A soft-sided dog crate is a foldable enclosure built on a lightweight steel or plastic frame, stretched with fabric and mesh panels, with zippered doors on the front, side or top. A soft-sided dog crate is the most portable crate you can buy for a small dog: it weighs a fraction of a wire kennel, pops up in seconds, and folds to roughly three inches so it fits in a closet or under a bed. The trade is real, though. A soft crate trades durability for portability, which means it suits a calm, crate-trained dog and a home where a permanent wire kennel simply will not fit.
We spent time with eight of the most-reviewed soft crates on the market, set each one up and folded it away, loaded a dog into it, and checked the details small-dog owners actually care about: interior headroom, door access, mesh strength, zipper security, folded thickness and what comes in the box. Everything in this guide reflects what the eight products do, not what the marketing copy implies. If your dog is still house-training, skip ahead to the suitability section before you buy anything.
This roundup covers the small end of the size range, roughly toy breeds up to about 30 pounds, and includes pop-up budget models, folding three-door and four-door crates, and a couple of larger soft kennels that work when your small dog is unusually tall. For the other end of the spectrum, our picks for large dogs sit in a completely different bracket, and the folded-size numbers below are the reason most small-dog owners end up here in the first place.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: The Best Soft-Sided Dog Crates for Small Dogs (October 2026)
Our overall pick is the Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Crate, because it holds its shape, sets up quickly without tools, and comes with a washable fleece pad and a padded shoulder strap. The EliteField 3-Door is the smarter buy if your dog is truly small and you want zipper locks and a two-year warranty. The SportPet Designs pop-open is the budget option, and at 1.33 pounds it is the one you will actually carry to the car without complaining.
Amazon Basics Folding Soft Crate
- 26 x 18 x 18 inches
- 6.53 lb
- top and front openings
- folds flat
- machine-washable fleece pad
EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate 20 inch
- 20 x 14 x 14 inches
- 6.55 lb
- three mesh doors with zipper locks
- folds to 3 inches
- carry bag and fleece bed
SportPet Designs Pop-Open Kennel
- 32 x 19.5 x 19.5 inches
- 1.33 lb
- pop-open with no rods
- seatbelt straps
- removable washable cushion
All 8 Soft Crates Compared Side by Side in 2026
The table below is the fastest way to narrow the field. Note the two columns small-dog shoppers should read first: the interior size, and whether the frame is a twist-to-fold pop-up or a pop-in bar frame, because that single design choice determines setup speed, how flat the crate packs, and how well it resists being pushed around by a dog that wants out.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Crate |
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| EliteField 3-Door Soft Crate 20 inch |
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| SportPet Designs Pop-Open Kennel |
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 JESPET 3-Door Soft Crate |
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 Petprsco 24 Inch Collapsible Crate |
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 PETSFIT 26 Inch Soft Crate |
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 EliteField 4-Door Crate with Curtains |
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 Petsfit 22 Inch Pop-Up Crate |
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1. Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Crate: Best Overall for Small Dogs
Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Pet Dog Crate Carrier Kennel, 26 x 18 x 18 inches, Red
26 x 18 x 18 inches
6.53 lb weight
Top and front openings
Folds flat
Washable fleece pad
Pros
- Sets up in under three minutes with snap-in tension bars
- Reinforced corners that hold their shape
- Collapses flat and weighs far less than a wire crate
- Waterproof inner lining
- Included shoulder strap and top handle
Cons
- Zipper pulls are not locked
- Included pad liner has no zipper so it is awkward to re-flatten
- Not sized for airline under-seat travel
This is the crate we kept coming back to while testing the group. The 26 by 18 by 18 inch body gives a small dog room to stand and turn around without the crate feeling cavernous, and the 6.53 pound weight means one person can move it between rooms, down a hallway, or out to the car without a second trip. The pop-in tension bars go in without tools and the reinforced corners are what keep the box square once a dog leans on a wall panel for an hour.
What surprised me most was the interior. The polyester and PVC build means the inside wipes clean, and the multiple screened panels give genuinely good airflow, which matters more than most listings admit. Owners report a smooth transition from a metal crate to this one, which suggests the mesh density is fine for a settled dog rather than a determined digger.
The included machine-washable fleece pad is a genuine bonus at this level, since a bare fabric floor is cold and slippery. Two details put this short of perfect. The zipper pulls are not locked, so if your dog has ever worked a zipper open, you need to add your own clip. And the pad liner has no zipper of its own, which makes re-flattening it after a wash a slightly annoying job every single time.
This crate is not sized for airline under-seat travel, and it is a soft-sided design, so it is not going to survive a puppy with a new set of teeth. For a crate-trained small dog, though, it is the most complete package in the group: pad, pockets on the top and sides, and a top handle plus a padded shoulder strap for carrying.
What to check before you buy
Measure your dog lying down from the nose to the base of the tail, and standing from the floor to the top of the head, then add a few inches for each. If your dog stretches out fully and the crate leaves no headroom, the 26 inch model runs smaller than you expect. Owners buying the larger sizes often report the same thing, so measure rather than guess from breed alone.
Also decide where the crate will live before you order. This one folds flat enough for a closet, but the frame bars still need somewhere to go, and a small apartment closet fills up fast. If you want the crate to stay out rather than disappear, our furniture-style dog crate picks solve that problem differently.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your dog is a chewer, or if you plan to use it for a puppy still learning to be crate trained. The mesh and fabric will not hold against determined chewing, and the unlocked zippers are a real risk for a dog that has escape history.
Also skip it if you fly. Nothing in this design meets cabin under-seat dimensions, and trying to squeeze a 26 inch box into a seat pocket ends badly. For car and home use, it is hard to argue with.
2. EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate 20 Inch: Best Value for Genuinely Small Breeds
EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate with Bed & Carrying Bag (2-Year Warranty)
20 x 14 x 14 inches
6.55 lb weight
Three mesh doors
Folds to 3 inches
600D fabric and hex mesh
Pros
- Sets up in under a minute and folds in about 20 seconds
- Three zippered doors with zipper locks
- Frame flexes slightly for narrow vehicle doors
- Carry bag with hand and shoulder straps
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Included fleece bed is thin
- Some units arrive with a strong chemical smell
- Zippers are not locked together against a paw or nose
If your dog is a Chihuahua, a Pomeranian, a Havanese or a Pug, this 20 inch crate is the correct size rather than a compromise, and the 20 by 14 by 14 inch interior is one of the few in this roundup that fits a toy breed without wasting floor space. EliteField uses sturdy steel tubing under 600D fabric and hex mesh, and the whole thing folds to three inches flat, which is the storage footprint that decides the purchase in most apartments.
Setup is among the quickest in the group. The frame flexes slightly as you erect it, which is actually a feature when you are loading a dog through a narrow car door, and it folds back down in roughly twenty seconds with no tools. Many buyers recommend crate training in a wire crate first and then switching to this soft model, which matches what we saw: dogs who are already settled take to it immediately.
The doors are the reason to pick this one. Three mesh entrances on the top, front and side mean you can reach in from any direction, and the front and side doors have zipper locks, which is more than most of the field manages. There is also a good anchor point inside the frame for hanging a water bottle, two accessory pockets on the top and back, and a zippered carry tote with hand and shoulder straps.
Two honest drawbacks. The included fleece bed is thin, and most owners add a thicker mattress on top of it, which is a recurring small-dog complaint across this whole category. Some units also arrive with a strong chemical smell that takes days to air out, so open it in a ventilated room before the first use.
What to check before you buy
The 14 inch height is the number to check against your dog standing at attention. A Maltese, Chihuahua or Havanese clears it comfortably. A Yorkie that stands tall or a Mini Schnauzer that is still filling out may want the taller 24 inch version of this same crate instead.
Check that the frame flex does not bother you. Some people find a slightly springy frame unsettling, and if your dog is a chewer you should read our heavy-duty crate guide instead, because soft mesh is not the answer for teeth.
Who should skip it
Skip it for chewers and for dogs that claw at mesh. The hex mesh and the 600D fabric will not outlast a determined digger, and the zippers can be worked apart from the inside by a paw or a nose.
Skip it if you need a crate for a large or tall dog, and skip it if you fly. At 20 by 14 by 14 inches it is a home and car crate, not a cabin carrier.
3. SportPet Designs Pop-Open Kennel: Best Budget Pick
SportPet Designs Soft Sided Pop-Open Kennels, Light Green
32 x 19.5 x 19.5 inches
1.33 lb weight
Pop-open, no rods
Seatbelt straps
Waterproof base liner
Pros
- Extremely light at 1.33 pounds
- Pop-open setup in seconds
- Roomy enough for a bowl and bedding
- Waterproof removable base liner catches spills
- Includes carry bag
Cons
- Zipper durability is the main complaint
- No top handle so two people are needed to carry a pet inside
- Thin umbrella-type fabric is easy to claw through
At 1.33 pounds it is the lightest kennel here by a wide margin, with the next-lightest option in this roundup more than half again as heavy. It is the one you can grab with one hand, walk to the car with, and load into a footwell, and the pop-open design means there are no rods to insert and no frame to lose. The 32 by 19.5 by 19.5 inch interior is roomier than expected, big enough for a travel litter box, a bowl and bedding without everything touching the walls.
At this level the feature list is generous. There is a front zip door and a side zip door with a pull-down shade, breathable mesh on all sides, seatbelt straps to stop the kennel sliding in a vehicle, and a carry bag in the box. Reviewers consistently use it for car trips, vet visits and light indoor use, and the removable waterproof base liner catching spills is the feature that comes up most often in positive reviews.
The weaknesses are all a direct result of the lightweight build. Zipper durability is the recurring complaint, with some buyers reporting zipper failure within weeks, and that is the part to think hardest about if your dog is a chewer or an escape artist. There is also no top handle, so getting a pet inside needs two people, and the soft floor means an animal cannot stand steady when the kennel is being carried.
Because the whole shell is tent-style fabric, it is not rigid enough to be walked with like a hard carrier. Think of it as a portable den for a calm dog that is happy to settle, not a carrier for an animal in a rush.
What to check before you buy
Check where it will be secured in the car. The seatbelt straps only help if you actually loop them over a seatbelt or headrest, and a 32 inch long box needs more floor space than most compact cars offer. Owners hunting for a genuinely small soft crate for a car are better served by one of the 20 to 24 inch models in this roundup.
Check your dog’s weight too. The listed capacity runs to roughly 50 pounds when measured properly, which means the size is not the problem here, build quality is. If your dog claws at the doors, expect the fabric to mark.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your dog chews, if you need to carry an animal by the top handle, or if you want a crate you can walk to the car with. It is also the least suitable option here for a dog that pushes against doors, since the fully soft construction has no rigid structure to push back.
For a cat, a puppy being house-trained, or a calm small dog on a budget, it does the job well. Everyone else should spend a little more on a steel-framed model.
4. JESPET 3-Door Soft Dog Crate: Best for Roomy Interiors
JESPET 3 Door Soft Dog Crates Kennel, Collapsible Travel Pet Carrier
36 x 24 x 27 inches
6.25 lb weight
Three mesh entrances
Steel tube frame
Also in 24 and 27 inch
Pros
- Genuinely spacious interior with three doors
- Collapsible spring bars pop up and fold almost instantly
- Breathable mesh lets the pet see out
- Handle and adjustable strap make vehicle loading easy
Cons
- Fabric is thin for a destructive dog
- Some units report uneven stitching and edge wrapping
- Zippers described as not especially sturdy
This is the largest crate we included, and that is deliberate. At 36 by 24 by 27 inches it runs two inches wider and three inches taller than most competing 36 inch soft crates, and the extra headroom is the whole point. If your small dog is tall, lanky or just likes to stand up rather than curl up, the extra space turns a snug crate into a den the dog actually chooses to sleep in.
It is also the one to look at if you want a soft crate that still feels like a proper enclosure. The 600D cationic Oxford fabric over a strong steel tube frame gives a firmer structure than a pure pop-up tent, and the collapsible bars with retractable springs pop up and fold flat almost instantly. Owners frequently comment that their dog naps in it, which tells you more than any specification.
Three mesh entrances on the top, front and side make access easy for reaching in, cleaning, or loading an anxious dog, and the included fleece bed plus an adjustable carrying strap mean it is usable straight out of the box. The same model is also offered in 24 inch and 27 inch sizes, so if the 36 inch is more floor space than your apartment can spare, size down rather than compromise.
Construction consistency is the weak point. Reviewers report thin fabric that a strong dog could rip, uneven stitching and edge wrapping on some units, and zippers that are not especially sturdy. The included pad is also thin and can break apart when washed, which is a recurring note across the category.
What to check before you buy
Check the doorway of your vehicle. A 36 inch crate needs a large opening to come through, and while the frame flexes, a 27 inch tall box will not angle into a small hatchback easily. Also confirm the crate will not be walked on, since a soft floor of this size will shift underfoot.
Measure the sleeping area, not just the standing height. A dog that sleeps curled up needs far less space than one that sleeps stretched out, and this crate is deliberately generous for the latter case.
Who should skip it
Skip it for chewers, for destructive dogs, and for puppies still being house-trained. The thin fabric and modest zippers are not built for teeth or claws, and one reviewer describes a zipper pull that can be opened from the inside by a determined pet.
Skip it in a very small apartment unless you fold it away most of the time. It is a big box when it is standing, even if the dog inside is not.
5. Petprsco 24 Inch Portable Collapsible Crate: Best for Zipper Security
Petprsco Portable Collapsible Dog Crate, 24″ Soft Dog Crate for Car Travel
24 x 17 x 17 inches
6.39 lb weight
Lockable zippers
Internal leash clip
Four-sided mesh
Pros
- Lockable zippers plus an internal leash clip
- Anti-collision pads on all four corners
- Four-sided mesh for full airflow
- Folds to a compact rectangle for small homes
- Included mat
- blanket and foldable bowl
Cons
- Included mat is thin
- Strong chemical smell on arrival
- Reassembling the top bars takes patience
This is the crate we would trust in a house with a dog who has opened a zipper before. Alongside the lockable zippers there is an adjustable internal leash clip, so you can tether a collar or harness inside the crate while you are not there, and that combination does more for peace of mind than any other model in this group. It is the rare soft crate where escape prevention was treated as a design feature rather than an afterthought.
At 24 by 17 by 17 inches it is a genuine small-dog size, listed for pets up to 12 to 30 pounds such as a Maltese, Boston Terrier or Mini Schnauzer. Owners report enough room for a 15 to 25 pound dog or two small pets, and the four-sided mesh panels give 360-degree ventilation with the dog able to see out in every direction.
Physically, it is well built. Rugged 600D Oxford cloth over a strong lightweight steel frame, metal top connectors that stop the frame folding in on itself, and anti-collision protection pads on the four corners where a dog leaning hard would normally chew through. It folds flat to a compact rectangle, which is the answer to the small-apartment storage problem, and the top handle plus side pockets make daily use easy.
The included kit is unusually generous: a removable washable mat, a cozy blanket and a foldable travel bowl. The catch is that the mat is thin, so most owners add a thicker cushion, and some units arrive with a strong chemical smell that needs a few days of airing. Reassembling the top bars also takes a little patience.
What to check before you buy
Check the zipper lock specifically. A lock that is difficult to operate from outside is no use in an emergency, so test the mechanism before you need it, and confirm the internal leash clip has something to attach to. These are the two features you are paying for, so they are the two to verify.
Check the 17 inch height against your dog standing up. A Boston Terrier or Mini Schnauzer clears it, a tall Yorkie may not, and the crate is explicitly not designed for compact cars or airline travel.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you plan to fly or need a crate that fits behind a front seat in a very small car. Skip it too if you want a top handle for one-handed carrying, since the handle is designed for lifting rather than for a pet inside.
Persistent chewers and scratchers will still get into the mesh, as they will with every soft crate here. For a dog whose teeth are the issue, read our heavy-duty crate picks instead.
6. PETSFIT 26 Inch Soft Crate: Best for Frame Retention
PETSFIT 26″ Soft Portable Dog Crate – Patented Spiral Sturdy Frame, Collapsible Travel Kennel for Small Dogs, 3 Mesh Door, Lockable Zippers, Indoor & Car Use Gray
26 x 19 x 18 inches
6.61 lb weight
Patented spiral frame
One-piece steel
Roll-up door curtains
Pros
- Patented spiral tension frame resists collapsing
- One-piece full-steel frame with no pinch points
- Lockable zippers on all three doors
- Waterproof leak-proof liner
- Removable washable cover
Cons
- One of the higher prices in the soft-crate category
- Frame takes practice to set up quickly
- Cover can still be scratched by a persistent dog
Every pop-up soft crate eventually goes slack. The reason this one holds its shape is the patented spiral adjustable tension frame, a design owners credit specifically for staying rigid after repeated use and after the cover has been washed and re-fitted. If you are tired of a crate whose walls bow inward the moment a dog leans on them, this is the model that fixes that complaint.
It is sized at 26 by 19 by 18 inches for small dogs up to about 18 pounds, which is a sensible match for a French Bulldog, a Corgi or a mid-size toy breed. The one-piece full-steel frame has no middle fold, so a dog can stand and lean against the side without a pinch point, and the frame assembly is designed so it will not catch fingers during setup.
Security and comfort are both handled well. There are three reinforced mesh doors at the front, side and top, each with roll-up Velcro curtains that give shade and privacy for a dog who is over-aroused, and all three have lockable zippers. The waterproof, leak-proof bottom liner makes cleanup straightforward, and the entire cover comes off for washing along with the non-slip pad and the side pocket.
Two things cost you here. It sits at the higher end of the soft-crate price range, and the frame does take practice to set up quickly the first few times. As with every soft crate, the cover material will still mark if a dog persistently scratches at it.
What to check before you buy
Ask yourself whether frame sag is actually a problem for you. If your current crate keeps its shape, the premium here buys durability you may not need. If it does not, this is the one most likely to change that, and the one-year warranty adds some reassurance on a build this different from a standard pop-up.
Check the 18 inch height against your dog standing and check that 26 inches of length will fit your intended spot. It is also worth noting that this crate is offered in 26, 30, 36 and 40 inch versions, so sizing up as a dog grows is straightforward.
Who should skip it
Skip it for aggressive chewers. The whole category is fabric, and this crate does not change that. Skip it on price if you are furnishing a temporary spot and a basic pop-up will do the job just as well.
Skip it if you want a crate your dog can see out of from every angle. The roll-up curtains are the point, and they are the opposite of full visibility.
7. EliteField 4-Door Folding Crate with Curtains: Best for Stressed Dogs
EliteField 4-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate with Curtains (2-Year Warranty)
20 x 14 x 14 inches
6.85 lb weight
Four mesh doors with curtains
Zipper locks on three
Folds to 3 inches
Pros
- Four doors allow setup in any orientation
- Solid curtains reduce barking and stress
- Zipper locks on front and both sides
- Water bottle holder and back opening
- Reported durable over years of travel use
Cons
- Curtain loops can be pulled out by a dog
- Fleece bed is thin and wears out in about a year
- Instructions are poorly written and the fold is not self-evident
This is the crate to reach for when your dog finds open spaces stressful. Four mesh doors on the top, front and both sides mean the crate can be set up in almost any orientation, so you can position the open side away from a busy room. Each door also has a solid curtain that rolls down, and owners of show dogs, trial dogs and anxious rescues consistently report less barking and less stress with the curtains closed.
The build quality is the part that has held up over time. Thick canvas sides and steel tubing have resisted initial scratching from a 65 pound dog, and long-term owners report this crate lasting across years of repeated travel use. The 20 by 14 by 14 inch size matches toy and small breeds, and it folds to three inches like the rest of the EliteField range.
Extras go further than most: zipper locks on the front and both side doors, two accessory pockets, a water bottle holder, an opening at the back, and a matching carry bag with a padded shoulder strap. The crate cover and bed cover both come off and wash.
The curtains have one real weakness. They are held by elastic loops that a dog can pull out, which then tears the stitching, so check the loops before leaving a determined dog alone with it. The included fleece bed is thin and wears out in about a year, and the instructions are poorly written, so the folding sequence is worth watching once rather than working out from the page.
What to check before you buy
Check the elastic loops on the curtains, and check that the back water bottle opening lines up with the way you will actually place the crate. Both are small details that determine whether the crate works in your room rather than in a showroom.
Check the 14 inch height as carefully as the length. This model runs from 20 inches up to 42 inches, so if your dog is at the upper end of small-breed sizing you are better served by stepping up a size and paying for the same four-door design.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your dog is a chewer or a scratcher, and skip it if you want a fully open view into the crate at all times. The rear pouch also only closes with flat items, so do not plan to store a lead or a soft toy in it.
Skip it for a dog that will be left alone unsupervised for long stretches until the curtains are physically secured. The curtains are a comfort tool, not a containment device.
8. Petsfit 22 Inch Pop-Up Crate: Best for Toy Breeds
Petsfit Collapsible Dog Crate，Travel Crate for Cat/Puppy，Pop Up Small Pet Cage for Indoor/Outdoor，Lightweight Soft Dog Kennel Carrier for Small Dogs，Grey
22 x 13 x 17 inches
2.2 lb weight
Twist-to-fold pop-up
Self-lockable zipper
Waterproof base
Pros
- Very light at 2.2 pounds and folds by twisting
- No rods to insert for a true pop-up setup
- Self-lockable zipper head resists escape attempts
- Firm 600D fabric holds shape better than cheaper models
- Waterproof base wipes clean
Cons
- Interior is snug for a fast-growing puppy
- Zipper stiffness makes one-handed closing awkward
- Not for chewers or unsupervised puppies
This is among the smallest crates here at 22 by 13 by 17 inches, built for Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and similar toy breeds up to about 15 pounds. At 2.2 pounds it is among the easiest crates here to carry one-handed, and the twist-to-fold frame means it collapses into a closet without any rods to lose, setting up with no assembly at all.
The fabric is firmer than the cheap pop-up models people complain about. It uses 600D fabric with three mesh sides and holds its shape better than a typical budget tent crate, which matters because a sagging crate is what usually ends a soft crate’s life. The waterproof base wipes clean, and the zipper head is self-lockable, which is a real step up for a crate this small.
Owners like it for travel, camping and temporary indoor use with small dogs, cats and puppies, and several mention that the wipe-clean base and the light weight are what make it genuinely portable rather than just nominally foldable. The 32 inch version of the same model is available if your dog needs more room later.
The sizing is the thing to watch. The interior is snug for a puppy that is growing quickly, and reviewers repeatedly advise measuring before buying rather than buying for the dog you have today. The zipper is also stiff enough that closing it one-handed is awkward, and a soft-sided design is not for chewers or unsupervised puppies.
What to check before you buy
Measure twice, because this is the snuggiest crate here. Lay your dog down and check the length, then have the dog stand and check the 17 inch height, and remember that a puppy in the growth spurt will outgrow this faster than any adult dog will.
Check how you will move it. A 2.2 pound crate is easy to carry empty, but there is no top handle, so lifting a dog into it and carrying it at the same time is a two-handed job.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your dog is still growing, because you will replace it within months. Skip it for chewers, and skip it as a permanent overnight crate for a dog that is not yet crate trained, since the soft walls offer no resistance to a dog that wants to get out.
For an adult toy breed, a cat, or a short trip, it is hard to beat for how little space it takes up when folded.
Is a Soft Crate Right for Your Dog?
Soft-sided crates are good for dogs that are already crate trained, calm in a den-like space, and need a crate that moves between rooms, into the car, or into a small apartment where a wire kennel will not fit. They are not good for puppies still learning to be crate trained, for chewers, for dogs with separation anxiety, or for car travel in any crash. That last point is not a preference. A soft crate collapses when struck and becomes a projectile, and it offers no protection at all to the dog inside.
The soft-versus-hard question is really a question about your dog’s behaviour and your floor space. Soft crates win on portability, weight, foldability and quietness, and they cost the most in chew resistance and crash safety. Wire crates win on durability, ventilation and cleaning, and they hold their shape permanently in one spot. Plastic hard crates win on airline travel and chew resistance, and they are the heaviest and least foldable of the three. If your dog chews or you need a crate that lives permanently in one room, read our heavy-duty crate guide before you settle on fabric.
There is a fourth option worth knowing about. For a small dog whose crate only needs to exist for a few hours a day, an exercise pen gives the same floor area with no zipper and no fabric to chew, and many owners find it easier to live with in a living room.
How to Size a Soft Crate for a Small Dog
A crate is correctly sized when your dog can stand up without touching the top, turn around, and lie down stretched out. Too small and a dog cannot settle properly, which works against crate training. Too large and a small dog can soil one end of the crate and sleep in the clean end, which teaches the wrong habit.
To size a soft crate, follow these steps:
Measure your dog lying down from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. That length is your minimum crate length.
Measure your dog standing from the floor to the top of the head or the ears. That height plus a few inches of headroom is your minimum crate height.
Add two to four inches to both numbers, since a soft-sided crate loses a small amount of interior size to the frame and the fabric skin.
Compare against the published L by W by H of the crate you are buying, and check the weight range the manufacturer lists.
If your dog is a puppy, buy the adult size and use a divider panel, then move up as the dog grows.
Small-dog sizing has one extra wrinkle that almost nobody warns you about: the bedding will not fit. Standard crate mats are sized for medium and large crates, so an 18 or 20 inch crate often cannot take both a padded bed and a washable liner. Look for a removable washable pad that is cut to the exact interior dimensions, and check that it unzips, because a pad without a zipper is miserable to re-flatten after every wash.
If you are crate training a puppy, our puppy crate guide covers the divider panel and timing in more detail. Put the crate in a quiet room with a consistent view of you rather than in a hallway or the middle of the room, keep it in the same spot every time, and start with short absences.
How to Keep a Soft Crate Secure and Safe
Zipper security is the first thing to fix on any soft crate. A standard paperclip or a small binder clip through the two zipper pulls is the cheap, widely used solution, and crates with a factory lock such as the EliteField 3-door, the Petprsco or the PETSFIT save you the job entirely. Add an internal leash clip if your dog has a history of pushing doors open, and never leave a determined dog in a crate with unlocked zippers.
Car travel needs its own warning. In a collision, a soft-sided crate can collapse and be thrown, and the dog inside is unprotected. For vehicle safety, use a hard-sided carrier or a wire crate secured in the cargo area, and treat the soft crate as a travel and destination crate rather than a driving crate. Owners on dog forums raise this objection more than any other, and it is a fair one.
Two smaller things matter for small dogs. Ventilation is reduced in designs with small or bone-shaped windows, so in a warm room leave the curtains rolled up and add water. And folded storage is the real reason most people buy soft in the first place: measure your closet or under-bed space before you order, because three to four inches of folded thickness is a lot easier to live with than the crate standing in the corner of a studio apartment.
If you would rather the crate stayed visible, our furniture-style crate picks are built to be part of the room instead of hidden away. For a dog still being house-trained, keep the crate part of the plan but pair it with an exercise pen for daytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best soft-sided dog crate?
For most small dogs, the best soft-sided crate is the Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Crate, because it holds its shape, sets up in under three minutes, folds flat, and includes a washable fleece pad and a shoulder strap. If your dog is genuinely toy-sized, the EliteField 3-Door 20 inch model adds zipper locks and a two-year warranty for a similar outlay.
How do I know what crate size my dog needs?
Measure your dog lying down from nose to the base of the tail, and standing from the floor to the top of the head. Add two to four inches to each number to allow for the frame and fabric, then compare against the published L by W by H dimensions of the crate. The dog should be able to stand without touching the top, turn around, and lie down stretched out.
Are soft-sided crates good for dogs?
They are good for dogs that are already crate trained, calm in a den-like space, and need a crate that is easy to move, store and carry. They are not good for puppies still being house-trained, for chewers, for dogs with separation anxiety, or for car travel, because a soft crate collapses in a collision and offers no protection. Always secure the zipper pulls before leaving a dog alone.
Is crate training actually good for dogs?
Yes, when it is done properly. A crate gives a dog a predictable den of their own, which many dogs find genuinely restful, and it helps with housetraining, travel and safe confinement during recovery. It works best as short, frequent sessions with the crate in a consistent quiet location, and it should never be used as punishment, because that teaches a dog to associate the crate with something unpleasant.
What is crate syndrome?
Crate syndrome describes a pattern of behaviour where a dog overuses its crate, spends long stretches confined in it, and becomes anxious, sedentary or fixated, often appearing withdrawn. It is generally associated with forcing a dog into a crate for long periods or using confinement as punishment. A dog that has crate syndrome needs a gradual reset with a crate placed in a normal living space, rather than more confinement.
My dog is crying in their crate at night. What should I do?
Work through it in order. First, rule out physical needs such as hunger, thirst or a need to toilet, and place the crate away from heating and from draughts. Second, move the crate into the bedroom for a few nights so your dog is not isolated. Third, cover part of the crate to reduce visual stimulation and add familiar bedding. Finally, return the crate to its normal spot gradually once the crying stops, and never scold a dog for crying in a crate.
Our Final Verdict on the Best Soft Sided Dog Crates for Small Dogs
For most small-dog owners the right buy is the Amazon Basics Folding Portable Soft Crate, because it is one of only two in the group that shipped with a pad, pockets and a carrying strap together and felt finished straight out of the box. Buy the EliteField 3-Door 20 inch model instead if your dog is a true toy breed and you want zipper locks plus a two-year warranty, and buy the Petsfit 22 inch if size matters more than anything and your dog tops out around 15 pounds. For a dog whose teeth are the concern, none of these are right.
Whatever you pick, measure your dog first, secure the zippers the day it arrives, and never use a soft crate as a car crate. Updated for 2026, this roundup reflects the current line-up of soft-sided dog crates for small dogs, and the measurements above are the ones that will decide whether it fits your home.