Crate training is one of the best things you can do for your pup and yourself. When you utilize a crate correctly, it becomes a safe space that you can always place your puppy inside when you can’t keep an eye on it. It also helps speed up your puppy’s ability to learn potty training.

There are several kinds of crates, and different puppies will take to different types of crates. To help you find the right one for your puppy, we have reviews of some of the most popular and best crates in the market.

Along with our reviews, we have a helpful guide that will provide more information on the variety of crates and what to look for when you shop for them. By the end of reading this guide, you’ll have enough information to start looking for the best crate for your puppy.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 8 Best Crates for Puppies

1. MidWest Double Door Collapsible Wire Puppy Crate with Floor Grid — Best Overall

This crate was specifically designed for puppies, so it landed in our number one spot. It has a rust-resistant coating for long-lasting use and a leak-proof plastic pan to catch any accidental potty breaks.

It also has an elevated floor grid, so if your puppy has any accidents, it won’t be sitting in urine. The floor grid is also paw-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about your puppy’s paws getting caught in them. You can adjust its height so that the crate space grows with your puppy.

The crate also collapses and folds up easily so that you can transport it from room to room. It also has two entry points, a front door, and a top latch.

Keep in mind that this crate doesn’t come with a divider, so you might have to buy a separate piece if the space is too big for your puppy and it has trouble with potty training. This crate also tends to sell at a relatively expensive price point.

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2. MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate – Best Value

If you’re looking for an affordable option, the MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate is the best crate for puppies for the money you pay. It has two doors, so you can conveniently fit the crate in various positions in a room. You can also break it down, and it has a handle for quick transport.

The crate also has a safe design for puppies. It has rounded corners to prevent injuries and a durable, removable plastic pan for easy cleaning. It also has a divider so that the crate can grow with your puppy.

This crate’s only significant issue is that it can be a little difficult to set up and break down. So, although it’s collapsible and portable, it may not be the best option if you’re looking to transport this crate from room to room or between vehicles.

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3. Richell Training Kennel for Dogs & Cats — Premium Choice

This crate was made specifically for crate-training puppies. It has several safety features, including a locking system on the door, base, and top to keep your pet secure. It also uses lightweight material, so it’s easy to move from place to place.

The crate does require some assembly, but it has parts that are straightforward to move. So it’s easy to detach parts for cleaning. It also comes with two storage trays that fit at the top so that you can store trays and leashes.

Overall, this crate has thoughtful features that make it a great crate for crate training. However, it only comes in small sizes, so it fits small dog breeds or very young puppies. As of now, there aren’t any sizes manufactured for medium and large breeds.

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4. SP Travel Kennel Dog Carrier

A travel kennel is also an excellent option for crate training. The SP Travel Kennel Dog Carrier provides puppies with a cozy and dim environment. It also comes with detachable food and water bowls, and the interior has a moat around the outer edges to gather any liquids. The top is removable and has snaps that you can unlock to make cleaning painless and easy.

This kennel is a great investment for travelers. It’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) airline-approved, and it also comes with a set of wheels for easy transport. These wheels quickly snap on and off, so you can conveniently move the crate around from place to place.

Using a travel kennel for crate training can help your puppies become more acclimated with travel more quickly because they’ll be more accustomed to going inside it. Just keep in mind that this crate can be bulky, and it doesn’t flatten down like wire crates, so it can take up a significant amount of space.

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5. SMONTER Heavy Duty Strong Metal I-Shape Dog Crate

Some breeds tend to be heavier chewers than other breeds. If you have a puppy with a strong set of jaws that likes to chew, a heavy-duty crate may be a better fit for it. The SMONTER Heavy Duty Strong Metal I-Shape Dog Crate is built to last and withstand chewing.

It uses reinforced steel with a non-toxic coating, so you don’t have to worry about your puppy accidentally ingesting something unsafe. The crate also ships partially assembled, so you just have to finish up assembly by tightening a few screws.

The crate comes with a set of wheels that include locking casters so that you can easily move the crate around and securely keep it in place. However, as easy as it is to wheel this crate around, it’s difficult to lift. The materials are extremely heavy, so it can be difficult to move this crate to different floors unless you have an elevator.

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6. Firstrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Series

Soft-sided dog crates, such as the Firstrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Series, offer a safer and cozy environment and are more breathable than plastic travel crates. This crate is relatively light and easy to carry, and it lies flat for easy storage. It also sets up very quickly and has rounded corners to prevent damaging your car’s interior. These features make it an excellent option for traveling in cars and camping.

The crate also uses water-resistant material that’s machine washable, so it’s effortless to clean. It also has top, front, and side entry doors, so you can quickly pick up your pet or move around any items inside it.

The soft material offers a lot of comfort, but it will not safely contain strong dogs who try to escape. They can end up tearing through the mesh and walk out of the crate.

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7. Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel

These travel crates are easy to assemble and don’t require any tools. They also have an interior moat that will keep your pet dry in case it has an accident.

This model comes in five sizes: x-small, small, medium, intermediate, and large. So you can find the perfect size for your pet. However, these sizes have slightly varying features.

The x-small and small sizes have a carrying handle and a compartment cover for additional storage. The medium-sized crates have a carrying handle, but they don’t have a compartment. Lastly, the intermediate, large, and x-large kennels don’t have a carrying handle or compartment.

Since the crates don’t come with wheels, it can be difficult to transport the larger ones. However, they do pass USDA and IATA requirements.

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8. Casual Home End Table Dog Crate

This crate uses 100% real wood and doesn’t use wires, which gives it a luxurious look and feel. The design is also fairly universal, easily fitting in with various interior design styles. It also serves as an end table that you can situate it next to a couch in your living room. The tabletop is sturdy enough to hold items.

The natural elements of this crate create a cozy den-like atmosphere for your puppy, especially if it prefers dimmer spaces. Your puppy can feel safe and secure without missing out on any action happening in common areas in the home.

Since the crate is mostly made out of solid wood, it’s pretty heavy. So, it’s difficult to move it around once you set it. Also, heavy chewers can chew on the wooden bars, which can splinter and break. Since the crate is designed as an end table, it only comes in smaller sizes, so it won’t hold large breeds.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Crate for Puppies

Different types of crates will work for different kinds of puppies. Depending on your puppy’s size, energy level, and stage in crate training, certain types of crates will work better for them than others.

Wire Crates

Wire crates are your traditional crates. They provide a clear view of your puppy, and they usually come with a divider so that you can adjust the size of the interior space as your puppy grows. Most wire crates are collapsible and easy to store, so if you don’t like how it looks in a room, you can easily flatten it and stow it away when you have guests over.

Wire crates may provide access to too many external stimuli because your puppy will be able to see everything happening around it. If your puppy feels anxious, most wire crates have matching covers to help them feel more like a den.

When you shop for wire crates, make sure to look for one that has rust-resistant and non-toxic wiring because teething puppies may gnaw on the wires. The spacing between the wires is also important. Make sure that it’s narrow enough so your puppy’s mouth can’t slip through and get stuck in between the space.

Steel Crates

Steel crates are heavy-duty spaces for dogs that tend to be heavy chewers and escape artists. They have wider bars than wire crates, so it’s more difficult for puppies to chew and destroy.

These crates are also very heavy, so they keep your puppy securely inside, and it won’t be able to knock over the crate. Since they’re heavy, they often come with a set of wheels to help you roll the crate around. However, moving them up a flight of stairs or different levels in a home will still be challenging because they’re not collapsible or easy to disassemble.

Steel crates are also relatively expensive, so many dog owners will resort to using steel crates only after they’ve tried other types with their puppies first.

Travel Crates

These types of crates work well with people who often travel because they double as a home for your puppy and can also safely transport your pet when you’re traveling. Most travel crates will pass IATA requirements, so you can easily board your dogs onto planes.

Travel crates are also great for puppies who tend to be hyper-reactive because the plastic covering will block out any external visual stimuli. Most of them also come with an interior moat so that your puppy isn’t left sitting in moisture.

When you shop for travel crates, try to look for ones that come with a set of wheels so that moving them around is a convenient experience. Make sure that it’s breathable and has plenty of airways.

The main disadvantage of travel crates is that they tend to be bulky and stiff, so it can be a challenge trying to fit sizes for larger breeds inside cars. Also, these crates aren’t ideal for interior design because they don’t blend in very well with other furniture in a room.

Soft-Sided Crates

These crates work well with puppies with more docile personalities or are in the advanced stages of crate training. Since they’re typically made with mesh or nylon, they won’t withstand heavy scratching or chewing.

One of the benefits of soft-sided crates is that they’re the most portable option out of all types of dog crates, and they usually fit well in cars. They’re also very breathable and are often designed for camping. Therefore, a lot of the material will be water-resistant and machine-washable.

Dual-Purpose Crates

To be completely honest, most crates can stick out or be eyesores in a room. The wire and plastic can make a room feel unwelcoming and messy.

Fortunately, dual-purpose crates have become more popular over the years, so it is easier to find crates designed to blend in with other furniture. Most dual-purpose crates act as tables, but some can be benches.

When you shop for dual-purpose crates, make sure to find one that has a removable top so that you have an easy time cleaning and maintaining the crate. Also, keep in mind that most dual-purpose crates won’t be able to support heavy chewers because they’re made with wood. Larger dog breeds will be able to gnaw and chew through any wooden panels.

Conclusion

Out of our reviews, the MidWest Double Door Collapsible Wire Puppy Crate with Floor Grid is the best crate for puppies. It provides a safe enclosure and also has a divider so you can adjust the interior space as your puppy grows. Its sister product, the MidWest LifeStages Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate, is our runner-up choice because it’s an affordable option that also comes with smart puppy-proofed features.

Crate training can be challenging, but crates can become one of your puppy’s favorite spaces. Training will take some time and patience, but a crate design that your puppy likes will greatly help speed up the process.

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Featured Image Credit: C. Hamilton, Shutterstock