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In-depth review · 10 products ranked

Best Dog Crates of 2026

Last reviewed 19 May 2026 by Best Products UK Editorial Team

A dog crate is a training tool, a safe sleeping space and (for puppies) the foundation of toilet training. The trap is buying the wrong size — too big and the puppy will toilet inside it (defeating training), too small and the dog can't stand or turn comfortably. Most crate sizing guides quote ranges; this ranking sorts crates by size category and notes the dog weight/breed range each fits.

BP
Best Products UK Editorial Team
Editorial team
Published 30 April 2026
8 min read
Advertisement. As an Amazon Associate, Best Products UK earns from qualifying purchases. This article contains affiliate links. If you buy a product through one of these links, we earn a commission from the retailer at no extra cost to you. Our ranked picks are made independently of these commercial arrangements — read how we rank and our full affiliate disclosure. Prices on Amazon change frequently — always click through to verify the current price before buying.
At a glance

The 3 picks worth skipping ahead for

Best Choice
Amazon Basics XXL Metal Folding Dog Crate with Tray
Score 9.5 / 10
Premium Pick
Straame Heavy-Duty Folding Dog Crate for XL Dogs
Score 9.1 / 10
Value for Money
Morpilot Large Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier
Score 8.6 / 10
How we tested

Best Products UK is a review aggregator, not a test lab. For this guide we read Amazon UK customer reviews focused on escape attempts (bar gauge, latch reliability), tray durability and crate fold-mechanism longevity; cross-referenced against RSPCA crate-training guidance, The Kennel Club training advice and Which? testing; and weighted long-term ownership signals (rust, latch wear, plastic-tray cracks) more heavily than first-week impressions. Crate sizing guidance follows standard UK breed-by-size conventions; always measure your dog before buying.

Jump to a pick
01Amazon Basics02Straame03PawHut04Morpilot05Generic06Generic07Harbour Housewares08Generic09Avont10Pethiy
Best Choice
01
Amazon Basics XXL Metal Folding Dog Crate with Tray
Amazon Basics

XXL Metal Folding Dog Crate with Tray

9.5
/ 10
Exceptional

Amazon's own-brand XXL metal crate — the most-bought UK dog crate on Amazon for two years running. Folding chassis, divider panel (shrinks the inside for puppy training), removable plastic floor tray, two doors. Suits 40+ kg adult dogs (Labradors and up).

Why we love it
  • Divider panel for puppy training
  • Two doors (side + front)
  • Folds flat for storage
  • Removable washable tray
Watch out for
  • Standard 1.5 mm bars (not escape-artist proof)
  • Plastic tray cracks if dog chews
  • Heavy when assembled (~12 kg)
Size
XXL (122 cm / 48")
Suits
Adult dogs 40+ kg
Doors
2 (side + front)
Tray
Removable plastic
Divider
Included
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Premium Pick
02
Straame Heavy-Duty Folding Dog Crate for XL Dogs
Straame

Heavy-Duty Folding Dog Crate for XL Dogs

9.1
/ 10
Excellent

Straame's heavy-duty XL crate — thicker bars, double-latch doors, sturdier chassis welds. Designed for separation-anxiety dogs, large breeds that lean on the bars, or recovery from surgery (where escape attempts could cause injury). 4.6-star UK reviews.

Why we love it
  • Heavy-duty bar gauge (2 mm+)
  • Double-latch doors
  • Sturdier chassis welds
  • Two-door access
Watch out for
  • Heavier than standard crates (15+ kg)
  • More expensive than budget crates
  • Folds bulkier than light crates
Size
XL / XXL
Bar gauge
Heavy-duty (~2 mm)
Latches
Double-latch
Doors
Two
Brand
Straame
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03
PawHut Dog Crate Furniture (Side Table Design)
PawHut

Dog Crate Furniture (Side Table Design)

9
/ 10
Excellent

PawHut's furniture-style dog crate — wood exterior makes the crate look like a side table or nightstand. For living-room placement where you don't want metal bars on display. Function as a crate is good; the trade-off is no fold-flat storage.

Why we love it
  • Living-room friendly aesthetic
  • Doubles as side table
  • Solid wood + metal hybrid construction
  • Quieter than metal-only crates
Watch out for
  • Doesn't fold flat (storage challenging)
  • Heavier and harder to move
  • Premium pricing for aesthetic
Style
Furniture (side-table look)
Material
Wood + metal
Folding
No
Aesthetic
Living-room friendly
Brand
PawHut
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Value for Money
04
Morpilot Large Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier
Morpilot

Large Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier

8.6
/ 10
Very Good

Morpilot's soft-sided carrier — for travel (car, holiday) and indoor calm-dog use rather than primary crating. Easier to carry than metal crates, but not for unattended use or escape-artist dogs.

Why we love it
  • Soft-sided travel-friendly
  • Doubles for dogs and cats
  • Lightweight
  • Folds compact
Watch out for
  • Not escape-proof
  • Not for unattended chewers
  • Mesh windows can tear
Type
Soft-sided carrier
Use case
Travel / calm dogs
Folding
Yes (compact)
Material
Fabric + mesh
Brand
Morpilot
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05
Generic XL Dog Crate (Heavy-Duty Metal)
Generic

XL Dog Crate (Heavy-Duty Metal)

8.3
/ 10
Good

Generic XL metal crate — similar specs to Amazon Basics #1 in slightly different sizing. Choose between #1 and this on current price and exact dimensions.

Why we love it
  • XL size for large dogs
  • Heavy-duty build
  • Folding chassis
  • Mid-budget pricing
Watch out for
  • Generic brand
  • Similar to Amazon Basics
  • Tray quality varies
Size
XL
Format
Folding metal
Brand
Generic
Variant
Similar to #1
Use case
Adult large dogs
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How to choose

Size, bar gauge and crate-training principles

Three questions cover dog crate buying. Size is the most common mistake.

1.
Crate size by dog weight

Small (61 cm / 24"): under 11 kg — terriers, Yorkies, small spaniels. Medium (76 cm / 30"): 11-20 kg — beagles, small French Bulldogs. Large (91 cm / 36"): 20-30 kg — Cocker Spaniels, smaller Border Collies. XL (107 cm / 42"): 30-40 kg — Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds. XXL (122 cm / 48"): 40+ kg — Great Danes, large Mastiffs. Your dog should be able to stand up without head touching, turn around and lie flat — but not so big they can use one end as a toilet. Divider panels (most XXL crates include one) let you shrink the inside for puppy training.

2.
Bar gauge: thickness matters

Standard crates use ~1.5 mm bars (Amazon Basics, generic UK crates) — fine for most dogs. Heavy-duty crates (Straame, Frisco) use 2 mm+ bars for escape artists or large breeds that lean on the crate. Welded vs riveted joints: welded is stronger, riveted is cheaper. For a Labrador-sized dog with good crate training, standard gauge is fine; for separation-anxiety dogs or large breeds, pay for heavy-duty.

3.
Latches and doors

Single-latch crates: easy to open but easier for dogs to work loose. Two-point latch crates: more secure, recommended for first-year puppies and escape artists. Two-door crates (side + front access): useful for car loading or fitting into corners. Single-door crates: cheaper, slightly more rigid. Sliding-bolt latches are the most secure; rotating-cam latches are easier to operate one-handed.

Match the crate size to your dog's adult weight (not current puppy weight — use a divider panel to shrink the inside while they grow). Standard metal folding crates suit 95% of UK households; heavy-duty is for specific behaviour or size concerns.

06
Generic Medium Sized Dog Crate (2-Door)
Generic

Medium Sized Dog Crate (2-Door)

7.9
/ 10
Good

Medium-size generic crate suiting beagles, cocker spaniels and similar dogs (11-20 kg). Two-door access, removable tray, folding chassis. Mid-budget pricing.

Why we love it
  • Right size for medium breeds
  • Two doors
  • Folding storage
  • Affordable
Watch out for
  • Generic brand
  • Standard bar gauge
  • Tray plastic basic
Size
Medium (76 cm / 30")
Suits
11-20 kg dogs
Doors
Two
Format
Folding metal
Brand
Generic
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07
Harbour Housewares 2-Door Medium Metal Dog Crate (Folding)
Harbour Housewares

2-Door Medium Metal Dog Crate (Folding)

7.7
/ 10
Good

Harbour Housewares is a UK Amazon-only brand. Medium 2-door folding crate with removable tray; designed for car/travel use. Mid-budget pricing.

Why we love it
  • UK brand presence
  • 2-door + folding
  • Car travel-friendly
  • Removable tray
Watch out for
  • Medium size limited to smaller dogs
  • Generic build quality
  • Trays sometimes loose
Size
Medium
Doors
Two
Format
Folding
Brand
Harbour Housewares (UK)
Use case
Travel + indoor
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08
Generic Foldable Pet Playpen (Soft Portable Tent)
Generic

Foldable Pet Playpen (Soft Portable Tent)

7.3
/ 10
Fair

Soft fabric pop-up pet playpen — for outdoor garden use or short-term indoor containment of calm puppies/cats. Not a crate substitute for crate training; not for unattended use.

Why we love it
  • Portable pop-up design
  • Outdoor + indoor use
  • Lightweight
  • Sub-£25
Watch out for
  • Not escape-proof
  • Soft fabric tears
  • Not for crate training
Type
Soft playpen
Material
Fabric + mesh
Folding
Pop-up
Use case
Garden / short-term indoor
Caveat
Not crate-training replacement
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09
Avont Portable Dog/Cat Playpen (Foldable)
Avont

Portable Dog/Cat Playpen (Foldable)

7.1
/ 10
Fair

Avont's soft pop-up playpen — similar to #8 from a different brand. Sub-£25 starter. Same caveats: not for unattended use, not for crate training.

Why we love it
  • Sub-£25 entry
  • Foldable pop-up
  • Easy outdoor setup
  • Lightweight
Watch out for
  • Same fabric-tear concerns
  • Not for serious training
  • Not escape-proof
Type
Soft foldable playpen
Material
Fabric + mesh
Brand
Avont
Price
Sub-£25
Use case
Garden / short-term
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Editor's Pick
10
Pethiy Dog Crate Topper (Oxford Cloth, 30")
Pethiy

Dog Crate Topper (Oxford Cloth, 30")

6.8
/ 10
Fair

Not a crate — a crate-topper accessory. Oxford cloth cover that fits 30-inch crates and turns them into a flat-top surface (so you can put things on the crate). Includes 6 hook-and-loop fasteners for stability.

Why we love it
  • Turns crate into usable surface
  • Fits 24-48 inch crates
  • Oxford cloth durability
  • Hook-and-loop secure
Watch out for
  • Not a crate (accessory only)
  • Crate sold separately
  • Aesthetic only — doesn't improve crate function
Type
Crate accessory (topper)
Fits
24-48 inch crates
Material
Oxford cloth
Crate included
No
Brand
Pethiy
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The verdict

Amazon Basics XXL wins on price; Straame Heavy-Duty is for serious escape artists.

The Amazon Basics XXL Metal Crate takes the top spot as the universal default UK dog crate. Folding metal design, divider panel (lets you shrink the inside as a puppy grows — important for toilet training), removable plastic tray, two doors. Amazon's returns policy means low-risk if the size doesn't suit your dog.

For determined escape artists (dogs that bend the bars or work the latch on standard crates), the Straame Heavy-Duty Folding XL is the smarter buy. Thicker bar gauge (around 2 mm vs the typical 1.5 mm on budget crates), stronger latches with two-point closure, and a more rigid chassis that resists dogs leaning against the side.

Below the metal-crate tier, the picture splits between soft fabric playpens (Morpilot, Avont, generic foldable pet playpens) and rigid plastic carriers. Soft playpens are for calm, trained dogs being contained for short periods — not for unattended use or serious training. Furniture-style crates (PawHut) hide the crate as a side table; works aesthetically but loses the easy-fold storage advantage.

Frequently asked

Common questions

What size crate do I need?
Match to your dog's adult weight, not puppy size. Small (24"): under 11 kg. Medium (30"): 11-20 kg. Large (36"): 20-30 kg. XL (42"): 30-40 kg. XXL (48"): 40+ kg. The dog should be able to stand without head touching, turn around, and lie flat — but not so big they can use one end as a toilet. Use a divider panel (included with most XXL crates) to shrink the inside for puppy training.
Is crate training cruel?
No — when done correctly. The RSPCA and Kennel Club support crate training as a safe-space and toilet-training tool when the crate is sized correctly, never used for punishment, and the dog has positive associations with it (fed in there, given treats inside, never left for long periods). Misuse (extended confinement, using as punishment, leaving puppy without breaks for hours) is the problem, not the crate itself.
How long can a dog stay in a crate?
Puppies (8-16 weeks): maximum 1-3 hours, with toilet breaks. Adolescent dogs (4-12 months): 4-5 hours maximum. Adult dogs: 6-8 hours during the day, overnight is fine. These are maximum limits; ideally, crating sessions are much shorter and broken up with exercise, training and free-roam time.
Folding metal crate or fabric playpen?
Folding metal crate for primary crate training, overnight sleeping, unattended periods. Fabric playpen for travel, garden containment, short-term confinement when you're supervising. Soft playpens aren't escape-proof and aren't suitable for crate training puppies or for any unattended use.
Why does my dog bark in the crate?
Common in the first 1-2 weeks of training. Reasons: the crate is too big (no cozy feel), the dog hasn't built positive associations yet (introduce gradually with treats and meals inside), or anxiety from being left alone. Don't release a barking dog (rewards the barking); wait for a quiet moment, then release. If barking persists for weeks, consult a dog trainer — separation anxiety needs different intervention from crate-training resistance.
BP
About the editor

Best Products UK Editorial Team

Best Products UK is an independent UK product-review aggregator. Our editorial team synthesises hands-on reviews from leading UK consumer publications — Which?, Wired UK, T3, Tom's Guide UK, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, Good Housekeeping, Expert Reviews, Stuff and others — into clear, ranked top-ten guides for UK shoppers. We do not run a physical test lab. We tell you which products UK reviewers agree on, where they disagree, and which the data says is right for your budget. Our methodology is published openly at /about/#methodology.

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