We’ve put together a quick and simple dog crate vs dog cage vs dog playpen vs dog carrier guide.
In this guide we discuss what each is, and compare the differences between them.
You should be able to get a better idea of which one is better for your dog, and what you need to use the product for.
Let’s jump into it!
*NOTE – this guide contains general information only. It is not professional advice, or a substitute for professional advice.
(*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)
Dog Crate vs Cage vs Playpen vs Carrier: Comparison, Differences & Which To Get?
Wire Dog Crates
- Frisco Dog Crate (on Chewy) (up to 48 Inch available)
- MidWest iCrate (on Chewy) (up to 48 Inch available)
- MidWest iCrate (on Amazon)
You can check out a guide for the best type of dog crate for you here:
We list all the different types of crates and cages and their uses including metal wire, plastic, soft sided, heavy duty steel and heavy duty aluminium dog crates.
We also include a list of the best dog crates across different categories here.
Dog Carriers
Dog Exercise Pen/Playpen
Some of the most popular exercise pens are the:
- Frisco Wire Dog Exercise Pen (on Chewy)
- MidWest Wire Dog Exercise Pen (on Chewy)
- MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Metal Exercise Pen with 8 Panels (on Amazon)
Dog Crate vs Cage: Comparison
Dog Crate vs Cage – What Are They, and What Are They Used For?
Dog Crate
When most people talk about a dog crate, they are talking about a smaller enclosure for a dog that can be used as a bed, a home, for training, for protection and security, for transport + more.
Dog Cage
When we talk about a dog cage, we are most often talking about a heavy duty steel cage.
They are used for almost the exact same purposes as a dog crate.
Dog Crate vs Cage – What Are The Main Differences?
The main differences between a dog crate and a heavy duty dog cage are:
Dog crates are most often made of metal wire, soft fabric (with a metal frame) or plastic
Dog cages are most often made of heavy duty metal bars
Dog crates are highly portable and more lightweight
Dog cages are not as portable and weigh more
Dog crates are used for regular small through to large dogs
Dog cages are used for destructive dogs, dogs that chew and scratch and dogs that are ‘escape artists’
Dog Crate vs Cage – Which Is Better For You?
You might get a dog crate if …
You have a regular dog and you want a lighter weight crate for around the home, that is affordable but also portable enough to take travelling
You might get a dog cage if …
You have a destructive or escape artist type dog, and you want a heavier duty crate that is going to stand up to more abuse and be more secure
Dog Crate vs Carrier: Comparison
Dog Crate vs Carrier – What Are They, and What Are They Used For?
Dog Crate
When most people talk about a dog crate, they are talking about a smaller enclosure for a dog that can be used as a bed, a home, for training, for protection and security, for transport + more.
They come in various types such as metal wire and soft fabric sided crates that are foldable and portable, plastic dog crates, wooden dog crates, heavy duty steel dog crates and heavy duty aluminium dog crates, just to name a few.
Dog Carrier
Dog carriers are usually soft nylon/polyester bags, bags with wheels that you roll around or slings you carry around your shoulder.
Many people use the dog bag carriers to transport their pets to the vet, or take them travelling on flights in cabin, or in the car with them on vacation.
Dog Crate vs Carrier – What Are The Main Differences?
Crates are a different product altogether to a dog dog carrier
Crates come in a wider range of types and materials
Crates have a wider range of uses from crate training, to transport, to providing a safe/secure space for your dog, + much more
Carriers are really only for transport
Carriers are really only for small dogs, whereas crates are for small through to extra large dogs
Carriers can be taken in the cabin of a commercial flight as long as they comply to regulations
Crates that are airline approved can be taken through checked baggage
Dog Crate vs Carrier – Which Is Better For You?
You might think about getting a dog crate if you want…
A crate for crate training
A place for your dog to sleep and lay inside your home that can be locked or secured
A crate for plane cargo travel
A crate for dog hunting
A secure place to put your dog in a car
A secure place to put a destructive or heavy chewing dog
A crate that that fits in with the decor of your house
A crate that folds up and down and is highly portable
A crate for small through to extra large dogs
You might think about getting a dog carrier if you want…
A bag carrier for small dogs
A sling carrier for small dogs
A wheeled carrier for small dogs
A bag to house your dog during commercial flights in cabin
Dog Crate vs Exercise Pen/Playpen: Comparison
Dog Crate vs Playpen – What Are They, and What Are They Used For?
Dog Crate
When most people talk about a dog crate, they are talking about a smaller enclosure for a dog that can be used as a bed, a home, for training, for protection and security, for transport + more.
They come in various types such as metal wire and soft fabric sided crates that are foldable and portable, plastic dog crates, wooden dog crates, heavy duty steel dog crates and heavy duty aluminium dog crates, just to name a few.
Dog Playpen
Dog playpens are larger enclosures with no enclosed top.
They usually come in metal and several panels that attach together to form an enclosed wall pen.
They can be for small through to larger breed dogs, and provide a small space for you dog to walk around in.
The good thing about the most popular playpens is they are pretty easy to put up, take down and transport.
Dog Crate vs Playpen – What Are The Main Differences?
Dog Crates are smaller in size and the amount of space your dog has to move around
Dog Crates can be fully enclosed from all 5 sides including the top
Dog crates come in a wider range of types and materials such as metal wire, soft sided, wooden, plastic, heavy duty steel, heavy duty aluminium and more
Dog crates have a wider range of uses
Dog playpens are much larger and allow your dog to walk around – that’s really their main use – to provide a safe space for your dog to walk around in
Dog playpens really only come in metal/steel, soft sided and plastic
Dog Crate vs Playpen – Which Is Better For You?
You might think about getting a dog crate if you want…
A crate for crate training
A place for your dog to sleep and lay inside your home that can be locked or secured
A crate for plane cargo travel
A crate for dog hunting
A secure place to put your dog in a car
A secure place to put a destructive or heavy chewing dog
A crate that that fits in with the decor of your house
A crate that folds up and down and is highly portable
A crate for small through to extra large dogs
You might think about getting a dog playpen if you want …
An enclosed pen for you dog to walk around in in your back yard, or inside the house
You want a pen with panels that is easy to set up and take down
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