Bringing home a puppy is pure chaos in the best possible way, and finding the right crate makes those first few weeks so much smoother for everyone. I've tested crates with my own dogs and dug through hundreds of real owner reviews to find the ones that truly hold up to puppy energy, chewing, and midnight drama.
The MidWest iCrate has been a go-to recommendation in puppy communities for years, and after living with one through my Lab's first six months, I completely understand why. It folds flat in seconds, includes a divider panel, and the double-door setup makes placement in any room genuinely flexible.
Price range: $35–$90
If your puppy has already figured out how to Houdini their way out of a standard wire crate, the Frisco Heavy Duty is a serious upgrade worth every penny. The thicker gauge wire and reinforced latches mean even the most persistent chewers and pushers are going to have a tough time staging a breakout.
Price range: $55–$130
Soft crates are not ideal for the earliest, most destructive puppy weeks, but once your pup is past the worst of the chewing phase this one becomes a genuinely convenient option for travel and visits to family. It weighs almost nothing, sets up in about 30 seconds, and most puppies take to it quickly because it feels more like a cozy den than a cage.
Price range: $30–$65
Once your puppy is reliably house-trained and a little less destructive, the Unipaws furniture crate is the upgrade that makes your living room look like an adult human lives there again. It doubles as a side table or end table, the wooden construction is surprisingly solid, and most puppies settle into it quickly because the enclosed sides create a natural den feeling.
Price range: $80–$180
If you need something affordable that also works for airline travel or vet visits, the Petmate Sky Kennel is a reliable classic that has been around for decades for good reason. The hard plastic shell is easy to clean after accidents, the ventilation slots run all the way around the sides, and puppies often take to it faster than wire crates because it feels more enclosed and den-like from day one.
Price range: $30–$80
| Product | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate Double Door | Overall best pick | $35–$90 | ★★★★★ |
| Frisco Heavy Duty Wire Crate | Heavy chewers and escape artists | $55–$130 | ★★★★½ |
| AmazonBasics Soft Travel Crate | Travel and post-chewing-phase pups | $30–$65 | ★★★★ |
| Unipaws Furniture Style Crate | Home decor and trained puppies | $80–$180 | ★★★★ |
| Petmate Sky Kennel | Budget buyers and airline travel | $30–$80 | ★★★★ |
The MidWest iCrate Double Door is the crate we recommend to almost every new puppy owner because it genuinely does everything well without costing a fortune. The included divider panel alone means you are buying one crate that works from the day your puppy arrives home all the way through their adult years, and that kind of value is hard to beat.
What size crate should I get for my puppy?
Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but the crate should not be so large that they treat one corner as a bathroom and the other as a sleeping area. If you are buying for a puppy that will grow significantly, choose a crate sized for their adult weight and use a divider panel to block off the extra space until they grow into it.
How long can a puppy safely stay in a crate?