Fazlur Rahman
How much do dog crates cost in 2026?
The price of a dog crate swings with two variables: the material and the size your dog needs. Wire models start near $30 at PetSmart and $54.99 for a 30 inch MidWest iCrate at Chewy, while molded plastic and heavy-duty steel push past $280. Wirecutter tested 11 crates in 2026 and ran from $65 for its top pick to $799 for the Diggs Revol.
The best rated dog crates are not always the most expensive ones. In this guide you will find the right size for your dog's weight, a clear look at wire, plastic, and soft crates, the rules airlines and vets follow, and where the real costs hide.
Most families spend between $50 and $150 and are happy. The extra spend only pays off when your dog chews, escapes, or flies. Here is how the price bands break down.
| Price band | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50 | Light gauge wire, plastic tray, no divider | Small dogs, short crate training sessions |
| $50 to $150 | Thicker wire, double doors, divider panel | Most dogs and every puppy setup |
| $150 to $350 | Heavy duty steel, reinforced latches, wheels | Chewers, escape artists, large dogs |
| Over $350 | Premium steel or molded plastic travel kennels | Show dogs, frequent flyers, heavy chewers |
Two retailer listings show the spread clearly. PetSmart sells its Top Paw single door folding wire crate for $48.99 with a list price of $55.99. Chewy carries molded plastic crates from $87.86 and a 36 inch soft-sided crate at $105.99, where the list price is $179.99.
At the top end, Wirecutter prices the RuffLand Kennel, a US made plastic crate, at $280 from L.L.Bean in the medium size and $499 from Scheels in the small size. Its Diggs Revol steel crate with rear wheels and a garage-style side door runs $799.
Which crate size does your dog need?
Size drives comfort more than any other feature. PetSmart's crate size chart matches length to weight, and the AKC guide tells you to add 3 to 4 inches to your dog's height and length measurements. A crate that is too small causes stress, while one that is too large lets a puppy use one end as a bathroom.
| Dog weight | Crate length | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 pounds | 18 to 22 inches | Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle |
| 11 to 25 pounds | 24 to 30 inches | Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog |
| 26 to 40 pounds | 30 to 36 inches | Beagle, Corgi, Border Collie |
| 41 to 70 pounds | 36 to 42 inches | Labrador, Golden Retriever, Boxer |
| 71 to 90 pounds | 42 to 48 inches | German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman |
| Over 91 pounds | 48 to 54 inches or more | Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard |
Measure before you shop. PetSmart tells you to measure from the floor to the top of the head or ears, and from the nose to the base of the tail, then add 2 to 4 inches to each number. If your dog falls between two sizes, size up.
Puppies need a different plan. Cornell's canine health guide says to buy a crate that fits the adult dog and use a divider to shrink the space at first. That way you buy one crate instead of three, and the divider keeps a small dog from peeing in the far corner.
Wire crate versus plastic crate versus soft crate
Cornell's guide names size, material, and durability as the three things to weigh. The material decides how the crate behaves in your home, so it matters more than the brand name on the box.
| Type | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Wire | Cheapest, folds flat, dividers fit most models, good airflow | Not accepted by every airline, can rust, dog can see out and feel exposed |
| Plastic | Airline approved, easy to wipe clean, holds chewers better | Heavier, bulky to store, poor airflow in heat |
| Soft or mesh | Lightest, folds into a bag, fits in a car trunk | A chewer will destroy it, not allowed on most flights |
Wire crates are the workhorse. The AKC notes that metal crates are the sturdiest and give the best air circulation and visibility, and that fabric covers can be added for privacy. That suits most house training, since your dog can see you and settle faster.
Plastic is the travel pick. The AKC says plastic crates work in the house and double as travel carriers, and that you should look for one that is airline approved if you plan to fly. Their walls are solid, so no cover is needed, but they are harder to store.
Soft crates are for calm adults on short trips. Cornell warns that they are not very durable and that puppies or chewers may destroy the material. A review site checked six soft crates at Chewy in October 2026 and found them listed from $44.99 to $105.99.
What do airlines and vet clinics require?
Air travel rules are strict and they change, so check with your airline before you book. IATA sets the container standard that carriers follow. A kennel must let the animal stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position, and vent openings must be small enough to stop a nose or a paw getting through. For dogs, that means openings no larger than 25 mm on a side.
United publishes its own limits for pets in the cabin. A hard sided carrier can be 9 inches high, 17.5 inches long, and 12 inches wide, while a soft sided carrier can be 11 by 18 by 11 inches. On a Boeing 737 MAX, the carrier cannot be more than 10 inches tall, which rules out a lot of soft crates.
IATA also limits how many animals travel together. Two adult dogs of comparable size can share a container if each weighs no more than 14 kg, but anything over 14 kg must be crated on its own. If you are flying with a large dog, budget for a single crate and a checked pet fee rather than a shared one.
Vet clinics and boarding kennels have simpler rules. The APHIS guide for pets on planes says the kennel must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, sit erect, and lie down. That same standard is what most boarding facilities apply, so a correctly sized crate doubles as a hospital crate and a boarding crate.
Which best rated dog crates are worth your money?
Wirecutter's 2026 testing picked five crates from the eleven it tried. Its top pick is the MidWest Ultima Pro Two Door Folding Crate at $65 from Chewy, chosen because the thicker gauge wire is mostly escape proof and the removable tray is simple to disinfect. The trade off is weight, since thicker wire makes it harder to move.
For a lighter budget, the MidWest iCrate Double Door costs $71 from Chewy and $62 from Amazon. It folds flat and carries easily, but the lighter wires are less durable. Those two crates cover most homes, and they are the best rated dog crates for everyday training.
When the dog chews, step up. The Diggs Revol at $799 adds a diamond mesh design that reduces the chance of a paw or jaw getting stuck, plus rear wheels and a side door that opens like a garage. Its price is roughly ten times the top pick, so it only makes sense for a hard chewer or an escape artist.
Two other picks cover different needs. The Fable Crate at $799 from Fable is a wooden crate that doubles as a night table, and it is a good choice for a dog that is already crate trained. The RuffLand Kennel at $280 is a durable plastic crate for travel, popular with show dogs because it comes in four door configurations.
How do you set up a crate so your dog uses it?
Placement and training decide whether a good crate gets used. Put the crate in a quiet corner of a room your dog can reach, not in a garage or a back bedroom. Line it with a washable mat, and keep a bowl of water inside during the day.
Keep sessions short and end them well. A puppy should start with five minutes and add time as it stays calm. Feed a meal in the crate, because food is the fastest way to teach a dog that the crate is a good place. Never use the crate as punishment.
Cornell also warns against leaving a dog crated for long stretches without breaks to relieve itself, play, and move around. Dogs that pace, bark, or drool in a crate need a different setup, such as a pet-proof exercise pen and a sitter.
Once the crate works, keep the rest of the routine consistent. Our guide to the best flea and tick prevention for dogs helps with parasites, and the best dog toothpaste guide covers brushing. For young dogs, start with the best puppy foods of 2026 and keep grooming on a schedule, since the cost of dog grooming varies a lot by coat. Dental care adds up too, so see how much dog dental cleaning costs before you need it.
Photo: KDPhotographeAnimalière, Pixabay Content License, via Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-beagle-american-kennel-club-8463178/)
