The Diggs Evolv is the best dog crate for crate training at home. It’s built from nylon-coated steel wire with a diamond-shaped mesh, it has two doors with dual locks that Diggs says can’t be opened from the inside, and it comes in five sizes for dogs up to 110 pounds. A puppy divider is sold separately. If the crate also has to travel, the right pick changes: a plastic kennel for flights and road trips, an aluminum crate for a strong dog, or a crash-tested kennel for the car.

Size matters more than style. Petmate says a crate that’s too small leaves a dog uncomfortable, and one that’s too large may lead a dog to relieve itself inside. Both Petmate and Diggs publish measuring instructions, covered in How to Choose below.

This is desk research, not a hands-on test. Materials, sizes, weight ranges and warranties come from each maker’s own product page, and the crash-test certification comes from the Center for Pet Safety’s list.

Quick Picks

Crate Material Sizes and dog weights (maker) Doors and locks (maker) Travel (maker)
Diggs Evolv Nylon-coated steel wire 5 sizes, up to 30 lb to 90-110 lb Two doors, dual locks Home crate; no travel claim
Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel Plastic shell, metal door 6 sizes, 21 to 48 in; up to 125 lb Squeeze latch Meets most air travel requirements
Impact Collapsible Dog Crate Aluminum 7 sizes, 24 to 54 in; 10 lb+ to 110 lb+ Maker calls it escape-proof Folds flat for travel
GUNNER G1 Kennel Double-walled rotomolded shell 4 sizes, up to 30 lb to 71+ lb Reversible door, backup latches CPS certified (Small to Intermediate)

All four link to exact Amazon listings sold by Amazon.com or the brand’s own store when checked. Each link opens one size, so check the maker’s size chart before you order.

How We Chose

Each pick needed a maker page listing its sizes with dog weight ranges, its material and its door or lock design. We then chose one crate for each common job: crate training at home, a plastic kennel that travels, a heavy-duty crate for a strong dog, and a crate for riding in the car.

1. Diggs Evolv: Best for Crate Training at Home

Why it stands out

The Evolv is a steel crate with a modern look. Diggs’s product page says it’s “crafted with nylon-coated steel, a reinforced frame, and our signature diamond mesh,” designed to protect paws and jaws from injuries Diggs associates with standard wire crates. It has two doors, so you can set the crate up in either orientation, and dual locks that Diggs says can’t be opened from the inside.

Diggs lists five sizes, each with a recommended dog height and weight:

  • Small: up to 16 inches tall or 30 pounds
  • Medium: 16 to 18 inches or 30 to 50 pounds
  • Intermediate: 18 to 22 inches or 50 to 70 pounds
  • Large: 22 to 28 inches or 70 to 90 pounds
  • Extra Large: up to 29 inches or 90 to 110 pounds

Diggs lists no-tool assembly and a one-year warranty.

The catch

The puppy divider and the playpen frame are sold separately, so add the divider if you’re training a puppy that will grow into the crate. Diggs calls its height and weight ranges approximate and recommends measuring your dog.

Best for

Crate training a puppy or adult dog at home, in a crate meant to stay in the living room.

2. Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel: Best Plastic Kennel for Travel and Training

Why it stands out

The Ultra Vari Kennel is a plastic kennel that works for travel and training. Petmate’s product page lists a durable plastic shell, a squeeze latch, metal side vents and an interior floor moat to help keep a pet dry. Tie-down strap holes let you zip-tie the kennel together for airline travel.

Petmate says the kennel “meets most air travel requirements,” and tells owners to contact their airline beforehand to confirm. It comes in six sizes, from 21 to 48 inches. Petmate’s weight ranges include 25 to 30 pounds for the 28-inch, 50 to 70 pounds for the 36-inch, 70 to 90 pounds for the 40-inch linked here, and 90 to 125 pounds for the 48-inch. Petmate lists a one-year limited warranty.

The catch

Only the 21-inch and 28-inch sizes come with a handle. Petmate publishes interior dimensions for every size, so check those against your dog’s measurements.

Best for

Owners who want one kennel for crate training at home and for road trips or flights.

3. Impact Collapsible Dog Crate: Best Heavy-Duty Crate That Folds Flat

Why it stands out

The Impact Collapsible is an aluminum crate. Impact’s product page describes it as a “durable, travel-ready aluminum crate that folds flat in seconds,” and says it now comes with stationary brackets and eight screws for added security. Impact calls it “escape-proof and ultra-strong.”

Impact sells seven sizes, from a 24-inch Small for dogs 10 pounds and up to a 54-inch 3XL for dogs 110 pounds and up. The 30-inch Medium linked here is listed for dogs 20 pounds and up, at 30.5 x 20.5 x 26 inches.

Impact includes a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects in hardware and craftsmanship.

The catch

That warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear or dog damage. Impact sells a separate dog damage protection add-on for two years. Impact’s weight guidance gives only a starting weight for each size (such as 20 pounds and up), so measure your dog too.

Best for

Strong dogs that test a crate, and owners who want a crate that folds flat between trips.

4. GUNNER G1 Kennel: Best for Car Travel

Why it stands out

The G1 is built for riding in a vehicle. The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) lists the Gunner G1 Kennel in Small, Medium and Intermediate among its certified travel crates. CPS says manufacturers in its certified program commit to meeting independently developed safety standards.

GUNNER’s product page describes a double-walled kennel with a reversible door, a paddle latch with a key lock, and backup top and bottom latches. It also has a removable drain plug, a recessed floor and built-in tie-down pins. GUNNER lists four sizes: Small up to 30 pounds, Medium up to 45 pounds, Intermediate up to 70 pounds, and Large for 71 pounds and up. Every G1 comes with a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty for the original purchaser, which GUNNER says doesn’t cover damage caused by the dog.

The catch

The GUNNER tie-down straps are a separate add-on, and GUNNER says they’re “a critical part of the safety equation” and the only straps it recommends for 5 Star safety. The Large G1 isn’t on the CPS list. It’s heavy, too: GUNNER lists the Small at 27 pounds and the Large at 72 pounds.

Best for

Dogs that ride in the car, in a size CPS has certified.

How to Choose

Measure your dog first. Diggs’s instructions are to measure from the top of the head (or the tip of the tallest ear) to the floor and add 2 inches for the minimum interior height. Then measure from the tip of the nose to where the tail meets the spine and add 2 to 4 inches for the minimum interior length. Petmate says the kennel should be 3 to 4 inches taller and longer than your pet. Compare your numbers to the maker’s interior dimensions, not just its weight range.

Plan for a growing puppy. Diggs suggests choosing a crate for your dog’s expected adult size and using a divider while the puppy grows. The Evolv’s divider is sold separately.

Pick the material for the job. Steel wire with mesh (Diggs) suits a home crate. A plastic kennel (Petmate) is the one here its maker says meets most air travel requirements. Aluminum (Impact) is for strength and folding. A double-walled shell with tie-downs (GUNNER) is for the car.

For the car, look for certification. CPS publishes a list of certified travel crates. GUNNER says its tie-down straps are a critical part of its safety rating, so budget for them.

Check the warranty. Impact and GUNNER both offer lifetime warranties on defects, and neither covers damage caused by the dog. Petmate lists one year, and Diggs lists one year.

Add bedding that fits. Diggs notes that a crate pad takes up interior height. For bedding options, see our best dog beds for crate training and our comparison of a crate dog bed vs a crate pad . For a puppy still learning, see our dog beds for house training . To block off rooms or stairs instead, see our dog gates for stairs and doorways .

FAQ

What size crate does my dog need?

Measure your dog standing. Diggs says to measure from the top of the head (or the tallest ear tip) to the floor and add 2 inches for interior height, then from the nose to where the tail meets the spine and add 2 to 4 inches for interior length. Petmate says the kennel should be 3 to 4 inches taller and longer than your dog. Compare those numbers to the maker’s interior dimensions, not just its weight range.

Can I use these crates for air travel?

Petmate says the Ultra Vari Kennel meets most air travel requirements and tells owners to confirm with their airline before the trip. The other makers here don’t make that claim for these models, so check your airline’s rules before buying a crate for a flight.

Sources