The Best 5Aggregated review·13 sources·updated August 10, 2026·checked September 19, 2026

Best Dog Crates

Top 5 dog crates ranked by aggregate score from 13 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 13 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 1. No publisher printed a score for the top pick — its rating is derived from what reviewers wrote. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

Quick answer

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel is our top pick for dog crates — an averaged 4.5/5 across 2 published reviews at about $39.99. Runner-up: Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate (~$1,045.19).

Read the Petmate Vari Dog Kennel review →$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Petmate Vari Dog KennelTop Score	4.5 2 sourcesall derived	$39.99	pet owners needing airline-approved, durable travel crates	$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon
2	Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate	4.3 3 sources	$1,045.19	owners with strong escape artists needing maximum security	$1,045.19 · Check Price on Amazon
3	FDW 30 inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate	4.1 4 sources3 derived	$29.99	medium-sized dogs needing a portable, rust-resistant wire crate	$29.99 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate	4.0 1 sourceall derived	$34.92	owners seeking a durable, portable wire crate with double doors	$34.92 · Check Price on Amazon
5	MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds	3.8 3 sourcesall derived	$49.29	pet parents seeking a budget-friendly, portable crate with training features	$49.29 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

At a glance5 products ▾

1Petmate Vari Dog KennelTop Score

4.5

2 sourcesall derived

$39.99Best for: pet owners needing airline-approved, durable travel crates

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon

2Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate

4.3

3 sources

$1,045.19Best for: owners with strong escape artists needing maximum security

$1,045.19 · Check Price on Amazon

3FDW 30 inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate

4.1

4 sources3 derived

$29.99Best for: medium-sized dogs needing a portable, rust-resistant wire crate

$29.99 · Check Price on Amazon

4Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate

4.0

1 sourceall derived

$34.92Best for: owners seeking a durable, portable wire crate with double doors

$34.92 · Check Price on Amazon

5MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds

3.8

3 sourcesall derived

$49.29Best for: pet parents seeking a budget-friendly, portable crate with training features

$49.29 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Reviews aggregated from

PetfulDoggearreviewLifewithkleekaiGearjunkieHomestrandBusinessinsiderEmlacotibu

The full ranking

How we rank →

#1 · Top Score

Best for: pet owners needing airline-approved, durable travel crates

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel

4.5

2 sourcesall derived$39.99as of Sep 25

The Petmate Vari Kennel is a hard-sided plastic dog travel crate that meets most IATA requirements for airline cargo. Reviewers noted the heavy-duty construction, the tool-free assembly, and the built-in ventilation. It works well for large dogs and the airline-approved design is the main draw, though the bigger sizes take longer to ship and won't fit every vehicle's cargo area. Pet parents who need a durable crate for both travel and everyday use should look here.

Strengths

— Meets most International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements for airline travel
— Durable construction with heavy-duty plastic shell and metal grated door

Watch-outs

— Larger sizes (36" and 40") must ship via LTL/Freight Carrier and arrive in 10-14 business days
— XL size may not fit upright in some vehicle cargo areas

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Meets most International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements for airline travel
— Durable construction with heavy-duty plastic shell and metal grated door

Watch-outs

— Larger sizes (36" and 40") must ship via LTL/Freight Carrier and arrive in 10-14 business days
— XL size may not fit upright in some vehicle cargo areas

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate →

★ Premium Pick

Best for: owners with strong escape artists needing maximum security

Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate

4.3

3 sources$1,045.19as of Sep 25

The Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate is built for dogs that get out of everything else, with heavy aluminum construction and a secure stainless steel slam latch. Reviewers confirmed the durability and the escape-proof design, but found assembly tough because the butterfly locks take significant force. Chewers wear through the powder coating, and the door latch bangs loudly enough to unsettle a sensitive dog. Active owners who need something reliable and portable for travel and home use are the fit; owners of very sensitive dogs should consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Escape-proof design built for strong escape artists
— Durable aluminum construction with powder-coated finish

Watch-outs

— Assembly requires some effort and strength for butterfly locks
— Powder coating may chip or fade with chewing or digging

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Escape-proof design built for strong escape artists
— Durable aluminum construction with powder-coated finish

Watch-outs

— Assembly requires some effort and strength for butterfly locks
— Powder coating may chip or fade with chewing or digging

$1,045.19 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Petmate Vari Dog Kennel →

Best for: medium-sized dogs needing a portable, rust-resistant wire crate

FDW 30 inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate

4.1

4 sources3 derived$29.99as of Sep 25

The FDW 30 inch Folding Dog Crate uses rust-resistant metal wire and dual-door access to give a pet a secure spot. HomeStrand reviewers pointed to the removable leak-proof tray and the fold-flat design for storage and travel. Larger dogs are a question mark, and one reviewer warned the metal bars can pinch paws while folding. Medium-sized dogs and owners who want a portable, easy-to-clean kennel are the right match.

Strengths

— Rust-resistant metal wire construction
— Dual-door access (front + side) for easy pet access

Watch-outs

— Size may be too small for large breeds
— Metal bars may pinch paws during folding

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Rust-resistant metal wire construction
— Dual-door access (front + side) for easy pet access

Watch-outs

— Size may be too small for large breeds
— Metal bars may pinch paws during folding

$29.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Petmate Vari Dog Kennel →

Best for: owners seeking a durable, portable wire crate with double doors

Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate

4.0

1 sourceall derived$34.92as of Sep 25

The Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate keeps a dog contained with a double-door design and a heavy-duty locking mechanism. It folds for travel and storage, and the metal mesh has rounded edges so nothing catches. A leak-proof ABS tray handles cleaning. The listing doesn't specify a weight capacity. Owners who want a portable kennel that lasts, indoors or out, are the fit.

Strengths

— Double doors with heavy-duty sliding bolt locks for secure pet containment
— Foldable design allows for easy transport and storage

Watch-outs

— Mesh gauge is not published; the listing only describes 'thick metal mesh'
— Limited published detail beyond the 36-inch length — no weight capacity or interior dimensions

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Double doors with heavy-duty sliding bolt locks for secure pet containment
— Foldable design allows for easy transport and storage

Watch-outs

— Mesh gauge is not published; the listing only describes 'thick metal mesh'
— Limited published detail beyond the 36-inch length — no weight capacity or interior dimensions

$34.92 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Petmate Vari Dog Kennel →

Best for: pet parents seeking a budget-friendly, portable crate with training features

MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds

3.8

3 sourcesall derived$49.29as of Sep 5

Reviewers rate the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door crate for easy assembly, portability, and construction sturdy enough for medium breeds in the 21-40 lb range. The two doors give you flexibility on placement, the divider panel helps with training, and the leak-proof pan makes housebreaking less messy. Some units arrived with bent metal parts or slight door sagging, but overall it's solid value for small to medium dogs. It suits pet parents who want a durable, foldable crate for indoor use and travel.

Strengths

— Double doors allow flexible placement in tight spaces
— Includes divider panel to adjust living space for growing puppies

Watch-outs

— Some users reported bent metal parts from manufacturing or transit
— Door sags slightly on some units, requiring upward pull to close

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Double doors allow flexible placement in tight spaces
— Includes divider panel to adjust living space for growing puppies

Watch-outs

— Some users reported bent metal parts from manufacturing or transit
— Door sags slightly on some units, requiring upward pull to close

$49.29 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Petmate Vari Dog Kennel →

Reviews aggregated from

PetfulDoggearreviewLifewithkleekaiGearjunkieHomestrandBusinessinsiderEmlacotibu

Spec comparison

5 products

Spec	Petmate Vari Dog Kennel	Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate	FDW 30 inch Double Door Folding Dog Crate	Sweetcrispy 36 Inch Dog Crate	MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds
Dimensions	40.000 x 27.000 x 30.000	30.5"L x 20.5"W x 26H to 48L x 27W x 33H	30″ L × 18″ W × 20″ H	36.61"L x 22.64"W x 24.21"H	30.67"L x 19.3"W x 21.46"H
Weight	Up to 31.0 lb	35 lbs	—	—	21-40 lbs
Material	EcoTEC Plastic (90% pre-consumer recycled)	Aluminum	Rust-resistant metal wire	Metal mesh	Wire frame
Door Type	Metal grated	zinc-steel paddle latch and four butterfly latches	Dual-door access (front & side)	Double door	Double Door style
Features	360 Degree Ventilation, Airline Compliant, Easy to assemble	Stainless steel slam latch	Removable leak-proof plastic pan	Leak-proof tray, heavy-duty locks	Leak-proof pan, divider panel, rubber feet
Usage	perfect for both air and car travel	ideal for indoor use	—	indoor/outdoor	—
Color	Gray/Black	White	black	—	—

Spec	Petmate Vari Dog Kennel	Impact High Anxiety Dog Crate
Dimensions	40.000 x 27.000 x 30.000	30.5"L x 20.5"W x 26H to 48L x 27W x 33H
Weight	Up to 31.0 lb	35 lbs
Material	EcoTEC Plastic (90% pre-consumer recycled)	Aluminum
Door Type	Metal grated	zinc-steel paddle latch and four butterfly latches
Features	360 Degree Ventilation, Airline Compliant, Easy to assemble	Stainless steel slam latch
Usage	perfect for both air and car travel	ideal for indoor use
Color	Gray/Black	White

Frequently asked questions

Which dog crate should I buy?

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel holds the top score for dog crates — 4.5/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. The Petmate Vari Kennel is a hard-sided plastic dog travel crate that meets most IATA requirements for airline cargo. Reviewers noted the heavy-duty construction, the tool-free assembly, and the built-in ventilation. It works well for large dogs and the airline-approved design is the main draw, though the bigger sizes take longer to ship and won't fit every vehicle's cargo area. Pet parents who need a durable crate for both travel and everyday use should look here.

Is this dog crate guide up to date?

This guide was last re-checked in August 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.