Best Soft Dog Crates

Planning a trip with your dog? You want them safe and cozy. Soft dog crates give your pet a secure spot, whether you’re on the road or just at home.

These crates are light, easy to move, and fold up fast for storage. They’re much nicer than a noisy metal cage, offering a peaceful place for your dog to rest. Think of it as their own little den.

They’re perfect for car rides, trips to the vet, or keeping your pup contained when you need to. They also make a great playpen in the house.

Our Top Picks

We’ve found the best soft dog crates for you. You can see full reviews for each one further down this page.

• Overall Best: AmazonBasics Premium Folding Soft Dog Crate 5/5
• Best Budget: AmazonBasics Folding Soft Dog Crate 5/5
• Lightweight Pick: Fauna Dog Puppy Lightweight Grey Travel Crate 4.5/5

Buying a Soft Dog Crate: What to Consider

Choosing the right soft dog crate means your pet stays comfortable and safe. It’s for travel, visits, or just having a cozy spot at home. Here’s what to look for when you’re picking one out.

• Size: Your dog needs enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down. A crate that’s too small feels cramped. One too big might make a tiny dog feel lost. Check the sizing guide for a good fit.
• Materials: Look at the frame, outer fabric, and mesh windows. Strong materials help the crate last longer, resisting scratches and chews. A tough frame means the crate holds its shape and folds up well.
• Washability: Dogs can get messy, right? A good soft crate should be easy to clean. Look for ones you can machine wash or wipe down easily.
• Portability: Soft crates are usually light and fold flat quickly. This makes them simple to carry and store. Handles are a plus for moving it easily, like for a vet trip.
• Flaps and Zips: Crates often have flaps that cover the mesh windows. These help make the space darker for rest and keep your dog secure. Look for strong zips, maybe even ones your clever dog can’t open themselves.

The Best Soft Dog Crates: The Products

With a great soft dog crate, your dog will have a comfortable spot when travelling and an enclosed pad in the house for dozing away. We have picked out our top choices to help you make your decision.

Best Overall Soft Dog Crate: AmazonBasics Premium Folding Soft Dog Crate

This dog crate sets up quickly and has a premium feel. It’s offered in five colors like black, blue, and red. Black is often a good choice to help dogs relax and hide dirt.

You can get it in five sizes, fitting dogs up to 97cm long and 67cm high. It comes with a soft fleece bed, adding to your dog’s comfort. Pockets on the top and sides provide space for small items like treats or a lead.

This crate works well as an overnight sleeping spot, especially for calmer dogs who don’t chew. It’s very easy to travel with, whether by car or public transport, thanks to its top handle and shoulder strap. It gives good value for its sturdy build.

What We Like

• Quick and simple setup
• Available in 5 sizes (53cm, 66cm, 76cm, 91cm, 107cm)
• Fits dogs up to 97cm long & 67cm high
• Comes in 5 colors
• Includes a soft fleece bed
• Folds flat for travel or storage

Best Budget Soft Dog Crate: AmazonBasics Folding Soft Dog Crate

This crate sets up and folds down very fast. It’s great for holidays or family visits. You can flatten it in seconds, no tools needed, which makes it super easy to use.

It features meshed fabric on three sides, plus top and bottom flaps, providing good air flow. You can roll up a side flap to open it up or zip it shut for a closed space. The crate comes in four sizes, fitting many dogs. Its durability was impressive, even after some tough use.

What We Like

• Sets up in seconds
• Three sides, top, and bottom flaps with mesh for air flow
• Four sizes (weights from 1.9 to 4.7 kg)
• Heights: 53cm, 66cm, 76cm, 91cm, and 107cm
• Made with polyester fabric and a PVC frame
• Folds flat for simple carrying or storage

A Great Alternative Soft Dog Crate: Fauna Dog Puppy Lightweight Grey Travel Crate

This crate is a great travel helper for your dog. It has a lightweight yet stable frame that holds its shape well.

It features mesh windows on two sides for good airflow, along with two side openings and a top door. Accessory pockets give you space to carry things for your pet. It comes in small, medium, and large sizes. Long strap handles make it simple to carry, and the strong grey polyester fabric adds to its durability.

A soft fleece pad comes with it, which you can remove and wash for easy cleaning and extra comfort. Even with its sturdy frame, this crate folds flat in seconds and locks securely.

What We Like

• Side and top openings with mesh windows for airflow
• Secure zips for closing
• Washable, removable faux lambskin fleece pad inside
• Sets up and folds flat fast for carrying or storage
• Long straps for easy movement
• Three sizes: 42cm, 52cm, and 63.5cm high
• Two pockets for treats, toys, or collars

Things to Note

• Zips might not stop smart dogs from escaping.

Best Heavy-Duty Soft Dog Crate: Veehoo Folding Soft Dog Crate

This soft dog crate is tough against scratches, bites, and clawing from active dogs. It’s made with strong 600D cationic oxford fabric, so it’s built to last.

It has three doors for easy entry and five sides with mesh for good air flow. The steel frame folds down quickly with spring-action joints, making storage easy. When set up, it gives small and medium dogs a comfy, enclosed spot.

If you take road trips with your pet, you’ll like how adaptable this crate is. It comes in six different colors too, so your dog can travel in style.

What We Like

• Five-sided ventilation with three roll-up doors
• Tear-resistant, heavy-duty fabric that’s removable and washable
• Can hold dogs weighing between 6.8 and 38.5 kg
• Solid steel frame that collapses easily
• Washable, removable soft fleece sleeping pad
• Has a special locking setup

Things to Note

• Straps might be a bit small for carrying very heavy dogs.

Premium Soft Dog Crate: Petsfit Indoor Dog House Soft Fabric Dog Crate

This crate works for medium to large dogs, whether you’re at home or travelling. It comes in small, medium, and large sizes, resembling a travel bag.

It’s a good addition for your home, indoors or out. A soft fleece mat is included, which you can remove and wash. This makes a comfy, portable spot for your dog.

There are two side entries and one on top. These three flaps can be zipped shut. Mesh on the window panels allows for good air flow and lets your dog see outside.

The Petsfit Soft Fabric Dog Crate has a strong, patented steel frame. It’s easy to set up and fold down.

What We Like

• Strong, patented steel frame
• Zips have clips to stop dogs from opening them
• Removable and washable fabric with a soft pad
• Weighs between 3 and 4.5 kg (small to large sizes)
• Heights: 43cm (small), 48cm (medium), and 58cm (large)

Best Branded Soft Dog Crate: Crufts Soft Dog Crate

This soft dog crate brings a stylish look for your pet. It measures 76cm long, 55cm wide, and 62cm high. It comes with a free carry bag and has the Crufts logo woven in.

The frame is strong and tube-shaped, simple to set up or take apart for storage. A top pocket offers space for dog gear. The roll-down mesh also has a weather-resistant flap cover.

This soft-sided crate stands out, reflecting the Crufts brand quality. It’s a useful yet good-looking travel crate. Secure straps keep it from moving during car rides. Each of the three sizes includes two free fabric bowls for food and water.

Nickel-plated D-rings add spots for attachments. The Kennel Club recommends this crate too.

What We Like

• Simple folding, tube-shaped frame design
• Nice mesh pattern and Crufts woven logo
• Security straps keep dogs from getting out
• Fabric sides cover mesh windows for weather protection
• Free fabric bowls included
• Removable and washable fabric with an inside pad

Things to Note

• More expensive compared to other crates reviewed.

Why Choose a Soft Dog Crate?

Soft dog crates might not be as tough as metal ones, but they have their own strong points. They’re simpler to manage and safer for travel. Plus, the better ones fold down small for easy carrying and storage.

A big plus is their lighter weight. A soft crate can be your dog’s main travel spot, offering a safer ride than a hard metal or plastic crate. Many also come with various window covers. This lets you adjust how open or closed the crate is based on the weather or what your dog prefers.

After your dog gets used to it, they’ll likely see it as their own comfy den. It’s much quieter than a clanking metal cage, too. Soft crates offer a more pleasing look for your home compared to a rigid wire cage.

When a Soft Crate Isn’t the Best Choice

Soft dog crates don’t work for every pet. Your dog’s personality, habits, and size can all play a role. Sometimes, a soft-sided crate might not be right for them.

Metal crates are often tougher than soft ones. This is because soft crates use fabric and a frame, not solid steel or hard plastic. A dog set on breaking out can tear a soft crate. Even good quality soft crates will resist some bumps, scratches, and chewing, but they aren’t escape-proof for strong chewers.

While great for a comfy spot, soft crates might not be best for very long or rough car trips. They offer less crash protection than sturdy travel carriers.

If your dog isn’t house-trained, an accident in a soft crate can be a real problem. If the fabric is hard to clean, the smell can be tough to get rid of.

Final Thoughts

Taking your dog on a trip or adventure should be simple. A good soft dog crate can give your pet a truly comfy place. We hope our list helps you find the right one.

These crates let your dog stay clean, dry, and get fresh air, whether they’re inside your home or on the go. They’re easy to use, set up fast, and look good, making travel better for both you and your furry friend.