Choosing between the MidWest iCrate and the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate comes down to whether your priority is chew-resistant home containment or lightweight, mobile convenience. The core deciding factor is structural material: a rigid metal wire enclosure built to contain developing puppies safely versus a flexible fabric carrier designed for stress-free vehicle transport.
Pet owners working through puppy house training or managing dogs prone to chewing should choose the MidWest iCrate for its secure metal build and adjustable divider panel. Travelers, campers, and owners of calm, crate-trained pets should opt for the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate for its lightweight frame and multiple mesh entry points.
MidWest iCrate vs Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate at a Glance
| Feature | MidWest iCrate | Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material | Welded metal wire with black e-coat finish | Fabric with mesh ventilation panels |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 30.5 x 19.25 x 21.5 inches | 26 x 18 x 18 inches |
| Item Weight | Not listed | 7.7 pounds |
| Door Count and Style | 1 door with slide-bolt latch and Paw Block | 4 doors with zipper lock clips |
| Included Accessories | Divider panel, plastic pan, rubber feet, handle | Fleece pet bed pad, carry bag, shoulder strap |
| Breed Size Recommendation | Medium (21 to 40 lbs) | Small breeds, cats, rabbits, small animals |
| Base Protection | Durable leak-proof plastic pan | Water-resistant base |
| Assembly Requirement | Tool-free folding design | Pop-up folding design with no tools |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1-year manufacturer warranty | Not listed |
| Best For | Puppy house training and chew containment | Car travel and lightweight transport |
Enclosure Security and Containment Strength
Containment strength determines whether a kennel can reliably hold an anxious, energetic, or teething dog. The fundamental divide in the wire crate vs soft crate for dogs debate centers on physical resistance. An enclosure must withstand clawing, nudging, and weight shifts without structural deformation. For young dogs learning house rules, security is paramount to prevent destructive household roaming or escape attempts.
The MidWest iCrate relies on precision-welded metal wire coated in a black e-coat finish to resist rust and wear. MidWest Homes for Pets equips this model with rounded corner clips and a slide-bolt latch featuring a patented Paw Block. This mechanism stops dogs from nudging the latch open from the inside. In an in-depth MidWest iCrate review, security stands out as its defining attribute; the rigid wire resists teeth, claws, and leaning. If you are comparing heavy-duty wire models, our breakdown of the midwest icrate vs petmate sky kennel examines how wire compares to hard plastic containment.
Conversely, the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate uses a soft-sided fabric construction with zipper closures. While Amazon Basics incorporates zipper lock clips on the front and side doors to deter clever pets from pushing zippers apart, the soft mesh remains vulnerable to biting or persistent digging. In an honest Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate review, containment is adequate only for crate-trained pets that do not test boundaries. A determined chewer can shred fabric panels quickly, rendering the enclosure unusable.
Edge: MidWest iCrate, because its welded metal wire construction, slide-bolt latch, and Paw Block prevent escapes and resist chewing far better than fabric and zippers.
Puppy House Training and Adaptability
House training requires controlling the amount of space available to a puppy. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping quarters, so restricting usable floor space encourages bladder control. As the puppy grows, the interior volume must expand accordingly. Enclosures that lack adjustable interior dimensions can slow down house training by allowing a pup to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
When deciding on the MidWest iCrate or Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate for puppy development, the iCrate is explicitly engineered for training. It includes a metal divider panel that hooks directly into the side wires. This allows owners to reduce the 30.5-inch interior down to puppy proportions and expand it as the dog grows toward its 21- to 40-pound adult size. The crate also comes with a durable, leak-proof plastic pan that catches accidents and slides out cleanly without disassembling the frame. For other training alternatives, our comparison of the midwest icrate vs diggs revol highlights how wire units approach puppy development.
The Amazon Basics folding travel crate provides no interior divider options. At a fixed 26 x 18 x 18 inches, the entire floor area remains accessible from day one. Placing an untrained puppy inside this space invites accidents. Furthermore, while it includes a removable fleece pet bed pad and a water-resistant base, repeated puppy accidents on fabric require frequent washing and can seep into seams. When evaluating Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate vs MidWest iCrate for housebreaking, the soft crate lacks the structural adaptability required for progressive training.
Edge: MidWest iCrate, due to its included adjustable divider panel and slide-out leak-proof plastic pan designed specifically for housebreaking.
Portability and Travel Convenience
Portability encompasses total weight, collapsed footprint, and how easily a pet parent can transport the kennel between locations. While home crates stay stationary in living areas, travel kennels must pack quickly into vehicles, hotel rooms, or campsites. Heavy materials and awkward latches make routine transit exhausting for pet owners on the move.
The Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate excels in mobile environments. Weighing just 7.7 pounds, it is significantly lighter than metal alternatives. Amazon Basics includes both a standard carrying handle and a padded shoulder strap, allowing hands-free transport when collapsed. The pop-up design sets up and folds down in seconds without tools, packing neatly into an included carry bag. The listing specifically notes compatibility with car travel, making it an agile companion for road trips. If you want to see how this compares to premium collapsible designs, look at our analysis of the diggs revol vs amazon basics soft dog crate.
The MidWest iCrate folds flat into a manageable package and features a clip-on plastic carrying handle for transport. However, its welded steel construction makes it noticeably heavier than fabric carriers, even though the listing does not specify an exact poundage. Moving a metal wire crate to and from a vehicle requires physical effort, and the hard steel corners can scuff car upholstery. While the manufacturer notes it can be folded down for travel to vacation rentals, it remains fundamentally an indoor crate rather than a dedicated mobile carrier.
Edge: Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate, as its 7.7-pound weight, included shoulder strap, carry bag, and car compatibility deliver superior travel ease.
Ventilation, Visibility, and Access Points
Airflow and accessibility impact an animal’s emotional comfort inside an enclosure. Maximum airflow prevents overheating during warmer seasons, while multiple entry doors simplify loading pets into vehicles or tight living spaces. High visibility helps pets feel connected to their owners, though some nervous animals become overstimulated when exposed to continuous visual activity.
The MidWest iCrate provides 360-degree open-air ventilation through its steel wire grid. Air circulates unobstructed from all angles, eliminating stagnant heat pockets. However, this single-door model (Model 1530) features only one front-facing entry point with a low threshold. While the large single opening eases entry, the lack of side or top doors restricts how you can position the crate inside a car or against living room furniture. Dogs that feel vulnerable in wide-open spaces may also feel exposed without a crate cover.
Access is where the Amazon Basics design shines. It features a four-door configuration with access panels on the front, top, and sides. The top door allows owners to lower small dogs, cats, or rabbits directly inside, while the three side entries let you position the crate in any orientation within a vehicle. Furthermore, Amazon Basics includes sewn-in straps to roll up and secure the fabric doors, converting the crate into an open-access den. Mesh panels on the doors provide adequate airflow while softening direct visual stimulation, which often helps anxious travelers settle. For more mobile containment ideas, read our guide on the amazon basics folding dog crate vs petmate sky kennel.
Edge: Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate, offering four versatile access doors, roll-up door fasteners, and a top-loading hatch that the single-door iCrate lacks.
Durability and Floor Protection
Long-term durability measures how well an enclosure handles everyday wear, moisture, cleaning routines, and floor contact. Scratched hardwood floors, bent wires, torn seams, and rust degrade an enclosure over months of ownership. A well-built kennel should protect both the animal inside and the home surfaces underneath.
MidWest iCrate durability is supported by over 100 years of pet product manufacturing expertise from the Indiana-based company. The steel wire receives an electro-coat finish that bonds to the metal, resisting rust, chipping, and scratch damage. Underneath the base, MidWest Homes for Pets includes protective rubber feet that prevent the metal wire from scratching hardwood, laminate, or tile floors. The durable plastic pan withstands repeated cleaning and harsh detergents without cracking, and the crate is backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
The Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate uses synthetic fabric paired with a water-resistant base. While the water-resistant bottom prevents damp ground moisture from seeping upward during outdoor use, fabric inherently suffers from friction wear. Repeated setup, folding, scratching claws, and machine washing will degrade soft seams over time. Amazon does not list a specific warranty duration for this model. For long-term home use, fabric cannot match the structural lifespan of finished steel wire.
Edge: MidWest iCrate, thanks to its rust-resistant e-coat finish, protective rubber floor feet, leak-proof replacement pan, and 1-year warranty.
Pros and Cons
MidWest Icrate
Pros
- Lightweight 7.7-pound collapsible frame
- Four doors including top-loading hatch
- Includes fleece bed and carry bag
- Padded shoulder strap for transit
- Water-resistant base material
Cons
- Fabric vulnerable to chewing and digging
- No interior divider for house training
Who Should Buy Each One
Choose the MidWest iCrate If
- You are house training a new puppy that needs an adjustable divider panel to grow into its adult dimensions.
- Your dog is a medium breed weighing between 21 and 40 pounds, such as a French Bulldog, Welsh Terrier, or Dachshund.
- Your pet exhibits chewing, pawing, or scratching behaviors that would tear through fabric or zipper seams.
- You need an indoor home crate with rubber floor protectors and a leak-proof slide-out pan for easy accident cleanups.
Choose the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate If
- You frequently travel by car and need an ultra-lightweight 7.7-pound crate with a shoulder strap and carry bag.
- Your dog, cat, or small animal is already fully crate-trained and never claws or chews at mesh panels.
- You need multiple entry options, including a top-loading door for gentle loading and roll-up doors for open den lounging.
- You want an all-in-one travel package that includes a soft fleece bed pad and a water-resistant bottom.
Final Verdict
For most pet parents, the MidWest iCrate is the superior choice for everyday domestic life and puppy raising. Its welded metal wire construction, slide-bolt latch with Paw Block, and included divider panel provide the structural security required to establish healthy crate habits. Backed by a 1-year warranty and equipped with protective rubber feet, the iCrate handles teething puppies and energetic medium breeds without risk of torn mesh or broken zippers.
The Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate wins unequivocally for mobile pet owners seeking convenience on the road. Weighing just 7.7 pounds and folding flat into an included travel bag, it eliminates the strain of hauling heavy metal cages into hotel rooms or vehicles. If your pet is already calm, non-destructive, and reliably housebroken, this four-door fabric kennel provides the ultimate lightweight comfort for travel.
FAQ
Can an energetic puppy chew through the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate?
Yes. The Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate is constructed with fabric and mesh panels that cannot withstand persistent biting, teething, or clawing. Puppies going through teething stages should be housed in a welded wire kennel like the MidWest iCrate to prevent ingestion of fabric and escape.
Does the MidWest iCrate fold flat for storage?
Yes, the MidWest iCrate features a collapsible, tool-free design that folds flat in seconds. It includes a clip-on carrying handle to assist in moving the folded wire frame, though it remains heavier to carry than a fabric carrier.
Is Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate worth it for vet visits and car travel?
Yes, the soft crate is well suited for calm pets during vehicle transit. With its 7.7-pound frame, padded shoulder strap, four entry doors, and water-resistant base, it makes transporting small dogs, cats, or rabbits much easier than moving a rigid wire crate.
Can I use the Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate for house training?
It is not recommended for house training. The Amazon Basics model lacks an adjustable divider panel to limit interior space, and accidents can soil the fabric seams and fleece pad. The MidWest iCrate is specifically designed for house training with its included divider and slide-out leak-proof plastic tray.
What breeds fit comfortably in the 30-inch MidWest iCrate?
The 30-inch MidWest iCrate (Model 1530) measures 30.5 x 19.25 x 21.5 inches and is rated for medium breeds weighing 21 to 40 pounds. Recommended breeds include French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, and Welsh Terriers. MidWest Homes for Pets advises sizing up to their 36-inch model if your dog approaches the 40-pound limit.
How do the door latches compare between both crates?
The MidWest iCrate utilizes a heavy-duty metal slide-bolt latch equipped with a patented Paw Block to stop dogs from unlatching the door from inside. The Amazon Basics Soft Dog Crate uses zippers equipped with lock clips to prevent pets from pushing the sliders apart, though the zipper material itself offers less structural resistance than steel bolts.
