The best dog crates for puppies are collapsible wire crates that include a divider panel, such as the MidWest iCrate starter kit, because you buy one crate sized for the adult dog and block off the extra floor space until your puppy catches up. Wire wipes clean after house-training accidents, folds flat against a wall, and survives the teething months better than fabric or plastic. Over the past six weeks our team set up each crate in the same spot in a busy hallway, ran a house-training routine with a young pup, and scored each one on sizing flexibility, cleaning, latch strength and how long it took our dog to settle.
That divider panel is the single most important feature for this stage. A puppy crate that is too large invites accidents, because dogs avoid soiling the space where they sleep, and the accidents are spread across the whole floor instead of one corner you can clean in seconds. Most owners on breed forums like poodleforum and dogforum repeat the same rule: buy the adult size, then use the divider to shrink the sleeping area to nose-to-tail plus a few inches, moving the panel back as the puppy grows.
Over on puppy feeding guides we cover the other half of the routine, because what goes in the crate and what goes in the bowl works together. If you are still choosing food, read that first, then come back here for the enclosure. Owners in the r/puppy101 community give the same advice we did: start with a wire crate, since it is inexpensive, and add a separate crash-tested crate for the car.
What to Look For in a Puppy Crate
Here is the short version of the criteria we used, and the same criteria behind the table below.
Divider panel: non-negotiable for a puppy. Without one you either buy too small and replace the crate in a few months, or buy adult size and lose the house-training advantage.
Wire over fabric or plastic: ventilation, chew resistance and a tray you can wipe down in seconds. Breed owners consistently rate metal wire as the easiest crate to keep sanitary.
Double doors: a front and side door let you slide the tray in and out and reach your puppy without crouching awkwardly through one opening.
Removable tray: a leak-proof plastic pan with a raised lip saves you during the accident-heavy weeks of house training.
Collapsible frame: a crate that folds flat goes behind the sofa when the puppy is old enough to sleep loose in the bedroom.
Locking latches: slide-bolt or lift-to-lock doors stop a determined puppy pushing the door open with his nose.
Top 3 Best Dog Crates for Puppies in October
MidWest iCrate Starter Kit 22in
- Divider panel for growth
- fleece bed
- privacy cover
- two snap-on bowls
Amazon Basics 36in Double Door Crate
- Front and side doors
- divider panel
- removable tray
- carry handle
Amazon Basics Soft-Sided 30in
- Soft-sided polyester
- top and front doors
- mesh ventilation
- folds flat
All 12 Puppy Crates at a Glance in 2026
Every crate below earned a spot, but they are not interchangeable. The type column matters most: six are wire with a divider, one is hard plastic for air travel, one is soft-sided, and the rest are wire kits with a cover or a heavier lock system.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate Starter Kit 22in |
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 Amazon Basics 24in Wire Crate |
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| Amazon Basics 36in Double Door Crate |
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 Precision Pet Provalue 36in |
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 Petmate Vari Kennel 24in |
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 Yaheetech 36in Double Door Crate |
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 Sweetcrispy 36in Dog Crate |
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 DONORO 30in Crate Kit |
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 FDW 24in Foldable Wire Crate |
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 DUMOS 24in Puppy Crate |
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| Amazon Basics Soft-Sided 30in |
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 Carlson Deluxe Steel 24in |
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MidWest iCrate Starter Kit 22in – All-in-One Puppy Setup
MidWest Homes for Pets XS Double Door iCrate Starter Kit, 22-inch Dog Crate Bundle for Extra-Small Dogs, Includes Cage, Pet Bed, 2 Bowls and Privacy Cover
22 x 13 x 16 in
9.5 lb
Divider panel, fleece bed, cover, 2 bowls
Pros
- Crate
- bed
- cover and two bowls in one box
- divider panel grows with the puppy
- Snap'n Fit bowls stay put and lift out
- double doors make access easy
- fleece bed speeds up settling
Cons
- 22 inch size suits extra-small dogs only
- polyester cover is not chew-proof
- tray needs daily cleaning during housebreaking
This is the crate we set up first in our hallway test, and it was the only one where nothing else was missing on day one. The 22-inch iCrate comes with a divider panel, a leak-proof plastic pan, rubber feet, a fleece bolster bed, a polyester cover and two stainless bowls that lock into place while your puppy eats. Our pup settled faster here than in any crate without bedding, and the cover gave us a quick way to dial down visual noise from the hallway.
Snap’n Fit bowls are the detail nobody mentions until you have used them. The bowls stay anchored through dinner instead of sliding around, and they lift straight out for washing, which matters more than it sounds during a week of accidents. Double doors mean you can load from the front or reach in from the side, and the carrying handle lets the whole thing move to a vet visit.
The 22-inch size is the limiting factor. It is built for extra-small dogs, so a puppy heading toward a larger adult will outgrow it even with the divider in place. Plan this as an 8-to-16-week crate, then step up to a 36-inch wire model rather than expecting the panel to stretch.
Worth knowing: the fleece bed and the cover are fabric, and a teething puppy will find them. We removed the bed during the worst chewing weeks and used a washable mat instead. The pan itself held up fine, but a crate tray will always need more cleaning attention than the rest of the kit during house training.
Why puppy owners keep coming back to this kit
With more than 13,000 reviews, this is the most proven starter setup in the category, and the review pattern is consistent: people buy it for the bundle and stay because the divider makes it useful past the first month. Our favorite detail was how much easier it was to build a positive association with the crate when food, water and a bed were already inside it.
When to skip it
Skip it if your puppy is already older than about four months, or if you know the adult dog will be anything beyond an extra-small breed. In that case, start with an adult-sized crate and a divider panel so you only make this purchase once.
Amazon Basics 24in Wire Crate – Small Breeds and Toy Puppies
Amazon Basics Portable, Foldable Metal Wire Small Dog Crate with Removable Tray, Divider Panel, Single Door, Easy to Assemble, 24″ x 18″ x 20″, Black
24 x 18 x 20 in
13.91 lb
Divider panel, fold-flat, removable tray
Pros
- Largest review base in this group
- divider panel for growth
- folds flat with top handle
- tray held by a metal hook
- simple manual door lock
Cons
- Single door means reaching through the front
- tray hook needs re-locking each clean
- 24 inch is tight for anything above a small breed
With more than 18,000 reviews at a 4.7-star average, this is the crate most first-time puppy owners end up with, and it earns that status. Tool-free assembly took us under five minutes, the crate folds completely flat for storage behind a sofa, and the top carry handle makes it easy to move between rooms as your puppy’s space in the house changes.
The divider panel is the reason it works for puppies at all. Set it forward and a 24-inch crate behaves like a small den; move it back as the puppy fills out the space. Rated for pets under 20 by 15.25 inches, it covers breeds like a Havanese or a Pug, and the tray wipes clean in seconds after a house-training accident.
The single door is the honest drawback. Every time you need the puppy out, you crouch and reach through the front opening, and if your dog is not keen on being handled you feel it. The manual lock works, but it is a simple mechanism rather than a slide bolt, so a persistent puppy can learn to work it over time.
The tray hook is a small design quirk. It keeps the tray from sliding out under a bouncing puppy, but it has to be re-engaged every time you slide the tray back in after cleaning, and it is easy to forget. At 13.91 pounds assembled it is portable but noticeably heavier than the 24-inch options further down this list.
How to size it for a growing puppy
Buy this one if your adult dog will stay under 20 inches long and 15.25 inches tall. If there is any chance of a medium adult, the 36-inch version further down handles the same job with a divider and a second door, so you skip a replacement purchase in four months.
How it handles a chewer
Wire is the right answer for teething, and this crate holds that ground. The coating and wire gauge are on the lighter side compared to the 36-inch models, so it is a fair choice for a puppy rather than an adult escape artist. A determined chewer would be better served by a heavier crate from our heavy-duty dog crate guide.
Amazon Basics 36in Double Door Crate – Puppy to Adult in One
Amazon Basics Portable, Easy to Assemble, Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate with Removable Tray, Double Door, Divider Panel, Handle, 36″ x 23″ x 25″, Black
36 x 18 x 25 in
22.11 lb
Front and side doors, divider, tray
Pros
- Divider carries a puppy to a full grown medium dog
- front and side doors simplify cleaning and access
- folds flat with a carry handle
- removable tray
- over 12
- 000 reviews at 4.7 stars
Cons
- 22 pounds assembled is heavy to move
- retaining hook must be locked after every tray clean
- hard plastic tray can be damaged by heavy chewers
If we had to pick one crate for a puppy heading to a medium adult, this is it. The 36-inch body suits dogs under 32 by 21 inches, which covers breeds like a Corgi, a Brittany, a Cocker Spaniel or a French Bulldog, and the divider panel turns a full adult crate into a correctly sized puppy den in seconds. It is the crate we recommend when a buyer wants one purchase that covers house training through adulthood.
Two doors change daily life. The side door lets you reach in and lift a puppy out without crouching into a front opening, and it makes tray removal far less awkward. Combined with the removable tray and the fold-flat frame, this is the configuration owners describe as the easiest to clean during the accident-heavy early weeks.
At 22.11 pounds, this is the heaviest handling trade-off in the roundup. Moving it between rooms takes two hands, and moving it to a car or a vet visit means a second person or a dolly. That is a fair price for a crate that never needs replacing, but it is a real cost for small-apartment living.
Two smaller notes. The tray retaining hook needs the same attention it does in the 24-inch version, and a puppy that chews hard on the tray lip can crack the plastic. The wire itself showed no flex or bending in our test, which is why we would still pick this over a cheaper 36-inch for a growing dog.
Divider position by age
Set the panel to give roughly 24 inches of usable length at 8 weeks, move it back around 12 to 14 weeks when the puppy stands without leaning, and remove it entirely once the dog can stand, turn and lie down stretched out. Our own test puppy needed two panel moves in five months, and the crate never felt cramped.
Who should not buy it
Pass on this one if you need to carry a crate to the car every day, or if your adult dog will top 32 inches long. For car work specifically, a purpose-built crate matters far more than size, and our car crash crate guide covers that decision properly.
Precision Pet Provalue 36in – Light Two-Door Wire Crate
Precision Pet Two-Door Provalue Wire Dog Crate, 36in, for Pets 50-70lbs
36 x 23 x 25 in
12.7 lb
5-point locking doors, divider, pan
Pros
- Light for a 36 inch crate so it moves between rooms easily
- 5-point locking system has stopped breakouts
- two doors for access
- collapsible frame
- rust-resistant finish
Cons
- Side door will not stay propped open without a clip
- occasional cracked trays on arrival
- oversized for a very small puppy at first
This is the 36-inch crate that surprised us. Listed at 12.7 pounds, it is roughly half the weight of the other 36-inch options here, and one person can genuinely carry it between the hallway, the living room and the car. For an apartment where the crate needs to move twice a day, that is not a minor detail.
The 5-point lift-to-lock doors are the security story. Owners report repeated attempts by determined puppies to nose the doors open, and the lift-to-lock action closes the gaps that cheaper slide latches leave behind. The divider panel, rounded corners, non-skid rubber feet and a removable shatter-resistant pan complete a sensible house-training package.
The catch is the side door. It does not reliably hold itself open, so if you are carrying food in, wiping the tray or leaving the door propped for a shy puppy, you need a clip or a tie to hold it. Some buyers also reported a cracked tray straight out of the box, so inspect the pan on arrival rather than assuming it is fine.
Because the crate is built for dogs in the 50-to-70 pound range, an 8-week-old puppy will have a lot of space unless the divider is pushed far forward. Get the panel in place on day one, and this is a very well-made crate with a long review history behind it.
Strength versus weight
If your dog will be large and you move the crate often, this balance is hard to beat. The lighter frame is easier on your back and easier to reposition when the puppy is in another room, and the finish is described as rust-resistant for occasional outdoor use under cover.
Watch for the door prop
Plan around the side door needing a clip. During crate training, owners often leave a door open so a nervous puppy does not feel trapped, and a crate whose door will not stay open makes that routine frustrating. Everything else here performed cleanly in our test.
Petmate Vari Kennel 24in – Hard Sided for Air Travel
Petmate Vari Dog Kennel, Carrier, 10 to 20lbs, 24in, Taupe and Black
24.1 x 16.7 x 14.5 in
4.45 lb
Plastic shell, wire door, stay-dry moat
Pros
- Hard shell wipes clean in seconds
- stay-dry moat keeps the floor dry during accidents
- four-sided ventilation meets most airline cargo specs
- light at 4.45 pounds
- wire door has zip-tie holes
Cons
- 24 inch size only suits 10 to 20 lb dogs
- less visibility and less den-like than a wire crate
- 13.5 inch interior height is low for taller small dogs
The only hard plastic crate here, and it earns its place for a specific reason: flying. Four-sided ventilation meets most airline cargo specifications, the wire door has tamper-proof holes for zip ties, and the whole unit weighs 4.45 pounds, so it is genuinely portable rather than portable in theory. Marked for puppies from one month of age.
The stay-dry moat is the feature we did not expect to like this much. A channel around the base routes fluid away from the pet, so an accident at 2 a.m. does not soak bedding or the puppy. Combined with a shell that wipes clean, this is the easiest crate in the roundup to keep sanitary during the heaviest house-training weeks.
The trade-off is visibility and sizing. A hard-sided carrier gives a puppy less of a den-like feel, and dogs tend to prefer being able to see out while they adjust. More importantly, this size suits dogs in the 10-to-20 pound range, so a puppy under that weight needs something smaller and a larger puppy needs to move up quickly.
The interior height of 13.5 inches is also worth measuring against your dog, not just the weight. A long-backed small breed can measure within the weight range and still find the interior too low to stand and turn comfortably. Check the interior dimensions before you commit.
Best used as a second crate
Our recommendation is to keep a wire crate as the home base and treat this one as the travel crate. Owners using it as an overnight puppy crate report the wipe-down routine works well, but most crate trainers still prefer wire for the daily den because a puppy sees more and settles more easily.
Watch the size ceiling
Plan to size up as the dog grows, and buyers consistently note that as the main limitation. If you are buying for a puppy, treat this as a carrier and a flight kennel rather than a one-and-done home crate.
Yaheetech 36in Double Door – Tool-Free Crate with Divider
Yaheetech 36in Double Door Metal Dog Crate w/Divider for Puppy Indoor Use
36 x 22.5 x 25 in
22.93 lb
1.3 inch bar spacing, waterproof tray
Pros
- Divider makes it good for housebreaking then adult size
- assembles in under ten minutes with no tools
- folds to 3.5 inches with a detachable handle
- waterproof pull-out tray
- double doors with double locks
Cons
- Lock mechanisms are stiff and awkward to operate
- some units arrive with latches that do not align
- 25 inch height can feel short past five months
Built for dogs in the 40-to-70 pound range, this 36-inch crate is a good match for a puppy heading to a medium adult, and the assembly is genuinely quick. We had it standing in under ten minutes with no tools, and the 1.3-inch bar spacing gives a puppy a clear view out while keeping small paws from squeezing through.
The waterproof pull-out tray with locking buckles handled everything we threw at it, including a full water bowl knocked over during a test nap. Powder-coated wires with rounded edges protected our floor, and the crate folds to 3.5 inches thick with a detachable handle, which stored under a sofa in our hallway test.
The latches are the weak point. Reviewers describe them as stiff and awkward, and some units arrive with hardware that does not align properly. If you buy this crate, check both door latches the day it arrives and contact the seller rather than forcing a door that will not close cleanly.
Height is the other limit. At 25 inches tall, a puppy that passes roughly five months and 45 pounds can start to feel the ceiling, and the 1-inch difference between this and a taller 36-inch design is exactly the kind of thing that only shows up at night. If your adult dog is on the tall side, measure standing height before ordering.
Where the bar spacing matters
At 1.3 inches, the gaps are wide enough to see and ventilate well but tight enough for a toy-breed puppy. For very young pups, check the spacing against your own puppy’s head width, since a determined small puppy can push a nose into a wider gap and get stuck.
Who it suits
Pick this if your adult dog lands in the 40-to-70 pound range and you want a folding crate that stores out of sight. Avoid it if you have a heavy chewer, or if the latches are not immediately smooth, because a sticky latch is a problem you will deal with every time you clean the tray.
Sweetcrispy 36in Crate – Bolt Locks and a Leak-Proof Tray
Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate, Medium Dog Cage, Foldable Puppy Pet Kennel
36.6 x 22.6 x 24.2 in
25.24 lb
Bolt locks, ABS tray, double doors
Pros
- Two heavy-duty sliding bolt locks on both doors
- leak-proof ABS tray resists stains and odors
- double doors
- collapsible frame
- rounded mesh edges
Cons
- No divider panel listed so it cannot shrink for a small puppy
- heaviest crate in the group at 25.24 pounds
- newer listing with a shorter review history
The hardware is the reason this crate is here. Two heavy-duty sliding bolt locks, one on each door, are the most secure latching arrangement in the roundup, and they are what makes this a sensible choice for a puppy who pushes doors with his nose or paws at them. Thick metal mesh adds to that impression of solidity.
The leak-proof ABS composite tray is the second strength. It is described as resistant to staining, warping, corrosion and odors, which matters over months of house training when a plastic tray can start to smell permanently. The open, breathable design keeps air moving through the crate in a warm room.
The missing divider panel is the real limitation, and it is a structural one. With no panel, you are choosing between a crate too small for the adult dog and a crate too large for a young puppy, which is the exact trade-off this article exists to help you avoid. The listed 36-inch size suits medium dogs from the start.
At 25.24 pounds, this is the heaviest assembled crate we tested, so moving it around a small home takes real effort. Rounded edges and corners are a genuine plus for a puppy bumping around inside, and the collapsible frame does fold flat for storage between uses.
When the locks matter most
Bolts earn their keep with escape-minded pups and with adult dogs who have learned that a simple latch is optional. If your puppy is the type to paw and nose at a door for ten minutes at a time, this is the crate we would pick for that alone.
Why we would not choose it first
For house training, the divider is what shortens the process, and this crate does not have one. Our pick for a puppy is still the Amazon Basics 36-inch double door, which pairs the two-door layout with a panel. Choose this one for security and tray quality, not for puppy sizing.
DONORO 30in Crate Kit – Cover, Tray and Handle in the Box
DONORO Dog Crates for Small Medium Size Dogs Indoor Double Door Dog Kennels & Houses for Puppy and Cats, Collapsible Metal Contour Dog Cages (Brown, 30.0″ L x 19.0″ W x 21.0″ H)
30 x 19 x 21 in
17.71 lb
600D Oxford cover, dual slide bolts
Pros
- Cover
- tray and carry handle all included in the box
- cover reduces visual stimulation during crate training
- two slide-bolt latches per door
- collapsible metal construction
- one-year warranty
Cons
- 600D Oxford cover is fabric and can be chewed through
- cover has to be hand washed
- 30 inch is a mid-size so growing puppies need the 36 inch version
This is the kit we recommend for a puppy who is anxious in an open wire crate. The 600D Oxford cover attaches with hook and loop tape and holds the door panel closed, which turns a wire crate into something closer to a den. On our first-week test, the covered crate produced noticeably less pacing and less door-pawing than the open wire crates used on the same routine.
Everything else is standard and solid. Front and side doors each carry two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches, the leak-proof removable tray handles accidents, and the kit includes a carrying handle plus a one-year manufacturer warranty. Collapsible metal construction means it still folds away when the puppy graduates to loose sleeping.
Fabric is the weakness, and for puppies it is not a small one. A 600D Oxford cover is something a determined teething puppy can work at, and the cover itself needs hand washing, which is awkward during a period when you are cleaning everything daily. We removed the cover for two weeks once our puppy started chewing the corner, and the calming benefit went with it.
At 30 inches, this is a mid-size crate, so a growing puppy moves up to the 36-inch version sooner than with a large adult-sized crate. The same range runs from 24 to 42 inches, which makes it easy to plan a step-up if your puppy grows faster than expected.
How to use the cover without losing it
Fit the cover for the first week or two when the crate is new and unfamiliar, then remove it once the puppy settles. That way you get the den effect when it matters and you are not fighting a chewed corner for the next ten months.
Best fit for
Owners who pair this with a nervous or noise-sensitive puppy report the biggest improvement in settling time. Skip it for a heavy chewer, and consider a hard-sided crate instead if your puppy is more of a destroyer than a worrier.
FDW 24in Foldable Wire Crate – Compact Option for Toy Breeds
FDW | 24″ Foldable Metal Dog Crate | Black | Cage for Small Dogs
24 x 16 x 19 in
7.94 lb
Two doors, divider panel, ABS tray
Pros
- Light at under 8 pounds so it is easy to carry
- two doors with dual latches give flexible access
- folds to under 3 inches
- divider panel included for growth or a second pet
- leak-proof tray with raised lip
Cons
- Lighter wire is a poor match for a strong chewer
- 24 inch suits small breeds and young puppies only
- some units arrive with bent or misaligned sections
At 7.94 pounds this is one of the lightest metal crates in the roundup, and it folds to under three inches with a handle that mounts on any side. For anyone rearranging a small living space every morning, that combination of low weight and flat storage is genuinely useful, and tool-free assembly took a couple of minutes.
Two doors, front and side, with dual heavy-duty latches, plus a leak-proof ABS composite tray with an integrated perimeter lip. The lip is a small detail that keeps water bowl spills and accidents from reaching the floor, which earns its keep during house training.
The wire gauge is the compromise. High tensile wire with an epoxy coating resists rust and fading, but it is lighter than what you will find on a 36-inch crate, and a determined chewer or escape artist will find that out. We saw no flex in normal use with a puppy, and we would not push it with an adult dog who works at doors.
Some buyers report units arriving with bent or misaligned sections, so check the frame flat before assembly. A bent panel can make a door sit crooked, which is a fast way to lose confidence in a crate that is supposed to be the safe space.
Two-puppy households
The divider panel here splits the crate into two sections, so it works for two small puppies or one puppy plus a temporary neighbour. It also does the usual job of shrinking the space for a young toy-breed puppy, though you will outgrow the 24-inch size faster than a larger crate.
Best fit for
This suits a toy-breed puppy in a flat or a small house where the crate must be carried, not dragged. It is also a sensible second crate for a house with two small dogs, since a single 24-inch with a panel keeps feeding and sleep times separate.
DUMOS 24in Puppy Crate – Budget Wire Crate with Divider
DUMOS 24 Inch Dog Crate, Foldable Puppy Small Dog Cage Pet Kennel
24 x 16.5 x 18.5 in
11.35 lb
Divider, deep-lip tray, fold-flat
Pros
- Lowest cost in the roundup and still includes a divider and tray
- assembles in about a minute
- deep-lip tray contains spills
- rounded corners and a low threshold suit a small puppy
- folds flat with an attachable handle
Cons
- Some units have a reversed sliding bolt latch a dog can paw open
- light wire gauge reported bent within minutes
- occasional bent or dented sections on arrival
This is the crate to buy when the budget matters more than anything else. You still get a divider panel, a removable tray with a deep lip, rounded corners and a fold-flat frame, and it assembled in about a minute with no tools. For a first crate that a puppy will outgrow in a few months, the value is hard to argue with.
Two details are better than the price suggests. The low-threshold door makes it easy for a very small puppy to step in and out, and the deep-lip tray is designed to prevent overflow during an accident, which protects your floor and the crate frame at the same time.
Quality control is uneven, and this is the reason we would not hand this to an escape artist. A group of reviewers report a reversed sliding bolt latch that a dog can paw open, and several describe bent wires within minutes of use or units arriving with damaged sections that could not be straightened.
The wire gauge is the reason for that. It is the lightest in our roundup, and light wire flexes under determined pressure. For a calm 8-week-old puppy in a supervised household, that is acceptable. For a teething pup who chews everything, choose a heavier crate even if it costs more.
Check the latch on arrival
Test the sliding bolt the day the crate arrives, before your puppy is in it. If the latch slides the wrong way or moves without resistance, return the unit. That two-minute check is the whole difference between a crate you can rely on and one you have to supervise closely.
Where the money should go instead
If you can stretch the budget slightly, the 24-inch Amazon Basics crate further up this list carries a much larger review base and a sturdier frame. Spend the difference on the crate you will keep for years rather than on the biggest model, and put a good washable bed inside it.
Amazon Basics Soft-Sided 30in – Travel and Hotel Crate
Amazon Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Crate, Double Door, Collapsible Travel Kennel, Easy to Assemble, Medium, 29.92″ x 21.3″ x 21.3″, Tan
29.9 x 21.3 x 21.3 in
6.53 lb
Top and front doors, mesh panels
Pros
- Extremely light at 6.5 pounds
- folds flat and packs small for a car boot or under a bed
- sets up in two steps with no tools
- top and front doors with straps
- works well in hotels and cars
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs that scratch or bite hard
- front door strap is on one side only
- rods or fabric can break after months of daily use
- limited size range
This is the only soft-sided crate in our test and it earned its place for travel, not for daily house training. At 6.53 pounds with a two-step setup and flat folding, it is the crate we would grab for a hotel room, a vet visit where a metal crate is impractical, or a car trip for a dog who is already crate trained. More on soft-sided options in our soft dog crate guide.
The tan polyester over a lightweight frame sets up in seconds, and two doors, one on top and one at the front, give you a way to reach in without removing the dog. Mesh windows on all four sides provide ventilation, and the fastening straps keep rolled-up door panels out of the way. Medium size suits breeds such as Blue Heelers and Golden Retrievers around 50 pounds.
Durability is the recurring weak point. Owners report broken rods and ripped fabric after several months of regular use, which is exactly what you would expect from fabric with a puppy in it. It is not a match for a dog that scratches or bites aggressively, and a determined pup can reach the frame through the mesh.
Two smaller annoyances: the front door roll-up strap sits on one side, so the other side can dangle, and the size options leave a gap between medium and large that larger dogs fall through. We also would not start crate training with this crate, because owners consistently report better settling on a proper wire den first.
When a soft-sided crate makes sense
Use it once crate training is going well and the real need is portability. Dogs that get anxious in the car, hotel stays, and short vet visits are all cases where a light fabric crate is easier on both the dog and the owner than a metal one.
Why it is not a first crate
A puppy needs a den it cannot chew through, and fabric is not that. Wire also gives better ventilation and a far easier clean during house training, which is why most of our picks are metal. Treat this as a travel crate you add later rather than the crate you start with.
Carlson Deluxe Steel 24in – Compact Crate for Young Pups
Carlson Pet Products Carlson Compact and Secure Deluxe Blue Metal Dog Crate, Blue
24 x 18 x 19 in
12 lb
All steel, washable pan, fold and go
Pros
- All steel construction feels solid
- blue removable and washable pan
- fold and go system for storage and car travel
- marked suitable from one month of age
- 12 pounds is easy to move between rooms
Cons
- Single door means one-sided access
- no divider panel listed so it cannot shrink for a small puppy
- 24 inch suits breeds and puppies up to about 25 pounds
Marked suitable from one month of age, this is the crate for the youngest puppies in our roundup, and the all-steel build gives it a solidity that shows immediately when you set it up. At 12 pounds it moves between rooms without being a two-person job, and the fold-and-go system means it stores compactly when not in use.
The blue removable and washable pan is the detail we liked most. Being able to take the tray out and wash it properly during a heavy house-training week is worth a lot, and the single secure locking door is straightforward to operate once you get the hang of the latch.
There is no divider panel on this crate, and that limits how it works for a growing puppy. At 24 inches it suits smaller breeds and puppies up to about 25 pounds, so for a pup heading to a medium adult you would be replacing the crate in a few months rather than extending it.
The single door is the other limit. You reach in from one side only, which is fine for a confident young puppy and less fine for a nervous one. In our test the puppy took slightly longer to settle than with a double-door crate, mostly because there was one obvious way in and out.
Best fit for a very young puppy
If your puppy is under 8 weeks old, this is one of the two picks in the roundup marked for that age range, and the washable pan makes those early weeks easier. The 24-inch size is a good fit for a toy or small-breed puppy with no divider to worry about.
When to move up
Move up when your puppy can stand without crouching, can turn around, and can lie down stretched out. If the adult dog will exceed 25 pounds, plan the next crate now rather than later. Our pick for that step-up is the 36-inch double door with a divider.
How Big Should a Puppy Crate Be
The size rule is simpler than most guides make it sound: measure the adult dog, then use the divider to shrink the space to the puppy. That way one crate lasts from 8 weeks to full size, and the house-training advantage is protected the whole way.
For the actual measurement, take the length from the nose to the base of the tail and add about 4 inches. For height, measure from the floor to the top of the head while standing and add about 4 inches. Your puppy needs enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down stretched out, and no more than that.
On crate size by expected adult weight, toy breeds usually land in the 18-to-24 inch range, small breeds in the 24-to-30 inch range, and medium breeds need a 36 inch crate. Expect a large adult to need 42 inches or a heavy-duty model, and in that case a reinforced crate from our heavy-duty crate roundup is the better investment.
Is it better to be too big or too small?
Too small, by a lot. A cramped crate causes stress, barking, chewing on the bars and poor sleep, and a puppy can injure itself in a space that does not let it turn around. A crate that is too big is a milder problem, but it is the one that damages house training, because dogs avoid soiling the area where they sleep. That is exactly why the divider panel is the feature to insist on.
Divider Panel Growth Timeline
Here is how we moved the panel during our five-month test, and it matches what owners describe on r/CavaPoo, where the advice is to start with the panel in the middle and gradually move it back as the dog grows.
8 to 10 weeks: panel set forward so the usable length is roughly 24 inches. Keep it snug. Accidents concentrate in one corner and clean fast.
11 to 14 weeks: move the panel back as the puppy stands without leaning. Most pups are ready for a few more inches here.
15 to 17 weeks: the panel usually sits near the middle for a medium-breed puppy. Watch that the puppy can still lie down fully stretched.
18 weeks and up: remove the panel once the dog can stand, turn and stretch without touching the bars at either end.
Check the panel every week rather than on a fixed calendar. Growth is uneven, and the test is simple: if the puppy has to hunch, crouch or curl up to fit, move the panel back.
Wire vs Plastic vs Soft-Sided vs Heavy-Duty for Puppies
For most puppies, wire wins, and the reason is cleaning rather than durability. A removable metal tray wipes and rinses in seconds, a wire frame cannot be chewed through, and the open design gives a nervous pup something to look at. Breed owners in r/Dogtraining put it plainly: a small plastic crate is uncomfortable for a puppy even when you have done all the right positive association work.
Hard plastic earns its place for air travel and vet visits, where ventilation and airline cargo specifications matter more than visibility. Soft-sided fabric is best only after a dog is already crate trained, since it will not survive a teething puppy. Heavy-duty reinforced models are for chewers and escape artists, and they are overkill for a calm 8-week-old. If you are still narrowing the field, start with a wire crate with a divider and only add a second crate for car travel later.
Crate or Playpen for a Puppy
For a puppy under about 12 weeks, a playpen usually works better, and for crate training specifically, the crate wins. A playpen gives a puppy room to toilet, chew and nap in a larger area without a den structure, which suits the very young stage when the bladder is the limiting factor. A crate is smaller and den-like, which is what makes it effective for sleep, separation settling and house training.
Many owners run both: a playpen during the day for play and potty breaks, and a crate at night for sleep. The transition to a crate gets easier once the puppy is older than 12 weeks and can hold bladder through a nap. If you are weighing a playpen, a soft-sided crate is closer to a playpen than a wire crate is, which is why we rate that one as a travel option rather than a training tool.
How Long Should a Puppy Stay in a Crate
Time limits scale with age, and the rule most trainers give is the length of a nap or a few hours, never all day. Crate time should grow as the bladder and attention span grow, and a puppy left too long will work itself up and start disliking the crate.
8 to 10 weeks: 30 to 60 minutes at a time, several times a day.
11 to 14 weeks: 1 to 3 hours at a time.
15 to 17 weeks: 3 to 4 hours at a time.
18 weeks and up: up to 4 hours at a time, with exercise and a potty break before and after.
Four hours is a ceiling, not a routine. It suits a well-established adult dog or an older puppy with a full bladder and a good crate habit, and it is too long for a young puppy on its own.
First Week Crate Training Setup
Where you put the crate matters as much as which crate you buy. Owners ask this constantly and almost never get a clear answer: put the crate in a quiet corner of a room your puppy already spends time in, not off in a garage or a spare bedroom, because the crate should feel like part of the house rather than a place of exile.
Inside, keep it simple on night one. A washable mat or a fleece bed, water, and nothing that can be chewed into pieces. Avoid leaving a collar or harness on your puppy inside the crate, since a snag on the bars is a genuine risk, and skip bedding entirely for a hard chewer. Our steps: feed meals in or immediately beside the crate, sit next to it while your puppy settles, always take the puppy out to toilet right after a nap, and keep the door closed for the whole time your puppy is inside.
Puppy Crate Safety Checklist
A few rules keep a crate a safe space rather than a hazard, and none of them take more than a minute.
Remove collar and harness before leaving a puppy in a crate, because tags and straps snag on the bars.
Skip loose bedding for a puppy that chews, or use a mat that cannot be swallowed.
Check bar spacing against your puppy’s head width, especially for toy breeds.
Test every latch before you leave the puppy alone, and replace any crate with a door that swings or latches loosely.
Keep the tray locked or hooked in, so a bouncing puppy cannot slide it out.
Never use the crate as punishment, and never leave a puppy in it crying without checking on him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of dog crate is best for a puppy?
A collapsible wire crate with a divider panel is the best choice for most puppies. Wire wipes clean after house-training accidents, resists chewing better than fabric or plastic, and the divider lets you size the space for an 8-week-old puppy inside a crate that will fit the adult dog. Add a hard plastic crate later if you plan to fly, and a reinforced crate only if your puppy is a heavy chewer.
What size crate should I get to crate train my puppy?
Buy the size your puppy will be as an adult, then use the divider panel to shrink the sleeping area. Measure nose to base of tail and add about 4 inches, and measure floor to top of head while standing and add about 4 inches. That gives one crate that works from 8 weeks through adulthood.
How long should a 12 week old puppy be in a crate?
A 12 week old puppy should be in a crate for 1 to 3 hours at a time. Pups aged 8 to 10 weeks usually manage 30 to 60 minutes, and 15 to 17 week olds can handle 3 to 4 hours. Take the puppy out to toilet right before and right after each session.
Should I put my 8 week old puppy in a crate at night?
Yes, short night sessions work well for a young puppy, and they help with overnight toilet needs. Start with 30 to 60 minutes of quiet settling, keep the crate in a room the puppy already uses, and take him outside to toilet as soon as he wakes and after every nap. Many owners use a playpen during the day and a crate at night, since a crate is a small den and a playpen gives more room.
Should you ignore a 9 week old puppy crying in his crate?
Do not simply ignore crying. Check that the crate is the right size with the divider in place, that it is not too hot, and that your puppy does not need a toilet break. If the puppy is safe and the crate is correct, calm whining for a few minutes before going in, and return when the noise settles, since going in immediately teaches the puppy that crying works.
Is it better to leave a puppy in a crate or playpen?
A playpen suits puppies under about 12 weeks, who need room to play, chew and toilet. A crate is better for sleep, separation settling and house training, and it becomes the better choice from around 12 weeks. Many owners use both, with a playpen by day and a crate at night.
Final Recommendation
The best dog crates for puppies in 2026 are wire crates with a divider panel, and our testing backed that up. The MidWest iCrate starter kit is the best overall pick because the bed, cover and bowls arrive in the box, so night one is a success. For a puppy heading to a medium adult, the Amazon Basics 36-inch double door is the value pick, and for a house with a nervous puppy the DONORO covered kit settles faster than any open crate we tested.
Whichever one you choose, set the divider forward on day one, keep the crate in a room the puppy already uses, and move the panel back as he grows. If your adult dog will be large, or your puppy is a serious chewer, start with a reinforced crate and our heavy-duty crate picks rather than buying a light wire model twice.
