Best Dog Kennels & Crates

The MidWest iCrate is the wire crate that every trainer, vet, and rescue organization recommends by default, and 78,000+ reviews confirm it earns that trust. The included divider panel means you buy one crate for a puppy that grows into it, and the double-door design gives you placement options that single-door crates can't match. It's not the fanciest crate on the market, but it's the one that works.

When you need to fly your dog in cargo, the Petmate Sky Kennel is the kennel airlines actually accept without hassle — it meets IATA requirements out of the box and includes the hardware kit and labeling most carriers make you buy separately. The heavy-duty shell provides genuine security during the rough handling of baggage systems, and the ventilation keeps airflow moving from every angle. Buy the size your airline specifies and practice with it at home before travel day.

The EliteField soft crate is the best travel crate for dogs who are already crate-trained and trustworthy — it folds to a fraction of a wire crate's size, weighs almost nothing, and the three mesh doors make it feel open and airy. The included fleece bed and carrying bag add genuine value at the price point. Just don't use it for a dog who hasn't learned that crate walls aren't chew toys.

The Vari Kennel has been the default airline-approved plastic crate for decades, and it remains a solid pick for travel. The heavy plastic shell gives anxious dogs a den-like sense of enclosure that wire crates can't replicate, and it meets airline cargo requirements without modification. If you need a crate that doubles as a travel kennel and a calming den at home, this is the practical choice.