7 Best Dog Crates (November 2026)

Picking a dog crate is mostly a sizing exercise, and the usual mistake is buying for the dog the puppy will become without a plan for the months in between. A crate that is too big loses the den-like feel many owners want, while one that is too small leaves no room to stand, turn, and lie down. Wire folding crates solve most of that with dividers, and the listings below combine sizes from 24 inches up to 48 inches in single-door and double-door layouts.

This guide is for first-time owners crate training a puppy, families moving a dog between rooms, and owners of large breeds who need a roomy, collapsible kennel. Everything is judged from the listing titles, so confirm exact dimensions, the pan material, and the latch style on the product page. Weight ranges in a title are the maker’s guidance, and fit always depends on your dog’s measurements, so ask a vet if a breed or health question comes up. As of 2026, the double-door wire crate with a divider is still the layout buyers choose most.

Quick Picks

Our top picks

Top pickDUMOS 36 Inch Dog Crate

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Also greatMidwest 36-Inch Single Door iCrate

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Also greatFDW

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Also greatMidwest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate

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Also greatMidwest 42-Inch Single Door iCrate

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Also greatDUMOS 24 Inch Dog Crate

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Also greatMidwest 30-Inch Double Door iCrate

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How to Choose

Measure the dog, then add room

Measure from nose to the base of the tail and add two to four inches for length, then measure standing height at the head or ears and add a few inches. The crate should let the dog stand without ducking, turn around, and stretch out on its side. Weight ranges in titles, such as 21-40 lbs for a 30-inch crate, are a starting guide, but a long-bodied or deep-chested dog may need the next size up.

Use a divider for puppies

A divider panel lets you buy the adult size once and shrink the space while the puppy is small. Without one, a big crate gives a puppy a corner to use as a bathroom. Several of the listings here include dividers, which is the feature most worth paying for in a puppy crate. Set the divider so the puppy has room to stand and turn, and move it back as the dog grows.

Choose door count by room layout

A single door on the short side works for a crate pushed against a wall. A double door, one on the front and one on the side, gives more flexibility for placement beside a bed or sofa. Check where the doors open and confirm that the latches are secure and difficult for a clever dog to nudge open. Folding handles and a collapsible frame help if the crate travels between rooms or in the car.

Check the tray, wire gauge, and where budget crates cut corners

A removable leak-proof pan makes cleanup simple. Heavier gauge wire resists bending, which matters for strong chewers or large dogs that push against the door. Budget crates often save on wire thickness and latch hardware, and large sizes are where thin wire shows. Metal crates are not a substitute for supervision or exercise, and a dog should not be left crated for long stretches. Follow your vet’s guidance on how long a given dog can wait.

The 7 Best Options

DUMOS 24 Inch Crate

This foldable metal wire kennel is 24 inches wide, with a single door and a plastic leak-proof pan tray. It is aimed at puppies and small dogs for indoor and outdoor use and training. The pitch is portability: a crate that folds flat is easy to stash in a closet or carry to a relative’s home when the dog visits.

• The compact size fits a small dog without overwhelming a living room.
• A folding design makes storage and travel easier.
• Trade-off: the title does not list a weight range, so measure the dog before buying.

Skip it if you have a puppy of a larger breed, which will outgrow 24 inches quickly, or if you want a divider-based crate that adjusts over time. Owners who plan to keep the crate in place for years should weigh that against a sturdier brand-name frame.

Midwest 24-Inch iCrate

The Midwest 24-inch iCrate is a single-door folding crate listed for small breeds in the 12-20 lb range. It includes a divider panel, a leak-proof tray, and secure latches, which makes it a practical first crate for a small dog. Small-breed owners often value clear sizing guidance more than extra bells and whistles, and the stated weight band offers that.

• The divider panel lets the space adjust to the dog.
• The title states a clear weight range as a sizing starting point.
• Trade-off: a single door means less flexibility in placement.

Skip it if the dog is near the top of the weight range and still growing, since the next size up may be wiser. Remember that weight alone does not describe a dog, so check body length too.

Midwest 30-Inch Double Door iCrate

The 30-inch double-door model is listed for medium breeds in the 21-40 lb range. Two doors give owners a choice of placement against a wall, a bed, or a sofa, and the divider panel supports puppy training. For a medium-breed puppy, that combination means one purchase can cover the whole growth period instead of two.

• Double doors give more options for where the crate sits.
• The divider panel and leak-proof tray are named in the title.
• Trade-off: it takes more floor space than the single-door 30-inch version.

Skip it if your room cannot accommodate door swing on two sides, or if the dog is above the listed range. Owners with a nervous dog may also prefer a model whose door can face the family room.

DUMOS 36 Inch Crate

The DUMOS 36 inch crate is a foldable double-door wire cage for puppies and small to medium dogs, with a plastic leak-proof pan tray. It stretches a puppy’s useful years because the larger size allows growth. Buyers who want a mid-sized footprint but not a premium price tier will find it an approachable entry in this list.

• Double doors add placement choices.
• The 36 inch size gives a growing puppy extra room.
• Trade-off: the title does not list a divider or weight range, so confirm both on the listing.

Skip it if you want a printed weight guideline or a divider panel confirmed in the title. Because the listing is for puppies and small to medium dogs, an adult at the larger end should be measured carefully first.

Midwest 36-Inch iCrate

A 36-inch single-door crate for medium to large breeds in the 41-70 lb range, it includes a divider panel, leak-proof tray, and secure latches. It covers many medium-to-large adult dogs and also works for large-breed puppies when the divider is in place. Medium-large dogs such as many retriever or shepherd mixes fall in this territory, though the final call depends on the individual animal.

• The listed weight range helps you check sizing.
• A divider panel adapts the space as a puppy grows.
• Trade-off: a single door limits positioning options.

Skip it if you need a side-opening door to work around furniture. It is also not the pick for a household that moves the crate often, since a larger frame is more awkward to carry than the small ones.

Midwest 42-Inch Double Door iCrate

This 42-inch crate is listed for large breeds in the 71-90 lb range, with a divider panel, leak-proof tray, and secure latches. The double-door layout is helpful for placing a large crate beside a bed. Because the 71-90 lb band sits at the upper end of common pet sizes, it matters that the pan and latches are described as leak-proof and secure.

• Double doors offer flexible placement for a large crate.
• The weight range gives a quick sizing reference.
• Trade-off: the footprint is big, so measure the room, including door clearance.

Skip it if the dog is a smaller breed or if the car cannot carry a collapsed 42-inch crate. A single-door 42-inch version also exists in this family. Owners should measure the doorway the crate has to pass through before ordering.

FDW 48″ Foldable Crate

The FDW is a 48-inch foldable metal crate described as heavy duty for XL dogs, with a double door, divider, and leak-proof tray, in dark black. It is the largest size here and targets owners of giant breeds. Many owners of very large dogs struggle to find a crate that is tall enough, so a 48-inch length is the main draw.

• The 48-inch size gives extra-large dogs room to stretch.
• Heavy-duty construction is the title’s headline feature.
• Trade-off: a crate this big takes real floor space, and the title lists no weight range.

Skip it if your dog is medium-sized, since an oversized crate defeats the snug feel many dogs like. Also skip it if storage space is tight, because even folded flat it is a large piece.

Which One Fits Your Situation

You are crate training a lab puppy

Pick the Midwest 42-Inch Double Door iCrate or the Midwest 36-Inch iCrate and use the divider panel to shrink the space, then move it back as the dog grows.

You have a small dog in a studio apartment

The Midwest 24-Inch iCrate keeps a compact footprint, and the DUMOS 24 Inch Crate is an alternative when you do not need a divider.

You want side-door flexibility for a medium dog

The Midwest 30-Inch Double Door iCrate gives two entry points, and the DUMOS 36 Inch Crate offers a roomier double-door option for a growing dog.

You share a home with a giant breed

The FDW 48″ Foldable Crate is the largest option and the one built around XL dogs.

Common Mistakes

• Buying only for the dog’s adult size without a divider for a puppy.
• Skipping the nose-to-tail measurement and relying only on a breed label.
• Putting the crate in an isolated room instead of near family activity.
• Using the crate as punishment, which can make a dog dislike its own space.
• Leaving a dog crated for hours beyond what a vet recommends for its age.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What crate size fits a given dog?

Measure nose to tail base and standing height, then add a few inches to each. The weight ranges in titles, such as 21-40 lbs for a 30-inch crate, are only a starting guide.

Are double-door crates better?

They are more flexible for placement because you can open from the front or the side. If the crate sits against a wall, a single door is often enough.

Do folding crates hold up to strong dogs?

Wire gauge and latch quality matter more than the folding feature. Check the listing for details, and read about the latch design before trusting it with an escape artist.

How long can a dog stay in a crate?

That depends on age, health, and temperament, so ask a vet. Puppies need frequent breaks, and no crate replaces exercise and company.