The Best Dog & Puppy Playpens of 2024

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If you have decided to buy a playpen for your dog, it can get a bit confusing because there are literally dozens of different types of dog playpens out there. After going through this guide, choosing a playpen for your pet should be much easier.

There are different types of dog playpens on the market and whether you are choosing one for a puppy or a larger dog, there are lots of benefits attached.

In a hurry?

Here’s a quick overview of the best dog playpens in each category.

Top dog playpens of 2024

Below are some recommended playpens. They have been specially chosen to fit your lifestyle.

Pros
  • Quick and easy to assemble
  • Great for puppies and small dogs
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Not escape proof
  • Not suitable for large dogs

More about IRIS Pet Playpen

Made from durable heavy duty plastic, this playpen is a great indoor playpen for dogs. It can be used as a playpen or a fence to make a part of the house inaccessible to your pet. It is portable, so you can move it around, and really affordable. It is not a great option if you have a bruiser, but will work very well with a less heavy dog.

Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens

9.5
Specifications
  • Size: 62 x 62 x 30 inches
  • Area: 16 square feet
  • Material: Metal
Pros
  • The playpen is large and steady
  • Easy to fold
  • Ground anchors to secure the playpen outside
Cons
  • It’s a bit heavy

More about Midwest Exercise Pen/Pet Playpens

There are many reasons why you should consider an outdoor playpen for your dog or puppy. If you are outdoors a lot and your yard is not completely secure, a playpen will keep your pet safe. If you have a puppy, you will need one even more. The Midwest exercise pen is not just a playpen, but it gives ample space for your pet to exercise. It is sturdy and you can buy in different heights, with taller panels for dogs that love to jump out.

Petyard Passage Small Puppy Pen

9.2
Specifications
  • Size: 35.25 x 10.3 x 26.5 inches
  • Area: Up to 34.4 square feet
  • Material: Plastic
Pros
  • Great quality
  • Very versatile
  • Made in the USA
Cons
  • Not escape proof

More about Petyard Passage Small Puppy Pen

This is an indoor playpen that is great for small dogs. Let’s face it, there’s no point buying an ultra large playpen for that adorable little dachshund. If you later get another puppy, you can always buy additional panels to create a larger space. It is also a great option for traveling and comes with non-slip floor pads and a convenient carry handle.

BestPet Black Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

9.0
Specifications
  • Size: 40 x 30 x 32 inches
  • Area: Up to 26 square feet
  • Material: Metal
Pros
  • Robust and sturdy
  • Good for camping
  • Great for large dogs
Cons
  • It’s a bit heavy
  • Expensive

More about BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

If you need a heavy duty playpen that has no bells and whistles, then you might want to look into BestPet Black 40″ Heavy Duty Pet Playpen. Easy to set up and sturdy, this playpen is also versatile. It can be used indoors and outdoors and you can buy more than one set to make a larger play area.

ESK Collection Pet Puppy Dog Playpen

9.0
Specifications
  • Size: 26 x 20 x 1.8 inches
  • Area: 12 square feet
  • Material: Mesh
Pros
  • Easy to set up and take down
  • Good for travel
  • Great for puppies and small dogs
Cons
  • It’s not that sturdy

More about ESK Collection Pet Puppy Dog Playpen

Whether you are going visiting for a couple of days or you are going camping, a good dog playpen can make the experience even more enjoyable for you and your pet and this playpen from ESK Collection is one that is receiving lots of rave reviews. Made from breathable cloth material, it is easy to set up and take down. It’s very light and easy to carry about. The only downside is that it isn’t for larger dogs. But your puppy or little dog will definitely love this!

Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen

9.0
Specifications
  • Size: 63.8 x 33.1 x 36 inches
  • Area: 23 square feet
  • Material: Plastic
Pros
  • Made of durable plastic
  • Can be used both as a playpen and a gate
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not escape proof

More about Richell Convertible High Pet Playpen

This playpen is great for both indoors and outdoors, but mostly for indoor use. Made with plastic, it converts into a gate and can be used as a room divider. It is easy to assemble and you can easily take it down or move it around, as the need arises.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Dog Playpen

When choosing a playpen for your dog, there are several things to consider, from the size of your dog to the material of the playpen and where you will be using it. Thinking about these factors will make it easier to make a decision when you are ready to buy your playpen.

1. The Size of Your Dog

The size of your dog is one of the most important factors when you’re about to buy a new dog playpen. While puppies are generally smaller than dogs, therefore needing less space, you should also bear in mind that they will grow and you need a playpen that will also grow with your puppy.

That said, a full grown Chihuahua for instance, will not need the same amount of space that a larger dog like a Bullmastiff will require.

2. Safety

The safety of your dog should be the most important factor when you are choosing a playpen for your dog. A playpen should be sturdy on the ground so that it does not fall over and injure your dog.

That said, there are some dogs that are very energetic and you might find the dog playpen moving around. If that happens, used some heavy objects like bricks and kettlebells to prevent that from happening.

3. The Material of the Playpen

There are different materials used in making dog playpens and it really depends on where you intend to set up the playpen as well as the type of dog you have. If you have a small dog and you are setting up outdoors, a solid plastic playpen will be suitable.

For a larger dog, consider getting one that is made from metal and if your dog is a regular Houdini, consider getting a covered playpen so that it wont escape from the enclosure.

If you have a dog that likes to chew on everything, you probably shouldn’t get a playpen that will be easy to chew or before long, you will be all chewed out (of the playpen).

Finally, decide if you want a playpen that is fixed in size or one that is collapsible. The advantage of collapsible playpens is that they usually come in panels so that you can easily increase the size as your puppy grows or if you need to house more than one dog.

4. The Price

Dog playpens come in different sizes and different prices. There are those that are top of the range and carry a heavy price tag, while there are others that are more affordable. It is important to decide beforehand, how much you are willing to spend on a playpen for your dog.

FAQ about dog playpens

Here’s some of the most common questions we get about choosing the right playpen for a dog.

What type of playpen is best for my dog?

The type of playpen depends on what kind of dog breed you have. Usually smaller playpens like the IRIS Pet Playpen is enough for smaller dogs, while Midwest Exercise Pen is more suitable for larger dogs. But you also need to consider how energetic your dog is. Energetic dogs tends to get bored more easily and might try to escape the playpen. If that’s the case then you need buy a sturdy playpen with taller panels to prevent that from happening.

What’s the ideal size of a dog playpen?

An indoor dog playpen should be at least 20 inches long for small dogs, and 2.5 foot long for dog breeds weighing up to 40 pounds. Then about 3 foot long for dogs weighing up to 70 pounds.

What is the best dog playpen?

The best indoor playpen for small dogs and puppies is the IRIS Pet Playpen. The playpen is of good quality, easy to carry with you and fast to set up. If you have a larger dog we sugest that you go with the BestPet Black Heavy Duty Pet Playpen instead.

Why trust Us?

At AnimalPlaypen.com, we pride ourselves on being the ultimate destination for pet playpen advice, recommendations, and insights. Our team of writers brings together a wealth of experience in pet playpen evaluation.

We know that keeping your pet safe and happy is very important. That’s why every product recommendation we make is thoroughly vetted for durability, design, and comfort. Our goal is to ensure that you find the perfect playpen solution that meets your pet’s needs for exploration and play, while also fitting into your lifestyle and home.