Wire, Plastic, or Soft-Sided? Choosing a Dog Crate Type
By dogbowwow · Updated November 2, 2026
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
Every crate type has a way of letting you down. Wire crates rattle and let a worried dog see everything. Plastic kennels can feel stuffy in a warm room. Soft-sided crates are light and tidy, right up until a dog finds the zipper. None of that makes them bad products; it just means the real question is which weakness you can live with.
The wire vs plastic dog crate debate usually gets framed as a contest, but the better frame is a match. Your dog’s temperament, your car, your floor plan and how you plan to use the crate matter far more than any feature list. This guide compares the main crate types honestly, then gives you a situation-by-situation table so you can pick without second-guessing.
Quick Answer
Wire crates give the best airflow and fold flat, plastic kennels feel more enclosed and suit most travel, and soft-sided crates are light but only for calm dogs who will not chew or dig. Pick by your dog's habits and your main use, whether that is puppy training at home, car trips, flying or a small apartment.
What Every Crate Material Trades Away
Before comparing types, it helps to know the five trade-offs that sit underneath all of them.
Airflow versus enclosure. Open sides keep a dog cooler and let them see the household. Closed sides feel like a den and block distractions. Dogs differ on which they prefer.
Strength versus weight. A crate that resists chewing and pushing is heavy. A crate you can carry with one hand is not going to stop a determined dog.
Portability versus rigidity. Folding saves space but adds hinges and latches. Rigid shells do not collapse, so they take up the same room in a closet as in use.
Cleaning versus comfort. Smooth plastic wipes down in seconds. Fabric feels cozier but soaks up accidents.
Noise. A dog moving in a metal crate makes noise, which can bother you at night and can startle a nervous dog.
Keep those in mind as you read the sections below. Each type sits at a different point on all five.
Wire Crates: Airy, Foldable, and Loud
A wire crate is the default choice in most homes with a new puppy, and for good reasons. The open sides give plenty of ventilation, your dog can see out in every direction, and most models fold flat for storage or the trunk. Many include a removable tray under the floor that makes cleanup easy, and some have two doors, which helps with placement in a room.
The weak points are real. Wire is noisy when a dog shifts, shakes or paws at a latch. Visibility is a plus for social dogs and a minus for dogs who bark at everything that passes the window. Dogs who push hard on the door can bend poorly built wire or work at the latch. Bars also give a stressed dog something to bite and paw at, which is one reason to take escape behavior seriously (see our guide to heavy-duty crates for escape artists).
Wire crates also leave bedding exposed. A puppy who tends to pee through the floor tray or drag a blanket through the bars will make a mess. A well-fitted cover or mat helps, and our article on crate covers, mats and bedding explains how to add them without cutting off airflow.
Plastic Kennels: Enclosed, Travel-Ready, and Heat-Prone
A plastic kennel is a two-piece shell with a wire door and ventilation slots on the sides. It feels like a cave, which many dogs find soothing, and it keeps drafts and visual noise down. The smooth interior is easy to rinse, and the rigid structure is the form most airlines require for checked pets (confirm the specifics with your airline, because requirements differ).
The trade-off is airflow. Fewer openings means less ventilation, and on a hot day or in a sunny room the inside can warm up quickly. Look for vents on several sides, and never leave a plastic crate in direct sun or in a parked vehicle. Another drawback is storage: the halves separate, but the kennel does not fold flat the way a wire crate does.
Plastic is also harder to repair. A chewed corner is a sharp edge, and a cracked shell should not be patched. For a dog who chews the crate itself, plastic is a poor long-term fit.
Advantages
- Wire crates offer excellent airflow, folding storage, visibility and typically a removable tray.
- Plastic kennels feel enclosed and den-like, handle travel well, and wipe clean quickly.
Drawbacks
- Wire crates are noisy, expose bedding, and give a stressed dog bars to chew or paw.
- Plastic kennels trap heat more easily, do not fold flat, and are awkward to repair once chewed.
Soft-Sided Crates: Light, Quiet, and Only for Calm Dogs
A soft-sided crate is a fabric shell stretched over a frame, with mesh windows and zippered doors. It is light, quiet, easy to carry and often attractive. For a small, settled dog who needs a travel bed for hotels, vet waiting rooms or a weekend away, it can be ideal.
The limits are clear. A dog who chews fabric, scratches at zippers or pushes against the walls can be out in minutes, and a dog who swallows what they chew can end up with a serious problem. Zippers can be worked open with a muzzle, and mesh windows are a weak point. For that reason, soft crates are best suited to calm adults who are comfortable in a crate already, not puppies learning the ropes and not dogs who panic.
Soft crates are also harder to clean. A urine accident soaks into the fabric and padding, and the frame can hold odors. Look for a removable, machine-washable lining if you choose one.
Heavy-Duty Metal and Furniture Crates: Specialists, Not Starting Points
Two more categories are worth knowing so you can place them.
Heavy-duty metal crates use thicker, welded steel and sturdier latches. They are heavy, often cost far more than standard wire, and are aimed at dogs who have defeated ordinary crates. They are a tool for a specific problem, and they are not a first purchase. Read our guide to heavy-duty crates for escape artists before deciding one is the answer, because panic escaping is often a behavioral or medical matter that a stronger cage will not solve.
Furniture-style crates look like end tables or cabinets and are built from wood or engineered wood. They suit calm adult dogs in rooms where appearance counts, and they do poorly with chewing and accidents. We cover the details in our assessment of crate furniture.
Matching Crate Type to Your Situation
Here is how the options line up against five common circumstances.
| Situation | Best fit | Why | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy being house-trained | Wire crate with a divider | Adjustable space, tray for accidents, good airflow | Noise; cover partly for calm |
| Anxious or noise-sensitive dog | Plastic kennel, or wire with a partial cover | Enclosed feel blocks visual triggers | Heat buildup; check for panic, which needs a pro |
| Frequent car travel | Plastic kennel or a crash-tested crate | Rigid shell, easy to secure in a cargo area | Verify any crash-test claim; see below |
| Flying | Hard-sided plastic kennel meeting airline rules | Airlines commonly require rigid, ventilated kennels | Rules vary; confirm with your airline |
| Small apartment | Folding wire crate, or furniture-style for a calm dog | Folds away; furniture doubles as a surface | Furniture fails with chewers and accidents |
| Hotels and short visits | Soft-sided crate for a calm adult | Light and quick to set up | Never for chewers or escape-prone dogs |
Notice that no single type appears in every row. If you have two goals, such as house-training a puppy and driving to a family cabin, one crate may not cover both. Many owners keep a wire crate at home and a plastic kennel in the car.
Cleaning, Noise, and Daily Handling
The small practical details tend to decide whether you still like your crate in month six.
Cleaning is simplest with plastic and wire-with-tray: pull the tray, rinse, and wipe. Hair collects in the corners of any crate tray, so expect to use a stiff brush now and then. Fabric lining is washable on many soft crates, but frames can hold smells.
Noise matters more than owners expect, especially at night. If the sound of a dog turning in a metal crate disturbs your sleep, a thick mat helps, as does setting the crate on a rug. Dogs who bark in the crate usually need a training fix rather than a different type.
Handling is the other factor. A folding wire crate of a large size is heavy and awkward to lift into a car. Check the weight, the number of latches and how easily the tray slides out before you commit. If you are unsure about measurements, our guide to choosing the right size dog crate covers it.
Safety Mistakes That Apply to Every Crate Type
A few cautions cross over all categories.
- Leaving a collar on a dog in a wire crate. Tags and collars can catch on bars. Many trainers advise removing loose collars during crate time, so ask yours what they recommend for your dog.
- Using a plastic kennel in heat. Poor ventilation raises the risk of overheating, and no crate belongs in a parked car or direct sun.
- Trusting a soft crate with a chewer. Fabric is not a barrier.
- Padlocks and cable ties as upgrades. Adding improvised fasteners can trap a dog in an emergency, or injure a dog who works at them. Use the latches designed for the crate.
- Assuming a crash-test claim means safety. Crate marketing is often vague about what was tested. Our piece on what crash testing really means explains how to read those claims.
- Treating the crate as a fix for distress. If your dog howls, injures themselves or soils the crate every time, the crate is not working, and the problem calls for a vet or a qualified trainer. AVSAB behavior and humane-training position statements are a useful starting point for general pet health information.
For air travel, the USDA APHIS pet travel pages outline the broader rules for moving pets, and our article on carriers for air travel covers the crate side in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a new puppy, a wire or a plastic crate?
A wire crate with a divider panel is the usual choice, because it adjusts to your puppy’s growth and shows you what is happening inside. Plastic works well too, especially if your puppy is easily distracted, but you will need to size it carefully since most do not have dividers.
Can I cover a wire crate to make it feel like a plastic one?
You can drape a breathable cover over part of it, which many dogs like. Leave at least one side open for airflow and do not cover it fully in warm weather. Avoid covers that your dog can pull in and chew.
Are plastic crates safe for car travel?
A rigid crate secured properly in a cargo area can be a sensible way to transport a dog. How well any crate performs in a crash depends on its design and how it is fastened, and few marketing claims are verified independently. Check the details and ask the maker for specifics.
Why does my dog bark more in a wire crate?
Open sides let the dog see everything, which can trigger barking in alert dogs. A partial cover, a quieter location or a more enclosed crate may help, though training and enough exercise matter as much as the crate style.
Do airlines accept soft-sided crates?
Soft-sided carriers are typically limited to small dogs traveling in the cabin and must fit under the seat. Checked pets generally need a rigid kennel, but requirements differ, so confirm with the airline well ahead of time.
How long should a crate last?
A well-made wire or plastic crate can serve a dog for many years if it is not chewed, bent or cracked. Inspect it regularly for rust, loose latches, bent bars and sharp edges, and retire it when it can no longer be kept safe.
Decide the Weakness You Can Live With
List your dog’s habits and your two or three main uses on one page. Then cross off any type whose weakness collides with them: soft crates for chewers, plastic for hot rooms, wire for dogs who panic at open sides. Whatever is left is your short list, and choosing between two crates that both fit your situation is a much smaller decision.