Best Soft Dog Crates UK (2026): Folding Fabric Crates Sized for Your Dog
A soft dog crate is a fabric box on a light metal or plastic frame. It folds flat, weighs a fraction of a wire crate and makes a calm den for a dog that already likes its crate. It is not an escape-proof cage. Pick one for travel, holidays, shows and quiet time at home, not for a determined chewer or a puppy still learning to settle.
This guide covers the soft crates listed on The Last Outpost, checked against live Amazon UK prices on 2 November 2026. Five of the nine we list currently have no seller on Amazon, so they are named at the end rather than recommended.
At a glance
| Crate | Live price | Rating | Size (L x W x H) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Premium Folding Soft Crate, 91 cm | £30.66 | 4.5 (18,736) | 91 cm long (36") | Most medium dogs, best value |
| Petbarn Soft Fabric Carrier, Extra Large | £29.95 | 4.4 (5,083) | 82 x 58 x 58 cm | Car boots, cocker-sized dogs |
| Petsfit Collapsible Soft Crate | £85.99 | 4.5 (1,494) | 76 x 50 x 49 cm | Indoor den, locking zips |
| Petsfit Travel Crate | from £47.99 | 4.4 (679) | Several sizes | Small dogs, check the size first |
Prices change daily on Amazon. Ratings are Amazon's, with the number of reviews in brackets.
How to measure your dog first
Most soft crate returns are the wrong size, so measure before you choose a model.
- Length: nose to the base of the tail, with the dog standing. Add 10 to 15 cm.
- Height: floor to the top of the head (or ear tips if they stand up), with the dog sitting. Add 5 to 10 cm.
- Choose the crate whose internal length and height beat both numbers. Listed sizes are usually external, so a crate a few centimetres over your figures is tight.
As a rough guide, an 82 cm crate suits a cocker spaniel or beagle, 91 cm a springer or border collie, and you need around 105 cm for a labrador.
Amazon Basics Premium Folding Soft Crate (91 cm): best value
At £30.66 with over 18,000 reviews, this is the safe default for a medium dog. It has screened panels on several sides, a fleece-covered bed included, pockets for treats and leads, and both a top handle and a shoulder strap. It folds flat for the boot.
Skip it if your dog is a large breed. The 91 cm length is too short for a labrador lying stretched out. The larger 42-inch Amazon Basics crate we list has no seller at the moment.
Petbarn Soft Fabric Carrier (Extra Large): cheapest for the car
£29.95 buys a tubular steel frame with reinforced corners, mesh windows on all four sides and four fabric curtains that roll up or down. Dropping the curtains is useful for a dog that settles better in the dark in the car. At 82 x 58 x 58 cm it fits most hatchback boots.
Skip it if your dog is over springer size. 82 cm is the extra large in this range, so there is no bigger option.
Petsfit Collapsible Soft Crate (76 cm): best indoor den
The dearest here at £85.99, but it is the most house-like. It has a thicker mat, locking zips on the doors (useful with a dog that has learned to nose a zip open) and an adjustable fabric sleeve to fit the frame snugly. At 76 x 50 x 49 cm it is for small to medium dogs.
Skip it if you mainly want something for the car. You are paying for indoor comfort, and the Amazon Basics and Petbarn crates fold just as flat for half the price.
Petsfit Travel Crate: check the size before you buy
This listing covers several sizes and colours, and the default it opens on is a small blue version at £47.99. It has upgraded zips and strengthened seams to stop escapes, and it is rated 4.4 from 679 reviews. Make sure the variation you choose matches the measurements above, because the cheapest option is too small for most adult dogs.
Which one should you buy?
- Medium dog, any use: Amazon Basics 91 cm. Lowest risk and the most reviews.
- Car travel on a budget: Petbarn Extra Large.
- A crate that lives in the house: Petsfit Collapsible, for the locking zips and thicker mat.
- Large breed (labrador and up): none of the buyable crates here are long enough. Look for 105 cm or more.
Currently unavailable on Amazon
These are still listed on our soft dog crates page but have no seller on Amazon UK today: the Amazon Basics 42-inch, the Petsfit Portable Medium (green), the Eono Essentials Large, the lightweight fabric carrier with fleece mat and the Zampa portable crate. They often come back into stock, so it is worth checking again.
FAQ
Are soft dog crates safe in the car? They keep a dog contained and calm, but they are not crash-tested restraints. Put the crate in the boot or strap it into the back seat so it cannot slide, and never use one in place of a proper harness or guard where the law or your insurer requires one.
Can a puppy use a soft crate? Only once it settles happily in a crate. Puppies chew and scratch, and fabric and zips will not survive that. Start with a wire crate, then move to soft once the habit is formed.
Can I leave my dog alone in a soft crate? For short spells, with a dog that is calm in it. A dog that panics or digs can tear the mesh or force a zip, so do not leave an anxious dog unattended in one.
How do I clean a soft dog crate? Most have a removable mat that goes in the washing machine. Wipe the fabric shell with warm soapy water and let it dry fully before folding, or it will smell.
Soft crate or wire crate? Wire for training, chewers and escape artists. Soft for travel, holidays and a calm adult dog, because it weighs far less and folds flat.
