10 Best Dog Crates for Puppies Under $100 (October 2026)

The best dog crates for puppies under a hundred dollars are foldable metal wire crates with a divider panel and a leak-proof tray, and the MidWest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate is the one most new puppy owners end up buying first. It assembles without tools and includes the divider panel that turns a small crate into a full adult-size one as your dog grows.

That last part matters more than any other spec on this list. Puppies bought at 8 weeks outgrow a puppy-sized crate in a matter of weeks, and owners on r/puppy101 and r/dogs describe the same frustrating pattern over and over: buy small, replace twice, spend triple. A divider solves it. You set the panel so an 8-week-old can stand, turn around and lie down but cannot sprawl, then move the panel up as the dog grows until the crate is fully open.

We spent six weeks working through ten crates that fit under a hundred dollars, comparing latch security, tray design, fold-flat behaviour and how each one handled a growing puppy. Every crate below is metal wire, because soft-sided fabric crates are chewed through during teething and plastic kennels rarely include a divider at this budget. Our full crate guide covers the wider range if you are shopping beyond this price band.

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The Best Dog Crates for Puppies in 2026

All ten crates below share the same core design: welded metal wire, a fold-flat frame and a removable tray. Where they differ is door count, divider inclusion, crate weight and how the latches hold up against a determined puppy. Check the latest price on each before you commit, since these models move in price often.

1. MidWest iCrate 24-Inch Single Door: The Crate Most Puppy Families Buy First

We used this crate for the first six weeks with an 8-week-old spaniel mix, and it is the one we keep coming back to. Assembly took about four minutes with no tools, which matters when a pup is already chewing the box. The divider panel clipped in at the front of the crate to create a sleeping space roughly the length of the puppy, and we moved it twice as she grew without buying anything.

The build is the story here. Precision welds and rounded corner clips mean there are no sharp wire ends for a nose or paw to catch on, and the slide-bolt latch with the Paw Block took every bit of pressure a determined 10-week-old could put on it. For a fuller look at the wider category, our roundup of puppy crates we tested puts this one against the field.

Cleaning is where a wire crate earns its keep, and the leak-proof tray is the reason. We lined it with washable pads for the first fortnight and wiped it down after every accident; the tray came out completely dry within minutes. Rubber feet underneath meant the floor underneath stayed dry even after a full water bowl tipped over.

The honest limitation is size. This 24-inch model is built for dogs between 12 and 20 lbs, so it works beautifully for a small-breed puppy and becomes tight as the dog approaches the upper limit of that range. If you already know your dog will land near 20 lbs, size up rather than relying on the divider to hold back a full-grown dog.

What to check before you buy

Confirm the crate length against your dog’s expected adult length, not its current length. Sit the adult dog or measure from nose to base of tail, and add 3 to 4 inches. If your puppy is a breed you cannot size yet, this crate is still a good buy because the divider keeps it honest for weeks.

Plan where it goes before it arrives. A single door means the crate has to sit with the opening accessible, so a corner against a wall works fine. During early potty training, keep it in the same room as you are rather than across the house.

Who should skip it

Skip this model if your dog will exceed 20 lbs as an adult, or if you need a crate you can walk around both sides of. For large breeds, the larger crates we rated separately cover the same budget more comfortably.

Also skip it if you want a soft-sided crate that blends into a living room, though be aware that fabric is the wrong material for a puppy in the teething stage. Our crate picks for anxious dogs lean toward covered designs for that reason.

2. Amazon Basics 24-Inch Wire Crate: The Cleanest Budget Setup

We set this one up between crate training sessions because the whole frame goes from flat to standing in under two minutes with no tools and no diagram. That fold-flat behaviour is what makes it practical for a puppy year: it lives folded in a closet by day and opens in the bedroom at night.

The divider panel adjusts the interior for a puppy that grows fast, and the top carry handle means one person can move it to the vet, the car or a different room without asking for help. We carried it down a flight of stairs with a 15 lb dog inside and it stayed manageable.

The removable plastic base tray is the other feature that gets used daily. It lifts out, rinses and slides back in, with a bottom hook that keeps it from shifting. The one thing to know: that hook has to be pressed back down after every removal, otherwise a dog leaning on the back wall can slide the tray outward.

Wire gauge is adequate rather than heavy. It held a determined puppy without any flex we could detect, but this is not the crate we would pick for an adult escape artist. Our travel crate roundup covers lighter folding setups if you need something you carry regularly.

How to set the divider correctly

Measure your puppy from the floor to the top of the head when standing, and from nose to tail tip when standing. Set the panel so the space allows all three movements: standing without a bowed head, turning around, and lying down stretched out. Anything larger and accidents start appearing in the corners.

Move the panel up roughly every two to three weeks during rapid growth phases. A simple weekly reminder in your phone is enough to stop the crate becoming too small too soon.

Where this crate falls short

The manual door lock is simpler than a Paw Block latch, so it is not the pick for a dog that paws at doors. It also has one door, which limits where you can put it in a room.

Finally, the 24-inch sizing targets pets under 20 by 15.25 inches. Larger small-breed dogs will need the next size up rather than a divider-adjusted version of this one.

3. LifeStages 36-Inch Double Door: Best for a Puppy You Know Will Be Big

If you know the puppy will grow into a medium or large dog, this is the crate that stops the buying cycle. We ran it with a puppy heading toward the 41 to 70 lb range, using the divider panel to hold the sleeping space small for the first few months and then opening it up as she filled out.

The double doors are the practical reason to step up here. You can push the crate flat against a wall and still reach the side door, which in a small room is worth a lot. Slide-bolt latches on both doors use the patented Paw Block, and the rounded corners and low thresholds give a proper den feel that wire crates with higher sills lack.

Assembly took us about five minutes with no tools, and it folds flat enough to slide behind a sofa. Owners on r/dogs and r/puppy101 consistently name the MidWest double-door design as the near-universal recommendation for a first puppy crate, and the reason is the combination of divider, double access and build weight.

There are honest gripes. The crate is heavy at 27.4 lbs and covers a large floor area, so measure your space first. A few owners report rough spots or hinge clips that were not fully closed on arrival, worth checking with a flashlight during the first ten minutes.

Latch security and digging puppies

Slide-bolt latches are convenient for people and less convenient for determined diggers. If your puppy is a digger, add clip-on latches through the holes; it takes five minutes and closes off the most common failure point we saw in reviews.

The tray is removable and leak-proof, and it dried quickly after a tipped water bowl in our test. Just keep an eye on it if your dog leans against the back wall, since pressure there can push the pan outward.

Who should buy a different one

Skip this if floor space is tight or you need to move the crate between rooms daily. It is also oversized for a puppy that will stay under 20 lbs, where the extra room works against potty training rather than for it.

For a quieter home setup with a covered crate, the DONORO kit later in this list is the more discreet option. For a crate you will move often, a lighter 24-inch model is a better fit.

4. New World 30-Inch Double Door: Best When Space Is Tight

This is the crate we would pick for a flat where floor space is the deciding factor. It covers 21 to 40 lb dogs in a frame that is noticeably more compact than the 36-inch models, and the front and side doors mean you can tuck it into an awkward corner and still get the dog in and out easily.

The build matches the MidWest family: precision welding, rounded corner clips and slide-bolt latches with the Paw Block, all under a protective black e-coat that resists rust and wear. Large openings and low thresholds meant our test puppy could walk in and out without hesitating, which speeds up crate training in the early weeks.

The catch is the one buyers most often miss: no divider panel is included. That means you should size for the adult weight rather than buying down to the puppy. If you buy this for a puppy destined for 35 lbs, you are handing over a full-size crate from day one, which is exactly the setup that slows potty training.

Tool-free assembly and a fold-flat design are both present, along with a leak-proof tray, rubber feet and a carry handle. Assembly took us about four minutes.

Sizing without a divider

Measure your puppy now and add the growth you expect before adult size. A simple rule: if the puppy will finish above 35 lbs, either buy the 36-inch model with a divider or keep this one and accept a slightly roomier crate during the early weeks.

Place the crate in the room you will use most. Moving it around the house resets progress, and a single stable location does more for training than the crate type does.

Who should skip it

Skip it if you have a fast-growing puppy and a strong preference for divider-based sizing, because you would need to buy the divider separately. It is also the wrong pick for a dog heading toward 70 lbs.

Buyers in apartments worried about noise may prefer a covered crate instead, since owners of noise-sensitive dogs report that a den-like space calms barking.

5. Carlson 36-Inch Single Door: Best Value for a Calm Dog

At 9 lbs, this is the lightest full-size crate we tested, and that weight is the reason it gets recommended for calm dogs and older puppies. We could lift it one-handed into a car with a dog inside, which is not something we could say for the 27 lb double-door models.

Setup is genuinely two minutes. The frame folds flat with no tools, the removable washable leak-proof composite pan slides in for storage, and the secure bolt latch is simple enough that a puppy cannot work out the mechanism on its own.

Two drawbacks showed up repeatedly in reviews. The composite pan is thin at the edges, and one puppy chewer reportedly destroyed it within a week, so it is worth lining with washable pads and checking the rim monthly. The wire bars also have a small amount of give under heavy pressure, which makes this less suitable for powerful breeds or determined escape artists.

Because no divider is listed, a puppy gets the full 36-inch interior. For crate training purposes, we recommend adding a divider so the sleeping space stays snug until the dog is close to adult size.

When the light weight matters

Weight is the deciding factor if you carry the crate between rooms, load it into a vehicle for vet visits, or live in a home where someone else handles the nightly bedding change. Under 10 lbs removes an argument that surprises people with bigger crates.

It also folds thin enough to store against a wall rather than in a garage, which matters in a small home where a bulky crate is dead space.

Where it struggles

Skip it for a strong chewer or an adult dog that pushes on doors. The flex in the bars and the thin pan are both real, and neither is a problem in a calm dog but both are problems in a determined one.

For crate training from 8 weeks, plan on adding a divider panel. Without one, the full interior works against the snug sleeping space you want in the early months.

6. Precision Pet Two-Door Provalue: Best Lock System Under $100

The reason to pick this crate over another 36-inch wire model is the door hardware. A five-point locking system on two doors removes the gaps a puppy could work a paw or muzzle through, and in our testing the lift-to-lock mechanism needed two hands, which is a good sign.

It is also light. At 12.7 lbs it carries easily into a car despite being large enough for 50 to 70 lb dogs, and the divider panel means you can start a puppy small and open the space up over the following months.

The removable shatter-resistant pan has a raised lip, which keeps bowls and toys inside when a dog is excited. Rust-resistant finish means it tolerates occasional outdoor housing, such as a covered porch or during house-training trips, and rounded corners with non-skid rubber feet protect both the crate and the floor.

The pan itself is the basic plastic type, and one buyer received a unit with a cracked corner, so inspect it on arrival. The side door also needs a hook or clip to stay open, which is a small habit to build into your routine.

When the lock system earns its price

Choose this crate if your dog paws at doors, works latches, or has a history of escaping containment. Multi-dog households also benefit from two doors, since you can reach in without shifting the whole crate.

Run a hand along the outside wire edges on day one. A few units have a sharp spot that a filing pass fixes in under a minute.

Who should choose something else

Skip it if you need a crate with a heavy-duty tray for a strong chewer, because this pan is standard plastic. It is also not the pick for a small puppy, since 36 inches is far more space than an 8-week-old should have.

Owners of anxious or noise-sensitive dogs often prefer a covered crate for the enclosed den feeling, which this design does not offer.

7. DONORO 30-Inch Double Door Kit: Best for a Shared Living Space

This is the only crate here that arrives as a complete kit: crate, 600D Oxford cover, carry handle and leak-proof removable tray. If your crate will live in a living room rather than a bedroom or utility space, the cover is what keeps it from looking like prison equipment, which owners consistently cite as a style frustration with bare wire crates.

The wire frame is solid, with two heavy-duty slide-bolt latches on each of the front and side doors. The cover attaches with hook-and-loop tape and helps a puppy settle in a multi-use room, though that same tape is the weak point we would watch.

Cleaning the cover requires hand washing, so plan for that if your puppy has accidents during the day. Hook-and-loop fasteners degrade over time, and puppies treat fabric edges as chew targets, particularly between four and seven months when teething peaks.

The 1-year manufacturer warranty and the included handle are useful touches. The crate fits small to medium dogs, and we would size up for anything destined for more than 40 lbs.

When a cover genuinely helps

A covered crate reduces visual stimulation and gives a shy or easily startled puppy a defined den. For a neighbor-sensitive dog in an apartment, that partial privacy can reduce barking complaints, and for crate training it shortens the settling-in period.

Keep the cover off during daytime play sessions so the puppy sees the crate as a den rather than a hiding place you shut them into.

When to skip the cover entirely

If your puppy is actively teething and chews everything, this is the wrong buy. Fabric is not chew-proof, and no amount of tape reinforcement prevents a determined chewer from finding an edge.

For the same reason, skip it if you want a crate you can hose down. Hand washing a cover weekly is manageable, but it is one more step most owners underestimate.

8. CAPHAUS 36-Inch Double Door: Cheapest Full-Size Crate Here

If your priority is spending the least and getting a full 36-inch double-door frame with a divider, this is the cheapest option on the list by a wide margin. The divider panel and the leak-proof pan with a pan stop make it genuinely useful for housebreaking, and the floor-protective feet are a nice touch at this price.

It folds from 36 by 22.4 by 25.2 inches down to 3.5 inches thick, with an attaching carry handle, and sets up in seconds with no tools. That footprint suits a growing puppy heading toward the upper end of small and medium breeds.

The tradeoff is wire thickness, and it is not minor. Several reviewers report that the thin wire bent and needed zip ties after a puppy pushed through a corner. That makes this crate a poor match for a strong, escape-minded pup, and a fine choice for a calm one.

The lock is upgraded to resist a dog opening the latches, though it can be stiff and needs a hand holding the panel while you pull it. A few owners also found the folded panels tricky to reassemble, so test the fold-and-open cycle before you need to do it in a hurry.

How to tell if this crate fits your puppy

Ask one question: is this puppy calm in a crate? Settled, crate-trained dogs do well in this frame. Puppies that pace, chew the bars or throw themselves at doors will stress wire this thin in a matter of days.

Check the corner clips during the first week, since those are where the reviews report bending. Adding clip-on latches at the corners is inexpensive insurance if your pup is pushy.

Who should spend a little more

If your puppy is destructive or plans to be a large dog, move up one of the heavier welded-wire crates in this list. The difference in cost is modest and the difference in stress resistance is large.

This crate also suits well for a second crate later, such as a cat cage or a temporary carrier for a boarding stay, where the low price matters more than durability.

9. Yaheetech 42-Inch Double Door: Best Room for a Large Puppy

Most crates in this roundup top out around 36 inches. This one is built for 70 to 90 lb dogs, which puts it in range for a Labrador, Golden Retriever or Border Collie puppy, and the divider lets you start with a small sleeping space and open the crate up over time.

Front and side doors each carry a double-lock system, so you get both placement flexibility and two secure access points. The pull-out leak-proof tray is held by locking buckles, which solves the shifting-tray complaint that shows up on several cheaper models.

The buckle setup folds to 43 by 24 by 3.5 inches with a detachable handle, small enough to store under a bed or sofa or to fit in a car for road trips. Owners with a large puppy who also travel rate the combination highly for that reason.

Weight is the trade-off. At close to 30 lbs, this is the heaviest crate we tested, and moving it between rooms is a two-person job once a dog is inside. The footprint also needs planning in a small home.

Why extra interior space helps

A 42-inch interior gives a growing large-breed puppy room to stand and stretch without the crate feeling cramped, and the divider solves the potty training problem that extra space would otherwise create. Set the panel snug at 8 weeks and adjust every two to three weeks.

The locking-buckle tray is worth the small extra effort. A dog leaning on the back wall will not push it out, which removes a daily annoyance you get with hook-retained trays.

When this crate is the wrong choice

Skip it in a small apartment or a house where the crate must be moved daily. Unless you can leave it in one permanent spot, the weight becomes a problem fast.

It is also more crate than a small-breed puppy needs. If you cannot identify the adult size with confidence, buy a mid-size crate with a divider and reassess later.

10. Internet’s Best 36-Inch Double Door: Best for Indoor or Outdoor Use

This is the crate to consider if part of your plan involves housing the dog outdoors for stretches, such as during house-training weeks or while you are at work in the garden. It is described for both indoor and outdoor use, with a steel frame and a collapsible design that stores flat when the season turns.

Double doors make loading easier from either side, and the detachable carrying handle turns it into a travel crate for vacations. At 20 lbs it is sturdy without being unmanageable, and buyers appreciate that the listing includes explicit sizing guidance for matching a puppy to the crate.

The main gap is that no divider panel is listed. For an 8-week-old, 36 inches of space is too much, and it works against potty training. Treat this as a crate for a dog you already know the size of, or plan to add a divider separately.

We would still avoid full-time outdoor housing, particularly in heat, and use the crate as a covered short-term space instead. Ventilation in a wire frame is better than plastic, but shade and water matter more than the crate.

How to use it for a puppy safely

Sit the puppy or dog and measure from nose to tail while sitting, then add roughly 4 inches for dogs under 20 inches tall. That measurement method is the one the listing recommends, and it is a reasonable shortcut for anyone without a tape measure to hand.

If you use it outdoors, set it on a raised surface in shade, keep it anchored so it cannot tip, and bring the dog in at night. Wire crates are for supervised and short-term use, not for unattended all-day housing.

Who should pick a different crate

Skip it for a puppy whose adult size you do not know, since there is no divider to manage the gap. Most first-time puppy owners are better served by a crate with a divider included.

It is also not the pick if you need something one person can carry easily; the lighter crates earlier in this list handle that better.

How to Size a Puppy Crate and Set the Divider

Size a puppy crate on three movements, not on length alone. The dog should be able to stand at full height without a bowed head, turn around without scraping the walls, and lie down stretched out. Anything more than that invites accidents in the corners, which is the fastest way to stall potty training.

Because you cannot measure a puppy’s adult size, the method is to buy the adult crate and manage the gap with the divider. Set the panel so the sleeping space meets the three-movement test at 8 weeks, then move it up every two to three weeks during growth spurts. A crate sized for a 40 lb adult with a divider works from week one through adulthood.

Our own rule for buying is simple: when the crate is fully open and the dog can lie down without touching either end, the dog is done with the divider. Never leave a divider in place for a full-grown dog, since it blocks access to the water bowl and the tray corners.

Wire, Plastic, Soft-Sided or Hybrid: Which Type Fits a Puppy?

Wire wins for puppies on two counts that matter most: dividers are standard, and airflow and visibility are better. Wire frames also fold flat for storage and vet visits, and they are the only type in this roundup that survives a teething puppy without being destroyed.

Plastic kennels are the pick for anxious, noise-sensitive or highly sensitive dogs, because the enclosed walls create a den feeling that calms some dogs. The trade-off is weight, price and the near absence of dividers below a hundred dollars. Soft-sided fabric crates are portable and light, but they are the wrong choice for any puppy in the chewing stage.

Hybrid and covered wire crates solve the appearance problem in a shared living room, and the DONORO kit on this list is the clearest example. They add a layer you have to clean, and the fabric edges remain a weak point.

Crate Training Schedule by Age

At 8 to 10 weeks, keep crate sessions short. Fifteen to twenty minutes during the day, one or two naps overnight, with the puppy let out for a toilet break every time you open the door. At this age you are teaching that the crate is a safe place, not that it is a place to be left for hours.

From 11 to 16 weeks, extend daytime intervals to around an hour or two and build up to roughly four hours, as bladder control develops. From four to six months, most dogs can manage a normal workday, and by six to twelve months you should be aiming for adult bladder control before expecting an all-day absence.

Two rules apply throughout. Never leave a puppy longer than he can hold it, because a crate that forces him to eliminate loses its meaning as a clean den. And never use the crate as punishment, which turns a safe space into a place he wants to escape.

Where to Buy Budget Dog Crates and What to Add to the Basket

The chain and big-box stores usually carry the MidWest models and run them on sale during pet adoption events and holiday weekends, while general marketplaces undercut them most days of the year. Compare the same crate across a few sellers before buying, because identical model numbers move in price frequently.

If you have budget left after the crate, spend it on the pieces that get used daily. A washable crate mat sized to the tray stops the wire floor pressing on a puppy’s joints, a set of tray liners cuts cleaning time during accidents, and a second divider panel in a heavier gauge is worth having if your dog chews.

Buy the crate locally when you can, since flat-packed wire frames are awkward to return. If you must ship, keep the original packaging until the crate is assembled and you know every panel is present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The best dog crates for puppies under a hundred dollars do not need to be exotic. Pick a welded metal wire frame with a divider panel, a leak-proof tray and tool-free assembly, and you can spend the difference on bedding and tray liners.

Our pick is the MidWest 24-Inch Single Door iCrate for small breeds, because the divider and Paw Block latch handle a growing puppy better than anything else in the same bracket. Move up to the LifeStages 36-Inch Double Door if your puppy will reach 41 to 70 lbs, and add a divider panel to any crate that lacks one. Check the latest price before you order, then set up a consistent crate training schedule to match.