Dog Crates for Puppies, Travel, and Home
The MidWest iCrate is our top overall pick for its double-door layout, divider panel, and low cost. For chewers and escape artists, the Diggs Revol adds real strength, while the Frisco Fold & Carry travels light and folds flat between rooms.
If you want a straightforward answer, the MidWest iCrate suits most dogs and budgets, the Diggs Revol is the pick for strong chewers, and the Frisco Fold & Carry is easiest to move room to room.
Picking a crate is trickier than it looks because the right size, material, and door layout depend on your dog’s size, chew habits, and whether you crate at home or travel. We compared these seven models on containment strength, ease of setup, portability, and value, drawing on manufacturer specifications and patterns owners report over months of daily use.
The best picks, ranked
MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Dog Crate
The iCrate covers what most households actually need without overcomplicating things. Two doors give you flexible placement, and the included divider lets a puppy grow into the same crate. It is basic wire construction, so committed chewers can bend thin bars over time, but for everyday crate training it is hard to beat on value.
Pros
- Divider panel grows with a puppy
- Folds flat for storage and moving
- Wide range of sizes to fit most breeds
Cons
- Thin bars can flex under a strong chewer
- Tray can slide out if not seated fully
Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate
The Revol is built with tighter diamond mesh and a reinforced frame that owners report holds up to determined dogs better than standard wire. Setup is genuinely one motion, and the garage-style side door is a nice touch. It costs more and weighs more than a basic wire crate, which is the tradeoff for the extra strength.
Pros
- Sturdier mesh resists chewing and pushing
- One-motion fold and unfold
- Multiple doors including a top opening
Cons
- Heavier than folding wire crates
- Fewer large sizes for giant breeds
Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Dog Crate
This one leans into portability, folding suitcase-style with a carry handle so you can shift it between the kitchen and bedroom without a fight. It is still wire, so it is not chew-proof, but owners report the folding action is smooth and the price is friendly. A solid everyday crate for calm to moderate dogs.
Pros
- Carry handle makes moving easy
- Folds slim for closets and car trunks
- Good price for a double-door crate
Cons
- Not suited to heavy chewers
- Latches feel light on larger sizes
New World Folding Metal Dog Crate
The New World is a no-frills folding wire crate that does the fundamentals for less. You get a leak-proof pan and a slide-bolt latch, and owners report it holds up fine for house training and calm adults. Finish quality is average and the smallest sizes feel a little flimsy, but the value is clear.
Pros
- Lower cost than most rivals
- Leak-proof pan wipes clean
- Simple tool-free assembly
Cons
- Finish and welds feel basic
- Small sizes lack rigidity
Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate
A dependable wire crate that keeps things plain and works across most training situations. Double doors and a divider come standard, and owners report consistent quality for the price. There is nothing clever here for chewers or travel, but as a first crate for an average dog it does the job without surprises.
Pros
- Consistent quality for the price
- Divider included for growing pups
- Folds flat for storage
Cons
- No standout features
- Bars can bend under strong dogs
SportPet Designs Plastic Kennel
For dogs that settle better in an enclosed space, this plastic kennel gives a den-like feel with solid walls and a wire door. Owners report it also doubles as basic transport. It is harder to fold than wire crates and airflow is more limited, so it suits calmer indoor use rather than warm-weather travel.
Pros
- Enclosed walls feel den-like and secure
- Wipes clean easily
- Doubles as short-trip carrier
Cons
- Bulkier to store than wire
- Less airflow in warm rooms
Petmate Sky Kennel Travel Crate
The Sky Kennel is built around airline requirements, with a heavy-duty plastic shell, metal door, and tie-down holes for secure transport. Owners report it is a common choice for flying because it meets many carrier standards. It is bulky and not meant for daily folding, so treat it as a dedicated travel crate rather than a home setup.
Pros
- Designed to meet common airline rules
- Strong shell and secure latch
- Good ventilation on all sides
Cons
- Large and heavy to store
- Does not fold flat
How they compare
| # | Model | Material | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Dog Crate | Coated steel wire | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Diggs Revol Collapsible Dog Crate | Aluminum frame with steel mesh | Best for chewers and escape artists | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Dog Crate | Coated steel wire | Best for moving room to room | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | New World Folding Metal Dog Crate | Coated steel wire | Best budget wire crate | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Amazon Basics Folding Metal Dog Crate | Coated steel wire | Best simple all-rounder | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | SportPet Designs Plastic Kennel | Hard plastic shell | Best for cozy den feel | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Petmate Sky Kennel Travel Crate | Heavy-duty plastic | Best for air travel | 8.1 | Check price |
How to choose
Size it right A crate should let your dog stand, turn around, and lie down fully, and no larger during house training. Too much space lets a puppy soil one end and sleep in the other, which slows training. Measure your dog from nose to tail base and add a few inches, and use a divider so a growing puppy is not stuck with an oversized space too early.
Match the material to the dog Wire crates offer airflow, visibility, and easy folding, which suits most calm to moderate dogs. Plastic kennels give a den-like enclosed feel and handle transport well. Reinforced designs with tighter mesh are worth the extra cost for strong chewers or dogs that push at latches, since a bent bar or popped door undoes the whole point of a crate.
Doors, trays, and cleaning Double or triple doors give you more placement options in tight rooms and easier access. A removable leak-proof pan makes accidents far less stressful to clean, so check that the tray seats firmly and does not slide out when the dog shifts. Coated wire and smooth plastic both wipe down quickly, which matters more than most buyers expect.
Setup, storage, and travel If you will move the crate often, folding action and a carry handle save real effort, and a suitcase-style fold stores slim in a closet or trunk. If you fly or drive long distances, a dedicated travel kennel that meets airline standards is safer than repurposing a home crate. Decide up front whether you need one crate to do everything or two crates for two jobs.
Frequently asked questions
What size dog crate do I need?
Measure your dog from nose to the base of the tail and add two to four inches, then measure height from floor to the top of the head or ears and add a few inches. The dog should stand, turn, and lie down comfortably but not have so much room that a puppy can soil one corner and sleep in another.
Are wire or plastic crates better?
Wire crates offer better airflow, visibility, and folding for everyday home use, while plastic kennels give an enclosed den feel and handle transport better. The right choice depends on whether your dog prefers open or covered spaces and whether you plan to travel with it.
How do I stop my dog chewing the crate?
Owners report that reducing boredom with exercise, chew toys, and gradual crate training helps most. For dogs that keep working at the bars, a reinforced crate with tighter mesh and a stronger frame resists damage far better than thin standard wire.
Should I get a crate with a divider?
A divider is very useful for puppies because it lets you buy a full-size crate and shrink the usable space as they grow. This keeps training on track without buying a new crate every few months.
Can a dog crate be used for air travel?
Only crates built to airline standards, typically hard-sided plastic kennels with metal doors and ventilation, are accepted by most carriers. A standard folding wire crate is generally not suitable for flying, so check your airline’s specific requirements before booking.
How do I clean a dog crate?
Remove the tray and wash it with mild soap and water, then wipe down bars or plastic walls with a pet-safe cleaner. A leak-proof pan makes accidents much easier to handle, and letting everything dry fully before reassembly helps prevent odors.
Where should I put the crate in my home?
Most dogs settle best when the crate is in a quiet corner of a room the family uses, so they feel included but not overstimulated. Avoid direct drafts, heat sources, and high-traffic doorways, and keep the location consistent while training.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
General guidance is that adult dogs should not be crated for more than a few hours at a stretch during the day, and puppies far less because they need frequent breaks. A crate is a resting and training space, not a place to leave a dog for a full workday without relief.
Do I need a crate cover?
A cover can help anxious dogs settle by reducing visual stimulation and creating a den-like feel. Make sure any cover still allows airflow and does not trap heat, and choose a breathable fabric sized for your specific crate.
The verdict
For most homes the MidWest iCrate hits the best balance of size options, useful features, and value, which is why it leads our ranking. Choose the Diggs Revol if your dog is a determined chewer, or the Petmate Sky Kennel if your main need is air travel rather than daily home use.
