Give your pooch their own private playspace with the best dog playpens. Playpens let you fence off a dedicated area for your pet to play and rest in, giving you peace of mind knowing that they’re contained within a safe space..
Dog playpens are great for dogs of all ages, but they’re especially useful for puppies or older dogs with destructive tendencies, keeping them cut off from furniture, shoes, plants, and anything else they’re liable to destroy when you’re looking the other way. If your pooch is still being trained, they’re a great way to keep your home and pet safe in the meantime. They’re also perfect if you’re working from home and need to know they won’t be causing trouble while you’re in meetings.
Dog playpens serve a lot of the same roles as the best dog crates, but they’re far less restrictive, with open-tops and enough room for your dog to roam around and play — just add a few of the best dog toys or best dog puzzles to keep them entertained.
If you’re considering picking up one of the best dog playpens, the main features you should consider are size, ease of assembly, and durability. You need a playpen with enough space for your breed of dog, durable enough to withstand a few knocks, and something that’s easy to set up and take down — especially if it’s not going to be a permanent fixture. Some are even extendable, letting you expand the space as your puppy grows up. If you’re planning to use your dog playpen outside, you also want one that is water-resistant too.
PetRadar’s pick of the best dog playpens
If you’re looking for a basic, but well-built and useful dog playpen, that you’re going to use regularly, then something like this option from MidWest will likely suit a wide variety of different dog parents.
You can use it to create a contained enclosure, or you can position it to divide up rooms - say if you want to keep your pooch away from the meal-prep area of a kitchen.
It has a secure double latch door which you can open and close when you or the dog needs to get in and out of the pen, which means you won’t need to lift them in and out - ideal for heavier dogs, or those with mobility issues.
The pen is easy to set up, requiring no specialist tools or expertise to get it into position. If you don’t want to use it all the time, it also folds flat for easy storage - meaning you could also take it with you on trips to unfamiliar locations too.
You can use this pen either indoors or outdoors, with ground anchors included in the box for outdoor use, plus corner stabilizers - so it’s also a good option for those who have unsecured gardens but want to give their dog a little fresh air while you enjoy the garden yourself.
The major downside of this pen however is that it’s mainly suitable for small-medium dogs. Larger dogs may be able to easily escape it from the top.
If you’re looking for something that simply does the job but don’t want to spend too much, this pen from the Amazon Basics range is a great idea.
Available in a variety of sizes depending on the size of your pooch, it’s a basic metal wire construction that is quick and easy to set up. When not in use it also folds flat for easy storage.
You can use this pen either indoors or outdoors, with anchors supplied in the box for outdoor usage. The black finish is rust proof, so you don’t need to worry too much about leaving it outside in poor conditions if you don’t have room to bring it inside.
With this pen you can either create a complete enclosure, or you can use it to divide up spaces making use of walls and other areas to block off parts of the room.
The basic / cheapest option of this playpen doesn’t include a door, so you’ll either have to lift your dog in and out of it, or lift the pen out of the way to free them - so it can be a little awkward for larger dogs. A version with a door is also available for a little extra outlay, though.
If the primary purpose for a pet playpen is to create a secure area in your garden, then a durable and sturdy pen is what you need.
This option for BestPet can be used indoors, but it’s well-suited to outdoor use thanks to its heavy-duty construction and rust-resistant coated metal materials.
It can be easily constructed without tools, and if you need to make it bigger, you can even attach multiple pens together for an even larger set up. A door means that you and your pet can easily get in and out of the playpen without having to make awkward manoeuvres or move an entire panel out of the way.
You can set up the pen in a number of different shapes, which is useful if you have an awkwardly shaped outdoor space. If you don’t want to use it all the time, it collapses down flat for easier storage too. The playpen is available in three different sizes from 24-inches up to 40-inches. If you have the space for the larger pen, it’s recommended that you get that one, even if your dog is small, to give them maximum room.
Although quite a high price compared with some of the other pens on the list, if you need something stable and secure for outdoor playtime, it’s better to spend a bit more to get a well-made product.
Far and away one of the best and most popular doggy playpens around, this model features an ingenious swinging pet door that allows your pup to enter and exit the playpen as they please, but that also locks for those times when you're wanting to keep your furry friend securely contained.
Made from strong and durable plastic and with an attractive espresso brown finish that fits flawlessly with any decor, this playpen has eight panels that can be made bigger or smaller and configured to fit any space. So it's ideal for both play times and for when you're wanting to create a crate for training or sleep purposes.
The panels are foldable and come with a convenient travel strap, which makes this lightweight playpen ideal for taking with you wherever you go. It also has skid-resistant pads which hold it in place and protect your floors.
As far as we can tell, the only downside to this playpen is the side of the panels themselves. Measuring 26-inches in height, they're brilliant for containing small to medium sized breeds, but we wouldn't recommend this model for humongous hounds, who will easily be able to clamber over the panels and escape.
Available in three different sizes depending on the size of your dog, this playpen is ideal for those with like to travel with their dogs.
Made from lightweight and water-resistant materials, the playpen quickly pops up for easy assembly without hassle or tools. When not in use, you can fold it flat and transport it with the included carrying case.
This would be an ideal pen for taking pets to the beach or the park if you want to spend time in one location - such as while having a picnic. You won’t need to worry about your dog running off or pulling on the lead, yet they can still enjoy the outdoors with you.
It’s also a good alternative for those who are travelling with their dogs to an unfamiliar location and aren’t sure how dog friendly their accommodation is going to be. It could also easily double up as a travel bed, too.
The playpen has a zippered top which you can remove if you prefer, or leave it on to provide extra security, or shade when in a sunny location.
Price is the only downside of this option, particularly if you don’t intend to travel a lot - but for opening up a variety of travel options it could easily be considered excellent value for money.
If you have an extra large dog, then you’ll need an extra large playpen if you want to keep them fenced in.
This product from New World is available in a variety of sizes, but of course for this entry we’re focusing on the X-Large option, which is suitable for dogs which are up to 30-inches tall.
Easy to construct and dissemble when not in use, although the playpen takes up a lot of space when it is fully assembled, it folds down flat for easier storage when you’re not using it. You can use it either indoors to block off certain areas, or construct it as a fully-enclosed pen either indoors or outdoors.
For use outdoors, there are ground stakes included to keep the pen anchored to the ground. The outer coat of the pen is also rust-resistant, so you shouldn’t ned to worry too much about bringing it inside should the heavens open.
You can use the pen in conjunction with an existing crate to expand your dog’s living areas indoors, while also keeping them away from any areas you don’t want them to get to. There’s no door inbuilt to this crate however, so so you’ll need to unlock one of the panels to allow you/your dog to walk in and out of it.
The IRIS 24'' 4-panel dog exercise playpen with it's own access door is brilliant for giving small pups a safe and secure place to play and rest.
Measuring 36" W x 24" H and with an access door that's 15.75 inches wide and 18.88 inches in height, it's ideal for use both in the home and yard.
Providing 8 square feet of play space, the IRIS playpen features panels that snap together easily and because the design is so lightweight, it's a breeze to transport from A to B.
Made from durable, molded plastic, it has non-skid rubber feet to protect your flooring and ensure that the playpen stays firmly fixed in place.
If you're looking for a stylish playpen that will fit well in most homes, then this product by Unipaws should be high on your list. It's been produced using strong pressed wood and wire and, as well as being aesthetically pleasing, it's also durable and, just as importantly, versatile too.
Since it consists of six foldable panels, you can decide how you want to arrange it. You could, for example, opt for a simple rectangle or you may even want to spread it across a wide doorway, making an entire room a pen. If you place it against a corner wall you could have a narrow playpen five panels long. Maybe you want a hexagon. It really is up to you and your imagination, helped by hinges that rotate 360 degrees.
Whichever option you choose, your setup will benefit from a pet gate, making access easy. This is lockable for added peace of mind and since the gaps between the bars are just 1.3 inches, there's little chance of escape elsewhere.
The playpen also sits on four support feet which should ensure it doesn't get knocked over and, to protect your wooden floors, there are anti-scratch pads. It's just a shame it's indoors-only although we suspect the wood and wires would get ruined outside.
It may be the case that you want a dog playpen that will be nice and sturdy, and difficult for your dog to escape from. In this instance, this offering from FXW will fit the bill nicely.
Available in a range of sizes, from 24 inches all the way up to 50, the FXW Dog Playpen is incredibly easy to set up, taking no more than five minutes to assemble. it's customizable too, meaning there is no predefined shape; there are a number of ways in which to arrange the panels.
Moreover, there are safeguards included for if your dog tries to escape. Rounded ball tops are fixed to the top of the stakes, making them kinder on their claws. If you choose to have it outside then the stakes can be embedded in the ground, making it even harder to knock over.
The only issue we have really seen mentioned is that of rust – a number of reviews reported this to occur after a short amount of time, meaning this is best kept inside when not in use.
In terms of sturdiness and reliability, however, we have heard few complaints about this.
How to choose the best dog playpen
Height and weight
A dog playpen obviously needs to be able to contain your pooch appropriately. The size you need will of course depend on the size of your dog, as well as their ability to jump.
If you have a large dog who can easily scale obstacles, look for a playpen which offers plenty of height, or you could also look for those which offer the option of extending the height as they grow or get older.
Another alternative is to purchase a playpen cover which should keep your dog secure, as well as providing good shade if you’re intending to use the pen outdoors.
Weight is important for two different reasons - you’ll want to be able to manoeuvre the pen reasonably easily, but if it’s very light, you might find some strong dogs can lift it up and escape. Bear this in mind in relation to your own dog when choosing a pen.
Materials
Most playpens are made from metal wiring, which acts as a sort of cage for your dog. This helps to keep them contained without being too heavy or cumbersome.
Alternatively however, you might look for pens which are made from transparent or translucent plastic sheeting. This gives you a better sight of your dog from a number of different angles, so you might consider it to be more appropriate for your needs.
Entry and exit points
The cheaper dog pens often don’t include a door or gate for the dog (or you) to get in and out of the pen. That won’t be a problem for some dogs, but if you have one that you don’t want to lift in and out of the pen, it makes sense to get one with an inbuilt door for the easiest operability.
Some pens don’t have doors, but do have sections that can easily be released and move in a door-like way. It’s generally worth paying a little extra for an inbuilt door if you can, though.
Outdoor options
Have a think about how you intend to use your dog pen. If it’s for indoor use only, you might be able to get away with cheaper options that haven’t been designed to be particularly durable.
If however you’re wanting to give your pooch a run around outside to get some fresh air, you should look for those that feature rust-proofing, as well as coming with stakes to secure the pen to the ground. You’ll probably find that you don’t want the hassle of having to move the pen in and out of the house if you're using it frequently, so investing in one that can withstand various weathers makes a lot of sense.
How long should a dog be in a playpen?
Dog playpens are an excellent way to keep your dogs safe and out of mischief, making sure they’re not chewing your home into pieces, but they’re not a permanent home for your pooch.
“As a rule, dogs should not be left alone for extended periods, whether in a playpen or free-roaming your house. It is recommended that adult dogs are left for no longer than 4 hours at a time, with puppies requiring even more regular attention for both toilet breaks and interaction.” says veterinary surgeon Rebecca MacMillan.
Playpens are suited to keeping your pets within a certain area, but you shouldn’t leave them alone for extended periods of time. That means no going to work for 8 hours and leaving your furry friend in the playpen. If you absolutely must leave them for an extended period of time, MacMillan says that you “must ensure that someone lets them out and checks on them during the day. This could be a family member, friend, or dog walker.”
Leaving your canine friend alone for longer will likely lead to them becoming bored and lonely, which in turn leads to unwanted behaviors like barking (which your neighbors will not thank you for), property destruction, and anxiety.
