The 6 Best Dog Pens, Tested and Reviewed

A dog pen is used to keep a canine safely contained in a designated area, and a dog of any age may benefit from having a dog pen. For example, for foster dogs, the pen will help them adjust to their new environment, for older dogs the pen may serve as a retreat, and for younger dogs, the pen can help with potty training. Options for dog pens range from simple metal enclosures to adjustable pet gates that can double as room dividers.

I’ve fostered nearly 80 dogs of all ages and several of these dogs pens are in my puppy room. We’ve also tested over 20 different dog pens—from sturdy metal to plastic to pop-up canvas—first in our New York City lab, then with two rounds of testing in real homes with real dogs and puppies. We also asked puppy fosters, rescue volunteers, and dog trainers about their top choices.

Our Favorite for Most Dogs

MidWest Homes for Pets Folding Metal Pet Playpen

$40 at Amazon $50 at Walmart $111 $35 at PetSmart

Metal pens can be versatile, sturdy, and affordable. We like the MidWest Homes for Pets Foldable Metal Dog Exercise Pen because it’s all those things. It comes in six heights – ranging from 18 inches to 48 inches – so you can choose based on the size of your dog and any tendency they might have to make a break for it.

The black version comes with or without a door, while the blue, pink, and gold options all have doors. The door has double latches for safety and the pen itself comes with clips to secure the top and ground stakes if you want to use it outside. The walkthrough door has a substantial threshold to clear, which may be difficult for senior pets or very small dogs.

The pen is very easy to set up and only takes a couple minutes. It’s portable but heavy, especially with the taller models. Our tester thought it would be a great thing to take camping with dogs. A very active or very big dog could move this around or jump on the sides and make it collapse. If you notice the pen moves, we suggest putting something heavy – like bricks or weights – on the outside of the pen to keep it in place.

We also like that this is a small, family-owned business in the United States. The pens are easy to find at major retailers.

Comes in six heights and four finishes

Our Favorite for Puppies

Iris USA Open Wire Dog Pen

$250 $210 at Amazon View on Chewy $250 at Target

I recently have been fostering a lot of small puppies and this is my very favorite pen. It is like a huge crate with an open top, but it also has a sliding door. The walls come off easily from the bottom for easy setup and cleanup. It comes in two sizes. 

My personal dog slept in the smaller size when he was recovering from knee surgery. For puppies, I usually give them the large pen and they are able to separate one area for napping and playing and the other area for bathroom business. 

This pen isn’t a great option for dogs that climb or jump, but it does come in two heights so you can choose accordingly. I like the clean look of the light wood and the white bars. Because I almost always have pens set up in my office or living room, it’s an attractive option.

Great for senior dogs, too

How We Picked

Testing: We tested a variety of dog pens in our New York lab, evaluating a wide range of pens for qualities like versatility, stability, and how easy they were to set up. Our top 23 performing models were then tested in at-home environments as well. We considered attributes such as safety features, durability, materials, and portability.

More We Recommend

PawHut Dog Playpen with Door & Removable Cover

$140 $128 at Amazon $215 at Target

Best for Outdoors: The PawHut Dog Playpen is a heavy-duty pen that can work indoors or out. It’s made of 10 metal panels that snap together, no tools required. You can make the pen into one big circle or rectangle. But the best part is making a figure-eight shape. Then the included cover can be attached to one part of the pen, giving your pup some shade.

Our tester said their dog may have been able to jump out of the crate if it had been one big space, but having two areas made it impossible for the pup to get a running leap. We particularly like the security latch. You have to squeeze it before you flip it, which means dogs can’t easily nose it open. Yet, it’s still easy to open with one (human) hand.

The pen can be moved by two people, but it’s not collapsible. You’ll have to take it apart to store it. You may need to move the pen around outdoors depending on the sun’s position and time of day or the shadow from the cover doesn’t protect inside the pen.

Removable cover for shade

Yaheetech Dog Playpen 8 Panels

$110 $85 at Amazon $100 at Walmart View on Yaheetech.shop

Best for Large Dogs: This heavy-duty Yaheetech Dog Playpen is a favorite of our testers. It comes in eight sizes ranging from two to as many as 32 panels and it comes in four heights – from 24 inches to nearly four feet tall. This pen seems nearly indestructible. It’s made of heavy metal and the panels are easily connected by metal bars that slip between them.

This pen can work as an indoor pen, an outdoor pen, or can go on the road to set up a temporary play yard while you’re camping or on vacation. The panels need to be taken apart when storing it and they can be unwieldy and heavy. But that’s also what makes it sturdy once it’s configured.

Although the tallest, largest sizes are ideal for big dogs, the pen can be erected into different shapes and you can add (or subtract) panels depending on space. This is also a great pen for puppies that may be teething because there’s nothing they can ruin.

Comes in eight sizes and four heights

Zampa Pet Folding Soft-sided Dog & Cat Playpen

$65 at Amazon $128 at Chewy $54 at Walmart

Best Portable: The foldable, pop-up Zampa Soft-Sided Playpen is a great choice for small puppies and dogs who aren’t incredibly rambunctious. The pen pops open easily and has an attached floor, so you don’t have to struggle with zipping it on and off each time you open it or put it away. It’s very lightweight and the canvas is relatively durable.

The fabric is water resistant which is helpful because accidents can happen, whether it’s a spilled water bowl or a potty mishap. The pen is also reinforced on the corners to help deter chewing. But a committed chewer could do some damage. It has two entry points and outside pockets for storage. 

This pen works best for dogs that don’t mind being confined. A very rowdy, curious dog could climb out, scooch the pen across the floor, or tip it over. Our tester thought it could be versatile – for use in the park, at the beach, or for nap time. It comes in three sizes – small, medium, large – and three color combinations.

The pen is easy to transport and comes with a carrying case. The only problem is figuring out how to fold it closed again. There are videos online that can help ease any folding frustration.

Easy to transport

Evenflo Play-Away Portable Playard

View on Amazon

Best for Visibility: This human baby playpen can be a good option for tiny, young puppies or even small, calm adult dogs. It's so easy to pop open, snap shut, and store in its handy carrying case. It weighs only about 10 pounds and is simple to stash away.

“This playpen was incredibly easy to set up with minimal lift. I am impressed by the ease of assembly and its lightweight structure,” said one of our testers.

The pen has a padded, water-resistant padded floor that can be wiped clean in case of accidents and a locking bar across the top to keep the pen from folding. Pets have to be lifted out over the top; there’s no door. But a more expensive version comes with a shade to cover the top.

This may not be the best choice for older, rowdier puppies, who may try to climb up the sides or gnaw on the netting. But it’s an excellent option for very young puppies who need a safe space to hang out after naps or between feedings. It’s easy to move and the mesh sides give you a clear view of your pup.“This product would be great for dog owners who want to see their dog directly while they are within the pen, and for dog owners who may want peace of mind that their dog is maintained in a specific area,” said one tester.

Lightweight and easy to set up and pack

Other Products We Tested

FXW Rollick Dog Playpen for Yard: Although we like this type of heavy, sturdy pen, this particular one wasn’t a favorite with our testers. The metal seemed a little flimsy and the latches were not very secure. It seemed too fragile for the price.

Richell Convertible Indoor/Outdoor Pet Playpen: We like that this plastic pen also converts to a gate or a room divider, but the panels are so clunky that it’s difficult to move and to store. It only comes in one height and one color so it’s not necessarily versatile for all pets or spaces.

AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Exercise Pet Play Pen: This is a good basic metal pen with attached latches rather than external clips. The gate has three latches (which might be one too many) and the door doesn’t have much clearance when it opens, so it’s not ideal to use outdoors in the grass. 

Iris 4, 6, or 8 Panel Plastic Playpen: This molded plastic pen comes in two heights – 24 and 36 inches. The panels are bulky and the pen doesn’t collapse, so it’s not easy to store or move. There’s no step-through door, so you either have to step over the entire pen or take off a panel in order to get in and clean it.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

The proud mom of a rescue dog, Mary Jo DiLonardo has fostered over 75 dogs and puppies. She has tried many different pens to keep them safe and out of mischief. For more than 25 years, DiLonardo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place.