together so that they can't be opened—a thoughtful feature that helps keep the multiple access points easy to secure. There is also a leash tether inside for further security.

The carrier is available in blue or grey, and can be used as a car seat for your cat with straps designed to attach to a seatbelt. A fleece bed is also included which is easy to remove for cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 16.5 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 55 pounds | Weight of Carrier: 6.4 pounds}

Best Airline-Approved

Away The Pet Carrier

5

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The Away Pet Carrier is the most expensive cat carrier on our list, but this multi-use bag will serve you well for years, especially if you fly or travel often with your cat. Plus, there's a 100-day trial period, so you can test out the Away Pet Carrier for yourself.

The Away carrier meets the requirements for use in-cabin on most commercial flights (since requirements can vary from airline to airline, always check with your flight provider in advance). While suitable for flights the Away carrier is also safe for car travel. It received a five-star crash test rating certification from the Center for Pet Safety, a non-profit that conducts independent crash tests on travel products designed for cats and dogs.

This carrier is a structured soft-sided bag that holds its shape when empty and does not collapse for storage. It offers two zippered entry points, one on top and one on the side, and the doors are made of dark mesh. There is also an optional privacy panel to isolate your cat from outside distractions if they're too nervous.

Inside you'll find a plush, padded bed that can be removed and machine washed. It has a water resistant lining, making it easy to wipe the interior clean. There's also a built-in safety collar clip, a key clip in the external pocket, and even a removable name card.

The Away carrier also has a variety of features for carrying and securing, including dual hand straps, a removable shoulder strap, a trolley sleeve for rolled luggage, and latches for attaching to a car seatbelt.

Away's The Pet Carrier is available in two colors, black or coast (a grayish shade of blue).

Price at time of publish: $225

_{Dimensions: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.8 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 18 pounds | Weight of Carrier: 3.9 pounds}

Best Budget

Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Pet Kennel

4.6

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The Frisco Two-Door Top-Load Plastic Pet Kennel is an excellent choice for anyone in search of a classic hard-sided cat carrier at an approachable price.

Similar to our pick for Best Overall, Hard-Sided, (the Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel) this carrier can be awkward to carry, but it will provide your cat with a secure mobile den for any essential trips, like visits to the vet. This carrier offers the convenience of top door entry too. Our cat tester for this carrier, a 15-pound Maine Coon, opted to take a few naps inside, so we think the trips they took in this carrier were enjoyable.

The lightweight case comes in two sizes, Extra-Small and Small, and is made with 95 percent pre-consumer recycled plastic. There are ventilation slits throughout and you can easily add a blanket to make the inside a bit cozier for your cat. It's available exclusively at Chewy.

Price at time of publish: $38 (Small)

_{Dimensions: 24.1 x 16.8 x 14.5 inches (small) | Weight Limit: Pets up to 20 pounds (small) | Weight of Carrier: 6.4 pounds (small)}

Best Budget Airline-Approved

Maskeyon Airline Approved Pet Carrier

4.8

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The Maskeyon Airline Approved Carrier can be used on most commercial flights to keep your cat cozy and secure while they ride under a seat (always check with your flight provider). It may look like other duffle bag style carriers, but on two sides, this carrier has expandable mesh panels that can be unzipped to give your cat room to stretch while you wait to board. These built-in sections will nearly double the amount of space your cat has to move around without adding any bulk or weight.

We found the carrier easy to carry with the padded shoulder strap, and a removable padded mat inside kept our cat comfortable. The carrier's interior and exterior are very breathable and easy to wipe clean. It also offers entry through a zippered top panel and side panel making it easier to get your cat in and out.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 19.5 x 12 x 12 inches and with expansion 43.5 x 32 x 12 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 20 pounds | Weight of Carrier: 3.6 pounds}

Best Backpack Carrier

Halinfer Expandable Space Capsule Cat Backpack

5

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With the Halinfer Expandable Space Capsule Cat Backpack, you'll keep your hands free while you comfortably transport your cat on your back. As a backpack, most adult cats will have to sit upright, but with the expansion open, a full-grown cat will have room to spread out. The front viewing window is made out of plastic and resembles a bubble. It's clear with air holes to allow your paw-ssenger to see and smell the environment around them.

There are additional air holes along the perimeter with a mesh pocket for storage on one side and a zippered door on the other side. Ideally, your cat will have no issue with entry through the side door, which was the case with our two kittens, but our two adult cats were not as easy to get inside. If needed, the front clear bubble portion of the carrier can be unzipped giving you more space to calmly get your cat inside.

When you arrive at your destination, you can unzip the mesh expansion to let your cat spread out while keeping them safely contained. There is also a built-in tether to attach to your cat's collar or harness to keep them securely inside. Some cats are excellent escape artists, so better to be cautious.

Price at time of publish: $57

_{Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 7 inches | Weight Limit: 12 pounds}

Best Electronic Backpack Carrier

PETKIT Pet Backpack Carrier

4.5

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Give your cat a tech-powered transport with the Petkit Pet Backpack Carrier. Designed for ultimate comfort, this bubble backpack has a built-in fan and ventilation system to facilitate airflow. There is also an LED light inside that gradually gets brighter as the environment gets darker to help your cat see. These advanced features require a power bank which is not included, but there is a built-in pocket to hold the power bank of your choice (we recommended the Anker Slim 1000 Portable Charger).

The outward-facing bubble-viewing window is made of durable plastic and the outer shell is available in three colors—white, blue, and green. The build of the exterior feels substantial but may get scuffed over time with use. The back of the satchel, the part that connects with the shoulder straps, is padded and soft. We found it comfortable to wear with our participating cat inside. However, the pad is pliable so your cat will be able to feel your movement which we found would occasionally disrupt our cat during our journey.

The backpack is recommended for cats up to 17 pounds and weighs three pounds on its own. It also comes with a one-year warranty from PetKit.

Price at time of publish: $99

_{Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 18 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 17 pounds | Weight of Carrier: 3 pounds}

Best Budget Backpack Carrier

Henkelion Cat Backpack Carrier Bubble Bag

4.6

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The Henkenlion Cat Backpack Carrier Bubble Bag is affordable and comfortable to wear, but if you have a bigger cat (ten pounds or more), this carrier might not offer enough space. We wore the carrier with a nine-pound feline inside and they seemed comfortable, but we would not want to keep a cat that size inside this backpack for a long excursion.

The front of the backpack is made of clear, round plastic so you can see your cat and they can see the world around them. There are holes for air ventilation on the front and on the sides of the carrier along with a mesh pocket. Inside you'll find a removal pad and a leash tether to keep your cat securely attached to the carrier. The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable, and there is also a chest strap for extra support and weight distribution.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.4 x 16.5 inches | Weight Limit: Pets up to 10 pounds}

Best Collapsible

SportPet Designs Foldable Travel Cat Carrier

4.5

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If you are looking for a reliable cat carrier that doesn't take up a lot of storage space, the SportPet Designs Foldable Travel Cat Carrier is the one for you. This hard-sided carrier offers the stability of a classic rectangular kennel without having to dedicate as much closet space.

The triangular shape of this carrier reminds us of a classic A-frame house, but the sides are not perfectly symmetrical. With this unique shape, the carrier is able to offer a sturdy yet comfortable space for a cat, but it's also easy to collapse and fold when it is not in use. For safety, the frame of the carrier locks in place with two latches and two red-colored clips. The carrier is made out of steel and plastic for durability and is available in two sizes, extra large and large. The biggest version of the carrier can support more than one cat with a maximum weight of 40 pounds.

Price at time of publish: $48 (Extra Large)

_{Dimensions: 25 x 20.2 x 19 inches (extra large) | Weight Limit: Pets up to 40 pounds (extra large) | Weight of Carrier: 6.4 pounds (extra large)}

Best Roller

Gen7Pets Geometric Roller with Smart-Level Pet Carrier Backpack

4.6

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One of humanity's greatest inventions, the wheel, can be put to good use by helping you transport your cat with the Gen7Pets Geometric Roller with SmartLevel Pet Carrier Backpack.

This roller bag has a telescopic handlebar that is easy to pull up and put down. The carrier is also equipped with adjustable shoulder straps for use as a backpack keeping your hands free. There are two zippered panels made of mesh that can be used for entry or as windows. If you do want to give your cat a taste of freedom while they stroll, there is a leash tether inside that can be latched to a collar or harness. This will keep them securely attached to the carrier while they poke their head out of an unzipped window.

The carrier comes in two sizes, large can hold up to 20 pounds while medium maxes out at 10 pounds. We found the medium-sized carrier easy to use as a roller and a backpack, but when we tried to pull the carrier like a suitcase, our cat was startled by the tilt of the carriage.

Price at time of publish: $134

_{Dimensions: 11.5 x 19 x 18.5 inches (medium) | Weight Limit: Pets up to 10 pounds (medium) | Weight of Carrier: 6.8 pounds}

Best Bag

Sturdi Products Bag Pet Carrier

5

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If you prefer to keep your cat incognito while traveling, which may help keep them calm, the Sturdi Products Bag Carrier is the one to get. The breathable exterior is opaque for the most part while the top and side mesh panel entry points come equipped with optional privacy panels. The bag is loosely structured so it can adjust to fit under the seat on most commercial flights, but you should always check with your flight provider.

The bag is offered in a wide range of colors and comes with a removable fleece pad held in place with a hook and loop strap. The bag is very lightweight, weighing only two and a half pounds, and has lockable zippers to prevent your cat from figuring out how to unzip it from the inside.

Price at time of publish: $80 (Small)

_{Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 10 inches (small) | Weight Limit: Pets up to 25 pounds (small) | Weight of Carrier: 2.5 pounds (small)}