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Dog pens are a great way to bring a new pet family member home without worrying that they’ll get into trouble as soon as you turn your back. Find the right dog pen by thinking about what you and your dog need. There are a lot of different choices on the market for a place for dogs to feel safe or to stay out of trouble. We looked at some of the best dog pens and user reviews for different choices. We took size, ease of setup, and whether you want an indoor or outdoor solution into account. We found some of the best dog pens to make your life easier, whether you just got a dog or want to give it a new home.
Best Dog Pens Comparison Table
| Product Name | Size/Dimensions | Material | Door Type | Foldable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iris 34-Inch Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen | 34-inch height | Plastic and metal | Double sliding doors | Yes |
| Frisco Wire Dog & Small Pet Exercise Pen | Multiple sizes available | Metal | Step-through door | Yes |
| Yaheetech Heavy Duty 8-Panel Exercise Pen | Multiple sizes available | Powder-coated iron | Step-through door | Yes |
| New World Pet Products Foldable Exercise Pet Playpen | Multiple sizes available | Metal | Step-through door | Yes |
| North States Mypet Petyard Passage | Multiple sizes available | Plastic and metal | Swinging pet door | Yes |
| MidWest Foldable Metal Dog Exercise Pen | Multiple sizes available | Metal | Step-through door | Yes |
| Richell Convertible Pet Playpen | Multiple sizes available | Rubberwood and steel | Lockable gate | Yes |
| Zampa Foldable Portable Pet Playpen | Multiple sizes available | Water-resistant Oxford cloth | Zipper door and mesh roof | Yes |
Iris 34-Inch Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 63.0 x 63.0 x 34.3 inches |
| Material | Heavy-duty molded plastic |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 34 inches |
| Panel Width | 24 inches |
The Iris dog pen is made of commercial-grade plastic and has eight sides that fit together and are held together with full-length rods, just like a child’s playpen. A hinged entry door has two steel latches that close it. The door is 15 by 20 inches, which may be too small for some dogs. This dog playpen is perfect if you want to give your dog its own place inside your home.
More active dogs and puppies might be able to open the lock or move the pen around, but many people find that the rubber feet stop that from happening. The nice thing about this indoor dog pen is that you don’t have to use all of the pieces. You could easily block off parts of your home with just one or two pieces instead of the Best Dog Pens.
The Good
- Easy to put together and not too heavy
- Made of materials that last and are easy to clean
- It has rubber feet that don’t slip so it won’t move.
The Bad
- Might not be good for bigger pets
- Some customers said the locking system is not very safe.
Frisco Wire Dog & Small Pet Exercise Pen with Step-Through Door
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| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 48.0 x 24.0 x 24.0 inches |
| Material | Metal wire |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 24 inches |
| Panel Width | 24 inches |
Exercise pens, also called “x-pens” sometimes, are simple metal or plastic playpens. Most of the time, they have six or eight side panels that join so that the whole pen can be made into a square, rectangle, or octagon. This Frisco pen comes in five different heights, and you choose one based on the size of your dog and how much they likes to climb.
It’s made of coated wire, which should help it last longer and make it easy to use outside. The pen is easy to set up and the Best Dog Pens. Just open it and use the clips that come with it to hold it together. It can be stored and moved flat, but it is heavy, so you probably won’t want to open and set it up every day.
The Good
- Can be used inside and outside
- Easy to store because it is light and can be folded up.
- It comes with ground stakes to hold it in place.
The Bad
- Some customers said the wire wasn’t very strong.
- May not be suitable for larger or more energetic pets
Yaheetech Heavy Duty 8-Panel Exercise Pen
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 64.6 x 63.0 x 31.5 inches |
| Material | Iron |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 31.5 inches |
| Panel Width | 31.5 inches |
When setting up this dog pen, you’ll need to be patient. Our tester said it was hard to put together by himself and that he often needed an extra pair of hands. Setting it up required some trial and error as well. Once it’s all set up, though, it’s a good, sturdy choice for a bigger dog, especially as an outdoor pen. The pins that hold the frames together and lock them in place can also be driven into the ground to keep them in place.
The door to the pen is also a little higher off the ground than on other pens we tested, so we wouldn’t suggest this model for dogs with mobility problems. This pen could be used inside, but it makes more sense to use it outside. We would only use it in one place because it takes longer to set up and take down.
The Good
- Made of heavy-duty iron to make it more stable and last longer.
- Can be used inside and outside
- Foldable, so it’s easy to store and move
The Bad
- Some customers said it was hard to open and close the latch.
New World Pet Products Foldable Exercise Pet Playpen
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 48.0 x 48.0 x 24.0 inches |
| Material | Metal wire |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 24 inches |
| Panel Width | 24 inches |
Because the instructions were simple and clear, it only took our tester six and a half minutes to figure out how to use this pen. It’s perfect for a backyard or other outdoor place, and the stakes make it stable on grass or other outdoor surfaces.
It’s not the most flexible pen, though, because it’s not as strong without the stakes. You can’t come and go like some of our other winners because there is no door. Since it doesn’t come with a travelling case, it’s also not easy to move around, so this is a one-location model. Our tester says, “It’s very big and heavy, so I’d need help carrying it.”
The Good
- Can be used inside and outside
- Easy to store because it is light and can be folded up.
- It comes with ground stakes to hold it in place.
The Bad
- Some customers said the wire wasn’t very strong.
North States Mypet Petyard Passage
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 192.0 x 36.0 x 26.0 inches |
| Material | Plastic |
| Panel Count | 6 |
| Panel Height | 26 inches |
| Panel Width | 32 inches |
The dark North States Mypet Petyard Passage gives your dog up to 34.4 square feet of play space and has a swinging doggy door that you can lock or unlock whenever you want. It comes with eight panels, and you can take away two panels at a time to make it smaller.
It’s easy to put together because the panels fold up and it’s light and has a carrying strap. With the MyPet 8-Panel Petyard Passage, you can keep your pet in one place and keep your home safe. This enclosure has a strong, sturdy plastic door that can be locked. It also has a nice Espresso Brown finish that goes well with any decor.
The Good
- Can be used inside and outside
- Comes with a pet door that can be locked for easy access.
- Can be set up in different ways to fit different spaces.
The Bad
- Might not be good for bigger pets
MidWest Foldable Metal Dog Exercise Pen
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| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 24.0 x 30.0 x 24.0 inches |
| Material | Metal wire |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 24 inches |
| Panel Width | 24 inches |
You can use it to make a fenced-in area or to split up a room, like if you want to keep your dog away from where you prepare food in the kitchen. It has a safe double latch door that you can open and close when you or the dog needs to get in and out of the pen. This means you won’t have to lift them in and out, which is great for heavier dogs or dogs with mobility problems.
The pen is easy to set up and doesn’t need any special tools or skills to do so. If you don’t want to use it all the time, you can fold it up so it’s easy to store and the Best Dog Pens. You could also take it with you when you travel to places you don’t know. This makes it a good choice for people with unsecure gardens who want to give their dog some fresh air while they enjoy the yard.
The Good
- Can be used inside and outside
- Easy to store because it is light and can be folded up.
- It comes with ground stakes to hold it in place.
The Bad
- May not be suitable for larger or more energetic pets
Richell Convertible Pet Playpen
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 63.8 x 33.1 x 36.2 inches |
| Material | Plastic and wood |
| Panel Count | 6 |
| Panel Height | 36.2 inches |
| Panel Width | 33.1 inches |
The Richell Convertible Pet Playpen is the best puppy playpen on the market. It’s the most stylish and beautiful of the bunch, and it’s also the most durable dog pen we’ve looked at. This playpen is made of thick, long-lasting plastic and can be used both inside and outside. It’s also one of the most flexible because it’s easy to turn into a room divider or a pet gate that stands on its own.
Richell also has some nice extras, like a floor tray and a pet comfort mat that can also be used as a roof. What could be a problem for some owners? The best dog playpen costs a lot of money. But if you have the money, we think this is the best pet training pen on the market.
The Good
- Styled in a way that goes well with home decor
- It can be used as a playpen or to divide a room. It is made of strong materials.
The Bad
- Some people may find it hard to put together.
Zampa Foldable Portable Pet Playpen
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 45.0 x 45.0 x 24.0 inches |
| Material | Oxford cloth and mesh |
| Panel Count | 8 |
| Panel Height | 24 inches |
| Panel Width | 18 inches |
Do you take your dog on a lot of trips? If so, you need the Zampa movable playpen for dogs. This playpen is easy to set up and take down, and it comes with a convenient case for transport. Even though it’s not as strong as a steel pen, the Zampa is pretty strong. It has a floor mat attached to it and reinforced edges and seams to keep your dog in.
It can even stand up to water, so you can take it outside. The biggest size is 30″ high and 61″ in circle, so it might not be best for large breeds or older puppies when they get bigger. But it’s easy to move around. Find out more about taking your pet with you on a trip.
The Good
- It is light and easy to move.
- Can be used inside and outside
- Made of materials that will last and won’t get wet
The Bad
- May not be suitable for larger or more energetic pets
FAQs
A dog pen is a fenced-in place where dogs can play and run around without worrying about getting hurt.
Dog pens give dogs a safe place to play and run around, which can help keep them from getting hurt or hurting themselves. They also let people keep their dogs in when they need to, like when they are travelling or at work.
Any kind of dog can benefit from a dog pen, but puppies, small dogs, and dogs that are prone to anxiety or destructive behaviour gain the most.