The 10 Best Portable Dog Crates

Editor's Notes

August 18, 2020:

I'll admit that the idea of keeping my pets in a cage doesn't thrill me. Some people might feel that keeping animals cooped up in a crate is a cruel punishment, but that's not what they're intended for. When used as a containment solution for safety, a crate is an important accessory. And it's also important to realize that some dogs actually like being in their crates, as it provides them with a feeling of security. But no pet should be left in a crate indefinitely. When it comes to sleeping, all of my dogs sleep on the beds with me and my family. They roll over on their backs, take up nearly 90 percent of the available surface area on a mattress by sleeping in a diagonal position, and they'll even lay their heads on my pillows, while I'm tucked into a sorry little corner of the bed near the wall. Despite the resulting neck cramps I experience the next morning, it's worth it just to ensure my furbabies are comfortable at night. Okay, so I might be exaggerating a little, but I prefer to have my pets as close to me as possible. While I'd love to keep my nearly 60-pound canine on my lap during a road trip or airplane ride, I understand that a portable crate is a much more practical solution for transporting her. Some additional good news is that many of our options come with accessories for a pup's comfort and convenience when they have to stay inside a crate for an extended period of time.

We've included the 2Pet Foldable due to its lightweight frame, machine washable fabric cover, fleece cushion, and Velcro enclosure for securing the top carrying handles together. Good for new large breed puppies, the MidWest ICrate kit supports up to 90 pounds and includes a bed and separate food and water bowls that attach to the inside of the front door.

Newly added this year is the Diggs Revol, offering an accordion-like folding design that can be set up or collapsed in seconds. Its wheels are sturdy enough to enable rolling it in both its flat and expanded positions.

I think the Pet Gear Other is a nice modern indoor solution, thanks to its large front door that slides up and inward (in much the same way as a garage door), so you can create a three-sided nesting place for your pup without having to lock him inside.

Although the Whisker Doodle Kennel is one of our smaller options, its top access door makes it easy to load your pet prior to an airplane ride.

Finally, the New World Single may not look all that special, but it's certainly practical for keeping an eye on Fido and making sure he has plenty of ventilation. Some dogs prefer dark and enclosed spaces, while others like to have a clear line of sight to their owners wherever they are. It's important to pay attention to a dog's behavior so you get a sense for what makes them comfortable.

December 10, 2018:

We looked for a good combination of features that would both keep your dog calm and comfortable, and make each model simple for owners to pack up and move around. Since some pups specifically want a dark, enclosed space when they feel nervous, and others like to keep an eye on their humans at all times, we included some options with large windows, and others with smaller openings.