Our winner is Petmate's 2-Door Top-Load Kennel
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No matter how much walking, fetching, and cuddling they do with their owners, most dogs will have to go in a kennel at some point. Whether you're puppy training, traveling, or need to ensure your pooch is safe and secure while you're away from home, you'll be glad to have a good crate on hand.
The ideal design depends on the size of your pet, what you're using it for, and where you plan to put it. To help you narrow down your options, we tried 20 kennels first-hand, including travel-friendly, collapsible, heavy-duty, and furniture-style models. Of course, every pup will need something slightly different, so we rounded up several high-quality crates that are sure to please your furry best friend.
These are the best dog crates that PEOPLE Tested.
This crate was easy to set up.
It has a durable design.
It can be used on the go or at home.
It doesn't have a pull-out tray for cleaning.
It's too small for medium and large breeds.
Earning perfect scores in all our tests, our top choice is the Petmate 2-Door Top-Load Kennel. This dog crate is easy to set up — no tools required. Just attach the top to the base, and you're good to go. It's user-friendly, too. The spring-loaded latches keep your pet secure, and thanks to their "easy-squeeze" design, the front and top doors open without a fuss. With a comfortable ergonomic handle, this kennel is also a breeze to carry.
As for durability, color us impressed. The Top Load Kennel has a heavy-duty thermoplastic frame and sturdy steel grates. We threw a sandbag at it and pulled the door with 33 pounds of force, and it held up beautifully.
It doesn't have a pull-out tray, but this crate is small enough that wiping it clean is no problem. The other thing to note is that while there are two sizes available, the larger option can only accommodate pets up to 15 pounds. With that said, if you have a smaller breed, we think this is an excellent choice for traveling and at-home use.
Dimensions: 24 x 17 x 14.5 inches, 19.5 x 13 x 10 inches | Weight: 3.5-5.8 pounds | Material: Thermoplastic, steel | Closure: Spring-loaded latches
It has a convenient folding design.
This crate includes a pull-out pan for easy cleaning.
This model was easy to set up and take down.
The door warped slightly when we pulled on it.
It's somewhat less portable due to its large size.
Available in seven sizes to accommodate pups up to 110 pounds, the iCrate is a great choice for larger breeds. Earning perfect scores for setup, user-friendliness, ease of cleaning, and overall value, this sizable kennel was simple to put together. All you do is unfold it, then when you want to put it away, just fold it back up.
While it seems stable enough, we knocked off a point for durability since it wobbled a little when we threw sandbags at it. Also, the door warped a tiny bit when we pulled at it. During testing, we found that the doors on this simple and practical dog crate opened and closed effortlessly. We also appreciated the leak-proof pan, which slides out for easy-peasy cleaning. This kennel isn't the most portable simply due to its large size, but it does have a convenient carrying handle.
Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 14 inches (extra extra small), 22 x 13 x 16 inches (extra-small), 24 x 18 x 19 inches (small), 30 x 19 x 21 inches (medium), 36 x 23 x 25 inches (medium/large), 42 x 28 x 31 inches (large), 48 x 30 x 33 inches (extra-large) | Weight: 8-43 pounds | Material: Metal | Closure: Side-bolt latches
It's easy to assemble.
This crate meets the oversized cargo requirements for most airlines.
Some of the smaller models have carrying handles.
The door warped slightly when we pulled on it.
The base isn't the easiest to clean.
Have a trip coming up? Go with the Petmate Sky Kennel. This crate is easy to assemble and user-friendly with a sturdy design and an interlocking grate. Though we believe it would require super-dog strength to bust through the door, the metal did warp slightly when we pulled on it with about 68 pounds of force. The base is mostly flat, but there's no pull-out tray, so it might be tough to clean every last crevice.
This travel-friendly dog kennel comes in four sizes to accommodate pets up to 125 pounds and meets oversized cargo requirements for most airlines. The smallest two models have carrying handles, but the larger ones will need to be moved to a cart. Some pet owners may prefer a wheeled design, but all in all, we think this is a solid pick for trips.
Dimensions: 24.5 x 18.25 x 19.5 inches; 32 x 22.5 x 12 inches; 36 x 19 x 27 inches; 40 x 27 x 30 inches | Weight: 2.2-7.5 pounds | Material: Plastic, steel | Closure: Interlocking door
It's lightweight and durable.
It has a machine-washable cover.
It's easy to close, thanks to the zipper closure.
It has a collapsible design.
While the removable cover is washable, it might be tricky to clean every nook and cranny.
It doesn't have a carrying handle.
Amazon's Soft-Sided Dog Crate clocked perfect scores for setup, ease of use, durability, and overall value. The lightweight, foldable design is made of polyester, and the two mesh doors have zipper closures plus velcro straps for when you want to keep them open. While the collapsible design is convenient for storage and transport, it would be more portable if it had a carrying handle or strap.
Despite the soft-sided, lightweight construction, we were pleasantly surprised by how well it held up when a sandbag was thrown at it — no scratches or warping to speak of. The kennel has a removable, machine-washable cover, but for day-to-day cleanings, it might be hard to access every nook and cranny. All things considered, this reasonably priced dog crate is a prime choice as long as it's the right size for your pet.
Dimensions: 25.98 x 18.11 x 18.11 inches (small), 21.3 x 29.9 x 21.3 (medium), 36 x 24 x 24 (large), 42 x 31 x 31 inches (extra-large) | Weight: 5.4-10.5 pounds | Material: Polyester | Closure: Zipper
It has a convenient carrying handle.
This crate includes built-in wheels.
It's easy to setup and keep clean.
This was one of the heaviest crates we tested.
The Diggs Revol Crate was also a hit in the Lab. Made of aluminum, steel, and heavy-duty plastic, this high-end kennel looks and feels super luxe — just top it off with a cooling dog bed. It's available in four sizes to accommodate most small to medium/large breeds. No assembly is required, and it collapses and folds back out in mere seconds. It has remarkably smooth door hinges, and a removable tray makes cleaning a breeze.
We found it pretty indestructible and were thoroughly impressed by how strong the latches were and how well the crate held up during our sandbag test. While the Revol earned perfect ratings for setup, user-friendliness, durability, and ease of cleaning, we knocked off a half-point for value since the price is so steep. This dog crate has built-in wheels and a carrying handle for easy transport, but bear in mind it's one of the heaviest models we tested.
Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 19 inches (small), 35 x 23 x 24 inches (medium), 41 x 28 x 31 inches (intermediate), 45 x 31 x 33 inches (large) | Weight: 25-32 pounds | Material: Aluminum, steel, plastic | Closure: Plastic latch, ceiling hatch
It has a removable tray, so it's easy to clean.
It has a multipurpose design that converts into a gate.
It's relatively heavy, especially in the larger size.
If you're interested in a more upscale design that blends in with your furniture, consider the 2-in-1 Pet Crate from Merry Products. While you won't need any tools to set it up, the pins were a little tricky to insert. Still, this wooden kennel was easy enough to assemble once we got the pieces lined up.
The multipurpose design can also be used as a pet gate, and converting it from one to the other was pretty simple. It's definitely strong enough to prevent a dog from escaping, but larger breeds might be able to knock it over in the gate configuration. This kennel has a removable tray-style bottom, making it easy to clean. While it's relatively heavy and not very maneuverable, we'd recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality indoor crate that won't be an eyesore.
Dimensions: 32.5 x 22.5 x 23.5 inches (medium), 40 x 28 x 31.5 inches (large) | Weight: 17.7-55.5 pounds | Material: Wood, metal, plastic | Closure: Latch
The first thing to consider when buying a dog crate or kennel is the size of your dog. Crates come in many sizes to accommodate pets weighing anywhere from four pounds to upwards of 150 pounds. Check the dimensions to make sure your dog will fit, then look at the brand's recommended weight limit to ensure it's the proper size.
If you need something for trips, vet appointments, or competitions, a conventional dog pen won't work, as portability is key. Many dog crates have carrying handles, and some larger models feature built-in wheels. For plane travel, be sure to check the airline's oversized cargo guidelines or carry-on requirements if you're bringing your pet to the cabin. Our best pick for travel, Petmate Aspen Pet Porter Dog Kennel, meets most airline cargo specifications.
If you're going on a road trip or picking up your pooch from another location, a collapsible dog crate will be easier to pack. And generally speaking, lighter-weight models are better for on-the-go use.
A durable dog crate will have a sturdy frame that stands up to wear and tear. If it's bumped by heavy luggage, it should remain upright, and a rowdy pup shouldn't be able to knock it over from the inside. Additionally, the door should have a secure latch to prevent escapes. Our best overall pick, the Petmate 2-Door Top-Load Kennel, is super durable, thanks to its hard exterior that can withstand bumps and turbulence.
Lastly, the dog crate should be easy to clean. Many models, like the Diggs Revol Dog Crate and the Merry Pet 2-in-1 Configurable Pet Crate and Gate, have pull-out trays you can remove and wash as needed (in case of pet treat spills). Some soft-sided crates have removable, machine-washable covers. If yours has neither of these features, you'll have to wipe it clean from the inside or potentially hose it down if the materials are waterproof.
After researching today's best dog crates, we chose 20 models with varying styles, features, and price points to see how they stack up.
You’ll want to find a dog crate that your pet can fit into comfortably. Take your dog’s measurements — height and length — to find the minimum crate size. Then add additional room for your dog to comfortably lay down and walk around without crouching.
Both plastic and metal are good materials for dog crates, so what it really comes down to is how you plan to use the crate. Metal crates provide more visibility and ventilation for your dog. They are also generally sturdier and less expensive than plastic crates overall. However, plastic crates are easier for travel as they are lighter weight and are better able to control accidents.
A crate can be a safe space for an anxious dog or a puppy as they get used to their new home. To make it even more comfortable, make sure to include a soft dog bed or blanket in the dog crate as well as a special toy to make it feel even more comfortable.
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer covering a variety of topics from beauty and fashion to home and pets. For this article, she consulted our testing insights where we evaluated 20 dog crates on criteria including comfort, security, and travel-friendliness for pups of all sizes.
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