Description: This comprehensive guide evaluates 11 dog crates to help pet owners find the safest, most practical option for their dog's needs, recommending the MidWest Ultima Pro as the top choice for its durability and ease of cleaning, while also covering specialized options for travel, style, and budget considerations.

Keywords: kennels for dogs, dog kennel, dog collars

Table of Contents

• Why you can trust our recommendations
• Is a dog crate right for you?
• When crates might not be the answer
• Our selection process
• Testing methodology
• Top choice: MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate
• Premium option: Diggs Revol Dog Crate
• Lightweight pick: MidWest iCrate Double Door Dog Crate
• Stylish choice: Fable Crate
• Travel-ready option: RuffLand Kennel
• Additional crates worth your consideration
• Quick guide to crate padding
• What's coming next
• Models we tested but didn't recommend
• References and sources

Growing up, I'd walk through our front door after school to discover a crime scene: shredded garbage scattered everywhere, courtesy of our family dog, Freeway. We attempted crating her, but she was basically Houdini with fur—no containment system could hold her. Every shoe, sock, and toy became fair game for her restless teeth.

Looking back, the issue wasn't Freeway or even the crate itself. The problem was us. We never properly trained her or helped her adjust to confinement, let alone taught her how to be a well-behaved suburban companion.

Dog crates have evolved tremendously since those chaotic 1980s days, and so have training approaches. However, the fundamentals remain unchanged: an excellent dog crate needs to be secure, durable, and simple to maintain. After putting 11 different crates through their paces, we've identified five models that strike the ideal balance between safety, practicality, features, and value—depending on what you need.

The key is making sure your dog actually enjoys using their crate. It should feel like their personal sanctuary, never a place of punishment. Finding one they're comfortable in might require some trial and error.

Our Complete Recommendations

Top Choice

The gold standard for wire dog crates MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate Our favorite since 2017, this foldable wire crate delivers strength, easy maintenance, and reasonable pricing.

Premium Upgrade

A wire crate with thoughtful innovations Diggs Revol Dog Crate This collapsible model elevates the traditional wire crate with a garage-style side door, rear wheels, and clever diamond-mesh construction.

Budget-Friendly

A lighter, more portable wire option MidWest iCrate Double Door Dog Crate This well-liked, affordable model moves around easily, though the thinner wire gauge means it won't last quite as long as pricier alternatives.

Furniture-Style

A wooden crate that complements your decor Fable Crate Perfect for dogs who are already crate-trained, this model provides a cozy retreat while doubling as attractive furniture—though it comes with a premium price tag.

Travel Companion

A flexible plastic crate built for the road RuffLand Kennel Constructed from tough yet lightweight plastic, this crate moves easily around your home and can be secured in your vehicle for road trips.

Top Choice: MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate

The gold standard for wire dog crates Our favorite since 2017, this foldable wire crate delivers strength, easy maintenance, and reasonable pricing.

The MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate has held the top spot on our list since 2017, and for solid reasons: it uses thicker wire construction, making it reasonably secure for your dog, while the removable plastic floor tray makes cleanup and sanitization straightforward. This model comes from a trusted company with decades of experience in the crate business, and they've consistently refined the design over time. The trade-off for those thicker wires is extra weight, making this crate less portable than some alternatives.

Premium Upgrade: Diggs Revol Dog Crate

A wire crate with thoughtful innovations This collapsible model elevates the traditional wire crate with a garage-style side door, rear wheels, and clever diamond-mesh construction.

The Diggs Revol Dog Crate takes the basic wire crate concept and adds genuinely useful features while looking more sophisticated. It folds down for transport and includes two rear wheels, letting you roll it instead of carrying its full weight. The garage-style side door offers more placement flexibility since you're not restricted by a traditional side hinge, and the dual top panels let you easily reach your contained dog. The diamond-mesh pattern also helps prevent paws or jaws from getting trapped. The downside? It costs significantly more than our top pick.

Budget-Friendly: MidWest iCrate Double Door Dog Crate

A lighter, more portable wire option This well-liked, affordable model moves around easily, though the thinner wire gauge means it won't last quite as long as pricier alternatives.

The MidWest iCrate Double Door Dog Crate is essentially a lighter-duty version of the Ultima Pro. Built with thinner wire, the iCrate folds as easily as our top choice but weighs less and maneuvers more easily when you need to relocate it. The latches include a clever feature that prevents paws from accidentally opening them. This crate also ranks among the most budget-friendly models we evaluated, though it won't withstand as much wear and tear as our other recommendations.

Furniture-Style: Fable Crate

A wooden crate that complements your decor Perfect for dogs who are already crate-trained, this model provides a cozy retreat while doubling as attractive furniture—though it comes with a premium price tag.

The Fable Crate excels if you're working with limited space and want your dog's crate to serve double duty as furniture. In smaller sizes, this wooden crate works as a side table or nightstand, blending seamlessly with most home decor. (The large version looks great too, but you'll need room for it.) This crate carries a high price tag, however, and the company has a no-returns policy (though they do provide a limited warranty).

Travel Companion: RuffLand Kennel

A flexible plastic crate built for the road Constructed from tough yet lightweight plastic, this crate moves easily around your home and can be secured in your vehicle for road trips.

The RuffLand Kennel is a robust plastic crate manufactured in the United States. It's gained popularity among people who frequently travel with show dogs and agility competitors, and it's available in multiple sizes and colors. This is the only crate we discovered that offers four different door configurations, providing extra versatility.

The Research Behind Our Choices

Why Trust Our Recommendations

As a senior writer covering pets at Wirecutter, I've evaluated hundreds of pet products, from dog beds to travel carriers to nail grinders. I've also drawn on my own decades of experience with various crates and travel kennels while living with pets.

To understand the safety considerations and uses of different crate types, plus learn about effective crate-training methods, I consulted three veterinarians.

For insights into product design and materials, I spoke with representatives from manufacturers of three crates we tested.

I reviewed dozens of reports, articles, and research papers about crate pros and cons, along with proper training techniques.

I also analyzed hundreds of online reviews and community forum discussions on platforms like Reddit and Facebook.

Like all Wirecutter writers, I evaluate and test products with complete editorial independence. I'm never informed about any business implications of our editorial choices.

Who Should Consider a Dog Crate

Crates create a secure (and comfortable) space for your dog.

Dog crates serve various purposes, but according to the veterinarians we consulted, safety tops the list. It's "about establishing a secure environment for dogs," explains Susan Krebsbach, veterinarian and owner of Creature Counseling, an animal behavior consulting service.

A crate prevents puppies and older dogs from having free access to a house where they might get into dangerous situations. "We don't want to leave our pets unattended when we're not supervising them and we don't have a completely dog-proofed home," said Juliet Caviness, a veterinarian and clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When a dog is properly acclimated to their crate, they can go there safely—and you can relax knowing they won't hurt themselves or destroy your belongings while you're at work.

For puppy owners, a crate "provides them with boundaries," similar to a baby in a playpen, said Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club. Klein, who worked as an emergency veterinarian for 35 years, has treated countless puppies who chewed through electrical cords, got into trash, and consumed detergent, among other potentially life-threatening incidents.

Crates also help when you need to contain a new adult dog you don't know well yet. They're particularly valuable for introducing dogs to new housemates, both human and animal.

They're excellent house-training aids.

Crates can also assist with house training. Dogs generally prefer to keep their toilet area separate from their living space, according to Caviness. A properly sized crate can discourage your dog from having bathroom accidents indoors and can help a puppy learn to hold it until they have access to an appropriate area.

However, you'll need to monitor your dog closely and provide frequent outdoor breaks so they have plenty of opportunities to succeed. "Our general rule is one hour per month of age. So at eight weeks old, two hours is roughly the maximum we'd expect them to control their bladder," Caviness explained.

Many larger crates include removable puppy dividers, allowing you to make the space small enough to discourage elimination, then expand it as your dog grows.

Crates prove invaluable during emergencies and vet visits.

If your dog is crate-trained, emergencies like fires or severe weather will be safer and less stressful for everyone involved. "If you're told to evacuate, you should have crates available for your pets," Klein told us. "If you need to go to an emergency shelter, they won't accept a dog or cat without a crate." Some hotels also require that dogs be crated, especially when you're leaving them alone in the room.

Crates also simplify vet visits, particularly if the vet needs to keep your dog for the day or overnight. It's better for the staff and your dog if they don't view the crate negatively.

But your dog must become comfortable with the crate, and that takes time.

It's crucial to help your dog adjust to crate use. They might need time to get used to it, but the first rule is to "never, ever use the crate as punishment. Always reserve it for positive experiences," Krebsbach emphasized. You want the crate to provide your dog with "a space that belongs to them," she explained.

Take your time helping your dog feel good about being crated. "It's incredibly important to gradually acclimate them to the crate, so it truly becomes a wonderful place to be," Krebsbach said.

"You can leave the crate open and eventually they'll go in. It becomes like their personal apartment," Klein noted. If your dog can be trusted not to eat everything in sight, you can add toys along with a soft bed or crate mat. (If there's a risk they might chew these items, don't include them, since your dog could choke or develop intestinal blockages.)

Always remove your dog's collar or harness when they're crated. These items can catch on the crate and potentially injure or even strangle a dog.

When Crates Aren't the Solution

Unfortunately, some dogs simply don't tolerate crates well due to what's called "confinement anxiety." These dogs become "very anxious when placed in small spaces or when we limit their ability to move around," Caviness explained. They'll become agitated and may start panting, vocalizing, or even eliminating inside the crate. Other dogs might attempt escape by chewing on the crate itself. "Because some dogs have such a strong need to escape that confined space, we can see them injure themselves," Caviness noted.

This differs from separation anxiety, though Caviness mentioned that some dogs suffer from both conditions. Helping your dog adjust to a crate, especially as a puppy, will teach them how to be alone. But for many dogs already dealing with separation anxiety, crates might cause more problems than they solve, "because then you're adding a second source of anxiety," Caviness said. These dogs usually need some combination of medication and training to help them adjust to being left alone. You should seek help from a veterinarian and professional trainer.

If you're struggling with crate training, or you want to give your dog another option, both Caviness and Krebsbach recommended exercise pens (often called "ex pens") as a complement or alternative to a fully enclosed crate. These pens create a more open space where you can still contain a dog while you "develop crating skills," Caviness said. You can place a crate in the ex-pen with the door open to help with acclimation. "It's like a doggie playpen," Krebsbach explained.

Alternatively, if your dog simply can't adapt to crate use, even with professional help, you might need to abandon crating entirely and instead use a pet gate to restrict them to a dog-proofed room.

Finally, not every dog needs a crate! If your dog is already house-trained and doesn't get into trouble when left alone, they might be perfectly fine without any containment.

Our Selection Process

Hundreds of crates are available in pet stores and online, and we identified at least six different categories. These include wire, plastic, aluminum, furniture-style, and fabric crates, plus combination models. "Dogs are as individual as people," Klein said, so the style you choose should depend largely on your dog's personality, energy level, and how you plan to use it.

We concentrated on crates designed primarily for home use.

This guide doesn't cover crates marketed specifically for car or air travel, since those models often have specialized requirements that don't apply to home crates. We also don't cover crates advertised as "escape-proof." As mentioned earlier, a crate shouldn't function as a prison for your dog. Instead, they should see it as a pleasant personal space they enjoy spending time in. If your dog repeatedly tries to break out, they might get hurt, even in a supposedly escape-proof crate. A crate won't solve this underlying problem, but a veterinarian and professional trainer might be able to help.

Our Testing Methods

We considered 23 crates and tested 11. We evaluated each crate using these criteria:

Safety: While no crate will be completely safe if your dog is very determined or particularly mischievous, we looked for obvious hazards like sharp edges, bendable panels that might trap or pinch body parts (both canine and human), and inward protrusions that a dog might chew on or that could catch on their body. However, every expert and manufacturer we spoke with emphasized that finding or building a perfectly safe or escape-proof crate is impossible. The safest crate is one your dog is trained to feel comfortable inside, eliminating dangerous escape attempts; this does more to prevent injury than any specific material or design.

Structural integrity and durability: We tested each crate's door and wall strength by attaching a luggage scale and applying 50 pounds of outward pressure. While this doesn't replicate the stress a determined dog might apply, it provides an objective comparison measure. We also measured wire thickness and other materials, evaluated lock strength, and scratched at interiors with meat shredders to assess potential damage.

Cleaning convenience: Every expert emphasized the importance of easy cleaning and disinfection. We spilled 8 ounces of liquid inside each crate, then assessed how difficult it was to reach the mess and clean it up. We noted whether crates had removable plastic trays and how easy they were to handle.

Usability and versatility: We noted any extra features beyond basic containment. We also evaluated handle usability (when present), door operation, and mobility. For collapsible crates, we considered folding difficulty.

Appearance: We considered each crate's appearance and ability to blend with other furniture, since you'll likely see it constantly. It's best to keep the crate in an area where you spend time regularly. If the crate is isolated in a basement or separate area, your dog will "view it as punishment," Krebsbach warned.

Value: We considered whether higher-priced models offered features that justified the extra cost. If you're budget-conscious, all our picks regularly appear on the secondhand market, so we recommend checking Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace first. This could save money and let you inspect the item in person before buying, eliminating the hassle of returning a bulky online purchase.

Top Choice: MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate

The gold standard for wire dog crates

The MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate has been our top standard wire crate pick since 2017. It's sturdy, reasonably priced, collapsible, and relatively safe. It includes two doors plus a puppy divider, so your dog can grow into it. Among the models we tested, this crate was among the easiest to clean. MidWest has been manufacturing wire-formed products, including canning racks and wire boxes for burning trash, since the 1920s. In the 1960s, the company noticed people repurposing these boxes for dog containment, so they started building crates specifically for that purpose, according to Tara Whitehead, director of marketing and communications at MidWest. The company has been refining the design ever since. While we think the Ultima Pro is an excellent basic wire crate, MidWest offers several other options that might better suit specific needs.

Setup takes just minutes. Along with other MidWest crates we tested, the Ultima Pro was the simplest to assemble—despite somewhat confusing instructions. Reversing the process was equally easy, so you can fold it down for storage and moving. The only challenge was positioning the connector hooks properly over their wire counterparts, since pushing the panels inward required more strength than with crates using thinner wires. This might be more difficult for people with limited strength or hand dexterity.

Cleaning is straightforward. Along with the Diggs Revol crate, the Ultima Pro and other MidWest crates we tested were the easiest to clean. The Ultima Pro has a plastic tray forming the crate floor, which slides out from a gap on the bottom. The tray locks in place with a curved wire handle that can be slightly tricky to manipulate, but it prevents a dog from accidentally dislodging it. Once removed, the tray is simple to wipe down, disinfect, and dry (though we recommend mopping up larger spills inside the crate first to prevent liquids from sloshing over the raised edges).

The wires are thick, with narrow mesh openings. The Ultima Pro's wires were thicker than any other wire crate we tested. They still bent outward when we applied 50 pounds of force, but they warped less than other MidWest wire crates we tested. "We pull them until they break so we know the force required on every side," Whitehead explained. The Ultima Pro's robust construction can help with some escape attempts. However, your dog shouldn't be trying to get out, and very few crates are truly escape-proof. "They're very safe for a dog who's not panicking and trying to actively escape," Whitehead noted.

The latches protect against sneaky dog paws. In late 2023, MidWest began updating the Ultima Pro crate to match the sizing of its other wire crates and feature something called a Paw Block. It's a small sideways U-shaped wire piece under the latch designed to prevent a clever dog paw from reaching through and unhooking the slide-bolt locks. The newer latch also has a bent tip to further prevent a crafty dog from sliding it out of place. When we bought the Ultima Pro for testing in February 2025, we received the older version without these updated features. "There's a challenging transition period as older product remains on shelves and in warehouses nationwide and internationally, while new product begins replacing it," Whitehead explained. So if you buy one of these crates, verify it has these newer features. The iCrate we tested did arrive with updated latches, so we could test them on that model.

Potential drawbacks

It might arrive damaged. Some customers have reported their Ultima Pro crates arriving bent or broken. When our test model arrived, one of the hooks meant to secure the ceiling was bent, though this didn't affect assembly. However, a damaged crate might have sharp edges. We recommend carefully inspecting your crate before putting a dog inside, ensuring there's nothing that might poke or scratch them.

Dogs can still escape, and escape attempts might cause injury. The Ultima Pro crate was the most difficult to bend, but if a dog is strong and determined enough to get out, the panels can separate just enough for them to potentially fit a paw or head through, which can be dangerous. As with all wire crates, dogs can potentially injure a tooth if they bite the wires. Wire crates aren't Jerry Klein's first choice. "Dogs can chew those crates. They can get their jaws stuck in them. They can get their paws or tails caught," he said. But, he added, "it depends on the dog." These dangers can be minimized with proper training. "Most dogs who aren't crate-averse will do fine with" a wire crate, Juliet Caviness noted.

Depending on size, this crate can be heavy. The thicker-gauge wires resist bending better than thinner wires on other models, but this crate is also heavier to carry and move. One of the plastic handles broke when we tried to attach it (the other didn't). The thicker wires also made attaching the included puppy divider more difficult.

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Additional Crates Worth Considering

If you're concerned about escape attempts: The aluminum Impact Collapsible Dog Crate gives your dog fewer opportunities to break a claw or tooth during escape attempts. The small, diamond-shaped air holes are difficult for dogs to bite or squeeze paws through. For anxious dogs, the company also offers a High Anxiety Crate, which they claim is escape-proof. However, that model doesn't collapse, making transport more difficult.

If you want a visually upgraded wire crate that adapts to your space: The Diggs Evolv Dog Crate is an attractive update to the basic wire crate at a moderate price. The Evolv is the only crate we tested that lets you choose exactly how to orient the two included doors during setup. This customization lets you adapt the crate to fit better in your space, eliminating the need to reorganize furniture to accommodate the crate.

Quick Guide to Crate Padding

If your dog can be trusted not to chew it up, a good crate mat makes their space more comfortable and relaxing. We tested several crate mats and can recommend these four options:

For an affordable yet thick mat: The KSIIA Plush Washable Crate Dog Bed is budget-friendly yet thick, filled with 3.5 inches of polypropylene fiber. It features a nonslip bottom and is machine-washable.

If your dog prefers thinner padding (and you want something attractive): The Pendleton Comfort Cushion comes in various famous colorways, including iconic National Park designs.

For a waterproof option that's easy to clean: Primo Pads are available in various colors and come in sizes tailored to popular crates. You can also order custom sizes.

What's Coming Next

We plan to test the Rock Creek Crates Collapsible Dog Crate and the K9 Kennel Boss Heavy Duty Fully Collapsible Aluminum Dog Crate, both similar to the Impact Collapsible Dog Crate.

We'll also test more options dedicated specifically to traveling with larger dogs who can't fit in soft-sided carriers, including the Gunner G1, Rock Creek Crates Stationary Dog Crate, and Lucky Duck Lucky Kennel. All have passed crash-testing by the Center for Pet Safety.

Models We Tested But Didn't Recommend

Petmate's Ultra Vari Kennel is a former pick, but we struggled to find needed sizes during this testing round. It's still a good option if you can find it in your required size.

The MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate is another former pick that remains excellent, depending on your specific needs. It's lighter than the Ultima Pro and heavier than the iCrate, but otherwise very similar to both models.

The Frisco Heavy Duty Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate is very similar to the Ultima Pro crate, but each size is proportionally wider and taller than MidWest models, making the Frisco heavier and more cumbersome to carry.

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