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Pets Crates

Best hard-sided carriers for dogs

Written by Chioma Ugwu
Updated June 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel
Petmate
Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel
Customer Favorite

This dog carrier features a top-load door with an easy-squeeze latch and a comfortable carrier handle.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This dog carrier features a top-load door with an easy-squeeze latch and a comfortable carrier handle.

Pros

Comes with air vents on all sides to allow for better visibility and free flow of fresh air. Includes a strong steel door with an easy-squeeze latch that makes it easy to open with one hand. Works as a kennel or travel carrier.

Cons

Not suitable for dogs over 20 pounds.

Best Bang for the Buck
MidWest Homes for Pets Pet Carrier
MidWest Homes for Pets
Pet Carrier
Bargain Pick

A nice transport for smaller creatures.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A nice transport for smaller creatures.

Pros

Available in three sizes. A top door is optional as well. Offered in green, blue, and red. Durable and easy-to-clean plastic. Openings on the sides and front let your pet breathe easily and keep an eye on its surroundings. Has a comfortable handle. The simple 5-step assembly requires no tools or glue.

Cons

Some buyers have had issues with the door.

Amazon Basics Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
Amazon Basics
Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
Durable & Rugged

This heavy-duty carrier is made with strong plastic and steel wire, keeping your pet safe and secure when traveling.

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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

This heavy-duty carrier is made with strong plastic and steel wire, keeping your pet safe and secure when traveling.

Pros

Comes with air holes for visibility and airflow. Includes a steel-wire front door with a spring-loaded latch for one-handed opening and a top door that opens to the left and right. Easy to assemble with latches, but can be screwed in for extra security.

Cons

Difficult to disassemble once screwed in, making it hard to store.

Petmate AspenPet Pet Porter
Petmate
AspenPet Pet Porter
Designed for Travel

A pet carrier with a long-lasting plastic shell and metal screws that offer durability and stability during long trips.

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Designed for Travel
Bottom Line

A pet carrier with a long-lasting plastic shell and metal screws that offer durability and stability during long trips.

Pros

Comes with ventilation openings. Includes metal nuts and bolts for assembly. Steel-wire front door features an easy-open latch for opening the carrier with one hand. Available in different sizes to fit dogs up to 90 pounds. Meets most airline cargo specifications.

Cons

Some customers found bolts and nuts difficult to fasten.

Ferplast Atlas Two-Door Pet Carrier
Ferplast
Atlas Two-Door Pet Carrier
Hassle-Free Assembly

This 2-door-access dog carrier comes with multiple ventilation areas, is easy to assemble, and is perfect for travel.

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Hassle-Free Assembly
Bottom Line

This 2-door-access dog carrier comes with multiple ventilation areas, is easy to assemble, and is perfect for travel.

Pros

Comes with a top and front door. Can be assembled with 4 latch locks. No tools required. Built-in handle allows for convenient lifting of carrier. Hard plastic shell and powder-coated doors are easy to clean. Can be easily disassembled for storage.

Cons

Doors are not spring-loaded, so they're hard to open and close.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
July 28, 2021
33
Models
considered
18
Hours
researched
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Our Top Picks
Petmate
Best of the Best
Petmate
Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel
Bottom Line
This dog carrier features a top-load door with an easy-squeeze latch and a comfortable carrier handle.
Shop Now
MidWest Homes for Pets
Best Bang for the Buck
MidWest Homes for Pets
Pet Carrier
Bottom Line
A nice transport for smaller creatures.
Shop Now
Amazon Basics
Top Pick
Amazon Basics
Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
Bottom Line
This heavy-duty carrier is made with strong plastic and steel wire, keeping your pet safe and secure when traveling.
Shop Now
Petmate
Top Pick
Petmate
AspenPet Pet Porter
Bottom Line
A pet carrier with a long-lasting plastic shell and metal screws that offer durability and stability during long trips.
Shop Now
Ferplast
Top Pick
Ferplast
Atlas Two-Door Pet Carrier
Bottom Line
This 2-door-access dog carrier comes with multiple ventilation areas, is easy to assemble, and is perfect for travel.
Shop Now
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