Last Updated: September 14, 2026
Crate training done right is one of the kindest things you can do for a puppy. Dogs are den animals — a properly sized crate gives them a space of their own and can help with house training. Here are five crates worth buying for a new puppy in 2026.
Puppy Crate Quick Comparison
| Crate | Type | Divider Included | Escape-Proof | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate | Wire fold-flat | Yes | Good | Best overall value |
| MidWest Ultima Pro | Wire double-door | Yes | Excellent | Chewers / escape artists |
| Diggs Revol | Wire collapsible | Yes | Excellent | Design-conscious owners |
| Petmate Sky Kennel | Hard plastic | No | Very good | Air travel |
| AmazonBasics Folding | Wire fold-flat | Yes | Good | Tightest budget |
Wire vs. Plastic vs. Collapsible: Which Type Is Right?
Wire crates offer maximum airflow, visibility, and easy cleaning. The fold-flat design stores under a bed. Best for most puppy situations.
Plastic (airline) crates feel more den-like, which some anxious dogs prefer. Required for air travel. Harder to clean, don’t fold flat.
Designer collapsible crates (like the Diggs Revol) combine wire visibility with a more furniture-like aesthetic and travel-friendly folding. Significantly more expensive.
Crate Size Guide by Breed
| Adult Dog Size | Recommended Crate Size | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 lbs | 24″ length | Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian |
| 25–50 lbs | 30–36″ length | Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, French Bulldog |
| 50–90 lbs | 42″ length | Labrador, Golden Retriever, Husky |
| 90–130 lbs | 48″ length | German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Standard Poodle |
| 130+ lbs | 54″ length | Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard |
Puppy sizing rule: Size for the adult dog, not the puppy. Use the included divider panel to block off the extra space — a crate that’s too large defeats the house-training purpose because the puppy can sleep in one end and use the other as a bathroom.
1. MidWest iCrate — Best Overall Value
The MidWest iCrate covers the basics a puppy crate needs at a price that doesn’t require justification. The double-door configuration lets you place the crate against a wall and still access it from either end. The divider panel is included. The crate folds flat for storage.
The iCrate is our default recommendation for first-time crate buyers.
- ✓ Best overall value on the list
- ✓ Includes divider panel
- ✓ Double door for flexible placement
- ✓ Folds flat for storage
- ✗ Not chew-proof for determined chewers
- ✗ Wire gauge thinner than Ultima Pro
- ✗ Basic aesthetic — not furniture-like
Most puppy owners — this is the default, reliable choice
Your puppy is already a determined chewer or escape artist
2. MidWest Ultima Pro — Best for Chewers and Escape Artists
The Ultima Pro uses heavier gauge wire than the standard iCrate, and its roller feet protect floors.
For puppies that bite the wire, the Ultima Pro’s wire is thicker than the iCrate’s. It’s not indestructible, but it’s the next step up from the standard iCrate.
- ✓ Heavier gauge wire than standard iCrate
- ✓ Slide-bolt latches
- ✓ Roller feet protect floors
- ✓ Divider panel included
- ✗ Heavier and more expensive than iCrate
- ✗ Still not fully chew-proof for extreme chewers
- ✗ Bulkier to store folded
Puppies that have already escaped a standard crate or chew the wire
Your puppy is calm and non-destructive — iCrate is enough
3. Diggs Revol Crate — Best Design Pick
The Revol is what happens when a product designer owns a dog. Diggs says its signature garage-style side door maximizes space and comfort — a detail that can matter in smaller apartments. The crate also has a ceiling hatch. The collapsible design folds compactly for a wire crate.
The Revol makes sense for people who want the crate to live in a visible area of the home and care about how it looks.
- ✓ Garage-style side door
- ✓ Ceiling hatch
- ✓ Compact fold for a wire crate
- ✗ Overkill for temporary crate training use
- ✗ Heavier than standard fold-flats
Design-conscious owners in smaller spaces who will use the crate long-term
Your puppy is almost house-trained and you only need it a few more weeks
4. Petmate Sky Kennel — Best for Air Travel
If you fly with your dog, this is the only crate on the list that meets IATA live animal shipping standards. The ventilation holes on all four sides are required by most airlines, and the spring-wire door latches are airline-specification.
For home use, the hard shell feels more den-like than wire crates, which some anxious puppies prefer. It doesn’t fold flat, which is its main non-travel limitation.
- ✓ Meets IATA airline standards
- ✓ Four-sided ventilation
- ✓ Den-like environment
- ✓ Durable hard shell
- ✗ Doesn’t fold flat for storage
- ✗ Heavier than wire crates
- ✗ No divider panel
- ✗ More expensive than wire options
Dogs that fly, anxious puppies that prefer enclosed spaces
Your dog never travels by air and you need compact storage
5. AmazonBasics Folding Crate — Tightest Budget
The AmazonBasics crate is the starting point for owners not yet committed to crate training. It folds flat, the divider panel is included, and the single-door configuration is adequate for most placements. The wire gauge is thinner than the MidWest models — fine for calm puppies, less so for chewers.
If you’re not sure whether your puppy will take to a crate, this is the right starting point. If it works, step up to the iCrate when you’re ready to commit.
- ✓ Divider panel included
- ✓ Fold-flat design
- ✓ Good for non-destructive puppies
- ✗ Thinnest wire gauge — not for chewers
- ✗ Single door only
- ✗ Basic latch can be worked by clever dogs
First-time crate buyers testing whether the approach will work
You already know your puppy will need a heavy-duty option
Crate Training Tips
- Never use the crate as punishment. The crate is the dog’s den, not a timeout corner. If you associate it with punishment, you’ve lost the tool.
- Start with the door open. Toss treats inside for 2–3 days before closing the door at all.
- Build time gradually. 5 minutes, then 15, then 30, then an hour. Don’t jump to 4-hour sessions in week one.
- Cover three sides. A blanket over the top and two sides creates a den effect that can help a puppy settle.
- Right-size the space. Use the divider panel so the puppy can stand, turn around, and lie down — but not much more. Too much space invites bathroom use.
- Never let a puppy out while whining. Wait for even 10 seconds of quiet. Otherwise you’ve trained the opposite of what you want.
Final Recommendation
For most new puppy owners, the MidWest iCrate is the right answer. It includes a divider panel and folds flat. Step up to the Ultima Pro if your puppy has already defeated a standard crate. Choose the Petmate Sky Kennel if you fly. Consider the Diggs Revol only if the crate needs to live in your living room and you care about how it looks.
Divider panel: an adjustable insert in a dog crate that reduces the usable floor space for puppies. As the puppy grows, the panel is repositioned, allowing one crate to serve from puppyhood through adulthood without wasting money on multiple sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size crate does a puppy need?
The crate should be large enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably — but not so large that they use one end as a bathroom. For growing breeds, buy the adult size with a divider panel to restrict space during puppyhood. A 42-inch crate with divider works for most medium-large breeds.
Q: Should puppies sleep in a crate at night?
Yes — puppies instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area, so crate sleeping can help with housetraining. Place the crate in your bedroom initially so the puppy can hear and smell you.
Q: How long can a puppy be in a crate?
It depends on the puppy’s age. An 8-week-old puppy can only hold their bladder for 2-3 hours. By 6 months, most puppies can manage 4-5 hours. Never crate a puppy longer than they can physically hold their bladder.
Q: Wire or plastic crate — which is better for puppies?
Wire crates offer better ventilation, visibility, and adjustability with divider panels — making them ideal for home use. Plastic airline crates feel more den-like, which some anxious puppies prefer. If you want visibility during housetraining, start with wire.
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