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MidWest iCrate review: the grow-with-them crate most puppies need
The MidWest iCrate is the crate most puppies should start in: a folding wire crate with a divider that moves as your puppy grows, so one affordable crate covers house-training from eight weeks to adult size. It is basic, and that is the appeal.
Quick answer
The MidWest iCrate is the crate most puppies should start in: a folding wire crate with a divider that moves as your puppy grows, so one affordable crate covers house-training from eight weeks to adult size. It is basic, and that is the appeal.
MidWest iCrate
Best for
- House-training a growing puppy
- Budget-conscious first-time owners
- Anyone who wants one crate for the whole puppyhood
Think twice if
- You want something that looks like furniture
- You have an escape-artist chewer
- You move it between rooms constantly
The MidWest iCrate is the default first crate for good reason: it is cheap, it does the job, and the divider panel means you buy one crate instead of three. Size the crate to the adult dog, then move the divider so the puppy only has enough room to turn around and lie down, which is what makes crate training work.
How it actually works
It is a folding wire crate with a plastic leak-proof tray and, on most sizes, two doors. The divider walls off the extra space so a small puppy cannot soil one end and sleep in the other. As they grow, you slide the divider back. It flat-folds for storage or travel.
What reviewers and owners agree on
Value is the headline. The divider is the feature everyone names, because it solves the "do I buy a puppy crate or an adult crate" problem in one purchase. The right size for your dog is the one sized to the adult weight, and our crate size calculator settles that. It sets up in minutes and folds flat.
Where it frustrates people
It is utilitarian, it looks like a wire cage, not furniture. The tray can be flimsy and a determined chewer may target it. The thin trays and latches are not built for serious escape artists. And bare wire is not cozy, so most people add a mat.
How it compares
| Product | Type | Grows / sizing | Storage | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate | Folding wire crate | Divider grows with puppy | Flat-folds for storage | Very affordable | House-training & most puppies |
| Diggs Revol | Collapsible framed crate | Fixed sizes | One-motion collapse, wheels | Premium | Safety, design, frequent moves |
| MidWest Exercise Pen | 8-panel folding pen | Reconfigurable shape | Flat-folds | Affordable | Daytime containment & play |
| Snuggle Puppy | Plush heartbeat toy | One size | n/a | Low | First nights & crate anxiety |
| KONG Puppy | Rubber chew toy | Sizes by weight | n/a | Very low | Teething & enrichment |
| Product | Durability | Portability | Design & polish | Ease of use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Diggs Revol | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| MidWest Exercise Pen | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Snuggle Puppy | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| KONG Puppy | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Scoring reflects synthesized consensus from independent 2026 testing roundups and verified-owner feedback.
The short version
What works
- Divider grows with the puppy
- Genuinely affordable
- Double doors on most sizes
- Folds flat for storage
- Quick to assemble
What to weigh
- Looks like a wire cage
- Tray can be flimsy
- Not for determined escape artists
- Needs a mat for comfort
Who should buy it
Almost every new puppy owner. It is the sensible, affordable crate that gets you through house-training without buying twice.
Who should skip it
If you want something that looks like furniture, or you have a powerful escape artist, step up to the Diggs Revol.
Bottom line
The default first crate. Size it to the adult dog, use the divider, and it is all most puppies need.
Check price on AmazonFAQ
What size MidWest iCrate do I need?
Size it to your dog's adult weight, then use the divider while they are small. Our crate size calculator gives you the number from breed or expected adult weight.
Does the iCrate work for house-training?
Yes. The divider keeps the space just big enough to sleep in, which is what discourages soiling and makes crate training effective.
MidWest iCrate or Diggs Revol?
The iCrate is far cheaper and grows with a divider. The Revol is a premium crate with a safer design and a one-motion collapse, better if you move it often or want it to look good.
How we assessed this. A research-based review drawing on independent 2026 testing roundups and verified-owner feedback. Not a paid placement and not a hands-on lab test. We do not copy customer reviews or display Amazon ratings; the score is our own editorial judgment.
Affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, MyNubs earns from qualifying purchases. Links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you buy, at no additional cost to you.
Specifications and availability current as of September 23, 2026. Confirm price, model, and current rating on the live Amazon listing before buying.