Head to head
MidWest iCrate vs Amazon Basics Crate (2026)
MidWest iCrate vs Amazon Basics folding crate compared: wire gauge, doors, latches, and whether the price gap is worth it.
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door
Best for: Puppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider.
#3 in our rankings · Best budget
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate
Best for: Budget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house.
Our recommendation
Buy the MidWest iCrate as your main crate: double doors, heavier wire gauge, and better latches justify the price step for a crate used every day for years. Buy the Amazon Basics crate as a second crate for the car, the grandparents' house, or the vacation rental: it folds, it has a divider, and it costs little enough to leave places.
Wire gauge and sturdiness
The iCrate uses heavier-gauge wire that flexes less when a large dog leans or paws at it. The Amazon Basics crate's thinner wire is adequate for calm dogs but visibly flexes under strong, anxious dogs. Over years of use, the iCrate's frame stays square while budget crates can develop a slight lean.
Doors
The iCrate's double doors (front and side) let you place the crate against walls or in corners with access from either side. The Amazon crate's single front door means the crate's orientation is fixed: the door must face the room. In tight spaces this is a real limitation.
Latches
The iCrate's slide-bolt latches engage positively and stay engaged. The Amazon crate's latches work but feel less secure, and clever dogs learn to nose them faster. For dogs with any history of door-testing, the iCrate's latches are meaningfully better.
Choose MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door if…
- This is the primary daily-use crate
- Your dog is large, strong, or tests doors
- You want the crate to last through multiple dogs
Choose Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate if…
- This is a second or travel crate
- Your dog is calm and crate-trained
- Lowest cost is the priority
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door | Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Sizes | 18" to 48" lengths | 22" to 48" lengths |
| Doors | Double door (front + side) | Single front door |
| Divider | Included | Included |
| Pan | Composite plastic, slide-out | Composite plastic |
| Finish | Black e-coat on steel wire | — |
| Fold | — | Flat fold, no tools |
| Best for | Puppies through adults who need a sturdy home crate with a divider. | Budget buyers and second crates for the car or grandparents' house. |
| Skip if | You need a crate that collapses for daily car transport. | You want double doors or the sturdiest wire gauge. |
Strengths and limitations
MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door
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
Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate
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
How they fit the wider field
- MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The 10 Best Dog Crates. Read the full MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door review.
- Amazon Basics Single-Door Folding Crate: ranked #3 (Best budget) in The 10 Best Dog Crates.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Is the Amazon Basics crate safe?
Yes, for normal use. It meets the same basic safety expectations as other wire crates: rounded wire ends, a slide-out pan, and a divider. The differences from the iCrate are durability and refinement, not fundamental safety.
Can I use the Amazon crate for a puppy?
Yes. It includes a divider, so the puppy-to-adult sizing strategy works the same as with the iCrate. Puppies are light and the thinner wire is not a concern until the dog reaches adult strength.