Dog crates are indispensable tools for pet parents and are a great help not only in traveling, but in training too. Dog crates also provide a safe, comfortable place for your dog to relax and get some time alone. That said, dog crates are not always the most comfortable beds for your pooch, and you’ll likely need to add a pad or bed to make it more comfortable for your canine.
Dog crates are pens usually made from plastic or metal, just large enough for your dog to stand up and lie down inside of and can be a great help when there’s no one around to supervise them. They are also essential for travel and vet visits, and contrary to popular belief is not cruel or a “jail cell’ for your dog. In fact, crates are quite the opposite, and most dogs learn to love their safe, comfortable crate.
In order to make sure your dog’s crate is as comfortable as possible, you’ll need to add a crate bed or pad. There are many of these beds on the market, some of which are better than others, making choosing the right one a bit of a challenge. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve narrowed the options down to 8 of our favorites and given each an in-depth review to help you choose the perfect dog crate bed for your pooch. Let’s dive in!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
MidWest Quiet Time Fleece Dog Crate Mat
8 sizes available
Polyester bolsters
Machine washable
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Best Value
K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad
Double-sided
Self-warming technology
Made with eco-friendly materials
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Premium Choice
Gorilla Dog Orthopedic Pad
Made with orthopedic foam
Added crate securing points
Water, stain, odor, and mildew resistant
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Drymate Brown Stripe Tan Paw Dog Crate Mat
Lightweight, thin design
Made from tough polyester
Waterproof, non-slip bottom
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Pet Dreams Reversible Mat
Reversible
Durable design
High-density fiber filling
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The 8 Best Dog Crate Beds
The MidWest Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat is machine washable and made from comfortable, soft, and cozy fleece, and is our top choice overall. The fleece is stain-resistant and made with ultra-soft synthetic sheepskin with comfortable polyester bolsters and a cushioned polyester and cotton base. The fleece will keep your pooch warm in winter and cool in summer and comes in 8 different sizes and 3 different colors to suit your dog’s unique size and personality. The rectangular shape is great for most dog crates and makes for an ideal sleeping mat outside of their crate too!
Size: 36 x 23 x 2.6 inches
Material: Fleece
Colors: Gray, Natural, Cinnamon
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Unfortunately, this bed does shed fleece after some time, and several customers reported that it wore quickly where their dog slept on it most often.
Pros
Machine washable
Made with comfortable fleece cover
Polyester bolsters
8 sizes available
Cons
Fleece material sheds easily
The K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad is great value for money and the best dog crate bed for the money. The pad is made with unique, multilayer self-warming materials that absorb and reflect your dog’s own body heat to keep them warm — no electricity required. The pad is double-sided so you can simply flip it over depending on the color you want and is safe to machine wash. The pad is made with green, bio-based foam polyfill from recycled bottles, and is lab-tested for pet safety.
Machine washable
Made with comfortable fleece cover
Polyester bolsters
8 sizes available
- Machine washable
- Made with comfortable fleece cover
- Polyester bolsters
- 8 sizes available
Fleece material sheds easily
- Fleece material sheds easily
Size: 21 x 17 x 1 inches
Material: Microfiber Fleece
Colors: Gray/Black, Oatmeal/Chocolate
Unfortunately, this pad only comes in one size and is too small for large dog breeds. Also, if your dog is a chewer, they’ll make short work of this bed as it tears and rips easily.
Pros
Inexpensive
Self-warming technology
Comfortable microfiber fleece
Double-sided
Made with eco-friendly materials
Cons
Only available in one size
Rips easily
If you’re looking for a premium dog crate bed for your pooch, the Gorilla Dura-Vel Orthopedic bed comes in 6 different sizes( X-small to XX-Large) and 4 different colors. The bed has a comfortable velvet top and durable Cordura (durable synthetic fabric) bottom, plus a removable, machine washable cover that is water-resistant and resists stains, mildew, and odors. The bed has handy securing points to fix to the crate so it cannot be flipped over, with triple-stitched seams for strength and orthopedic foam to keep your pooch comfy and cozy.
Inexpensive
Self-warming technology
Comfortable microfiber fleece
Double-sided
Made with eco-friendly materials
- Inexpensive
- Self-warming technology
- Comfortable microfiber fleece
- Double-sided
- Made with eco-friendly materials
Only available in one size
Rips easily
- Only available in one size
- Rips easily
Size: 41 x 27 x 2.5 inches (Large)
Material: Fleece
Colors: Coyote, Smoke, Purple, Navy, Black
This bed is almost impossible to fault, although is a lot more expensive than most other dog beds on the market. The high quality is worth it though, and this bed will give your dog comfort for many years to come.
Pros
Velvet and Cordura cover
Machine washable
Water, stain, odor, and mildew resistant
Added crate securing points
Made with orthopedic foam
Cons
Expensive
The Drymate Dog Crate Mat is ideal for hot weather, lightweight, and comes in 2 sizes. It’s made from tough polyester with a waterproof, non-slip bottom, and absorbs liquids quickly if there are any accidents in your dog’s crate. If your pooch does happen to make a mess, the mat is machine washable and a breeze to clean. It’s made in the United States and is an ideal, lightweight choice for your dog’s crate.
Velvet and Cordura cover
Machine washable
Water, stain, odor, and mildew resistant
Added crate securing points
Made with orthopedic foam
- Velvet and Cordura cover
- Machine washable
- Water, stain, odor, and mildew resistant
- Added crate securing points
- Made with orthopedic foam
Expensive
- Expensive
Size: 42 x 27 x 0.125 inches (Large)
Material: Polyester
Colors: Brown
While this mat’s main selling point is its lightweight and slim design, it will not help much to keep your pooch warm and doesn’t provide much cushioning. Also, this makes the mat easily chewable if your pooch likes to chew!
Pros
Lightweight, thin design
Made from tough polyester
Waterproof, non-slip bottom
Absorbent
Machine washable
Cons
Not very soft or warm
Not very chew resistant
- Pet Dreams Sleep-eez Plush Reversible Dog Crate Mat
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Size: 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches
Material: Fleece
Colors: Pink, Ivory, Graphite, Blue
With a double-layer of high-density filling, the Sleep-eez Plush Dog Crate Mat from Pet Dreams is a cozy choice for your pooch. The mat is highly durable, with 8–10 stitches per inch and over 1,000 stitches for each pad! It’s also 100% machine washable, plus can simply be reversed if one side gets dirty to reduce the frequency of washing. The premium, high-density fiber filling will not bunch or get lumpy after washing like so many other beds and comes in 4 unique colors and 6 different sizes to suit any pooch.
Lightweight, thin design
Made from tough polyester
Waterproof, non-slip bottom
Absorbent
Machine washable
- Lightweight, thin design
- Made from tough polyester
- Waterproof, non-slip bottom
- Absorbent
- Machine washable
Not very soft or warm
Not very chew resistant
- Not very soft or warm
- Not very chew resistant
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Size: 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches
Material: Fleece
Colors: Pink, Ivory, Graphite, Blue
While this doesn’t lump after washing, several customers reported it shrank and lost its shape. It’s also very thin and so doesn’t provide much comfort for your pooch.
Pros
Durable design
100% machine washable
Reversible
High-density fiber filling
Cons
May shrink after washing
Not very well padded
- Paws & Pals Self-Warming Dog Crate Mat
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Size: 37 x 25 x 0.5 inches
Material: Fleece, rubber
Colors: Brown
This Self-Warming Dog Crate Mat from Paws & Pals will keep your pooch warm in chilly weather without any electricity. The mat uses absorbent and reflective layers to direct your dog’s natural body heat right back toward them. It has an ultra-soft micro-fleece top that’s cozy and soft, with a textured rubber bottom to grip and reduce slipping, and is made without parabens, harsh dyes, chemicals, or treatment. The mat fits most crates and dog carriers, making it an ideal accessory for your dog’s crate!
Durable design
100% machine washable
Reversible
High-density fiber filling
- Durable design
- 100% machine washable
- Reversible
- High-density fiber filling
May shrink after washing
Not very well padded
- May shrink after washing
- Not very well padded
Size: 37 x 25 x 0.5 inches
Material: Fleece, rubber
Colors: Brown
This mat is rather thin and doesn’t provide much cushioning for your pooch and is not machine washable. Also, it only comes in one size, unfortunately.
Pros
Self-warming design
Ultra-soft microfleece cover
Non-slip textured bottom
Made without parabens, harsh dyes, or chemicals
Inexpensive
Cons
Doesn’t provide much cushioning
Not machine washable
Only comes in one size
- American Kennel Club Scalloped Orthopedic Crate Mat
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Size: 36 x 23 x 3 inches
Material: Polyester
Colors: Green, Tan
Make crate time more comfortable than ever with the Orthopedic Dog Crate Mat from American Kennel Club. The mat is made with supportive orthopedic memory foam material with an ultra-plush cover that is machine washable, plus a non-skid bottom to prevent slipping. It’s made with largely recycled materials and so is an eco-friendly option, and comes in 2 different color options, but only one size, unfortunately.
Self-warming design
Ultra-soft microfleece cover
Non-slip textured bottom
Made without parabens, harsh dyes, or chemicals
Inexpensive
- Self-warming design
- Ultra-soft microfleece cover
- Non-slip textured bottom
- Made without parabens, harsh dyes, or chemicals
- Inexpensive
Doesn’t provide much cushioning
Not machine washable
Only comes in one size
- Doesn’t provide much cushioning
- Not machine washable
- Only comes in one size
Size: 36 x 23 x 3 inches
Material: Polyester
Colors: Green, Tan
Several customers reported that this pad is rather cheaply made, and the zipper broke after only one or two uses. The cover sheds a lot, especially after washing, and the memory foam swiftly lost its shape.
Pros
Made with orthopedic memory foam
Ultra-soft plush cover
Non-skid bottom
Made with recycled materials
Cons
Poorly made
Cover sheds a lot
Loses its shape quickly
- MidWest QuietTime Couture Paxton Reversible Crate Mat
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Size: 47.75 x 30.5 x 2.25 inches (X-Large)
Material: Fleece, Polyester
Colors: Blue, Mushroom, Plum
The MidWest QuietTime Couture Paxton Dog Crate Mat is made with soft foam cushioning to make your dog’s crate comfortable and cozy. One side is white and the other has a decorative diamond pattern and is reversible to reduce the time between washing, plus the cover is removable with a hidden zipper and 100% machine washable. It comes in 5 different sizes to fit almost any crate and can be used as a standalone bed too.
Made with orthopedic memory foam
Ultra-soft plush cover
Non-skid bottom
Made with recycled materials
- Made with orthopedic memory foam
- Ultra-soft plush cover
- Non-skid bottom
- Made with recycled materials
Poorly made
Cover sheds a lot
Loses its shape quickly
- Poorly made
- Cover sheds a lot
- Loses its shape quickly
Size: 47.75 x 30.5 x 2.25 inches (X-Large)
Material: Fleece, Polyester
Colors: Blue, Mushroom, Plum
A lot of customers reported that this bed has a very strong chemical smell, even after washing, and the foam cushion rips easily. It’s also not at all waterproof so if your dog has any accidents it will absorb right into the foam.
Pros
Reversible design
Removable, machine washable cover
Comes in 5 different sizes
Cons
Strong chemical odor
Foam cushion rips easily
Not waterproof
Reversible design
Removable, machine washable cover
Comes in 5 different sizes
- Reversible design
- Removable, machine washable cover
- Comes in 5 different sizes
Strong chemical odor
Foam cushion rips easily
Not waterproof
- Strong chemical odor
- Foam cushion rips easily
- Not waterproof
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Crate Beds
When it comes to crate mats, they are almost as varied as dog beds, with soft, thick options and thin, lightweight options available, plus everything in between. This can make choosing the right one a bit confusing, and there are several factors to consider. Let’s look at some of these factors below:
Dog Crate Bed Material
The material your dog crate bed is made from is an important consideration. If you live in a cold area, you’ll want something a bit thicker, warmer, and cozier, or even self-warming mats are a good option. For the summer months, something cooler and thinner may be a better option to prevent your pooch from overheating. Also, the thickness you choose will depend on your dog. If you have a large or senior dog with joint issues, crate beds that are too thin will be uncomfortable and you’ll need to opt for something a little thicker.
Dog Crate Bed Durability
Naturally, you’ll want the product you’re spending your hard-earned money on to be as durable and long-lasting as possible. Usually, you get what you pay for, but this is not always the case. The outer cover should be made from a tough material like polyester preferably with a durable non-slip bottom, and durable memory foam on the inside. Orthopedic foam is higher-quality and usually lasts longer than sponge beds and keeps its shape after washing.
Dog Crate Bed Cleaning
Machine washable beds are best, as they’re the easiest to clean. Some crate beds have delicate liners that need to be hand-washed or foam insides that cannot go through a machine without deforming, and so if the entire bed is machine washable this is a huge advantage. Also, some dogs may get frightened while traveling and soil their crate bed, in which case you’ll certainly want it to be machine washable!
Dog Crate Bed Portability
Naturally, thin, lightweight mats are the most portable, although not the most comfortable. You’ll need to decide on the balance between portability and comfort depending on your unique situation. If you travel with your pooch often, a portable, thinner bed may be best for you. If you’re going on longer trips, as comfortable a bed as possible is the best option. Even if you don’t travel too often, having one of each is a great idea.
Dog Crate Bed Size
Size is the last factor to consider. The mat should be large enough to for your pooch to fit comfortably, but also the right size for your crate. Most crate beds are made to fit inside standard crates, but it’s a good idea to measure beforehand to make sure. Crate beds that aren’t large enough for the crate may slip and slide around, while beds that are too large will bunch up and be uncomfortable for your dog.
Conclusion: Best Dog Crate Beds
The MidWest Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat is our favorite choice overall. It’s machine washable and made from comfortable, soft, and cozy fleece, is stain-resistant, and made with polyester bolsters and a cushioned polyester and cotton base.
The K&H Pet Products Self-Warming Pad is the best dog crate bed for the money according to our research. The pad is made with multilayer self-warming materials, is double-sided, and is 100% machine washable.
If you’re looking for a premium dog crate bed for your pooch, the Gorilla Dura-Vel Orthopedic bed is a great option. The bed has a comfortable velvet top and durable Cordura bottom, a removable, machine washable cover, and handy securing points to fix to the crate so it cannot be flipped over.
A dog crate needs to be a comfortable, safe space for your pooch, and a dog crate bed is an essential item to make this a reality. We hope our in-depth reviews have helped narrow the options and helped you find the best option for your pooch!
Featured Image Credit: Chewy
