8 Best Dog Crate Beds in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Dog crates are indispensable tools for pet parents and are a great help not only in traveling, but in training too. Dog crates also provide a safe, comfortable place for your dog to relax and get some time alone. That said, dog crates are not always the most comfortable beds for your pooch, and you’ll likely need to add a pad or bed to make it more comfortable for your canine.

Dog crates are pens usually made from plastic or metal, just large enough for your dog to stand up and lie down inside of and can be a great help when there’s no one around to supervise them. They are also essential for travel and vet visits, and contrary to popular belief is not cruel or a “jail cell’ for your dog. In fact, crates are quite the opposite, and most dogs learn to love their safe, comfortable crate.

In order to make sure your dog’s crate is as comfortable as possible, you’ll need to add a crate bed or pad. There are many of these beds on the market, some of which are better than others, making choosing the right one a bit of a challenge. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve narrowed the options down to our favorites and given each an in-depth review to help you choose the perfect dog crate bed for your pooch. Let’s dive in!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		MidWest Quiet Time Fleece Dog Crate Mat	8 sizes available Polyester bolsters Machine washable	Check Price
Best Value		K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad	Double-sided Self-warming technology Made with eco-friendly materials	Check Price
Premium Choice		Gorilla Dog Orthopedic Pad	Made with orthopedic foam Added crate securing points Water, stain, odor, and mildew resistant	Check Price
		Drymate Brown Stripe Tan Paw Dog Crate Mat	Lightweight, thin design Made from tough polyester Waterproof, non-slip bottom	Check Price
		Pet Dreams Reversible Mat	Reversible Durable design High-density fiber filling	Check Price

The 8 Best Dog Crate Beds

The MidWest Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat is machine washable and made from comfortable, soft, and cozy fleece, and is our top choice overall. The fleece is stain-resistant and made with ultra-soft synthetic sheepskin with comfortable polyester bolsters and a cushioned polyester and cotton base. The fleece will keep your pooch warm in winter and cool in summer and comes in 8 different sizes and 3 different colors to suit your dog’s unique size and personality. The rectangular shape is great for most dog crates and makes for an ideal sleeping mat outside of their crate too!

Unfortunately, this bed does shed fleece after some time, and several customers reported that it wore quickly where their dog slept on it most often.

The K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad is great value for money and the best dog crate bed for the money. The pad is made with unique, multilayer self-warming materials that absorb and reflect your dog’s own body heat to keep them warm — no electricity required. The pad is double-sided so you can simply flip it over depending on the color you want and is safe to machine wash. The pad is made with green, bio-based foam polyfill from recycled bottles, and is lab-tested for pet safety.

Unfortunately, this pad only comes in one size and is too small for large dog breeds. Also, if your dog is a chewer, they’ll make short work of this bed as it tears and rips easily.

If you’re looking for a premium dog crate bed for your pooch, the Gorilla Dura-Vel Orthopedic bed comes in 6 different sizes( X-small to XX-Large) and 4 different colors. The bed has a comfortable velvet top and durable Cordura (durable synthetic fabric) bottom, plus a removable, machine washable cover that is water-resistant and resists stains, mildew, and odors. The bed has handy securing points to fix to the crate so it cannot be flipped over, with triple-stitched seams for strength and orthopedic foam to keep your pooch comfy and cozy.

This bed is almost impossible to fault, although is a lot more expensive than most other dog beds on the market. The high quality is worth it though, and this bed will give your dog comfort for many years to come.

The Drymate Dog Crate Mat is ideal for hot weather, lightweight, and comes in 2 sizes. It’s made from tough polyester with a waterproof, non-slip bottom, and absorbs liquids quickly if there are any accidents in your dog’s crate. If your pooch does happen to make a mess, the mat is machine washable and a breeze to clean. It’s made in the United States and is an ideal, lightweight choice for your dog’s crate.

While this mat’s main selling point is its lightweight and slim design, it will not help much to keep your pooch warm and doesn’t provide much cushioning. Also, this makes the mat easily chewable if your pooch likes to chew!

With a double-layer of high-density filling, the Sleep-eez Plush Dog Crate Mat from Pet Dreams is a cozy choice for your pooch. The mat is highly durable, with 8–10 stitches per inch and over 1,000 stitches for each pad! It’s also 100% machine washable, plus can simply be reversed if one side gets dirty to reduce the frequency of washing. The premium, high-density fiber filling will not bunch or get lumpy after washing like so many other beds and comes in 4 unique colors and 6 different sizes to suit any pooch.

While this doesn’t lump after washing, several customers reported it shrank and lost its shape. It’s also very thin and so doesn’t provide much comfort for your pooch.

This Self-Warming Dog Crate Mat from Paws & Pals will keep your pooch warm in chilly weather without any electricity. The mat uses absorbent and reflective layers to direct your dog’s natural body heat right back toward them. It has an ultra-soft micro-fleece top that’s cozy and soft, with a textured rubber bottom to grip and reduce slipping, and is made without parabens, harsh dyes, chemicals, or treatment. The mat fits most crates and dog carriers, making it an ideal accessory for your dog’s crate!

This mat is rather thin and doesn’t provide much cushioning for your pooch and is not machine washable. Also, it only comes in one size, unfortunately.

Make crate time more comfortable than ever with the Orthopedic Dog Crate Mat from American Kennel Club. The mat is made with supportive orthopedic memory foam material with an ultra-plush cover that is machine washable, plus a non-skid bottom to prevent slipping. It’s made with largely recycled materials and so is an eco-friendly option, and comes in 2 different color options, but only one size, unfortunately.

Several customers reported that this pad is rather cheaply made, and the zipper broke after only one or two uses. The cover sheds a lot, especially after washing, and the memory foam swiftly lost its shape.

The MidWest QuietTime Couture Paxton Dog Crate Mat is made with soft foam cushioning to make your dog’s crate comfortable and cozy. One side is white and the other has a decorative diamond pattern and is reversible to reduce the time between washing, plus the cover is removable with a hidden zipper and 100% machine washable. It comes in 5 different sizes to fit almost any crate and can be used as a standalone bed too.

A lot of customers reported that this bed has a very strong chemical smell, even after washing, and the foam cushion rips easily. It’s also not at all waterproof so if your dog has any accidents it will absorb right into the foam.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Crate Bed

When it comes to crate mats, they are almost as varied as dog beds, with soft, thick options and thin, lightweight options available, plus everything in between. This can make choosing the right one a bit confusing, and there are several factors to consider. Let’s look at some of these factors below:

Dog Crate Bed Material

The material your dog crate bed is made from is an important consideration. If you live in a cold area, you’ll want something a bit thicker, warmer, and cozier, or even self-warming mats are a good option. For the summer months, something cooler and thinner may be a better option to prevent your pooch from overheating. Also, the thickness you choose will depend on your dog. If you have a large or senior dog with joint issues, crate beds that are too thin will be uncomfortable and you’ll need to opt for something a little thicker.

Dog Crate Bed Durability

Naturally, you’ll want the product you’re spending your hard-earned money on to be as durable and long-lasting as possible. Usually, you get what you pay for, but this is not always the case. The outer cover should be made from a tough material like polyester preferably with a durable non-slip bottom, and durable memory foam on the inside. Orthopedic foam is higher-quality and usually lasts longer than sponge beds and keeps its shape after washing.

Dog Crate Bed Cleaning

Machine washable beds are best, as they’re the easiest to clean. Some crate beds have delicate liners that need to be hand-washed or foam insides that cannot go through a machine without deforming, and so if the entire bed is machine washable this is a huge advantage. Also, some dogs may get frightened while traveling and soil their crate bed, in which case you’ll certainly want it to be machine washable!

Dog Crate Bed Portability

Naturally, thin, lightweight mats are the most portable, although not the most comfortable. You’ll need to decide on the balance between portability and comfort depending on your unique situation. If you travel with your pooch often, a portable, thinner bed may be best for you. If you’re going on longer trips, as comfortable a bed as possible is the best option. Even if you don’t travel too often, having one of each is a great idea.

Dog Crate Bed Size

Size is the last factor to consider. The mat should be large enough to for your pooch to fit comfortably, but also the right size for your crate. Most crate beds are made to fit inside standard crates, but it’s a good idea to measure beforehand to make sure. Crate beds that aren’t large enough for the crate may slip and slide around, while beds that are too large will bunch up and be uncomfortable for your dog.

Conclusion: Best Dog Crate Beds

The MidWest Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat is our favorite choice overall. It’s machine washable and made from comfortable, soft, and cozy fleece, is stain-resistant, and made with polyester bolsters and a cushioned polyester and cotton base.

The K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad is the best dog crate bed for the money according to our research. The pad is made with multilayer self-warming materials, is double-sided, and is 100% machine washable.

If you’re looking for a premium dog crate bed for your pooch, the Gorilla Dura-Vel Orthopedic bed is a great option. The bed has a comfortable velvet top and durable Cordura bottom, a removable, machine-washable cover, and handy securing points to fix to the crate so it cannot be flipped over.

A dog crate needs to be a comfortable, safe space for your pooch, and a dog crate bed is an essential item to make this a reality. We hope our in-depth reviews have helped narrow the options and helped you find the best option for your pooch!

Featured Image Credit: Chewy