Best Dog Crates: 6 Chewy Picks by Type and Size

The best dog crates fit your dog's measurements, behavior and daily routine. For a growing puppy, MidWest iCrate offers a divider and a washable pan at the lowest recorded price in this comparison. For an adult dog, the better choice may be heavier wire, a plastic kennel, a furniture-style enclosure or a folding soft crate.

These six Chewy picks serve different needs. We compare their documented features, identify important sizing limits and explain when each format makes sense. The first step is measuring the dog, not choosing a breed label or a crate that matches the sofa.

Compare the dog crates

MidWest iCrate is our starting recommendation for everyday home use and puppy sizing flexibility. Ultima Pro is the heavier-duty folding wire option. Frisco's welded steel construction deserves consideration when ordinary wire or plastic has proved inadequate, provided the dog's behavior and the crate's exact fit are addressed.

Petmate Vari Kennel offers a more enclosed plastic format. New Age Pet Horizon is the furniture-style pick for a dog that already settles comfortably without chewing the enclosure. EliteField is the portable soft-sided option for a calm, reliably crate-trained dog.

This is a research-based comparison, not a hands-on test. We evaluated exact model and variant information, best use, construction, access, cleaning and catalog price. We have not ranked these products by customer star ratings or claimed that any model is universally safest.

Prices were recorded from Chewy's catalog on October 18, 2026, and may change. “Not confirmed” means we could not establish the exact measurement for the selected variant from current manufacturer information. It does not mean the crate lacks that feature or has no available size information elsewhere.

The best affordable crate is one you can use successfully. A low price loses its advantage if the enclosure is too small, the wrong material for your dog or awkward to clean. None of these selections is recommended as a stackable kennel system.

• Pay more for a feature you will use. The recorded $154.99 Ultima Pro adds heavier-duty steel while retaining a folding format; the $309.79 Frisco uses welded steel, a different lock arrangement and braking wheels. The $61.93 iCrate already supplies a divider, removable pan and folding frame. Price alone does not establish which crate fits your dog.
• For a stackable setup, require instructions that explicitly permit stacking the exact models and specify the required arrangement or hardware. Folding construction and a flat top do not establish that permission. None of these six selections has verified stacking instructions, so this comparison does not recommend a stackable system.
• For a working dog, separate home rest from transport. If the home crate must fold between uses, compare iCrate and Ultima Pro; if you are evaluating welded construction and a different lock arrangement, compare Frisco. Choose the usable space for the individual dog. A working role does not establish fit or prove that a particular enclosure is suitable for vehicle travel.

Our dog crate picks

Best for puppies and everyday home use: MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 36-in, 41 to 70-lbs

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest iCrate Double Door Fold & Carry Dog Crate, 36-in, 41 to 70-lbs

A folding double-door wire crate with a divider and removable tray. Measure your dog and the intended floor space before selecting the 36-inch size.

$61.93

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The iCrate is the most straightforward starting point in this group. Its divider lets you adjust the living area as a puppy grows, while its removable plastic pan makes routine cleaning more manageable. Front and side doors provide access options when arranging the crate in a room.

MidWest's iCrate information confirms a folding frame, divider, removable leak-proof pan and slide-bolt latch features. At the recorded $61.93, this was the least expensive selected crate.

• Best fit: A puppy or adult dog that is comfortable in a conventional wire crate.
• Main advantage: Adjustable space without immediately replacing the entire crate.
• Main tradeoff: Open wire provides little visual privacy and is not the strongest format here.

The selected listing says 36 inches and 41 to 70 pounds. Those labels identify the product; they do not guarantee a match for every dog in that weight range. Confirm the current interior measurements before choosing it for a dog close to the size limit.

Choose the 36-inch double-door iCrate when the divider, cleaning access and folding design solve everyday needs. Spending more is worthwhile only if another model offers a feature your household or dog actually requires.

Best folding wire crate for big, strong dogs: MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate, 43 inch

From ChewyIn stock

MidWest Ultima Pro Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate, 43 inch

A heavier wire option with two doors and a removable tray. Compare actual exterior dimensions instead of relying only on the size label.

$154.99

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Ultima Pro offers heavier-duty steel construction while retaining the convenience of a folding wire crate. It suits someone who wants a more substantial frame for home use but still needs to collapse the enclosure for storage or moving.

MidWest documents two doors, slide-bolt latches and a removable pan. The linked manufacturer assembly instructions also identify an included divider. Its recorded $154.99 price places it above the basic iCrate.

• Best fit: A dog that needs a sturdier wire format and already tolerates crating.
• Main advantage: Heavy-duty construction with folding storage.
• Main tradeoff: It remains a wire enclosure, with limitations determined by the dog's behavior.

There is a sizing detail to resolve before purchase: Chewy calls this variant 43 inches, while MidWest's size selector uses 42 inches. The product identifier matches model 742UP, but the names should not be treated as interior measurements.

The selected Ultima Pro at Chewy is worth considering when construction is the reason to upgrade. Do not assume that a heavier frame makes a distressed dog more comfortable, or choose its size solely because a breed commonly appears beside that size elsewhere.

Best for dogs that have escaped wire or plastic crates: Frisco Ultimate Heavy Duty Steel Metal Single Door Dog Crate, Medium

From ChewyIn stock

Frisco Ultimate Heavy Duty Steel Metal Single Door Dog Crate, Medium

A steel crate with locking casters for a movable home setup. Its weight and footprint make it a different purchase from a folding wire crate.

$309.79

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Frisco Ultimate uses a different construction approach from the folding wire picks. Chewy's product information describes powder-coated steel welded at stress points, two door locks placed out of reach, braking wheels, a grated floor and a slide-out tray.

Those features explain its place in the comparison. It is a candidate when evaluating a stronger enclosure after an ordinary crate has proved unsuitable. At the recorded $309.79, it was also the most expensive selection.

• Best fit: A household evaluating welded steel construction with a clear understanding of the dog's containment needs.
• Main advantage: A different frame and lock arrangement from conventional folding wire.
• Main tradeoff: Exact Medium dimensions must be confirmed before assessing fit.

Frisco is Chewy's house brand, so these construction details come from its catalog description. We have not tested the locks, measured strength or established that a particular dog cannot escape.

Consider the Frisco Ultimate Medium crate on its documented construction, not on an expectation of an indestructible or anxiety-treating enclosure. If escape attempts involve panic or injury, selecting a stronger frame is only one part of deciding whether crating is appropriate.

Best plastic kennel for a den-like space: Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, Tan, 36-in, 50-70-lbs

From ChewyIn stock

Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, Tan, 36-in, 50-70-lbs

A plastic kennel with a steel door and ventilation openings. Confirm your dog’s usable interior space and any carrier’s current travel requirements.

$150.95

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The Vari Kennel is the plastic option for someone who wants more enclosed sides than a wire crate provides. Its vents and front metal door allow openings without giving the dog an unobstructed view through every wall.

Petmate lists the 36-inch model at 36 × 25 × 27 inches externally, with an interior of 32.5 × 22.25 × 26 inches. That difference is useful: a 36-inch name does not provide 36 inches of usable length.

If country of manufacture is part of your buying decision, Petmate identifies this Vari Kennel as made in the USA. That is a model-specific reason to consider it, alongside interior fit and its more enclosed plastic construction.

• Best fit: A dog comfortable in an enclosed plastic kennel.
• Main advantage: Published interior and exterior measurements support a more informed fit decision.
• Main tradeoff: Less open visibility than wire, with usable space smaller than the exterior footprint.

Chewy names the selected color Tan; Petmate uses Taupe/Black for its current 36-inch listing. Check the exact listing if color matters to your purchase. The recorded Chewy price was $150.95.

Choose the 36-inch Vari Kennel after comparing your dog's measurements with the interior. For the more detailed product discussion and photographs, continue to Petful's Petmate Vari Kennel spotlight.

Best furniture-style crate: New Age Pet ECOFLEX Horizon Dog Crate, Grey, Medium

From ChewyIn stock

New Age Pet ECOFLEX Horizon Dog Crate, Grey, Medium

A furniture-style crate for a dog already comfortable resting in a crate. Check the interior dimensions and leave the ventilation openings clear.

$99.15

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Horizon offers a furniture-style appearance for a crate that will stay in a shared living space. New Age Pet describes a wood-plastic composite body, stainless steel spindles and a door on the long side. The selected Grey, Medium listing had a recorded price of $99.15.

The material is described by New Age Pet as moisture resistant. However, the manufacturer also states that Horizon is not chew-proof and may be unsuitable for dogs prone to chewing or anxiety.

• Best fit: A crate-trained dog that settles quietly without working on the enclosure.
• Main advantage: A more furniture-like appearance for a regular room location.
• Main tradeoff: Appearance does not make it an appropriate puppy or strong-chewer crate.

The manufacturer's page displays dimensions alongside multiple sizes without a sufficiently clear exact-variant binding. Confirm the Medium's usable interior before buying rather than treating the displayed figures as interchangeable.

The Grey Medium Horizon makes sense when you are choosing a permanent-looking place for an established crating routine. Leave room to open its long-side door and to reach inside for cleaning. The room layout matters as much as whether its finish coordinates with your furniture.

Best soft-sided crate for calm, crate-trained dogs: EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Beige, 36 inch

From ChewyIn stock

EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate, Beige, 36 inch

A folding soft crate with three mesh doors for a crate-trained dog. A portable option for suitable supervised situations.

$105.99

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EliteField is the soft-sided choice for a dog that already understands the crate as a resting place. Its appeal is convenient setup and carrying, rather than resistance to a dog trying to dismantle the enclosure.

The manufacturer lists the 36-inch model at 36 × 24 × 28 inches. It has a steel-tubing frame, fabric and mesh panels, and top, front and side openings. A carrying bag and fleece bed are included, and the covers are removable and washable.

• Best fit: A calm adult dog accustomed to resting inside a crate.
• Main advantage: A folding fabric format with several access points.
• Main tradeoff: Soft panels and zippers are a poor choice for persistent chewing, clawing or escape attempts.

The recorded price was $105.99. EliteField publishes overall size information but not a separate usable interior measurement or a universal weight recommendation.

Choose the beige 36-inch EliteField crate for portable accommodation at your destination when it suits the dog. Carrying convenience should not be mistaken for crash protection or approval for airline travel.

How we selected these dog crates

We selected six exact Chewy variants to represent useful differences in home-crate construction. Recommendations are based on documented features and fit, not personal testing, review scores or claims that a brand always outperforms its competitors.

Our comparison emphasizes:

• The selected model and size, rather than a product-family name alone.
• The difference between exterior footprint and interior room.
• Door access, divider availability and cleaning arrangements.
• Whether construction suits the dog's existing crating behavior.
• Price as one part of value, with an identifiable reason to choose each format.

We do not assume that a common size label means the same thing across brands. Where current exact-variant dimensions were not established, we have said so.

A crate can be a practical holiday or new-dog gift, but it is better selected with the recipient. Get the dog's measurements and intended location first. A surprise crate chosen from a breed name is much harder to get right than a shared buying decision.

Measure your dog for the right crate size

The right crate gives your dog room to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Length alone is insufficient: a long, low crate can still be too short in height, while a roomy footprint may not make a narrow doorway easy to use.

Measure your dog standing naturally, then compare those measurements with the exact model's sizing instructions and usable interior. The American Kennel Club's sizing method measures height from head to feet and length from nose to tail tip, then adds 3 to 4 inches. Follow the method stated by the guide you use rather than mixing different measuring endpoints.

Use interior measurements for the dog's space

A size label such as “large” does not give you the crate's usable dimensions. Compare the exact model's length, width and height, then check whether those figures describe its exterior or interior. Petmate's 36-inch Vari Kennel illustrates the difference: its exterior length is 36 inches, but its stated interior length is 32.5 inches. A dog needing more than 32.5 inches of clear length does not gain that space because the product name says 36.

For a wire or soft crate, do not invent an interior figure by subtracting an estimated amount from the outside dimensions. Ask for the actual usable measurements if the dog is close to the limit. The frame, doorway and shape can all affect the fit decision.

Treat breed and weight charts as starting points

The best dog crates for large dogs, medium dogs and small dogs all depend on the individual animal. A Labrador Retriever and a German Shepherd of similar weight may need different proportions. A French Bulldog and a slender dog of the same weight may differ in height and turning space. The same measurement-first approach applies when choosing a Cane Corso dog crate or a dog crate for a Toy Poodle. Neither breed name establishes the individual dog’s standing height, turning room or resting length, so do not select one of these variants from the breed label alone.

Breed charts can help you begin the search, especially for a growing puppy, but they cannot finish it. A tall Great Dane may require a different product range altogether; none of these exact variants should be assumed to fit every giant breed.

Before ordering:

1. Record the dog's measurements.
2. Confirm the selected model and size.
3. Compare usable interior space.
4. Check the doorway and planned room location.
5. Reassess fit after assembly before making it part of the routine.

For a gift, share those measurements with the person choosing the crate. For a puppy, keep checking the fit instead of waiting for the dog to look visibly cramped.

Wire, plastic, soft-sided or furniture-style

A crate's material changes what it is like to live with. It affects visibility, cleaning, portability and how the enclosure responds to the dog's behavior. Start with those needs, then consider appearance.

• Wire: Useful for open visibility, airflow and folding storage. iCrate and Ultima Pro both have removable pans. A dog that repeatedly bites or bends the enclosure needs a different assessment.
• Plastic: Provides more enclosed sides. Vari Kennel is the plastic selection here, with published interior dimensions that should guide fit.
• Soft-sided: Convenient to carry and store for a dog already comfortable with confinement. EliteField's washable covers are useful, but fabric remains vulnerable to chewing and clawing.
• Furniture-style: Suits a settled dog and a regular room location. Horizon's composite construction should not be confused with a chew-resistant enclosure.

For apartments or shared living rooms, measure the space around the crate as carefully as the crate itself. A long-side door may work better beside one piece of furniture and worse beside another. A folding wire crate can be useful when you occasionally need to reclaim the floor area.

A furniture-style crate can blend into a room, but its location still needs to serve the dog. Avoid arranging it where people continually block the entrance or disturb the resting animal. The best-looking option becomes inconvenient if you cannot open it or clean it easily.

For a high-end dog crate, identify what the extra cost buys: a finish you prefer, useful door placement or construction suited to your dog. Decorative styling does not establish chew resistance, and a premium enclosure still needs the same interior-fit and cleaning checks.

Does putting a blanket over a dog crate help?

A partial cover can reduce the amount a dog sees outside an open wire crate. That may suit a dog that rests better with fewer visual distractions, but the response is individual. Start with a brief supervised trial and observe whether the dog settles comfortably.

A cover is not necessary for every dog and should not be used to hide persistent distress. It also cannot make a crate larger or change the suitability of its construction. Keep the practical airflow and fabric-access points in the FAQ in mind.

Crates for puppies and house training

For puppies, a compatible divider and accessible cleaning pan are especially useful buying features. An adult-size enclosure with an adjustable living area can accommodate growth without requiring an immediate second purchase. MidWest iCrate is the clearest budget option here for that combination.

The divider should leave enough room for the puppy to stand, turn and rest comfortably. It is not a way to make a dog fit an undersized crate. As the puppy grows, move the divider according to the product's instructions and reassess the space.

Useful puppy-crate priorities are:

• An appropriate expected adult size.
• A compatible, securely installed divider.
• An entry the puppy can manage.
• A removable pan or another practical cleaning arrangement.
• Construction suitable for the puppy's current chewing behavior.

For a Labrador or Golden Retriever puppy, do not buy the selected 36-inch variant automatically because it includes a divider. The expected adult dog may require another size. The divider solves the temporary space problem only after you have chosen a sufficiently large eventual crate.

A furniture-style enclosure is usually a later decision for a dog with an established routine, rather than a shortcut through puppy training. Buying a crate with useful features supports the process; the crate itself does not teach the puppy what to do.

Crates for strong chewers and escape attempts

Heavy-duty construction and separation anxiety are different buying questions. Ultima Pro provides heavier-duty folding wire, while Frisco Ultimate uses welded steel and a different lock arrangement. Those are identifiable product features. “Indestructible,” “unbreakable” and “escape-proof” would require evidence these selections do not establish.

Look at what happened with the previous crate before deciding what to buy. A door that was not fully latched is a different problem from bent wire, chewed panels or frantic attempts to get out. A stronger replacement may address one construction limitation without addressing the reason the dog is struggling.

Useful observations to record include:

• Which part of the crate the dog worked on.
• Whether the enclosure was correctly assembled and secured.
• Whether the dog was calm before the door closed.
• Whether the behavior occurs specifically when left alone.
• Whether damage or injury has already occurred.

Humane World for Animals explains that a crate does not resolve separation anxiety and that a dog may become injured while trying to escape. That is why an anxious dog should not simply be moved through a sequence of stronger enclosures without addressing the distress.

Choose construction to match an appropriate containment plan. Do not use a premium price or the word “heavy-duty” as a substitute for deciding whether this dog can rest comfortably in a crate.

Related crate guides

Once you have chosen the enclosure, compare dog beds and crate mats using its usable interior floor dimensions. The selected K9 Ballistics pad is not recommended for aggressive chewers. For a removable fabric layer, our dog blanket comparison explains inside-crate fit and cleaning.

Large plastic kennels

If you have narrowed the choice to a plastic kennel, the next decision is the exact interior fit and model configuration. The selected Vari Kennel demonstrates the distinction between a size name and usable space, but a six-product comparison cannot show every size or individual fit scenario.

Petful's Petmate Vari Kennel spotlight provides the dedicated product discussion and photographs. Use it alongside your dog's measurements rather than treating “large” as a standardized measurement.

Crates for car and air travel

A portable crate for use at your destination and a restraint for the journey are different purchases. A model that folds flat or has a carrying handle does not thereby establish crash performance. Similarly, an airline's acceptance depends on its current requirements and the particular animal and journey.

Use Petful's travel dog crate guide for the separate car, airline and crash-tested decision. None of the home-use recommendations here is a universal airline approval or crash-safety endorsement.

Crate training a puppy

Once you choose the hardware, introduce the puppy to it gradually. The useful buying features are only the starting point; placement, the introduction and the daily routine determine how the crate becomes part of the home.

For the training sequence and what belongs inside, follow Petful's guide to how to crate train a puppy. It also addresses the setup questions that a product description cannot answer. Avoid adding items simply because they are sold as crate accessories. The best way to crate train a dog depends on its response, but voluntary entry and short, rewarded sessions provide a practical starting point. Stop increasing confinement if the dog shows distress.

How long a dog can stay crated

Crate size does not determine an appropriate schedule. Buying a bigger model does not make a long period of confinement suitable, and age alone does not settle every dog's needs.

Plan daytime crate sessions and overnight sleep together, with breaks appropriate to your dog. Petful's crate training schedule by age explains how to approach timing and breaks without treating a simple ratio as a universal rule.

Can I leave my dog in a crate for 12 hours at night?

Do not plan a 12-hour locked-crate stretch simply because it is nighttime. VCA's veterinary guidance says to return before the dog next needs to eliminate, rather than giving every dog the same confinement limit. Young puppies need overnight toilet breaks. An adult sleeping through its usual night does not establish that a 12-hour stretch will suit it. If you will be unavailable that long, arrange someone to let the dog out before it needs a toilet break.

Crating at night

A new dog's first night brings decisions about placement, comfort and responding to crying. A different crate material is not automatically the answer when a puppy whines or barks. Consider the dog's immediate needs and how the introduction has gone.

Petful's guide to crate training a puppy at night covers the first-night setup, what to put inside, how to respond to crying and when to move toward sleeping with the crate door open. Use that guidance instead of assuming all crying should be ignored or buying a more enclosed crate to suppress it.

Crate training an adult dog

An adult or rescue dog may arrive with previous experience of confinement, or with none at all. A well-sized crate is useful only if the introduction suits that dog. The fact that a dog is fully grown does not mean the animal can immediately tolerate a long stay behind a closed door.

Petful's guide to crate training an adult dog covers that process. It is the better next step when the unresolved issue is training, rather than choosing between materials.

Why use a crate at all

Some dogs learn to use a crate as a comfortable resting place. Others need a different management arrangement. Whether a dog is happier sleeping in a crate depends on the individual and the introduction, not on purchasing the highest-rated model.

Petful's dog crate guide discusses the purpose and everyday use of crates, including how a thoughtfully sized and introduced crate can become a comfortable retreat.

Do vets recommend dog crates?

Yes, veterinary behaviorists recommend appropriately introduced crates for purposes such as house-training, a comfortable resting place and preparation for travel or boarding. VCA's guide by veterinary behaviorists Debra Horwitz and Gary Landsberg explains those uses and also describes alternatives, including a pen or dog-proofed room. That supports choosing a suitable confinement arrangement for the individual dog; it does not establish that every dog needs a crate or that a veterinarian endorses every product in this comparison.

Dog crate questions