The 9 Best Dog Crates of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door & Double Door Dog Crates

4.8

View On Amazon View On Chewy View On Walmart

Our best overall pick is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Single Door and Double Door Dog Crate because of its easy assembly, thorough features, and easy-to-clean tray. While many of the other crates that we tested also scored well for their easy-to-clean surfaces, the additional divider in this crate kit set it apart from the rest. Our tester noted this crate’s plastic tray slides out easily, making it simple to clean if any major accidents happen. We also love that this crate has rubberized rolling buffers to protect hardwood, vinyl, or tile flooring. 

This crate from MidWest Homes for Pets passed our lab tests with perfect scores in ease of setup, use, and cleaning. Its basic aesthetic may not win any beauty contests, but it's certainly functional. Testers especially loved the double door model, which makes it a cinch to access the crate from the front or side, adding significantly to the iCrate's flexibility.

Our tester also loved the practicality of this crate coupled with its easy-to-collapse and easy-to-clean design. She said the setup was as simple as pulling the top of the crate up and snapping the hooks into place. Removing the plastic tray was also easy, as there was a slot for it to slide out from the bottom of the crate. A security hook also ensures that the tray stays in its place when your pup is on top of it. 

The only downside our tester noted on this crate is the door does bend when it’s pulled on. Our tester didn’t think the bowing was significant enough for a dog to bust through the door, but it’s still a worthy concern for any owners with especially excitable or high-strung pooches. Despite this one design concern, we’d still recommend this crate as a reliable and basic option that’s sure to last you multiple years and withstand pet wear and tear over time.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Weight: 8 pounds to 43 pounds (depending on crate size) | Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 14 inches to 48 x 30 x 33 inches (depending on crate size) | Material: Metal crate with plastic pan | Breed Size: Extra-small to extra-large dogs (depending on crate size)}

Best Budget

Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate

5

View On Amazon

Finding a dog crate that doesn’t break the bank but still does its job well can be challenging. Our testers were very impressed with this crate from Amazon Basics, which has a PVC frame with polyester and mesh fabric cover. This crate has three openings (one at either end of the crate and one on the top) that are secured by zippers. They can also be rolled up and fastened to the top of the crate. This crate is super lightweight, making it a great option for travel, but it doesn’t have a carrying handle, which was slightly disappointing for our tester. 

Our tester was impressed by this crate’s durability. She noted it didn’t budge or break when a sandbag was thrown on top of it and at the front of it. Our tester was concerned about how difficult it might be to clean some of the smaller nooks and crannies within the crate’s frame. Overall, our tester gave this crate flying marks for its durability and ease of setup and use. She said the price fairly matched the product’s performance, plus this crate has an attractive and sturdy design.

Price at time of publish: $66

_{Weight: 5.4 pounds to 10.51 pounds (depending on crate size) | Dimensions: 25.98 x 18.11 x 18.11 inches to 41.73 x 30.71 x 30.71 inches (depending on crate size) | Material: PVC frame with polyester and mesh cover | Breed Size: Small to extra-large dogs (depending on crate size)}

Best Splurge

Diggs Revol Dog Crate

4.8

View On Amazon View On Chewy View On Walmart

If you’re looking for a luxurious and incredibly durable dog crate, we recommend the Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate. This crate collapses when you twist the top handle, and the sides lift up, offering multiple access points for your pet. Our tester was very impressed by how durable this crate is. She said she pulled about 45 pounds against the door, and it did not budge. Throwing multiple sandbags at the crate also did not impact its structure or appearance. Our tester raved about how much she loved this crate’s intuitive design and general aesthetic. 

This crate’s tray is removable so that you can easily clean it, and it has a raised edge to prevent any leakage if accidents do happen while your pet is inside the crate. The crate’s door is secured by a latch that's released by pressing a button, so it’s much more secure than other crates that only have a sliding bolt. Our tester’s only concern was that this crate is not very compact, even when it’s collapsed, so it may not be easily stored under certain pieces of furniture or in small closets. While the price point on this crate is certainly a splurge in anyone’s budget, our tester said she believed the price fairly reflected this crate’s high quality and unique design.

Price at time of publish: $475

_{Weight: 31.3 pounds | Dimensions: 32 x 20 x 22 inches | Material: High grade aluminum, steel mesh wire, and reinforced plastic | Breed Size: Medium}

Best for Small Dogs

Fable Pets Crate

4.3

View On Fablepets.com

Our testers couldn’t stop raving about the Fable Pets Crate. It was relatively easy to put together out of the box, similar to the labor intensity of Ikea furniture. Our tester loved the overall design of this crate, which could easily double as a bedside table or end table in a family room. Our tester pointed out that the door on this crate does jiggle when closed, which may be a concern for any pet owners with dogs who scratch at doors. However, choosing the metal crate door may solve the long-term question of the door’s durability. 

This crate has rubber pads that prevent it from scratching hardwood and vinyl floors, but there is no carrying handle, which could make it difficult to move from room to room. This crate also does not have a removable tray, so you must crouch down to reach inside for any cleaning needs. Despite these design concerns, our tester was impressed by this crate’s performance during our sandbag and luggage pull tests. Overall, this crate would be a great option for anyone looking for a luxe crate that would blend into minimalist decor while still being very functional.

Price at time of publish: $395

_{Weight: 50 pounds or 75 pounds (depending on crate size) | Dimensions: 26 x 20 x 23 inches or 34 x 24 x 25 inches (depending on crate size) | Material: Bent wood with options for metal or acrylic doors | Breed Size: Extra-small to medium}

Best for Travel

Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel

4.8

View On Amazon View On Chewy View On Walmart

If you like to take your dog on road trips, you should check out the Petmate Two Door Pet Kennel. It’s easy to attach the top and bottom pieces together, and the door is incredibly secure. Our tester noted the front and top openings also allow for easy cleaning and access to your pet. This crate’s door did not budge when pulled with 33 pounds of force and was not affected by the impact of a sandbag. 

The top carrying handle also makes this crate a great option for city dwellers who commute to their vet's office or groomers. While we love how convenient this crate would be for extra-small to small dog breeds, we wish it was just slightly bigger to accommodate dogs within the 20-pound range. Nonetheless, this crate is a great, lightweight option for any travel situation for owners of small dogs.

Price at time of publish: $67

_{Weight: 6.43 pounds | Dimensions: 24.05 x 16.8 x 14.5 inches | Material: Recycled plastic | Breed Size: Small}

Best for Flights

Petmate Sky Kennel

4.4

View On Amazon View On Chewy View On Walmart

If your dog is a frequent flier with you, then you’ll want a crate with a reliable closure and durable frame. The Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier offers crate sizes for all dogs up to 120 pounds, and it comes with two “live animal stickers,” ID tags, and detachable food bowls. Our tester said this crate was intuitive to use and had a secure latch that would not be easily opened by Houdini-like pups. This kennel also meets most airlines’ standards for pet carriers, but be sure to consult with your preferred airline before making any flight plans with your pup. 

If you have an especially reactive pup, keep in mind that the door to this crate may bend slightly with excessive force. Our tester said the door bent with roughly 68 pounds of force pulled against it, but overall she was impressed by the door’s durability and latch strength. This crate does not have a removable tray, but its plastic interior would still make it relatively easy to clean, except for a few tight corners and nitches. While Petmate does offer carriers with handles for their two smallest sizes (21-inch and 28-inch crates), the larger kennels may be more difficult to carry and maneuver through an airport, especially with a larger dog inside. Overall, our tester said she’d recommend this crate for travel and would consider purchasing it herself. 

Price at time of publish: $145

_{Weight: Not listed | Dimensions: 21 x 16 x 15 inches to 48 x 32 x 35 inches (depending on crate size) | Material: Plastic shell with steel wire | Breed Size: Extra-small to large}

Best Soft Crate

EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate

4.2

View On Amazon View On Chewy

For overnight stays outside of your home, the EliteField Soft Folding Dog Crate is lightweight and easy to fold.

The alloy steel frame is covered in breathable nylon that is available in various colors. Three dual zipper flaps, one on top and two on each side, enable flexibility and convenience for checking on your dog and getting them safely inside. There are also two storage pockets on the exterior for small accessories, like a leash and a collapsible bowl. Inside you'll find a removable, machine-washable bed. The crate is durable, but not chew-proof so we do not recommend it for a teething puppy. Spills and accidents can be spot cleaned as needed.

Price at time of publish: $55 (20 inches)

_{Weight: 6.5 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 14 inches | Material: Alloy steel, nylon | Breed Size: X-small to large}

Best Hybrid

Casual Home Pet Crate End Table

4.2

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

The Casual Home Pet Crate End Table is available in four wood finishes to complement your home decor while providing a cozy den for your dog. The smallest size of this crate can accommodate dogs up to 18 pounds inside and the top surface, used as an end table, can support up to 120 pounds. The extra-large version can fit dogs up to 90 pounds and support 200 pounds on top.

To secure the door shut, the latch has a three-step process: pull out, move up, and then push down into place. We found it a little difficult to maneuver which then made it easier for our dog to get out. If you have a dog that is determined to get out, this crate is not the right choice, but if you have a dog that enjoys their den space, then this is a suitable option.

The crate pan and dog bed designed for the crate are sold separately, but you can also put a blanket or mat that your dog already loves inside to help them feel comfortable in their new space. Assembly is required, but it comes together easily with clear instructions provided.

Price at time of publish: $107

_{Weight: 29 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 27.5 x 24 inches | Material: Wood | Breed Size: X-small to x-large}