Head-to-head · Best Dog Crates

MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds vs Petmate Vari Dog Kennel

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.8 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about pet owners needing airline-approved, durable travel crates — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #7 in Best Dog Crates

MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds

3.8

3 sourcesall derived$49.29as of Jul 31

Reviewers rate the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate Double Door crate for easy assembly, portability, and construction sturdy enough for medium breeds in the 21-40 lb range. The two doors give you flexibility on placement, the divider panel helps with training, and the leak-proof pan makes housebreaking less messy. Some units arrived with bent metal parts or slight door sagging, but overall it's solid value for small to medium dogs. It suits pet parents who want a durable, foldable crate for indoor use and travel.

Strengths

— Double doors allow flexible placement in tight spaces
— Includes divider panel to adjust living space for growing puppies
— Leak-proof plastic pan makes cleaning easy during housebreaking

Watch-outs

— Some users reported bent metal parts from manufacturing or transit
— Door sags slightly on some units, requiring upward pull to close

$49.29 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Dog Crates

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel

4.5

2 sourcesall derived$39.99as of Jul 31

The Petmate Vari Kennel is a hard-sided plastic dog travel crate that meets most IATA requirements for airline cargo. Reviewers noted the heavy-duty construction, the tool-free assembly, and the built-in ventilation. It works well for large dogs and the airline-approved design is the main draw, though the bigger sizes take longer to ship and won't fit every vehicle's cargo area. Pet parents who need a durable crate for both travel and everyday use should look here.

Strengths

— Meets most International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements for airline travel
— Durable construction with heavy-duty plastic shell and metal grated door
— Easy assembly with no tools required, includes spiral wing nuts and bolts

Watch-outs

— Larger sizes (36" and 40") must ship via LTL/Freight Carrier and arrive in 10-14 business days
— XL size may not fit upright in some vehicle cargo areas

$39.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds

The MidWest Homes crate stands out for its included divider panel and leak-proof pan, features not found in the Amazon Basics or FDW models. However, it lacks the collapsible wheel design of the Diggs Revol and the airline compliance of the Petmate Vari. While it offers solid portability, it's less versatile than the Diggs Revol for travel and more basic than the Sweetcrispy for security.

Petmate Vari Dog Kennel

The Petmate Vari meets IATA airline requirements, which the FDW and Sweetcrispy models don't, making it ideal for travel. However, it's heavier than the Diggs Revol and lacks the diamond-shaped safety design. Unlike the Impact High Anxiety crate, it's not escape-proof and doesn't feature a powder-coated aluminum frame. It's a travel-approved hard crate but not the most secure for escape-prone dogs.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	MidWest Homes for Pets 30-Inch iCrate for Medium Breeds	Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
Weight	21-40 lbs	Up to 31.0 lb
Material	Wire frame	EcoTEC Plastic (90% pre-consumer recycled)
Door Type	Double Door style	Metal grated
Features	Leak-proof pan, divider panel, rubber feet	360 Degree Ventilation, Airline Compliant, Easy to assemble
Dimensions	30.67"L x 19.3"W x 21.46"H	40.000 x 27.000 x 30.000
Usage	—	perfect for both air and car travel
Color	—	Gray/Black

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