A crate is judged on safety first: can the dog get out, can it get hurt, and does it hold up. Then come value, ease of setup, and how it fits a room. We scored seven crates on safety, durability, value, ease of use, and design. Our top pick is the MidWest LifeStages, with an SR Score of 89, for the best blend of wire-crate strength, a divider for growing puppies, and a fair price. For the best design and the easiest setup — at a much higher cost — the Diggs Revol (87) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Crate | Best for | Typical price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MidWest LifeStages | All-round wire crate | ~$70 | 89 |
| 2 | Diggs Revol | Design + easy setup | ~$599 | 87 |
| 3 | MidWest iCrate | Best budget | ~$50 | 84 |
| 4 | Frisco Heavy Duty | Value heavy-duty wire | ~$90 | 84 |
| 5 | Frisco Furniture-Style | Decor-friendly | ~$130 | 82 |
| 6 | Petmate Sky Kennel | Air travel | ~$100 | 85 |
| 7 | Impact High Anxiety | Escape artists / aluminum | ~$700 | 86 |
Methodology
The Pet Gear Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria summing to 100:
- Safety & strength (30) — door latches, wire gauge, escape and injury resistance.
- Durability (20) — how well it survives chewing, force, and repeated folding.
- Value for money (20) — price against strength and lifespan.
- Ease of use (20) — setup, folding, cleaning, and doors.
- Design & footprint (10) — looks and how it fits a home.
Safety carries 30 because a crate that buckles or pops open fails its core purpose. Re-weight toward budget and the iCrate or Frisco climb; toward escape-proof strength and Impact wins.
MidWest LifeStages
The best wire crate in independent testing: a stronger, double-door build than the lighter iCrate, with a divider panel for growing puppies, a leak-proof pan, and fold-flat storage. Around $70.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 26/30 |
| Durability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Ease of use | 18/20 |
| Design & footprint | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it is heavier than the iCrate, and determined chewers can still bend standard wire.
Diggs Revol
Wirecutter’s top pick for design. Easy collapsible setup, a side door and top hatch, wheels for moving, diamond-mesh sides, and a far better look than a wire box. Starts around $599 for the small.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 25/30 |
| Durability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 9/20 |
| Ease of use | 20/20 |
| Design & footprint | 10/10 |
Trade-off: Diggs raised prices sharply — roughly six to ten times an entry wire crate — which is hard to justify for most owners.
MidWest iCrate
The budget standard among vets, rescues, and trainers: cheap, easy to clean, foldable, with a divider. Around $50.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 22/30 |
| Durability | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Ease of use | 18/20 |
| Design & footprint | 9/10 |
Trade-off: thinner wire that buckled under force in testing, with gaps near the door; fine for calm dogs, not escape artists.
Frisco Heavy Duty
A sturdier Chewy wire crate with thicker wire and reinforced corners at a value price, around $90.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 24/30 |
| Durability | 17/20 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Ease of use | 16/20 |
| Design & footprint | 9/10 |
Trade-off: heavier and bulkier than the standard wire crates, with a more basic latch.
Frisco Furniture-Style
A wood-look crate that doubles as an end table, blending into a living room. Around $130.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 18/30 |
| Durability | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Ease of use | 16/20 |
| Design & footprint | 10/10 |
Trade-off: not for chewers — the wood and slats are easily damaged; it is a style piece more than a training crate.
Petmate Sky Kennel
A rigid plastic, airline-style kennel that meets many carriers’ travel requirements, with a den-like enclosed feel. Around $100.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 25/30 |
| Durability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Ease of use | 15/20 |
| Design & footprint | 6/10 |
Trade-off: bulky, does not fold flat, and less ventilated than wire; confirm current airline specs before flying.
Impact High Anxiety
An aluminum crate built for escape artists and anxious dogs, with a reinforced door and no exposed wire to chew. Around $700.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety & strength | 29/30 |
| Durability | 20/20 |
| Value for money | 8/20 |
| Ease of use | 14/20 |
| Design & footprint | 7/10 |
Trade-off: very expensive and heavy; justified only for dogs that break out of or injure themselves in standard crates.
Verification
- MidWest LifeStages — double-door build, divider, and testing result verified on midwesthomes4pets.com and GearJunkie.
- Diggs Revol — design, side door, wheels, and pricing verified on diggs.pet and CNN Underscored.
- MidWest iCrate — budget design and testing weaknesses verified on midwesthomes4pets.com and CNN Underscored.
- Frisco Heavy Duty — wire crate specs and pricing verified on chewy.com.
- Frisco Furniture-Style — furniture crate design verified on chewy.com.
- Petmate Sky Kennel — airline-style kennel verified on petmate.com.
- Impact High Anxiety — aluminum escape-proof build verified on impactdogcrates.com.
Related rankings
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- Best Dog Harnesses 2026: 7 No-Pull Picks Scored
- Best Dog Toys 2026: 7 Durable Picks Scored
- Best Automatic Litter Boxes 2026: 6 Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best dog crate in 2026?
- The MidWest LifeStages is our top pick for the best balance of strength, value, and a divider that grows with a puppy. The Diggs Revol is the runner-up for design and easy setup, and a basic Frisco or MidWest iCrate is the best budget pick.
- What size crate does my dog need?
- A dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. For house-training a puppy, use a divider to keep the space just big enough so it does not soil one end and sleep in the other. Buy to the adult size and adjust the divider.
- Are wire or plastic crates better?
- Wire crates offer airflow, visibility, and easy cleaning and fold flat for storage. Plastic airline-style crates are more den-like and required for air travel. Choose wire for home training and travel-rated plastic for flights.
- Is the Diggs Revol worth the price?
- The Revol is well designed, sets up easily, has a side door and wheels, and looks better than a wire crate, but Diggs raised prices sharply, with the small now around $599. For most owners a MidWest or Frisco wire crate at $40 to $120 does the same job for far less.
- Are crates cruel?
- Used correctly, a crate is a safe den, not a cage. Introduce it gradually with positive association, never use it for punishment, and do not leave a dog crated for excessive periods. Most trainers and many vets endorse proper crate training.