Whether you have a puppy in training, an elderly dog with cognitive decline, or a runner who needs boundaries, dog playpens are a great alternative to a crate to keep your dog safe without confining it. Dogs left to roam, puppy or not, could make a mess, destroy your belongings or furniture, or worse, get into dangerous things like electric cords and hazardous substances.
A dog playpen can be used while you’re at work instead of a crate or cage, outside during a sports practice at a park, and more. Just like for kids, a playpen gives your dog a safe, enclosed space to play, so you can focus on what you need to do.
Playpens come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, so it can be difficult to choose the best option for your needs. Here are our choices for the top 8 dog playpens, based on detailed reviews from dog owners.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Dog
Sturdy construction
Multiple entryways
Washable and water-resistant
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Best Value
Etna Pet Store Portable Soft-Sided Dog
Indoor and outdoor use
Water-resistant and easy to clean
Quick assembly
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Premium Choice
Iconic Pet Heavy Duty Wire Dog Playpen
Sturdy metal construction
Collapsible panels for transport
Suitable for large breeds
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Best for Puppies
IRIS 4-Panel Plastic Exercise Dog Pen
Plastic construction
Steel latch doors
Indoor/outdoor use
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Frisco Soft-Sided Dog
Easy assembly, transport, and storage
Two zippered doorways and a zippered top
Pocket for accessories
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The 8 Best Dog Playpens
The EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Playpen is the best overall dog playpen due to its range of options and excellent features. The playpen has sturdy construction with steel tubing, soft nylon, mesh sides, and two zippered doors, so your dogs have the choice of how to enter and exit. The fabric is water-resistant for outdoor use, and the mesh provides plenty of ventilation and visibility.
Material: Nylon, mesh
Features: Two doors, pockets, carry bag, collapsible
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
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The playpen opens in seconds with no tools required, then collapses easily for transport in the included carry bag. Four ground stakes are included to keep the playpen secure when outside. The removable floor mat zips off for easy cleaning. You can choose from multiple sizes for toy, small, and medium breeds, but this playpen isn’t big enough for large breeds. Talented escape artists may be able to unzip the door or climb out at the top.
Pros
Sturdy construction
Multiple entryways
Washable and water-resistant
Cons
Not suitable for large breeds
Dogs may be able to escape
The Etna Pet Store Portable Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Playpen is the best dog playpen for the money. The octagonal shape provides lots of space for your pup to relax and play, and the nylon and mesh sides ensure plenty of ventilation and visibility. The playpen unfolds and pops up for quick assembly and can be staked down with included ground stakes to keep it secure.
Sturdy construction
Multiple entryways
Washable and water-resistant
- Sturdy construction
- Multiple entryways
- Washable and water-resistant
Not suitable for large breeds
Dogs may be able to escape
- Not suitable for large breeds
- Dogs may be able to escape
Material: Nylon
Features: Collapsible, water-resistant, pet door
Assembly/Tools Required: No, no
For inclement weather or rambunctious dogs, the playpen has a zippered top and a water-resistant base. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the entryway unzips to let your pup go in and out as it pleases. Though it comes in small and large sizes, it’s only suitable for toy, small, and medium breeds. Several reviewers had dogs destroy the pen or complained that the sides collapsed too easily.
Pros
Indoor and outdoor use
Water-resistant and easy to clean
Quick assembly
Cons
Only available in small sizes
Not durable
Collapses easily
The Iconic Pet Heavy Duty Metal Tube Pen Dog Exercise and Training Playpen is an excellent choice for large breeds and strong dogs. The playpen comes in multiple heights to suit different breeds and provide an escape-proof enclosure. Because of the metal construction, the playpen is sturdy and offers high visibility for your dog’s comfort.
Indoor and outdoor use
Water-resistant and easy to clean
Quick assembly
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Water-resistant and easy to clean
- Quick assembly
Only available in small sizes
Not durable
Collapses easily
- Only available in small sizes
- Not durable
- Collapses easily
Material: Coated metal
Features: Collapsible
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
Each panel collapses for easy transport, so you can bring the playpen along to outdoor events. The front door opens for easy access and comes with a bolt latch to ensure your dog can’t get out. Though assembly is required, you don’t need any tools. Eight stakes are included to secure the playpen to the ground. Some reviewers noted that persistent dogs can chew through the wires to create a hole and that the stakes are flimsy.
Pros
Sturdy metal construction
Collapsible panels for transport
Suitable for large breeds
Cons
Flimsy stakes
Dogs may chew wires
The IRIS 4-Panel Exercise Plastic Playpen with Door is a great choice for puppies. With its sturdy plastic construction, the playpen can be used both indoors and outdoors and offers eight square feet of space for playing and running. The doors have strong double-steel door latches to ensure your pup can’t open them, and the open grate provides visibility to relieve separation anxiety.
Sturdy metal construction
Collapsible panels for transport
Suitable for large breeds
- Sturdy metal construction
- Collapsible panels for transport
- Suitable for large breeds
Flimsy stakes
Dogs may chew wires
- Flimsy stakes
- Dogs may chew wires
Material: Plastic
Features: Collapsible, door
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
The playpen requires no tools to assemble. Each panel interlocks with connecting rods, so you can adjust it to suit any shape and available space. Panels have non-skid rubber feet to protect your flooring and prevent the sides from moving inward. Some reviewers noted that their puppies could escape or shift the playpen around, however.
Pros
Plastic construction
Steel latch doors
Indoor/outdoor use
Cons
Some pups may escape
- Frisco Soft-Sided Dog, Cat & Small Pet Exercise Playpen
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Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Collapsible
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
The Frisco Soft-Sided Dog, Cat & Small Pet Exercise Playpen features a lightweight design with soft sides and plenty of space for your pup to play. The playpen folds flat for transport and storage, and a convenient carrying bag is included. When you’re ready to assemble, just pop the pen out and push the panels into place. Two doors give your dog options for entering and exiting, and there’s a zip top to prevent escape or for protection on rainy days.
Plastic construction
Steel latch doors
Indoor/outdoor use
- Plastic construction
- Steel latch doors
- Indoor/outdoor use
Some pups may escape
- Some pups may escape
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Material: Polyester, mesh
Features: Collapsible
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
Several mesh windows maintain good airflow, and the built-in pockets stow your pet’s accessories. Ground stakes are included for added security outdoors. Some reviewers remarked on the poor quality and said their dogs could figure out the zippers and how to chew through the sides.
Pros
Easy assembly, transport, and storage
Two zippered doorways and a zippered top
Pocket for accessories
Cons
Poor quality
Not chew-proof
- Regalo’s Deluxe My Play Portable Dog Play Yard
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Material: Steel
Features: Collapsible, carry bag
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
The Regalo’s Deluxe My Play Portable Dog Play Yard is perfect for large breeds. The playpen has six- or eight-panel options to suit large breeds and soft, ventilated mesh sides. With its tent shape, the playpen ensures your dog is protected from rain, wind, and the sun, plus it prevents escapes. There is a window that you can open to give your dog a view of its surroundings.
Easy assembly, transport, and storage
Two zippered doorways and a zippered top
Pocket for accessories
- Easy assembly, transport, and storage
- Two zippered doorways and a zippered top
- Pocket for accessories
Poor quality
Not chew-proof
- Poor quality
- Not chew-proof
Material: Steel
Features: Collapsible, carry bag
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
The soft sides have reinforced stitching on the edges for durability, and a sturdy metal frame supports the whole shape. The playpen pops open with ease and collapses to stow away in the included carrying bag. Some reviewers noted that the top and sides don’t connect, so dogs may be able to slip out between the edges.
Pros
Soft sides with metal frame
Tent top
Window
Cons
Dogs may escape
The Unipaws 6 Panel Dog Playpen Gate is constructed of wood and comes with six freestanding panels to configure in whatever way you wish. You can use the panels to block entryways or keep the pen enclosed to give your dog a limited play area. The playpen comes with a walk-through door that allows dogs and people to enter and exit easily, as well as a metal latch to keep your pet secure.
Soft sides with metal frame
Tent top
Window
- Soft sides with metal frame
- Tent top
- Window
Dogs may escape
- Dogs may escape
Material: Wood
Features: Freestanding, door, chew-resistant, locking
Assembly/Tools Required: No, no
The foldable design makes it quick and convenient to collapse the pen when not in use and store it. The wood and wire prevent chewing and escaping from persistent dogs. Each panel has rubber pads to protect your floors and make the pen more stable. This playpen is indoor-use only.
Pros
Sturdy wood and metal construction
Walk-through entryway with latch
Virtually limitless configurations
Cons
Indoor use only
- Frisco 4-Panel Convertible Plastic Playpen Divider with Wall Mounts
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Material: Plastic, steel
Features: Self-locking panels
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
The Frisco 4-Panel Convertible Plastic Playpen Divider with Wall Mounts is both a playpen and a room divider to give you options for how to keep your pup secure and out of trouble. It features a built-in pet door that can be left open or locked for more security. Each panel is pre-connected and self-locking, so you can adjust it to your space or mount it to wood surfaces with included hardware.
Sturdy wood and metal construction
Walk-through entryway with latch
Virtually limitless configurations
- Sturdy wood and metal construction
- Walk-through entryway with latch
- Virtually limitless configurations
Indoor use only
- Indoor use only
Material: Plastic, steel
Features: Self-locking panels
Assembly/Tools Required: Yes, no
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the playpen sets up quickly and folds for easy storage. The water-resistant plastic is easy to clean and won’t rust or rot from the elements. Panels have foam pads to protect your floor and prevent the pen from moving around. Not suitable for large breeds.
Pros
Plastic and metal construction
Locking door
Easy setup and storage
Cons
Not suitable for large breeds
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Playpen
A dog playpen can be used to keep your dog contained and safe with more space and comfort than a crate. Playpens come in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles, but here are some things to look for to choose the best one for your needs:
Plastic and metal construction
Locking door
Easy setup and storage
- Plastic and metal construction
- Locking door
- Easy setup and storage
Not suitable for large breeds
- Not suitable for large breeds
Materials
Dog playpens are typically plastic, metal, nylon, mesh, or wood. Each one of these materials has its pros and cons. For example, wood is strong but may be prone to rot outdoors and more difficult to clean. Plastic is weather-proof and durable but dogs can chew it. Nylon and mesh are breathable and more comfortable for your dog, but not as secure or sturdy. Choosing the right material depends on how strong and persistent your pup is.
Size
The point of choosing a playpen over a crate is to give your dog more space to play and move around. It’s important to get a large enough pen for your dog to have room, and it needs to be tall enough to prevent your dog from climbing or jumping out. Consider the measurements of the pen and your dog to see what works best.
Assembly
Most playpens are quick and easy to assemble. They typically pop open or unfold to use, though keep in mind that this easy assembly and breakdown may also mean that your pup can collapse the sides or move the playpen around. Choose options with added security features like rubber pads on the panels, locking panels, or mounting hardware.
Storage and Transport
Along with assembly, most playpens have simple storage and transport options. A foldable or collapsible pen can be stowed away easily when not in use, and some include a handy carrying bag to bring with you on outdoor trips. If you plan to use your playpen during travel or at outdoor events, consider whether it can be disassembled and transported easily.
Customization
Some playpens offer interlocking panels that you can arrange in your desired shape or disconnect. You can use panels to form a gate for a small doorway or lock a few panels together to block off the space between rooms.
Always consider all your options to ensure that the playpen suits your needs. Safety and security are the main concerns with a playpen, but you should also consider convenience, storage, materials, indoor/outdoor use, and other factors.
Conclusion
Dog playpens are a great alternative to crates, especially if you plan to take your dog to outdoor events and don’t want to fuss with a leash all day. You can also use a playpen to restrict your dog at home and keep them safe and out of trouble while you’re at work or running errands. The EliteField 2-Door Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Playpen is the best overall dog playpen for its features and design.
If you want a value choice, the Etna Pet Store Portable Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Playpen is the best dog playpen for the money. The premium choice is the Iconic Pet Heavy Duty Metal Tube Pen Dog Exercise and Training Playpen, a large metal playpen for large or rambunctious dogs.
See also:
- 9 Best Bones for Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks!
- 8 Best Dog Foods at PetSmart – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Toys for French Bulldogs – Reviews & Top Picks
