Best Dog Crate Reviews: Midwest iCrate vs. AmazonBasics

Best Dog Crate Reviews: Midwest iCrate vs. AmazonBasics

Introduction

So, you are interested in finding the best dog crate for your dog, right? You are at the perfect place as this article is all about the best dog crate and their reviews, which will solve all of your problems regarding dog crates. We tried to make this article as detailed as possible.

best dog crate

To make this best dog crate article a detailed one, we had to include lots of topics which might sound obvious to you if you are dealing with pets for a long time now. On the other hand, if you are completely new in this ocean of dog crate, you will find this article amazing as we picked the smallest of the points for you.

The initial part of the article is all about dog crate reviews. So if you are interested to know about the dog crate reviews only, you will need the first part of this article. The second part is about the things that you need to know when you are buying a dog crate. If you are already experienced, then you might not need this part. The last part is all about the FAQs that we have collected from the most common customer queries. More on that later!

Dog Crate Buying Guide

So, this is another very important section that you should keep an eye on when you are buying a dog crate. If this is not your first dog crate then you might not need some of the points, but we will still recommend you to go through the points as much as you can and when you are buying the best dog crate, try to maintain as many of these points as possible.

You do not need to maintain each one of these, but if you do, you will end up getting a better deal out there. Let’s start.

Measure Your Dog

The first thing that you need to do is to measure your dog. You will have to measure your dog to find out which particular size will fit your dog the most. There are fixed steps of measuring your dog, and we recommend that you maintain these steps in the same way because the crate makers also do the same. It is a simple procedure, so let’s go ahead and learn it.

The first step is to make sure that your dog is standing tall. Measure from the nose of your dog up to the tail. Make sure that you measure with the tail wide open.

The second step is to add four inches with the number that you found in the first step. This step is crucial because a dog crate is like a home for your dog, and you need to make sure that there is enough space in the home so that your dog does not hate it.

Now let’s come to the third step. You have to understand that some dogs are taller when they sit, and some other ones are shorter when they sit. Therefore, measuring from the nose to tail when your dog is standing might not be enough in all the scenarios. Therefore, we need to take another measurement when your dog is sitting still. At this time, you will measure from the floor or the surface up to the head of your dog.

Now, like the second step, you will again add four inches with the value that you got in the previous step. That will give you the height you need for the dog crate.

Size

So, as you are done measuring your dog, this is the next step where you will think about the size of the dog crate. Obviously, by now, you have an idea of your minimum size requirement for the dog crate, but things do not end here. Most companies will not have a perfect size, specially designed for your dog. If you need that perfect size that you measured in the previous point, you will have to custom make it, which we do not think is important to do.

Therefore, we now need to find the size that goes along with our needs. Internationally, all the best dog crate size is 42 inch which means that if you go ahead and buy a 42-inch dog crate, the chances are high that every type of dog will fit into that dog crate. But what if your dog is small and you do not need that big dog crate?

In that case, you will look for the perfect length and weight of the dog crate. A 42 inches best dog crate can accommodate a dog, which is 70 to 90 pounds in terms of weight. Weight is also a variable that is highly used by the crate makers when they are determining the size.

So, for example, if you have a Labrador, then you will need that 42-inch crate. If you have a pug or a Maltese, for example, then you will need a 22-inch dog crate at max.

There is one more thing to know which most people do not understand. Your dog will keep on getting bigger and bigger as days go by, and you cannot buy a new dog crate for your dog every year. Dogs get bigger sooner than human beings, and without even noticing, you will see that your dog is not fitting to that best dog crate anymore. You will have to throw that dog crate away, which nobody wants to do.

Therefore, you need to count the future when you are buying the dog crate. Think about the maximum size that your dog will reach. If you do not know the exact size that your dog will become in a couple of years, search on the internet with the breed details, and you will know the ultimate size that your dog will have soon.

What most people do is that they buy a big dog crate along with a few partitions, and they use those partitions when the dog is still a puppy. Then as the dog grows big, the partition is taken away, and the dog gets the full dog crate to live in.

Safety

Safety is something that you can never compromise with. You have to make sure that whatever crate you are buying for your dog, it is safe, and it is comfortable for your dog. Always remember that if a crate is not safe, it is never the best dog crate no matter how awesome it looks or feels!

Unfortunately, we do not still have a certification for dog crates, but we will have some soon hopefully. Till then, you have to depend on your knowledge or at least our recommendations to make sure that you are not buying something dangerous for your dog. We have heard horror stories about dog crates, which we do not want to share with you guys. We just want to make sure that none of those happen with even one of us!

Type of Dog Crate

The next thing that you need to think about is the type of dog crate that you are planning to buy. There are lots of variations when it comes to the types of dog crates, and most of the types have some best dog crate models in those. We will talk about the basic types of dog crates in this section.

Wire Crates

This type is the cheapest and the most used type of dog crates. Though they are cheap, you will find some of the best dog crate models made of wire. Close your eye for a second and try to remember a dog crate. Yes, the picture that you had in your imagination is of a wire crate. A wire crate is the most basic type that has one or two doors and grills in it.

The major benefit of a wire-based dog crate is visibility. The crate is open, and lights and wind can come and go from any corner of the crate. Your dog will never feel suffocated when inside the crate, and if you are placing this crate inside your home, then your dog will be able to see you from every corner.

Especially if you are living in a hot place, then wire crates are the ultimate solutions for your needs. These models are super easy to clean, and you do not have to do much after buying a wire-based dog crate.

There are cons too of having a wire crate in your home. The first con is that these are not easy to be carried around. You will never find it comfortable to carry a wire dog crate when your dog is inside it. So, if you are a traveler and you travel a lot with your dog, then a wire is never your solution.

Another big negative fact is that wire dog crates are not that comfortable for your dog, so if you are planning to keep your dog in a crate for a long period, wire crate should not be your solution. These crates make a lot of noise, which is another negative part, but most importantly, if you have a naughty dog, it doesn’t take much for him or her to escape from a wire-based crate.

Plastic Crate

The next one that we have on our list is the plastic crates. In case if you are not satisfied with the wired crates, these are your second options. There are lots of benefits of plastic crates, but the prime benefit is the ease of using these as a transport vehicle when you are traveling via plane. The plane authorities will never allow you to use wired crates to transport your dog, and the only option that you are left with is plastic crates.

There are lots of advantages to using a plastic dog crate. One of the biggest ones is the lightweight and the ease of carrying the crates around. The handle and the holding parts are always made in a way so that it becomes super easy and comfortable to carry your dogs around, no matter how heavy they are. Apart from that, some plastic crates come with extra food and water, holding options that add value to the crate.

Now do these dog crates have any disadvantage? Well, of course! Every type of dog crate has some or the other disadvantage. These are not out of the league either. The major disadvantage is that plastic is not an environment-friendly product. So if you care for the environment, it is tough for you to go for plastic made crate. The second disadvantage is that plastic crates are closed compared to wired crates. Your dog only has a window to see the outer world, which can be tough for him or her. Also, as there is less wind flowing options, these crates become damp easily. Apart from these, the plastic crates are also difficult to clean and to manage, so you have to consider it.

Nylon Dog Crates

The next one on our list is the Nylon dog crates, which are soft and less intimidating. If you do not want your dog to sit in a crate all day and want just a backup for travel and emergency purposes, nylon dog crates can be a great fit.

The most important advantage is that this is the lightest among all types, and this folds up to the core of it when you are not using it. Apart from these, they are soft and comfortable for your dogs to be inside, and they are super easy for carrying. Some nylon dog crates have straps like shoulder bags so that you can carry your dog to your shoulder. That is a great benefit to have.

The core disadvantage of nylon dog crates and the reason that it is not yet considered as the best dog crate is because of the durability issues. These dog crates do not last long, and if your dog is a violent one, it will not take more than a week for your pet to cut this crate out.

Best Dog Crate Reviews

This is the core part of this article, and most probably, most of you are here to read the best dog crate reviews, right? We won’t disappoint you, we promise! Let’s not waste any more time and get straight into the action. One thing that you should know is that we did not use any particular ranking when we wrote about these ten best dog crate reviews. All these ten dog crates are amazing and out of the world in terms of features and price combination, but they cannot be compared with each other. It all depends on your taste at the end of the day.

New World Dog Crate

new world

This one is a popular one and an ideal wire-based dog crate. There are different versions available in terms of size, and most people with big dogs who do not have intentions to travel end up buying this one. The price is again very reasonable. The weight is a bit on the higher end, and you will not be able to fold this crate. If you can sacrifice those two points, this is a great one to go for.

Midwest iCrate Pet Crates

midwest icrate

Don’t get deceived with iCrate. It has nothing to do with Apple, but it is still a great product to go for. Again, this is a wire-based model with three different colors and a lot of variations in terms of size and door types. There is one door model, the double door model, and all of them come in different colors. The product is a good one, and if you are looking for a long-lasting dog crate model, then this is the one for you.

AmazonBasics Double Door Folding Dog Crate

amazonbasics double door

You know the details from the name of this dog crate. There are four different versions in terms of size, and this is one of the few dog crates that are made of a crate with two different doors. There is an optional divider panel that you can use when your dog is small and can take it off when your dog becomes a big one. All in all, this is a cool crate to have.

MidWest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate

midwest life stages

There are around six different size options available for you to choose from. Also, both single and double door versions are there. There is nothing much to talk about this brand, though. The product is good, but you cannot talk a lot about wire dog crates. This one is durable, and the setting up process is damn easy.

AmazonBasics Single Door Folding Dog Crate

amazonbasics singe door

Do you remember the double door Amazon model that we talked about just before the last review? Well, this is another similar version, but obviously, the only difference that you will get is that this is a single door one. Now you might ask why you would buy a single door when the double door is available out there. The reason is because of the price and the ease of managing the single door system.

OxGord Double Door Easy Folding Metal Pet Crate

paws pals

This one is a premium model of the dog crate, and the chances are high that you can tell that by the look of this crate. There are a few different size options for you, and the best part is that one crate will serve you for life. The crate is built for tough dogs, so if you have a big and strong one, then you should think about going for this one.

Carlson Secure & Compact Single Door Metal Dog Crate

carlson secure compact

Another popular one among all the dog crate options out there and the main reason behind that massive popularity is the fact that this is a cheap option. The steel is very durable, and the removable pan makes your life easier when you are trying to wash this crate. It is foldable, and it can carry up to 45 pounds of dog. All in all, this is a great option to go for.

Petnation Port a Crate E2 Indoor/Outdoor Pet Home

petnation indoor outdoor

The biggest advantage of this one is that you can use it either as an outdoor crate or even for traveling purposes. There are lots of size options to pick from, and this one is accepted on airlines too. If you are looking for an allrounder solution, then this is the one for you.

Sportpet Large Pop Crate

sportpet large

The first one on our list is the Sportpet Large Pop Crate, which is an interesting one. The price is reasonable, and it has an interesting mix of clothing and wiring. If you are a traveler, you will like this. It is easy to carry, and it always folds easy. The weight is light, and there is hardly anything to hate about this one.

ProSelect Empire Dog Cage Review

This premium dog crate is designed to contain even the strongest and the wittiest of canines. In fact, most large dog owners swear upon this crate, as it is the only thing that can keep their large pooches in place. It can withstand dogs who will chew, claw, or push their way out of most other cages. The price is very high, which can turn off many potential buyers, but if you need something to keep your Mastiff at bay, it’s worth every penny.

FAQ

This section is all about FAQ related to dog crates. We wanted to make sure that you get as much information as possible about dog crates before or while you are buying them, and hopefully, this FAQ section will help you in that decision making phase. Let’s see some of the most common questions and the answers that people ask everywhere.

I never want to put my dog in a cage type thing! Why would I buy a crate?

This question is the most common that people ask. They always ask why they would need to buy a dog crate. You have to understand that dog crates are not jails or cages. These are houses for your dog, and your dog will love to stay in his own little house. When you have a crate set up in your home, you can always keep the door open if you want to make sure that your dog can be with you whenever he wants. You will notice that the dog will like to be in his own house too!

Where to buy a dog crate?

That’s a lame question to ask in today’s world. You can buy a dog crate from anywhere you want. We gave you Amazon links, which is a trusted source to buy from. You can try to buy crates from your local pet store too. Dog crates are now available everywhere.

Is it too late in training my dog to use a dog crate?

No, it is not too late, it is never too late! Dogs are awesome, and they can learn anything, even in their last stage of life. Your dog will love to be in his dog crate no matter his age.

Final Words

Take your time before you finalize the decision to buy a particular dog crate. If you have friends who have dogs, take their suggestions too. Remember, as much as you know about these things, you will end up making a better decision. We wish you the best of luck on that journey.

Last Updated: 30th Jan, 2021

Tags:

  • dog
  • pet
  • cage
  • travel
Tumay Kilinc

Tumay Kilinc

Co-founder of Reviews By People. I'm here to make your buying decisions easier and save you time. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below.

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