Best Dog Hard-Sided Carriers of 2026

"I've traveled extensively with my cat and this carrier has become her safe and comfortable space wherever we go. The top and side vent holes make it simple to secure in the car, and there's plenty of room for her to move and relax."

"After researching options, I chose this carrier for my two cats and it turned out to be spacious, sturdy, and easy to use. The top door design makes loading much easier, and both cats fit comfortably inside. Great value for the price, and it's become their preferred spot during travel."

"I appreciate how durable and well-made this carrier is—it’s lasted me years. The top-loading feature is extremely convenient, and the structure is solid and not flimsy at all. My cat even chooses to sleep in it at home because it’s so comfortable for him."

"I’ve been using this carrier for years and I’m impressed by its solid build and long-lasting durability. The top-loading feature makes it so much easier to put my cat inside, and it’s roomy enough for her to relax comfortably. It’s absolutely worth the price, and I highly recommend it for anyone needing a reliable pet carrier."

"After struggling with a smaller crate, I upgraded to this model and my two cats now have plenty of space to move around during trips. The dual-door design is a game changer for ease of loading and cleaning, and the carrier feels airy and open. Even with both cats inside, they seem comfortable and safe. I’m planning to get another one soon!"

"I appreciate how sturdy and easy to use this carrier is for my pets. Assembly was a breeze, and the ventilation is excellent. It’s been perfect for vet visits and travel, and my pets feel secure inside. Highly recommend for both cats and small dogs!"

"I was really impressed by **how simple it was to put this carrier together—it took me just a few minutes. The material is sturdy, and it’s been easy to keep clean. My cat fits perfectly and seems comfortable, even as she’s grown. I’m happy with the durability and the lovely color!"

"I needed a dependable kennel for my injured kitten, and this one is exceptionally well-built. Assembly was a breeze, and I appreciate the extra screws and screw caps included. The door is very convenient for attaching a water bowl, and a small litter box fits inside without any hassle. My kitten settled right in—he’s eaten, played, used his litter box, and napped contentedly. The size and design are perfect for his needs."

"After trying other brands, I found this carrier to be superior in quality and sturdiness. The use of screws and wingnuts instead of clips made assembly much easier. It’s also great for my larger cats—the gate stays open on its own, making loading stress-free. I wish I’d chosen this brand from the start!"

"I have a very large ragamuffin cat, and this carrier is the only one spacious and sturdy enough for him. The locking mechanism is reliable, so I never worry about escapes. It's also easy to put together and a great value for the price."

"What I appreciate most is the dual entry points, especially the top door—it makes it so much easier to get my anxious pets in and out. The plastic construction feels secure and easy to clean, and I usually add a towel for comfort. Much better than the cloth carriers I've used."

"I own a small dog that tends to hide at the back of his crate, so the top opening is a lifesaver. The crate feels well-designed, secure, and simple to assemble. While the top door takes a bit more practice to open and close, I still think it's absolutely worth it for the price and features."

"I was really impressed by how fast and simple it was to assemble this carrier—it literally took me just a few minutes. My cat fits perfectly and the carrier has held up well with regular use, staying clean and in great condition. The quality and attractive color make it a great value for the price."

"What I love most about this kennel is the solid, well-built design. Setting it up was a breeze and the extra screws were a thoughtful touch. The door works smoothly and it's easy to attach a water bowl. I use it for my kitten who needs to stay confined, and it’s the perfect size—even fits a small litter box without any hassle. My kitten seems comfortable and content inside, which gives me peace of mind."

"After trying other brands that didn’t fit together well, I found this carrier to be a huge improvement in both quality and sturdiness. I really appreciate the use of screws and wingnuts instead of clips. Assembly was straightforward and now I wish I had chosen this brand from the start."

"I’ve got an 11-pound, long cat, and this carrier fits him perfectly. I paired it with a 24-inch bolster bed and he’s very comfortable, even choosing to nap inside after trips. I appreciate the combination of clips and bolts for security, and the carrier feels sturdy compared to others I’ve used. It only took about five minutes to assemble, and the extra height is a plus for my tall cat."

"For my 15-week-old German shepherd, the 40-inch kennel has been a great choice. It’s well-built and easy to clean, and the gate is very secure—Riley has never managed to get out. He’s been crate trained successfully and views this as his den. The crate was simple to put together, and Riley settled in quickly. Now, whenever we say ‘Go to Camp,’ he heads right in for his treat! Note: At 6 months and 60 pounds, he’s outgrown this size, so we’re moving up, but it was perfect for his early months."

"We have a 14 lb mini-schnauzer with high anxiety, and the 28-inch size is ideal for him. He immediately felt at ease compared to a wire crate and now uses this as his bed. It was easy to put together and has no sharp edges or strong odors. The built-in handle makes it handy, and I’m satisfied with the overall design."

"I was searching for a more comfortable carrier for my 24-pound cat, who finds travel stressful. This crate is absolutely perfect for large pets—my cat can stand and turn around easily, and the assembly was a breeze even with him inside! The construction feels sturdy and secure, and I love the included stickers and food/water dishes. The design is well-ventilated yet prevents claws from reaching out, and overall, it gives me peace of mind for both short and long car trips."

"This kennel is a game-changer for traveling with my German Shepherd. The thick plastic walls and strong wire door make it feel extremely secure, and my dog immediately felt at ease inside thanks to the roomy interior. I especially appreciated the smooth-rolling wheels and how simple it was to assemble. It also met all airline requirements, which made flying so much less stressful for both of us. Only minor issue: I had to glue the wheels after they started to come loose."

"After trying all kinds of carriers, I found this one to be high-quality, durable, and functional. The snap side locks make storage effortless, and the hard shell provides the safest transport for my cats and dogs. Unlike cheaper alternatives, this carrier gives me total confidence that my pets won't escape. I've already bought four and plan to get more for each of my animals!"

"I’m really happy with this carrier. It’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and the large size fits my big cat with no problem. Definitely worth the investment!"

"I love having both top and front openings—it makes getting my kitten in and out so much easier. She feels secure inside, and I never worry about the top door coming loose."

"The carrier is lightweight and roomy, and my cat treats it like his own personal space. Assembly was simple and quick."

"I was genuinely impressed by the sturdy, medium-heavy plastic construction and the secure wire windows of this crate. It was easy to assemble without instructions—took me just 15 minutes. My small dog, who has a traumatic past, now feels safe and calm inside. The crate is perfect for short trips and providing comfort at home. The dual locking mechanisms are a huge plus for my arthritic fingers. I wouldn’t recommend carrying a heavier pet inside for long, but for my 10-pound dog, it’s excellent."

"As the owner of a very large ragamuffin cat, I found this carrier to be solid, secure, and spacious—finally, something that fits! It was simple to put together, and the locking system gives me peace of mind knowing my cat can't escape. For the price, the quality is fantastic."

"This crate is a great value for the price and has some thoughtful features, like the top opening for easy access. Assembly was straightforward, and I especially appreciate the smooth front door operation. The top door does require a bit of coordination to open and close, but it's manageable and offers much-needed convenience for pets that are hard to reach from the front."

"I found this carrier to be just the right size for my long, 11-pound cat. He seemed really comfortable inside and even chose to nap in it after a few trips. Assembly only took about five minutes, and I appreciate the combination of clips and bolts for security. The plastic feels sturdy enough, and I like that it’s a bit taller than other carriers, which gives my tall cat extra room. It’s lightweight but doesn’t feel flimsy—if it were heavier, I’d have trouble carrying it."

"We use the 40-inch Vari-Kennel as our German shepherd puppy’s den. I really debated between a metal and plastic crate, but this one proved to be well-made, secure, and super easy to clean. Our pup took to it right away and it’s been perfect for crate training. Assembly was a breeze with the included hardware, and the crate blends right into our home. The only issue is that as our dog has grown, this size is getting a bit tight, so we’ll need to size up soon."

"For our 14-pound mini-schnauzer with high anxiety, the 28-inch crate was a game changer. He felt at ease right away, curled up inside with his blanket, and started using it as his nighttime bed. I appreciated that the crate was simple to put together, has no sharp edges, and doesn’t have a strong plastic odor. The handle is sturdy and the size is just right for his lanky frame."