Bringing home a puppy usually means managing potty training, teething, nighttime settling, and the occasional burst of unsupervised chaos. A well-sized crate can make those early months much easier by giving a puppy a predictable place to rest while helping owners manage the home safely.
For puppies, I prefer crates that can grow with the dog. An adjustable divider is especially useful because it lets you reduce the usable floor area during early housetraining, then gradually expand it as the puppy gets bigger. I also look for secure latches, removable trays, straightforward setup, and enough room for the puppy to stand, turn around, and lie comfortably.
The six options below are all foldable wire crates suited to different puppy sizes and household setups.
Quick Summary
This guide is for new puppy owners who want a practical crate for housetraining, sleeping, short periods of safe confinement, and everyday home use.
For most puppies, a foldable metal-wire crate with a removable tray and adjustable divider is the most versatile choice. Wire construction provides airflow and visibility, while the divider prevents owners from having to replace a small puppy crate every few months.
My top overall recommendation is the MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate Medium Single Door. Its manageable 30-inch footprint, divider-friendly design, folding construction, and long-standing buyer feedback make it particularly well suited to puppies expected to mature into medium-size dogs. TheTestedHub
Top Product List
- MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate Medium Single Door — Best Overall
- Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate 30-Inch Single Door — Best Value
- MidWest Homes for Pets 24-Inch iCrate Small Breeds — Best for Small Puppies
- MidWest Homes for Pets 36-Inch iCrate Medium-Large — Best for Growing Medium-Large Puppies
- Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate 36-Inch Double Door — Best for Flexible Placement
- Amazon Basics Metal Wire Dog Crate 36-Inch Single Door — Best Simple 36-Inch Crate
top 6 best dog crates for puppies for 2026
MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate Medium Single Door
Short Description
This 30-inch iCrate is designed as a straightforward folding wire crate for medium dogs. I particularly like this size for puppies expected to mature into breeds in the general Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, or French Bulldog range.
Key Specifications
- Approximately 30 x 19 x 21 inches
- Metal-wire construction
- Single-door configuration
- Divider panel
- Removable tray
- Foldable design
- Suitable for indoor use and transport
The 30-inch model is commonly recommended for dogs around 26–40 pounds, although body measurements should take priority over weight alone. TheTestedHub
Pros
- Divider makes it useful throughout puppy growth
- Folds down without complicated assembly
- Removable tray simplifies accident cleanup
- Practical footprint for many homes
- Strong volume of positive buyer feedback
Cons
- Only one door on this specific model
- Standard wire construction is not intended for powerful escape attempts
- Plastic tray can show wear from persistent scratching
My Experience
In my evaluation, this is the easiest all-around recommendation because the 30-inch size works for a useful range of growing puppies without taking up as much room as a 36- or 42-inch crate.
I also consider the divider particularly important. Instead of giving a small puppy the entire crate immediately, I can see owners configuring a smaller sleeping area and moving the divider as the puppy grows.
What Other Buyers Say
Recurring feedback praises the crate for being easy to assemble, sturdy enough for routine crate training, and simple to clean. Buyers also frequently appreciate the folding design.
Complaints tend to focus on the limitations of standard wire crates rather than everyday usability: determined dogs may flex wire components, while the plastic tray is less substantial than a heavy-duty floor. TheTestedHub
Best For
Medium-breed puppies whose owners want one crate that can be adjusted as the dog grows.
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Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate 30-Inch Single Door
Short Description
This Amazon Basics model covers the main features I want in an inexpensive puppy crate: metal-wire construction, a divider, folding frame, removable plastic tray, and simple front-door access.
Key Specifications
- 30 x 19 x 21 inches
- Metal construction
- Single front door
- Included divider
- Removable plastic base tray
- Fold-flat construction
- Carry handle
- Approximately 16.6 pounds
Amazon specifies the crate for pets under roughly 26 inches long and 17 inches tall, making careful measurement essential. 
Pros
- Excellent set of basic puppy-training features
- Divider accommodates growth
- Removable tray is useful during housetraining
- Folds flat for storage
- Relatively easy to move
Cons
- Single-door layout provides less placement flexibility
- Basic wire construction isn't ideal for escape-prone dogs
- Tray and frame are functional rather than premium
My Experience
What stands out to me is how little complexity there is. For a puppy that accepts normal crate training, the design covers the essentials without adding features most owners won't use.
The 30-inch format is also easier to fit beside a bed or in a living area than oversized crates.
What Other Buyers Say
Buyer feedback repeatedly highlights straightforward assembly, sturdiness, easy folding, and good everyday value. The removable tray also receives praise because puppy accidents can be cleaned without dismantling the crate. Amazon
Best For
Owners wanting a reasonably priced, uncomplicated 30-inch puppy crate.
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MidWest Homes for Pets 24-Inch iCrate Small Breeds
Short Description
The 24-inch iCrate is the most appealing choice here for puppies expected to remain small. It provides the same basic folding-wire concept without forcing a toy or small-breed puppy into an unnecessarily large enclosure.
Key Specifications
- Approximately 24 x 18 x 19 inches
- Metal-wire construction
- Single-door model
- Divider panel
- Removable leak-resistant pan
- Foldable design
- Floor-protecting feet
- Intended for small dogs
The manufacturer sizing is generally aimed at small dogs around 12–20 pounds, with sizing up recommended as dogs approach the upper end. Amazon
Pros
- Better proportions for small puppies
- Divider supports gradual resizing
- Compact household footprint
- Foldable for storage or travel
- Very large body of positive customer ratings
Cons
- Too small for many medium-breed puppies once grown
- Plastic pan can rattle
- Standard wire isn't designed for severe escape behavior
My Experience
For a genuinely small breed, I would rather start with this than automatically buy a huge crate. A puppy should have room to move comfortably, but excessive unused floor space can undermine the purpose of a housetraining setup.
The divider makes the 24-inch crate more adaptable during the earliest growth stages.
What Other Buyers Say
Owners commonly praise easy assembly, portability, straightforward cleaning, and the usefulness of the divider. The iCrate line also has unusually extensive long-term customer feedback.
Some owners mention that the plastic pan feels basic or can make noise when a dog moves around. Amazon
Best For
Toy and small-breed puppies expected to remain compact as adults.
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MidWest Homes for Pets 36-Inch iCrate Medium-Large
Short Description
For a puppy likely to outgrow a 30-inch crate, the 36-inch iCrate provides additional adult-size space while retaining the divider-based approach that makes wire crates practical during puppyhood.
Key Specifications
- 36-inch class folding wire crate
- Metal construction
- Divider panel
- Removable plastic pan
- Foldable frame
- Secure door-latch system
- Intended for medium-large dogs
Pros
- More growing room than 24- and 30-inch crates
- Divider helps right-size the interior for puppies
- Folds for transportation or storage
- Removable floor pan aids cleanup
- Proven iCrate design
Cons
- Takes up considerably more floor space
- Larger wire crates are heavier to move
- Not designed as a heavy-duty solution for extreme escape behavior
My Experience
I would choose this size when I already know the puppy's expected adult measurements justify it. Buying the adult-size crate and using the divider can be more practical than replacing smaller crates during growth.
The tradeoff is obvious: a 36-inch crate occupies noticeably more room, so placement should be planned before purchase.
What Other Buyers Say
Across the iCrate line, recurring positive comments focus on easy setup, sturdy everyday construction, divider usefulness, and simple cleaning. Buyers also value being able to fold the crate for occasional transport.
Critical feedback occasionally concerns tray durability, wire flex, or latch limitations with particularly determined dogs. Walmart.com
Best For
Medium-large puppies that need a crate capable of accommodating substantial growth.
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Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Wire Dog Crate 36-Inch Double Door
Short Description
The main advantage of this 36-inch Amazon Basics crate is its two-door layout. Having both front and side access can make positioning a large puppy crate much easier in bedrooms, apartments, and crowded living areas.
Key Specifications
- 36 x 23 x 25 inches
- Metal construction
- Two doors: front and side
- Divider included
- Removable tray
- 15 mm wire gap
- Approximately 22.1 pounds
- Foldable design
Manuals+
Pros
- Two doors provide flexible access
- Divider suits growing puppies
- Removable tray helps with accidents
- Folds flat when not needed
- Useful 36-inch capacity
Cons
- Heavier than smaller crates
- Occupies substantial floor space
- Standard wire isn't intended for powerful escape artists
My Experience
I see the second door as the real reason to choose this model over a single-door 36-inch crate. Side access gives owners far more freedom when positioning the crate next to furniture or against walls.
For puppy training, the divider and washable tray matter more than decorative features, and this model includes both.
What Other Buyers Say
Recurring feedback on this model and size praises the included divider, folding construction, easy-clean tray, and value. Critical comments generally characterize the wire and tray as lighter-duty than premium or reinforced crates. Pet Gear Report
Best For
Growing puppies whose crate needs to fit into a room where front-only access would be inconvenient.
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Amazon Basics Metal Wire Dog Crate 36-Inch Single Door
Short Description
This single-door 36-inch model is a straightforward choice for owners who want a larger wire puppy crate without needing side access.
Key Specifications
- 36 x 23 x 25 inches
- Metal-wire construction
- Single door
- Adjustable divider panel
- Removable plastic base tray
- Foldable frame
- Top carrying handle
- Approximately 20.2 pounds Amazon
Pros
- Good size for many growing puppies
- Divider extends usefulness through growth
- Simple folding mechanism
- Tray slides out for cleaning
- Less complicated than double-door designs
Cons
- Only front access
- Large footprint
- Not a reinforced escape-proof crate
My Experience
I like this option when the crate will remain in one predictable location with plenty of clearance in front. There is little reason to pay for additional access points if the room layout doesn't require them.
Its divider is particularly valuable for a puppy that will eventually need most of the 36-inch interior.
What Other Buyers Say
Owners regularly describe this crate as easy to set up, easy to store, spacious when properly sized, and convenient to clean. Puppy owners also specifically mention appreciating the sliding tray during housetraining.
As with similar wire crates, dogs that aggressively push, chew, or attempt to escape may require a substantially heavier containment solution. Amazon
Best For
Medium-size growing puppies whose owners want a basic 36-inch crate with front-door access.
➤➤➤ Click Here to Check Price on Amazon
How to Choose the Right Pet Product
For puppy crates, adult size matters more than current puppy size. Measure the dog and consider expected adult dimensions before choosing a crate. Your puppy should eventually be able to stand normally, turn around, and lie down without being cramped.
A divider panel is one of the most useful features for puppies. It lets you buy a crate based on expected adult size while temporarily reducing the interior during puppyhood.
I also prioritize a removable tray. Potty-training accidents happen, and being able to slide the floor pan out makes cleanup considerably easier.
Consider door placement too. A single door works well when the crate has a permanent location with clear access. Double doors are more useful when furniture or narrow rooms limit where the entrance can face.
Wire crates provide excellent ventilation and visibility, but they're not suitable for every dog. A puppy that panics, bends wires, damages latches, or persistently tries to escape needs a different containment strategy and potentially guidance from a qualified trainer or veterinarian.
Finally, think about portability. Foldable crates are convenient for storage and occasional trips, but a 36-inch model is still relatively bulky. If the crate will move frequently, weight and folded dimensions deserve more attention.
FAQs
What size crate should I buy for a puppy that is still growing?
Choose according to the dog's expected adult dimensions when reasonably predictable, then use an adjustable divider while the puppy is small. The eventual space should allow the adult dog to stand, turn around, and lie comfortably.
Is a divider necessary for puppy crate training?
It isn't mandatory, but I consider it one of the most useful features. A divider lets you enlarge the sleeping area gradually instead of buying several crates as the puppy grows.
Is a 24-inch or 30-inch crate better for a small puppy?
Current puppy size alone isn't enough to decide. A puppy that will remain a small adult may fit a 24-inch crate, while one expected to mature into a medium dog may need a 30-inch model. Measure the dog and consider expected adult size.
Should I choose a single-door or double-door puppy crate?
Single-door crates are perfectly adequate when you have a clear, permanent place for the entrance. Double-door designs are more versatile when the crate needs to fit beside furniture or in a tight room.
Can I leave a puppy in a crate for long periods?
A crate should not substitute for exercise, social interaction, bathroom breaks, or supervision. Young puppies generally require frequent toilet opportunities, and the appropriate duration depends heavily on age, training progress, and the individual dog.
Conclusion
For most puppy owners, my Best Overall choice is the MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate Medium Single Door. Its combination of a puppy-friendly divider, manageable dimensions, folding construction, removable tray, and extensive buyer history makes it a strong starting point.
For my Best Premium Choice, I would select the MidWest Homes for Pets 36-Inch iCrate Medium-Large when the puppy is expected to grow substantially and genuinely needs the additional space.
Whichever crate you choose, sizing is more important than brand name. Measure carefully, account for adult growth, use the divider appropriately, and choose a crate that gives your puppy a comfortable, manageable place to settle.
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