- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
When you’re looking for a new kennel for your dog, the options are extensive. Kennels or crates can be made of metal wire or molded plastic, or they can be crafted of wood to look like furniture. Of the three, plastic dog crates offer a few advantages over the others: they’re typically lighter in weight, easy to clean, and, with features like carrying handles and a protective shell, are great for air travel and use around the home.
Choosing the right crate for your pup can be a challenge, so we’ve rounded up a handful of highly-rated kennels to help you find the best plastic dog crate for transporting or training your pup.
Best for Air Travel: Petmate Sky Kennel Pet Carrier
If your pup is lucky enough to travel in the main cabin of an airplane, a soft-sided crate or carrier is a great option. However, if your pup is riding in the plane’s cargo storage, you’ll need something much more protective. This carrier from Petmate was specially designed to align with most airlines’ strict kennel requirements while keeping your pets safe from gate to gate. Plus, it comes with air travel essentials, including clip-on food and water bowls and stickers to identify your pup.
The crate is highly rated for long-distance travel, particularly for pet parents relocating overseas. Be aware, though, that you’ll need to swap out the plastic bolts for metal before heading to the airport. You might want to test the door too, as some reviewers have had issues with the latch.
Highlights
- Available in several sizes for a wide range of pets and breeds
- Specially designed for air transport; meets most airlines’ requirements
- Metal interlocking door for extra security
- Features a carrier handle on smaller size crates
- Ventilation on four sides, with sturdy metal grates.
- Made in the US of recycled materials
Best Heavy Duty Plastic Dog Crate: Gunner G1 Kennel
The folks at Gunner claim that this dog kennel is practically bomb-proof, and they have stories and test data to prove it. This is good news for anxious or reactive pups, who can tear apart less-sturdy plastic kennels. It’s also good news out on the road, where accidents can happen in an instant.
This protection doesn’t come cheap—the G1 is significantly more expensive and heavier than most of the alternatives—but the kennels are highly rated, particularly by outdoor enthusiasts and avid roadtrippers.
Highlights
- Available in five colors and four sizes
- Heavier than other options, ranging from 27-pounds to 72-pounds
- Features a locking door and durable handles
- Double-walled for extra protection
- Made in the USA
- Meets most airline requirements; some additions needed for full compliance
Best for Small Dogs: Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog & Cat Kennel
With both a traditional crate door and a convenient top hatch, this two-way kennel from Petmate is popular for puppies and smaller dogs. The top door makes it easier to get reluctant pets inside and offers extra ventilation as well—but it does mean this carrier won’t pass inspection at the airport.
For ground travel, transport to the veterinarian’s office, and at-home use, however, pet parents report that the crate is well-made, easy to put together, and roomy enough for their small pets.
Highlights
- Two steel wire doors, each with spring-loaded latches for security
- Available in four colors and two sizes for pups up to 20-pounds
- Features ventilation on five sides plus a convenient carry handle
- Weighs less than 7 pounds
- Not suitable for air travel
Best Plastic Crate for Medium Dogs: Petmate Compass Kennel
This highly-rated crate from Petmate comes in a wide range of sizes, but we particularly like it for medium-sized dogs due to its light weight and excellent airflow. Integrated ventilation holes span three sides from top to bottom, so pups will enjoy good airflow and visibility.
Some pet parents found the kennel challenging to put together, and the potential tradeoff for more cutouts is reduced strength. It may not hold up to larger breeds, anxious pups, and heavy chewers—or the crate standards at some airlines.
Highlights
- Excellent airflow with integrated holes covering three sides
- Available in five sizes ranging from Small to X-Large
- Metal door can open two ways
- Made in the USA with recycled materials
- Intermediate size weighs less than 15 pounds
- May be suitable for air travel; check specific airline requirements
Best Plastic Crate for Large Dogs: Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel
Big dogs need sturdy crates, and the Petmate Ultra Vari Dog Kennel delivers. Available in a variety of sizes, the crates can accommodate dogs up to 90 pounds, and metal grates on two sides offer reinforced ventilation and viewing.
While it doesn’t include all the travel essentials of the Sky Kennel above, it’ll be flight-ready with a couple of modifications (including swapping the plastic bolts for metal). This makes the Ultra Vari a solid option for big dogs at home or on the go.
Highlights
- Reinforced ventilation on two sides
- Available in four sizes ranging from 28-inches to 40-inches
- 40-inch crate accommodates dogs up to 90 pounds
- Metal door with an easy-open latch
- Made in the USA with recycled materials
- Generally suitable for air travel, but may need modifications to fly
Best Plastic Crate for Extra-Large Dogs: SportPet Designs Plastic IATA Airline Approved Carrier
Finding a kennel suitable for a lovable giant can be challenging—there just aren’t as many options available for pups over 100 pounds, but this extra-extra-extra-large plastic kennel from SportPet is a good one.
Made of durable materials, the ventilation windows are reinforced with metal grates for extra strength and visibility. While the construction of the crate meets airline requirements, the height of the XXX-Large size (35″) may exceed the size allowance; check with your specific airline to be sure. No matter where you go, you’ll appreciate the two carrying handles and the removable wheels for easy maneuvering.
Highlights
- Reinforced ventilation on three sides
- Available in six sizes ranging from Small to XXX-Large, accommodating dogs up to 125-pounds
- Metal door with locking latch
- Specially designed for air transport; meets most airlines’ requirements
- Includes everything needed for air travel, including metal bolts, clip-on food and water bowls, and identification stickers
Best Divided Plastic Crate: Sportpet Designs Double Wire Door
Puppies and young dogs do best in a kennel that is sized to fit—not too big or too small, no matter their ever-changing size. Buying multiple kennels as your pup grows can get pricey, but this double door kennel from SportPet features a divider that allows you to use the whole space or split it in two. It’s great for young dogs and a space-saver for homes with two small dogs, giving them each their own private area in one kennel.
For travel, you’ll appreciate the luggage-style pull-out handle and a convenient storage space on top where you can stash the snap-on wheels and other small items needed in transit.
Highlights
- Integrated air holes on three sides
- Available in one size: 34.5″ L x 22″ W x 23″ H (weighs 20.9-pounds)
- Double metal door for wider entry
- Clips together for low-impact use and includes metal bolts for transport
- Convenient snap-on wheels and pull-out handle for travel
- Generally suitable for air travel; check individual airline requirements
Best Collapsible Plastic Dog Crate: Mirapet Collapsible Pet Crate
For pups with occasional kennel needs, a collapsible crate offers superior convenience. This crate from Mirapet folds into itself, creating a neat, briefcase-like package for storage. It comes in two sizes, but they’re best for small- to medium-sized dogs only.
We should note that while the reviews on this crate are promising, they’re still limited; we included it in part because of its great portability and potential. If you’re not making a purchase right away, it may be worth keeping an eye out for additional reviews and feedback.
Highlights
- Convenient collapsible design
- Available in two sizes for small to medium-sized dogs
- Durable metal wire door
- Molded plastic carrying handles on both size carriers
- Generally suitable for air travel; some modifications needed before flying
Best Budget Plastic Dog Crate: Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
For pup parents on a budget, these plastic dog crates from Petmate offer all the essential features you need for transport or training without breaking the bank. The streamlined design features integrated air holes on four sides and a durable metal door.
Some reviewers noted that their dog was able to quickly chew through the plastic, and many had problems with the latches. As such, it’s best for light use. Chewers, escape artists, and big dogs may need something a bit tougher.
Highlights
- No-frills design is slightly more affordable than most options
- Available in five sizes: Small to X-Large
- Integrated airflow holes on three sides
- Durable metal wire door
- Generally suitable for air travel, but may need modifications to fly
Most Stylish Plastic Dog Crate: KindTail PAWD Modern Collapsible Crate
As useful as they are, plastic dog crates are usually not the most attractive thing in your home. Enter the KindTail PAWD crate. This boxy, all-plastic kennel comes in a variety of trend-worthy colors and features modern, all-over styling for small and medium pups. As a bonus, it’s also super-portable: the crate collapses into itself for easy transport from one adventure to the next—as long as that adventure doesn’t require air travel.
Without a metal door, this crate is not airline-approved, but it does provide a cozy nest for pups at home or in the car.
Highlights
- Open, geometric vent design for excellent ventilation on every side
- Available in two sizes for dogs up to 20-pounds: Small and Medium
- Plastic door is designed to securely latch or tuck to the side
- Not suitable for air travel
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts, including Rover’s Dog People Panel.
We particularly prioritized crates with features that made them useful on the road as well as at home, were widely available, and were well-reviewed. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
