Best Dog Car Crates for 2020

A large dog crate is needed for breeds such as Collies, Labradors, Vizslas and Dalmatians, and if you have a generously sized boot.

The slanted front should allow you to shut your boot safely, and it should be short enough so you can still see out of your rearview mirror.

We love how the cage has a double opening, too. This safety feature will allow you to access the dog from inside the car after the seats have been folded down if you can’t exit the car, or if the boot won’t open.

Smaller sizes are also available, again with double doors and perfect shapes.

The Variocage Crash Tested Car Crate is an innovative range of dog crates which have been tested in crash and roll-over situations. In fact, it is the only one on the market which passed Front, Rear and Roll-Over Crash Tests.

They include a crumple zone. This range includes single and double doors, as well as dog crates designed for hatchbacks and also for the smaller dog. Each cage is size adjustable so you can get it just right to a point, as well.

In the case of an accident, a trapped dog can be released via the unique escape hatch so you can ensure they are safe and don’t have to remain within the car for longer than needed. The locking doors with Gas Hydraulic Motion Springs will keep your pet secure when they’re in the cage, so they can’t work their way out and end up as a distraction.

Each cage is equipped with rubber carpet for comfort, quietness, and ease of cleaning in case of any accidents or muddy paws.

With a removable divider included, this would be a good crate for two dogs or for a puppy who will eventually grow into the full size.

Galvanised wire is strong, and you get a removable tray which will capture any accidents and can also be padded out with bedding.

When it isn’t in use, the whole thing is collapsible, so you can remove it and store it in the garage or hallway when you’re off to do the weekly food shop.

You can pick from six size choices, making it the best dog car crate for dimension options, but the upper size is by far the biggest we found. The only downside is that the larger options don’t have a slanted side, so you will also need to have a big car.

Transporting two dogs in one crate can be hard enough, but minimising the risk of injury if there is a crash can be even harder.

This is the infamous Variocage but now made with two sections, so both dogs are safe from crashes and from the impact affecting each other. The emergency escape hatch at the rear will come in handy if you suffer a bump from the back, as the back seats can be taken forward and the dogs still released.

There’s a built-in key lock for extra safety, so any dogs which have mastered the old bar slider door lock will not be able to demonstrate their skills on this. It has passed the stringent crash test safety standards established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, so don’t just take our word for how safe it is!

Puppies can be hard to transport. They are generally quite adventurous and excitable, and their smaller size means they can easily be injured if in a large crate.

This small 24” crate is good for puppies or smaller breeds. It is slanted to accommodate the shape of most boot doors, and the extra thick bars are resistant to any chewing. The metal tray and fleece lining are also removable and non-chew.

It can fold flat for when not in use, and a carry handle will make it a bit easier to get in and out. The door is secure, and just the perfect size to ensure they can’t escape when you open it, but you can still see to them and get them in and out comfortably.

A double crate is ideal if you will be transporting two dogs. The divider ensures each has their own space, which is not just important for their own peace and quiet but also to minimise injury if one is more active than the other.

Three doors mean each half has its own opening so you aren’t overwhelmed when getting them out of the car, and the top access door will allow you to check on them from the inside of the car – perfect if you’re at a standstill on the motorway and can’t get out to open the boot.

The divider is removable, so it can be treated as one larger crate too. Bear in mind that it is quite narrow, so the two dogs may only be able to sit up as opposed to lying down if they’re medium-sized. This could restrict its use to short journeys.

A basic crate, but something which still does the job for smaller pets.

There is one door and a removable tray, which you can fill with soft furnishings or keep as it is if your dog is prone to accidents. It is plastic, which is a bit flimsy but on a positive note is easy to wash and keep clean.

It is suitable for most hatchback cars, with a sloped end and overall space-saving design. Best for small dogs, you may need to bulk up the base tray with blankets and cushioning if you have a very small dog or puppy who is prone to moving around a lot.

When you would prefer a carrier-style crate as opposed to a big metal cage, this option is ideal.

It has been specially designed to fit into the boot of most cars, so is a better option than your traditional carrier. The plastic-coated metal door is sturdy, and we loved the fact that it slides as opposed to opening outwards, which will really help if you need to grab your dog before opening the boot fully.

There are handles on the sides, and large ventilation holes will keep it airy. The otherwise solid plastic sides will be good for anyone who needs to restrict their dog’s visibility due to motion sickness or overexcitability.

You get two really handy storage compartments on the top of the crate for any bits and bobs, such as brushes, treats and their lead. A draining hygienic pad is included, which keeps it all clean.

There are three size choices, so you can select the one which is best for your dog. The largest size also has the option to divide it into two sections.

A slanted design ideal for people carriers and 4x4s, this cage is taller than a lot of other versions out there.

Twin front doors allow you to split the cage into two sections, or the separator can be taken out for one extra-large cage. The metal base tray is removable and easier to clean, and a lot sturdier and secure than most of the plastic versions out there.

It isn’t the most slanted of designs, so if you have a hatchback you could struggle with fitting it perfectly. The metal tray can also become a little worn and is slippery so you will have to ensure it is secured.

This is a slightly slimmer crate than the others, which is good if you have a spacious boot and will need to put some other items at the side on a journey.

It’s easy to collapse and put up again, so good if you plan last-minute trips or need the boot throughout the rest of the week. There is a handle, so you can lift it in and out of the car, and it would also be ideal in a holiday home for a weekend away if you need to give your pooch somewhere safe to sleep.

It is technically big enough for a larger breed, but the length means you will probably have to have an estate car or a 4×4 as opposed to a standard hatchback.

This crate is double-sided slanting, with doors both at the back and front for ease of access.

It is designed to take up just half the space in the boot, leaving you room for other items when the seats are otherwise taken. Constructed from steel, they are sturdy and can’t be chewed, and are coated in black powder so it doesn’t tarnish or rust.

Obviously, because it is a bit slimmer than others, if you have a large dog it may be a bit of a tight fit unless you are only on a short trip. Having said this, there is a chance you could get two into your boot alongside each other, which could be good if you have two dogs you need to keep separate.