Best Dog Crate for Crate Training Puppies (2026)

The crate is the single most useful tool in puppy ownership. House training, chew prevention, safe transportation, and a calm retreat when the house gets chaotic — the crate handles all of it when introduced properly. But not all crates are built the same, and the wrong choice makes crate training harder than it needs to be.

After comparing the most popular crates on the market, here’s what works best for puppies at different stages and situations.

Crate Sizing: The Most Common Mistake

The number one crate training error is buying the wrong size. Too big and the puppy uses one corner as a bathroom (dogs instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area, but only if the space is small enough that they can’t separate the two). Too small and the puppy is physically uncomfortable, which creates negative associations.

The rule: Your puppy should be able to stand up without their head touching the top, turn around without squeezing, and lie down stretched out on their side.

The smart move: Buy a crate sized for your dog’s expected adult weight and use a divider panel to partition off extra space while they grow. Almost all wire crates include a divider. Move it back every few weeks as the puppy gets bigger.

Expected Adult Weight	Crate Size
Under 25 lbs	24”
25-40 lbs	30”
40-70 lbs	36”
70-90 lbs	42”
Over 90 lbs	48”

Best Crates for Puppy Crate Training

MidWest iCrate (Single Door and Double Door) — Best Overall

The default recommendation from trainers, and for good reason. The iCrate includes a free divider panel, folds flat for storage or travel, and has a leak-proof plastic pan in the bottom. The double-door version adds a side door for placement flexibility.

The wire construction provides maximum ventilation (important for puppies that pant when stressed) and lets the puppy see out in all directions, which reduces isolation stress during early crate training. The slide-bolt latches are secure against puppy nudging but easy for adults to operate.

Available in sizes from 18” (for toy breeds) to 48” (for giant breeds). The 36” and 42” sizes cover most popular breeds.

Best for: General-purpose crate training, growing puppies Features: Divider included, folds flat, leak-proof pan, single or double door Price: $30-$65 depending on size

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Diggs Revol Dog Crate — Best Premium

The Revol costs 3-4x more than a MidWest iCrate, and the build quality justifies it if your budget allows. The diamond-shaped wire mesh is stronger than standard welded wire and eliminates the sharp wire ends that cheap crates leave exposed. A built-in ceiling fan channel allows a crate fan for temperature management.

The garage-style door slides up rather than swinging out, saving floor space. The collapsible design uses one-handed operation — genuinely useful for setup and breakdown. Puppy divider included.

Check our MidWest iCrate vs Diggs Revol comparison for a detailed breakdown of whether the premium price is worth it for your situation.

Best for: Owners wanting a premium, long-lasting crate with safety-focused design Features: Reinforced mesh, slide-up door, one-handed collapse, divider included Price: $150-$350 depending on size

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Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel — Best Plastic/Travel Crate

If you need an airline-approved crate or your puppy prefers a darker, more den-like enclosure, the Vari Kennel is the industry standard. The solid plastic walls create an enclosed environment that some anxious puppies find comforting — less visual stimulation means less stress.

Ventilation comes from side and rear vents plus the wire door. Not as airy as a wire crate, so not ideal for hot climates or dogs that overheat easily. The two-piece design (top and bottom halves bolt together) is easy to clean.

No divider is included or available — you’ll need to buy the size closest to your puppy’s current needs, then upgrade as they grow. This makes plastic crates more expensive over the puppy-to-adult transition than a wire crate with a divider.

Best for: Travel, airline flights, puppies that prefer enclosed spaces Features: Airline-approved, solid walls, easy to clean Price: $40-$100 depending on size

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Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Crate — Best Budget

Frisco’s wire crate copies the MidWest iCrate’s formula at a lower price — divider included, folds flat, leak-proof pan, double doors. The wire gauge is slightly thinner than the MidWest, and the latch mechanism isn’t quite as smooth, but functionally it does the same job.

For puppies that will outgrow the crate within a year (at which point you’re buying an adult-sized upgrade anyway), spending less on the puppy crate makes practical sense.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, first crate for a fast-growing puppy Features: Divider included, folds flat, double doors Price: $25-$50 depending on size

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EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate — Best for Travel (After Training)

Soft-sided crates are NOT for crate training puppies. A determined puppy will chew through the mesh or unzip the doors in minutes. However, once your dog is crate trained and trustworthy, a soft crate is the best travel option — lightweight, collapsible, and comfortable.

The EliteField has three doors (top, front, side), a steel frame for structure, and a washable cover. It weighs about a third of an equivalent wire crate.

Best for: Travel with already crate-trained dogs, NOT for initial crate training Features: Three doors, lightweight, steel frame, washable Price: $30-$50 depending on size

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Quick Comparison

Crate	Type	Divider	Foldable	Best Use	Price
MidWest iCrate	Wire	Yes	Yes	Home training	$30-$65
Diggs Revol	Wire (premium)	Yes	Yes	Premium home use	$150-$350
Petmate Vari Kennel	Plastic	No	No (two-piece)	Travel, airline	$40-$100
Frisco Fold & Carry	Wire	Yes	Yes	Budget training	$25-$50
EliteField Soft	Fabric/mesh	No	Yes	Travel (trained dogs only)	$30-$50

Crate Training Basics

Buying the right crate is step one. Training your puppy to love it is step two. The full process is covered in our complete crate training guide, but here are the essentials:

Day 1-3: Door open. Toss treats inside. Let the puppy explore voluntarily. Feed meals in the crate with the door open.

Day 4-7: Close the door briefly while the puppy eats. Open before they finish. Gradually extend the closed-door time by a few minutes each meal.

Week 2: Close the door with a stuffed Kong inside. Leave the room for short periods (2-5 minutes). Return before the puppy finishes the Kong.

Week 3-4: Extend crate time with the door closed to 30 minutes, then 1 hour, then 2 hours. Always provide enrichment (Kong, safe chew) during crate time.

The goal is that your puppy walks into the crate voluntarily because good things happen there. If you’re forcing the puppy in or they’re panicking, slow down and go back a step.

Crate Accessories Worth Having

• Crate mat or bed — a flat, washable pad that’s comfortable but not so thick a puppy can bunch it up and chew. The MidWest QuietTime fleece pad is the standard.
• Crate cover — a blanket or fitted cover draped over a wire crate creates the den-like darkness some puppies prefer. Helps settle dogs that react to visual stimulation.
• Water bottle attachment — a no-drip bottle that clips to the crate door for extended crate time. Better than a bowl, which spills.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When can I stop using the crate?

Most dogs can be trusted with supervised freedom by 12-18 months, once they’re fully house-trained and past the destructive chewing phase. Start by leaving them loose in one dog-proofed room while you’re away for short periods. If that goes well, gradually expand their access.

Should the crate be in the bedroom?

For the first few weeks, yes. Having the crate in your bedroom at night helps the puppy feel less isolated and lets you hear them if they need to go out. Once the puppy is sleeping through the night consistently, you can move the crate to its permanent location.

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