We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 4 Best Dog Crates for Puppies, Tested and Reviewed A safe and secure space to take the stress out of housebreaking your fur baby By Alisa Healy Alisa Healy Alisa Healy is a multi-certified professional dog trainer who has worked with hundreds of dogs and their humans for over 10 years. Her experience as a trainer includes shelter dogs, pet dogs, and competitive dog sports. She is also a writer, contributing to several online pet publications on the topics of dog training, behavior, and the products that help dogs and humans live their best lives. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 03/10/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews How We Tested What To Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Crate training your new puppy is useful both for house training and your dog’s overall well-being. Because most dogs like to keep their sleeping area clean, they typically won’t pee or poop while crated, which can make it a valuable house training tool. Beyond potty training, a crate can help ensure your puppy is getting enough rest and can keep your home safe from your pup’s destructive powers when you’re unable to supervise. A crate should never be used as punishment, but instead indicates to your dog the proper place to sleep and rest. The right crate provides your dog with a place of their own, where they can feel secure. “A good crate for crate training should be sturdy, well-ventilated, and have a secure door,” says Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, director of primary care at Bond Vet. There are several types of crates, with many households opting for a wire crate that can be easily moved, collapses for travel, and provides full visibility of their surroundings to your dog. After testing more than 20 dog crates in our New York testing lab, our overall favorite crate for puppies is the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate, which is available in a wide range of sizes, has two points of access, a leak-proof “pan” base, and comes with a divider that you can use to expand your puppy’s space as they grow. Top Picks Best Overall: MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate at Amazon $85 Jump to Review Best for Home: Diggs Revol Dog Crate at Amazon $799 Jump to Review Best for Car Rides: Ruff Land Kennel at Rufflandkennels.com Jump to Review Best for Travel: Lesure Soft Collapsible Dog Crate at Amazon $95 Jump to Review Best Overall MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Credit: Amazon $85 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like Divider panel allows crate to “grow” with the puppy Secure latches Low threshold for easy in and out What We Don’t Like Wire coating can chip Rattles while driving in a vehicle The Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate is our top pick for puppies because of its ease of use, security, and portability. It comes in seven sizes to accommodate pups from teeny-tiny to giant and anything in between. The crate can be assembled by one person with no tools in seconds, and collapsing it for storage or transport is just as easy. This crate comes with a divider panel, which allows you to expand the space as your puppy grows. With the divider panel installed, one crate can become many different sizes. The divider panel also gives your pup enough space to be comfortable but not so much that they might potty in one end and sleep in the other. The plastic tray at the bottom of the crate fits a comfy bed nicely and is easy to clean in case of a mess with a raised edge to contain liquids. The low threshold makes it easy for puppies to step into and out of the crate. Rubber feet on the underside of the crate protect floors from scratches. Our tester has used this crate for over a decade, in multiple sizes and with various breeds. We have used it in our homes, vehicles, on vacation, at friends’ homes, while camping, and at dog sport events, and appreciate how adaptable the iCrate is for day-to-day life at home, as well as for on-the-go. We have noticed that the wire coating can chip over time, however, the crate remains sturdy and usable. Our least favorite thing about this crate is that it rattles while driving, but you can minimize the noise by covering it with a blanket or towel. Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 16 inches (XS), 24 x 18 x 19 inches (S), 30 x 19 x 21 (M), 36 x 23 x 25 (M/L), 42 x 28 x 31 inches (L), 48 x 30 x 33 inches (XL) | Materials: ABS-coated metal wire, plastic, rubber | Features: Two-door access, divider panel, rubber protective feet, leak-proof pan Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Best for Home Diggs Revol Dog Crate Credit: Amazon $799 at Amazon $699 at Chewy View on Diggs What We Like Front, side, and ceiling access points with secure door locks and a divider panel Wheels for transport More aesthetically pleasing than other crates What We Didn’t Like Heavy Expensive The Diggs Revol Dog Crate is an excellent choice for those looking to invest in a durable crate for home. With its sturdy construction and modern look, this crate makes a useful puppy-raising tool that complements your home’s aesthetic. Similar to our top pick, this dog crate has a divider so you can expand the space as your pup grows, as well as front and side doors for easy access. It also has a plastic tray at the bottom, which is easy to remove and clean. A feature unique to Revol is the ceiling hatch, which allows for easy delivery of food, water, toys, or chews. Initial assembly takes a few minutes and all necessary tools are included. Depending on the size of the crate and your physical capabilities, you may need an extra set of hands to put it together. However, once it’s constructed, collapsing and setting up the crate is quick. Built with safety and longevity in mind, the dog crate is made from a solid one-piece aluminum frame, thick gauge rust-resistant steel wire, and reinforced plastic to hold up to daily use at home. The robust design makes these crates heavier than any of our other top picks, ranging from 25 to 53 pounds. Some folks may find them too heavy for travel or relocating up and down flights of stairs, though the wheels make it easy to move them around a room or home. Diggs has a range of other accessories to enhance the comfort of this stylish and functional crate, including a bowl attachment, bed, and the Groov training aid. Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 19 inches (S); 32 x 20 x 22 inches (M); 39 x 25 x 28 inches (I); 44 x 28 x 30 inches (L) | Materials: Aluminum, steel mesh wire, reinforced plastic | Features: Ceiling hatch, wheels, handle, adjustable divider Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Best for Car Rides Ruff Land Kennel Credit: Bass Pro Shop View on Rufflandkennels.com View on Basspro.com $320 at L.L.Bean What We Like One-piece roto-molded construction is safer in case of impact Three configurations of double doors Tie-down attachments for added travel safety What We Don’t Like No certified crash rating For keeping your puppy safely contained during car rides, our top choice is Ruff Land Kennels. They are constructed from a single piece of rotomolded plastic, designed to stay intact and absorb impact in case of an accident. This crate has several unique characteristics that make it well-suited for car rides. Ruff Land Kennels come with three configurations of double doors, making it easy to get a puppy in and out no matter how you orient the crate inside your vehicle. Tapered walls prevent the ventilation holes from being blocked, even if the kennel is against a wall or other object, keeping your puppy’s temperature regulated while driving. Ruff Land also makes an SUV-friendly design with a slanted back to fit perfectly in the back of SUVs. Their “rattle-less” design significantly reduces rattling noise while driving, which is a big improvement for anyone familiar with the annoying rattle of other crate styles. This crate can also be secured with tie-downs for added stability. There are no industry standards for crash testing or rating crates in vehicles. While various crash testing companies and organizations exist, no single body oversees the safety of car crates, and there is no consensus on how tests should be performed. The Ruff Land Kennel is not crash-tested by an independent agency; however, it has several features that make it safer than a typical wire or plastic crate. Additionally, there are many documented stories of Ruffland keeping dogs safe in real vehicle crashes. Ruff Land Kennels are not cheap, but they are more affordable than other crates made for car travel. The company also makes a variety of handy crate accessories, including a divider panel to expand the crate as your pup grows and storage trays for puppy supplies. Dimensions: 22 ¼ x 16 x 15 inches (S); 24 ½ x 16 ½ x 18 inches (Mid); 27 ⅝, 18, 20 ¾ inches (M); 27 ⅞ x 20 x 23 ¼ inches (Backseat); 30 ½ x 20 x 23 ¼ inches (I); 35 x 22 x 26 ¾ inches (L); 40 ⅜ x 22 x 29 ⅞ inches (XL) | Materials: LDPE plastic, composite door | Features: Handles, leak-proof design, stackable, two-way door, color options Best for Travel Lesure Soft Collapsible Dog Crate Credit: Amazon $95 $86 at Amazon What We Like Lightweight yet sturdy Good ventilation and visibility Four zipper doors What We Don’t Like Not as secure as other crate styles For a highly portable option, the Lesure Soft Collapsible Dog Crate is ideal for traveling with a puppy. Whether on a road trip, a camping adventure, or visiting a friend’s house, this foldable fabric crate is a breeze to pop up and break down. The lightweight construction and handles make it simple to carry, transport, and store. Made from a sturdy iron frame and fabric covering, the crate features four mesh zipper doors, which serve as access points and windows for plenty of visibility and ventilation. The doors can also be unzipped and rolled up, so your pup can come and go as they like. We found it to be surprisingly fast to assemble and fold, and the mesh showed no damage despite our pup's scratching. The back of the crate has a large storage pocket convenient for stashing treats, toys, leashes, or other puppy supplies. The ceiling zipper door allows you to give your puppy food or water. We liked using it to give ear and belly rubs without letting our puppy out of the crate. Soft crates are not as secure as our other top picks, and a determined puppy could potentially break free by chewing and pawing. It’s best to use this crate for puppies who are comfortable while crated or for supervised durations. Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 15 inches (XS); 26 x 18 x 18 inches (S); 30 x 21 x 21 inches (M); 36 x 25 x 25 inches (L); 42 x 28 x 31 inches (XL) | Materials: Polyester, metal, PVC | Features: handles, storage pocket, interior leash attachment clip, four doors including front, sides and ceiling. Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets Final Verdict Our top choice for a puppy crate is the Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate, which combines affordability with a functional, adaptable design perfect for most puppies. For a heavy-duty collapsible crate with a more polished look for your home, consider the Diggs Revol Dog Crate. How We Tested Dog Crates for Puppies After speaking with dog training experts and evaluating popular and bestselling dog crates, we tested 20 different models in our New York testing lab, then sent our favorites to homes with dogs for long-term trials. Our methodology focused on how easy each crate was to assemble, collapse, and use. We looked for strength and durability, plus easy cleaning. To test the strength and durability of individual dog crates, we tossed 20-pound sandbags at them and pulled on the crate doors ourselves, noting when we were or weren't able to bend the frame or other components. Credit: The Spruce Pets What To Look For Sizing Your puppy’s crate should be long enough for them to lie down comfortably and large enough for them to stand up and turn around. But not too much larger, as some puppies might use the extra space as a toilet. “A crate that is too large can make it difficult for the puppy to develop good crate training habits, as they may be more likely to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another,” Fadl says. If buying a crate larger than your puppy (for them to grow into), then look into dividers. Many dog crates—including our favorite—come with a divider or sell them separately. Accessibility Before making a purchase, consider where you will be putting the crate and whether you’ll need one or two doors to easily access your puppy. Depending on the location, a front or side door (or both) might be best. Durability While the goal of crate training is for your puppy to relax in their crate, choose a crate that can withstand some mouthing or pawing as they learn how to be calmly confined. Wire crates, such as the Midwest Homes for Pets iCrate and the Diggs Revol Dog Crate, are sturdy options. We recommend waiting to purchase a wooden furniture-style crate until you’re confident in your pup’s crate training and they’re past the chewing phase. FAQ How do you keep your puppy from pooping or peeing in their crate? “To prevent accidents in the crate, it's crucial to establish a consistent and effective potty training routine,” Fadl says. “Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after meals, naps, and playtime, and reward them for eliminating in the appropriate area. Avoid leaving your puppy in the crate for extended periods, as they should have regular bathroom breaks.” Do you have to crate-train a puppy? While it's not absolutely necessary to crate-train a puppy, the crate offers a great tool for managing your puppy's behavior when you can't supervise them. It gives puppies a comfortable area that keeps them safe and promotes rest. How long can a puppy be in a crate? Puppies under 6 months shouldn't be left in a crate for more than three to four hours at a time. The younger the puppy, the shorter the period to prevent them from having accidents. However, every puppy is unique, and depending on where they’re at with their crate training, they might not be able to handle that much time in the crate. How do you determine the right size crate for a puppy? The crate should be long enough for your puppy to lie down and stretch out, and large enough for them to stand up and turn around. A too-small crate will leave your puppy cramped and uncomfortable, while a larger one can encourage them to sleep in one corner and eliminate in another. If you don't want to invest in a puppy-sized crate that your dog will grow out of, you can buy removable dividers to use in a larger crate. Why Trust The Spruce Pets Alisa Healy is a writer for The Spruce Pets and a certified professional dog trainer with over a decade of experience. She has tested numerous crates with hundreds of puppy training clients, as well as five of her own puppies. Additionally, crates were assessed by the Spruce Pets’ panel of product testers to help determine the top picks. The chosen crates have been used by puppies of many different sizes and breeds, as well as by owners with a wide range of lifestyles. Functionality, durability, cleanability, and price of the crates were all considered. Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Accessories