PawBench · Best Picks

Best Dog Kennels & Crates

Wire, plastic, and soft-sided crates for home and travel.

Buying Guide

Crates are not punishment — used correctly, they're a safe den space that most dogs grow to love. Wire crates offer the best ventilation and visibility and fold flat for storage. Plastic crates (airline-style) feel more den-like and enclosed, which some anxious dogs prefer. Soft-sided crates are lightweight for travel but won't contain a determined escape artist.

Size the crate so your dog can stand without ducking, turn around completely, and lie down stretched out. Too big is almost as bad as too small — a crate that's way too large doesn't feel like a den and may encourage your dog to use one end as a bathroom. For puppies, buy an adult-sized crate with a divider panel that you move as they grow.

For heavy-duty needs (dogs with severe separation anxiety or crate-trained escape artists), look at impact-resistant aluminum crates from brands like Gunner or Impact. They cost $300-800 but are virtually indestructible. A dog who bends wire crate bars can injure themselves — upgrading the crate is a safety issue, not a luxury.

Spec
#2👑 Premium Pick
Petmate Sky Kennel
4.5
Buy
Scores
Overall
9.4
Value
8
Quality
9.5
Durability
9
Overall
9
Value
5.6
Quality
9.1
Durability
8.6
Overall
8.8
Value
7.9
Quality
8.9
Durability
8.4
Sizes Available18" to 48" (6 sizes)21" to 48" (6 sizes)20" to 42" (5 sizes)
Doors2 (front + side)3 mesh doors
Divider PanelIncluded free
FoldableYes, folds flat
PanLeak-proof plastic, slide-out
IATA CompliantYes
MaterialHeavy-duty plastic shell600D Oxford fabric
HardwareSteel bolts, included kit
Ventilation360-degree side vents
FrameSteel tube
IncludesCarrying bag, fleece bed, pockets

* Prices may vary. Click to see latest pricing at each retailer.

Budget:
MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Crate
Top Pick

MidWest iCrate Double Door Folding Crate

⭐ Best Value
4.7

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.

Compare vs #2

Pros

  • Two doors (front and side) for flexible placement
  • Includes free divider panel for growing puppies
  • Folds completely flat for storage and transport
  • Leak-proof plastic pan slides out for easy cleaning

Cons

  • Wire design offers no den-like privacy without a cover
  • Slide-bolt latches can be figured out by clever dogs

Sizes Available

18" to 48" (6 sizes)

Doors

2 (front + side)

Divider Panel

Included free

Foldable

Yes, folds flat

Pan

Leak-proof plastic, slide-out

Petmate Sky Kennel
Runner Up

Petmate Sky Kennel

👑 Premium Pick
4.5

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.

Compare vs #3

Pros

  • IATA-compliant for international airline cargo travel
  • Heavy-duty plastic shell with steel hardware
  • 360-degree ventilation through side vents
  • Hardware kit with live animal stickers included

Cons

  • Bulky — not practical for daily home crate use
  • Two-piece shell takes up storage space when not in use

Sizes Available

21" to 48" (6 sizes)

IATA Compliant

Yes

Material

Heavy-duty plastic shell

Hardware

Steel bolts, included kit

Ventilation

360-degree side vents

EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate
Great Value

EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate

⭐ Best Value
4.4

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.

Pros

  • 600D Oxford fabric is durable and tear-resistant
  • Three mesh doors for ventilation and access
  • Sets up and folds down in seconds, no tools needed
  • Includes carrying bag, fleece bed, and accessory pocket

Cons

  • Not suitable for dogs who chew or scratch at crates
  • Steel frame can bend if a strong dog pushes against it

Sizes Available

20" to 42" (5 sizes)

Material

600D Oxford fabric

Doors

3 mesh doors

Frame

Steel tube

Includes

Carrying bag, fleece bed, pockets

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