The divider strategy: one crate purchase from puppy to adult.
Best Dog Crate for Puppies (2026)
Puppy crates with dividers, easy-clean pans, and the right sizing strategy from 8 weeks to adult. What trainers actually recommend.
Our top picks at a glance
Best puppy crate
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double DoorPuppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider.
Best premium puppy crate
Diggs Revol Collapsible CrateOwners who move the crate daily or want furniture-grade looks.
Budget puppy crate
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding CrateBudget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house.
For puppies, buy the adult-size MidWest iCrate with the divider: one purchase covers 8 weeks to full grown. Set the divider so the puppy can stand, turn, and lie down with 2 inches to spare, no more. Expand it every few weeks as the puppy grows. This single strategy saves most owners from buying two crates.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Sizes | Doors | Divider | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best puppy crateMidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door | 18" to 48" lengths | Double door (front + side) | Included | Check price |
| Best premium puppy crateDiggs Revol Collapsible Crate | XS, S, M, L (up to ~32 inch length) | — | — | Check price |
| Budget puppy crateAmazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate | 22" to 48" lengths | Single front door | Included | Check price |
Best puppy crate
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door
The wire-crate standard every trainer recommends.
Strengths
- Divider panel included, so one crate works from puppy to adult
- Double doors (front and side) for flexible room placement
- Folds flat with a carry handle for occasional transport
Limitations
- Wire construction is noisy when an anxious dog paws at it
- Black e-coat finish chips over years of use
- Heavy in the 42 and 48 inch sizes
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Sturdy wire with secure double latches
- Fast fold-flat setup
- Divider panel lets the crate grow with a puppy
Common complaints
- Determined dogs can push or bend the doors
- Plastic trays can crack over time
- Older units may rust if exposed to moisture
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 18" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Double door (front + side) |
| Divider | Included |
| Pan | Composite plastic, slide-out |
| Finish | Black e-coat on steel wire |
Best for: Puppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider.
Skip if: You need a crate that collapses for daily car transport.
Best premium puppy crate
Diggs Revol Collapsible Crate
The premium crate that collapses in one motion.
Strengths
- Collapses flat in one motion with no disassembly
- Garage-style side door opens without swinging into the room
- Puppy divider and removable tray included
Limitations
- Premium price for the same interior space as wire crates
- Heavier than it looks due to the aluminum frame
- Fewer size options than the iCrate range
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Attractive design that looks like furniture
- Collapses with wheels for easy moving
- Convenient top and side doors
Common complaints
- Heavy, at around 45 pounds
- Assembly can take longer than the instructions suggest
- Support response times draw complaints
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | XS, S, M, L (up to ~32 inch length) |
|---|---|
| Collapse | Single-motion flat fold |
| Frame | Anodized aluminum |
| Door | Garage-style side door |
| Included | Puppy divider, removable tray |
Best for: Owners who move the crate daily or want furniture-grade looks.
Skip if: You want the lowest price per cubic inch of crate.
Budget puppy crate
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate
The cheapest wire crate that still does the job.
Strengths
- Lowest price in the wire-crate category
- Divider panel included like pricier rivals
- Folds flat for storage
Limitations
- Single door limits placement options
- Thinner wire gauge than the MidWest iCrate
- Latches feel less secure than premium crates
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Very affordable
- Easy to set up and fold away
- Removable tray is simple to clean
Common complaints
- Panels can bend or bow with strong dogs
- Some arrive with minor fit issues or missing instructions
- Latches are basic
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sizes | 22" to 48" lengths |
|---|---|
| Doors | Single front door |
| Divider | Included |
| Pan | Composite plastic |
| Fold | Flat fold, no tools |
Best for: Budget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house.
Skip if: You want double doors or the sturdiest wire gauge.
Questions, answered
Should I buy a small crate now and a bigger one later?
No. Buy the adult size with a divider. Two-crate purchasing wastes money and the puppy has to re-learn a new crate. The divider gives you the small space the puppy needs today and the big space the adult needs later.
What if my puppy has accidents in the crate?
First check the divider: the space is probably too big. Second, check the schedule: puppies need outings every 1 to 2 hours at 8 to 10 weeks. The slide-out plastic pan in all three wire crates makes cleanup fast, which is half the battle.
Should puppies sleep in the crate at night?
Yes, from the first night. Place the crate in your bedroom so the puppy can hear and smell you, which reduces crying enormously. Set an alarm for a middle-of-the-night potty break for the first few weeks. Move the crate to its permanent spot gradually once the puppy sleeps through.