Best Dog Crates 2026: Wire, Soft-Sided & Heavy-Duty Picks
The MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate is the best dog crate overall, offering a sturdy double-door design with a divider panel for puppies at an affordable price.
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MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate
“The iCrate is MidWest's flagship folding crate — a reliable standard for medium-dog crating needs.”
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Watch out for
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The MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate is the consistent expert recommendation for new puppy owners because the included divider panel solves the practical puppy crating problem completely. Young puppies need a crate small enough that they cannot relieve themselves in one end and sleep in the other - too much space eliminates the den instinct that makes crate training work. The divider lets you start with a small enclosed space and expand it in stages as the puppy grows, making one crate purchase cover the dog from puppyhood through adulthood. The double-door design opens from both front and side, allowing flexible placement against walls or in corners without sacrificing access. The 36-inch length fits most medium breeds at full adult size. The fold-flat design collapses for storage or travel in about 30 seconds without tools. The slide-bolt latches on both doors are secure enough for most dogs under normal use but may need supplemental carabiner clips for dogs that have learned to work standard latches. At 4.7 stars with thousands of reviews, the MidWest iCrate is the community consensus choice for its combination of practical features and reasonable pricing.
MidWest Homes iCrate Single Door Dog Crate
“The MidWest iCrate is the overwhelming choice for most dog owners — it's the most popular dog crate in America for good reason. It's well-built for the price, includes a divider panel so one crate wor”
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- Industry standard — trusted by millions of dog owners
- Includes divider panel for puppies
- Collapses flat in seconds for travel or storage
- 6 sizes to fit all dog breeds
Watch out for
- Determined escape artists can push open the latch
- Wire can be bent by very large or persistent dogs
- Not suitable for dogs with severe separation anxiety
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The MidWest Homes iCrate Single Door Dog Crate brings the established MidWest reliability and fold-flat convenience to a single-door configuration that reduces cost while maintaining the core features. The single front-access door is suitable for most standard placement situations where the crate opens toward the room. The fold-flat design provides quick storage or transport. The removable floor pan is washable and keeps the crate floor clean. MidWest quality control at this price range is consistent. As a runner-up selection, the single door format is the primary limitation - the 36-inch double door model provides substantially more placement flexibility at a modest price increase. For owners who have already established a fixed crate location where single-door access is sufficient and who want the MidWest build quality at the most accessible entry price, this model delivers the core crating functionality. Dogs that are reliably crate-trained and do not require divider expansion or multi-door access find the single door format fully functional. Recommend as a replacement crate for trained adult dogs or as a secondary crate in a household that already uses a double-door primary.
MidWest iCrate Single Door Folding Metal Dog Crate 36-inch
“The iCrate is MidWest's entry-level crate — lighter than Life Stages but adequate for most puppies. The fold-flat design makes it easy to move between rooms or travel. Includes the divider panel for s”
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- Most affordable MidWest model
- Folds flat in seconds
- Leak-proof plastic pan
- Includes divider panel
- Carrying handles
Watch out for
- Lighter gauge wire than Life Stages
- Less robust for determined chewers
- Single door
Dog Crates Buying Guide
Photo by Impact Dog Crates / PexelsBest Dog Crate: MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate (Wire) or Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate (Heavy Duty)
For most dogs: the MidWest iCrate costs around $40-80 depending on size and is the wire crate that trainers recommend for crate training puppies and young dogs. The fold-flat design stores without taking up floor space when not in use. The divider panel allows you to start with a smaller space that grows with the puppy — a crate sized too large defeats housetraining because the dog can eliminate in one corner and sleep comfortably in the other. For dogs with severe separation anxiety who escape or destroy standard crates: the Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate at $350-600 uses 11-gauge steel construction that dogs cannot bend or break — it is the crate for dogs that have destroyed multiple standard crates.
Sizing the Crate Correctly
The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably — and no larger for housetraining purposes. Standard sizing guidelines: measure the dog from nose to base of tail (length) and from floor to top of head (height) — add 4 inches to each dimension for the minimum crate size. For double-door wire crates (MidWest, AmazonBasics): sizes run from 18-inch (toy breeds) to 54-inch (Giant breeds). Using an oversized crate for a puppy without a divider panel results in the puppy using one corner as a bathroom, which undermines housetraining.
Wire vs. Plastic vs. Soft-Sided Crates
Wire (MidWest iCrate): Maximum ventilation, fold-flat storage, divider panel for puppy housetraining, visual security (dog can see surroundings). Best for home use and crate training.
Plastic (Petmate Sky Kennel): Required for airline travel (IATA standards), more den-like feel for dogs that prefer enclosed spaces, durable for travel. Less ventilation than wire. Standard for road trips and flying.
Soft-sided (Petsfit, EliteField): Lightweight, portable, folds flat. Not suitable for dogs who chew or scratch — they escape easily. Best for well-crate-trained dogs at hotels and events.
The Bottom Line
MidWest iCrate 36-inch (medium dogs) for the best general-purpose crate at $50. Impact High Anxiety Crate for escape artists and severe anxiety at $400. Petmate Sky Kennel for airline-compliant travel. A crate is not punishment — a properly crate-trained dog views it as a den and rests there voluntarily. The training investment pays back with a dog that can be safely confined without anxiety or destruction.
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