Puppy playpens and dog exercise pens are generally the smaller versions of dog cages and gazebos.
When it comes to picking the best dog exercise pen, there’s a few things you want to consider.
The height of the pen panels, the material the panels are made of, the thickness of the panels, and the overall area that the playpen contains are a few.
But, don’t stress out too much.
We’ve put together a list of the top rated dog exercise pens that take all this into account – so you don’t have to spend as much time and effort researching.
We’ve also outlined the main features of each exercise pen, so you can get a good idea of which one might be most suitable for your dog/s and preferences.
Let’s check out what’s available!
(NOTE: this is a general information guide only, and is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice. A qualified vet or animal expert is the only person qualified to give you expert advice in regards to your pet/s)
(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)
Best Dog & Puppy Exercise Pens & Playpens
Our top picks for the best dog exercise pens are:
Metal Dog Exercise Pens
- MidWest Homes Foldable Metal Exercise Pen (on Amazon) – available in height up to 48 inches. For enclosing pets in a 16 square foot area. For up to large sized pets
- BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Exercise Pen (on Amazon) – comes in 32 inch high, and 40 inch high options. Made of 1/2 inch thick metal tube. For up to large sized pets
- Paws & Pals Oxgord Heavy Duty Portable Metal Exercise Dog Playpen (on Amazon) – comes in 24 inch, 32 inch and 40 inch high options. Made of 1/2 inch thick metal tube. For up to large sized pets
Plastic Dog Exercise Pens
- IRIS USA Pet Containment Pen (on Amazon) – comes in 24 inch high, and 34 inch high options. Made of heavy duty molded plastic. For small dogs only
Heavy Duty Dog Exercise Pens
- BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Exercise Pen (on Amazon) – comes in 32 inch high, and 40 inch high options. Made of 1/2 inch thick metal tube
- Paws & Pals Oxgord Heavy Duty Portable Metal Exercise Dog Playpen (on Amazon) – comes in 24 inch, 32 inch and 40 inch high options. Made of 1/2 inch thick metal tube
- IRIS USA Pet Containment Pen (on Amazon) – comes in 24 inch high, and 34 inch high options. Made of heavy duty molded plastic. For small dogs only
Dog Exercise Pens With A Top/Cover
There’s exercise pens that come with covers:
- The MidWest Homes Foldable Metal Exercise Pen (on Amazon) above offers a cover – the MidWest SunScreen Cover (on Amazon) to block sun rays
There’s also dog cages and gazebos that come with roof cover:
- Advantek Pet Gazebo Modular Outdoor Dog Kennel (on Amazon) – comes in 3 sizes up to a 90 diameter high by 90 inches high
- Lucky Dog Uptown Welded Wire Kennel (on Amazon) – comes in 3 sizes up to a 6 feet high x 4 feet wide x 8 feet long size
The last option is to buy the dog exercise pen of your choosing, and buy a cover or tarpaulin of your choosing.
Simply fix/retrofit the cover or tarpaulin to your dog exercise pen as you like.
A tarp like the Hanjet Tarp (on Amazon) with grommets and available in different sizes might be something you are looking for.
Soft Puppy Playpens
- EliteField 2 Door Soft Sided Pet Playpen (on Amazon) – comes in 6 sizes, up to a 62 inches diameter x 36 inches high size
- ESK COLLECTION Puppy Playpen, 48 Inch Diameter x 25 Inch Height (on Amazon) – cheap puppy playpen, 48 inch diameter x 25 inches high
- ToysOpoly Pet Playpen (on Amazon) – cheap puppy playpen, 48 inches diameter x 24 inches high
- Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen (on Amazon) – cheap puppy playpen, 45 inches diameter x 22 inches high
- Precision Pet Soft Side Play Yard (on Amazon) – comes in 3 sizes, up to a 46 inches diameter x 28 inches high size
- Jespet Puppy Playpen (on Amazon) – comes in 2 sizes, up to a 61 inch diameter x 30 inch height size
Foldable & Portable Puppy Playpens
Same as the above soft sided puppy playpens list
Indoor & Outdoor Puppy Playpens
Same as the above soft sided puppy playpens list
Puppy Playpens With Removable Floor For Housetraining
- EliteField 2 Door Soft Sided Pet Playpen (on Amazon) – comes in 6 sizes, up to a 62 inches diameter x 36 inches high size. Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
- ESK COLLECTION Puppy Playpen, 48 Inch Diameter x 25 Inch Height (on Amazon) – cheap puppy playpen, 48 inch diameter x 25 inches high. Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
- ToysOpoly Pet Playpen (on Amazon) – cheap puppy playpen, 48 inches diameter x 24 inches high. Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
- Precision Pet Soft Side Play Yard (on Amazon) – comes in 3 sizes, up to a 46 inches diameter x 28 inches high size. Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
Best Dog Exercise Pens: Reviews
MidWest Homes Foldable Metal Exercise Pen
A playpen for temporarily enclosing pets in a 16 square foot area
Available in height up to 48 inches, but also available in a range of other panel heights
Available in 2 colors – black, and gold
Comes with 8 ground anchors for outdoor use and 4 thumb-snaps for easy assembly
Easy set up and take down – no tools required
Suitable for small to large dogs
View the MidWest Homes Foldable Metal Exercise Pen (on Amazon)
BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen & Dog Exercise Pen
Features
A heavy duty 1/2 inch metal tube dog playpen
Comes in both 32 inch high, and 40 inch high options
Comes with 8 panels that can be set up in an octagon or rectangle configuration
Each panel is 40″ High x 31″ Wide on the 40 inch model
Has an opening door/gate on the front of the pen
Comes in a black color
Relatively easy and quick to set up and take down
Comes with rods for connecting the panels together
You can order additional panels to expand the playpen area
Drawbacks
For dogs that try to jump on the fence, you’ll have to buy extra stakes to reinforce the fence, and possibly reinforce the connector rods
Long term, it can be good to apply some rustoleum paint on the metal
Shipping outside the USA is subject to extra fees
Sometimes the fence might arrive with a few dents in the panels – in this case you’ll have to contact the manufacturer for a replacement
Overall
Overall, probably the best heavy duty dog pen on the market along with the Paws & Pals playpen. Strong and easy to set up. If you have a dog that tries to jump on the fence, you’ll need to reinforce the panels and the rods that connect the panels with stakes, and some type of locking washers – but, most people don’t have this issue. It’s good you can expand this system with extra panels.
View the BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Exercise Pen (on Amazon)
Paws & Pals Oxgord Heavy Duty Portable Metal Exercise Dog Playpen
Features
A heavy duty 1/2 inch metal tube dog playpen
Comes in 24, 32 and 40 inch high models
Comes with 8 panels that can be arranged in different configurations
Panels are 30 inches wide
Easy to set up and take down
You get approx 30 square feet of containment with 8 panels
Comes with a slide lock
Has an opening door/gate on the front of the pen
Expandable – you can buy additional panels to increase the size of the containment area
Drawbacks
For dogs that try to jump on the fence, you’ll have to buy extra stakes to reinforce the fence
Long term, it can be good to apply some rustoleum paint on the metal
Overall
Very similar to the BestPet playpen. Strong, easy to set up and take down. You can expand it with additional panels. You’ll need to reinforce it for dogs that try to jump on the fence or knock into the panels.
View the Paws & Pals Oxgord Heavy Duty Portable Metal Exercise Dog Playpen (on Amazon)
IRIS USA Pet Containment Pen
Features
Comes in a 24 inch high panel option, or a 34 inch high panel option
Panels are 24.6 inches wide
Comes with 8 panels in a kit
Provides 21 square inches of containment
the distance between bars is 1.5”
Made of a heavy duty molded plastic
For small dogs only
Made in the USA
System is expandable by buying more panels – so you can increase the size of the containment area
Has locking latch
Panels connect with interlocking rods
Drawbacks
Not as strong or firm as the other brands
More of an inside playpen
For small dogs only, and not medium to large dogs
Overall
Overall, it’s good for small dogs, and as an inside or undercover playpen. Not as good as an outside playpen for medium to large dogs
View the IRIS USA Pet Containment Pen (on Amazon)
EliteField 2 Door Soft Sided Pet Playpen
Features
Playpen for small to medium sized pets
Comes in 6 different colors
Comes in 6 different sizes up to a 62 inches diameter x 36 inches high size
For both indoor and outdoor use
Easy to both set up and fold down
Can be stored away or taken with you camping
Has two zippered doors
Has pet supply storage pockets
Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
Comes with a carrying bag and 4 stakes to secure the playpen into the ground outside
Has a 2 year warranty
Drawbacks
Slightly more expensive than the chap playpens
View the EliteField 2 Door Soft Sided Pet Playpen on Amazon
ESK COLLECTION Puppy Playpen, 48 Inch Diameter x 25 Inch Height
Features
A puppy playpen to contain your puppy, or small dog
Is cheap and affordable
Measures 48 inches in diameter by 25 inches in height
Comes in 4 colors – pink, blue, black and red
Easy to set up and take down this playpen, and easy to fold up for transport or storage
Both the top and bottom can be zipped on and off
The top is a mesh cover
The bottom in a vinyl floor – easy to wash in case of accidents and mess
The sides are mesh, allowing great ventilation
The playpen has storage pockets on the side that allow you to store supplies
The playpen folds up easily, and comes with a travel tote so you can travel with the playpen as well
For indoor and outdoor use
Drawbacks
For small dogs only
The zippers are strong – they could be stronger to prevent breaking
View the ESK COLLECTION Puppy Playpen, 48 Inch Diameter x 25 Inch Height on Amazon
Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen
Features
Comes in 3 sizes – small, medium and large
Large measures 48 inches in diameter by 24 inches high
For both indoor and outdoor use
Easy to set up, and just as easy to fold back down – can be taken with you camping, or folded down for storage
Has a zippered top and a zippered front door – both can be removed and zipped back on
Drawbacks
Bottom is not detachable
Zippers could be stronger
For small dogs only
View the Parkland Pet Portable Foldable Playpen on Amazon
ToysOpoly Pet Playpen
Features
A puppy playpen for small pets
Comes in black, blue and yellow colors
Measures 45 inches in diameter by 22 inches in height
Has both a zippered removable top AND bottom/floor
Easy to both fold down, and set up
Easy to transport or store away
Comes with a carry bag
Comes with zippered roll up doors
Has storage pouches to store supplies
Comes with 4x Metal stakes for holding the pen on ground firmly (outside use)
For outside or inside use
Drawbacks
For small dogs only
Zippers could be stronger
View the ToysOpoly Pet Playpen on Amazon
Precision Pet Soft Side Play Yard
Features
Comes in 3 different sizes up to a 46 inches diameter x 28 inches high size
For both indoor and outdoor use
Easy to both set up and fold down
Can be stored away or taken with you camping
Has a mesh door and mesh sides
Has pet supply storage pockets
Both the floor and top are zippered and removable
Comes with a carrying bag and 4 stakes to secure the playpen into the ground outside
1 year warranty
Drawbacks
For small puppies and pets only
View the Precision Pet Soft Side Play Yard on Amazon
Jespet Puppy Playpen
Features
A puppy playpen for small to medium sized pets
Comes in 2 sizes up to a 61 inch diameter x 30 inch heigh size
Comes in 5 different colors
Has zippered and removable top/cover
Has mesh side panels and door
Has storage pockets on the side of the playpen
Comes with 4 stakes for securing the playpen to the ground
Easy to set up and fold down
Can be folded up and carried around or transported away camping for example
Drawbacks
Floor is not zippered and removable
View the Jespet Puppy Playpen (on Amazon)
Frisco Wire Dog Exercise Pen
For owners with small through to large dogs, looking for a value for money/affordable regular metal wire exercise pen
A metal wire exercise pen
Comes in a range of sizes for small dogs, through to large dogs that are up to 91-110 pounds.
The largest size pen is 48 x 24 x 48 inches, and weighs 32 lbs
Has a step through door
Has a latch and safety clip lock on the door
Pen is collapsible, making it transportable
Has ground stakes to secure the pen in place
You can connect two pens together for a larger exercise area
Most similar to the MidWest regular metal wire pens available on the market
Frisco Wire Dog Exercise Pen (on Chewy) (for small through to large sized breeds, and is also expandable)
Frisco 4-Panel Plastic Dog Exercise Pen
A 4 panel plastic dog exercise pen
Those with toy and small sized dogs, looking for a small and lightweight exercise pen
Comes in one size only – 36 x 36 x 23.6 inches, and weighs 12.73 lbs
Provides 8 square feet of space inside the pen
Designed for toy and small breeds
Door has two locks
Pen has non skid rubber feet
Pen is transportable
Assembly just requires dropping rods into the panels
Frisco 4-Panel Plastic Dog Exercise Pen (on Chewy) (for toy and small sized breeds)
Frisco 8-Panel Plastic Dog Exercise Pen
Essentially the same as the 4 panel pen, but has more panels and provides more space inside the pen
Those with small to medium sized dogs, looking for a lightweight exercise pen
Measures 63 x 63 x 34 inches, and weighs 26.2 lbs
Provides 21 square feet of space
For small to medium sized breeds
Frisco 8-Panel Plastic Dog Exercise Pen (on Chewy) (for small to medium sized breeds)
Carlson Convertible Pet Yard
Features
A pet yard/pet pen that can also be used as a pet gate
Comes with 6 panels that are 24 inches wide each, or 144 inches in total length
The panels are 28-Inches tall
Foldable – so it’s easy to set up and take down
The panels are made of lightweight but durable steel
The panels come with a one touch lock and unlock door you and your pet can walk through
Can be used in most places in the house such as whole rooms, entrance ways, stairways, doorways, hallways, fireplaces + other areas
Space between the panel bars is small enough that most small dogs and puppies shouldn’t be able to squeeze through
You can buy multiple yards and attach them together for more enclosed space
Drawbacks
The door only opens one way
To use it as a pet gate – you have to buy the Carlson wall mounting hardware separately from Carlson directly. It doesn’t come with the hardware, and you can’t pressure mount the gate, and it’s not steady enough to be freestanding.
Overall
Overall, good as a pet yard with no real design flaws. Buy wall mounting hardware separately if you want to use it as a pet gate
View the Carlson Convertible Pet Yard on Amazon
What Might The Carlson Convertible Pet Yard Be For?
Small to large dogs
Dogs that suit a 28 inch tall yard/gate
People looking for a pet yard that is easy to set up and take down
People looking for a wall mounted pet gate
What Might The Carlson Convertible Pet Yard NOT Be For?
People who want wall mounting hardware for the pet gate included
People who want a gate that swings both ways
Best Dog Exercise Pens: Buyer’s Guide
What Is A Dog Exercise Pen?
A collection of panels, that connect together usually in a rectangle or octagon configuration, to contain one or several pets within the panels/pen.
They help keep your dog/s safe whilst allowing them some room to walk around.
What Can Dog Exercise Pens Be Used For?
Check what the manufacturer says on their product description, but usually:
Containing pets
Keeping pets safe
Keeping pets away from a hazard in your yard
Exercise pens can be a good alternative to portable fencing panels or an electric dog fence
The four main dog enclosure options are:
– Dog crates
– Dog exercise pens and puppy playpens
– Dog kennel cages and gazebos
– And, electric dog fences
Where Can Dog Exercise Pens Be Used?
Check what the manufacturer says on their product description, but usually:
Indoors
Outdoors
The backyard or front yard
Outside of your property RV’ing, camping and caravanning
What Size Dog Exercise Pen To Get?
Make sure you check the dimensions for the exercise pen, mainly the diameter and height, and get one that suits your dog.
Make sure your dog has enough room to stand up, lay down, and of course walk around.
Things To Consider With Dog Exercise Pens
Some things you might want to consider are:
What they are made out of – plastic or metal? what thickness is the materials? Thin metal wire or thicker metal tube? Hardened plastic?
Where they can be used – inside, outside, away from the home?
How tall and wide each panel is?
How many panels you get in 1 kit
What square metre/foot area you can contain with the panels, or what total length of panelling you get in a kit
Whether you can expand the panelling and containment area by buying more panels
What size pets the panels are made for – small, medium, large?
Are you prepared to reinforce or provide strong fixing for the panels and panel connectors for dogs that want to lean or jump on the panels?
Heavy Duty Dog Exercise Pens
There could be a few reasons to get a heavier duty dog exercise pen.
Maybe you have a larger dog you need to keep safely contained, or maybe for another reason the thinner wire and metal on regular dog exercise pens just isn’t going to be suitable.
Usually the regular pet playpens are made with a thin metal wire or thin plastic materials.
The more heavy duty models are made with a thicker metal tube, and thicker heavy duty plastic.
Dog Exercise Pens With Doors vs Without Doors
Obviously a dog exercise pen with a door allows you to open and close the door to allow your pet/s in and out of the pen.
A pen without a door means you will have to take the connector rod out from the pen panels you want to open up to let your dog/s in and out of the pen.
So, a door allows you a bit more convenience.
Some of the exercise pens we mention above include doors instead of just coming with the panels.
Dog Crate vs Cage vs Playpen vs Carrier Comparison
Read a Dog Crate vs Cage vs Playpen vs Carrier Comparison Guide here.
Best Puppy Playpens: Buyer’s Guide
What Size Puppy Playpen To Get For Your Puppy?
The manufacturer should tell you how to measure.
But, generally you want to look at both the diameter and height of the playpen and make sure your puppy has enough clearance (a few inches) to stand up, lay down and turn around.
But, the more room the better for some pets.
Things To Consider When Buying A Puppy Playpen
Some features you may want to consider are:
Size of the playpen compared to your pet/s
Range of colors the playpen comes in
Whether to playpen door is zippered or not
Whether the playpen top/cover is zippered and removeable
Whether the playpen floor is zippered and removable and washable
Whether the playpen comes with supply storage pockets
Whether the playpen comes with a carry handle or carry bag for transporting
Whether the playpen comes with metal stakes to secure it to the ground outside
Whether the playpen comes with a warranty
What Makes A Puppy Playpen Foldable?
The ability to take the playpen down (once set up) quickly and fold up the panels into one square or rectangle.
What Makes A Puppy Playpen Portable?
The best portable playpens have either a carry bag included, or have a carry handle stitched onto the playpen.
Both of these things allow you to more easily transport the playpen.
What To Know About Indoor Puppy Playpens
All playpens are indoor playpens. If you have a playpen set up indoors though, just make sure you have the necessary cover down for puppies that struggle with toilet training in the case of messes.
What To Know About Outdoor Puppy Playpens
You probably don’t want to have most playpens exposed to the elements consistently. Finding somewhere under cover outside is probably a better option.
Most playpens come with metal stakes or metal stake loops so you can secure them to the ground.
Most playpens also fold down and are lightweight and portable enough to fold up and take camping or away on vacation with you.
What Makes A Puppy Playpen Good For Housetraining?
The main things probably are:
A removable floor that can be put in the wash and cleaned
A playpen with mesh sides to allow ventilation and fresh air flow
There’s no reason why you couldn’t put a waterproof cover or puppy training pads down though in a puppy playpen without a removable floor.
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