MidWest iCrate Review: The Standard Dog Crate Recommendation
Last updated: 2026-10-01 · By NicheHive Editorial
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The MidWest iCrate 36-inch double door is the most-purchased wire dog crate on Amazon, with over 34,000 ratings. Full review covering build quality, the divider panel system, and who it's right for.
Most dog crate recommendations eventually point back to the same product, and it's usually the MidWest iCrate.
That's not inertia. At $55 to $65 for the 36-inch double door size, it includes a divider panel most competitors charge extra for, and its 34,000-plus ratings give it the longest track record of any wire crate in this category.
The crate is a straightforward welded wire design with a removable leak-proof plastic tray, rubber feet, and two doors, one on the front and one on the side, which matters more than it sounds for apartment layouts where a corner placement is the only option.
It's not the sturdiest crate available. Dogs that lean hard on wire or actively test latches will eventually find the iCrate's limits, and buyers with that kind of dog should look at a heavier-gauge option instead.
For the majority of dogs, calm ones that treat the crate as a resting spot rather than something to escape, the iCrate does everything a crate needs to do at the lowest price for the feature set.
What You Get
The 36-inch iCrate measures 36 inches long, 23 inches wide, and 25 inches tall, rated for dogs in the 41 to 70 lb range. MidWest sells the same design in sizes from 22 inches up to 48 inches, so smaller and larger dogs are covered under the same product line.
The divider panel slides into tracks along the crate's length and locks in place, letting you shrink the usable floor space for a growing puppy without buying a separate smaller crate.
Build Quality
The wire gauge is standard for this price range, not the thickest available but sufficient for the vast majority of dogs. The slide-bolt latches have rounded edges and close securely, though a very determined large dog can occasionally work one open with repeated nose-nudging.
The plastic tray is the piece most likely to show wear over time. Most owners report 3 to 5 years of daily use before any cracking, which is reasonable for the price.
Setup and Cleaning
Assembly is tool-free and takes most owners under 10 minutes for a first attempt. The crate folds flat along hinges built into the wire panels, useful for storage or moving.
Cleaning is straightforward: the tray slides out from the bottom, rinses off in a sink or with a hose, and slides back in. This matters during the puppy stage when accidents are common.
Who Should Buy It
The MidWest iCrate is right if: you have a calm to moderately active dog under 70 lbs, want a divider panel included, or are crate training a puppy that will grow into a medium to large breed adult.
Consider alternatives if: your dog is a determined chewer, has bent wire on a previous crate, or weighs close to 90 lbs with an active temperament. The Carlson Pet Products 42-inch crate is the natural step up.
See Also
- Carlson Pet Products Dog Crate Review, the heavier-duty step up
- MidWest iCrate vs Carlson Pet Products, head-to-head comparison
- Best Dog Crates for Crate Training Puppies, puppy-specific picks
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