Best Dog Crates for Every Size and Breed

Our pick: MidWest iCrate Dog Crate — A double-door folding metal crate with a divider panel that grows with your puppy from day one.

The MidWest iCrate ($35-65 depending on size) is the best dog crate because its included divider panel lets you adjust the interior as your puppy grows -- buying one crate instead of three -- and the double-door design fits into corners, SUVs, and tight spaces that single-door crates cannot. It comes in 6 sizes from Chihuahua to Great Dane, folds flat for storage, and holds up through years of daily use.

That said, a crate that's too small causes discomfort and anxiety. One that's too large undermines housetraining because your dog can soil one end and sleep in the other. Flimsy construction won't contain a determined escape artist, and heavy-duty models are overkill for a calm Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Matching the crate to your dog -- scale, temperament, life stage, and intended use -- renders the difference between a tool that works and one that creates problems.

This guide covers the best crates across every major type and capacity, explains how to choose the right one, and addresses the practical details that make crate training successful.

Before anything produces this list, it goes through our product evaluation process.

Related reading for your household: Best Dog Beds for Large Breeds and How to Set Up for a New Puppy: Everything You Need.

How to Choose the Right Size Crate

Getting the sizes right is the individual most important decision. A properly sized crate allows your dog to stand up without their head touching the top, turn around comfortably, and lie down with legs extended without pressing against the walls. It shouldn't be so spacious that your dog has room to designate a bathroom zone separate from the sleeping area. My high-energy pup and my senior dog have distinct needs here, which is exactly the point.

Measuring the Dog

Take two measurements. First, measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail (not the tip -- the base where the tail meets the body). Toss in 2 to 4 inches. That's your minimum crate length. Second, measure from the floor to the top of the head (or the top of the ears for erect-eared breeds). Add 2 to 4 inches. That's your minimum crate height.

Standard Crate Sizes

Puppy Sizing

For puppies, buy a crate sized for the expected adult size and use a divider panel to section off the appropriate space for the current size. This approach avoids picking up multiple crates as the puppy grows. Most wire crates include a divider panel. Move the divider back as your puppy grows, always maintaining the shine-switch-lie-down standard.

Types of Dog Crates

If this sounds familiar, How to Crate Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Schedule might help.

Wire Crates

Wire crates are the most versatile and widely used kind. They provide excellent ventilation, visibility in all directions, and easy cleaning. Most fold flat for storage and transport. Wire models include a removable plastic pan in the bottom that slides out for washing.

Best for: Housetraining, everyday house use, dogs that want to see their surroundings, and people that need to fold and store the crate. Not ideal for: Anxious dogs that call for more enclosure, airline cargo travel, or dogs that have learned to bend wire bars.

Plastic (Airline-Style) Crates

Hard-sided plastic crates enclose your dog on all sides with ventilation slots on the sides and a wire door at the front. They deliver a more den-like environment with less visual stimulation, which calms some anxious dogs. Many meet IATA airline cargo requirements.

Best for: Air travel, car travel, anxious dogs that prefer enclosure, and dogs that settle better with reduced visual input. Not ideal for: Warm climates (less ventilation), dogs that depend on to see their surroundings to stay calm, or everyday home use where foldability is valued.

Soft-Sided Crates

Fabric over a lightweight frame produces a portable, lightweight crate that's effortless to set up and take down. They're popular for travel, camping, and events where a temporary containment space is needed.

Best for: Travel, camping, well-trained dogs that don't scratch or chew at the crate, and temporary use at events or visits. Not ideal for: Puppies, dogs that chew or scratch, unsupervised containment, or dogs that aren't already crate-trained.

Furniture-Style Crates

These are crates designed to look like end tables, credenzas, or cabinets. They serve double duty as functional furniture while giving your dog an enclosed resting space. Most are made from wood or wood composite with ventilation panels.

Best for: Living rooms and common areas where aesthetics matter, adult dogs that are past the chewing stage, and readers that want the crate to blend in. Not ideal for: Puppies, destructive chewers, housetraining (harder to clean than wire), or situations requiring maximum security.

Heavy-Duty Crates

Built from aluminum, reinforced steel, or weighty-gauge wire, these crates are crafted for dogs with severe separation anxiety, escape artists, or dogs with a history of destroying standard crates. They're significantly more expensive and heavier than standard options.

Best for: Escape-prone dogs, dogs with severe separation anxiety (alongside behavioral treatment), roomy powerful breeds that bend standard wire. Not ideal for: Average dogs (overkill), frequent travel (dense), or budget-conscious households.

The Best Dog Crates

MidWest iCrate (Best Overall Wire Crate)

For years, the MidWest iCrate has been the standard-bearer for wire crates, and it continues to earn that position through reliable construction, practical features, and a price that delivers it accessible to nearly every household.

Double-door design sets the iCrate apart -- one door on the front and one on the long side -- which delivers flexibility in placement. Folding level with a carrying handle brings storage and transport simple. A removable composite plastic pan slides out from the bottom for painless cleaning. Wire gauge is sturdy enough for normal use, and the slide-bolt latches are secure against casual pushing.

Every iCrate ships with a free divider panel, making it an immediate puppy solution. Arrange the divider for your puppy's current size and shift it back as they grow. This lone feature saves the cost of purchasing two or three crates during the first year.

Available in sizes from 18 inches (for very compact breeds) up to 48 inches (for generous breeds like German Shepherds and Huskies), the iCrate covers the full range. Among all sizes, the 42-inch model matches most Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers comfortably and is the most well-loved sold.

Determined escape artists or dogs with severe anxiety can bend the wire or pop the latches. Built for normal use, not maximum security, the iCrate performs for most dogs. For those needing stronger enclosure, the hefty-duty choices below are a better fit.

Sizes available: 18, 22, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 inch Price range: $30-$75 Best for: Most dogs and most situations. Housetraining, everyday use, growing puppies.

MidWest Ovation (Best Single-Door Wire Crate)

As MidWest's premium wire crate, the Ovation's standout trait is a slide-up door that opens vertically and stays open against the top of the crate. Unlike swing-open doors that protrude into the room and create a tripping hazard, the Ovation's door slides up and out of the way entirely.

Particularly useful in tight spaces -- apartments, bedrooms, and living rooms where a swing-out door blocks a walkway -- this layout shines. Plus, the door can be left open during the day so your dog can enter and exit the crate freely, using it as a den without the door being in the method.

Construction quality steps up from the iCrate, with heavier gauge wire and a more refined finish. Like the iCrate, the removable plastic pan and fold-flush blueprint are standard. A divider panel is included for puppy training.

Without a side door, the Ovation offers only the front slide-up door. For placements where side access would be useful, the iCrate's dual-door pattern supplies more flexibility. At $15-$25 more than the iCrate depending on size, the rate upscale is reasonable for the improved door scheme.

Sizes available: 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 inch Price range: $50-$100 Best for: Modest spaces, apartments, households where door clearance matters, dogs that use the crate as an open den during the day.

Petmate Sky Kennel (Best for Air Travel)

For flying with your dog, the Petmate Sky Kennel is the most widely recognized and accepted plastic crate. Meeting IATA airline cargo requirements, it's accepted by virtually every major airline for in-cabin (snug sizes) and cargo (larger sizes) travel.

Substantial-duty plastic shell construction with ventilation on all sides, a steel wire door with a secure latch, and metal hardware throughout -- airlines require metal fasteners, not plastic clips. Top and bottom halves separate via metal bolts, which lets for thorough cleaning and inspection.

Built-in includes include "live animal" sticker positions, cable tie holes for securing food and water dishes, and ventilation that meets the IATA 360-degree airflow requirement. For owners who fly with their dogs regularly, the Sky Kennel is essentially the default choice because of universal airline acceptance.

At home, the Sky Kennel functions as a solid den-style crate with a more enclosed, cave-like feel than wire crates. Certain dogs, particularly anxious ones, prefer this environment. Reduced visibility means less visual stimulation, which helps nervous dogs settle.

Trade-offs include bulk and weight. Unlike wire crates, the Sky Kennel doesn't fold planar, so storage requires the total footprint (or nesting the top inside the bottom). Ventilation is adequate but less than a wire crate, which matters in toasty environments.

Sizes available: 21, 28, 32, 36, 40, 48 inch Price range: $50-$130 Best for: Air travel, car travel, dogs that prefer an enclosed den environment, anxious dogs that settle better with reduced visibility.

EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate (Best Soft-Sided Crate)

Among soft-sided crates, the EliteField 3-Door is the strongest option -- though this category is best suited for by now-trained dogs in temporary or travel situations. Three mesh doors (front, side, top) offer flexible access, and the steel tube frame carries its shape without sagging.

Setup takes seconds -- unfold, lock the frame into spot, done. It folds uniform just as quickly and shows up with a carrying bag and shoulder strap. At roughly one-third the weight of an equivalent wire crate, it's a genuine travel companion. Built from 600D oxford cloth, the fabric resists light scratching and wipes crisp easily.

Hex mesh windows on all sides supply ventilation and visibility while keeping the fabric panels intact. An accessory pocket on top stores treats, leashes, or travel documents.

Here's the critical caveat: soft crates aren't for containment. Dogs that scratch, chew, or push against the walls will damage or escape a soft crate fast. This is a crate for dogs that previously understand crate behavior and enter willingly. For puppies, anxious dogs, or dogs in the early stages of crate training, wire or plastic is the right choice.

Sizes available: 20, 24, 30, 36, 42 inch Price range: $35-$60 Best for: Travel with crate-trained dogs, camping, hotel remains, events, and temporary containment situations.

Casual Home Wooden Pet Crate (Best Furniture Crate)

Serving as a functional end table or credenza while housing your dog's crate inside, the Casual Quarters crate blends into a living room or bedroom far better than a wire or plastic crate. Made from dependable wood with a slatted aesthetic that brings ventilation, it looks like furniture, not a cage.

Supporting lamps, books, or decorative items up to about 50 pounds on the top surface, it earns its keep as dual-purpose furniture. Front door swings open or can be removed entirely so your dog can use the space as an open den. Interior dimensions accommodate medium to ample dogs depending on the size selected.

Aesthetics are the primary appeal. For households where the crate sits in a visible widespread spot, the Casual Home looks like a piece of furniture rather than containment equipment. Wood finish arrives in several stain colors to match existing decor.

Real limitations exist, though. Wood isn't as intuitive to spotless as plastic or metal -- accidents require immediate attention to prevent staining and odor absorption. While the slats bring ventilation, they're not as secure as wire or metal for dogs that push against barriers. Puppies and active chewers will damage the wood. This is a crate for adult dogs that are past the destructive stage and reliably housetrained.

Assembly is required and demands 20-30 minutes. Standard hardware and clear instructions craft this straightforward. Build class is sound for the value, though the wood isn't hardwood-grade and will show wear over years of use.

Sizes available: Petite (24 x 18), Medium (36 x 24), Expansive (43 x 30) Price range: $80-$180 Best for: Living rooms and prevalent areas, adult nicely-trained dogs, folks that want the crate to double as furniture.

Impact Case Collapsible Dog Crate (Best Heavy-Duty Crate)

For dogs that destroy standard crates -- bending wire, popping latches, or tearing through seams -- the Impact Case is the bulky-duty solution. Built from aluminum with reinforced corners and a slam-latch door, it's engineered to contain dogs that standard crates can't hold.

Aluminum construction indicates it's lighter than steel alternatives while maintaining strength. Uniquely among hefty-duty crates, the collapsible design enables it to fold for storage and transport, though it's still markedly heavier than a wire crate. Rounded interior corners prevent injury to dogs that push against the walls.

Precision-cut holes across all panels furnish ventilation. Pint-sized ample that teeth and claws can't grip them but many sufficient to yield adequate airflow, these holes balance security with comfort. Most secure among consumer crates, the slam-latch door can't be nudged, pushed, or pawed open.

Essential note: the Impact Case isn't a training tool for separation anxiety. If your dog is destroying crates because of anxiety, the crate treats the symptom while the underlying emotional distress continues. A heavy-duty crate retains your dog physically safe while behavioral work addresses the root cause. Working with a veterinary behaviorist alongside using this crate is the responsible approach.

At $400-$700 depending on size, this represents a significant investment. For owners who've gone through multiple destroyed wire crates, the Impact Case ends the replacement cycle and preserves the dog safe. The company also contains a lifetime warranty.

Sizes available: 30, 34, 38, 40, 42, 48 inch Price range: $400-$700 Best for: Escape-prone dogs, dogs with severe separation anxiety (alongside behavioral treatment), powerful breeds that overpower standard crates.

MidWest iCrate with Divider -- Puppy Growth Kit (Best for Puppies)

This is the same iCrate discussed above, highlighted separately because of how effectively it serves the specific needs of puppy owners. With its included divider panel, a sole crate purchase transforms into a solution that grows with your puppy from eight weeks to adulthood.

Starting with the divider configure to create a miniature space -- simply oversized plenty of for your puppy to excel, rotate, and lie down -- the crate supports housetraining by using a dog's natural reluctance to soil its sleeping region. As your puppy grows, the divider moves back in increments. By the time your puppy reaches adult size, the divider packs out entirely and the crate is the correct permanent size.

For an 8-week-old Labrador puppy, for example, a 42-inch iCrate with the divider dial in at about 18 inches yields the right starting space. Over 10-12 months, the divider moves back as your puppy grows, eventually coming out when the dog reaches whole size. One crate, one purchase, no waste.

Pairing the crate with a MidWest QuietTime crate pad (sized to the unabridged crate, folded to fit behind the divider during the puppy phase) furnishes comfort without adding a separate bed that your puppy might shred.

Recommended puppy crate sizes by breed:

Price range: $30-$75 Best for: Puppies of any breed, housetraining, growing dogs.

Quick Comparison Table

How to Crate Train a Dog

Crate training is a process, not an event. Forcing a dog into a crate and closing the door builds negative associations that produce future crate use harder. Done gradually, most dogs learn to see the crate as a safe, comfortable space.

Step 1: Introduction (Day 1-3)

Location the crate in a common sector with the door open or removed entirely. Put a cozy pad or blanket inside. Drop a few treats near the crate, then merely inside the entrance, then deeper inside. Let your dog investigate at their own pace. Don't push, lure aggressively, or close the door. Voluntary entry is the goal.

Step 2: Meals in the Crate (Day 3-7)

Start feeding meals inside the crate with the door open. Zone the food bowl at the back of the crate so your dog enters fully. Once they're eating comfortably inside, begin closing the door while they eat. Open it immediately when the meal is finished. Gradually extend the time the door persists closed after the meal -- from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Step 3: Short Closures (Week 2)

With your dog plush eating in the crate, begin closing the door for short periods outside of meals. Give a treat or stuffed Kong, close the door, and stay in the room. Launch with 5 minutes and gradually extend to 15-30 minutes. If your dog whines, wait for a pause in the whining before opening the door -- opening during whining teaches them that whining operates.

Step 4: Alone Time (Week 3-4)

Begin leaving the room while your dog is in the crate with the door closed. Kick off with remarkably brief absences (walk to another room and come right back) and extend gradually. Vary the duration so your dog doesn't predict patterns. Maintain departures and returns low-key -- no excited greetings or dramatic farewells.

Step 5: Overnight and Extended Use

Once your dog is cushioned for 30-60 minutes with you out of sight, overnight use and workday crating are reasonable next steps. Nook the crate in or near the bedroom for overnight use so your dog can hear and smell you nearby. For daytime crating, a maximum of 4-5 hours for adult dogs is a reasonable guideline. Puppies need out every 1-3 hours depending on age.

Common Crate Training Mistakes

Using the crate as punishment. If the crate is associated with being in trouble, your dog will resist it. Crates should consistently be a neutral or positive space.

Crating too long. Adult dogs shouldn't be crated for more than 8 hours, and even that should be the exception rather than the routine. Puppies need much shorter intervals. If your daily schedule requires crating a dog for 10 or more hours regularly, a dog walker or daycare visit to break up the day is the responsible solution.

Wrong size. Crates that are too small trigger physical discomfort. Ones that are too large undermine housetraining. Measure your dog and use a divider for puppies.

No bedding or comfort. A bare plastic pan isn't inviting. Mix in a crate pad, blanket, or bed (once your dog is past the shredding stage). A item of clothing with your scent can support anxious dogs settle.

Skipping the gradual introduction. Rushing the process is the most common reason crate training fails. A week of patient introduction prevents months of crate-related stress.

Who This Isn't For

Skip this guide if:

• Your dog is crate-trained and no longer needs containment — a bed is more comfortable
• You want to use the crate as punishment — that makes everything worse
• Your dog has severe separation anxiety — a crate won't fix that, a behaviorist will

Frequently Asked Questions

What size crate does a Labrador Retriever need? Most adult Labrador Retrievers fit comfortably in a 42-inch crate. Males at the upper end of the size spectrum (80-90 pounds) may benefit from a 48-inch crate. For a Lab puppy, grab the 42-inch crate with a divider and adjust as the puppy grows.

Should the crate be covered? Select dogs settle faster with a blanket draped over the crate, which generates a more den-like, enclosed feeling. Others prefer visibility. Try covering three sides (leaving the door side open) and observe whether your dog settles more swiftly. If it generates no difference, covering is unnecessary.

Can two dogs share a crate? Generally, no. Each dog should have its own crate. Even dogs that get along capably can have resource-guarding issues in a confined space. Two crates placed side by side grant the dogs proximity without the risk of conflict.

Wire or plastic -- which is better? Neither is universally better. Wire provides more ventilation and visibility, folds horizontal, and delivers ably for most home situations. Plastic provides more enclosure, is required for airline travel, and suits anxious dogs that prefer a den-like feel. Your dog's personality and the intended use should guide the choice.

How long does crate training take? Most dogs adjust to a crate within 1-4 weeks of consistent, gradual training. Puppies often adapt faster than adult dogs with no prior crate experience. Dogs with negative crate associations from previous experiences may take longer and benefit from professional guidance.

Is it okay to crate a dog at night? Yes. Countless dogs sleep in their crate overnight and do admirably with it. Place the crate near the bedroom so your dog can sense your presence. For puppies, expect one or two nighttime trips outside for bathroom breaks until they can clutch it through the night (usually by 4-6 months of age).

When should a dog stop using a crate? Particular dogs use and enjoy their crate for their entire lives, entering voluntarily to nap or retreat. Others outgrow the need once housetraining is complete and destructive behavior has resolved. If your dog is fully housetrained, not destructive, and handles alone time well, leaving the crate open or transitioning to a dog bed is fine. Preserve the crate available -- many dogs appreciate having the selection even if they don't use it daily.