This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, PawGuidely earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.
A crate that fits your dog’s size, temperament, and how you’ll actually use it (home, car, or air travel) makes crate training easier and keeps your dog comfortable. We compared five well-reviewed crates across the main styles you’ll find on Amazon: wire, hard plastic, soft-sided, and a newer modular design, so you can match the right one to your dog and your space.
Quick Comparison
| Crate | Style | Best For | Dog Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diggs Evolv (Intermediate) | Modular wire | Home use, modern decor | 50–70 lbs |
| MidWest LifeStages 36″ Double Door | Wire, folding | Everyday home crate | 41–70 lbs |
| Petmate Vari Kennel 28″ | Hard plastic | Car travel, den-style comfort | 20–30 lbs |
| Petmate Sky Kennel 28″ | Hard plastic, airline-ready | Air travel | 15–30 lbs |
| EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate 30″ | Soft-sided | Calm dogs, portability | Medium breeds |
1. Diggs Evolv (Intermediate) — Best Modern Design
The Evolv is a slim, modular wire crate built for dog owners who don’t want a crate to dominate the room. The Intermediate size measures 35.5″ x 22.3″ x 23.8″ inside (38.1″ x 24.9″ x 25.6″ outside) and suits dogs in the 50–70 lb range. A coated steel frame and diamond-shaped mesh are designed to avoid pinching paws or jaws, and the crate’s dual lock doors can be repositioned to fit the layout of a room. It also ships with a puppy divider, so one crate can grow with a dog from puppyhood to adult size, and the whole thing assembles without tools.
- Repositionable, dual-lock doors
- Diamond mesh designed to protect paws and jaws
- Includes puppy divider for growing dogs
- No-tool assembly, removable tray for cleaning
Worth knowing: the Evolv is priced higher than a standard wire crate, and it’s a home crate, not built for air travel. If budget or portability matter more than looks, one of the picks below will serve better.
2. MidWest LifeStages 36″ Double Door — Best Everyday Value
This is the classic folding wire crate most people picture when they think “dog crate,” and the 36″ double-door size is built for dogs in the 41–70 lb range, roughly 36″ x 24″ x 27″. Two doors (front and side) make it easier to place in a room without boxing the opening against a wall. It comes with a free divider panel so it can be sized down for a growing puppy, a removable plastic pan for cleanup, and slide-bolt latches with a locking tip for extra security. The whole crate folds flat for storage or transport.
- Two doors (front + side) for flexible placement
- Free divider panel, adjusts as a puppy grows
- Folds flat, no tools needed to set up
- Removable, easy-clean plastic pan
Worth knowing: wire crates offer the most airflow and visibility, but they’re the least private option. Some dogs settle better with the den-like enclosure of a plastic or soft-sided crate.
3. Petmate Vari Kennel 28″ (Medium) — Best for Car Travel
The Vari Kennel is a hard-sided plastic crate suited to dogs around 20–30 lbs, with interior dimensions of about 24.25″ x 18.25″ x 19.5″. Its enclosed design gives anxious dogs a more den-like, secure feel than a wire crate, which many find calming in the car. It has an interior moat to keep pets dry from spills or accidents, side ventilation, an easy-open squeeze latch, and tie-down strap holes for securing it during travel. It’s made in the USA and assembles without tools.
- Enclosed, den-like design for calmer travel
- Interior moat keeps pets dry
- Tie-down strap holes for secure car transport
- Easy-open squeeze latch, no tools to assemble
Worth knowing: this is built primarily for car travel and home use; if you need a crate that meets airline cargo requirements specifically, the Sky Kennel below is the better fit.
4. Petmate Sky Kennel 28″ — Best for Air Travel
The Sky Kennel is Petmate’s airline-focused crate, built to meet most airline cargo requirements (always confirm with your specific airline before flying). The 28″ size fits dogs around 15–30 lbs with interior dimensions of about 24.25″ x 18.25″ x 19.5″. It’s made in the USA from EcoTEC plastic with a high recycled content, has an interlocking wire door with an easy-squeeze latch for extra security, and 360-degree ventilation. It comes with “Live Animal” stickers and a clip-on water bowl, so it’s ready to travel out of the box.
- Built to meet most airline cargo requirements
- Interlocking door latch for extra security
- 360-degree ventilation
- Includes water bowl and “Live Animal” stickers
Worth knowing: “airline approved” isn’t an official designation. Always check your airline’s pet travel requirements before you fly, since they vary by carrier.
5. EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate 30″ (Medium) — Best for Portability
This soft-sided crate trades hard-shell durability for light weight and packability. The 30″ medium size measures about 30″ x 21″ x 24″ and suits medium-breed dogs. A lightweight steel-tube frame supports a polyester and mesh shell, with three mesh doors (front, side, and top) for airflow and easy access. Front and side doors have locking zippers, and it includes a carrying case and a fleece bed. It sets up and folds flat in seconds with no tools.
- Lightweight, folds into an included carry bag
- Three mesh doors for airflow and easy access
- Includes a fleece bed
- Sets up in seconds, no tools required
Worth knowing: soft-sided crates work best for calm, already crate-trained dogs. Determined chewers or escape artists can work through the mesh, so this isn’t the best pick for a dog still learning to settle in a crate.
How We Picked
We didn’t just grab the top sellers. For each crate we checked the manufacturer’s sizing and weight guidance, construction details (frame, latches, tray, ventilation), and patterns in verified buyer reviews, looking for recurring complaints like bent doors, weak zippers, or sizing that runs small. We also chose one strong option for each crate style, so whichever way you plan to use a crate, there’s a clear pick for it.
How to Choose the Right Dog Crate
Size first. Your dog should be able to stand up without ducking, turn around fully, and lie down stretched out. Too much extra space can actually work against house-training, since a dog can use one end as a bathroom and still have room to avoid it. Most brands list a suggested weight range (see our dog crate size chart by breed), but if your dog is between sizes or still growing, size up and use a divider panel instead of sizing down.
Then match the style to how you’ll use it. Wire crates offer the best airflow and visibility and are usually the most affordable for the size. Hard plastic crates give a more enclosed, den-like feel that can help anxious dogs settle, and they’re the standard for car and air travel. Soft-sided crates are the lightest and most portable but rely on zippers and mesh, which isn’t a match for a dog that chews or paws at barriers. Modular designs like the Evolv sit between a wire crate and furniture, worth the extra cost if the crate is staying in a main living space long-term.
Related Guides
- Dog Crate Size Chart by Breed & Weight (Plus How to Measure)
- 5 Best Dog Crate Pads and Beds in 2026: Washable, Chew-Resistant and Orthopedic
- Crate Training Schedule by Age: A Puppy Plan From 8 Weeks to Adult
- 5 Best Dog Car Seat Covers and Hammocks in 2026 (Waterproof, Scratch-Resistant)
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dog crate do I need?
Measure your dog from nose to base of tail and add 2–4 inches for length, and measure shoulder height for crate height. When between two sizes, or if your dog is still growing, choose the larger crate and use a divider panel to section it down.
Is a wire or plastic crate better?
Neither is universally “better”. It depends on your dog and how you’ll use the crate. Wire crates suit dogs that want visibility and airflow and work well for home use. Plastic crates suit dogs that settle better in an enclosed, den-like space, and they’re the standard choice for air travel and a common pick for car trips.
Can I leave my dog in a crate all day?
Crates are meant for shorter stretches, not all-day confinement. As a general guideline, adult dogs shouldn’t be crated for more than about 6–8 hours, and puppies need much more frequent breaks. Always provide water access appropriate to the length of time crated, and consult your vet for guidance specific to your dog.
Still deciding? The MidWest LifeStages is the easiest starting point for most home setups and typically the best value of the group, while the Petmate Sky Kennel is the one to choose if travel, especially by air, is the main use case.