Last Updated: June 5, 2026
My puppy ate through a $200 crate in three days. Not chewed through — ate. I found plastic shards in places I didn’t know a 12-week-old could reach. The second crate I bought was a basic wire model that cost $35. It’s still in use 14 months later, has survived a chewing phase, a teenager phase, and one incident involving a shoe and a great deal of misplaced ambition.
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 safe space that reduces anxiety and accelerates house training by weeks. Here are five crates worth buying for a new puppy in 2026.
Puppy Crate Quick Comparison
According to the AVMA, responsible pet ownership includes providing proper nutrition, shelter, and enrichment.
| Crate | Price | Type | Divider Included | Escape-Proof | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate | ~$35 | Wire fold-flat | Yes | Good | Best overall value |
| MidWest Ultima Pro | ~$55 | Wire double-door | Yes | Excellent | Chewers / escape artists |
| Diggs Revol | ~$275 | Wire collapsible | Yes | Excellent | Design-conscious owners |
| Petmate Sky Kennel | ~$65 | Hard plastic | No | Very good | Air travel |
| AmazonBasics Folding | ~$30 | Wire fold-flat | Yes | Good | Tightest budget |
Wire vs. Plastic vs. Collapsible: Which Type Is Right?
Wire crates offer maximum airflow, visibility (which reduces anxiety for most puppies), and easy cleaning. The fold-flat design stores under a bed. Best for 90% of puppy situations.
According to AKC, crate training, when done correctly with positive reinforcement and appropriate time limits, is one of the most effective methods for housetraining puppies and preventing destructive behavior.
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 (~$35)
The MidWest iCrate is the standard recommendation from dog trainers, veterinarians, and rescue organizations for a consistent reason: it delivers everything a puppy 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 fold-flat design sets up in under 60 seconds.
I’ve owned two of these across three dogs over eight years. Neither has failed. At $35–$50 depending on size, it’s the default recommendation for first-time crate buyers.
- ✓ Best price-to-quality ratio on the list
- ✓ Includes divider panel
- ✓ Double door for flexible placement
- ✓ Fold-flat in under 60 seconds
- ✗ 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
Check Price on Amazon — MidWest iCrate
2. MidWest Ultima Pro — Best for Chewers and Escape Artists (~$55)
The Ultima Pro uses heavier gauge wire than the standard iCrate and adds a second locking latch per door — the feature that stops escape artists who’ve learned to lift the standard latch. The roller feet protect floors and add stability when a dog launches itself at the door.
For puppies that bite the wire, the heavier gauge holds up significantly longer. It’s not indestructible, but it’s the next step up without jumping to a $275 designer crate or a $400 professional kennel.
- ✓ Heavier gauge wire than standard iCrate
- ✓ Double latch doors — escape-proof
- ✓ 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
Check Price on Amazon — MidWest Ultima Pro
3. Diggs Revol Crate — Best Design Pick (~$275)
The Revol is what happens when a product designer owns a dog. The side door opens outward and folds flat against the crate instead of swinging into the room — a small thing that turns out to matter significantly in smaller apartments. The garage-style top door is easier for puppies to exit calmly rather than lunging through a side door. The collapsible design folds smaller than any comparably sized wire crate.
At $275, this is a considered purchase. It makes sense for people who want the crate to live in a visible area of the home and care about how it looks. The functionality genuinely matches the price — this isn’t just aesthetics.
- ✓ Best build quality on the list
- ✓ Side door folds flat — room-friendly
- ✓ Garage-style top door
- ✓ Compact fold for a wire crate
- ✗ $275 — significantly pricier than alternatives
- ✗ 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
Check Price on Amazon — Diggs Revol
Compare All 5 Crates on Amazon
4. Petmate Sky Kennel — Best for Air Travel (~$65)
If you fly with your dog, this is the only crate on the list that meets IATA live animal shipping standards. The Sky Kennel has passed airline inspection in four countries that I’m aware of personally, and zero of my travel companions have had it rejected at check-in. 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 genuinely 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
Check Price on Amazon — Petmate Sky Kennel
5. AmazonBasics Folding Crate — Tightest Budget (~$30)
The AmazonBasics crate is the starting point for owners not yet committed to crate training. At $30 for a medium-sized model, the risk is low. The fold-flat design works, 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. If it doesn’t, you’re out $30 instead of $55.
- ✓ Lowest price on the list (~$30)
- ✓ 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
Check Price on Amazon — AmazonBasics Folding Crate
Crate Training Tips That Actually Work
- 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 the den effect that makes most puppies settle faster.
- 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 90% of new puppy owners, the MidWest iCrate ($35–$50) is the right answer. It’s what professional trainers recommend, it lasts through multiple dogs, and it won’t hurt if you decide crate training isn’t working. Step up to the Ultima Pro ($55) if your puppy has already defeated a standard crate. Choose the Petmate Sky Kennel if you fly. Consider the Diggs Revol ($275) only if the crate needs to live in your living room and you care about how it looks.
Pet Care Writer & Lifelong Animal Lover
Sarah has lived with dogs, cats, and the occasional rescue rabbit for over 15 years. She tests pet products in her own home and writes honest, research-backed reviews to help pet owners make confident buying decisions.
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 — crate sleeping accelerates housetraining because puppies instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area. Place the crate in your bedroom initially so the puppy can hear and smell you, reducing night anxiety. Most puppies adjust to sleeping through the night in 2-4 weeks.
Q: How long can a puppy be in a crate?
The maximum crate time equals the puppy’s age in months plus one hour. 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 and reduce stimulation, which can help anxious puppies calm down faster. Many trainers recommend starting with wire for visibility during housetraining.
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Pet care expert and product reviewer. Lifelong pet owner with 2 dogs and a cat. Every recommendation is based on real research and verified owner experiences.