Best Puppy Crates

A puppy's first crate should make housebreaking and quiet-time practice easier without forcing you to buy another crate in a month. For most puppies, that means a wire crate with a divider panel and a door layout that fits the room where training actually happens.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

See Quick Picks Crate Training Guide

Quick Picks

Start with the crate that best fits your budget and best matches your room layout. All three picks are practical for puppy crate training, but they solve different problems.

KindTail PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate

Top Pick for Puppy Crate Training

KindTail PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate

The featured pick if you want a cleaner-looking puppy crate that collapses for storage and includes a washable bed.

Check price on Amazon

MidWest iCrate 18-Inch Dog Crate

Best Budget First Crate

MidWest iCrate Dog Crate (18-Inch)

The simple pick for tiny-breed puppies: lighter, usually cheaper, and built around the divider-panel setup that makes puppy housebreaking easier.

Check price on Amazon

MidWest Life Stages 22-Inch Dog Crate

Best Sturdier Wire Crate

MidWest Life Stages Dog Crate (22-Inch)

Life Stages uses heavier-gauge steel than iCrate and feels more solid for active puppies.

Check price on Amazon

Petmate Training Retreat Kennel

Best Flexible Door Layout

Petmate Training Retreat Kennel

A useful alternative when side-door access is needed. The two-door layout can make daily crate routines easier in tight bedrooms or living rooms.

Check price on Amazon

Internet's Best Double Door Wire Dog Kennel Blue

Best Color Option

Internet's Best Double Door Wire Dog Kennel (Blue)

A small wire puppy crate that does the basic training job but comes in color, which makes it stand out from the usual black-crate lineup.

Check price on Amazon

Puppy Crate Picks

For crate training, prioritize fit and daily usability. A divider is useful because puppies should not start with a crate so large that they can sleep on one side and potty on the other.

KindTail PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate

KindTail PAWD Collapsible Dog Crate

Best for: Puppy owners who want a cleaner-looking, portable indoor crate instead of a standard wire crate

Collapsible panel design folds flat for storage or moving around the house
Includes a washable padded bed for a more finished puppy rest setup
Medium size is listed for small-to-medium pets between 15 and 25 pounds

Why it works: The collapsible hard-panel format gives puppies a defined resting space while feeling more like home furniture than a basic wire crate

Consider it if: You want the featured puppy-crate pick and your puppy fits the listed medium size range

Check Price on Amazon

MidWest iCrate 18-Inch Dog Crate

MidWest iCrate Dog Crate (18-Inch)

Best for: Tiny-breed puppies who need a small, straightforward first wire crate with a divider

18-inch iCrate size is listed for tiny breeds up to 10 pounds
Includes a divider panel so the usable crate space can grow with a small puppy
Folding wire design is easy to move, store, or reposition around the house

Why it works: The smaller puppy-specific size keeps the crate from starting too large while preserving the divider-based housebreaking setup

Consider it if: You want the simpler, lighter Midwest option for a tiny puppy and do not need the heavier-gauge Life Stages build

Check Price on Amazon

MidWest Life Stages 22-Inch Dog Crate

MidWest Life Stages Dog Crate (22-Inch)

Best for: Extra-small puppies when you want the sturdier Midwest wire crate in a puppy-sized model

22-inch Life Stages size is listed for extra-small breeds up to 15 pounds
Includes a divider panel for puppy-to-adult crate setup in a smaller footprint
Heavier-gauge steel than the iCrate line for a sturdier wire-crate feel

Why it works: It keeps the same divider-based training logic as iCrate but uses a heavier build for extra durability

Consider it if: You do not mind extra weight and want the sturdier Midwest option for a small puppy

Check Price on Amazon

Petmate Training Retreat Kennel

Petmate Training Retreat Kennel

Best for: Puppy owners who want flexible door access for different room setups

Two-door layout gives you more placement options in bedrooms, kitchens, or living rooms
Wire construction keeps airflow and visibility high during early crate introduction
Useful alternative if the room layout makes a single front door awkward

Why it works: A second access point can make daily crate routines easier when the crate sits beside furniture or against a wall

Consider it if: You want a wire training crate but need side-door access more than the sturdier Life Stages build

Check Price on Amazon

Internet's Best Double Door Wire Dog Kennel Blue

Internet's Best Double Door Wire Dog Kennel (Blue)

Best for: Owners who want a small puppy wire crate with a bit more personality than the standard black look

Small 24-inch double-door wire crate for puppies, cats, or small dogs
Blue finish gives it a different look from the all-black wire crates that dominate this category
Front and side doors keep placement flexible in bedrooms, offices, or living spaces

Why it works: It covers the same basic wire-crate training job while giving color-conscious buyers a real alternative to the usual black crate format

Consider it if: You want a functional puppy wire crate but care about color and room fit instead of settling for another plain black crate

Check Price on Amazon

MidWest iCrate vs Life Stages

The iCrate and Life Stages lines are both wire crates with multiple size options and a divider panel. The difference is build and handling.

iCrate is the lighter, simpler, usually more budget-friendly option. It is easier to move around and makes sense for standard puppy crate training when your dog is not especially strong or hard on gear.

Life Stages uses heavier-gauge steel and is built to feel more sturdy. Some Life Stages crates are wider and higher than comparable iCrate models. Life Stages are appropriate for stronger, more active puppies.

Get iCrate When

You want the simpler, more budget-friendly option
You plan to move the crate around the house often
Your puppy is of average strength and you need a divider-based training setup
A lighter crate matters more than a sturdier wire frame

Get Life Stages When

You want the sturdier Midwest option
Your puppy is strong, active, or likely to push against the crate
You do not mind a heavier crate
Durability is your first priority

Puppy Crate FAQ

What type of crate is best for a puppy?: For most puppies, a wire crate with a divider panel is the easiest starting point. The divider lets you create a smaller sleeping area during housebreaking, then expand the space as your puppy grows.
Should I get iCrate or Life Stages?: Get iCrate if you want the lighter, usually cheaper option for standard puppy crate training. Get Life Stages if you want the sturdier Midwest crate and do not mind extra weight. If the price gap is small, Life Stages is the stronger pick.
Why does a puppy crate need a divider?: A divider prevents the crate from being too large at the start of training. Puppies are more likely to keep a smaller sleeping area clean, while an oversized crate can allow them sleep in one corner and potty in another.
Is a two-door crate worth it?: A two-door crate is useful when the crate sits beside furniture, in a bedroom corner, or anywhere a single front door would be inconvenient. If the crate will sit in an open area, one door is usually enough.