10 Best Small Dog Crates in 2026

A 24.5-inch overall length and a divider panel let this crate adapt from a puppy kennel to a full-size home for dogs up to 20 pounds. The slide-bolt latch with Paw Block helps reduce snags and cuts, and the rounded corner clips add a layer of safety during assembly or daily use. For anyone crate-training a small breed, the large openings and low thresholds can help the dog feel more at home, which eases the training process.

The trade-off is a single door, which can be awkward if you want to position the crate in a tight corner or need access from both sides for cleaning. The New World Double Door Crate from the same family offers two doors for that flexibility, but it weighs about a pound less and lacks the divider panel. If you only need one access point and want the growth-friendly divider, this iCrate is the more practical pick.

Two doors, one on the front and one on the side, let you place this crate in a corner, against a wall, or beside furniture without blocking access. That flexibility is the whole point of a double-door design, and the New World delivers it. The 24-inch size is recommended for dogs 12 to 20 pounds, such as Fox Terriers, Pugs, and Chihuahuas. Precision welding, rounded corner clips, and slide-bolt latches with Paw Block are designed to mitigate cuts and escapes, and the leak-proof tray is included. Large openings and low thresholds are intended to ease crate training and help your dog feel more at home.

This crate does not include a divider panel, so if you’re bringing home a puppy who’ll grow into the 20-pound range, you’ll need to buy a separate panel or just accept the extra space early on. At 12.7 pounds, it’s heavier than the Petmate Two Door Plastic Pet Kennel (5.2 lb), which matters if you’re carrying it between rooms or in and out of the car. That plastic kennel is lighter and airline-friendly, but it only has top and front openings, no side door, so you lose the placement flexibility that makes the New World worth the extra weight for home use.

A divider panel lets you shrink the interior space as a puppy grows, then expand it later without buying a second crate. That alone makes this a practical starting point for small breeds like Havanese or Pugs. The metal wire construction folds flat and has a top handle, so moving it from room to room or stashing it in a closet takes seconds. A metal hook at the bottom of the crate prevents the plastic tray from moving out, but you have to lock the hook after installing the tray every time.

The single-door design is the main compromise here. With only one opening, you cannot position the crate in a tight corner or against a wall and still have easy access from the front. Compare that to the New World Double Door Crate, which gives you two entry points and a slightly different height. The Amazon Basics also relies on that metal hook to hold the tray in place, and if you forget to lock it after cleaning, the tray can shift. For the price, though, you get a functional crate with the essentials: a divider, a folding frame, and a tray that stays put when you remember the hook.

At 5.2 pounds, this is the lightest hard-sided crate in this guide by a wide margin. That weight difference matters when you’re juggling a carry-on, a pet, and your sanity through airport security. The airline-approved design includes ventilation holes on all sides and a stay-dry moat that channels fluids away from your pet, which is exactly the kind of practical detail you want when traveling. It suits travelers who need a crate that meets airline cargo specs without adding unnecessary bulk to their luggage.

This crate is built for containment, not comfort. At 14.5 inches tall, it gives a small dog room to stand, turn, and lie down, but a taller breed like a long-legged terrier will feel cramped compared to the 19-inch height of the New World Double Door Crate. And while the plastic shell is easy to clean, it lacks the visibility of a wire crate, which can make a difference for a dog that likes to see what’s happening. If your travel plans are rare and your dog spends most of its time at home, a wire crate offers more space for the same footprint.

This dog crate doubles as a nightstand or side table thanks to its wooden top and furniture-style design, so it blends into your living room instead of sticking out like an eyesore. It’s sized for dogs up to 20 pounds, and the low threshold helps protect tiny legs from patellar issues. Four modes, puppy training, crating, free-range, and whelping, let you adapt the crate as your dog grows or needs change.

The trade-off for that furniture look is a narrower footprint than most standard wire crates. The rechgosh is 16 inches wide, while the MidWest iCrate in the same length gives you nearly 19 inches of width, more room for a dog to stretch sideways. It’s a smart pick for decor-minded owners of very small dogs who don’t need extra headroom.

Two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches on each door mean this is the crate you buy when your dog treats escape like a sport. The front and side entry doors give you placement flexibility in tight corners or against furniture, and the 24.6-inch length fits pugs and similar small breeds up to 25 pounds without wasted space. The open wire construction provides 360-degree unobstructed visibility and airflow, which helps reduce separation anxiety. If security is your first priority, the Freepet delivers it without the fuss of assembly tools or complex folding mechanisms.

The solid lockup comes with a weight penalty: at 14.2 pounds, it’s heavier than the New World Double Door Crate by about a pound and a half, so you’ll notice the difference if you’re hauling it in and out of the car regularly. The included carry handle helps, but this isn’t the lightest option for frequent travel. There’s also no divider panel, which means it’s best suited for a full-grown small dog rather than a puppy you plan to size up into. For owners who want double-door convenience with serious latch security and don’t mind the extra heft, this is a straightforward, well-built choice.

At 24 inches long and 19 inches tall, this crate fits dogs up to 22 inches long and 16 inches tall, so it is designed for extra-small to small breeds. The all-metal construction and multi-point locking door provide straightforward security, while the fold-flat design means you can stash it under a bed or toss it in the car without wrestling with tools. It suits someone who wants a no-fuss, compact crate that does not scream utility, especially if the pink finish fits your home or your dog’s personality.

The single door is the main limitation here. Compared to the New World Double Door Crate, which is nearly identical in size and weight, this Carlson model only opens from one side, which can make placement against a wall or in a tight corner less forgiving. If those limits don’t apply to your dog, this is a tidy, travel-friendly crate that gets the basics right without extra frills.

At 10.7 pounds and collapsing to 3.5 inches tall, this crate is built for people who actually move their dog’s space around. It sets up in about a minute with no tools and no wrestling with loose panels, so you can take it from the living room to the car without dreading the process. The BPA-free ABS plastic has no sharp edges or corners, which matters when you’re packing it into a tight trunk or setting it up in a hotel room. This is the crate for the owner who prioritizes portability and a clean look over heavy-duty security.

Size and containment are the main considerations here. Compared to the Petmate Two Door Plastic Pet Kennel, which weighs half as much and is airline-friendly, the KindTail is heavier but folds flatter for storage. If your dog stays under the weight limit and you don’t need airline approval, this is the lightest truly collapsible option here.

The cover holds its shape through use and washing and resists collapse, so the crate won’t sag or buckle when your dog leans against the sides, a common frustration with cheaper soft-sided options. The 600D fabric cover and lockable zippers add security for a small dog up to about 18 pounds, and the whole thing folds flat in seconds for storage or carrying. It’s a lightweight, portable option for moving from room to room or taking on trips without wrestling with a wire cage.

Soft-sided crates can’t match the chew- or scratch-resistance of a metal crate like the MidWest iCrate. If your dog is a determined escape artist or a heavy chewer, the fabric walls and zippers are a weaker point than steel bars. But for a calm small dog that travels regularly, the Petsfit’s quick setup, lockable zippers, and washable cover make it far more practical than lugging a heavy wire crate. Just measure your dog’s standing length and height first, the 24-inch size fits dogs around 18 pounds, so you want to be sure they can turn and lie down freely.

At 4.4 pounds, this plastic crate is the lightest among the 24-inch models listed in the guide, making it easy to carry from car to check-in counter. The durable plastic shell meets most airline cargo specifications and provides four-sided ventilation for your pet during travel. Tamper-proof holes let you secure the kennel with zip ties for air travel, and the stay-dry moat channels fluids away from your pet, which helps keep things clean during housebreaking or on the road.

The Petmate’s interior is 21.5 inches long, which is enough for a small dog to stand up and turn around, but it’s not a spacious living room crate. Owners who want a kennel for occasional travel or airline trips will appreciate the compact size, while those planning to leave a dog inside for hours at home might prefer a larger wire crate that folds flat. This kennel prioritizes portability and airline approval over lounging space.