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Best Soft Dog Crates For 2022

When whisking your dog away on an adventure or holiday, it can often be difficult to create a comforting environment for them to feel at ease in.

However, soft dog crates have proven to be a fantastic solution, providing your pup with a little home from home with an easily portable and cosy kennel!

Soft-side models are now the chosen crate for dog owners always on the move, but should you join the revolution?

Whether you just want a comfier crate for your canine or you desperately need a 2-in-1 pet carrier, we’ve dipped our paws into the market to find the best soft dog crates for you and your pooch!

Not what you were looking for? We’ve also reviewed the best dog crates and cages, and car crates.

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Crufts Soft Dog Crate
    • Official Crufts logos
    • 2 free fabric bowls included
    • 3 doors with roll down blinds
    Check Price
    Pets At Home Fabric Kennel
    • Suitable for indoor & outdoor use
    • Four-sided mesh walls for good ventilation
    • Tear-resistant fabric
    Check Price
    AmazonBasics Premium Portable Soft Pet Crate
    • Fleece pet bed included
    • Shoulder strap for easy carrying
    • Easy fold-down for storage
    • 5 different colours available
    Check Price

    The Top Soft Dog Crates Reviewed

    1.
    Crufts Soft Dog Crate

    If you’re after distinction for your classy canine, it doesn’t get more official than this Crufts soft dog crate!

    Made from a strong tubular framework, the crate boasts an easy to erect structure in a green and grey design adorned with official Crufts logos.

    But far from being style over substance, the cage has plenty of features that make it a cut above the rest in both reputation and function!

    Each crate comes with two free fabric bowls for water and food. A storage pouch offers a nifty space for treats and toys, and there are also three meshed windows for ventilation and easy access.

    And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also The Kennel Club’s recommended soft crate of choice.

    There are also security straps to fix your crate in place when travelling by car although we would always recommend using a dedicated car travel crate when in the car and only using soft crates as a home for your dog.

    Features

    • Official Crufts logos
    • 2 free fabric bowls included
    • 3 doors with roll down blinds

    Specifications

    • Sizes: 24", 30", 35"
    • Dimensions: 76 x 55 x 62 cm (30")
    • Weight: 2.5 kg (30")

    2.
    Henry Wag Folding Fabric Travel Crate

    Perfect if your dog needs their own space to relax, the Henry Wag Folding Fabric Travel Crate can easily be popped up when required and then stored flat when not.

    It is available in sizes from Small right up to Jumbo, with a good guide on which to pick for your dog. To assemble it, it just zips together, and fabric mesh panels on three sizes will ensure they can still see out and have enough air. There are flap covers just in case this isn’t needed though, for instance, if they are in a place which makes them nervous.

    The inner floor panel with foam insulation is washable which is good for mud or accidents. Each crate includes a faux Sheepskin/nylon pad, carry case and pegs to secure the crate to soft ground which is good if you want something which you can take camping.

    Features

    • Easy to store away
    • Can be fastened to ground

    Specifications

    • Sizes: S, M, L, Jumbo, Giant
    • Dimensions: Small 47 x 36 x 40cm, Giant 102 x 71 x 79cm
    • Weight: 2.3kg

    3.
    Pawhut Folding Fabric Soft Pet Crate

    While plenty of soft dog crates make life easier for owners, nowhere near enough of them actually benefit your pup. Because even if a crate has all the innovations in the world, if your dog doesn’t find it comfortable, they won’t like using it!

    Luckily Pawhut has thought of that by adding a warm lambswool mat to the soft crate. Not only is Pawhut’s crate incredibly cosy, but it’s also practical and durable with 600D oxford material outer fabric that’s water-repellent with a PVC coating as well.

    The crate can be anchored into the ground with the supplied loop and ground stakes if you want to take it outside, or it can be folded up and carried in a bag. There’s also a handle on top of the crate for easy transportation as well.

    Features

    • Removal lambswool mat
    • Mesh windows on all sides for four way air flow
    • Durable pet carrier design

    Specifications

    • Size: One Size (suitable for small dog or puppy)
    • Dimensions: 46 x 36 x 41 cm
    • Weight: 1.15kg

    4.
    Pets At Home Fabric Kennel

    Although soft crates provide a fantastic, portable alternative to wire dog crates, their fabric material is not always the strongest against dogs that like to scratch and tear.

    This is where nylon mesh can be a dog owners best friend. Significantly more durable than polyester, nylon won’t succumb so easily to claws and biting!

    Not only is mesh sturdier, but it’s also great for proper ventilation as well, so your dog will feel even more comfortable thanks to the four mesh windows within this crate. And since it is an easy pop-up design, you can take it with you to the park or a beach when your dog needs a little shelter from the elements.

    We found it so easy to pop up when needed, and it folds completely flat compared to some others which were still a little bulky. Ideal for both regular use or those just-in-case moments.

    Features

    • Suitable for indoor & outdoor use
    • Four-sided mesh walls for good ventilation
    • Tear-resistant fabric

    Specifications

    • Sizes: L
    • Dimensions: 55 x 85 x 65 cm
    • Weight: 5-6 kg

    5.
    AmazonBasics Premium Portable Soft Pet Crate

    If you want a soft crate which you can take in the car and use when in an AirBnB in Devon, you need something fully portable and easy to manage.

    You need a home for your pet which you can take from A-Z with absolutely no fuss, and this Premium Portable model from AmazonBasics could hopefully be just that!

    It’s a great option for travel-anxious pets as, unlike other dog crates, it offers a high-ceiling interior to ensure that your pooch has plenty of room and doesn’t feel claustrophobic or caged – perfect if they’re away from home but you still want them to feel cosy.

    It even includes a free fleece pet bed, so your dog is always comfortable, and thankfully won’t need too much enticing to get inside! A top handle and adjustable strap make coming and going a breeze, and there is also plenty of storage options for treats, toys and more.

    It’s the stress-free travel survival kit that you and your mutt have both been begging for! While it is pretty large to transport, if you have a large dog it is needed, and in our experience dogs love it.

    Bear in mind to never use within a car though – always opt for a dedicated car travel crate.

    Features

    • Fleece pet bed included
    • Shoulder strap for easy carrying
    • Easy fold-down for storage
    • 5 different colours available

    Specifications

    • Sizes: 21" (53 cm), 30" (76 cm), 36" (91 cm), 39"(1 m)
    • Dimensions: 66.5 x 45.2 x 46 cm - 106.4 x 78.5 x 78 cm
    • Weight: 1.64 kg - 5.9 kg

    6.
    Petsfit Indoor Dog House

    If you’re looking for a soft crate that gives off less of a travel bag vibe, this Indoor Dog House from Petsfit finally gives your pooch their very own luxury room in the house!

    Coming in a lush oxford cloth design, this four-poster dog bed makes the perfect accent to any home and comes with a washable, soft fleece mat to turn your pet’s home into a palace. Three zipper entries offer an open and spacious feel, and a patented steel frame provides a sturdy structure.

    It’s best used as an indoor home for your pup, as although it provides easy set-up and fold-down storage for travelling, we thought that its small handles don’t make it the easiest to carry once a pet is inside.

    The fabric used for this crate is also not the strongest when compared to those higher on our list, so if your mischievous mutt loves to plan its escape, it’s not going to be the right option for you. We did like the inner steel frame to give it some sturdiness, though – perfect for fidgeters.

    Features

    • Patented steel inner-frame for sturdiness
    • Clips to secure door zippers
    • Removable and washable soft pet pad

    Specifications

    • Sizes: S, M, L
    • Dimensions: 51 x 43 x 41 (S) 76 x 51 x 48 (M) 92 x 60.2 x 7.6 (L)
    • Weight: 3 kg (S) 2.5 kg (M) 4.6 kg (L)

    7.
    Fauna Dog Puppy Lightweight Grey Crate

    Able to act as the perfect travel crate if you’re taking your small dog or puppy to the vet or park, this soft carrier with a sturdy lightweight frame for extra support and stability is secure and able to hold its shape.

    There are mesh windows for ventilation and to allow your dog to see out. The zippers will lock for safety, which is great if you’re carrying your dog on public transport, and two accessory pouches will keep items such as treats and collars or leads to hand.

    Despite being sturdy and well built, it goes up in seconds and can easily be taken down and stored when not in use. Available in three sizes, you will be able to choose the one which best suits your breed.

    We also like the nice long carry handles, which is a feature many other soft crates lack.

    Features

    • Top and side entry
    • Machine washable soft felt pad
    • Ventilation mesh

    Specifications

    • Sizes: S, M, L
    • Dimensions: 60 x 42 x 42cm - 91.4 x 63.5 x 63.5cm
    • Weight: 2.98kg - 5.01kg

    Buying Guide

    How we selected the best soft dog crates

    If you’re looking at soft dog crates, chances are you’ve already realised wire crates aren’t the best option for you or your pup. But while a soft-side crate will undoubtedly make a comfortable spot for your prized pooch, they are several key features you need to look out for depending on what you want to use your crate for, especially if you plan on taking it on trips!

    Size

    You don’t want your pup to feel confined, and so the ideal crate should offer them plenty of room for them to move around in. If you’re not sure about the size of your dog and what they’ll need, please consult our ‘crate size by breed and weight’ guide further below.

    We wanted to try and find a selection of soft crates of various sizes. Surprisingly, there was a great choice of larger soft crates, but some lacked the quality of smaller soft crates due to their size. We looked at thousands of reviews to ensure that any soft crate which promises to fit a labrador really does do as it says.

    Lightweight

    If you want to be able to move your pet’s portable home around at will, you’re going to need it to be as lightweight as possible! Luckily, we found that most soft crates are generally light anyway due to their materials, but if you’re purchasing a particularly large one, make sure to check the specified weight of the product to make sure you can lift it.

    This was especially relevant when we tested smaller crates that may be carried with the dog inside. You don’t want to be adding to the weight of the dog too much, but you can’t give way to quality.

    Handling

    As well as the crate being lightweight, if you plan on transferring it around, you’ll need it to have suitable handling. We looked for things like long top handles and adjustable over-the-shoulder straps to make life a lot easier!

    The handles also had to be strong. A few products we disregarded stated that handles came unravelled when carrying the crate, or that the material of the handle was very uncomfortable.

    Foldability and easy set up/storage

    Many soft-sided crates are foldable, which means they don’t require tools to assemble. A good soft crate should be a fabric material and collapse down to be stored as and when required.

    Some have an inner steel frame to give a bit more sturdiness – great for dogs that can be fidgety. We still looked for the importance of easily building or folding down for quick storage, though. You don’t want to feel like you’re building a 10-man tent.

    If you’re only going to use the crate on holiday’s and trips, collapsibility is a great feature as it means you can stow away the kennel when not in use and also easily transport it in the car.

    Durable material

    The one huge con of soft dog crates is that they can often be made of materials that are easily torn and ripped. This is especially the case if you’re pup is the type to go out of their way to rip them up! We searched for soft crates made of a more durable nylon or polyester material as opposed to a soft cloth.

    Plenty of poorly reviewed crates had stories of dogs chewing through doors or ripping mesh windows to get out, which is something you would likely not want to risk being repeated so they didn’t make the cut.

    Windows and ventilation

    Naturally, none of us particularly enjoy being thrown into a box with no windows. Therefore you may want to choose a crate that provides plenty of visuals for your pup to relieve any anxiety they might feel. More importantly, these windows must also offer plenty of ventilation so your pup can breathe easy!

    However, we also know that some dogs actually prefer quieter, darker environments to help them feel calmer. So, there are also a few crates on our list which are closed in but still offer mesh windows for breathability.

    Comfort mats or beds

    Not a necessity, but crates that offered these as a bonus got some extra points. Despite their name, a soft crate’s base is never actually that comfy, especially when against the ground or a hard floor. A comfy bed or fleece partition is incredibly useful in making your pooch feel at home, and will save you shelling out for a suitably-sized dog bed to put inside!

    But we still made sure they were easy to clean, could be removed from the crate and again, weren’t easy to rip or chew.

    Other Buyers Ask...

    Are soft dog crates as good as wire ones?

    The best thing about soft crates is that they fold a lot flatter and easier than wire ones, meaning you can take a pup’s home with you wherever you go. If portability is crucial for you, they are undoubtedly a better option.

    It all depends on what you need, though. If your dog’s crate will be a permanent fixture in your home, a wire crate may be best. They also offer a bit more visibility and extras like secure latches which keep them safe when unattended.

    Is a soft dog crate right for me and my dog?

    If you have a small to medium dog and are looking for a comfortable, portable pet home, the soft crate is the choice for you. However, you must consider these things before purchasing.

    If your dog is boisterous and doesn’t enjoy being put in a crate, a soft-side model is not a great choice. The material they’re made of is nowhere near as sturdy as wire, and so they will likely easily escape. And if your pooch just enjoys ripping stuff up in general, you might want to think twice!

    If you’re purchasing a crate for the purposes of crate training, soft crates tend not to be the greatest option. Accidents are much harder to clean up due to the fabric materials, and so will get dirty and unhygienic fairly quickly.

    Can a soft crate be used as a car crate?

    No! Although their pet carrier-like appearance may suggest they are suitable for car journeys, soft-crates are not meant to be used in vehicles! They are meant to act as homes for your pup, and so offer no safety features when it comes to actual travel.

    Instead, purchase a travel dog crate. Soft crates which fall under this category have extras such as seatbelt attachments and lead connections.