Why this product
The MidWest iCrate 42-inch Two-Door is one of the most purchased dog crates on Amazon for a reason. The folding wire frame, two-door access, included divider panel, and leak-proof composite tray are the four features owners actually need, and MidWest delivers them at $89, which is meaningfully cheaper than the equivalent Frisco Heavy-Duty crate and competitive with AmazonBasics’ wire crate at the same size. The 4.7 average rating across more than 168,000 owner reviews is the kind of long-tail signal that confirms the construction is right.
For this review, we worked from MidWest’s published spec sheet, current Amazon owner photos and reviews, and direct comparison with three competing crates at the 42-inch size. MidWest did not provide a sample, and no editorial relationship exists with the brand. Where we cite a measurement or feature, the source is MidWest’s product page or aggregated owner reports.
The Editor’s Choice Crate verdict reflects what most buyers should pick: this is the default. Other options exist for specific cases (heavier-duty for escape artists, plastic for travel by air), but for crate training, owner travel, and standard household use, the 42-inch two-door iCrate is the right call.
What MidWest claims (specs)
MidWest publishes the 42-inch iCrate at 42L x 28W x 31H inches outside, with a folding wire frame in an electroplated finish. The crate ships with two doors (front and side), an adjustable divider panel, a removable leak-proof composite tray, and slide-bolt latches with secondary locks on each door. The folding mechanism collapses the crate to approximately 4.5 inches thick for storage or transport.
The size is rated for dogs in the 71 to 90 pound range, which covers most Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similarly sized adult dogs. For puppies that will grow into this size, the divider panel adjusts to multiple positions to keep the usable interior space matched to the puppy’s current size during housetraining.
The crate weighs approximately 35 pounds assembled. The top handle on the folded crate makes it portable for car trips. There is no carrying-strap option for hand-carry over distance.
Who should buy
Buy this crate if you are crate-training a puppy that will grow into the 71 to 90 pound range, if you have an adult Labrador or similarly sized dog and need a properly sized crate, or if you want a folding crate that fits the standard use cases (house training, separation-anxiety management, travel, vet visits). The two-door design is meaningfully more flexible than single-door crates for placing the crate in awkward room spots.
Skip this crate if your dog is a confirmed escape artist that has bent or unlatched cheaper wire crates (heavier-duty Frisco or Diggs is the right step up), if you specifically need an airline-approved travel crate (this is not airline-rated; plastic vari-kennel crates serve that use case), or if your dog is anxious about wire-frame visibility (some dogs feel more secure in a den-style plastic crate).
For very large dogs, the MidWest iCrate 48-inch is the next size up. For mid-size dogs, the MidWest iCrate 36-inch is appropriately scaled.
Two-door access: more useful than it sounds
The two-door design is the feature that distinguishes this iCrate from the cheaper single-door 42-inch options. In practice, the side door lets you place the crate against a wall and still have an open doorway, which matters for living rooms and bedrooms where the crate’s wall position is constrained. Owners who started with single-door crates and upgraded to two-door consistently flag this in their reviews.
The two doors share the same slide-bolt latch design with secondary locks. Both doors are equally secure when latched, and either can be left open for free-access training.
Divider panel: the housetraining feature
The included divider panel is the housetraining feature that justifies buying a properly sized crate from puppyhood rather than buying multiple crates as the dog grows. The panel slides into multiple positions, letting you reduce the usable interior to roughly half, two-thirds, or three-quarters of the full size. For puppies, the rule is “just enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down”; the divider matches that target as the puppy grows.
Some competitors at this price sell the divider panel separately. MidWest includes it standard, which is part of the value calculation.
The tray and the cleaning question
The composite plastic tray is removable and rated leak-proof, which it largely is in practice. Owners report that small accidents stay in the tray, and the tray pulls out for cleaning without removing the crate from its position. The tray surface scratches over time, particularly under dogs that scratch or paw at the floor; replacement trays are available from MidWest separately.
For more on how we evaluate pet products, see our methodology page.
MidWest iCrate 42-Inch Two-Door Folding Dog Crate vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Doors | Divider | Frame | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidWest iCrate 42 Two-Door | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2 | Included | Folding wire | $89 | Editor's Choice Crate |
| MidWest iCrate 48 Single-Door | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 1 | Included | Folding wire | $109 | Top Pick Giant Breeds |
| AmazonBasics 42-inch Wire Crate | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 2 | Included | Folding wire | $79 | Recommended |
| Frisco Heavy-Duty 42-inch | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 2 | Sold separately | Heavy-duty steel | $119 | Recommended |
Full specifications
| Outside dimensions | 42L x 28W x 31H inches |
| Door count | Two (front and side) |
| Frame | Folding wire, electroplated finish |
| Tray | Removable, leak-proof composite plastic |
| Divider panel | Included, adjustable |
| Latches | Slide-bolt with secondary lock |
| Weight rating | Suitable for dogs 71-90 lbs |
| Folded depth | Approximately 4.5 inches |
| Weight | Approximately 35 pounds |
| Carrying handle | Plastic handle on top when folded |
| Warranty | Limited 1-year manufacturer |
Should you buy the MidWest iCrate 42-Inch Two-Door Folding Dog Crate?
The MidWest iCrate 42-inch Two-Door is the dog crate you should buy unless you have a specific reason not to. The folding wire frame, included divider panel, two-door access, and leak-proof tray are the standard package, and at $89 the iCrate is meaningfully cheaper than every direct competitor that matches the spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 42-inch iCrate the right size for a Labrador?+
Yes. MidWest's 42-inch iCrate is rated for dogs in the 71 to 90 pound range and is the default size for adult Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and similarly proportioned dogs. The interior dimensions accommodate a fully grown Lab to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, which is the standard sizing rule for crate training.
What is the divider panel for?+
The divider panel lets you reduce the usable interior space while a puppy is growing into the crate. For housetraining, dogs do not soil their sleeping space if the space is the right size. A puppy in a 42-inch crate has too much room and may use one end as a bathroom; the divider keeps the usable space matched to the dog's current size, then moves back as the puppy grows.
How does the iCrate compare to AmazonBasics wire crates?+
The two crates are similar in basic construction, but MidWest publishes the spec sheet with more transparency, ships a more refined latch mechanism, and has a longer track record (the iCrate has more than 168,000 Amazon reviews). For owners who specifically want a lower-cost option, AmazonBasics is comparable. For owners who want the proven crate, the iCrate is the default.
Will my dog escape from the iCrate?+
MidWest's slide-bolt latches with secondary locks are above average for a wire crate at this price. Determined escape artists, particularly anxious dogs that have learned to manipulate latches, may still escape; for those dogs, the heavier-duty Frisco or Diggs crates are the appropriate path. For most dogs, the iCrate latches are secure.
Does the crate fold flat for storage or travel?+
Yes. The iCrate folds to approximately 4.5 inches thick with no tools required. The included plastic top handle makes it portable when folded, though at 35 pounds it is more car-trip portable than carry-around portable.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Initial review published with comparison to AmazonBasics, Frisco, and the iCrate 48.
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