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Best Dog Crates for Crate Training Puppies: Grow-With-Your-Dog Picks

We analyzed specs, reputable reviews, and owner feedback to find the 2 Dog crates most worth your money in 2026. Here's the honest breakdown.

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Our top picks

Short on time? Our top recommendation is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate (best overall). Here's how the shortlist breaks down.

  1. MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    #1 · Best overall

    MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    Divider panel is included at no extra cost, unlike some competitors

    Check price
  2. Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

    #2

    Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

    42-inch size gives real headroom for giant breed puppies at full growth

    Check price
  3. MidWest LifeStages 30-Inch Single Door Dog Crate

    #3

    MidWest LifeStages 30-Inch Single Door Dog Crate

    Divider grows with a puppy

    Check price
  4. MidWest LifeStages 42-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    #4

    MidWest LifeStages 42-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

    Fits large breeds

    Check price
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At a glance

The specs and traits that separate these picks, side by side.

How to read this table
Why it stands out: its biggest strength
Keep in mind: the main trade-off
Best for: the buyer it suits
Comparison: Best Dog Crates for Crate Training Puppies: Grow-With-Your-Dog Picks
PickWhy it stands outKeep in mindBest forPrice
MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate product photo
MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate		Divider panel is included at no extra cost, unlike some competitorsDivider panel is a simple metal sheet, not paddedcrate training puppiesCheck price
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch product photo
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch		42-inch size gives real headroom for giant breed puppies at full growthCosts more than the 36-inch MidWest for buyers with a medium breed puppycrate training puppiesCheck price
In depth

The 4 best dog crates, explained

Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who it suits best.

MidWest Homes for Pets MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate
Best overall

1. MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate

MidWest Homes for Pets

Best overall for puppy crate training. What earns it a place here: divider panel is included at no extra cost, unlike some competitors and one crate covers puppy through adult size for medium to large breeds. Keep in mind that divider panel is a simple metal sheet, not padded.

  • Included divider panel
  • 36"L x 23"W x 25"H, grows into 41 to 70 lb adult size
  • Leak-proof plastic tray for easy cleanup of accidents
  • Slide-bolt latches

Pros

  • Divider panel is included at no extra cost, unlike some competitors
  • One crate covers puppy through adult size for medium to large breeds
  • Easy-clean plastic tray handles the inevitable early accidents
  • Lowest price per crate of any option that includes a divider

Cons

  • Divider panel is a simple metal sheet, not padded
  • Standard wire gauge, fine for a puppy but consider upgrading later if the adult dog is destructive
  • No wheels for moving the crate between rooms during the day

Best for: crate training puppies

Product details Check price on Amazon
Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

2. Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch

Carlson Pet Products

5"H, rated up to 95 lbs adult and Included divider panel. Keep in mind that costs more than the 36-inch MidWest for buyers with a medium breed puppy.

  • 42"L x 28"W x 30.5"H, rated up to 95 lbs adult
  • Included divider panel
  • Multi-point locking latches
  • Removable leak-proof tray

Pros

  • 42-inch size gives real headroom for giant breed puppies at full growth
  • Sturdier latches hold up better to a teething puppy chewing on hardware
  • Same divider concept as MidWest, scaled up for bigger adult sizes

Cons

  • Costs more than the 36-inch MidWest for buyers with a medium breed puppy
  • Bulkier to move during the cleaning-heavy early puppy months
  • Overkill if your puppy's adult weight is projected under 60 lbs

Best for: crate training puppies

Product details Check price on Amazon
Head-to-head

Compare the top picks

Torn between our leading picks? These side-by-side comparisons settle it.

How we chose these picks

This shortlist is the product of research, not advertising. We cross-checked manufacturer specs against independent reviews and long-term owner feedback, then ranked by value for real use cases.

Mistakes buyers often make

  • Buying on brand name alone instead of matching features to your actual use case.
  • Overpaying for headline specs you'll never use, define must-haves first.
  • Ignoring size, compatibility, and ongoing costs (filters, accessories, refills).
  • Trusting star ratings without reading what owners complain about after 6 months.

How we chose these picks

  • We started from manufacturer specifications and feature lists, the verifiable foundation.
  • We weighed reputable independent reviews from established tech and consumer publications.
  • We read large volumes of verified-owner feedback to find patterns in reliability and satisfaction.
  • We scored value: what you get for the price, not just absolute performance.
  • We excluded products with thin, suspicious, or heavily incentivized review profiles.

We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done. Assessments synthesize manufacturer specifications, reputable independent reviews and documented owner feedback. Read our methodology.

Before you buy

Buying guide

How to choose: the factors that matter

  • Capacity and sizing, Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
  • Build quality and materials, Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
  • Ease of use and setup, Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
  • Maintenance and cleaning, Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
  • Warranty and support, A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.

The bottom line

If you want the short answer: the top pick above suits most buyers, the value pick suits tight budgets, and the specialist picks suit specific needs. Match the pick to your use case, not to the hype.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dog crates for crate training puppies right now?

Our top pick is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate (best overall), because divider panel is included at no extra cost, unlike some competitors. The runner-up is the Carlson Pet Products Double Door Metal Dog Crate, Large 42-Inch, followed by the MidWest LifeStages 30-Inch Single Door Dog Crate.

Is the MidWest iCrate 36-Inch Double Door Dog Crate worth it?

For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our dog crates for crate training puppies research, though divider panel is a simple metal sheet, not padded.

What size crate should I buy for a puppy that will grow into a large breed?

Buy the crate sized for the dog's projected adult size and use a divider panel to shrink the usable space while the puppy is small. Buying a crate sized for the puppy now means buying a second, larger crate in a few months, which costs more overall than one adult-size crate with a divider.

How does a divider panel work in a puppy crate?

The panel slides into tracks inside the crate and blocks off the unused portion, so a puppy in a 36-inch crate destined to be 65 pounds might only have 18 inches of usable space at 10 weeks old. As the puppy grows, the panel moves back every few weeks until the full crate is in use.

Why does a puppy need a smaller space inside a bigger crate?

Dogs instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area, and that instinct is the core mechanism behind crate training for housebreaking. If a puppy has enough room to sleep in one corner and eliminate in another, the crate stops reinforcing that instinct, which slows down housebreaking.

How long can a puppy stay in a crate at a time?

A common guideline is the puppy's age in months plus one, in hours, up to a maximum of about 4 hours during the day. A 3-month-old puppy tops out around 4 hours; overnight stretches are typically longer since the puppy is asleep for most of it, but should still include an overnight bathroom break for very young puppies.

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