The 7 Best Dog Pens of 2022

Best Overall: IRIS Open Wire Dog Pen

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This is a great cross between a crate and a pen. It has the security and sturdiness of a solid wire crate, but it doesn’t have the feeling of confinement because there’s no top. This is a perfect solution for puppies where you need to reach in often to change potty pads or forsenior dogswho need a safe spot. It’s also a good choice for dogs recovering from surgery when you might have to lift them in and out but still need to limit their movement.

Set up requires no tools. Plus, the latch is easy to use, clasping directly on to one of the wires, so it's easy to confirm it's been securely closed. Instructions for using the latch with a padlock are also included. Its molded bottom tray is a separate piece from the enclosure, with guards on the bottom to prevent it from scratching floors.

Plus, the IRIS Open Wire Dog Pen is one of our favorite dog pens aesthetically, with faux wood trim and white epoxy-covered wire, making it a lot more attractive than traditional crates and pens.

The pen comes in three sizes: medium, large, and large tall (for the climbers in the bunch).

Best Heavy Duty: Yaheetech Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

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This sturdy metal pen is so much more solid than your standard basic metal exercise pen (sometimes called an “x-pen”). It’s made of metal tube frames and wire panels, covered in a rust-resistant coating. There’s a very convenient step-through gate and eight panels that can be moved around to create a square, octagon, or rectangle pen. (You can also buy it with 16, 24, or 32 panels.)

The pen is easy to assemble with no tools required. But it is very heavy so it might not be the best choice for traveling. It’s available in a couple of different heights so you can choose based on the current (or projected) size of your puppy. The rods used to connect the panels can double as anchor stakes to help keep the pen in place if you want to use it outdoors.

Best Convertible: Richell 3-in-1 Convertible Pet Gate

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This handy product is attractive, functional, and versatile as it does triple-duty as a pen, gate, and room divider. The panels are easy to lock in place at either a 90-degree or 180-degree angle. There’s a lockable gate so it’s easy for owners to move from room to room or get inside the pen to clean, however, some owners say thatclever petscan easily figure out how to unlatch the gate.

The gate is available with four or six panels and you can attach more if you need a larger pen or want to block off a bigger room. The manufacturer says it’s meant to contain dogs that weigh between 8.8 to 44 pounds.

Best Traveling Pen: EliteField Two-Door Soft Playpen

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这个弹出帆布游戏围栏软,easily folded, and comes with a carrying bag. It’s simple to tote with you on the road if you travel a lot, whether it’s camping or taking your dog to grandma’s house. It will give them a familiar, cozy spot to sleep and feel safe. The playpen has a zip-off canvas bottom and a zip-off mesh top. You can take off the bottom if you want to put your dog in the grass and can keep on the top if you worry about an escape artist. (I worry about teeny puppies outside and predators like hawks.)

There are mesh windows for ventilation, handy pockets for storage, and stakes to keep it anchored. Rambunctious dogs can learn how to tip this over and clever ones can unzip the zippers so it’s best for less energetic pups. It comes in six sizes and a rainbow of seven colors.

Best Budget: MidWest Homes for Pets Folding Metal Pet Playpen

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This standard x-pen doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but is a reliable and cost-effective way to keep your dog safe and out of trouble. It is quick to assemble: just unfold and affix the segments together with the included clips. There are also anchors to help stabilize this pen if you are going to use it outside.

中西部地区房屋可折叠的金属狗锻炼钢笔comes in five different heights, ranging from 24 inches to 48 inches, so you can choose based on the size (or climbing ability!) of your dog. You can also clip more than one of these together if you need a bigger space, making this a good option if you're looking for something expandable. They can be arranged into an octagon, square, or rectangle but the right configuration often depends on how rowdy your dog is and what will hold together best.

Best Indoor: IRIS USA, Inc. 34-Inch Exercise Playpen

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This pen is a great-looking option when you need to keep a pet out of trouble in the middle of your living room. It comes in two shades of gray, as well as white, and is made of molded plastic that will never rust. The panels are easy to assemble with long full-length rods that keep them connected.

Although the IRIS Exercise Playpen is easy to put together and take apart, it’s a little bulky when disassembled, so it's best for those with plenty of storage space. One segment includes a door that's about 20-inches high and 15-inches wide and accessible via a metal swing latch.