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10 Best Wire Dog Crates of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks 

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

A Wire Dog Crate

There’s no doubt that wire dog crates are an important dog-training tool. They give the dog a safe place to stay while you’re gone, a comfortable place to sleep at night, and help a puppy with house training.

When shopping for a wire dog crate, all the different options on the market can quickly become overwhelming. It’s hard to know which one will best fit your needs.

To help you find the best crate for your dog, we’ve compiled a list of reviews and created a buyer’s guide so you know what features to look for.

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Our Favorites of 2024 (compared)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
MidWest Homes Folding Metal MidWest Homes Folding Metal
  • Slide-bolt latches
  • Rounded corners
  • Divider panel
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Carlson Pet Products Carlson Pet Products
  • Secure locking system
  • Removable and washable pan
  • For dogs up to 45 lbs.
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Precision Pet Precision Pet
  • Two doors
  • Rust-resistant
  • Electro-coat finish
  • Paws & Pals Paws & Pals
  • Solid steel
  • Black electro-coat finish
  • Foldable
  • IRIS Mesh Roof IRIS Mesh Roof
  • Heavy-gauge
  • Epoxy-coated wire sides
  • For small dogs
  • The 10 Best Wire Dog Crates

    1. MidWest Homes Wire Dog Crate – Best Overall

    MidWest Homes for Pets

    Check Price on Chewy

    Our best overall choice is the MidWest Homes Dog Crate because it sets up and folds down quickly, with no tools required. It has safe and secure slide-bolt latches, so you don’t have to worry about your dog escaping. Rounded corners on this crate mean that your dog can’t injure their eyes or nose on sharp edges. For easy transport, the crate folds down and has easy-to-attach plastic handles. A pan-stop feature keeps the plastic pan in place. The pan is easy to clean and easy to remove. It also has a divider panel that adjusts the length of the living area as your puppy grows.

    This crate has only a single door, so if you’re looking for a crate with the convenience of two doors, then this might not be the best option. However, we still think that this is one of the best wire dog crates on the market.

    Pros
    • Sets up and folds down quickly
    • Safe and secure slide-bolt latches
    • Rounded corners
    • Easy-to-attach plastic handles
    • Easy-to-remove plastic pan with pan-stop feature
    • Divider panel
    Cons
    • Single-door design

    2. Carlson Wire Dog Crate – Best Value

    Carlson Pet Products

    The Carlson Pet Products Crate is the best wire dog crate for the money. It has a secure locking system so you don’t have to worry about your puppy escaping when you aren’t around. The included plastic pan is removable and washable to keep your dog comfortable and clean. It folds easily for travel, storage, and portability. This particular model is best for medium dog breeds and puppies up to 45 lbs., but the brand offers sizes from small to extra large. This crate is made of durable steel, so you can count on it being long-lasting.

    Like the previous crate, this is one with a single-door design, so it might not be the best option for those who are looking for two doors. The wire is also thin, and stronger dog breeds who try to chew their way out may injure themselves in the process.

    Pros
    • Secure locking system
    • Removable and washable pan
    • Foldable for travel and storage
    • For medium breeds and puppies up to 45 lbs.
    • Available in different sizes
    • Made of steel
    Cons
    • Wire is thin
    • Single-door design

    3. Precision Wire Dog Crate – Premium Choice

    Petmate ProValu

    The Precision Pet Two Door Wire Dog Crate is our premium choice because it has a rust-resistant Electro-coat finish, which makes it quite durable. To make sure your dog is contained safely, it has a precision lock system where it’s secure in five different places on the crate. This model has two doors to make it easier to get to your dog, even in tight spaces. It has an included plastic pan that’s easy to clean. This collapsible crate is available in several sizes so you can find the best fit for your puppy or adult dog.

    This crate has sharp edges that can scratch your dog, so that’s something to be aware of. It also doesn’t have a divider, so you may have to buy a smaller crate for your puppy and size up as it grows.

    Pros
    • Two doors
    • Rust-resistant Electro-coat finish
    • Five-point precision lock system
    • Included plastic pan
    • Available in several sizes
    Cons
    • Sharp edges
    • No divider

    4. Paws & Pals Wire Dog Crates

    Paws & Pals

    The Paws & Pals Dog Crate comes in multiple sizes to fit dog breeds from extra small to extra-extra large. It’s made of solid steel with a black Electro-coat finish, which means that it’s long-lasting and durable. It’s easy to assemble without tools and folds down completely, making it portable and storable. This crate also has two doors, so you’ll have easy access to your dog no matter where you place the crate.

    This crate does have a flimsy construction, so it’s not the best choice for strong, destructive dogs. It also has sharp edges, which can injure your dog. The included plastic pan isn’t quite the correct size and leaves an area where your dog’s paw can get caught. This can be fixed with fluffy bedding, but it’s something to be aware of.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting, durable construction
    • Solid steel with a black electro-coat finish
    • Multiple sizes
    • Foldable
    • Two doors
    Cons
    • Sharp edges
    • Flimsy
    • Pan is smaller than the dog crate

    5. IRIS 301446 Wire Dog-Crate

    IRIS USA Inc.

    The IRIS Wire Dog Crate is a unique-looking crate with a removable mesh top and corners that come in a variety of colors. Though the top is mesh, the sides are made of heavy-gauge wire and are epoxy-coated to make it long-lasting. It has a large sliding access door so your dog can come and go easily. The bottom tray is molded plastic and has non-skid feet to keep it in place. This crate is designed especially for small dogs.

    This is a more expensive choice, though it does look nicer than the typical black-wire models. The included plastic tray isn’t removable, though, so it’s more difficult to clean. This also isn’t a durable crate. The wire is thin, so stronger dogs might be able to chew their way out, harming themselves in the process.

    Pros
    • Wire dog crate with removable mesh top
    • Heavy-gauge, epoxy-coated wire sides
    • Large sliding access door
    • Molded bottom tray
    • For small dogs
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • The tray isn’t removable
    • Not durable

    6. Ultima Pro 730UP Wire Dog Crate

    Ultima Pro

    The Ultima Pro Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate offers another crate option that sets up and folds down with no tools required. It comes in numerous sizes and dividers are included, so you can choose the size you’ll need once your puppy is an adult. It has an easy-to-clean plastic pan that’s removable for thorough cleaning. It also has two doors to easily access your dog.

    This crate seems to have welding issues, particularly in the hinges and loops of the crate, which can bend easily. This leads us to believe the crate isn’t as durable as some of the others on the list.

    Pros
    • Double doors
    • Fold-and-carry design
    • Divider included
    • Easy-to-clean, plastic pan
    Cons
    • Not durable
    • Welding issues
    • Hinges on the door bend easily

    Check out our reviews on some top of the range leather dog leashes here!


    7. New World Folding Wire Dog Crates

    New World Crates

    The New World Folding Metal Dog Crate gives you the option of a single-door crate or double door, depending on your needs. It folds flat for easy storage and travel, and no tools are required. It includes two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches to keep your dog safe and secure. It also includes a removable plastic pan for easy cleaning.

    This isn’t a sturdy crate. The wire feels thin, and strong dogs might be able to escape easily. The latches don’t seem to secure properly, despite being heavy duty. If you have a powerful dog who’s an escape artist, this might not be the best crate to buy.

    Pros
    • Single-door or double-door option
    • Folds flat for easy storage and travel
    • Two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches
    • Includes a removable plastic pan
    Cons
    • Not sturdy
    • Thin wire material
    • Latches don’t secure properly

    8. Petmate 21953 Wire Dog Kennel

    Petmate 21953 2-Door

    The Petmate 2-Door Training Retreat Wire Kennel has a five-point door lock system to keep your dog safe and secure. It easily folds flat for transport and storage, and you can set it up without tools. The wires feature a rust-resistant, Electro-coat finish for durability. It also has two doors so you can always access your dog.

    This crate seems to have poor quality and construction. The wire bends easily, so a strong dog will be able to escape. The latches also don’t secure properly, which makes it both difficult to lock and easy for your dog to get out.

    Pros
    • Two doors
    • Five-point door lock system
    • Easily folds flat for transport and storage
    • Rust-resistant, Electro-coat finish
    Cons
    • Poor quality and construction
    • Wire bends easily
    • Latches don’t secure properly

    9. Aspen 21944 Wire Crate for Dogs

    Aspen Pet

    The Aspen Pet Single-Door Home Training Crate is another model that features the five-point door lock system to keep your dog safe and secure. The wires have a rust-resistant, Electro-coat finish to make the crate long-lasting. The crate is easy to set up and folds flat for travel and storage.

    This isn’t a durable crate. The wires are thin and easily bendable. A strong, determined dog can escape with minimal effort, possibly injuring themselves in the process. The latches are flimsy, and a clever dog can probably open them. The pan is also difficult to clean. There are engraved letters in the plastic, and these can be a magnet for dirt and waste.

    Pros
    • Five-point door lock system
    • Rust-resistant, Electro-coat finish
    • Easily folds flat for travel and transport
    Cons
    • Latches are flimsy
    • Wire is thin and easily bendable
    • Not durable
    • Pan is not easy to clean

    10. Cardinal Gates Sliding Door Pet Crates

    Cardinal Gates

    The Cardinal Gates Crate has a unique feature of two sliding doors that make it even easier to access your dog. It also allows you to leave the door open for your dog without it getting in the way. The crate folds flat for travel and storage and is easy to clean.

    It’s one of the pricier crates on the list, but it doesn’t have many options. It only comes in small and medium, so it isn’t suitable for large dogs. Divider panels aren’t included, so you may end up having to buy a bigger size once your puppy grows up. As convenient as the sliding doors are, they come off easily, so it’s not a good choice for dogs who are prone to escape. We also found it tricky to fold flat, which can be a problem if you need to transport it often.

    Pros
    • Two sliding doors
    • Folds flat for travel and storage
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Divider panels not included
    • Difficult to fold flat
    • Not suitable for large dogs
    • Door comes off easily

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Wire Dog Crates

    There are many features to consider when searching for the best dog crate. To make it easier, we’ve created a buyer’s guide so you know what to look for

    Multiple Doors

    Some crates are so large and bulky that once you have them in place, you won’t want to move them again. For this reason, it can help to have multiple doors. This makes it easier to let the dog out from the side if you don’t have room to open the front door.

    Heavy-Duty Materials

    With large or strong dogs, it’s best to have crates made of heavy-duty materials. This way, a dog won’t be able to chew its way out (possibly injuring themselves in the process). Low-quality crates might have metal that is thin enough for your dog to chew through.

    puppy in crate
    Credits: J.A. Dunbar, Shutterstock

    Flooring

    Most crates include a plastic tray or padded floor, and which one you prefer depends on your dog. If you have a destructive dog, then a plastic tray might be a better choice. It’s also helpful to have a plastic tray while house training because you can slide it out and easily clean it.

    Dividers

    If you give a puppy too much room in a crate, they might use part of the crate as a bathroom while being house trained. Dividers allow you to buy the crate size you’ll need once your puppy is fully grown and to section off the crate until then.

    Extra Features

    Certain crates include stainless-steel food and water bowls that attach directly to the crate. These are helpful if you have to keep a puppy in the crate while you’re at work or away from the house for a length of time.

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    Conclusion

    Our best overall choice is the MidWest Homes Dog Crate because you can set it up and fold it down quickly without having to use tools. It has convenient features like a divider panel and rounded corners to keep your puppy safe and happy.

    Our best value choice is the Carlson Wire Dog Crate because it’s available in numerous sizes to fit your puppy or adult dog. It folds easily to make it portable, and it has a secure locking system to keep your dog safe.

    We hope our reviews and buyer’s guide have helped you find the best wire dog crate for your needs.

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